When China began its reform and opening up drive in 1978, its gross domestic product (GDP) ranked 10th in the world, trailing not only the United States, but a host of other nations, including Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Brazil and Spain. In fact, it was smaller than the economy of California.

The story since then is known to all. China played catch-up rapidly. In December of 2014, an IMF report stated that using purchasing power parity, China produced $17.6 trillion in terms of goods and services that year, compared with $17.4 trillion for the US.

Otherwise, the Conference Board estimates that China's GDP will surpass that of the US by 2018 and PriceWaterhouse Coopers forecasts that China's economy will be bigger than the US' before 2030.

The trend seems to be clear that China will have the world's largest economy in the coming years or decades, if not already. But it is true that in the per capita sense, China's GDP is much smaller.

Like the varied estimates, perceptions among people in countries are quite different. A Pew Research Center survey released last Thursday shows that across 38 nations polled, a median of 42 percent say the US is the world's leading economy, while 32 percent name China.

People in Latin America and much of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa tend to think the US is the largest economy. And by a 51 percent to 35 percent margin, people in the US name their own country rather than China as the largest economy. That contrasts to a Gallup poll in February of 2016 which showed that by 50 percent to 37 percent, more Americans say China rather than the US is the top economy.

Probably quite surprisingly, in seven of the 10 European Union nations surveyed by Pew, China is regarded as the leading economic power. A plurality in Russia also holds this view. China leads the US by a two-to-one margin in Australia  a longtime US security ally whose largest trading partner is China.

While more countries believe the US is still the largest economy, perceptions of relative US economic power have declined among many of the US' key trading partners and allies, according to the survey. Such a shift is not only true in Europe, but also in countries such as Canada, Brazil, Mexico and the Philippines.

The survey finds that global publics tend to express positive views about China, and more people now express negative views of the US than of China. A median of 47 percent across the 38 nations polled have a favorable view of China, while 37 percent have an unfavorable one; a median of 49 percent see the US in a positive light while 39 percent offer an unfavorable view.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the region where China receives its most positive ratings, a clear refutation of those who have criticized China's role in Africa. At 72 percent, Nigerians' assessment of China is the most positive on the survey. Also, 70 percent of Russians express a favorable view of China.

China is also viewed very favorably in Latin America, where 51 percent express a favorable opinion of China while 26 percent express an unfavorable view  again, a refutation of criticism of China's growing role in Latin America.

In the Middle East, the favorable view of China is 53 percent, against 43 percent unfavorable. It is the area where China continues to lead the US in favorability rating, a reflection of US foreign policy failure in the region despite its heavy involvement, or intervention, diplomatically and militarily.

While Europeans are divided on China, the share of the public with a positive opinion of China has increased significantly in countries such as Spain, France and the UK.

China has suffered a drop in its favorable view in South Korea, India and Vietnam, but the survey does not say whether this was due to China's strained relations with these countries due to China's strong opposition to the THAAD anti-missile defense system in South Korea, the border standoff with India or a maritime territorial dispute with Vietnam.

In the US, 44 percent view China favorably while 47 percent express an unfavorable view. That is less exciting than a Gallup poll in February which showed that 50 percent in the US now view China favorably, the best since the end of the 1980s.

Contact the writer at chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com.
Genres : Drama

Director : Tom White, Allan Zion

Plot Synopsis

Accompanied by a frenetic original soundtrack by the great Ornette Coleman, insane asylum inmates escape their confinement and hole up in a deserted Belgian farmhouse, where they cook large quantities of eggs and condemn one of their own in an impromptu court. The actors don't have much need for words when they can dance around, light things on fire, and drip hot wax on each other instead. Ornette Coleman and the other members of his trio  David Izenzon and Charles Moffett  recorded their score for WHO'S CRAZY? in one go while the film was projected for them, and the result feels like a bizarre silent film with the greatest possible accompaniment. The soundtrack also features a young Marianne Faithfull singing what are probably her most experimental riffs  written for her especially by Ornette  as she asks, "Is God man? Is man God?" in an original track titled "Sadness."



WHO'S CRAZY? was long thought to be lost by jazz-on-film scholars and the Library of Congress. In early 2015, the only surviving copy of the film, a 35mm print struck for the film's debut at Cannes in 1966, was salvaged from director Thomas White's garage after sitting on a shelf there for decades. Ornette's soundtrack exists as a hard-to-find LP, but audiences have never before had the opportunity to see what Ornette saw when he composed it. The cast consists of actors from New York's experimental theater troupe, the Living Theatre, who also performed in Shirley Clarke's The Connection; and speaking of connections, Clarke would later direct the fantastic Ornette: Made in America (1984). The 35mm print of WHO'S CRAZY? was repaired by John Klacsmann, archivist at Anthology Film Archives.
Pinellas County deputies arrested a registered sex offender Saturday after he inappropriately touched a 64-year-old disabled woman in unincorporated St. Petersburg.

Man charged after inappropriately touching an elderly/disabled woman

Jacques Fields accused of grabbing a woman's breasts

According to deputies, the victim was sitting in a chair outside her home when a black male, identified as Jacques Fields, 34, who was not known to her, approached and offered her money to have sex with him. The victim declined and told the man to leave multiple times. The man refused to leave and started advancing towards the victim, the report stated.

Deputies said the victim feared for her life and went inside the home, where her three grandchildren were sleeping, to search for a weapon. Officials said when Fields walked up to the front door of the victim's home, the victim then exited her home to confront him.

Fields forcefully grabbed the woman's breasts, officials said, and the victim punched the subject in the head and screamed for help, causing Fields to flee the area.

The incident happened around 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Deputies found Fields walking a short distance from the victim's home.

He was arrested and charged with one count of lewd and lascivious battery of an elderly/disabled adult and one count of felony battery.

Fields is listed as a register sexual offender resulting from a 2005 sexual battery conviction.
Genres : Action, Adventure

Starring : Liao Fan, Jia Song, Wenli Jiang

Director : Haofeng Zu

Plot Synopsis

In 1930s China, unrest rules the nation. Chen, the last Wing Chun master, arrives in Tianjin to expand his kung fu but his ambition gets him entangled in a power struggle between Tianjins martial arts Grandmaster, a dominant underworld Madam, and the towns military leaders. Can he protect his family from the dangers of the martial arts world, or will it consume everything he loves?
Black Lives Matter Tampa stopped by the Plant City Police Department on Saturday to demand change in the wake of the police shooting of Jesus Cervantes.

Black Lives Matter Tampa wants change after fatal shooting

Jesus Cervantes was shot dead July 6 after police chase

Fatal shooting is under investigation by FDLE

RELATED: Plant City officers IDed after fatally shooting suspect Suspect shot, killed by Plant City police identified



The group was supported by a few other activist groups, including Showing Up for Racial Justice Tampa, The Restorative Justice Coalition, Out and Loud Florida and ANSWER Sun coast.

Several of Cervantes family members along with about a dozen demonstrators also showed up.

We want justice for him and justice for the family, said Gabriela Molina, Cervantes sister-in-law. She said her brother-in-law was 35 years old and a husband and father of four young girls.

Plant City officers said Cervantes led police on a high-speed chase July 6 after calling 911 for help. Police said he lost control and crashed in a ditch in front of a BP gas station, shortly after running over stop sticks.

The departments spokesman said Cervantes didnt follow their commands and instead reached for an unknown object.

He was calling for help, and they didnt take the time to ask him if he was OK after the crash," Molina said.

Asked Ruth Beltran: He was in a crisis, and he crashed. Could that be why he wasnt responding to demands?

The shooting is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Black Lives Matter Tampa wants changes made to prevent this from happening again.

The group has a list of demands, including a federal investigation of the shooting, the release of dashboard and body cameras, the release of all evidence including surveillance video from the BP gas station and witness testimonies, as well as an independent civilian review board, regular bias training, cultural competency training and new policies designed to stop the usage of deadly force by law enforcement.

Some of the demands we have here are a clear way to build trust, a clear way for transparency, if they have nothing to hide, Beltran said.

Black Lives Matter is giving the Plant City commission and chief of police until July 28 to formally respond to its demands.

Plant City Police said that agency has surveillance video from the BP gas station.

But Sgt. Alfred Van Duyne said the department doesnt have plans to purchase body cameras anytime soon because of logistical concerns.

Van Duyne said the department is seeing how they work with the Tampa Police Department, which is using them in a pilot program, and the judicial system to determine whether theyre cost-effective. He said the initial procurement cost is more than $200,000, and that doesnt include the money needed to maintain them and store the video.

In relation to dash cams, Van Duyne said the department got rid of those about eight years ago after encountering issues maintaining them.

He said it is standard procedure for police shootings to be investigated by the FDLE. The two officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Some Chance of Aurora Borealis Above Oregon, the Coast Sunday, Monday

Published 07/15/2017 at 6:43 PM PDT - Updated 07/15/2017 at 7:11 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Oregon Coast)  A different kind of storm watch has been issued for the skies above Oregon and the Oregon coast: a geomagnetic storm watch. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued that for the northern latitudes of Earth for July 16 and 17, which could mean some glimpses of the Aurora Borealis in this area on Sunday and Monday night.

Chances are better to spot the northern lights in northeastern Oregon, but the northwestern portion of the state has a chance as well. Portland and the valley areas have clear nighttime forecasts, while the north Oregon coast is looking a bit cloudy on those nights  but with plenty of breaks.

Find a dark area free of city lights and start looking around midnight.

Jim Todd, astronomy expert with Portland's OMSI, said this comes from a massive solar flare on Friday morning. Storms could be category G2 for both days, which is moderately strong.

Still, it's literally a shot in the dark as to whether Oregon and its coastline will glimpse any of this.

It all depends on the timing, Todd said. How strong the KP is and when it arrives.

KP is the measurement index of a geomagnetic storm. Todd said some of the strongest portions could be hitting the Earth during the day and then the smaller amounts at night, leaving watchers  well, in the dark. Todd said some of this space weather starts hitting Sunday afternoon.

Scientists around the world a bit abuzz about this solar flare on Friday. It came from sunspot AR2665, which erupted in a powerful and long-lasting M2-class solar flare. It lasted for more than two hours, battering the upper layers of the Earth with sustained and powerful X-rays and energetic protons. This onslaught from space even affected radio communications around the north pole regions and parts of the Pacific Ocean.

Forecasts around the Pacific Northwest are mostly clear for both those nights, although the Oregon coast is predicted to have fairly cloudy skies. Some of the better spots to look for this will likely be in the coast range mountains, especially on Highway 26 near the summits. See Oregon Coast Weather.

If you try from the Oregon coast, stick to areas north of Tillamook, such as Manzanita, Cannon Beach or Warrenton. One really good spot to plant your camera gear would be the gravel pullout just north of the Neahkahnie Overlooks, which looks towards Short Beach and Cape Falcon. The beaches north of Gearhart may also yield better results as there are little to no light interference issues there. Oregon Coast Hotels for this - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

Below: photos of the Aurora from the coast range and the Oregon coast, as well as some of the spots listed:

















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The Kaihogyo is a quest to become a living Buddha through 1000 days of gruelling rituals. Ivan Olita was granted rare access to a temple near Kyoto to film The Seven Year Pilgrimage to Enlightenment.

Shot on the holy Mt. Hiei, at the Enryaku-ji temple complex located just outside modern day Kyoto, "The 1000 days" documents the legendary ritual of the Kaihogyo, a quest to become a living Buddha with a practice of daily pilgrimage that over 7 years and 1000 days brings the few monks who undergo it to travel 24,000 miles  roughly the equivalent of the Earth's circumference  in the search for the ultimate enlightenment. The piece gives us an exclusive access into these incredible human beings and the teachings they live by to complete the training which would rank among the most demanding physical and mental challenges in the world. Only 46 men have completed the 1000 day pilgrimage since 1885.
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The terminator has found love in a Texas BBQ store.

On Wednesday, Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q in Austin leaving the actor and former California governor smitten. The BBQ joint's first location was in San Antonio.

RELATED: S.A. snags 2 spots on Texas Monthly's new Top 50 BBQ list

"Just had the best meal I've ever had at a gas station here," Schwarzenegger said on a Snapchat story, rebutting the store's "worst bar-b-q in Texas," tagline. "It was the best of the best."

According to his selfie video, it was love after first bite of Rudy's ribs.

A Rudy's spokesperson told mySA.com it's unclear why Schwarzenegger was in Central Texas, but the actor clearly enjoyed his time at the popular Austin spot.

READ ALSO: Watch The Rock Butcher His Arnold Schwarzenegger Impersonation (Video)

In May, dining guide and blog Eater Austin, reported that Schwarzenegger visited Killen's Barbecue in Houston, scribbling his claim-to-fame, "I'll be back," on the restaurant's wall of fame.

jthorpe@express-news.net

@jerilynnthorpe
U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber ruled in favor of Cigna regarding a lawsuit Chicago-based Advanced Ambulatory Surgical Center Inc. filed against the payer for allegedly wrongly denying reimbursement for claims for some Cigna-insured patients, according to Cook County Record.

Here's what you should know:



1. The ASC is out-of-network with Cigna. AASC allegedly forgave many Cigna-insured patients' bill due to the ASC's OON status.

2. Many patients seek OON providers to bypass copays and deductibles they would pay for in-network providers. Cigna issued policy changes saying it will deny reimbursement to OON providers that the payer suspected of fee forgiveness.

3. In October 2010, Cigna launched an investigation into the ASC and sent the surgery center a letter asking about its payment collection methods. The surgery center did not respond, prompting Cigna to send another letter in December 2010 that said the payer would deny all questionable policy claims until AASC could provide evidence that the ASC was requiring Cigna plan members receiving treatment at the ASC to pay the full "applicable OON co-insurance and/or deductible."

4. Cook County Record reports the ASC denies fee forgiveness and claims. The surgery center it would sometimes write off patient cost shares as charity if patients could not make a full payment.

5. Mr. Leinenweber said although AASC employees very well may have verified patient insurance coverage with a Cigna representative over a phone call before offering treatment to Cigna-insured patients, verifying coverage benefits is not "a concomitant promise of payment."
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Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull: "Well the laws of Australia prevail in Australia, I can assure you of that. The laws of mathematics are very commendable, but the only law that applies in Australia is the law of Australia."



The goddamned idiot continued, "I'm not a cryptographer, but what we are seeking to do is to secure their assistance. They have to face up to their responsibility. They can't just wash their hands of it and say it's got nothing to do with them."

As a reminder: working crypto works. Stopping criminals from accessing working crypto is impossible. Trying to do so will make everything much, much worse.

The goddamned idiot plans to export this goddamned idiocy to Canada, the USA, the UK and New Zealand.





Prime Minister claims laws of mathematics 'do not apply' in Australia

[Rachel Roberts/The Independent]

(Image: Facepalm, Brandon Grasley, CC-BY)
Police are appealing for information about a street robbery in Armagh

Four teenagers have been arrested following a street robbery in Armagh.

The incident happened in the early hours of the morning of 16 July sometime between midnight and 2.30am.

A phone was stolen during the incident, with one male requiring hospital treatment for his injuries.

The phone was later recovered.

Police have asked anyone who lives in the area of the waste grounds at Tandragee Road/ Russell Drive near the town of Lurgan to come forward with information.

PSNI Craigavon have also appealed to anyone who might have been in the area around that time last night.

Anyone with any information can call the non-emergency number 101, giving the reference number of 219 for 16/07/2017.
A major rescue effort has taken place to help a cyclist who fell between 12 and 15 feet from near the Antrim Coast Road north of Ballygally.

The mutli-agency response involved rescue teams from Larne and Ballycastle Coastguards.

A volunteer crew launched two of their lifeboats a short time after 10am on Sunday after a call came in from a the Belfast Coastguard, the body responsible for coordinating rescue efforts across the province.

The crews were responding to a report that a cyclist had fallen down a steep slope half a mile north of Ballygally onto a rocky shore.

Members of the fire and rescue services and the ambulance services also attended the incident.

The cyclist was assessed at the scene by a doctor and a paramedic from the ambulance service and it was decided to transfer him along the coast via an inshore lifeboat.

Once the casualty reached Ballygally beach they were transferred to a team of coastguard and ambulance members that were waiting on the shore to attend to them.

Speaking after the incident, the Larne RNLI helm Pamela Leitch said: "Due to the nature of the cyclists fall, the position for extraction was challenging via land and the best decision was to remove him from the beach side.

"We would like to wish the cyclist a speedy recovery following what must have been a frightening experience for him. Todays call out was a great example of different agencies working well together to bring someone to safety."
Police are appealing for information about the attack in north Belfast

A man has been seriously assaulted and left with puncture wounds to a shoulder.

The PSNI said the victim was targeted by a number of men at his home in the St James Mews area of north Belfast at about 8:45am on Saturday.

The man's injuries are not life-threatening.

The incident is understood to have continued outside the house and on to a nearby street and then on to the Antrim Road before the attackers fled in the direction of the Cliftonville Road.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Men have been charged for two separate robberies in Belfast

Two men have been charged in connection with two separate robbery incidents in Belfast on Friday July 14.

A 30-year-old man is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday July 17 charged with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an 'indictable offence'.

An indictable offence refers to certain types of serious crime.

The charges have been brought following a robbery at a premises on the Ormeau Road.

In an separate incident, a 19-year-old man has been charged with attempted robbery, criminal damage, and assault on police for the attempted robbery of a shop on Cliftonville Road in Belfast.

The suspect was detained by members of the public until the arrival of police.

He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on 11 August.

The PSNI have made no indication that these incidents were related in any way.

As is normal procedure, both of these cases will be reviewed by the PPS.
Police are trying to identify a man whose body was found in the River Lagan in Belfast

Clothing items worn by the male whose body was found at Shaws Bridge in Belfast on Friday 14th July 2017

Photographs of an unknown dead man's clothes have been released by police as they try to identify him.

The man's body was found in the river Lagan near Shaw's Bridge in Belfast on Friday but only a door key was found on him.

He is said to have been a white man in his 50s, stocky, about 5ft 8in with short brown hair which was going grey at the sides.

The man also had an appendix scar and had two compression bandages on his upper left arm.

He was wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, a black belt with a silver buckle and black and silver trainers.

Superintendent Melanie Jones appealed for members of the public to think about family, friends or neighbours who may fit the description and who have not been seen for a few days.

"We desperately want to reunite this man with his friends and family," she said.

"He died alone. Our priority now is to get this man reunited with his friends and family so he can be put to rest with dignity."

Supt Jones appealed for people to take the time to call to anyone they think matches the description as efforts continue to identify the man.
The Drumrallagh area in Strabane was cordoned off on Sunday.

A viable device has been made safe in the Drumrallagh area of Strabane.

It comes after the discovery by police of the suspect device on Sunday.

Residents were evacuated during the alert.

The device has been taken away for further examination.
A Portrush man has made his own wooly interpretation of Lidl's no pet rule.

The person in question has been spotted taking his unconventional pet for a stroll through the aisles of the budget supermarket's Glenmanus Road branch.

A Facebook post documenting the incident was posted by John Junk, the proprietor of Belfast Books, and has now been liked more than 1,900 times and shared more than 700 times.

In the post, Mr Junk explains that he had been in the store with his wife and two children getting barbecue supplies on July 15 when he saw the man walk in.

The sheep's owner reasoned with staff that there was a sign saying no dogs - but that this didn't include sheep.

"Locals seem to have difficulty processing what was happening, and one middle-aged woman rubbed her eyes in disbelief," Mr Junk wrote in the post.

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"After he'd been asked to leave we spoke to the urban shepherd outside. He claimed that his charge was one of triplets, and he'd had her from [when] she was three days old and had saved her from the abattoir."

Mr Junk added that the man "seemed to have a genuine affection for the animal" and that it didn't look like it was in need of rescue.
The area of the Antrim Road near to where the incident happened

Police are appealing for information after a teenager was attacked at his home in north Belfast.

The incident happened in the St James Mews area shortly before 8.45am on Saturday July 15.

The 19-year-old male victim was assaulted by the gang and sustained puncture wounds to his shoulder.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Speaking about the incident, the PSNI's Constable Molloy said: "This attack continued into a nearby street and onto the Antrim Road before the persons made off in the direction of the Cliftonville Road."

Anyone with any information about the attack is asked to contact police at the Tennent Street Police Station on the non-emergency number 101 and by quoting the reference 538 with the date 15/07/17. Alternatively, the public can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
News / Education

by Stephen Jakes

A school headmaster in Insiza South is reported to have expelled pupils from school because they failed to bring food for the feeding scheme at the school.Zimbabwe Peace Project reported that in Insiza South, it is alleged that a number of students from Ntuthuko Primary School in ward 3 were denied entry into classrooms by the headmaster, Ndumo Ncube on 5 June."It is reported that Ncube withdrew and barred all the students who had failed to each bring 5kg bags of maize, sugar beans and $1 meant for the school feeding program."ZPP also reported that in an incident of malicious damage to property in Village 5 of Ward 26 at Nsangu Jahana in Shangani was reported on Sunday 11 June."Zanu PF youths led by councillor Edith Gumbo, Zanu PF ward chairperson Shame Mathe, Virginia Mathe, Kinana Dlodlo are said to have raided the home of village head, Victor Sengwayo," ZPP reported."The Zanu PF supporters are said to have physically assaulted Sengwayo, his wife, mother and nephew and looted property that includes a generator, inverter and building tools. Some members of the family sustained serious injuries and the 13-year-old nephew is still admitted at a Bulawayo hospital where he is said to be suffering from seizures attributed to brain damage."ZPP also stated that Mahayiza Ndlovu, Watershed village headman and Zanu-PF member in Bulilima East intimidated villagers during a community meeting held at Watershed and Madlawuni areas on 28 June."It is alleged that, Ndlovu verbally attacked villagers supporting opposition parties. In his remarks, he mentioned punishing those that are not part of Zanu PF cell groups. He accused villagers who had failed to attend the meeting as Zanu PF enemies who are likely to be banished from his area. He added that those who value their security should side with Zanu PF," said ZPP.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said "we must ensure sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences" (Victoria Jones/PA)

The Home Secretary has indicated acid attack convictions could soon carry life sentences as a crackdown on corrosive substances was unveiled by the Government.

Amber Rudd warned that an overhaul of current guidelines would ensure those who use noxious liquids as a weapon feel the full force of the law.

I am clear that life sentences must not be reserved for acid attack survivors, she wrote in the Sunday Times.

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Proposals to ensure acid and other corrosive substances can be classed as dangerous weapons are among the changes included in the shake-up. The Government will also aim to put in place measures which restrict the sale of such substances by retailers, Ms Rudd said.

The move is part of a new strategy to crack down on acid attacks following a recent spate of high-profile incidents, including five assaults that were linked in London on Thursday. The Home Office said it will work with police and the Ministry of Justice to assess whether powers available to the courts, including sentencing, are sufficient.

Mrs Rudd wrote: Today I am announcing an action plan to tackle acid attacks. It will include a wide-ranging review of the law enforcement and criminal justice response, of existing legislation, of access to harmful products and of the support offered to victims.

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We will also make sure that those who commit these terrible crimes feel the full force of the law, she added. We will seek to ensure that everyone working within the criminal justice system, from police officers to prosecutors, has the powers they need to punish severely those who commit these appalling crimes.

Possession of acid or other corrosive substances with the intention to do harm can already be treated as possession of an offensive weapon under the Prevention of Crime Act, which carries a four-year maximum penalty.

The Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) guidance to prosecutors will now be reviewed to ensure it makes clear that acid and other corrosive substances can be classed as dangerous weapons, and what is required to prove intent.

The Poisons Act 1972 will be assessed to consider if it should cover more harmful substances, while retailers will be asked to agree to measures to restrict sales of acids and other corrosive substances.

Expand Close Amber Rudd announced an action plan to tackle acid attacks (Joe Giddens/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Amber Rudd announced an action plan to tackle acid attacks (Joe Giddens/PA)

New guidance will also be issued to police officers on preventing attacks, searching potential attackers for harmful substances and responding to victims at the scene.

More than 400 acid or corrosive substance attacks were carried out in the six months up to April 2017, according to figures from 39 forces in England and Wales. Bleach, ammonia and acid were the most commonly used substances, the Home Office said.

Sarah Newton, minister for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability, will outline the Governments strategy on combating acid attacks in the Commons on Monday.
The Palace of Westminster as Lord Bew warned threats against politicians risked driving candidates out of public life in future (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

A wave of intimidation and abuse directed at parliamentary candidates has taken British politics to a tipping point, the chairman of the standards watchdog said.

Lord Bew warned that a rise of personal attacks and threats against politicians during the recent general election campaign risked driving candidates out of public life in future.

Last week, MPs gathered in Westminster Hall to discuss the apparent rise in such behaviour and shared their own experiences of abuse.

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Theresa May asked the Committee on Standards in Public Life, of which Lord Bew is the chairman, to conduct a review into the problem. The current protections in place for candidates will be scrutinised by the probe, which will then report back to the Prime Minister with recommendations on how to tackle future abuse.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4s Westminster Hour, Lord Bew outlined his intention to recommend new laws if necessary, suggesting such steps might still fail to stem the escalating issue.

We are in a bad moment and we have to respond to it, he told the programme. We cannot afford to lose people of quality in our public life and we may be approaching a tipping point.

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Accusations have flown between both Labour and the Conservatives that their rivals failed to stamp out abuse by members and activists after reports of racism, anti-Semitism and sexism.

Lord Bew, however, called for a strengthening of rhetoric on the issue from all political leaders.

He said: Above all, we do need leadership from Parliament itself on this point. We have reached a point where this is not a sermon. This has got to be said with some sharpness.

Expand Close Diane Abbott told a debate she had been subject to routine racist and sexist abuse PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Diane Abbott told a debate she had been subject to routine racist and sexist abuse

His aim, he told the programme, was to ensure public debate remained vigorous but steered clear of nastiness and hatred.

Among the episodes of abuse highlighted by an informal all-party parliamentary inquiry into electoral conduct was a report by Tory former minister Andrew Percy, a convert to Judaism, that he had been called Zionist scum.

It found racism and bigotry have been on the rise at times since the 2015 general election.

Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, told the Westminster Hall debate last week that she had been subject to routine racist and sexist abuse through emails and social media.
News / Education

by Stephen Jakes

The Platform for Leveraging Elections Democracy and Governance (PLEDGE) has said number of factors and processes could impact significantly on the integrity and credibility of the 2018 elections; issues of security and safety are therefore paramount.The organisation said security concerns become crucial especially against a backdrop of electoral disputes and consistent allegations of electoral fraud or vote rigging."These allegations have fed public perceptions of mistrust in electoral management systems and electoral governance. Restoring credibility and integrity in the Zimbabwe electoral system necessitate addressing some security and safety concerns. Actually issues of electoral integrity are in essence questions of security governance of the electoral process. Logically, it makes sense to mainstream security in all electoral processes in a manner guaranteeing transparency and accountability as best practice in good governance," said PLEDGE."Increasingly, elections are being targets of external interference hence a threat to national security; as lessons could be drawn from alleged Russian interference on US presidential elections in 2016. If stronger economies and established democracies like the USA cannot guarantee electoral security and safety it follows that smaller nations with weak economies could even be more vulnerable. While Zimbabwe is introducing the biometric voter registration system to address deficits in the voters roll; different challenges may emerge elsewhere to undermine the credibility of the 2018 elections and subsequent ones unless addressed."PLEDGE said already inadequate public knowledge on what BVR can do and cannot do has generated controversies and fed the rumour mill which if not appropriately and timely addressed could prove dangerous to the acceptance of the electoral outcome."It is therefore imperative in agenda setting to explore what may likely erode Zimbabwe's electoral credibility and prepare a mitigating strategy to forestall it. This conversation seeks to aptly demonstrate that a country's security especially on electoral issues does not solely rest on its primary security institutions like police, army and guns but on conscientious citizens who feel national ownership, national responsibility and national commitment to all process for the good of their country," said PLEDGE."All electoral stakeholders including political parties, broader civil society, business, universities, local media, traditional leaders and various government departments and Parliament have a responsibility to ensure the security of the electoral processes if 2018 Elections are to restore integrity, credibility and legitimacy in our elections. Therefore we not only focus on identifying potential security gaps but also on proposing some alternative ways of addressing those gaps and the potential roles of the various electoral stakeholders."PLEDGE said it is the first and currently the only full time CSO Election platform established in and for the three Matabeleland provinces."The Platform includes the following member organizations; Contemporary Affairs Foundation, Centre for Public Engagement, Abammeli Human Rights Lawyers Network, King George V1, Centre for Innovation and Technology, The Young Women Incubation Zone and researchers from local universities," said PLEDGE.
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NPME, which is the biggest International Pharma Manufacturing Exhibition in Central and West Africa is scheduled to be held from August 30th to the 1st of September, 2017 at New Haven, Oba Akinjobi Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Plans have now been concluded for the fourth edition of the Nigeria Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Expo (NPME 2017). NPME, which is the biggest International Pharma Manufacturing Exhibition in Central and West Africa is scheduled to be held from August 30th to the 1st of September, 2017 at New Haven, Oba Akinjobi Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria.

NPME is the definitive Pharma Event, and is known to attract close to 200 exhibiting companies and nearly 10,000 pharma and related sectors trade professionals from across the region. This year, Delegates are expected from across the continent, including Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Chad, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Senegal, Morocco, The Gambia, Ivory Coast, Niger, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Benin, South Africa.

POLICY CONTEXT

This years edition of the NPME is expected to surpass all stakeholders expectations. This is due to the robust and comprehensive advocacy by PMGMAN, which has resulted in significant advances in the Pharma Manufacturing Policy Landscape, in Nigeria as well as on the Continent. Recently, the Ag President of the Federation, Professor Osinbajo issued an Executive Order on support for Local Content in Public Procurement, directing the mandatory patronage of Locally Manufactured Medicines by all Government MDAs. This policy is expected to accelerate growth and development of the Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Sector. This will in turn assure National Medicines Security as well as boost Self Sufficiency in the production of medicines. Other positive outcomes associated with these policies include the stimulation of considerable employment in the sector. The policy will also lead to increased inflow of Foreign Direct Investment as well as facilitate the export of Nigerian medicines to neighbouring countries.

To build on this, the WAPMA President and PMGMAN Chairman, Mr S. Okey Akpa during his presentation to the ECOWAS Health Ministers Assembly, urged Members Nations, as well as Development Partners to support the on-going collaborative efforts to exponentially increase Manufacturers capacity on the continent. This, he argued was the most sustainable manner to guarantee access to high quality, affordable medicines within the Region. Another recent development that demonstrates the significant improvement in Local Pharma Manufacturing is the Public-Private Partnership, signed by the Federal Government with a Local Firm, to produce vaccines in Nigeria. While signing the agreement on behalf of the Government, Professor Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, the Honourable Minister of Health, stated that the need to ensure Medicines Security for the Nation was a key factor that underpinned the Partnership.
Avani Hotels & Resorts will make its debut in Mauritius with the development of Avani Bel-Ombre Mauritius Resort & Spa - a 150-room beachfront hotel which is set to open in 2021 with 16 Avani suites, 134 standard rooms as well as 12 residential four-bedroom pool villas for purchase.

Ymon via pixabay

The hotel will be offering expansive multifunctional meeting spaces that can be configured for diverse events, from Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), bookings for weddings, and other celebratory functions.

Beach and urban expanison

Only 30 minutes from the international airport, Avani Mauritius Bel-Ombre Resort & Spa will offer a spa, gym, pantry, kids club, a beach activity centre, and two swimming pools.

"Mauritius is one of the most vibrant beach destinations in the world and Avani is the ideal brand to offer honeymooners, adventurers and incentive houses an alternative dynamic hospitality offering," says Alejandro Bernabe, the group director for Avani Hotels & Resorts.

"Avani is rapidly expanding in urban destinations such as Dubai, Busan, and Auckland, but we are also growing our current resort portfolio in Vietnam, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka and now Mauritius," Bernabe adds.
News / Education

by Stephen Jakes

Zanu PF youths in Chiwudura reportedly invaded a farm in the area and ordered the owner to vacate as they campaign for their candidate Brown Ndlovu.Zimbabwe Peace Project reported that a group of Zanu PF youths who were on 5 June embarking on a door-to-door campaign for their party's candidate Brown Ndlovu allegedly invaded a village near the Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Company located in Chiwundura resettlement area."It is reported that the group of about 15 youths who were chanting Zanu PF party slogans arrived at the village and ordered *Nicholas Kadenge to vacate his farm. Kadenge is a known MDC-T supporter who has been warned that the by-elections are paving way for the 2018 and by then the area should not have any MDC-T supporters," said ZPP."One of the youths, identified as Jacob, is alleged to have said Zanu PF youths are prepared to burn villages and properties of those not willing to join Zanu PF before the 2018 elections. On 8 June, several Zanu PF youths were deployed in a number of wards in Chiwundura. The deployment took place ahead of MDC-T rally slated for 10 June at Mkoba Stadium."ZPP said in another incident MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai addressed the rally."Some of the ruling party youths threatened villagers not to attend the MDC-T rally. An MDC-T Midlands provincial security official, Joel Kanengoni, was allegedly assaulted by six unidentified youths suspected to belong to Zanu PF on 10 June at Mkoba 14. This happened after the MDC-T rally that was addressed by MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru," said ZPP."The party youths demanded a security report that covered the Gweru MDC-T rally and when Kanengoni referred them to security officials responsible for the rally, he was attacked with sjamboks and fists and then later fled the scene of the incident. It remains unclear whether the incident was reported to the police or not."ZPP said Mberengwa MDC-T chairperson, George Kambewu, with an empty bottle on the head at Chingechuru on 11 June. Chovere also threatened to burn down Kambewu's home if he continued supporting MDC-T and wearing the party's regalia."Kambewu reported the threats to the police and he says no action was taken. A known MDC-T ward treasurer, from ward 10 Nyoka village, Chiwundura, was barred from attending a village development meeting held on 14 June because he does not support Zanu PF," said ZPP."It is alleged that Nyoka village headman, Bernard Nyoka had announced earlier that those who are not Zanu PF supporters should not attend the meeting. The meeting was for male members of the community to discuss and map a way forward for the repairing of a dam which was damaged by the past season's incessant rains."
News / International

by Thulani Nkala

Speaking at Pimlico in London on the 15th July 2017, Dr Churchill Guduza - the President of Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) encouraged all Mthwakazi people world-over to stop expecting anything from the government of Zimbabwe but to start believing in themselves and begin to do things for themselves and for their children. "The time is ripe for Mthwakazi to begin to create her institutions, be they in academia, business etc" Dr Guduza said.Over the years the government of Robert Mugabe has systematically eroded Mthwakazi's self-esteem and self-belief, this was through deliberate barriers put on their way, those who would have circumvented the barriers they faced direct discrimination to the extent whereby some had to give up on their endeavours. What the government of Robert Mugabe was trying to do was to break Mthwakazi spirit of self-reliance and self-worthy which is the prerequisite for progress and development.Dr Guduza hit the nail on the head, once the people of Mthwakazi stop mourning and expecting anything good from ZANU, they will soon liberate themselves from all facets of their oppression. 37 years is more than enough to know that the government of Robert Mugabe harbours ill-intentions against the people of Mthwakazi."We have a huge number of our people in the diaspora who are gainfully employed and some have successful business ventures, imagine if we start today to contribute just mere 10 a month to a pot, how much will we have in a year's time to start our own businesses?" Dr Guduza posed a rhetorical question.Dr Guduza's speech was very timely, considering that Mthwakazi people are beginning to seek out each other and working together for the greater good of the nation.Meanwhile, elsewhere, we saw Stanley Khumalo last week filling the Bulawayo City Hall to the bream. He indicated that the Zimbabwean flag would stop flying on the 12th September 2017 and the Mthwakazi flag will from that day onward fly in every corner of Mthwakazi forever.The state media has marshalled all its scribes to vilify Stanley and to poor water over the resurgence of Mthwakazi. They have made all manner of allegations and accusations such as that Stanley is seeking secession and that what he is calling for is treasonous. Stanley has never called for secession but he has always called for Mthwakazi restoration.In their latest escapades, the Sunday News unashamedly used the Deputy Home Affairs Minister Mr Obedingwa Mguni to make threats against Stanley. What is interesting about this is that those who have been fence-sitting today came out in full support of Stanley and his message for a free and fully recovered and restored Mthwakazi. Mr Obedingwa Mguni has unwittingly shot himself on the foot and that of ZANU PF by making threats against Stanley. Those who were not sure about Stanley, today were in his full defence and this has become a turning point for the struggle of Mthwakazi. Clearly God is at work.When unveiling the Mthwakazi flag last week at City Hall Stanley made it clear that anyone who will stand against or oppose the restoration of Mthwakazi shall be cursed and Mr Obedingwa Mguni is the first to receive such curses.When Dr Guduza was asked about the MLF relationship with MRP, Dr Guduza clarified that MLF was happy to work with MRP, however, expressed some doubt about the MRP's desire to participate in Zimbabwean elections.
News / National

by Staff reporter

As political parties begin their intense preparations for next year's make-or-break polls, there is concern within and outside the ruling Zanu-PF on whether President Robert Mugabe would be able to handle a punishing last-stand presidential campaign in view of his advanced age and increasing frailty.Mugabe, who will turn 94 in February 2018, is currently in Singapore for what his officials said was a "routine medical check-up", his third such visit this year.In spite of the official line, there is speculation that the Zanu-PF leader's health may not be as good as claimed by his party.It is not clear when he will be back, but his scheduled youth interface rally at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane on Friday has been postponed.So far, the Zanu-PF leader has addressed youths at well-attended rallies in Marondera (Mashonaland East), Mutare (Manicaland) and Masvingo.In the three youth interface rallies, Mugabe campaigned hard, possibly to the point of exhaustion, and delivered up to two-hour long speeches.He has seven more such gruelling rallies pending.Analysts are, however, concerned that Mugabe may put himself under too much strain as the election campaigns get into top gear to the point of compromising his health.Piers Pigou, senior consultant at the International Crisis Group, said his latest trip to Singapore and the postponement of this Friday's youth interface rally raises concerns about his health and capacities to withstand the rigours of an election campaign."Yet, Mugabe has repeatedly confounded those who think he is now completely over the hill. At the Masvingo rally on 30 June, he stood and delivered for almost two hours; at times rambling and incoherent, but he was also able to traverse an array of issues and still had everyone guessing, which factional interests he was supporting or berating," said Pigou."His capacities have obviously waned and these are indeed punishing programmes for a 93-year-old, especially on top of his travel itinerary, which must leave him in a semi-permanent state of jet lag. At some point something has to give, and there are clearly concerns, which now feed into suggestions that elections will be brought forward," he added.He was referring to Mugabe's reported plan to ambush his rivals, currently in sixes and sevens over coalition talks, through an early proclamation of poll dates.Zanu-PF administration secretary Ignatius Chombo has hinted at a February or March 2018 election date, earlier than Zimbabwe's traditional July timing for presidential votes, which also means a shorter campaign that would be less demanding on Mugabe's health.If the election calendar is brought forward to February, the opposition will have five months less than expected for campaigning, but that might not be a bad thing given its inferior finances.To unseat Mugabe, who has held them off with relative ease during most of the numerous national votes since he came to power, analysts reason that Mugabe's rivals must be united.They say the opposition must also make a mammoth effort to woo Zimbabweans, particularly in remote rural areas that are Mugabe's strongholds, and it has to project policies that go further than just opposing him.Opposition supporters trust that Zimbabweans' increasing frustration with failing services like roads, electricity and worsening money shortages will outweigh Mugabe's advantages including the sympathy factor.Mugabe's failing health has given him a small sympathy bounce in opinion polls, where his approval remains above 50 percent.Yet ill health has also hurt his aura of invincibility.Mugabe has led Zimbabwe since 1980.Some of his policies, especially the haphazard land reforms and the empowerment crusade are blamed for ruining the country's economic prospects.But he faces an opposition movement that could be more united than ever and set to rally around a unity candidate after ongoing coalition talks.Analysts said while Mugabe has more resources to sway voters than his rivals, it is an open race given how divided the nation is and the uncertainty surrounding his health.Some analysts recommended a "virtual" campaign in which Mugabe should make use of multimedia rather than the current gruelling criss-crossing of the nation.Stephen Chan, a professor of world politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, said all questions related to the president's stamina can only be based on speculation because few details are known about Mugabe's precise condition."The youth rallies are obviously tiring events and the president might be well advised to construct at least part of his campaign to the young via social media  learning to talk a youthful language," Chan told the Daily News."He doesn't have to rap, like (Yoweri) Museveni did in Uganda, but the old-fashioned mass rallies can, these days, only be part of a more complex and varied campaign strategy. Basically, the same applies to the opposition parties. 2018 is not 1980."Former advisor to ex-Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Alex Magaisa, said Mugabe has done three (rallies) so far and it seems with regular health checks, he will pull through without much of a worry."We must not forget that these aren't just youth interface events. This is already part of the presidential campaign. The key point here that most are missing is he is probably moving the election forward and the opposition need to take note and start doing work," said Magaisa.
News / National

by Staff reporter

ESTABLISHED in 1983 in Bulawayo and only operating in the City of Kings, Tshova Mubaiwa Transport Co-operative plans on penetrating the Sadc region.Tshova Mubaiwa chief executive officer Samson Mabunda made known the co-operative's intentions last week, saying plans to bring that pipeline dream into fruition were already underway. He said the co-operative would operate under the trade name Tshovita Transport and Tourism Company."Our plan is to be recognised across borders. We want to have vehicles that will be used in the tourism sector and plans to get this underway are already at an advanced stage," said Mabunda.He also revealed that the co-operative would soon open its own service station, where only Mubaiwa registered vehicles would be serviced."This deal is at an advanced stage and will soon be a reality. Only vehicles registered with Mubaiwa will be allowed. We are planning on turning this co-operative into the most preferred transport provider," said Mabunda.He said the co-operative was established against the backdrop of the poverty alleviation programme, a Government initiative that sought to alleviate poverty through self-empowerment of Zimbabwean citizens."It wasn't easy, we had major setbacks that included fuel shortages, competing with cheaper transport operations, such as the freedom train and less-priced buses. The co-operative almost collapsed but managed to survive because of the trust people had in it. Today we stand tall as an organisation and boldly say we are getting there," said Mabunda.He said ever since the co-operative began to expand they acquired offices at the former Zupco bus terminus in Belmont, which doubles up as a holding bay."We have managed to procure state-of-the-art equipment such as computers, laptops, office furniture and stationery to turn Tshova Mubaiwa into a well distinguished company," he said.Mabunda said the TM Pick and Pay rank had become too small and crowded, they saw it fit to have a systematic holding bay for the vehicles."We have a system which we use to communicate between the rank and the holding bay. Once the rank is overwhelmed vehicles are required to park at the holding bay in Belmont, waiting to be summoned to service routes once transport runs out at the rank," he said.Mabunda added that to date there were 500 vehicles registered under the Tshova Mubaiwa banner, with at least 200 vehicles fully operational."Given the economic crunch some vehicles have since been parked while some have been rendered scrap because owners can't afford to service them," he said.Tshova Mubaiwa marketing director Ndabazabo Mabunda said the company would soon hold its anniversary to celebrate years in business."Every year we have a happy hour, where we give our customers free transport for at least one-and-a-half hours," he said.Mabunda added they intend to turn the company's image around, which also saw them exhibiting at this year's Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), where they managed to get contacts from as far as Chinhoyi. They have also won a number of awards from residents' associations and businesses for their quality service.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zanu-PF National Political Commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere said his party is already geared for next year's elections.Addressing the Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central Provincial Co-ordinating Committee (PCC) in Bindura, Kasukuwere underscored the need to consolidate party structures from the grassroots to ensure a resounding victory for the revolutionary party come 2018.He called for unity of purpose among Zanu-PF members in the province for the good of the party.Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central Provincial Chairman, Dickson Mafios said the province remains resolute in support of Zanu-PF under the leadership of President Robert Mugabe.The meeting also witnessed the unveiling of a fleet of four vehicles given to Mashonaland Central Province to assist the party in preparing for the 2018 polls.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/07/2017 (1946 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Julianna Moores rendition of the classic country hit Crazy by Patsy Cline helped her clinch the win at the 27th annual GX94 Star Search competition.

The 18-year-old Brandon University music student will record two songs as part of her prize, which will receive airplay on the Yorkton, Sask., radio station GX94. As champion, Moore will also perform at various events throughout the year.

This is something Ive wanted my entire life, Moore said. Music has been everything to me, so being able to sing and perform  is an honour.

Submitted Julianna Moore of St. Lazare took the top spot in the 2017 GX94 Star Search competition, which began with 32 contestants from across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

The Yorkton radio stations annual contest began in early May with a total of 32 competitors, hailing from across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Following three preliminaries and the semifinals, the top eight performers took the stage at the Yorkton Summer Fair on July 8.

Moores other selections in the competition included Coming Home from the movie Country Strong, and In The Arms of an Angel by Sarah McLachlan.

As the top performer, Moore was presented with a Fender acoustic guitar, as well as a Montana Silversmiths belt buckle.

It was kind of surreal, she said. I was not really expecting it, for my first year and everything, so it was pretty amazing.

GX94 promotions and marketing director Kayla Jelinski said the annual competition still brings in tons of applications after nearly three decades.

Its been something thats held its success, which is amazing over the 27 years, Jelinski said.

Moores first gig as Star Search champion takes place on July 27 at the Northwest Round Up in Swan River.

It kicks off pretty quick for them  Northwest is a really big weekend, Jelinski said. They get tons of exposure and lots of opportunities to sing and kind of roll right into their winnings.

Moore was born in Brandon, but grew up in St. Lazare from the age of eight. She says her passion for singing began at a very young age, and she hopes to become a music teacher.

Submitted Moore celebrates after winning the competition at the Yorkton Summer Fair on July 8. She is joined on stage by GX94 midday host Tonya Cherry, left, GX94 promotions and marketing director Kayla Jelinski and Garth Malayney with Saddles and Steel.

For as long as I can remember, this is something that Ive always really liked, she said. I remember singing in the car to Journey with my dad.

The young musician first began performing in restaurants when she was about 15 years old. She now can be seen at various Brandon venues, such as Prairie Firehouse and Lady of the Lake.

Whatever gigs I can get, I just love doing it, she said.

Moore joins the long list of GX94 Star Search champions, which includes Jess Moskaluke (2007), Samara Yung (2005), Kelsey Fitch (2008) and Teagan Littlechief (2002), to name a few.

Im really grateful, Moore said. Its a really good experience, and Im excited.

 jaustin@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @jillianaustin
A Dublin Councillor has said that a community centre believed to have been purchased by the Church of Scientology should have been used for a new school.

The organisation has reportedly spent money to refurbish the Victory Centre in Dublin, with the view to it becoming the biggest centre for scientology in Europe.
A viable pipebomb has been made safe after being found in Coolnasilla Park West in Belfast.

The PSNI described the device as a "viable pipebomb type" and said a number of residents had to be evacuated during the security alert.
Gardai have renewed their appeal for information about a hit and run in Dublin last year after the victim passed away two days ago.

The 27 year old, who has been named on various media as Callum Grimes, was seriously injured in the collision on the Skerries to Loughshinny Road, in the early hours of Tuesday, December 27th 2016.
Donald Trump told Theresa May he will not come to Britain for his controversial state visit until he is sure of getting a "better reception", it has been reported.

The President was said to have told the British Prime Minister that he had not had "great coverage" in the UK and had urged her to "fix it for me", according to The Sun on Sunday.

It was originally reported last month that Mr Trump had informed Mrs May that he did not want to go ahead with the visit if there were likely to be large-scale protests.

The Sun on Sunday said it had now obtained a transcript of their telephone conversation in which Mr Trump said: "I haven't had great coverage out there lately, Theresa."

Mrs May replied: "Well, you know what the British press are like."

He said: "I still want to come, but I'm in no rush. So, if you can fix it for me, it would make things a lot easier.

"When I know I'm going to get a better reception, I'll come and not before."

Mrs May was widely criticised for bestowing such a controversial figure the honour of a state visit so early in his presidency when she met Mr Trump for the first time in the White House in January.

However no date has yet been set for the visit - which had originally been expected to take place this year - prompting speculation that it could be delayed until next year at the earliest.

Mr Trump confirmed that he still intended to come to London when he met Mrs May last week at the G20 summit in Hamburg, while Downing Street has said they are still working on dates.
EU foreign ministers are set to agree a fresh round of sanctions against the Syrian regime of Bashar Assad over its use of chemical weapons against its own people.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said 16 named military officers and scientists would be subjected to travel bans and asset freezes when ministers meet in Brussels on Monday.
Israeli security forces have shot dead a Palestinian assailant behind a pair of recent shooting attacks.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that in a joint operation with the military early today forces tracked down the suspect.

He said the 34-year-old Palestinian opened fire at the forces with an automatic weapon. The troops returned fire, shooting him dead.

On Friday, three Arab citizens of Israel opened fire at a Jerusalem holy site, killing two police officers before being shot dead.

In a first in decades, the site was closed. Israel says it will be gradually reopened.

Since September 2015, Palestinian attackers have killed 45 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist.

Israeli forces have killed more than 255 Palestinians, most of them identified as attackers.
A key source of uncertainty hanging over banks could be lifted as soon as this week, with the prudential regulator tipped to soon provide long-awaited details of how it will make lenders more resilient to shocks.

Fund managers contacted by BusinessDay said most in the market expected banks would be able to satisfy the upcoming changes to bank capital requirements by raising equity through their dividend reinvestment plans, or by keeping dividends flat and retaining a higher share of profits.

Even so, some bank watchers are not ruling out multibillion-dollar capital raisings or cuts to already stretched dividends, as banks are forced to further strengthen their balance sheets.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is likely to soon publish a paper on what it considers banks must do to be "unquestionably strong", a recommendation of the 2014 financial system inquiry.
News / Regional

by Stephen Jakes

on Saturday

7pm

Heal Zimbabwe has declared the Chiwundura by-electionsas peaceful.the trust worked in collaboration with the Election Resource Centre (ERC) and Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (Zimrights) to monitor the Chiwundura by-election.All the polling stations closed atand the counting of votes has commenced. Heal Zimbabwe had a mobile team and 70 trained Human Rights Monitors deployed at every polling station"Generally, the electoral environment was peaceful with no recorded incidences of violence in the areas visited by Heal Zimbabwe. Heal Zimbabwe recorded one notable violation in ward 10 at Gambiza shopping Centre where ZANU PF youths were seen distributing maize and urging people to vote for the ZANU PF candidate, Brown Ndlovu.," said the trust."Heal Zimbabwe commends supporters of participating political parties for shunning violent behavior and other electoral malpractices. Heal Zimbabwe will produce a more detailed report of the by election. Heal Zimbabwe will continue advocating for violent free elections under its National Peace campaign dubbed 13 Million Voices for Peace."
A new style of "skill-based" slot machines is being investigated by Australian gambling authorities following their roll-out across some of the biggest casinos in the world.

Several jurisdictions in the United States have passed reforms in recent months permitting arcade-style gambling machines, which determine payouts on player ability as well as chance, to be installed on casino floors alongside traditional poker machines.

Gamblit's skill-based machines debuted in Las Vegas in March. Credit:BSK Photo

The so-called skill-based machines have more in common with video games and are aimed at drawing in a younger generation of gamblers who are not interested in the pokies.

New machines include shooting games, racing games, card games, and can be single or multi-player. So far, they have been rolled out in states including Nevada, home to Las Vegas, and New Jersey, home to Atlantic City.
Channel Nine has high hopes for its new Karl Stefanovic vehicle, This Time Next Year, which has been in the pipeline for more than a year now.

Indeed, a lot has changed for Stefanovic since this time last year, which makes the premise of the new show somewhat ironic.

Cassandra Thorburn and Karl Stefanovic were married for 21 years before things fell apart in the past 12 months.

According to Nine's promotional blurb, every "inspirational episode" of This Time Next Year will feature people from across the country who pledge to change their lives in one year  whether it is to overcome a setback, find love, reunite with a relative or even achieve a world record.

Thanks to some judicious editing and through the magic of television, the result of each year-long pledge is then revealed in an instant.
"She thought something was really wrong so she called me," recalls Sienna, who drove Kathleen straight to hospital. "Her prognosis got worse and it was because she took out-of-date medicine."

Rather than go to her doctor or bother her family, the 79-year-old decided to take matters into her own hands. She rifled through her medicine cabinet and took old antibiotics from a previous infection.

About 60 per cent of Australians have old or unwanted medicines, according to a report by Griffith University. Despite the fact that nearly 40 per cent of the medicines were expired, the primary reason people kept them was in case they needed to use them again.

"Medicines don't generally become toxic after the expiry date, the risks relate to having medicines that aren't in current use around the house," explains Jared Brown, department head of the NSW Poisons Information Centre.

The NSW Poisons Information Centre receives about 250 calls a year from adults who have taken expired medicines while more than 5000 children are admitted to hospital each year with medicine poisoning.

To minimise the risk of accidental poisoning or medication mismanagement, Federal Government-funded initiative, Return Unwanted Medicines has launched a new campaign urging Australians to safely dispose of old or expired medicine.

"The expiry date is generally based on the known activity of the medicine up to that date," Mr Brown explains. "Beyond that there are medicines that become less active and can then not have their intended therapeutic effect, so that can occasionally become an issue."
He then said point-blank: "I am going to kill you." He punched me in the face and the force of the blow was so powerful that it knocked me off my feet and onto my back. I lay in the dirt, immobilised by fear, as he moved on top of me. They call this the "freeze response" and I have since learnt that most sexual assault victims experience this sort of shock and paralysis. Then I felt the life being choked out of me. His hand was on my throat, my trachea was being crushed and I could taste blood in my mouth. I was also vaguely aware of a deep pain beginning to grow in my shoulders and back. Hours later, at Gladesville police station, I'd be photographed and swabbed. I'd be asked to go into a small room and remove my top. Once in there, I would examine my body in the mirror and find what would soon become dark bruising across my back  bruising that was apparently caused while the weight of my attacker's body ground my flesh into large, protruding tree roots. It was very painful. It was embodied. It physically hurt. I didn't 'witness' violence, I endured it.

During the assault, though, I didn't process that sort of detail. All I could think was: How can this be happening to me? Is this for real? Then my mind went somewhere else altogether. I shut my eyes tight and an old, forgotten memory played like a video before my eyes. I've since been told that my brain was valiantly trying to protect me from the trauma of what was occurring to me. In transporting me to a safer time and place, it was trying to shield me from what was happening. And yet, just as quickly as I'd slipped into that dissociative state, I slipped back out of it. And when I did, I found myself looking directly into my attacker's face, only inches from my own. His grasp was still on my throat. I couldn't breathe and couldn't move. I felt a sharp pain across my body and I remember thinking: I don't want to die. Not like this. When it comes to sexual assault, women are forever being asked: "Why didn't you say no?" or "Why didn't you fight back?"

As though a rapist would ever listen. As though victims are the ones who should be responsible for preventing the violence we experience. If you really want to know why most women don't fight back, it's because of one of two things: either we are immobilised by fear, or we assume that fighting back will make things worse. This is, after all, something that has been drummed in to us all from a very tender age. But that night I did fight back. Not at first, and not because I am courageous. The reason I fought was because adrenalin took over and I had nothing to lose. My mind had eventually caught up and computed that I was in a kill-or-be-killed situation. And if I was going to die anyway, why not fight the f---er? Get his DNA, if nothing else. I'll never forget the look of shock and surprise on his face when I said that. What I don't remember is exactly what happened in the next few moments. Again, this is not uncommon. The nature of trauma means that survivors often have memory gaps or recollections that don't add up.

One counsellor explained that if your memory is like a filing cabinet, a traumatic event will effectively toss all the files onto the floor, mess them around and then shove them back in. Some files are lost. Others get out of order. She also told me that she's never once met a sexual assault survivor who had perfect, chronological recall. Such is the nature of trauma. And yet I've also been told that if I ever go to court, defence lawyers will almost certainly try to use my memory gaps against me. I can look forward to some smug lawyer arrogantly trying to discredit me by painting me as an "unreliable witness". The fact that I'm even classified as a "witness" frustrates me to tears. I wasn't sitting outside my body, eating popcorn and watching this happen from the sidelines. It was very painful. It was embodied. It physically hurt. I didn't "witness" violence, I endured it. I've also been advised that, in addition to my memory gaps, the fact that I had been drinking that night will almost certainly be used against me. I'll be painted as licentious. As slutty. As stupid. As a liar.

But to be very clear, my memory gaps are not evidence that I am lying. To the contrary, they are evidence of the traumatic nature of the violence I have experienced. So here is what I do remember. I remember a sudden feeling of lightness on my chest and an awareness that there wasn't a heavy body on me any more. I have no recollection of climbing to my feet but I do remember being in a standing position and noticing a small amount of blood on my hand. I remember wondering if it was my blood or his (this would later turn out to be a defensive wound). Then I remember picking up my bag and reaching for my mobile and dialling triple zero. The week following my assault, I was sitting in my first-ever sexual assault counselling session. "Now, pet, you know this wasn't your fault, right?" I bristled. Not my fault? Not my fault? Of course it's not my bloody fault.

"Why would you assume I blame myself?" I asked the counsellor. "I don't think it's my fault. Do you think it's my fault?" "Absolutely not," she quickly replied. "It's just that most people who walk through my door do blame themselves." "My issue is not going to be that I blame myself," I said. "My problem is going to be anger management over what happened." I still wanted to kill the guy. My counsellor laughed sympathetically.

Over the coming months I'd return for weekly sessions at the sexual assault centre. From time to time I'd see other women sitting in the waiting room and I'd think to myself that they all looked so very normal. I would study these women and try to guess how they felt. Shocked, alone, numb, ashamed, furious, despairing, powerless, exhausted I wondered if they blamed themselves, like the counsellor had said, or if they felt angry, just like me. And as I'd look at them, I'd wonder about the assailants: the men  because yes, they are mostly men  who produce a need for such services. I'd wonder how they could possibly justify their actions and choices to themselves. I'd wonder if they had any idea of the pain and anguish they were causing or whether they simply didn't care. And as I'd watch these women, it was all I could do not to cry tears of anger for them, for me, and for the sheer injustice of it all. Not all women will be raped or sexually assaulted. But one in five will. And the other four will live in dread of it happening to them. The only way to fix this is to work to reduce sexual assault. Prevention  not silence  is what will eliminate the fear. Tackling sexual assault is a complex task. It requires that we address gender inequality, male entitlement, patriarchal attitudes, consent education, bystanders, and the judicial system.
A new campaign by an Australian Muslim community is encouraging people to "meet a Muslim" over coffee and cake.

Muslims Down Under, a group of volunteers from across Australia, are willing to answer any and all questions members of the public may have about their faith when they book in for a one-on-one coffee with a practising Muslim through their website.

'Meet A Muslim' campaign members, from Baitul Huda Mosque in Marsden Park, are encouraging one-on-one contact with the community. Credit:James Brickwood

Imam Mohammed Atae Rabbi Hadi, a leader at Baitul Huda mosque at Sydney's Marsden Park and the national spokesperson for the group, says the initiative is designed to counter misinformation about Islam and an increase in extremism "not only on the side of Muslims, but also on the other side, in the far right".

"Why not meet an Aussie Muslim, and get to know them and see you have so much in common?"
Almost three years ago, members of a NSW parliamentary committee spent a morning in Balmain to investigate complaints about the noise and fumes emerging from cruise ships berthed at the relatively new cruise terminal at White Bay.

The committee, representing a bipartisan spread of politicians, was convinced something needed to be done. "The committee can testify to the noxious fumes present in the streets adjacent to the terminal and the impacts quickly felt by those present," members wrote in their final report in 2015.

To remedy the fumes, the committee recommended that the White Bay terminal be retrofitted to enable cruise ships to be powered from the shoreline when they were berthed, so they could avoid keeping their engines running.

Yet more than two years after that recommendation, the NSW government this week ruled out providing shore-to-ship power, largely because of cost, in a decision that has angered local residents and politicians.
A teenage girl who met a man online and went on to meet him several times for sex at a Sydney oval has identified a man who may go by the name of Alex.

Police are attempting to identify the man involved, who is described as being Asian and aged in his mid twenties or thirties.

Police released an image of man wanted over the alleged sexual assault of a young girl. Credit:NSW Police

He is clean shaven, wears glasses, and also wears business-style clothes, police said.

The man began speaking with the then 14-year-old girl online in early 2015, before meeting her at an oval in Hornsby Heights for sex on several occasions between February 2015 and January 2016.
"Even the most amazing things didn't make me happy," he says. The day his son was born, Joshua was watching the clock, waiting for the moment he could slink away into one of the hospital's bathroom cubicles to place his bets. "Nothing registered. Nothing made me happy, or made me feel anything but empty. Not being a father, or a husband. Nothing." Joshua says. "Except sex." The diagnosis that doesn't exist

"Sex addiction" is a fraught phrase. Its very existence is at the crux of long-running debates between proponents and critics among psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counsellors and others in the medical and addiction fields. The tensions traverse a litany of clinical and cultural landmines, from adequate evidence-based diagnostic criteria to vested interests and social taboos and moralism. But the core contention is whether "sex addiction" strays dangerously close to medicalising normal sexual behaviour. Could people with hearty sexual appetites be slapped with a psychiatric diagnosis? Or has it become a convenient excuse for unfaithful partners that attracts pity instead of divorce proceedings, promoted by high-profile celebrities publicly detailing their own sex addiction demons? Is one person's sexual addiction another's weekend of endless orgasms?

Proponents argue it's a fitting diagnosis for patients experiencing a preoccupation with sex to the point of obsession. Sex addicts have lost control over their sexual urges, fantasies and behaviours, causing severe damage to their wellbeing. It ruins relationships, careers, finances, and mental health. It often piggybacks substance addictions, or other behavioural addictions like drugs and alcohol. The shame of the addiction alone can be devastating, according to the US-based International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals, which runs a certified sex addiction therapist program. Sexual disorders are not recognised as addictions in the two medical tomes used to categorise mental illness. "Sex Addiction" and "Hypersexual disorder'' were rejected for inclusion in the current psychiatrist's bible, the Diagnostic Statistical Manual published in 2013. The DSM-5 does include an intriguing list of eight paraphilic disorders  or sexual disorders  exhibitionism, fetishism, frotteurism (rubbing one's genitals against an unsuspecting stranger, usually in a public place), paedophilia (attraction to prepubescent children), voyeurism, transvestic fetishism (sexually arousing cross-dressing), sadism and masochism. Sexual disorders had a fraught history of medicalising sexual appetites. Credit:Dionne Gain The manual also includes the catch-all "paraphilic disorder not otherwise specified" (PDNOS), a diagnostic home for the dozen or more paraphilias identified including necrophilia (attraction to corpses), zoophilia (sexual fixation on animals) and podophilia (foot fetishism).

Sex addiction is also absent from the World Health Organisation's ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Disease). However, the diagnosis "excessive sexual drive" is included as a compulsive behavioural disorder. But some psychiatry academics have suggested doctors use loopholes to diagnose their sex addict patients (especially in the US, where insurance is predicated on an official diagnosis) most commonly the DSM-5 categories "other specified sexual dysfunction" and "unspecified sexual dysfunction". "It's highly contentious," former Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry president Dr Mal Hopwood says. "There is certainly not universal agreement about there it should be diagnosed at all. "Australian psychiatrists in general view it as something to be considered with great caution," Hopwood says.

No large epidemiological studies have investigated the prevalence of sexual addiction. A systematic literature review estimated people with symptoms of compulsive sexual behaviour could be somewhere between 3 to 6 per cent, though critics argue this is excessive. Despite the lack of an official diagnosis, private rehabilitation clinics have catered to a boom in behavioural addictions in recent years, including sex addiction. The RANZCP has called for increasing regulation for private addiction treatment centres in Australia and overseas. The rise of for-profit private operators providing services to vulnerable people for a contentious condition warranted scrutiny, Hopwood says. But there was little doubt patients that are trying to wrest back control of their lives.

"All addiction problems [alcohol, drug, behavioural] share the fact that they can have a dreadful impact on people's lives and that of their partners and children,"Hopwood says. Finding treatment for a taboo Joshua's wife gave him an ultimatum: go to rehab or she would leave him. She took their children and moved interstate. "She said she'd get a lawyer, divorce me and I'd only have visitations with my kids," Joshua says. "I was so worn down. I had to sell my car, my boat. I had hit rock bottom and I was heading for suicide. I thought that was it, that I'd never see my kids again. So I gave in."

His wife did her research and footed the $14,000 bill for a 28-day program at The Cabin, Chiang Mai, Thailand, a rehabilitation centre for alcohol, drug and process, or behavioural addictions. "All I had to do was book the flight and that alone was a really big deal. It meant admitting I had a problem, but I didn't know what it was " he says. A lack of an official diagnosis leaves vulnerable patients caught in the middle of the sex addiction debate, says psychotherapist and sex addiction therapist at The Cabin, Brian Russman. "People look at sex addiction as immoral or from a religious standpoint and say to someone with a possible sex addiction that they are weak-willed because we don't have a legitimate diagnosis and it makes it difficult to offer them treatment," Russman says. The safeguard should be straightforward: to diagnose sex addiction  or any mental illness  the tipping point must be whether a person's symptoms are causing them harm.

"We don't make diagnoses on behaviours," Russman says. "If someone has kinks, fetishes, or even has a lot of sex that wouldn't necessarily make them a sex addict. "What defines a sex addict is the same addiction criteria we see in other process [behavioural] and chemical addictions. Preoccupation, withdrawal, negative consequences, internal conflict, shame, guilt, the inability to control, moderate or manage sexual activity." Historically the "harm" failsafe has been monumentally flawed for conditions that flaunt cultural taboos. When harm includes shame, isolation, depression and anxiety, the way a society moralises sex could be the difference between a mental illness diagnosis or a Casanova.

"We need to be very careful of how we make diagnoses subject to ambiguity of social and cultural views," Hopwood says. "There are significant cultural variations in a lot of flux. What we might have thought was problematic 15 years ago, we clearly have different ideas now." Madness From The Womb The history of sexual disorders is paved with women whose sexuality has been poked, prodded and derided by the clinical fraternity. Seventeenth century France, physician Lazare Riviere described a malady of epidemic proportions affecting French women. He declared unchaste women with insatiable sexual appetites and young girls pleasuring themselves were afflicted with "madness from the womb", in which noxious gases from their "seed" would infect their nervous systems and mental faculties.

Riviere's treatments for women so afflicted included leeches applied to the labia, baths filled cold lettuce heads, and shunning dances and romance stories. "Even a normally pious and reserved woman could go insane with passion this way," New Zealand academic Jesse Bering wrote in Perv: The Sexual Deviant in All of Us. In the Victorian era, women and teenage girls with particularly stubborn cases of persistent masturbation underwent surgical clitoridectomies (female circumcision) to quell their ability to feel sexual pleasure, in some cases without their consent. The current ICD-10 still uses the gendered and archaic categories "satyriasis" for men and "nymphomania" for women. "Whereas mere masturbation was often enough to get a woman diagnosed with nymphomania, a man had to exhibit an extraordinary degree of carnality to receive a diagnosis of satyriasis," Bering wrote.

Men were also much more likely to be punished as criminals than treated as patients. Not so anymore. Men are diagnosed in far greater numbers than women, and make up the bulk of patients treated in rehab centres. Russman says "sex addiction" is no crutch or excuse for an unfaithful spouse. He doesn't allow patients to abdicate responsibility, and neither should their families. "Consequences are incredibly important for driving change and recognising the need to make changes in their life," Russman says. "I believe addiction is an illness and disease, however I don't believe it is an excuse to accept unacceptable behaviour. Loved ones need to make a decision about what's safe and appropriate for them.

"[They may say] 'I love you to death, but I'm not going to stick around for your addiction'." The Cabin After Joshua touched down in Thailand, the first person he met was a recovering addict. All counsellors at the Cabin are recovering addicts. Experience of addiction is a core part of the treatment process as staff can both embody hope of recovery and have a keen understanding of an addict's thought processes. "An addict will die an addict," several counsellors and clients say, regardless the length of their sobriety. Addiction is a constant. The compulsion is ingrained, but can be managed.

In appearance, The Cabin in the foothills of north Thailand's mountains is less rehab centre and more luxury holiday resort, in keeping with the property's previous career. The Cabin, Chiang Mai looks more luxury resort than rehab centre. The steep cost is more affordable than many Australian rehab clinics. There is little indication that guests are addiction patients. But there are a few incongruous inclusions. On arrival, luggage is rigorously searched for contraband by staff familiar with ways to hide drugs or pornography. Male and female living quarters are separated, and internet access is strictly controlled.

All clients must commit to complete sobriety, regardless of their addiction. No drugs, alcohol, sexual activity including masturbation, pornography or gambling. Sex and sobriety The first step is getting a person sober. Sexually sober, Russman says. "The foundation of sobriety is essential." But sobriety for sex addicts is not as cut-and-dry as it is for alcohol or drug addictions.

"We treat it a lot like eating disorders. You can't give up food and thankfully for sex addicts it's not about giving up sex entirely forever," Russman says. "It's about identifying behaviours that are addictive and unhealthy and will lead them back to full blown addiction, whether it be pornography, anonymous sex or sex work." The Cabin's inpatient program involves talk therapies, including psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy, the "12-Steps method", and a holistic approach to managing addiction including investigating core beliefs, mindfulness, meditation, and making lifestyle changes including nutrition, sleep hygiene, as well as psycho education. "We teach these guys what's going on in their brains to help them understand why we do the things we do," Russman says. "The evidence for sex addiction is much more concrete that it has previously been."

Sex addiction therapist Brian Russman during a psychoeducation session at The Cabin, Chiang Mai But the research-base for treatment models is as contentious as the diagnosis itself. "There is clear evidence about what works for traditional addictions like alcohol and opiates. There are well-established models for psychiatrist therapy, social rehabilitation and pharmacotherapy," Hopwood says. "We don't have clear evidence about what effective treatment are for behavioural addictions."

Even with evidence-based treatment, Hopwood says the relapse rate for addiction in general is "very high". The relapse rate is between 40 and 60 per cent, according to the US National Institute of Drug Abuse. The Cabin records a high recovery rate among its patients, which measures how many complete its inpatient program, but does not keep records of long-term recovery rates. For Joshua and other patients who spoke to Fairfax Media, The Cabin's most potent antidote for addiction was the connection they made with other addicts. "Knowing that I wasn't alone. I can't tell you how important that was. I realised that I wasn't the only one with these problems and my problems weren't the worst in the world," Joshua says.

"You're not ostracised. You're sitting in a room all suffering from the same disease. I barely drink and barely used drugs, but you hear the story of an alcoholic and you put their blueprint over my own? It's exactly the same." Joshua had been back in Australia and 84 days sober when he spoke to Fairfax Media. "It's a battle, but I take recovery three minutes at a time," he says. "My wife has moments where she gets triggered because of the things I've done. But she says that I'm such a different person now. She says 'I've never seen you so happy and content'." He found ways to connect with her in unlikely forms.
Police are investigating a suspicious fire at a home south of Brisbane where the words "FU YOR DEAD" have been spraypainted across the house.

Louie Naumovski from the Logan House Fire Support Network said it looked like the Woodridge house where a woman and six children lived had been firebombed.

Police are investigating a suspicious fire in Woodridge. Credit:Nine Network

"Someone's just chucked something through the window and it's caught alight," he said.

A police spokesman said officers would investigate the scene on Monday, including whether the fire was deliberately lit.
Tim Nicholls stuck the boot into One Nation, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Jackie Trad in his pitch for the top Queensland job in a speech to LNP faithful in Brisbane on Sunday.

"Make no mistake, we will remind Queenslanders each and every day from now until the election of how Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor are hitting and hurting families and businesses with these outrageous power prices," Mr Nicholls said.

Opposition leader Tim Nicholls has outlined the LNP campaign for the upcoming state election. Credit:AAP Image/Darren England

"And you certainly can't create jobs or effectively manage our finances when the Queensland domestic economy is $6.5 billion smaller in 2017 than it was in 2015 when we were last in office."

In his address to LNP delegates from across the state on the last day of the LNP convention, Mr Nicholls said the LNP was the only conservative party they should vote for.
Opinion / Columnist

VICE-President Emmerson Mnangagwa's arrogant defence of the discredited Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill Number 1 in Parliament last week epitomised Zanu-PF's penchant to major on power retention schemes to the detriment of issues that affect ordinary people.Mnangagwa has been pushing for the amendment of the Constitution barely five years after it was adopted so that the president is given the sole right to appoint the chief justice and other top judges.Zimbabweans roundly rejected the Bill during hearings that were conducted by Parliament throughout the country earlier this year, because they could see through the ruling party's shenanigans.Zanu-PF is battling to manage President Robert Mugabe's succession and it now wants to make this everyone's problem by trying to capture the judicial system.In the ruling party's scheme of things, the judiciary might become critical in settling the leadership disputes that are likely to arise when Mugabe eventually leaves the scene, hence the attempt to return to the opaque system of selecting the chief justice.The new system where judges seeking the highest offices in the judiciary served Zimbabweans so well when Chief Justice Luke Malaba was selected to replace the late Godfrey Chidyausiku.Zimbabwe got a highly regarded chief justice out of the lot that had been nominated and we shudder to think what would have been the outcome of that process if the president had the sole right to pick a candidate.Zanu-PF prefers a suborned judiciary because the party is allergic to the rule of law. Mnangagwa's desperation to railroad the Bill and his insults directed to those that are genuinely interested in defending the Constitution shows that the stakes are high.However, this is debate for another day.Our biggest concern today is that Mnangagwa has failed to give meaning to the progressive Constitution that was adopted in 2013 after it received support from across the political divide.As Justice minister, the VP has dismally failed to steer the realignment of a number of toxic laws to the Constitution.Some of these laws have been successfully challenged in the ConCourt but such victories remain hollow as long as the government does not play ball.People's Democratic Party leader Tendai Biti raised an important point last week when he noted that "18 months after the child marriage judgement Mnangagwa and (Women's Affairs minister Nyasha) Chikwinya have failed to bring child protection law (to Parliament."Such a law would have given meaning to the ban on child marriages by the ConCourt following litigation by Biti.A few days after Mnangagwa's performance in Parliament, women's organisations revealed that child marriages were on the increase in Zimbabwe due to Zanu-PF induced poverty.Young girls are at the mercy of men that prey on vulnerable children while Zanu-PF is consumed in its own factional power games.Mnangagwa fumed that those who argued that the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill Number 1 was a partisan initiative were "not only mischievous, but are dangerous to our constitutional democracy and themselves."But the rant does not sanitise his dereliction of duty. It is time the VP got his priorities right.Young girls are being condemned to lives of misery and sure early deaths in arranged marriages while Zanu-PF invests time and resources on issues that do not matter much to ordinary Zimbabweans.Biti has also successfully challenged other laws in rulings that expose the Justice ministry's misplaced priorities.
Two brothers who went missing for several days from Sunbury, in Melbourne's outer north, have been found.

Police had earlier appealed for public assistance to help find siblings Harrison and Bryce Street.

Harrison hadn't been seen for six days. Credit:Victoria Police

Harrison, 16, had been missing since July 10, while his younger brother Bryce, 15, had not been seen since July 13.

Their families and police had held concerns for their welfare as they require medication.
Bangkok: Thai officials are flying to the United States to seek the extradition of a flamboyant defrocked monk at the centre of sex and money laundering scandals that captivated predominantly Buddhist Thailand.

The extradition of Wirapol Sukphol, 38, from California - where he has founded a cult - comes as Thailand's military government moves to crack down on misbehaving monks following a series of high-profile sex, drug and corruption scandals.

'Most monks are good monks, but there are exceptions': Wirapol Sukphol (left) during one of his frequent charter flights. Credit:YouTube

Most of Thailand's 300,000 monks are held in high regard as keepers of the national religion.

But the government wants all monks to undergo background checks to reveal any criminal offence or reports of drug use, and then be issued with digitalised smart cards that would record their monastic histories.
Istanbul: A Chinese-American PhD student Iran has accused of espionage has been sentenced by an Iranian court to 10 years in prison, the judiciary's official news agency says, a move likely to raise tensions with the Trump administration ahead of a deadline to waive some Iran sanctions.

The Mizan news agency named the American as 37-year-old Xiyue Wang, a graduate student and researcher at Princeton University. The Sunday report said he was born in Beijing and is a dual Chinese American citizen, but that information could not be confirmed.

Xiyue Wang had twitter his thanks to researcher who helped him access Iran's archives. Credit:Princeton/NYT

Earlier in the day, judicial spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejehi announced that a US citizen had been sentenced for "infiltration".

"It was verified and determined that he was gathering [information] and was involved in infiltration," Ejehi said at a news conference in Tehran, the Associated Press reported.
Over 1,200 mail-in votes added to Montco totals; Bucks still in limbo

Two of Montgomery County's three commissioners said they did not support disenfranchising more than 1,200 voters because of a handful of rule breakers
Best Pilot Watches

Presenting All The Best Pilot Watches Under $600

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

In the simplest terms, all mens wristwatches owe their existence to pilots. Specifically Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont, the very gentlemanly fellow who contributed significantly to the development of the aircraft. In 1904 he commissioned the famed Parisian jeweler Cartier to create a watch that could be worn on the wrist so that he wouldnt have to fumble with a pocket watch while performing death-defying feats in midair.

Over time pilots watches became essential equipment for all aviators, and special functions and displays were developed to assist them with flying complicated machinery and plotting courses. The pilots watch truly came into its own during World War I when fighter planes helmed by dashing aces helped alter the course of the war. The advent of commercial transatlantic flights in 1939 and the advent of the Pan-Am era further increased demand for purpose-designed timepieces that could keep track of two times zones at once.

It was also during the WWI that the first luminous hands appeared on a watch, as night flying required that the pilot be able to read his watch  essentially another cockpit instrument  in the dark. If authenticity is your thing, look for a pilots watch with luminous hands and markings  lume to those in the know. Also very handy for checking the time during long boring movies.

The solid history and extremely functional design of pilots watches has ensured their continued popularity even in these days of jets that basically fly themselves. And after all, if the auto pilot or fancy instrumentation fails a proper pilots watch may be what you rely on to help fly and land the plane. Aside from use by actual pilots however pilots watches have morphed into a savvy style move for those who appreciate the look and practicality of aviation-inspired pieces.

The first thing you should know is that many pilots watches tend to be oversized; like certain diving watches, this was originally done to aid legibility in various conditions  you need to be able to take in the critical information at a glance, even if the cockpit is filled with smoke for example, or youre hurtling through the air with nothing but a parachute to protect you after an emergency ejection. It also references their pocket watch heritage, of which some were essentially removable cockpit gauges.

AVI-08 Hawker Hurricane Horizontal Date

Based in the UK, AVI-08 creates cool aviation-inspired pieces in honor of the pilots and aircraft of Britains Royal Air Force. This watch pays tribute to the famed Hawker Hurricane flown in the 1930s and 40s, a fighter that altered the course of the war in famed conflicts like the Battle of Britain. Their designs are as attractive as they are unique.

$180.00 at Amazon.com

Ingersoll Lawrence GMT Chronograph

Established in 1892, Ingersoll is one of the oldest American watch brands, though they tend to fly under the radar. This stunning black dial chrono has both the two-timezone GMT function favored by transatlantic pilots and self-winding automatic movement found on upscale pilots pieces. A great-looking piece set off by the perfect tanned leather strap. The most expensive one on the list and well worth it.

$600.00 at Amazon.com

Chotovelli Aviator Chronogaph

Italys Chotovelli is one of our favorite independent watchmakers. Founded in Turin in the 1920s and designed for / inspired by Italian aviators, their oversized pilots watches are a major style statement at a much less impactful price point. This stunner features a steel and titanium case and a stopwatch function. Plus its a total steal. The 47mm size is not for the faint of heart, however.

$395.00 at Amazon.com

From vintage World War I-era designs to high tech Top Gun type pieces the range of Pilots watches is pretty comprehensive. No doubt youll be able to find something that suits your style. Researching the back story on the piece you pick out could even prove interesting, as well as offering up a story to tell when someone inevitably admires the piece of machinery on your wrist. Some pieces pay homage to specific aircraft like the AVI-08 Hawker Hurricane below, named after the fighter that served in all the major theaters of the Second World War.

Functions on the more complex models may never be used by the man who purchases one solely for its aesthetic appeal, but there always remains the possibility that he might decide to learn to fly a plane some day. While brands like Rolex, Breitling and IWC developed the best pilots watches in the world, they are not within the reach of most first-time watch buyers (see our Best Watches Under $5,000 guide for some of those pieces).

There are however a number of wrist-worthy pilots watches that can be purchased for considerably less. The mystique of pilots watches and the fact that they are not generally as popular as diving watches leaves a bit more incentive for innovation from smaller, less expensive brands, including several based outside the traditional watchmaking enclaves in Switzerland. This is all to the good for the first time watch buyer who can, by shopping smartly  or merely following our advice  acquire a pilots watch of excellent quality at a price that wont have you flying off course.

Seiko Flight Alarm Chronograph

Japans Seiko makes one of the most sophisticated pieces on this list, a fully capable chronograph with a stopwatch, alarm, mph indicator and a bi-directional rotating slide rule bezel in case you feel like  or need to  perform complex calculations in mid-air. A great price for such a complex piece which looks like a Swiss watch that cost a hell of a lot more.

$211.70 at Amazon.com

Chotovelli Pilot 24-Hour Watch

Another cool Chotovelli for your consideration, at a truly bargain price point. Inspired by vintage airplane instrumentation with a nod to motor racing as well, this piece features a dashing red and black dial and a rally-style strap and is the among the largest watches on this list at 52mm. For those who arent afraid to be bold, this is one of the most interesting looking pieces on the list.

$188.20 at Amazon.com

Graf Zeppelin Chronograph Alarm

Planes werent always the only passenger aircraft in the sky; this watch celebrates 100 years of the Zeppelin Air Ship, in its time the most advanced and luxurious way to travel. Made in Germany, Graf Zeppelin watches are known for precision, high quality and vintage-inspired design. This piece features an alarm function, date window, a tachymeter scale for measuring speed and distance, and both seconds and 30 minute timers. The black, white and steel color scheme make this elegant enough to wear with a tuxedo, should you wish. Water resistant to 50 meters.

$379.00 at Amazon.com

Citizen Blue Angels World Eco-Drive Watch

The other Japanese watch on the list is from Citizen, and pays homage to the famed Blue Angels, the U.S. Navys flight demonstration squadron. A technological marvel with atomic timekeeping in 5 time zones and automatic time in 26 world cities, the watch harnesses the power of light from any natural or artificial light source in order to run  literally forever. Impressive tech for this price.

$301.95 at Amazon.com

Hamilton Khaki King Black Dial Watch

This piece is as simple as the Citizen is complicated. Combining the American spirit with the unrivaled precision of Swiss watchmaking, this is a classic derived from World War I-style pilots watches from a very reputable brand founded in 1892 without a lot of bells and whistles but extremely legible in all conditions and quite rugged to boot. This piece crosses over into field watch territory, meaning watches that were designed for the field of battle.

$398.21 at Amazon.com

Aristo TT Automatic Watch

The most striking features of this gorgeous watch are its polished coin-edge steel case and steel mesh bracelet, both hallmarks of higher-priced pieces. Adorned with a vintage fighter plane logo on the dial, it features a Swiss automatic movement visible through a mineral glass exhibition case back. The black dial is simple, clean and stunning. One of the more expensive pieces on the list and it shows.

$569.00 at Amazon.com

Zeno Oversized Black Dial Chronograph

Made by Zeno Watch of Basel, Switzerland, this multi-function 55mm goliath is the biggest watch on the list by far. It features orange luminescent hands, a double date window at the 12 o'clock position, small seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position, chronograph minutes counter at the 10 o'clock position, and 1/10th of a second counter at the 2 o'clock position. If go big or go home is you motto then this is the one for you.

$274.99 at Amazon.com

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State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) presented a check to Yardley Borough Police Chief Joseph Kelly for $68,600 for the purchase of a new police vehicle and motorcycle during a visit to the station. Our police put themselves on the line every day to keep our community safe, said Sen. Santarsiero. Dating back to when I was a Lower Makefield Township Supervisor more than...
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In November, there are hundreds of new and returning TV showsit can be overwhelming to try and choose what to watch. That's why we've selected some of the best options...
Teen visits South Jersey in 50-state Flowers and Flags tribute to vets

Preston Sharp of Calif. visits veterans graves in Cinnaminson cemetery in South Jersey on 50-state Flowers and Flags tribute to their sacrifices
Wael Arabiyat

Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

.

..This Ongoing War..16 July '17..You can take seriously this report in today's Times of Israel if you like: "Jordan king condemns Temple Mount attack in call with Netanyahu". But note that it is barely re-reported outside Israel and the actual language of the Hashemite king's "condemnation" is hard to find.On the other hand, Petra, the official voice of Jordan's government, still has its condemnation of Israel in the name of its Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Wael Arabiyat.He manages to include
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Love it or hate it, Burton's own Marmite has been dividing generations across the nation since 1902. The town, home to Marmites only factory, is famous for making the yeast extract spread.

Situated in Wellington Road, the iconic factory has played its part in the town's proud history along with brewing. It is made from the by-products of brewing so the world capital of ale making logically has to be only home for Marmite.

Ever the topic of heated discussions, Marmite is renowned for dividing opinions, as some people just love it, while others, well, just hate it.

But as it's something to be hugely proud of if you hail from Burton, do our local hotels stock it?

Well, the responses have been encouraging. From the seven hotels we asked, just two did not offer their guests the spread to put on their toast in the mornings.

Clearly our hotels are playing their part in promoting local products. And one of our hotels is so committed to Burton's finest it even serves Marmite in heart-shaped containers.

The Three Queens Hotel, in Bridge Street, says it is proud to serve its Marmite in small heart containers for guests at breakfast.

The Premier Inn, which has hotels in Wellington Road and Ashby Road, also makes sure a spot of the brown nectar is available for guests as they stay in the town.

Hotel Mecure over the border in Newton Solney in South Derbyshire makes sure it has Marmite on offer too as does Grail Court, in Station Street, in Burton town centre.

Bosses at the Travelodge, in Derby Street, Burton, said that it used to stock Marmite, however its is not something that it now offers at the hotel.

And a spokesman for the Dovecliff Hall Hotel, in Dovecliff Road, in Burton, said: We dont supply it presently. We may in future. Its one of those things that comes on and off the menu, you either love it or you hate it!

Despite them having the product available, a spokesman for the Unicorn Inn, in Newton Solney, which offers rooms, said: We have it available but I dont put it out for breakfast because I quite like it myself!

But he said it would be back on the menu for customers so it was supporting local business.

Now you can take it on holiday with you

Families and Marmite fans do have to worry about getting into sticky situations at airport security this summer thanks to Marmites clever 70g travel-friendly jar.

It comes as thousands of Brits admit to taking Marmite with them when they jet off on their holidays as they love it so much. It also sometimes difficult to get hold of in some far-flung places.

The tiny hand baggage-friendly jar was created following the discovery that Marmite was the number one confiscated branded food item at London City Airport.

Fresh research has shown that Marmite is the second most popular item on the British holiday packing list - second only to teabags.

Bosses at Marmite says with the 70g jar, lovers of the spread can travel freely with the savoury toast-topper so they will never have to be without their favourite breakfast accompaniment.

(Image: Getty Images)

They also say it will not just be holiday-goers who benefit as the 70g jar is small enough to carry in a lunchbox, picnic hamper and even a handbag, so Marmite fans will never have to go without their yeasty fix.

The jar will cost 1 jar is available to buy from Poundworld, 99p Stores, Boots airport stores, Co-op and Caledonian Foods across the UK.

How Marmite became a British icon

Back in the 19th century before Marmite was even called Marmite it was discovered by Justus Von Liebig, who found that brewers yeast could be concentrated and bottled and eaten, according to the Marmite website.

In 1990, Marmite Limited  which had become a subsidiary of Bovril Limited  was bought by CPC International Inc, CPC later changed name to Bestfoods and subsequently merged with Unilever in 2000. Marmite, however, kept its name and never changed recipes.

The image on the jar shows a 'marmite'. Marmite is a French term for a large covered earthenware or metal cooking pot. Thats about as un-British as Marmite will ever get.

Originally British Marmite was supplied in earthenware pots but since the 1920s its been sold in the bulbous glass jars we are familiar with today.

And Marmite is rich in vitamin B complex, is a source of folic acid and has historically been used for remedial purposes.

During the war, Marmite was given as rations to the troops and the vitamins kept them in top condition.

As the ad campaign goes if you absolutely love it, you will have tried Marmite chocolate, especially at Easter, a lip care product when Marmite teamed up with Vaseline and it has even been made as a clear spread.
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A parish council fed up with nightmare traffic on a busy Burton road, has joined forces with a secondary school to stamp out the problem, which is causing serious concern for peoples safety.

Staff at de Ferrers Academy have joined forces with Outwoods Parish Council to tackle the ongoing traffic problem on Harehedge Lane, which has become a nightmare during term time.

Outwoods Parish Council chairman John Anderson said that complaints have been made for years and schoolchildren of all ages risk life and limb daily when using the lane, as a result of problem parking.

He said frustrated drivers have nearly come to blows on many occasions and bus drivers sit stationary, trapped in a traffic stalemate tearing their hair out daily".

He said: Some parking has been included in the plans for the adjacent Glenville Farm housing estate which has planning permission for 500 houses.

"This may make some difference but it is unlikely to be the long-term solution we are looking for. It is certainly not much of a solution anyway when there seem to be no plans to create these spaces in the near future.

When discussions took place over St Modwens School being built in Tutbury Road there were plans showing a link road joining Tutbury Road with Rolleston Road and the school entrance being on the new link road.

"This made sense on several counts, including relieving the pressure on Harehedge Lane and the school entrance being away from the busy A511 Tutbury Road but the link road seems to be forgotten now and we are left with problem parking around St Modwens school entrance and an absolute nightmare on Harehedge Lane on every school day. "

Councillor Roy Hall, from Outwoods Parish Council, agreed that the traffic there during term time presents a serious problem".

He said: The road is narrow and becomes totally gridlocked, with vehicles having to use the pavement in order to be able to get around each other. This puts pedestrians and especially children at risk. If it were not for a degree of give and take by most drivers it would not work at all.

This problem is not going to go away, if anything it will get worse. We need someone in authority from Stafford Highways to take this problem seriously, and try to find some sort of solution."

As part of their plans to get a resolution, the parish council approached Nick Holmes, head teacher at de Ferrers Academy who said the problems are causing concern about student safety as pupils travel to and from school.

He said: Both the Governors and Parents' Focus Group regularly discuss the issues and we are keen to work to improve the current situation."

County councillor Philip White represents the Dove division. He said it was his number one priority to solve the issues and has made a promising start to tackling the issues since he was elected.

Mr White said: I made a pledge during the county election campaign that I would make it my number one priority to solve the parking and traffic problems in our area and Harehedge Lane is the most important part of this project.

Since my election in May I have spoken to Outwoods Parish Council about my intention to finally fix this issue and I have successfully lobbied the county council to get permission to form an all-agencies working group to find better solutions to the problems on this road.

There is still much more to do, but I am pleased that we have made such a promising start in the two months since my election.

Helen Fisher, cabinet support member for Highways at Staffordshire County Council, said the team was aware of residents' concerns about the road and action was being taken.

She said: The matter has been a priority for local member Philip White and he has already convened a meeting next week between the county council highways teams, borough council and police to identify further safety measures that could be considered.

"As part of the wider housing development plans for land north of Harehedge Lane, we recommended that two mini roundabouts be installed at the junctions of Harehedge Lane, Rolleston Road and Bitham Lane. This would slow traffic down on the approaches to the junction.

"These plans have now been granted outline planning permission. We will also look seriously at any recommendations made by the new working group.

In the meantime, we would always remind people to drive and park responsibly and be considerate to other drivers, children and their parents when driving near schools.

East Staffordshire borough councillor Duncan Goodfellow, who represents Tutbury and Outwoods, said: The problems along Harehedge Lane, and parking around schools generally are a consistently difficult issue, and I know that they have been ongoing here in some form or another for many years.

It is obviously important that all stakeholders are involved and engaged in the process to try and resolve this, including the schools, councillors, residents, and the police. I am pleased that since his election in May, our new county councillor Philip White has already committed his support in leading the charge to work toward a solution."
Caught in the bitter bickering that has engulfed Connaught Place Restaurants (CPRL) and the US headquarted McDonalds, how does Brand McDonalds hold on to its turf in India? By keeping the customer out of the fight, say experts. And that is what Vikram Bakshi, reinstated managing director of CPRL has told Business Standard in an interview, soon after the court ruled in his favour, that he hopes to do at the earliest.
As Indias technology sector evolves from services to building products for itself and the world, the use of English as the primary language for training and interacting with coders is being questioned.
The officers and supervisors of PSU firm Hindustan Paper Corp's Cachar and Nagaon paper mills today requested the government to revive the units immediately by pumping in about Rs 900 crore.

"The Nagaon unit's last production day was March 13 this year with an output of 270 tonnes against an installed capacity of 300 tonnes a day. If we keep the unit more non- functional, the investment to revive it will be higher," Nagaon Paper Mill (NPM) Officers' & Supervisors' Association President Hemanta Kakati said at a press conference here.

The production at Cachar Paper Mill has been stopped since October 2015, he added.

"If the government provides Rs 900 crore, then both the units can start functioning immediately. Out of these, Rs 500 crore will be required for paying the pending dues and salaries to the staff and Rs 400 crore as working capital for both Nagaon and Cachar units," Kakati said.

The total liabilities, including vendors' payments, of the two factories currently stands at Rs 1,400 crore, he said.

The two units have a total staff strength of around 1,500 and installed capacities of one lakh tonnes each per annum.

"If the government delays the revival plan even by six months further, then Rs 2,000 crore will also not be sufficient," Kakati said, adding the two units were profitable and were producing more than their installed capacities.

Informing about the sad state of affairs among the staff, NPM Officers' & Supervisors' Association Vice President Atul Mahanta claimed already two persons at Nagaon and one at Cachar have committed suicides due to dire financial crisis.

"Cachar staff have not got salaries since October 2016, while those at Nagaon are not paid since December last year. People are living in severe financial hardship and future uncertainties," he added.

Mahanta said 30 students could not take admissions this year in Nagaon as their parents were unable to pay fees.

"We all belong to the APL (above poverty line) category. To help us in our crisis, the local MLA had to write to the DC to consider us in the BPL (below poverty line) category so that our children can take admissions free of cost. What can be more unfortunate than this?" he asked with a face of gloom.

Mahanta also said many employees, who had taken bank loans to buy vehicles and homes, are defaulting now and have received notices from the financial institutions, thereby generating fear of legal actions against them.

"If the government does not revive these two units, economy of North East will suffer a lot as over two lakh indirect employment opportunities will disappear. The government's Make in India and Act East Policy will become futile. No big unit will come here again," he said.

(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.)
Several Nordic countries, Switzerland and tech-centric South Korea are ahead of the US and Japan, according to a digital economy ranking conducted by researchers at Tufts University in partnership with Mastercard Inc. India is much further down the list at No. 53. The study places India and China, where digital economy has been given high priority by policymakers, in the break out zone. The 8 November demonetisation move nudged Indians towards digital payments, albeit with mixed results, says the study. New Zealand has lately been pitching itself to tech entrepreneurs as a safe space to develop away from geopolitical strife. Other countries classified as stand outs by the ranking include the UK, whose spend-happy digital consumers and vibrant web economy may give it extra leverage as it negotiates a post-Brexit future.
With the sugarcane production in southern India being hit this year on account of a deficient rainfall during the south-west monsoon season, the Murugappa Group company is taking measures to sustain its business.
Paytm Mall, owned by Paytm E-Commerce Pvt Ltd, is revamping the onboarding process for sellers and has delisted as many as 85,000 of them to ensure quality control on its brand-new platform.
Amid fears among Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employees that India's largest software outsourcer may close down its unit in Lucknow, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government on Sunday said it will not let TCS go out of the state capital.

"We will not let it (TCS) go from the state capital. We will look into it," state's Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal told PTI in Lucknow.

TCS employees have also approached Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to ensure that the company did not leave Lucknow.

Agarwal's assurance came after UP ministers Swami Prasad Maurya and Mohsin Raza told the employees last week that their interests would be protected.

Maurya, who is the Minister for Labour and Employment in UP, had said necessary negotiations would be held to protect the interest of its employees, numbering around 2,000.

Raza too had said if needed, he would speak to the TCS management and the employees to find a way out.

While the TCS staff panicked, a company spokesperson described certain media reports as "rumours."



"There have been rumours and reports being circulated in the media about the company's operations in Lucknow. TCS would like to clarify that it is only consolidating its UP operations in Noida and there will be no job loss as a consequence," a TCS spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.

"TCS is working to ensure that employees get the opportunities in Noida and other centres across India," the statement said.

It came in the wake of media reports that TCS staffers claimed they were informed by their team leaders and senior officials that the company is wrapping up the work at the Lucknow unit.

TCS added 11,202 (gross) employees during the quarter under review, taking its total head count to over 3.85 lakh.
A Special Task Force of the Kolkata Police has held a meeting with Bangladeshi security officials in Dhaka for information on arrested Jama'atul Mujahideen militant Sohel Mahfuz, wanted in India in the 2014 .

The three-member team reached the capital city on Saturday and met Bangladeshi security officials at the police headquarters, Assistant Inspector General Md Moniruzzaman said.

In the meeting, they discussed information received so far during the interrogation of Neo-JMB militant Mahfuz, who was arrested along with three other militants by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit from Chapainawabganj district in northern Bangladesh on July 7.

The officials from both countries also shared their experiences dealing with militant incidents in addition to information on Mahfuz, Moniruzzaman said was quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

Mahfuz, a top explosives specialist of neo-JMB, is on a seven-day remand in the Dhaka cafe attack case.

He allegedly supplied firearms and explosives for the cafe attack in which 22 people, including 17 foreigners, were killed.

Mahfuz who lost a hand while making bombs, thereby earning him his title 'Hatkata', was wanted by the Investigation Agency (NIA) in India for the blast at Khagragarh in Burdwan district of West Bengal on October 2, 2014.

"Mahfuz, who had worked for about five years from 2009 to set up an extremist network in India's West Bengal, was planning to expand the activities of IS-inspired militant group Neo JMB to India," the Daily Star reported.

He wanted to visit India by this year and open a wing of "Neo JMB", counterterrorism officials were quoted as saying by the daily.

Sohel told the interrogators that he left India months after the JMB leadership removed him from the post of West Bengal JMB ameer and replaced him with Sajid, another Bangladesh-born militant, in 2014, the report said.

After his return to Bangladesh in December 2014, he got involved with pro-IS militants and played an important role in recruiting youths to the new brand of terror group, "Neo JMB" as police call it.

In the meeting, the Bangladeshi and Indian police officials discussed how the top militant spread a militant network in both countries and carried out his activities in West Bengal and Assam during his stay in India, the daily said.

The Kolkata police team would stay in Bangladesh for the next couple of days.

Besides, a team of Investigation Agency is supposed to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow to learn about Sohel's arrest, Moniruzzaman added.

(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.)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday to discuss the security situation in the valley in the wake of the Amarnath terror attack and said that "unfortunately China has also started interfering" in matters pertaining to the state.

After the 30-minute meeting at his residence here, she told the media that Monday night's attack on the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in which seven devotees were killed was aimed at "disturbing communal harmony".

She blamed the unrest on "external forces" and thanked Singh for "supporting us in tough times".

"External forces are involved in this fight, there is infiltration, militants are coming. Their attempt is to spoil the atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir," Mehbooba said, adding "Now, unfortunately, China has also started interfering."

"The way communal harmony was maintained in the whole country...The enemy wanted to cause communal riots in the whole country by this attack.

"I am thankful to the people of my country and the Home Minister that in this difficult situation they supported us, and in this situation, which involves external forces... I am happy that all our political parties are together," she said.

"We are not fighting for law and order situation in Kashmir... Until the whole nation and all political parties are united, we cannot win this fight," she said.

Asked if there was any discussion on Article 370, she said: "When the GST (Goods and Services Tax) was passed, the President reaffirmed that Article 370 will be taken in account... Article 370 is linked to the sentiments of people of Kashmir."

Seven pilgrims were killed and 14 others, including policemen, injured when a bus of Amarnath Yatris was attacked in Anantang district. The bus was carrying pilgrims back from Baltal after the yatra.

China on Wednesday said it was ready to play a "constructive role" in improving India-Pakistan ties over Kashmir, where the "situation has attracted the attention of the international community".

However, India rebuffed Beijing's offer, saying "We are ready to talk Kashmir with Pakistan, but no third party mediation."

(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.)
Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is "analysing" the evidence against Indian Kulbhushan Jadhav, sentenced to death by a military court, and will decide his appeal on merit, the Army said here today.

Jadhav filed a mercy petition before Gen Bajwa last month, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on June 22. The statement said the former Indian Navy officer had filed the petition after the Military Appellate Court rejected his appeal.

Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told reporters today that Gen Bajwa was "analysing the evidence against Jadhav. The Army chief will decide on Jadhav's appeal on merit."





Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in The Hague in May halted his execution on India's appeal.

Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.

(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.)
The diplomatic resolution of the border row is not possible unless troops are withdrawn by India, which by "turning a deaf ear" to Beijing's demand will only worsen the situation, China's state-run media said on Friday.

India's External Affairs Ministry on Thursday said diplomatic channels were "available" to the two countries to resolve the border stand-off in the Sikkim sector.

However, the commentary in Xinhua news agency seemed to reject India's overture, saying there was no room for talks until Indian troops vacated Doklam - a disputed territory between China and Bhutan.

"China has made it clear that there is no room for negotiations on this incident and India must withdraw its border-crossing troops from Doklam. For China, the border line is the bottom line," the commentary said.

"China has a will to solve the problem peacefully by diplomatic means and China also cherishes peace and serenity in the border areas, but the precondition is that the trespassers of India must withdraw unconditionally."

It said by "turning a deaf ear" to China's demand for troop withdrawal, India "will worsen the month-long stand-off and put itself further into embarrassment".

"India has to know (that) illegal stay of its troops in Doklam will by no means force a fait accompli there, and that it has to change mind before things go even worse.

"India should not regard the existing situation as the same as or even similar to the previous two stand-offs in 2013 and 2014 near Ladakh, a disputed area between China, Pakistan and India in southeastern Kashmir.

"Diplomatic efforts led the troop frictions there to a well-arranged end. But this time it is a totally different case."

It said China's several protests and arguments have failed to bring India back to reason.

"In recent years, some Indian civil groups, tinted with intense nationalism, have been constantly stirring up anti-China sentiments, even clamouring to boycott 'the commodities of hostile countries' at a time when the situation on China-Indian boundary intensified.

"As an old Chinese saying goes, peace is most precious. It has been noticed that Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar recently has made positive remarks in Singapore, saying that 'India and China should not let differences become disputes'.

"What China would like to see more are corresponding actions taken by India.

"It is highly anticipated that India would abide by the basic principles of international law and would not stick to its errors stubbornly."

--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.)
The Muslim man who was thrashed by cow vigilantes in Nagpur district of Maharashtra three days ago was carrying beef, police said today.

Police had arrested four persons for beating up Salim Shaha (34), a member of Katol unit of the BJP, on July 12 and sent the meat he was carrying to a forensic laboratory.

Superintendent of Police (Nagpur rural) Shailesh Balkawde told PTI today that the lab report was "positive", i.E. It was beef.

Police will initiate further action against Shaha as per the law, he said.

BJP Nagpur rural unit's president Dr Rajiv Potdar said that it was shocking that Shaha has been found to be carrying beef that day, and he would be dismissed from the party.

Stern action should be taken against him according to the law, but people must not take law in their own hands and resort to violence in such cases, Potdar said.

Salim's mother had claimed that he was the head of the BJP's Katol tehsil minority morcha, while local BJP leaders had said he was a party member.

The incident of thrashing had drawn strong condemnation from the ruling BJP's coalition partner Shiv Sena, besides the opposition Congress and NCP, while the BJP had sought to play it down, calling it a "stray" incident.

Shaha, resident of Katol town in Nagpur district, was returning home on his motorcycle when 5-6 men accosted him at a bus stop on July 12 in Bharsingi village on suspicion that he was carrying beef, and assaulted him.

Ashwin Uike (35), Rameshwar Taywade (42), Moreshwar Tandurkar (36) and Jagdish Chaudhari (25) were arrested under IPC sections 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt).

(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.)
The government has set up a 19- member panel, including three members linked to the RSS and VHP, to carry out what it says will be scientifically validated research on cow-derivatives including its urine, and their benefits, according to an inter-departmental circular and members of the panel.

Headed by Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan, the committee will select projects that can help scientifically validate the benefits of panchgavya - the concoction of dung, urine, milk, curd and ghee - in various spheres such as nutrition, health and agriculture, says the circular accessed by PTI.

Named the Steering Committee, the panel includes secretaries of the departments of Science and Technology, Biotechnology, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. It also has three members of Vigyan Bharti and 'Go- Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra', outfits affiliated to RSS and VHP.

The government circular says former CSIR Director R A Mashelkar, known for vigorously campaigning against US patents on turmeric and basmati rice, is also a member of the panel. The others include IIT-Delhi director Prof. V Ramgopal Rao and Prof. V K Vijay of IIT's Centre for Rural Development and Technology.

The development comes at a time when the has become an emotive issue in the country with increased incidents of so-called "gau-rakshaks" lynching cattle traders and others suspected of smuggling cows. The vigilantes' ostensible defence is that they are protecting a sacred symbol of Hinduism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned such violence, saying "killing human beings in the name of gau bhakti is unacceptable".

The government has given the project the acronym SVAROP, which stands for Scientific Validation and Research on Panchagavya, and says it is a " programme" that's being conducted by the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of the Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with IIT-Delhi.

The document also says "this multi-disciplinary programme" will involve participation of other related ministries, government departments, academic institutions, research laboratories, voluntary organisations and others "to carry out research and development and also build capacities, even at grassroots level, and cover five thematic areas including scientific validation of uniqueness of indigenous cows".

It will cover "scientific validation of 'Panchagavya' for medicines and health, scientific validation of 'Panchagavya' and its products for agriculture applications, scientific validation of 'Panchagavya' for food and nutrition and scientific validation of Panchagavya based utility product," the circular says.

It says the panel, which will have a tenure of three years, will function as an apex body for guiding SVAROP.

Vijay Bhatkar, the president of Delhi-based Vigyan Bharti, an RSS-affiliated science body, is the co-chairman of the committee. Known as the architect of the Param series of supercomputers, Bhatkar is also the Chancellor of the Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar.

Bhatkar confirmed to PTI the creation of the panel, and said it is tasked with selecting projects that scientifically validate research on indigenous cow and also the panchagayva.

The other two RSS-VHP-linked members of the panel are A Jayakumar, secretary general of Vigyan Bharti, and Sunil Mansinghka of the Nagpur-based Go Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra.

Jaykumar, an engineer by training, who also confirmed the circular, told PTI his focus has been on promoting traditional sciences such as ayurveda, vastu shastra as also research on cow. Vigyan Bharti has been organising the India International Science Festival for the past two years now. The festivals were partly funded by the government.

Mansinghka, who says he has a diploma in textile engineering from the VJTI college in Mumbai, told PTI he has been focusing on research on indigenous cows. Mansinghka also said although his organisation is affiliated to the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), it is autonomous in nature and has been involved in research on indigenous cows. His organisation's website says: "We believe cow is the foundation of our civilisation".

Mansinghka also claims that his organisation has six patents related to research on cows and has collaborated with CSIR in the past.

Justifying the appointment of Mansinghka on the panel, Bhatkar contended that his organisation has been working in this field for the past few years and has collaborated with CSIR to get patents on cow urine. He also asserted that Jayakumar has done a lot of work on traditional sciences.

(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.)
People visit an exhibition of quadrangle, or Siheyuan, at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China, July 15, 2017. The exhibition kicked off here on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua]
At least 11 Amarnath pilgrims were killed and over 30 injured when a bus skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar highway and rolled down into a deep nullah in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir today, officials said.

The bus carrying the pilgrims skidded off the road, turned turtle and rolled down into the nullah at Nachlana belt of Ramban late this afternoon, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ramban, Mohan Lal said.

Eleven persons were killed and 30 to 35 were injured, many of them critical, in the accident, the SSP said.

The officer said rescue operation was underway.

(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.)
The new indirect tax regime is having the effect akin to setting a cat among pigeons for thousands of micro and small businesses across the country. This is largely on account of a provision to collect and pay tax on behalf of unregistered vendors and suppliers under the reverse charge mechanism (RCM). A concept borrowed from service tax, RCM is now applicable also to supply of goods. However, higher compliance costs, including larger working capital requirement, is causing a shakeout in the procurement chain of businesses, with smaller businesses, operating largely in the unorganised space, losing out.
Implementation of the is a step towards corruption free nation and will end the shadow economy, Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said today.

Meghwal was addressing representatives of various business organisations, central and state officials in an event on the Goods and Services Tax.

The Union government is committed to tax reforms and to speed up the economic growth, Meghwal said while assuring that the will benefit people from all sectors.

The central government has directed officials and ministers to tour to different parts of the country to educate people about and address problems post its implementation, the minister of state for finance said.

Change is the sign of development and the technical transformation is heading the country towards progress, Meghwal said, adding that India would soon be the country with strong economy in the world.

The minister also said that five petroleum products that are out of GST would also be put up in the GST Council to gradually bring those under the new tax regime, he said.

Service centres in every district have been set up to resolve GST related problems, the minister said.

(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.)
The Odisha government has received investment commitments worth more than Rs 2 lakh crore from 74 companies in various sectors, including electronics, food processing, metals and minerals.

"Last year, we had signed [a] memorandum of understandings (MoUs) worth Rs 3.6 lakh crore with 124 companies during Make in Odisha Conclave in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Investors' Meet in Bengaluru, and 'Make in India' Week in Mumbai. Out of them, we have received 74 firm commitments (eBiz applications received) amounting to Rs 2,02,522.8 crore," Odisha Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Sanjeev Chopra told PTI in Bhubaneswar.

Chopra said the amount committed are from various sectors like fertiliser, refinery, petrochemical, chemical and plastics, food processing, healthcare, infrastructure, information technology (IT) and electronics system design & manufacturing, manufacturing.

Besides, metals and minerals, power and renewable energy, textile and apparel and tourism, are other sectors which have made firm commitments.

According to Chopra, these projects would help generate employment for 1,04,573 people.

Asked about the impact on Odisha as investment destination following an exit of Korean steel major Posco, Chopra said, the business "is mainly guided by [a] potential in the state".

"There has not been any major downturn and companies are finding the potential in Odisha making sense for them," he added.

Further, Chopra said the state is planning an aluminium park near Nalco smelter in Angul, which will supply molten metal.

"We are expecting a lot of downstream units will come up in this park. It is likely to come up by April 2018," he added.

He also said the state is hopeful of being included in the first phase of the Coastal Economic Zone, which will help the state to become the major industrial hub in the east.

"The government is planning to set up 12 Coastal Economic Zones (CEZ) in the country with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore in phases and we are the leading contender for the first phase," Chopra said.

"Two-three CEZs are expected to be developed in the first phase. The state and the Centre will make 50:50 investment in the project," he added.

As logistics is an issue, Odisha government is developing inland waterways in Mahanadi that will connect Talcher coalfields with Paradip and Dhamra ports.

"Work has already begun on this project and it will take four years to become operational," Chopra said.

He also noted that connectivity to the state is an issue and the state government is taking it up with the Centre.

"We have put up a strong case with the Centre for increasing connectivity with other countries, especially with the Middle East (West Asia), which has a lot of potential in terms of investment and tourism," Chopra said, adding that "in a couple of months we are hopeful of getting some positive response on this".

Meanwhile, to cater to the young talents, the state government is also working on building an ecosystem to make Odisha an attractive place to work.

"We are working on improving the local ecosystem that will make Odisha an attractive place to work for the young crowd. We have three malls in the pipeline. The land has been allotted and by June 2018, the first one by Kolkata-based Forum Group will begin developing it," Chopra said.
Prime Minister has asked state governments to take strict action against cow vigilantes and sought the support of Opposition parties in tackling communal violence in the name of cow protection.
English rendering of the Highlights from the Prime Ministers Speech at the All Party Meeting on July 16, 2017

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Monsoon Session: Respect for the time, resources and dignity of the Parliament .

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Monsoon Session of the parliament gets underway tomorrow. The need of the hour is to ensure that we make maximum use of the time in this session. Barring a few exceptions, there has been a considerable increase in parliament productivity over the past three years. My thanks to all the political parties for this. .

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I am quite optimistic that the time allocated for the business of the house would be utilized in an effective manner in the monsoon session and it will set a record in terms of parliamentary productivity. All political parties must co-operate in this regard. .

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We can fulfill our responsibilities with a meaningful dialogue keeping in mind the time, resources and dignity of the house. .

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Thanks for GST .

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I am grateful once again to all of you for having joined hands together for the implementation of GST.

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GST has been in place for past 15 days and we have seen positive results in these 15 days. Check posts have been removed from the borders of many states and the movement of trucks has become easier. .

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Centre has been working in close co-ordination with the states to bring on board the traders who have not yet been registered on GST platform by expediting the processes at the earliest. .

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Outcome of the Budget Session .

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The budget session was convened was convened about a month ago. All political parties extended their co-operation. I would like to share positive outcome of the budget session. .

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A major impact of advancing the budgetary process by a month has been that the funds allotted to several departments for various schemes reached before the monsoon season. Earlier, it used to take two to three months for the funds allocated to the schemes to reach up to the departments. The implementation was delayed due to the monsoon. It did not happen this time and there has not been any lag period after March. It has also provided three months additional time for the completion of infrastructure projects. .

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According to the estimates from Controller General of Accounts, the expenditure in April-June this year has been 30% more than the same time previous year. .

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Capital Expenditure in Infrastructure related projects has gone up by 48% over the previous year. .

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The trend of expenditure in the schemes reflects that the funds allocated would be spent in a balanced manner throughout the year. Earlier, the expenditure used to begin after the monsoon and unnecessary pressure was there to spend the money before March. It was one of the reasons for the faults in the system. .

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Floods in North Eastern States .

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Incessant rains in many parts of the country and the floods in the north eastern states has been a cause of concern. Centre is in constant touch with the state governments and the situation is being closely monitored. Many Central Government agencies are engaged in flood rescue and relief operations. State Governments have been told to inform urgently whenever they need any assistance. .

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Tough on terrorism .

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Entire nation has been in a state of shock in the wake of the attack on Amarnath pilgrims by the terrorists. My heartfelt condolences to the pilgrims who were killed in this attack and my sympathies are with the families in this hour of grief. The Government will ensure that the perpetrators of this attack are brought to book. .

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We are fully committed to maintain peace in Jammu and Kashmir and to wipe out the anti national elements from the state. The Government is trading the path laid down by Atal ji. .

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State Governments must act tough on those inciting violence in the name of Cow protection .

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Some anti social elements have incited violence in the name of cow protection. Those engaged in disturbing the harmony in the country are trying to take advantage of the situation. .

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It has an impact on the image of the nation. State Governments must deal sternly against such anti-social elements. .

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Cow is revered as the mother in our country. Public sentiments are attached with the cow. However, people must know that there is a law to protect the cow and the violation of law is not an alternative. .

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Maintaining law and order is the responsibility of State Governments and wherever these incidents are taking place, state Governments must deal firmly with it. The State Governments must also see to it that in the name of cow protection some people are settling their personal rivalry. .

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All the political parties should condemn strongly this goondaism in the name of cow protection. .

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Acting against corruption .

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Over the past few decades, the image of political leadership has been at crossroads due to the deeds of some of the leaders amongst us. We need to convince the people that every leader is not tainted and every leader is not only running after money. .

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What is required that we have to be transparent in our public life and yet there should be action against corrupt leaders. .

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The onus lies on the political parties to identify such leaders among them and segregate them from their political journey. .

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If the law of the land is working, then we have to join hands together ward off the challenge from those who try to save themselves by raking up the issue of political conspiracy. .

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Nation will not gain anything by standing with those who have plundered the nation. .

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75th anniversary of uit India Movement falls on 9th August . Parliament should discuss it. .

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It would have been better had the Presidential election been held by consensus. However, it is a matter of satisfaction and pride that the election campaign has been a dignified one. All the political parties need to be congratulated. All parties must train their MPs and MLAs to cast their votes so that not a single vote is wasted. .

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Government holds All Party Meet ahead of Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning tomorrow

All Political Parties stand united to ensure Nations Safety and Security: Shri Narendra Modi

PM urges all Parties for their support in smoothly conducting the Business in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, 2017

Session will provide a total of 19 sittings spread over a period of 26 days including four Private Members days: Shri Ananthkumar

Addressing floor leaders of parties in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha here today, ahead of Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning tomorrow, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that for preserving the institution of Democracy in India, it is important that all Political Parties support the Government to conduct business in both the Houses of the Parliament without disruption and constructive discussion takes place on issues of national importance. Prime Minister, in one voice with the leaders of all parties, also asserted that all Political Parties stand united to ensure nations safety and security, after such concerns were raised by many leaders on recent developments.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude towards all Parties for supporting the Government in bringing historic economic reforms like preponing of Budget Session of Parliament and bringing in Goods and Services Tax. Shri Modi informed all the leaders that due to preponing Budget by a month, there would be a balanced nature of capital expenditure profile in this financial year. Already 30% of total expenditure and 49% expenditure in infrastructure sector has taken place before the monsoon has started, which is a huge achievement and would bring fiscal prudence in capital expenditure in future. Bringing in of GST regime, with support of all parties, has strengthened the Federal structure of Government and brought about economic solidarity in the country, Shri Modi added.

The Prime Minister mentioned that highest level of dignity has been maintained in the whole process of Presidential Election till now and no situation of any bitterness surfaced among the Political Parties. All Parties should be commended for that and each party must ensure that all MPs and MLAs participate in the President election and no vote is wasted, Shri Modi said. The Prime Minister also urged all leaders to achieve consensus on celebrating 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement on 9th August in both Houses of Parliament.

Prime Minister urged all parties to extend their support to the Government in fighting corruption and the issue of communal violence in the name of Cow protection.

Shri Modi said that State Governments must ensure the maintenance of law and order and strict action must be taken against those who break the law. Prime Minister also expressed deep concern for the floods in North Eastern States of India and assured all leaders that the Government is is fully informed on the situation on the ground and taking all steps to reduce the suffering of people.

A host of issues were brought up by the leaders of parties during the meeting. There was a consensus across party lines on ensuring smooth functioning of the Parliament without disruptions and deadlocks to be resolved through constructive discussions in both the Houses.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar, later briefing media persons said that the Government has requested all parties, especially the opposition, for their co-operation for the smooth functioning of the House. The Minister informed that all parties were in favour of a productive Monsoon session. The Government is always ready to discuss on the floor of the House, any issue as permitted under Rules of Procedure, he added.

Shri Kumar further informed that the Monsoon Session, 2017 of Parliament is scheduled to be held from Monday, the 17th July, 2017, and subject to exigencies of Government Business, the Session may conclude on Friday, the 11th August, 2017. The Minister said that the Session will provide a total of 19 sittings spread over a period of 26 days including four Private Members days. Further, 21 Bills are pending in Lok Sabha while 42 Bills are pending in Rajya Sabha, he added.

Items of Government Business Identified for being taken up in both the Houses of Parliament during ensuing Monsoon Session, 2017

Bills for Introduction, Consideration and Passing

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017; The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, 2017; The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2017 The State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017 The Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension To Chandigarh) Amendment Bill, 2017; The Central Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017; The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017; The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) Bill, 2017; The Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property Amendment Bill, 2017; The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill, 2017; The Consumer Protection Bill, 2017; The National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2017; The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017; The Right of Children Free and Compulsory Education (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017; Labour Code on wages; and The National Sports University Bill, 2017

Bills for Consideration and Passing

Bills pending in Lok Sabha

The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2016; The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Amendment) Bill, 2017; The Indian Institute of Management Bill 2017; The Right of Children Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017; The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2017; The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016; The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017 ;and The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership) Bill, 2017

Bills pending in Rajya Sabha

The Footwear Design and Development Institute Bill, 2017 as passed by Lok Sabha; The National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha; The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha; The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 as passed by Lok Sabha; The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013; The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha; The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha; The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Third Amendment) Bill, 2017 as passed by Lok Sabha; The National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 as passed by Lok Sabha; and The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, 2017 as passed by Lok Sabha.

Financial Business

Supplementary Demands for Grants (including Railways) for 2017-18

Bills for Withdrawal

Lok Sabha

The Consumer Protection Bill, 2015

Rajya Sabha
Visit of Chief of the Air Staff to France

Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff is on an official visit to France from 17-20 Jul 17. The visit is intended to further strengthen the existing defence cooperation between the Air Forces of the two countries. The areas of cooperation presently include exchanges in military training courses, mutual visits by subject matter experts and joint air exercises.

During his stay at France the Chief of the Air Staff is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with the senior military officials of the French Armed Forces. The challenges faced by the Armed Forces of both the countries in the current geo-political scenario are expected to be discussed during these meetings.

The main focus of the visit will be on improving bilateral relations, promote Defence ties, and outline further areas of defence cooperation between the two countries. The CAS will visit Headquarters of French Air Force and a few operational Air Bases. The CAS would interact with representatives of Military Aviation Industry in France and visit Indian Rafale PMT Infrastructure. The CAS is also planned to fly a sortie in Rafale.

This visit of the Air Chief would provide further impetus towards increasing defence cooperation between the two Air Forces and pave the way for greater interaction and cooperation in the future.
China's central bank will take on a bigger role in the macro-prudential management and in averting systemic risk in the financial system, President Xi Jinping said at a once-in-five-years government work conference that ended on Saturday.

Financial security is a vital part of national security, Xi said at the fifth National Financial Work Conference, adding that China will strengthen the Communist Party's leadership in the financial sector.

A Financial Stability and Development Committee will also be set up under the State Council, or cabinet, state media cited Xi as saying.

No details were given on the committee and on how the role of the People's Bank of China (PBOC) will be strengthened.

Fragmented oversight of China's financial sector has led authorities to worry about "giant crocodiles", a term that regulators have started using to describe law-breaking tycoons who circumvent regulations to grab control of other companies.

As a result, funds are illegally spent on buyouts and acquisitions and are not being used by companies to spur growth in the real .

Earlier this year, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) banned the chairman of Foresea Life from the insurance business for 10 years, citing violations of rules in the firm's use of insurance funds.

CIRC separately also restricted Evergrande Life's stock trading activities for one year, after accusing the insurance firm of engaging in irregular investment activities.

Blood and pulse

Finance is the "blood and pulse" of the economy, and it is the sector's "divine vocation" to serve the real economy, the official Xinhua News Agency quoted Xi as saying.

Xi called for greater accountability for financial regulators at the meeting, saying it would be "negligence of duty" if regulators fail to identify risks in time, and it would be "malfeasance" if they fail to report and contain the identified risks.

The main financial regulators include the China Banking Regulatory Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and CIRC.

In 2015, a poorly coordinated response to a stock market crash in China spurred scrutiny on the government's response. Premier Li Keqiang openly criticised financial regulators as not responding sufficiently.

Xi said on Saturday that regulators must share industry data within their jurisdictions and coordinate their financial regulations.

"Traditionally the (financial) conference is presided by the premier, but this time, not only was the big boss (Xi) there, people from the anti-corruption watchdog and the parliament advisory body were there too," said a person who follows Chinese regulatory developments.The financial work conference comes ahead of a once-in-five-year Congress of the Communist Party in the autumn, where Xi is expected to further consolidate his hold on power.

At the conference, Premier Li Keqiang said China will maintain prudent monetary policy and an appropriate credit growth rate while keeping liquidity basically stable.

Xi said Beijing will also strictly control new local government debt and strengthen oversight of internet financing.

"China's plans to ameliorate systemic risk, while laudable, are also significantly driven by the desire for an unblemished 19th Party Congress," said Brock Silvers, managing director of Kaiyuan Capital, a Shanghai-based investment advisory firm.

"Regulators have yet to announce detailed steps, and probably won't do so prior to the Congress," he said. "In the interim, I don't expect major changes, such as the creation of a unified super-regulator."
The head of the European Union's executive body says the EU's hand remains outstretched to Turkey but is renewing warnings that Ankara will not get EU membership if reinstates the death penalty.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wrote in Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper that Turkey being democratic, stable and economically successful is important to the EU. He said Turkey should "move closer to Europe rather than moving away from us."



Turkey's 12-year-old EU membership talks have ground to a halt.

Juncker stressed the bloc is a "union of values." He added "if Turkey were to introduce the death penalty, the Turkish government would definitively slam the door on EU membership."



Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday he would approve a bill reinstating the death penalty if parliament proposed it.

(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.)
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China's Liaoning aircraft carrier formation has returned to a military port in Qingdao in east China Sunday.

The formation returned after completing maneuvering exercises and a visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) being stationed in HKSAR.

More than 5,000 Hong Kong people boarded the aircraft carrier and three escorting warships.

During their stay in Hong Kong, from July 7 through July 11, members from the fleet held a deck reception and visited an elder care center to interact with Hong Kong residents.

The naval formation, which first set out from Qingdao on June 25, has also carried out trans-regional training at sea to strengthen coordination among the vessels and improve the skills of crew and pilots in different regions.
The United Kingdom (UK) government has ordered the takeover of one of the country's first state-funded Islamic secondary school after its policies, including the rule to segregate boys and girls in classrooms, were found "inadequate" and not "sufficiently" safe for students.

Al-Hijrah School in Birmingham, one of the first state- funded Islamic schools in Britain, had offensive books in its library which said a husband can beat his wife. The school also has the rule to segregate girls and boys.

Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of the UK's schools regulator Ofsted, said Al-Hijrah would be taken over by an independent academy trust on the orders of the Department for Education (DfE).

The department confirmed that the school's management would be handed to an outside trust, The Sunday Times reported.

Birmingham City Council said both it and Al-Hijrah's interim executive board were "co-operating fully" with the DfE to find a suitable academic sponsor.

The move follows a report by Ofsted inspectors who visited the school, which has about 750 pupils, after nine- year-old Mohammad Imaeel Ashraf collapsed there in March.

He was taken to hospital but died soon afterwards.

His funeral was attended by more than 2,000 people.

An inquest into the death, initially reportedly linked to an allergic reaction to fish and chips, will be held later this summer.

In a report published last month, the inspectors gave the school an "inadequate" judgment, the lowest ranking.

They found bullying, a chaotic playground, weak teaching, pupils who were not "sufficiently" safe and staff who did not know what to do in medical emergencies.

For more than a year, the co-educational Islamic school has fought through the UK courts to try to suppress an earlier critical Ofsted report that said its segregation of girls and boys for all lessons from the age of five to 16 was a breach of the UK Equality Act.

Last week, appeal court judges were asked to make a definitive ruling in the case.

If Ofsted wins, up to 20 faith schools that teach boys and girls separately will be re-inspected and may have to change their arrangements.

Spielman told the newspaper she found it "deeply frustrating" when legal challenges were "used to delay things that in our view urgently need to happen".

Spielman said: "I am deeply concerned about the idea that total segregation of children within a mixed school is acceptable. Segregating boys and girls in a mixed school feel as though it is depriving both boys and girls of a big part of the benefits of a school".
Bilateral talks aimed at reducing the United States (US) trade deficit with China have yielded some initial deals, but US firms say much more needs to be done as a deadline for a 100-day action plan expires on Sunday.

The negotiations, which began in April, have reopened China's market to US beef after 14 years and prompted Chinese pledges to buy US liquefied natural gas (LNG). American firms have also been given access to some parts of China's financial services sector.

More details on the 100-day plan are expected to be announced in the coming week as senior US and Chinese officials gather in Washington for annual bilateral economic talks, rebranded this year as the "US-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue."

"We hope to report further progress on the 100-day deliverables next week," a US Commerce Department spokesman said on Saturday. "That will be the basis for judging the extent of progress."

The spokesman declined to discuss potential areas for new agreements since a May 11 announcement on beef, chicken, financial services and LNG.

Earlier in April, when Chinese President Xi Jinping met US President Donald Trump for the first time at his Florida resort, Xi agreed to a 100-day plan for trade talks aimed at boosting US exports and trimming the US trade deficit with China.

The US goods trade deficit with China reached $347 billion last year. The gap in the first five months of 2017 widened about 5.3 per cent from a year earlier, according to US Census Bureau data.

"It is an excellent momentum builder, but much more needs to be done for US-China commercial negotiations to be considered a success," said Jacob Parker, vice president of China operations at the US-China Business Council (USCBC) in Beijing.

There has been little sign of progress in soothing the biggest trade irritants, such as US demands that China cut excess capacity in steel and aluminium production, lack of access for US firms to China's services market, and US national security curbs on high-tech exports to China.

The Trump administration is considering broad tariffs or quotas on steel and aluminium on national security grounds, partly in response to what it views as a glut of Chinese production that is flooding markets and driving down prices.

North Korea has cast a long shadow over the relationship, after Pyongyang tested what some experts have described as an intercontinental ballistic missile on July 4.

Trump has linked progress in trade to China's ability to rein in North Korea, which counts on Beijing as its chief friend and ally.

"Trade between China and North Korea grew almost 40 percent in the first quarter. So much for China working with us - but we had to give it a try!" Trump said on Twitter after the North Korean missile test.

Trading meat

American beef is now available in Chinese shops for the first time since a 2003 US case of "mad cow" disease, giving US ranchers access to a rapidly growing market worth around $2.6 billion last year.

More beef deals were signed during an overseas buying mission by the Chinese last week.

"There are hopes there will be even more concrete results," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily news briefing in Beijing on Friday. He did not elaborate.

Critics of the 100-day process said China had already agreed to lift its ban on US beef last September, with officials just needing to finalise details on quarantine requirements.

China, meanwhile, has delivered its first batch of cooked chicken to US ports after years of negotiating for access to the market.

But unlike the rush by Chinese consumers for a first taste of American beef, Chinese poultry processors have not had a flurry of orders for cooked chicken.

Demand should improve once China is allowed to ship Chinese grown, processed and cooked chicken to the US, said Li Wei, export manager at Qingdao Nine Alliance Group, China's top exporter of processed poultry.

Biotech crops

Other sectors in China under US pressure to open up have moved more slowly.

Beijing had only approved two of the eight biotech crops waiting for import approval, despite gathering experts to review the crops on two occasions in a six-week period.

US industry officials had signalled they were expecting more approvals. US executives say the review process still lacks transparency.

Financial services is another area where little progress has been made, US officials say.

USCBC's Parker said it is unclear how long it will take for foreign credit rating agencies to be approved, or whether US-owned suppliers of electronic payment services will be able to secure licenses.

The bilateral talks have also not addressed restrictions on foreign investment in life insurance and securities trading, or "the many challenges foreign companies face in China's cybersecurity enforcement environment," Parker said.

In an annual report released Thursday, the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai said China remained a "difficult market".
Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Sunday said that all political parties have given assurance for a peaceful and constructive Monsoon Session beginning tomorrow.

Mahajan said that the 19-day long session will see election of President and Vice President and discussion on various important issues like the farmer suicide and foreign policies.

"I want this Parliament session to be fruitful. All political parties have assured me that they will help in conducting a peaceful parliament session. All political parties have urged that they want to hold fruitful discussions on various issues including the issues of the farmers," said Mahajan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the floor of leaders of parties of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha earlier in the day, said that for preserving the institution of democracy in India, it is important that all political parties support the government to conduct business in both Houses of the Parliament without disruption and constructive discussion takes place on issues of importance.

Prime Minister Modi further urged all parties to extend their support to the government in fighting corruption and the issue of communal violence in the name of cow protection.

"Prime Minister Modi has asked the State Governments to take strict action against the anti-social elements creating violence in the name of cow vigilantism and punish them strictly," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said after the all-party meeting here.

"People are trying to give it a political and communal colour, but it is not in favour of the country," he added.

Further commenting on the issue of China, Kumar said that the political parties have already been briefed about the situation of China and India stands united on this issue.

The Prime Minister also called on all the party to support the war against corruption, which has been initiated by the government.

"He (Prime Minister Modi) also expressed concern over the flood like situation on the north-eastern part of the country and asked the state to take action to provide relief to the people," he said.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude towards all parties for supporting the Government in bringing historic economic reforms like preponing of Budget Session of the Parliament and bringing in the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The Monsoon Session of Parliament will start from Monday and will continue till August 11.

The Opposition is expected to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in both the Houses, including the implementation of GST and the ongoing clashes in West Bengal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that Turkey would cut off the heads of traitors.

He was addressing a function to mark the first anniversary of failed coup in Istanbul. In the speech, Erdogan reiterated his support for reinstating the death penalty.

Erdogan said that the people who are trialed for attempting a coup should be given a standard uniform "like in Guantanamo" and warned that Turkey would "cut the heads off" people who tried to disturb the balance of the country.

"The most powerful weapons were mercilessly used by the enemies of our nation," he said. "Our people only had the flag and faith."

The problem in Turkey has become even more complicated. It involves dissidents and even opposition politicians. Tens of thousands of people have been dismissed or detained from the civil service, police, military, judiciary, media and academia, and rights activists have been repeatedly detained. The government has sacked an additional 7,000 people, and more than 150 journalists are in prison.

A number of commemorative events took place around Istanbul, Ankara and other big cities to mark the anniversary of the coup.

On 15 July 2016, a coup was attempted in Turkey against state institutions, including, but not limited to the government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The attempt was carried out by a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces that organized themselves as the Peace at Home Council.

They attempted to seize control of several key places in Ankara, Istanbul, and elsewhere, but failed to do so after forces loyal to the state defeated them. Roughly 250 people were killed and more than 2,000 others were injured. Thirty-five coup organizers were also killed.

The government accused the coup leaders of being linked to the Gulen movement, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and led by Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish businessman and cleric who lives in Pennsylvania. Erdogan accuses Gulen of being behind the coup-a claim that Gulen denies-and accused the United States of harbouring him.

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Former Sikkim chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari passed away at the age of 77 on Sunday. He breathed his last at a Delhi hospital this afternoon.

Bhandari, a three-term former chief minister, is survived by his wife Dil Kumari Bhandari, a former MP, two daughters and a son.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his demise, saying his contribution towards Sikkim's progress will always be remembered.

"Saddened by demise of Shri Nar Bahadur Bhandari. His contribution towards Sikkim's progress will always be remembered. My condolences," said Prime Minister Modi.

Current Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling?, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rjiju, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu also took to Twitter to express their grief.

"Saddened by the sudden demise of Shri NB Bhandari former CM Sikkim. May he RIP.My condolences to the bereaved family ," tweeted Chamling.

"Former CM of Sikkim, Shri Nar Bahadur Bhandari was a people's man and a pragmatic leader. Anguished by the news of his sudden demise. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Shri Nar Bahadur Bhandari.May God give them strength to bear this tragic loss," said Rajnath.

"I extend my deep condolences to the bereaved family of Shri Nar Bahadur Bhandari ex-CM of Sikkim who passed away today," tweeted Rijiju.

"Pained and saddened by the passing away of Shri Nar Bahadur Bhandari,former CM of Sikkim. My heartfelt condolences.RIP," said Prabhu.

Born in 1940 at Malbasey in West Sikkim, Bhandari completed his BA degree from Darjeeling Government College and worked as a school teacher for some years before joining politics.

In 1984, he also served briefly as Member of Parliament from Sikkim constituency in the eighth Lok Sabha as an independent candidate.

He became the chief minister of Sikkim for the first time in 1979 and then again in 1984 and 1989.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday condemned the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari and said India and Pakistan both are holding talks on the crucial issue of Kashmir, and the Imam's doesn't have any authority to write a letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif surpassing his own government.

"He shouldn't have written this kind of letter to Pakistan's Prime Minister; this is wrong. This is a matter between India and Pakistan. The Governments of both the countries are having talks on the same. A single person belonging to community doesn't have any right to bypass his own government and write a letter to the government of the other country," BJP leader Zafar Islam told ANI.

Islam further said that Shahi Imam should have condemned the acts of Hurriyat in the Valley and should have requested the Indian government to take stern action against the forces which work against the country.

Another BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia told ANI that the 'tone and tenure' of the Shahi Imam was very subservient and seems like he was requesting to Pakistan.

"He is an Indian and he should speak for every Indian, every Kashmiri irrespective of his religion. The tone and tenure of the letter is as if we are subservient and are requesting Pakistan. Why does the Imam forget to condemn Pakistan and its involvement in terrorism?" Bhatia said.

Bhatia further questioned the Imam why he never came out and condemned the Killing of Ayub Pandit or the Amarnath Pilgrims attack and only shows up when they wants to.

Earlier in the day, Shahi Imam Bukhari wrote a letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in which he urged him to use his authority to end the volatile atmosphere in the Kashmir Valley by initiating dialogue with Hurriyat representatives.

"The Kashmir situation is becoming volatile day by day, resulting in an increase in tensions between the two countries (India and Pakistan) as days pass. I think that more delay in the creation of a favorable environment for peace shall make the settlement of the Kashmir issue more difficult," Bukhari said in his letter to Sharif.

"Therefore, with all the intellect, wisdom and prudence at our disposal, we must make every effort to safe Kashmir from the dangerous destruction and devastation it faces and pave the way for the establishment of peace there. The common people of Kashmir are in a state of terror and helplessness as they find their dreams for peace shattered," he added.

Bukhari further said that, "As a paradise on earth, the once peaceful valley known for its joyous life has today become a valley of tears Thousands of people are living, under the shadow of AK-47, a life besieged by bloodshed. Today, it has become unbelievable that people all over the world once considered the Kashmir Valley as the paradise on earth as today it has become an abattoir. This game of death and destruction is making the situation graver. The only realistic recourse is peace and parleys."

Maintaining that millions of Indian Muslims are facing a trying situation, Bukhari appealed to Nawaz Sharif to ease tension on the borders, normalise the situation and initiate a dialogue with the Hurriyat representatives.

He warned and cautioned that the Kashmir issue can neither be solved through guns and stones nor through military expeditions.

"We should create an environment conducive for the talks at the earliest. Through exchange of views and dialogue on the larger issues, we all should formulate a strategy that is in the interest of both nations," he said.

"What I perceive in the context of the current situation is that positive measures aimed to ensure the dialogue process are needed, keeping in view the interests of the two countries and their people . I request you to kindly persuade the militant youth and Hurriyat leaders to agree for a ceasefire through your good offices and influence," he concluded.

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Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa is now considering the appeal of former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Yadav, who was awarded death sentence for espionage by its military court.

"The petition of Indian national is now with COAS who'll decide soon. The Army Chief is looking at each aspect of Jadhav's appeal,analysing the evidence and will decide on merits",Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said.

Jadhav's clemency appeal has been rejected by the Military Appellate Court. If his appeal for clemency is rejected by General Bajwa, he can then file another mercy petition with President Mamnoon Hussain within 90 days of the Army Chief deciding on his appeal.

Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said that the authorities are considering the Indian External Affairs Ministry's request of Jadhav's mother to grant her a visa so that she could visit her son in prison.

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, last week, took on Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz for not entertaining the request for visa to the mother of Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death for alleged espionage.

Jadhav was arrested on March 3 last year from Balochistan allegedly for espionage attributes. He was later awarded death sentence by a Pakistani military court.

India had then moved the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the death penalty and in its verdict on May 18 had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav.

A leading Pakistani daily has voiced its support in favour of the alleged Indian spy's mother, saying that she should be granted visa to visit Pakistan on 'humanitarian grounds as this provides the latest opportunity for India and Pakistan to back away from an increasingly confrontational stance against each other.

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"Can't I make a film?" asks filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, who is extremely disappointed after the Congress workers created ruckus and forced him to cancel the press conference of his upcoming controversial film 'Indu Sarkar', here on Sunday.

Bhandarkar, through his tweets, recently called upon Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi seeking his intervention into the matter.

Addressing the media, the 48-year-old said, "Since his party workers are protesting against the film, that's why I have just made an appeal to Rahul Gandhi. It's my duty to ask him till when is this going to happen? When will this end?"

He further said, "The Congress people should condemn the protests and ask the protestors to not do such things. People write books, make documentaries, can't I make a film? You are reacting on a three-minute long trailer when I have already made this clear that the film is 70 percent fictional."

Bhandarkar also informed that the team has cancelled the Ahmedabad and Bengaluru round of promotion.

"Me and my actors are frightened, we are being threatened. We have cancelled the promotions in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad because they have been threatening us, saying wherever we go, they will protest. You are scared of a film, what is this?"

"This is neither a person's film nor a docu-drama. If my intention was to base it on a person, why would I make a film that is 70 percent fictional? I would have made a documentary, not a film. People should see it from a broader perspective. These protests are extremely unfair," he concluded.

The controversial movie 'Indu Sarkar' is based on the Emergency imposed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi. The Congress has objected to the film, saying that it may have portrayed Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi in bad light.

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The Election Commission on Sunday allowed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah, an MLA from Gujarat and former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi to cast their votes from New Delhi for tomorrow's Presidential elections.

Besides these two, 14 Rajya Sabha members and 41 Lok Sabha members have also been permitted to cast their votes in the states of their preference.

Lok Sabha MP and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya have been permitted to cast their votes in their state.

Normally, the Commission does not extend the facilities of casting vote by the MLA at any place of poll, other than his/her own state or at Parliament House, since it is very difficult to send the ballot papers of all the states to every other state.

"But there may be extreme cases where some MLAs may be forced to remain away from their own state on the day of the poll due to compelling and justifiable reasons and may not be able to cast their vote either at their own state headquarters or at Parliament House, New Delhi," an EC notification read.

"In order to enable such MLAs to cast vote during the current Presidential Election, the Commission has decided, in exceptional cases, to allow the MLA of any State to cast his/her vote at any State Headquarters other than his/her own if he/she applies for the Commission's permission well in advance," it added.

Tomorrow, NDA's Ramnath Kovind and Congress-led Opposition's Meira Kumar will face off with each other in the presidential polls.

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Indonesia has renamed part of the South China Sea as it will now refer to the northern areas of its exclusive economic zone in the sea as the "North Natuna Sea."

Comprising of hundreds of small islands, reefs and shoals, the South China Sea is an important shipping route and believed to be rich in natural resources, such as oil and gas.

China claims the entirety of the sea, but Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia all have competing territorial claims.

At a recent press conference in Jakarta, Deputy Minister for Marine Sovereignty Arif Havas Oegroseno unveiled a new map with the renamed territory.

"We need to continue updating the naming of the sea and report to the United Nations about the borders. This (system) would allow the international community to know whose territory they pass through," Oegroseno told Indonesia's state-run news agency Antara.

Part of the renamed area falls in China's "nine-dash line".

Reacting on the development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he wasn't aware of the details of Indonesia's decision, but reiterated his country's territorial claims to the South China Sea.

"The so-called change of name makes no sense at all and is not conducive to the effort of the international standardization of the name of places," Shuang said at a daily press briefing.

"We hope relevant country can work with China for the shared goal and jointly uphold the current hard-won sound situation in the South China Sea," he said.

Indonesia is not the first country to rename part of the South China Sea.

In 2011, the Philippines renamed the waters as the "West Philippine Sea".

In recent years, China has invested heavily in building and militarising artificial islands in the South China Sea.

Other nations have also deployed military assets to assert their territorial claims.

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External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, along with Minister of State (MoS) for Ministry of External Aaffairs (MEA) M.J. Akbar and MoS MEA Gen. (Retd.) V.K. Singh, met families of 39 Indians who are missing in Iraq since 2014.

She said that the fighting is still going on in West Mosul and Indian authorities have been informed that the missing Indians were last located in a prison in Badush, so as soon as the area is cleared, further developments would be reported

"I have already met them several times, but this time the situation was different as Iraqi Prime Minister recently announced that Mosul has been liberated from the ISIS. The very same day I asked V.K. Singh ji to go to Erbil and personally oversee where are the missing Indians and how can they be rescued," Swaraj told reporters.

"Sources there told V.K. Singh ji that the missing Indians are most probably in a jail in Badush where the fighting is still going on," she added.

The minister assured, "Once fighting stops in Badush and the area is cleared, we can probably find out about the whereabouts of the missing nationals."

Swaraj added that the Iraqi Foreign Minister would be visiting India on July 24 and will provide further information.

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The bills on Elections of House of Representative and Provincial Assembly could affect the women's representation and their leadership development as the provision related to "competition among women only" is not present in the legislation.

The Nepal's Election Commission-drafted bills, which were registered in the Parliament Secretariat on June 11, did not had the provision of "competition among women only"

However, there was a provision of "competition among women only" in some constituencies under the first-past-the-post electoral system in the Election Commission-drafted bills.

According to EC officials and women lawmakers, women representation at both federal and provincial parliaments could get affected by the removal of the provision as it shuts one possible window of higher women representation.

The Kathmandu Post quoted Election Commissioner Ila Sharma as saying that the provision of "competition among women only" was proposed by the EC to ensure more space to parties to fulfill the constitutional obligation, adding that this would have also helped in leadership development of women.

At present, Nepal's Parliament consists of around 30 percent women's representation despite the constitutional provision of 33 percent women representation.

As per the report, this is due of the provision in the Election to the Members of the Constituent Assembly Act 2013, which said parties not picking more than 30 percent women members under proportional representation did not need to ensure 33 women representation.

Most of the women lawmakers, who were appointed under the proportional representation system in Nepal, have the impression that the party leadership does not value them as compare to those who are directly elected.

They also believe that there is a trend among parties to pick female candidates for the constituencies where the parties are expected to lose.

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Eleven Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 30 others injured on Sunday when a bus carrying them plunged into a gorge near Banihal town in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district.

Police sources said the bus carrying the pilgrims from Jammu to Srinagar spun out of the driver's control at Nachnala and rolled into the gorge.

"Eleven pilgrims have died," a police officer told IANS. "Rescue operations are on."

Police said the accident occurred at 1.45 p.m.

--IANS

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Sixteen Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 19 seriously injured when the bus in which they were travelling plunged into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Binihal district on Sunday, authorities said.

The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corp bus was on its way from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley when the driver reportedly lost control over the vehicle at Nichnala near Banihal town on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

"Sixteen pilgrims were killed on the spot while 19 others have been injured," a police officer said.

"The injured have been airlifted to the Government Medical College Super Speciality Hospital in Jammu," the officer said. Eight passengers sustained minor injuries.

The spokesman said the bus carried 43 persons including the driver.

Army, police and paramilitary forces launched a rescue operation which was joined by locals, who helped to take out the injured pilgrims from the wreckage site.

Army helicopters flew the injured to Jammu city.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the accident.

Modi said: "Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath yatris... My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. I pray that those injured recover soon."

Rajnath Singh said he spoke to Mehbooba Mufti regarding the accident. She apprised him about the rescue operations.

"My heart goes out to the families of the Amarnath yatris who lost their loved ones in the bus accident. My prayers are with the injured," he added.

This is the second tragedy to hit the Amarnath pilgrimage since militants ambushed a bus on July 10, killing eight people.

The Amarnath hill shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located more than 3,800 meters above sea level in Anantnag district.

--IANS

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External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday that 39 Indians, who went missing in Iraq in 2014, could be in a prison in Badush and more clarity will emerge once the area is cleared of fighting.

The minister told family members of the men, who had been abducted by terror group Islmaic State from Mosul, about information received by Minister of State for External Affairs, V. K. Singh, who had gone to to Iraq.

Minister of State for External Affairs M. J. Akbar were also present during the briefing.

Sushma Swaraj said that soon after the Iraqi Prime Minister announced that Mosul had been liberated from the ISIS, she asked V.K. Singh to go to Erbil and personally find out where the missing Indians were and how they can be rescued.

"I also asked Akbar to talk to the Foreign Minister of Iraq. I personally talked to Foreign Ministers of those nations which could help us in finding them (missing Indians)," she said.

Sushma Swaraj said that Singh returned from Erbil on Saturday where he found out that East Mosul had been completely liberated from ISIS but the area was restricted for security reasons.

"But fighting is going on in West Mosul especially in Badush," she said.

She said one crucial information that he received from a senior official was that the Indians were first employed for construction of a hospital and were later moved to farming.

"They were later sent to a jail in Badush after which there was no contact with them by Iraq's intelligence agencies.

"Only after the area is cleared in Badush can we get more information about their location and their well being," she said, adding that she personally gave that information to the families of the missing Indians.

Sushma Swaraj added that the Iraqi Foreign Minister would be visiting India on July 24 and would provide further information.

--IANS

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International low-cost carrier Air India Express has set up an internal enquiry to ascertain whether its Dubai-Mangaluru flight operated on Sunday early morning had hit runway guiding lights on landing at Mangaluru airport.

"The initial enquiry report has not confirmed that the guiding lights were damaged by IX 814 (Dubai-Mangaluru flight)," AI Spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar told IANS in New Delhi.

"After IX 814, three more aircraft landed on the same runway. It is a matter of detailed enquiry."

The purported incident came to light after the pilot of one of the three aircraft that landed after the Air India Express flight reported guiding light debris on the tarmac, local sources said. This led to the airport authorities questioning the IX 814 crew whether they had hit the guiding lights.

As per local sources, the airport authority had alleged that the aircraft had hit "some guiding lights" of the runway after landing at Mangaluru airport damaging them.

Taking cognisance of the allegation, the airline's Flight Safety Department set up the enquiry into the incident. Initial enquiry reports have suggested that the aircraft did not skid upon landing.

According to Kumar, the aircraft did not suffer any damage and that all 186 passengers on-board the aircraft were safe.

--IANS

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The stage is all set for the election of the 14th President of India on Monday in a contest in which National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Ram Nath Kovind has a clear edge in the electoral college over the opposition nominee Meira Kumar.

The total value of votes of the electoral college is 10,98,903, and the NDA candidate is slated to cross the halfway-mark and get about 63 per cent votes.

Kovind, who belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has the backing of all the party's allies besides several regional parties, while Kumar has been fielded by the Congress and some major opposition parties in what they call an "ideological battle" against the ruling party.

Both Kovind and Kumar are from the Dalit community and have canvassed hard by visiting states to seek support of legislators.

All arrangements have been completed for the presidential election, and polling will take place in Parliament House and respective state assemblies between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Elected members of both houses of Parliament and assemblies in states, including the National Capital Region of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry, are eligible to vote.

Counting of votes in the election will be taken up on July 20 and the result will be known the same evening -- four days before the end of the term of President Pranab Mukherjee. The new President is set to take over on July 25.

Officials said that polling in Parliament House will take place in Room Number 62 and MPs will vote according to tables allocated to states they represent.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi would vote on table number 6 as they are all MPs from Uttar Pradesh, the officials said.

They added that there will be six tables. MLAs, who have chosen to vote in Delhi, would do so from table number one.

In the electoral arithmetic, Kovind, a former Bihar Governor, has a distinct advantage over his rival, a former Lok Sabha Speaker, with parties like Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD), who are not allied with BJP, deciding to vote for him.

The Janata Dal-United has about 1.91 per cent of electoral college votes, while the BJD of Odisha has 2.99 per cent. In addition, the ruling TRS in Telangana (two per cent), different factions of AIADMK (5.39 per cent), YSR Congress (1.53 per cent) have also announced their backing for Kovind.

The announcement of Kovind's candidature created some fissures in the opposition with the JD-U announcing its support for him against the stand of its Bihar allies -- Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress.

Though the Aam Aadmi Party has declared its support to Kumar, its leader H.S. Phoolka, who has handled several 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases, has said he would abstain as he cannot vote with the Congress.

The electoral college for the election comprises elected members of the two houses of Parliament as also of legislative assemblies. Election will be by secret ballot and in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.

There are no whips issued in the presidential election. Kumar has appealed to members of the electoral college to "heed the inner voice of conscience" while casting their vote.

Lok Sabha Secretary General Anoop Mishra is the Returning Officer for the election.

The value of vote of an MP is 708 while that of an MLA varies from state to state depending on the size of its population.

Officials said that each polling station has been given a specified number of ballot papers. While MPs will be given green ballot paper, MLAs will be given one that is pink.

The electors have to mark the ballot only with a particular pen given to them at the polling station along with the ballot paper.

In the last presidential election in 2012, Pranab Mukherjee had defeated P.A. Sangma and got over 69 per cent votes.

Officials said that ballot papers have reached the polling stations and requests made by the members of the electoral college about their choice of exercising ballot had been taken into consideration.

The MPs have also been informed of their serial number in the electoral college.

The officials said that after end of voting, ballot boxes will start arriving in Parliament House from Monday evening and will be kept in a strong room. The Assistant Returning Officers will also furnish an account of the total votes cast in their states.

They said that the seal of ballot boxes will be opened on Aug 20 in the presence of representatives of the two candidates and the observers of the poll panel. The winning candidate will be given a certificate by the Returning Officer.

Officials said that special security arrangements have been made to see that the ballot papers reach Parliament directly from the airport.

(Prashant Sood can be contacted at prashant.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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The deaths in the July 10 terror attack on a Amarnath Yatra bus rose to eight on Sunday after an injured pilgrim died in a Srinagar hospital, the police here said.

Lalita Ben was admitted in the Sher-e- Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura in Srinagar, a police official said.

The unescorted bus from Gujarat came under attack in Batengo area of Anantnag district on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway. The attack left 18 others injured.

The passengers travelling in the bus were not registered with the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), nor was the bus part of the escorted yatra convoy.

The state police said the attack was carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

--IANS

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Bangladesh's anti-crime elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Sunday launched a raid on a residential building on the outskirts of capital Dhaka.

The RAB team surrounded the house in Ashulia area suspecting the presence of Islamist militants, a senior police official said.

"Militants fired at least five gunshots" from inside the house, he said, adding that they also hurled crude bombs at the RAB team, reports Xinhua news agency.

However, there were immediate reports of any casualties or injuries.

The RAB team on loudspeaker asked the suspected militants to surrender.

Authorities have already imposed a restriction on movement of vehicles and pedestrians around the terror hideout which is now under siege by the security forces.

The residents of the area were evacuated.

--IANS

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A 13-year-old boy complaining of severe chest pain died on the way to a hospital here and his father suspects foul play, police said on Sunday.

Vishal, a class 5 student in a MCD school in Rohini, was taken to Ambedkar hospital late on Saturday after he complained of severe pain in his chest, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishi Pal. "He was referred to Safdarjung hospital in south Delhi. He died on the way to hospital."

His father Rambabu said that when on Saturday, he returned from school, he was "looking tense and terrified".

"But he did not tell us anything all day and went to sleep after having dinner. Around 2 a.m. he complained of chest pain. When he was being taken to Ambedkar hospital, he told his mother that he was brutally beaten up by three boys during school hours," he said.

Rambabu, a resident of Begumpur in Rohini, on Sunday morning filed a complaint against three unknown boys for beating his son, police said.

"There was no external injury on the body as per the MLC (Medico-Legal Case). There was no Police Control Room (PCR) call as well. However, on the request of the father, a medical Board will be constituted to conduct postmortem examination," Pal said.

--IANS

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A village in Shannan City, Tibet Autonomous Region, China [Xinhua]

As a result of Hollywood and a fascination with Buddhism among certain celebrities and in some bohemian circles, many Americans are deeply misinformed about Tibet.

The reality is that the Tibet Autonomous Regions position, as part of the Peoples Republic of China, has been overwhelmingly good for the population. It has also been good for Tibetan culture and traditions, which are not being destroyed, but rather celebrated and promoted by the central government.

As part of Chinas 13th Five Year Plan (2016-2020), the Sichuan-Tibet Railway is under construction to link remote and mountainous parts of the region to the rest of the world. This ambitious project involving well over a thousand miles of railway will cost roughly US$36 billion, and will vastly improve the economic access of the region.

Due to the nature of the terrain, 80 percent of the track will be either cross bridges or pass through tunnels.

The poverty alleviation programs sponsored by the central government have provided modern housing for 236,000 Tibetans, many of whom had previously lived without running water and electricity. The programs form part of Chinas goal to completely eliminate such dire conditions by 2020.

Tibetans are seeing their living standards increase without the disappearance of their traditional religion or culture. On the contrary, the Tibetan Medical and Astrology School, founded in the eighth century, is flourishing. At the ancient school, students study traditional Tibetan medicine while being exempt from tuition fees. The school also provides students with education in mathematics, politics, the Tibetan language, as well as modern medicine.

Tourism is booming, and millions of tourist dollars are going directly into the pockets of the indigenous Tibetan population. Many of the travelers are visiting Tibet because of their deep interest in its history and culture.

Many Westerners who believe China is oppressing Tibetans draw their knowledge from the 1952 book entitled Seven Years in Tibet written by Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer, and made into a Hollywood movie in 1997, that glorified the old feudalist regime in Tibet before its liberation by the PLA.

It is not disputed that Harrer was a member of Hitlers SS who ended up in Tibet after escaping from internment in India.

During the 1930s, fascists and far-rightists in Europe had a particular fascination with the Tibetan Kingdom. Despite its rigid feudal hierarchy, enforced with torture, mutilation, and liberal use of capital punishment, they saw it as a possible antidote to class struggle and other social conflicts plaguing the West.

Nazis measured the skulls and bones taken from Tibetan graves hoping to prove that Germans were their modern descendants. Hitler adopted the swastika, a symbol associated with the caste system and ancient civilizations in India, for similar reasons.

If Tibet had remained under feudalism, it would most likely have continued to be a deeply impoverished, remote, isolated society. Furthermore, if Tibet had not become part of the Peoples Republic of China, it would most likely still have a political system of harsh theocratic repression.

The Chinese Communist Party has confirmed that errors were indeed made during the Cultural Revolution, when many religious sites and artefacts were vandalized by youth Red Guards, and that the policies of the Gang of Four toward religion were deeply harmful, not only in Tibet, but throughout the country.

However, as Tibet rises from poverty, gains a modern infrastructure network, and sees its tourism industry boom, it should be obvious that Tibets existence as part of China has not been harmful.

Hollywood film stars and adherents to Westernized interpretations of Buddhism should not be considered experts on the region and its history, or on contemporary Chinese politics. The reality of poverty alleviation, flourishing culture, tourism, and railway projects should refute the mythology preached by certain demagogues.

Caleb Maupin is a journalist and political analyst who resides in New York City focusing on U.S. foreign policy and the global system of monopoly capitalism and imperialism.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the "issue of communal violence in the name of cow protection" needed to be tackled sternly and asked state governments to act "very tough" against those taking law in their own hands.

At an all-party meeting ahead of Parliament's monsoon session that begins on Monday, Modi told MPs that law and order was a state subject and as such the state governments needed to act strictly against those committing violence in the name of cow protection.

In his address to floor leaders of parties in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, Modi sought opposition support in fighting the issue of violence done in the name of cow protection.

The issue has raised concerns as the targets of such violence have been minority members and Dalits.

The Prime Minister "urged all parties to extend their support to the government in fighting corruption and the issue of communal violence in the name of cow protection", said an official statement issued after the meeting in Parliament House premises.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar briefed the media and said Modi sought strict action against those people who were inciting tension in the name of cow.

"The central government has sent advisories to the state governments. Law and order is a state subject. As such, very tough action should be taken against those indulging in violence in the name of cow protection," Ananth Kkumar said, quoting the Prime Minister as saying at the meeting.

Modi said some political parties were painting cow protection with communal colour and taking political advantages which does not benefit the country.

"A race has begun to score political mileages after painting cow protection with communal colours. This will do no good to the country. Everyone should come together and put an end to it (cow vigilantism)," the Prime Minister told all parties.

"There is a law on cow protection in the country. But committing crimes in the name of cow protection out of personal animosities cannot be tolerated," Modi said.

The opposition has vowed to raise the issue in Parliament, seeking answers from the government on what it was doing to end the violence that has claimed many lives -- mostly Muslims and Dalits -- in the country.

Modi also asked the opposition to support the government in conducting business in both the Houses "without disruption".

Without mentioning India's military standoff with China in the Sikkim sector and worsening security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister asserted that all political parties stood united to ensure "nation's safety and security after such concerns were raised by many leaders on recent developments", the statement said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged state governments to act tough against "anti-social elements" who break law and sought opposition support to tackle the "issue of communal violence in the name of cow protection".

"Some anti-social elements have incited violence in the name of cow protection. Those engaged in disturbing the harmony in the country are trying to take advantage of the situation," Modi said at an all-party meeting ahead of Parliament's monsoon session that begins on Monday.

He asked state governments to "deal sternly against such anti-social elements", according to an official statement quoting the Prime Minister from his address to floor leaders of parties in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha in Parliament House.

"Maintaining law and order is the responsibility of state governments and wherever these incidents are taking place, the state governments must deal firmly with it. The state governments must also see to it that in the name of cow protection some people are settling personal rivalry."

Attacks on people accused of beef eating or slaughtering cows have raised concerns as the targets of such violence have been minorities and Dalits.

Modi had spoken against cow vigilantes earlier as well. But that had little impact on curbing the violent incidents.

An estimated 30 people have been killed in cow-related violence since 2010. According to an analysis of IndiaSpend, a data journalism initiative, out of 63 cases of mob lynching recorded since 2010, 61 took place after Modi took power.

Twenty-four of the 28 people killed in the attacks were Muslims. In the first half of 2017, there were 20 cow or beef-related attacks in India.

Modi sought opposition support in curbing the violence that "has an impact on the image of the nation".

He "urged all parties to extend their support to the government in fighting corruption and the issue of communal violence in the name of cow protection", another statement from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs said.

"All political parties should condemn strongly this goondaism in the name of cow protection."

"Cow is revered as the mother in our country. Public sentiments are attached with the cow. However, people must know that there is a law to protect the cow and the violation of law is not an alternative."

The opposition has vowed to raise the issue in Parliament, seeking answers from the government on what it was doing to end the violence.

Without mentioning India's military standoff with China, the Prime Minister asserted that all political parties stood united to ensure the "nation's safety and security after such concerns were raised by many leaders on recent developments".

He said the government was "fully committed to maintain peace in Jammu and Kashmir and to wipe out the anti-national elements from the state" and reiterated that the path laid down by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was being pursued.

Modi also asked the opposition to support the government in conducting business in both the Houses "without disruption". The monsoon session ends on August 11.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of Parliament's monsoon session that begins on Monday, the Congress on Sunday said it would seek answers from the government over an ongoing border stand-off with China, the worsening situation in Kashmir and mob lynching incidents in the name of cow.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said the situation on the border with China in the Sikkim sector is very tense even as he blamed Beijing for the boundary stand-off.

"This situation has been created by China. It is a matter of country's security and we will raise it in Parliament," Azad told reporters after an all-party meeting convened by the government at Parliament Library building.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the meet which was boycotted by the Trinamool Congress.

Azad said security situation was at its "worst" in Kashmir where the government has closed all the doors for talks to end the current logjam.

"All the roads for talks have been closed by the government. Even ventilator is not open. There is political suffocation in Kashmir," the Congress leader said.

"We will also raise the issues related to mob lynching, agrarian crisis in view of farmer suicides."

Azad said the Congress was not in favour of stalling the proceedings of the house but asked the government to come forward and allow the issues for discussion.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The CPI-M on Sunday said it will be near impossible to have discussion in Parliament on 16 bills proposed by the government and asked it instead to come with three new bills including one on women's reservation.

"The government has suggested 16 bills in this session beginning Monday. It is impossible to pass these bills as the house will sit only for 14 days, excluding Friday, a private members' day. If the government wants to pass these bills without discussion, it is another matter," CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said.

The government should have brought the women's reservation bill along with a bill on the issue of right to farmers to sell their produces at minimum support prices and the right of privacy in view of breach of Aadhaar data, Yechury said.

"We have suggested to the government to incorporate these three bills as they had promised it in their election manifesto. The Prime Minister himself had promised to bring women's reservation bill and doubling of farmers income."

Yechury said the opposition will raise the issues of mob lynching, the Kashmir situation, the standoff with China and rising food prices in the monsoon session which ends on August 11.

--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 growing economy and digital push have caught the attention of hackers and an increasing wave of cyber attacks could soon badly impact the country, experts from Russian cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab have warned.

India and other South Asian countries are now on the radar of cyber attackers, said experts, adding that the government and corporates need to procure state-of-the-art, New Age security solutions to thwart their plans.

The impact of recent global cyber attacks were clearly visible in India as "WannaCrypt" -- that affected 150 countries globally -- and the recent "Petya" malware attack hit computers in the country.

"India's growing economy and digitalisation are really a big concern as cyber attackers have now begun focusing on developing countries with big populations and average incomes," Eugene Kaspersky, Chairman and Chief Executive of Kaspersky Lab, told IANS on the sidelines of the recently-concluded "Interpol World 2017" conference in Singapore's Suntec City.

His comments came as the Moscow-based cyber security firm found that the "Petya" attack hit Gateway Terminal India operated by AP Moller-Maersk at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), a facility near Mumbai which is India's biggest container port.

The terminal was unable to load or unload because of the attack as it failed to identify which shipment belongs to whom.

According to Vitaly Kamluk, Director of Global Research and Analysis Team for APAC at Kaspersky Labs, there was no cyber security threat till 2010 and India was quite safe till then.

But now, India and other "developing countries are most vulnerable, especially the financial sector. We perceive that banks are most vulnerable in India", Kamluk told IANS.

Stephan Neumeier, Managing Director of Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific, stressed the need to educate people to save them from becoming victims of cyber attacks.

"As India's economy is growing fast, more and more people are now getting access to Internet. They have 4G access and Android devices are becoming popular. They need to be educated about anti-virus solutions as mandatory for devices and be made aware about not falling for phishing attacks," Neumeier emphasised.

He suggested that malicious emails or links should also be part of the awareness process.

"Countries like India are developing very fast which opens doors for more cyber attacks," Neumeier added.

The experts also recalled how over 200,000 users were affected in 150 countries after the "WannaCrypt" virus attack which paralysed computers -- with a demand being made for a payment of $300 in bitcoins (crypto-currency or virtual currency) for a system to be unblocked.

Citing reports, Kaspersky Lab said that cyber crime costs the world $450 billion per year, which is almost the annual budget of Russia, China and Japan.

The experts said the hackers target government ministries, banks, utilities, other key infrastructure and companies nationwide, demanding ransom in crypto-currency.

Giving the example of Bangladesh, the experts said the hackers recently made a bank heist in the country and made away with $1 billion in one attack, since the security was vulnerable.

(Rajnish Singh attended the conference at Kaspersky Lab's invitation. He can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Maryam Mirzakhani of Iran, the first woman recipient of the Fields Medal for mathematics, died here at the age of 40.

The Stanford University professor died on Saturday after a four-year battle with cancer, reports Efe news.

Mirzakhani's friend and compatriot, NASA scientist Firouz Naderi, mourned her death on Twitter.

"A light was turned off today. It breaks my heart... gone far too soon," he wrote, while Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called Mirzakhani's death "very much heartrending".

Created in 1936, the Fields Medal, popularly known as the "Nobel Prize for Mathematics", is awarded every four years to a maximum of four mathematicians under the age of 40.

In 2014, Mirzakhani became both the first woman and the first Iranian to receive the honour, in recognition of "her outstanding contributions" in the area of complex geometry.

Born in 1977, Mirzakhani won two gold medals in the International Mathematical Olympiad during her teenage years and graduated from the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran in 1999 before going on to earn a doctorate from Harvard.

Mirzakhani is survived by her husband and their daughter.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in Saudi Arabia to help address the ongoing Qatar diplomatic crisis.

"France calls for the lifting, as soon as possible, of the measures that affect the populations in particular, bi-national families that have been separated and students," Le Drian said at a joint press conference with his Saudi counterpart Adel Al-Jubeir on Sunday.

Le Drian urged the four countries that severed diplomatic ties with Qatar -- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt -- to resolve the ongoing crisis through dialogues.

After his visit to Riyadh, Le Drian will go to Kuwait and the UAE to attempt mediation.

Al-Jubeir claimed he could provide evidence that Qatar violated the 2013 Riyadh Agreement and the 2014 Riyadh Supplementary Agreement, both of which aim to enhance cooperation between Gulf nations and avoid interference in each other's internal affairs.

He also stressed that Qatar must implement relevant anti-terrorism agreements.

The four Arab countries cut ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting "extremism and terrorism", an allegation which Qatar has denied.

On June 23, the four Arab states issued a list of 13 demands to end the rift with Doha, including closing of the Al-Jazeera television and cutting diplomatic ties with Iran.

Since Qatar's response seemed unsatisfactory to them, the four have decided to maintain their sanctions.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, the Indian Air Force chief, will begin a four-day official visit to France on Monday in an attempt to further strengthen the existing defence corporation between the two countries.

During his visit, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with senior military officials of the French armed forces.

"The challenges faced by the armed forces of both the countries in the current geo-political scenario are expected to be discussed during these meetings. The main focus of the visit will be on improving bilateral relations, promote defence ties, and outline further areas of defence cooperation between the two countries," a Defence Ministry statement said.

Dhanoa will visit headquarters of the French Air Force and a few operational air bases, it said.

He would also interact with representatives of the French military aviation industry and visit Indian Rafale PMT infrastructure, the statement said, adding the Chief of Air Staff is also planned to fly a sortie in a Rafale fighter, which India has contracted to buy.

According to the statement, Dhanoa's visit would provide impetus to increasing defence cooperation between the two air forces and pave the way for greater interaction and cooperation in the future.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said on Saturday that his country was against any agreement that could lead to Syria's disintegration.

Shamkhani made his remarks during a meeting with Russian Special Envoy for Syrian Affairs Alexander Lavrentiev. "No agreement should undermine the irrevocable principle or lead to Syria's disintegration," Efe news quoted him as saying.

The Iranian official said that the "Zionist regime" establishes deep relations with extremist groups and their allies to use them as tools to keep Israel's borders secure and continue repression of the Palestinian people.

"Experience has shown that such elements are not committed to any treaty and agreement and will use any chance to kill innocent people and follow up their inhuman goals," he said.

Shamkhani praised the Syrian peace talks in Astana, noting that the "trilateral diplomatic initiative" and "these talks had proved a successful method to put an end to regional crises through using "local capacities".

During the meeting, Lavrentiev presented a report on the agreement reached between Russia, the US and Jordan regarding the ceasefire in southern Syria.

The Russian representative hailed the "decisive role" played by Iran, Russia and Syria in the fight against terrorism.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A security guard was wounded at a church in Egypt's Alexandria city as a man attacked him with a blade for not allowing him in, the Egyptian Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Now arrested, the 24-year-old Muslim man, a jobless law college graduate, attacked the guard, 47, with a blade on the neck after the latter questioned his reasons for getting into the Tow Saints (Al-Qiddisain) Church in eastern Alexandria, said the statement on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Police are currently questioning the assailant and probing into the accident and the motives behind it, saying the young man did not have anything else harmful or legally prohibited in his possession.

It is the same church where a terror blast back on 2011 Christmas eve killed at least 24 and wounded about 90 Copts.

The local media websites circulated a video allegedly from the church entrance, showing the young man passing the security guard and suddenly attacking him on the neck after the guard stopped him and seemingly attempted to search his handbag.

Terror attacks in Egypt have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers since the mid-2013 military removal of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in response to mass protests against his one-year rule and his currently-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Colo. author Francine Mathews aka Stephanie Barron discusses and signs her newest mystery novel.

COLORADO MYSTERY AUTHOR VISITS PAGE ONE 3:00 PM SUNDAY, JULY 16

Colorado author Francine Mathews, who also writes as Stephanie Barron, will be at Page One Books 3:00 pm Sunday, July 16, to talk about and sign her newest mystery novel, "Death on Nantucket: Merry Folger Nantucket Mystery Book 5."

Her fifth Folger Nantucket effort is described as such: "Spencer Murphy is a national treasure. A famous Vietnam War correspondent who escaped captivity in Southeast Asia, he made a fortune off of his books and television appearances. But Spence is growing forgetful with age; hes started to wander and even fails to come home one night. When a body is discovered at Step Above, the sprawling Murphy house near Steps Beach, Nantucket police detective Meredith Folger is called in to investigate. The timing couldnt be worse: Its the Fourth of July, and tourists are arriving in droves to celebrate on Nantuckets beaches, so the police force is spread thin. On top of that Merry is planning her wedding to cranberry farmer Peter Mason, and her new boss, an ex-Chicago police chief with an aggressive management strategy, seems to be trying to force her to quit. Merry cant conclude the Murphy investigation quickly enough for him. As she grapples with a family of unreliable storytellerssome incapable of recalling the past, and others determined that it never be knownshe suspects that the truth may be forever out of reach, trapped in the failing brain of a man whose whole life may be a lie."

Mathews was born in Binghamton, NY, the last of six girls. She attended Princeton and Stanford Universities, where she studied history, before going on to work as an intelligence analyst at the CIA. She wrote her first book in 1992 and left the Agency a year later. Since then, she has written 27 books, including four previous novels in the Merry Folger series ("Death in the Off-Season," "Death in Rough Water," "Death in a Mood Indigo," and "Death in a Cold Hard Light") as well as the nationally bestselling "Being a Jane Austen" mystery series, which she writes under the pen name Stephanie Barron. She lives and works in Denver, CO.

Page One Books is located at 5850 Eubank Blvd NE, Suite B-41, in Albuquerque's Mountain Run Shopping Center (southeast corner of Eubank and Juan Tabo). The Mathews event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 294-2026 or visit www.page1book.com.

-------------------------

Francine Mathews website: http://www.francinemathews.com
 Flash

In 2016, there was a 229 percent increase in outbound travel for Chinese tourists to CEE countries, with Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia and Slovenia the most popular destinations.[Photo:Xinhua]

The Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are rich in historic culture and beautiful scenery, but their potential has yet to be tapped by Chinese tourists due to a lack of knowledge and convenient flights, according to Istvan Ujhelyi, vice-chair of the Transport and Tourism committee of the European Parliament.

However, the growth potential is enormous, as the Belt and Road Initiative will usher in more people-to-people exchanges between China and the region, said Ujhelyi, while in the Romanian capital of Bucharest to attend the 2017 China-CEE Countries Political Parties Dialogue that ended on July 14.

"To attract more Chinese tourists, the region has to change visa policies and open more direct flights," said Ujhelyi, who, last year, launched the Europe China OBOR Culture & Tourism Development Committee in Brussels to facilitate exchanges between China and its European tourism partners.

The committee organized study tours for European tourism decision-makers to China to gain an understanding of the different cultural and tourism environment so as to adapt their tour products and services for tapping market potential.

He suggested CEE tourism decision-makers lay more stress on other areas instead of just focusing on famous cities like Beijing and Shanghai when introducing attractions and resources in China.

"We have a lot to do," said Ujhelyi. "We need more tourist-oriented services. For example, we need more Europeans with a command of Mandarin and Chinese characters, including road signs and route signs at airports, in hotels and on the street, and also being able to read the Chinese menu in restaurants."

Tourism, a bridge for the spread of civilization, cultural exchanges, and the promotion of friendship, could promote construction of the Belt and Road, as it helps build mutual trust and understanding, he added.

"Tourism is very important in people-to-people exchanges," said Michal Ludwikowski, General Director of the Polish Economic Congress Foundation, adding that his country is welcoming more and more Chinese tourists.

Michal Ludwikowski, General Director of the Polish Economic Congress Foundation [Photo/Dragon TV]

"Poland is a place where East meets West. It has rich culture and beautiful landscape, nature that has not been destroyed so far, and architecture with different influences."

He believed the tourism industry in his country, as well as in the whole region would boom as Chinese tourist appreciate the diversity available, and that service would be improved as Chinese companies had begun making relevant investment.

Ge Yujing, vice president of tuniu.com, one of the top three Chinese online travel agencies said CEE countries would likely become hot destinations for Chinese tourists, as compared to other famous places in Europe and America, because this region offers fresh and different travel experiences with a more original European flavor allied with inexpensive travel services.

Visa-free travel or visas available visa on arrival could boost the tourism in the region, said Ge, who was in Bucharest for the Dialogue, but planned to visit the Czech Republic and Belarus afterwards to seek ways of cooperation.

Ge pointed out the CEE countries needs to develop more Chinese-tailored tourism products and provide more suitable services for Chinese tourists. In addition, direct flights were necessary to reduce travel expenses and create more comfort for tourists.

In 2016, there was a 229 percent increase in outbound travel for Chinese tourists to CEE countries, with Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia and Slovenia the most popular destinations.
Moroccan authorities handed over a 17th-century stolen painting to Italy.

The painting, worth up to 6 million euros ($6.9 million), was stolen from a church in the northern Italian city of Modena in 2014, and was recovered in a local market in the Moroccan city of Casablanca, reports Xinhua news agency.

During a ceremony held in Casablanca on Saturday, Moroccan police officially handed over the painting, known as "The Squinter", to the Italian ambassador to Morocco.

The 17th-century painting by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, was recovered thanks to a wealthy Moroccan businessman and art collector, who acquired it for $1 million.

After the businessman informed the police, they arrested four people.

The Moroccan police also tipped off Italian authorities, which later arrested another Moroccan migrant who stole the painting from Italy.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Consumer Protection Bill, 2017, which aims at strengthening the consumer protection mechanism, is set to be introduced during the monsoon session of Parliament.

The new law, which will replace current Consumer Protection Act, 1986, once it is passed in Parliament, enforces consumer rights and provides a mechanism for redressal of complaints regarding defect in goods and deficiency in services.

According to an official, the draft Bill is pending with the Standing Committee on Food and Consumer Affairs.

"Once the committee approves the draft Bill, it will go to the Cabinet. Subsequently, the government can introduce it in Parliament," said the official, who did not want to be identified.

The official added that the main objective of the Bill remains establishment of mechanism for consumer protection. However, details about the quantum of punishment are not clear yet.

It proposes to have Consumer Dispute Redressal Commissions, which will be set up at the district, state and national levels. Also, it seeks formation of Consumer Protection Authority to investigate consumer complaints.

A few months ago, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had approved guidelines in accordance with the current Act in order to make service charge in restaurants "voluntary".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan feels its painful when India is tagged as a third world country, and hopes that soon in future it shall no longer be a developing, but a developed nation.

The 74-year-old has praised Indian scientists, who on Friday said that they have identified a previously unknown, extremely large supercluster of galaxies located in the direction of the constellation Pisces and have named it "Saraswati".

"The world built another universe...Much like yesterday a bunch of Indian space scientists discovered a galaxy which they felt was billions and multiple times billions the size of our sun... That is like unbelievable... and perhaps that is why gave a name which most suited it -- Saraswati -- the goddess of learning! And no one before had ever discovered this," Amitabh posted on his blog on Saturday night.

"India... The developing nation... The third world nation? Painful to be titled thus... and pray and believe that in time it shall no longer be developing but developed in its status and become the first world than the third," he added.

The "Piku" actor went on to share that once he was called a "third rate actor" during one of his foreign visits.

"The commented criticism when my visit to a foreign land created a furore with the fans and the media... With following and praise and celebration... The veiled threat of my presence in the land decried and derided by one such..."

"'This third rate actor, from the third world country, should leave our shores'. The former is most correct...but the latter shall be persevered to change, to become the first, to be the best and most loved and revered," he added.

On work front, Amitabh currently has films like "Thugs of Hindostan" and "102 Not Out" in his kitty.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actor Arjai is hopeful that latest Tamil release "Pandigai" and "Thiri", in which he has played pivotal roles, will take him to the next level in his career.

"It's been a struggle since 2009 to land solid roles. My small but effective villain roles in 'Naan Sigappu Manithan', 'Naaigal Jaakirathai' and 'Theri' earned me good recognition. I'm getting good feedback for my roles in 'Pandigai' and 'Thiri', and I'm hopeful these films will take me to the next level in my career," Arjai told IANS.

In 'Pandigai', a film about underground street-fight, he played a fighter.

"It was a challenging role. On director Feroz's request, I learnt mixed martial arts and that's why the action sequences look so real. Special thanks to stunt choreographers Anbu and Arivu for making action scenes stand out," he said.

Arjai said he would like to position himself as a character artist.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Roger Waters, co-founder of English rock band Pink Floyd, has defended his ongoing anti-Trump US tour which he says is a "calculated and defiant response" to the "charade" of the American presidency, the media reported.

In an exclusive CNN interview on Saturday, the 73-year-old Waters said he has no regrets about turning parts of his two and a half hour performance into "as much an anti-Trump rally as a rock concert".

Waters' 54-date North American tour, "Us + Them", began on May 26 and coincides with the release of Water's first studio album in 25 years, "Is This the Life We Really Want?"

The performance features an inflatable pig with Donald Trump's face on the side; screens that show doctored images of the President throwing up; photos of Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin; and Trump as Hitler.

"It would be a lot easier to be on tour if I wasn't doing any of this, if I didn't have opinions," Waters, Pink Floyd's co-founder and a longtime Trump critic, told CNN.

But, he said, 20 gigs in, people, even in Republican states, are "getting it".

"We started in Kansas City and then we went Louisville, Tulsa, St. Louis," Waters said, adding "And that was like a -- that was a kind of, whoa, I wonder how this is going to be."

Generally, the shows have gone "great", he said, though some fans have demonstrated their objections by walking out.

"If you're looking for an escape from a connection with other people on this planet, if you want to be, you know, separated from your potential to empathise with others, if you want a life in an ivory tower where everybody is an enemy and you need to build walls and you've got to do a better deal with the Chinese or whatever it might be, that this leader that you've elected thinks is a good idea, well, that's what you believe," he said.

As for what Waters might say to someone who's looking for escapism rather than at a rock concert, the musician didn't mince his words.

"Go see Katy Perry, you know?" he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a veiled attack on RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his kin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged all political leaders to stay away from corrupt leaders and refrain from protecting them.

"Due to the corrupt practices going on, there is a question mark on the people engaged in public service. All political leaders will have to take the lead to set this right," he told a meeting of political parties ahead of Parliament session beginning on Monday.

"I urge all the political leaders to stay away from corrupt politicians and refrain themselves from protecting them from the investigation against them," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananthkumar quoted Modi as saying.

The Prime Minister also urged the political leaders to help carry forward the investigation against corrupt politicians.

The all-party meet was held at Parliament House.

Lalu Prasad and his son-cum-Bihar Deputy Prime Minister Tejashwi Yadav have denied the charges of corruption hurled at them and accused the BJP of "vendetta politics".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Kerala Police say they are not worried about the so-called PR efforts for Malayalam superstar Dileep, who was arrested in connection with the abduction and molestation of a popular actress.

Since Friday, local and online media have reported about a leading PR agency being appointed for damage control to protect the actor's sagging image.

The agency is believed to be very active on social media, trying to save his image from further deterioration.

Inspector General of Police Manoj Abraham told IANS if at all, there are any PR efforts being done by anyone, there is nothing illegal in it.

"Carrying out PR is anyone's rights. The problem arises if there is any violation of cyber rules and regulations. The Kerala Police Cyberdome is not looking into this PR excercise at all," said Abraham.

The Cyberdome is a Kerala Police watchdog.

Seven times legislator (independent) P.C. George told IANS that this is nothing but a fabricated case.

"Dileep has been trapped by a powerful group and tomorrow (Monday) when I am in the state capital to cast my vote in the presidential polls, I will give a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking a CBI probe into the case," said George.

Late Saturday, Dileep's bail plea was rejected by the trial court at Angamaly near Kochi. On Monday, he will file a fresh bail application at the Kerala High Court.

Dileep was arrested on Monday night, and on Tuesday he was remanded in 14-day judicial custody.

The police had earlier arrested the prime accused, Pulsar Sunil, and his accomplices a week after the incident on February 17.

The police decided to arrest Dileep based on 19 pieces of evidence that they were able to gather in connection with the abduction of the actress when she was travelling from Thrissur to Kochi by road.

After almost two hours, she was dumped near the house of director-turned-actor Lal, who informed the police. She was reported to have been molested en route.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A group of South Korean scientists have developed a technology to manufacture a device that can quickly and precisely detect pathogens.

"The team, led by Yoo Yeong-eun of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials developed the microfluidic device that can be further commercialised for medical purposes," Yonhap news agency quoted Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning as saying on Sunday.

A microfluidic device is an instrument that uses very small amounts of fluid on a microchip to do certain laboratory tests. The device uses body fluids or solutions containing cells to diagnose diseases.

The Ministry said the team has set up a startup to commercialise the technology after obtaining some dozen patents in South Korea and filing for two further patents in the US and Europe.

The research was funded by the Ministry.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 26-year-old criminal based in Ludhiana in Punjab has been arrested from west Delhi's Dwarka area, police said on Sunday.

Police said Sandeep Jassal is a close associate of Ludhiana-based gangster Rajinder Singh Lovely and is involved in different cases of crime in the Punjab city.

He was arrested when he went to meet an accomplice at a government dispensary near Dwarka's Sector-14 Metro station on Thursday evening, Deputy Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma said.

Jassal told police he had opened a garments shop in 2014 but suffered losses and shut down his business. He later came in contact with Lovely and joined his lottery business in Ludhiana.

Jassal later entered the world of crime and was involved in various cases of gambling, liquor smuggling and under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the officer said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
RJD leaders have requested Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and coalition partner Lalu Prasad to sit together to solve the crisis in the ruling coalition, but the ruling JD-U on Sunday said "everything is all right".

"Coalitions may see tensions and pressures but everything is all right in the Grand Alliance," said Janata Dal-United spokesperson Neeraj Kumar.

Without naming Nitish Kumar, who is also JD-U president, he said that the able leadership manage to get out of the crisis that erupted after the CBI filed a corruption case against Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav - the younger son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad - and solve it.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Union Minister Ragunath Jha said: "Lalu and Nitish Kumar should sit together,talk to each other to end the crisis."

Another senior RJD leader and former MP Shivanand Tiwari has appealed to Nitish Kumar to end the crisis. "I appeal to Nitish Kumar with folded hands to solve the crisis and save Mahagathbandhan from split," he said, adding that the BJP has been trying to split the Grand Alliance.

According to the sources in JD-U and RJD, leaders from both parties will now attack the BJP rather than each other.

Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar on Sunday evening did not say a word about Tejashwi Yadav, while addressing his party legislators and senior party leaders at his official residence here, said party state president Vashisht Narain Singh.

"Nitish Kumar hardly spoken about Tejashwi Yadav and ongoing crisis in the ruling alliance... he only discussed issues related to the presidential polls on July 17," a JD-U legislator said.

Similarly, Lalu Prasad also did not say anything over the crisis while addressing his party legislators and senior party leaders at his official residence here on Sunday evening.

--IANS

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Berlin on Saturday said the two women killed after being stabbed in an Egyptian beach resort of Hurghada were German nationals, Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We can now sadly confirm that two German tourists died in the attack at Hurghada," the ministry said.

It added that employees of the German embassy in Cairo are now at the place of attack, and they are in constant communication with the Egyptian authorities.

"Berlin considered the crime that targeted foreign tourists is a criminal act that made our hearts full of sadness, anger and sorrow," the statement added.

Four other tourists were wounded when an assailant stabbed them at the beach resort in the Sinai Peninsula.

The interior ministry said in a statement that the attacker, who had swum ashore, was arrested and was being questioned.

Hurghada is one of Egypt's most popular beach resorts, especially for European tourists.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Friday's stabbing.

Local media assumed that the attack could be a terror act.

Egypt has been suffering waves of terror attacks after the military ousted former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year rule.

Earlier on Friday, five security personnel were killed when militants opened fire randomly on a checkpoint in the Egyptian province of Giza.

The Islamic State branch in North Sinai claimed responsibility for most of the attacks which have so far left hundreds dead in Egypt.
Former Sikkim Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari died on Sunday at a city hospital following cardiac arrest, a state government official said on Sunday.

He was 77. Bhandari is survived by his wife, a former parliamentarian, two daughters, and a son. He was the founder-leader of the Sikkim Sangram Parishad party.

Bhandari was in power in the tiny Himalayan state between 1979 and 1994 and the first Gorkha politician to lead an Indian state.

"Yes, our leader died today (Sunday) at the Primus hospital," a senior official posted at the Sikkim House said.

"He was admitted for a spinal problem. He underwent surgery a few days ago that was performed by Dr A.K. Jaishwar. However, he suffered cardiac arrest and died around 4.30 p.m.," the official said.

The body of Bhandari, one of the longest serving Chief Ministers in the country, will be taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for embalming and later to Sikkim House.

Bhandari was born on October 5, 1940, in Malbasey village, near Soreng, in west Sikkim.

Bhandari began his political career in Darjeeling in 1967 by joining Tarun Sangha.

Once appointed as the party General Secretary in 1967 in Darjeeling, Bhandari later returned to his native place in Soreng, joined government service and started teaching.

He resigned from his job and joined Sikkim's pro-democracy movement. In 1974, Bhandari formed the Sikkim United Independent Front Party.

Later, he formed the Sikkim Janata Parishad in October 1977. Under his leadership, the party won 16 seats in the 1979 General Elections. He became the second Chief Minister of Sikkim on October 18, 1979.

In 1984, he dissolved the Sikkim Janata Parishad and formed a new party called Sikkim Sangram Parishad, and won the elections again to become the Chief Minister.

In 1989, Bhandari's party won all seats in the assembly, again making him the Chief Minister for the third time.

He also briefly served as an Independent Member of Parliament from Sikkim in the 8th Lok Sabha.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi on Sunday discussed over the phone with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron ways to enhance bilateral ties and resolve Libya's crisis.

The two leaders expressed the willingness to promote the bilateral ties at all levels and enhance partnership between the two nations, Xinhua reported.

Macron stressed the importance of continuing coordination between the two countries on a number of regional and international issues of common interest.

For his part, Sisi hailed the depth of the Egyptian-French relations, noting that the existing crises in the Middle East request more international efforts to reach a political settlement to restore stability, resume construction and achieve development in the region.

They also discussed the latest developments of some regional issues topped by the situation in Libya.

They agreed to boost efforts to reach a political solution to the Libyan crisis so as to restore stability in the Arab country, maintain its territorial integrity and redouble efforts to fight terrorism in the region.

--IANS

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DMK leader M.K.Stalin on Sunday came to the support of actor Kamal Haasan, condemning Tamil Nadu ministers for their utterances against him.

In a statement issued here, Stalin said that Kamal Haasan, like any other citizen, has only reflected what the people of Tamil Nadu feels about the AIADMK government in the state.

In a democracy the rulers have to correct their mistakes and also explain their position when criticisms are levelled against them, he added.

The actor had earlier reportedly said there is corruption in Tamil Nadu government departments.

In response, Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani challenged Kamal Haasan to prove existence of corruption in the government, and also asked the actor if he was ready to share the details of taxes paid by him for his films.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Connections with the Trump family gave a start-up the access to a White House roundtable where CEOs of several tech giants, including Apple and Microsoft, were present with US President Donald Trump last month, a media report said.

According to the revelation by the Wall Street Journal on Saturday, venture-capital firm OpenGov's CEO attended the roundtable "American Technology Council" in June that was organised by White House Senior Adviser and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Top technology industry leaders from companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, among others, were invited in the event that was organised by the White House Office of American Innovation to focus on methods of modernising government technology and increasing cybersecurity measures.

OpenGov CEO Zachary Bookman sat on the Council alongside the tech titans who have an average market value of $250 billion.

OpenGov, which sells management software primarily to state and city governments, was valued most recently at $180 million, making it by far the smallest firm at the meeting.

The report said that OpenGov is funded in part by the venture capital firm Thrive Capital. Thrive is run by Joshua Kushner, who is the brother of Jared Kushner.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Jared Kushner was formerly a board member and investor at Thrive but sold his stake to his brother earlier this year.

"OpenGov's inclusion could be seen as giving it a competitive advantage by raising its profile and influence and the invite raised eyebrows for those concerned about conflicts of interest in a White House full of businesspeople and wealthy investors," a report in Fortune pointed out.

The incident "seems like a textbook example of cronyism in action", the Wall Street Journal quoted a law professor as saying.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sentences for people who carry out acid attacks in England and Wales could be increased as part of a "wide-ranging" review, following a rise in suck attacks, the media reported on Sunday.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd told the Sunday Times that perpetrators should "feel the full force of the law".

"Life sentences must not be reserved for acid attack survivors," she said.

MPs are also due to debate acid attacks in the Commons on Monday, reports the BBC.

The review will look at existing laws, the response of police, sentencing, how people access harmful products and the support offered to acid attack victims.

Assaults involving corrosive substances have more than doubled in England since 2012 to 504 in 2016-17, according to official data.

Separately, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said more than 400 acid or corrosive substance attacks were carried out in England and Wales in the six months to April 2017.

Where the age of the offender was known, one in five was younger than 18.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the attacks in London on Thursday.

Announcing the plans, Rudd told the Sunday Times: "Acid attacks are horrific crimes which have a devastating effect on victims, both physically and emotionally.

"It is vital that we do everything to prevent these sickening attacks."

--IANS

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Film: "War For The Planet Of The Apes"; Director: Matt Reeves; Starring: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn; Rating: ****

Let's not beat around the bush. This is a great, a truly great, piece of cinema. Slicing across a string of superbly scripted segments of the ape-hero's biblical journey into the heart of darkness, "War For The Planet Of The Apes" is the kind of achievement that makes us wonder if the motion picture came into being to capture this exquisite uncompromising work of tragic grandeur.

Director Matt Reeves constructs the conflicts of the human heart in an evangelical spiral. There is more than a dash of ecclesiastical exhilaration in the ape-hero Caesar's journey from irredeemable loss to hard-earned redemption. The journey is so well-charted by the brilliant screenplay (by Mark Bomback, Matt Reeves) that the visual manifestation of the written words becomes a faithful rendition of images that must have seemed nigh-impossible to put on screen.

But here we have it. Cinema was always about trying to achieve an unimaginable visual exposition while remaining faithful to the writer's imagination. Many times, while I sat riveted to the 2 hours and 20 minutes of the narrative, I felt I was reading a piece of literature. Words seem welded into director Reeves' visuals. I heard every punctuation mark even as the narrative paused unnoticed to dwell on the theme of humanism in a world where decency and compassion have gone for good.

For those familiar with the "Planet Of The Apes" series, and even those who aren't, would have no trouble getting into the narrative's robust rippling rhythms, Caesar's pained journey across an epic landscape to avenge the murder of his wife and son, would seem like a routine vendetta saga where human being are replaced by apes.

The thing about revenge dramas is, they hold our attention only when the avenging hero's adversary is formidable. Here is where this melancholic masterpiece attains a nirvanic level of excellence. Woody Harrelson, who plays the renegade army officer, simply called the Colonel, is to Caesar what Judas was the Jesus.

He is also a bastardized offshoot of the mysterious crazed amy man Marlon Brandon played in Francis Coppola's Apocalypse Now.

The moral conflicts between Caesar and the Colonel are riveting not only because of the thought provoking discourse on the destruction of civilization but also because the two actors argue their points of view with disconcerting conviction.

Both Andy Serkis and Woody Harrelson lend a powerful tenability to their roles, pitching the metaphor of Good and Evil at a decibel where their voices resonate across the cosmic order.

Besides Caesar, all the other ape characters are designed to take the narrative to a disquieting deliverance. Specially interesting was a zoo-escaped ape called 'Bad Ape'(Steve Zahn) who is scared and inhibibited by his own losses. Yet, he emerges a hero alongside Caesar. The appearance of a little mute girl who tags along with Caesar and his faithful lieutenants seemed like too much Logan for me.

The narrative revels in heightened emotions and drama. The characters are not ashamed to shed tears at the destruction of civilization. The film's magnificint maudlinism is a great energy booster for the plot.

Reeves shoots the sequences of war conflict between Man and Ape with a reined-in grandeur where we are stunned by the brutality without being sucked into the violence. The war camp where apes are held captive deliberately evokes Nazi images to create a chilling statement on how close civilization is to self-destruction.

But why oh why, has this film been made in 3D? Bad idea. It almost destroys the profound connectivity between us and the characters. Finally though, nothing is able to distract us from the magniloquent discourse on the destruction of humanism. That apes are shown to be more humane than the human beings is not a clever scripting device. It is a matter of immense concern, here bottled into brilliant battle between the brutal and the beautiful.

Magically the sadness that we carry after the film nourishes our senses, energises our moral values and renews our faith in human kind.

This is film that can change lives. If only we look deep enough into ourselves to see why the theme of destruction has a direct bearing on the arbitrary crimes against humankind that we see all around us.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The last week criticised the Bombay High Court for dismissing an arbitration appeal with a cryptic order when neither party was present before it. The judgment said: The high court while dismissing the appeal did not set out even the factual controversy properly nor dealt with any of the grounds taken by the parties. In this appeal case, Navnirman Development Consultants vs District Sports Complex, the work on the sports complex in Pune was completed in 2005, but the bill was not paid. The contractor sought arbitration and asked the state authorities to appoint its arbitrator. It was not done; so the high court appointed the arbitration tribunal. It gave a Rs 25 lakh award in favour of the contractor. The government authorities moved the district court which reduced the award to Rs 7 lakh. This led to an appeal in the high court and the cryptic reasoning by which the contractors pleas were dismissed with a short note. The asked the high court to reconsider the contractors appeal on merits and dispose of it expeditiously in view of the decade-old delay in adjudication. The least which was expected of the high court was to give brief facts and brief reasons to enable the superior court to examine the legalities, the judgment said. The court had earlier too decried the practice of high courts and tribunals giving non-speaking orders disabling it from examining the factual and legal issues raised before it.
At least 27 people have died and 54 are missing after a boat sank in the river Kasai in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a local official said today.

"Rigorous" checks had confirmed "at this stage" the numbers of dead and missing in the accident, which happened overnight Thursday to Friday, the administrator of Idiofa territory, Jacques Mbila, told AFP.

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Four militants of the banned Neo-JMB terror outfit today surrendered to Bangladesh's elite anti- terrorism force after a gunfight with security personnel on the outskirts of the capital city.

The team of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which draws personnel from military and police forces, surrounded the tin- shed house in suburban Savar around 1 AM last night after a tip-off that militants were holed up inside the building.

The militants were ordered to surrender, but they started indiscriminate firing, triggering a heavy exchange of gunfire with security forces, operation chief RAB-4 Commanding Officer Additional DIG Lutful Kabir said.

"All the four militants who were inside finally gave up and none else are there inside... Our bomb disposal unit are now examining the house," a spokesman of RAB told PTI.

The militants inside the house fired five rounds of shots when they became aware of the RAB presence, Kabir said.

"We asked the militants to surrender using our megaphones, but instead they hurled abuse at the law enforcers and started firing," he said.

One of the four terrorists first came out and surrendered after which three others followed suit an hour later.

"Their surrender came as using megaphones we told them if they do not surrender by 1 PM, we will launch the assault with all our force," the spokesperson said.

Witnesses said that officials had evacuated people in the neighbourhood to evade casualties as the militants responded with abusive language and opened fire and hurled homemade bombs on RAB personnel.

RAB officials earlier said that they had been searching for militants in the area for the last a few days on the basis of a secret tip-off and cordoned off the militants' den.

Owner of the building Ibrahim was detained.

RAB officials said that a man named Azad, who identified himself as a garment worker, had rented the house two months ago.

The Neo-JMB is said to be inclined to the ISIS terror group.

The raid was part of an intensified crackdown on militants following the last year' Dhaka cafe attack in which 22 people, mostly foreigners and an Indian girl, were killed.

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Pakistan Army said today that four of its soldiers were drowned in a river in PoK after their vehicle was allegedly fired upon by Indian forces in a ceasefire violation from across the LoC.

Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said the vehicle was targeted as it was moving along the Neelum river in Athmuqam town, 73 kilometres from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

"The vehicle fell into the river and four soldiers were killed in the Line of Control (LoC) ceasefire violation," Ghafoor said.

The body of one soldier has been recovered while search for the other three is underway, he said.

Army said Pakistani troops effectively responded to the cease fire violation.

Earlier, Ghafoor alleged at a press briefing that ceasefire violations by India along the LoC were the highest in 2017.

"There were 315 ceasefire violation by India in 2014, 248 in 2015, and 382 in 2016 while this year so far the number of such violations is 580," he alleged.

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Profit-making Air India Express is preparing a 10-year vision document as it looks at expanding its fleet and flying to more foreign destinations, a senior airline official said.

The plan is being prepared amid the government working on a road map for disinvestment in Air India, the debt laden parent of the low-cost carrier which remains bullish on growth prospects.

While the national carrier has been in the red for long, AI Express remained in the black for the second consecutive year, posting Rs 296.7 crore net profit in 2016-17.

"It is business as usual" and the airline would keep growing, Air India Express CEO K Shyam Sundar said in response to queries on whether there are business uncertainties in the wake of decision.

On future plans, he said the carrier would expand its aircraft fleet and fly to more overseas destinations.

"The airline is in the process of drawing up a long term plan that will focus on expanding the fleet as well as the overseas footprint. The airline is also looking to consolidate the existing operations," Sundar told PTI.

Air India Express has a fleet of 23 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, each having a seating capacity for 189 people.

"A ten-year vision document for Air India Express is being prepared. Consulting firms KPMG and ICF have been tasked with the job," Sundar said.

The airline would also be firming up its fleet strategy based on short term and long term priorities.

It flies to 15 international destinations including Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, Salalah, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh and Dhaka.

On domestic routes, it has flights between Chennai- Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode-Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi- Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi-Kozhikode.

AI Express has 545 weekly departures and it flew 3.4 million passengers in 2016-17.

Boosted by higher revenues and reduction in costs, the airline posted a net profit of Rs 296.7 crore in the last financial year even though it had declined from Rs 361.68 crore recorded in 2015-16 period.

AI Express, which has been operationally profitable for the last four years, saw its revenue rise to Rs 3,335 crore in 2016-17.

"Prudent commercial and management interventions including better utilisation of its assets gave rise to reduction of about 5-7 per cent in unit costs contributing to the positive financial outcome (in 2016-17)," the airline had said while announcing the results last month.

On June 28, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, gave its in-principle approval for considering strategic disinvestment of Air India and five of its subsidiaries. Air India Express is one of the subsidiaries.

A group of ministers, headed by finance minister Arun Jaitley, would be deciding on the final contours of the disinvestment process. Among other issues, the panel would be looking at the de-merger and strategic disinvestment of three profit-making subsidiaries.

(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.)
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav today blamed the Yogi Adityanath government for the security lapse, which led to an explosive substance being recovered from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, and accused the BJP of "playing politics" over the issue.

"The BJP government is responsible for the security lapse which led to the recovery of the white powder from the Assembly and it is now playing politics over the issue," the former chief minister told reporters here.

Asked about the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) yesterday questioning SP legislator Anil Dohre in connection with the matter, Akhilesh said, "There is a threat to his (Dohre's) life and he should be provided security."



The white powder was reportedly found from under Dohre's seat in the Assembly.

A packet containing the white powder, weighing about 150 gms, was found by the cleaning staff from inside the Assembly on July 12.

Laboratory tests confirmed the white powder was PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate), a plastic explosive often preferred by militants.

The Assembly has recommended a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the matter.

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With the GST boost, the Allcargo Logistics is planning an aggressive domestic play by entering the last-mile delivery space and has set a target of trebling its domestic revenue at Rs 1,500 crore from the segment by 2020.

The company, a global leader in the LCL (less than container load) and FCL (full container load) segment through its European arm ECU Worldwide, will also invest around Rs 1,000 crore to double its exim warehousing/ CFS stations and logistics park capacity to 10 million sqft by 2020.

"We've already set a USD 2 billion revenue target for 2020. With the enabling environment after the goods and services tax (GST) rollout, I am sure this is easily achievable," Allcargo Logistics founder and chairman Shashikiran Shetty told PTI over the weekend.

"Accordingly, we've revised our domestic plans and decided to enter the last-mile delivery space this year itself," he said.

"We expect our domestic revenue to touch Rs 1,500 crore by 2020 from around Rs 500 crore in fiscal 2017; and the lion's share of this incremental revenue should come from the new segment," Shetty said.

He said the company will focus on the booming e-commerce space under the domestic focus where it already works will all key players as a B2B player, but not into last mile delivery. It works with auto players like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Eicher and Volvo for domestic freight.

In fiscal 2017, Allcargo, which is an NVOCC (non-vessel operating common carrier), reported net profit of Rs 230.4 crore on a revenue of Rs 5,568 crore and a debt of Rs 300 crore. Almost 75 per cent of the income came from global operations.

Allcargo and its two subsidiaries--ECU Worldwide (acquired in 2006 in Belgium), Avvashya CCI--are held by the Avvashya Group, and lead the global market LCL and FCL segments with footprint in over 160 countries.

On the impact of the GST on the logistics sector, where government expects the savings to be around 20 percent, Shetty said the benefits will come over the next three-six months while warehousing operational coast will see 10-20 percent with GST depending on the location.

"With GST in place, we've decided to invest Rs 1,000 crore into logistics parks and warehouses to double our capacity to 10 million sqft by 2020," Shetty said.

Allcargo is building its largest multi-modal logistics park at Jhajjar in Haryana on a 180 acre land which will be ready by next March, Shetty said, adding that the company expects the final customs clearance for its 20 acre CFS in Kolkata anytime now and commission it by mid-August.

Allcargo has also acquired land for exim warehouses/ CFSes in Bengaluru (100 acre), Hyderabad (a 40-acre CFS will be ready soon), Chennai (54 acre) and Nagpur (60 acre) into which it will pump in around Rs 1,000 crore.

Currently it has about five million sqft of warehouses/CFses -- two each at Nhava Sheva/Mumbai, and Mundra; one each at Pithampur (Indore), Dadri near New Delhi and Chennai.

"Of Rs 1,000 crore capex, Rs 600 crore will be to set up warehouses/CFSes and the rest will go into developing the allied infrastructure like rail lines and racks," Shetty said.

When asked whether they will invest separately for the last-mile delivery, he answered in the negative saying, "We'll be converting a part of exim warehouses into domestic warehouses to save on cost and land acquisition troubles."



On his growth plans, Shetty said it will be a three- pronged strategy involving organic and inorganic growth opportunities, hiring world class talent and increasing capacity by global ties-ups or domestic acquisitions.

Founded in 1993, Allcargo is the country's first multinational logistics firm and also the largest private sector integrated logistics firm, offering multi-modal transportation, CFS-ICD, contract logistics, e-commerce logistics, and coastal shipping.

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At least nine people were killed and 10 others seriously injured today when a gas tank exploded at a fuel complex in southeastern Nigeria, state police said.

There was no immediate explanation for the blast at a facility belonging to Nigerian firm Linc Oil and Gas at Calabar, said Hafiz Inuwa, in charge of the Cross River State Police Command.

The police chief, speaking at the scene, said the facility's manager had not yet explained "what led to the explosion".

"For now, nine people are confirmed dead and many others who sustained different burns are currently receiving treatment" in a local hospital, he added.

"The figure could be more than nine, while at least 10 persons sustained various degrees of life-threatening injuries," a worker at the facility told AFP on condition of anonymity, after the early morning blast.

Fuel explosions are common in Nigeria, Africa's biggest oil producer and the continent's most populous country, where it is transported on badly-maintained roads by trucks in a poor state of repair.

Accidents occur regularly when pipelines are damaged by looters stealing crude oil.

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Talks between the state government and the agitating Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) failed today as the outfit refused to withdraw its road and rail blockade at Baramura hill range in West Tripura district, about 30 km from here.

A nine-member delegation of IPFT headed by its president N C Debbarma today met a delegation of the state government headed by Chief Secretary Sanjib Ranjan for talks to break the impasse over the blockade, but decided to continue its indefinite agitation programme.

"An administrative team headed by the chief secretary requested us to withdraw the movement on the plea that it is causing problems for the common people. But, the proposal was not acceptable to us because they did not agree to discuss our demand for a separate state. We said our movement will continue," Debbarma told reporters.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told reporters after the meeting that he has called up union home minister Rajnath Singh and informed him about the outcome of the discussion.

"I have informed the union home minister about today's meeting and told him that since creation of any new state is at the discretion of the Centre, the issue should be handled at their end," Sarkar said.

Apart from the chief secretary, the state government was represented in the talks by home secretary Santanu Singh, DGP A K Shukla, additional DGP S S Chaturvedi, DM (West) Milind Ramteke, IG (law and order) K V Sreejesh and SP (West) Abhijeet Saptarshi.

During the meeting, the state government also pointed out that only the Centre can initiate a move to create a separate state and a bill in this regard needs to be passed in both the Parliament and state Assembly, as mandated by the Constitution (Article 3).

The IPFT delegation, however, said they will not relent on the issue as it is a popular demand of the tribal people. They also said that two of their leaders are camping in Delhi to hold discussions with the Centre on the matter.

"Until we know what transpires in Delhi we cannot withdraw the agitation unilaterally," Debbarma said, adding doors for fresh round of talks will remain open.

"Two of our leaders are scheduled to meet union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju tomorrow. We can further discuss the issue with state government only after knowing the outcome of the tomorrow's meeting," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The West Bengal Assembly is geared up to hold the presidential election tomorrow, two ballot boxes having already reached the city.

Apart from the ballot boxes, special pens for the electors to mark their votes also arrived, a senior officer of the Election Commission said.

"MPs and MLAs will not be allowed to carry their personal pens inside the voting chamber and will have to mark their ballots with a specially-designed marker," he said.

Serial-numbered pens with violet ink have been supplied by the EC to see to it that only the writing instrument issued by the Commission is used by voters.

The EC took the step following the ink controversy during the Rajya Sabha polls in Haryana last year.

The Commission for the first time has also prepared special posters containing the do's and don't's for the electors. Green-coloured ballot papers will be there for the MPs and pink for the MLAs to cast votes," the officer said.

Besides two representatives, one each for the two presidential candidates, who will be present during the polling, armed policemen belonging to the Kolkata Police will be posted inside the House tomorrow.

The ballot boxes will leave for New Delhi amid tight security on Tuesday.

In the presidential poll, NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind is pitted against Congress-led combined opposition nominee Meira Kumar.

The counting will be undertaken on July 20.

A total of 32 polling stations - one in Parliament House and one each in the state legislative assemblies, have been set up.

As per the EC, among state Assemblies, Uttar Pradesh has the maximum amount of women voters followed by West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh while Nagaland has with no women MPs or MLAs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Eastern India Motion Picture Association (EIMPA), tonight said a token strike in studios across West Bengal will be observed on July 25 in protest against alleged disruption in outdoor shooting of films, including abroad.

Alleging disruption of shooting by some members of Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern lndia, EIMPA Chairman (Producers' Section) Krishna Narayan Daga told a press conference that many producer-directors had to cancel their outdoor shoots, even abroad, in recent times due to unreasonable demands of some federation members which caused loss of crores of rupees.

"We hope to resolve the issue by meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is favaourably inclined towards the industry, and hope for a breakthrough," he said.

However, if there is no change in the situation the token strike would be observed on July 25. "But we will not use any strongarm tactics to stop shoot of Bengali films outside the state or abroad," he added.

The producers' body will, however, take legal means and ask its members to stop shooting in the state and in other parts of country if there was no change in situation, he added.

Himanshu Dhanuka of Eskay Movies, one of the leading production houses in Tollygunj film industry, said that last month the production house's film 'Chalbaaz' was not allowed to be shot in the UK, where a 17-days' schedule had been planned with a cast and crew of 40 people, including 19 Federation technicians. Everyone of them had to fly back to lndia.

This incurred a loss of around Rs one crore, he said alleging the production house was not being allowed to shoot in the state and elsewhere presently.

There were many such instances in the past, Dhanuka and some other director-producers claimed.

Directors' Association Secretary Bimal Dey alleged it was not kept in the loop about the Federation's demands and the move to cancel shoots in London and said it was the prerogative of director and producers to decide on the number of technicians for a shoot and whom to take from among the Guild card holders.

Director's Guild senior member Ashok Viswanathan said "We understand the Federation has to protect the interests of technicians and we wish to work in harmony with technicians and director-producer and cast. But the disruptions are unfortunate."



The federation should also appreciate the compulsions faced by the producers-directors and the huge costs incurred in making a film, he said adding "We hope before July 25 there would be a solution in sight."



A Federation official denying Eskay Movies charges said it did not follow the mandatory number of days' notice to Federation or EIMPA before travelling abroad for shooting. Neither did they take 19 technicians along with the unit for shooting abroad as decided in an MoU earlier.

"We always protect the interest of technicians from Bengal," the official said.

Dhanuka denied the Federation's claims and said Eskay Movies had given prior notice well in advance.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government will move a Bill in Parliament during the upcoming Monsoon Session to enable allocation of about Rs 2,000 crore from Central Road Fund for developing inland waterways, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said.

Parliament had last year enacted National Waterways (NWs) Act, 2016, for developing and maintaining the existing five NWs and 106 new NWs across the country.

"We will move the Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2017 during the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament," the Road Transport and Highways Minister told PTI.

"Once enacted, it will give a big boost to our waterways as cargo transportation through water is a much cheaper and cleaner way of transportation. It will bring down logistics cost that is very high," Gadkari said.

The Cabinet in May had accorded approval to a joint proposal by the shipping ministry and the road transport and highways ministry for amending the Central Road Fund Act, 2000, to allocate 2.5 per cent of the proceeds of CRF for development and maintenance of NWs and a reduction in the share provided for development of National Highways.

CRF is made up of cess on petrol and high speed diesel. The cess at present is Rs 6 per litre.

The Cabinet also directed that while implementing viable National Waterways projects, all such components that can be done on PPP basis, should be explored and government funding may be used only if private investment is not forthcoming.

The fund collected under CRF was Rs 80,800 crore in 2016 -17, Rs 69,540 crore in 2015-16 and Rs 25,122 crore in 2014- 15.

Gadkari said an allocation of 2.5 per cent of CRF proceeds would provide approximately Rs 2,000 crore per annum for the development and maintenance of NWs.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has estimated that approximately Rs 25,000 crore would be required for development of identified projects on NWs till 2022-23.

In this regard, works for construction of multi-modal terminals, new navigation lock, River Information System and development of fairway have already commenced under the Jal Marg Vikas Project being implemented on NW-1 (River Ganga).

Gadkari said work worth Rs 5,000 crore is underway to develop various projects on the Ganga with World Bank assistance, including development of multi-modal hubs



IWAI, under the shipping ministry, is also facilitating cruise operations on National Waterways-1 from Kolkata to Varanasi in collaboration with private cruise operators.

The facilities, provided by the IWAI, include navigation aids, including night navigation facility, embarking and disembarking at designated locations, facilitating expeditious crossing of the Farakka Navigation Lock, pilotage and assistance in distress.

In addition to becoming one of the principal cargo movement routes in India, this stretch on NW-1 has good potential for river cruise tourism.

IWAI also has planned to undertake work on the development of 24 NWs during the next three years.

The government estimates that 1.8 lakh persons would be provided employment in the Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) sector in the next five years.

Gadkari said IWT will also help divert traffic from the over-congested roads and railways as well as offer incentive and provide certainty for private companies to invest in the sector.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A large number of people belonging to the Christian community today took out a protest against the killing of a pastor and blocked the GT road at Slem Tabri area here for over three hours, police said.

Paster Masih was shot dead last night by two unidentified bike-borne youths out side a church.

The agitators staged a sit-in at the road and also refused to send Masih's body for post mortem. Traffic came to a standstill in the city and the vehicles going to Jalandhar side had to be diverted to other routes, police said.

A meeting of the Christian leaders, chaired by Manwar Masih, chairman of the Punjab State Minority Commission, was held after the protest.

It was decided that the postmortem and the funeral of the slain pastor would be held tomorrow.

Elaborate security arrangements were made in the city today to thwart any untoward incident in the area.

Police said no headway has been made in the case so far as the CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity where Masih was shot failed to provide any clues.

"The modus operandi in the case was same as in the murder of RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja, Shiv Sena leader of Khanna Durga Prasad Gupta, Hindu leader Amit Sharma at Ludhiana and two Dera Sacha Sauda followers. Mata Chand Kaur, wife of Namdhari chief was also killed in the same manner," Police Commissioner R N Dhoke said.

Dhoke has formed a Special Investigation Team under the leadership of ADCP (Investigation) Gaganjot Singh to nab the culprits.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Maharashtra government is developing a software to prepare the list of farmers eligible for crop loan waiver.

The move is aimed at bypassing manual interference in list preparation, keeping a check on malpractices that crop up during the process and ensure that only eligible farmers reap the benefits of a loan waiver.

The minister cited experience of the 2008 loan waiver scheme wherein many non-eligible farmers walked away with the benefits leaving the needy farmers in the lurch.

"The 2008 loan waiver scheme, benefitted many non-eligible farmers, while those in need and eligible ones were kept away," Maharashtra state cooperation minister Subhash Deshmukh told PTI.

"In 2008, all the documents of outstanding loan, bank accounts and eligibility were processed manually. It was carried out by officials in cooperative banks, who under influence of local political leaders, favoured some persons and got their loans waived," said Deshmukh.

"These persons were not eligible, but because the documents were processed manually, politicians could manipulate it resulting in non-eligible farmers getting a loan waiver," he said.

The minister said, "As per my information, around Rs 9,000 crore outstanding loans from Maharashtra were waived when the then UPA government introduced the relief package.

"Out of it, Rs 180 crore worth amount was of non-eligible farmers which was later pointed out in CAG report. As a follow up of it, the state government insisted those farmers and persons to repay the amount but not more than Rs 150 crore have been recovered so far."



Deshmukh said, "In the backdrop of previous experience, the state government decided to develop a software for implementing such largescale loan waiver scheme.

"It will have an in-depth database of farmers, their land holdings, all the bank accounts along with linking of Aadhar number to these accounts and to the land owned.

"If available, PAN will also be linked to the farmers account to bring more authenticity and transparency."



The meta-data can be accessed in multiple ways and based on crop, size of land, particular region -- information can be sought, he said.

"We will use it for finding out eligible farmers as the Maharashtra government has come up with some criteria for the loan waiver. It will bypass manual intervention as we will be adding entire information of farmers in Maharashtra and then based on criteria -- eligible farmers list will be prepared," Deshmukh said.

The database once ready, will be used on a regular basis for assessing the cropping pattern, change in yield and change in land holding patterns, he added.

There are 1.34 crore farmers in Maharashtra of which some 90 lakh farmers have availed crop loan from respective district central cooperative banks or public sector banks.

The Maharashtra government has claimed that around 89 lakh farmers will benefit from the loan waiver and relief scheme while the entire outstanding of 36 lakh farmers will be totally waived.

The Devendra Fadnavis government has decided to waive farm loans of Rs 34,000 crore with a cap of Rs 1.50 lakh for each farmer.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Families of 39 Indians abducted in Iraq by the ISIS are hopeful that their loved ones would be re-united with them.

The families, mostly from Punjab, were hoping to receive some "good news" about their kin after the defeat of the terror group in Mosul.

They today met Union Minister Sushma Swaraj in Delhi who informed them that those abducted might be lodged in a jail in Badush in northwest Mosul.

"We have kept our hopes alive about our family members who went missing in Iraq three years ago," Davinder, whose elder brother Gobinder (45) is missing in Iraq, told PTI.

"We still have hope...We have not got any bad yet from the government side," he said.

"Badush is still under the control of the ISIS. It will take at least 2-3 months to get the area freed from its control and then the government will be in a position to say something more," said Davinder, a resident of Murar village in Punjab's Kapurthala district.

He said it was the 12th meeting of family members of missing men with the Union minister since their disappearance.

Gurpinder Kaur, whose brother Manjinder Singh (26), has been missing, said she was today hoping to hear "good news" after the Iraqi government announced the liberation of Mosul from the ISIS.

"We thought that we will get to hear some good about our family members during today's meeting but we were told they have been kept in a jail. The government does not have any information whether they are safe or not," said Gurpinder, a resident of Bhoewal village in Amritsar district.

Sarwan, a resident of Amritsar district whose brother Nishan (30) is missing, said his family was hoping that the missing persons were safe and sound wherever they were in Iraq.

Swaraj today said her Iraqi counterpart might bring fresh information about them when he visits India on July 24.

She had earlier assured Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh that her ministry was making all-out efforts to trace the Indians.

Amarinder had called up Swaraj recently to seek her intervention, saying that the families were keenly awaiting the return of their kin following the defeat of the ISIS and needed the central government's support in bringing them back.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two years before its scheduled release, Disney previewed the first clip from its live-action remake of "The Lion King" at D23 Expo on Saturday.

Exclusively screened for attendees, the footage featured astonishing shots of African landscapes, many types of animals. It ended with the iconic moment in which Rafiki introduces an adorable young Simba on Pride Rock, as Elton John's "Circle of Life" is played.

"We love this movie and we are working hard," said Favreau.

The starry voice cast of "The Lion King" remake includes Donald Glover (Simba), James Earl Jones (Mufasa), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Billy Eichner (Timon) and John Oliver (Zazu).

Jeff Nathanson wrote the script for the live-action adaptation, which is being produced by Favreau and Jeffrey Silver.

The movie is scheduled to release on July 19, 2019.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Following are the top stories from the northern region at 1915 hrs:



NRG9 UKD-SWINE FLU-ALERT



Dehradun: A swine flu alert is sounded in Uttarakhand after three deaths caused by the disease within a week.

NRG15 RJ-DROWN



Kota (Raj): Four children are killed after falling into a water reservoir while they were taking a bath at Dugari village in Rajasthan's Bundi district, police say.

DES28 JK-MEHBOOBA PAY



New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urges Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to enhance the "hardship allowance" for the state police force by bringing it on par with that of central paramilitary forces.

DES14 DL-FARMERS-PROTEST



New Delhi: Scores of Tamil Nadu farmers, who grabbed eyeballs with their unique protest earlier this year, land in the national capital to resume their agitation for loan waiver and drought-relief package.

DES16 UP-ASSEMBLY-MOCKDRILL



Lucknow: The UP Anti-Terrorism Squad conducts a mockdrill in the precincts of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature building to plug possible loopholes in security ahead of voting for the presidential poll tomorrow.

DES24 DCW-NRI MARRIAGES



New Delhi: The Delhi Commission for Women seeks suggestions from the public on issues concerning dispute in NRI marriages, the panel says in a statement.

DEL45 MHA-AMARNATH-ACCIDENT



New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh speaks to Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and takes stock of the situation following the death of 16 Amarnath pilgrims in a bus accident, officials say.

DES27 DL-PARAKRAM-VANS



New Delhi: The Delhi Police will add 15 'Parakram' vans manned by NSG-trained drivers and commandos to its existing fleet of 10 such vans, as the force ramps up security in the run up to Independence Day.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
For the second consecutive day, two senior ministers today briefed political parties about the standoff along the Sino-Indian border and situation in Jammu and Kashmir at a meeting where opposition leaders urged the government to deescalate the tension with China.

Leaders of 11 political parties, including JD-S leader and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, and CPI's D Raja, were briefed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Home Secretary-designate Rajiv Gauba, on the two issues.

Opposition leaders were told about the prevailing situation along the Sino-Indian border and Jammu and Kashmir and the government's action, an official spokesperson said.

Yesterday, Swaraj, Jaitely and Home Minister Rajnath Singh had briefed leaders of 14 opposition parties.

"Those who were absent in yesterday's meeting were invited for today's meeting," an official spokesperson said.

Representatives of JD-S, CPI, RSP, JMM, Sikkim Democratic Front, partner of ruling NDA Akali Dal, besides others, were present in the meeting.

Congress, TMC, CPI-M, JD-U, DMK, BSP, NCP and others had attended yesterday's meeting.

CPI national secretary Raja said the government told them there are differences on Dokalam area in the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan.

"The government said there is no tension and it is negotiating. I also said the standoff should be brought to an end as early as possible through the already existing mechanism," he told PTI.

Raja said India-China bilateral trade has gone up and New Delhi is part of the SCO and BRICS, adding "For China also the standoff is a continuing concern and they will also understand this".

"The government gave details about the attack on Amarnath pilgrims. We did not discuss the Kashmir issue as a whole, but only the Amarnath attack issue," he said.

Gauba briefed the leaders of the 11 parties on the Amarnath pilgrimage this year and said till yesterday l.86 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the cave shrine.

Last year, 2.21 lakh pilgrims had visited the shrine during the entire yatra period.

On the security side, Gauba said more than 200 additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces and three additional army battalions were provided for the pilgrimage this year.

The security arrangements have been reviewed regularly at the Centre and the state level, he said.

New Delhi has expressed concern over Beijing trying to change the status quo at the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction in the Dokalam area.

China and India have been engaged in a standoff in the Dokalam area for the past three weeks after a Chinese military construction party attempted to build a road.

Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.

In Jammu and Kashmir, seven pilgrims were killed by militants in Anantnag district while returning from the Amarnath cave shrine on Monday.

Four districts of the state -- Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag -- have been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in July, 2016.

The unrest has resumed since the April 9 bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.

Opposition leaders have been criticising the government for the way it has handled China and Kashmir.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government needs to incentivise buying electric vehicles in order to bring down the cost and thus push their sales in the country, according to leading industrialist Anand Mahindra.

In an interview with PTI here, Mahindra said that due to very high battery cost, there is still reluctance on the part of consumers to go for electric cars.

"And therefore, the government in order to create the push does need to create incentives whether they come through Central or the state governments, in order to provide a lower sticker price for cars," the Mahindra Group chairman said.

The incentive could be in the form of a reduction in road taxes or subsidies in insurance, he added.

"It could be by lowering taxes of other kinds, but you do need some incentive to lower the upfront price. This can be transitioned down. Because what is happening simultaneously is that battery prices are also coming down dramatically," he said.

With battery prices coming down, at some point in future there would be a break-even between the conventional engine powered car and the electric car, he added.

"So all that the government needs to have (is) some kind of view on creating incentives that taper down over time. As the visibility of battery prices becomes greater they can start eliminating these subsidies. That is what the government should do," Mahindra said.

Besides, the government needs to come up with charging infrastructure to deal with range issues, he added.

In order to make electric mobility popular, the government can also mandate charging infrastructure in every building going ahead, Mahindra said.

"Just like you have fire regulations, they should have regulations that no building would be made without charging points for electric vehicles," Mahindra said.

He also stressed on having a public private partnership involving government and companies which provide charging points.

Mahindra also asked the government to make proper regulations in the ride aggregation business as these entities were likely to adopt electric mobility at a faster clip.

"Government should find regulation to encourage ride sharing companies. Rather than find impediments for them, regulate them by all means...Create a framework by which ride sharing companies can survive... Ride sharing is inevitably going to be 100 per cent electric, inevitably," he said.

When asked about his company's strategy in terms of electric vehicles, Mahindra said that they have committed to the government that they are ready to raise capacity dramatically.

"We are going up to 2,000 (units) a month from where we were, roughly just about 200. We have an ability to go up to even 5,000 a month. We will just raise, so we are making investments. We have already invested Rs 250 crore and raising capacity. We are ready for any revolution that comes," he said.

The Mumbai-headquartered firm currently has four electric products in its portfolio.

Asked about the possibility of Mahindra tying up with American e-car major Tesla, Mahindra said: "No, I think Tesla doesn't sound like it has a very collaborative culture. They are very maverick so I think we need more individual initiatives other than partnerships right now. We are going our own way and we welcome players like them.

(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.)
Pumps manufacturer Grundfos Pumps India is eyeing Rs 1,000 crore revenue in the next five years, betting big on higher-end models with embedded electronic intelligence and solar pumps, among others.

The company, which currently has a turnover of about Rs 470 crore, is looking to manufacture more of solar driven water ATMs and solar driven ultra filtration system to scale up its sales.

"We have made a plan to touch almost Rs 1,000 crore in next 5 years by looking into higher-end pumps with electronic intelligence and systems which talk to each other," Grundfos Pumps India Managing Director Ranganath NK told PTI.

Besides, the company plans to manufacture 300 water ATMs and about 50 ultra filtration systems this year, he added.

Grundfos Pumps India is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Denmark-based Grundfos Holdings.

The company plans to expedite work towards solar and borewell pumps, where it has less presence, to increase its market share.

It has three manufacturing plants in India, two in Chennai and one at Ahmedabad, which started operations from June 1 to expedite supplies to north and west parts of the country.

Ranganath said South India is the bigger market for the company followed by the West.

"Majority of the revenue comes from South and West," he said.

Grundfos Pumps India provides pumping solutions for various applications -- heating and hot water service systems, cooling and air-conditioning systems, industrial applications, groundwater supply and pumps running on renewable energy.

It sells products in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives. The company has about 300 distributors and dealers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi Police was thrown into a tizzy when it was alerted by a man about a threat call about blowing up the Red Fort.

The call later turned out to be a hoax, officials said.

The matter was reported to the Begumpur police station around 7.30 pm yesterday. Later, the accused, who had made the call "just for fun", was nabbed, the police said.

Nitin Kumar, who informed the police about the call, recalled the almost three-hour long ordeal that he went through yesterday.

"I was in my digital marketing class when I got a call around 7 pm from a man, claiming to be from Pakistan.

"He said that there will be a bomb blast at the Red Fort around 8.30 pm. He also claimed that there is a bomb planted in a hotel in Connaught Place," Kumar told PTI.

It was a Delhi number from which the call was made, he said, adding that he alerted the police soon after.

Kumar said that Police Control Room vans rushed to his residence in Rohini within no time, making his mother worried.

Kumar said he was called to the Prashant Vihar police station since he was closer to it, and the caller was traced to a hotel in Paharganj.

Personnel from the Paharganj police station visited the hotel and arrested a 22-year-old man, identified as Mehfuz.

Mehfuz is a resident of Kishanganj in Bihar and was working as a manager in the hotel for the last couple of years.

He told the police that he had made the call just for "fun" and had randomly dialled a couple of numbers.

The others did not take his call, and it was only Kumar who responded, the police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India has launched a solar project with state-of-the-art technology to electrify a remote village in Egypt.

The Solar Electrification Project, an off-grid system that is ideal for remote locations, has been launched at Agaween village in the Western Desert in Matrouh Governorate, close to the Libyan border.

India provided all the solar panels and sub-systems, machinery, equipment and technical support, as well as training for technicians, while the Egyptian government provided the location for implementation of the project.

The project was inaugurated by India's Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya and Major General Alla Fathi Abou Zeid, Governor of Matrouh.

"The project harnesses the sun and enriches the life of the villagers. The project is a demonstration of India's technical capabilities, especially in renewable energy, and can be replicated at other locations in Egypt," Bhattacharyya said.

The total output of the project is 8.8 kilowatt. The project has the ability to electrify the whole village.

Zeid said that the project will not only provide electricity to Agaween village but also give training to workers on how to maintain and adjust the solar energy systems to help forming groups of well-trained workers in the governorate.

The Solar Electrification Project at Agaween will provide electricity to 40 houses, a school, a mosque and a community centre.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today exuded confidence that India will become self- sufficient in pulses and oilseeds production in the coming years with the government taking steps to boost yields through use of better quality seeds and technologies.

The country imports over 5 million tonnes of pulses and about 14.5 million tonnes of vegetable oils (comprising edible and non-edible oils) every year to meet domestic demand.

Addressing the 89th foundation day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Singh said the government is not only focusing on increasing production but taking steps to make agriculture "income-centric" as part of its target to double farmers' income by 2022.

The minister asked ICAR scientists to work in a mission mode to achieve this target as well as the overall development of agriculture and allied sectors, which contribute 18 per cent to GDP. He emphasised on skill development in agri sector to boost crop yield and farm income.

Singh said the green revolution helped India in becoming self-sufficient in wheat and rice, but the country is still importing pulses and oilseeds to meet domestic demand and spending huge amount of foreign currency.

"We achieved a record production of pulses in the 2016-17 crop year. The sowing area is also higher this year. We are progressing towards self-sufficiency. In next 2-3 years, we will become self-sufficient in pulses," he said.

On oilseeds, he said the efforts are being made through more than 600 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country to boost productivity and production.

The country's pulses production increased to record 22.40 million tonnes in the 2016-17 crop year (July-June) against 16.35 million tonnes in the previous year. Oilseeds output rose by 29 per cent to 32.52 million tonnes last year.

The minister lauded efforts of farmers and scientists for the record 274 million tonnes of foodgrain output in 2016-17. He said this has been possible due to availability of technologies, quality seeds and related services to farmers.

Stating that agriculture scientists played a significant role in bringing green revolution, Singh said since 1951, foodgrain production has increased five times, fish 14.3 times, milk 9.6 times and egg production 47.5 times.

That apart, there has been three-fold jump in fruits and vegetables output from 1991-92, helping in achieving food and nutritional security.

"Our scientists are engaged in the development of innovative areas of science and technology and they are appreciated at the international level for their work," he said, adding that scientists have played a role in furthering excellence in higher education.

At the event, Singh also gave 122 awards for excellence in 19 categories. Recipients included 19 farmers, 80 scientists, 12 KVKs and three institutes.

Highlighting the initiatives taken in last three years, the minister said the government has already provided soil health card to 9 crore out of 12 crore farmers.

Soil health card coverage has reached 100 per cent in 16 states. Except Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, rest of the states will be covered in the next two months, he said.

Singh also spoke about programmes to boost irrigation capacity and new insurance scheme to protect farmers from vagaries of monsoon as well as a scheme to link all 585 mandis through electronic platform.

The minister asked ICAR scientists to go for new research to tackle new challenges in form of climate change and new crop diseases.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The ban on liquor in Bihar may have had some positives but it has taken a toll on the diagnosis of tuberculosis in the state.

Conducting tests for diagnosing tuberculosis has become an uphill task in Bihar since the ban on liquor was imposed in the state last year, said a senior health department official.

This has prompted the Union health ministry to write to the state health department seeking special exemption for procuring and using alcohol and spirit for uninterrupted diagnostic services.

There is a scarcity of ethyl alcohol which is used to conduct such tests in the laboratories, including those in government facilities, according to Dr Jagdish Prasad, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health.

In his letter to the Principal Secretary, Department of Health in Bihar, Prasad said prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment is essential for a successful tuberculosis control programme and its diagnosis at peripheral levels continues to be performed primarily by smear microscopy.

The reagents required for smear microscopy (both Ziehl Neelsen and Fluorescent staining) include absolute alcohol. Spirit is also needed for lamps used for making smears. Cleaning of plungers of the CBNAAT, as part of monthly maintenance also requires alcohol, he said in the letter.

Freshly prepared 70 per cent alcohol is also required at all levels for surface disinfection.

"With the alcohol ban imposed in Bihar, the laboratories are facing difficulty in procuring alcohol and this has affected the diagnosis of tuberculosis in the state," Prasad said in the letter, dated June 29.

"In view of the above and in public interest, special exemption for procuring and using alcohol and spirit for uninterrupted diagnostic services under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) is required," he said.

The state had last year recorded 64,158 cases of tuberculosis in government hospitals, which is 33 per cent of the total cases there.

There are 736 microscopic labs besides 38 special labs for detecting TB.

"Bihar government should abolish ban on the use of alcohol and spirit specially in laboratories and hospital setups. Alcohol and spirit are used for preparation of reagents for microscopy. This is essential for microscopy test.

"We urge the government of Bihar to sweep away the ban over alcohol in hospital and laboratory," he told PTI.

Bihar was on April 5, 2016 declared a dry state with the Nitish Kumar government imposing a total ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol including India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).

On several occasions, the chief minister highlighted that the prohibition has had positive impact in the state, with road accidents going down and people saving more money.

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The over 160-year-old Dalhousie hill station in Himachal Pradesh may have been named after the famous Governor General of India, but strangely Lord Dalhousie himself "never visited" the idyllic town, claims a new book.

The nearly 200-page illustrated volume, authored by a retired civil servant, is by turns, a guidebook, an album of picturesque places and quaint Raj-era buildings, and a memoir filled with interesting anecdotes.

"Dalhousie was established by the British as a sanitarium and a convalescent depot for the troops returning from wars. Established in 1854, the town situated on the five hills, was named after the then Governor-General of India, Lord Dalhousie.

"Unlike other tourist destinations like Shimla, Mussoorie and Dehradun, Dalhousie is much more quaint and still retains its charm, as it has remained sort of unspoilt by the onslaught of modernity," says Kiran Chadha, the author, whose paternal family -- the Plahas -- were one of the first settlers in Dalhousie.

Born in 1950 in Ambala, she grew up in Dalhousie amid its salubrious surroundings and breathtaking views of nature.

The author said she trawled through "Raj-era cantonment and municipal records" in the hill town for a year while researching for the book -- "Dalhousie... Through My Eyes", which was released last week in Delhi by Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy.

"(First Prime Minister Jawaharalal) Nehru came to the town for the centenary of Dalhousie in 1954 and praised it. And before him Rabindranath Tagore and author Rudyard Kipling had paid a visit. One of the purposes of writing the book was also to bring these facets of history closer to the next generation," she told PTI.

Born in Scotland in 1812, James Broun-Ramsay, later the first Marquess of Dalhousie, became the Governor-General at the age of 36, the youngest to helm the position. After the end of his tenure in 1856, he returned to his homeland and died there in 1860.

In the chapter 'Founding of Dalhousie', Chadha mentions that "Interestingly, Lord Dalhousie never visited Dalhousie during his tenure in British India (1848-1856)."



"During the course of my research, I consulted government documents and gazettes, and found that Lord Dalhousie never visited the place. The reason could have been that the hill town was for convalescing British troops and it had come up, just two years before the end of his tenure," she said.

When asked about Chadha's claim, noted historian Irfan Habib said, "It is possible that Lord Dalhousie may not have been able to visit the place. He was the Governor-General and the Government House was in Calcutta, so distance could have been another factor."



Author and historian Romila Thapar said, "One can ascertain only if there are historical documents to corroborate it."



Incidentally, in October 2004, the then Earl of Dalhousie had sent a letter from Brechin Castle (in Scotland) to the "Citizens of Dalhousie" on the sesquicentennial of the hill town.

Talking about the history of the place, Chadha, who studied at the 116-year-old Sacred Heart Convent, said the area we know as Dalhousie today, was earlier a territory of the Raja of Chamba.

"The large stretch of five hills was acquired by the Court of Directors of the East India Company from the Raja and in return Rs 2,000 was lessened from the taxes the princely state was paying to the British," she said.

Chamba was part of the Punjab province during the colonial period. After formation of Himachal Pradesh post- Independence, it became part of the hill state.

Chadha said she also consulted 'Guide to Dalhousie, the Chamba State, and the Neighbouring Hills' by J B Hutchison, published in late 19th century, among other books.

The book also celebrates the architectural heritage of the hill town, the iconic churches, famous clubs, military cantonments and institutions.

Some of the heritage buildings which find a mention in the book are St Francis Church, St John's Church, St Andrew's Church, St Patrick's Church, Sacred Heart Church; besides the 19th century cemetery; Khyber House, built around 1890; Circuit House; Dhoop Ghadi (originally called Petersborough) and Kynance cottage.

"Nehru had described it as 'One of the finest and greenest hill stations... ' and he encouraged opening of various Establishments in the town.

"So, guest houses of various universities and banks were opened there. But, tourism never really picked up there, the way it did in Shimla or Mussoorie, though it could be blessing in disguise, as the place has retained its originality in the face of concrete invasion," she said.

The place has a population of about 10,000 as per the census, but tourists add to a big floating population. Besides, hotels and lodges, the idyllic town is also known for its homestays.

Incidentally, Kolkata's iconic Dalhousie Square was renamed to Benoy-Badal-Dinesh Bagh or BBD Bagh after Independence, while in February this year, Dalhousie Road in the national capital's Lutyens' Delhi was rechristened to Dara Shikhoh Road.

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Diversified plans to invest $1 billion across business verticals in the US over the next five years as it aims to double revenues from the American market to $5 billion.

The Mumbai-headquartered group, which currently employs around 3,000 people in the country, also plans to double the headcount over the next five years as it looks to expand operations.

"We have so far invested around $1 billion in the US among all the businesses and we should invest another billion over the next five years," Mahindra & Mahindra Managing Director Pawan Goenka told PTI in New York in an interview.

The quantum of investment, however, would depend on various factors like market conditions and success of various projects that are currently underway in the US, he added.

Elaborating on various strategic projects, Goenka said the company has bid for a US postal service contract and if it comes through it would help the company grow exponentially in the country.

When asked about the group's ambitions in terms of revenues in the US, Goenka said: "In the next five years, we are targeting doubling revenue to about $5 billion."



The $19 billion group currently generates around $2.5 billion from its seven business verticals in the US. The major group firms active in the country include information technology (IT) major tech Mahindra and Mahindra USA which sells tractors and utility vehicles in the country.

When asked to elaborate on the factors that would help the company achieve desired results, Goenka said the growth would be led by various factors like the launch of a new off road vehicle by its arm Mahindra North America Technical Centre (MNATC) besides other group entities.

"The growth will be led by Mahindra USA where we intend to double revenues from $500 million to $1 billion in next five years and then there is Tech Mahindra," he added.

Mahindra is also looking at doubling its manpower in the country over the next five years.

"Mahindra currently employs more than 3,000 locals in the US and as things are going we are going to double that over the next 4-5 years," Goenka said.

He said the success of Mahindra brand in the US is very important as an accomplishment in the country would mean recognition in various other geographies.

"Building the Mahindra brand in the US is very important for us because it is the place everyone looks up to. The brand which gets successful in this market gets automatic recognition in so many places," he said.

While confirming that Tech Mahindra is facing visa issues, he said the IT major is working on resolving the matter.

"Other than IT business where... There are both locals and people brought in from India, none of our other businesses has a huge number of Indians (brought) to the US for work," Goenka said.

He further added: "The company's objective has never been to bring in people from India. We have invested here we have employed people here and thus we are not really been impacted by the new policies."



After being nudged by the Trump Administration, the IT major Tech Mahindra now has been focusing on local hiring. It has been recruiting from colleges in the US and this year it plans to add around 2,200 people in the country, which remains its biggest single market in the world.

When asked if the company is facing any discrimination in the US, Goenka said: "There is no discrimination I can think of in conducting business in the US...Laws, taxes are same for everyone. I don't see any kind of disadvantage for Indian multinationals here."



Besides, MNATC, Tech Mahindra and Mahindra USA, the group is also present across various other verticals including aviation, electric two wheelers and supply chain.
The police have said meat seized from a BJP member brutally beaten up by alleged cow vigilantes in Maharashtra's Nagpur district has been found to be beef.

The police said the meat had been sent to a forensic laboratory to be tested.

The lab report identified it as beef, Superintendent of Police (Nagpur rural) Shailesh Balkawde told PTI yesterday.

The police said it would initiate action against 34- year-old Salim Shaha, a member of the BJP's Katol unit, in accordance with the law.

Shaha, a resident of Katol town, was returning home on his motorcycle when a group of five or six men accosted him at a bus stop in the Bharsingi village on July 12. They allegedly ssaulted him on the suspicion that he was carrying beef.

Shaha's family, however, said he may not have known what he was carrying.

The family was initially reluctant to talk about the forensic report, stating that the family was already "in trouble".

But "Salim may not have been aware of what he was carrying," a relative said.

The Nagpur (rural) unit president of the BJP, Rajiv Potdar, said Shaha would be dismissed from the party.

After Shaha was beaten up and taken to a hospital, four men - Ashwin Uike (35), Rameshwar Taywade (42), Moreshwar Tandurkar (36) and Jagdish Chaudhari (25) - were arrested and booked under IPC section 326, pertaining to voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

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The opposition's presidential candidate Meira Kumar met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence seeking support of the Aam Aadmi Party.

The AAP has already announced its support to Kumar after a decision taken by its political affairs committee.

The AAP was not invited to the meetings of 18 opposition parties to finalise a candidate in the run up to the nominations.

The former Lok Sabha speaker, after being named as opposition's candidate for presidential election, had called on Kejriwal seeking AAP's support.

"At the Residence of Hon Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwalji. Thank you for your support & warm hospitality @ArvindKejriwal," Kumar tweeted zfter the meeting yesterday.

Kejriwal replied to the tweet, saying, "It was a pleasure to meet you Meira ji. Best wishes."



Kumar, the daughter of Dalit icon Jagjiwan Ram, is pitted against NDA's candidate Ram Nath Kovind, a former Bihar governor.

The 70-member Delhi Assembly currently has 69 legislators, of which sixty-four belong to the ruling AAP.

Four legislators are from the BJP-SAD combine, while one seat has been lying vacant since March after AAP legislator Ved Parkash quit party membership to join the BJP.

Voting is scheduled be held from from 10 am to 5 pm tomorrow.

Election commission officials said voting arrangements have been made at Delhi Assembly where a committee room has been converted into a polling booth.

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The UP Anti-Terrorism Squad today conducted a mockdrill in the precincts of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature building to plug possible loopholes in security ahead of voting for the presidential poll tomorow.

"A mockdrill is being conducted to cater to any emergency-like situation and evacuate people during the crictical hour. Apart from this, the mockdrill will also enable us to plug possible loopholes in the security apparatus (if any)," SSP, ATS, Umesh Kumar Srivastava told PTI.

Apart from ATS commandoes, UP Police personnel and fire brigade staff were also spotted in the UP Legislature.

The Uttar Pradesh Police had already put in place anti- sabotage measures apart from sounding a high alert as the ATS started recording statements of employees of the Assembly in connection with the recovery of PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) explosive.

Yesterday, officials of the ATS questioned and recorded statements of 15 people who were present or were on duty in the premises of the Assembly at the time of recovery of PETN onJuly 12.

Those who were questioned included the assistant marshals, technical staff and security personnel. Besides, the ATS also looked into the details of CCTV footage of 23 cameras of which 12 are in the Assembly and is also studying the Doordarshan recording, he said.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Anand Kumar had earlier told PTI that all the anti-sabotage measures have been put in place, apart from sounding a high alert.

"As immediate measures, Quick Response Teams, ATS and additional PAC personnel have been deployed in the UP Legislature. Apart from this, security audit of the entire Assembly complex is being done. An integrated security plan is being deliberated upon, which will ensure effective liasion with Sachivalaya Suraksha Dal," Kumar said.

Entry on old passes has been disallowed, and people with bonafide passes are only allowed to enter the precincts.

As many as 109 close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been made functional, so as to increase the vigil.

ATS sources said three teams of ATS will remain posted in the UP Legislature Complex.

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State-owned construction firm is expecting 25 per cent growth in revenue this fiscal to nearly Rs 8,000 crore helped by execution of new contracts like the redevelopment of the Pragati Maidan exhibition centre in New Delhi.

The company is targeting to secure new orders worth Rs 25,000 crore this financial year, its CMD Anoop Kumar Mittal said, while highlighting the company bagged a major contract last month to redevelop 10 railway stations across the country.

"We are expecting 25 per cent growth in revenue during this fiscal, mostly from project management consultancy and EPC contracting," Mittal told PTI.

NBCC, which is under the administrative control of the urban development ministry, posted a net profit of Rs 354.51 crore on a turnover of Rs 6,313 crore during 2016-17 fiscal and is a zero-debt firm.

Mittal said the company currently has an order book of over Rs 70,000 crore and is expecting to secure new orders of Rs 25,000 crore this fiscal.

"We have already bagged redevelopment of 10 railway stations. The detailed project report is still to be prepared but cost should be about Rs 5,000 crore. We will be getting 8-9 per cent as project management fees," he said.

The stations to be taken up for redevelopment are Tirupati, Sarai Rohilla (Delhi), Nellore, Puducherry, Madgaon, Lucknow, Gomtinagar, Kota, Thane (New) and Ernakulam.

Highlighting the ongoing projects, Mittal said the is undertaking mega redevelopment projects at East Kidwai Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Sarojini Nagar and Netaji Nagar in the national capital. It has bagged the project to redevelop Pragati Maidan here.

NBCC's CMD said the company was looking for projects in Uttar Pradesh where it does not have much presence.

Earlier this month, entered into an agreement with the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to construct an office building here at a cost of Rs 525 crore.

Apart from the domestic market, NBCC is actively looking for projects in overseas markets and is targeting at least Rs 1,000 crore new orders. The company has projects in countries like Maldives, Mauritius and Oman.

"We have recently bought one-acre land from Air India in Mauritius for Rs 3 crore. We will be developing a housing project on this site," Mittal said.

He said the company has established two new subsidiaries NBCC International and NBCC Environment Engineering Ltd to focus on overseas business and projects in the environment sector.

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Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today met President Bidya Devi Bhandari amid growing speculation about the expansion of an eight-member cabinet which has been delayed due to power-sharing dispute between the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN-Maoist Centre.

The meeting was held at Rastrapati Bhawanat and the two leaders discussed contemporary issues and the latest political situation in the country, officials said.

Meanwhile, senior leader of Nepali Congress Bimalendra Nidhi, who is close to Deuba, said the much-talked cabinet expansion would take place within a couple of days.

Speaking at a programme in Kathmandu today, Nidhi said the expansion would take place soon after CPN-Maoist Centre chief Prachanda, who is on a personal visit to Thailand in connection with the treatment of his spouse, will return home.

Expressing his confidence over the timely completion of all three levels of elections, Nidhi said the rumour surrounding the extension of the parliament by a year was baseless.

Delay in expansion of the eight-member cabinet was mainly due to power sharing dispute between the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN-Maoist Centre.

Besides the Prachanda-led Maoist party, leftist CPN- United and pro-Hindu Rastriya Prajatantra Party are likely to join the Nepali Congress led government.

"Talks were held with ruling Nepali Congress party for the inclusion of our party's representative in the cabinet," Sunil Manandhar, a senior leader of the CPN-United, told PTI.

Nidhi also said the government was committed to holding provincial and Parliamentary level elections within the stipulated time frame of nine months.

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Nine lower rung Naxals were arrested from separate places in Chhattisgarh's Bastar division, police said today.

"While five cadres were arrested from Sukma district and three from Bijapur district, another one was apprehended in Dantewada district yesterday," a senior police official told PTI.

The three districts are located around 400-450 kms away from here in southern part of Bastar division.

In Sukma, a joint team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and district force was out on an anti-insurgency- operation when it apprehended the cadres, Ramesh Naag, Madvi Kosa (30) and Kawasi Bheema (25), from Kukanar police station area, he said.

Kunjami Handa (25) and Hinga Madkam (22) were arrested from Tongpal police station limits of the district, he added.

In a separate operation, three ultras, Motilal Mandavi (25), Paklu Beko (45) and Moti Beko (25), were arrested from the forests of Potenar village under Jangla police station limits, said the official.

The three were allegedly involved in setting ablaze a passenger bus (after asking occupants to alight) in 2015 near Bardela village of Bijapur, he said.

They all were active as members of Chetna Natya Mandli (CNM)- a cultural outfit of Maoists,Janatana Sarkar group and janmilitia squad of Maoists and allegedly involved in attacks on police party in the region, said the official.

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The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today strongly condemned the killing of a pastor in Ludhiana and lashed out at the Congress-led government, alleging "no one was safe" in Punjab.

Sultan Masih was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants at Salem Tabri locality in Ludhiana late last night.

In a statement here, the former deputy chief minister, while expressing his condolences to the family of the deceased as well as the Christian community, said it was unfortunate that the state had descended into a "jungle raj" under the Congress rule.

"The Congress government is paying a heavy price for not acting against its own workers who started political killings immediately after the party came into power. The state witnessed sensational killings with one Akali worker being murdered in Gurdaspur after being threatened on the loudspeaker," he alleged.

"In another case, two members of an Akali family were killed in Ferozepur after being threatened on Facebook," he claimed.

Anti-social elements have started a spate of robberies and dacoities. Even gang warfare has intensified in Punjab recently, he added.

The SAD president said what was even more dangerous was the systematic manner in which "anti-national" elements had started attacks against various communities, besides resorting to desecration of religious books.

He said the killing of the pastor in Ludhiana last night, was another example of the manner in which attempts were being made to create communal tension in the state.

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The has intensified monitoring of oil and gas fields of state-owned firms like Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Oil India (OIL) to avoid slippages in domestic output derailing the target of cutting import reliance by 10 per cent by 2022.

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) in the last few weeks has issued specific directives to ONGC and OIL to submit daily field-wise production report as well as periodic reservoir management reports, the orders said.

In March 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for cutting India's dependence on imports to meet oil needs by 10 per cent by 2022, from 77 per cent then.

However, India's import dependence has since only risen to 81 per cent.

While output, as well as investments by private firms, have all but dried up, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan sees raising production from fields given to state-run firms on nomination basis, or without bidding, as key to achieving the target.

On May 25, the ministry offered all-powerful review committees headed by its upstream technical arm DGH, to monitor the performance of ONGC and OIL, and having powers to relinquish any oil and gas field for auctioning to private firms.

The panels will review from annual work programme and budget to declaration of a discovery as commercial as also reservoir and production performance, monitoring of development activities and collaborations with other explorers.

"The advice/decision of the Review Committee shall be implemented forthwith by the NOC (national oil company) concerned and the progress of implementation shall be reported to the Review Committee through DGH at its next meeting," the order issued by Atanu Chakraborty, Director General, DGH, said.

DGH followed it up with a June 21 order asking NOCs to submit "at the end of each day, data relating to Daily Production for each field" as well as on second day of every month "the provisional Production Data for the preceding month" and "the Reconciled Monthly Production Data for each month on or before the tenth day of the following month."



In a July 11 order, it asked the NOCs to reservoir production and performance data on a half-yearly basis and in-place reserves in each of the fields on a yearly basis. Besides seeking all technical data on reservoir performance, it asked NOCs to immediately notify any discovery and detailed timelines for subsequent processes like declaring a find commercially viable and submission of a field development plan.

"If the NOC declares the discovery a commercial discovery, then within 200 days (for oil) and 365 days (for gas), the NOC shall submit to DGH for the purpose of review and advice by the Review Committee, a comprehensive Field Development Plan (FDP)/Feasibility Report (FR)," the July 11 order said.

For previous discoveries, it wanted a quarterly status report.

ONGC produced 86 per cent of its 26.13 million tonnes of crude oil in the financial year (FY) 2016-17 from fields given to it on nomination basis. Natural gas production from nomination fields accounted for 93 per cent of the total output of 25.34 billion cubic meters.

Pradhan had at an industry event last month stated that oil recovery from reservoirs internationally is 35-40 per cent and that for gas is 55-70 per cent.

"In India, the current recovery factors of ONGC and Oil India for crude oil are as low as 27 per cent and 23 per cent. In case of natural gas, it is 54 per cent and 43 per cent for ONGC and OIL, respectively," he had said.
The issues of cow vigilantism, farmers' protests, Kashmir unrest, action of law enforcement agencies against some opposition leaders over alleged corruption and India's stand-off with China are likely to dominate the Monsoon Session beginning tomorrow.

The Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha will be adjourned tomorrow due to the death of sitting members of both the Houses and serious proceedings are expected from Tuesday. The session is slated to conclude on August 11.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad made it clear today that the Congress and other opposition parties will target the government over the issues of Kashmir as well as the stand-off with China.

Targetting the government on the Kashmir issue, he said the government has "closed all doors for dialogue" on it which has led to "political suffocation" in the Valley.

He also observed that the differences with China over Kashmir has become a new focal point and the opposition parties would also seek a debate on the standoff in the Dokalam area near the Bhutan trijunction.

The Congress and several other opposition parties, including the Left, have been critical of the ruling alliance over the cases of violence by self-proclaimed cow protectors who have often attacked Muslims and, in some cases, Dalits.

Seeking to build a firewall for the government from the expected opposition attacks in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today made it clear that states should act tough against those violating law in the name of cow protection and insisted that the issue should not be given political and communal colour.

Economic issues, especially alleged lack of jobs, are also likely to be taken up by the opposition parties to corner the government.

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav has accused the Modi government of failing to fulfil its promises to create jobs and said the opposition parties would raise the matter in Parliament.

BJP leaders have said they would take on the opposition over these issues claiming that the government's track record has been better than the UPA in terms of economy and agriculture growth.

"The government would want the monsoon session of Parliament to be fruitful and constructive. We will also ensure good coordination and communication with the opposition to help get legislative business passed during the session.

"If the opposition demands a discussion on some current issues, we will discuss the same in the business advisory committee and the chairman will decide the time and date of discussion," Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told PTI.

If parties like Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and Lalu Prasad- led RJD attack the government over the action of law enforcement agencies like the CBI and the ED against their leaders over alleged corruption, the treasury benches too would use the issue to underline their anti-corruption credentials.

The issue could also see a division in the opposition ranks as the Left and the JD(U) are unlikely to rush to defend the TMC and the RJD respectively on the matter of corruption.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said 21 bills were pending in the Lok Sabha and 42 in the Rajya Sabha.

Nine of these legislations, including The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017, have been passed by the Lok Sabha and are listed for passage by the Rajya Sabha.

Other crucial legislations include the labour code bill, the extension of GST in Jammu and Kashmir bill, the banking resolution bill and 'The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2017.

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The Pakistan Army said today that it had no role in the investigation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's family assets, asserting that it was "focused only" on safeguarding the country's security.

Pakistan Army's spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor told reporters that the joint investigation team was formed by the Supreme Court, "which did its job honestly. Its report will be examined by the court. Army has no role in the process."

Asked about the Sharif government's allegations that the Panama Papers scandal and the subsequent probe into the prime minister's family wealth was a "conspiracy" against the civilian dispensation, the spokesman said that the Army was "only focused on the security of the country."

"There is no direct army involvement in the JIT," he asserted, adding that the "Pakistan Army will continue playing its role for the security of Pakistan with other institutions," according to a report in Dawn newspaper.

"Political talk is in the political domain."

The denial comes ahead of the Supreme Court hearing into the case, which begins tomorrow.

The JIT in its damning report submitted to the Supreme Court on July 10 recommended that a corruption case be filed against Sharif and his sons - Hassan and Hussain - and his daughter Maryam for evading tax.

The high-profile graft case is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in 1990s when he twice served as the Prime Minister to purchase assets in London. The assets surfaced when Panama papers last year showed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif's children.

Sharif, 67 has rubbished the report as a "bundle of baseless allegations", and said that an "unjustified campaign" was launched against his government soon after he won in 2013.

"The people of Pakistan have elected me and only they can remove me from this post," he said this week.

The Pakistani military has always played a crucial role in the country's . It has ruled Pakistan for more than 33 years of the country's 70-year history.

Reports of disagreement between the civilian and the military leaderships this time dates back to October 6, when the Dawn in a front-page report claimed that civilian authorities have warned the Inter-Service Intelligence spy agency to act against militants or face isolation.

The rift was a grim reminder of 1999, when then Army chief Pervez Musharraf had ousted the government of Sharif.

Sharif is the only Pakistani politician who has the distinction of being the prime minister of the coup-prone country for a record three times.

He served as prime minister from 1990 to 1993 and from 1997 to 1999. Both of Sharif's first two stints ended in the third year of his tenure.

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Prohibitory orders were today imposed in the city commissionerate limits till July 30 in the wake of recent incidents of communal unrest in parts of Dakshina Kannada district.

The orders under section 35 of the Karnataka Police Act 1963 will be in force from 6 am today till the midnight of July 30, an official release quoting Mangaluru Police Commissioner T R Suresh said.

All acts of public utterance of cries, singing of songs, playing of music, use of gestures, and the preparation, exhibition or dissemination of pictures, symbols, placards or any other object, which may affect public order or undermine the security of, or tend to overthrow, the state or incite to the commission of an offence would stand prohibited for the period, it said.

The measure has been undertaken to avoid recurrence of unwarranted incidents having potential of disturbing peace in the society, it said.

During this period, collecting of stones, equipment used for throwing things, exhibition of corpses or effigies of people in the public, and any other activity which violates decency and state policy, and which could pose problems for public law and order situation would stand prohibited, the release said.

The prohibitory order was initially enforced in Bantwal from May 27 following skirmishes between two groups. Later, it was extended to four taluks as the violence spread.

The murder of a Social Democratic Party of India worker at Benjanapadavu in Bantwal on June 21 escalated the tension, forcing authorities to extend the prohibitory orders.

In another incident, Sarath Madivala, an RSS worker, was attacked by unidentified assailants on July 4 at Bantwal. He succumbed to injurieson July 7.

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The BJP-led NDA government is all set to celebrate for a year Odisha's most significant pride point, the Paika Rebellion -- which many claim was the first war of independence against the British.

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a member of the Centre's two-month old committee set up to celebrate the rebellion that ended in 1817, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend a function marking the start of the celebrations in Odisha.

"We are celebrating the Paika Rebellion's 200th anniversary in Delhi in a big way on July 20," Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma told PTI.

Pradhan said the celebrations would be held across the country for a year.

A proposal has also been sent to the National Implementation Committee headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh to build a permanent monument as a memorial to Paika warriors in the historic Barunei hills near Bhubaneshwar.

"The Paika Vidroh was not a local event. Through these celebrations, we are making efforts to bring such struggles to the national sphere," Petroleum Minister Pradhan told PTI.

The plan for the gala celebrations comes when the BJP-led NDA has been seeking to strengthen its base in Odisha, being ruled by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's BJD for the last 17 years.

The rebellion, by the landed militia of Khurda called the Paiks, has been the focal point of the BJP's discourse in the state, where assembly polls will be held along with general elections in 2019.

BJP president Amit Shah, who was on a three day visit to the state earlier this month, hailed the warriors of the revolt as he launched the party's grassroots connect drive in Ganjam district, Patnaik's home turf.

Prime Minister Modi, during his visit to Odisha in April, felicitated the descendants of 16 families associated with the uprising. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also mentioned it in his Budget speech this year.

The rebellion, which forced British East India Company forces to retreat, predates the first war of independence in 1857 but did not get similar recognition, Pradhan stated.

"Modiji is of the belief that there have been so many such struggles in India but deliberately our history or our national movement has been restricted to certain incidents, some families and contexts related to them post independence," Pradhan added.

Prasanna Kumar Dash, a senior Central government official and author of three books on the culture of Odisha, said the Paika Rebellion should be recognised as one of the first organised struggles against British Rule in India.

"The Paika Rebellion was restricted to Odisha unlike the Revolt of 1857, which spread across the country. However, the rebellion never got its due recognition. The 1817 agitation was against salt laws, taxes, devaluation of currency and land laws which were the focal points of later movements like the Dandi march and even the 1857 revolt," Dash said.

By recognising this, the government will also recognise the fact that each state of India played its part in the independence struggle, he said.

The petroleum minister indicated that the Paika Rebellion was the first of many such local events the government would now focus on.

"Our government believes in focusing on all the veer gathas (stories of heroism) among all sections of society," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
If you are planning to visit tourists hot-spots and water bodies in Jabalpur district this Monsoon, you won't be able to click selfies, as the authorities have banned it.

The decision has been taken to prevent accidents which usually happen in the Monsoon, an official said.

District Collector Mahesh Chandra Chowdhary issued the order last week using the powers vested to the collector under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure.

As per the order, there are different water bodies including Pariyat and Khandari dams and rivers -Narmada, Hiran, Pariyat and ponds at Adhartal, Hanumantal, Supatal, Gokulpur and Sangram Sagar lake in the district.

The tourists including school and college students frequently visit these places during the Monsoon, it said.

There is growing possibility of accidents, particularly while clicking of selfies with cell-phones, as the water level in all these water bodies is on the rise during the Monsoon, reads the order.

Hence, there would be ban on taking selfies at such places in order to ensure the public safety. Any violation of the order will invite action against the offenders under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, it stated.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A day before the presidential election, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi today described the contest as the opposition's fight against a "narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision", and asked the electors to exercise a "conscience vote".

Addressing opposition leaders in the presence of their presidential and vice presidential nominees - Meira Kumar and Gopal Krishna Gandhi respectively--, she said, though the numbers were stacked against them "the battle must be fought and fought hard".

"We cannot and must not let India be hostage to those who wish to impose upon it a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision," she said, apparently targeting rival BJP without naming it.

Gandhi said, "We must stand more aware than ever of who we are, what we fought for in our independence struggle and what future we want for ourselves.

"We must have confidence in the values we believe in. This election represents a clash of ideas, a conflict of disparate values. The election demands a vote of conscience to preserve the India that the Mahatma and that illustrious generation of freedom fighters, joined by thousands upon thousands of ordinary men and women, fought for."



She said the presence of representatives from different parties to support Kumar and Gandhi confirms that "the fight for an inclusive, tolerant and pluralistic India is being truly waged".

The vice presidential poll will be held on August 5.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three inmates were killed today and another was wounded after escaping from jail in a southern Philippine island that is the stronghold of Islamist militants, police said.

The casualties were among 14 prisoners who escaped from a police station jail in war-torn Jolo, authorities said.

Jolo is a base of the Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom group and some of the inmates were linked to the militants, according to provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Mario Buyuccan.

"They cut the bars of the jail and jumped from the second floor to the roof of the municipal hall building next door. Our troops responded and the inmates were killed and wounded in hot pursuit operations," Buyuccan told AFP.

"Some inmates are associated with the membership of the Abu Sayyaf."



The injured inmate was recaptured while soldiers and policemen were chasing the remaining 10 escapees. The jail had a total of 32 inmates mostly facing drug charges, Buyuccan added.

The Philippines frequently has mass escapes from prisons which are usually overcrowded, poorly maintained and inadequately guarded.

In the country's biggest jailbreak, more than 150 inmates ecaped a prison in the southern Philippines in January after about a hundred gunmen stormed the facility.

In May, Islamist militants waving black flags of the Islamic State group went on a rampage in the southern city of Marawi and freed 100 inmates from two jails there.

The incident triggered an ongoing US-backed military offensive involving air strikes and artillery barrages to flush out the militants.

Buyuccan said there was no connection between Sunday's jailbreak and the fighting in Marawi, which had killed more than 500 people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Centre has told the Supreme Court that it is taking the help of a US-based private body, which gives technical details on uploading of child porn to 99 countries, to curb the menace in India.

In a status report to be filed in the top court, the Centre has said that US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) acts as a resource centre for information about missing and exploited children and they provide "free" details through a secure channel to the central law enforcing agency of the US and 99 other nations.

The government has told a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra that as per information conveyed by the NCMEC, they are trying to establish the "secure link" with the law enforcing agency in the country.

"The NCMEC, USA is a private, non-profit organisation and acts as a national clearing house and resource centre for information about missing and exploited children. The NCMEC hotline provides technical details of any child porn uploading to the law enforcement agency concern in the USA and across the world in about 99 other countries," the report said.

"This information is provided free, but through a secure channel to a central law enforcement agency. According to the information conveyed by the NCMEC, they have been trying to establish this secure link with an Indian law enforcement agency," the government has told the apex court.

The report further said the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEIT) has sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, a copy of which has also been sent to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, requesting them to follow up for establishing communication with the NCMEC.

Recently, in a communication to the home ministry, the MEIT has said that the NCMEC has informed that "a large number of reports are available with them wherein illegal imagery related to child pornography/child abuse have been uploaded from Indian territory".

"It is also understood that the NCMEC has been trying to establish a secure channel of communication with the CBI for sharing details in this regard since 2013.

"However, there is no concrete progress in the matter so far. Action on such reports can create a definitive deterrent mechanism for potential uploaders of such illegal imagery from India," the communication said.

The status report also gave details about various other initiatives taken by the government to curb child pornography in the country.

Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand had on July 14 told the bench that the Centre has blocked 3,522 websites carrying child pornographic content last month and has asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider installation of jammers in schools to block access to such sites.

The government had said that installation of jammers in school buses was "not possible" and they were coming out with steps to deal with the menace in its entirety.

"We are coming out with steps which will deal with the situation in its entirety," Anand had told the bench that also comprised Justices A M Khanwilkar and M M Shantanagoudar.

"The government has asked the CBSE to consider whether jammers can be installed in schools to curb access to such websites," she had said.

The apex court had asked the government to file a status report within two days on the steps taken by it to stop child pornography.

The court is dealing with a petition which has sought a direction to the Centre to take appropriate steps to curb child pornography across the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Chinese American accused of "infiltration" in Iran has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, local media reported today.

The man was identified as Xiyue Wang, a 37-year-old researcher at Princeton University, according to Mizanonline, the official agency of Iran's judiciary.

Wang, who was born in Beijing according to the report, was arrested on August 8, 2016 while trying to leave the country.

Mizanonline said he was part of "an infiltration project" aimed at gathering "highly confidential articles" for several US and British institutions, including Princeton, the US State Department, Harvard's Kennedy School and the British Institute for Persian Studies.

"Before his arrest he was able to digitally archive 4,500 pages of the country's documents, while under covert surveillance," said Mizanonline.

The confidential documents were said to be taken from "research and cultural archives" and "the libraries of some state organisations".

Mizanonline published an excerpt from a British Institute of Persian Studies annual report, in which Wang thanked its librarian for helping him make contact with academics in Iran.

The report claimed this as "proof" Wang was on a covert mission, although the quote shows Wang was openly trying to work with academics to access a number of official archives in Tehran and Mashhad.

Deputy judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie had earlier announced the sentencing of an American citizen without giving his name or second nationality.

Ejeie said the man had appealed his conviction.

The US State Department issued a statement soon afterwards, calling for "the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families", without referring to any specific person.

"The Iranian regime continues to detain US citizens and other foreigners on fabricated national security-related charges," a US official said.

In January, Tehran's chief prosecutor said as many as 70 "spies" were serving sentences in the city's prisons, but the identities of only a handful have been made public.

Most are thought to be Iranians who hold another passport from Europe or the United States.

In October, US-Iranian business consultant Siamak Namazi and his 80-year-old father Baquer, a former UNICEF official, were given 10 years in prison for "espionage and collaboration with the American government".

Washington has repeatedly called for their release and also for Tehran's cooperation in the case of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who disappeared in Iran in 2007.

The comes amid tensions between the two countries as President Donald Trump and Congress have taken increasingly harsh positions against Tehran.

Trump has promised to tear up the 2015 nuclear deal struck between Iran and world powers including the United States that lifted some sanctions in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme.

In mid-June, the American Senate backed new sanctions against Iran, denouncing the Islamic republic's "continued support of terrorism". The bill must be passed by the House of Representatives.

The new restrictions impose mandatory sanctions on people involved with Iran's ballistic missile programme and those that transact with them.

Iran has vowed to respond with "reciprocal and adequate measures".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a unique protest, over 30 US Congresswomen on both sides of the aisle wore sleeveless dresses to support their "right to bare arms" in parts of Washington DC's Capitol building.

The lawmakers staged the protest on Friday against the dress code in the Speaker's Lobby, a room bordering the House chamber where lawmakers congregate between votes and where reporters conduct interviews.

The long-standing code for the room has required women -- reporters and lawmakers -- to wear dresses and blouses with sleeves if they want to enter. The rule also requires men to wear jackets and ties, CNN reported.

"It's 2017 and women vote, hold office, and choose their own style. Time to update House Rules to reflect the times!" tweeted Congress member Chellie Pingree.

"The rules are kind of archaic -- if we just went by tradition in this chamber then we wouldn't have a women's bathroom off the floor," California Democrat Linda Sanchez said, referring to the lack of a women's bathroom off the floor until recent years.

A recent CBS report about the uneven adherence to the dress code and the story of an unnamed young, female reporter barred from the room because her dress did not have sleeves kicked off an online debate, particularly among journalists.

On Wednesday, Martha McSally, an Republican lawmaker from Arizona, made reference to the strict dress code in the Speaker's Lobby at the end of remarks on the House floor about first responders in her state.

"Before I yield back, I want to point out I'm standing here in my professional attire, which happens to be a sleeveless dress and open-toed shoes," McSally said on the House floor. "With that, Mr Speaker, I yield back."



McSally's comments helped spark Friday's bipartisan response, which California Democratic Representative Jackie Speier promoted among the Democratic caucus.

New York Democratic Representative Kathleen Rice used the "sleeveless Friday" protest to make her case for more cooperation between female Democrats and Republicans in the House.

"Any issue like this that can bring people together I think is a good opportunity to remind us that we really are here to work together and there's more that unites us than divides us," said Rice. "Women are such problem-solvers -- not that men aren't, but women just have such a different sensibility."



On Thursday, Speaker Paul Ryan's office responded to the controversy by agreeing that the dress code "could stand to be a bit modernized."



Ryan said to "look for a change on that soon."



In a tweet, Ryan's national press secretary AshLee Strong urged members to "focus on substantive issues" after pointing to Ryan's announcement about a forthcoming policy change.

Ryan did not specifically detail what would change about the dress code.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi applauded Ryan's announcement about changing the rule.

"Glad to see @SpeakerRyan is updating the dress code for the House Floor. These unwritten rules are in desperate need of updates," she tweeted on Thursday.

In the UK, a similar debate recently erupted when House of Commons Speaker John Bercow said he was happy to relax the rules, the BBC reported.

In June, he accepted a question from a member of parliament who was not wearing a tie.

He also said members should wear "businesslike attire".

Yet what this constitutes in 2017 - especially with the rise of more casual media and tech companies - is not always clear, the report said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Polls opened in Venezuela today in an opposition-organized vote to measure public support for President Nicolas Maduro's plan to rewrite the constitution, against a backdrop of worsening political violence.

Dozens of people were queuing in Caracas neighborhoods including Chacaito and Los Palos Grandes before polling stations opened at 7:00 am (1100 GMT), according to the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) opposition coalition.

They are due to close at 4:00 pm (2000 GMT), though they will remain open as long as people are in line.

Delegates and volunteers, many dressed in white, manned tents and tables at some 14,300 polling stations nationwide.

Maduro supporters are boycotting the vote, and the National Electoral Council has refused to authorize it, so the outcome is not binding.

Opposition leaders expect as many as 11 million of people to cast ballots anyway, voting to reject the president's controversial plan for a separate referendum July 30 to elect a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution.

The opposition is boycotting the Maduro-backed vote.

They hope a big turnout Sunday will increase pressure for Maduro's removal from power, clearing the way for new presidential elections before his term ends in January 2019.

The rival elections have given rise to international worries -- voiced by the Catholic Church and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres -- that the chances of bringing both sides together for dialogue have become more remote.

That in turn is stoking fears of more protests and running street battles with police, clashes that have cost the lives of nearly 100 people since the beginning of April.

Maduro portrayed Sunday's vote as merely an "internal consultation by the opposition parties" with no electoral legitimacy.

But he also urged Venezuelans to "participate peacefully."



While Maduro is deeply unpopular -- with 80 percent of Venezuelans criticizing his rule, according to the Datanalisis survey firm -- he enjoys backing from some, mostly poor, parts of the population and, most importantly, from the military.

Many Venezuelans, though, are less focused on the political power play than they are on just getting by day to day under a crushing economic crisis that has led to shortages of food and medicine.

The opposition accuses Maduro of attempting to assume dictatorial powers through the constitutional rewrite and other steps.

Opposition figure Maria Corina Machado predicted the vote would not only reject the Constituent Assembly but also "give a mandate for a change of the regime.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A woman was killed and two other persons, including a four-year-old child, were seriously injured here when a truck hit the motorcycle they were travelling on, police said today.

SHO, Jagdishpur, Dipendra Singh said the woman Sahin, 35, of village Shekhangaon, Faizabad, was killed, and Meraj, 26, and the child were badly injured in the accident near Saresar Bridge on national highway between Jagdishpur and Rae Bareli.

Meraj was driving the bike and Sahin was riding pillion with her son in her lap, police said.

The injured were admitted in the community health centre in Jagdishpur.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"If such a law is enacted here, it will mean that some people may not even be able to meet to have a coffee or a beer without committing a criminal offence  even if they have never been in trouble before," a Rebels spokesman said at the time.
Karen said when she got me to relax (after the warm-up) and follow the posing instructions - chin up, arms out, that sort of thing - I made quite a nice "shape". But while all the stylised motions and poses were intriguing, I was under no illusions about my abilities as a dancer, reinforced when two competition dancers, Emma Couglan and her instructor, Danzon Dance Studio's Marko Pekkarinen, gave a ballroom demonstration that showed what real style, grace and movement looked like. It will be interesting to see how the cast of Strictly Ballroom look at the end of all their rehearsals when the show has its Canberra premiere in October.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.

You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
While petrol heads have started dissecting the new generation Audi A8, using the official data, rendering artists are looking to create new versions based on the brands latest flagship saloon.



XTomi, in this case, chose to transform the 2018 Audi A8 from a four-door into an estate, or, in Audi-speak, an Avant.

The visual differences are more than obvious and include an elongated roof towards the rear and a tailgate. Other than that, it is practically identical to the recently unveiled saloon. Not that we expect it to happen anyway, even though Audi has shown an Avant version of the Prologue concept, from which the new A8 draws inspiration.

In the real world, the automaker is getting ready to put the full-size luxury saloon into production and ship the first units to dealers across the globe. Customers will have to pay at least 90,600 ($103,452) for the car in Germany, which is 3,400 ($3,882) more than a similar BMW 7-Series, and some 2,155 ($2,461) more than the entry-level Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

PHOTO GALLERY
Hyundais upscale Genesis brand has big plans to expand its lineup. With the G80 and G90 sedans already in showrooms, recent trademark applications give us an idea of the direction in which the Korean automaker plans on heading next.



Motor Authority uncovered several of these applications with the US Parent and Trademark Office, suggesting that both coupes and crossovers are in the works  or at least under consideration.

The applications include a series of GT nameplates, among them GT60, GT70, GT80, and GT90. Though they clearly follow in the brands nomenclature pattern, and are sure to take a more luxury/touring approach than a pure performance direction, we cant help but recall Fords legendary Le Mans-conquering GT40 from the 1960s and the GT90 concept from 1995, with its Bugatti-baiting 6.0-liter quad-turbo V12. We wont hold out breath for something that stratospheric, though.

For sport-utes, Genesis apparently plans on deploying the letters GV, as we saw with the GV80 concept at the New York Auto Show  the V ostensibly standing for versatility. The applications include a GV60, GV70, and GV80  but no GV90 to put the brand in contention with the likes of the Mercedes GLS and forthcoming BMW X7.

Were also expecting G70 and G60 sedans to join the expanding lineup as well, moving the brand from an intriguing but limited prospect to a full-line luxury automaker.

Photo Gallery
Prints by Reginald Gammon that explore aspects of African American life and history. Runs through 9/30.

Reginald Gammon (1921-2005), originally from Philadelphia, moved to New York City in 1951. He taught in the New York public schools and for 21 years at Western Michigan University. When he retired to New Mexico in 1992 he became active in the arts scene here. Gammon's paintings and prints often explore aspects of African American life and history. He was a member of the black artists' collective, Spiral, with Romare Bearden, Norman Lewis, Hale Woodruff and Emma Amos, among others. He was an avid jazz fan and saw many concerts in New York. Gammon made his own bold interpretations of such artists such as Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong and Lester Young performing. The expressiveness of his lines and color suggest the sounds and cadences of the performances represented on these silent sheets of paper. The juxtaposition of his sensuous nudes with the jazz portraits in this exhibition reflect the multisensory element of jazz syncopation. Gammon once said, "The human physiognomy is as great a landscape as you can find or as great a still life as you can find." These prints were created at New Grounds Print Workshop & Gallery in Albuquerque located just blocks from the Outpost. Gammon was a founding member of New Grounds in 1996. While in New York the artist had worked as a commercial artist, painter and printmaker. Known mainly as a painter, Gammon revived his interest in making prints when he moved to Albuquerque. In 2007-8 New Grounds Gallery and the Albuquerque Museum and the African American Performing Arts Center held exhibitions to honor Gammon and his legacy. In 1997 Gammon showed in the original Inpost Artspace Gallery at the old Outpost on Morningside Dr. Dr. Kymberly Pinder, Dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico has the curated this show on the 20th Anniversary of Gammon's last Inpost Artspace show. FREE!
Goldberg believes that its time the film was made available again to American audiences in its entirety. Im trying to find a way to get people to start having conversations about bringing Song of the South back, so we can talk about what it was and where it came from and why it came out, she told Yahoo Movies.

In the same interview, which can be seen below, she goes on to say that she wanted to see new merchandise featuring the jive-talking crows from Disneys 1941 classic Dumbo. I want people to start putting the crows in the merchandise, because those crows sing the song in Dumbo that everybody remembers [When I See an Elephant Fly]. I want to highlight all the little stuff people sort of maybe miss in movies.

Its not inconceivable that Goldbergs involvement could someday pave the path for an American release of Song of the South. Goldberg is a well known fan and advocate of classic Hollywood animation (including certain cartoons that are now considered racially insensitive), and she has previously helped clear the way for other corporations, like Time Warner, to release classic cartoons that may have otherwise been edited or kept out of circulation.

A little over a decade ago, Goldberg appeared at the beginning of Looney Tunes dvds, to deliver the message that its possible to enjoy the Warner Bros. cartoons, without necessarily endorsing their outdated characterizations. In that video, she says:
A gallery-goer at LA's 14th Factory caused a ruckus recently when she crouched to take a selfie in front of an exhibit and then lost her balance, toppling a whole row of pedestals and reportedly causing $200,000 worth of damage. It's painful to watch:
Photo: CTV Williams Lake is under an evacuation order.

UPDATE: 9:10 p.m.

The Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has moved its evacuee reception centre and Emergency Social Services to Sandman Centre effective immediately.

UPDATE 8 p.m.

RCMP are co-ordinating the evacuation of Williams Lake.

Police are advising those driving that vehicles cannot stop in 100 Mile House.

The RCMP encourages all motorists to drive responsibly.



For those that cannot drive there are muster points throughout Williams Lake they are:

Glendale School 4100 Mackenzie Avenue North

Comer Pub Parking Lot 2015 MacKenzie Ave North

Columneetza High School Parking Lot 1045 Western Avenue

BC Hydro Parking Area 835 Second Ave North

Save-On-Foods Parking Lot 730 Oliver Street

Overlander Hotel Parking Area 1118 Lakeview Crescent

Tourism Discover Centre 1660 Broadway Avenue South

Church Parking Lot 26 Woodland Drive

Golf Course Parking Lot 104 Fairview Drive

Church Parking Lot 377 Hodgson Road

Across the Wal-Mart Park 1265 South Lakeside Drive

Kwaleen Elementary Parking Lot 1727 South Lakeside Drive

UPDATE: 7:20 p.m.

Highway 97 is now closed in both directions between Quesnel and Williams Lake due to the fires burning in the area.

Highway 97 south to Highway 24 is open only for evacuation purposes.

ORIGINAL STORY: 6 p.m.

Williams Lake is being evacuated.

An evacuation order has been issued for Williams Lake and the following areas in the Cariboo Regional District:

All areas east of the Fraser River from the existing evacuation order at Soda Creek to 9.0 km south of the Sheep Creek Bridge, including English Road

Directly east to the southern end of Chimney Lake, continuing east to Wright Station Road at the north end of Lac La Hache

All areas west of Highway 97 from Wright Station Road to the Williams Lake City limits, north along Highway 97, including all fringe areas of the City of Williams Lake including the areas of Fox Mountain, Pine Valley, Commodore Crescent, Glendale, Wildwood, Bull Mountain and Deep Creek not already evacuated, to the exiting evacuation order area at Soda Creek.

All individuals in the city and the above areas must evacuate immediately.

The evacuation route is Highway 97 South to Highway 24 (South of 100 Mile House); follow Highway 24 to Little Fort; turn right onto Highway 5 at Little Fort and continue to Kamloops and register at the ESS Centre located at Thompson Rivers University located at 805 TRU Way, in Kamloops.

For questions about locating an ESS Reception Centre call 1-800-585-9559.

The City of Williams Lake has activated 12 zones within its boundaries, each of which has a muster point. There are no muster points in any of the surrounding areas.

Residents in these areas who are unable to self-evacuate must make their way to a muster point in the City immediately as buses departing the City cannot wait indefinitely. If residents are unable to get to a muster point, please call the RCMP at 250-392-6211 immediately.

If you do not call, there is no way to know that you require assistance. If you have already self-identified to the EOC and you are unable to travel to a muster point, please shelter in place until help arrives.

Evacuation Muster Zone Maps and other emergency information are available on the Citys website.
Photo: The Canadian Press A helicopter carrying a bucket battles the Gustafsen wildfire near 100 Mile House, on Saturday July 8, 2017.

A pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a helicopter crashed in the Chilcotin area on Saturday, according to the former minister responsible for emergency management and Kamloops- South Thompson MLA, Todd Stone.

Stone tweeted the news, confirming the aircraft was part of firefighting efforts in the region.

Several fires are burning in that area, including the Hanceville fires, which now cover an estimated 450 square kilometres and are burning out of control.

-With files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: Contributed

The Cariboo Regional District has issued a new series of evacuation orders for properties in the Fraser River, Polley Lake, Moffat Creek and 150 Mile House areas.

Due to immediate danger to life safety due to fire, members of the RCMP or other groups will be expediting this action.



The Evacuation Order is in effect for the following areas:

From the Fraser River east to the Beaver Lake Road

North to the Quesnel River

East along the Quesnel River to approximately Hydraulic

South East to Antoine Lake

South to MacIntosh Lake

East to the existing order at 150 Mile.

The evacuation route is:

Likely or Horsefly Road to the 150 Mile

Highway 97 South to Highway 24 (South of 100 Mile House)

Follow Highway 24 to Little Fort; turn right onto Highway 5 at Little Fort and continue to Kamloops.

For areas that can join Highway 97 north of Blue Lake, evacuation route is north on Highway 97.

What you should do:
Photo: Contributed

A woman died at the scene of a collision in Surrey on Saturday.

At approximately 3:20 p.m., RCMP officers came across a badly damaged Toyota in the intersection of 72nd Ave., and 132nd St. in Surrey with two persons inside.

It was obvious to the police that a high speed collision had occurred, which was confirmed by witnesses at the scene.

The witnesses advised that the other vehicle involved, a grey Dodge, had fled westbound on 72nd Ave, at a high rate of speed.

With the assistance of witnesses, the suspect vehicle was located, and the driver was taken into custody.

Alcohol and speed are believed to be contributing factors in the collision.

The male driver of the Toyota was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The female passenger, in her 90s, was deceased at the scene.

No information on the occupants of the Toyota is being released at this time.

The investigation into the collision is ongoing, and the intersection will remain closed for some time.

The police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or witnessed how the Grey Dodge was driving either prior to or after the collision, to call the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.
Photo: Google Street View

The TNRD has relocated the Emergency Social Services (ESS) Reception Centre from Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to Sandman Centre.

Almost 500 cots have been set up in Sandman Centre for group lodging and we are looking to expand group

lodging capacity by another 200 beds.

The Sandman Centre is located at 300 Lorne Street and will stay open tonight to receive evacuees.

Evacuees will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis. Four Paws Food Bank will also be

open to receive small animals.

Due to capacity limits with group lodging, we encourage evacuees and those on alert to plan ahead

and arrange their own accommodation if possible and stay with friends and family.

Kamloopsians have opened their doors.

A Facebook group (TNRD Donations and Lodging Group) has been set up or evacuees to connect with generous residents willing to help.

It is important to note that TNRD is not responsible for Facebook posts and will not provide logistics for exchanges.

TNRD does not inspect accommodations, nor does it take responsibility for accommodations or

arrangements.

Regardless of where you stay, all evacuees need to register with Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582.
Photo: Contributed

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has issue new evacuation orders for fires in the Clinton area.

A rapidly moving wildfire currently located in Electoral Area E continues to threaten properties east of Clinton and east of 70 Mile House.

Because of the potential danger to life and health, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has ordered everyone to evacuate the following properties immediately:

1605 Boule-Young Lake Rd

4415 Clinton-Loon Lake FSR

5885 Clinton-Upper Loon Lake FSR

2080 Eagan-Bonaparte Lake FSR

6000 French Rd

1350 to 1791 Hutchinson Rd

1420 to 1475 Janzen Terr

2025 Mound-Loon Lake Rd

9340 Rose Rd

1410 to 1490 Thibert Rd

If you are in the described area, you must leave immediately. It is suggested that evacuees turn off the power and propane to their residences. If you have large animals/livestock in need of shelter, please contact the TNRD EOC at 1-866-377-7188.

If you require support services such as food and accommodation please register at the

Sandman Centre at 300 Lorne Street, Kamloops.

If you do not require these services all evacuees are still required to register with the Red

Cross at 1-800-863-6582 or www.redcross.ca
Singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett and Tony-winner Christopher Ashley took to the stage of the Broadway Playhouse to talk about the upcoming musical "Escape to Margaritaville." The evening was hosted by the Tribune's Chris Jones. (Dan Pattelli / Tribune Media) (Dan Pattelli / Tribune Media/Chicago Tribune)

"A parrot, a shark and a cheeseburger walk into Wrigley Field" may sound like the beginning of a bad bar joke, but in reality it refers to just a few of the Parrothead characters who made their way to Wrigley Field on Saturday night to watch Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band.

Buffett's Wrigley Field concert  a fulfillment of a conditional promise made in 2005  was in essence a Margaritaville-themed World Series celebration for 41,001 fans, nine months late.

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Parrotheads, the quirky group of Buffett followers devoted to his island-inspired lifestyle, take their cues from Buffett's relaxed tropical-rock sound. The uniform consists of Hawaiian shirts, leis, straw hats and skirts, and silly accessories related to his song lyrics, from margaritas to flamingos.

The Park at Wrigley was the watering hole for these Parrotheads, who are accustomed to pre-concert tailgates in parking lots. Instead the park became a social scene. Three 20-something men with unbuttoned Hawaiian shirts rolling a wagon filled with bottles of beer looked like they had just stepped out of a fraternity (Buffett was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity at the University of Southern Mississippi, after all). Women wore cheeseburger backpacks. A father in a lei with a cigarette dangling from his mouth leaned down to help his young son straighten his grass skirt. A man with a white moustache and matching white Buffett tour T-shirt lay on the turf of the park with his arms spread, smiling up at the overcast sky through his sunglasses.

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Many fans have passed their love of Buffett on to their children. Alexis Lundgren represents the new generation of The Flamingo Sisters, a sisterhood of female Parrotheads started by her mother. The group of nine that included Lundgren and her friends sported matching flamingo visors and were toting a plastic flamingo beer bong. The blended group of original and millennial Flamingos had been planning this trip since the show went on sale in February.

The national community of Parrotheads, with Parrothead clubs for specific cities and states, has kept many fans involved for decades.

"I've made the best of friends through the parrot clubs," says Julie Thomas, who has attended more than 20 Buffett concerts and even got a small parrot tattoo on her leg.

"I'm a member of the Parrothead club ... there's 200 Parrothead clubs throughout the United States, and they party with a purpose," she said. "All those parrot clubs have fundraisers that they do to support a certain cause."

The Chicago Parrot Head Club is fundraising for the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer's, which is set to take place in Chicago this September. According to Parrot Heads in Paradise, Parrothead chapter contributions to local and national charities in 2016 surpassed $3.4 million, with almost 200,000 volunteer hours, adding to a total (since 2002) of $46.5 million and over 3.8 million volunteer hours.

At the core of all this civic engagement and fun is the musician and legend himself, Jimmy Buffett.

Dan Stiles of Illinois has always felt a connection with Buffett. They are around the same age (Buffett is 70) and share a love of both flying and sailing. Saturday was Stiles' eighth Buffett concert.

"Over the years, I feel like he's been part of my sailing, and part of my living actually," said Stiles. "I've never met anybody  well, I've never met Jimmy  but I've never been around somebody who enjoys what he does as (much as) Buffett does. He's like me, I'm just happy to go on because I enjoy life so much. I feel like he's the same way, there's been some downturns for everybody, but the highs outnumber the lows."

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William Charles Cagle, from Michigan, arrived at the concert wearing a coconut-shell bra. He came prepared with strands of beads to hand out to fellow Parrotheads and "Buffett virgins," the first-time concertgoers. Having attended more than 20 concerts, Cagle recalls raucous Parrothead tailgates with beer bongs and volcanoes erupting with margaritas. He sees commonality in the Parrothead commitment to "good vibes, having a good time" and making summer fun all year long.

The Parrothead camaraderie was most evident when the throngs finally entered Wrigley. They bounced plastic beach balls through the stands during the opening performance of Huey Lewis. When Buffett finally came onstage, the fans' synchrony, quirkiness and dedication to having a good time peaked. During "Fins," they threw their arms up into an inverted V and bopped left and right to swim like a shark to Buffett's commands, and they shouted every word of his most famous tune, "Margaritaville."

Buffett performed in a Cubs shirt, walked out on stage to the strains of the late Steve Goodman's "Go Cubs Go" and shared the stage, briefly, with the Commissioner's Trophy, singing lovingly and directly to the hardware as it bobbled in the mitts of its handlers.

Goodman  who was a close friend of Buffett  was a motif of the evening. For his encore, Buffett and his vaunted collaborator Mac McAnally staged a coup de theater. As the lights went down on the stage in front of the main scoreboard, Buffett and McAnally (who was celebrating his 60th birthday) popped up several hundred feet away in the right-field bleachers.

"We have the bleachers to ourselves tonight," Buffett said, memorializing Goodman in the place he loved by singing "Tin Cup Chalice," a reminder that the emotional content of Buffett's songwriting chops extended far beyond margaritas, cheeseburgers in paradise or the benefits of first getting drunk.

Which is not to say the branded bacchanal was absent. Many dressed for the party. Javier Baez shirts were combined with hats festooned with tiny bottles of Captain Morgan rum. Cubs-themed Hawaiian shirts were big, and appropriated grass skirts rustled above the space normally commanded by third base. There were pirate patches and plastic penguins, Landshark lager, and more than enough beach balls to smack you in the face on a regular basis.

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The fins of the faithful, you might say, were up all night.

Buffett's affection for the moment seemed genuine. His Cubs-fan bonafides are unimpeachable, even though he is most associated with latitudes far south of Chicago. In an interview just before the show, a calm and relaxed Buffett said that playing Wrigley Field, once a trial, had become so much easier than when he was the first pop act at the stadium in 2005 (the time of that famous promise about coming back after the World-Series win), and he spoke of looking forward to the concert since he watched the Cubs triumph in an ex-pat's bar in Tokyo. And, indeed, the aesthetics of the night were remarkably rich, the temporary but huge stage structure sitting easily inside the park, leaning toward the crowd.

"I've been doing this a long time," Buffett said more than once from the stage, clearly marveling at his own good fortune. "But you should see how this looks from here."

As he noted, he was playing a place he thought of as a great cathedral. All the time chewin' on a honeysuckle vine.

cjones5@chicagotribune.com

raydin@tronc.com

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Jimmy Buffett in Conversation with Chris Jones

Join Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones Monday for a frank, intimate, no-holds-barred conversation with Jimmy Buffett. They'll talk about his career, his relationship with his fans, his fast-growing Margaritaville empire (yes, there are plans for retirement homes) and his new Broadway musical, "Escape to Margaritaville."

"Jimmy Buffett in Conversation with Chris Jones" is 6-8 p.m. Monday, at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. Tickets at tribtix.com. "Escape to Margaritaville" is coming Nov. 9 to the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.; more at broadwayinchicago.com.







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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 126 Woody introduces the gang to a homemade spork toy with self-esteem issues in "Toy Story 4." Read the review. (Pixar / AP)
Thodos Dance Chicago's performance in the "Made in Chicago" series at the Auditorium Theatre in March marked the end of the group's run as an ensemble company, after artistic director Melissa Thodos announced she would disband her 25-year-old company to focus on independent projects. After "Made in Chicago," the only thing that remained was New Dances, a long-standing summer initiative handing the reins to Thodos company dancers to try their hand at choreography. As the remaining company members prepare to enter the dance world at large, "New Dances 2017's" two shows at the Athenaeum Theatre give each a springboard to propel them into the next phase of their careers.

As per usual in "New Dances," the long show has some hits and misses, but it's hard not to value the platform Thodos has provided for the past 17 years as these aspiring choreographers boldly try whatever they want. Thodos veterans Jessica Miller Tomlinson and John Cartwright have offered up multiple works during their tenures, each developing a unique voice through the years. Tomlinson in particular has honed her keen and quirky aesthetic thanks in large part to "New Dances," and this season's work, "Berseluk-Beluk," is no exception  at least for its first half. Niccolo Paganini's recognizable theme and variations, "Caprice No. 24," is the perfect accompaniment for the detailed, pizzicato gestures in the opening solo and duet of "Berseluk-Beluk," an Indonesian phrase meaning "intricate." But then it dissolves into just another dance: a mass of tangled-up arms and legs as each of the large cast takes turns being partnered by the rest, set to music that sounds like Philip Glass (in this case it's actually the Italian composer Ezio Bosso).

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Cartwright's "Fluid" is his strongest effort to date, a sensual, sexy men's quintet dressed in all black. While the frequent gestures  two hands across the nose and mouth, tucking hair behind an ear  suggest hesitation, the dancing says "just go for it," with Cartwright's choreography suggesting an all-in intimacy between players. "Fluid," like Tomlinson's "Berseluk-Beluk," is strongest in its first half when it abides by the pulse of Joyce Lindsey's original music.

In two seasons, Hattie Haggard has emerged as the comedic genius of the group, proving with her latest, "Ranch Dressing," that lightning can indeed strike twice. Last year's hilarious baking escapade called "Show a Little Taste" is an even match with "Ranch Dressing," a sarcastic, boot scootin' tribute to the choreographer's Texas roots.

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The works of Abby Ellison and Luis Vazquez are worth noting, with Ellison's "Beneath the Clouds, Above Rest" demonstrating a couple in turmoil. Vazquez's tour de force performance is captivating; he twitches and convulses at intervals, as if a man possessed. Partner Kristen Vasilakos has, to a certain extent, the ability to calm his spasticity, and they dance, in intervals, until Vasquez again reverts to his convulsions and tremors. "Above Rest" is sentimental but bittersweet, as though Vasilakos is dancing with the man she wishes to dance with, rather than the one presented to her.

Vasquez's "Siren," at first, escapes notice, having little that bubbles to the surface to stand out among a long evening of nine dances. But the work starts to grab hold of viewers through its smart and disciplined choreography. Vasquez's use of vertical and diagonal lines gives "Siren" a captivating dimensionality, while members of the large, 10-dancer cast take turns coloring outside the lines, popping in and out of the unison for solos. Like Ellison's "Above Rest," "Siren" is unapologetically dramatic and angsty, yet both somehow evade any hint of cliche. One gets the sense that the dancers in "Siren" are anticipating some great crisis, or perhaps reacting to one that has just occurred. Each, in intervals, reacts and objects to his/her situation, and then reverts to the comfort of the group, which is, for the most part, refreshingly void of too much emotional investment. As with the stages of grief, "Siren" portrays moments of denial and resistance, but resolves with a sense of acceptance as the group lines up right to left, chests out, wrists turned up, walking toward a wall of bright light downstage.

Thomas Jacobson's "Reception" and Brennen Renteria's mambo-inspired "When in Doubt" round out the lighter works, while contributions from Alex Gordon and Thodos cap the evening's more serious tones. "Reception" reads the strongest of this bunch, using white noise and an onstage boom box to shift the mood as the dancers embody five disparate musical genres. Thodos' "Undercurrents" fully exploits the talents of resident costume designer Nathan Rohrer, using Victorian underthings as an idiom for unveiling the hidden emotions of five women and one man, but fails to gel amidst awkward musical transitions and misplaced blackouts. Gordon doubles as a choreographer and costume designer for his "Amour Devorant." Despite promising movement invention and a fully committed cast of seven, Gordon's flesh-toned leotards with three red accents, half a bra, half a pair of trunks and a protruding red spinal column, paid no favors to the dancers, or the dance.

Lauren Warnecke is a freelance critic.

ctc-arts@chicagotribune.com

When: 3 p.m. Sunday

Where: Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave.

Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes

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Tickets: $14-$40 at 773-935-6875 or athenaeumtheatre.org
The scene outside Comer Children's Hospital where a 10-year-old boy was pronounced dead after being fatally shot. A 31-year-old also was wounded in the shooting in the 3500 block of East 97th Street on July 15, 2017, in Chicago. Police initially said the boy was 9-years-old. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) (Armando L. Sanchez)

He would've started the fourth grade this fall.

About halfway through summer break, Gustavo Garcia was already looking forward to school starting back up at Arnold Mireles Academy.

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"He liked to play with his classmates," said Andrew Holmes, a community activist who spent Sunday morning at the Cook County morgue with Gustavo's mother and stepfather. They had to officially identify the boy who was shot to death while riding in a car with his stepdad about 11:15 p.m. Friday in the 3500 block of East 97th Street, Holmes said.

Gustavo's parents have declined to speak with reporters, preferring to communicate through Holmes, who offers support for the families of homicide victims, having lost his own daughter to violence. Holmes said he has been in constant contact with the grieving family, who said 10-year-old Gustavo was an only child.

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"She's going to miss him, with his bright smile," Holmes said of Gustavo's mother. "He was close to his mother. They're still totally in shock, still totally in disbelief."

Gustavo had been riding along 97th Street in an SUV with his stepdad and his dad's friend as the trio went to pick up another of the adults' friends from a home on 96th Street, Holmes said, when two men in a gray Chevrolet Impala pulled up and began shooting.

Holmes wasn't sure who was driving, or on which side of the car the stepdad was seated, but Gustavo Garcia was in the back of the SUV and he was shot once in the back. The stepdad's friend, a 31-year-old man, was shot four times: once in the face, once in the chest and twice in the back. The man remains in critical condition, Holmes said.

Holmes said with so many shots fired, to get away from the gunman, the driver of the SUV made the decision to keep driving rather than to stop or call 911. Eventually, he came up to what the occupants of the SUV would later learn was a fatal car crash. A motorcyclist died after colliding with a different SUV in the 3200 block of East 95th Street, about a half-mile from the shooting, police said.

"They were just fleeing the scene of that shooting and trying to get out of where that happened. When they saw the police there, dad got out to let them know his boy was shot. That he had looked back and seen where his son was bleeding at," Holmes said.

After the stepfather told police what happened, an officer called it in to dispatch, sounding frantic as he spoke into his radio. "In a truck, he's shot multiple times, his son, his son might be shot too," the officer said, according to a recording of police scanner traffic. "It's right by the accident that's on the bridge."

Ambulances soon arrived at the bridge, and took Gustavo Garcia to Comer Children's Hospital, where the stepfather was joined by Gustavo's mother, who got a ride to the hospital from her family, Holmes said.

"The chaplains came in and the doctors came in and put the family in a conference room and explained to them that he did not make it, that he succumbed to his injuries," Holmes said.

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Gustavo was pronounced dead at 12:08 a.m. Saturday, according to information released by the medical examiner's office.

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Holmes said police are seeking surveillance video footage from the area to see if it will help identify the two men in the Impala. The motive for the shooting isn't known, he said.

"The detectives are still investigating trying to figure out exactly if anyone (in the SUV) was a target, but they're still trying to fit together the pieces of why someone discharged a weapon into this SUV," Holmes said.

No memorial plans have been announced for the "likable kid" who loved to play video games, watch TV and do "normal kid stuff," Holmes said.

"This was just something so unexpected. They didn't see it coming," Holmes said.

The Chicago Tribune's Nereida Moreno contributed.

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kdouglas@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @312BreakingNews
Bail was denied Saturday for a West Side man who authorities said sneaked inside his romantic rival's home last month and fatally stabbed the man as the man's young children and his girlfriend looked on in horror.

Authorities arrested Aaron D. Land on a murder warrant Thursday morning in the 5600 block of West Madison Street in connection with the June 24 slaying of Andre D. Baker, 44. A judge issued the warrant on July 7 after numerous witnesses identified Land, of the 3600 block of West Flournoy Street, as the attacker.

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In court, Land said nothing as prosecutors recounted the love triangle involving him, Baker and a woman who both men had dated simultaneously.

On the day of the slaying, the unidentified woman went to Baker's home in the 1600 block of North Menard Avenue, prosecutors said. While Baker's six children, ranging from an infant to 17, were in different rooms in the house, Baker and the woman went into a bedroom and had sex before falling asleep on the floor of the room, prosecutor Bob Groebner said.

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Authorities say Land sneaked into the house through a window, took a knife used for cutting watermelon from the kitchen and began stabbing Baker multiple times as he slept on the floor, Groebner said. The woman ran into the home's bathroom, while the commotion from the attack alerted Baker's children and a 14-year-old friend of one of the youths, authorities said. The children then saw Land stabbing their father. During the attack, someone struck Land with a broomstick, authorities said.

Someone in the home called 911 and Land managed to flee, leaving the bloody knife behind, prosecutors said. Baker was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he later died of his injuries, authorities said.

Judge Peggy Chiampas denied bail, agreeing with prosecutors that the multiple eyewitnesses' statements made a strong case against Land. He was also barred from contacting any of the witnesses.

If convicted, Land, himself a father of five children, could face life in prison.

wlee@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @MidNoirCowboy
A South Side man was found shot to death in a south suburban park Saturday night, authorities said.

Cameron A. Miller, 18, was pronounced dead at 11:40 p.m. Saturday at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields after suffering multiple gunshot wounds in an attack at 631 Sandra Blvd. in University Park, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

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University Park police found Miller, of Chicago, shot in Craig Park after police were called to the area because of someone hearing shots fired about 10:15 p.m. Saturday, according to a release from the village's Police Department.

The attacker or attackers had fled the scene on foot, according to police. Law enforcement officers from multiple jurisdictions, including canine units, were called to the scene, and the Will-Grundy Major Crime Task Force and an Illinois State Police crime scene unit were also brought in, according to police.

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Police said Miller lived in Chicago, and public records indicate Miller lived in the Bronzeville neighborhood, although the medical examiner's office did not release information on his home address.

"This is a very active investigation with multiple law enforcement personnel from various agencies working this case in support of the University Park Police Department," police said in the release. "We are currently working multiple leads."

Check back for updates.
A Chinese-American student Iran accused of espionage was sentenced by an Iranian court to 10 years in prison, the judiciary's official news agency reported Sunday, a move likely to raise tensions with the Trump administration ahead of a deadline to waive some Iran sanctions.

The Mizan news agency named the American as 37-year-old Xiyue Wang, a graduate student and researcher at Princeton University. The report said he was born in Beijing and is a dual Chinese-American citizen, but that information could not be confirmed.

Earlier in the day, judicial spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejehi announced that a U.S. citizen had been sentenced for "infiltration" but did not release further details.

"It was verified and determined that he was gathering (information) and was involved in infiltration," Ejehi said at a news conference in Tehran, the Associated Press reported.

Mizan, which is affiliated with Iran's hard-line judiciary, later reported that Wang had been sentenced as part of an "infiltration project" that included the gathering of "confidential articles" to send back to the State Department and other Western academic institutions.

Wang is a fourth-year graduate student working on a doctorate in history, Daniel Day, Princeton's vice president of communications, said Sunday.

"He was arrested in Iran last summer, while there doing scholarly research on the administrative and cultural history of the late Qajar dynasty in connection with his Ph.D. dissertation," Day said in a statement. "Since his arrest, the university has worked with Mr. Wang's family, the U.S. government, private counsel and others to facilitate his release.

"We were very distressed by the charges brought against him in connection with his scholarly activities, and by his subsequent conviction and sentence. His family and the university are distressed at his continued imprisonment and are hopeful that he will be released after his case is heard by the appellate authorities in Tehran."

The report from Mizan, which included a photo from the Princeton University website, also published a quote from Wang in which he had praised the British Institute of Persian Studies for facilitating access to Iran's National Archives and other libraries. The quote was used as evidence of his spying activities, the report said, adding: "Wang admits his mission in Iran."

"I have been having trouble accessing Tehran's archives and libraries," Wang said in the 2015-2016 annual report of the British Institute of Persian Studies, a nonprofit organization based in London.

"Mrs Reyhanpour offered to help," he said of one of the institute's employees. "And within a few days, she put me in contact with senior scholars at the National Archive. ... Without Mrs. Reyhanpour's help it would be hard to imagine how long it would have taken for me to become acquainted with academic institutions in Iran."

Wang's reported conviction comes at a particularly tense time for U.S.-Iranian relations, which have rapidly deteriorated since President Trump took office.

Under the previous administration, the United States and other world powers negotiated a deal with Iran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. It was hailed as a victory for diplomacy and an end to Iran's global isolation.

But since then, the Trump administration has stepped up its anti-Iran rhetoric and placed U.S. participation in the nuclear deal under review. Monday is the deadline for the White House to decide whether to issue a waiver on nuclear-related sanctions against Iran, a provision that is required periodically under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. The administration is expected to approve the waiver, despite an internal debate on how to respond to Iran's human rights abuses and support for militant groups like Hezbollah.

"The Iranian regime continues to detain U.S. citizens and other foreigners on fabricated national-security related changes," a State Department official said in an emailed statement Sunday. Iran is believed to hold a number of foreign nationals, mostly dual citizens of the United States and European countries, but many of their identities have been kept secret.

"We call for the immediate release of all U.S. citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families," the State Department official said.

It was unclear how long Wang may have been in Iranian custody, but Mizan reported authorities arrested him in August 2016 as he was leaving the country. Facebook and LinkedIn pages with Wang's name, photo, and similar work and study history indicate he studied at Harvard University from 2006-08, and later worked as a Pashto language interpreter for the International Committee for the Red Cross in Afghanistan.

According to Day, Wang specialized in Eurasian history in the 19th and 20th centuries. The website of Wang's apparent adviser, Stephen Kotkin, lists Wang's thesis topic as "Islamic Inner Asia."

"We cannot comment more at the present time, except to say that the University continues to do everything it can to be supportive of Mr. Wang and his family," Day said.

Also Sunday, the brother of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was detained for unspecified financial crimes, the judicial spokesman said. Hossein Fereidoun is a close adviser of the president and was involved in the negotiations that led to the nuclear deal with world powers. Hard-line conservatives in Iran had long accused him of corruption.
Being president of the United States is hard, and one could argue that the person sitting in the Oval Office needs all the help he can get earthly or divine.

Donald Trump was prayed for on the campaign trail. Barack Obama called his Christian faith "a sustaining force." And George W. Bush began his second term with prayer and reflection at Washington National Cathedral.

But an image of evangelical pastors laying hands on and praying over President Trump last week has struck an especially visceral chord with critics of Trump and his policies.

The religious leaders in the Oval Office said they were praying for God to give Trump guidance, supernatural wisdom and protection.

But in the short term, their photo turned into a lightning rod.

Chief among the critics on Saturday was the Rev. William Barber II, the leader of several morality-based protest movements that have targeted Trump and his policies.

On MSNBC's "AM Joy" on Saturday morning, Barber called the now-viral photo "theological malpractice bordering on heresy."

"When you can p-r-a-y for a president and others while they are p-r-e-y, preying on the most vulnerable, you're violating the most sacred principles of religion," Barber told host Joy Reid.

The attack is unsurprising given Barber's history. He's lashed out at politicians who he says use obscure biblical texts as scriptural cover for laws that hurt people. Barber has extended his disdain to the religious leaders who support them.

He told The Washington Post that the Bible says little about abortion, prayer in schools and same-sex marriage, but there are hundreds of scriptures that deal with how people should treat "the least of these."

That biblical admonition, he believes, should extend to the political debate over who gets health care and who goes without, as he told Reid:

"When we have this extremist Trump Republican agenda that takes health care, transfers wealth to the greedy, that's hypocrisy and sin. Seven hundred billion dollars, Joy? You haven't seen that kind of transfer of wealth on the backs of bodies of people since slavery. Claiming to care about life, but then passing a bill when you know thousands will die  22 million people, poor, working people will be hurt  that is hypocrisy and sin. When you know it will hurt children, the disabled and veterans, that is sin. That is hypocrisy."

Laying hands on someone is a particularly intimate act for Evangelicals, communing with people and with God at the same time. As The Post's Sarah Pulliam Bailey wrote: Jesus' apostles in the New Testament would touch believers. It's seen as a sign of responsibility or authority. Many Christians lay hands on those who are being ordained in the church.

But things start to get dodgy when the practice is brought out of the church and into, well, the Oval Office.

Trump has said he is a Presbyterian, but he does not attend church regularly and has not joined any of the D.C.-area Presbyterian churches.

Still, white evangelicals overwhelming voted for Trump, according to the Pew Research Center. A survey in April found that 80 percent of white evangelical Protestants who attend church once a month approve of Trump's job performance.

Johnnie Moore, who photographed the "laying hands" moment, then tweeted it, said Monday's meeting was an informal gathering where they prayed for wisdom, that God would protect him and his family and that God would lead him. "It was normal, what a lot of us pray when we pray for elected officials," he said. "It was like a meeting of friends."

Still, Barber repudiated the religious leaders, who he said should be calling out Trump's actions, not laying hands on him.

"What leaders ought to be doing is challenging the president  challenging McConnell, challenging Ryan and challenging these senators and others and not trying to appease them," Barber said. "Instead, they're acting like priests of the empire rather than prophets of God."
Nine-year old Owen Kochen of Batavia was on the quad bungee-power jump at the Windmill City Festival in downtown Batavia on Saturday. (Linda Girardi/The Beacon-News )

Nine-year old Owen Kochen was feeling mighty powerful on the quad bungee-power jump at the Windmill City Festival in downtown Batavia on Saturday.

The youngster enjoyed about four minutes of mid-air backward flips and bouncing.

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"It was awesome," he said, with a cheek-to-cheek smile.

Festival organizers decided to introduce something different to this year's three-day festival, so they eliminated the carnival and created the Fun Zone, a series of interactive activities designed to give kids a fuller experience.

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The area on Houston Street featured interactive inflatable houses, such as a wild animal zoo, pirate ship with a slide and the quad bungee-power jump.

Parents thought it was nice change of pace from the amusement rides and penny games.

Sixth-grader Alek Simeunovic, of Batavia, brought his blue-tongued skink to the pet parade Saturday at the annual Windmill City Festival in Batavia. (Linda Girardi/The Beacon-News )

"We weren't quite sure what to think about the Fun Zone because it was different. But the kids are having a blast and absolutely loving it," Heather Kochen said.

"These attractions are more engaging for the kids," the mother said.

The annual Windmill City Festival saw hundreds turn up for the variety of activities on Saturday, which included the annual Pet Parade held mid-morning.

Ashley and Benjamin Hansen, newcomers to Batavia, decided to bring their 8-month old daughter, Annabelle, to experience their first summer festival in town.

"Our daughter loves dogs so we came to see the pet parade," Ashley Hansen said. "We may be back for the diaper derby after she has a nap," the mother said.

The parade drew a few dozen contestants, mainly four-legged furry family companions. The parade stepped off from the Peg Bond Center Pavilion Arts Center and traveled to the pedestrian bridge onto North River St. where the farmer's market was in full force, then headed back on the Donovan Bridge along Wilson Street back to the staging area for judging.

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"The parade has a lot of appeal for people that like to walk through the farmer's market and on two bridges," said Allison Niemela, Batavia Park District Executive Director, who was walking along side all of the families in the pet parade.

She said the Pet Parade is one of the staples of the annual festival that organizers do not want to change.

"For many people, the Pet Parade is a top priority on their list of things to do," Niemela said.

Lucas Johns, 4, had his face painted to resemble a tiger. His mother, Sarah Johns, of Batavia, treated her son and daughter, Shea, 9, to lunch after the face-painting experience. (Linda Girardi/The Beacon-News )

This year's parade featured a turtle in an aquarium and a foot-long reptile. Niemela recalled one year there was a chicken being pulled on a Radio Flyer wagon. "The chicken was perched on a crate and it laid an egg. It was quite a hit of the Pet Parade," Niemela said.

Niemela said the Fun Zone overall received a positive response from attendees. "The changes to this year's festival were designed to be interactive, more engaging and dynamic. We intend to raise the bar every year," she said.

Ron Gustin impressed the crowds with his 180-pound Great Dane, named Titan. One of the spectators shouted out that he thought the dog was as big as a horse. "Titan thinks he's a lap dog," Gustin said.

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The Orama family returned for their fifth Pet Parade with their two Tibetan Mastiffs. The canines were 18-month-old Siboney, who weighs 120 pounds, and 10-year old Agramonte, who tips the scale at 150 pounds.

"A man my size should not be walking a poodle," Roly Orama said.

Jackie Orama said the breed is known for their gentle disposition. "The Tibetan Mastiffs are known as living room rugs  they relax and go with the flow. We love to see all of the pets in the neighborhood," she said.

Alek Simeunovic, of Batavia, brought his blue-tongued skink, a lizard that is native to Australia and Southeast Asia. The reptile is about 15 inches long, weighs about a pound and has different patterned skin.

Sadia Khalil and her son, 3-year old Ali, were pleasantly surprised to find the Windmill City Festival Saturday in downtown Batavia. "We came to the farmers market and discovered the festival," the mother said. (Linda Girardi/The Beacon-News )

"Lots of people think reptiles are scary and slimy, but they actually make great pets. They are fascinating and gentle to have as pets" the sixth-grader said.

Sarah Johns of Batavia was enjoying lunch with her son and daughter, Lucas, 4 and Shea, 9. Shea munched on a corndog, while Lucas had a hamburger.

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Johns said she and her husband recently relocated to Batavia from Albuquerque, NM. "There weren't a whole lot of family events in Albuquerque. We love living in Batavia  people have been nice and welcoming and it's a safe place for our kids to play and grow up in. We appreciate the ambiance of the small-town feel, the walking trails and the downtown," Johns said.

Sadia Khalil and her son, 3-year old Ali, were pleasantly surprised by the festivities. "We came to the farmers market and discovered the festival," said the Batavia mother, a physicist at Fermilab. "The time away from work having fun with my son is appreciated," she said.
Becky Thorn, Lucy Raymond, Lauren Rice and Natasha Ditoro, all of Naperville, toast to their reunion with friend Cristina Brown, of Michigan, at the annual Naperville Ale Fest, held on the grounds of Naper Settlement on Saturday. (Diane Moca / Naperville Sun)

The Naperville Ale Fest seemed to satisfy a craving among the craft beer lovers who gathered at Naper Settlement Saturday to sample 200-plus varieties from about 100 brewers.

"Craft beer can be intimidating," said Josh Seago, president of Lou Dog Events, which sponsored the event. "People don't know the lingo. Do they like hoppy beers or not? This is an opportunity to come out and explore different styles and preferences. If you get one you don't like, just dump it and move on to the next one. It's only three ounces. Sample until you find one you like, and then try more of those."

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A ticket to the ale fest gave the holder a chance to taste 18 3-ounce servings of craft beer  a limit of 54 ounces to ensure festival-goers drink responsibly.

"We have really well-behaved people," noted Seago, who charges $59 per person for general admission, $99 for a VIP ticket that includes food and a shirt, and $19 for designated drivers, who get free soda. "At that price point, we attract a crowd here to have a good time and enjoy and not cause trouble. You can get drunk cheaper elsewhere."

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That friendly, laid-back atmosphere was cited by many as the reason they keep coming back to the Naperville Ale Fest year after year. "It's an annual tradition," said Christina Brown, who moved from Naperville to Michigan but returns every summer to meet up with four friends at the fest. "It's a good time without kids. We all have kids. Mine are 7, 4 and 2," she said.

While Brown is not as focused on sharpening her craft beer chops  "I just try whatever has the shortest line"  others love the idea of having hundreds of options from which to choose.

"They are all trying to outdo each other," noted Mike Mathews, of Aurora, describing the growing number of small brewers capitalizing on a movement that has many craft beer lovers fussing over their selections like wine connoisseurs.

"A craft beer festival is all about getting like-minded people together to enjoy and experience craft beer culture," Seago said. "It's exciting to say, I'm trying to a new beer and talking to the brewer who actually made the beer."

Seago said the Naperville Ale Fest featured varieties ranging from a strong India Pale Ale (commonly called IPA) to a crisp lager to a creamy stout  a far cry from the beers of Matt Krucker's youth. "I grew up with Stroh's and Schlitz," said Krucker, of Aurora. "My dad worked in the beer business. There were only like six beers."

"Our focus is on supporting local breweries in Illinois and the Midwest," said Seago, who also featured breweries from as far away as California, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts and even Dublin, which produces Guinness.

Despite the growing popularity of craft beer, Seago said many people's impression of beer is still "the yellow fizzy stuff dad or grandpa would drink. Today's craft beer is not like that. It's a lot more flavorful -- everything from darkest to lightest beer. Much more diverse."

That attention to taste is why Seago worked with the city to allow patrons to use glasses rather than plastic cups. Each ticket holder received a commemorative festival sample glass upon entry that could be filled at any booth and cleaned at stations throughout the grounds. "It's real glass, and it's reusable. Beer tastes better when served out of glass," Seago said.

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The festival also featured food trucks and restaurant booths, live music and vendor booths promoting local businesses.

"Naperville Ale Fest has gotten larger," Seago said. "Over the last five years, we've gone from 80 brewers to over 100 brewers and almost 250 different beers." Organizers said about 3,500 advance tickets were sold, with about 100 more purchased at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Naper Settlement and the Naperville Heritage Society.

Diane Moca is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
A recent aerial view of the main hangar, far left, that serves the Naper Aero Club/Aero Estates flight community off Route 59 in Naperville. (Naper Aero Club)

Even by California's sometimes eccentric standards, Jim Carey's neighbors in Long Beach probably thought him a bit odd devoting countless hours to building a light airplane in his home's garage.

But a work-related move to the Naperville area nearly six years ago put Carey in the company of kindred spirits, and in October he made his maiden flight in his Vans RV10 airplane from the Naper Aero Club/Aero Estates subdivision.

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The club is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and its 105 equity members are a more eclectic group than one might think. While dozens of homeowners still regularly fly their small, single-engine aircraft from the airport that anchors their community near 83rd Street and Route 59, others are using their personal airplane hangars to house collections of boats, classic cars and, in one case, antique tractors.

There are about 625 private residential airpark communities throughout the United States, 18 of them in Illinois, according to the online Living With Your Plane Association. Naper Aero Club/Aero Estates traces its ancestry to the 1950s and three couples: Alvin and Viola Beidelman, Vern and Mary Kathryn Finzer and Harold and Eva White, the latter of whom founded the Naperville Sun.

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"They are the ones who bought the farmland and established Naper Aero (Club), and we then had Unit Numbers One and Two built on the old original Aero Drive" circa 1956, said Suzette Selig, a veteran pilot, flight instructor, nurse and senior member of the club, who serves as their unofficial historian.

Vern Finzer and the Whites were pilots, and the home the Whites built in Aero Estates stands to this day, Selig said.

Developers Harold Moser and Ralph Smykal bought the Feeney family farm aross the street in the 1980s and added Chandelle, Skylane and Stearman drives, the subdivision's three other main streets, Selig said. Most of the homes in Aero Estates were built after 1987, according to the Naperville Heritage Society.

A mother of three now-grown daughters, Selig learned to fly more than 50 years ago while attending high school in Evanston. She is a member of The Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots.

In 2013, she and her late husband, Nick, received Master Pilot awards from the Federal Aviation Administration. They bought their home in Aero Estates in 1967.

"There are two grass runways and one paved runway out here," said Selig, who flies a classic airplane and has worked for 38 years as a registered nurse at Edward Hospital in Naperville. Houses and hangars are linked to the runways by taxiways, she said.

About 50 percent of the current homeowners don't fly, Selig said. "The people that don't fly came out here because of the size of the lots and because it has a rural feel. We just want to make sure that the airport remains as an airport for airplanes, (and as) an aviation community."

Homeowner and pilot Mike Pastore is a mechanical engineer with a consulting business, and president of the club's board of directors. He, like Selig, is passionate about the community and its laid-back, tranquil way of life.

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"The first thing is, the aviation lifestyle is great," said Pastore, a transplant from Wheaton who has flown out of Aero Estates for 20 years and lived there for the past eight. "But Naper Aero also represents what is known as grassroots aviation, which has been part of the culture of our country for over 100 years.

"I and a lot of people use (our) aircraft for business and for pleasure flights," said Pastore, who flies an antique 1947 Cessna 140. "This is a close-knit community with almost a rural lifestyle, which we all enjoy.

"The airport is functioning the same way it was 40 or 50 years ago," he said. "These are still all small aircraft that fly in and out of here, nothing large."

But things have changed as well, he added

"Now we do have a lot of newer, more advanced aircraft (on the grounds), and a lot of people like to (use their hangars) for boats or RVs or car collections," Pastore said. "We also have a number of biplanes, including a 1945 Stearman and a T-34" used by the Lima Lima Flight Team, he said.

One homeowner keeps a helicopter on his premises, he said, "and we even have a couple of power parachutists," flyers who outfit their parachutes with small engines.

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Carey's position with Toyota Financial Services brought him, his wife Sara and their children to Naperville from California. They were not strangers to the area, having visited the club several times prior to moving.

"It's so unique," Carey said of Aero Estates. "A lot of airparks are out in the countryside, and this is in a nice kind of a suburban setting."

Carey's handmade Vans RV10 is a high-performance, single-engine plane that can carry four people. It took him eight years to complete.

"The thing that appeals to me most of all, even if you're doing something as strange as building an airplane in your garage, is that it's just nice to be with like-minded people who share the same passion for aviation as I do," he said.

Two organizations for pilots  the Naperville Flying Club and the BFC Flying Club  are affiliated with Aero Estates. Some club members lives in the subdivision, while others, like Naperville Flying Club insurance officer Bill Seith, live elsewhere, in his case Hinsdale.

"Ours is an equity fund club" and limited by corporate charter to 50 members, Seith said. Each member owns a share in all four of the club's single-engine planes that are housed at Aero Estates, he said.

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"Our club is as old as the airport," Seith said. "Basically, we have a system online" for reserving use of any of the planes, "and we provide flight instruction (exclusively) for our members, from basic training for getting your pilot's license all the way to more advanced ratings."

Aero Estates has proven to be a remarkably safe place. Selig recalled one accident occurring when a pilot "took off westbound and wound up in a willow tree," in the 1970s and another when a flyer "went off the runway and went nose-first" into the foundation of an under-construction house in the 1980s.

The most serious mishap occurred on Oct. 6, 2010, as residents Lloyd and Maureen McKee were flying their Piper PA-32R-300 to Pittsburgh. Lloyd McKee, who was behind the controls, could not gain sufficient altitude, causing the plane to slam into a tower at the XSport Fitness health center southeast of 75th Street and Route 59, in the plane's flightpath.

The McKees were seriously hurt but ultimately recovered from their injuries. No one at the health club and on the ground were injured.

Despite her traditionalist's attitude toward Aero Estates and flying, Selig is friendly with her earthbound neighbors, who include Tom Priz and his wife, Roberta Becker Priz.

Tom Priz received his pilot's license in 1970 while flying at the club. He said he flew 152, 172 and 182 Cessnas over the years from the club's main hangar.

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Roberta Becker Priz had her heart so set on living in Aero Estates that when an acquaintance announced he was selling his house there, she bought it without consulting her husband. "We've lived there now for 16 years," Tom Priz said.

Priz said his passion has shifted from flying to collecting and preserving antique and classic cars, several of which he keeps in his hangar. His prizes include a 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air, a 1959 Chevrolet El Camino, a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette and a 1963 Chevrolet Corvair convertible.

His is not even the most exotic collection of vehicles to be found in the area. Priz's friend, Richard Benck, is a collector of antique tractors.

Benck, a former pilot who restored commercial aircraft during his career, has restored an early 1950s-era Allis-Chalmers WD45 tractor and plow. The equipment will eventually be on display at Naper Settlement as part of an agrarian exhibit.

And while such concerns as location and having plenty of elbow room figured into the decision to buy a home at Aero Estates, Priz said he often takes some of the best benefits for granted.

"You can see sunsets and sunrises where we live," he said.

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wbird@tribpub.com
U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-Merrillville, speaks to a group that asked him to oppose a permit sought by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to store sediment in East Chicago. Visclosky said he could not support to their request. (Jim Karczewski / Post-Tribune )

Tempers flared Saturday during a meeting at which members of an East Chicago environmental advocacy group hoped to win the support of U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, in opposing a permit allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' to store higher concentrations of PCB waste dredged from the Indiana Harbor and Canal at an East Chicago facility.

"The answer is no," Visclosky said in response to Community Strategy Group's request. "I will not sign a letter saying that I oppose the permit."

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Visclosky's response came after an hour-long presentation at the East Chicago Public Library Robert Pastrick branch, at which environmental advocates and East Chicago residents detailed their concerns about allowing the Army Corps to dispose of higher levels of contaminants in a confined disposal facility at 3500 Indianapolis Blvd.

His decision angered those at the standing-room-only meeting.

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"This is unconscionable," said Sheilah Garland, a political organizer with the National Nurses Organizing Committee. "This is insulting to us. We want you to stand with us. We elected you to represent us."

Visclosky was frequently interrupted by emotional outbursts as he tried to explain why he refused to oppose to permit. The audience began chanting "no permit, no permit." One woman stormed out of the room crying.

"It is my responsibility to make sure that those who have the expertise to make these decisions have the resources they need and that they abide by the letter and the rule of the law," Visclosky said.

The Army Corps has been dredging sediment containing toxic PCBs from the canal and disposing of it in East Chicago since 2012. Under current regulations, the agency is permitted to dredge and store canal sediment that is below the 50 parts per million threshold. The Toxic Substance Control Act permit being sought by the Army Corps would allow the storage of PCB sediment with a concentration at or greater than 50 parts per million.

"PCB-contaminated sediment in the canal is a threat to humans and the ecosystem, including nearby Lake Michigan," said Natalie Mills, the Army Corps' manager for the Indiana Harbor and Canal dredging project. "(The Army Corps) proposes to safely dredge the sediment and place it in the (container disposal facililty), where it can be effectively monitored and managed to minimize any potential harmful health effects."

The Rev. Cheryl Rivera, executive editor of the Northwest Indiana Federation of Interfaith Organizations and a Community Strategy Group organizer, said there are too many dangerous substances in East Chicago.

"We're concerned about the overburdening of pollutions and contaminants that have assaulted the East Chicago community," Rivera said.

"Protecting the people is the number one priority," she said. "The health of the people. And you're hearing about people's families dying and you have the audacity to stand there and say to us that you will permit this permit."

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State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, one of several local politicians in attendance, said there have been too many environmental issues plaguing East Chicago residents.

"We don't want the canal sediments being dumped on Indianapolis Boulevard," he said. "We don't know how far the contamination can spread. Why is it that East Chicago has all these contaminants? I think it's time for us to stand up and say enough is enough."

Despite disagreeing with residents about the permit, Visclosky said he lauded community members' efforts to raise awareness of the environmental problems in their town.

"We have one made progress over the last generation and I would also suggest that your voice is being heard," he said. "You have captured people's attention and you are being effective."

Despite not receiving the Congressman's support, Thomas Frank, a Community Strategy Group organizer, said he was proud of how East Chicago residents had rallied together to push back against the Army Corps receiving the PCB permit.

"We're going to continue to push forward," he said. "East Chicago has not seen this kind of unity on any project on this level of any kind."

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Email: jaanderson@tribpub.com

Twitter: @JavonteA
What to expect next in the Frisch vs. Boebert CD-3 race

Final results in the race won't be known until Friday, Nov. 18, after clerks in all 27 counties upload final counts. So what happens between now and then?
COLUMBUS  Water began flowing into the Loup Power Canal again after Loup Public Power District received a waiver from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Loup Power President and CEO Neal Suess said the temporary waiver was issued around noon Monday, allowing the local electric utility to resume the diversion of water from the Loup River into the 35-mile canal.

"We're in the process of opening diversion back up and letting some water back in," Suess said Monday afternoon.

The district was forced to shut off water flow into the canal around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, a result of the conditions included in the utility's updated license to operate its hydroelectric facilities, which include the canal and powerhouses near Columbus and Monroe.

That order, issued May 22 by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), states that the district is required to cease water diversion into the canal when the water temperature in the Platte River reaches 93 degrees at the Louisville gauge. This was part of the biological opinion submitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), which was incorporated into the license order from FERC.

The order states that Loup Power cannot restart diversion into the canal until the water temperature at Louisville drops below 93 degrees for 72 consecutive hours.

A press release issued by Loup Power says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requested a suspension of certain conditions in the new license order on Wednesday, but FERC did not approve the waiver until Monday.

Although diversion was stopped for less than two days  and it's impossible to completely shut off water flow at the Genoa Headworks without sandbagging  the fish population in the canal was still impacted.

Suess said approximately 100 to 200 fish died in certain portions of the canal between Saturday night and Monday morning.

"Hopefully that will be the minimum amount of damage that we see at this point," he said.

Calling the FERC order to shut down diversion a "worst-case scenario," Loup Power expected a significant fish kill if water flow was halted for an extended period. Restricted water use for irrigation was also a possibility.

Without water from the river flowing in, the canal warms up and becomes stagnant, losing oxygen, according to Suess.

He said the 80-year-old canal has only run dry twice, both times intentionally for maintenance work, so that isn't a major concern.

In a press release issued Saturday, Suess called the water-flow restrictions included in the new hydroelectric license "an overreach of the federal government and a blatant disregard for a balancing of endangered species concerns, local wildlife and local agricultural interest."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is concerned about the effects the water diversion has on protected species such as the piping plover, pallid sturgeon and least tern. Both the Loup River and Loup Power Canal empty into the Platte River southeast of Columbus.

Loup Power also has financial concerns associated with the updated rules since it cannot generate electricity at the Columbus and Monroe powerhouses without sufficient water flow in the canal. The utility estimates the potential costs and lost revenue associated with the rules could total more than $2 million annually.

Loup Power filed an emergency motion to put the canal flow restrictions on hold during its legal battle to overturn certain parts of the order. However, this motion was denied by FERC on June 9. The district also filed a request for a rehearing on certain portions of the order.

FERC will not be able to take action on the district's request until it reaches a quorum of at least three commissioners. The timing for this decision is unknown as there is only one commissioner currently on the FERC board.

President Donald Trump has nominated additional commissioners who have not yet been ratified by the Senate, according to Loup Power.

"The district will work with the USFWS, as well as FERC, to review the flow restrictions contained with the new license order, to look for areas of agreement for protection not only of the endangered species within the project boundaries, but for all wildlife in this area," Loup Power said in a release. "This has been the district's concern all along in the filing of our license application with FERC."
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Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the National Financial Work Conference which is held from July 14 to 15, in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will set up a commission under the State Council to oversee financial stability and development, according to President Xi Jinping.

The country will resolutely deepen financial reforms including improving financial regulation coordination and shoring up weak links in supervision, Xi told a two-day National Financial Work Conference that ended Saturday.

China's central bank will play a stronger role in macro prudential management and guarding against systemic risks, Xi added.

Financial regulators should carry out their duties with dedication to monitor, warn against and deal with risks in a timely fashion, he said.

The government will also enhance coordination and connectivity of financial infrastructure and promote sharing of statistics and supervision information, according to Xi.

The conference has been convened every five years since 1997 and is widely considered to set the tone for financial reforms.
A former mayor in central China's Hunan Province who made headlines for drug use has been sentenced to seven years in prison on corruption charges.

The Intermediate People's Court in Yueyang City handed down the verdict Friday to Gong Weiguo, former mayor of Linxiang City, after convicting him of taking bribes and abuse of power.

Gong was put under investigation by police following accusations he had used drugs in April 2015. Months later, he was expelled from the Communist Party of China and removed from his public post for "serious disciplinary violations," including corruption and his drug use.

The court found that Gong accepted bribes worth 1.5 million yuan (230,000 U.S. dollars) and in return helped others obtain benefits from 2007 to 2015, when he worked in the cities of Miluo, Yueyang and Linxiang.

In addition, he illegally exempted real estate developers from administrative fees, resulting in government losses of nearly 16 million yuan.

Gong was also fined 300,000 yuan and had his illegal gains confiscated.
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The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) has called on the country's scientists and researchers to be self-disciplined and strongly oppose academic dishonesty.

Although China has achieved huge improvements in science and technology fields, academic cheating has occurred from time to time, said CAST, which issued a guideline on academic ethics for the nation's scientists this week.

There have been several scandals in which foreign journals have retracted papers from Chinese authors since 2015, causing negative social impact and damaging China's national image, said CAST.

In the guideline, CAST highlighted some "bottom lines" for the professionals, including "no fabrication" "no plagiarism" "no impersonation" and "no bribery."

CAST encouraged innovation and originality among scientists to advance the country in science and technology.

The medical journal "Tumor Biology," published by Springer Nature, retracted 107 Chinese papers this April, after an investigation found the peer review process had been compromised with fabricated email addresses of reviewers.

China's Ministry of Science and Technology is currently investigating the scandal.

In March 2015, BioMed Central, a major publisher of medical and science journals based in the United Kingdom, retracted 43 papers because of fabricated peer review, 41 of which were written by Chinese scholars.
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Prospering with a helping hand from the outside [Photo provided to China Daily]

A fresh injection of ideas and joint efforts are giving area some touristic vim

It sometimes takes a fresh set of eyes to spot the obvious, when those who are overly familiar with a place cannot see the wood for the trees. That is what happened after You Linshan, 32, returned from the United States, after working there for five years, to live in Nyingchi, Tibet autonomous region, two years ago.

You, originally from Xi'an, Shaanxi province, was touring the Nyingchi area and met Tasha, a villager there. Before long they had decided to marry, and You decided to move to Nyingchi.

As they set about planning their future, the couple decided to do a bit of market research on business opportunities in Nyingchi and found that there seemed to be great demand for environmentally friendly products from the area. In this respect, Nyingchi's products of the forest such as matsu take and many kinds of fruits offer great opportunities, You says.

"More and more people are willing to splash out on healthy, environmentally friendly food as they adopt upmarket spending habits. At the moment you can't find that many agricultural products from Nyingchi around China, but demand will grow as more tourists come here and discover them."

In October the couple opened an agricultural processing cooperative factory in their village, in Pai town, part of Nyingchi.

They invested 460,000 yuan ($68,000), and another 18 families from the village chipped in more than 1.2 million yuan.

The factory freeze-dries the local organic products so they can be transported without losing nutritional value and preserving their flavor, You says.

"I hope that eventually it will not only be Nyingchi's beautiful scenery that leaves a mark on tourists, but its rich diversity of organic foods, too."

The factory now has a staff of five, and the plan is to recruit a dozen more villagers as workers, who will be sent to the cities to be trained for the job. Professional marketing teams have also been drafted in to help promote the products around the country, You says.

Wu Yong, 40, is optimistic about the market in Nyingchi for high-end rural inns, and already has solid evidence that this confidence is well founded.
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Photo taken on July 15, 2017 shows released children in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Police arrested a gang of abductors in the eastern Ghazni province in Afghanistan and set free 13 children from their clutches on Saturday, provincial police chief Mohammad Mustafa Mayar said. (Xinhua/Sayed Mominzadah)

Police arrested a gang of abductors in the eastern Ghazni province in Afghanistan and set free 13 children from their clutches on Saturday, provincial police chief Mohammad Mustafa Mayar said.

"A four-member gang of kidnappers were arrested today and 13 children were set free from their custody," Mayar told reporters in the eastern Ghazni province in Afghanistan.

"The kidnappers were attempting to take the children to some religious schools in Pakistan and brainwash them to become suicide bombers," the official said.

This is the second group of kidnappers which has been arrested in Ghazni province over the past week. The province has Ghazni city, located 125 km south of Kabul, as its capital.

In the previous incident last week, 25 children were set free from kidnappers' clutches.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday night reaffirmed his readiness to reinstate the death penalty at a mass rally held in Istanbul to mark the first anniversary of a bloody coup attempt.

"If it comes to me after parliament, I will sign it," the president told the rally on the Bosphorus Bridge, renamed July 15 Martyrs Bridge in the wake of the coup bid, echoing a refrain he has repeated time and again ever since.

In the crowd, some were seen holding nooses as they chanted "We want death penalty!"

The European Union has threatened to end Turkey's accession bid if it moves to reintroduce the capital punishment that was abolished in 2004.

Saying that terror organizations have been used as pawns in the coup plot like those on the chessboard, Erdogan vowed to "chop off the heads of those traitors" as "without beating the pawns we cannot say checkmate."

Thirty-six people were killed on the bridge, the scene of first clashes between civilians and coup soldiers on the night of July 15, 2016.

Some 250 lights were set around the rally area to commemorate 250 people killed during the coup bid, the Hurriyet daily said.

Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim led a so-called "national unity march" on the bridge with families and relatives of those killed.

The coup attempt was foiled hours later, as Turks flooded the streets to stand against the plotters upon the call of Erdogan and others.

Ankara accuses U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the putsch and has been pushing for his extradition, an episode that has contributed to strained ties between the two NATO allies.

In his speech on the Bosphorus Bridge, Erdogan cautioned that terror groups like the movement led by Gulen, the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party and the Islamic State would continue to undermine the country and that Turkey knows very well who are behind them.

As in other places across the country, thousands of people were gathering in the main squares of Istanbul for the so-called "democracy watch" rallies, as they did last year after the coup was foiled.

The post-coup crackdown is continuing, as more than 50,000 Turks have been jailed and over 100,000 public servants dismissed from their posts, according to press reports.

The Turkish government is set to extend the state of emergency once again that was imposed five days after the coup failed.
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Former British prime minister Tony Blair said Saturday that Britain could remain in the European Union(EU), despite its Brexit referendum vote.

In his biggest intervention yet in the Brexit saga, Blair has outlined his views in an article for his Institute for Global Change. This was followed by a series of high-profile media interviews.

Blair, a strong supporter of Britain remaining with the EU, said "It is absolutely necessary that it doesn't happen". Brexit, he said, is the biggest political decision since the Second World War.

According to media reports, Blair said EU leaders would be willing to change their rules on immigration and free movement to enable Britain to stay in the 28-nation trading and economic bloc. But pressed in interviews, he declined to identify the sources who had indicated which leaders he was referring to.

Blair said in interviews that the option of reversing Brexit must be kept on the table, claiming large numbers of the population do not back a so-called hard exit of the EU.

He suggested the will of the people may be changing as the difficulties of Brexit negotiations become apparent. Blair urged a proper debate over the different options, including remaining in a reformed EU.

In his article, Blair outlined his views of the current situation in Britain.

"This time last year we were the fastest growing economy in the G7. We are now the slowest," he said, "The international investment community is negative on us. The savings rate is at its lowest in 50 years. Incomes are stagnating. The international reputation of Britain is rapidly losing altitude. There is a daily drip of worrying news on Brexit.The Grenfell Tower tragedy sums up for many the sorry condition of our social cohesion."

He described Britain as feel like a country which has lost its footing and is stumbling, but seemingly with no choice but to stagger on.

"The Macron (French President Emmanuel Macron) victory (in France) changes the political dynamics of Europe. The members of the Euro zone will integrate economic decision-making. Inevitably, therefore, Europe will comprise an inner and outer circle. Reform is now on Europe's agenda. The European leaders, certainly from my discussions, are willing to consider changes to accommodate Britain, including around freedom of movement," added Blair, saying the 27 remaining EU members will stick together in defending the rules of the Single Market.

He said rational consideration of the options would sensibly include the option of negotiating for Britain to stay within a Europe itself prepared to reform and "meet us half way", wrote Blair.

Blair told Sky News Saturday: "I think it's absolutely necessary that it (Brexit) doesn't happen because I think every day is bringing us fresh evidence that it's doing us damage economically, certainly doing us damage politically."

Blair served as British prime minister for 10 years from 1997, winning a landslide victory that kept the Labour government in power for years.
Once upon a time, praising the essence of what is America was a good thing.

Normal even.

Not anymore. Do that now and you are written off as a racist or a member of the alt-right. Mention God and country and you are branded a "Nazi." Talk about traditional family values and you are a homophobe. Discuss following the rule of law about immigration and you are labeled with all sorts of "phobes."

If you talk about protecting Western culture and values, leftists will lose their minds the way they did after President Donald Trump's speech in Poland last week before the G20 summit in Hamburg. Social media lit up with ridiculous inferences about Trump being Hitler-2.0. It is as if they really believe Dr. Goebbels escaped from Hell to ghostwrite the speech, making one wonder if Ann Coulter was correct when she said, "Liberalism is on the spectrum of mental illness."

The problem is, though, Trump's speech about the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 was fact based, commemorating one the darkest seasons in Poland's history. A time when Poles were desperately sandwiched between two evils and unsuccessfully tried to oust the Nazis already occupying Warsaw so they could retake control of their city before the advancing Soviet army had time to invade and occupy.

Here is an excerpt from this remarkable speech:

"Through four decades of communist rule, Poland and the other captive nations of Europe endured a brutal campaign to demolish freedom, your faith, your laws, your history, your identity -- indeed, the very essence of your culture and your humanity."

Trump then recalled the awe-inspiring day, June 2, 1979, when a million Poles gathered to celebrate mass. Trump said, "They must have known during that exact moment during Pope John Paul II's sermon when a million Polish men, women and children suddenly raised their voices in a single prayer. A million Polish people did not ask for wealth. They did not ask for privilege. Instead, one million Poles sang three simple words: 'We want God.'"

Trump continued, "In those words, the Polish people recalled the promise of a better future. They found new courage to face down their oppressors, and they found the words to declare that Poland would be Poland once again. As I stand here today before this incredible crowd, this faithful nation, we can still hear those voices that echo through history. Their message is as true today as ever. The people of Poland, the people of America, and the people of Europe still cry out "We want God."

Trump also talked about the horrific slaughter of Poland's huge Jewish population "reduced to almost nothing after the Nazis systematically murdered millions of Poland's Jewish citizens along with countless others during that brutal occupation."

Trump brilliantly bridged a connection between Poland's past and the current global War on Terror: "We are confronted by another oppressive ideology, one that seeks to export terrorism and extremism all around the globe. America and Europe have suffered one terror attack after another. We're going to get it to stop."

Somewhere between condemning Soviet Russia and communism and Nazis slaughtering Jews, the Warsaw crowd roared with elation while American leftists writhed in torment before their heads exploded.

One would have to wander deep into the hinterlands of lunacy to believe that standing against Jihad and standing up for God and country and freedom and family is somehow a bad thing. Sadly, though, that is where we are today.
BEIJING -- China has been making progress in judicial protection of human rights since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, according to a signed article written by Qi Ju and carried by Xinhua.

The judiciary is the last line of defense to safeguard social fairness and justice. Since 2012, significant achievements have been made in promoting legislation based on rational analysis, strict law enforcement, judicial justice, and observance of the law by all citizens, it said.

The country has strengthened the mechanism of judicial protection of human rights, including efforts to allocate judicial powers and responsibilities in a more rational way, improving the judicial accountability system, promoting judicial transparency and advancing the reform of trial-centered litigation.

China ensures lawyers' right of practice so that lawyers play a bigger role in safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of parties concerned.

The country has abolished the system of reeducation through labor and established a national judicial assistance system.

China continues to improve the judicial guarantee procedure of human rights. Reforms have been advanced to ensure that cases are filed and properly handled. Judicial organs have implemented principles of presumption of innocence and exclusion of unlawful evidence to protect the legitimate rights of suspects.

China strictly limits the death penalty and employs it with prudence.

Detainees' legitimate rights and interests are guaranteed by the improving conditions of prisons and detention houses and enhanced scrutiny of supervisory activities and the execution of punishment. The country has standardized commutation, parole, and execution of sentences outside prison and safeguards the detainees' personal dignity, safety, legal property, and legitimate rights including the rights to defense, to appeal, to complain, and to report violations of the law.

National amnesty has been implemented to highlight humanitarianism.

PROTECTING LAWYERS' RIGHT OF PRACTICE

China has made or revised laws and regulations to ensure lawyers' right of practice. In 2015, regulations were issued to make clear various measures to protect lawyers' right of practice, including the rights to know, to meet their clients and read case files.

In 2016, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued opinions on advancing reform in the lawyer system, aiming to safeguard lawyers' litigation rights, improving the mechanism for governments to purchase legal services and improving social security policies for lawyers.

By March 2017, all 31 provincial-level lawyer associations had established lawyers' rights protection centers. In April, a circular was jointly issued by the Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuratorate, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of State Security, and Ministry of Justice to further clarify different departments' duties in safeguarding lawyers' right to practice.

REDRESSING MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE

Judicial organs nationwide have implemented the principle of presumption of innocence to prevent and correct the miscarriage of justice.

In 2013, the Ministry of Public Security issued a circular on improving law enforcement to prevent miscarriage of justice, along with other documents to prevent cases of wrong verdicts and to strengthen comprehensive, complete and real-time scrutiny of law enforcement to prevent miscarriage of justice at the source.

The Ministry of Justice issued the Opinions on Maximizing the Functions of the Forensic Assessment System to Prevent Miscarriages of Justice to strengthen forensic assessment management and further regulate such activities.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate released a circular to prevent and correct miscarriage of justice by better performing procuratorial functions, including scrutinizing all activities concerning evidence, procedures and application of laws, improving the system of discovery, correction, and prevention of wrong verdicts, and holding those responsible accountable.

Moreover, the Supreme People's Court issued the Opinions on Establishing and Improving the Working Mechanisms for the Prevention of Miscarriages of Justice in Criminal Cases, stipulating that the defendants should be acquitted for lack of evidence, and no one should be prosecuted without criminal evidence.

A number of wrongful convictions have been overturned in accordance with the law.

EXCLUSION OF UNLAWFUL EVIDENCE

China has clarified rules to exclude unlawful evidence in its laws to protect the legitimate rights and interests of criminal suspects, according to the article.

The Criminal Procedure Law revised in 2012 makes it clear that confessions extorted through illegal means, such as torture, and witness testimony and depositions of victims obtained illegally, such as by violence or threats, should be excluded during the trials.

In June 2017, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of State Security, and the Ministry of Justice jointly released a regulation on the exclusion of illegally obtained evidence in criminal cases, clarifying identification criteria and procedures to exclude unlawful evidence.

For example, the regulation makes it clear that forced self-incrimination is prohibited.

According to the regulation, confessions, witness testimony and depositions of victims obtained by force will no longer be accepted as evidence.

Defenders of criminal suspects are allowed to apply for illegal evidence to be ruled out during the investigation, empowering lawyers with a more effective role in procedural defense.

China has made well-acknowledged achievements in advancing the rule of law, guaranteeing the rights of legal practitioners and judicial protection of human rights since the 18th CPC National Congress in late 2012.
QINGDAO - China's Liaoning aircraft carrier formation has returned to a military port in Qingdao in east China Sunday.

The formation returned after completing maneuvering exercises and a visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) being stationed in HKSAR.

More than 5,000 Hong Kong people boarded the aircraft carrier and three escorting warships.

During their stay in Hong Kong, from July 7 through July 11, members from the fleet held a deck reception and visited an elder care center to interact with Hong Kong residents.

The naval formation, which first set out from Qingdao on June 25, has also carried out trans-regional training at sea to strengthen coordination among the vessels and improve the skills of crew and pilots in different regions.
China's vocational colleges are gaining popularity among international students in developing countries, largely thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, new research suggests.

Vocational schools welcomed 7,000 overseas students last year, according to the sixth Annual Report on the Education Quality of Vocational Colleges in China released on Saturday.

The report said "many are from countries involved in the initiative", though it didn't specify what proportion they accounted for.

Although the figure is minimal compared with the total number of international students in China last year  442,000  it's still a leap up from the situation in 2015, when about 3,800 overseas students were enrolled at vocational colleges.

"It indicates that China's vocational colleges, which bring vocational education and higher education together to add to a graduate's competitiveness in the job market, are gaining popularity in developing countries," said Ma Shuchao, former deputy director of Shanghai Academy of Educational Sciences, which produces the annual report with research company MyCOS.

As the initiative is pushed forward and more Chinese enterprise go abroad, he predicted that vocational colleges will have more opportunities to develop, especially those with strengths in nurturing talent for industries such as high-speed rail, bioenergy and telecommunications.

"The colleges will expand their international impact and become part of China's soft power if they seize the opportunities," Ma added.
Rescuers transfer trapped tourists from Nanpeng Island, some 35 km east of Zhapo, Yangjiang City, south China's Guangdong Province, July 16, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - A total of 49 tourists who had been stranded on Nanpeng Island in the South China Sea were picked up and moved to safety on Sunday morning, authorities said.The tourists belonged to four camping groups visiting the uninhabited Nanpeng Island, some 35 km east of Zhapo, Yangjiang City in south China's Guangdong Province, according to the Ministry of Transport.Due to typhoon Talas, this year's fourth typhoon, the tourists could not return home by themselves.All the tourists were transferred safely to a rescue ship and a rescue helicopter dispatched by the Guangzhou-headquartered Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport.China's national observatory on Sunday morning renewed a blue alert for typhoon Talas, which is expected to hit Hainan Province and Beibu Gulf.At 10 a.m. Sunday, the eye of Talas was above the South China Sea some 60 km to the southwest of Sanya City, packing winds of up to 23 meters per second, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said in a statement.The NMC forecast that Talas would move northwestward at a speed of about 20 km per hour toward Beibu Gulf and make landfall on the northeast coast of Vietnam on Monday morning.From Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon, parts of the South China Sea, Beibu Gulf, Qiongzhou Strait, Hainan and coastal areas of Guangdong and Guangxi will experience strong winds, while storms with up to 140 mm of precipitation are expected to affect parts of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan.
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QUITO - A total of 14 people were killed and 26 were injured after a road accident on Friday night, involving a passenger bus travelling from Quito to La Mana, the country's emergency service, ECU 911, announced on Saturday.

The accident was reported to ECU 911 at 9:44 p.m. by a citizen who alerted authorities about a bus being on fire along the highway, ECU 911's national operations director, Diego Ripalda, told the press.

According to local media, the bus turned over and caught fire, causing the victims to be trapped inside by the flames. The injured people were taken to various hospitals around the capital Quito.

"Immediately upon learning of the event, response units from the Ministry of Public Health, the corps of firefighters and from the national police were activated, and arrived in under 10 minutes," Ripalda said.

Cristian Barreiro, an expert from the Road Accidents Investigations Service (SIAT), announced that a team had analyzed the area and determined that the accident was caused by an impact, followed by the overturning and the bus leaving the road.

Road accidents are one of the main causes of death in Ecuador, with the government blaming poor driving and excessive speeds.
WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump has named attorney Ty Cobb as an in-house "special counsel" for the White House, a statement said Saturday.

A former federal prosecutor, Cobb is expected to handle the legal and media response to probes into an alleged Russian interference into the 2016 US presidential election and a possible collusion by the Trump campaign, a White House source was quoted by US media as saying.

Cobb is a partner at Hogan Lovells, a Washington, DC-based law firm, and a fellow of the American College of Trial lawyers, the White House said in the statement.

It was revealed recently that Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of Trump, met a Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign after being promised "damaging" information about Hilary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate running against his father.

To be what he called "totally transparent," Trump Jr. made public a chain of emails with an intermediary about the meeting that took place on June 9, 2016 at Trump Tower in New York, but was accused of violating the Federal Election Campaign Act by conspiring to solicit a contribution from a foreign national during the campaign.

The eight-person talks reportedly involved Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, his then-campaign manager Paul Manafort, and a former Soviet counter-intelligence officer.

Both the former Soviet serviceman, a naturalized American who lobbies for Russian interests in Washington,and the Russian lawyer, also a lobbyist, have denied links to the Russian government, while Kremlin said it does not know the meeting nor the two lobbyists.

The US intelligence community alleged that Russia meddled in the US presidential race last year and there were connections between the Russian government and the Trump campaign.

Federal special counsel Robert Mueller and several congressional panels are investigating those allegations.
The shortage of mental health staff in Nebraska prisons has been a topic in every discussion that Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes has had with lawmakers in the past two years.

Now, a former prison doctor is sounding an alarm about the struggle the department is having finding psychiatrists.

Without proper medical oversight of treatment of confined patients with mental health disorders, the state of Nebraska is open to legal liability, not simply extending to the rights of patients but to the safety of its employees, said Lincoln psychiatrist Subramanyam Rajagopal.

The doctor worked for the department from 2008 to 2010 as the first psychiatrist in a new mental health unit at the Lincoln Correctional Center. He left because of the stress of having 60 patients under his care, he said, and did not leave on good terms.

Since then, there has been high turnover of department psychiatrists, he said. But many of the mental health administrators who were there when he left are gone, and the department recently contacted him to interview for a position as an independent contractor. He went in for two interviews, but decided not to return, he said.

The department's only psychiatrist, Dr. Natalie Baker, left June 16, but is consulting with department doctors on challenging cases as requested, said Dr. Harbans Deol, the prisons' medical director.

Rajagopal believes that without a psychiatrist on staff, the department is making compromises in care. For example, he said, prescriptions for the drug Clozaril, taken by several inmates for schizophrenia, should only be written by a psychiatrist, and weekly re-evaluations done by a psychiatrist, because of its severe side effects.

Deol said he knows of no guidelines that require a psychiatrist only to prescribe and monitor patients taking the drug.

Also, Rajagopal said, there are inmates on court-ordered medication injections that require testimony of two psychiatrists to continue the treatments when the medications are given against the will of the inmates. Without court permission, he said, an unwilling patient cannot be given the medication.

Without proper medical management of mentally ill inmates, Rajagopal believes the violence that has been an issue in the past two years  a riot, serious disturbances, killings of inmates, an assault in the community by an escapee and assaults on corrections staff  will get worse.

Deol said there's no correlation between mental health care and violence in the prisons.

But inmates have complained they go long periods of time without needed counseling or group therapy, and it creates stress.

"Dutiful action is urgent and imperative," Rajagopal said.

Proper mental health care is good for the prisons and the communities to which inmates return, according to a 2015 review of Nebraska inmate mental health services by consultant Dr. Bruce Gage of the Washington State Department of Corrections.

With it, the department has the opportunity to reduce disciplinary infractions and behavioral disruptions, allow for better program participation and reduce the number of crimes committed after an offender is released, Gage's report said.

Prisons in Nebraska and across the country have seen increasing numbers of offenders with mental illness since 1997, when mental health beds in communities began decreasing, said Deol. The prisons have essentially become de facto mental health institutions.

That's hard not only for inmates, but for the staff, he said.

Two years ago, Gage's report showed that about one-fourth of 4,800 male inmates and half of 430 women in the prisons were on one or more psychotropic medications.

A conservative estimate, he said, is that 3 to 6 percent have a psychotic or schizophrenia disorder and 10 percent have significant depression or bipolar disorder. The remainder have less-severe conditions.

Deol said the department is meeting psychiatric needs with a psychiatric nurse practitioner, who can prescribe medications, the use of a contract staffing agency and tele-psychology services.

The department's behavioral health team is strong, he said, with every facility having two to four licensed psychologists available or managing triage for mentally ill patients.

In addition, two fourth-year psychiatric residents have been moonlighting on weekends at the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center, where the biggest need is, he said. And a third resident is interested in working at the Lincoln Correctional Center.

Deol said the department is working hard to recruit people, and has interviewed at least four psychiatrists in recent months.

Pay is an issue, he said. Across the country, some psychiatrists have asked for as much as $500,000 annually, and at least a couple of positions offering $400,000 have had zero takers.

In 2016, the clinical psychiatrist for the Nebraska Department of Corrections was being paid $255,000 annually, according to state salary listings.

The Department of Health and Human Services has 11 psychiatrists at the state's regional centers and community health services, with two current vacancies. Those psychiatrists earn between $184,000 to $327,000, according to the listing.

Other states have a variety of ways to staff their Corrections mental health services.

In Wyoming, the Department of Corrections contracts with Corizon Health, a national correctional health services company, said Laura McKinnon, mental health director. The company is constantly networking to identify behavioral health professionals interested in working in that environment.

"We have not had any lapses in coverage in the past 15 years," McKinnon said. "From time to time we have had mental health therapy vacancies, but are able to work as a team across the state to maintain a high standard of care for our patients."

Psychiatrist Jerome Greenfield, who has worked for the Iowa Department of Corrections three years, said it's not only Nebraska that is struggling to find psychiatrists.

He was recently promoted to health services administrator there, but also continues to work as a psychiatrist for the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women until his replacement arrives in September, he said. And all the while, he gets daily calls from head hunters with opportunities for employment.

"There's just such a dire shortage everywhere," he said. "It's very concerning and difficult."
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The European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions have urged regional and local governments across Europe to embrace the opportunities offered by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Both institutions have called on them to integrate the sustainable-development agenda into their policies and to reach out to cities and regions  whether in Europe or in Africa, Asia and the Americas  to learn from them and to collaborate as much as possible.

Neven Mimica , European Commissioner for Development, and Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), the President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), were speaking at a large international gathering on 10-11 July co-organised by the European Commission and the CoR to discuss ways in which local and regional authorities can set about achieving the SDG goals for 2030. A large majority of the 17 of the goals require action by cities and regions and some  including Goal 11, "Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable"  are explicitly focused on them. Among the 650 participants at the Assises de la cooperation decentralisee /Regions and Cities for Development gathering were mayors, officials and representatives of networks of European and non-European local authorities.

Commissioner Mimica said: "With the adoption of the new European Consensus on Development a few weeks ago, we made a strong commitment: we all need to join forces if we want to achieve the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals. Because regional and local authorities are close to people's needs, we will do everything to ensure that they remain at the centre of our work when looking for solutions to face the challenges and opportunities we have as a global community."

President Markkula highlighted the increased awareness about the role local and regional authorities play in development cooperation. He therefore called for more strategic involvement on the part of regional and local authorities, including through the CoR, in preparations for the EU-Latin America Summit in San Salvador and for the EU-Africa Summit in November in Abidjan. He stressed the added value of city-to-city cooperation, in particular in capacity-building and in projects to improve governance and the provision of services, and urged mayors to be involved in the development and implementation of projects, as is the case in the CoR's efforts to support Libyan local authorities, known as Nicosia Initiative .

Karl-Heinz Lambertz , the First Vice-President of the CoR, said: "When the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission launched the Assises de la cooperation decentralisee in 2009, we thought that the world was failing to recognise the importance of local and regional governments to development. We believed cities and regions needed to be involved, and we were convinced that European and non-European local and regional governments could forge partnerships that would help both sides. The past eight years have shown that we were right, and I am proud, for example, of the support that CoR members are providing cities in Libya. I am convinced that, in county and municipal halls across Europe, our politicians view collaboration with non-European administrations as investment, not aid, and as partnerships, not donations. Now we need more such investment, more international partnerships and a concerted drive to achieve the UN's goals in our own communities."

At the Assises de la cooperation decentralisee / Regions and Cities for Development, participants took part in debates, roundtables and workshops. The speakers in the debates included: Paul Koffi Koffi, Commissioner for the Department of Community Land Planning and Transports, West African Economic and Monetary Union (CCT-UEMOA); Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary-General of United Cities and Local Governments  Africa (UCLG-Africa); Ajay Kumar Bramdeo, the African Union's ambassador to the EU; and Nelson Fernandez, the mayor of Montevideo, capital of Uruguay, representing the Mercociudades.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) used the occasion to present preliminary findings of a study that it has produced on 'Official development assistance extended by local and regional governments, and emerging paradigms in decentralised development co-operation (DDC)'.

Context:

This was the first Assises de la cooperation decentralisee / Regions and Cities for Development since the new European Consensus for Development and of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. The objective of the event was to share views on how partnerships between local and regional authorities in the European Union and partner countries can deliver on these visions for sustainable development. The focus was on developing international cooperation, optimising food systems, tackling migration challenges, limiting climate change, promoting sustainable energy access, and increasing education about sustainable development.

The European Commission encourages cooperation between European local authorities and their counterparts in partner countries through support for peer-to-peer learning, town twinning and technical assistance. To facilitate exchanges, the European Commission is supporting the creation of an innovative mechanism, CONNECT, that encourages the transfer of experience, knowledge and skills between municipalities and regions around the world. CONNECT is part of a Framework Partnership Agreement signed with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions.

The European Committee of the Regions is the EU's political assembly for local and regional politicians. It has consultative role in the EU's decision-making. It supports international cooperation through, for example, forums for local and regional authorities in the southern Mediterranean and the Eastern Partnership countries. Its members are also supporting mayors in Libya, through the Nicosia initiative . The CoR set out its recommendations relating to the new European Consensus on Development in February 2017 and, on 12 July, it will adopt a set of recommendations for the implementation of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Contacts:

European Commission: Catherine Audouze, tel. +32 2 296 09 58 , Catherine.Audouze@ec.europa.eu

European Committee of the Regions: Andrew Gardner, Tel. +32 473 843 981 , andrew.gardner@cor.europa.eu
home World Cuban court sentences pastor with hard labor for homeschooling his children

A Cuban court has sentenced an evangelical pastor to a year of hard labor and house arrest for not sending his two children to state schools and opting to educate them at home instead.

According to International Christian Concern, Pastor Ramon Rigal, leader of Iglesia de Dios en Cristo, has openly stated that his decision to homeschool his children was due to his Christian faith.

Guantanamo courts had originally sentenced Rigal to one-year imprisonment, but a recent adjudication led to the reduction of his punishment.

Rigal said that his legal team had proved that he did not commit any serious criminal act, but despite a strong legal showing, he was still sentenced to hard labor and house arrest.

Pastor Mario F. Barroso, a religious freedom activist from the Patmos Institute and a close friend of Rigal, warned that the heavy labor sentence is still a serious punishment.

"Correctional labor is a form of forced physical punishment, where the state typically chooses the locations and the working conditions," Barroso said.

"People sentenced to this penalty are assigned to a ranch or a farm of some sort, and believe me it's not light work," he added.

Rigal and his wife, Adya, were taken into custody in February after Cuban authorities realized that they were not sending their children to a state school.

When the authorities came to take the couple to the police station, they begged the police officers not to arrest them in front of their children and they promised to go to the station themselves later.

When they arrived at the station, the Rigals were charged with "acting contrary to the normal development of a minor."

In April, Rigal was sentenced to a year in prison, while his wife was placed under house arrest.

The case garnered international attention in May, prompting a protest outside the Embassy of Cuba in Washington D.C. in support of the pastor. The protesters tried to deliver a petition signed by nearly 31,000 people to the Cuban government, but they were turned away by the embassy officials.

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) noted that the latest ruling does not vacate the pastor's conviction, nor does it eradicate the house arrest order against his wife.

The pastor vowed that he still would not send his children to public school no matter what.

"I will continue to fight and not give in to their impositions and I will not take the children to school," the pastor said.

"This fight must be continued until they let me educate my children quietly in my house or let me leave the country," he continued.
Houston Police are searching for a suspect in a hit and run crash early Sunday morning that totaled two cars and damaged a telephone pole at Airline Drive and Crosstimbers Street north of Interstate 610.

Around 1 a.m., the suspect, driving a stolen car with handicap license plates, was traveling southbound on Airline Drive when he ran a red light and slammed into the side of another car. The stolen car veered into a wooden telephone pole splitting it in half. The suspect driver abandoned the car and escaped on foot. The driver of the other vehicle was unharmed.
Texas has long harbored a reputation as a tough justice state with a penchant for hefty prison sentences and a notorious proclivity for capital punishment. But this weekend, the New York Times editorial board heaped praises on the Lone Star State for its attention to criminal justice reform, as most recently seen in a freshly passed anti-snitch bill.

"Prosecutors love jailhouse informants who can provide damning testimony that a cellmate privately confessed to a crime," the Times wrote.

And, although it may be a prison adage that "snitches get stitches," it's also true that they sometimes get time cut off their sentences.

"Jailhouse informants, in turn, love the perks they get in exchange for snitching, like shortened sentences, immunity from prosecution or a wad of cash," the Times continued.

FREEDOM: Exonerations in the U.S. reach new level, with Texas leading the pack

But false testimony from jailhouse snitches can have tremendous consequences; it's been the number one reason for death row exonerations in recent years. In Texas, one of the state's signature exoneree cases - that of Anthony Graves, a former death row inmate once accused of murdering six people - hinged on false testimony and withheld evidence.

"Last month, Texas, which has been a minefield of wrongful convictions  more than 300 in the last 30 years alone  passed the most comprehensive effort yet to rein in the dangers of transactional snitching," the Times noted. The new measure stems from the work of a 2015 commission aimed at reducing the odds of wrongful conviction, and it requires prosecutors to tell the defense about informant's criminal history, any perks they've been awarded and other information that could call into question their credibility.

But - here's where Texas gets to bask a bit in its own glory - the editorial board lauded the state's progress in recent years when it comes to righting the wrongs of a troubled justice system:

Texas has become a national leader in criminal-justice reforms, after having long accommodated some of the worst practices and abuses in the nation. The state, particularly in light of past abuses, deserves credit for seeking innovative solutions to problems that have long proved resistant to change.

Of course, it's not all praises and honors; the Times suggests that the new law could go further and that, in a better system, maybe it wouldn't have been necessary to begin with. (Click here to read more about the new law.) But that's not just Texas's fault.

"The deeper fix that's needed is a cultural one. Many prosecutors are far too willing to present testimony from people they would never trust under ordinary circumstances," the Times wrote. "Until prosecutors are more concerned with doing justice than with winning convictions, even the most well-intentioned laws will fall short."
A diver off the coast of Galveston is recovering after a U.S. Coast Guard rescue operation saved him Sunday morning.

Crew on the dive charter vessel Fling reported a 54-year-old man possibly suffering from decompression sickness - better known as "the bends" - around 8:20 a.m. Sunday, 50 miles southeast of Galveston.
On July 13, we hosted an open house and ribbon cutting for our district office in Shepherd. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who was able to join us in person, and to those that called and sent their best wishes. With well over 200 guests signed in, I have to give it to the people of Houston District 18; you braved the heat, a tight office, limited parking, and still came with a smile and a hug.

I also want to offer a special thanks to those that made sure traffic was flowing and that people crossing the street were able to do so safely.

Hopefully, everyone had an opportunity to meet our new District Director, Mrs. Jennifer Manuel. With Special Session starting July 18, I encourage you to reach out to Jennifer at 936-628-6687 if there is anything we can do for you.

Over the last couple weeks, I have been able to give presentations to each of the school districts in HD 18 over what occurred during the session, as well as the special session. During these presentations, I discussed the state budget and the legislative process as it relates to public education. These presentations were set in a way to focus on what questions the members of the ISDs may have had. This gave me and my staff an opportunity to understand what is important to the school districts in HD 18.

As the Texas Legislature reconvenes in Austin for a special session, we will address several issues important to improving the quality of life for all Texans. Governor Greg Abbott has identified 20 priorities including topics ranging from annexation reform and cracking down on mail-in ballot fraud to school funding and finance, and property tax reform. We addressed many of these issues during the regular session and will take them up again during the special session.

As of July 14, over 150 bills had been filed in preparation for the Special Session. Most of these bills are not relevant to the issues Governor Abbott has called us back for, so I expect few, if any of these bills will pass. However, bills that are relevant will be debated and thoroughly vetted to ensure they are the best solution to the issues facing Texas today.

Over the interim, as I have met with and visited constituents in HD 18, it is clear they are most interested in most property tax reform, school finance legislation, and increasing the salaries of our classroom teachers.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my Austin office at 512-463-0570.
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Kendrick Lamar took a step back late in his set.

He had just launched into "HUMBLE." the lead single from his terrific "DAMN." album and first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist. The crowd quickly took over the song, rapping back every word, and Lamar's face froze in a fit of shock.

He paused and seemed to fight back tears as the crowd's cheers grew louder.

"I think we're warmed up now," he said. "Let's get it."

THE GREATEST: Kendrick Lamar deserves all the love he's been getting

Saturday's show at Toyota Center was just the third on the DAMN. Tour, but the "Humble" display has already been well chronicled in other cities. I was a little disappointed that it was a rehearsed bit.



Still, it had the intended effect as it was happening, drawing artist and audience closer together. (Janet Jackson has been doing it for years.)

Lamar occupies a unique place in hip-hop while still hitting all the necessary buttons. He's confident but not cocky. He's serious and smart but not smug. His edges aren't overly abrasive. It's a carefully curated persona and flow.

READ ALSO: These are the concerts headed to Houston this fall, winter

His 90-minute set was an exercise in his appeal He hits all the needed cues -- cell phones in the air, shout outs to the city, the above-mentioned moment. And he infuses them all with a fresh perspective.

Lamar is lithe and nimble onstage, and he was mostly alone save for a pair of martial arts dancers. No band. No huge effects. The show's though-line was a '60s-inspired karate film that cast Lamar as Kung Fu Kenny.

He wore a black track suit with white lining and was flanked by vertical rows of bright lights and a large screen. They all flashed and moved around the stage in time with the music. (Press photographers were not allowed inside the venue.)

McTRAE: Houston rapper Trae Tha Truth teams up with McDonald's for a song premiere

"ELEMENT." boasted a screwed interlude. "King Kunta" rode a funk soul groove. "Untitled 07" pumped up the crowd with its call of "Levitate, levitate!" Breakout hit "Swimming Pools (Drank)" boasted a pop sensibility.

Lamar dedicted "LOYALTY." to fans who "give me the strength to share my thoughts."



The show's strongest stretch came when Lamar moved to a small stage in the center of the venue adorned with blinking lights. He ran through "Money Trees," now in a red track suit, before returning to the main stage, which now boasted a white floor and lowered ceiling.

WATCH THIS: Travis Scott flies atop a mechanical bird at tour kickoff

Against Lamar's red track suit, it was a striking visual that continued through "XXX." "LOVE." and "PRIDE." which found him suspended horizontally next to a female dancer.

"Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" shook off some of the haze, and "FEEL." was a master class in pacing and precision. Lamar is still learning how to harness all of his power, and it's a fascinating journey to watch.

Houston native Travis Scott returned home after a May headlining show at Revention Music Center. His opening set reprised much of the same banter from that ealier date. ("If you're not here to party get the f*** out!")

His energy, however, was more subdued. He paced the length of the stage, singing snippets of song strung together by a DJ.

"Is this the best place to ever live on the world?" he asked.

Scott grew up in Missouri City and attended Elkins High School. He was once a Rockets ballboy and has recently attended several Rockets games, including one in April with Kylie Jenner.



He jumped atop an animatronic bird during "Butterfly Effect." And as has now become norm, he handed the mic to a fan near the stage for a few verses.

It was a dazzling display, the bird and Scott swooping across the first couple of rows as its eyes flashed red and blue. But it also restricted Scott's movements, more like a performance art piece than a raging performance.

Given Scott's unorthodox approach to his craft, maybe that was the point.

When he finally descended the bird during "Goosebumps," it was like a blast of bottled up energy. But it was done as soon as it started. He gave a quick goodbye and exited the stage.
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More than 70,000 texts have been sent to a terminally ill veteran after word spread that the New Braunfels man was lonely and needed support.

Lee Hernandez, a 47-year-old who is now blind and in hospice care, asked his wife to hold his cellphone in case someone called, according to an Arizona news site.

He was disappointed when no one reached out.

"It broke my heart," Lee's wife, Ernestine Hernandez, told Arizona Central late last week. "Lee's speech is not very well, so many people didn't take much interest or want to talk to him."

SO SWEET: Longview police officers mow disabled veteran's lawn

She posted a message on the Caregivers of Wounded Warriors Facebook group to ask veterans if they could text or call Hernandez, who spent 18 years in the Army and did a tour in Iraq. She said that people who want to call or text Hernandez should reach out in the evening at 210-632-6778.

Her Facebook post went viral and his phone blew up with texts.

Ernestine Hernandez said she reads the messages to Hernandez and responds to as many as she can. "It really lifts him up," she said.

According to a Facebook page, Hernandez is having strokes and has undergone three brain surgeries.

Veterans are also working to get Hernandez a service dog, cleaning services and a visit from his old platoon.

Ernestine Hernandez shared a video on Friday of him thanking everyone for rallying around him. "Thank you all for your text messages and your phone calls, and for thinking of me and supporting me," he said. "I appreciate it all."

Take a look through the gallery above to see photos of people across America honoring our veterans.
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Local knife collectors and enthusiasts are celebrating a change in Texas law that will allow them to carry any blade, regardless of the length, most places in the state starting Sept. 1.

House Bill 1935, a bill lobbied for by national organization Knife Rights, repealed what many collectors considered vague wording in the law and will allow people older than 18 to carry blades longer than 5  inches in public, including knives, swords and spears of any size.

"There is a caveat to that," said Todd Rathner, director of legislative affairs for Knife Rights. "You won't be able to carry knives in the same places you aren't able to carry firearms - places which derive 51 percent of their revenue or more from alcohol sales, churches, schools, those types of places."

The original bill, authored and filed by Rep. John Frullo, R-Lubbock, called for the legalization of carry for all knives regardless of location.

Following the fatal stabbing of a student by a hunting knife at the University of Texas on May 1, an amendment was added to prohibit the carrying of knives in the same places where open carry of firearms was prohibited.

Knife laws have been vague, leaving too much to the discretion of arresting officers, prosecutors and judges, Rathner said.

"Before, you'd have to know the knife laws in each individual city or municipality," he said.

Those laws prohibited anyone from carrying knives with blades more than 5.5 inches long and listed several brands, such as Bowie knives, as "illegal," he said.

Lloyd Lively agrees that the old laws were too restrictive.

A collector who lives near Deer Park, he once helped a family member run Beckwith's Blades in Houston, which he said was one of the largest knife stores in southeast Texas.

"You could only carry a blade that was less than 5.5 inches long," he said of rules before the new law. "Any fisherman out on the water was probably carrying a filet knife longer than that.

"So, all of those fishermen were breaking the law."

While the bill passed unanimously in the state senate and only had one "no" vote in the house, concerns have raised online about people wandering the streets with swords and machetes strapped to their backs.

To that, Lively responded, "Your lawn guy probably carries around a machete, and there hasn't been an outcry about that."

Dakao Do, lead instructor for Sword to Sword, a Houston business that offers classes on martial arts using swords and other medieval and Renaissance weapons, warns that residents shouldn't abuse the rights to carry large blades.

"The most relevant lesson for the general public is that, as with any firearms or other weapons, proper training and mindset far outweigh the 'cool' factor of openly carrying a gun or sword in ignorance of its proper use," Do said.

Henrik Popowski, a South Houston resident who sells knives from his internet-based shop, believes any legislation regarding the carrying of weapons is an infringement on personal freedom.

"I think the less legislation the better," Popowski said.

"This kind of legislation is about controlling people, to tell them how to live and what to do and it is idiotic. The only people screwed by this system are honest people that need knives that are prohibited for some reason."

Knives as weapons, he said, are useless to most people unless they have been trained.

Rathner sees the original laws on knives as "just bad laws."

"You had all these things listed as 'illegal knives.' This list included dirks, daggers, stilettos, Bowie knives - even in the knife industry there's no agreed upon definition for these knives," he said.

"For example, Bowie knives were listed as illegal to carry, but what's a Bowie knife? There's no set length for those. It's become a common term for almost any fixed-blade knife with a long blade, so there was no structure to that law."

Gina Ladin, owns Journey to the Past, a Pearland antique store that also specializes in knife sales, thinks that repeal of the old wording in the law makes sense.

"If you can open carry a gun, why couldn't you open carry a knife?" she said.

Lively agreed.

"You can walk down the street carrying an AR-15 (firearm), but not a 6-inch blade? The law needed to be changed," he said.

While Ladin's business specializes in pocket knife sales under 5.5 inches, she said the store might consider selling longer blades with the new legislation in place.

"I'll have to study the law," she said. "If it's something our customer's want, then (selling longer blades) is something we can look into."

Popowski supports the legislation but worries that it would create more competition and hurt sales for an independent seller like himself.

"Now we are a specialized niche that sells to collectors and law enforcement, but now everybody jumps in," he said.

Rathner, Popowski and Lively all contend that the legislation doesn't pose any increased danger for the public.

"It's just like with the open carry laws," Lively said. "Law-abiding people aren't a threat, and people who are a threat don't follow the law. So, the old laws that were in place weren't necessarily protecting anyone."

Rathner said that most violent crimes involving knives are almost always committed with kitchen knives, which have blades more than 5.5 inches long.

"So, it doesn't make any sense to ban all of these other things," he said.
A Texas man is in custody after police found the body of a woman in the trunk of his vehicle.

According to the Mansfield Journal, Dequalan Dejaun Harris is under investigation after the Cedar Hill Police department contacted police in Mansfield, Ohio and asked them to check a residence for a female from Cedar Hill who had been missing since Thursday, July 13.
OKLAHOMA CITY - Jurors and others in Judge Donald Thompson's courtroom kept hearing a strange whooshing noise, like a bicycle pump or maybe a blood pressure cuff. During one trial, Thompson seemed so distracted that some jurors thought he was playing a hand-held video game or tying fly-fishing lures behind the bench.

The explanation, investigators say, is even stranger than some imagined: The judge had a habit of masturbating with a penis pump under his robe during trials.

The lurid allegations have led to criminal charges against Thompson, brought an embarrassing end to a solid career and shocked many of his colleagues. The case could also lead to a wave of appeals from defendants claiming that the judge was not paying attention while presiding over their cases.

Thompson, 58, a married father of three grown children, has denied the allegations, and said the pump was just a gag gift received from a hunting buddy on his 50th birthday. He retired in August after being threatened with removal from the bench, but still faces indecent-exposure charges brought against him last month.

"We're certainly saddened by the thought that the prosecutor filed charges," said Clark Brewster, Thompson's attorney.

"We thought all this was dealt with when he resigned. We didn't feel like anything that was alleged rose to the level of criminal charges."

The trials during which he allegedly used the pump included murder cases as well as a libel suit in which a jury ordered the company that publishes The Oklahoman, a Web site and a TV station to pay $3.7 million.

Police built a case against the judge after one of Wall's officers testified during a 2003 murder trial. From the witness stand, the officer saw a piece of plastic tubing disappear under Thompson's robe.

During a break, officers took photographs of the pump under the desk.

Investigators later collected carpet samples, Thompson's robes and the chair from behind the bench, and found semen, according to court records.

Thompson was a former state legislator and a judge with more than 20 years on the bench in Creek County in eastern Oklahoma.

Thompson's court reporter, Lisa Foster, told authorities that she saw him use the pump at least 10 times during trials.

She said the first time in court was in 2000, but she did not tell authorities. "I didn't want to be found dead in a ditch somewhere," she said.

Foster and a bailiff were fired by Thompson after giving statements against him.
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.
Scandinavian Knives, Part 1 - Finland By Gary Zinn

Roselli Hunting Knife with sheath. Illustration courtesy of Pukko Cutlery.

I grew up thinking of knives as tools, because that is just what they were on the small West Virginia farm where I was born and raised. At the time, all men and most boys in the community (and not a few women and girls) routinely carried pocket knives and used them frequently for many tasks. In addition, there were kitchen knives, butcher knives, hunting knives and even machetes, which we called corn knives, for we used them to cut off corn stalks at harvest time. Perhaps this background explains why I have long been intrigued by the type of knives that are made in the Scandinavian countries. Their design is obviously straightforward and functional, made by and for people who use them as essential tools of their way of life. The prototypical Scandinavian knife is a fixed blade knife with a simple yet functional blade profile, featuring a straight spine, or a slightly dropped or upswept point. The distinctive, wide beveled "scandi grind" is used to form the sharpened edge. The blades of truly traditional knives would be individually forged from carbon steel and would be left "in the black" (unpolished). Contemporary production methods typically start with blade blanks stamped from sheets of either carbon or stainless steel and then use some variation of the stock removal method (cutting, grinding, filing) to do final shaping and finishing of the blades. The handle usually is northern birch wood fitted to the rattail tang of the blade. Handles made of antler, bone, leather, or some combination of these, usually along with wood, are not uncommon. The length, girth and shape of the handle is designed to give a secure and comfortable grip when the knife is being used. Typically, the only hardware on the handle is a simple bolster or ferrule at the front, plus a brass nut clamped or peened onto the end of the tang, where it protrudes slightly out of the butt of the handle. Metal finger guards, butt caps, or pommels are the exception, rather than the rule. Those who know and appreciate traditional Scandinavian knives often call them puukkos, a Finnish word used to denote the type of knife that I just described. Thus a knife of that style is commonly called a puukko, no matter where in Scandinavia it was made. Sensible blade lengths of three to five inches are most common. There are, though, enough shorter and longer blades for one to have a reasonable choice. Larger knives are often of the Saami (or Lapland) style, which is slightly different from the puukko style. I will discuss Saami style knives further in Part 2 of this article. The Roselli knife (see above) is a modern example of the Scandinavian knife style. This is a no frills design, with a die forged blade and solid wood handle, with a thin bolster to protect the front end. The typical Scandinavian pouch type leather sheath is often very plain, but sometimes artistic frills are added. Dress knives may have embellished sheaths, as the example below shows. Marttiini Lynx Knife 132 with sheath. Illustration courtesy of Marttiini Knives. I started this project intending to do a general survey of significant Scandinavian commercial knife makers, thinking it would make an article of moderate length. I was aware of the Swedish firms Morakniv and Fallkniven and of Helle (Norway) and I though I might be able to identify three to five additional manufacturers that would be worth noting. What I did not realize is that Finland is the epicenter of the Scandinavian knife making industry, with nearly as many notable knife making enterprises as Norway and Sweden combined. (How many of you also missed that one?) I rethought my writing plan and decided to do two articles, this one (Part 1) featuring Finnish knife makers and the other (Part 2) those in Norway and Sweden. Perhaps it is appropriate that Finland gets separate recognition, because the Finns gave us the generic name puukko to denote the prototypical Scandinavian knife style. What about Denmark, which is also an important Scandinavian country? I could not identify any notable Danish makers of commercial outdoor knives. There are, though, some Danish custom knife makers who make elegant examples of traditional Scandinavian knives. (Iceland and Greenland are also Scandinavian countries, but not hot beds of cutlery manufacture.) FINNISH KNIFE MANUFACTURERS Ahti Finnish Puukko knives are made by the firm R. Kamppila & Son in Kauhava, Finland. I did not find a company website, so the following information was gleaned from the marketing websites of Brisa of Finland, Puukko Cutlery and Ragweed Forge. Among the vendors just mentioned, Brisa catalogs nine Ahti knives (plus three fish fillet models), Puukko Cutlery shows six and Ragweed Forge has fourteen. The knives have carbon or stainless steel blades (depending on specific model), curly birch handles and a minimum of brass furniture. Leather pouch type belt sheaths come with all models. (Except the fillet knives have thermoplastic handles and molded plastic sheaths.) The Ahti No. 9608 Vaara modelis a representative specimen of these knives. It has a 3.75 inch carbon steel blade, 0.75 inches wide at the base and 0.125 inches thick at the spine. The curly birch handle is stained dark brown and sealed with linseed oil. A brass disk bolster is mounted at the front of the handle and a brass nut secures the end of the rattail tang at the butt of the handle. The handmade, deep pouch belt sheath is dyed dark brown to match the handle. A brass band around the sheath below its mouth and a plastic protective liner inside the sheath are nice additional touches. The Vaara is 8.3 inches long overall and its weight is listed as three ounces, sheath included. This seems light, but this is a relatively slender utility knife, so it does not have as bulky a blade as many puukko knives. Puukko Cutlery sells the knife for $95. Here is an image of the complete package. Ahti Vaara. Illustration courtesy of Puukko Cutlery. EnZo Knives EnZo is a newcomer on the Finnish cutlery scene. The company, named Brisa of Finland, was established only two decades ago (1996). EnZo is the brand name given to the featured line of knives they produce. Being a modern company, it is not surprising that they use modern materials and methods to produce knives with modern styles and features. The EnZo brand lineup includes four each of fixed blade and folding models. The blade steels used include O1, O-1C, D2, Sandvik 12C27, N690Co and ELMAX. Handle materials include Micarta, curly birch and G10. The sheaths are mostly leather. Most models sport scandi blade grinds, but a few are flat ground. The flagship model of the EnZo brand is a fixed blade knife called the Trapper, with 19 specific variations cataloged on the company website. The Trapper is 8-1/4 inches long overall, with a 3-7/8 inch blade and weighs about five ounces (eight ounces in the sheath). 2017 USA retail prices generally range between $110 and $150 from reputable Internet vendors, with the price variation representing different blade steels and handle materials. Although the Trapper has the typical appearance of a Scandinavian fixed blade knife, it cannot be called a puukko. I say this, because it is a full tang knife, rather than having the rattail tang that is normally used on traditional puukkos. Brisa also markets Ahti, Polar, Lappi, Kauhava, and Erapuu brand knives. These are traditional puukko and Saami style knives, made by independent producers. Except for the Ahti brand, I could not find enough other information to include these knives in this article. Iisakki Jarvenpaa Iisakki appears to be the patriarch of Finnish knife businesses, with a history that traces back to 1904 under its present name. Iisakki knives are divided into five groups on their website, which they call traditional models, special models, fish and fillet knives, hunting and scout knives and Lapland models. The Lapland model is a representative Finnish working knife. Ragweed Forge shows three sizes of this knife, with 3-3/8, 3-7/8 and 5.0 inch blades of carbon steel. Each has a curly birch handle about as long as the blade, dressed with unobtrusive front bolsters and flat pommels (in the Saami knife style). Leather pouch sheaths are included. The three sizes are priced at $47, $59 and $79 in the Ragweed Forge online catalog. However, two of the three sizes were out of stock at the time I visited the site, as were the majority of over a dozen other Iisakki models shown. This illustrates the problem with the Iisakki brand. Ragweed Forge was the only U.S. vendor I found that carries them and even there availability was sparse. Evidently the company is not putting any emphasis on serving the U.S. market, or production cannot meet the demand. Kellam Knives Worldwide Kellam offers an impressive fourteen lines of fixed blade knives, plus two models of folding knives. Blades may be carbon or stainless steel, depending on the particular line or model. Curly birch handles, stained or unstained, are the norm on the fixed blade knives. A good example of the Kellam fixed blade knives is the Wolverine model in the Wild Finn line. The Wolverine knife has a 3.7 inch carbon steel blade and is 8.25 inches long overall, with an ergonomically shaped handle of stained curly birch. The knife weighs 3.2 ounces, while the leather pouch sheath adds another ounce to the carry weight. 2017 U.S. Internet vendor price for this knife is about $105. Marttiini Marttiini, which started business in 1928, is now a member of Rapala VMC, the Finnish fishing and outdoor gear conglomerate. In addition to knives produced under its own brand name, the company makes Rapala brand fillet and other fishing and outdoor knives (see below). Marttiini knives are divided into seven categories, six with fixed blades and one group of folders. In the fixed blade categories, those labeled Outdoor and Traditional are mostly puukko style knives, plus a few with Saami (Lapp) style handles. The Hunting knife category features more contemporary designs. Steels used in the fixed blade knives may be either carbon or stainless, depending on the model, plus a few select knives feature Carbinox T508 or Damascus steel and some blades get what is called a Martef coating. Handle materials are primarily curly birch, with pakkawood or rubber (thermoplastic) used here and there. Sheaths are leather, ranging from plain to fancy. Marttiini Lynx Knife 132 with sheath. Illustration courtesy of Marttiini Knives. I used an image of the Lynx Knife 132 to show a fancy sheath. The Lynx Knife 131 is the same knife with a less elaborate sheath. The Lynx Knife design has been a mainstay in the Marttiini lineup since the early 1930s, so I will use the 131 model as an illustration of the typical Marttiini puukko type knife. The knife has a 4.33 inch stainless steel blade with a handle of equal length. The handle is varnished curly birch and the leather sheath is plainer than that of the 132 model, but still quite nice. The knife weighs 2-3/4 ounces and the sheath is 1-1/4 ounces. The 2017 U.S. retail price for this knife is about $50. Rapala Rapala is a brand name that needs no introduction. I remember when the Rapala Original Floating Minnow took the fishing lure world by storm and the rest is history. The Rapala name has considerable marketing power beyond lures and fish filleting knives is one of the areas in which it is manifested. The 22 models of fillet knives listed on the Rapala website are all variations or derivatives of the original Fish 'n Fillet model. That knife comes in three blade lengths, 4, 6 and 7-1/2 inches. The blades are thin, flexible stainless steel, mounted to varnished birch handles. The knife comes with a leather pouch sheath and a small sharpening tool is thrown into the bargain. 2017 U.S. prices are about $20 to $27, depending on blade length. The Rapala website lists additional knives in the utility, hunting knife and kitchen knife categories, but their fillet knives are doubtless the best selling of their cutlery products. All Rapala brand knives are made in the Marttiini factory, as far as I know; the Rapala brand name is really a powerful marketing vehicle for Marttiini products. Roselli Knife Roselli, like Ahti, uses knife designs and materials that faithfully reflect the character of the puukko type knife. Their flagship pattern, called simply the Hunting Knife, exemplifies this. Roselli Hunting Knife with sheath. Illustration courtesy of Pukko Cutlery. The blade is die forged Krupp W75 carbon steel, left in the black on the finished knife. The handle is curly birch treated with linseed oil and the only additional hardware is a narrow bolster at the front of the handle. The deep pouch sheath is unembellished. To me, the whole package has a "less is more" elegance. The Hunting Knife blade is four inches long and the overall length of the knife is nine inches. It weighs about 4-1/4 ounces. The 2017 U.S. market price is about $115. Other models in the Roselli regular production lineup include the Carpenter, Grandfather, Grandmother, Little Carpenter, Big Leuku, and Little Leuku. Differences in blade length and/or handle profile distinguish between the different models. Roselli does not make any folding knives. Also, there is a four model set of high end knives made with a proprietary steel called Roselli Wootz UHC (ultra high carbon) and two collector knives with the same steel. These are, I believe, special order items. WHERE TO BUY FINNISH KNIVES Availability of the Finnish knife brands I have featured range from ubiquitous (Rapala fillet knives) to very limited availability (Iisakki brand knives). Most reputable Internet knife marketers carry one or more Scandinavian knife brands. See Where to Buy Knives (Part 1) for a list of some leading Internet knife vendors. In research for this article, I found two U.S. businesses that specialize in marketing Scandinavian knives. These are Puukko Cutlery and Ragweed Forge. Finnish knives carried by Puukko Cutlery include the Ahti, KPP and Roselli brands. Ragweed Forge catalogs Ahti, Iisakki, Marttiini, Roselli and Wood Jewel knives. Optics Planet is a sleeper website for knife shoppers. Among the brands covered in this article, Optics Planet catalogs a good selection of EnZo, Kellam, Martini and Rapala brand knives. I did not feature the KPP and Wood Jewel brands in this article, because I could not find company websites or other resources that I could use to study their products. Anyone who is interested in one of these brands will have to do their own research. Finally, some of the knife makers have online catalogs, which I take to indicate that one could order directly from the factory. I have no idea how easy or hard that might be, given potential complications involving currency exchange and international shipping. SHARPENING SCANDI GROUND KNIVES Scandi ground blades are very easy to sharpen. The Ragweed Forge website has a page on the subject, which begins as follows: "These knives are exceptionally easy to sharpen freehand. The wide bevel is simply laid flat to the stone when sharpening. You want to remove metal from the entire width of the bevel to preserve the correct angle." The tools and techniques for sharpening Scandi blades are summarized on the page and links are provided to a couple of recommended YouTube show-and-tell videos on the subject. CONCLUSION The manufacture of commercial outdoor knives is alive and well in Finland. The Finnish production knife makers surveyed range from those who make products faithful to the traditional puukko design (e.g., Ahti, Roselli) to others that lean toward more contemporary styles and features (e.g., EnZo). It is clear that Finnish cutlers are primarily oriented to fixed blade knives, with EnZo being the only firm putting much emphasis on folding knives. Forward to Scandinavian Knives, Part 2 - Norway and Sweden.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Deena Barrett fears that the suggested cuts to Medicaid in the federal healthcare proposal will have a chilling impact on her husband's care.

At the age of 31, her husband, Brian, suffered two severe brain injuries: one from a serious stroke in early 1990 and the other from being struck by a large rock, the size of a brick, that smashed through a window as he rode in a car down Chester Avenue in Cleveland nearly 11 months later. Doctors said the odds of such severe brain injury occurring twice were a trillion to one.

Brian can neither eat nor walk, as he is confined to a wheelchair. Deena, who lives in Cleveland Heights, took care of her husband for 25 years until she had to move him to a nursing home about two years ago. Her husband is 58, and she worries about what would happen to him if the massive cuts to Medicaid take place.

"People who cannot advocate for themselves need more help, not less,'' she said. "These are people who don't have options. There is no doubt in my mind that there will be a negative impact (if there are cuts to Medicaid.) Why are they targeting this system of all systems?''

In Ohio, those in jeopardy are the tens of thousands of individuals in need of daily nursing home care, as well as the facilities themselves.

On Thursday, Republicans in the U.S. Senate released a revised draft of a healthcare bill that, again, proposes deep reductions in Medicaid funding. As the plan stands, published reports show, the hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid in the revised plan are similar to those in an earlier draft of the plan GOP senators released in late June.

Medicaid, the tax-funded insurance plan for low-income Americans, has become a lightning rod in the political fight over healthcare reform. The federal government and states join in its financing, and it serves more than 2.8 million Ohioans.

The amount spent on nursing homes has become particularly contentious.

Nursing homes bill Medicaid directly for about 50,000 of the state's 75,000 residents in Ohio's 960 care facilities. Medicaid is expected to pay more than $2.7 billion this year for nursing home care in Ohio.

State law guarantees Medicaid reimbursements to nursing homes and intermediate care facilities, the only two groups in which the payments are written into the Ohio Revised Code.

Because the reimbursements are written into law, severe Medicaid cuts from Congress would force Ohio lawmakers to make untenable funding decisions.

Ohio nursing homes fear losing as much as $800 million a year in Medicaid funding in the proposed overhaul. The state's nursing home lobby said the cuts could come within the next few years if the plan clears legislative hurdles in Washington.

"We're very concerned about the changes that are being proposed at the congressional level,'' said Jill Herron, the administrator and part owner of Welcome Nursing Home, a for-profit facility in Oberlin. She estimates that 70 percent of the 102 residents in the facility are on Medicaid.

"Absolutely, this is a huge fear for us,'' she said. "I don't think anyone in our facility could live independently again.''

Devastating consequences

Peter Van Runkle is the executive director of the Ohio Health Care Association, which represents hundreds of nursing homes in the state. He said if federal funds are cut, the Ohio Department of Medicaid would have to go to the state legislature to seek reductions.

Van Runkle said he fears nursing home reimbursements would be an obvious place.

"The bottom line is that if we had to take an $800 million cut,'' Van Runkle said, "we would have skilled-care facilities going out of business left and right.

According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, which analyzes and reports on national health issues, the proposed overhaul would use per capita caps, or pre-set amounts, to limit Medicaid contributions to states. That would leave it up to states to decide how to dole out the limited funds.

Van Runkle said the American Health Care Association, which nationally represents thousands of nursing homes and care facilities, has estimated a 20 percent reduction in Medicaid funding, which is based on the anticipated growth of Medicaid and participants. Van Runkle said that such a cut would cost Ohio nursing homes about $600 million a year.

He said nursing homes could lose an additional $200 million a year from a proposed cut in a tax that healthcare providers pay. The providers tax can be applied by the state to Medicaid spending, according to the Kaiser Foundation's analysis of the original plan's draft.

Under that proposal, the 6 percent tax nursing homes pay would drop to 5 percent by 2025, the foundation reported. Van Runkle said he fears that this loss in Medicaid funding from the tax would directly hit nursing homes.

"From my understanding, if the Senate's version passes, it would be devastating to nursing homes like ours,'' said Danny Williams, the chief executive officer of Eliza Bryant Village in Cleveland, a nonprofit nursing home on Wade Park in Cleveland. "Medicaid is our largest revenue source.''

Nursing home advocates and researchers said that if the proposed plan goes into effect, the reductions would restrict the number of people who go into nursing homes and limit the services and staff provided. Nursing home officials agree, and they point to industry-wide profit margins of less than 3 percent, according to published reports.

"The quality is already poor in many nursing homes, partly because of low staffing,'' said Charlene Harrington, a professor emeritus at the University of California at San Francisco's School of Nursing and a top researcher in the field of nursing homes. "Any further cuts in Medicaid rates will result in cuts to nursing staff and a commensurate increase in poor quality of care.''

In Ohio, that means more problems for troubled nursing homes.

The Plain Dealer, using federal nursing home data, found that two of every five nursing homes in the state offer care that the federal government considers substandard. It also found that 70 percent of the nursing homes in the state were staffed below what researchers and advocates say is necessary to provide compassionate, empathetic care.

Kasich, lobby clash

The fear over possible cuts to Medicaid for nursing homes follows months of bitter conflict between Gov. John Kasich and the nursing home lobby. During that time, the governor cited the care at Ohio's low-performing facilities and pushed for managed care plans for nursing home residents.

Kasich said the plans, run by insurance companies that contract with the Ohio Department of Medicaid to handle the health of residents, would save millions of dollars a month for those in nursing homes. The Ohio Health Care Association's Van Runkle disagreed, saying the plans instead add a layer of inefficient bureaucracy.

Kasich pushed managed-care plans for nursing homes in his version of the budget. The legislature pulled it from the budget.

Earlier this month, the Ohio House voted to override several of the governor's budget vetoes, including some that involved Medicaid. The Ohio Senate is expected to consider the overrides later this summer, according to published reports. The one issue the House did not try to override was Kasich's veto of a Medicaid expansion freeze.

At the same time, advocates for nursing home residents will study what happens as Congress attempts to reconstruct the federal healthcare system.

Republican Rob Portman has said he opposed the early version of his colleagues' plan in the Senate. Democrat Sherrod Brown bashed it.

"These are our parents and grandparents,'' Brown said. "They are people who worked hard to build good lives for their families, and they shouldn't lose it all to medical expenses in their later years. Cutting nursing home funding will hurt patients who depend on it, threaten jobs in our communities and further squeeze working families who are already juggling the expense of raising kids while caring for their aging parents.''

As the U.S. Senate considers its next move, residents like Deena Barrett continue to fret.

"I can't sleep,'' she said. "Oh my God, I'm worried to pieces. My husband is someone who needs our healthcare system.''
CLEVELAND, Ohio - When Jerry Sue Thornton, former president of Cuyahoga Community College, was once asked by a male boss, "Honey, could you make the coffee?" she agreed, then deliberately made the worst coffee in the world so she would never be asked again.

Throughout her career, she refused to let others dissuade her from what she wanted to accomplish, telling herself that "If I can't do it with this organization, there are other places."

Thornton shared the story as part of the City Club of Cleveland's discussion on "Uplifting Leaders (*Who Happen to Be Women)," a new business leadership book by Barbara Brown and Margie Flynn, co-founders of BrownFlynn management consulting firm. Thornton is among 13 prominent Northeast Ohioans featured in the book, a collection of stories and advice from 25 of the nation's most influential women executives.

Companies that cultivate and promote women executives also tend to be more profitable. A 2016 study of nearly 22,000 publicly traded companies worldwide by the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Ernst & Young found that companies where 30 percent of its senior leaders were women were up to 6 percentage points more profitable than companies without women at the top.

"Mixed-gender boards outperform all-male boards, and hedge funds run by women outperform hedge funds run by men," said Priyanka Chaudhry, Ernst & Young partner and Northeast Ohio Diversity & Inclusiveness champion.

When moderator and City Club CEO Dan Moulthrop asked Margie Flynn about what most surprised her while writing the book, she said: "How many of these women cite men as the strength behind what they are today," and that women who had achieved unprecedented success wanted to be recognized as leaders, not as women leaders. She wanted to highlight women who had risen from different backgrounds to show that more diversity helps generate greater creativity.

When asked about the most important qualities of leadership, Susan M. Fuehrer, medical director of the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, the nation's third-largest VA, said: "As a leader, you have to have integrity. If the people you lead don't feel like you have integrity and are honest, no one's going to follow you."

Whether you're a front-line employee delivering trays or a C-suite executive, "everyone needs to be leader in their particular role," she said. "When you move up the ladder, I think your role is to foster the confidence of all the team members, and make everyone feel that it's OK to speak up, it's OK to think differently. When you have a team where everyone thinks differently, that's when the team rocks."

Flynn said "Uplifting Leaders" was BrownFlynn's 20th anniversary gift to the community, and that all of the profits from the book will support the YWCA Greater Cleveland's Nurturing Independence and Aspirations (NIA), to educate women transitioning out of foster care.

"Every five years we do something to give back to the community in a larger way," she said. "And what better way to uplift other women than through the YWCA?"

BrownFlynn is offering a chance to win a signed copy of "Uplifting Women (*Who Happen to be Women)," plus $75 worth of gift cards to women-owned restaurants and retail stores in Northeast Ohio. To enter, "like" one of the leadership quotes on its Facebook page at facebook.com/BrownFlynn and add a comment about someone who uplifted you in your life and/or career.

Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on July 21. Details are at bit.ly/ContestUL.
SPRINGSFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A young boy drowned in Springfield Lake in Springfield Township, officials say.

Springfield Township Fire Department initially received a call just before 6 p.m., Capt. Steve Simich said. Springfield Lake is about two miles southeast of Akron, a fire official said.

Authorities were first told the boy was missing, but once they were on scene it became a report of a possible drowning, Simich said.

Dive teams were activated on scene and the boy was found unconscious after 10 minutes of searching, Simich said.

He was taken to Akron Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead, fire officials say.

Springfield Township Fire Department was assisted by dive teams from Coventry and Green fire departments, Simich said.

This post will be updated if more information becomes available Saturday night.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Saturday's crime and courts comments section.
DUBLIN, Ohio -- As an obstetrician and gynecologist, I am accustomed to waiting nine months; that's part of the reason I have been so shocked to see the U.S. Senate try to push through a harmful health reform bill in just a few weeks.

The Senate's bill -- the Better Care Reconciliation Act -- was created without input from physicians, health policy experts, or patient advocate groups, and if passed, will have devastating consequences for Ohio's families. The latest updates released last week make it even worse.

If just one more senator opposes the bill, it will fail. We need Sen. Rob Portman to put the women and children of Ohio first, and commit to voting no on this harmful legislation. We know that Ohioans don't succumb to peer pressure, and we need our senator to do the right thing and stand up and fight for his constituents.

[Last night, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky announced he was deferring Senate action on the current version of the bill because of Sen. John McCain's absence due to recent surgery to remove a blot clot above his eye.]

Now, more than ever, I feel that it is vitally important that health care providers like me speak up. As a practicing physician, I have seen firsthand how my patients have benefited from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid expansion, especially many patients in traditionally underserved communities such as those who are low-income or live in rural areas.

The ACA and Medicaid have been critical sources of health coverage for these patients, increasing their access to many basic health care services, including maternity care, preventive health services, mental health care, and treatment for substance use disorder.

Ohio ranks fourth in deaths from drug overdose nationwide, and just last year, this epidemic claimed the lives of 4,146 Ohioans -- a rate of 11 people a day. Like many of you, I know friends, family, and neighbors who have felt this heartbreak personally and fear for their loved ones as the overdose rate rises rapidly in 2017.

The end of Medicaid expansion and cuts to Medicaid to the tune of $772 billion, as proposed by the Senate's Better Care Reconciliation Act, will decimate access to lifesaving substance-use-disorder treatments, further threatening the most vulnerable among us. The $45 billion in additional funding for opioid treatment added to the latest version of the bill isn't nearly enough to make up for lost access and coverage due to the decimation of the Medicaid program.

I have been grateful for Gov. John Kasich's support for Medicaid expansion, which has allowed nearly 700,000 previously uninsured people to gain coverage in Ohio. Ending the Medicaid expansion will take away access to critical health services for hundreds of thousands of Ohioans, will drive up emergency room costs, and leave families at risk for much more serious health complications.

Beyond expansion, the Senate bill ends the Medicaid program as we know it, putting additional strain on the state to cover more costs, and further limiting access to care for the most vulnerable in our state. With 52 percent of all births in Ohio covered by Medicaid, I'm concerned that more moms-to-be will be left without access to the critical prenatal and maternity care that leads to healthy pregnancies and healthy births for both them and their babies.

While the ACA is far from perfect, it is vital that no Ohioans lose coverage under the new GOP health bills.

No one in our state should be left worse off than they are today while politicians score political points in Washington. These efforts will turn back the clock on women's health, and hurt my patients by kicking low-income families off Medicaid, threatening essential health benefits like maternity care, and banning qualified providers from the Medicaid program, reducing access to primary and preventive care for millions of low-income individuals.

Caring for Ohio women makes me feel honored to do my job every day. Sen. Portman, the families of Ohio are counting on you. We have made a lot of progress for Ohio women, but we have a long way to go. I urge you to reject any proposal that leaves Ohio women worse off. Stand with your constituents -- my patients -- and vote no on the Senate health care bill.

Dr. Wayne Trout, a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, is clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at The Ohio State University's School of Medicine and chair of the Ohio section of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

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Once again, America is pretty much split down the middle over a political controversy. Democrats and the Left in general are obsessing over continued allegations of Russian collusion with President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.

Republicans, and the Right in general, are pooh-poohing the whole thing. That kind of partisan split over a scandal or alleged scandal is nothing new.

Still, there is more general agreement that the Trump team has been sloppy and less professional that it should be, in everything from its communications operation to how it's handled its hiring. President Trump is the source of most of this criticism, as he continues to communicate with the public in a casual and often reckless way on Twitter, and even on camera.

Actually, a lot of Americans find the unrehearsed and clumsy veneer of the Trump administration to be refreshing. It's obvious that a lot of voters preferred a sloppy yet more genuine candidate like Trump, who contrasts sharply with the very tight and packaged Hillary Clinton. It just seems more real, and in an image-dominated field like politics, that's a big deal.

But the Trump amateurishness is really just the latest example of a massive sea change in Republican and Democrat voter attitudes that previous generations could never have fathomed. The simple fact is that Americans have abandoned the idea of wanting an experienced hand to be their president, or at least making that a prerequisite for the office. And the proof is in the results of every presidential election since 1992.

Most are probably too partisan to digest the following sentence calmly and fairly, but here goes: U.S. voters have elected four non-qualified presidents in a row.

By "unqualified" I mean simply being without the very basic resume bullet points that anyone running for president prior to the current era would consider absolute bare necessities to even gain a major party nomination.
British Prime Minister Theresa May meets U.S President Donald Trump during the G20 summit on July 8, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany.

President Donald Trump reportedly urged U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May to ensure he gets a warm welcome in Britain for his state visitwarning that he would not visit the country until he had been given guarantees, a British newspaper reported on Sunday.

"When I know I'm going to get a better reception, I'll come and not before," Trump told May in a private conversation, according to the U.K.'s Sun on Sunday newspaper. "I still want to come, but I'm in no rush ... So, if you can fix it for me, it would make things a lot easier," Trump added.

A transcript of the chat, seen by senior diplomats and leaked to the publication, revealed that he was concerned about negative press coverage in the U.K.

"I haven't had great coverage out there lately, Theresa," Trump reportedly said, before May replied: "Well, you know what the British press are like."

Earlier this week it was confirmed that Trump's state visit to the country, initially planned for this year, will be delayed until next year. Downing Street declined to comment on the story, the Sun on Sunday reported, and was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC. A request for comment from the White House was also not immediately returned.

Read the full story on the Sun on Sunday website here.
Nacogdoches, TX (75965)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 54F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Widespread frost likely. Low near 30F. Winds light and variable.
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A blog about life under, and resisting, a dictatorship
If state Rep. Andy Olson (R-Albany) has his way, the former International Paper mill site alongside Interstate 5 in Millersburg will come to life again.

The idea is for the site to be repurposed into a transmodal reloading facility that provides mid-valley companies opportunities to ship products by rail to ports in Washington and California, as well as create local family wage jobs.

Olson, a member of the transportation committee that spent more than a year holding town hall meetings in every corner of the state, said the recently passed $5.3 billion transportation bill earmarked $25 million in Oregon Lottery funds for development of the facility through the Connect Oregon program.

The idea came to me while we were meeting in Ontario in Eastern Oregon, Olson said. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) is on the committee and has been working to develop a similar project to aid farmers in that area.

Other projects funded are $26 million for a Treasure Valley intermodal facility, $6.55 million for expansion at the Port of Morrow and $2.6 million for a rail siding at Brooks.

Olson said he realized that the mid-valley is a prime development area for a rubber to rail project, and he said he is especially excited about the potential to boost employment.

Organizers have until Jan. 1, 2020 to spend the funds.

According to Olson, mid-valley companies  especially those that ship straw to dairy customers in Asia  were significantly affected by labor-management issues at the Port of Portland during the past two years. The issue eventually led to one of the largest shipping companies pulling out of the port.

Local concerns ended up having to bear increased costs to bypass Portland altogether and haul their shipping containers via truck to Tacoma or Seattle.

With a reloading facility in Millersburg, shipping containers or trailers pulled by semis could be transported by rail and then reloaded onto ships or semis to their final destinations.

John Pascone, president of the Albany-Millersburg Economic Development Corporation, has been in negotiations with representatives of International Paper to purchase the site.

International Paper closed the mill in 2009, eliminating about 270 jobs. Buildings and equipment were removed, and the property is on the market.

It offers multiple rail options and easy Interstate 5 access.

Working details

At this stage, Pascone said, the project has many moving parts.

Economic development agencies around the country own property similar to ports in Oregon and they can own and lease out facilities on those properties, he said. That might be a vision for us, but we have not taken any board action on this yet. We are certainly interested in looking into this.

Pascone said the International Paper site is composed of two areas: 132 acres of the main plant and another 53 acres that housed the power co-generation plant.

This certainly would be good for the community, for the entire mid-valley, he said, adding that he hopes the site does not sit idle for decades.

Although the International Paper property is high on the list, it is not the only site that could be used for this project, officials said.

Roger Nyquist, who chairs the Linn County Board of Commissioners, called Olsons work, phenomenal," but added that there are now a thousand details to work out.

If done properly, a transportation reload facility will help solve a serious problem for local agriculture and manufacturing companies created by the change in operations at the Port of Portland, Nyquist said. It also should improve traffic safety and congestion on I-5 for motorists.

Nyquist said the operation will create jobs and be an economic driver for our county for the next 50 years.

He sees the economic development group as a vital partner in the project due to its 30-plus-year business-focused track record.

Nyquist said it took many partners to get to this point, including the cities of Millersburg, Albany, Lebanon, AMEDC, Oregon Department of Transportation, Business Oregon, shipping interests, manufacturing, agriculture, railroads, trucking and International Paper.

Nyquist said he is intrigued by the possibilities of developing the site into an industrial park operation similar to that at the Port of Morrow.

He envisions companies leasing space to create food processing or manufacturing operations that would use the loading facility to transport in raw products and send out the finished products.

We really believe this will help put local companies into better competitive situations, Nyquist said. We should pursue these opportunities with all vigor.

Nyquist added that since the funding is coming from Oregon Lottery funds earmarked for economic development, it provides maximum flexibility as to what can be developed.

We envision this as being a property that the private sector utilizes to strengthen their business operations, said Nyquist, adding that the example of what has happened with shipping centers elsewhere provides the model.

"There is no grand plan that doesnt meet market realities. Ultimately, the business community will step up and determine what happens there.

Economic question

Stan Boshart owns PressCo in Salem, which compresses straw and ships thousands of containers of the product annually to Asia and other world markets. He said the viability of the project comes down to economics.

Currently, major straw processing plants are located between Salem and Woodburn. He said that unless the cost of hauling the containers south from those companies to Millersburg and then on to their final destinations is less than companies are now paying, it makes no sense for them to participate.

Right now, we have to pay a pick fee and a set-on fee for every container, Boshart said. So, every time we move their containers, there are added fees. It has to be cost-effective from the container industries point of view.

He added that another key question is whether the rail lines will want the increased loads.

Millersburg Mayor Jim Lepin called the project a huge benefit to the region, including industry and agriculture.

It will improve opportunities and reduce the cost to get products to market while hopefully reducing truck traffic on I-5, he said. I am glad Millersburg is partnering with AMEDC to help make sure this project is also good for Millersburg. It provides increased opportunities for us as we work to build our own economic development plan for the 170-plus acres.

According to Lepin, the challenge will be issues surrounding increased traffic and citizen safety.

I am confident an ODOT traffic study will address those concerns and actually hope this project becomes the catalyst to accelerate the construction of a new interchange off of I-5, which is in the long-term transportation plan, he said.

Lepin called the project a rare opportunity for our community to be a part of the process. It is likely that most other buyers of that property would not be as inclined to be concerned about community impact.
Pa. Dems could flip the House of Reps. Here's what that might mean
Prehistoric mankind arrived in the Great Basin near the end of the last major Ice Age. The melting glaciers and the moist climate of the time created Ancient Lake Lahontan and a vast network of lakes and marshes teeming with fish and waterfowl. The early inhabitants lived along the shores of the lakes and marshes, fishing and hunting mammoth, mammals and the abundant waterfowl.

Archaeologists and anthropologists have determined that about 7,000 years ago, the entire region entered a period of hot, dry weather that lasted over 2,000 years. Scientists refer to this period of time as the Altithermal stage. During this time, drastic climate changes caused some of the human population to migrate away from the area. This was global warming on a scale we cannot imagine in a modern world. More about the ancient climate changes in Nevada can be found in my book, Preserving Traces of the Great Basin Indians.

Once the Altithermal stage set in, changes occurred that significantly altered the lifestyle of the scattered bands of human inhabitants. The human population was no longer able to depend upon the water and wildlife associated with marshes, lakes and rivers for their survival. An incredibly harsh desert environment emerged where game was scarce or nonexistent and vegetation ceased to survive.

During this time, Lake Lahontan, Walker Lake, Washoe Lake, Great Salt Lake and others completely dried up. Pyramid Lake shrank to a dangerously low level, since there was no water flowing down the Truckee River. Even the level of Lake Tahoe dropped several hundred feet during this lengthy dry cycle. Evidence of this is the underwater forest of trees that divers have seen and photographed on the bottom of Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake This forest grew when the level of the lakes was so far below the rim that no water flowed down the Truckee River for over 1,000 years. The events of this hot, dry period in our ancient history have been studied and documented as scientific fact by the Desert Research Institute at the University of Nevada, Reno, and by other leading scientists.

As we look back on this horrible time in the history of the region, who can we blame for causing this drastic climate change to occur? We could speculate that the campfires the human population used to keep their caves warm and cook their food emitted vast amounts of greenhouse gasses. We could surmise that there was enough flatulence released into the atmosphere from the herds of buffalo and the wooly mammoth to pollute the air with methane.

None of these explanations can account for such a dramatic warming of the climate to end the Great Ice Age. I have pondered for years about how such a tragedy could have happened. Then, at last, I made a discovery out on a remote hillside between Lovelock and the Black Rock Desert that seems to explain this phenomenon in terms modern man can understand. What I discovered and photographed, with me seated at the controls, appears to be the remains of a Prehistoric Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). As we all know, modern vehicles such as this are blamed for modern global warming. Now, I have discovered evidence of Prehistoric vehicles that must have caused the Altithermal stage 7,000 years ago.

The vehicle is mostly intact, including doors, windows and remnants of the dashboard and control mechanisms. Traces of carbon footprints were seen nearby. Obviously, hundreds of these crude vehicles spewed forth the greenhouse gasses required to create the worst global warming in the history of the earth. This also explains how the ancient Indians were able to cross the Bering Land Bridge and populate both continents of North and South America within just a few years. Who knows, perhaps someone may just nominate me for a Nobel Prize for making this amazing discovery. After all, these seem to be handed out to all sorts of numbskulls for coming up with ideas no more worthy than mine.
The Government wont publish its own report into who funds Islamist extremism in this country. The Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, comically claims that she is gagging herself for reasons of national security.

This is the same Government that  also in the name of national security  happily attacks civil liberty, demands the power to pry into our phone calls and emails, and searches for extremists in schools and universities.

It is the most astonishing development of the week. But more fuss was made when Ms Rudds hat blew off at some ceremony than was made about this sinister decision.

The Government wont publish its own report into who funds Islamist extremism in this country. The Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, comically claims that she is gagging herself for reasons of national security

Like almost all suppressed reports about terrorism in London or Washington DC, the truth that is being kept from us is that great danger comes from Saudi Arabia, HQ of the most fanatical and intolerant Islamism on the market.

Nobody really doubts that this report, if published, would say that. The pathetic scraps of the document which Ms Rudd allowed into the open last week hinted strongly at it, for those who knew where to look.

Her statement said: For a small number of organisations with which there are extremism concerns, overseas funding is a significant source of income.

Hurriedly, she added: However, for the vast majority of extremist groups in the UK, overseas funding is not a significant source. Why however? So what? If foreign funds are significant at all, thats what we need to know.

Because she also said: Overseas support has allowed individuals to study at institutions that teach deeply conservative forms of Islam and provide highly socially conservative literature and preachers to the UKs Islamic institutions. Some of these individuals have since become of extremist concern.

By socially conservative they dont mean me. They mean those who support the forcible shrouding of women and who froth hatred of Jews. How mealy mouthed to call it conservatism. But our Government is terrified of offending the Saudis, terrified beyond reason or self-respect.

Thats why flags fly at half-mast in London when Saudi monarchs die, and why Theresa May, poor thing, had to accept the King Abdulaziz Sash last April, a decoration awarded for meritorious service to the despotic kingdom. I look forward to seeing her wearing it.

Im a realist. I can see that we have to grovel a bit to the Saudis, because were not as rich and powerful as we used to be, and we need their money. But doesnt this go too far when we suppress a report which might help us combat terrorism on our own streets, just to spare the blushes of a foreign tyranny?

Mosul... a stunning victory for hypocrisy

The only mercy in war is a swift victory. We delude ourselves if we think you can capture a defended modern city with bombs and guns without doing dreadful things.

Fanatical jihadis are expert at terrorising the population of such cities, preventing them from fleeing and then using them as human shields. The shields die, in unknown thousands.

So I am very glad to see the end of the battle of Mosul.

One-sided: An IS fighter is led away after the fall of Mosul

Last December, I was just as relieved when the Syrian state, backed by Russian air power, crushed equally ruthless Islamist fanatics in Aleppo. But at that time I was surrounded by a media chorus accusing the Russians of terrible war crimes.

I pointed out that this was a double standard. If we did the same, we would excuse it.

I then asked those damning the Russians and Syrians: When Mosul falls, as it will, and those who defeated IS are applauded, as they will rightly be, please think about this.

As it happens, one rather courageous voice, Amnesty International, last week produced a careful and thoughtful report, pointing out that the West and its allies had taken less care than they might have done to avoid killing innocents in Mosul.

My view of this is thats what war is like. If you dont like atrocities, dont start wars.

What was interesting was that a British general then let fly at Amnesty. Major General Rupert Jones, the deputy commander of the international coalition against IS, said Amnesty were naive to think a huge city such as Mosul could be captured without any civilian casualties, while fighting a merciless enemy. I rather agree with him, though Amnestys point was that some of those deaths might have been avoided.

But if a Russian general had said exactly the same about Aleppo last December, as he would have been completely entitled to do, he would have been torn to shreds as a barbaric war criminal by Western media and politicians.

The old rule applies. You cant have it both ways. Either you accept that war against such enemies is bound to have bloody results, or you dont. But dont justify your own unintended but cruel actions, while condemning those of others. Theres a word for that which I cant quite think of just now.

Ignoring the killer question

Thames Valley Police got oodles of good publicity from last weeks Channel 4 film of their investigation of a crazy murder in Oxford.

The ultra-violent killing of an art dealer seemed inexplicable. But todays surveillance society, which tracks phones and cars so precisely, brought police rapidly to Michael Danahers door.

Danaher, known to his family as a gentle giant, seemed an unlikely suspect. But he had in recent years undergone a huge personality change. He is said to have been mentally ill, and depressed.

I saw what looked like a pattern. I wondered if, like so many people whose characters change utterly and who commit acts of extraordinary violence against themselves or others, he might have been taking mind-altering drugs. I believe this may be the Thalidomide scandal of the future. I constantly seek information to see if it may be true.

So I asked Thames Valley Police if they had any information on this.

They absolutely wouldnt discuss it. Data protection  which hadnt prevented them allowing a Channel 4 crew to film their investigation  somehow made it impossible.

If the authorities simply cant be bothered to be interested in this connection, how will we ever find out if it is real?

The lights dimmed in the cinema for the advertisements, and I prepared to cram my fingers into my ears against the noise of some deafening car commercial.

Instead I got a short film of a miserable middle-aged geezer sitting alone and desolate in a shadowy, unfashionable house, speaking to his absent son, who has come out as homosexual. Now he is really sorry for having said some hateful things and then you left and [deep sigh] that was the worst day of my life.

Im sorry, Im proud of you for being you, he says, among other things. It certainly had the effect of quieting down the audience. And it made me appreciate the non-political ads which followed for their simple, ordinary crassness.

As far as Im concerned the debate about homosexuality ended ages ago and Im not interested in it. But this mini-drama, which seemed to last about five minutes but is, in fact, only 30 seconds long, had a nasty, triumphal air about it. The man (an actor  this wasnt a real-life story) looked to me like the defendant at a show trial, confessing his sins against Big Brother before being taken down to the cellars and shot. Im not sure tolerance is what were getting here.

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Question of the week, class! Why did Queen of Craft and telly presenter Kirstie Allsopp have to quit Twitter after pronouncing it was 'disgusting' to have your washing machine in the kitchen?

Mine's in the kitchen. It's the only place with a concrete floor and water pipes and space available. Very handy. I can take the wet, wrinkly clothes out and drape them straight over the Aga. I even hang the family's smalls from a special round plastic rack fitted with clothes pegs so that they dangle over the steaming saucepans, to the horror of any guests who hover to chat and 'help'.

Thinking of my own possibly unsanitary domestic arrangements, I at first assumed the row was all about germs.

After all, washing-machine- in-kitchen-gate started with an American journalist tweeting: 'Americans in our office are always confused by the British habit of putting washing machines in kitchens and view this as disgusting.'

Twitterstorm: Why did Queen of Craft and telly presenter Kirstie Allsopp have to quit Twitter after pronouncing it was 'disgusting' to have your washing machine in the kitchen?

Americans are famous germophobes: the current President won't touch the ground-floor elevator button on the principle that it is the most frequently pressed.

After the journalist's tweet, Kirstie jumped in: 'It is disgusting, my life's work is in part dedicated to getting washing machines out of the kitchen.'

As the brouhaha erupted, she protested that she'd been banging on about this for 18 years, adding that she'd only advised moving the washing machine out of the kitchen 'if possible'.

Americans (and Australians, apparently) may be revolted by our peculiar habit but it is possible for them: they have huge basements for their massive 'top-loader' machines, whereas here we have the smallest houses in Europe. Indeed, our average three-bedder measures just 88 square metres  five square metres smaller than the regulatory minimum.

Kirstie therefore stood accused of an airy assumption that we have anywhere else to put the damn things, when we don't.

Bathrooms are mostly too small and, anyway, building regs dictate you can't have an electrical socket within three metres of a bath or shower. Three metres? Where does Ms Allsopp think we all live? Downton Abbey?

My washing machine is in the kitchen. Very handy, writes RACHEL JOHNSON. Pictured: Kirstie Allsopp attends Chelsea Flower Show in London on May 23, 2016

So Twitter went into one of its outraged spasms and gave poor Miss Allsopp, the daughter of a baron, a kicking for being a snooty Lady Muck.

Now the Hon Kirstie generally likes a scrap but decided the heat in the kitchen this time was too much. She changed her Twitter bio to 'Working Mum and Stepmum who's no longer on Twitter'.

She had touched a national nerve again. Given a choice, no one would have a noisy, ugly machine in their kitchen.

The kitchen is now the hub of the home, and having an 'eat-in kitchen' is both an aspiration and a reflection of a cosier, more intimate way of living.

The Duchess of Cambridge put a 'private family kitchen' in the state apartment in Kensington Palace in 2014. Hello! magazine always photographs celebrities who are soon to divorce in gleaming show kitchens.

Now, as brilliant, charming and toothsome property expert Kirstie herself knows, it's women who buy houses and kitchens that sell them. So what went wrong last week is that the women of Britain got chippy with Kirstie for setting the nation a How Posh Is Your Kitchen test, and failing most of us in one light-hearted but lethal tweet.

This wasn't about hygiene, or even the location, location, location of the washing machine, really. It was, as ever, about class, class.

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Why such a stink about Harper Beckham's Buckingham Palace birthday, hosted by the Duchess of York for six-year-old princesses?

You may shudder, but the way things are going (well, under a Labour Government) it's not inconceivable that the Royals might be forced to open their London residence further to visitors.

My mother took in paying guests to make ends meet after her divorce. Why shouldn't the Windsors do the same to help with the 369 million refurbishment bill we've all been stuck with? I'll pop round to the People's Palace to put up the sign saying 'B&B, Evening Meal Opt, No Dogs' myself if needs must.

Why such a stink about the Buckingham Palace birthday put on for Harper Beckham (left, with her father David Beckham), hosted by the Duchess of York for six-year-old princesses?

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My glittering domestic glory

Forgetting our wedding anniversary is an annual tradition. One year, I also forgot my husband's birthday, and he meanly allowed my omission to go unchecked until almost midnight.

'Aren't you going to say anything to me?' he asked, after I said I was turning in. 'Yes!' I yawned. 'Goodnight.' He gave me a Paddington Bear-ish hard stare. 'Aren't you going to wish me a happy birthday?' I've been on the back foot ever since. Last week, though, was a big one. 'I've got something important to tell you,' I said, allowing an X Factor-length pause to extend.

'Well, go on then!' he snapped. 'Spit it out!' 'Happy silver wedding anniversary!' I crowed. Back to deuce in a game that's lasted a quarter of a century.

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A birthday honour... from pop's Queen Bey

Arise, then, 'Sir Carter' (sic) and hello 'Rumi'.

Yes, Sir Carter and Rumi are the names of the twin babies of Beyonce and Jay-Z (Shawn Carter), now revealed to the world on social media.

As we all wonder whether 'Sir' is the mite's first name or whether his full name is, in fact, 'Sir Carter Carter', we must note, with sympathy: poor David Beckham has been doing epic amounts of charity work and ambassador-ing for years  but 'Queen Bey' has knighted her own son aged only one month. Sweet.

Double trouble: Sir Carter and Rumi are the names of the twin babies of Beyonce (pictured) and Jay-Z (Shawn Carter), now revealed to the world on social media
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will be 70 tomorrow

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will be 70 tomorrow, which will be an ideal time for a 12-year-old wrong to be righted. At the time of her marriage to Prince Charles on April 9, 2005, a jittery Palace  worried that she would be unpopular  announced that she would not be known by her rightful title of Princess of Wales. Humiliatingly, when Prince Charles becomes King she will only be known as the Princess Consort, rather than Queen Consort.

This unhistorical, unfair and almost unconstitutional treatment was meted out just as she was about to enjoy the happiest day of her life, by courtiers who feared the memory of Diana, the ex-Princess of Wales, who had died tragically eight years before, was still so fresh in peoples minds that no one else could take her former title.

Yet under English law, wives take on the rank and status of their husbands on marriage. There is one Royal precedent for this not happening, when King George VI refused to make the Duchess of Windsor (the former Mrs Simpson) an HRH when she married the former King Edward VIII after the Abdication.

Today, that is generally considered to have been a petty action against a woman who was despised because she was a divorcee (and being American had something to do with it, too). Yet fobbing off the wife of a King as a mere Princess Consort is far worse even than what the Royal Family did 80 years ago.

The then Camilla Parker Bowles had an affair with Prince Charles. So what? Scores of senior Royals have had affairs throughout history, and the couple have now been very happily and faithfully married for more than 12 years. In the goldfish bowl that is Royal life and work, Camilla has undertaken her many and varied tasks perfectly.

She does a huge amount of charity work and has not put a foot wrong, which is more than can be said for some other members of the family. She has also been a superb stepmother to Princes William and Harry, who might have had a reason to resent her but instead adore her.

At the time of her marriage to Prince Charles on April 9, 2005, a jittery Palace  worried that she would be unpopular  announced that she would not be known by her rightful title of Princess of Wales (She is pictured with Esther Rantzen (l) and Gyles Brandreth and guest)

Humiliatingly, when Prince Charles becomes King she will only be known as the Princess Consort, rather than Queen Consort. He is pictured with guests at her birthday reception at Clarence House

Her 70th birthday is the right time for the nation to acknowledge the happiness she has brought to the Prince of Wales, to start calling her by her proper title, Princess of Wales, and to scrap the embarrassing situation by which she will not become Queen Consort.

Diana, Princess of Wales  as she should by right be called, rather than Princess Diana  is now a figure belonging to history, as opposed to current affairs. A wonderful mother and tireless campaigner for good causes, her early death was undoubtedly a massive national tragedy.

But two decades have now passed since that terrible accident in the Pont dAlma underpass in Paris, and her memory is now just that  a memory. It should not continue to introduce unnecessary anomalies into the British constitution with regard to nomenclature in the House of Windsor.

Diana, Princess of Wales, is now a figure belonging to history, as opposed to current affairs

Since the 2005 announcement had no force of law, but was simply a statement made by Buckingham Palace without parliamentary involvement, it can be just as easily reversed.

The Queen is the Fount of Honour, and so could scrap the present arrangements overnight. No 10 would have to be consulted, but more in the form of a notification, and one suspects the PM has more pressing things on her mind than whether a dwindling band of Diana-obsessives might be upset by the alteration. People have to be in their mid to late 20s today even to have the most vestigial memories of her.

The title Princess of Wales is an ancient one, and it is absurd that its present use has been prevented by the over-sensitivity of courtiers 20 years ago.

The first holder who can be proved to have used the title was Eleanor de Montfort, the wife of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, in the mid-13th Century, although there are historians who argue that other princesses might have been using it even earlier than that. Some of the great female figures of British history, such as Catherine of Aragon, Mary Stuart and Queen Caroline, have been Princesses of Wales, even if not all of them were formally invested with it.

King George VI only decided not to give the title to the present Queen because of the question of what her future husband would be called, which is not a problem facing the Duchess of Cornwall today.

The fact King Edward VIIs wife Queen Alexandra, and King George Vs wife Queen Mary, were Princess of Wales before becoming Queen Consort should be precedent enough for the Duchess of Cornwall. If it was good enough for the wives of Prince Charless great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather to have their wives honoured, it ought to be good enough for his.

Royal titles are not awarded on the basis of sexual behaviour decades earlier  the scandalous Caroline of Brunswick is proof enough of that. We do not have the concept of morganatic marriage in this country as they do on the Continent, and this attempt in 2005 to introduce it by the back door now looks heavy-handed, old-fashioned and foreign to our usage.

It was welcomed when it was announced Prince Harry will be called the Duke of Edinburgh one day

Monarchy is about continuity, and the use of titles is a powerful element of that. It was welcomed when it was announced Prince Harry will be called the Duke of Edinburgh one day, not least as it will be a reminder of the sterling service to the nation of Prince Philip.

The title Princess of Wales cannot belong to any one individual in history, any more that the Dukedom of Edinburgh or Cornwall does, especially if the abeyance of the title was to appease a dislike of Camilla that has disappeared today.

It is true she was made a privy counsellor last year, which is a notable honour, but not one to equate with being allowed to use her rightful name.

Prince Harry has been given recently to discuss Royal issues in public, for good and ill. He and his brother would do an unqualified public good if they asked that the title once used by their mother could now be accorded to their stepmother.

It would make their father happy, and people simply wont understand having a King and Princess Consort at the next Coronation rather than a King and Queen. It would also be a mark of approbation from the House of Windsor to Camilla for a difficult job very well done.
Len McCluskey is a happy man. I havent been able to wipe the smile off my face since June 8, the Unite union leader told the Durham Miners Gala a fortnight ago. With our new vision, Labour is just one more heave from office.

At Tuesdays Cabinet meeting, Damian Green  Theresa Mays newly appointed deputy  set out for his colleagues what one more heave will actually look like.

Damian warned the unions are mobilising for a summer of discontent, a Minister told me. Three national rail strikes. A dispute involving firefighters at the Sellafield nuclear site. Disruption in the prisons. And, in an echo of the 2000 fuel chaos that brought the nation to its knees, a walkout by Shell tanker drivers.

McCluskey and his allies are on the warpath. From their perspective, June 8 was a triumph

On one level its easy to see why Mr McCluskey and his allies are on the warpath. From their perspective, June 8 was a triumph on a par with Attlees landslide in 1945. They see a nation rising up against austerity and a mortally wounded Prime Minister waiting to be put out of her misery. They believe now is the time to strike. Literally.

But the Red Barons should be careful. Because before they get to Mrs May, they will first have to get past the British people.

Last Wednesday, rail union Aslef announced that members working for Southern Rail and Gatwick Express had voted overwhelmingly for strike action in a pay dispute. Drivers currently earn between 49,000 and 51,000 for a 35-hour, four-day week. Drivers who choose to work one extra Sunday in three can earn a further 4,725.

THEY had been offered an additional 23.8 per cent pay rise over four years, taking their basic salary to 60,683. With overtime it would be in the region of 70,000. But despite being presented with what amounts to a union general-secretarys ransom, they told the company to shove its offer where the sun doesnt shine.

To Mr McCluskey and Jeremy Corbyn, it represents another bold stand against the unreconstructed forces of neo-capitalism. But thats not how it will be seen by Southerns passengers, or the wider public. And its certainly not how its seen within Downing Street.

For McCluskey the Southern Rail stike represents another bold stand against the unreconstructed forces of neo-capitalism

These strikes are exposing the fact that union general-secretaries are a largely professional boss class who are incredibly politically motivated, raged one Downing Street insider. They havent done a day at the front line for years and their political militancy is actually going to make life harder for millions of people. They arent striking about the issues  theyre striking because they want Corbyn as PM.

Good for Downing Street. Weve had conciliatory Theresa May. Weve had weepy Theresa May. Now its time to see Theresa May finally drag herself off her knees and take the fight to those who are trying to blackmail and bully their way into power.

Since the Election, there has been a growing Cabinet consensus that the public sector pay strings need to be loosened. A gallows humour had even started to develop: Home Secretary Amber Rudd joked to colleagues that her protection officers had begun making special efforts to ensure her prompt arrival at meetings involving police pay.

A Minister conceded: Were going to need to do something, probably not in the current pay round, but the pay freeze is meant to last till 2020 and I dont think we can get there. The status quo isnt sustainable.

Perhaps it isnt. Maybe public acceptance of austerity has indeed been stretched to breaking point. But however weakened, that doesnt mean the Prime Minister can bend her knee to the mob.

Since the Election, there has been a growing Cabinet consensus that the public sector pay strings need to be loosened

It is an inconvenient truth  one lost amid the grating post-Election chorus of Oh, Jeremy Corbyn  but a million more voters opted to back ongoing fiscal prudence than the economically bankrupt alternative proffered by Labour. Whats more, among working-class voters, who have been bearing the brunt of austerity, there was a swing of 12 per cent to the Conservatives.

The Prime Minister now needs to appeal directly over the heads of that mob to those voters and turn the tide of public anger.

Last week I listened to a senior Cabinet Minister set out an articulate defence of the Governments fiscal strategy. How even though the deficit is now below pre-crash levels, average public sector wages remain 13 per cent higher than in the private sector, with public spending actually greater as a percentage of gross domestic product than it was a decade ago.

The trouble is, he said ruefully, we cant say that.

What planet is Mr McCluskey on? Does 70,000 a year for driving a train really represent austerity?

AS a hot summer of discontent beckons, Ministers need to find a way to say it. And to help them, they would do well to again point voters to the words of Mr McCluskey. As he addressed the Durham crowds, the Unite leader read out a poem penned by Ben Okri in the wake of the Grenfell fire. In the age of austerity, he said, the poor die for our prosperity.

Setting aside the tastelessness of the Grenfell appropriation, what planet is Mr McCluskey on? Does 70,000 a year for driving a train really represent austerity? Or is McCluskey lumping his union colleagues in among those he accuses of callously filling their boots with the ashes of the poor?

Since the Election, the Prime Minister has been on the ropes. But now she has the opportunity to retake the political initiative and recast the debate about austerity and public sector pay.

And in the process, wipe that smile off Mr McCluskeys face.

At least someone's tackling 'racism'

It took three hours for Theresa May to remove the whip from Anne Marie Morris after her N-word outburst became public on Tuesday. So how, I wondered, is Labour dealing with its own allegations of racism?

It has been more than three months since Jeremy Corbyn promised that Ken Livingstone would face a fresh investigation into his comments about Hitler and Zionism. Hows that investigation going, I asked Labour HQ.

It took three hours for Theresa May to remove the whip from Anne Marie Morris after her N-word outburst - so how is Labour dealing with allegations of racism?

Ken Livingstone remains suspended pending investigation, was the terse response. What about the investigation into party activist Marc Wadsworth, who was suspended 13 months ago for allegedly abusing Jewish MP Ruth Smeeth at the launch of Labours anti-Semitism report?

Marc Wadsworth remains suspended from the Labour Party, they replied.

Compare and contrast.

One early casualty of the Brexit negotiations  David Daviss summer holiday. I was going to have three weeks in South Africa, he tells me. But I just knew Id be lying on a beach somewhere and every hour someone would be phoning with new details about the discussions. So I thought I might as well just deal with it all back home. A grateful nation salutes you, Minister.

To the Department for International Development, where the great and the good gathered to bid farewell to outgoing Permanent Secretary Mark Lowcock. No fewer than four former Secretaries of State were in attendance: Baroness Chalker, Andrew Mitchell, Clare Short and Hilary Benn. But there was one notable absentee  current Secretary of State Priti Patel. Unfortunately, Priti had another engagement, says a friend, knowingly.
They grew up with 65 years between them and their coming out stories are world's apart.

A video which shows a gay British pensioner and a just-out 13-year-old schoolboy discussing the different reaction to their sexuality has been posted on YouTube.

Percy, who grew up in South Africa tells Year 8 student Louis, who is out to his family and friends at school - and even has a boyfriend: 'I think you're so lucky that the world has changed and you can just be yourself.'

Scroll down for video

Teenager Louis told pensioner Percy that his family have been hugely supportive of his decision to come out at an early age, and that he already has a boyfriend

Meanwhile Percy, who has been in a relationship with his partner Roger for more than 50 years, spoke frankly about how difficult it was to have a relationship in a time when you could be arrested for being caught in bed with another man

With homosexuality illegal for men in the UK until 1967, Percy recounts how he spent much of his youth fearing arrest and imprisonment when he tried to date other men and would invent names to protect their sexuality being revealed.

Growing up in South Africa, he tells Louis: 'You had to be very careful because if you had a boyfriend or something and you were spending the night with him and the police would come knock on your door, and because you were in bed with him, they could charge you with a guilty offence.'

Louis, who messaged his parents to tell them he knew he was gay, said realising he wasn't like most of the other boys wasn't easy. He said: 'I was confused because I didn't know what it was at first. I never knew there was such a thing as liking boys. I thought it was just me by myself.'

Percy, who has been in a relationship with his partner Roger, 89, a former history professor since he was just 27, reveals to Louis how he came out to his mother after she refused to believe he was sharing a bed with Roger.

Young Louis said he messaged his parents to let them know he was gay and their reaction was wholly supportive

Percy, right, with his partner of nearly 50 years, Roger. The couple met when Roger was just 27 and Percy recalls how his mother refused to believe the pair shared a bedroom

After showing her the guest room, she refused to believe that Percy was sleeping in Roger's room: 'I said to her: "My bedroom is Roger's bedroom" and then I said "do you want a cup of tea or scotch?'"

The heartwarming discussion ends with Percy telling Louis to try and be himself. He says: 'Whether it's a boy or a girl, love is love, and that's something which is enriching.

'Try to get people to think beyond their own immediate sphere so we can all be...I can't think of a better word - neighbours in the world.'
Its the virtual equivalent of sweeping everything under the carpet.

The inevitable backlash on social media to the Netflix film To The Bone, which premiered on Friday but which has been the subject of vitriol for weeks, warns hysterically that the transformation of actress Lily Collins from an average Hollywood beauty into a Keira Knightley-esque walking skeleton will only encourage young girls to emulate her.

That it is pro-ana porn which glamorises suicide. That divulging too many of the anorexics secret tactics to hoodwink parents and doctors (a barf bag under the bed, for example) will encourage girls to do the same. That it should be banned.

There has been an inevitable backlash on social media to the Netflix film To The Bone, starring actress Lily Collins

As someone who has suffered from anorexia for 47 long, lean years, my opinion is this: To The Bone should be screened in every school in the land.

Of course, the film has flaws. Its heroine is stunning, when in reality anorexia reduces us to resembling Gollum, with bad skin, rotting teeth and sightless, too-big eyes (Id often go blind through malnutrition).

The film places far too much time blaming the sufferers parents, when my experience is that parents are too ineffectual to fight such a monster.

Often, parents dont even know the monster exists, so secretive are we, so clever beneath our layers of outsize clothes and leg-warmers, and excuses at the dinner table that weve just turned vegan.

Lilys character, Ellen, laughs often. I never laughed. Ellen, an artist, sketches food, and imagines her favourite candy bar. That never happens.

Food is not something I ever thought about; I only planned a meal  peanut butter sandwich with a hazelnut Loseley yogurt chaser  when I was about to be weighed. So no, food isnt like heroin or vodka. There is no longing.

Neither would I have included a love interest, as this does between Ellen and a fellow inmate at her expensive clinic: a male ballet dancer. Being asexual is the anorexics only desire. We dont dream of boys, only our target weight.

The constant hugging in the film also doesnt ring true: we dont want to be touched; I still dont. When others hug us, they are shocked, as though we are an electric socket. There is no comfort.

Of course, the film has flaws. Its heroine is stunning, when in reality anorexia reduces us to resembling Gollum, with bad skin, rotting teeth and sightless, too-big eyes

But there is so much this film gets freakishly right, due Im sure to the input from real sufferers. Ellen is still a virgin at 20 as sex is too appalling. I stayed a virgin into my 30s.

Not one of the rexies in the clinic wants a baby, not just because pregnancy makes you fat, but because it would mean making dinner, every day, for 18 years.

We dont eat, not because we think being thin is attractive (we know were ugly) but because life is too terrifying. Every day is an ordeal (still is) to get through while eating as little as possible.

We fear puberty. As Ellen explains: You get boobs, its like open season. I squirmed in recognition at the scene where Ellen performs hundreds of sit-ups by her bed, while other patients jog around the dorm.

As a child, I would perform hundreds of sit-ups by my bed, a compulsion I took into adulthood, even when on holiday in a villa: I wouldnt be sunbathing, I would be indoors doing sit-ups. As a child, I used to rollerskate around a bedroom for hours: there was no joy, only kilojoules burned.

Whats shocking about this film is not how Lily, 28, lost so much weight (Id be interested to know if she is suffering after-effects, given she battled an eating disorder as a teenager), but how little anorexics have changed in the almost half a century since I became one: the film is like looking in a mirror (not that I ever did that in real life).

Whats shocking about this film is not how Lily, 28, lost so much weight, but how little anorexics have changed in the almost half a century since I became one

Ellen thinks that when she can encircle her bicep with one hand, she will be happy. I did that, too, except it was two hands around my waist: if my fingertips met, I would be ecstatic.

In the film there is a scene where Ellens mother cries when she sees her. This is so true! My mum cried. Strangers, too: when I turned up at ballet class, people would either cry at my stick legs in pink tights, or they would turn away in fear.

When Ellen is asked by a doctor when she last had a period, she says: I cant remember. I was asked that question by my endocrinologist at St Barts Hospital, and my answer was the same. We both meant: Ive never had a period. And I dont want one, ever. Gross!

It seems not much has changed when it comes to treatment, either, bar one or two innovations. The nurse allows Ellen to have her back to the eye-level gauge on the scales; a small trick, but it would have helped me not to see, not to know.

I thought I was unique in hating my own name (I cannot bring myself to look at my byline in this paper), but heres that phobia, writ large. The psychiatrist, played brilliantly by Keanu Reeves, suggests Ellen change her name to Eli. What a good idea. That would have helped me, too. To no longer be me.

This film airs the truism that we ruin the lives of those around us and that, despite our super-human strength, we cant just eat. There is too much talk that anorexia is caused by girls copying what they see online. Not true: I thought Id invented anorexia.

Its no exaggeration to say that, had I seen it aged 11 or 12, this film would have saved my life.

... But viewers are split over films graphic scenes

By Chris Hastings Arts Correspondent for the Mail On Sunday

To the Bone may have prompted a storm of protest on social media before it was released on Friday, but some viewers were quick to praise the film.

One wrote: I was sceptical about To The Bone but Im honestly surprised by how accurate its portrayal of eating disorders is. Another said: Watched To The Bone today and although it is a hard watch at times, I thought it depicted the illness far better than in other films. But a former anorexic warned: I trust the intentions of everyone involved, but when I was anorexic I would have 100 per cent watched To The Bone so see how skinny I should get.

Another added: To The Bone is going to relapse me so hard. I can feel it. Some fans thought the shows producers had failed to highlight the fact that eating disorders could affect anyone, anywhere.

One wrote: Wealthy white girls arent the only ones with eating disorders, theyre just the only ones who can afford treatment.

And while many fans appreciated the fact the drama was not as explicit as its trailer suggested, others attacked Netflix. One wrote: If youre struggling with an eating disorder, dont watch.

Another said: Im urging everyone who is suffering from an eating disorder not to watch To The Bone.
After a busy few days hosting King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, Her Majesty has been spotted enjoying some downtime.

The Queen, 91, was pictured enjoying a horse ride in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday.

Tagging along for the ride was Prince Edward, 53, and his daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 13.

The Queen's son and granddaughter rode either side of the monarch, as the trio appeared deep in conversation.

The Queen is pictured riding with Lady Louise and Prince Edward at Windsor Castle

Her Royal Highness seemed content as she took in the fresh air, riding around what is said to be her favourite residence.

She kept warm in a floral headscarf and beige mac, while Lady Louise played it safe in a riding helmet.

The 13-year-old wore a blue jacket and matching jodhpurs, and at one point was spotted riding off alone.

Prince Edward was seen sporting a red and black helmet as he rode around the grounds.

The Queen is known for her love of horses and has been riding since the tender age of four, when she got her first Shetland pony, named Peggy.

In recent years she has cut down on the time she spends riding but is regularly seen at the Windsor Castle stables.

Lady Louise was seen riding around Windsor Castle alone but unlike the Queen wore a helmet

Prince Edward joined his mother The Queen and daughter Lady Louise Windsor for the outing

Her Majesty hosted the Spanish royals for a three day visit this week after they arrived on Wednesday.

The Royals hosted an extravagant state dinner to welcome the Spanish King and Queen on Wednesday evening.

The Queen and Prince Phillip were in attendance, alongside the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Prince Charles and Camilla.

Letzia and Felipe left Buckingham Palace on Friday morning and were waved off by the Queen and Prince Phillip.
A groom left paralysed in a freak accident on his stag-do has defied the odds to say his wedding vows standing.

James Thorpe, 29, nearly died and was told he'd never walk again after suffering a crippling spinal injury when he slipped over in the sea.

The firefighter from Boston, Lincs. was forced to put his wedding to fiancee Michaela Watson, 33, on hold - but was determined to get back on his feet to tie the knot.

Just over a year after the accident, the couple got married in a Disney-themed wedding set in a romantic castle ceremony in Grantham, Lincs on Saturday.

Their friends and relatives wept as James pulled himself to his feet to say his vows - before he managed to enjoy the couple' s first dance using a special frame.

James Thorpe, 29, from Boston, Lincs was able to stand up unaided to exchange vows with his partner Michaela Watson at their wedding this weekend

James, 29, said: 'It was the best day of my life and meant everything to me.

'It was terrible what happened to me but could have been worse.

'Having the love of my life by my side throughout everything has given me the strength to do what doctors told me I wouldn't.

'I couldn't be prouder to call Michaela my wife and I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together.'

James was paralysed during a freak accident when he broke his neck paddling in the sea

James and Michaela met in 2012 and were due to get married on June 24, 2016, after he popped the question at Disneyland in Orlando, US in 2014.

But just two hours after landing in Magaluf in Mallorca with his pals for his stag do in early June last year, James tripped and fell while paddling in the sea.

He was suddenly swept over by the knee-height water and banged his head on the sea bed - feeling his neck break.

James had been wearing a crab costume moments before but took it off as it got too heavy.

He said: 'It was a complete freak accident. It was simply caused by me running into the sea but you can hardly tell people not to do that on their holidays.

The retired firefighter was able to do his first dance with Michaela with the help of a frame

'There were six of us there looking forward to a great week away but for me, it was over within a matter of hours and changed my life forever.'

Michaela, who rushed to Mallorca to be at James' bedside, said: 'He knew instantly what he'd done.

'He kept really calm and luckily one of his friends spotted him going under the water or he would have drowned.

'He was directing his friends to tell them what to do and they made a headrest out of sand so he could keep his neck still.

'He was even liaising with a nurse who happened to be there to make sure he didn't do anything to make his injuries worse.'

The 29-year-old was rushed to hospital just two hours after landing in Magaluf, Majorca

James was rushed to a hospital in Palma de Mallorca where he spent two weeks in a critical condition.

MRI scans revealed he had broken his c7 vertebrae, which helps provide the neck with structural support, some flexibility, and protects the spinal cord.

It left him paralysed from the chest down and he was told by medics he wouldn't walk again.

Speaking from his hospital bed at the time, James said: 'It's devastating that what was meant to be such a happy time has turned into our worst nightmare.

'Despite everything, I'm trying to think positively and do everything I can to walk again. If there's a chance I can, I will.'

James was determined to walk at the wedding after being paralysed from the chest down

Surgeons took bone from James' hip to repair the damage to his neck before he was flown back to the UK to undergo intense physiotherapy.

James attends rehab two to three times a month at a private clinic in Watford, Herts., where he's learned how to get back on his feet at a cost of 63 an hour.

He took his first steps at Sheffield Northern General hospital on May 24 when he walked with the aid of a robotic Exko Skeleton suit and walking frame.

James, who has since retired from the fire service, said: 'It was the greatest achievement. I was definitely very tearful when it happened.

'I felt like I was making some real progress and it gave me real hope.

Michaela wanted a Disney-themed wedding a wore a stunning dusty pink gown

'Some days it felt like I was going nowhere but this really gave me the boost I needed to keep going.

'This rehab has been paid for by all the fundraising people have been doing for me and for that I can't thank them enough.'

But James didn't up at home either and had a specially made walking frame and parallel bars in place to make him stronger.

He hopes to make a complete recovery and has astounded doctors with how quickly he has got to where he is today.

James said: 'The next thing we plan to do is have children and I want to be as active as I can with them.

James used a special frame and a wheelchair for the rest of his wedding day

'The doctors have said I probably won't ever make a complete recovery but they said I wouldn't walk again after the accident and I have.

'I've come this far and nothing is going to hold me back now.'

After James' disastrous Spanish stag-do last year, he made sure to see off single life properly last month.

He and his pals steered clear of water and enjoyed a more tame night out in his hometown of Boston, Lincs.

James and Michaela finally tied the knot at Belvoir Castle in Grantham, Lincs., on Saturday.

James proposed at Disney World and the pair will return to Florida on their honeymoon

The day was exactly as they had planned when they were due to tie the knot last year, and Michaela opted for a dusky pink gown - fit for a Disney princess.

Knowing the special moment would be an emotional one, they provided tissues to the guests in advance - and advised the women to wear waterproof mascara.

They also finished the night off in style with a real tear-jerker after hiring a special piece of equipment with wheels that allowed James and Michaela to enjoy a first dance.

Michaela said: 'We came across the idea online and just knew it would be the perfect surprise for our guests.

'They were only expecting to see James on his feet for the ceremony so to see us actually be able to have a first dance was incredible.

Doctors have said that James won't make a complete recovery but he is hopeful that he can

'We always expected it to be a really emotional day but everyone at our wedding has been on this journey with us so I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.'

Today (Sun) they're jetting off on a three-week honeymoon which will include a trip to Las Vegas, a Caribbean cruise and a return visit to Orlando.

Newly-wed Michaela, an assistant technical manager, said: 'I just love Disney and it seemed the perfect way to mark such a miracle.

'To see James standing there making his vows to me was a dream come true.

Michaela said they wanted to surprise their guests with the moment James stood up

'It couldn't have been a more perfect way to celebrate with all of our friends and family around us. We couldn't have got through all this without their support.

'It's been a whirlwind of a year but I'm so proud of what James has managed to achieve.

'He's a real hero and I know they'll be no problem in our marriage we can't overcome.'

James and Michaela are continuing to fundraise to help pay for his ongoing physiotherapy.

Donations can be made via the PayPal account: thejamesthorpefund@yahoo.com
One of Britain's youngest surrogate mums made a couple's dreams come true - by handing over the first child she's given birth to aged just 25.

Sarah Holder from Birmingham carried a son, Grayson, for Katy-Anne McGlade, from Motherwell, Lanarkshire and her husband John - a baby they thought they would never have after the teacher underwent a hysterectomy in 2010 as part of treatment for cervical cancer.

'Everyone has made a big deal about the fact I'm quite young - but I don't see it as a big thing,' Sarah explained.

'When I gave birth people said "Don't you love him?" and I said no.

'I cared about him obviously but there was no maternal instinct there. He was never going to be mine.

'He was always for Katy-Anne and John. To me, it felt the same way you would if you looked after your friends' house.'

Sarah Holder was just 25 when she became a surrogate mum for Katy-Anne and John McGlade

Katy-Anne, 33, and John couple scooped 32,000 in the Postcode Lottery in July 2014 and decided to use the money to try for a baby, choosing Sarah from an online agency.

Single Sarah had decided to become a surrogate mum after seeing her own aunt struggle to have children six years ago.

While many of her pals were going out partying and finding a boyfriend, the caring support worker's main aim in life was to help a childless couple become parents.

So Sarah, who lives with her mum Carol, 48, and her brother Craig, 17 in Birmingham, signed up to Surrogacy UK in May 2015 when she was just 22.

Katy-Anne says baby Grayson will always knowhis Auntie Sarah as they've stayed friends

While surrogates cannot be paid, it is legal to compensate them for time off work and expenses such as transport to appointments and treatment.

The McGlades paid Sarah and the rest of their winnings went on two of three IVF attempts.

'Initially we had a friend who offered to be a surrogate for us - then she couldn't do it,' Katy-Anne confessed.

'The first thought was to try and get treatment on the NHS but they tried to say they didn't think it was going to work.

Sarah wanted to become a surrogate after seeing her aunt struggle to have her own children

'We just felt they were putting a lot of barriers in the way. Then came the lottery win.'

'So we started looking into private treatment,' she added.

After the McGlades met Sarah through Surrogacy UK, they spent three months getting to know each other just like friends - going out together to restaurants and the cinema - before deciding to get pregnant.

Using a donor egg and John's sperm via IVF, Sarah had two failed attempts in December 2015 at the Glasgow Centre For Reproductive Medicine.

Sarah adds: 'It was obviously devastating for them. It was for me too because I wanted to give them that.'

Katy-Anne had a hysterectomy as part of treatment for cervical cancer

But a third attempt at a clinic called Reprofit in Brno in the Czech Republic was successful in April 2016.

'Katy-Anne and John booked me for a scan and I had to go on my own because they couldn't come down to Birmingham from Scotland,' Sarah said.

'They Facetimed me though, so it was as if they were there with me - and everything was fine.'

'Obviously Sarah and I were in constant contact for the nine months. I felt almost like dads do. I hadn't been carrying the baby and my legs weren't swelling,' Katy-Anne added.

Sarah was 'mortified' when she had to have a cesarean but had Katy-Anne and John with her

Grayson was born at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham on January 3 through caesarean section.

Sarah had her friend Jade as moral support throughout the procedure and Katy-Anne and John, who were waiting in a nearby room, were able to be the first people to hold Grayson.

'I never wanted a caesarean. I was mortified I was having to be cut open. In the end I just wanted it all over and done with. Katy-Anne and John were waiting in recovery,' Sarah confessed.

The couple were able to afford a surrogate after winning the Postcode Lottery

'I remember being in recovery and Jade sitting next to me. Katy-Anne and John were always there. They never left me.

'On the following night, Katy-Anne was really quiet, I asked her if she was all right and she looked up and said yes and smiled.

'I don't think it had quite sunk in yet. It was the most important moment of their life and they were over the moon.

'I was in hospital for three days and Katy-Anne and John never left my side. We still talk at least once a week.

Sarah doesn't think her young age is a 'big deal' and signed up to the agency aged just 22

'That was the whole point of Surrogacy UK - they wanted you to have a friendship.

'I went up to see them and we went on a tour of Scotland together.'

Katy-Anne explained: 'I don't believe a normal baby handed to its mum and dad would be aware more than Grayson was aware John and I were his parents.

'We arrived at hospital as three people and left as four. It is amazing that a young boy is here and is ours.

Katy-Anne and John still speak to Sarah at least once a week and remain friends

'The Postcode Lottery funded the first two tries and Sarah's expenses. Our final IVF attempt went on the credit card bill.

'But if we had needed three tries on the credit card then there would have been absolutely no chance of Grayson being born.'

Husband John, 33, a bank worker, said: 'Everything feels like it should be and we have settled into family life. Any time Grayson does something new we try to take a picture of it so we don't miss any moment.

Katy-Anne said there was no chance Grayson would have been born without Sarah

'It is just quite hard to think of a time when he wasn't here.'

The experience has left all three as firm friends.

'It has been a long few years and a difficult time since my diagnosis with cancer and my hysterectomy, but it is amazing that a little boy is here and is ours,' said Katy-Anne.

'I didn't even know my husband played the Postcode Lottery. Without that win we could never have Grayson.

'And we were so happy it was Sarah carrying him. I have known her for two years now - and Grayson will always know his Auntie Sarah. We were delighted that someone was prepared to do this for us.'
The daughter of Body Shop Founder Anita Roddick has broken her silence on her mother's death - an indirect result of receiving a contaminated blood transfusion - days after Theresa May called for an inquiry into the scandal.

Ms Roddick died in 2007 age 64 after being diagnosed with hepatitis C, 30-years after the Littlehampton-born entrepreneur received a contaminated transfusion.

Sam, who founded lingerie brand Coco de Mer, told The Sunday Times: 'How can you think that something as innocent as a woman going into hospital to give birth can lead to someone coming out with hepatitis C?

'My mum was one of tens of thousands of people who were basically on a Russian roulette.'

This week, Theresa May has called for an inquiry into the scandal, which saw at least 2,400 British people die from hepatitis C and Aids-related illnesses.

Sam Roddick said it was tragic that her mum was diagnosed too late to be treated.

The victims received imported blood that had been contaminated with viruses in the 1970s and 80s - Anita's transfusion occured while she was giving birth.

A lot of the plasma used to make clotting agent factor VIII came from donors such as prisoners from overseas.

The Body Shop founder contacted hepatitis C in 1971 but was not aware of the illness until over 30 years later.

Anita was suffering from cirrhosis when she was eventually diagnosed and died of a brain haemorrhage in 2007, a rare complication of the disease.

THE CONTAMINATED BLOOD SCANDAL Between 1970 and 1991, against the recommendation of many experts, the NHS routinely imported such products from overseas. It would later emerge that many of them were supplied by drug companies that sourced blood by paying people in high-risk groups, such as prostitutes, vagrants and drug addicts, to donate it. The products were riddled with the blood-borne viruses hepatitis C and HIV. In a second terrible oversight, these highly dangerous products were then administered to British patients without being screened for the viruses, despite warnings from the World Health Organisation. Innocent patients were duly infected as a result. About 7,500 people, of whom roughly two-thirds were haemophiliacs, are now known to have been given hepatitis C during this period. Advertisement

Sam described it as a 'tragedy' that her mother hadn't been diagnosed younger as she would have been able to undergo treatment.

By the time she found out she had hepatitis C, she was already suffering from cirrhosis of the liver.

The entrepreneur was in her late thirties when her mother was diagnosed in her sixties, but she was reluctant to talk too much about her condition.

She doesn't know how her mother actually found out she had the disease, describing it as a difficult subject for her to speak about.

Anita founded The Body Shop in 1976 and was known for her activism

On Tuesday the PM announced there would be inquiry after six party leaders wrote her a letter demanding action.

The multimillionaire, who was born to Italian immigrants, opened her first cosmetics store in 1976 in her home town of Littlehampton, West Sussex.

Although she qualified as a teacher in her twenties and went on to work for the United Nations, she wanted a change in career to help support herself and her daughters while her husband, who she married in 1970, trekked across America.

Sam compared her mum's death to 'Russian roulette' and said the illness was a 'tender subject'

The first Body Shop was basic and at first sold only 15 lines.

But the revolutionary idea of cruelty-free beauty products was ahead of its time and soon proved a roaring success.

Just six months later she opened her second shop, and on her husband's return, he joined the business.

Years later, Dame Anita described her first shop as a 'series of brilliant accidents'.

Sam broke her silence after Theresa May called for an inquiry into the scandal

She said: 'It had a great smell, it had a funky name.

'It was positioned between two funeral parlours - that always caused controversy. It was incredibly sensuous.

'We recycled everything, not because we were environmentally friendly, but because we didn't have enough bottles. It was a good idea.'

Dame Anita was also highly regarded for her humanitarian work to promote Aids awareness and poverty in the Third World.'




Skye Gyngell, 53, is head chef at Spring, her restaurant at Somerset House. She lives in London and has two daughters, Holly, 27, and Evie, 20.

I grew up in the suburbs of Sydney, where everyone knew everyones business, yet rarely talked openly about their problems. I studied law out of a sense of duty to my father, who was desperate for one of his children to follow in his footsteps at Sydney University. But I knew I didnt want to be a lawyer.

In 1981, I took a student job washing up at a Sydney restaurant  and it was here, up to my elbows in suds, that I suddenly felt all my self-doubt start to fall away.

Australian chef Skye Gyngell, 53, studied to be a lawyer but realised she was happier being a chef, and her lightbulb moment came while whipping up mayonnaise in a Sydney kitchen

All day, Id watch the head cook, an Australian Lebanese woman called Layla Sorfie, work what seemed to me pure magic. Boning duck; whipping up delicate sauces with spices Id never seen before; creating puff pastry with the skill of a French patissier.

Laylas joy in food, and passion for ingredients was obvious even to the shy girl at the sink.

One day, she asked me if Id like to make the mayonnaise, and as I beat the oil and egg yolk together I felt certain this was where I was happiest. The kitchen.

When I told my parents I was following not in Dads footsteps but Laylas, they were furious and told me I had to pay back every penny university had cost them.

But certainty made me brave, and I did it anyway, winning a place at La Varenne, the Parisian cookery school at which Layla had studied. I didnt go back to Australia, but moved to London and worked at The Dorchester Hotel under Anton Mosimann.

Even now, with my own restaurant and as a former holder of a Michelin star, my very favourite thing to do in the morning is make a salad dressing.
Twins Jagga and Baliya Kanhara, aged two years and three months, are striving for a normal life just like other kids.

But, the toddlers are joined from the top of their heads.

In medical term, children with such a condition are known as 'craniopagus conjoint twins'  an extremely rare condition found in one in 2.5 million births.

Toddlers Jagga and Baliya, aged two years and three months, have been referred to AIIMS

The twins  Jagannath and Balram  hail from the Kandhamal district in Odisha.

They were born to a farmer's family which has put all of its faith in doctors, believing they will successfully separate the youngsters.

'We have come all the way from Odisha with a hope that the lives of our children will be transformed after a surgery. The rest is up to God,' Puspa Kanhara, the youngsters' mother said.

Conjoined twins Jagga and Baliya

This highly challenging medical case was referred to the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) from Bhubaneshwar on Friday.

Doctors at AIIMS are still not sure whether to recommend going forward with the surgery, as the procedure would put the lives of both the toddlers in risk.

The centre's director Dr Randeep Guleria said: 'It is one of the most challenging cases and also a first-of-its-kind that AIIMS has seen.

Multiple surgeries will need to be carried out to separate the twins

'We have accepted the challenge but until now we have not been sure about the chances of their survival.

'Only after detailed investigations, will we be able to comment on whether surgery is feasible or not.

'Multiple surgeries need to be done. Their heads are completely fused and they face away from each other.

We can only comment after undertaking brain mapping and angiograms.'

Health experts say nearly 40 per cent of conjoined twins die during birth and an additional one-third die within 24 hours of birth, usually from congenital organ anomalies, leaving 25 per cent to be considered for surgical separation.

It's the first case of its kind at AIIMS

Less than 50 cases have been reported globally in the last 75 years .

Dr AK Mahaptra, chief of Neuroscience Centre at AIIMS, said a multi-specialty team consisting of paediatric neurosurgeons, cerebrovascular surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, neuro-anaesthetists, neurologists and child psychologists have been discussing the complexities in this case.

Doctors at AIIMS said that both the toddlers are malnourished and that this could pose a threat during surgeries.

Dr Deepak Gupta, a neurosurgery professor, added that only 25 per cent cases of this sort do succeed.

'Surgical planning itself can take upto three months to get finalised. The entire procedure involves multiple stages that usually require quite a months to get over. As of now, we just need to keep the kids away from infection.'
The Indian Navy's only fighter aircraft, MiG-29K, continues to face problems as the maritime force feels that the fighter jet needs to be further improved to carry out operations from aircraft carriers, which is supposed to be its main role.

'The plane needs to be made more durable as very frequently after landings, the settings of the plane change and they have to be re-set,' sources in the Navy said.

The Navy operates the MiG-29Ks from its Goa air base as well as the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

The Navy wants the MiG-29K to be improved to cope with operations at sea

After phasing out of the Sea Harrier planes, it will not be the only fighter aircraft left with the Navy.

The Indian side has taken up the matter with the Russians who have already sent their technical teams to look into problems, to find a solution, as the aircraft are still in the warranty period.

'The issue has been taken up with the Russians at a senior level as India and Russia discuss their military ties and issues at multiple forums including the level of the heads of states,' the source said.

The fighter plane, which is operated only by India, has faced operational deficiencies for a long time (stock photo)

Naval fighter aircraft need to be very tough as they land heavily on the aircraft carrier's deck and have to maintain high speeds to be ready to take off in case they fail to hook to the arrester wire on the warship.

The fighter plane, which is operated only by India, has faced operational deficiencies for a long time due to defects in engines, airframe and fly-by-wire system leading to very low availability for operations. This was pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General (GAG) in its report last year.

'The MiG-29K, which is a carrier-borne multi-role aircraft and the mainstay of integral fleet air defence, is riddled with problems relating to airframe, RD MK-33 engine and fly-bywire system,' the CAG said.

The Indian side has taken up the matter with the Russians who have already sent their technical teams to look into problems (stock photo)

Serviceability of the warplanes was low, ranging from 15.93 per cent to 37.63 per cent and that of MiG-29KUB ranging from 21.30 per cent to 47.14 per cent.

Serviceability refers to the total number aircraft available for operation at a time from the overall capacity.

The auditor had also noted that the service life of the aircraft was 6,000 hours or 25 years (whichever is earlier) and with issues facing the MiG-29K/KUB, the operational life of the aircraft already delivered would be reduced.

Naval fighter aircraft need to be very tough as they land heavily on the aircraft carrier's deck

India ordered 45 MiG-29K aircraft and equipment worth `10,000 crore in two separate orders  in 2004 and 2010  from Russia.

It is the primary combat platform on INS Viramaditya, the country's only operational aircraft carrier inducted in 2014.

The MiG-29K aircraft are also expected to serve on the homemade aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which is still under construction and not expected to be inducted into service before the year 2023.
With the price of the average wedding held in Britain now topping 25,000, many couples are thinking about heading abroad to trim costs when they tie the knot.

By going overseas it is possible to get hitched for a third of the price of a ceremony at home.

Equally, while some are opting to wed abroad for financial reasons, others like the idea of smaller venues and fewer guests, coupled with the promise of a stunning backdrop  giving them an excuse to bust the budget.

La Dolce Vita: Natalie and Giles will marry on the Amalfi Coast (read their story below)

Steph Bishop from website Marryabroad, says: 'There are many potential benefits to getting married overseas, including better weather, a distinctive wedding, a smaller guest list, the chance to combine a wedding and a honeymoon  and lower costs.'

This is a view shared by Neil James Cartwright from travel website Momondo, but he warns that couples are at the mercy of foreign exchange rates that can play havoc with their plans.

He says: 'While getting married abroad can sometimes mean a more intimate and affordable celebration, getting wed outside of the UK may not always work out cheaper.

'A lot will depend on the country and location you choose, the exchange rate, and how efficient you are at transferring money abroad.'

STRETCH YOUR POUNDS

The pound has had a rocky ride against key foreign currencies since the Brexit vote last year, making the likes of eurozone destinations and America a more expensive bet.

But if you are not set on a particular destination, you may want to look for one with a favourable exchange rate.

The best-value wedding destinations include the exotic climes of Argentina and Brazil, as well as the tropical beaches of Gambia, Jamaica and Mexico, according to currency dealer FairFX.

Other top-value destinations include South Africa and Tanzania, along with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Seychelles and Sri Lanka.

Ian Strafford-Taylor of FairFX, says: 'Savvy planners won't just be looking at the most idyllic wedding destinations, they will be making a financial assessment too.

'Choosing a country where currency is more favourable is a smart way of getting the most bang for your buck  and more wedding for your money.'

For example, the pound has improved by six per cent against the Argentine peso over the past six months, and is 43 per cent stronger than two years ago, according to FairFX. Compared to five years ago, it is 200 per cent stronger.

Strafford-Taylor adds: 'This gives you 13,695 Argentine pesos more for every 1,000 spent  equivalent to 667 more.'

WE WILL SAVE MONEY BY MARRYING IN ITALY Natalie Dent and Giles Barber (pictured top), both aged 28, are busy planning ahead for their wedding in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast in Italy next June. The couple from West Sussex met at school, and have been an item since they were 15. Natalie now works as a marketing manager for a telecoms company, while Giles is an account manager for an airline. Giles popped the question last December as a surprise on Natalie's birthday. As the couple have always loved taking holidays in Italy, they dreamed of tying the knot in the Italian sun. Natalie says: 'We are rapidly reaching the budget we set of 25,000. It is a lot of money, but will be worth it to have the wedding we always dreamt of.' The couple make payments in chunks every few months to an Italian wedding planner and send money to other overseas suppliers. They are not stinting on food and drink for guests. Natalie says: 'One of the biggest costs is the catering and food, as we have opted for a package which works at around 130 (115) per head  including some drinks. With plans to invite 80 guests, costs have mounted up.' Another of the big costs is the photographer and videographer, with a price tag of around 2,000 (1,770). 'In addition, we hadn't realised there would be quite so many taxes  including royalties for the band,' says Natalie. They opted to make the payments using TransferWise, which takes a fee of just 0.5 per cent each time. Natalie says: 'This is cheaper  and simpler  than transferring money through my bank. 'We also use a 'rate alert' tool, which means we get a notification when the euro rate has moved to an acceptable level. We then quickly take advantage of this opportunity to send money abroad.' The couple will take their honeymoon on the nearby Amalfi Coast after the ceremony, neatly saving on extra travel costs.

FIND A GOOD CURRENCY DEAL

Couples planning a wedding abroad should not overlook how they make payments to the overseas suppliers they deal with. Often big sums will need transferring to pay the venue owner or catering company and a poor deal could chop hundreds of pounds out of the bridal budget.

While a couple's first instinct may be to turn to their bank for convenience, this is likely to be costly due to poor exchange rates and hidden fees.

The key to avoid getting ripped off is to move money through a currency specialist, as these firms can offer better exchange rates, and do not apply extra fees. Transfer times are also faster, and may be as short as a day.

Try firms such as FairFX, Caxton FX, HiFX, Currencies Direct or TransferWise.

Nilan Peiris of TransferWise, says: 'When paying deposits and upfront costs to lots of different suppliers  such as caterers, venues and DJs  the cost can really mount up, especially if you are being charged transfer fees as well as a poor exchange rate each time.

'This will make it hard to stay in control of your budget.'

BEWARE EXTRA CHARGES

It is not always obvious where the extra charges lurk.

A couple wanting to transfer 1,000 to a supplier in Europe using a high-street bank, such as Santander, for example, could end up paying 15 in fees plus an extra 31 or so due to the poor exchange rate, according to an independent study by research firm Consumer Intelligence.

If you opted for the Post Office you might be tempted by its promise of no fees. But customers end up paying 48 due to an uncompetitive exchange rate.

The same transfer using TransferWise, would cost just over 5.

I do: A marriage abroad is a holiday  with (wedding) bells on

TIME YOUR PAYMENTS

Think carefully about when to make overseas payments, especially when moving significant sums.

Phil McHugh from Currencies Direct, says: 'As exchange rates are always moving, it can be difficult to pick the best time to send money abroad. By subscribing to a market update, you can keep an eye on exchange rates and plan your currency transfer for when the rate has moved in your favour.'

With some currency providers, you can also set up a 'rate alert' which will notify you as soon as the market moves to the level you have chosen.

FOLLOW THE RULES

Deliver documents: Most countries have a set timeframe for receiving legal paperwork. Check what is required at gov.uk/marriage-abroad.

Residency rules: In some countries you cannot have a legal wedding unless you or a close relative are resident. In France, for instance, you, your partner or one of your parents need to have lived in the town where you want to marry for at least 40 days.

Timing nuptials: Couples will need to register their 'intent to marry' on arrival in the country  so a ceremony may well be a few days after arriving. But in Florida and some Caribbean countries, you can arrive and marry the same day.

Name accuracy: Ensure the name on your passport is the name on all legal and travel documents.

Delegate organisation:Consider using a local wedding planner to save time, money and hassle. A planner will know the area and can suggest locations and suppliers  they can also smooth out any problems.

Baggage check: Most airlines will allow a bride to be to bring the wedding dress as hand luggage  but check before booking.

Consider cover: A marriage abroad is a holiday  with (wedding) bells on  so travel insurance should reflect the difference.

Amber Moon, of insurer Holidaysafe, says: 'You need to purchase travel insurance that includes all aspects of a destination wedding, such as loss of rings, gifts and wedding attire, and problems with the photographer.

If your wedding is doubling as your honeymoon, it is important to ensure your travel insurance covers both the big day and the vacation afterwards.'

Event add-on: Find out if a policy offers a separate 'wedding extension' to the basic travel cover. Alternatively, look at standalone overseas wedding policies. This should offer protection for a range of eventualities.

This might be covering the costs of an alternative supplier if a pre-booked service provider goes bankrupt or fails to turn up or if the wedding has to be postponed due to illness. Unfortunately, being jilted at the altar is not included.

PRUNE BRIDAL BUDGET

Free weddings: Many Caribbean resorts offer a 'free' wedding if you book to stay there  a great way to combine the ceremony and honeymoon.

Guests with benefits: Find out if your resort will give you a free room if you bring a certain number of guests.

Marry out of season: Brides and grooms who are flexible with dates can trim costs dramatically. Getting married outside your chosen country's peak tourist season should yield lower villa rental and hotel rates.

Forget the pricey photographer: Ask your guests to tap into their inner David Bailey to upload their Instagram-worthy shots to a photo-sharing app, such as WedPics.

HERE COMES THE BILL - FOR GUESTS

Millions of people will attend weddings as guests this year and spend hundreds of pounds.

Research from credit card provider American Express says nearly a third of people will attend one wedding this year, spending an average of 432.

But like Hugh Grant in the famous wedding-themed romcom, some will attend an average of four celebrations this year, seeing their bills mount with each of the nuptials.

Invite: Abbey Sutton is keen to do all she can to manage the costs of being a guest

The largest expense for guests is usually the wedding gift (85), followed by hotel accommodation (74), and an outfit (71).

Those invited overseas will see bills rocket.

Separate research carried out by the Post Office reveals Britons are willing to travel up to 1,163 miles on average to a close relation or best friend's wedding  and invest a hefty 827 on being a guest.

Its findings also suggest a third of people welcome the idea of a wedding abroad.

That said, it is still worth taking all the steps you can to keep costs down, and avoid an overseas wedding burning a hole in your pocket.

KEEP COSTS DOWN

- Book both accommodation and travel well in advance.

- Team up with others. If the accommodation offered at a venue is too expensive get in touch other guests to share a local Airbnb property.

- Be canny on flights. Try flight comparison websites such as Momondo and Skyscanner.

Neil James Cartwright, from travel site Momondo, says: 'Book your flights in advance and bear in mind that departures between 6pm and midnight typically offer the cheapest fares, while Tuesday is generally the cheapest day to fly.'

- If the wedding is part of a package holiday, see whether you can get a group rate if you all book together.

- Shop wisely for outfits, gifts, travel and accommodation, and make use of discount, voucher and cashback websites such as Voucher Codes, HotUKDeals and TopCashback.
The cremated remains of a Georgia woman mysteriously washed up on a Florida beach, leaving authorities and relatives flummoxed and searching for answers.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that a box containing the ashes of an Atlanta-area woman, Ngacloan Hua, was found by a man walking along the beach in Destin, Florida.

He found the box in a plastic bag with Hua's name, date of birth and Social Security number, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that a box (pictured) containing the ashes of an Atlanta-area woman, Ngacloan Hua, was found by a man walking along the beach in Destin, Florida

He found the box in a plastic bag with Hua's name, date of birth and Social Security number. The location of her death in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the name of the funeral home that handled the cremation was also on the bag

The location of her death in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the name of the funeral home that handled the cremation was also on the bag.

Police officers sent the box back to Hua's family in Georgia, and they were said to be 'absolutely elated' to have them back

It was turned over to sheriff's officials in Okaloosa County on Wednesday.

Police contacted a funeral home identified on the bag and were able to reunite the cremains with Hua's sister.

She told police the box containing the ashes disappeared as the family found a quiet place to pray in Georgia.

The sheriff's office also shared the mysterious story to their Facebook, along with photos of the box being prepared to be sent back to Georgia.

Hua's sister told police the family thought the box had been stolen as their eyes were closed in prayer.

However, she told police she has no idea how the ashes ended up along the Florida coast, as no one in the family has any connection to Destin.

The remains have been returned to Hua's family, and police say the family was 'absolutely elated,' to have them back, according to the AJC.
Brides across multiple cities are upset and angry after they went to get their wedding gowns only to find the store closed.

The Alfred Angelo bridal chain, which operates more than 60 stores across the U.S., appears to be closing all or most of its stores, employees have told media outlets.

Police have even received 911 calls over the closure of Alfred Angelo Bridal, according to local reports.

Brides are upset and angry after they found that the Alfred Angelo bridal chain closed

Employees were seen packing dresses into the night to try to honor all orders in San Antonio, News4SA reports.Staff there said they would stay all night to ship dresses to brides who had already ordered.

One staff member, who claimed to be a manager, said there was a conference call yesterday morning with corporate and the company told them they tried to remain open, but they were going to have to declare bankruptcy.

Employees at the company's headquarters office in Delray Beach, Florida left all left suddenly, carrying boxes, plants and other personal belongings, according to the Palm Beach Post.

Brides-to-be across San Diego desperate to get their dresses after the national chain Alfred Angelo Bridal, unexpectedly shut down. pic.twitter.com/J0LE5iM564  Kimberly Hunt (@10NewsHunt) July 14, 2017

Some brides are now being told they have to call an attorney if they want their dress in time for their wedding day.

Social media postings began circulating yesterday saying that the company was going out of business.

Alfred Angelo Bridal hired Stearns, Weaver Miller law firm in Miami to represent them.

Clerks for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida said this morning that nothing had been filed yet by Alfred Angelo.

The companys website declares that he will never forget the way you looked, conjuring romantic images of happy, loved-up grooms and their beautiful partners.

But grooms-to-be may now conjure a very different, angry image when they think of Alfred Angelo and remember how their beloved looked when they heard the news about the company's closure.

The company offers affordable luxury in bridal and special occasion wear for women, men and children and was stocked in more than 1,400 retailers in the U.S. and worldwide.

50 Alfred Angelo Bridal Signature Stores located across America.

The company announced on Facebook last week that it's UK division was a finalist for Best Bridal wear Manufacturer in the Bridal Buyer Awards 2017.

Media outlets in Massachusetts, Florida and Pennsylvania were all reporting the chain's stores are closing today.

In Dewitt, staff told New York Upstate that the shop would close permanently, but they were not told why.
Alexandra Meyers (pictured) was attacked in broad daylight as she walked her dog through a leafy square in West London

A businesswoman targeted by a vicious gang of eight robbers on powerful mopeds last night told how she fought them off, kicking one attacker so hard she shattered her ankle.

Alexandra Meyerss dramatic account comes amid a terrifying epidemic of violence and crime launched from two-wheeled vehicles.

They include a series of horrific acid attacks in London on Thursday, and the murder early yesterday of a 31-year-old man.

Gangs of robbers on mopeds and pedal cycles now commit up to 50,000 crimes a year in London alone, usually snatching mobile phones, say police.

Officers are said to be growing frustrated that strict rules prevent them from giving chase if robbers remove their crash helmets  because of concern for the offenders safety.

Ms Meyers, a fashion and luxury creative consultant and former UK communications director for jewellers Tiffany & Co, was attacked in broad daylight as she walked her dog through a leafy square in West London.

The well-drilled raiders struck in force. Three of the powerful machines  each carrying two leather-clad riders in helmets with dark visors  mounted the pavement.

Ms Meyers said she would have handed over her valuable watch  the robbers target  but was never given the chance and only struck back in fear of her life because the men tried to drag her along behind a speeding bike.

A fourth machine, also carrying two men, hung back to block the road and she said she owes her life to a mystery Good Samaritan who drove his car straight at the attackers, which gave her the chance to flee.

Ms Meyers, 41, recalled: I was chatting to a friend on the phone when a powerful-looking moped with two men aboard came up on to the pavement, quite slowly.

She had to cancel travel plans after her MRI showed how badly her ankle was fractured

They stopped abruptly in front of me and just grabbed my left hand with the phone in it and tried to get it. I instinctively did not let go. Then they saw I had a watch on and tried to put it off but the metal bracelet had a security clasp preventing it coming off my wrist.

At that moment another moped came up next to me and I heard a sound behind me when another pair appeared on a third bike. I was cornered with my back to the wall.

She was attacked in West London when a gang on mopeds and a bike cornered her. Gangs of robbers on mopeds and pedal cycles now commit up to 50,000 crimes a year in London alone

Often in such incidents, as the rider mounts the pavement, the pillion passenger reaches out to grab the mobile phone from the victim.

More worryingly, some robbers, such as those spotted near the BBCs Central London headquarters in May, wielded a hammer and a crowbar to terrorise victims.

In April, another gang forced a man from his motorcycle in East London by spraying a fire extinguisher in his face, while last month, a woman who refused to let go of her handbag was dragged down the length of a street in Streatham, South London. Astonishingly, she suffering only cuts and bruises before the thugs gave up.

The fitness fan and fashion consultant pysically founghtt her attackers which she believed may have saved her life. She ordered free weights as soon as she heard that she would be 'off her feet' for so long after surgery so that she could build her strength throughout her recovery. Ms Meyers is also a fashion fan and shared the picture of her choosing between handbags (left)

In Ms Meyerss case, the robbers went into a seemingly well-practised routine.

It was like a military operation, she recalled. They were all in black leathers with gloves. You couldnt see anything of them, not even their skin colour.

None of them said a word throughout, which made it more sinister. It was all too fast to take in.

400 ACID ATTACKS IN JUST SIX MONTHS Two acid attacks are taking place in Britain every day, according to shocking figures released today. A staggering 408 cases of assaults using corrosive substances were recorded in the six months between November and April this year, with bleach, ammonia and acid the liquids most commonly used. And worryingly, one in five of the suspects was under the age of 18, according to the statistics compiled by police forces across England and Wales. In response, Home Secretary Amber Rudd will unveil an action plan tomorrow during a parliamentary debate. She said: Acid attacks are horrific crimes which have a devastating effect on victims, both physically and emotionally. It is vital that we do everything we can to prevent these sickening attacks happening in the first place. We must also ensure that the police and other emergency services are able to respond as effectively as possible, that sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences, and victims are given the immediate support they need. The plan was drawn up by police chiefs, the NHS and retailers after a summit organised by the Home Office on July 4  before the latest wave of acid attacks in London that saw five takeaway delivery drivers injured last Thursday by thieves targeting them for their mopeds. As part of the plan, CPS guidelines will be revised to ensure that courts treat acid as a dangerous weapon, while sentencing powers will also be reviewed. Advertisement

'If theyd asked me for my watch, Id have handed it over, but instead they just kept relentlessly yanking my arm and the watch in different directions, then the bike with the guy holding my arm began to move off, which would have dragged me on to the road.

It wasnt really a choice. The only alternative to fighting was losing my arm or possibly my life as they wouldnt let go.

'I kicked as hard as I could and started punching and kicking as hard as I could just to free myself.

The forceful and courageous response of an attractive, well-groomed woman walking a small dog clearly caught her attackers by surprise and they briefly let go.

As Ms Meyers fell to the pavement, she looked up and realised she was now surrounded by six men.

At that point I remember seeing a car mounting the kerb and knocking the bike behind me over with the two people on it. That is what gave me a chance to pick up the dog and start running.

I could feel that Id broken my ankle but the adrenaline just took over and pushed me on.

Then I saw the gang was coming back for me again and I noticed a black cab approaching.

'I threw myself into the road, pleading with the driver to stop.

Luckily he did, and his two female passengers said that they had seen what happened but were in two minds whether to stop, fearing for their own safety.

After being examined, doctors confirmed Ms Meyerss fears  the ankle was broken in two places, leaving her facing an operation this week to fit metal screws and wires.

However, she considers herself fortunate to have escaped a life-changing injury or worse.

Later she heard that another woman was attacked just 15 minutes later not far away in similar circumstances and one officer told her of his frustration that his colleagues were not allowed to chase motorbike robbers if they had removed their helmets because of police concern for the criminals safety. Ms Meyers said: I think its a major reason why these people are getting away with this so often. Police hands are tied and its very frustrating for them.

To combat the crimewave, Scotland Yards Operation Venice is targeting 500 known offenders who switch between stolen mopeds and push bikes. Met Commander Julian Bennett said: This is a serious crime because of the risk to everyone involved.

Referring to the no helmet policy, Superintendent Mark Payne said: If a rider takes his helmet off, thats a result for us.

Officers are said to be growing frustrated that strict rules prevent them from giving chase if robbers remove their crash helmets  because of concern for the offenders safety

They will drive past five or six CCTV cameras and we will have his face.

We will bang on their door at 3am when it is low-risk. Why should we bother chasing them through the streets of London?

A Met spokesman added: Police can and will undertake pursuits in any situation where it is necessary to do so, in line with nationally approved guidance on pursuing motorcycles and in line with approved tactics.
Any bid by Boris Johnson to become Tory leader could fall apart because of his colourful love life, it has been claimed.

He may not survive questions over his various romantic dealings and possible children that might have been the result, according to Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator magazine, which is known as the Tory bible.

The comments were made after Mr Nelson hosted The Spectators summer champagne party in Westminster on Thursday. He said the event turned into a shadow leadership campaign, with the warring Tory tribes staring at each other trying to work out the line of attack.

Party line: Boris Johnson at The Spectator's summer bash. He is pictured with historian Daisy Dunn, author of Catullus' Bedspread: The Life of Rome's most erotic poet

Three of the main contenders to succeed Mrs May  Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson, Brexit Secretary David Davis and Home Secretary Amber Rudd  and their respective cheerleaders warily eyed each other up. The air was thick with dark talk of dirty tricks, sex smears and other political scandals and intrigue.

Speaking after chatting at the party to Mr Johnson, a former editor of The Spectator, Mr Nelson questioned whether the Foreign Secretary would survive a leadership contest.

He could be exposed in the same way that Lib Dem leader Tim Farron was forced to resign this year over his views on gay sex, and John Kerrys 2004 US presidential campaign collapsed after his Vietnam War record was challenged, argued Mr Nelson.

His remarks coincided with an unrelated report in The Sun newspaper yesterday that claimed an ally of Mr Davis tried to smear Mr Johnson with a bogus claim of an affair with a former female aide to Mrs May.

Guests: Mail on Sunday columnist Rachel Johnson and Brexit Secretary David Davis

Oh, Brother: Boris Johnson denied rowing with his sister

No tears: Theresa May, Spectator editor Fraser Nelson and his wife Linda

Mr Nelson said Mr Kerry and Mr Farron both learned the hard way that when an Election starts, you get a whole new level of scrutiny  and thats when you fall apart.

He added: It is relevant because Boris has been in public life a long time without anybody asking too harsh questions about his various romantic dealings and possible children that might have been the result of that.

Mr Johnson fathered a daughter after an affair with arts consultant Helen Macintyre

'The question is, if he were to be party leader, would he then be subjected to questions on that vein that he hadnt been before?

It was well established in politics that party leaders in Election campaigns could not escape such interrogation. Farron and Kerry found that out  a lot of party leaders dont bear it in mind.

Mr Farron probably thought he had made it for so many years without anyone caring what he thought about gay sex that he could avoid tough questions in the Election. Devout Christian Mr Farrons campaign never recovered after it emerged he had said he believed gay sex was a sin.

In 2009, married father-of-four Mr Johnson fathered a daughter after an affair with arts consultant Helen Macintyre, prompting Mr Johnsons QC wife Marina to throw him out of their house.

Five years earlier he was fired as a Tory frontbencher after lying over an affair with writer and socialite Petronella Wyatt that resulted in her having an abortion. He famously  and falsely  called the allegation an inverted pyramid of piffle. Ms Wyatt was also at Thursdays Spectator party.

During last years referendum campaign, The Sun claimed Mr Johnsons wife was the victim of a separate bogus sex smear spread by anti-Brexit supporters.

Brexit campaign leader Mr Johnson with writer Petronella Wyatt

Mr Johnson pictured with his wife Marina Wheeler after winning his seat in Uxbridge in 2015

The tensions between Mr Davis and Mr Johnson surfaced with reports of a row after Mr Davis was photographed being kissed by the Foreign Secretarys sister, Mail on Sunday columnist Rachel Johnson. Mr Johnson yesterday denied rowing with her at the party over the incident.

Mr Daviss ally, Plebgate ex-Minister Andrew Mitchell, was also at the party, leading to some guests accusing them of blatant campaigning by their conduct.

Mr Nelson said he heard a supporter of one Tory hopeful cursing Davis with incredible ferocity, saying, This mans done nothing, how can he be leader of this Party? That sort of thing was going on a lot.
One of four young men arrested in the sexual assault of a 50-year-old woman after she left a church in Queens confessed to taking part in the crime, it was reported on Saturday.

Justin Williams, 17, expressed remorse for the incident.

'I don't deserve to pray,' he told the New York Post in a jailhouse interview.

Surveillance video shows a gang of four men following the helpless 50-year-old churchgoer before they allegedly forced her to perform oral sex at gunpoint.

The footage also shows the unidentified mother-of-two walking along 150th Street in Queens, New York with two bags in her hands before the alleged sexual assault occurred.

The four men, who are also accused of robbing her, appear in the video walking along the other side of the street.

The suspects walk in line together before one separates from the group after spotting the helpless victim leaving a church prayer service.

Justin Williams, 17, confessed to being one of the four men who allegedly pounced on a 50-year-old woman after she left a church in Queens, New York and forced her to perform oral sex at gunpoint. He is seen above being led away by police officers on Friday

Surveillance footage shows the moments before a 50-year-old mother-of-two (pictured) was assaulted

The four suspects are seen in the video, following her and walking in line together along the other side of the street

But Williams said he did not know that she had just left the Celestial Church of Christ.

If he did know, he said it 'would have made a difference.'

Julisses Ginel, 19, Williams, and Brandon Walker, 20 - all of whom are residents of Jamaica, Queens - were arrested over the attack on Thursday.

A fourth man is still being hunted by police.

Their bail was set Friday at $500,000 bond and $250,000 cash bail on the sex charges and $50,000 bond and $25,000 cash bail for the robbery.

They are due in court July 28.

The victim was forced to strip naked and perform sexual acts on the perpetrators.

Prosecutors on Friday described the 'pack-like mentality' the group of men used to prey on the woman with Ginel confessing to serving as the 'lookout' while the sex attack took place.

One then appears to separate from the group upon spotting the victim, who had just left a church service

'The crimes that the defendants are accused of committing that night are despicable and are deserving of significant punishment,' District Attorney Richard Brown said.

'Two of them are alleged to have subjected her to heinous acts of sexual abuse.

'It is alleged that with a pack-like mentality the defendants and an unapprehended fourth man set upon a defenseless woman coming from church.'

Police said the victim left the Celestial Church of Christ in Jamaica, Queens shortly before 11pm on Tuesday when she was attacked.

The men allegedly robbed the woman following the sexual assault and threatened her with two fake guns.

Williams allegedly told investigators that he and Brandon took turns engaging in oral sex from her.

The fourth suspect, who is still at large, then allegedly put a condom on and did it again.

Assistant District Attorney Eric Rosenbaum read part of Ginel's statement to the court during their arraignment on Friday.

'It was suppose to be just a robbery thing,' Ginel allegedly told investigators.

'I was only there. I saw her naked, and she gave them oral sex. I went to get condoms to help my boys. When I came back, the third one was finishing up.'

Ginel allegedly admitted to being the 'lookout' so no one interrupted the attack.

The victim (pictured) says the men led her at gunpoint down the street and attacked her behind a garbage truck before demanding her wallet

The victim returned to the Celestial Church of Christ following the attack where Pastor Kehinde Oyetunde alerted the police.

'She was crying. She was scared, she was crying. She was just crying like a baby, we couldn't control her,' he told CBS2.

The men allegedly led her at gunpoint back down the block to 150th Street and Beaver Road where they attacked her behind a garbage truck demanding her wallet.

'They tell me, 'you don't have money so take off your clothes!'' the victim told The New York Daily News. 'I said, 'What? In the middle of the street?''

The two men called over three other guys nearby to join them before they forced her to strip naked in the street and demanded she perform oral sex on them.

She claims she tried to scare them away by saying she was HIV-positive - which she is not - but that didn't even frighten them. In fact, one of the men, who she described as short, went off to buy a condom.

The NYPD arrested three men in connection with the sexual assault on Thursday in Queens New York and brought them on a 'perp walk' captured by a DailyMail.com photographer. Those detained include Julisses Ginel, pictured, who is aged just 19

Brandon Walker, 20, was also arrested on suspicion of robbing and assaulting the woman

'They said, 'if you don't do that, I'll shoot you,'' the victim recounted to the Daily News. 'So I did what I had to do.'

She says one of the attackers called her a 'stupid African woman' and slapped her.

After the attack and the group of men fled, the woman ran back to the church, half-naked and crying to her pastor, Kehinde Oyetunde said.

'She was crying and her face was full of rubbish,' Oyetunde said.

'She had her clothes in her hands. She said that they pulled a gun on her and took her stuff, then wanted to sleep with her.

'She lied and told them she was an HIV patient and to please leave her alone.'

Her pastor picked her up from the hospital where she sought treatment and brought her home. She returned to work the following day but was still shaken.

'This is horrible,' the pastor added. 'She is a very kind woman. She's been with my church for 10 years.'

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman leaving the Celestial Church of Christ in Jamaica, Queens on Tuesday night

The 50-year-old woman had just left church when she was approached by two young men on 150th Street who robbed her and ordered her to strip before calling in another two friends

'She was crying and her face was full of rubbish,' the woman's pastor, Kehinde Oyetunde (pictured), said

The victim, who lives in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, said she is nervous about returning to the Queens church she has attended four days a week for the past decade.

'I'm very worried,' she said. 'I don't know if I can go back there.

'There are just mean, hooligan guys who wanted to rob and sleep with somebody,' the victim said of her attackers.

'If they just wanted money, they should have left. But they wanted more.'

NYPD officers were able to recover at least one condom nearby the scene and are processing it for DNA, the Daily News reported.

They are also testing the woman's sweater for potential evidence.

Police said all five men are in their 20s and they do not believe the victim knew her attackers.
Details of a new David Davis plot to wreck Boris Johnsons hopes of succeeding Theresa May in No 10 by cashing in on his feud with Chancellor Philip Hammond were revealed last night.

Former Cabinet Minister Andrew Mitchell privately claimed that Mr Davis can boost his hopes of beating Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson by winning the backing of the Chancellor, The Mail on Sunday has been told.

Mr Hammond, who opposed Britain leaving the EU, has been involved in a long-running battle with Brexit campaign leader Mr Johnson for months. Mr Mitchell is also said to have raised the possibility of writing to Mrs May himself and asking her to step down, though he decided against it.

Former Cabinet Minister Andrew Mitchell claimed that David Davis (pictured) can boost his hopes of beating Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson by winning the backing of the Chancellor

The new claims of plotting by Mr Mitchell come a week after this newspaper revealed that he told fellow Tories at a private dinner that Mrs May was dead in the water. Mr Mitchell, forced to resign as Chief Whip in 2012 after swearing at a Downing Street policeman in the Plebgate scandal, ran Mr Daviss failed leadership challenge against David Cameron in 2005. But he is ready to back a fresh bid by Mr Davis to become Tory leader if Mrs May steps down.

And Mr Mitchell has had lengthy secret discussions over how to prevent a repeat of Mr Daviss 2005 flop.

One well-placed source said: Andrew told me that if May goes, it had to be Davis. He said Davis could win over Hammond by persuading him it was the most effective way of stopping Boris getting to No 10. Andrew didnt spell out the terms of the deal, but the impression is that if DD became PM, he would let Hammond stay at the Treasury and promise not to let Boris within a million miles of any economic portfolio, which would delight Hammond.

Mr Mitchell last night denied being involved in any plot against Mrs May.

Mr Hammond, a former businessman known as Spreadsheet Phil, has made no secret of his disdain for Mr Johnson since he claimed that Brexit would lead to an extra 350 million a week for the NHS.

The Chancellor recently mocked Mr Johnsons famous remark that Britain could have its cake and eat it over Brexit, saying the aim of negotiations should be to grow the cake by maintaining trade between the UK and EU.

They clashed again when Mr Johnson backed lifting the one per cent pay cap on public sector workers. Mr Hammond, who is determined to keep spending under control, was angry at Mr Johnsons intervention.

Mr Hammond, left, who opposed Britain leaving the EU, has been involved in a long-running battle with Brexit campaign leader Boris Johnson, right, for months

Brexit Secretary Mr Davis last week laughed off a suggestion by Mr Johnson that the Government had not planned for a scenario in which Britain leaves the EU without a deal. Quizzed on the issue by a Lords committee, he said peers could call the Foreign Secretary to give evidence, adding dismissively: If you really wanted to.

Mr Johnsons supporters say they are aware of attempts by allies of Mr Davis to woo Mr Hammond in a bid to outmanoeuvre him. A source close to the Foreign Secretary said: They are trying to squeeze him out by securing the support of any potential rival like Hammond and [Home Secretary] Amber Rudd.

They think if Hammond and Rudd line up behind Davis, Boris will be isolated and will fall before the starting pistol has been fired.

Mr Johnsons supporters say he is surprised and confused by a spate of vicious attacks on him by Tory foes in recent weeks. They claim he has not decided what to do if Mrs May is forced to stand down in the next few months. Some believe his charisma would enable him to beat Mr Davis in a head-to-head contest. Others have urged him to take advantage of being 15 years younger than Davis and bury his leadership ambition  for now.

Mr Hammond, once seen as a possible Prime Minister, is viewed as having little prospect of winning enough Tory support to succeed Mrs May, mainly because of his deeply sceptical view of Brexit.

Some Conservative MPs believe the ambitious but mild-mannered Ms Rudd, who has shrewdly avoided leadership speculation, could win by default.
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A family has been accused of lying about being ill on holiday to extort 52,000 from Thomas Cook in what is set to be a landmark court case.

Deborah Briton, 53, and her partner Paul Roberts, 43, submitted bogus compensation claims for themselves and their two children for two all-inclusive holidays in Majorca, a preliminary hearing was told.

Another daughter of Mrs Briton, Charlene Briton, 30, submitted a further false claim for herself and her young daughter for one of the holidays last year, the court heard.

Accused: Paul Roberts and Deborah Briton, centre, leave court with her daughter Charlene

The trio appeared at Liverpool magistrates court last week and pleaded not guilty to six counts of fraud. If found guilty, they could face between 18 months and six years in prison.

It is thought to be the first time someone has appeared in a criminal court in the UK accused of making a fake compensation claim for holiday sickness.

Prosecutor Sam Brown said that in total the fraud amounted to 52,000. The claims, submitted by David Norman Solicitors, were for food poisoning.

Charlene Briton was accompanied to court by her daughter.

District judge Andrew Shaw told the defendants, from Liverpool, that he will send the case to crown court for trial and that the allegations represented a sophisticated fraud with relatively high value of money claimed.

The judge adjourned the case until a pre-trial hearing on August 10 and the defendants were given unconditional bail. Last week, Thomas Cook successfully defended a civil claim for 10,000 compensation from Julie Lavelle and her partner Michael McIntyre after a court found them to be fundamentally dishonest.

Roberts and Deborah Briton pictured on holiday together in Spain

The Mail on Sunday has highlighted the rise in compensation claims made by people who say they fell ill on holiday. Some travel operators have seen a 400 per cent increase in claims in the past year.

The average payout is about 2,000, but in many cases the only evidence required is a receipt from a pharmacist. The cases are being fuelled by claims management companies which have moved into the travel market after rules were tightened to curb whiplash claims from car accidents.

Last month, travel industry body ABTA said the rise in sickness claims was costing the Spanish hotel industry alone more than 50 million a year in payouts and legal fees. Experts warn that the practice will ultimately force up the cost of package holidays.

Theresa May has told the MoS she plans to cap the legal costs that can be paid to claims firms.
He beat the odds when he miraculously came back to life after showing no sign of life for 20 minutes.

But this may not have been the outcome for John Ogburn,36, from Charlotte, North Carolina, had it not been for two police officers and other first responders who didn't give up on him.

Ogburn had suffered a cardiac arrest when Lawrence Guiler and Nikola Banjic arrived at the scene and for 45 minutes they, as well as other first responders administered CPR, even though John didn't show any sign of life, the Charlotte Observer reported.

'If [things] didn't happen correctly,' Ogburn told the local paper. 'It could have gone differently pretty quickly.'

John Ogburn from Charlotte, North Carolina, showed no sign of life for 20 minutes after suffering a cardiac arrest

He managed to survive because first responders performed CPR for more than 45 minutes

Between them, the first responders administered CPR 200 times before John showed any sign of life. He is pictured here in April 2016 with his wife Sarah and their children, Revel, Huck and Birdie (left to right)

Ogburn doesn't remember the day, June 26, he suffered a cardiac arrest. He had been working on his laptop at his usual spot in Panera when all of sudden he fell to the floor, and was completely still.

An employee, April Bradley, saw this unfold and quickly dialled 911.

She said: 'His face was just like  ooooooo, dark purple  it was the scariest thing I've ever seen.'

Luckily for John, there was a police officer, Guiler - who previously worked as a medical first responder - just outside the breakfast spot. Upon realizing John did not have a pulse Officer Guiler, began performing CPR and called for back up.

Not far, coincidentally, was another police officer, Nikola Banjic. The pair continued performing CPR while they waited for medics to arrive.

But even after 20 minutes of trying to resuscitate him, John showed no sign of life.

Firefighters then arrived at the scene and attempted to restart his pulse using a defibrillator.

Between the firefighters, police officers and a nurse who just happened to be in Panera at the right time, they administered CPR 200 times. Still, John lay, seemingly, lifeless on the floor.

It was only when the medics arrived about half an hour later did they get his pulse working again.

Meanwhile, at this time his wife Sarah had been trying to reach John so he could FaceTime their son eager to show him his loose tooth.

It wasn't until he was at the hospital did she realize her husband was in the hospital.

'If [things] didn't happen correctly,' Ogburn - pictured with Sarah - said. 'It could have gone differently pretty quickly.'

When John arrived at the hospital, his heart rhythm was still abnormal and he had to be sedated into a coma. He became conscious again three days later and appears to be back to normal

'It was terrifying,' she told the Charlotte Observer. 'When I got there, I was taken into a room with two police officers, ER doctors, nurses and clergy. Basically, they said: "We don't know what's gonna happen."'

Doctors say John's pupils appeared responsive but his heart was beating irregularly when he arrived at the hospital. They induced a coma and gave him pain medication.

After three days, he woke up, with his brain intact and close to normal. His family are forever grateful to the police officers and first responders who didn't stop fighting to keep him alive.

Speaking of the moment he saw John with his family at the hospital, Officer Bajic, said: 'It was very emotional, I got goose bumps all over because when I saw him and his wife, and how happy they are, and we met his parents and they couldn't stop thanking us for saving their son's life ... that's when you realize, we did all this. All these people's lives were impacted by what we did.'
Theresa May's former joint chief of staff, Nick Timothy, has split from his German fiancee - and started dating a special adviser he met at Downing Street.

Mr Timothy, 37, who quit No 10 with his fellow aide Fiona Hill in the wake of the Election disaster, is planning to move to the country to write magazine columns.

He has split from Nike Trost, 35, and started seeing Georgia Berry, an adviser on energy who joined No 10 last September.

Getting out: Mr Timothy (left), 37, who quit No 10 with his fellow aide Fiona Hill (right) in the wake of the Election disaster, is planning to move to the country to write magazine columns

It is unclear when the couple broke off their engagement, but Ms Trost is said to have only recently found out about her former partner's new girlfriend.

Ms Berry has also joined the Downing Street exodus since last month's Election.

A friend said: 'Nick's life has been turned on its head in every way this year.' Mr Timothy declined to comment.
Fraudsters working for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have siphoned off 305,000 in British aid money.

Staff in Mali were sacked when the swindle  involving contracts for fuel  was uncovered and a criminal investigation is under way.

The loss is equivalent to one in six pounds of the 1.8 million aid spent in Mali in 2015.

Troubled: French troops with Malian soldiers in the historic city of Timbuktu, Mali, in 2013. Mali has been hit by military coups, civil war and terrorist attacks in the past five years

The FCO said in its latest annual report: 'The FCO identified fraudulent losses of approximately 305,000 at an overseas post in the period from April 2014 to December 2016, as relating to bulk fuel and procurement.

'The loss is an estimate  part is based on evidence and part by cost comparison with other investigations. The investigation is not yet complete.'

A spokesman added last night: 'Every effort will be made to recover this loss but in order to be fully transparent, we have recorded it in its entirety at this stage.

The FCO (based in London, pictured) said in its latest annual report: 'The FCO identified fraudulent losses of approximately 305,000 at an overseas post in the period from April 2014 to December 2016, as relating to bulk fuel and procurement'

'Swift action was taken on discovery of the fraud, including staff dismissal, and the case is now subject to legal proceedings.'

Mali has been hit by military coups, civil war and terrorist attacks in the past five years.

UN peacekeepers and the French army are still deployed in the landlocked West African nation.
The family of a WWII fighter pilot who crashed and died during a 1945 mission in Germany had to make peace with the fact that his body was never recovered.

But more than 70 years later, investigators discovered William J. Gray Jr.'s remains embedded in the roots of a tree in Lindau, a small town near the southeast border of Germany, FOX reported.

On Wednesday, his bones were flown back to Seattle, Washington, and the first lieutenant was buried next to his best friend Jim Louvier, who returned home from the war and fulfilled his promise to take care of Gray's family.

Army Air Forces 1st Lt. William J. Gray Jr. (left) was just 21 when he died carrying out a dive-bombing mission on April 16, 1945. His plane clipped a tree and crashed

More than 70 years later, investigators on another recovery mission found Gray's bones embedded at the root of a tree (above) in Lindau, Germany

The best friends enlisted in the US Air Force together and promised to take care of the other's family if either of them failed to make it home.

Gray, who had already completed more than 68 missions, was carrying out another bombing on April 16, 1945, when his plane clipped a tree and crashed.

His family members mourned their loss and treasured the letters he wrote in lieu of his body, which was thought to be lost forever.

But investigators who were searching Lindau on another recovery mission found Gray's bones last year, and advances in DNA testing allowed authorities to match them to his sisters.

Gray's nephew Doug Louvier choked back tears when he told FOX the tree 'grew over his remains and really protected and marked the spot.'

Gray's best friend Jim Louvier (left) enlisted in the Air Force with him. Louvier returned to Washington and married Gray's younger sister (right). He died in 2010 at the age of 89

After Gray's bones were flown back to Washington, he was given a military burial alongside his best friend at the Tahoma National Cemetery

'I think they are having a cold drink up there smacking their glass together and saying we are finally back together,' Doug Louvier said

His father, Jim Louvier, returned to Washington and went on to marry Gray's younger sister before he died in 2010 at the age of 89.

Louvier was cremated, but his family could never decide what to do with his remains - until this week.

After Gray's bones were flown back to Washington, he was given a military burial alongside his best friend at the Tahoma National Cemetery.

Family members dabbed their tears away, having finally found closure after seven decades.

'I think they are having a cold drink up there smacking their glass together and saying we are finally back together,' Louvier said.
Canadian construction workers were in awe when they uncovered a live British cannonball last used 258 years ago.

The builders, working in an ancient part of Quebec, stumbled upon the whopping 198-pound explosive while excavating.

They posed for photographs near the cannonball but amidst the excitement, they missed one crucial thing: it could still explode.

'With time, humidity got into its interior and reduced its potential for exploding, but there's still a danger,' munitions technician Sylvain Trudel told CBC.

'Old munitions like this are hard to predict. You never know to what point the chemicals inside have degraded.'

Builders working in an ancient part of Quebec, Canada, unearthed a 198-pound cannonball while excavating

While they posed for photographs near the cannonball, they were unaware of one crucial thing: it was still potentially explosive. Near the site, the workers appeared to have scribbled '1759' - the year the cannonball was last used

While the cannonball had been dormant since 1759, it still contained a charge and gunpowder, CBC reported.

Luckily for them, army bomb disposal experts took the cannonball from the site for analysis. The projectile - which experts say may actually be an incendiary bomb - is now at a safe site.

Trudel says such explosive devices were created to set fire to buildings.

The cannonball may be destroyed if it does indeed pose a threat. If it is deemed safe, it will be displayed in a museum, CBC reports.

Historians believe it was fired at Quebec city from Levis during the Seven Years War.

The British won the fight, which propelled them to conquer the French in the quest to control Canada.

The projectile weighs a whopping 198 pounds and was last used during the Seven Years War

Experts say such explosive devices were created to set fire to buildings
Doctors secretly gave an HIV test to the son of a woman who had been infected as a child with hepatitis C through tainted blood.

The revelation raises fears that a new generation has been caught up in the NHS scandal, for which no one has ever admitted liability.

Nicola Enstone-Jones, 46, is one of thousands of haemophiliacs who contracted infections from blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. These included HIV.

Last week, the Prime Minister agreed to a full inquiry following decades of pressure from campaigners who allege a cover-up.

Scandal: Nicole Enstone-Jones with her son and daughter

Mrs Enstone-Jones told The Mail on Sunday that she found out about her sons HIV test only by chance when looking through medical notes. She had asked for them in case he needed treatment while they were abroad.

Both her son, 13, and daughter, 15, have bleeding disorders.

She was horrified to learn that her son had been tested for HIV  proving to be negative  without her consent. She also discovered her daughter, 15, had been tested for hepatitis C without her knowledge.

NHS guidelines say tests for HIV and hepatitis C may be given to minors only with full parental consent. Police judged the secret tests may constitute a serious assault on a minor, said the mother.

Mrs Enstone-Jones is believed to have contracted hepatitis C, a life-threatening condition, from a blood product as a child. Doctors found she had the virus when she was 20 but only told her four years later.

The Government inquiry follows a recent parliamentary report that said about 7,500 patients had been infected by imported blood products from the US. More than 2,400 haemophiliacs who received the tainted blood have since died.

Many of those affected believe they were not told of the risks and there have been allegations of a cover-up for many years. While some patients had their medical records falsified, others were diagnosed with serious diseases but were not told about them until years later.

Mrs Enstone-Jones said she fears history is repeating itself, with her children swept up into the medical secrecy that marred her life.

Last week, the Prime Minister agreed to a full inquiry following decades of pressure from campaigners who allege a cover-up

Last night, former Labour Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: Haemophiliacs have been treated as second-class citizens all their lives and now even their children are being treated as second-class citizens. I find this practice shocking.

I think its deeply distressing for Nicola to see that [secrecy] passed on to her own children, as though it is a cycle which is going to continue.

He called on other victims to find out if their children had been treated in the same way.

Mrs Enstone-Jones, from Hertfordshire, said her sons medical records contained notes from Londons Great Ormond Street and Royal Free hospitals referring to his HIV-negative status.

I believe it's criminal - a form of child abuse

Notes from the Royal Free also showed that her daughter had been tested for hepatitis C.

Mrs Enstone-Jones said: It felt like history was repeating itself. I believe it to be a criminal act and a form of abuse on my own child.

The fact that my own situation has been ignored for so many years just made it worse. It is the secrecy which is the problem. Have lessons not been learnt?

A Royal Free spokesman said: We would ask Mrs Enstone-Jones to contact us with more information so we can address her concerns through our official complaints process.

Great Ormond Street said: We cannot discuss confidential information but we would be very happy to engage with those concerned. We would encourage them to contact us directly.
This is the moment a Londoner protects his motorbike from being stolen by a scooter gang.

The incident happened in Battersea today, as a mob on motorcycles swooped on a residential street in an attempt to steal a bike.

The four-strong gang threatened the owner with a knife and an angle grinder - a battery powered device used to cut chains and locks.

The incident happened in Battersea today, as a mob on motorcycles swooped on a residential street in an attempt to steal a bike

But the man fought back, swinging a hammer at the thieves to scare them off.

A video of the incident emerged online and the motorbike owner can be heard shouting 'go away' as held up his hammer.

People on the street can be heard screaming as the altercation looked like it could get seriously violent.

But the gang were scared away and left on the their scooters.

A number of motorcycle groups will be riding to Parliament on Tuesday to share awareness of the problem of motorcycle theft, bike jacking and other motorcycle crime.

The demonstration will take place at Parliament Square at 2pm.

The four-strong gang threatened the owner with a knife and an angle grinder - a battery powered device used to cut chains and locks




A teenager who suffers from hearing impairment and cerebral palsy who turned to DJing to escape bullying is now battling it out at his first national competition.

Karime Baylis, 19, had played in various other venues around his hometown of Ballina and Byron Bay, in New South Wales in the past before joining the national DJ contest in Brisbane this month.

'It's my first time in a competition,' Mr Baylis told Daily Mail Australia.

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Karime Baylis, 19, is battling it out at his first ever national DJ competition in Brisbane

'I entered last year but wasn't successful but was encouraged to reapply this year.

'My Uncle, Vitor introduced me to DJ-ing when I was eight as he is a vinyl DJ.

'He showed me a few things, and I was hooked. We practiced when we saw each other ... and he would always encourage me to work harder and keep trying.

'I used to get bullied at school a lot, and I struggle with depression and anxiety... when I was 15, and I used to make tracks during recess and lunch as I loved being creative and I enjoyed spending time putting samples together as I didn't really have any friends,' said Mr Baylis.

Since being accepted into the competition in May, he has been practicing up to four hours a day and sometimes more during the weekends.

The DJ competition in Fortitude Valley, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland gives Mr Baylis a set time of 25 minutes to showcase his skills sets against 90 other contestants.

Mr Baylis and the other contestants were hand-picked from about 2000 other hopefuls.

'I worked very hard for over six weeks on my playlist just to get it right and had approximately 25 tracks in there,' Mr Baylis said.

Mr Baylis (pictured) joins the competition after being rejected from it the previous year

He said the competition which starts on Saturday has been running for eight years and culminates over the weekend.

'All 90 contestants and 45 experienced DJs battle it out against each other, and the final winner is announced tonight (Sunday).

'There are a lot of great prizes, and all contestants are out through a professional DJ course for six weeks before this weekends finale.

Mr Baylis has been practicing to be a DJ since his uncle introduced it to him when he was eight

'The main prize is the winner gets sent overseas to perform at one of their favourite big EDM (Electronic Dance Music) festivals - BPM festival in Portugal, Creamfields in the U.K., Snowbombing in Austria, Zouk Out in Singapore or Your Paradise in Fiji,' he said.

Mr Baylis who is currently a student at SAE Institute Byron Bay studies Electronic Music Production (EMP) after winning a $10,000 scholarship to do so and is currently working on an album with some great new tracks.

'I would love to get some regular work as a DJ and travel to play at festivals or events nationally or overseas,' he said.
Australia's favourite prison escapee Shaun Davidson hasn't been shy about posting the exotic havens of his life on the run.

But it seems his supporters are worried he might be running out of money, stumping up their own cash to fund his flight from a Bali jail.

Beanna Winner, from Davidson's hometown of Perth, created GoFundMe page 'fund a fugitive' on Saturday night aiming to raise $50,000.

Fans of Australian prison escapee Shaun Davidson AKA Matthew Rageone Ridler are trying to help him continue his globetrotting life on the run

Beanna Winner, from Davidson's hometown of Perth, created GoFundMe page 'fund a fugitive' on Saturday night aiming to raise $50,000

'If you have loved Shaun's "catch me if you can" antics as much as we have so far and just like us you want to keep this hilarious saga going then donate,' she wrote.

'Dig deep for Australia's most lovable fugitive Shaun Davidson as he dug deep as well lol.

'Don't crush the glory be a part of the story donate hell appreciate.'

Only three people had donated $60 between them by Sunday morning, leaving a long way to go to reach the ambitious goal.

Davidson (pictured) escaped from Bali's notorious Kerobokan prison on June 19

Davidson has revelled in his notoriety, but in a post to his Facebook profile, going by the alias Matthew Rageone Ridler, dismissed claims he was taunting police

Only three people had donated $60 between them by Sunday morning, leaving a long way to go to reach the ambitious goal

It seemed not everyone was happy to leave a paper trail of their donation, with one would-be giver asking how they could contribute without a credit card.

'Love the guy but not sure on the legality of funding a fugitive. I'll follow with my wallet closed sorry,' another wrote.

Davidson has revelled in his notoriety, but in a post to his Facebook profile, going by the alias Matthew Rageone Ridler, dismissed claims he was taunting police by documenting his supposedly globetrotting escape.

'I'm not, as the media says, taunting police and I'm definitely not a public threat as Interpol would have you believe,' he wrote.

Davidson escaped Bali's Kerobokan prison through a tiny tunnel burrowed underneath the jail walls

'I'm just having some fun and a laugh I'm living my life just trying to make the best out of a bad situation, it's always better to laugh than anything else,' he said

Davidson made up this Pokemon card of himself as a joke and set it as his Facebook profile picture

'I'm just having some fun and a laugh I'm living my life just trying to make the best out of a bad situation, it's always better to laugh than anything else.

'Also I'd like to thank the police and Interpol for taking an interest in me and putting in your time and hard work, thanks guys well done.'

The fundraising effort came after Davidson posted another photo of his travels, but may have given away a bit more than he intended as you could clearly make out the names of surrounding buildings.

'Looking at this amazing musical creation,' the post said alongside four photos of a water display.

A Facebook post on the page of Matthew Rageone Ridler, purported to be that of Bali prison escapee Shaun Davidson, showed four photos of 'this amazing musical creation'

His Facebook followers wasted no time in pointing out what city the photos had been taken in

His legion on Facebook followers wasted no time in pointing out where the photos were taken and how easy it would be for authorities to track him down.

'You do realise there are names on the building in the background!! Dude that's easy to pinpoint your location,' one wrote.

'I'm from Adelaide and can tell that's Dubai.'

Dubai is the latest holiday destination the 33-year-old has claimed to have visited after declaring he was in both Amsterdam and Germany since his escape.

'I'm a real life action movie star, nah I'm just normal b, there ain't no way a penitentiary is every holding me from Oz to Bali, Amsterdam to Germany, you better believe it when I say my life is no lie. I'm sipping on this cocktail on the beaches of Dubai [sic],' he previously wrote online.

Facebook posts from the page of Matthew Rageone Ridler, claiming that he is in Dubai

A previous Facebook post from Matthew Rageone Ridler claiming to be in Amsterdam, Netherlands prior to being in Dubai after escaping Kerobokan jail

The Perth-born prisoner escaped the notorious Kerobokan jail in Bali along with three others on June 19 through a tiny tunnel burrowed underneath the walls.

Davidson was serving a one-year prison sentence for using another person's passport. He was due to be released in August.

He was also wanted in Perth, charged with four offences including possessing methamphetamine and cannabis for sale or supply.

Two of the men who escaped alongside Davidson reenacted their escape for authorities on Thursday.
Pornography websites will be forced to prove that users are aged at least 18 under tough new powers to be announced by the Government tomorrow.

The websites will have to install age-verification software or risk being banned in the UK. Sites could also face 250,000 fines if they fail to comply.

It is estimated one million children access pornography websites each month. An NSPCC study found half of secondary school pupils had watched online pornography, which experts warn gives them a warped view of sexual relationships.

Damage: Experts say online pornography warps children's views of relationships (stock image)

The Government will also announce to Parliament that it plans to appoint a regulator to police the sex websites. It is believed this could be the British Board of Film Classification  which sets age limits on films, DVDs and video games.

It is understood porn site users will have to provide details from their credit card, which cannot be legally issued to anyone under 18. Gambling websites use the same system of verification.

Digital Minister Matt Hancock said: We are taking the next step to put in place the legal requirement for websites with adult content to ensure it is safely behind an age-verification control.

All this means that while we can enjoy the freedom of the web, the UK will have the most robust internet child protection measures of any country in the world.

The NSPCCs study found that 48 per cent of 11- to 16-year-olds had viewed online pornography, which experts say is highly damaging to childrens development and can cause lasting harm.

The NSPCCs study found that 48 per cent of 11- to 16-year-olds had viewed online pornography (stock image)

The new Government powers will apply to both free and paid-for websites set up by commercial porn companies, as well as sites hosted abroad. Ministers hope the changes will be in place by April next year.

Will Gardner, chief executive of internet safety charity Childnet International, said: Protecting children from exposure, including accidental exposure, to adult content is incredibly important, given the effect it can have on young people.

Steps like this to help restrict access, alongside the provision of free parental controls and education, are key.

It is essential to help parents and carers, as well as young people, be more aware of this risk and what they can do to prevent exposure and also to make sense of exposure if it happens.
'Tan Mom' is furious after her 11-year-old daughter came home from school with sunburn.

Patricia Krentcil, 49, was famously charged with child endangerment for allegedly taking her daughter to a tanning bed when a nurse at the Lincoln Elementary School in Nutley, New Jersey, reported her to the police in 2012.

So when her daughter Anna, 11, came home from school last month with a sunburn, Krentcil was furious.

The mother-of-five, who is looking into suing the school district for neglect, told the New York Post: 'She was totally burned. I packed her [sunscreen] and she came home like a french fry.'

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Patricia Krentcil, 49, was famously charged with child endangerment for allegedly taking her daughter to a tanning bed in 2012. The charges were eventually dropped

When her daughter Anna, 11, came home from school last month with a sunburn, Krentcil was furious. She said she is considering filing a lawsuit against the Nutley Public School District

Krentcil was arrested after a school nurse noticed burns on her daughter's legs.

When the nurse asked her five-year-old daughter how she got the burns, she replied, 'I go tanning with mommy,' according to CBS New York.

Krentcil explained that she brought her daughter along to her daily tanning sessions, but insisted that the child had never been in the tanning beds herself, saying the burns on Anna's legs were the result of a day out in the sun.

A grand jury eventually decided against indicting her, but Krentcil already shot to fame and notoriety for her own deep tan.

While Krentcil said she made about six figures by cashing in on her fame, releasing a rap single and appearing a red carpets, she said her life had been made a 'living hell'.

So when Anna, who is now 11, returned home from school last month with a sunburn despite having packed sunscreen, Krentcil was ready to get back at the Nutley Public School District.

'After what they did to me, they didnt put lotion on her? This time, Im going after them,' said Krentcil.

The 49-year-old says she still has nightmares after she was jailed for a week and the subsequent legal fees, and voluntary family therapy cost her $100,000

The 49-year-old says she still has nightmares after she was jailed for a week and the subsequent legal fees, and voluntary family therapy cost her $100,000.

And the negative attention drove her to drink, although Krentcil denies being an alcoholic. She went to rehab for drinking in 2013.

'I turned into a mess. I couldnt leave my home. I couldnt eat out  I couldnt get detergent at Kmart. Everyone looked at me like I was a horrific mom...

'My kids were angry and fed up. They were embarrassed, made fun of. Teachers made fun of me in front of my kids

'Everyone turned their backs. I was all alone'

These days, Krentcil only hits the tanning bed three time a week.

The negative attention also drove her to drink, she said, and Krentcil went to rehab in 2013
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a visit to the Calgary Stampede on Saturday after initially indicating he would skip the event.

The Stampede is an annual 10-day rodeo and festival that draws over a million visitors to Alberta's largest city.

It features a parade, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon racing, and exhibitions put on by indigenous First Nations tribes.

The Stampede has grown into one of Canada's most anticipated events on the calendar.

Trudeau said that during his visit, he was subjected to some 'gentle ribbing' from locals who reminded him that he forgot to mention the province of Alberta during his Canada Day speech on July 1, the CBC reported.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a visit to the Calgary Stampede on Saturday after initially indicating he would skip the event

The Stampede is an annual 10-day rodeo and festival that draws over a million visitors to Alberta's largest city

It features a parade, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon racing, and exhibitions put on by indigenous First Nations tribes

The Stampede has grown into one of Canada's most anticipated events on the national calendar. Trudeau is seen above meeting indigenous dancers

Trudeau said that during his visit, he was subjected to some 'gentle ribbing' from locals who reminded him that he forgot to mention the province of Alberta during his Canada Day speech on July 1

America's neighbor to the north is celebrating 150 years since confederation, when the British colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united to form what is today known as Canada

Justin Trudeau dishes out pancakes at a Stampede pancake breakfast and greets visitors. The prime minister also met with a Syrian refugee couple who was allowed to resettle in Canada by way of Lebanon last year

Trudeau said he was subjected to 'gentle ribbing' over failing to mention Alberta during his Canada Day address on July 1

America's neighbor to the north is celebrating 150 years since confederation, when the British colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united to form what is today known as Canada.

'I think everyone understands mistakes happen every now and then, and the fact I keep coming back to Alberta regularly is something most people appreciate very much,' Trudeau said.

The prime minister also met with a Syrian refugee couple who was allowed to resettle in Canada by way of Lebanon last year.

The couple, Afraa Hajj Hammoud and Mohammed Belal, were so grateful to be in their new country that they named their baby Justin-Trudeau Adam Bilal.

Trudeau is seen above speaking with an indigenous man. The First Nations are the predominant Aboriginal peoples of Canada south of the Arctic

Trudeau waves goodbye to the crowd at a Stampede breakfast. Organized by thousands of volunteers and supported by civic leaders, the Calgary Stampede has grown into one of the world's richest rodeos

Trudeau is clearly impressed as he listens to the Calgary Stampede Show Band as they play for him

Trudeau also enjoyed a beer while watching the rodeo. The rodeo is the heart of the Calgary Stampede

Trudeau seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere even as he faces political pressure due to his immigration policies

Trudeau talks with the Calgary Stampede Queen, Princesses and Indian Princess. Each year, a queen and two princesses are selected as Stampede royalty

They are chosen via a contest open to any woman between the ages of 19 and 24 who resides in Alberta. An emphasis is placed on horsemanship skills and ability to serve as ambassadors for both the Stampede and the city

'It was actually very good, it was amazing. I can't believe that I met the Prime Minster Justin Trudeau,' Hammoud said.

'He held [the baby] and he said, "This is Justin-Trudeau," and then he says, "I appreciate that you named him after my name".'

A poll released in March found that nearly half of Canadians want to deport people who are illegally crossing into Canada from the United States.

A similar number disapprove of how Trudeau is handling the influx, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Monday.

A significant minority, four out of 10 respondents, said the border crossers could make Canada 'less safe,' underlining the potential political risk for Trudeau's Liberal government.

The increasing flow of hundreds of asylum-seekers of African and Middle Eastern origin from the United States in recent months is becoming a contentious issue in Canada.

Although there has been broad bipartisan support for high levels of legal immigration for decades in Canada, Trudeau is under pressure over the flow of the illegal migrants.

Trudeau is the 23rd prime minister in Canada's history. The leader of the Liberal Party, Trudeau is the eldest son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau

Trudeau holds eight-month-old Eve Mackenzie at a Stampede breakfast. The pancake breakfast is a local institution during Stampede

One topic that has ignited fierce political debate in Canada in recent days is a $10.5million payout to a Canadian man held at Guantanamo Bay for a decade. Omar Khadr, a Canadian born son of a man affiliated with al Qaeda, sued the government after he said he was forced to plead guilty to killing a US soldier, Sgt. Christopher Speer, in Afghanistan. Protesters above erect a sign for Trudeau denouncing him for the payment

In Calgary, Trudeau said that while he understood the reasons for the backlash, he felt the government had no choice but to settle with Khadr because he could have won an even larger settlement in court

The prime minister also met with a Syrian refugee couple who was allowed to resettle in Canada by way of Lebanon last year. The couple, Afraa Hajj Hammoud and Mohammed Belal, were so grateful to be in their new country that they named their baby Justin-Trudeau Adam Bilal

'It was actually very good, it was amazing. I can't believe that I met the Prime Minster Justin Trudeau,' Hammoud said. 'He held [the baby] and he said, "This is Justin-Trudeau," and then he says, "I appreciate that you named him after my name"'

Trudeau, right, speaks with members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in front of a teepee

One topic that has ignited fierce political debate in Canada in recent days is a $10.5million payout to a Canadian man held at Guantanamo Bay for a decade.

Omar Khadr, a Canadian born son of a man affiliated with al Qaeda, was 15 years old when he was captured in Afghanistan and sent to the US military base in Cuba.

In 2002, Khadr was severely wounded in a firefight between US soldiers and Taliban fighters in the village of Ayub Kheyl.

During that clash, Khadr is alleged to have thrown a grenade that killed American soldier Sgt. Christopher Speer.

Khadr pleaded guilty to 'murder in violation of the laws of war' after he said he was promised he would be able to return to Canada after one year in detention.

He was the first person since World War II to be prosecuted in a military commission for war crimes committed while still a minor.

Khadr sued the Canadian government for $20million claiming that it conspired with the US to deny him basic civil rights.

Last week, Canada formally apologized to Khadr as part of a settlement, a move that re-ignited a national debate about the case.

In Calgary, Trudeau said that while he understood the reasons for the backlash, he felt the government had no choice.

'I'm concerned about the money as well, which, as I said, is why we settled,' he said.

'We were on a track to losing a court case that was going to cost us $30million to $40million, and that, quite frankly, wasn't something people would have been happy about either.

'So we decided it was the right thing to do, to settle, both because it was the fiscally responsible thing to do, but also because we recognize when governments violate Canadians' fundamental rights, there has to be consequences.'

A judge in Ontario on Thursday rejected a bid by a US soldier's widow and an injured veteran to freeze the assets of Khadr after the he received the settlement.
Chelsea Clinton made quick work of a Fox News contributor's asinine comment about her mother Hillary on Saturday afternoon.

Lisa Marie Boothe appeared as a guest host of 'The Five' Friday night, and used her spot on the cable news network's popular primetime show to make a horribly offensive remark about Hillary and her desire to be commander-in-chief.

She kicked things off by calling Hillary 'the most soulless woman on this planet', and then went on to say that the former Secretary of State 'would literally sell her daughter to be president'.

Boothe then made a point of punctuating her comment by adding: 'Sell her only child to be president. I mean, that's how much she wants it.'

She persisted.

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Literally Lisa: Fox News contributor Lisa Powers Boothe (above) said on 'The Five' that Hillary Clinton 'would literally sell her daughter to be president'

Bye girl: 'No, she wouldn't. I've never doubted & always known I was the most important part of her life,' said Chelsea Clinton on Twitter hours later (above)

Chelsea was in no mood to suffer fools while on holiday however, and quickly let her wraith rain down upon Boothe from across the Atlantic.

'No, she wouldn't. I've never doubted & always known I was the most important part of her life,' said Chelsea.

'Now as a mom I'm even more grateful to my mom .'

Chelsea chose not to address Boothe's remarks beyond that, or share any of the harrowing statistics regarding mothers who actually do sell their children, with most of those young girls ending up trafficked as sex slaves.

Boothe meanwhile has been keeping a low profile since Friday night, with the commentator heading out to Montauk on the tip of Long Island over the weekend.

She made her remarks about Hillary during a segment on Donald Trump Jr's meeting with a Russian lawyer, which is the latest offense to hit the scandal-plagued Trump administration.

The actual details of the June 2016 meeting were quickly tossed out, at which point the hosts began to weigh in on the matter.

Boothe took issue with the most unlikely of people when it was her turn to chime in Hillary's former campaign manager Robbie Mook.

Mook tweeted after news of the scandal broke in full on Monday: 'Question is no longer whether the Trump campaign was seeking Russian help, but if they had a role in the Guccifer 2 email drop days later.'

He then added: 'What did the President know and when did he know it?'

Friends and family: She also added: 'Now as a mom I'm even more grateful to my mom'

Watch the latest video at <a href="//video.foxnews.com">video.foxnews.com</a>

Mook was previously attacked by Donald Trump Jr. in July of last year for saying Russia had been attempting to meddle in the election, with President Trump's namesake calling the Democratic operative 'disgusting'.

Boothe had no choice but to use him as her whipping post if she wanted to bring Hillary and Chelsea into the story due to the fact that neither of the women have made any public comment about the incident.

'I just think there's a little bit of irony here that these people are supposed to be the voices of authority on morality or...what's ethical or not, given some of the people they worked for,' said Boothe.

Chelsea meanwhile took some time away from her family vacation to also engage with some of the mothers who commented on her Twitter post, speaking more about her love and admiration for Hillary and her own children, Aidan and Charlotte.
MPs are mocking Donald Trump amid claims that he told Theresa May to 'fix' a warm reception for him in the UK.

The US President reportedly fears that he will be greeted by thronging crowds of protesters when he comes to Britain on a state visit.

It comes after the planned trip was postponed until next year with two million people signing a petition calling for it to be axed.

Trump is so concerned about 'negative coverage' that he has privately lobbied the Prime Minister to make sure he gets a 'better reception', according to The Sun.

A transcript of the conversation has reportedly been circulating among senior diplomats with the president saying he is in 'no rush' to come to Britain unless Ms May can 'fix it'.

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Donald Trump, pictured left, is so concerned about 'negative coverage' of his state visit that he has lobbied Theresa May to make sure he gets a 'better reception', according to The Sun

A transcript of the conversation has reportedly been circulating among senior diplomats with the president saying he is in 'no rush' to come to Britain unless Ms May can 'fix it'

According to The Sun, he added: 'When I know I'm going to get a better reception, I'll come and not before.'

Now MPs are mocking Trump saying it is 'like asking turkeys to get more into the Christmas spirit'.

Labour's Stella Creasy - who once stood against Tom Watson for the deputy leadership of the party - added that ordering crowds to be more positive was like asking 'zombies to sort out welcoming party for Dracula at a garlic convention'.

A political insider added: 'She tried to explain she has no power to dictate how newspapers and media might decide to cover his visit. After all, we are not North Korea.'

The President's s state visit to Britain was kicked into the long grass last month after it was left out of the Queen's Speech.

It comes after Mr Trump's planned trip was postponed until next year with two million people signing a petition calling for it to be axed

The monarch uses the address to inform Parliament of upcoming visits, but the US president's trip was absent from the speech outlining the Government's programme for the next two years.

The speech only contained a reference to welcoming King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain this month.

There were rumours that it could be back on again because Mr Trump is in Europe for ten days.

Theresa May invited Mr Trump on behalf of the Queen when she met him in Washington DC in January - just a week after his inauguration.

However, both sides have failed to arrange a date amid reports that Mr Trump has been put off by the threat of fierce large-scale protests.
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Disney Parks isn't letting Han Solo or Luke Skywalker save the day at their new Star Wars-themed lands.

'When you step in to the world, you're the hero,' Chris Beatty, Disney Imagineer and executive director of the new expansions said.

Galaxy's Edge focuses on two major rides allowing guests to lead their own adventures. The first is a battle between the Resistance and the First Order. The second allows riders to take control of the Millennium Falcon.

The attraction will first open at Disneyland, California, in 2019, followed shortly by a second, identical location at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.

The first look at a 50-foot, detailed model of 'Star Wars' land at the Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim, California on Thursday

Galaxy's Edge will not focus on any specific film, character or scene, but the action will be based on a new, unnamed 'smuggler's planet.' The new planet is set on the outer rim of the galaxy, hence the name Galaxy's Edge.

Beatty was just one of many Disney representatives who spoke Saturday on the new Star Wars-themed lands at the Disney fan expo D23 in Anaheim, California.

Beatty said they created a place where both beloved characters from the franchise could mix with new, unknown members of the galaxy. He called it 'a smuggler's planet,' something quintessential 'Star Wars.'

There will also be a '100 per cent immersive' Star Wars-themed luxury resort at Walt Disney World although it is not clear when that is due to be completed.

Mark Hamill, from the upcoming film 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi,' was among the first to see a fully detailed model of Disney Parks' new Star Wars-themed land

Members of the media get their first look at a 50-foot, detailed model of 'Star Wars' land during the preview

'It's kind of forgotten about. People in the know like Han and Chewie, they knew of this place,' he said, referencing beloved franchise characters Han Solo and Chewbacca.

Beatty didn't rule out the possibility of Galaxy's Edge appearing in an upcoming 'Star Wars' film, though he didn't reveal any current plans. Lucasfilm's developers and writers worked closely with Disney's Imagineers on the expansion.

Bob Chapek, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, led a joyous panel where he unveiled many new projects for both domestic and international parks. New 'Ratatouille,' ''Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'Tron' attractions are headed to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

A video detailed a model on display at the expo's 'A Galaxy of Stories.' Then, Chapek revealed the name for the expansions.

A woman, in costume, poses for photos beside a Star Wars backdrop during the D23 expo fan convention at the Convention Center in Anaheim, California, on July 15

A model of the Star Wars Millennium Falcon - one of the two main rides will focus on visitors flying the Millennium Falcon

A Star Wars Resistance Turret is displayed during the D23 expo fan convention at the Convention Center in Anaheim

During his presentation, Chapek also announced many characters from the films will be featured in Galaxy's Edge, including BB-8, Chewbacca and Kylo Ren. But it was the droid Rex that received the biggest applause from the audience. Rex may serve as a DJ at a cantina in Galaxy's Edge, Chapek said.

The Star Wars-themed lands were first announced at the 2015 expo. During the 2015 expo, Disney announced the themed lands among a slew of 'Star Wars' park expansions, including the interactive Star Wars Launch Bay and a seasonal event, Season of the Force. They also updated the Star Tours ride, Disney's first Star Wars-themed ride installed in 1987.

At 14 acres, Galaxy's Edge is Disney Park's largest single-themed land expansion.

'It's got to be big. Go big or go home with 'Star Wars,'' Beatty said.
US Senator John McCain will remain in Arizona next week to recuperate from a medical procedure that removed a 2-inch blood clot above his left eye

The Senate will delay a vote initially scheduled for this coming week on repealing and replacing Obamacare after Arizona Senator John McCain announced Saturday he would not return to Washington for at least a week while he recovers from surgery.

McCain will remain in Arizona next week to recuperate from a medical procedure that removed a 2-inch blood clot above his left eye, his office announced in a statement on Saturday.

Soon after news of McCain's surgery broke, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell's office issued a statement announcing that he would 'defer' a vote on the health care legislation.

McCain's absence gave McConnell little choice, with Republicans so divided that the subtraction of a single 'yes' vote could doom the healthcare bill.

McCain's office was not immediately available to comment on when the lawmaker would return to Washington.

McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, was resting comfortably at home in good condition after the Friday operation, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix.

'Thanks to @MayoClinic for its excellent care - I appreciate your support & look forward to getting back to work!,' McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a tweet late on Saturday

The hospital said tissue pathology reports would be available within the next several days.

Surgeons removed the clot during a minimally invasive craniotomy through an incision in the 80-year-old lawmaker's eyebrow.

'Thanks to @MayoClinic for its excellent care - I appreciate your support & look forward to getting back to work!,' McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a tweet late on Saturday.

McCain's daughter, Meghan McCain, also thanked the Mayo Clinic. 'Thank you to the incredible team at the Mayo Clinic Arizona for taking such good care of my father,' the Fox News personality tweeted. 'He will be back soon'

The senator's colleagues also took to social media to wish him well. 'Praying for a speedy recovery for my friend,' tweeted Senator Charles Schumer, the Senate minority leader

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren posted a photo of the two together at what appears to be an air base overseas. 'John is one of the toughest fighters I know,' the senator tweeted. 'I'm sure he'll make a speedy recovery'

David Axelrod, a former top adviser to President Barack Obama, also wished McCain well

McCain's daughter, Meghan McCain, also thanked the Mayo Clinic.

'Thank you to the incredible team at the Mayo Clinic Arizona for taking such good care of my father,' the Fox News personality tweeted. 'He will be back soon.'

The senator's colleagues also took to social media to wish him well.

'Praying for a speedy recovery for my friend,' tweeted Senator Charles Schumer, the Senate minority leader.

After news of McCain's surgery broke, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell's (above) office announced that he would 'defer' a vote on the health care legislation

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren posted a photo of the two together at what appears to be an air base overseas.

'John is one of the toughest fighters I know,' the senator tweeted. 'I'm sure he'll make a speedy recovery.'

This is the latest health scare for McCain, who has suffered from skin cancer in the past.

In 2008, he had a spot removed from his face during a routine checkup in Scottsdale, Arizona.

McCain, who turns 81in August, has had four malignant melanomas - a potentially lethal type of skin cancer - surgically removed since 1993.

Three of them were limited to the top layers of the skin and were not invasive.

The fourth melanoma, removed from his left temple in 2000, was invasive.

During that surgery, doctors also took out lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread.

The lymph nodes showed no evidence of cancer.
The Trump administration is considering a significant expansion of powers to deport undocumented migrants within a shorter time frame of their crossing into the United States, it was reported on Saturday.

The Department of Homeland Security is mulling a proposal that would allow it to expel any undocumented migrant detained anywhere in the US who can't prove residence in the country for a period of over 90 days, The Washington Post reported.

Since 2004, the agency was permitted to bypass the courts and expedite the removal of undocumented migrants if they were in the country for less than two weeks and apprehended within 100 miles of the border.

The proposal, which does not require congressional approval, was spelled out in a detailed, 13-page internal agency memo that was obtained by the Post.

The newspaper reported that the proposed new policy is under review.

DHS submitted the proposal to the Office of Management and Budget, which gave its feedback.

A spokesperson for DHS, Joanne F. Talbot, said that no decisions have been made by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.

The Department of Homeland Security is mulling a proposal that would allow it to expel any undocumented migrant detained anywhere in the US who can't prove residence for a period of over 90 days. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly is seen in the above photo

'The potential changes would allow DHS to more efficiently use resources to remove persons who have been illegally present for relatively brief periods of time while still observing due-process requirements,' Talbot said.

According to the memo, the new policy  if enacted  would 'eliminate incentives not only to enter the country unlawfully but also to attempt to quickly travel into the interior of the United States in an effort to avoid the application of expedited removal.'

The Trump administration says the new measure would also prevent immigration advocates from 'taking advantage' of existing laws to drag out legal proceedings 'as long as possible'.

Immigration advocates say that if the policy is implemented, it would essentially mean the beginning of mass deportations.

They say it would deny due process to migrants who would not be able to make their case to authorities that repatriation to their country of origin would put their lives at risk.

According to the memo, the new policy  if enacted  would 'eliminate incentives not only to enter the country unlawfully but also to attempt to quickly travel into the interior of the United States in an effort to avoid the application of expedited removal.' The image above shows a gap in the fence near the US-Mexico border overlooking Tijuana near San Diego, California

'If you have to give people genuine due process, you can't just move people out of the country with the snap of your fingers,' said Lee Gelernt, an immigration rights expert with the American Civil Liberties Union.

'But once you start instituting summary removal processes all over the country, then you can start seeing mass deportations.'

During his election campaign, President Donald Trump made cracking down on illegal immigration a key platform of his candidacy.

Arrests of suspected illegal immigrants rose by nearly 40 percent in the first 100 days of Trump's presidency, following executive orders that broadened the scope of who could be targeted for immigration violations, according to government data.

The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Thomas Homan said that arrests by his agency jumped to 41,318 between January 22 of this year and the end of April, up from 30,028 arrests in roughly the same period last year.

Of those arrested almost two-thirds had criminal convictions. But there was also a significant jump - of more than 150 percent - in the number of immigrants not convicted of further crimes arrested by ICE: 10,800 since the beginning of the year compared to 4,200 non-criminal arrests in the same period in 2016.

That increase is a result of recent guidance given by Kelly to implement Trump's executive orders on interior immigration enforcement and border security signed on Jan. 25, just days after the Republican president took office.
A 4WD has been found floating in the ocean off a small coastal town in Victoria.

The vehicle was discovered by onlookers on Sunday morning, with the windows down and no sign of the owners.

It had rolled down a boat ramp at Indented Head on the Bellarine Peninsula and appeared to have been stolen, witnesses say.

A 4WD was discovered floating in the ocean at the end of a boat ramp on Sunday morning

Kate Burke told The Geelong Advertiser: 'All of the windows are down, it looks like someone has stolen it'.

The Victoria State Emergency Service said they had received no calls for help over the floating vehicle.

Ms Burke spotted the vehicle about 9.30am and it was due to be retrieved from the water later on Sunday.

The vehicle was found off the Bellarine Peninsula boat ramp at Indented Head, Victoria
Britt Reller, 54, - pictured right - called his brother as smoke filled his 26th-floor apartment in Marco Polo building in Honolulu, Hawaii

A Hawaiian Airlines in-flight manager called his brother as smoke filled his 26th-floor apartment in Honolulu before he and his mother lost their lives in the blaze, the man's brother said.

Britt Reller, 54, alerted Pastor Phil Reller that he had been taking a shower when he smelled the smoke.

He rushed out but was unable to get to their 85-year-old mother, Melba Jeannine Dilley. Britt - who had worked as an in-flight manager for Hawaiian Airlines for two years - had crawled under a bed and wasn't heard from again, his brother told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

In an emailed statement to The Associated Press on Saturday, Robin Sparling, vice president of in-flight services at the airline, said Reller 'was a talented manager and caring co-worker and we will miss him terribly. Our hearts are with Britt's brother, Phil, and his entire family.'

He rushed out of the burning apartment but was unable to get to his 85-year-old mother, Melba Jeannine Dilley, pictured with Britt (left), and Chelsea Harding (center), a beauty pageant titleholder in 2016

The 54- year-old called his brother, Pastor Phil Reller, (left) to tell him he was under the bed and couldn't rescue their mom. This was the last time Pastor Reller heard from his brother

Police confirmed that two of the three victims killed in the blaze Friday are his mother and brother, he told the newspaper.

The fire broke out in a unit on Friday on the 26th floor, where all three of the dead were found, Fire Chief Manuel Neves said. Police are yet to confirm the name of the third victim.

The building known as the Marco Polo residences is not required to have fire sprinklers, which would have confined the blaze to the unit where it started, Neves said. The 36-floor building near the tourist mecca of Waikiki was built in 1971, before sprinklers were mandatory in high-rises. It has over 500 units.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said the city needs to look at passing a law requiring older buildings be retrofitted with sprinklers.

Eerie pictures from KITV show the charred remains on the 26th floor on Saturday.

The images show a hallway leading to the unit where the deceased were found.

There are puddles of water on the floor, black and grey soot covering the walls and ceilings, and burnt debris scattered about.

One photo shows the burnt entranceway to an apartment where a three-tiered table stands among the ashes and charred debris. Support beams can be seen sticking out through sunken, burnt-out walls in the entranceway. What appears to be a fire hose is shown on the floor in a large puddle of water. Another photo from a nearby apartment shows a sooty door with a large hole above the doorknob.

The fire broke out on Friday afternoon in a unit on the 26th floor, where all three of the dead were found. Pictured is the fire damage from the blaze that also left 12 injured

The building is not required to have fire sprinklers, which would have confined the blaze to the unit where it started. Pictured is the charred interior of the apartment showing the extent of the fire damage from a blaze

The 36-floor building near the tourist mecca of Waikiki was built in 1971, before sprinklers were mandatory in high-rises

Melanie Takeyama, who lives on the 7th floor, said she came into her apartment around 2 am Saturday and there was only a little bit of water inside, but when she returned later the entire apartment was soaked.

'It was terrible, my sofa is soaked, my living room, the bathroom, the bedroom, the kitchen, everything is just wasted,' she said.

Bruce Campbell, who manages an apartment on the 33rd floor, said he walked down the stairwell to where the fire started.

It 'was a very eerie experience,' he said. 'When we got to 28 and looked in, it's like a war zone in there, it's completely burnt out.'

The building is vast and wave-shaped, and it has several sections. The blaze was mostly confined to a single section. Only the units immediately above it and to the side of it were evacuated, while many residents stayed inside.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said the city must assess the possibility of passing a law requiring older buildings be retrofitted with sprinklers

Some residents said they returned to soaked apartments after firefighters had put out the fire

One resident said: 'It "was a very eerie experience" , when we got to 28 and looked in, it's like a war zone in there, it's completely burnt out'

Only the units immediately above the 26th floor were evacuated, while many residents stayed inside

Cory La Roe, who is from Florida and stationed in Hawaii with the Air Force, works night shifts and was asleep when sirens woke him at about 2:15 p.m.

La Roe said he didn't hear any verbal announcements, and there were no flashing fire alarm lights in the building. But 'after I saw people running out and went out to the hallway, I knew it was a fire alarm,' he said.

He didn't realize that the building didn't have a sprinkler system and was surprised that was the case.

Gordon Kihune lives on the 13th floor of the Marco Polo apartments and has lived in the building for about 12 years. He says he hasn't seen any fire extinguishers or hoses in the building that he can remember, and didn't hear the alarms going off when the fire broke out.

Some residents said they didn't hear an alarm when the fire started but only left the building upon seeing others leaving. Pictured is a man looking off his balcony at the damage left from the deadly fire

One resident even said he can't remember seeing any fire extinguishers or hoses in the building . Pictured is a woman, who exited the Marco Polo apartment complex, placed in an ambulance as firefighters battled the blaze at the high-rise

Not one resident from the building said they remembered recent fire drills. Pictured is a Honolulu Fire Department helicopter flying near a fire burning on a floor at the complex

He said he 'only recognized the fact that there was something wrong when I saw the fire trucks pull up, and then I poked my head out, then I could hear the alarm.'

No one from the building said they remembered recent fire drills. But Anna Viggiano, who lives on the 6th floor, said there were some after a 2013 fire that broke out two floors above her. Since then, she doesn't hesitate to evacuate when she hears the alarm, Viggiano said.

Douglas Hesley, branch president of Associa Hawaii, the management group that runs the Marco Polo building, said in a brief statement Saturday that there will be an emergency board meeting to discuss recovery efforts.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with the Marco Polo community,' he said.

Hesley said he could not comment on past fire drills or safety plans that were in place at the time of the fire.

Robert Solomon of the National Fire Protection Association said high-rise building code should require an emergency plan to describe what the fire alarm sounds like and provide residents with an evacuation diagram of the closest exit to their unit.

'The directions would say use the exit stairs and descend three or four or five levels below and then wait in a hallway,' Solomon said in a statement.

By then, firefighters are arriving to provide additional instructions including a fire chief or command officer deciding whether to get everybody out or get people off additional floors.

The building's owners said in a statement Saturday that there will be an emergency board meeting to discuss recovery efforts. Pictured is an evacuation bus taking residents of the to a nearby shelter

Pictured are volunteers preparing food and drinks at a school for the residents

Pictured is a paramedic checking on a woman, lying on a median, after she and others exited the apartment complex

Debris fell off a balcony during the fire as firefighters were deciding whether to get everybody out or get people off additional floors
Two cousins charged with the brutal deaths of four men in Pennsylvania have had numerous run-ins with the police dating back six years.

Cosmo DiNardo, a 20-year-old drug dealer with a history of schizophrenia, had 30 'contacts' with the Bensalem Police Department since he was 14, department director Frederick Harran told FOX.

A year after he was committed to a psychiatric institution and prohibited by law to own a gun, DiNardo allegedly shot his first victim, Jimi Taro Patrick, 19, on July 5.

His cousin Sean Kratz, on the other hand, had three previous arrests for burglary and retail theft dating back to June 2016. He was also arrested after skipping bail in January.

Kratz had been released on bail again when he allegedly killed Dean Finocchiaro, 19, Tom Meo, 21, and Mark Sturgis, 22, with DiNardo on July 7.

DiNardo, who confessed to all four murders, told authorities he moved the final two victims' bodies with a backhoe and placed their corpses in a 'pig roaster', which he tried to light on fire before burying the tank with Kratz on his parents' farm.

DiNardo was charged with four criminal homicide counts, while Kratz was charged with three. They both face multiple counts of conspiracy, robbery and abuse of corpse.

Cosmo DiNardo (left) and Sean Kratz (pictured) were charged Friday with murder, conspiracy and abuse of corpse and robbery in the deaths of four men in Pennsylvania

Cosmo DiNardo, 20, confessed to the four murders to avoid the death penalty on Friday. He killed Jimi Taro Patrick, 19, Dean Finocchiaro, 19, Mark Sturgis, 22, and Tom Meo, 21

DiNardo was well known to Bensalem police after he racked up 30 run-ins over the course of six years, according to Harran.

Harran would not elaborate on the nature of the 'contacts', and his criminal record only shows he was arrested for having a gun in February.

DiNardo, who was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric institution last year, was barred from possessing a gun under Pennsylvania law.

That firearms charge was dismissed at a May 30 hearing because the paperwork was not in the proper format. It was authorized for refiling on June 21, but DiNardo wasn't arrested until Monday.

His father posted bail before he was arrested a second time for stealing Meo's car. He remains in custody after a judge set bail at $5million.

Prosecutors also said DiNardo had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and someone who knew the 20-year-old told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he had changed in recent months.

The drug dealer had hoped to study biology as an incoming student at Arcadia University in 2015, but police were notified after he made disturbing comments on campus.

As a result, the school barred him from returning and issued a letter to his parents saying DiNardo could be charged with trespassing if he failed to comply, according to a source who spoke to AP.

Jimi Patrick, 19, (left) was the first to go missing and was last seen at 6pm on Wednesday. Finocchiaro, 19, (right) vanished on Friday. All four victims were killed during drug deals

Tom Meo (left) and Mark Sturgis (right) were the other two young men to go missing. They both worked for Sturgis' father's construction business and are friends

Four young men went missing from towns in Pennsylvania on Wednesday and Friday last week. Police tracked one man's cell phone signal to the DiNardo property and one man's father said one of their cars had also been found there

Kratz, on the other hand, had been arrested for stealing $1,000 in tools, $450 in jewelry, and $200 in clothing in three separate incidents in 2016.

He skipped bail and headed to Illinois in January, before he was arrested and released on bail again, according to court records cited by FOX.

Kratz was still on bail when he allegedly killed three men with DiNardo in July 7, two days after his cousin shot the first victim, Jimi Taro Patrick.

DiNardo, who attended the same Catholic high school for boys as Patrick, offered to sell the 19-year-old a shotgun and four pounds of marijuana for $8,000.

But when DiNardo went to pick Patrick up on July 5, he only had $800.

DiNardo then shot him with his mother's gun and buried his body 'far away' from the other three in a six-foot grave.

Two days later, DiNardo conspired with Kratz to rob Dean Finocchiaro after he arranged to sell the victim a quarter pound of marijuana for $700.

Kratz shot Finocchiaro; DiNardo fired at his body after he was already dead.

Finocchiaro's remains were then wrapped in a blue tarp from a corn crib and he was thrown into a metal tank converted into a cooker, which he referred to as the pig roaster.

Police spent Wednesday searching the farmland of Cosmo DiNardo's parents' farmland. He was arrested for the second time since the four young men's disappearance on Wednesday and is being held on a $5 million bond

WHAT LED POLICE TO FINDING HUMAN REMAINS ON THE PENNSYLVANIA FARM July 5: Jimi Taro Patrick, 19, is seen for the last time. He appears to be the first of the men to go missing. July 7: Dean Finocchiaro, 19, Mark Sturgis, 22, and Tom Meo, 21, are all seen for the last time. July 9: All four men have been reported missing, and a search warrant is executed at a home in Solebury Township, where investigators find Meo's car. July 10: Officials search a Solebury Township farm owned by Antonio and Sandra DiNardo. Their son, 20-year-old Cosmo DiNardo is taken into custody on firearms charges that appeared to be unrelated to the missing persons case. July 11: DiNardo is released on bail. July 12: Authorities find human remains of multiple bodies on the farm. The remains of Finocchiaro are identified. DiNardo is arrested for a second time and charged with trying to sell a vehicle belonging to one of the missing men. Advertisement

Later that night, DiNardo made a deal to sell marijuana to Tom Meo and Mark Sturgis and the three met behind a church before heading to DiNardo's property together.

Again, the cousins plotted to rob them.

DiNardo shot Meo first before taking aim at Sturgis until he ran out of ammunition.

He then drove a backhoe over Meo, who may have still been alive at the time. Kratz told police his cousin 'basically crushed' Meo with the digger.

DiNardo used the backhoe to move the two bodies and together, the cousins put the corpses in the pig roaster with Finocchiaro, doused it in gasoline and set it on fire.

The next day, the two dug a 12.5 foot grave with the same backhoe and buried the container with the bodies inside.

DiNardo said he did so because he felt threatened or cheated when he tried to sell them marijuana, a source close to the investigation has said.

He also told police where to find the rest of the bodies as part of a plea deal that would allow him to avoid the death penalty.
President Trump and his daughter Ivanka are getting some much welcomed positive press thanks to a social media craze that has slowly been growing over the past few months.

A number of women have begun posting images online which show them modelling clothing from Ivanka's eponymous fashion label or Trump-branded wears while voicing their support for the commander-in-chief.

It is a diverse array of clothes, and the most popular choice by far this summer is a one-piece women's swimsuit in metallic blue that reads: 'Make America Great Again.'

There is even a fan-run Instagram page that gathers all the images featuring ladies in Trump-branded swimwear these days, along with those who are scantily clad while also wearing his trademark hat, Babes For Trump.

These posts have no official hashtag yet, with the women using a variety of words and phrases, including '#womenfortrump,' '#ivankatrump,' and '#hillaryforprison' to name a few.

Scroll down for video

Losing focus: A number of female Trump supporters have been posting images of themselves in the family's branded-clothing lines over the past 10 months (Britani Rose of Brunette and Political above)

Working the clash: These photos have begun to grow in popularity and are now causing a bit of a craze on social media (Trump supporter above in March)

New phone, who dis: Ivanka has not been seen with her father much over the past few weeks in the White House, or last week on their overseas trips to Europe

This surge in popularity for Trump brand clothing comes a little over nine months after women across the country began a boycott of Ivanka's fashions with the #GrabYourWallet campaign.

Select retail shops and national department stores also began to drop Ivanka's line around that time, and in some cases were very publicly attacked by Trump supporters.

Nordstrom was forced to weather the worst of the storms after the passed on picking up Ivanka's latest collection, with President Trump going after the retailer on Twitter.

The presidents of Nordstrom sent an email criticizing President Donald Trump's ban on immigrants from seven nations entering the United States just days before the retail giant announced they had dropped Ivanka's clothing line.

In the note, brothers Peter, Erik, and Blake Nordstrom told employees of the company that they would do all they could to help those who might be impacted by the ban while celebrating the many things the immigrant community have contributed to the retailer over the years.

The Nordstrom brothers also pointed out that the company was founded by an immigrants, their great grandfather John.

Two days later, the Seattle-based retailer announced that they would no longer be carrying Ivanka Trump's line of clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories.

Lindsay-Vonn story: A blond beauty poses in her 'Make America Great Again' swimsuit on Saturday

Daringly demure: A young Trump fan gets patriotic ahead of a Fourth of July celebration

Loyal friend: A fan who supports Ivanka posted this photo pledging her allegiance to the First Daughter while announcing her boycott of Nordstrom

Whose shoes: A woman posts a sho-fie of her Ivanka Trump heels on Friday

A spokesperson for Nordstrom told Dailymail.com, 'We sent the email to our people to offer support and services if they were affected by the order.

'The decision to move away from the Ivanka Trump brand for the upcoming season was made as a result of the brands business performance over the past year. For us, the two decisions were not related.'

The retailer then further clarified by revealed they had informed Ivanka of the decision in early January

The company also released a statement explaining why they made the decision to drop Ivanka's jewelry line.

'We've said all along we make buying decisions based on performance. We've got thousands of brands  more than 2,000 offered on the site alone,' a statement from the company read.

'Reviewing their merit and making edits is part of the regular rhythm of business,' it continued. 'Each year we cut about 10 percent and refresh our assortment with about the same amount.'

'In this case, based on the brand's performance we've decided not to buy it for this season,' the statement said.

Not mentioned was the #GrabYourWallet boycott that may also have had a hand in Nordstrom's decision to cancel ordering any more of Ivanka Trump's line.

The #GrabYourWallet campaign targets companies that do business with the Trump family, letting consumers know where not to take their dollars if they are against some of the statements President Trump has made about women in the past.

Additionally, it names companies whose board members donated to President Trump's campaign.

In her majesty's secret service: A young women pulls off the look of harried FBI vet in this Ivanka ensemble

Flower power: '@ivankatrump @ivankatrumphq loving my Ivanka Trump dress  #IvankaTrumpDress #IvankaTrumpClothing #IvankaTrump #LoveIvankasStyle #LoveHerClothing,' wrote Christina, a former Miss Hungary (above), on Instagram

Eye see now: Select retail shops and national department stores also began to drop Ivanka's line early this year

The campaign was started in response to the now infamous 2005 Access Hollywood hot mic audio that was released back in October in which President Trump was caught bragging about sexually assaulting women and detailed his attempt to bed a married television personality.

That has caused headaches for companies like L.L. Bean, which saw its name added to the boycott because one family member donated to a Trump-aligned political action committee.

The chairman of the board begged off the boycott, saying the large Bean family doesn't hold a political stance.

Ivanka also addressed the boycot herself back in Octobver while speaking with 'Good Morning America.'

'The beauty of America is that people can do what they like, but I'd prefer to talk to the millions, tens of millions of American women who are inspired by the brand,' said Ivanka.

'The message that I've created - my advocacy of women, trying to empower them in all aspects of their life - started long before this presidential campaign did. I've never politicized that message.'

Ivanka then added: 'People who are seeking to politicize it because they may disagree with the politics of my father, there's nothing I can do to change that.'

She did not however acknowledge the fact that the boycott is not in response to her father's political beliefs, but rather his alleged sexual assault of over 10 women and the comments he made in a 2005 'Access Hollywood' interview with Billy Bush.
Muslim schoolgirls will not be allowed to wear hijabs or burqas inside the classroom if the state opposition come to power at the next Queensland election.

The Liberal National Party voted to ban 'Muslim modesty garments' at all Queensland state schools for girls aged younger than 10, at its annual convention on Sunday.

But despite their strong stance against religious headwear, the LNP voted against a motion to call on the federal government to ban immigration from countries where sharia law is practiced.

Muslim schoolgirls will not be allowed to wear hijabs or burqas inside the classroom if the LNP come to power at the next Queensland election (Pictured right is LNP leader Tim Nicholls)

A day after deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce spoke to the convention, the LNP's leader Tim Nicholls fronted a full house in Brisbane to deliver a keynote address.

During his speech, Mr Nicholls ruled out any formal coalition with One Nation, before the LNP base voted on the issues of Muslim headwear, sharia law and immigration.

The urgency motion to ban headscarves for young girls was passed, but a similar call to ban headscarves across the whole of Queensland was defeated.

Also voted down was the resolution to ban immigrants from sharia law countries.

Despite those in favour calling it 'culturally incompatible' with Australian values, LNP members arguing against said immigrants should be judged on a case-by-case basis.

It comes after the LNP announced a strategy to tackle terrorism should they govern which includes allowing police to hold terror suspects for 28 days without charge.

It comes after the LNP announced a strategy to tackle terrorism should they govern including allowing police to hold terror suspects such as Mohammed Elomar (pictured) for 28 days

In addition to the motion to ban headscarves for young girls, a similar call to ban them over the whole of Queensland was defeated. The LNP's annual convention ended on Sunday

Under a Mr Nicholls-led government Queensland would also become the first state in the country to have a counter-terrorism minister.

Bail and parole laws will also be strengthened in an effort to safeguard against those with known terror links re-offending.

'We can't take for granted the freedoms we all enjoy,' Mr Nicholls said on Saturday.

'International terrorist groups have proven adept at using their extremist ideology to motivate 'lone wolves' or small groups to use violence in their home countries.'
A young man has died after accidentally falling from a pub balcony during a night out with friends.

The 28-year-old man from West Perth died after falling from the second floor of the Sail and Anchor pub in Fremantle, Western Australia on Saturday at 8.30pm.

A West Australia police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the man breathed his last at the Fiona Stanley Hospital in Murdoch and died after sustaining serious injuries from the fall.

A man dies after falling off the second floor of the Sail and Achor pub on Saturday night

The spokesperson said the man's death was not being treated as suspicious.

'He was at the pub last night drinking with friends and was sitting on the back of the sofa chair.

'The sofa was on the balcony, he leaned back and went through the cafe blinds,' the police spokesperson said.

The man was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead soon after.

The police would prepare a report for the coroner but will not be take the matter any further.

'We are not treating the death as suspicious as this is a health safety matter,' the spokesperson said.

The man's next of kin have been notified.

Daily Mail Australia had contacted the Sail and Anchor pub who did not want to comment on the matter.
Footage has emerged of the moment a shirtless man is hauled through a shopping centre following his arrest after police were led on a dangerous chase.

Police say they were pursuing a stolen vehicle on the New South Wales Central Coast on Saturday afternoon when the vehicle crossed to the wrong side of the road.

It was then the pursuit of the Toyota Prado - which began about 3pm on the Pacific Highway at Somersby - was called-off.

The three occupants of the vehicle then drove to the Erina shopping centre, about 20 kilometres away, where they dumped the vehicle and fled.

Police arrested three men following a pursuit on the New South Wales Central Coast on Saturday afternoon

But police, assisted by PolAir, caught up with the three men, who were all arrested and taken to Gosford police station where they were charged with various offences.

A 26-year-old man was charged with 20 offences, including revocation of parole, police pursuit (Skye's Law), driving while disqualified and take and drive conveyance.

He was refused bail and appeared in Wyong Local Court on Sunday, along with a 23-year-old man who was charged with being carried in a conveyance and resisting arrest

Another 26-year-old was charged with that same offence and was granted conditional bail to appear before Gosford Local Court on August 8.

Footage has emerged of police hauling a shirtless man through a shopping centre after he was arrested
A man whose face was melted off by his ex with acid is calling on the Government to regulate sales of corrosive liquids, as he rebuilds his life with a new lover after an incident that leaves him with nightly terrors.

Daniel Rotariu, 31, had 96 per cent pure sulphuric acid poured over him by Katy Leong while he slept in their Leicester home in July 2016, after she initially testing it on a sausage first.

Leong, who received a life sentence for attempted murder, had Katie Piper's autobiography Beautiful - detailing the harrowing rape and acid attack suffered by the actress in 2008 - in her bedroom.

Daniel Rotariu, pictured leaving court during Leong's trial, wants the Government to act fast following a surge in acid attacks

Daniel Rotariu (pictured before the attack) had 96 per cent pure sulphuric acid poured over him by Katy Leong

The bed in which Mr Rotariu was sleeping in when Leong attacked in in the Leicester home they shared

His disfigured appearance left him suicidal, but when he was at his lowest ebb he met mother-of-one Anna, who worked at the support centre he had recently started to attend.

She looked past his scarring, quit her job to avoid a conflict of interest and the pair are already living together.

Mr Rotariu plans to have five children with her, but although Anna is helping him through, he has still not visited his mother for fear of her reaction and wants the Government to regulate acid following the new wave of attacks.

Leong received a life sentence after being convicted of attempted murder

He told the Sunday Mirror: 'Acid attacks scar victims for life, not only on the outside but deep inside. Something has to change to stop these evil people from accessing their weapon.

'Sulphuric acid shouldn't be sold to the public without a licence. It's so easy to buy, it's scandalous. How many lives need to be ruined before it's banned?'

Acid attacks have increased by 50 per cent in the last 12 months, with 1,375 recorded in Britain since 2015, although the real figure is believed to be even higher.

His interview comes as a teenager was charged with 15 offences after a 90-minute moped spree left five people injured in east London earlier this week.

The youngster is facing five counts of attempted GBH with intent and one count of GBH with intent.

He has also been charged with three counts of robbery, four counts of attempted robbery, one count of possession of an item to discharge a noxious substance and one count of handling stolen goods as is due in court tomorrow.

Mr Rotariu is full of sympathy for those injured in the attacks, and still wakes up every night in terror, remembering the effects of the assault on him.

Police standing guard outside the home where Daniel Rotariu was attacked with acid while he was asleep

His interview comes as a teenager was charged with 15 offences after a 90-minute moped spree left five people injured in east London earlier this week

He added to the Mirror: 'I didnt know if it was a dream. The shock, the pain, that burning sensation. I cant describe it. I leapt up, then I felt in my mouth that it was acid, not water. My right eye became foggy.'

When the acid was poured over his face, chest, arms and hands, Mr Rotariu thought it was boiling water.

Leong's trial heard how Mr Rotariu tried to protect his face with his hands, but his attacker pulled them away.

Katie Piper, who was attacked in 2008 with acid, penned an autobiography - a copy of which was found in Leong's bedroom

In his initial police interview Mr Rotariu described having an argument with Leong when he got home from work, telling officers he was upset and told her to leave him alone.

He went to bed at about 8pm and woke up as Leong took the cover off his bed and splashed him with a liquid.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd has spoken out against the recent attacks, and declared it should not just be the victims serving 'life sentences'.

She wrote in the Sunday Times: 'Today I am announcing an action plan to tackle acid attacks. It will include a wide-ranging review of the law enforcement and criminal justice response, of existing legislation, of access to harmful products and of the support offered to victims.'

Charity campaigner Katie Piper, whose book was found in Leong's room, survived an acid attack which left her facially disfigured in 2008.

Ms Piper founded her own charity to help people living with burns and scars and was awarded Woman of the Year award.

In 2012 she released an autobiography about her life to date entitled Beautiful.
The young man killed in Saturday's fatal skydiving accident has been identified as 29-year-old Singaporean student Mario Low Ke Wei.

The instructor - a veteran of nearly 10,000 jumps over 30 years of skydiving - was 60-year-old Adrian Lloyd.

The young man's family is now demanding an investigation into his death, which came shortly after he moved to Australia.

Scroll down for video

The young man killed in Saturday's horror skydiving accident has been named as Singaporean student Mario Low Ke Wei (pictured)

The instructor killed in the accident has been identified as Adrian Lloyd (pictured) a 30-year veteran of 10,000 skydives

The pair were killed after they crash-landed in the driveway of a property at Wilton (pictured)

The moment Mario Low Ke Wei and Adrian Lloyd (pictured) jumped to their deaths was captured on the GoPro helmet camera of another instructor

The scene of the tragic accident (pictured) was hundreds of metres from the 'dropzone' where the two were supposed to have landed

Low Ke Wei's grieving sister, Angeline Low, wants to know how the jump went wrong, she told the Daily Telegraph.

'He just moved to Sydney beginning of June. It was his opportunity to have overseas work experience and to travel Australia,' she said.

'Always thought tandem jump is safe. We need a closure to this.'

The Saturday afternoon jump went horribly wrong when the two men plummeted to earth hundreds of metres from the Sydney Skydivers' designated 'dropzone.'

Mario Low Ke Wei (pictured) has recently arrived in Australia and was on his first ever skydive

They crashed into the driveway of a home in Wilton, 90km south of Sydney.

A spokesperson for Sydney Skydivers confirmed the fatality to Daily Mail Australia, and explained the accident happened during a skydiving lesson.

'There was a fatality involving an instructor and a student,' she said.

'The cause is not yet known. More information will become available when police and the Australian Parachute Federation complete their preliminary investigation.'

Adrian Lloyd (pictured) and Mario Low Ke Wei were killed when their tandem skydive went horribly wrong

Other skydivers took selfies and were in a euphoric mood before the tragic accident took place

On their Facebook page the company wrote: 'This is the first fatality involving a first orientation tandem skydive the company has had in over 40 years of operation and is an extremely rare incident.

An investigation is underway into the shocking accident, which was described as 'not especially challenging' by the jump operators.

A heartbroken Ms Low paid tribute to her brother, saying he would be missed for his smiles and laughter.

'He has led an adventurous life, a life full of passion, passion for deep sea fishing. We know hes now in heaven watching upon us. We are at a loss for words,' she said.

Police (pictured) are now investigating the cause of the accident, which the Australian Parachute Federation say could be equipment failure or human error

A skydiver (pictured) who jumped just before the two were killed said she was not told about the deaths until hours later

Safety officers from the Australian Parachute Federation are assisting with the investigation, and said more information will be released when it is complete.

APF spokesman Brad Turner told Seven News that they are, 'looking into all possibilities, whether it's equipment failure or perhaps human error.'

At least four other deaths have occurred at the same Sydney Skydivers centre since 2001.

However, the company said it was the first fatal 'first orientation Tandem skydive' accident in 40 years.

Colombian student Catalina Grandos, who jumped just minutes before Mr Low Ke Wei and Mr Lloyd, said she was not informed about the accident until hours later.

'They didn't tell us what happened until we got back to Sydney. We were waiting so long without knowing what happened. It was terrible, she told Daily Mail Australia.

'I was in shock, I couldn't believe it. The conditions on the flight were good, I never imagined this could happen.'

Disturbing footage from the day of the jump shows a guide joking about accidents, and what will happen if jumpers land in the wrong spot.

'If you're really, really lucky you land out the front. If you don't, sh** happens,' the guide is heard saying.

Mr Low Ke Wei is believed to have been in the group hearing the talk.
A twelve-year-old boy nearly died after launching a terrifying tombstoning leap with his head inches away from the cliff as he made the 30ft jump into the sea.

The youngster was with a group of friends when he belly-flopped off the top of the peak and almost smashed his head on a rock.

He remained unharmed but was visibly shaken by the narrow escape.

Hair-raising: The young boy's hed came within centimeters of the cliff face which could have been fatal

Heart-stopping: The amateur photographer who took the images said she gasped as the boy narrowly avoided smashing his head of the rock

The heart-stopping moment was captured on camera by amateur photographer Carole Zimmerman who was walking on the isle at the time.

She saw the group of boys driving from the cliffs near Portland Bill lighthouse in Dorset.

The retired teacher, 64, said she gasped when the boy jumped and it was only when she processed her pictures that she realised just how close he came to injuring himself.

Mrs Zimmerman said: 'A group of boys were jumping off the cliff there and I stood and watched whilst also taking some photographs.

She said: 'I remember they were shouting 'jump, jump', and one of them obviously didn't have the confidence to do it.

'He jumped and as he fell he completely belly-flopped. The others were jumping further out but he just jumped straight down.

'It really did move me. I was completely shocked that they were jumping off.. I was mesmerised by what they were doing.

'When I got home and looked at the images I saw that one boy had nearly hit the rock with his head.'

The retired teacher, 64, said it was only when she processed her pictures that she realised just how close he came to injuring himself

Shaken: Mrs Zimmerman described how the boy seemed nervous when he got out of the water

She described how when the boy came out of the water he appeared to be shaken.

The retired teacher said: 'The boy seemed a bit staggered when he got back out. I wish I could have shown him the pictures to show how dangerous it was.

'They were all so young and on their own with no adults. It was very, very scary.

'It dawned on me afterwards I could have been photographing someone's death.

'Life is about taking some risks but some risks are not worth taking.

'When you are young you do crazy things but I don't think this lad knew the danger he was putting himself in.'

Mrs Zimmerman hopes the photographs will raise awareness of the dangers of tombstoning, particularly as the school summer holidays approach.

The craze of jumping into water from a height has been branded 'dangerous' by coastguards.

In the UK, there have been at least 20 deaths since 2005 - with more than 60 people injured while tombstoning.

Dad Vincent Wagstaff was killed aged 39 after landing on rocks near a yacht club in Plymouth, Devon, last October.

Senior coastal operations officer for HM Coastguard Rob Sansom said: 'The photo shows children taking part in an activity in which they do not realise that the risks they are taking could easily leave them with life changing injuries or worse.

'We always urge people to have fun but stay safe when out enjoying our beautiful coastlines.

'Jumping from piers, cliffs and rocks into the sea can be very dangerous.

'The depth of the water can dramatically change with the tide and what was a deep pool at lunchtime might be a shallow puddle by tea time.

'You don't know what hazards may be lurking under the surface until you are hurt or worse.'
The identity of a body found in remote Tasmanian bushland has been revealed after a Swiss man stepped forward claiming to be friends with the deceased man.

The man has been identified as 44-year-old Thomas Munger who had left his native Switzerland to 'to start a new life' the ABC reported.

The bones of Mr Munger and his backpack with foreign currency was discovered by two horrified bushwalkers in the Huon Valley last week - and police believe the remains have been there for years.

Michael Nydegger contacted the ABC to identify himself as the man in a photograph found in the deceased man's backpack.

He says a friend shared a Swiss newspaper article about the story with him and wanted to help police with their investigations.

'This is a friend of mine, a dear friend of mine, one of the best friends I ever had,' Mr Nydegger told the ABC.

Michael Nydegger contacted the ABC to identify himself as the man in a photograph found in the deceased man's backpack

Tasmania Police originally believed the man in the photograph could be the deceased man.

Mr Nydegger said he hadn't heard from the man since 2010 and he has contacted the man's brother to say he 'strongly believes' it is his sibling.

'It is a closure of some kind. We all knew that we may never hear from him again. We always hoped we would hear from him again,' he said.

He said he was saddened to discover it happened 'a short time after he went away from Switzerland.'

'It may have been an accident. I guess he must have come off the path or something.'

The backpack contained a quantity of Swiss Francs and Hong Kong Dollars with receipts showing the currency was exchanged in Zurich, Switzerland, on December 21, 2010.

The identity of a body found in remote Tasmanian bushland has been revealed after a Swiss man stepped forward claiming to be friends with the deceased man
Trucks used by a notorious fly-tipper in London have been crushed as part of the man's punishment for dumping tons of rubbish for cash last year.

George Smith, 40, had his two tipper trucks confiscated when he was jailed for a year in January this year after he was found guilty of carrying out a series of fly-tips.

The blatant flytipping - some of which was caught on camera - was described by horrified council chiefs in Croydon, south London, as some of the 'most appalling' ever seen in the borough.

Smith was found responsible for one particularly shocking 'drive-by' fly-tip where his vehicle was captured on CCTV footage dumping tons of rubble, wood and other building waste in South Croydon in March 2016.

George Smith, 40, had his two tipper trucks confiscated when he was jailed for a year in January this year after he was found guilty of carrying out a series of fly-tips

Both of Smith's Ford Transit tipper vans were confiscated after a court order was granted to Croydon Council, allowing them to be destroyed

The Croydon Council has released footage of one of Smith's two trucks being crushed for his crimes

A third van was scrapped before Smith's conviction after it was impounded and he failed to collect it

Now the council has released footage of one of Smith's two trucks being crushed.

When Smith was sentenced in January, the court heard how he would benefit financially by charging to collect waste before dumping it illegally.

District Judge Karen Hammond described his actions as 'wanton vandalism'.

She said: 'This was your business model - to collect waste and dump it without cost to yourself.

'I'm satisfied that you made a significant income by fly-tipping, enriching yourself to the detriment of households and the community.

'This type of offending causes significant harm and I'm sure there would have been substantial costs in clearing this volume of waste.'

The blatant flytipping - some of which was caught on camera - was described by horrified council chiefs in Croydon, south London, as some of the 'most appalling' ever seen in the borough

When Smith was sentenced in January, the court heard how he would benefit financially by charging to collect waste before dumping it illegally

Councillor Stuart Collins, of Croydon Council, said Smith used the trucks to dump rubbish and building materials 'with total disregard for our community'

Both of Smith's Ford Transit tipper vans were confiscated after a court order was granted to Croydon Council, allowing them to be destroyed.

A third van was scrapped before Smith's conviction after it was impounded and he failed to collect it.

Councillor Stuart Collins, of Croydon Council, said Smith used the trucks to dump rubbish and building materials 'with total disregard for our community'.

Cllr Collins said: 'Fly-tippers who use their vehicles to carry out waste crimes risk losing them.

'If the council suspect a vehicle has been used in a crime, officers can seize it to investigate.

'If the owner is prosecuted and found to have used their vehicle to facilitate criminal activity, they will forfeit it permanently and it can be destroyed.'

Smith was found responsible for one particularly shocking 'drive-by' fly-tip where his vehicle was captured on CCTV footage dumping tons of rubble, wood and other building waste in South Croydon in March 2016

The rubbish was dumped on Croham Manor Close off Croham Road in South Croydon, on Tuesday March 15

After dumping the rubbish, Smith fled, leaving behind a great puff of dust in the residential area

He added: 'George Smith repeatedly flouted the law.

'And I hope the crushing of his vehicles, along with his jail sentence, serves as a warning to him and to other waste criminals that we will simply not tolerate this behaviour and will not hesitate to exercise our powers to ensure they are brought to justice.'

The local authority said Smith's vehicles are among 21 seized and crushed since the council 's ruling Labour group launched its 'Don't Mess With Croydon' campaign to tackle fly-tipping in the borough in 2015.

Smith, of Waddon, near Croydon, was the second flytipper to be jailed as part of the campaign after Gladstone Buchanan, of Streatham Vale, south London was locked up for six months in 2015.

Buchanan dumped rubbish weighing the same as six elephants in Waddon.
Pictured: Chris Howard takes home an annual salary of 123,000 in his role as a director at the Royal Mint

A globe-trotting director of the Royal Mint claimed 45,000 in expenses last year - including $12 cocktails in Las Vegas and 8,700 entertaining clients.

Chris Howard, 57, even charged the taxpayer 50p for a packet of chewing gum.

Mr Howard, a resident of the affluent London suburb of Fulham, takes home a basic annual salary of 123,000 as his role as director of bullion at the Mint.

But apparently it isn't quite enough to cover his cocktail budget after he claimed $14 for a Bloody Mary in Vegas and $15 for a drink named Slighlty Hung Over.

But apparently it isn't quite enough to cover his cocktail budget.

The 57-year-old claimed back $14 for a Bloody Mary served to him at 11.30am in the morning at the luxurious Aria Resort and Casino in Vegas by a waitress named Andrea.

Yet it didn't appeal to do the trick as the businessman had to order the ironically-titled Slightly Hung Over cocktail by Serena for $15 (also put on expenses) forty minutes later.

A freedom of information obtained by The Sunday Times reveals the commercial director spent 15,000 of public money staying in some of the world's most luxurious hotels.

Last year he splurged 8,700 on entertaining business contacts and staff in the role.

But it isn't all fine dining and fancy drinks as some of his receipts, obtained by MailOnline reveal.

Mr Howard claimed back $14 on a Bloody Mary in Vegas and $15 for a cocktail named Slighty Hung Over

Happy hour! The 57-year-old was served an ironically named cocktail Slightly Hung Over by Serena at the glamorous Aria Resort and Casino in Vegas just after midday (right) while another receipt shows him ordering a Bloody Mary just before lunchtime (left)

The 57-year-old also has a penchant for a budget meal from fast food favourites McDonald's and KFC.

During a trip to the States he stumped up just over $6 for a Big Mac and Filet-o-Fish then picking up Big Box from KFC the following day.

CHRIS HOWARD'S EXPENSES KFC Big Box (chicken, coleslaw, potato wedges, a biscuit and a Pepsi), $8.06

McDonald's Big Mac medium meal and a Filet-o-Fish, $6.70

Wrigley's Extra chewing gum, 50p

Boots mineral water, 1.50

Bloody Mary, $14

Slightly Hung Over cocktail, $15 Advertisement

Alongside a disclosed freedom of information request, the Royal Mint also published some of the businessman's receipts which show bills across the world.

Among the countries he has visited for work include stays in California to Melbourne, Singapore to Shanghai, Hong Kong to Beijing.

But the Royal Mint said Mr Howard's expenses were a part of his role.

A spokesman told The Sunday Times: 'Chris Howard's commercial activities ... necessitate frequent meetings with customers and distribution partners across the world, in order to grow sales.'

Mr Howard is a former pupil of private Catholic school Ampleforth and counts of the likes of Rupert Everett and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes among his contemporaries.

He worked for Calvin Klein, Swarovski and Guess before he was appointed director of bullion at the Royal Mint in 2015.

On their website, the organisation breathlessly describes Mr Howard as 'truly international' - boasting about his colourful life living in five different countries and knack of speaking three languages.

Fast food fan: Chris Howard's receipts show he also has a penchant for a bargain. Pictured above, his receipt from a budget meal from McDonald's (left) and a cheap bottle of tissues and gum from Boots (right)

A fan of fast food, Mr Howard opted for a modest medium meal from McDonalds (going for a Big Mac and Filet-o-Fish) and a KFC Big Box the following day (stock images)

Chris Howard, 57, even charged the taxpayer 50p for a packet of chewing gum, $14 for a Bloody Mary and 45p for a packet of tissues from Boots (stock)

The Mint is now based in Llantrisant, near Pontyclin in Wales having moved from his previous home at the Tower of London in 1968.

Responsible for manufacturing coins for Britain as well as medals worldwide, the Royal Mint has a long heritage which dates back 1,000 years.

Today the Mint is a limited company but is wholly owned by the Treasury and supplies all the nation's coins.

It can produce almost 5billionn coins a year and is the world's leading export mint, making coins and medals for about 60 countries every year  70 per cent of total sales.

Profits are up at the Mint since Mr Howard arrived in the post, with a boost from 1.5million in 2014 to 4.6million in March this year.

The Sunday Times reports employees are allowed to claim expenses for trivial items such as tissues and gum. The Mint told the paper its travel policy allowed 5 a day for expenses incurred, and 10 if staying abroad.
A teenager who slashed a man across the face with a hunting knife in a sickening unprovoked attack that was caught on CCTV has been locked up.

Joseph Kaczorowski was only 17 when he and five others went up to the 21-year-old victim while he was walking into a friend's house.

CCTV footage showed Kaczorowski brandishing the knife in hand - swinging it at his victim and slashing the man's face - leaving him with a deep cut 7cm long across the cheek.

The student then calmly rode off in Northolt, west London last May.

Joseph Kaczorowski was only 17 when he and five others went up to the 21-year-old victim while he was walking into a friend's house

As the young thug edged closed to the door he pulled out the knife and asked told the victim 'I want to talk with you'

Today at Isleworth Crown Court Kaczorowski, now 18, was sentenced to a total of 18 months detention for the attack and possession of an offensive weapon.

Prosecutor Roxana Nasser said: 'The offence dates back to May 1, 2016, around mid afternoon when the victim met a friend at his friend's home in Northolt.

'Both men walked with each other to the local shops.

'They returned to the friend's house. When they returned they were approached by a group of males.

Kaczorowski said 'come round the corner' before the victim launching his attack on the 21-year-old as he stood at the doorstep

CCTV footage showed Kaczorowski brandishing the knife in hand - swinging it at his victim and slashing the man's face - leaving him with a deep cut 7cm long across the cheek

'The defendant spoke to the victim and said "I want to talk to you", to which the victim said "why? I don't know you".

'The defendant said, "come round the corner" before the victim was slashed with a knife. It left a 7cm wound to his left cheek. It was quite deep.'

She said the victim had not cooperated with the police and there was no victim impact statement and no details about the effect of the injuries.

The prosecutor said: 'There will be, minimum, a scar on the left cheek.

'It was an unprovoked attack by all accounts.'

The court heard originally Kaczorowski, who worked at Homebase, pleaded not guilty to GBH with intent, but four days before his trial in June he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of unlawful wounding.

The student then calmly rode off in Northolt, west London last May. The victim, who the court heard will at the very least be left with a scar, did not corporate with the police investigation

He also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an offensive weapon.

The judge was told Kaczorowski had one previous conviction back in 2015 for possession of cannabis.

In mitigation Dominic Benthall said the court could not know the impact of the injury as there was no follow up medical evidence.

He said a year before the attack Kaczorowski had lost his father and he had been going though a difficult time.

Mr Benthall said: 'He recognises it was a mistake and takes responsibility for it.

'He says he had noticed someone who had bullied him in the past. He recognises he was reckless in his behaviour.'

He said his client, who lives with his family, was studying in college and asked his sentence be suspended.

However Judge Moreton Ferris refused the request and detained the teenager.

Kaczorowski, of Ealing, west London, was sentenced to 18 months detention for the charge of unlawful wounding, and nine months for possession of an offensive weapon, to run concurrently.

He was also ordered to pay a victims surcharge of 140 and the count of GBH with intent was left to lie on the file.
The daughter of jailed society heiress Susan Neill-Fraser insists her mother is not a killer, and is spearheading a push to prove her innocence.

Sarah Bowles believes that her mother did not kill Bob Campbell, a man who she describes as a father figure.

Compelling new evidence has emerged which could reveal who was on the luxury yacht where Neill-Fraser's scientist lover was murdered in 2009.

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Sarah Bowles (pictured, second left) insists that her mother (pictured, second right) did not kill Bob Campbell (pictured, right) and says they had a happy relationship

'There's no doubt in my mind that Mum is innocent,' said Neill-Fraser's daughter Sarah Bowles (pictured)

Susan Neill Fraser (pictured, right) has always denied killing partner Bob Campbell (pictured, left)

Ms Bowles wants justice for Mr Campbell, whose body has never been found, as well as for her mother, she told Channel Seven's Sunday Night.

'There's no doubt in my mind that Mum is innocent,' she said.

She insists that the couple had a happy relationship, and says they planned to get married before Bob's disappearance.

'Bob was Mum's future. You know? As well as her past.'

New evidence could result in the overturning of Susan Neill-Fraser's (pictured) conviction

Hobart man Bob Campbell (pictured) was in a relationship with Susan Neill-Fraser for 18 years

Susan Neill-Fraser's younger daughter also believes she knows why her mother lied to police.

Neill-Fraser first denied owning a red jacket found on the shore near the yacht, but later told police it belonged to her.

She told police that she spent hours wandering around a hardware store, but could not be found on CCTV footage.

She also told police that she didn't leave home on the night of the murder when she had actually left the house around midnight.

Susan Neill-Fraser (pictured, centre) was jailed for 23 years for the murder of her scientist lover

Police were unable to find Bob Campbell's body or the murder weapon, and there were no witnesses to the crime

Bob Campbell's yacht Four Winds (pictured) was found scuttled the morning after his murder

It is believed that her dishonesty was a major factor in her conviction in 2010, as prosecutors had no body, no murder weapon, and no witnesses.

Ms Bowles says the shock of losing a loved one explains her mother's statements in the days following Mr Campbell's murder.

Her mother's supporters agree, arguing that Neill-Fraser lied due to her emotional state and the fact she was taking Valium at the time.

New evidence is setting the stage for Neill-Fraser's legal team to make an appeal, and a new witness is believed to be preparing to give evidence.

The body of Bob Campbell (pictured) has never been found, and prosecutors convinced the court that Neill-Fraser dumped it in the Derwent River

Neill-Fraser lied about owning a red jacket (pictured) which combined with her other falsehoods played a crucial role in her conviction

Ms Bowles is confident that her mother's conviction will be overturned, but was reluctant to give details about the new clues.

The grandmother and mother-of-two is currently serving a 23-year jail sentence for the murder of the Hobart man whilst aboard his yacht - the 'Four Winds' - on Tasmania's Derwent River.

She was jailed for murdering her partner of 18 years on the Australia Day weekend seven years ago and has since been held at Risdon Women's Prison in Tasmania.

The day before the murder the couple had spent the day together on the yacht when Mr Chappell decided he would stay aboard overnight while his partner returned home on a dinghy.

The next morning the boat was discovered half-submerged and Mr Chappell was missing and presumed dead, with only small traces of his blood left behind.

Although his body was never found, prosecutors convinced the court that Neill-Fraser killed Mr Chappell and dumped his body in the River Derwent.
John McDonnell today insisted Labour has a 'real ambition' to write off 100billion of student debt as well as abolishing fees.

The shadow chancellor admitted it would cost a 'lot of money' to cancel the debts already run up by students.

But he insisted the party stood by the seemingly off-the-cuff pledge made by Jeremy Corbyn during the election campaign.

As Labour courted young voters in the run-up to the vote, Mr Corbyn doubled down on his promise to spend more than 10billion a year scrapping fees.

Challenged about the commitment to cancel student debt on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, Mr McDonnell accepted that the sum involved was around 100billion

He told NME: 'I don't see why those that had the historical misfortune to be at university during the 9,000 period should be burdened excessively compared to those that went before or those that come after. I will deal with it.'

Challenged about the commitment this morning, Mr McDonnell accepted that the sum of debt involved was around 100billion.

'We'll look at what we can do, it's a real ambition that we've got,' he said.

Pushed on whether that meant Labour was backing down on the promise, Mr McDonnell said: 'What Jeremy said is we recognise young people are coming out of college now with debts of 50,000 - they cannot even think about buying a house or get on the property ladder - so we've got to tackle that...

'We're going to try to. It's a real ambition of ours.

'I don't want to promise something we can't deliver.'

Challenged by Mr Marr that Labour had made a promise before the general election, Mr McDonnell replied: 'No, it wasn't a promise.

'What Jeremy said is we're going to try and tackle this issue. One of the reasons we've got to tackle it is because the system itself is collapsing.'

As Labour courted young voters in the run-up to the vote, Mr Corbyn (pictured in Bournemouth yesterday) doubled down on his promise to spend more than 10billion a year scrapping fees

Mr McDonnell said Labour remains committed to scraping tuition fees, adding: 'If we can help and deal with the debt, we certainly will do.

'What we've said very, very clearly, because the system is collapsing, to be frank, whoever is in government has got to tackle this.'

Mr McDonnell said the 'system is imploding'.

'Half of the student debt, we now know, is not going to be paid back. So the system itself is falling apart. We've got to look at the system,' he said.
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It's an initiation ceremony unlike any other - testing the limits of man's endurance and strength.

Fascinating photos document a month-long ritual in a remote Senagalese village in which men risk their lives in the depths of a sacred forest.

Practiced in the Ziguinchor region of Senegal, the purpose of the ritual, known as 'Boukout', is to induct young men into society.

While the men are in the forest, women are prohibited from contacting them. However, young girls are allowed to bring them small gifts of food.

Organised by elders, the event and the ceremony draws families from all over the region to the host village - which changes location each time.

The ritual was documented by photographer Diana Bagnoli, who travelled to the small village of Mlomb in Casamance in November 2016 after hearing about the ceremony.

Men in the village of Mlomb in Casamance, Senegal, dress in formal clothing for the leaving party before they enter the forest for an initiation ceremony testing the limits of their strength and endurance

Building up strength: Two men prepare for the great journey ahead at a leaving party before entering the forest. Practiced in the Ziguinchor region of Senegal, the purpose of the ritual, known as 'Boukout', is to induct young men into society.

Before entering the forest the men's heads are shaved. From this moment on they are not allowed to touch or see a woman until their return

Pictured: Rick Hunter, a respected Marabout in the community. He is the spiritual and physical healer in the village

Demba Mane pours holy water containing several types of herbs over himself as part of a good luck ritual proscribed by Marabout Rick Hunter. It is supposed to remove the evil eye and solve personal problems

A man tests his endurance by pushing a nail through his nose before entering the forest

A man demonstrates his physical and spiritual force by cutting himself with a sharp knife before entering the forest. A special root and amulets (Gris-gris) are used to provide protection to the wearer

A boy looks exhausted after dancing and cutting himself in the celebrations before entering the forest

A man demonstrates his physical and spiritual force by cutting himself with a sharp knife

A boy dances before entering the forest, supported by male relatives. Organised by elders, the event and the ceremony draws families from all over the region to the host village - which changes location each time

Two men brandish knives which they use to cut themselves to prove their strength before entering the forest

While the men are in the forest the women are prohiited from contacting them. However, little girls are allowed to bring them small gifts of food

While the men are gone their families live together as one community in the host village. The ceremony draws families from all over the region

In waiting: An intimate photo shows the kitchen of a family awaiting their son's return from the forest

Homecoming: The women wait impatiently in the rain to see if their sons, fiances or brothers survived the ordeal

Coming home: Upon their return from the forest the men's heads are covered and they are taken to a village hut for refreshments where they are visited by the women. Sadly, four men died during the ceremony

Path to adulthood: Nine initiated boys gather for a group photo in Casamance after completing the rite of passage

Exhausted: Men who survive the forest are considered blessed and are initiated as real men. Women are pictured bringing them food and water
Pictured: Leah Kerry has been named locally as the teen to sadly lose her life after taking a suspected legal high

Tributes have been pouring in for a schoolgirl who died after taking a legal high drug in the park with friends while celebrating the end of term.

The 15-year-old teenager has been named locally as Leah Kerry, from Newton Abbot in Devon.

She is understood to have fallen unconscious just after 4am on Saturday morning after apparently taking a now-banned substance.

The girl died shortly afterwards and police say they are hunting whoever sold the drugs to her.

Friends have posted tributes on Facebook to the 'smart' and 'beautiful' schoolgirl.

One friend said: 'RIP Leah - you've been taken way too early. I love you so so much beautiful. Fly high.'

Another said:: 'RIP Leah, you will be missed by many.'

Police confirmed she died in hospital after suffering an adverse reaction to a 'new psychoactive substance'.

They were alerted at 4.50am on Saturday, while two other teenagers were also taken to hospital as a precaution and later released.

A cordon was put in place around Bakers Park where the youngsters had been.

'Beautiful': Devastated friends have posted tributes on Facebook to the 'smart' and 'beautiful' schoolgirl

Police confirmed she died in hospital after suffering an adverse reaction to a 'new psychoactive substance'

Detective Superintendent Ken Lamont said officers are 'confident' people know where the drug came from.

He urged the community, including 'maybe some of the youngsters who were there or the parents of the youngsters', to come forward with information.

He said: 'Our working hypothesis is that this girl has taken what's called new psychoactive substances and unfortunately people still do term them as legal highs, that tends to give it some legitimacy.

'They're not legal. They're illegal, they're very, very dangerous, probably more dangerous than traditional drugs. People do not know what it is in them.

'It is a real safeguarding plea to the community, don't touch new psychoactive substances, they are very, very dangerous.

'Taken too early': Friends have taken to social media to pay tribute to 15-year-old Leah who they say was 'beautiful' and 'kind'

He said: 'Equally we are confident the community will know who supplied these drugs and we would appeal for them, maybe the youngsters who were there or parents of the youngsters.'

'This girl has made a mistake, a lifestyle choice mistake, and has paid the ultimate price.

'I am certain the community know who has sold or given those drugs.'

The teenager was taken to Torbay District Hospital at around 4.50am, where she later died.

They were checked because police believe they may have taken the same substances but they have since left hospital.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: 'Police currently believe that the 15-year-old girl who died had taken a new psychoactive substance, more commonly referred to as 'legal highs', and had suffered adverse reaction.'

Detective Superintendent Ken Lamont said officers are 'confident' people know where the drug came from. Pictured above, an officer on scene watch in Newton Abbot, Devon, on Saturday

Investigating: Police say the girl died after taking a suspected 'legal high' drug in Baker's Park, Newton Abbot, Devon

The schoolgirl was found unconscious by paramedics. Pictured above, officers searching for evidence

Pictured: An empty vodka bottle alongside fizzy pop and beer bottles found in the park as police investigate the 15-year-old's death

Police closed off Bakers Park to the public on Saturday following the tragic news

Yesterday police launched an appeal for witnesses as officers combed the park for evidence.

Pictured at the scene was an area strewn with empty alcohol bottles, suggesting a group had been drinking in the park on the evening of the incident.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said they believed the girls had taken a new psychoactive substance, more commonly referred to as 'legal highs'.

He said police believed she had suffered an adverse reaction to the drug.

Posting to their Facebook page on Saturday morning, local police wrote: 'Officers in South Devon are this morning dealing with a distressing incident where a teenager has died after apparently taking drugs.'

Cordoned off: The play area, popular with families and nearby residents, was also closed

Empty cans of alcohol found at the park suggest a group had been drinking in the area around the time of the incident

The statement highlighted a case from last year where a student died after taking legal highs in Totnes, near the River Dart.

A status from the Kingsbridge Police account urged parents to have an open dialogue with their children about drugs.

The post read: 'Please speak to your children about the dangers of drugs, and (formerly known as) legal highs. They can cause death even if taken just once.

The tragic news has been with an outpouring of grief online, with dozens offering their condolences.

One woman, who lives in town where the tragedy happened, posted to Facebook: 'This is just awful. I can't even imagine how people close to her must be feeling, it could be any one of our teens.

'Unfortunately it probably won't be the last time that something like this happens because of legal highs. Kids in my local park are at it on a Friday/ Saturday night drinking being loud taking substances. It'd be nice to think it'd be a lesson learnt though.'

Another wrote: 'Sad for yet another family. I've done training on legal highs and the amounts of illegal chemicals they contain is horrendous.'

While one woman posted: 'A sad waste of a young life. Why people take this potentially lethal man made drug, with heaven knows what in it is beyond me. It was only last year a young lad died of the same thing in Totnes. My thoughts go to her poor family. So sad.'
A controversial Muslim school which has been monitored since a child died there and books condoning domestic violence and forced sex were found in its library is to be taken over by the state.

The Al-Hijrah School in Birmingham is to become an Academy and the Department of Education confirmed to the MailOnline that an interim board has been appointed to oversee that multiple problems identified in a damning Ofsted report are addressed.

The education watchdog issued a highly critical report earlier this year which listed bullying, weak teaching, a chaotic playground, pupils who were not 'sufficiently' safe and staff who did not know what to do in medical emergencies as being serious problems at the school and gave the school the lowest ranking possible.

Waseem Yaqub, the former Chair of the Governers at Al-Hijrah School in Birmingham

Offensive books have also been found in the school library which state that a husband can beat his wife and insist on having sex with her.

The DoE said that the regional schools commissioner for the West Midlands is currently working with Birmingham council and the interim board to secure a new sponsor to run Al-Hijrah from September.

The school became State funded in 2001, it is one of Britain's first Muslim schools to secure state funding.

But the 750 pupil school has courted controversy in recent months after a child died there and it mounted a legal challenge to a critical Ofsted report.

Mohammad Imaeel Ashraf, 9, collapsed at the school in March and died later in hospital. His death was reportedly linked to an allergic reaction to fish and chips.

An inquest into the death will be held later this summer.

The school, which has both female and male pupils but segregates the sexes for all lessons from the age of 5 to 16 had mounted a legal challenge to an earlier Ofsted report that said that its segregation policy was a breach of the Equality Act.

Al-Hijrah opened in Burbidge Road, Bordesley Green, Birmingham in 1999 and was at that time the city's only Islamic school. It is run by the Al-Hijrah Trust but was placed in special measures after a damning Ofsted report branded it 'inadequate'

In the first case of its kind, the state-funded Islamic school challenged its own critical Ofsted report, which found separating the pupils left them unprepared for life in modern Britain.

It was argued in court that segregating pupils for religious reasons harms girls life chances and creates an apartheid within schools which makes girls feel they are 'different' and inferior.

Ofsted said that Muslim faith schools which separate boys and girls are guilty of sex discrimination.

Appeal court judges have been asked to make a definitive ruling in the case.

If Ofsted wins, faith schools across the country that teach boys and girls separately will be inspected and may have to change their policy.

Protests previously broke out at the school as parents and students fought the Department for Education takeover after Ofsted judged it to be failing and its governing body was disbanded

Amanda Spielman, chief inspector at education watchdog Ofsted told The Times that she found it 'deeply frustrating' when legal challenges were 'used to delay things that in our view urgently need to happen.'

'It is rare for schools to go to court to challenge a report but sometimes the stakes are high,' she said.

The school has both female and male pupils but segregates the sexes for all lessons from the age of 5 to 16. It had mounted a legal challenge to an Ofsted report that said that its segregation policy was a breach of the Equality Act which is due to conclude shortly

'I am deeply concerned about the idea that total segregation of children within a mixed school is acceptable,' Spielman said.

Ms Spielman, who previously attended an all-girls school, said that she believed the case would set an important legal precedent.

Ofsted has spent more than 66,000 on legal fees in the case and Birmingham city council helped fund Al-Hijrah's legal costs.

If Ofsted win the case faith schools across the country could be sued by parents if judges decide segregating pupils for religious reasons is illegal, lawyers have claimed.
Fishermen looking for a catch in the Parramatta River have been left blown away after they reeled in a terrifying two-metre mako shark from the Sydney Harbour.

Patrick Melograna said it didn't take long before the lads realised they had a catch that outweighed others.

'The moment one of the boys picked up the rod, they knew it was something big,' fisherman Patrick Melograna told 7 News.

Fishermen looking for a catch in the Parramatta River were blown away when they reeled in a terrifying two-metre mako shark from the Sydney Harbour

Patrick Melograna said it didn't take long before the lads realised they had a catch that outweighed others

Mr Melograna told Weekly Times it took all of the boys to get the 150 kilogram beast on board the boat.

The mako shark is rarely spotted as far west as Gladesville, however locals and experts say it's not unheard of, despite it being odd.

'It's pretty weird, you don't usually get makos this close to land. Even seeing them from the coast is very unusual,' Mr Brown told Fairfax Media.

'Mako sharks are normally off-shore pelagic,' said fishing journalist Al MGlashan, which means they rather swimming in the open.

Over the last four years there have been four reported shark attacks in the area.

The mako shark is rarely spotted as far west as Gladesville, however locals and experts say it's not unheard of, despite it being odd

According to locals shark fins can occasionally be spotted in the water, a trend understood to be as a result of cleaner waterways.

Sydneysiders who dare take to the waters need to be aware of the dangers, experts say.

It is advised to avoid the water at dusk and dawn, not to go near schools of bait and always dodge dirty water.




Conservative commentator Ann Coulter flew into a rage on Twitter after she was forced to give up a pre-booked seat on a Delta flight.

The 55-year-old's Twitter rant took off shortly before 6pm on Saturday night, after she had allegedly been asked to move from a seat she had chosen and paid for prior to boarding.

'Just when you think it's safe to fly them again, the worst airline in America is STILL: @Delta,' she wrote at 5:54pm.

'Does your union hate you, @Delta? Not really worth spending all that money on planes when @Delta gate staff give your seat away.

Ann Coulter has launched a fiery tirade at Delta after the airline allegedly moved her from a pre-booked seat

She then posted another rant, combined with a photo of the flight attendant who alleged told the fiery commentator she had to move and quoted a conversation they had.

'"Why are you taking me out of the extra room seat I specifically booked, @Delta?' Flight attendant: "I don't know.

Coulter then took things a step further, posting a photograph of the young woman she accused of being given her seat, with the caption: '.@Delta didnt give my extra room seat to an air marshall or tall person. Heres the woman given my PRE-BOOKED seat.'

The 55-year-old maintained her Twitter rage for about two more hours, during which time she alleged someone from the airline 'snatched the ticket' from her hands and demanded she move without offering up any sort of explanation.

Coulter's Twitter rant took off shortly before 6pm on Saturday night, after she had allegedly been asked to move from a seat she had chosen and paid for prior to boarding

Coulter capped off her initial barrage of tweets by picturing people she claimed were in the aisle she was moved from

The airline responded to Coulter's criticism, with one of the people behind its Twitter account writing: 'Hey, Ann! I'm very sorry you had to change your seat on board today! I would like to look into this further.

'I understand how this must be extremely frustrating, Ann. I'd like to extend my sincere apology.'

However, many on social media were not as kind in their comments as the airline was, instead mocking Coulter.

'Broom in the shop?' Dane Rauschenberg wrote.

'Go ahead and say it Ann, they gave it to this brown woman. That's what offends you,' Hanna Flint tweeted.

Delta responded to Coulter's abuse on Twitter, writing: 'I understand how this must be extremely frustrating, Ann. I'd like to extend my sincere apology'

Coulter was attacked on Twitter on Saturday night after her rant about her seat being taken

'As a former flight attendant, I can say there are a lot of "emergency" reasons to put a family together. Most likely a death in the family... Which is confidential info they wouldn't be able to share with a dissatisfied passenger,' Gillian Brockell wrote.

'At least you aren't banned from boarding the plane because of your religious beliefs,' Josh Sanchez wrote, in reference to Coulter's frequent attacks on immigration and support of Donald Trump's travel ban.

Meanwhile, Delta's website also explains how changes are sometimes required even after someone pre-booked a certain seat.

'Delta accommodates the seating requirements of customers with certain types of disabilities,' the website reads.

'This could result in the occasional need to change another individual's pre-assigned seat, with bulkhead seats being particularly subject to reassignment. We appreciate your cooperation in these special circumstances.'
Ella McCain, 16, was riding in her first competitive race on Friday night at Carlisle racecourse and won days after her GCSEs

The 16 year old granddaughter of legendary racehorse trainer Ginger McCain who trained Red Rum to three Grand National wins, is helping keep his legacy alive - after riding a winner just days after sitting her GCSEs.

Ella McCain, whose father Donald also trained 2011 Grand National winner Ballabriggs, was riding in her first competitive race on Friday night at Carlisle racecourse.

And despite only finishing secondary school last month the teenager found herself in the winners' enclosure after securing victory on 7-1 shot Dark Confidant in the 6.05pm, a 7 furlong Flat race.

Ella, who lives with her family in Cholmondeley in Cheshire, was beaming after winning her debut race.

She told The Jockey Club: 'It was brilliant, it doesn't get much better than this, winning your first race.

Her father Donald (left) trained her horse Dark Confidant (pictured) and he also trained 2011 Grand National winner Ballabriggs. The family live in family in Cholmondeley in Cheshire

'I've just done my GCSEs and this was far more enjoyable.

'I was okay as far as nerves go right up until the moment I got in the car to come here and then the butterflies started.

'I've ridden him (Dark Confidant) for a few days at home as we've only just got him but he's a really nice horse. It was his first time at this distance but I knew he would stay on.

'How will I celebrate? I think I'll go to bed! Next up, I am looking at Catterick on Wednesday and a ride on Tawseef who is another horse I've ridden at home.'

Ella McCain, teenage granddaughter of legendary Red Rum racehorse trainer Ginger McCain, celebrated victory in her first ever competitive race on Friday night at Carlisle Racecourse

It was a proud moment for dad Donald who trains Ella's winning horse Dark Confidant and who who saw his other daughter Abby ride her first winner earlier this month at Wolverhampton.

Donald's late father Donald 'Ginger' McCain trained Red Rum to three Grand National wins in the 1970s and he trained Amberleigh House to victory in the 2004 National.

The proud dad could not hide his joy in the winners' enclosure.

He said: 'Ella turned 16 last week and recently finished her GCSEs.

Red Rum with his trainer Ginger McCain, training on beach in Southport, training on the beach allowed the horse to become a racing legend as the sands put less pressure on his fragile limbs

'Her GCSE results won't be anything like this - she has no other interest in anything other than racing.

'Both Ella and Abby have been pony racing for a number of years. They have plenty of experience under their belts and they were always going to get races when they turned 16.'

Ella has now set her sights on winning the Jockey Club Racecourses North West Development Award, which gives 20,000 to female jockeys to help further their careers.

To take the award a jockey must win one of the races at Carlisle on #AmazingMonday - the UK's only all female jockey card of races - on August 7th and then go on to win the Betfred Ladies' Trophy Handicap Stakes at Haydock Park on August 12.

'Hopefully I can come back here (Carlisle) and get a ride at Amazing Monday, with dad or anyone who will give me a chance,' said Ella.

Triple Grand National Winner Red Rum with trainer 'Ginger' McCain at his stables in Cheshire

Her father Donald agreed, saying, 'It is an obvious place they (Ella and Abby) can come. It's slightly different when it is against professionals, but they have plenty of experience under their belts so hopefully there is something here for the pair of them.

'Ella has obviously just started. Richard Hale looks after Abby so she is getting a few rides here and there. If I can give them a couple of rides and get them going other people might want them and they can kick on.

'Success and winning the big races is something we strive for and this (Ella's win) is just hugely satisfying.

'It's a great sport to be involved in. A couple of years ago I might have lost sight of the fact that this is the important part of what we do.

'Yes, we want to be very successful but to be working with the family is just magic.'
Julie Bishop has raised an eyebrow at Donald Trump after his cringeworthy comments about Brigitte Macron's appearance.

The 71-year-old US President made headlines after he uncomfortably said to Emmanuel Macron his wife was 'in such good physical shape. Beautiful'.

'I wonder if she could say the same of him?' Ms Bishop told ABC TV on Sunday.

Julie Bishop has raised an eyebrow at Donald Trump after his cringeworthy comments about Brigitte Macron's appearance

The 71-year-old US President made headlines after he uncomfortably said to Emmanuel Macron his wife was 'in such good physical shape. Beautiful'

The Foreign Minister said she would be 'taken aback' when asked by Barry Cassidy what her reaction would be if Trump made a similar comment to her.

Bishop described his words as 'a rather interesting comment' but didn't want to discuss his behaviour.

'Likewise, I don't run a commentary on his Twitter account,' she said.

'What I focus on is the relationship between the United States and Australia and how it benefits our nations.'

Trump made the comments standing in the Hotel National des Invalides in Paris on his first state visit to the country.

When he was introduced to her, he gripped her tightly on her upper arms as he kissed her on the cheek, before repeatedly remarking about her appearance.
A British consultant has dismissed a US doctor's offer of providing experimental treatment for Charlie Gard, saying he is hoping for 'a Lily the Pink magic potion'.

Professor Michio Hirano, a neurologist at Columbia University Medical Centre in New York will fly out to the UK tomorrow to examine the extremely ill youngster at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

But the professor's reputation among British doctors means any NHS staff regard his intervention as unhelpful.

One British consultant, who did not wish to be named, dismissed the treatment, saying: 'The American doctor seems to be hoping this is a Lily the Pink magic potion.'

Charlie Gard's parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard are pictured left arriving at the High Court in London on July 14. Professor Michio Hirano (right) will fly out to the UK tomorrow to examine the extremely ill youngster at Great Ormond Street Hospital

Despite the debilitating condition his parents, Connie Yates (pictured) and Chris Gard, say claims by his doctors that he is irreparably brain damaged are false

Charlie, who is 11-months-old, has infantile onset encephalomyopathic mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome.

Despite the debilitating condition his parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, say claims by his doctors that he is irreparably brain damaged are false.

Last week a High Court judge suggested Hirano visit Great Ormond Street Hospital to discuss Charlie's care

Professor Hirano has offered to treat him with an experimental gene therapy, which he believes has a 10 percent chance of improving muscle strength and bringing a 'small but significant' improvement to brain function.

But UK medical experts are less optimistic about any possible benefits brought around by treatment.

Alastair Sutcliffe, professor of general paediatrics at University College London, told The Sunday Times: 'Charlie has one of the most severe of mitochondrial diseases and is untreatable. Gene therapy is in its infancy.'

A sketch showing Connie Yates and Chris Gard listening as Professor Hirano offers experimental treatment for little Charlie

Connie Yates and Chris Gard pictured arriving at the High Court on July 14. UK medical experts are less optimistic about any possible benefits brought around by treatment

Since 2003 Professor Hirano has collaborated on research with Professor Douglas Turnbull - the Newcastle University scientist behind pioneering work to create three-parent babies in a bid to avoid mitochondrial disease.

But a consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital expressed concerns about the impact of little Charlie's case, which has attracted global attention - and even seen Pope Francis and US President Donald Trump offering up their help.

The consultant said: 'Whenever you have a setting like that, inevitably you are going to have distraction from other people.

Little Charlie pictured with his parents at Great Ormond Street Hospital. A consultant at the facility said they were concerned about the impact of the 11-month-old's case

'It is a tense atmosphere and is not conducive to care.

'If a family gets into conflict with doctors it can make staff defensive and nervous. The less robust go off sick, they can threaten to resign.

'It is an awful setting to be in as an NHS professional.'
Nicola Urquhart said police must investigate if her RAF gunner son was deliberately drugged in a club last September

The mother of missing airman Corrie McKeague has said his drink could have been spiked on the night he disappeared.

Nicola Urquhart said police needed to investigate the possibility the 23-year-old RAF gunner was deliberately drugged in a club last September.

The 48-year-old, who is a police officer in Scotland, said CCTV footage showed her son leaving a club and passing out in a doorway before he disappeared into an alleyway.

Detectives fear he was taken from the 'Horseshoe' area in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, to a rubbish tip after his mobile phone signal matched the movements of a disposal truck.

Police search teams who have sifted through more than 6,000 tonnes of rubbish at a tip 13 miles away in Milton, Cambridgeshire, continue the search for him.

His 21-year-old girlfriend April Oliver announced the birth of their baby girl Ellie-Louise on Father's Day.

Missing RAF serviceman Corrie McKeague was last seen on CCTV footage on Brentgovel Street in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, after 3am on September 24

After reading a Facebook post suggesting Corrie may have been drugged, Nicola said: 'This is possible.

'We need to find Corrie to follow that line of inquiry.

'I have watched the CCTV of Corrie in the doorway.. From him walking in to leaving.

'Every single second. When Corrie slept in the doorway it wasn't because he was looking for somewhere to sleep.

'He slide down the wall he was leaning on. Then fell over on his side. It wasn't what looked like a conscious decision.'

Police investigating his disappearance search Milton landfill site near Cambridge

Pictured: The recycling centre just as the search for the missing man was beginning

The CCTV footage showed Corrie wandering alone in the town centre, which is eight miles from his base at RAF Honington, after being ordered out of a club by a bouncer.

'Corrie looked confused that he was asked, but left with no problems at all,' Nicola told the Sunday Mirror.

Corrie, from Dunfermline Fife, was seen at a take-away before falling asleep in a doorway and disappearing behind a branch of Greggs.

She added: 'I've cried my heart out and been so broken I didn't think I could carry on.

Pictured left: April Oliver, the girlfriend of missing Scottish airman Corrie McKeague (right), holding their newborn daughter Ellie-Louise who was born in June

'But I've also laughed and enjoyed times with my family. I don't believe there is a wrong or right way. I just do what feels right for me, my sons and my family each day.

'I have the most beautiful little granddaughter who is such a blessing.

'And I am still so much more fortunate than some. I don't believe in feeling sorry for myself.

'That won't find Corrie. Like any parent. My children are my world. It's simply not an option to give up.'

Corrie's girlfriend, April Oliver, 21, gave birth to their daughter, Ellie-Louise on June 11 and announced the birth on Father's Day.
Thredbo landslide survivor Stuart Diver has recalled being trapped under the rubble and some of the toughest moments he faced - 20 years on from the disaster.

Diver was the only person to emerge alive from the rubble when two ski lodges were crushed by a landslide at the popular resort in July 1997.

His wife Sally was one of 18 people who died and Mr Diver endured an agonising 54-hours entombed in the debris before rescuers heard his cries for help. It was a further 11 hours before he was freed.

Thredbo landslide survivor Stuart Diver (pictured) has recalled being trapped under the rubble and some of the toughest moments he faced - 20 years on from the disaster

Diver, 47, told 60 Minutes that he considered taking his own life multiple times before he was rescued.

'There were a couple of times there when I definitely thought about taking my own life, but I didn't have the means to do it,' he said.

At one point he revealed he tried to hyperventilate himself to unconsciousness, hoping the cold would take him.

'It probably wasn't the smartest idea I every had but you know I tried because it just got so brutally hard,' he said.

Diver (right) was the only person to emerge alive from the rubble when two ski lodges were crushed by a landslide at the popular resort in July 1997. His wife Sally (left) died in the disaster

'The human mind is an amazing thing, it just turned it around and it was a case of 'no, you're not ready to go'.'

Almost 30 years on, Mr Diver has also endured the emotional heartache of losing his second wife, Rosanna Cossettini, to cancer and is raising their daughter Alessia as a single parent.

He revealed his conscious decision to stay positive in the face of overwhelming trauma, including the loss of two wives, and a mission to instil that stoicism to his daughter.

'Everyone feels anger at something, but it comes back to how you deal with it,' he told the Nine Network's 60 Minutes on Sunday.

The couple received the diagnosis a week after returning from their honeymoon.

He described a process of 'pre-grieving' before he lost Rosanna as 'brutally hard'.

Diver, 47, said he considered taking his own life multiple times before he was rescued. 'There were a couple of times there when I definitely thought about taking my own life, but I didn't have the means to do it'

He told 60 Minutes: ''The human mind is an amazing thing, it just turned it around and it was a case of 'no, you're not ready to go'

Before she died two-and-a-half years ago, Rosanna was intent on remaining a figure in Alessia's life and left her a chest of clothes, jewellery, future birthday cards and their favourite recipes.

Mr Diver said his previous fears about being a single parent quickly vanished.

'I'm definitely going to give her the tools to make sure that if anything big does happen in her life - and even if something small happens in her life - she's got the ability to deal with it,' he said.

He recalled a conscious decision not to wallow in pity following his ordeal, but he also revealed the dark places his mind ventured as he waited in darkness to be rescued, knowing his wife had died.

On August 2, 1997, a cheer erupted on the mountain as spectators got their first glimpse of Mr Diver being pulled from the rubble.

Almost 30 years on, Diver has also endured the emotional heartache of losing his second wife, Rosanna Cossettini (right), to cancer

Diver (left) is now raising their daughter Alessia (centre) as a single parent, and said his fears about raising her solo quickly vanished

It was his one 'selfish' moment of elation, he recalled.

'That's stayed with me forever.'

Forced to grieve his wife's death in a national spotlight, Mr Diver considers his determination not to cry in public was perhaps detrimental.

'People just thought I was hard in some ways and callous.'

Now, as second-in-charge at Thredbo, his mindset is overwhelmingly positive and Mr Diver believe's it's futile to look at life any other way.

'You've got a choice,' he said.

'Sure, have your emotional lows and go to those dark places, but make sure at the end of the day when you go to bed that the last thing you're thinking is 'how bloody lucky am I, how great is the world, let's move along and see what we can achieve tomorrow'.'

If you or anyone you know needs help contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Donald Trump has launched into one of his trademark Twitter rants, this time defending his son, Don Jr, and attacking Hillary Clinton.

The president sounded more like a protective father on Sunday morning, when he attempted to discredit recent media reports regarding Donald Jr's meeting with a Russian-linked lawyer during the campaign who promised him dirt on Hillary Clinton.

'HillaryClinton can illegally get the questions to the Debate & delete 33,000 emails but my son Don is being scorned by the Fake News Media?' Trump tweeted.

He continued in another tweet: 'With all of its phony unnamed sources & highly slanted & even fraudulent reporting, #Fake News is DISTORTING DEMOCRACY in our country!'

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Donald Trump has defended his son in a Twitter rant on Sunday morning after fresh details regarding Trump Jr's meeting with a Russian lawyer emerged

Trump also defended his own performance, after a new ABC News and Washington Post poll found his approval ratings hit 36 per cent - the lowest figure during his time in office.

'The ABC/Washington Post Poll, even though almost 40% is not bad at this time, was just about the most inaccurate poll around election time!' the president tweeted.

The Washington Post's final poll, published on November 7, said Clinton would win with a 49 to 46 margin.

Hillary won 48 per cent of the votes cast, while Trump won 45.9 per cent, which would suggest it was actually fairly accurate - despite what the president tweeted.

Trump's latest rant comes after it was reported Saturday night that his campaign forked over $50,000 to the law office now representing his son a little more than a week before news of his meeting with the Russian attorney surfaced.

The payment to the Law Offices of Alan S. Futerfas, dated June 27, was disclosed in a filing with the Federal Election Commission on Saturday.

Donald and Donald Trump Jr are pictured together in Vancouver in 2013. Trump Sr defended his son on Twitter Sunday morning

Trump launched into a Twitter rant on Sunday morning after more reports about his son's meeting with a Russian lawyer emerged

It was described as covering 'legal consulting' fees.

Trump Jr admitted to meeting with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya on June 9 at his father's building in Manhattan. The meeting was also attended by then-campaign manager Paul Manafort, Trump's son-in-law and trusted adviser Jared Kushner, former Soviet counterintelligence officer Rinat Akhmetshi, and others, according to reports.

Don Jr was told in an email ahead of the meeting Veselnitskaya could provide him with information that would damage Hillary's campaign, and that the Russian government was in some way involved in the alleged 'dirt'.

The legal payments uncovered this weekend were described as 'consulting' fees.

The payment was made to Futerfas' firm days before the story about the meeting broke, which caused a scramble inside the White House and Trump Tower to contain it.

The disclosures do not say who Futerfas was hired to represent.

Spokesmen for Trump's re-election campaign and Futerfas did not respond to requests for comment.

It was reported Saturday night the Trump campaign forked over $50,000 to the law office now representing Trump Jr a little more than a week before news of his meeting with the Russian attorney surfaced

Trump Jr admitted to meeting with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya on June 9 at his father's building in Manhattan

According to reports, then-campaign manager Paul Manafort (left) and Trump's son-in-law and trusted adviser Jared Kushner (right) also met with the Russian lawyer last June

Futerfas was revealed as Trump Jr's lawyer on Monday after a New York Times report detailed meetings between the president's eldest son and the Russian lawyer.

Futerfas has not said when he was hired.

Separately, the campaign also paid $89,561 for 'legal consulting' to The Trump Corporation, which is owned by the president.

The scandal is the latest in a long line suggesting there have been links between people close to Trump and Russian figures.

A federal special counsel and several congressional panels are investigating allegations by US intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 US presidential election, as well as potential connections between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.
The Red Arrows capped off the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire on Sunday with a patriotic display of red, white and blue smoke against some very overcast skies.

It came after a B-2 stealth bomberm which is capable of carrying nukes, wowed the crowds at RAF Fairford after cruising past while accompanied by two F-15 Eagle fighter jets.

The bomber had flown to the RAF base from Missouri, some 4,200 miles, before making an unscheduled appearance.

It bomber appeared after a aw-dropping display by an Apache helicopter which sped through a wall of fire.

The Tattoo is the world's largest air far with jets, giant transporters and historic aircraft wowing audiences as expert pilots take to the sky.

The flying spectacular is staged to raise money for the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.

Crowds at the show watched on as the Apache crews put the impressive choppers through their paces.

Apaches have seen service for different armed forces across the world in a range of conflicts from the Gulf War to battles in the Balkans.

The helicopters have a deadly arsenal of 16 x Hellfire missiles, 76 x 2.75 CRV-7 rockets, 1,200 x 30mm cannon rounds, 4 x air-to-air missiles.
President Trump's personal lawyer Jay Sekulow floated that Donald Trump Jr's meeting with Russians in Trump Tower last June couldn't have been so bad, because the Secret Service let them in the door.

'I wonder why the Secret Service, if this was nefarious, why the Secret Service allowed these people in,' Sekulow said Sunday on ABC's This Week. 'The president has Secret Service protection at that point, and that raised a question with me.'

The Secret Service is enlisted to protect a presidential candidate, not chaperone or babysit a presidential campaign. And as Sekulow noted, Trump himself, wasn't privy to details about the meeting until recently.

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President Trump's personal attorney Jay Sekulow questioned why the Secret Service let the Russians into Trump Tower if the controversial Donald Trump Jr meeting was so 'nefarious'

'Well, let me say this, you know, I don't represent Donald Trump Jr, I represent the president and what I can tell you is the president was not aware of that meeting, did not attend that meeting,' Sekulow told ABC News' Jonathan Karl at the top of the interview.

Sekulow also stood by what Donald Trump Jr told Sean Hannity on Tuesday night  that no other information on the meeting would come out.

'This is everything. This is everything,' Donald Trump Jr said.

Of course it wasn't, with NBC News and then the Associated Press revealing on Friday that another individual, a Russian-American lobbyist with a counterintelligence Russian military past, was also in the room, among several previously undisclosed individuals.

Sekulow brushed past that during Sunday's interview.

'And Donald Trump Jr was explicitly clear on this interview on the Sean Hannity broadcast that, that was it, on the meeting,' Sekulow told Karl.

Sekulow then argued that the meeting 'in and of itself' wasn't a violation of the law.

When Karl pressed him on comments made by Christopher Wray, the former top Justice Department official up for FBI chief, who suggested during his confirmation that the FBI should have been alerted over the meeting, Sekulow turned on the Secret Service instead.

The Secret Service pushed back and said agents wouldn't have screened those attending the meeting.

Spokesman Mason Brayman told Reuters Sunday that Donald Trump Jr 'was not a protectee of the USSS in June, 2016. Thus we would not have screened anyone he was meeting with at that time.'

Author Ron Kessler, who wrote 'In the President's Secret Service' and 'The First Family Detail' called Sekulow's claim 'ridiculous.'

'Even if the meeting were with the candidate himself, the Secret Service would only check individuals who have been invited into Trump Tower for weapons,' Kessler explained to DailyMail.com in an email.

'While the Secret Service does check the backgrounds of people who enter the White House, agents there would only flag an individual who has outstanding arrest warrants or previous arrests for violent crimes, or who is a verified officer of a foreign intelligence service,' Kessler continued.

'Beyond that, the Secret Service is not in the business of passing on the legitimacy of people who meet with protectees,' the author added.

Kessler, a veteran of the Washington Post, who's also been President Trump's guest at Mar-a-Lago, said the story that ran in the New York Times exposing the meeting should have never ran.

'It was the sort of meeting any campaign or media outlet would agree to, to see if anything useful was being offered,' the author explained, characterizing the Trump Tower get-together as a 'bait and switch' and agreeing with former Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, who called it 'a bunch of nothing' when appearing on Fox News Channel.

'Having been a Washington Post reporter for 15 years during the Watergate coverage, I can guarantee you that editor Ben Bradlee would never have run such a story,' Kessler argued.

With details of the meeting now public knowledge, Kessler said that Sekulow pointing a finger at the Secret Service wasn't helping the president's cause.

'With that said, by suggesting that there was nothing nefarious about the meeting because the Secret Service let the Russian lawyer in, Attorney Jay Sekulow is doing his client the president no favors by now introducing a statement that can be legitimately questioned by the media,' Kessler told DailyMail.com.

Sekulow's newest defense comes after Trump, again, took to Twitter to defend his eldest son, writing this morning, 'Hillary Clinton can illegally get the questions to the Debate & delete 33,000 emails but my son Don is being scorned by the Fake News Media?' Trump mused.
Australia's military will be able to take control on home soil during terror attacks under sweeping changes to national security.

The Turnbull government is set to announce a terror law overhaul that would allow troops to take over from state police during extremist attacks, Fairfax and News Corp reported.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is scheduled to hold a press conference at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney on Monday morning.

Australia's military will be able to take control on home soil during terror attacks under sweeping changes to national security

The Turnbull government is set to announce a terror law overhaul that would allow troops to take over from state police during extremist attacks

Under the changes, certain state police teams would get specialist SAS training and could even have military personnel embedded to improve communications between the agencies.

Currently defence forces can only be deployed if state police are unable to respond to the level of the threat.

The Turnbull government's changes will see those rules abolished so states have the full support of the army and specially trained units.

There will be two specially assembled and trained teams in Sydney and Perth ready to respond to any acts of terror.

Currently the defence force can only be deployed if state police are unable to respond to the level of the threat. The Turnbull government's changes will see those rules abolished so states have the full support of the army and specially trained forces

The move is in response to Sydney's 2014 deadly Lindt Cafe siege, and have come after a 12-month review into protocol.

'We cannot afford to take a 'set and forget' mentality on national security. We must constantly review and update our responses to the threat of terrorism,' Prime Minister Turnbull said.

The inquest into the Lindt Cafe Siege heard snipers hesitated when they thought they had a clear shot at gunman Man Haron Monis - partially because they weren't sure they had the legal justification to shoot him.

Bollards have now been installed in Martin Place as a deterrent to radicals potentially using vehicles as weapons - similar to attacks in Europe.
An Allegiant Air flight was forced to return back to a Florida airport after the air conditioning on the aircraft failed.

A flight headed to Indiana on June 22 was forced to return to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Florida after its air conditioning malfunctioned causing temperatures that were excruciatingly hot for passengers.

The flight was met by St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue upon returning.

A flight headed to Indiana on June 22 was forced to return to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Florida after its air conditioning malfunctioned causing temperatures that were excruciatingly hot for passenger

'I don't sweat and I was dripping,' passenger Karen Willey told the Tampa Bay Times.

According to the incident report obtained by the publication, two people opted to not go to the hospital after they were treated with symptoms related to overheating.

Public relations director for the St. Pete-Clearwater airport, Michele Routh, said that four passengers were examined with heat-related issues.

Allegiant spokeswoman Hilarie Grey said no one onboard fainted but that the pilot called fire rescue after he learned that a flight attendant was feeling sick.

Grey also added that a broken cooling valve was the source of the air problems.

According to the incident report obtained by the publication, two people opted to not go to the hospital after they were treated with symptoms related to overheating

The Federal Aviation Administration does not require temperatures be kept at a certain level. Airlines change their temperatures at the request of passengers

The Federal Aviation Administration does not require temperatures be kept at a certain level. Airlines change their temperatures at the request of passengers.

'Bottom line, the airlines and regulators do not consider temperature to be a safety issue. Therefore, it's low on the list of priorities when it comes to on-time departure,' said union spokeswoman Taylor Garlandin.

The FAA declined to comment but said it expects airlines to 'take appropriate action if a cabin temperature condition occurs on the ground that could potentially affect passenger safety.'

The Association of Flight Attendants have long petitioned congress to set a maximum cabin temperature of 80 degrees.
National Grid has given its new boss a 500,000 relocation allowance to work in London rather than the Midlands.

John Pettrigrew, 48, was handed the mammoth expenses budget after he was told to relocate his office from Warwick to Trafalgar Square.

The chief executive, who previously ran the electricity giant's British division, was given the lump sum to pay for his travel expenses, a short-term let on a property and stamp duty.

John Pettrigrew, 48, (pictured) was handed the mammoth expenses budget after he was told to relocate his office from Warwick to Trafalgar Square

National Grid offered him the cash, despite Mr Pettigrew earning 4.6million last year - an increase of 1.6million, the Sunday Times reports.

His base salary was also given a nine per cent bump from 825,000 to 899,250.

Mr Pettigrew joined National Grid in 1991 and rose up the ranks.

On his biography page on the company's website it says: 'Johns extensive experience within the Company brings to the Board a deep understanding of the energy and utilities industry and operation within a regulatory environment as well as a full appreciation of the landscape National Grid works in.'

News of Mr Pettigrew's allowance follows Citizens Advice calling for households to be given a energy bill rebate, after power companies made unjustified profits of 7.5 billion.

The charity argued that energy firms such as National Grid, which builds and maintains power lines and gas pipes, have been profiteering.

It blamed the energy regulator, Ofgem, for approving a regime that has led to higher bills.

Citizens Advice have argued UK households should be given an energy bill rebate after power companies made 'unjustified profits' of 7.5billion (file picture)

About a quarter of the annual bill  280  is made up of levies that are paid to Britains 11 network companies.

Firms in the spotlight include National Grid, SSE and Scottish Power Electricity Networks.

Gillian Guy, head of Citizens Advice, said: Decisions made by Ofgem have allowed gas and electricity network companies to make sky-high profits that weve found are not justified by their performance.

'Through their energy bills, it is consumers who have to pay the 7.5 billion price for the regulators errors of judgment.

'We think it is right that energy network companies return this money to consumers through a rebate.

National Grid rejected the idea of a rebate, saying it has limited levies voluntarily. It said: National Grid is already delivering value for consumers, including the 460 million of savings our performance has generated.
Alison Whitney, a deputy director at GCHQ's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), said that women felt their 'opinions aren't valued' due to a 'boy's club culture' in the tech sector

A 'boys' club' culture is undermining women and driving them out of the technology sector, a leader of Britain's intelligence centre has said.

Alison Whitney, a deputy director at GCHQ's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), told The Times that women felt their 'opinions aren't valued; that they can't speak out' and they feel isolated.

'It's also something to do with a kind of boys' own, clubbytype culture ... there's the sort of business that gets done over a pint in the afterwork scenario.'

She said that this 'clubbytype feel' makes many women feel uncomfortable and it is something that many men do not like either.

Only one-third of the 700 employees of the NCSC are women although Ms Whitney said that the organisation is actively working to change that.

GCHQ launched a CyberFirst girls competition which aimed to identify talented young female coders and the parenting website Mumsnet has previously been used to attract new recruits.

Ms Whitney believes that diversity is vital if the agency is to be fully effective.

She wants to attract different types of people, including women who want to return to work after having children, whom she described as an 'untapped' resource.

GCHQ in Cheltenham where Ms Whitney and government ministers want to attract more women to work at as they can bring new skills to the fight against threats at home and abroad

'It's all too easy to think that you recruit people at 21, 22, when they come out of university and that is the only option that is available to you. How shortsighted is that?' Whitney said.

She said that schoolgirls were unfairly criticised if they were 'geeky', and received no encouragement from teachers to join the industry which was a 'pretty damning indictment of society.'

Ms Whitney said that attracting different types of people to the GCHQ is important, and she said that women who want to return to work after having children are an 'untapped' resource

'Having worked in cyber security for over a decade I would recommend it to any woman hoping to make a positive impact on the world.

'As the leading technical authority on cyber issues, we want to do everything we can to break down any barriers preventing them from prospering in their career.

'The good news is there is a huge interest amongst young women  as shown by more than 8,000 teenage girls entering our CyberFirst Girls competition.

More than 8,000 teenage girls entered the GCHQ's CyberFirst Girls competition this year

At GCHQ, the government listening station based in Cheltenham, there is a Diversity Steering Group and a Women's Network.

The organisation said that current diversity statistics in science and technology are unacceptable.

A report this year by Frost and Sullivan estimated that for every woman working in cyber security globally, you will find nine men.

Around 40 per cent of women leave jobs in science in technology, twice the figure for men, and that one third cite the working environment as central to their decision.
The family of a teenage girl who committed suicide are suing the doctors who prescribed her medication.

Angel Crowie, 14, was suffering from depression and taking anti-depressants before she took her own life in 2014.

Her parents claim the drugs administered were unnecessary and increased the chances of their daughter committing suicide.

'My daughter could well have been alive if she had been given the right medication,' Angel's mother Renea Wheatley told the Courier Mail.

Angel Crowie, 14, was suffering from depression and taking anti-depressants before she took her own life in 2014

Her parents say the drugs administered were unnecessary and increased the chances of their daughter committing suicide

Ms Wheatley say their family are motivated to achieve justice for Angel and prevent similar tragedies happening in the future.

'Some of these medications prescribed to our children are very dangerous. I want parents to do the research and not just let their children take what the doctor says,' she said.

Ms Wheatley says more should be done to treat mental illness outside of medicating sufferers, particularly as many children, like Angel, 'don't like taking medication.'

'I just wanted her to get better. As a parent I thought I was doing the right thing.'

'My daughter could well have been alive if she had been given the right medication,' Angel's mother Renea Wheatley said

The family are suing four Queensland-based GPs for negligence, breaches of duty of care and breaches of contract.

The claim alleges the anti-depressant Angel was prescribed carries 'a significantly higher risk of suicide or higher rate of death in the event of an overdose than newer non-tricyclic anti-depressants.'

The claim says the administering of the drug was irresponsible for adolescents experiencing severe mental health problems.

The doctors are yet to file a defence for the claim.

If you or anyone you know needs help contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
A woman in Tennessee is planning to file a complaint with the state medical board after her doctor referred to her as 'Aunt Jemima' throughout her appointment.

Lexie Carter, who lives in Memphis, said her dermatologist, Dr James Turner, greeted her by saying 'Hi Aunt Jemima' during her July 11 visit.

'I was just sitting there waiting to be seen and he walked in,' Carter said to WMCA. 'He had a young girl, physician's assistant trainee, a student with him, and he looks at me and goes "Hi Aunt Jemima."'

Lexie Carter (left), who lives in Memphis, said her dermatologist, Dr James Turner (right), greeted her by saying 'Hi Aunt Jemima' during her July 11 visit

Carter first posted about the incident on her Facebook page, calling the ordeal 'unbelievable'

Carter first posted about the incident on her Facebook page, calling the ordeal 'unbelievable.'

The name Aunt Jemima is a brand of pancake mix and syrup that debuted in 1889 by Quaker Oats, but has also been used as a racial slur aimed toward black women.

Its roots are from a period of American history when white performers wore blackface, and conjures images of slave culture and plantation life.

'I haven't slept. I haven't really been able to deal with this,' Carter explained. 'It's just the most horrible feeling really and I try to understand it and I don't understand it.'

'It was an insult, racial ethnic insult, a joke. It's putting me on a level of someone who is subservient with a smile. Kind of step and fetch it,' Carter explained to the news station.

The name Aunt Jemima is a brand of pancake mix and syrup that debuted in 1889 by Quaker Oats, but has also been used as a racial slur aimed toward black women. Pictured is one of the original ads for the brand

Carter said the doctor didn't apologize for the remark, which he used more than once, at the time, though he has since issued a public apology to WMCA

She also said she felt the comments were derogatory and demeaning, 'especially for someone who prides myself in being none of that.'

Carter said the doctor didn't apologize for the remark, which he used more than once, at the time, though he has since issued a public apology to WMCA.

'Ms Carter is one of our very dear patients and has been for years. She is one of many African American patients and I count it a privilege to be their doctor,' Dr Turner said in the statement.

'Anything that I said that tarnishes that image and my respect for her was a misspoken blunder on my part and was not intended to show disrespect for Ms Carter. I am very sorry for that misunderstanding,' he continued.

Though she is glad the doctor apologized, Carter said it came a little too late. She also said he did not apologize during the appointment, which he claims to have done.
Liberal Party President Nick Greiner has told Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott that a failure to meet and end their feud will hand the next election to Labor.

The newly elected figure waded into the personality clash that has dogged the party for months, saying it is vital the two men sit down together.

Mr Greiner adds his voice to those of former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett and National Party leader Barnaby Joyce in calling for an end to the in-fighting.

Liberal Party President Nick Greiner (pictured) has called on Mr Turnbull and Mr Abbott to meet face-to-face to resolve their differences

Mr Greiner says if Mr Turnbull (pictured) and Mr Abbott cannot end their feud Labor will win the next election

Mr Greiner is supported by Jeff Kennett, who says that Mr Abbott (pictured) and Mr Turnbull need to be 'mature' and end their spat

'They need to resolve it face-to-face and they need to resolve it directly, not through intermediaries,' he said on Sky News program Australian Agenda.

'If it isn't resolved, if we are not able to present a compelling, unified face to the Australian public, we won't win the election in two years' time.'

The former Premier of New South Wales appeared frustrated with the public disunity which has worsened in recent months and resulted in dismal polling.

'We fundamentally need to stop talking about ourselves,' he said, warning that the constant sniping back and forth is letting Bill Shorten 'escape scrutiny'.

Mr Greiner (pictured) was elected Liberal party president last month and is trying to deal divisions in the party

Mr Turnbull (pictured) is being urged to meet Mr Abbott and make sure the party presents a united front against Bill Shorten's Labor

He found support in former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, who echoed Mr Greiner's call for the prime minister to sit down with Tony Abbott, The Australian reported.

'I'm hopeful Nick will be able to firstly get them together and, secondly, they will agree to work together, and that means Malcolm as leader will have to make compromises, as will Tony,' said Mr Kennett.

'If they are not mature enough to do it then neither of them are worthy of continuing in the job they have.'

Liberal backbencher and Abbott government minister Kevin Andrews said the responsibility for ensuring his party wins the next election falls on the prime minister.

'The central issue is how the PM, as leader, reconnects with our base and rebuilds the support we have lost. That is the priority,' he said.

Since being deposed as leader in 2015 Mr Abbott (pictured) has been a regular critic of Mr Turnbull and his government

Mr Turnbull (pictured) has hit back at Mr Abbott in recent weeks, implying that he should have quit politics after losing the prime ministership

Northern Queensland Liberal MP Warren Entsch disagreed, saying the problem was with Abbott and he hoped the former prime minister would come to his senses.

National Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has been warning that the back and forth between the current and former leader will drive voters away.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop argued that comments like Joyce's were part of the problem, as people criticising the government from the inside 'is driving people to Bill Shorten,' she told the ABC.

Tensions between Mr Turnbull and Tony Abbott have been high since Turnbull toppled the former PM in 2015.

Despite saying there 'will be no wrecking, no undermining, and no sniping' after the leadership spill, Mr Abbott has been an almost constant thorn in his successor's side.

Mr Abbott has not shied away from criticising the government or its leadership, regularly speaking out to advocate for conservatism.

Mr Turnbull has hit back with snipes of his own, implying he thinks Mr Abbott should have quit politics after losing the top job.

The prime minister has also taken a swing at Mr Abbott's conservative agenda by saying the party belongs in the 'sensible centre' of Australian politics.

Mr Greiner's comments come as the Coalition trails Labor for the 15th consecutive Newspoll, with 53 per cent of voters preferring Labor to the Coalition's 47 per cent.

Mr Turnbull still leads Mr Shorten as preferred prime minister.
Police are on the hunt for a man they allege was involved in the sexual assault of a young girl.

Authorities released an image of the man they believe met with the girl a number of times and had sex with her.

An inappropriate relationship is alleged to have begun when the man and the girl met online, when she was 14-years-old, and led to a number of meetings at an oval in Hornsby Heights between February 2015 and January 2016.

Authorities released an image of the man (pictured) they believe met with the girl a number of times and had sex with her

The man is understood to be of Asian appearance, in his mid-20s or mid-30s, having a medium build, with short black hair, brown eyes, and is clean shaven.

'As part of our ongoing inquiries, we have released an image of a man we believe may be able to assist us,' Det A/Supt Yeomans said.

'He may be named or use the name 'Alex', wears glasses and was known to wear business-style clothes.'

Police also noted the importance of regulating and supervising internet access for young people (stock picture)

'I urge members of the community to look closely at the image and if you recognise the man, please contact police.'

Police also noted the importance of regulating and supervising internet access for young people.

'Any app, online game, or social media platform that allows the user to be in contact with someone they've only met online potentially puts them at risk,' Det A/Supt Yeomans said.

'Not only should young people be very careful about providing personal details to a person they only know in online environment, they should never organise to meet as doing so may place them at further risk of harm.'
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New photographs have revealed the inside of a wedding ceremony donated to homeless shelters by an Indiana woman who didn't want her canceled $30,000 ceremony to go to waste after calling off her engagement.

A bus pulled up to the swanky event center on Saturday that Sarah Cummins had booked for the reception in Carmel, a suburb just north of Indianapolis. About a dozen veterans from a local organization were among the guests who dined on bourbon-glazed meatballs, roasted garlic bruschetta and wedding cake.

Cummins told the Indianapolis Star that she and her fiance called off the wedding a week ago. She declined to give a reason, but she said they were left with a nonrefundable contract for the Ritz Charles in Carmel and a plated dinner for 170 guests.

But the 25-year-old then decided rather than throw away the food she would bring some purpose to the event and contacted area homeless shelters. She cheerfully greeted and welcomed her guests when they arrived to attend the Saturday party.

An Indiana woman didn't want her canceled $30,000 wedding to go to waste, so she threw a party for the homeless. The glitzy reception center is pictured on Saturday in Carmel, Indiana

'For me, it was an opportunity to let these people know they deserved to be at a place like this just as much as everyone else does,' Cummins said.

Several local businesses and residents donated suits, dresses and other items for the guests to wear.

Charlie Allen, who's spent three months at a homeless mission, received a donated jacket.

'I didn't have a sport coat,' he said, tugging gently at the lapels. 'I think I look pretty nice in it.'

Like other guests, Allen said he was grateful for the invitation.

This picture shows the inside of the center where Sarah Cummins' wedding was meant to be on Saturday. After recently calling the wedding off, the 25-year-old gifted the event to members of the local homeless population

Janice Williamson-Cox, from Dayspring, left, hugs Sarah Cummins as she and others arrive at the Ritz Charles to enjoy the reception

Cummins was meant to be having her wedding at the Ritz Charles on Saturday, but after it was called off, she decided to put the already paid for reception to good use and invite local homeless people to enjoy the food

Cummins, pictured left with her ex-fiance Logan Araujo, will leave for her Dominican Republic honeymoon on Sunday with her mother

One of the kitchen staff on hand for the canceled wedding reception is seen cutting tomatoes for a salad at the Ritz Charles in Indiana

The interior of the center where Sarah Cummins and her ex-fiance, Logan Araujo, were meant to get married on Saturday afternoon

'For a lot of us, this is a good time to show us what we can have,' he said. 'Or to remind us what we had.'

Three of Cummins' seven bridesmaids, along with her mother and aunts, came to support her at the event. Guests also dined on chicken breast with artichokes and Chardonnay cream sauce and wedding cake.

Cummins, a 25-year-old Purdue University pharmacy student, said her ex-fiance, Logan Araujo, footed most of the bill for the wedding contract, with Cummins and her parents, along with one of Araujo's family friends, paying the rest. Cummins said when she approached Araujo about donating the dinner, he agreed to what he believed was a selfless way to handle the situation.

Cummins said she is not sure yet what she will do with the wedding dress.

'It's too painful to think about.'

Sarah Cummins talks with a group of men from the nearby Wheeler Mission on Saturday after donating her wedding reception after the ceremony was called off

Katelin Decraene (middle) gives Trishell Crawford and her daughter Jacqueline Crawford salads at a reception at the Ritz Charles on Saturday

Sarah Cummins (left, with her former fiance, and right), 25, was due to marry her fiance Logan Araujo in Carmel, Indiana on Saturday but called off the $30,000 wedding a week ago

Two people from one of the nearby homeless shelters in Carmel, Indiana, arrive at the Ritz Charles for Saturday's reception

Cummins said when she approached Araujo about donating the dinner, he agreed to what he believed was a selfless way to handle the situation. Pictured is a flower arrangement on one of the tables

Cummins told the Indianapolis Star that she and her fiance called off the wedding a week ago. She declined to give a reason, but she said they were left with a nonrefundable contract for the Ritz Charles in Carmel and a plated dinner for 170 guests

Three of Cummins' seven bridesmaids, along with her mother and aunts, came to support her at the event. Pictured, left, is the center set up for the big day, and right, is an inside look at the reception
Ex-FBI chief James Comey could make millions this week, as his forthcoming book is expected to be a hot seller when it goes to auction for publishers.

The New York Times reported Saturday that Comey, who was dramatically fired by President Trump on May 9, is pursuing a book project about his career in public service  including the tumultuous three and half months spent under Trump before getting axed.

'It's a book about leadership and his search for truth, informed by lessons and experiences he's had throughout his career, including his recent experiences in the Trump administration,' said Matt Latimer, a partner at the literary agency Javelin, which is shopping to book.

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He may no longer be the top dog at the FBI, but ex-Director James Comey could become a millionaire this week as his book goes to auction for publishers

James Comey, seen arriving to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on June 8, decided to write a book after all, but it won't be a straight memoir

While Comey has upset and pleased both Republicans and Democrats for his actions involving Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, he's entrusting Republicans to handle the book project.

Both Latimer, and his Javelin associate Keith Urbahn, are veterans of GOP administrations and members of Congress, with Latimer serving as President George W. Bush's deputy director of speechwriting and as the chief speechwriter to former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Urbahn worked for Rumsfeld as well, and was the first person to tweet the news that 9/11 terrorist Osama bin Laden had been killed in 2011. Urbahn also worked for now-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Comey, according to an acquisition editor for a major New York publishing house, could get $10 million for the book, the insider told DailyMail.com in June.

'Jim Comey's story has everything, from White House intrigue to possible corruption and law breaking. His explosive story makes "West Wing" and "House of Cards" on a par with "Mister Rogers,"' the source said. 'When his proposal hits my desk, I've already been authorized to offer $10 million.'

The book could be turned into a movie as well with a prominent movie and TV agent telling DailyMail.com, 'I know one top drawer producer who's already talking to stars to cast the Comey role. He has to be tall, good-looking and a Jimmy StewartJohn Waynehero type.'

'I was mesmerized when I spent the whole day watching Comey testify,' the agent added.

According to the Times' reporting, Comey was initially shy about publishing a book, but later changed his mind once he decided to write something more pointed than straight memoir.

'His aim is to write candidly about his experiences serving in multiple administrations, and to use moments from his career to draw lessons about ethics, decision making and leadership,' the Times' Alexandra Alter said.
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While Donald Trump and Donald Jr. are in the midst of the Russian crisis, Tiffany Trump and her mother Marla Maples have been sunning themselves aboard a luxury yacht off the Italian coast.

Tiffany, the president's youngest daughter, was snapped enjoying a carefree vacation with Marla on Saturday.

Both mother, 53, and daughter flaunted their enviable figures in bikinis aboard the 130ft charter yacht Mirage IV, which is moored off the coast of Capri, Italy.

Tiffany Trump and her mother Marla Maples have been sunning themselves aboard a luxury yacht off the Italian coast

Tiffany, the president's youngest daughter, enjoyed a drink while a friend snapped a photo of the 23-year-old

Although it is not known whether Tiffany and her mother have rented the yacht personally - or indeed been lent the vessel - the duo have been making the most of their time aboard

Marla Maples showed off her incredible abs as she listened to music on the top deck of the yacht, while her daughter sat behind

University of Pennsylvania graduate Tiffany looked chic in her mismatched bikini top and bottom, while her mom added a cap to her ensemble to keep cool

Both mother and daughter were aboard the 130ft charter yacht Mirage IV, which is moored off the coast of Capri, Italy

The pair have been on board all week and were also spotted living the high life on Monday afternoon as Tiffany seems determined to soak up every second of summer before returning to Georgetown University in just a matter of weeks.

Donald Trump's ex-wife Marla sported a lilac bikini, before taking a break from the sun with a white cap and sleeveless white jacket.

Her daughter wore a mismatched white bikini top and green patterned bottoms as she enjoyed a drink in the sunshine.

The 23-year-old took a dip, accompanied by her Secret Service agents, to cool off before the pair were joined by some friends on deck. The group were spotted chatting and posing for pictures on the luxury yacht.

The pair have been enjoying their vacation aboard the yacht for the past week, after they were spotted soaking up the sun on deck on Monday

Trump's ex-wife Marla sported a lilac bikini as she appeared to be doing some stretches or meditation to relax

The pair were later joined by some friends on deck and the group were spotted chatting and posing for pictures on the luxury yacht

Tiffany looked stunning as she posed for the picture, wearing tinted shades and her bikini

There is plenty of room on the Mirage IV charter yacht that the mother-daughter duo seems to be calling home this week, however, leaving them with plenty of room to share the space with their friends

There is plenty of room on the Mirage IV charter yacht that the mother-daughter duo seems to be calling home this week, however, leaving them with plenty of room to share the space with their friends.

The Princess boat can house up to 10 guests in its five cabins, and also comes complete with a crew of eight, meaning Tiffany and Marla's every wish will be catered for during their stay.

Although it is not known whether Tiffany and her mother have rented the yacht personally - or indeed been lent the vessel - the duo were pictured enjoying a relaxing morning on-board on Tuesday, with a make-up-free Tiffany kicking back in a white towel robe while her mother relaxed in some workout gear.

The pair were joined by two male friends as they sat down at a table at the back of the charter yacht in the harbor of Capri, the location of Tiffany's third European trip in as many weeks, having already enjoyed trips to Berlin and Hungary with her boyfriend Ross in the past few weeks.

Tiffany looked incredibly relaxed and happy as the group of four laughed and smiled, before she paused to snap some pictures on her phone.

The 23-year-old took a dip, accompanied by her Secret Service agents, to cool off before the pair were joined by some friends on deck

As she climbed back aboard, Tiffany showed of an enviably slim figure. Her agents were right behind her making sure she got back aboard ok

Tiffany looked incredibly relaxed and happy as she chatted and smiled with friends and her mom

The pair have been on board all week and were also spotted living the high life on Monday afternoon as Tiffany seems determined to soak up every second of summer before returning to Georgetown University in just a matter of weeks

While Tiffany and Marla enjoy the sunshine, Donald Trump and Donald Jr. are in the midst of the Russian scandal

But Marla, 53, seemed unfazed by the drama back in Washington involving her ex husband as she chatted with friends on the yacht

Tiffany's stay in Capri comes after a busy few weeks of jet-setting with her boyfriend Ross - who did not appear to have joined his girlfriend for the latest leg of her European trip. The duo were last seen together in Hungary, Budapest, over the weekend, with Ross sharing a cute snap of the couple posing in the city center on his Instagram account on Saturday.

But last Sunday, it appeared as though the vacation had come to an end for Ross, with Tiffany instead being joined by her mother Marla for a mom-daughter trip to Capri, where the youngest Trump daughter was seen enjoying an evening stroll with her mother, taking in the sights and sounds of the Italian island.

For Tiffany, the fun-filled vacation started back in June, when she traveled to Berlin, Germany, with boyfriend Ross, clearly eager to take in as much culture as possible before returning to her studies at the end of the summer.

Tiffany is headed to law school at Georgetown University this fall, while Ross recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where he and Tiffany had stared dating.

The European vacation is likely a last hurrah for the couple, who may once again be facing a long-distance relationship, and they are clearly eager to take advantage of every last minute they have to spend together - having already enjoyed a beachside getaway in the US, before embarking on their European trip in Germany, where the two were pictured walking through the streets of Berlin in late June.

Fun in the sun! Tiffany Trump put her tanned legs on show in a short white romper while enjoying an Italian getaway on a yacht with her mother Marla Maples

Break time: At one point the group retreated out of the sun and into the shade, where they were seen enjoying coffee and tea

Sailor style: Marla donned an appropriately nautical outfit for the yacht getaway, wearing a cold-shoulder navy blouse and a pair of white capri jeans - fitting given their location

Look of love: Tiffany recently visited Budapest, Hungary, with her boyfriend Ross

Seeing sights: Late last month, Tiffany was also in Germany, having fun as a tourist in Berlin

Summer ready: Tiffany kept cool in an off-the-shoulder mini-dress while enjoying the humid island weather

Later, Tiffany posed for another Instagram shot, standing in front of Brandenburg Gate in a matching white top and skirt.

Of course, Tiffany wasn't the only Trump daughter in Europe over the weekend.

Tiffany's half-sister Ivanka Trump, 35, caused an uproar last week when she temporarily took her father's place at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, beside world leaders like Angela Merkel and Theresa May.

Meanwhile, back in the US, Donald Trump Jr. is facing a crisis over his meeting with a Russian lawyer after a third party promised to give them dirt of Hillary Clinton.

The latest scandal has raised further questions about Donald Trump and his administration's ties to Russia, which has plagued the president since his inauguration.

But her relatives deal with controversy hundreds of miles away, Tiffany was flying much more under-the-radar during her visit to Europe.

In a photo shared on Instagram, Tiffany can be seen enjoying some sight-seeing in Budapest with Ross.

Ross shared the picture on July 8, captioning the image with just a smiley-wearing-sunglasses emoji.

The snap shows the couple smiling while posing on a bridge in the eastern European capital, the city sprawled out behind them and the Hungarian Parliament Building just visible in the distance.
The widow of the man who inspired the 2014 movie 'American Sniper' praised the first double amputee to reenlist in the US Army in an Instagram post on Saturday.

Taya Kyle, who was married to US Navy Seal Chris Kyle, saw Sgt Dana Bowman at the Sheridan, Wyoming rodeo on Saturday.

'Great to see Sgt Dana Bowman @sheridanwyorodeo last night! It's been a while since the kids and I last saw him,' she wrote in her post.

Sgt Dana Bowman, pictured right, is the first double amputee to reenlist in the US Army

Taya Kyle, who was married to US Navy Seal Chris Kyle, saw Sgt Dana Bowman at the Sheridan, Wyoming rodeo on Saturday and praised him in an Instagram post

She also praised all of the 'patriots' in the audience who took their hats off to honor the soldiers during their spectacular entrance.

'I love how all the patriots in Sheridan had their hats off honoring Sgt Bowman and the flag as he dropped in,' Kyle wrote.

Bowman was a special forces soldier who was part of the elite parachute squadron called the Golden Knights.

She also praised all of the 'patriots' in the audience who took their hats off to honor the soldiers during their spectacular entrance. Bowman is pictured during the entrance into the stadium

'Great to see Sgt Dana Bowman @sheridanwyorodeo last night! It's been a while since the kids and I last saw him,' Kyle wrote in her post. Kyle is pictured far right with Bowman and his son

He is the first double amputee veteran to re-enlist in the Army after the loss of his legs, which happened during a parachuting accident in 1994.

Since the accident, he refuses to accept his new label of 'disabled,' and founded the Halo For Freedom, a foundation dedicated to wounded warriors.

He also travels the country, giving motivational speeches to remind 'people to focus on their abilities instead of their disabilities.

Kyle's husband, Chris, was a veteran SEAL sniper,who served in four tours in Iraq. During his life he was awarded several commendations for acts of heroism and merit-worthy service in combat.

Kyle's husband, Chris (pictured second from the left), was a veteran SEAL sniper,who served in four tours in Iraq. During his life he was awarded several commendations for acts of heroism and merit-worthy service in combat

He was shot dead on February 2, 2013 by a veteran with PTSD, Eddie Ray Routh, whom he was trying to help.

Kyle and a friend, who was also murdered, had taken Routh to a gun range in Texas in an effort to help with the PTSD. Routh had been in ant out of mental hospitals for about two years and had schizophrenia.

Before dying, Kyle wrote the book 'American Sniper,' on which the 2014 movie was based.
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This is the moment three of the iconic Inverclyde shipping cranes are brought crashing to the ground after a controlled explosion.

The Inchgreen cranes, on the site of a former shipbuilding yard on the River Clyde in Greenock, have not been operational for more than ten years - and a decision was made to remove the 50-year-old structures.

Twenty homes from a nearby estate were evacuated as a precaution. The controlled explosion was carried out by Technical Demolition Services, using the 'blow down' demolition technique.

In the video charges explode near the base of two of the structures, bringing the massive steel cranes crashing to the ground.

The demolitions provide extra space to renovate the dock, but they also signal the end of an era.

At the height of the British Empire the River Clyde dominated shipbuilding, providing jobs for tens of thousands of workers.

At one point in the early 20th century a fifth of all the ships in the world were built on the River Clyde, producing around 30,000 vessels over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The demolition began with two controlled explosions at the bottom of the structures, which hadn't been used for 10 years

The 50-year-old structures lost their balance and toppled over, bringing an end of an era to Greenock, Inverclyde

Twenty homes from a nearby estate had to be evacuated as a precaution during the demolition

However today just a few thousand shipbuilding jobs remain at the once-proud shipyards on the River Clyde.

Dr Phillips O'Brien, history lecturer at Glasgow University, told the Daily Record: 'The sad fact is that the decline as almost already happened. We talk about Glasgow as a great shipbuilding city but it is now a relatively small shipbuilding city.

'It built more ships than any city in the world at different points and employed many tens of thousands of people but the decline that set in from the Second World War has erased almost all of that.

Cranes like this one helped the Clyde become the dominant shipbuilding region in the world during the 19th century

At one point in the early 20th century one fifth of all the ships in the world had been built on the River Clyde

However at the beginning of the 1950s and 1960s ship building began shifting east, first to Japan and then to Korea and China

Now there are just a few thousand shipbuilders left on the Rive Clyde, as most have been shipped abroad

'Much of the work began shifting to Asia at the beginning of the 1950s and 60s, originally to the Japanese shipyards, now the Korean and Chinese shipyards.'

The Finnieston Crane, which is perhaps the best-known example of a giant cantilever crane, can be found in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland, where it is a famous tourist attraction.
A 70-year-old Army veteran was fired because he tried to stop thieves from leaving the Home Depot where he worked.

Jim Tinney saw three thieves about to take off with valuable tool sets form the Home Depot in Pearland, Texas.

'One of them hollered, "let's go" and they all grabbed their kits and started heading out,' he said.

That's when he threw a paint roller extension at their feet, trying to stop them as a knee-jerk reaction, Fox 6 reported.

Jim Tinney, (pictured) a 70-year-old Army veteran was fired from his job at the Home Depot in Pearland, Texas, because he tried to stop three thieves from getting away with thousands of dollars of tools

'In the Army, they train you to do things like that,' he added.

The shoplifters made it out with the tools, which he said were worth thousands of dollars.

Two weeks later, Tinney was fired. Though he knew stopping shoplifters was against company policy, he said he acted on a automatically.

'I think they could have written me up and reprimanded me, but terminate me? That's pretty strong,' he said.

Stephen Holmes, a Home Depot spokesperson said in a statement to KTRK that the company's strict policy is for everyone's safety.

Holmes said:'What I can tell you now is that we have a strict policy that only our trained security personnel can pursue and engage shoplifters.

'We've had deaths and serious injury over the years, and no amount of merchandise is more important than the safety of our associates and customers.

As he saw the thieves about to leave, Tinney automatically threw a paint roller extension at their feet, trying to stop them, but they got away. He said his actions were a reflex from what he was trained to do in the Army, but two weeks later, he was fired

Stephen Holmes, a spokesperson for Home Depot, said in a statement that the company's strict policy is for everyone's safety, regardless of how harmless a situation might appear

'Last week, we had an associate bitten. We've had stabbings, another associate with serious brain damage, and it goes on from there,' Holmes added.

'In fact, in just the past 24 hours we've had two shoplifters pull guns at two different stores at both ends of the country. So you can see, it's a very serious safety risk to everyone, even when it doesn't appear to be.'

But now, Tinney is struggling to find himself another job.

'I'm 70 years old, I need to work and I needed that job,' he said.

'And I enjoy working with the customers, helping them figure out weird things that they want to do. It's fun.'
Jeremy Corbyn has accused Tory MPs of 'crying crocodile tears' after the Grenfell Tower disaster and recent terror attacks while paying tribute to the Tolpuddle Martyrs.

He also blasted the Tories for voting against a Labour amendment which proposed ending the public sector pay freeze at the beginning of this Parliament.

Speaking today at a ceremony to commemorate the Martyrs - who in the 19th century were punished for forming what is thought to be the first trade union - a furious Mr Corbyn said: 'The DUP and the Tories got together and voted down our proposal - so they wish to continue that public sector pay cap.

'I get so sick of Tory MPs lining up with crocodile tears for those who have helped out in the most terrible circumstances such as the fire in Grenfell Tower, the crisis in Manchester when the bombing went off there, in London Bridge and in Finsbury Park.

Jeremy Corbyn has paid tribute to the Tolpuddle Martyrs who he says 'lit a spark that spread around the world'

'Thanking the emergency services for all their work, we all do that, we admire them, we applaud them, we recognise the dangers they put themselves in so that the rest of us may be safe.

'But the difference is that we also believe they should be paid properly for doing the work that they do.'

It came just hours after Chancellor Philip Hammond lashed out at Cabinet rivals who briefed against him, accusing them of trying to undermine his efforts to secure a 'softer' Brexit deal.

As tensions at the top of the Government spilled out into the open, Mr Hammond warned fellow ministers to focus on 'the job in hand' rather than leak details of confidential discussions.

Mr Corbyn took part in a procession through Tolpuddle before laying a wreath on the grave of James Hammett - the only Martyr to return to the Dorset village

His outburst followed reports that he had told the weekly meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday that public sector workers were 'overpaid' when their pensions were taken into account.

Mr Corbyn was speaking at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival - an annual event to commemorate the group who paved the way for working rights in the 19th century.

The six men were punished for forming what is thought to be one of the first trade unions in a bid to protest their meagre pay which was the equivalent of 30 pence per week in today's money.

But it sparked a global uprising of the working class who called for their release which eventually came years later.

Mr Corbyn took part in a procession through Tolpuddle before laying a wreath on the grave of James Hammett - the only Martyr to return to the Dorset village.

Last year at the same event he was dramatically shouted down by a woman who demanded his resignation following the bitter Labour leadership contest.

But speaking today, he said: 'Those six men stood up against the most grotesque injustice at the time.

Speaking of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, Mr Corbyn said: 'They didn't know it, but they lit a spark that spread throughout the world - the principle of working people organising together in trade unions'

'They could have walked away and just continued their suffering in private but they didn't.

'They stood up for themselves, their community and their families against the brutality of the landlord system of the time.

'They didn't know it, but they lit a spark that spread throughout the world - the principle of working people organising together in trade unions.

'That's what we honour today - the principle of trade unionism, the principle of solidarity that is always under threat because our human rights are always under threat if we don't defend them and stand up for them.

'I say thank you to those six and their families and all these people in this area who did so much, that succeeding generations wouldn't suffer as much as they suffered at that time.

'We forget our history at our peril. We learn from it to strengthen ourselves and make succeeding generations better off and with greater liberties than we enjoy ourselves.'

Earlier this week Mr Corbyn pledged to carry on reminding voters in Tory marginals that 'there is an alternative' as he continued his election-style summer campaign with visits to two Conservative-held seats on the south coast. He is pictured today at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival

The six Tolpuddle Martyrs were transported to Australia as punishment for swearing an unlawful oath - a heavy sentence considering that few ever returned home because of the challenging voyage.

It sparked outrage with hundreds of thousands of working class people rising in support of the Martyrs.

The streets of London hosted a mass demonstration with a petition delivered to Parliament containing 800,000 signatures.

After three years of campaigning, in 1836 the government pardoned the men - who returned to Britain as heroes of the trade union movement.

Earlier this week Mr Corbyn pledged to carry on reminding voters in Tory marginals that 'there is an alternative' as he continued his election-style summer campaign with visits to two Conservative-held seats on the south coast.

He told supporters in Southampton that Theresa May's Conservatives should 'step aside' for a Labour 'government in waiting', while he told fans in Bournemouth that there were 'no no-go areas anywhere in the country' for his party.

Speaking of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, Mr Corbyn said: 'I say thank you to those six and their families and all these people in this area who did so much, that succeeding generations wouldn't suffer as much as they suffered at that time'

Mr Corbyn, who spoke for 45 minutes to dozens of supporters in a room at the Hallmark Hotel, West Cliff, in the traditional Tory stronghold of Bournemouth, joked with supporters who peered through windows from outside- turning to them and saying: 'Hello outside, I did not realise you were all out here.'

The hotel is in the constituency of Bournemouth West, which has been Conservative since its creation in 1950, but saw a 6.6% swing to Labour cut the Tory majority almost in half in June.

Mr Corbyn said: 'We have got to reach out to everybody all over the whole country, and so this is one of many visits I am making to constituencies - particularly Tory-held marginals - which I think need to be reminded that there is an alternative and that we offer it.

'So I've promised I will visit all 73 of the Tory-held marginals all over the country, and I have got 35 of those planned between now and party conference in September.

'So the election was just a huge dress rehearsal for the next election.'

Mr Corbyn, who was greeted with chants of 'Oh Jeremy Corbyn', spoke at length about a variety of issues including bus and train services, education, music in schools and homelessness.

He also promised he would never use personal abuse and urged Labour supporters not to either.

Mr Corbyn has this month already visited the Conservative marginals of Hastings & Rye, Hendon and Chingford & Woodford Green in a bid to take the fight into Tory territory in preparation for an election which Labour strategists believe could come much earlier than the scheduled date of 2022.
A survey has revealed Britain's most dangerous jobs - with some very surprising results.

Hairdressers and beauticians are seven times more likely to have an accident at work than carpenters, according to the study - with bricklaying three times less risky than being a fitness instructor.

Meanwhile, dog walkers, kennel owners and pet parlour owners are three times more likely to have an accident at work than lorry drivers.

Hairdressers and beauticians are seven times more likely to have an accident at work than carpenters, according to the study (stock photos)

Workers in the North are also warned to be careful in the office with the research by insurers Simply Business revealing that they are at a much higher risk of having an accident at work - with Liverpool, Glasgow and Manchester topping the list.

It is also much more likely for an accident to happen on a Monday morning as sluggish workers return from the weekend - with the chances of injury dropping as the week trundles on.

It comes amid a dramatic rise in accidents and injuries at small businesses - with the figures going up by 41 per cent over the past five years.

But last year there was a dip which experts say shows that firms are becoming more careful with safety in the office.

Meanwhile, dog walkers, kennel owners and pet parlour owners are three times more likely to have an accident at work than lorry drivers (stock photo)

Simply Business, which covers over 1000 different professions and trades from decorating to dog-walking and dance instructing, analysed a sample of claims from hundreds of thousands of its clients during the study.

Cities where you're most likely to have an accident at work Liverpool is the top-rated workplace accident hotspot 1. Liverpool 2. Glasgow 3. Manchester 4. Birmingham 5. Bradford 6. Edinburgh 7. Leeds 8. London 9. Sheffield 10. Bristol Advertisement

Chief customer officer Fiona McSwein said: 'Our research shows that even businesses that many would consider low-risk - such as hairdressing or dog walking - carry the risk of injury, and it's particularly surprising when compared to manual trades like bricklaying or carpentry.

'It's highly encouraging to see the rate of accidents and injuries starting to dip, with 2016 being the safest of the last five years.

'It shows that small business owners are increasingly concerned about safety at work.

'However, no matter how careful small business owners are, we know that any work carries risks.'

According to the Health and Safety Executive, an estimated 621,000 workers were injured at work in the year from 2015.

The most common incidents were injuries from handling lifting or carrying; slipping or tripping; and being hit by a moving object.

In total, an estimated 4.5 million working days were lost due to self-reported workplace injuries - on average 7.2 days per case.
The weather may be partial blame as to why their have been an increase in alligator attacks in southwest Florida.

Over the last few weeks, there have been an increase in the number of alligator attacks in the Sunshine state with an elderly woman having to be airlifted to a hospital after she was mauled by a 10ft gator at a gated community in Fort Meyers on July 9.

This follows just another attack where a huge beast bit the arm of a gold ball diver in Charlotte County.

Over the last few weeks, there have been an increase in the number of alligator attacks in the Sunshine state with an elderly woman having to be airlifted to a hospital after she was mauled by a 10ft gator at a gated community in Fort Meyers on July 9.

'Alligators are more active when temperatures rise,' explained a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

A 10-year-old boy, vacationing in Arcadia, just was bit by an alligator last week.

'Alligators are more active when temperatures rise,' explained a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in an email to Fox News.

There have been 16 bite incidents so far this year, according to officials, which equals the stateside record set in 2001

'That fact, combined with this being a popular time of year for people to recreate near the water, creates the potential for human-alligator interactions.'

There have been 16 bite incidents so far this year, according to officials, which equals the stateside record set in 2001.

Even with those many attacks, officials still claim that attacks leaving serious injuries are rare.

'From 1948 to 2016, 388 unprovoked bite incidents have occurred in Florida,' said the spokeswoman.

Approximately 24 were fatal.

The spokeswoman added: 'FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.'
One man was killed and eight other people were injured in an early morning car crash in Queens, New York.

A car going westbound on the Grand Central Parkway crashed through a center guardrail into eastbound traffic around 6.30am Sunday.

It hit three other cars near 188th Street in Jamaica Estates, including an SUV that landed on its roof and a minivan that landed on its side.

One man in his 20s was ejected from his car and died on the scene, the New York Post reported.

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One man was killed and eight other people were injured in an early morning car crash in Queens, New York on Sunday

A car going westbound on the Grand Central Parkway crashed through a center guardrail into eastbound traffic around 6.30am. It hit three other cars including an SUV that landed on its roof and a minivan that landed on its side

Eight other people involved were taken to Jamaica Hospital and North Shore Medical Center, according to WABC.

Two of the people who were injured are in critical, but stable condition and the others have suffered minor injuries.

They are all expected to survive, officials said.

Police have not released the identities of anyone involved in the crash.

The NYPD Collision Investigative Squad responded to the scene and all eastbound lanes were closed while police investigated.

'Theres one confirmed deceased and another is critical, but were still trying to ascertain the direction of travel and those types of things,' a police spokesman told amNew York.

One witness told 1010 WINS about a woman who was trying to get out of the minivan on its side.

'A lady got out from the roof, and she was trying to grab  maybe it was her daughter  somebody younger, and she was trying to pull her out of the car, but she couldnt get her out.

'By the time the cops came, they helped pull her out.'

One man in his 20s was ejected from his car and died on the scene and eight other people involved were taken to Jamaica Hospital and North Shore Medical Center
Princess Eugenie attends her graduation ceremony at Newcastle University

Princess Eugenie was initially rejected by Newcastle University and then given a place because of who she was, it was claimed.

Her application was allegedly dismissed as not good enough by an admissions officer who hadnt realised the applicant was a member of the royal family.

When the horrified university authorities realised what had happened they offered the Duke and Duchess of Yorks daughter a place on an alternative degree course.

The allegations were made by Dr Martin Farr, a senior history lecturer at Newcastle University, in a speech to the anti-monarchist campaign group Republics annual convention in the city.

Eugenie ended up doing a combined BA honours degree in English literature, history of art and politics at Newcastle and graduated at the end of her three-year course in 2012 with a 2:1. The comments by Dr Farr imply that she was given special treatment to get her into the university for PR purposes.

Speaking to an audience in favour of abolishing the monarchy, Dr Farr said his information had come from a colleague who he didnt name.

He said the royal VIP was rejected for a degree in English literature before being found a place on the apparently less competitive combined degree when her identity came to light.

Dr Farr said: We had at Newcastle University one of the Queens granddaughters, Princess Eugenie.

And a friend of mine who is Italian was the admissions officer for BA English literature and received one application for the undergraduate degree that was not good enough and so discarded it.

Dr Martin Farr, a senior history lecturer at Newcastle University, said her application was dismissed as not good enough by an admissions officer who hadnt realised the applicant was a member of the royal family

When the horrified university authorities realised what had happened they offered the Duke and Duchess of Yorks daughter a place on an alternative degree course (pictured is Newcastle University)

Dr Farr said being Italian the admissions officer had not noticed that Princess Eugenie of York from Sandringham may have had more significance for the institution than another applicant.

He added: Apparently the university was horrified that she had been rejected before she was offered a place with us for another degree.

According to the universitys website the entry requirements for next years intake studying English literature are likely to be AAA-AAB, and for those doing a combined honours course of the type Eugenie studied they are put as AAB.

The young royal lived in shared student accommodation in Jesmond during her time at the university and was a positive advertisement for Newcastle. But Dr Farr, who teaches modern and contemporary British history, claimed the special treatment she received put fellow students off the monarchy.

Eugenie, now 27, went to university on the back of three good A-levels at Marlborough College. She attained an A in each of English and art and a B in history of art

He said: So we had Eugenie parading around campus for the next three years. Its struck me over the next three years that we had more people turning into republicans because they were barged out of bars and clubs  they realised how much further down the pecking order they were than someone like Eugenie. She was used by the university for publicity and even a tenuous link like that is worth burnishing.

Eugenie, now 27, went to university on the back of three good A-levels at Marlborough College. She attained an A in each of English and art and a B in history of art.

After graduating she worked in New York for the online auction house Paddle8 before moving back to the UK two years ago to join the Hauser & Wirth contemporary art gallery in London. Earlier this year she was promoted to director.

A Newcastle University spokesman said information on individual students was confidential, but added: In general, however, if an applicant does not have the actual or predicted grades to meet the requirements for a particular programme, it is possible for them to be considered for alternative options.

A spokesman for Princess Eugenie refused to comment.
Judge Philip Shorrock has been reprimanded

A judge who said rape prosecutions were hard to prove if the alleged victim was drunk or on drugs has been reprimanded over his remarks.

Judge Philip Shorrock suggested such cases should require independent evidence.

He made the comments following a series of trials in which men were cleared of raping women too intoxicated to give a clear account of what had happened.

In a letter to a newspaper, Judge Shorrock said the men were usually and unsurprisingly acquitted by juries  and asked whether such cases should go to trial again.

But he has been slapped down by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office  with the Lord Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor finding he had commented publicly on a politically sensitive issue without seeking guidance from the relevant leadership judge and that his behaviour amounted to misconduct. A statement from the JCIO added: They have issued him with a reprimand.

The rebuke was handed out in line with the previously expressed opinion of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, who accused Judge Shorrock of perpetuating the victim-blaming rape myths that allowed sexual predators to offend with assumed impunity in days gone by.

Judge Shorrock, based at Liverpool Civil and Family Court, spoke out in March after a series of controversial cases.

It is an offence for a man to have sex with a woman when she is too drunk to give meaningful consent. But if the man is similarly intoxicated he can argue that he was also not aware of what was happening. If there is no independent witness  which is almost always the case  then juries are unlikely to find the case proven beyond reasonable doubt, as required.

One of the trials which sparked the row was the last of three rape cases involving undergraduates at Durham University.

Louis Richardson, 21, had met a fellow student at a club, and begun a relationship with her. But she reported him after the last time they had sex, claiming he had raped her while she was crazy drunk. The jury cleared him, however, after hearing that she had sent him flirtatious Facebook messages after the alleged attack.

Alison Saunders, who accused Judge Shorrock of perpetuating the victim-blaming rape myths that allowed sexual predators to offend with assumed impunity in days gone by

The court was told she had called him a sexy menace and said Ill let you spank me.

Mr Richardsons barrister argued the girl was highly manipulative and that her claims demeaned genuine rape victims.

Writing to the Daily Telegraph, Judge Shorrock, who has 40 years experience, said he saw a pattern of the Crown Prosecution Services guiding principle  bringing cases only with a realistic prospect of conviction  being ignored.

The complainant and the defendant know one another, the judge wrote. One or both has or have been drinking and or taking drugs. Each gives a plausible enough account as to what happened. There is no independent evidence which tends to suggest the complainant is telling the truth.

In such circumstances the defendant is usually and unsurprisingly acquitted. Perhaps the CPS understands the words realistic prospect of conviction to mean something which is not obvious to the rest of us.

Earlier this year, retiring judge Lindsey Kushner QC warned that men were likely to take advantage of intoxicated women, observing that a girl who has been drunk is less likely to be believed than one who is sober.

Retired judge Mary Jane Mowat, has suggested such rape cases have increased since late night drinking was liberalised, adding that juries seem unhappy to rely on the evidence of women who were so drunk that their recollections are blurred.
Philip Hammond has been accused of trying to 'frustrate' Brexit by a Cabinet rival amid a major feud at the heart of the Tory party, according to reports.

Theresa May has been urged to sack feuding ministers in a bid to instil discipline as civil war breaks out among top-tier Conservatives.

Hammond yesterday accused rival ministers of leaking details of conversations about public sector pay, in a plot against him.

But a fellow Cabinet member told The Telegraph that the Chancellor was treating pro-Leave ministers like 'pirates who have taken him prisoner'.

The minister, who has not been named, added: What's really going on is that the Establishment, the Treasure, is trying to f*** it up. They want to frustrate Brexit.'

In a bid to end the rows, the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs told the Prime Minister they would back any discipline she saw fit  including firing ministers who have routinely gone off message or publicly contradicted each other since the election.

Philip Hammond (left yesterday) accused rival ministers of leaking details of conversations about public sector pay in a plot against him - Theresa May (pictured at Wimbledon yesterday) has been urged to sack feuding ministers in a bid to instil discipline

A senior party source said: 'She has been informed that the membership are tired of self-indulgent ministers plotting or going AWOL on collective responsibility and that she should tell ministers this.'

The Chancellor was left embarrassed by reports over the weekend that he had told colleagues state workers were 'overpaid' and driving a train was now so easy 'even' a woman could do it. Yesterday he claimed he was being smeared by fellow ministers who disagreed with him over Brexit.

Mr Hammond has faced criticism for his publicly-stated belief that the UK should avoid a 'cliff edge' when it leaves the EU in 2019 and should instead move into a two-year period of 'transition'.

'If you want my opinion, some of the noise is generated by people who are not happy with the agenda which I, over the last few weeks, have tried to advance  ensuring that we achieve a Brexit which is focused on protecting our economy, protecting our jobs, and making sure that we have continued rising living standards in the future,' he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

PUBLIC SECTOR PAY RISING FASTER THAN PRIVATE SECTOR The average public sector worker earns 13 per cent more than the average private sector worker Official figures show public sector pay is still rising at a faster rate than in the private sector, although the gap is narrowing. There is disagreement over the exact rate, given the difficulties of making like-for-like comparisons. A study last week by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found the average public sector worker earns 13 per cent more than the average in the private sector. But the comparison was based on a crude measure of average hourly wages which did not take skill levels into account. It means, when adjusted, the average public sector pay was more like 3 per cent higher than the private sector for those with degrees. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that until 2003 private sector workers earned more than those in the public sector. But in recent years, pay freezes have meant the gap is narrowing as private sector pay grows faster. According to the ONS, seasonally adjusted average weekly earnings for regular pay in the public sector was 510 a week in May, compared with 466 in the private sector. Two years of frozen public sector pay were followed by 1 per cent caps  introduced partly to even out pay disparity after private sector wages collapsed following the 2009 financial crisis. Comparisons are difficult as there are more high and low earners in the private sector, and public sector workers tend to be more highly educated. Public sector pensions, typically more generous than the average in the private sector, are not included in the figures. But bonuses, more common in the private sector, are also not included. Advertisement

Mr Hammond is widely believed to be at odds with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, but said he did not know who had been briefing against him.

The Chancellor added: 'They shouldn't have done it, frankly, because Cabinet meetings are supposed to be a private space in which we have a serious discussion. I think on many fronts it would be helpful if my colleagues  focused on the job in hand.' Asked if there was now a fight to succeed Theresa May as party leader, he said: 'I certainly hope not. If there is I am no part of it.'

The Chancellor said 'Cabinet meetings are supposed to be a private space in which we have a serious discussion'

Mr Hammond refused to confirm a report in the Sunday Times that during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday he said public sector workers were 'overpaid'. A Treasury source insisted that he did not use the word.

'I am not going to talk about what was or wasn't said in a Cabinet meeting  it is easy to quote a phrase out of context,' Mr Hammond said.

But he added: 'Public sector pay raced ahead of private sector pay after the crash in 2008-09. Taking public sector pay before pensions contributions, that gap has now closed.

'But when you take into account the very generous contributions public sector employers have to pay in for their workers' pensions  their very generous pensions  they are still about 10 per cent ahead.'

The Chancellor rejected claims he had made a sexist remark about driving trains, saying: 'I've got two daughters  I don't think like that, I wouldn't make a remark like that.'

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox denied briefing against Mr Hammond. 'I absolutely deplore leaks from the Cabinet,' he told the BBC's Sunday Politics. 'I think my colleagues should be very quiet.'

First Secretary Damian Green told BBC Radio 5 Live's Pienaar's Politics: 'The last thing anyone wants is for the Conservative Party to turn in on itself.'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told Sky News the 'varying accounts' coming out of Cabinet meetings were 'quite extraordinary'.
They have enjoyed a whirlwind romance for almost three blissful years.

And Kris Jenner, 61, and Corey Gamble, 36, were living their best lives when they headed out for dinner at Le Quai on their getaway in St. Tropez, south of France on Saturday.

Making a noteworthy and rather questionable fashion statement, the momager power dressed in a garishly patterned outhit composed of vibrant colours.

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A table for two: Kris Jenner, 61, and Corey Gamble, 36, were living their best lives when they headed out for dinner at Le Quai on their getaway in St. Tropez, south of France on Saturday

Adding a feminine touch, the head of the Kardashian-Jenner family teased a glimpse of her ample assets in a blouse with a lacy edging.

The mum-of-six wore her raven tresses in her trademark choppy pixie cut, which added to her edgy look.

Kris - who was reported to be worth $25million in 2015 - accessorised with sexy shades, drop floral earrings and a tote leather bag to contrast with her colourful attire.

Noteworthy fashion: The momager, who takes 10 percent of her children's salaries, power dressed in a striking suit made up of vibrant colours

Standing tall, she appeared to be the same height as her beau when she strutted her stuff in sky-scraper high platform sandals.

Kris looked utterly relaxed as she put the drama behind her of her son Rob's legal battle after his furious online tirade at ex Blac Chyna.

Corey, who is the same age as Kris' second eldest daughter Kim, kept his cool on their sun-soaked getaway.

He contrasted his girlfriend in a plain black tee, ivory drawstring cut offs and preen trainers for added comfort.

Adding a feminine touch: The head of the Kardashian-Jenner family teased a glimpse of her ample assets in a blouse with a lacy edging

All about the accessories: Kris - who was reported to be worth $25million in 2015 - accessorised with sexy shades and drop floral earrings for her dinner date

The lovebirds embarked on a love affair together in November 2014 after Kris' marriage to Bruce Jenner collapsed.

In 2015 she divorced Bruce, who is now Caitlyn Jenner. The couple exchanged vows in April 1991 and shares her two youngest children with him, Kendall and Kylie.

Prior to the retired Olympic champion, she was married to lawyer Robert Kardashian who she shares four children with: Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Robert.

But it is said Kris will not walk down the aisle for a third time.

Standing tall: She appeared to be the same height as her beau when she strutted her stuff in sky-scraper high platform sandals

In June, a source told People: 'They will never get married.

'Kris is still seeing Corey. Sometimes they seem fine and sometimes not great.

'Their relationship is more business than romantic.'

Drama: Corey, however, who is the same age as Kris' daughter Kim, contrasted his girlfriend in a plain black tee, ivory drawstring cut offs and preen trainers for added comfort
It's set for a distant March 29, 2019 release.

And now the live-action version of the Disney classic Dumbo has just started filming, according to the studio.

To celebrate, Disney released a photo on Saturday of superstar director Tim Burton on set.

Ready to go! To celebrate news that the live-action Dumbo started filming, Disney released a photo on Saturday of superstar director Tim Burton on set

In the candid snap Burton, 58, appears to be enjoying himself in between takes.

The two-time Oscar-nominated director, who was behind such films as Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood, wears a red button-up shirt and a pair of retro shades as he smiles off-camera.

Dumbo, which will be a live-action version of the 1941 animated Disney classic, stars Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Eva Green, Danny DeVito, Finley Hobbins, and Nico Parker.

Burton has collaborated with many of the stars before.

What's old is new: Dumbo will be a live-action version of the 1941 animated Disney classic

New collaborator: Colin Farrell, 41, will play the starring role of Holt Farrier

Michael Keaton, 65, is making his first film with the director since Batman Returns, which also starred Danny DeVito, 72.

Eva Green, 37, worked with the virtuoso most recently, on Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children back in 2016.

Disney also took the opportunity on Saturday to release an official synopsis of the film.

Reunited: Back in the action together: Michael Keaton, 65, is making his first film with the director since Batman Returns, which also starred Danny DeVito, 72

Recent star: Eva Green, 37, worked with the virtuoso most recently, on Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children back in 2016

'Disneys new live-action feature film Dumbo introduces Holt Farrier (Farrell), a former circus star who finds his life turned upside down when he returns from the war. Circus owner Max Medici (DeVito) enlists Holt to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when Holts children (Parker and Hobbins) discover that Dumbo can fly, persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Keaton) and an aerial artist named Colette Marchant (Green) swoop in to make the peculiar pachyderm a star.'

While Dumbo production is already underway, Disney just announced some major casting news for another the live-action version of an animated classic: Aladdin.

Mena Massoud will play the titular character, while Naomi Scott will play Jasmine alongside Will Smith's Genie.
Fifty Shades Darker actress Bella Heathcote's 'absolute fairy tale' has come true.

The 30-year-old Australian beauty has stunned in a ethereal white Dior gown on the August cover of Vogue Australia.

She slipped into the immaculate high-fashion piece for the shoot in Paris, with the issue celebrating the 70th anniversary of the fashion house.

Ethereal beauty! Fifty Shades Darker actress Bella Heathcote stunned in a white Dior gown on the August cover of Vogue Australia magazine

The beautiful pictures, by Italian fashion photography icon Paolo Roversi, were released on Sunday.

The immaculate, strapless Dior dress' silky white train spread onto the floor around Bella, giving her an ethereal presence.

Her gown was adorned with intricate floral detailing and subtle white specks, stitched into the translucent ballerina-style fabric.

Masterpiece: The beautiful pictures, by Italian fashion photography icon Paolo Roversi, were released on Sunday

The actress is seen gazing directly into the camera, her flawless complexion and alluring blue eyes creating intrigue and interest.

In a separate photo from the August issue, Bella slipped into another masterpiece from the famous French couture house.

She was pictured in a one-of-a-kind floral Dior cape, made from the same translucent white material as her cover gown.

The house of fashion! She slipped into the immaculate high-fashion piece for the shoot in Paris, with the issue celebrating the 70th anniversary of the fashion house

Naturally! Her beauty was highlighted by a delicate makeup palette courtesy of artist Lauren Parsons, who has worked with the likes of Katy Perry and Elle Fanning for the publication

Her beauty was highlighted by a delicate makeup palette courtesy of artist Lauren Parsons, who has worked with the likes of Katy Perry and Elle Fanning for the publication.

On Instagram, Bella wrote: 'Absolute fairytale to shoot this cover w Paolo @roversi in Paris to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the House of @Dior.'

The August issue Vogue Australia goes on sale Monday July 24th
Her first role in a major Hollywood movie was panned by critics, but Cara Delevingne has confounded doubters by attracting rave reviews for her starring role in a 200 million sci-fi blockbuster.

One leading critic even says the British model-turned-actress has single-handedly saved the new movie, Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets.

Cara Delevingne has attracted rave reviews from her new movie, Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets (She is pictured with Dane DeHaan)

Directed by Luc Besson, maker of The Fifth Element, the movie received a mixed reception after its first screenings.

But in the Hollywood trade bible Variety, chief film critic Peter Debruge is effusive in his praise for Ms Delevingne as Laureline, a crime-fighter in the distant future who battles to protect the city of Alpha. Debruge says she is a revelation, adding that the 24-year-old is sassy, sarcastic and spontaneous.

Chief film critic of Variety, Peter Debruge, is effusive in his praise for Ms Delevingne as Laureline

He concludes: She doesnt just save Alpha  she saves the movie as well.

Its a far cry from the poor notices Ms Delevingne got for last years superhero saga Suicide Squad, when she tried to shrug off the horrific reviews by saying: It doesnt really matter what the critics say at the end of the day.

The sentiment is one that might now be shared by Ms Delevingnes co-star in the new film, pop star Rihanna. Variety savages her for her awkward line readings. The film is released here next month.

Ms Delevingnes previous movies include The Face Of An Angel and Paper Towns, for which the actress was dubbed the find of the film. But not all the reviews of her latest release will make such happy reading.

In the Hollywood Reporter, Todd McCarthy writes: Cara Delevingne needs to learn there is more to acting than smirking and eye-rolling.
He's been spending all his time with new lover Chloe Green since filing for legal separation last week.

And on Saturday Jeremy Meeks was attached to his new love Chloe Green again, this time after a shopping trip at a ritzy jewelry establishment in Beverly Hills.

The 32-year-old so called 'hot felon' held hands with his heiress as they both carried bags from the tony store.

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Already close! On Saturday Jeremy Meeks was attached to his new love Chloe Green again, this time after a shopping trip at a ritzy jewelry establishment in Beverly Hills

Locking lips: The two lovers shared some heavy PDA during the outing

For the outing, the male model looked fashionable as always thanks to a white fitted tee, which showed off his rippling chest.

Stylishly torn jeans and a pair of midnight blue trainers completed his outfit.

His accessories included a pair of oversize aviator shades with a gold element above the lenses, and a silver chain necklace.

Topshop heiress Chloe, 26, also kept things laid-back sartorially.

Fit man: For the outing, the male model looked fashionable as always thanks to a white fitted tee, which showed off his rippling chest

On top she opted to go braless under a white tee, which she in turn tucked into a pair of flared black track pants with stripes.

She also donned a pair of aviators, and carried her personal belongings in a small blue and black purse.

Her caramel tresses were parted on the right and allowed to cascade down her back.

Cool and casual: On top she opted to go braless under a white tee, which she in turn tucked into a pair of flared black track pants with stripes

Practical: She also donned a pair of aviators, and carried her personal belongings in a small blue and black purse

Paying up: After their shopping spree, the pair navigated their way over to a valet

Vroom: The couple zoomed away in a black Corvette

After their shopping spree, the pair navigated their way over to a valet, before getting into a black Corvette together.

Meanwhile, Jeremy's ex Melissa has been busy celebrating her birthday.

She also shared a telling Instagram that read: 'Better to be slapped with the truth than kissed with a lie.'

Moving on: Meanwhile, Jeremy's ex Melissa has been busy celebrating her birthday with her mom and sister seen above

On Thursday Jeremy filed for legal separation from mother-of-three Melissa, who he shares her youngest son with.

The move came after she filed for divorce, after confronting him outside their Stockton home when he arrived back from his break in Turkey, where controversial pictures of him cavorting on the $145,000-a-week yacht emerged.

He was married to the 38-year-old nurse, who stayed with him throughout his stint in prison, for eight years.
It's been a month since Oliver Curtis was released from prison, and it looks like his once 'troubled' marriage to Roxy Jacenko is certainly back on track.

After revealing on Saturday night the former investment banker had 'proposed' for a second time, Roxy was feeling in a rather frisky mood by Sunday morning.

The PR queen, 37, shared her first Instagram photo with Oliver since he stepped out of Cooma Correctional Centre - and it was a VERY risque update indeed.

Have fun last night? Roxy Jacenko looked very satisfied in a pink slip dress alongside husband Oliver Curtis as she shared an Instagram photo of the couple on Sunday, following his proposal

In the daring photo, the Sweaty Betty PR founder provocatively licked her lips while gazing at the camera wearing a pink slip dress.

She typed on a laptop while husband Oliver flaunted his ripped post-prison physique in a pair of black and blue board shorts.

It is unclear if the photo was taken in the couple's Sydney hotel room over the weekend, or during their recently family holiday in Bali, Indonesia.

Roxy playfully captioned the photo: 'Some things never change. I work. He flexes.'

They're engaged... again! It's been a month since the former investment banker was released from prison, and it looks like his once 'troubled' married to Roxy is certainly back on track

Back on! There were doubts for the future of Roxy and Oliver's marriage, but their recent social media posts suggest they're happier than ever. Pictured: A photo from Oliver's Instagram page

Roxy hinted over the weekend that, following a difficult year of legal woes, health struggles and split rumours, she is renewing her vows to Oliver.

She revealed via Instagram that Oliver had conspired with her employees to stage a surprise second 'proposal' at the Four Seasons in Sydney on Friday.

Roxy was whisked away from a girls' night out, driven to the luxury hotel, and handed a card with a set of instructions to find room 3403.

'Marry me? Again': Roxy revealed via Instagram that Oliver had conspired with her employees to stage a surprise second 'proposal' at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney on Friday

That's so romantic! Roxy was whisked away from a girls' night out, driven to the luxury hotel and handed a card with a set of instructions to find room 3403

Upon arrival, the publicist was greeted with a welcome sight following a stressful day of cleaning vandalism from her Paddington office building.

The message, 'Marry me? Again', was written in gold balloons and Roxy's delighted response on Instagram strongly suggests she said, 'Yes'.

The couple, who married in a lavish Sydney ceremony in 2012, had faced persistent rumours they quietly ended their relationship before Oliver was jailed in June 2016.

What a sparkler! Roxy looked glowing while showing off what appeared to be a brand new engagement ring, following Oliver's romantic proposal over the weekend

In late April, Roxy was even pictured kissing her ex-boyfriend Nabil Gazal at his Sydney apartment following a night out with friends at Bar Machiavelli.

But a source previously said Oliver had told his cellmates he was prepared to look past Roxy's 'indiscretions' if she would forgive him for his past criminal behaviour.

Roxy and Oliver, a private school-educated convicted insider trader, share two young children - five-year-old daughter Pixie and son Hunter, three.
Danny Dyer has moved out of the home he shares with wife Joanne Mas adding to further speculation their marriage is on the rocks.

In images obtained by The Sun, the EastEnders favourite, 39, was seen removing belongings from the house to move into a 1700-a-month rented apartment, where his on-screen wife Kellie Bright was helping with the transition.

The move comes after it was claimed he embarked on a historic affair with Sarah Harding in 2012, as friend tell the publication they hoped the couple, who have been a couple for 25 years and married for 11 months, would reconcile once again.

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Happier days: Danny Dyer has moved out of the home he shares with wife Joanne Mas adding to further speculation their marriage is on the rocks

Danny has suffered an embattled few months as he jetted to south Africa in March for an extended break from the BBC soap after growing overcome with exhaustion.

Hot on the heels of his comeback, he and Joanne were faced with rumours of his 'wild and sexual' six-week affair with Sarah in 2012, while they filmed little-known comedy Run for Your Wife - in yet another accusation of infidelity for the star.

Last month, it was reported that Danny was residing in a hotel near the EastEnders set. Sources stated he was without Joanne or their three children, and had been staying alone, reportedly wearing the same outfit for the duration of his stay.

The couple share daughters Danni, 19, Sunnie, nine and son Arty, three, and have been together since meeting in school in 1992 - yet only married last September in an idyllic Spanish-themed ceremony.

Tough times: In images obtained by The Sun , the EastEnders favourite, 39, was seen removing belongings from the house to move into a 1700-a-month rented apartment, where his on-screen wife Kellie Bright was helping with the transition

Danny's youngest children reportedly visited the star's new digs on Friday and helped their dad stock up on shopping after having a tour of the apartment.

Sources tell The Sun: 'At first, we hoped Danny and Jo would patch things up again as they have so many times before. Its not the first time Danny has stayed away rather than go home after filming. But its clear this time it is different.

'He is obviously hoping that she changes her mind and that they can work things out. But things have never been this bad between them before. Before he was forced to take his break from EastEnders this year he was in a pretty dark place...

'It is clear that the problems between them are much more serious than that. Danny would never have moved out otherwise.'

Troubled: 'It is clear that the problems between them are much more serious than that. Danny would never have moved out otherwise'

Neighbours revealed Danny was working with the removal men from around 9am-5pm. Joanne was later seen looking in the window of an estate agent shop.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Danny for comment.

Last month, before Danny was seen with the removal van, it was claimed Joanne had checked his phone and found he was back in contact with a group she deemed 'bad influences' after which she sent him packing.

Danny has been embroiled in a number of cheating scandals, although Joanne has always forgiven the star - despite the string of well-publicised heartbreaks.

Brief break: Danny has suffered an embattled few months as he jetted to south Africa in March for an extended break from the BBC soap after suffering exhaustion

In 2013, an EastEnders fan was delighted when Danny revealed he was joining the soap before the news was announced, shortly before reportedly enjoying a romp with the star behind then-pregnant Joanne's back.

Laura Boyd, 20, told The Sun at the time: 'It was the best sex I have ever had. He was a real gentleman. I felt like I was floating in a bubble for days afterwards.'

Just a year later, Danny was once again said to have strayed with a 21-year-old fan, who alleged they met in a nightclub and she later snapped a nude picture of him.

While remaining quiet about other stories both Danny and Joanne lashed out at the claims, with the latter tweeting:' As for today's kiss and tell Kiss my a*** #skank."
The Avengers + The Guardians Of The Galaxy + Spider-Man: Thanos was starting to look a little outnumbered.

But Marvel revealed at D23 on Saturday the cosmic super-villain, played by Josh Brolin, will have some super friends of his own for Infinity War.

Disney gathered almost the entire cast of the upcoming mega-crossover for its biennial expo in Anaheim, including Robert Downey Jr., Tom Holland, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Pom Klementieff, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista, Don Cheadle, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie and co-director Joe Russo.

Assemble: Chris Hemsworth and Elizabeth Olsen joined their Avengers co-stars at D23 on Saturday

The studio also made a surprise unveiling of statues of the Black Order, Thanos' team of henchmen who will help him gather the Infinity Stones.

The foursome appeared to consist of Thanos' right-hand man Corvus Glaive, Ebony Maw, Proxima Midnight, and Black Dwarf.

The fifth and final member of the Black Order from the comics - Supergiant - appears to have been culled.

According to the announcer Black Dwarf - who towers above the rest - has been renamed Cull Obsidian for the film, which in the comic is an alternate name for the Order itself.

Fourteen on one: Disney assembled Sebastian Stan, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chadwick Boseman, Josh Brolin, and Chris Hemsworth, producer Kevin Feige, and actors Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Tom Holland, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, and Anthony Mackie

I am Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr AKA Tony Stark AKA Iron Man was center stage as usual

Clash of the titans: Thor had to referee a fight between him and Josh Brolin

Spider-Man and Scarlet Witch: Tom Holland and Elizabeth found it all very amusing

Fair fight: Kevin Feige asked Brolin if he was nervous as more and more Avengers took to the stage

Forced his way in: Star Wars' John Boyega linked up with Anthony, Don and Chadwick

They also referred to the villains collectively as the Children of Thanos, which if taken literally would make each a step-sibling of Gamora and Nebula from Guardians Of The Galaxy.

In the comic, Corvus Glaive is the husband of Proxima Midnight and brother of Black Dwarf.

No announcements have been made yet on who will play the four.

Ragnarok: Thor v Hulk 2 preview was on the cards

Guardians of the Galaxy: Karen Gillan and Pom Klementieff, who play Nebula and Mantis, made a pretty pairing

The spider and the panther: Both Tom and Chadwick were seen in the first ever trailer

Besties: Paul and Elizabeth seemed to be back on good terms, despite their onscreen scrap in civil war

On Saturday, Disney also revealed the first trailer for Infinity War, which opened with the Guardians Of The Galaxy flying through space, until their ship collides with a body.

They bring it on board to find it is Thor, dressed in the gladiatorial armor seen in the Ragnarok trailer, who awakens to ask: 'Who the hell are you guys?'

The action-packed teaser ends with Thanos using his Infinity Gauntlet to hurl a moon at the super-heroes.

Bad guys: The studio also made a surprise unveiling of statues of the Black Order, Thanos' team of henchmen who will help him gather the Infinity Stones

Black Order: The foursome appeared to consist of Thanos' right-hand man Corvus Glaive, Ebony Maw, Proxima Midnight, and Black Dwarf

Family affair: They also referred to the villains collectively as the Children of Thanos, which if taken literally would make each a step-sibling of Gamora and Nebula from Guardians Of The Galaxy

If the glove fits: Brolin also showed off the Infinity Gauntlet, set with the highly sought MCU gems

During the press conference, Brolin was the first to be brought on stage, and was asked by producer Kevin Feige if he was nervous about the opposition every time they brought one out, until he was outnumbered 14 to one.

When Feige suggested Dave Bautista's Drax The Destroyer might bring Thanos down, he replied: 'Drax ain't sh*t.'

The biggest name absent from the line-up was Chris Evans AKA Captain America, who was spotted in the trailer sporting a shaggy beard, looking very much the outsider.

Crossover: The Last Jedi newcomer Kelly Marie Tran nipped over for a visit too
They've been enjoying time at the luxurious Emirates One and Only at Wolgan Valley.

Now, Today's Sylvia Jeffreys has shared some more idyllic snaps from her getaway with new husband, Peter Stefanovic.

On Sunday, the 31-year-old presenter playfully poked fun at her man as he lounged back in the sun at their bush retreat.

'Close encounter with the wildlife': Today's Sylvia Jeffreys pokes fun of husband Peter Stefanovic as he lounges back in the sun on their luxurious weekend getaway

The picture shows Sylvia posing face-on while Peter lays down in the background seemingly oblivious to the camera.

'Close encounter with the wildlife,' Sylvia captioned it. 'Think they call this one the Chillas Maximus.'

The TV personality also shared pictures of her and Peter's romantic break to Instagram story.

In another covertly-taken shot of her husband, Sylvia captured him taking pictures of the landscape and drew a red love heart around him.

Her love: In another stealth shot of her husband, Sylvia captured her husband taking pictures of the landscape and a red love heart around him

On Saturday, the pair enjoyed horse riding, with Sylvia writing online: 'Seriously though... I mean... How good is Australia.'

She shared that her horse had been called Cruiser, while Peter joked that his riding skills were on par with a jockey's.

Downtime: Sylvia has also shared pictures of her and Peter's romantic break to Instagram story

Relaxing: On Saturday, the pair enjoyed horse riding, with Sylvia writing online: 'Seriously though... I mean... How good is Australia'

'I'm ready for Flemington': Sylvia shared that the horse she rode was called Cruiser,while Peter joked that his riding skills were on par with a jockey's

'First ride in twenty years and I'm moving at WARP SPEED! Think I'm ready for Flemington.'

Sylvia and Peter tied the knot in Kangaroo Valley in April this year.

Their wedding guest list included Pete's brother Karl Stefanovic, Lisa Wilkinson and Richard Wilkins among several other Channel Nine stars.

Sylvia wore a custom Rebecca Vallance gown on the big day.
She's the former Bachelorette who split with ex-boyfriend Sasha Mielczarek last December after 18 months of dating.

And with Sam Frost rumoured to be dating Dave Bashford, it seems the TV star is ready to move on after posting a series of cryptic poems about finding love again.

The 28-year-old took to her Instagram Story on Saturday to share three photos that featured poems and quotes credited to US author and scholar Brene Brown.

'She was brave enough to love again': Over the weekend, The Bachelorette's Sam Frost posted a cryptic poem about betrayal and 'moving on' after following her split with Sasha Mielczarek

The first image featured the poetic lines: 'He told her she simply cannot fly. Until one day, she spread her wings as she falls from the tree. She smiles through her tears as she sets herself free.'

The second post saw Sam reflect upon the uncertainty of love, and the experience of being 'betrayed' by a partner.

'Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can't ensure, who may stay in our lives or may leave without a moment's notice, who may be loyal to the day they die or betray us tomorrow,' the image read.

'Love is uncertain, it's incredibly risky. But can you imagine life without loving or being loved?'

'Betray us tomorrow': The 28-year-old took to her Instagram Story on Saturday to share three photos that featured poems and quotes credited to US author and scholar Brene Brown

Getting over her ex? A third and final image simply stated: 'She was brave enough to love again,' suggesting that Sam has finally moved on from Sasha

A third image simply stated, 'She was brave enough to love again,' suggesting that Sam has finally moved on from Sasha.

Sam split from her boyfriend late last year, ending their 18 month relationship which began on The Bachelorette.

With Sam having all but confirmed her relationship with Dave Bashford, NW reported recently the loved-up pair 'can't stand to be apart'.

'Sam and Dave have been taking it slow, refusing to comment on their relationship after they were outed in January,' a source told the magazine.

'But Dave has really been there for Sammy recently and now they can't stand to be apart. It only makes sense that they shack up.'

Calling it quits: Sam split from her boyfriend Sasha Mielczarek (right) late last year, ending their 18 month relationship which began on The Bachelorette Australia in 2015

Sam's new love comes as a welcome respite after she learned that her nightly radio show with Rove McManus had been axed.

A Southern Cross Austereo spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that Sam would no longer be part of the network while Rove would 'remain with the SCA family'.

Now unfettered by radio commitments Sam is back in reality TV mode, appearing in the upcoming season of Hell's Kitchen Australia on Channel Seven.
Turia Pitt's whirlwind African babymoon adventure has come to a close.

The inspirational burns survivor was spotted touching down at Sydney Airport on Sunday, alongside fiance Michael Hoskin.

The 29-year-old offered a glimpse of her burgeoning baby bump in a sheer top as she strolled through the terminal.

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She's back! Inspirational burns survivor and mother-to-be Turia Pitt touched down at Sydney Airport on Sunday, after enjoying a whirlwind babymoon with fiance Michael Hoskin

Despite a long flight, the couple looked refreshed, with Turia completing her outfit with a snug jacket and tracksuit pants.

Her baby bump, seen for the first time in an Instagram post from her African safari on Thursday, was visible through her top.

The mother-to-be wore headphones wrapped around her neck, rolling a small luggage bag through the airport car park.

Michael, who sported a blue shirt and a backpack, also looked rested after touching down following the couple's first romantic getaway in years.

Bumping along nicely! The 29-year-old offered a glimpse of her burgeoning baby bump in a sheer top as she strolled through the terminal

On a roll! The mother-to-be wore headphones wrapped around her neck, rolling a small luggage bag through the airport car park

Turia put her hands in her pockets and smiled, looking eager to get back home for the next phase of her journey towards motherhood.

The Sydneysiders had been sharing snaps from their 'epic' safari adventures in southwest Africa since setting off in June.

On Thursday, the athlete - who suffered burns to 65 per cent of her body in 2011 - shared touching photos of herself bonding with a pregnant tribeswoman in Namibia.

Back in town: Michael, who sported a blue shirt and a backpack, also looked rested after touching down following the couple's first romantic getaway in years

What's next? Turia is preparing for the next phase of her journey towards motherhood

Holiday snaps! The Sydneysiders had been sharing photos from their 'epic' safari adventures in southwest Africa since setting off in June

'Pregnant bellies... some things cross all cultural boundaries!' Turia wrote on her Instagram page.

The trip comes after Turia discovered her pregnancy just three days before she was due to hike Mount Everest.

The couple has chosen boy and girl names for the baby, which is due in December.

Not long now! The couple has chosen boy and girl names for the baby, due in December
She's been on cloud nine since her husband, former investment banker Oliver Curtis, proposed to her for a second time on Friday night.

And on Sunday, Roxy Jacenko continued the engagement celebrations with her fiance, 31, and mother Doreen Jacenko.

Going out for a meal in Sydney's Rose Bay, the trio headed to one of the 37-year-old PR queen's favourite restaurants, Catalina.

Second engagement vibes! On Sunday, Roxy Jacenko (pictured) continued her engagement celebrations with her husband Oliver Curtis and mother Doreen Jacenko

Roxy not only wore a big smile on her face, but ensured her new engagement ring was on display also.

The Nicholas Haywood jewel has been valued at up to $450,000 - double the cost of the ring Oliver first proposed with in 2010.

Keeping it casual, the mother to Pixie, five, and three-year-old Hunter, wore stylish activewear for the lunch date.

Arriving at Catalina, the Sweaty Betty PR founder braved the winter chill with a black thermal jacket.

Lucky lady! Roxy not only wore a big smile on her face, but ensured her new engagement ring - which is rumoured to cost up to $450,000 - was on display also

Keeping warm: Arriving at Catalina in Sydney's Rose Bay, the PR queen braved the winter chill in a black thermal jacket

Activewear chic: Showing off her slim physique, Roxy opted for Nike leggings and sneakers

Showing off her slim physique, Roxy opted for black Nike workout leggings and matching sneakers.

The glamorous publicist styled her signature blonde locks sleek and straight.

She accessorised with a pair of designer sunglasses and a colourful Louis Vuitton wallet.

Looking good! The glamorous publicist styled her signature blonde locks sleek and straight

She has expensive taste! Roxy arrived in her $550,000 Bentley

Roxy was also seen helping her mother Doreen, who is Head Of Administration for her company Ministry Of Talent, out of her $550,000 Bentley.

Like her famous daughter, Doreen also dressed head to toe in activewear - including a tight grey and black top which highlighted her youthful physique.

She finished off her sporty outfit with black tights and similar designer trainers.

Designer: Roxy accessorised with designer sunglasses and a colourful Louis Vuitton wallet

Twinning! Like her famous daughter, Doreen also dressed head to toe in activewear - including a tight grey and black top which highlighted her youthful physique

Keeping it casual: Doreen styled her brunette hair loosely for the casual Sunday lunch

Doreen styled her brunette hair loosely for the casual Sunday lunch.

She also carried a Louis Vuitton wallet, but it featured a different colour scheme to the one Roxy was carrying.

Taking to her Instagram Story, Roxy poked fun at her mother's matching accessory.

Light mother, like daughter! Doreen also carried a Louis Vuitton wallet, but it featured a different colour scheme to the one Roxy was carrying

Matching: Taking to her Instagram Story, Roxy poked fun at her mother's matching accessory

Meanwhile, Oliver looked to be in happy spirits as he spent the afternoon with his wife-turned-fiancee.

Sticking to his urban fashion sense, the convicted insider trader wore a white T-shirt with a padded vest on top.

Taking style tips from Justin Bieber, the father-of-two completed his look with light wash jeans and white sneakers.

Happy days! Meanwhile, Oliver looked to be in happy spirits as he spent the afternoon with his wife-turned-fiancee

What's going on here? During the trip, Roxy appeared to gesture animatedly at a passer-by

Caffeine boost: Earlier in the day, Roxy was spotted grabbing coffee

Pampering! She also visited a nail salon for a quick manicure

Earlier in the day, Roxy was spotted grabbing coffee before heading to a nail salon.

Perhaps making sure her hands were in top condition as photographers scrambled for photos of her new ring, she went for a manicure.

Roxy married Oliver in a lavish Sydney ceremony in 2012 and, following rumours of split in recent months, it appears their relationship is back on track.

Bliss! She's been on cloud nine since her husband proposed to her for a second time on Friday

Family life: Roxy has been married to Oliver for five years and they share two children

Fit and fabulous! Keeping it casual, Roxy wore designer activewear for her lunch date
She's the Australian supermodel who gave birth to her second child, Jet Ocean, at the start of the year.

And now Gemma Ward has shared candid shots of her life with her young family and her growing baby.

In a photo shared on Sunday, the 29-year-old beauty can be seen enjoying lunch with baby Jet, daughter Naia, three, and husband David Letts, which model pal Jessica Gomes couldn't help but gush over.

'Best fam bam' Supermodel Gemma Ward shares adorable photos of family lunch baby Jet Ocean, daughter Naia and partner David Letts... and Jessica Gomes shows her love for them

Close friend Jessica was quick to comment:'Best fam bam!' on the picture.

Ever the cool mum, Gemma wore a pair of tortoise shell cats eye-style glasses and a simple white sweater for the shot.

Meanwhile, Gemma's partner David wore a multi-coloured woollen jumper, blue and green beanie and a pair of dark sunglasses.

Three-year-old Naia, in a pink cardigan, proudly held what looked to be a bun aloft as the familial foursome sat down for a bite.

'Sunday funday,' Gemma captioned the photo which was met with over 2,500 likes from her legion of followers.

In another picture, the blonde beauty is seen with her five-month-old son strapped to her chest in a baby carrier.

Holding up her phone to take the 'selfie', Gemma had an adoring smile on her face while baby Jet slept soundly with his tiny hand pressed against his face.

She kept the caption for the image simple by using just one sleeping face emoji.

Close unit: 'Sunday funday,' Gemma captioned the photo which was met with over 2,500 likes from her legion of followers

Gemma officially retired from modelling in 2008, but made a quick return in 2014 to walk the runway for Prada at Milan Fashion Week.

At the time, Gemma told the Daily Telegraph that it was daughter Naia who gave her renewed energy for modelling.

'It is amazing because you dont know how much having a baby is going to change you but it gave me focus and direction,' she said.

'I know what is right and she is a priority  it played a part in coming back to work.
They are a very close knit family of four  but sometimes the girls just need some time alone.

Cindy Crawford, 51, and her lookalike daughter Kaia, 15 - who is a rising model in her own right - dumped the boys for a ladies only night on Saturday.

The strikingly similar looking duo cut a stylish figure as they were spotted heading home after a late dinner at Malibu's posh Japanese eatery, Nobu.

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Girls allowed: Cindy Crawford, 51, and her lookalike daughter Kaia, 15, dumped the boys for a ladies only night on Saturday

Cindy looked flawless as ever in jeans and a flowing white off the shoulder top.

Her mini me teen daughter looked equally beautiful in jeans and a black silky spaghetti string top.

As they made their way to their car, Cindy whipped out a crisp $20 for the waiting valet.

Hot mama: Cindy, 51, looked flawless as ever in jeans and a flowing white off the shoulder top

Good genes: Her mini me teen daughter looked equally beautiful in jeans and a black silky spaghetti string top

Cindy also shares a son  18-year-old Presley  with her husband of 19 years Rande Gerber.

The girls could afford to splash out on their meal, after Rande sold Casamigos tequila last month to British liquor giant Diageo for $1 billion.

Rande is set to split the profit of the sale with his partners, actor George Clooney and real estate tycoon Mike Meldman.

Bite to eat: The duo were spotted heading home after a late dinner at Malibu's posh Japanese eatery, Nobu

Tip: As they made their way to their car, Cindy whipped out a crisp $20 for the waiting valet

The price tag includes an initial payout of $700 million, plus a further potential $300 million over the next decade based on the brand's performance.

The initial $700 million payout split three ways would mean up to $233 million pretax.

The trio reportedly put in $600,000 apiece as initial investment to start up the drinks company just two years ago.
Waleed Aly and his wife, Dr Susan Carland, 38, have recently been enjoying a well-deserved holiday in Uluru, in the Northern Territory.

And on Sunday, the Monash University academic took to her Instagram to share a funny snap of her husband and an overzealous camel.

The photo shows the 38-year-old host of The Project beaming while enjoying a camel ride.

We're all smiles here! Dr Susan Carland has taken to her Instagram to share a funny snap of her husband Waleed Aly being photobombed by an overzealous camel

Just as the snap is captured, another camel photobombs the picture - also doing the same open mouth grin as the radio presenter.

The couple appear to have been in the Red Centre for the past three days, two of which saw Waleed absent from his regular panel seat the past two days.

On Thursday, Susan shared a beautifully composed selfie of herself cuddling up to her husband against a picturesque backdrop as the sun sets.

So that's where he's been! Waleed and Susan, both 38, shared a romantic holiday snap from Uluru on Thursday, after fans wondered why he was absent from The Project

How romantic! The married couple may be visiting the art installation Field Of Light

It appears Waleed, who does not have any social media accounts, may have taken the selfie with his outstretched hand.

Wearing lanyards around their necks, it is possible they were visiting Ayers Rock Resort for the award-winning Field Of Light.

Field Of Light is an art installation consisting of 50,000 frosted-glass lights on the ground surrounding Uluru, with adult tickets ranging from $39 to $615 per person.

Love story! Waleed and wife Dr Carland married in 2002 and share two children, 14-year-old Aisha and 10-year-old Zayd

'Are half the regulars at job interviews?' Fans had previously joked Waleed's disappearance from The Project this week had something to do with Network Ten's voluntary administration

The well-traveled pair have also holidayed overseas in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Lisbon, Portugal, Bali, Indonesia and Machu Picchu, Peru.

It's unclear whether Waleed and Susan brought their two children, 14-year-old Aisha and 10-year-old Zayd, along for the trip.

Fans had joked Waleed's disappearance from The Project this week had something to do with Network Ten's voluntary administration, but it appears this is not the case.

One viewer tweeted, 'Are half the regulars on The Project out at job interviews?', referencing the fact Rove McManus and Joe Hildebrand were guest hosts.
She's been linked to a string of eligible bachelors, but remains tight-lipped about who her heart really belongs to.

And Sofia Richie, 18, appeared to allude to one of her loves as she chatted excitedly to friends and made a heart sign with her hands in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday.

Flashing her toned midriff in a revealing shirt, the beauty looked to be in high spirits as she debuted a shorter bob hairstyle.

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Short hair, don't care! Sofia Richie, 18, flashed her toned midriff in a revealing shirt, and looked to be in high spirits as she debuted a shorter bob hairstyle in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday

Love on the brain? Sofia added a flourish with layers of silver and gold necklaces, and sat al fresco at a miniature white table, laughing and joking with friends while making a heart sign with her hands

The daughter of legendary crooner Lionel Richie looked sensational in a pair of baggy light wash mom jeans, which skimmed over her slender legs, and sported a fresh-faced glow.

She kept comfortable in a pair of white trainers, and ensured that her taut tum was fully on display by fashioning her striped shirt into a knot at her waist.

The model showed off her jovial side with the shirt, which was themed around 76 Station and emblazoned with a 'John' name tag.

New barnet: Sofia went for the chop, and also appeared to sport lighter blonde locks than her usual honey hue

Sofia added a flourish with layers of silver and gold necklaces, and wrapped several metallic bangles around her wrists, and sat al fresco at a miniature white table, laughing and joking with friends.

The beauty has been linked to Lewis Hamilton and Scott Disick, although she has firmly quashed any rumours of romance between her and the latter - and she recently alluded to her coloured love life in Tings magazine.

She told the publication that betrayal has been the hardest lesson that she has had to learn, saying: 'Because its something that you will never really understand, but you have to accept.

Edgy: The daughter of legendary crooner Lionel Richie looked sensational in a pair of baggy light wash mom jeans, which skimmed over her slender legs, and sported a fresh-faced glow

'To deal with that, I spend time with my family, try not to focus on it, try to forgive them in my heart anyway I can, and just move on.'

She revealed: 'When it comes to dating you want to keep it as private as possible. As something special between you and the other person.

'You don't really want other peoples' opinions on it - even though it doesn't matter. I just don't want to hear it at the end of the day. I try to just be quiet about my dating life.'
She accused her ex of cheating on her numerous times during their seven month relationship while continuing to protest that she was single when she entered Love Island last month.

But Chloe Crowhurst was back in the arms of her former flame Jon Clark, as they cavorted on a beach in Lanzarote on Saturday - proving they were very much back on.

The blonde looked every inch the beach babe in a skimpy thong bikini while putting on a smitten display with the hunk - after they sent tongues wagging for a possible reconciliation by smooching following her departure from the ITV2 series.

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Back on? Love Island's Chloe Crowhurst was back in the arms of her former flame Jon Clark, as they cavorted on a beach in Lanzarote on Saturday - proving they were very much back together

All eyes on her: The blonde looked every inch the beach babe in a skimpy thong bikini which zeroed in on her impossibly flat stomach and sizzling curves as she lapped uo the sun

After pictures emerged of the on/off pair passionately locking lips late last month, Chloe teased there was 'something to rekindle'.

And it certainly looked like they had, as she planted a steamy kiss on the shirtless hunk while lapping up the rays on the sun-drenched island.

It wasn't difficult to see why Chloe had caught the eye of Jon once again - who previously blasted her for dumping her in order to chase fame - as she sizzled in a barely-there monochrome look.

Chloe showed off her sensational, flat stomach and impressive curves in the tiny white bandeau top and black high-rise thong bottoms.

Sizzling: It wasn't difficult to see why Chloe had caught the eye of Jon once again - who previously blasted her for dumping her in order to chase fame - as she sizzled in a barely-there monochrome look as they packed on the PDA

Smitten display: The reality star looked every inch the blonde bombshell and opted for a glamorous coat of make-up - proving irresistible for Jon who take her on a speedboating ride

The reality star looked every inch the blonde bombshell and opted for a glamorous coat of make-up - proving irresistible for Jon.

Jon - who found fame on Love Island in 2015 before joining the cast of TOWIE - was utterly smitten as leaned in for a saucy snog with the beauty.

He then utilised her muscular arms to swoop her up to carry her out of the ocean and the pair proceeded to enjoy a spot of speed-boating.

This comes after he bad mouthed her during her short-lived stint in the Love Island villa, claiming she dumped him in order to chase fame on TV, while she alleged he had cheated on her countless times.

But following her departure, the pair looked like they had kissed and made up as they shared a passionate smooch outside DSTRKT nightclub in London following a blazing argument in the street - mere hours after vowing never to get back together with him.

Rekindling their love: The pair sent tongues wagging for a possible reconciliation by smooching following her departure from the ITV2 series late last month

The blonde bombshell was the picture of fury as she gave TOWIE star Jon a piece of her mind.

Chloe was spotted shouting and swearing at Jon, who was no doubt insisting she had been 'mugging him off'.

She then came over all amorous and was seen locking lips with Jon - who she had previously branded a liar and a cheat.

The pair couldn't keep their hands off each other as they smooched in the street, making up for lost time.

The outing came after Chloe accused her ex Jon, 27, of cheating on her numerous times during their seven month relationship while continuing to protest that she was single when she entered the ITV2 series earlier this month.

The reality starlet took to her social media on Tuesday to hit back at the TOWIE star's claims, sharing a screen grab of a Whatsapp message she reportedly had with Jon.

Troublesome times: She accused her ex of cheating on her numerous times during their seven month relationship while continuing to protest that she was single when she entered the Love Island last month

Taking to Twitter, she captioned the picture: 'I was 100% single when entering the villa, as Jon cheated more times than once. I have not and will not try to win him back.'

In the alleged screen grabbed message to Jon, she wrote: 'No need to be so nasty! And youre saying Im going to come running back. wtf. You cheated on me numerous of times, then accused me to be the b**** and try to make people feel sorry for you.

'Now trying to make out Im begging you back, the reason I went on the show was to grow as a person learn about myself and get away from a cheat and someone who mentally abused me.

On/off: This comes after Jon bad mouthed Chloe (second from R) during her short-lived stint in the Love Island villa, claiming she dumped him in order to chase fame on TV, while she alleged he had cheated on her countless times

'I understand you are angry at me but you really cant be as our relationship was over when you was sexting then texting Charlotte. I'm glad youre happy and enjoying trying to make me feel worthless.'

Chloe's outburst online comes after Jon alleged that she reached out to him hours after she left the ITV2 reality show, failing to have found love.

Following his former flame's lead, he also took to Twitter to share a cutting message, appearing to suggest that she had been in contact

Taking to Twitter, she revealed: 'I was 100% single when entering the villa, as Jon cheated more times than once. I have not and will not try to win him back'

Previously single: Jon previously claimed Chloe blindsided him by signing up for the ITV2 dating show while they were still a couple which she vehemently denied - insisting they had broken up when she was approached by producers

The ITVBe reality star shared: 'Didn't take long did it? #goaway'.

Jon previously claimed Chloe blindsided him by signing up for the ITV2 dating show while they were still a couple which she vehemently denied - insisting they had broken up when she was approached by producers.

Despite going on the show to find love, Chloe walked away without any romantic interests, having spent her last week in the villa coupled up with her friend Sam Gowland.
She's the scantily-clad Instagram babe who shot to fame a year ago when she enjoyed a naked romp in Hawaii with Justin Bieber.

And on Sunday, Sahara Ray showed exactly why the pop star was so keen to disrobe with her when she flaunted every inch of her figure during an ocean dip.

Wearing a white G-string bikini that did nothing to hide her artificial assets, the 24-year-old pouted as she showcased her curves for her 1.3 million followers.

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Water-babe! Justin Bieber's rumoured fling Sahara Ray flaunts every inch of her enviable figure while cavorting in the ocean in barely-there white bikini

White hot: Scantily-clad Instagram babe Sahara shot to fame a year ago when she enjoyed a naked romp in Hawaii with Justin Bieber

The plastic fantastic babe shared the video of herself cavorting in the ocean to her Instagram story.

In it, she is seen kneeling in the water before she leans onto her side then rolls around to showcase every inch of her body.

Accessorising with just a black choker, the socialite flaunted her long slender physique as she looked up at the camera.

Her surgically-enhanced assets were on full display in the tiny v-neck as she frolicked in the sea.

Watch me roll: The plastic fantastic babe shared the video of herself cavorting in the ocean to her Instagram story

Roll-over! To further entice her fans, the busty blonde rubbed her slender side with one hand before rolling over to give viewers a clear view of her pert derriere

To further entice her fans, the busty blonde rubbed her slender side with one hand before rolling over.

Her thong bottoms gave viewers a clear view of her pert derriere.

Sahara's hair was slicked back with salt water and her bronzed skin glowed in the sunshine.

Eyes front: Accessorising with just a black choker, the socialite flaunted her long slender physique as she looked up at the camera

Mwah! After rolling, the raunchy 24-year-old offers the camera a cheeky pout and a laugh

After rolling, the raunchy 24-year-old offers the camera a cheeky pout and a laugh.

In the next video, Sahara is seen posing in a wet-through white top with one of her glamorous girlfriends.

The two share a kiss and Sahara is seen sticking her tongue out towards her brunette companion.

Bosom buddies: Sahara is seen posing in a wet-through white top with one of her glamorous girlfriends while on the shoreline

Close companions: The two share a kiss and Sahara is seen sticking her tongue out towards her brunette companion

Beach babes: Sahara looks like she is thoroughly enjoying her latest beach getaway

Born in the Australian coastal town of Torquay, Sahara was raised in Santa Cruz, California.

She found herself in the spotlight last year after she was spotted skinny dipping in Hawaii with Justin Bieber - whose impressive manhood was revealed to the world through some racy paparazzi photos.

They were reportedly shacking up in $10,000-a-week villa.
The final week of MasterChef is underway and the judges set contestants a rather intense challenger.

On Sunday, fan favourites Karlie, Sarah and Diana landed in the bottom three after failing to impress judges in the 60 minute challenge.

The remaining six had to first create dishes using all eight ingredients in the mystery box challenge.

'I'm a liquorice loather, not a liquorice lover!' MasterChef favourites Karlie, Sarah and Diana (centre left to right) landed in the bottom three after failing to impress judges in the 60 minute challenge.

Cooks were forced to get creative and invent unique flavours Johnny Walker whisky, extra virgin olive oil, chestnuts, fennel, Vietnamese mint, Goat's cheese, Corella pears and wild rice.

Coming out on top was male model Ben Ungermann, 32, with his fennel ice-cream on wild rice shortbread, with pear and goat's cheese salad tossed, and a bitter whisky caramel.

'I've never won a mystery box before and to finally have that under my belt, it's... it's a great feeling,' the model said.

Challenging ingredient: The bottom three failed to impress judges Matt, Gary and George in the liquorice 60 minute challenge

'It's a great feeling!' Coming out on top of the mystery box challenge was male model Ben Ungermann who had never won a mystery box before

Winning dish! He impressed the judges with his fennel ice-cream on wild rice shortbread, with pear and goat's cheese salad tossed, and a bitter whisky caramel

His reward for winning the challenge was choosing the core ingredient in the 60 minute challenge.

Playing to his strengths, Ben relied on his Dutch heritage and picked Liquorice, which surprised and polarised some of the other contestants who loathed the candy.

'I'm a liquorice loather, not a liquorice lover,' a shocked Tamara said.

Choices, choices: His reward for winning the mystery box challenge was choosing the core ingredient in the 60 minute challenge

Playing to his strengths: Ben relied on his Dutch heritage and picked Liquorice, which surprised and polarised some of the other contestants who loathed the candy

He created an aesthetically pleasing dish with pears, celery, mascarpone, sambuca ice-cream, cardamom crumb, and a Dutch salted liquorice sauce.

At the end of the 60 minute challenge some contestants were happy with their plates, while others were not pleased with their imperfect dishes.

Mystery box winner Ben was conscious of his un-set sambuca ice-cream, which did not go unnoticed with judge Matt hinting at a potential spot in the bottom three.

Dessert: Mystery box winner Ben was conscious of his un-set sambuca ice-cream, which did not go unnoticed with judge Matt hinting at a potential spot in the bottom three

Delicious: Diana added a bit too much gelatine to her liquorice panna cotta, which the judges said was too bouncy

Diana created a liquorice panna cotta topped with champagne soaked blackberries, but added a bit too much gelatine, making her dish too bouncy.

Arum's beef with a liquorice sauce, smoked swede puree, brussel sprouts and watercress was received well, with Matt complimenting the delicious combination of flavours.

Karlie made a goat's cheese set mousse with liquorice and beetroot, however the judges found the black candy's flavour did not translate enough into the dish.

Unique: There was a lack liquorice flavour in Karlie's goat's cheese set mousse with liquorice and beetroot

Middle of the road meal: While Sarah's take on a steak in liquorice sauce failed to impress with Gary describing it as a midweek meal he would cook for his family

Sarah's take on a steak in liquorice sauce failed to impress with Gary describing it as a midweek meal he would cook for his family.

George found it unappealing and a far contrast to her stunning dishes in Japan.

'It's not you. And when I say delicate and refined, I don't mean incy-bincy plating. It's delicious, bold plating,' he added.

Sarah, Karlie and Diana will face a 150-step pressure test on Monday.

MasterChef's finals week continues on Channel Ten from 7.30pm.
Her on-screen romances in Home And Away have been riddled with drama.

But in real-life, Pia Miller's relationship with partner Tyson Mullane seems to be stronger than ever.

On Saturday, the lovebirds were spotted with their arms around one another as they strolled around during a romantic rendezvous in New South Wales' Byron Bay.

Couple goals! Home And Away star Pia Miller (right) and boyfriend Tyson Mullane (left) were spotted arm in arm on Saturday during a romantic trip to Byron Bay

The 33-year-old actress went for a casual-chic look in the hippie town, wearing a simple white T-shirt with faded blue denim shorts that accentuated her trim pins.

Accessorising the ensemble, the Channel Seven star opted for plain white trainers as well as sunglasses, which she let casually hang from her shorts.

Pia also chose to wear her long brown hair out and loose with little styling and added a black fedora - a look that wouldn't be out of place at the Splendour In The Grass music festival, which kicks off in the coastal city from July 21.

Casual chic: The couple embraced the low-key style of Byron Bay, with Tyson opting to go barefoot, while Pia kept her outfit simple

Hint of perfection! Pia showed off a peek of her tanned and toned stomach by slightly lifting up her white T-shirt

The former model was joined by her film-producer boyfriend Tyson, who looked distracted as he held a conversation on his mobile.

Cutting a casual figure, the muscular hunk also opted for dressed-down attire for the occasion.

The rugged hunk chose to forgo shoes altogether and sported a simple black T-shirt that showed off his prominent tattoos.

Tyson teamed his outfit with a brown hat and charcoal-coloured jeans.

Phoning it in! While they walked, Tyson seemed distracted as he spoke on his mobile

Drink up! The former model and her producer boyfriend enjoyed a cute coffee date

In several images, the Chilean-born beauty flaunted her enviable figure as she slightly lifted up her shift to reveal her tanned and toned stomach.

Mum-of-two Pia also displayed her protective side as she and Tyson walked, preventing her boyfriend from crossing a road by placing her hand across his body as he continued speaking on the phone.

The Sydney-based couple appeared to be joined at the hip as they wandered through Brunswick Market.

Holding him back: Mum-of-two Pia showed off her protective side as she kept her boyfriend from walking into danger as they crossed the road

Low-key vibes: Tyson rocked a black T-shirt and charcoal jeans while Pia went for a white shirt and denim shorts accessorised with a black fedora

The genetically blessed duo followed up their stroll with a cute coffee date, enjoying a 'macamilk' coffee at popular cafe The Top Shop.

Tyson and Pia began dating in 2015 after the actress split from her husband, AFL star Brad Miller.

Pia shares sons Isaiah, 13, and Lennox, 10, with her ex.

Taking a break! The couple appeared to be spending some quality time together in Byron Bay
She's the glamorous WAG well known for her high standard of presentation.

But Bec Judd's household was looking a little out of control on Sunday, with the mother-of-four sharing a video from within her messy living area to her Instagram story.

The 34-year-old, who is the wife of the former Carlton captain Chris Judd, offered a glimpse into the chaos of living with four young children.

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Back to reality: Rebecca Judd, 34, shared a video of her messy living area on Sunday after the family returned from a two-week holiday in Queensland

The house is a mess! The older siblings were running amok while the twins were making a dirtying up their high chairs

In the video, her five-year-old, Oscar, laid face down on the kitchen floor while his three-year-old sister, Billie, side-stepped down the hallway away from her mother.

Ten-month-old twins Tom and Darcy sat restlessly in high chairs, with their bibs both covered in remnants of their breakfast.

On the floor there was discarded bits of food while the kitchen table was covered in dirty bowls and plates and sloppy looking scraps.

Chaos: There was food splattered on the floor and on the kitchen table

'Sundayzzz': The kids had created quite a sparse mess for their mother to clean up

Bec showed she was not exempt from the frustrations of raising a bundle of cheeky youngsters, pointing out the mess she'd found herself in in the video's caption.

'House is a mess. Weetbix on the table. Toast stuck on the floor,' she wrote in pink text.

It seemed the mother was feeling the exhaustion of the situation, with her adding, 'Sundayzzz.'

Doing a runner: three-year-old, Billie, side-stepped down the hallway away from her mother

Caught out: The young twins were having a field day spreading their food all over the kitchen

In a later video, Bec laid on the floor in the middle of her baby twins in their 'favourite feeding position.'

Adding a cute animal filter over the video, the boys giggled as they had a turn in front of the camera.

Rebecca and Chris recently returned from spending two weeks at the luxurious Pullman Port Douglas in Queensland with their four kids.
She's been on cloud nine since her husband, former investment banker Oliver Curtis, proposed to her for a second time on Friday night.

And on Sunday, it looked like Roxy Jacenko's joy had passed onto her children as the three looked ecstatic while they posed for selfies.

The 37-year-old PR queen had a busy day with her kids, hopping from a family lunch to a visit to meet a friend's newborn baby, and throughout it the three sported enormous smiles.

Family time! Roxy Jacenko's adorable kids Pixie and Hunter are all smiles for their mum's second engagement

Five-year-old Pixie took centre stage in one shot with her mum on one side and her grandma, Roxy's mother mother Doreen Jacenko, on the other.

The post was captioned 'The girls' and showed all three looking very happy, a side effect of the celebrations the family have enjoyed since Roxy's second engagement.

In another, the kids are seen climbing around the back of the family's black Range Rover.

Hunter, dressed in a green and white striped T-shirt, sat in front of his sister and offered the camera a huge grin.

Meanwhile Pixie, dressed in a pink dress and white cardigan, and clutching a unicorn soft toy, was just as giggly.

Cheese! Five-year-old Pixie took centre stage in one shot with her mum on one side and her grandma, Roxy's mother mother Doreen Jacenko, on the other

The image, which shows Roxy in the corner, was captioned 'Car park karaoke.'

Later in the day the three paid a visit to some friends to meet their baby.

Three-year-old Hunter was pictured cradling the newborn and the Sweaty Betty founder offered her son's services with the caption: 'Best afternoon with this little princess babysitting services now available via @huntercurtis14.'

Baby whispere: Three-year-old Hunter was pictured cradling a newborn and the Sweaty Betty founder offered her son's services with the caption: 'Babysitting services now available via @huntercurtis14'

Sunday was a fun-filled day for the PR maven, who enjoyed in Sydney's Rose Bay, with her husband Oliver Curtis, children and mother.

The family were extending the celebrations to mark Oliver's big proposal on Friday night.

Asking Roxy to marry him for a second time, the jailbird presented her with a Nicholas Haywood ring that has been valued at up to $450,000 - double the cost of the ring Oliver first proposed with in 2010.
He's the Australian media personality, who's been a proud ambassador for David Jones for the last five years.

But Jason Dundas has been axed from his modelling gig, confirming on Sunday that he recently parted ways with the retail giant and is now focused on other projects.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, the 34-year-old former X Factor host said his time at David Jones 'naturally came to an end' ahead of the department store's Spring-Summer 2017 show.

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He's out! Jason Dundas has been axed from his David Jones modelling gig, confirming on Sunday that he recently parted ways with the retail giant and is now focused on other projects

'(David Jones) asked me what I wanted to do. I was like, 'well, I had an awesome time.' It naturally came to an end,' he said.

'I worked with David Jones for five years. It went above and beyond what I expected. I'm stoked.

He continued: 'I'm not sure what their plans for the future are, or if they're bringing in another (ambassador).'

A David Jones spokesperson confirmed that Jason's contract with the retail giant ended earlier this year and was not renewed.

No drama: '(David Jones) asked me what I wanted to do. I was like, 'well, I had an awesome time.' It naturally came to an end,' he said

Positive experience: 'I worked with David Jones for five years. It went above and beyond what I expected. I'm stoked,' he said

Moving on: A David Jones spokesperson confirmed that Jason's contract with the retail giant ended earlier this year and was not renewed

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Jason Dundas for comment.

The Penrith-native will now set his sights on other gigs, including his recent collaboration with Gumtree.

He recently produced a series of short films to mark the classifieds website's 10th birthday.

The Los Angeles-based star is also eager to crack the digital market as a brand content consultant, revealing he sees a 'massive opportunity.'

David Jones family: The Aussie hunk was a staple on the David Jones runway, often representing the retail giant at fashion shows and product launches with the likes of brand ambassadors Jessica Gomes (L) and Jesinta Franklin (R)

Former ambassador: The news comes nearly one year after his pal Montana Cox, 23, was dropped as an ambassador amid cost-cutting measures at the department store

Animated: Jason made headlines in August last year, after he was pictured having a very animated discussion with fellow model Jesinta, 25

The Aussie hunk was a staple on the David Jones runway, often representing the retail giant at fashion shows and product launches with the likes of brand ambassadors Jessica Gomes and Jesinta Franklin.

The news comes nearly one year after his pal Montana Cox, 23, was dropped as an ambassador amid cost-cutting measures at the department store.

Jason made headlines in August last year, after he was pictured having a very animated discussion with fellow model Jesinta, 25, during rehearsals for the 2016 David Jones Spring-Summer Fashion Show.

A rep later explained that despite speculation, there was no clash and that the pair were actually talking about food.
He was disqualified from Australian Ninja Warrior during Sunday night's episode.

And the way Paul Cashion's disqualification from the show was handled raised the ire of viewers.

The Brisbane-based cabinet maker, who is deaf, delivered the show's most heartbreaking moment so far when he was knocked out of the competition after his foot touched the water on the first obstacle.

'Why would you focus on a deaf guy not hearing his disqualification?' Twitter erupts over Ninja Warrior contestant Paul Cashion being knocked out of show

Support: The verdict took a while to reach Paul and his stepson, Josh, who assisted him from the side lines had to tell him the news via sign language

The verdict took a while to reach Paul and his stepson, Josh, who assisted him from the side lines - including letting him know when the start buzzer had gone off - had to tell him the news via sign language.

Fans flocked to Twitter immediately after Paul's disqualification to show their disgust.

'Why would you focus on a deaf guy not hearing his disqualification? F***ing channel 9' one wrote one disgruntled viewer.

Unhappy viewers: Fans flocked to Twitter immediately after Paul's disqualification to show their disgust

Unhappy: Some commenters called the rules of the competition into question

Not cool rules: the way Paul Cashion's disqualification from the show was handled raised the ire of viewers

Go Paul! Support for Paul was unanimous

'You cruel b***ards, should've given the poor deaf bloke another chance,' one complained.

'Are you for real, that was the most unwatchable piece of televison ive ever tuned in for,' added another.

Support for Paul was unanimous and the hashtag #TeamPaul began trending on Twitter shortly after his disqualification.

'Aw, can paul get a second chance?' asked one viewer.

Inclusive? There was also some commentary on how Paul had been treated and whether the show should more inclusive

Go team! #TeamPaul began trending on Twitter shortly after his disqualification

Other comments called the rules of the competition into question.

'#NinjaWarriorAU foot touching the water rule is stupid! If you can recover you should be able to continue,' wrote one.

'Crap crap crap rules no matter what he never fell in so what if he touched water, another offered.

Heartbreaking: The Brisbane-based cabinet maker delivered the show's saddest moment so far when he was knocked out of the competition on the first obstacle

There was also some commentary on how Paul had been treated, as one fan said: 'Not very inclusive. Maybe have alternate signals for alert hearing impaired contestants. Buzzer is a little insensitive...'

Paul's wife, who is also fully deaf, and his daughter Grace joined Josh on the sidelines to support Paul.

Paul has said that he hoped his appearance on Australian ninja Warrior would inspire disabled men and women.

Daily Mail has reached out to Channel Nine for comment.
He is one of the most outspoken figures on television.

And it looks as though the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree when it comes to Jeremy Clarkson's daughter Emily, as the TV presenter has recalled the moment he had to work his charm to stop his eldest child from almost being arrested.

Recounting the 'marvellous time' to The Sunday Times magazine, The Grand Tour host, 57, admitted the 23-year-old blogger was left less than impressed when she was asked for ID in the smoking lounge of Las Vegas airport.

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Daddy's girl! Jeremy Clarkson has admitted having to step in to stop his daughter Emily, 23, from being arrested after she fired expletives at a US airport worker during a family holiday in Nevada when she was just 18

Despite being 18 - which is the legal US smoking age - Emily was outraged after a member of staff asked for proof of age because there was also a gaming machine in the lounge, conflicting with the state's 21+ gambling laws.

Jeremy confessed: 'A woman came in and said: "I need to see some ID, ma'am. There's a gaming machine in this room." Em listened to this and said: "Oh, f**k off." I thought: "This is not going to end well.'"

'The next thing, three policemen had carted her off and she was in a bit of a panic. I had to step in. I did my usual "Our young men and your young men" speech, where I go on about our great countries having fought together for freedom - even the freedom to have a cigarette. It always works with policeman.

Outspoken: Recounting the 'marvellous time' to The Sunday Times magazine, The Grand Tour host, 57, admitted the 23-year-old blogger was left less than impressed when she was asked for ID in the smoking lounge of Las Vegas airport

Proud: Jeremy and his eldest daughter boast an incredibly close relationship, with the former Top Gear host gushing that he is 'lucky' to have had such a 'perfect child'

The former Top Gear star continued: 'They put their hands on their hearts, stand upright and then they let you go. I've got away with lots of speeding tickets with that speech. But telling everyone in America to f**k off when they've got a uniform on never ends well. She knows that now.'

Jeremy's shock confession comes just days after the motoring specialist was joined by ex-wife Frances Cain on Thursday evening as the former couple helped Emily celebrate the launch of her first book.

Clarkson looked understandably proud after joining Emily  one of three children with second wife Frances  at Daunt Books in London, where she was promoting her new release Can I Speak to Someone in Charge?

Family: Jeremy was joined by ex-wife Frances Cain on Thursday evening as the former couple helped daughter Emily celebrate the launch of her first book in London last week

Cheerily posing for pictures alongside Emily and his former wife  who he divorced in 2015  Clarkson was in high spirits while helping his daughter launch the book, described by critics as a fresh, modern take on feminism and life.

Writing candidly about her struggle with weight in her new book, Emily revealed her desire to be thin was so strong that she would compare her body with those of her classmates who had not started puberty, and curse hers for not looking like theirs.

She wrote: I used to squeeze my eyes shut, cross my fingers and wish that when I woke up in the morning I would be thin. I did this every single night.

'Every day I would look at my reflection and grimace. Sometimes I would look at it and cry.

I would grab fat rolls on my stomach and squeeze them together so tightly there were finger marks.

There were times when I was so unhappy that after eating I would cry to the point where I was sick.
They're currently in Australia to perform a string of shows and headline the Splendour in the Grass music festival.

And it looks like Queens of the Stone Age have picked up the Aussie sense of humour.

In a hands-on interview with News Corp on Sunday, the band mingled with crocodiles in Darwin, with frontman Josh Homme suggested in jest that one of his band mates would make a tasty snack for the reptiles.

'Jon Theodore tastes much better': In an interview with News Corp on Sunday, Queen of the Stone Age's Josh Homme (pictured) joked that one of his band mates would make a superior snack for crocodiles

'I'm thinking "OK, Jon Theodore tastes much better [than me],"' Josh joked.

Speaking to the publication, the rock legend also appeared to have a great appreciation for the predators.

'Those are dinosaurs, they are so perfect at what they do and it is only now we get that and let them own that,' he said.

'Anything that you cannot negotiate with, that you can't go "whoa, whoa, whoa, wait ... wait" deserves respect.'

Crocodile snack? If Josh Homme had his way, Jon Theodore (pictured) would be served up to the predators as food

Down Under lovers: Queens of the Stone Age regularly travel to Australia and are currently in the country performing in Darwin, Sydney and Melbourne before heading to Byron Bay

US heavyweights Queens of the Stone Age are regular visitors to Australia.

And on Sunday, they performed in Darwin, a city often left off itineraries when international bands tour Down Under.

The rock stars will then make their way to Sydney and Melbourne to perform gigs this week.

Headliners: The band are one of the biggest names that will be performing at Splendour in the Grass next weekend

After their city performances, Queens of the Stone Age will then head to Byron Bay to take on the festival juggernaut that is Splendour in the Grass.

Joining them for the annual festival are other huge acts such as The XX, LCD Soundsystem, Royal Blood and Haim.

The festival, which is held in North Byron Parklands, will take place over Friday, Saturday and Sunday next week.
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She recently slammed people who were 'obsessed' with her body clock and claimed that she is not considering IVF treatment to expand her family with her husband.

And Christine Lampard proved not to have a care in the world as she embarked on the sun-drenched getaway with her other half Frank in on a luxury yacht in picturesque Portofino, Italy on Saturday.

The 38-year-old TV presenter showcased her slender figure in a navy swimsuit as she flirtatiously rubbed sunscreen on the back of the former England midfielder, 39, who went onto fuel his adrenaline flair on a speedboat.

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Romantic holiday: Christine Lampard, 38, showcased her slender figure in a navy swimsuit while Frank, 39, went shirtless during getaway on a luxury yacht in picturesque Portofino, Italy on Saturday

Christine looked absolutely sensational as she embraced summer chic in the perilously plunging number which served to accentuate her cleavage.

Proving she had already spent a long period of time in the sun, the bubbly beauty flaunted her flawlessly bronzed decolletage.

Seemingly a little bit shy when it came to baring all of her summer body, Christine had no hesitation in throwing on her sartorially chic kaftan.

The stunning cover-up was white in colour and boasted navy embroidery down her front and she went back and forth between pulling it up and rolling it down.

Taking no risks: The TV flirtatiously rubbed sunscreen on the back of the former England midfielder

Looking good: Christine looked absolutely sensational as she embraced summer chic in the perilously plunging number which served to accentuate her cleavage

Covering up in style: Seemingly a little bit shy when it came to baring all of her summer body, Christine had no hesitation in throwing on her sartorially chic kaftan

Golden glow: Proving she had already spent a long period of time in the sun, the bubbly beauty flaunted her flawlessly bronzed decolletage

Summer chic: The stunning cover-up was white in colour and boasted navy embroidery down her front

Beauty: The brunette seemed in high spirits as she slicked up her locks in a tight bun and opted for the simplest slick of make-up, which complemented her mega-watt smile

Grabbing her attention: She seemed puzzled by something on Frank's chest and zeroed in on what it was

The brunette seemed in high spirits as she slicked up her locks in a tight bun and opted for the simplest slick of make-up, which complemented her mega-watt smile.

Frank also embraced the beachy vibe for the day as he displayed his chiselled torso in a pair of tiny baby blue swimshorts.

The sporting hunk was also in a good mood as he kept his wife engaged in a plethora of giggles and lively chat.

Christine seemed positively smitten as she enjoyed quality, romantic moment with her other half as they looked out at their scenic views.

Despite being joined by a group of equally fun-loving pals, the twosome executed their balancing act to perfection as they spent some much needed time together and with the rest of their company.

Happy bunny: The sporting hunk was also in a good mood as he kept his wife engaged in a plethora of giggles and lively chat

Different views: Christine seemed slightly apprehensive as she dipped her toes in the ocean while Frank looked raring to hop in

Romantic: Christine seemed positively smitten as she enjoyed quality, romantic moment with her other half as they looked out at their scenic views

Protecting him: Christine also ensured Frank didn't succumb to too much sun exposure, as she made time to rub sun-screen over him

Doing what she can: The brunette looked focused as she ensured the full extent of his back was protected

Balancing act: The lovebirds were also joined by their pals but ensured to make full use of some romantic quality time together

Need for speed: Frank later seemed in his element as he hopped on board a speedboat and cut across the waters

Christine also ensured Frank didn't succumb to too much sun exposure, as she made time to rub sun-screen over him.

The brunette looked focused as she ensured the full extent of his back was protected.

Proving they were done with their time out at sea, the pair put on an equally loved-up display back on shore.

Christine changed into a lovely, red printed dress which fell at a stylish midi-level while Frank donned a navy top and beige shorts as they headed for dinner and then a sport of sight-seeing.

Taking to the waters: Frank ensured he was protected with a padded lifejacket and completed the look with a red cap

Hunk: Frank flexed his muscles as he got to grips with the high energy activity

Chilling: Christine meanwhile cut an incredibly relaxed figure as she lounged on board the luxury yacht

Out for a swim! Frank was spotted having a little dip in the ocean

Personal life: The TV star revealed recently that she is not considering IVF treatment  and questions why everyone seems to be obsessed by her body clock

She recently told The Mail on Sunday's You Magazine: I think women are never allowed to feel that everything in their world is OK  if they are not worried about something, they should be'

Everyone seems to be fascinated by my body clock': Christine revealed everyone keeps asking her when she's going to have a baby

Trying it out: Last year, the Loose Women presenter hinted on the programme that she would not rule out IVF

The TV star revealed recently that she is not considering IVF treatment  and questions why everyone seems to be obsessed by her body clock.

I think women are never allowed to feel that everything in their world is OK  if they are not worried about something, they should be, she tells The Mail on Sundays You magazine.

I am always being asked when I am going to have a baby. Everyone seems to be fascinated by my body clock.

As far as I am concerned, my attitude is that I will wait and see what happens. Im not pushing myself. Im not getting stressed or unhappy. Im a believer in what will be will be.

Last year, the Loose Women presenter hinted on the programme that she would not rule out IVF.

But in todays You magazine interview, Christine says: That isnt something we have thought about'

Proving she's happy with her relationship with Frank, she admitted: If it happens, it happens, but right now all is well in my world as it is'

Happy just as she is: She is stepmother to Franks two daughters  Luna, 11, and Isla, ten  from his relationship with former model Elen Rivas

Covering up: Frank later donned a white Adidas white tee as he headed back on board

Time is money: The footballer sported a puzzled expression as he waited for an individual

But in todays You magazine interview, Christine says: That isnt something we have thought about.

'I know friends who have torn themselves apart and jeopardised their relationship because going through IVF was so traumatic and I dont know if I could do that to myself or Frank.

Im not one of those women who was thinking about babies at the age of 18, and when I first met Frank it wasnt on the agenda.

If it happens, it happens, but right now all is well in my world as it is.

The Northern Ireland-born star made her name as a co-presenter on BBC1s The One Show with Adrian Chiles, and she married former Chelsea midfielder Frank two years ago. She is stepmother to Franks two daughters  Luna, 11, and Isla, ten  from his relationship with former model Elen Rivas.

Rise to fame: Christine made her name as a co-presenter on BBC1s The One Show with Adrian Chiles

Continuing the night: Proving they were done with their time out at sea, the pair put on an equally loved-up display back on shore
They recently sparked reconciliation rumours when they were both pictured at Los Angeles' Chateau Marmont on Thursday evening.

And now an onlooker inside the restaurant has all but confirmed that Kylie Minogue and Oliver Martinez are back together after admitting the pair 'seemed to be very much a couple'.

Speaking to The Sun about their surprise meeting inside the celebrity haunt, an insider revealed: 'Olivier arrived first, motorcycle helmet in hand, and walked around the restaurant before taking a corner table.

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The one that got away! Olivier Martinez and Kylie Minogue have reportedly rekindled their romance after an onlooker saw the pair getting 'touchy-feely' inside Los Angeles' Chateau Marmont on Thursday night [Above: Martinez leaving the restaurant]

'Then Kylie arrived in a sexy knee-length denim dress. They both looked delighted to see each other and hugged and kissed before sitting down. During dinner they appeared to be very touchy-feely and kissed a few times.

'Kylie was beaming from ear to ear and seemed engrossed in what Olivier was saying. Afterwards, they left arm in arm and appeared to be heading in the direction of the Chateau's hotel where Kylie had a room booked.'

MailOnline has contacted Kylie and Olivier's representatives for comment.

It comes after 51-year-old Olivier - who enjoyed a five year romance with Kylie before their shock split in 2007 - was seen leaving the hotspot just a day after Kylie shared a photo of herself inside the same celebrity haunt.

'Let's GO!!!' On Wednesday, Kylie shared a photo of herself joyfully running down one of the Chateau Marmont's hallways, accompanied by a cryptic caption

Olivier- whose divorce from Oscar-winner Halle Berry was finalised six months ago- was seen racing away from the venue on a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

The actor wore a black leather jacket with a pair of dark boot-cut jeans, but failed to go unnoticed by awaiting photographers in an eye-catching yellow helmet.

On Wednesday, 49-year-old Kylie shared a photo of herself joyfully running down one of the Chateau Marmont's hallways, accompanied by the cryptic caption: 'Let's GO!!!'.

It appears the singing sensation may be staying at the ritzy Hollywood hotel, as she posted another picture from the venue on Tuesday, the Fourth of July.



In good spirits! Kylie certainly appears to be enjoying her time at the famous Hollywood hotel, posting this photo on the Fourth of July

'Friends and lovers all ready for fireworks', Kyle captioned the photo, which showed her standing blissfully on a balcony as the wind billowed through her floor length dress.

It appears Kylie is in good spirits, after her heartbreaking split from fiance Joshua Sasse earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, Olivier is one of Kylie's most famous former flames, with the pair meeting at the 2003 Grammy Awards.

The French heartthrob was a strong support for the music superstar during her 2005 battle with breast cancer.

'On particular dark days, I'd be lying on the bathroom floor wailing and he'd say, 'OK, honey, you can cry for just five minutes, then I'm taking you on the bike for a ride around Paris,' she told ELLE magazine in 2006.

'Olli was there all the time, helping with the practical stuff and being protective,' she also told the publication.

The couple parted ways in February 2007, amidst rumours that Oliver had been unfaithful, an allegation that was strongly denied by Kylie.

The pair remained on mutual terms, with Kylie telling The Herald Sun later that year that 'With Olivier, there is definitely still a love and respect.'

Olivier went on to marry actress Halle Berry in 2013, before they welcomed their son Maceo.

Clearly on good terms with Kylie, Olivier was once seen taking Halle to one of the pop princess's concerts.

The pair split in 2015 after two years of marriage.

Split: Kylie and fiance Joshua Sasse ended their engagement earlier in the year
They are the loved-up Bachelor couple who returned from a romantic 'babymoon' vacation in Hawaii on Friday.

And although Snezana Markoski is heavily pregnant, it seems her personal trainer fiance Sam Wood has been keeping her fitness in check.

In a sweet post-workout photo shared to Instagram on Sunday, the 34-year-old showed off her blossoming baby bump as she reluctantly praised her partner for encouraging her to workout.

Smitten: Pregnant Snezana Markoski, 34, showed off her blossoming baby bump as she reluctantly praised her partner for encouraging her to workout on Sunday

Snezana joked that if it weren't for Sam, she would likely be going overboard on eating.

She captioned the photo, 'He may be a tough task master but let's face it, if he didn't drag me to do a workout I'd still be sitting at the buffet!'

Adding the hashtag 'tough love', it seemed Snezana knew deep down that her hunky fiance had her best interests at heart.

'Matchy matchy': Snezana showed off her bump in a matching two-piece workout ensemble

The photo was originally shared to Snezana's Instagram story during the couple's romantic tropical getaway.

It shows the loved-up pair dressed in their workout gear, with a shirtless Sam kissing Snezana on the head.

The brunette beauty looked vibrant in a patterned pair of white leggings, matching kicks and a baby pink tank top.

Home again: It was back to reality for Sam Wood and Snezana Markoski, with the pair touching down in Sydney on Friday after their Hawaiian 'babymoon'

She previously wrote across the photo in white text, saying: 'When you have a crush on your trainer.'

Earlier, she shared a snap of her doing some resistance training where she again joked that her partner was pushing her to workout.

'New "28 By Sam Wood" program starts today,' she wrote in the caption. 'So he makes me workout even on holiday.'

Sam and Snezana are due to welcome their first child in October.
Candice Swanepoel took in a stroll out and about in New York City on Saturday, looking summery chic in a navy and pink striped 3x1 romper.

Having popped on a pair of shades with leopard-print rims, the 28-year-old had flung her blonde hair over one shoulder, accessorizing with a black purse.

The Victoria's Secret Angel had slipped on a pair of white sneakers and a glinting pair of earrings for her weekend outing in the city that never sleeps.

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Hello, gorgeous; Candice Swanepoel took in a stroll out and about in New York City on Saturday, looking summery chic in a navy and white striped 3x1 romper

She'd been photographed crossing her chiseled legs as she posed for a photo on her Instagram Story, having slid on a different small romper.

Her figure-hugging ensemble playing up her svelte frame, the model had settled herself onto a small red motorbike, gripping the handlebars.

The Mooi River native had wound her blonde hair into a ponytail, and she'd slung a black diamond-stitched purse from her left shoulder.

Garnishing the look: Having popped on a pair of shades with leopard-print rims, the 28-year-old had flung her blonde hair over one shoulder, accessorizing with a black purse

On the go: The Victoria's Secret Angel had slipped on a pair of white sneakers and a glinting pair of earrings for her weekend outing in the city that never sleeps

On May 30, about eight months after she welcomed her firstborn son Anacan, Victoria's Secret uploaded an Instagram montage announcing her Angel return.

A black and white video captioned: 'It's official: @angelcandices is back!' saw her posing up a storm in lingerie and ended with text trumpeting: 'She's Back.'

Candice has been with her baby's father, Brazilian model Hermann Nicoli, since 2005, having reportedly met him in Paris when she was all of 17 years old.

The modeling sensation had given British Vogue an interview that ran online in May, revealing that since she'd become a mother: 'I cant watch movies, or even commercials, where kids are in any kind of danger now.'

Biker babe: She'd been photographed crossing her chiseled legs as she posed for a photo on her Instagram Story, having slid on a different small romper

As she'd recalled to the magazine: 'The last two movies I watched were Lion and Mama, with Penelope Cruz, and I mean, just bawling on the couch. Oh my god, they are both so beautiful but you just wont get through it.'

She's said of motherhood: 'Its all so new to me and I think, especially in the beginning, that everything is such a joy; youre excited about every moment.'

To her, 'Becoming a mother makes the world feel so much better. Nothing can get me down. I just look at him and see him seeing the world for the first time, and its just such a pleasure to see it through his eyes.'

She's continued to effervesce to British Vogue that 'Im loving being a mum and this new stage in my life. Its always been about me, and my career, and its so nice to have this shift and put all my love and energy into something else.'

Smoldering: On May 30, about eight months after she welcomed her firstborn son Anacan, Victoria's Secret uploaded an Instagram montage announcing her Angel return
As excitement about a possible engagement announcement for Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle becomes ever more feverish, Chelsy Davy has made a point of showing her ex-boyfriend what hes missing.

The lawyer, 31, who was courted by Harry for some six years  five more than Suits star Meghan, 35  posed for this holiday snap with her bosom buddy, the hotel heiress Irene Forte.

Double trouble, teased Sir Rocco Fortes 28-year-old daughter, who shared online the photograph taken on the Greek island of Mykonos.

Unlike Meghan, Zimbabwe-born Chelsy is said not to have fancied life as a princess.

Double trouble, teased Sir Rocco Fortes 28-year-old daughter, who shared online the photograph taken on the Greek island of Mykonos

Unlike Meghan, Zimbabwe-born Chelsy is said not to have fancied life as a princess. She is pictured with Prince Harry in May 2010 before the pair split

Jenkins takes a punt

Sir Harry Secombe was a popular Songs Of Praise host, but the late Welsh entertainer never made an entrance as dramatic as Katherine Jenkins did at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk yesterday.

The Welsh mezzo-soprano, 37, who will make her own Songs Of Praise debut next weekend, performed Leonard Cohens Hallelujah while travelling by punt.

Definitely my first time arriving on stage by boat, said Jenkins, who wore a backless floral ballgown, and small white flowers in her hair. The experience was, she added, more nerve-racking than singing at the Royal Albert Hall.

Katherine Jenkins, 37, who will make her own Songs Of Praise debut next weekend, performed Leonard Cohens Hallelujah while travelling by punt

Katherine Jenkins is pictured at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk yesterday

A designer baby on Instagram

Designer Ashley Hickss lively 2015 nuptials with American fashionista Kata de Solis were described as societys first Instagram wedding as they met on the picture-sharing website.

Now Hicks, 53, whose grandpa was the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, has used the same site to announce that Kata, 35, is expecting their first child.

Youve either had a big breakfast, Mum, or theres something youre not telling us! Ashley wrote next to the snap - which was uploaded at Instagram

Ashley Hicks is pictured with her husband Kata de Solis during their wedding at his Oxfordshire home in 2015

Youve either had a big breakfast, Mum, or theres something youre not telling us! Ashley wrote next to the snap.

He has two daughters with his first wife, fashion designer Allegra Hicks, who is 20 years older than Kata.

Collins now a bigger dipper

Hollywood star Lily Collins has spoken about how the divorce of her parents, Eighties pop star Phil and his second wife Jill Tavelman, drove her to anorexia.

Happily, the 28-year-old actress is now a more healthy shape, as she showed during a trip to Italy.

Lily Collins, 28, showed a healthy shape during a trip to Italy as she wore a cutaway black swimsuit for a dip in the Med

Her new Netflix film, To The Bone, in which she plays a 20-year-old with the eating disorder, has been accused of sexism, shallowness and glamorising and exploiting anorexia.

However, Lily, who wore a cutaway black swimsuit for a dip in the Med, told the Mail last week that the film was telling it like it is  and that she hoped vulnerable teenagers would take notice.

She said: Its a story that needs to be told and Im best placed to tell it.
She never fails to look glamorous on the red carpet.

But Laura Haddock only upped the style stakes further on Sunday, as she stole the show at The Tiffany & Co Royal Charity Polo in Berkshire.

The actress, 31, was effortlessly stunning in a dusty blue ruffled gown as she cheered on HRH Prince Harry from the sidelines during the match, with a number of other high-profile guests.

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Natural beauty: Laura Haddock only upped the style stakes further on Sunday, as she stole the show at The Tiffany & Co Royal Charity Polo in Berkshire

Royally good: The actress, 31, was effortlessly stunning in a dusty blue ruffled gown as she cheered on HRH Prince Harry (above) from the sidelines during the match

The Honest actress was truly radiant in her ruffled maxi dress, formed of stunning pale blue chiffon.

Pulling into an elegant high neck and long sleeves, the frock then drew attention to her slender waist by cinching in at her middle beneath a row of soft frills.

The chic dress then expanded out into a full skirt, which skimmed her leggy figure to its ankle length hem - where it met classically chic nude heels.

A touch of class: Pulling into an elegant high neck and long sleeves, the frock then drew attention to her slender waist by cinching in at her middle beneath a row of soft frills

In the nude: The chic dress then expanded out into a full skirt, which skimmed her leggy figure to its ankle length hem - where it met classically chic nude heels

Injecting a vintage vibe to the look, the mother-of-one accessorised with a quirky white clutch bag, which she held by a retro hooped handle.

She left her hair in loose, natural waves and added only a coral lipstick to her face, to accentuate her naturally striking features as she beamed for cameras.

Laura was the picture of class as she cheered on Prince Harry in the stunning grounds, with the likes of Lady Violet Manners and Marissa Montgomery.

Stunning: She left her hair in loose, natural waves and added only a coral lipstick to her face, to accentuate her naturally striking features as she beamed for cameras

The event is held at Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's Berkshire Estate every year, and supports Prince Harry's charities - the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, which aims to fight poverty in Uganda, and mapping charity MapAction.

Laura appeared to fly solo at the event, when she is more often seen on the red carpet with her husband Sam Claflin.

She and the Hunger Games star tied the knot back in July 2013 after two years of dating.

Old-fashioned: Injecting a vintage vibe to the look, Laura accessorised with a white clutch bag on a retro hooped handle as she posed with Marissa Montgomery and Lady Violet Manners

Say cheese! She also posed with Barratt West at the event (left), the managing director of Tiffany & Co.

Speaking to Women's Health recently, the actor admitted their relationship was so strong due to the fact they were 'best friends' as well as lovers.

He gushed of his partner: 'Of course she's my best friend. She is someone who knows everything about me, and I couldn't love someone I didn't love as a best friend. You have to have that bond for it to work. It goes hand in hand.'

The pair then went on to welcome a son in December 2015 - although they actively keep their child, whose name still remains unknown, out of the spotlight.
Kirsten Dunst showed off her impeccable summer style Saturday as she stepped out for a meal with a friend in Toluca Lake, California.

The 35-year-old actress, clad in a pair of black shades, wore a blue floral button-up dress with yellow sandals. She had her blonde locks parted and down, accessorizing with a brown straw purse.

The Beguiled star was initially snapped leaving the Mexican restaurant Don Cuco, then dropping by a convenience store afterwards before heading on her way.

Out and about: Kirsten Dunst, 35, beat the summer heat in Toluca Lake, California Saturday in a lithe ensemble as she grabbed a bite with a friend

Dunst, who's engaged to her Fargo co-star Jesse Plemons, 29, told People last month that their show business schedules oftencomplement their relationship.

'With our job you can work three months intensely and then you have a lot of time to do whatever you want to do,' she said, noting that 'the best part is having time off.'

The Hidden Figures actress said they're 'not in any rush' to start getting into nitty-gritty wedding details just yet.

'Im very relaxed when it comes to those kinds of things, Im going to get married at some point,' Dunst told the publication, adding that her engagement to Plemons has been 'amazing.'

Happy times: Dunst has described her engagement to actor Jesse Plemons as 'amazing'

Out and about: The fashionista donned a button-up dress on the sweltering day

During her outing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last month, Dunst said she was 'a little sick' and 'in sweats' when the Breaking Bad actor proposed to her, finding it fitting with the vows they'll eventually exchange.

'Thats good - sickness and in health,' Dunst told Fallon. 'That works, right?'

Besides her pending nuptials, the fashionista was busy earlier this month overseas in Paris, France for the city's Couture Fashion Week, where she attended events for Christian Dior and Rodarte.
Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers Edward Yiu Chung-yim (L), Nathan Law (2nd L), Leung Kwok-hung also known as 'long hair' (C) and Lau Siu-lai (R) have been disqualified from parliament after changing their oaths of office

Four pro-democracy lawmakers were disqualified from Hong Kong's parliament Friday in a move that will worsen growing fears the city's freedoms are under serious threat from Beijing.

Former Umbrella Movement protest leader Nathan Law was among the group barred by the High Court judgement in a case brought by the city's Beijing-friendly government.

It sought to remove them from the legislature for changing their oaths of office to reflect their frustrations with Chinese authorities last year.

The judgement comes after Beijing issued a special interpretation of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, to insist that oaths be taken in a "sincere and solemn" manner.

The High Court said the interpretation was "binding" on all Hong Kong courts.

"The word 'solemn' bears the commonly understood meaning of being dignified and formal," the judgement said.

Concerns that China is squeezing semi-autonomous Hong Kong have sparked calls by some activists for self-determination or even independence for the city which have angered China.

The four legislators dismissed Friday were not staunchly pro-independence but two of them have advocated self-determination for Hong Kong.

The interpretation last November was prompted by a string of protests during the swearing in of lawmakers following citywide elections.

Two pro-independence legislators have already been disqualified by the High Court after they inserted expletives and draped themselves with "Hong Kong is not China" flags during their oath-taking.
Thai police arrested Canadian Alexandre Cazes in Bangkok on July 5 and had planned to extradite him to the US, where he faced drug trafficking and money laundering charges

A 26-year-old Canadian found dead in his Thai police cell this week was wanted in the US for allegedly running a massive "dark web" marketplace for drugs and other contraband, a police source told AFP Saturday.

Thai cops arrested Alexandre Cazes in Bangkok on July 5 and had planned to extradite him to the US, where he faced drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

But the computer programmer hanged himself with a towel in his detention cell a week later on July 12, according to Thai anti-narcotics police, who have been tight-lipped on the details of his case.

On Saturday a Thai officer confirmed Cazes was accused of being an "operator" of a major online black market.

"It's a huge dark web market that trafficks drugs and sells other illegal stuff," the police officer said, requesting anonymity.

Speculation is rife that the underground marketplace was AlphaBay, considered the world's largest and most lucrative darknet bazaar until it was taken down within hours of Cazes' arrest.

Like its predecessor Silk Road, which was shut down by the FBI in 2013, AlphaBay used the encrypted Tor network and virtual currencies like Bitcoin to shield customers from detection.

According to Nicolas Christin, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, AlphaBay gained prominence in 2015 and mostly traded in drugs, stolen credit cards and forged IDs.

It was "more than twice as big as Silk Road was in its heyday, with a revenue of somewhere between 600,000 and 800,000 dollars a day in early 2017, and that's a rather conservative estimate," he told AFP.

- Luxury lifestyle -

Cazes appeared to be living a life of luxury in Thailand, where he owned three houses and four cars -- including a Lamborghini -- according to Thai police who have seized the assets.

He slipped into the country around eight years ago, according to police.

"He was a computer expert involved with international transactions of Bitcoins," said Major General Soontorn Chalermkiat, a spokesman for Thailand's Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

"He didn't have any business in Thailand but he had many houses," the officer said, adding that Cazes' Thai wife has since been charged with money laundering.

The US Embassy in Bangkok refused to comment on the details of the case, saying only that Cazes was detained at the request of the US "with a view toward extradition to face federal criminal charges".

The founder of Silk Road -- the world's first and most famous digital drug market -- was sentenced to life in prison by federal court in New York in 2015.
Sassou Nguesso, a former paratrooper, served as president from 1979 to 1992, returning to power in 1997 following a civil war. He won two successive terms in elections in 2002 and 2009, both of which were disputed by opposition parties

Congo voters go to the polls Sunday in legislative elections in the oil-rich African country, the first since violence-marred presidential polls last year which returned Denis Sassou Nguesso to power.

While no fresh violence is expected opposition parties have cried foul, as over 2 million voters are expected to cast their ballots in the first round of polling in Congo-Brazzaville to elect National Assembly members as well as local councils.

Sassou Nguesso returned to office in March 2016 after a constitutional referendum ended a two-term presidential term limit, amid deadly violence notably in the Pool region neighbouring the capital Brazzaville.

On Sunday the 73-year-old president's ruling Congolese Labour Party (PCT) is running 128 candidates for the 151 seats available, while several independent candidates have close ties to the party.

The main parliamentary opposition group, the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS), has put forward 43 candidates, compared to 31 run by the UDH-Yuki group of Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, who came second in the presidentials last year.

But an opposition coalition comprising the IDC, the FROCAD and the CJ3M has said it will only take part under certain circumstances, including "the end of the crisis in Pool and the release of all political prisoners".

Two leaders of the coalition, Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, were arrested and jailed in June 2016 and in January "for threatening the internal security of the state".

- Opposition cries foul -

However, the head of the Independent National Election Commission (CNEI), Henri Bouka, insisted voting will be held nationwide, including in Pool. "No (constituency) will be left out", he said.

"Campaigning has been carried out normally," Django Cissoko, head of a 50-strong African Union observer mission said Friday.

But UPADS spokesman Daniel Tsoumou Ngouaka said the ruling party had an unfair advantage. "It's a one-way campaign because the PCT has controlled all the state media, leaving no space for others," he said.

"The PCT drew on public funds to the campaign of its candidates and its allies. It's unacceptable," added Christophe Moukoueke, spokesman for a collective of opposition parties which has called for a boycott of Sunday's polls.

Sassou Nguesso, a former paratrooper, served as president from 1979 to 1992, returning to power in 1997 following a civil war. He won two successive terms in elections in 2002 and 2009, both of which were disputed by opposition parties.

Congo has substantial deposits of oil, timber and diamonds, but oil production remains its most important economic sector, and Congo is the fourth biggest producer in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dwindling reserves and civil wars that have ravaged the economy has slowed growth. Almost half the population of 4.5 million people still lives in poverty, and according to World Bank data.

The second round of legislative polls will be held on July 30.
Fewer than 100 survived of the more than 13,000 Jews rounded up in Paris 75 years ago and sent to Nazi death camps

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be in Paris Sunday to mark the 75th anniversary of a notorious roundup of thousands of Jews, an invitation that has angered his critics.

He will also hold talks with Emmanuel Macron for the first time since the French president's election, barely a week after Macron met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Sunday's ceremony marks the day in 1942 that officials of the Vichy regime in Nazi-occupied France, began rounding up more than 13,000 Jews in the Velodrome d'Hiver, an indoor cycle track in Paris.

Fewer than 100 of those who were detained at the so-called Vel d'Hiv and then sent to the Nazi death camps survived.

Netanyahu arrives just after a surge of violence in Israel, where a gun attack by three Arab Israelis in Jerusalem's Old City Friday left two Israeli police officers and the attackers dead.

But his invitation to attend Sunday's ceremony has not been universally welcomed.

The Union of French Jews for Peace (UJFP) described the decision to invite Netanyahu as "shocking" and "unacceptable". France's Communist Party also protested, saying Netanyahu was not bringing a message of peace.

And former French ambassador to Israel, Elie Barnavi, told AFP: "The presence of Netanyahu makes me a little uneasy.

"This story has nothing to do with Israel," he added.

- Netanyahu a 'formidable political animal' -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Paris to attend a ceremony marking the WWII round-up of Jews there has sparked protests from his critics

The Israeli leader's last visit to France was to attend a march held in solidarity with the victims of the January 2015 terror attacks on Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket.

Netanyahu's talks with Macron will follow Sunday morning's commemoration ceremony and will be looking for a clearer idea of the French president's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Earlier this month, Macron held talks with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas at the Elysee Palace.

He chose that occasion to reiterate both France's support for a two-state solution to end the Middle East conflict, and its opposition to Israel's building of settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

But it is not yet clear if Macron will follow the more interventionist line taken by his predecessor Francois Hollande, whose efforts to mobilise the international community on the question angered Israel.

Talks between Israel and the Palestinians have not resumed since the failure of US mediation in the spring of 2014.

Since then the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has simmered on, with the occasional surge of violence such as Friday's killings.

"France and Europe have to get to grips with the question," former ambassador Barnavi, told AFP.

"There is perhaps an opportunity, given the state the White House is in at the moment, and the 'plans' of Donald Trump, which are still pretty vague and mysterious," he added.

Trump, who at one point seemed to be backing away from Washington's longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, called on both sides to make compromises during a visit to the region in May.

But he offered no specifics on how he would resolve the decades-old conflict.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss Iran, in particular its role in the Syrian conflict, where it is backing the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Debate about independence has raged for decades in Guam but legal complications mean plans to take the issue to a vote have stalled several times

As Guam prepares to celebrate Liberation Day this week, political leaders on the Pacific island say it's time to decide whether to remain a US colony or become an independent nation.

Debate about independence has raged for decades but legal complications mean plans to take the issue to a vote have stalled several times.

Former senator Eddie Duenas said a self-rule plebiscite was long overdue and should be held alongside a gubernatorial election due next year.

"We have been driving but we don't know where we're driving to and how far we will go," he told a recent meeting of Guam's decolonisation commission in the capital Hagatna.

"We just keep driving and driving. It's annoying."

Guam has been an unincorporated territory of the United States since 1898, meaning its 160,000 inhabitants are US citizens but have limited rights.

They cannot participate in US elections and Guam's sole representative in the US Congress does not get to vote on legislation.

The United Nations lists Guam as one of only 17 remaining colonies worldwide, a situation Governor Eddie Calvo wants remedied.

Calvo has long campaigned for a referendum on self-determination that would give voters three options for the future -- independence, becoming a US state, or remaining in "free association" with Washington.

All options have their advocates and Calvo says whatever the outcome, at least voters would have had a say in their future.

"Anything is better than the status quo," he said earlier this month.

"I would be happier if we became a state (but) if voters chose independence or free association I would be happier than I am right now."

- 'Goldilocks zone' -

The independence question is complicated by Guam's long and complex relationship with the United States since becoming Washington's colony in the wake of the Spanish-American War.

It endured brutal Japanese occupation during World War II and was recaptured by US marines after a bloody month-long battle on July 21, 1944, a date celebrated as Liberation Day on the island.

It still hosts one of the largest US military contingents in the Asia-Pacific, often referred to as America's "tip of the spear" in a region where tensions with China, North Korea and Russia are all too common.

In addition, many in Guam are heavily dependent on US welfare, with about 44,900 individuals and 15,650 households receiving food stamps and public healthcare benefits.

Federal grants and taxes on US service personnel in Guam also play a large role in meeting the island's budget and infrastructure needs.

Marites Schwab, a resident of Agana Heights village, said she was concerned about whether Guam was politically mature enough to govern itself if it became a state.

"What would they do in terms of continuing the services currently provided by the federal government?" she asked.

"What are the concrete plans going forward? I need to see something practical and we can attain that by becoming a state."

Adrian Cruz, an advocate for maintaining free association, said dependency on US funds made changing the status quo a difficult proposition.

"The US has got us into a Goldilocks zone where we don't get too poor to revolt but we're not too prosperous that we don't need them any more," he said.

The debate is academic anyhow, at least in the short-term, after the US Federal Court in March struck down plans to hold a self-rule plebiscite.

It ruled that limiting the vote to the indigenous Chamorro population, which numbers about 65,000 in the multi-ethnic territory, was race-based and therefore unconstitutional.

The decision is under appeal and the government has asked the United Nations to take up its cause.

Michael Bevacqua, a Chamorro culture expert at the University of Guam, said indigenous people should have a vote on their future after being denied basic rights under generations of colonial rule.

"A process of decolonisation that must follow the rules of the coloniser is not decolonisation, it is an extension of colonisation," he said.
The African Centre for Migration and Society said that remittances -- transfers of migrants to their home country -- make up to 30 percent of Lesotho's economy.

In a cottage in rural Lesotho, Tisetso Litheko lays out six full passports packed with immigration stamps showing his constant movement across the border to neighbouring South Africa.

The 31-year-old former shepherd is one of more than 400,000 Lesotho nationals who live for much of the year in South Africa, forced by decades of a lack of work in the small mountain kingdom to seek a livelihood elsewhere.

"Moving to South Africa was something I could not avoid. I had very few options here in Lesotho," Litheko told AFP.

The flood of migrants from Lesotho -- a country the size of Belgium that is encircled by South Africa -- goes back to the discovery of gold in Johannesburg in the 1880s, when thousands of men from Lesotho were recruited to work in mines.

Litheko says his father and grandfather spent most of their lives as mineworkers in Johannesburg, the first in a long line of male members of the family who were forced to migrate for work.

"In Lesotho there are no jobs, there is no money, that is why many people sacrifice the comfort of their home life to work in South Africa," he said.

Litheko left his village, Ha Abia, when he was 22 years old, initially sneaking illegally across the border to toil on farms in nearby Ladybrand as a seasonal worker.

"Before I had a passport, I used to go over the mountains before sunrise to avoid being detected, and come back at night."

- Sending money home -

Now employed as a mine security guard, Litheko often works 24-hour shifts patrolling the boundaries of a gold mine in Carletonville, a gritty mining district south west of Johannesburg.

He saves the bulk of his weekly 550 rand ($41, 36 euros) wage and sends it home at the end of each month to his wife and three children.

The sum may appear meagre, but it goes a long way in a country where 56.2 percent of the two-million population lives in extreme poverty.

The World Bank puts Lesotho jobless rate between 24 and 28 percent.

The red tape of South Africa's immigration system, where officials frequently have a reputation for demanding bribes and causing long delays, has exposed desperate Lesotho job seekers to exploitation and cheap labour

The red tape of South Africa's immigration system, where officials frequently have a reputation for demanding bribes and causing long delays, has exposed desperate Lesotho job seekers to exploitation and cheap labour.

"Getting a South African permit is harder than getting a job," said Litheko.

Lesotho is enclosed by South Africa, and thousands of its citizens cross the border daily, not just to work but also to shop or attend school.

The government is the largest employer, after the textile industry, which benefits from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) that allows Lesotho to exports goods to the US duty free.

Even if that has provided some relief, it has failed to significantly dent the high unemployment rate.

In the capital Maseru, stalls selling a wide mix of goods and services clog pavements, creating a vibrant informal sector.

Because the local loti currency is pegged to the South Africa rand, Litheko points out that migrant workers do not benefit from fluctuations in the exchange rate.

"Despite earning rand, at the end of the day, I am no different from someone who is working in Lesotho," he said.

- A dependent economy -

The African Centre for Migration and Society, based at Johannesburg's Wits University, said statistics show that remittances -- transfers of money by migrants to their home country -- make up to 30 percent of Lesotho's economy.

"Lesotho with its weak GDP remains dependent on South Africa through remittances -- and an economy that relies largely on remittances is... politically and economically weak as a result," said researcher Zaheera Jinnah.

With long queues of goods trucks waiting to be cleared, the two 24-hour border posts bear witness to the hectic to-and-fro between South Africa and Lesotho.

"The operation of the border has made travel easy, but you still have to get your passport stamped," said Litheko. calling for passport controls between the two countries to be scrapped.

Faced with the flow of immigrants, South Africa in February 2016 launched a special documentation process.

The programme, which came to an end at the end of 2016, attracted over 127,000 applicants, with the permits valid until end of 2019.
WBC World Super Featherweight champion Miguel Berchelt defeated Japan's Takashi Miura by unanimous decision

Miguel Berchelt retained his WBC world title Saturday with a unanimous decision over former champion Takashi Miura in the first defence of his super featherweight belt.

Mexico's Berchelt won almost every round and it showed on the lopsided scorecards but the unflinching Miura fought on pride and looked like he could have knocked the champion out at any moment.

"I was prepared because I knew I was facing an ex champion," said Berchelt. "He has the toughest left hand in the division. He was hitting me and hurting me sometimes.

"But I was always the better fighter."

The judges scored the fight 116-111, 120-109 and 119-108 for the 33-year-old Berchelt who won the title with an 11th round upset victory over Francisco Vargas in January.

Japan's Miura (31-4-2, 24 KOs) was hoping to reclaim the WBC title which he held for more than two years before losing to Vargas in 2015.

Berchelt set the tone early in the 12-round clash at the Los Angeles Forum as he dropped Miura late in the first round and rocked him with a hard punch in the fifth round that snapped the challenger's head back.

Down on points heading into the sixth round, Miura went looking for the knockout and it didn't seem like a bad strategy for the Japanese dynamo who had 24 career knockouts coming into the bout.

But Berchelt's defence was too strong and his plan to land a mixture of head and body shots allowed him to score ample points with the judges.

Miura took the fight to Berchelt (32-1, 28 KOs) in the seventh round as the Mexican appeared to tire, pawing at him instead of landing solid blows like earlier in the bout.

Berchelt also had to deal the non-stop attack of Miura, who wouldn't yield an inch, despite taking a massive amount of punishment to the head and body.

Berchelt wobbled Miura in the eighth with a left hook but he couldn't finish him off.

Miura showed he has a steel chin and still had an opportunity to win the fight heading into the 11th round but only if he could score a knockout against Berchelt, who was in excellent condition.

Asked if he was interested in a fight with the top fighter in the division, Vasyl Lomachenko, Berchelt said yes.

"I beat Vargas, I beat Miura. I am ready to fight the best," he said.

On the undercard, champion Jezreel Corrales got the majority decision over Robinson Castellanos after the WBA super featherweight world title fight was stopped 31 seconds into the 10th round because of an accidental head butt.

Corrales won by scores of 94-94, 94-93 and 96-92.
Canberra sends asylum-seekers who try to enter Australia by boat to camps on Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, but the conditions there have been criticised by refugee advocates and medical professionals

The abrupt departure of American officials from an Australian Pacific island refugee camp has fanned fears among asylum-seekers that plans to resettle them in the US may not go ahead, an activist group said Sunday.

Canberra sends asylum-seekers who try to enter Australia by boat to camps on Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, but the conditions there have been criticised by refugee advocates and medical professionals.

The Australian government struck a deal with Washington under former president Barack Obama to resettle some of those refugees in the US.

But doubts over the arrangement have persisted after President Donald Trump this year reportedly lambasted his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull during a phone call and attacked it as a "dumb deal", before agreeing to go ahead with the proposal.

US Department of Homeland Security officials had been assessing the asylum-seekers at Nauru as part of the arrangement when they abruptly left the island on Friday and Saturday, Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said, days after the US passed its annual 50,000-refugee intake cap.

"They've (the DHS officials) given the people on Nauru no indication that they are coming back," Rintoul told AFP.

About 200 refugees on Nauru have undergone interviews and medical check-ups, while on Manus, some 70 had been through a similar process, Rintoul said.

"People are becoming increasingly doubtful that there is any deal", he added.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Sunday she was confident the deal was still in place, adding that the "matter is progressing as we expected".

"We have been given assurances by President Trump and Vice-President Pence and others, that the agreement will be adhered to," Bishop told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"And the (refugee cap) quota will roll over again on October 1."

The situation is particularly acute on Manus, with the camp set to close by October after a PNG Supreme Court ruling declared that holding people there was unconstitutional.

Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has said those on Manus would not be moved to Australia and instead relocated to third countries such as the US and Cambodia or resettled in PNG.

"News like this makes us feel dead. It defuses the spark of hope that we try to hold on to," Manus refugee detainee Imran Mohammad, from Myanmar, said in a statement Sunday via Australia's Human Rights Law Centre.

More than 800 men are being held on Manus, and 370 men, women and children are detained on Nauru, according to Australian immigration data ending May 31.
US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in during a meeting on trade at the White House on June 30, 2017

Mike Pence is the loyal wingman, the ever-discreet figure who rises above the Washington fray. But as the Russia scandal encroaches ever further on Donald Trump's White House, the vice president is also walking a political tightrope.

The 58-year-old former governor of Indiana is currently the man closest to the US presidency -- either as Trump's immediate successor should his term end prematurely, or as his heir apparent in 2020 or 2024 elections, depending on how many terms Trump serves.

As the troubles of his boss grow deeper by the day, ensnared in a widening investigation into his campaign ties to Russia, experts say the 48th US vice president remains compelled to stand by his man -- at least for now.

"Pence is in a very difficult position," Joel Goldstein, an expert on the vice presidency at Saint Louis University School of Law, told AFP.

"A vice president is expected to be loyal to the president, but President Trump imposes a heavy burden on his subordinates by saying and doing things that often are hard to defend."

The two men could hardly be more different: where Trump likes to blur ideological lines, Pence is a committed Christian conservative, as stiff and disciplined as his boss is exuberant and unpredictable.

While Trump tweets about a high-stakes health care bill, it is Pence who has been shuttling between the White House and Congress in a behind-the-scenes effort to rescue the imperiled legislation.

In Trump's turbulent Washington, Pence is seen as the administration's steadying force, the "ax behind the glass you're supposed to break in case of emergency," as The Daily Beast news website put it recently.

- 'Hang on' -

Pence offered a glimpse of his guiding principles as he rides the political rollercoaster, during a speech on leadership delivered to students at American University.

"You need to keep your arms and legs in the ride at all times," he told them.

"Pull the roll bar down, because you just got to hang on."

Yet Pence has taken low-key steps that suggest he could be laying the groundwork for his political future.

In an unusual move, two close advisors to Pence have founded a political action committee, The New York Times reported.

He has also begun hosting Republican mega-donors at his Washington residence, according to the daily.

- Next president? -

US Vice President Mike Pence arrives to speak ahead of President Donald Trump's announcement of a tightened US policy stance towards Cuba

As federal and congressional investigators dig deeper into allegations that Trump's camp colluded with Russia to tilt the 2016 election, a handful of Democrats are now calling openly for the president to be impeached.

However remote the prospect of impeachment by the Republican-controlled Congress, the Russia cloud stubbornly refuses to dissipate.

Should Trump eventually be forced from office, Pence would become the 10th US vice president to assume the presidency without being elected -- the first since Gerald Ford succeeded Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal in 1974.

When Donald Trump Jr recently acknowledged that he and campaign aides met a Russian lawyer last year in hope of obtaining dirt on Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, Pence distanced himself from the snowballing scandal.

"He is not focused on stories about the campaign, particularly stories about the time before he joined the ticket," said a statement from Pence's office.

But the vice president has not emerged entirely unscathed so far.

As head of Trump's transition team, he publicly backed Michael Flynn during the uproar about contacts with the Russian ambassador which cost the newly-minted national security advisor his job.

And having flatly denied any Trump campaign contacts with Russia, Pence's credibility is further rocked with each new revelation.

- 'Losing credibility' -

Vice President Mike Pence speaks during the Conference on Prosperity and Security in Central America at the Florida International University in June 2017

Pence's defense will look increasingly questionable, especially if Trump's troubles worsen. But it is survivable, said Michael Munger, director of the politics program at Duke University.

"Pence was probably not lying. He was lied to, and he took the party line and then kept his mouth shut when they cut him off at the knees," the professor said.

"He is losing credibility, I suppose, but he gets extra points for doing his job."

Yet Pence's close ties to the president -- as recently as last month he said serving with Trump has been "the greatest privilege of my life" -- may yet prove an albatross around his neck.

"None of the last seven vice presidents have been so willing to be so sycophantic in their praise and have said so many significant things that later turned out to be untrue," the expert Goldstein said.

Striking the balance between loyalty to an embattled leader and avoiding getting caught up in scandal is a fierce challenge.

Pence has "juggled" well, said Paul Beck of Ohio State University.

"But if this Russia controversy really gets the Trump administration into deep, deep trouble... then Pence is kind of trapped out there as one of the team."
Iranian border guards have come under attack by jihadists in restive areas along the frontiers with Pakistan and Aghanistan

Two Iranian civilians were killed in a cross-border attack by Pakistani insurgents, the Revolutionary Guards said.

"On Saturday evening, a terrorist team... fired (ammunition) from within Pakistani territory toward the Iranian border region of Saravan" in Sistan-Baluchistan province, the Guards said in a statement on their Sepahnews website.

"Two local workers in the region were martyred in this terrorist attack," it added.

Forces from the Quds force -- the Guards' foreign operations wing -- killed one of the attackers and wounded two, while others fled back into Pakistani territory, the statement said.

The insurgent group was not identified, but for years the region has been the site of frequent attacks by the Jaish al-Adl jihadist group, which Tehran says has links to Al-Qaeda and is based in the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan.

Jaish al-Adl was blamed for an attack in April that killed 10 Iranian border guards in the nearby Mirjaveh region.

President Hassan Rouhani wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif calling for greater efforts to prevent insurgent attacks along the border.

The Guards also said on June 19 that they had killed the leader and four members of another jihadist group called Ansar al-Furqan in the Iranian port city of Chabahar in Sistan-Baluchistan province.
Israeli soldiers and police on an arrest mission in the town of Nabi Salah in the occupied West Bank shot dead a Palestinian who attempted to open fire at them early Sunday, the army said

Israeli soldiers and police on an arrest mission in the town of Nabi Salah in the occupied West Bank shot dead a Palestinian who attempted to open fire at them early Sunday, the army said.

"The forces encountered the suspect, who attempted to open fire at them," a statement from the Israeli army read. "In response to the immediate threat forces fired towards the attacker resulting in his death."

Palestinian security forces and family identified the suspect as 34-year-old Amar Tirawi from Kafr Ein, a town near Nabi Salah in the central West Bank. Officials had earlier given another name for the suspect.

Another Palestinian suspect was lightly wounded and arrested, the statement from the military read.

On Saturday, a gunman targeted a vehicle near an Israeli settlement north of Ramallah and wounded a foreign national of Palestinian descent who is residing in a Palestinian village.

In a separate incident, gunshots hit a military post near Nabi Salah.

The army said Tirawi was behind both incidents.

Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency named Tirawi as Amar Halil and said he had carried out the shootings along with his fiancee Rawan Ambar due to their families' refusal to accept their engagement.

According to the Shin Bet, Tirawi was a former member of the Palestinian preventive security who became an arms trader.

Tirawi's fiancee had turned herself in to Palestinian security forces, the Shin Bet said, confirming to AFP she was in their custody since late Saturday, hours before the fatal raid.

Sources in Tirawi's village told AFP he had been detained by Palestinian security forces for a number of days in the past few weeks, and that he was wanted by Israeli security prior to the Saturday shootings.

The Shin Bet refused to comment on that report.

A wave of unrest that broke out in October 2015 has claimed the lives of at least 282 Palestinians or Arab Israelis, 44 Israelis, two Americans, two Jordanians, an Eritrean, a Sudanese and a Briton, according to an AFP toll.

Israeli authorities say most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks.

Others were shot dead in protests and clashes, while some were killed in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip.

The violence has greatly subsided in recent months.
Bangladeshi customers take a selfie with a cutout US President Donald Trump at the Trump Cafe in Dhaka on July 13, 2017

A cafe in Dhaka named after Donald Trump has been luring Bangladeshis undeterred by his controversial politics and more interested in snapping selfies with a life-size cutout of the US president.

The cafe was opened in January by a self-professed Trump fan who rejects the notion that the US president is 'anti Islam', saying diners at his cafe in the heart of Muslim-majority Bangladesh agreed.

"If he were anti-Muslim, he would not have visited Saudi Arabia and had a good time there," cafe owner Shafiul Islam told AFP, adding none of Trump's decisions had affected Bangladesh's 144 million-odd Muslims.

Politics appears to be last thing on many diners' minds as they pose for photos with a cardboard cutout of the US president, placed strategically at the entrance by 29-year-old businessman Islam.

"Girls are his bigger fans. They come to take selfies with the Trump picture. Children love him too," he said, adding more visitors snapped photos than ordered food.

The cafe serves Thai, Chinese and Indian dishes, with specials given names like the "Trump burger".

CNN is broadcast to give an extra American flavour, while the wi-fi password is "Ivanka Trump".

But it's the pull power of the man himself bringing in curious customers.

Nuzhat Sultana, said the cafe -- which Islam says will soon include wallpapered images of the Oval Office and Trump's family -- was "very fascinating".

"The best part is the sudden illusion when you enter the cafe and see the US president welcoming you at the door!" she said.
File photo released by the Liu's family and taken on October 22, 2002 shows Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace laureate Liu Xiaobo and his wife Liu Xia in Beijing

Friends of the late Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo worried about the fate of his widow on Sunday, with no signs that authorities have freed her after the dissident's sea burial.

Close friends lost touch with the poet Liu Xia after her husband died on Thursday of liver cancer aged 61 while he was in police custody at a hospital in the northeastern city of Shenyang.

At her building in Beijing, a uniformed security guard sat in front of the elevator on Sunday night and a plainclothes man, who refused to identify himself, ushered AFP journalists away after they rang her apartment number.

The United States and European Union have called on President Xi Jinping's Communist government to free Liu Xia, who has been under house arrest since 2010, and let her go abroad.

The authorities released images of the grieving wife at a private funeral on Saturday, and later on a boat with relatives as they lowered an urn containing her husband's ashes into the sea off the coastal city of Dalian.

"We are very worried. We saw from authorities' photos of the funeral that she is weak and pained. She looked like the world's saddest person," said Hu Jia, a Beijing-based activist and close friend.

"If I could see her, I would comfort her and offer her a shoulder to cry on," Hu told AFP.

- 'Baseless' house arrest -

Liu Xiaobo

Liu Xiaobo was a veteran of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and was detained in 2008 after co-writing Charter 08, a petition calling for democratic reforms.

Following his terminal cancer diagnosis, the democracy advocate requested to receive treatment abroad -- a wish that friends believe was in reality for his wife's sake. But the authorities refused to let him go.

Although Liu Xia stayed out of politics, she has been under police watch without charges since shortly after her husband was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010.

Her apartment was the only one in a row of buildings that had a security guard in the small lobby.

The plainclothes man took photos of the AFP reporters' press cards. He claimed her name was not listed and when pressed, he said: "The resident doesn't want to see you."

AFP could not confirm if she had returned from northeast China. The lights on her floor were out.

During the past seven years, Liu Xia was only allowed to leave her apartment to visit her parents or her husband at his prison in the northeastern province of Liaoning, where he was serving an 11-year sentence until he was admitted at a hospital in early June.

Her father died last year, and her mother died earlier this year.

"There is no higher priority than getting Liu Xia out. That authorities have broadcast their ongoing torture of her heightens the urgency," Human Rights Watch's China director Sophie Richardson said.

"They are broadcasting on multiple mediums and multiple languages images and video of her doing what authorities say she wants to be doing -- all the while not letting her speak freely for herself and having held her baselessly under house arrest for years," she told AFP.

-'Monitored and controlled'-

This handout photo provided by the Shenyang Municipal Information Office shows late Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo's wife Liu Xia praying as they bury Liu's ashes at sea off the coast of Dalian

On Saturday, Zhang Qingyang, an official from the Shenyang city municipal office, said Liu Xia was "free", but he did not disclose her whereabouts.

On Friday, a foreign ministry spokesman said he would "not make prejudgements" about whether she could go overseas.

Another close friend of the Lius, Ye Du, said the last time he reached the family was early Friday, but they sounded nervous and refused to talk about funeral arrangements.

"Liu Xia is definitely monitored and controlled," Ye told AFP, adding that "mourning activities" were also "severely controlled".

Liu Xiaobo's older brother, Liu Xiaoguang, said at a news conference organised by the authorities that the government had followed the family's wishes for the funeral. He also said Liu Xia was so heartbroken that she may need hospital treatment.

But supporters said it was impossible to verify if the family had really wanted a sea burial and noted that the brothers were politically at odds.

Amnesty International China researcher Patrick Poon said Liu Xia, 56, suffers from depression and heart disease.

He said the loss of contact was "strange".

"Why would she suddenly refuse to communicate with her friends when it's a moment she needs others to comfort her great sorrow?"
Iran's newspapers have broken with tradition and published photographs of a trailblazing female mathematician with her head uncovered after she died aged 40.

Marayam Mirzakhani passed away in a US hospital yesterday after a long battle with cancer.

Her home country's media today paid tribute to the the Fields Medal winner - hailing her as the 'Queen of Mathematics'.

The front pages of Iranian newspapers bearing portraits of mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, who died of cancer a day earlier

In some cases newspapers portrayed Mirzakhani without her hair covered by a hijab - mandatory for women in public since the Islamic republic's 1979 revolution.

Mirzakhani was born and studied in Iran before leaving to pursue her career in the United States.

When she became the first woman to win the Fields Medal - the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for mathematics - in 2014, newspapers used every means possible to avoid showing her hair.

Some publications ran old images of her in Iran with covered hair or drawing her picture with an improvised head scarf. The move provoked criticism from liberal Iranians at the time.

Today's decision to publish Mirzakhani's picture without a hijab was potentially made as it may be easier to justify for authorities after her death.

Hamshahri, a centrist newspaper owned by the municipality of Tehran, and reformist economic daily Donyaye Eghtesad both used full-blown portraits of her without a hijab.

Mathematics genius Maryam Mirzakhani won a string of honours during her career including the coveted Fields Medal in 2014

The reformist Shargh daily published a photo of her wearing a hat - under the headline 'The Queen of Numbers Land' - while some others used designs and photo editing to fade her signature short hair into a black background.

Only ultraconservative newspapers Resalat and Keyhan did not feature Mirzakhani's picture on the front page, with the latter covering her story in an inside page with a picture of her wearing hijab.

There was an outpouring of grief from Iranians over her passing, not least because she represented a more globalised and positive image of the country than usually depicted.

Nima Zaare, a Tehran-based artist who drew a portrait of Mirzakhani following her Fields Medal win, paid tribute to the mathematician.

He said: 'Her work and her scientific achievements are clearly beyond my understanding but from the little knowledge I have, I can see how immense her intelligence and works are.

President Hassan Rouhani was among the first to react following news of Mirzakhani's death

'Normally I don't do portraits, but I was greatly honoured to draw such a genius. I was truly devastated when I heard the news of her death yesterday.'

Messages of grief also poured in on social media, including from senior officials.

President Hassan Rouhani was among the first to react following news of her death, posting a recent picture of Mirzakhani on Instagram without her head covered.

Writing in Shargh about Mirzakhani, reformist figure Azar Mansouri urged Rouhani to pick female ministers to his new cabinet which will be formed in the coming weeks, following his re-election in May.

'Appreciating the likes of Mirzakhani' is only possible by 'establishing equal opportunities for them,' she wrote.

Rouhani currently has three female deputies but no woman ministers.
Tens of thousands of Hindus from all over India travel to Kashmir every year to visit a phallus-shaped ice formation in the Amarnath caves that is worshipped as a symbol of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction

At least 16 Hindu pilgrims were killed and many more injured Sunday in a bus crash in northern India, police said, just days after gunmen shot dead eight worshippers making the same holy visit.

The bus plunged into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir, the state where hundreds of Hindus make the annual pilgrimage to a Himalayan cave revered as the abode of the god Shiva.

"16 people are now confirmed dead, 19 with serious injuries and eight others with minor injuries," the state's police force said in a statement Sunday.

Some of the worst injured are being airlifted to hospital, while others were taken to local clinics for treatment, police said.

For the second time in a week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the pilgrims who died making the holy journey.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris (pilgrims) due to a bus accident in J&K," the prime minister said, referring to the state by its initials.

"My thoughts are with the families of the deceased."

The tragedy came as another Hindu pilgrim died Sunday from injuries sustained six days ago when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a bus full of worshippers.

"One lady who was injured in the July 10 attack succumbed to her injuries in hospital," S. P. Vaid, the state's director general of police, told AFP.

Her death takes the toll from Monday's attack to eight, with seven women and one man killed in the late-night assault. Most of the victims were from the western state of Gujarat.

It was the worst such attack in the divided Himalayan region since 2000 when gunmen fired on a group of Hindu pilgrims, killing 32 people including two police officers.

Indian leaders and Kashmiri separatists united in their condemnation of this latest attack. No group has yet claimed responsibility.

Authorities said the two-month pilgrimage season would continue after the attack on the bus, which was not part of the official convoy carrying pilgrims.

Tens of thousands of Hindus from all over India travel to Kashmir every year to visit a phallus-shaped ice formation in the Amarnath caves that is worshipped as a symbol of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.

The caves, which lie 3,900 metres (12,800 feet) high and can only be reached on foot or on horseback, are seen as a symbol of religious unity in the volatile region.

The ice formation is said to have been discovered in 1850 by a Muslim shepherd who became a custodian of the shrine, along with two Hindu priests.
Deputy judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie, shown in March 2017, announced that a US citizen accused of "infiltration" in Iran had been sentenced to 10 years in prison

A United States citizen accused of "infiltration" in Iran has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, a spokesman for the judiciary said on Sunday.

"The person was identified and arrested by the intelligence forces. The court has sentenced the person to 10 years," deputy judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie said in a televised press conference.

The individual, whose name was not provided, has appealed the sentence, he added.

The foreigner holds dual nationality of the United States and another country, he said, promising to give more details once the appeals court confirms the sentence.

The US State Department issued a statement soon after, calling for "the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families," without referring to any specific person.

In January, Tehran's chief prosecutor said as many as 70 "spies" were serving sentences in the city's prisons -- the identities of only a handful of which have been made public.

Most are thought to be Iranians who hold another passport from Europe or the United States.

In October, US-Iranian business consultant Siamak Namazi and his 80-year-old father Baquer, a former UNICEF official, were given 10 years in prison for "espionage and collaboration with the American government".

The US has repeatedly called for their release and also for Tehran's cooperation on the case of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who disappeared in Iran in 2007.

The news comes amid tensions between the two countries as President Donald Trump and Congress have taken increasingly harsh positions against Tehran.

Trump has promised to tear up the 2015 nuclear deal struck between Iran and world powers including the United States that lifted some sanctions in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme.

In mid-June, the American Senate voted with majority for new sanctions against Iran, denouncing the Islamic republic's "continued support of terrorism". The bill must be passed by the House of Representatives.

The new restrictions impose mandatory sanctions on people involved with Iran's ballistic missile programme and those that transact with them.

Iran has vowed to respond with "reciprocal and adequate measures".
Palestinian Muslim worshippers refuse to enter the Al-Aqsa mosque compound after Israeli set up metal detectors and cameras as part of new security measures

Israel reopened an ultra-sensitive holy site Sunday closed after an attack that killed two policemen, but Muslim worshippers were refusing to enter due to new security measures including metal detectors and cameras.

Crowds chanted "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) as a number of initial visitors entered Jerusalem's Haram al-Sharif compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

The flashpoint holy site includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

Calls to prayer rang out from Al-Aqsa, but dozens of Muslim worshippers held midday prayers outside the site in protest at the new security measures.

Around 150 people gathered outside for prayers later in the afternoon. Police said some 200 people entered the compound.

"We reject the changes imposed by the Israeli government," Sheikh Omar Kiswani, Al-Aqsa director, told reporters outside.

A Palestinian man empties his bag as he walks through a recently installed metal detector outside the Lion's Gate, a main entrance to Al-Aqsa mosque compound

"We will not enter through these metal detectors."

Some women wailed and cried while telling people not to enter.

Waheeb Liftawi, 52, prayed inside Al-Aqsa at midday without knowing of the calls to remain outside. During prayers later in the afternoon, he prayed outside.

"These things should not be put in front of a place of worship, a mosque," he said.

"This is why we refuse this or this will become the status quo."

Later in the day, a funeral procession sought to enter with a coffin but was not allowed through.

- Unusual decision -

Three Arab Israeli assailants opened fire on Israeli police Friday in Jerusalem's Old City before fleeing to the compound, where they were shot dead by security forces.

Israeli authorities said the gunmen had come from the flashpoint holy site to carry out the attack.

It was one of the most serious incidents in Jerusalem in recent years.

A map of Jerusalem's Old City shows the site known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount

Israel took the highly unusual decision of closing the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for Friday prayers, triggering anger from Muslims and Jordan, the holy site's custodian.

The site remained closed on Saturday, while parts of Jerusalem's Old City were also under lockdown.

Israeli authorities said the closure was necessary to carry out security checks and announced they would reopen the compound Sunday.

Police said Sunday that so far two gates leading to the holy site had been opened, equipped with metal detectors.

- 'Avoid any escalation' -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of the security measures late Saturday before departing for a trip to Paris.

"This evening I held a discussion with the top security leadership and I instructed that metal detectors be placed at the entrance gates to the Temple Mount," he said.

"We will also install security cameras on poles outside the Temple Mount but which give almost complete control over what goes on there."

Netanyahu spoke by phone with Jordan's King Abdullah II on Saturday night, a statement from Amman said.

Abdullah condemned the attack, but also called on Netanyahu to reopen the Al-Aqsa compound and stressed the need to "avoid any escalation at the site".

The Dome of the Rock (R) and Al-Aqsa Mosque (L) appear in a picture taken at sunset on July 14, 2017, the day three assailants shot dead two policemen then fled into the compound where they were shot dead by Israeli security forces

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas conveyed a similar message to Netanyahu when the two spoke by phone on Friday as tensions rose in the wake of the attack.

Proposals to change security measures at the compound have sparked controversy in the past.

A plan developed in 2015 between Israel and Jordan to install cameras at the site itself fell apart amid disagreement over how they would be operated.

The Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount is central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Palestinians fearing Israel may one day seek to assert further control over it.

It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

It is considered the third holiest site in Islam and the most sacred for Jews.

Jews are allowed to visit but not pray there to avoid provoking tensions.
Bangladesh has been reeling from a spate of extremist violence in recent years, with dozens of foreigners, secular writers, atheist activists and members of religious minorities killed

Four suspected Islamist extremists surrendered Sunday after a night-long standoff with Bangladeshi police in which they detonated explosives and opened fire outside the capital Dhaka, an official said.

Police said the armed militants belonged to a new faction of Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), an outlawed group blamed for a wave of attacks including the murder of 18 foreigners at a cafe in Dhaka last July.

Acting on a tip-off Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion surrounded a building in the garment district of Ashulia, around 25 kilometres (18 miles) west of Dhaka, just after midnight, RAB spokesman Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan told AFP.

"They rented the house posing as garment workers two months ago. When we raided the place, they fired back with live rounds and exploded IED (improvised explosive devices)," he said.

No casualties were reported.

Ashulia is home to hundreds of garment factories turning out clothes for top European and American brands.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the cafe attack on July 1 last year.

But the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has denied foreign militant groups have a foothold in Bangladesh, blaming homegrown outfit JMB for that assault and many others.

Bangladesh has been reeling from a spate of extremist violence in recent years, with dozens of foreigners, secular writers, atheist activists and members of religious minorities killed.

Since the cafe attack, security forces have gunned down nearly 70 Islamist extremists across the country and rounded up scores more.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's younger brother Hossein Fereydoun (R), shown here with Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, has been arrested on financial crimes charges

The younger brother of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Hossein Fereydoun, has been arrested on financial crime charges, the judiciary said on Sunday.

"Multiple investigations have been conducted regarding this person, also other people have been investigated, some of whom are in jail," deputy judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie said in a televised press conference.

"Yesterday, bail was issued for him but because he failed to secure it he was referred to prison," Ejeie said, adding that he would be released if he secures bail, pending trial.

Fereydoun has acted as a key advisor and gatekeeper to Rouhani.

News of his arrest comes a year after the head of the General Inspection Organisation, Naser Seraj, accused him of financial violations.

Conservatives have demanded Fereydoun be put on trial, accusing of him of receiving zero-interest loans and influencing the appointment of a bank director who Rouhani had to dismiss for taking a enormous salary.
French President Emmanuel Macon calls for a resumption of Middle East peace talks as he holds his first official talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined a ceremony in Paris on Sunday marking 75 years since the roundup of 13,000 Jews sent to Nazi death camps, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying France's responsibility was a "stark truth".

Speaking near the former site of the Velodrome d'Hiver, the indoor cycle track from which the Jews were deported in 1942, Macron said: "It is indeed France that organised" the roundup. "Not a single German" took part.

Netanyahu's presence at the ceremony sparked controversy, with the Union of French Jews for Peace (UJFP) calling the invitation "shocking" and "unacceptable".

The UJFP accused the Israeli government of "usurping the memory of the victims of Nazism to make people believe that Israel represents all the world's Jews".

The ceremony recalled the day when officials of the Vichy regime in Nazi-occupied France began rounding up 13,152 Jews and taking them to the Velodrome d'Hiver, an indoor cycle track in Paris.

Fewer than 100 of those who were detained at the so-called Vel d'Hiv and then sent to the Nazi death camps survived.

Macron was the fourth French president to accept blame for France's role in the deportations -- which totalled more than 75,000 -- since Jacques Chirac first did so in 1995.

President Emmanuel Macron called France's responsibility for the rounding up 13,000 Jews in 1942 in Paris a "stark truth" at a ceremony attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

"Time does its work," Macron said. "Archives open (and) the truth comes out. It's stark, irrevocable. It imposes itself on us all," Macron said of one of the darkest chapters in France's wartime history.

In a clear reference to far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the rival he defeated in May, Macron denounced "politicians who are prepared to reverse the truth".

Le Pen had insisted during the campaign that today's France could not be held accountable for the Vichy regime's actions.

- 'Special heroism' -

Netanyahu hailed the "special heroism" of the French resistance to the Nazis, praising the "noble French citizens who at great risk to their own lives" saved thousands more Jews from perishing in the death camps where at least six million would die overall between 1941 and 1945.

"For the sacred honour of those who perished... let us remember the past, let us secure tomorrow," he said.

"The strength of Israel is that it is the one certain guarantee that the Jewish people will never undergo a Holocaust again."

Fewer than 100 survived of the more than 13,000 Jews rounded up in Paris 75 years ago and sent to Nazi death camps

Among other critics of Netanyahu's presence was former Israeli ambassador to France, Elie Barnavi, who told AFP it made him "a little uneasy".

Barnavi, now a Peace Now activist advocating a two-state solution to end the Middle East conflict, added: "This story has nothing to do with Israel."

Netanyahu, the first Israeli prime minister to attend a Vel d'Hiv commemoration, said the invitation was a "very, very strong gesture" that underscored the longstanding friendship between France and Israel.

- 'Dear Bibi' -

Macron addressed Netanyahu as "dear Bibi" and called "anti-Zionism" a new form of anti-Semitism.

Among Sunday's other speakers were prominent French Nazi hunter Serge Klarsfeld and Pierre-Francois Veil, son of Holocaust survivor and rights icon Simone Veil, who died late last month aged 89.

Several members of the group Sons and Daughters of the Deported Jews of France attended, wearing yellow badges recalling the yellow stars that Jews were forced to wear on their lapels during the occupation.

Netanyahu's visit was the first since he joined a massive march attended by numerous world leaders in solidarity with the victims of the January 2015 terror attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish supermarket.

In talks later Sunday, Macron urged a resumption of long-stalled Middle East peace talks and reiterated France's opposition to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

Saying international law should be "respected by all," Macron added: "Here I am thinking of continued (Israeli) building" of settlements.

Macron met Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday, when he reaffirmed both France's support for a two-state solution and its opposition to the settlements.

Also Sunday, the French leader assured Netanyahu that Paris was not "complacent" towards Israel's arch-foe Iran, pledging France's "vigilance" regarding the 2015 nuclear accord reached by Western powers with Iran.

Netanyahu was a vocal opponent of the deal, which saw sanctions against Iran eased in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.
"The American journalist Lisa Dupuy was found safe and sound at around 3 am on Sunday" by government troops, Pacifique Keta, vice governor of Ituri province, told AF

A US journalist kidnapped by a militia group in the Democratic Republic of Congo was found safe and sound early Sunday, a senior official said, as another source said five people had been killed in clashes.

"The American journalist Lisa Dupuy was found safe and sound at around 3 am on Sunday" by government troops, Pacifique Keta, vice governor of Ituri province, told AFP.

The troops were deployed after Dupuy and 11 wardens working for the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (RFO) -- a vast conservation park in northeastern DR Congo -- were abducted on Friday by the Mai-Mai Simba militia group.

"The outcome of the military operation has not yet been established, because the army is still at work," Keta said.

Separately, a senior official with the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the journalist was safe.

"However, four of our wardens and a civilian who was working as a tracker were killed in clashes," the official said.

"The army also killed bandits, but I don't know how many."

A former Belgian colony, the DR Congo is a vast country rich in minerals and timber but wracked by decades of war and poverty.

The east of the country is especially troubled. It has been gripped by more than 20 years of armed conflict among domestic and foreign groups, fuelled by struggle for control of lucrative resources as well as ethnic and property disputes.

- 'Serious crime' -

The Mai-Mai Simba are self-described "self-defence" militia groups drawn from the Nande, Hunde and Kobo communities as well as rivals from the Nyaturu, who represent ethnic Hutus.

Many of these groups were armed during the DR Congo's second war -- a conflict that ran from 1998-2003 -- to fight incursion by Rwandan or Ugandan combatants, and have never been disarmed.

The RFO, a World Heritage site, covers nearly 14,000 square kilometres (5,400 square miles), protecting much of the Ituri forest near the borders with South Sudan and Uganda.

The park is notably home to the okapi, an endangered zebra-like species that is a cousin of the giraffe. Some 5,000 okapis live here, a sixth of the total population of 30,000 estimated to be in the wild.

The reserve has 101 recorded mammal species 376 types of bird as well as the Ituri and Epulu waterfalls.

Divided into specified two zones, the first covering 2,820 sq km where hunting is entirely banned while in the second covering 9,500 sq km only hunting by traditional methods is allowed.

On June 24, 2012 the Mai-Mai Simba were accused of having killed 15 okapis which had lived on the reserve since 1987, an incident which was considered a "serious crime". The reserve protects 20 percent of the Ituri forest.

It is also home to the Mbutu and Efe pygmies, hunter-gatherers who are "among the last true 'forest people' on Earth," according to the Okapi Conservation Project website.
Jerusalem Old City

The Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem reopened Sunday after being closed following a deadly attack, but Muslims were refusing to enter over new Israeli security measures, including metal detectors and cameras.

It is a highly sensitive site sacred in both Islam and Judaism.

- Ancient temples, night journey -

The 14-hectare (35-acre) rectangular esplanade at the southeast corner of the Old City was seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, along with the rest of east Jerusalem, and later annexed in a move never internationally recognised.

Israel considers all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital, but the Palestinians want the eastern sector as capital of their future state.

Known to Muslims as Al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), the compound houses the famous golden Dome of the Rock shrine and Al-Aqsa mosque.

Believed to be where the Prophet Mohammed made his night journey to heaven, it is the third-holiest site in Islam after the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, both in Saudi Arabia.

The compound in its current form was built in the seventh century by Islam's second caliph, Omar, on the site of the Second Jewish Temple that was destroyed by the Romans around 70 AD.

The esplanade is also revered as the holiest site in Judaism because it housed both the First and Second Temples. In Hebrew, it is referred to as Har HaBayit -- the Temple Mount.

- History of clashes -

Jews are allowed to visit the compound, but are forbidden from praying there for fear of sparking tensions with Muslim worshippers.

Most, however, do not enter the area as Israel's chief rabbinate says that visiting it is forbidden under Jewish law due to issues of ritual impurity.

Today, the holiest site at which Jews can pray is the Western Wall -- among the last remnants of the Second Temple.

But ultra-nationalist Jews, some of whom want to begin building a Third Temple, regularly visit the esplanade where they can sometimes be seen praying discreetly.

This frequently creates tensions with Muslim worshippers who fear Israel will seek to change rules governing the compound now administered by Jordan in coordination with the Palestinians.

Israeli police monitor visitors entering through the Mughrabi Gate, the only entrance for non-Muslims, but have several times set foot inside the mosque following tensions, further vexing Muslim worshippers.

There have regularly been tensions at the site.

In 1929, deadly riots broke out during the British mandate, with Muslims rallying to defend the site.

In 1996, an Israeli decision to open a new entrance to the west of the plaza sparked clashes that left more than 80 people dead in three days.

And a controversial visit to the plaza in September 2000 by then rightwing opposition leader Ariel Sharon was one of the main triggers for the second Palestinian intifada, which lasted from 2000 to 2005.

Friday's attack saw three Arab Israelis open fire at Israeli police near the site, killing two of them, before fleeing into the sacred compound, where they were shot dead by security forces.
Egypt's military is battling a local affiliate of IS which has waged a deadly insurgency in the northern Sinai that has killed hundreds of members of the security forces

Security forces have killed nine militants in the Sinai Peninsula and also destroyed 15 vehicles transporting weapons into Egypt across its western border, the military said in statements on Sunday.

The "extremists" were killed in two separate incidents in the middle Sinai, but the military did not say when they took place.

Both involved the air force and "law enforcement forces".

The military said a planned "hostile act" was foiled after "a highly dangerous terrorist" group was discovered and tracked, and six militants were killed in a mountainous area.

In a separate incident, three "highly dangerous" extremists were killed and another was arrested.

A four-wheel-drive vehicle and five caches containing "large amounts of explosives and ammunition" were destroyed, the military added.

On Egypt's western border with Libya, warplanes have attacked and destroyed 15 four-wheel-drive vehicles carrying weapons, ammunition and contraband over the past 24 hours, the military said on Sunday.

The air strikes took place following intelligence that "criminal subjects were gathering to sneak into Egypt", it said.

The military has boosted its operations on the border, repeatedly expressing concern about militants crossing the frontier to launch attacks.

Libya has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival authorities and militias battling for control of the oil-rich country.

In May, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said setbacks by the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria were driving its fighters to try to relocate to Libya and the Sinai.

The same month, the air force attacked "terror camps" in Libya in retaliation for a deadly attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt, saying the assailants had been trained there.

Egypt's military is battling a local affiliate of IS which has waged a deadly insurgency in the northern Sinai that has killed hundreds of members of the security forces.

Since December, IS has also targeted Christians in other parts of the country, including in Cairo, killing dozens.

The jihadists have threatened to carry out further attacks on Christians, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 90 million people.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's younger brother Hossein Fereydoun (R), shown here with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, has been arrested on financial crimes charges

Iran's judiciary on Sunday announced the arrest of President Hassan Rouhani's brother Hossein Fereydoun on financial crime charges, in a long-running feud between two of the country's centres of power.

"Multiple investigations have been conducted regarding this person, also other people have been investigated, some of whom are in jail," deputy judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie said in a televised press conference.

"Yesterday, bail was issued for him but because he failed to secure it he was referred to prison," Ejeie said.

"If he secures bail, he will be released. But the case will take its course."

The conservative-dominated judiciary has clashed with Rouhani, who has sought to ease social restrictions and release political prisoners.

News of the arrest comes a year after the head of the General Inspection Organisation, Naser Seraj, first accused Fereydoun, who acts as a key adviser and gatekeeper to Rouhani, of financial violations.

The brothers do not share the same name because Rouhani changed his when he was younger to a word meaning "cleric".

Conservatives have demanded that Fereydoun be put on trial, accusing him of receiving zero-interest loans and influencing the appointment of two bank directors.

One of the bank directors was later accused of involvement in a "large corruption scandal" by the intelligence services of the Revolutionary Guards, and the other was fired as part of a widespread scandal into exorbitant salaries at public institutions.

The attacks on Fereydoun began around the same time as the pay scandal last summer -- both milked by conservatives to smear Rouhani in the build-up to the presidential election in May.

Voters still convincingly backed Rouhani's policies of rebuilding ties with the West, though there were signs that the corruption allegations had eaten away at his support.

A report by the Audit Court found in October that executives at state-owned banks had earned as much as 622 million rials ($20,000) a month -- compared with average public sector salaries of $400 -- leading to hundreds of prosecutions and a new government salary cap.

- Power struggle -

There have been barbed exchanges between the presidency and the judiciary for months.

Rouhani has lashed out against perceived arbitrary arrests, telling a conference that was also attended by judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani: "We cannot summon or arrest people first and then look for proof."

Larijani has repeatedly blasted Rouhani's nuclear deal with world powers, which took effect in January 2016, as having brought too few economic benefits.

Ahead of the presidential election, Rouhani targeted the judiciary in a series of public speeches, arguing that an increased mandate would give him greater leverage to work for the release of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who have been held under house arrest for their part in 2009 protests.

But Larijani made clear after Rouhani's victory that nothing would change, saying: "Who are you to end the house arrest?"

"Some people are trying to provoke a populist movement to question the legal decisions of the country's bodies," he said.
A Syrian man uses crutches to walk near a building that was destroyed following a reported air strike on the rebel-held town of Ayn Tarma, in Syria's eastern Ghouta area, on July 14, 2017.

More than 330,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict since it started six years ago, around a third of them civilians, a monitor said on Sunday.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it has documented the deaths of 331,765 people across Syria since the conflict erupted in mid-March 2011 with anti-government protests.

Included in the overall death toll are 99,617 civilians, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP, adding that the figures were for the period between March 15, 2011 and July 15, 2017.

A total of 18,243 children and 11,427 women were among the civilians killed, the Observatory said.

The figures were the latest provided by the Observatory since March when it said 320,000 people, including 96,000 civilians, had been killed.

In its latest report, the Observatory said a total of 116,774 members of the regime forces or regime supporters have been killed in Syria since the conflict began.

Of those, it said 61,808 were soldiers and 1,408 were members of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, an Iran-backed regime ally.

Also killed in Syria since the conflict erupted were 57,000 rebels, including from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an Arab-Kurdish alliance.

In addition, more than 58,000 jihadists, namely from the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate, were killed, said the Observatory, noting that the figure also includes foreign extremists.

The conflict broke out with peaceful anti-government protests but quickly turned into a fully fledged war involving a multitude of local, regional and foreign powers.

The brutal conflict has destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and displaced millions of people, more than half of Syria's population.
Deputy judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie, shown in March 2017, announced that a US citizen accused of "infiltration" in Iran had been sentenced to 10 years in prison

A Chinese American accused of "infiltration" in Iran has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, local media reported on Sunday.

The man was identified as Xiyue Wang, a 37-year-old researcher at Princeton University, according to Mizanonline, the official news agency of Iran's judiciary.

Wang, who was born in Beijing according to the report, was arrested on August 8, 2016 while trying to leave the country.

Mizanonline said he was part of "an infiltration project" aimed at gathering "highly confidential articles" for several US and British institutions, including Princeton, the US State Department, Harvard's Kennedy School and the British Institute for Persian Studies.

"Before his arrest he was able to digitally archive 4,500 pages of the country's documents, while under covert surveillance," said Mizanonline.

The confidential documents were said to be taken from "research and cultural archives" and "the libraries of some state organisations".

Mizanonline published an excerpt from a British Institute of Persian Studies annual report, in which Wang thanked its librarian for helping him make contact with academics in Iran.

The report claimed this as "proof" Wang was on a covert mission, although the quote shows Wang was openly trying to work with academics to access a number of official archives in Tehran and Mashhad.

The US State Department later issued a statement confirming it was "aware of reports regarding Xiyue Wang, a US citizen detained in Iran" -- phrasing that is normally read as a confirmation.

- 'Unjustly detained' -

It added: "We continue to use all the means at our disposal to advocate for US citizens who need our assistance overseas especially for the release of any unjustly detained US citizens held overseas.

"We call for the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families."

In January, Tehran's chief prosecutor said as many as 70 "spies" were serving sentences in the city's prisons, but the identities of only a handful have been made public.

Most are thought to be Iranians who hold another passport from Europe or the United States.

In October, US-Iranian business consultant Siamak Namazi and his 80-year-old father Baquer, a former UNICEF official, were given 10 years in prison for "espionage and collaboration with the American government".

Washington has repeatedly called for their release and also for Tehran's cooperation in the case of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who disappeared in Iran in 2007.

The news comes amid tensions between the two countries as President Donald Trump and Congress have taken increasingly harsh positions against Tehran.

Trump has promised to tear up the 2015 nuclear deal struck between Iran and world powers including the United States that lifted some sanctions in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme.

In mid-June, the American Senate backed new sanctions against Iran, denouncing the Islamic republic's "continued support of terrorism". The bill must be passed by the House of Representatives.

The new restrictions impose mandatory sanctions on people involved with Iran's ballistic missile programme and those that transact with them.

Iran has vowed to respond with "reciprocal and adequate measures".
Pakistan and Indian regularly exchange mortar fire across the Line of Control, the de facto Kashmir border, despite signing a ceasefire in 2003

Pakistan's military on Sunday accused India of hitting a military vehicle and killing four soldiers in cross-border firing in the disputed Kashmir region.

The latest incident between the nuclear-armed neighbours took place in Athmaqam in Pakistan-administered Kashmir's scenic Neelum Valley, where military officials said they responded to the Indian "ceasefire violation".

"The vehicle fell into the Neelum river. Four soldiers drowned. Body of one shaheed (martyr) recovered, search for remaining three in progress," the military said in a short statement.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the firing and "praised the prompt response by Pakistan army in thwarting the attack," a statement by his office said.

There was no immediate reaction from New Delhi.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region.

The hostile neighbours regularly exchange mortar fire across the Line of Control, the de facto Kashmir border, despite signing a ceasefire in 2003.

At least nine people were killed and seven others wounded last November when cross-border fire hit a passenger bus in the village of Nagdar, in same valley in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Tensions reached dangerous levels again last September, with both sides blaming one another for cross-border raids.

There have since been repeated outbreaks of firing across the frontier, with both sides reporting deaths and injuries including of civilians.
Sassou Nguesso, a former paratrooper, most recently won two successive terms in elections in 2002 and 2009 in Congo-Brazzaville, both of which were disputed by opposition parties

Voters went to the polls in legislative elections in the oil-rich Republic of Congo on Sunday, the first since a violence-marred presidential poll last year which returned Denis Sassou Nguesso to power.

The first round of polling to elect National Assembly members as well as local councils went ahead despite the opposition calling foul, accusing the ruling Congolese Labour Party (PCT) of giving its candidates an unfair advantage.

Electoral officials said voting passed off calmly although some polling stations opened more than a hour late because of a delay in receiving voting materials. Polls closed at 6:00 pm (1700 GMT).

However, an incident was reported in the northern town of Kelle where opposition protesters briefly took away the ballot boxes, a local resident who gave his name only as Antoine told AFP by phone.

"The ballot boxes have been returned after a lot of negotiation," he said, adding that one protester was beaten up by police but that his injuries were not life-threatening.

Sassou Nguesso returned to office in March 2016 after a constitutional referendum ended a two-term presidential term limit, amid deadly violence notably in the Pool region neighbouring the capital Brazzaville.

The 73-year-old president's PCT ran 128 candidates for the 151 seats available, while several independents have close ties to the party.

The main parliamentary opposition group, the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS), put forward 43 candidates, compared to 31 run by the UDH-Yuki group of Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, who came second in the presidentials last year.

But an opposition coalition said it would only take part under certain circumstances, including "the end of the crisis in Pool and the release of all political prisoners".

Two leaders of that coalition, Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, were arrested and jailed in June 2016 and in January "for threatening the internal security of the state".

"It's a disgraceful election and we already knew there would be fraud. The system for organising these elections is like the mafia," Clement Mierassa, a leader of the Frocad opposition grouping, told AFP Sunday.

- 'One-way campaign' -

Django Cissoko, head of a 50-strong African Union observer mission, said on Friday that "campaigning has been carried out normally."

But UPADS spokesman Daniel Tsoumou Ngouaka said the ruling party had the upper hand. "It's a one-way campaign because the PCT has controlled all the state media, leaving no space for others," he said.

"The PCT drew on public funds for the campaign of its candidates and its allies. It's unacceptable," added Christophe Moukoueke, spokesman for a collective of opposition parties which called for a boycott of Sunday's polls.

Sassou Nguesso, a former paratrooper, served as president from 1979 to 1992, returning to power in 1997 following a civil war. He won two successive terms in elections in 2002 and 2009, both of which were disputed by opposition parties.

Congo has substantial deposits of oil, timber and diamonds, but oil production remains its most important economic sector, and it is the fourth biggest producer in sub-Saharan Africa

Congo has substantial deposits of oil, timber and diamonds, but oil production remains its most important economic sector, and it is the fourth biggest producer in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dwindling reserves and civil wars that have ravaged the economy has slowed growth. Almost half the population of 4.5 million people still lives in poverty, according to World Bank data.

No date has been given for the official announcement of elections results.

The second round of the legislative polls is scheduled for July 30.
A US journalist kidnapped last week by a militia group in DR Congo was found safe early Sunday, officials said, as another source said five people had been killed in clashes.

Lisa Dupuy and 11 wardens working for the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (RFO) -- a vast conservation park in northeastern DR Congo -- were abducted on Friday by the Mai-Mai Simba militia group.

"The American journalist .. was found safe and sound at around 3 am on Sunday" by government troops, Pacifique Keta, vice governor of Ituri province, told AFP.

"The outcome of the military operation has not yet been established, because the army is still at work," Keta said.

In Washington, a US State Department official said: "We are aware of reports that the US citizen reported kidnapped in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been found safe.

"The US Department of State has no higher priority than the protection of US citizens overseas," the official added, citing privacy concerns in giving no further comment.

A senior official with the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the journalist was safe.

"However, four of our wardens and a civilian who was working as a tracker were killed in clashes," the official said.

"The army also killed bandits, but I don't know how many."

A former Belgian colony, the DR Congo is a vast country rich in minerals and timber but wracked by decades of war and poverty.

The east of the country is especially troubled. It has been gripped by more than 20 years of armed conflict among domestic and foreign groups, fuelled by struggle for control of lucrative resources as well as ethnic and property disputes.

- 'Serious crime' -

The Mai-Mai Simba are self-described "self-defence" militia groups drawn from the Nande, Hunde and Kobo communities as well as rivals from the Nyaturu, who represent ethnic Hutus.

Many of these groups were armed during the DR Congo's second civil war -- a conflict that ran from 1998-2003 -- to fight incursion by Rwandan or Ugandan combatants, and have never been disarmed.

The RFO, a World Heritage site, covers nearly 14,000 square kilometres (5,400 square miles), protecting much of the Ituri forest near the borders with South Sudan and Uganda.

The park is notably home to the okapi, an endangered zebra-like species that is a cousin of the giraffe. Some 5,000 okapis live here, a sixth of the total population of 30,000 estimated to be in the wild.

The reserve has 101 recorded mammal species, 376 types of bird as well as the Ituri and Epulu waterfalls.

Divided into specified two zones, the first covering 2,820 square kilometres is where hunting is entirely banned while in the second covering 9,500 sq km only hunting by traditional methods is allowed.

On June 24, 2012, the Mai-Mai Simba were accused of having killed 15 okapis which had lived on the reserve since 1987, an incident which was considered a "serious crime". The reserve protects 20 percent of the Ituri forest.

It is also home to the Mbutu and Efe pygmies, hunter-gatherers who are "among the last true 'forest people' on Earth," according to the Okapi Conservation Project website.
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - The largest assisted-living facility for Medicaid recipients in Texas is voluntarily shuttering after years of budget deficits and as residential developers clamor for real estate in the nation's seventh fastest-growing city, the owner confirmed Friday.

The Westchester Plaza, a 12-story property at the center of Fort Worth's medical district, has operated as an assisted-living facility for the elderly since 1998. It has a licensed capacity of 275 residents but is down to about 115 residents, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Too few, owner Doug Sweeney told The Associated Press, to pay for its continued upkeep.

The residents - low-income, intellectually or physically disabled adults - learned Monday that they have until August 10 to find a new place to live.

"They were all, 'Surprise!' You're all out of here," 56-year-old stroke victim and resident Ralph Banner said, adding that he plans to move to an assisted-living facility in Dallas.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services has staff on site to "monitor the closure activities," said spokeswoman Kelli Weldon.

"All of the regulatory agencies are completely integrated into the process and are on site as additional safeguards to see to it that folks have a place to live," Sweeney said from the entrance to the building. The Fort Worth facility has the air of an aging luxury apartment building more than a long-term care facility, with manicured front lawn, ornate columns, chandelier and grand piano. Westchester Plaza vehicles advertise it as "affordable luxury assisted living."

WGH Heritage Inc., the nonprofit controlled by Sweeney, operates two other assisted-living facilities in Fort Worth, and has piloted an IT system at all three that he says has dramatically improved the quality of care.

Greg Todd, a resident since 2010, said that he has prized the relative freedom of living at the facility, compared to a nursing home. The 60-year-old New Jersey native has been treated for various mental illnesses since 1985, he said.

Each resident has a one-bedroom apartment, whereas many nursing homes have only double-occupancy rooms.

"I have my own little place and I can come and go," Todd said.

WGH Heritage reported a more than $2 million deficit in its latest tax filing. It also posted multi-million-dollar deficits in 2014 and 2013.

Five years ago, the company defaulted on its loans and restructured $20 million in debt backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

WGH Heritage agreed in 2015 to pay $30,000 in civil penalties to the Texas attorney general's office to settle a lawsuit stemming from complaints that the assisted-living facility did not have a working sprinkler system for eight months in 2012, Tarrant County district clerk records show.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services investigated dozens of complaints in 2012. Now, under the words "Wall of Excellence," Sweeney proudly displays state complaint forms. Many of the forms show that the complaints of license violations were unsubstantiated. Forms with bright yellow stickers indicate where regulators did find violations, and say that additional records can be at the front desk.

Texas regulators last investigated a complaint about the facility in March, concluding it had "failed to follow its internal policies regarding the prevention, detection, and reporting of abuse, neglect, or exploitation," records show.

Three years ago, HCP Inc., a California-based real estate investment trust, announced plans to buy the property, saying it wanted to tear it down and build a $108.6 million development with residential units and offices. The deal fell through.
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - The wife of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has suffered minor injuries in an accident involving the presidential motorcade after the 93-year-old leader's return from a trip for medical treatment.

State broadcaster ZBC reported that Grace Mugabe was taken to a hospital on Saturday to be treated for bruises on her right ankle following a "freak car incident," and was later discharged.

State media have provided no further details on the accident, which happened after the Mugabes left the airport in Harare, the capital.

The couple had left for Singapore on July 7 in what Zimbabwean authorities described as a routine medical checkup for the president. It was Mugabe's third trip to Singapore this year.

Grace Mugabe has assumed an increasingly political role in recent years.
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - Authorities say South Carolina police officers have killed a man who confronted them after shooting a woman to death.

Greenville County Coroner Parks Evans says a man shot a woman as she ran across a busy intersection on Friday afternoon. The coroner says the man shot at deputies, who returned fire, killing him.

The names and relationship of the two people killed were not released. Evans told media outlets autopsies that autopsies had been scheduled for Saturday.

Sheriff Will Lewis said Friday that no officers were injured.

The shooting shut down the intersection, on U.S. Highway 25 about 2 miles (3 kilometers) west of downtown Greenville.

The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A monument honoring African-American civil rights advocate Maggie Walker has been unveiled in Richmond, Virginia.

A ceremony was held Saturday morning on what would have been the Richmond entrepreneur's 153rd birthday. Walker was the first African-American woman to charter a bank in the United States in 1903.

The statue is in downtown Richmond at Broad and Adams streets. That's the gateway to the Jackson Ward neighborhood where many of her accomplishments happened.

Antonio "Toby" Mendez, monument's artist, says the 10-foot bronze sculpture depicts Walker at the peak of her life when she was 45 years old.

Mayor Levar Stoney says the effort to build the monument has been in the works for almost 20 years.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - An Indiana woman didn't want her canceled $30,000 wedding to go to waste, so she threw a dinner party for the homeless.

A bus pulled up to the swanky event center on Saturday that Sarah Cummins had booked for the reception in Carmel, a suburb north of Indianapolis. About a dozen veterans from a local organization were among the guests who dined on bourbon-glazed meatballs, roasted garlic bruschetta and wedding cake.

Cummins told the Indianapolis Star that she and her fiance called off the wedding a week ago. She declined to give a reason, but she said they were left with a nonrefundable contract for the Ritz Charles in Carmel and a plated dinner for 170 guests.

Janice Williamson-Cox, from Dayspring, left, hugs Sarah Cummins as she and others arrive at the Ritz Charles to enjoy a reception, Saturday, July 15, 2017. Cummins called off her wedding which was supposed to be this day. She decided to bring purpose to the couple's pain by inviting area homeless to enjoy the reception. (Kelly Wilkinson/The Indianapolis Star via AP)

"For me, it was an opportunity to let these people know they deserved to be at a place like this just as much as everyone else does," Cummins said.

Cummins said she decided that rather than throw away the food she would bring some purpose to the event and contacted area homeless shelters. She cheerfully greeted and welcomed her guests when they arrived Saturday.

Several local businesses and residents donated suits, dresses and other items for the guests to wear.

Charlie Allen, who's spent three months at a homeless mission, received a donated jacket.

"I didn't have a sport coat," he said, tugging gently at the lapels. "I think I look pretty nice in it."

Like other guests, Allen said he was grateful for the invitation.

"For a lot of us, this is a good time to show us what we can have," he said. "Or to remind us what we had."

Three of Cummins' seven bridesmaids, along with her mother and aunts, came to support her at the event. Guests also dined on chicken breast with artichokes and Chardonnay cream sauce and wedding cake.

Cummins, a 25-year-old Purdue University pharmacy student, said her ex-fiance, Logan Araujo, footed most of the bill for the wedding contract, with Cummins and her parents, along with one of Araujo's family friends, paying the rest. Cummins said that when she approached Araujo about donating the dinner, he agreed to what he believed was a selfless way to handle the situation.

Cummins said she is not sure yet what she will do with the wedding dress.

"It's too painful to think about."

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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com

Katelin Decraene, center, gives Trishell Crawford and her daughter Jacqueline Crawford, from Dayspring, salads at a reception at the Ritz Charles, Saturday, July 15, 2017. Sarah Cummins called off her wedding which was supposed to be this day. Cummins decided to bring purpose to the couple's pain by inviting area homeless to enjoy the reception. (Kelly Wilkinson/The Indianapolis Star via AP)

Sarah Cummins talks with men from Wheeler Mission, at the Ritz Charles, Saturday, July 15, 2017. Cummins called off her wedding which was supposed to be this day. She decided to bring purpose to her pain by inviting area homeless to enjoy the reception. (Kelly Wilkinson/The Indianapolis Star via AP)
JERUSALEM (AP) - Hundreds of Muslim worshippers visited a Jerusalem holy site Sunday after Israel reopened the compound following a rare closure in response to a deadly shooting last week that raised concerns about wider unrest.

For the first time in decades, Israel closed the site - known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount - on Friday after three Arab citizens of Israel opened fire from the sacred site with automatic weapons, killing two police officers. The three were later shot dead inside the compound.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that following consultations with security officials the site would be reopened Sunday afternoon with increased security measures that included metal detectors at the entrance gates and additional security cameras.

Israeli border police officers stand guard as Muslim men pray outside the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, in Jerusalem Sunday, July 16, 2017. Hundreds of Muslim worshippers visited a Jerusalem holy site Sunday after Israel reopened the compound following a rare closure in response to a deadly shooting last week that raised concerns about wider unrest. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

At midday, Israeli police opened two of the gates to the compound to allow worshippers to enter through the newly erected detectors. Police said some worshippers refused to go through them and knelt to pray outside instead. But despite concerns that the new measures could slow movement and spark renewed tensions, police said they appeared to be working fine and that 200 people had already passed through.

Israel did not coordinate the changes with Jordan, which serves as the custodian of the Muslim-administered site, according to a Jordanian government official.

Jordan's stance is that anything installed at the site must be approved by the Waqf, or Muslim administration, and cannot change the status quo, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the still developing situation with reporters.

The Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Adnan Husseini called for the security arrangements to return to how they were before the deadly attack, saying it "shouldn't be an excuse for making changes."

The attack triggered a rare phone conversation between Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who condemned the attack and called for the site to be reopened. Netanyahu sought to allay Muslim fears, saying that the status quo at the Muslim-administered site "will be preserved." But Gaza's Hamas rulers called the act a "religious war" and urged Palestinians to carry out more attacks.

Early Sunday, Israeli police said security forces shot dead a Palestinian assailant behind a pair of recent shooting attacks. Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said police tracked down the 34-year-old suspect in a joint operation with the military. The suspect opened fire with an automatic weapon, prompting the troops to return fire, killing him.

In the past two years, Palestinians have killed 45 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist in stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks. During that period, Israeli forces have killed more than 255 Palestinians, most of them said by Israel to be attackers while others were killed in clashes with Israeli forces.

Israel blames the violence on incitement by Palestinian political and religious leaders compounded on social media sites that glorify violence. Palestinians say the attacks stem from anger over decades of Israeli occupation of territories they claim for their future state.

The Jerusalem shrine has been the scene of repeated confrontations, including during the current wave of violence.

Israel has previously accused Palestinians of stockpiling rocks and other projectiles in one of the mosques in the holy compound. Israeli security forces have fired tear gas and stun grenades at the compound to disperse Palestinian stone throwers, who have at times targeted Jews praying at the adjacent Western Wall.

In September 2000, Israel's then-opposition leader Ariel Sharon made a provocative visit to the site, sparking Palestinian protests that quickly escalated into armed clashes between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli soldiers.

The incident was one of the triggers of an armed Palestinian uprising and an Israeli military crackdown. The violence claimed several thousand victims, most of them Palestinians, and only began to ebb in 2005.

___

Associated press writer Karin Laub in Jericho, West Bank, contributed to this report.
Five Congo park rangers have been found dead and an American journalist has been found in good condition in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve after going missing during a militia attack, a local official said Sunday.

'The American journalist is safe and healthy. She hid in the forest during an attack,' Mambasa territory administrator Alfred Bongwalanga told The Associated Press. 'On the other hand, five park guards have been killed.'

Another senior official identified the missing journalist as Lisa Dupuy, according to Agence France Presse.

Dupuy's LinkedIn page indicates that she is a freelance journalist based in the Amsterdam area.

'I am interested in journalism and international affairs, with a focus on conflict and war, as well as environmental issues and conservation in conflict,' according to Dupuy's LinkedIn page.

Dupuy's rescue was also reported by a RDC Polele, a local French-language news site in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Five park rangers have been found dead and a US journalist has been found in good condition in a wildlife reserve in Congo after going missing during a militia attack, an official said Sunday. A Congolese boy who says he is a member of the militia is seen in the above file photo

Bongwalanga said the army found the American overnight Saturday, and called in her rescue.

He did not have her name, saying other details would follow.

Cosma Wilungula, the head of Congo's park service, confirmed that the journalist and rangers had been rescued from a group of Mai Mai militia fighters involved in mining gold inside the reserve.

The US State Department said it was aware of the reports, but did not identify the journalist who was rescued because of privacy concerns.

'We are aware of reports that the US citizen reported kidnapped in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been found safe,' a State Department official said.

'The US Department of State has no higher priority than the protection of US citizens overseas. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment.'

The identity of the assailants is not known, he said.

At least 10 people had gone missing after attacks near a security station Friday outside the town of Mambasa in Congo's northeast Okapi Wildlife Reserve, but six of them, all Congolese rangers, were later found alive, he said.

Two British journalists and five other park rangers, part of the same team, escaped during the attack, making their way to another Okapi reserve base, Bongwalanga said early Saturday.

Army reinforcements had been searching since Friday night in the reserve for the missing.

A rights group, the Center for Studies of Peace and Defense of Human Rights, blamed the attacks on the Mai Mai SIMBA militia, which is active in the area.

A Congolese civilian was also kidnapped Friday near Mambasa by armed men, the group said.
McConnell delays vote on health care after McCain surgery

WASHINGTON (AP) - Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Saturday he will delay consideration of health care legislation in the Senate, after Sen. John McCain's announced absence following surgery left Republicans short of votes on their marquee legislation.

McConnell's announcement amounted to another setback for GOP efforts, promoted by President Donald Trump, to repeal and replace "Obamacare" after years of promises. McConnell issued his statement not long after McCain's office disclosed that he had undergone surgery to remove a blood clot from above his left eye, and had been advised by his doctors to stay in Arizona next week to recover.

With McConnell's health care legislation already hanging by a thread in the Senate with no votes to spare, McCain's absence meant it would become impossible for the majority leader to round up the votes needed to move forward with the bill next week as planned.

"While John is recovering, the Senate will continue our work on legislative items and nominations, and will defer consideration of the Better Care Act," said McConnell, R-Ky. He did not say when he would aim to return to the health care bill.

Even before Saturday night's developments, the fate of the health care legislation looked deeply uncertain in the Senate. In addition to two announced GOP "no" votes from moderate Susan Collins of Maine and conservative Rand Paul of Kentucky, there were at least a half-dozen other Republican senators who were withholding support from or expressing reservations about the bill McConnell released Thursday.

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From small crimes, cousins allegedly move to killing 4 men

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Two cousins charged in a gruesome crime spree that ended with police unearthing the bodies of four young men buried on a family farm started off committing small crimes.

But authorities don't know why the 20-year-old suspects escalated from offenses like break-ins and jewelry heists to allegedly killing their victims and burying them in two pits so deep beneath the ground that a backhoe and dozens of people were needed to sift through the dirt.

Police found the missing men after a grueling, five-day search in sweltering heat and pelting rain.

For Cosmo DiNardo, whose lawyer said he confessed to all four killings in exchange for being spared the death penalty, brushes with the law began in his early teenage years.

He was about 14 when the Bensalem Police Department first had contact with him. He had more than 30 run-ins with its officers over the next six years, department director Frederick Harran said, although court filings reflect only the minor infractions and traffic stops that came after age 18.

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Astronaut Buzz Aldrin rolls out the red carpet for Mars

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - Forty-eight years after he landed on the moon, Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin on Saturday rolled out a red carpet for the red planet at a star-studded gala at the Kennedy Space Center.

Aldrin, 87, commemorated the upcoming anniversary of the 1969 mission to the moon under a historic Saturn V rocket and raised more than $190,000 for his nonprofit space education foundation, ShareSpace Foundation . Aldrin believes people will be able to land on Mars by 2040, a goal that NASA shares. The space agency is developing the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft to send Americans to deep space.

Apollo astronauts Walt Cunningham, Michael Collins and Harrison "Jack" Schmitt joined Aldrin, one of 12 people to walk on the moon, at the sold-out fundraiser.

"I like to think of myself as an innovative futurist," Aldrin told a crowd of nearly 400 people in the Apollo/Saturn V Center. "The programs we have right now are eating up every piece of the budget and it has to be reduced if we're ever going to get anywhere."

During the gala, the ShareSpace Foundation presented Jeff Bezos with the first Buzz Aldrin Space Innovation Award. Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com and the spaceflight company Blue Origin, is trying to bring the cost of space travel down by reusing rockets.

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Israel to reopen Jerusalem holy site after deadly assault

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel will gradually reopen a Jerusalem holy site Sunday after taking the rare step of shutting it down following a deadly assault there that sparked concerns of a fresh round of violence.

For the first time in decades, Israel closed the site - known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount - on Friday after an attack by three Arab citizens of Israel who opened fire from the sacred site with automatic weapons and killed two police officers before being shot dead inside the compound.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that following consultations with security officials the site would be reopened Sunday afternoon with increased security measures that included metal detectors at the entrance gates and additional security cameras to make sure that no weapons are smuggled inside again.

Israeli forces conducted a security sweep early Sunday and began installing the detectors. Given the large number of worshippers expected to enter the site, the new measures could slow movement and spark tensions.

The attack triggered a rare phone conversation between Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who condemned the attack and called for the site to be reopened. Jordan, a custodian of the sacred compound, also called for its immediate reopening. Netanyahu acted quickly to allay Muslim fears, saying that the status quo at the Muslim-administered site "will be preserved." But Gaza's Hamas rulers called the act a "religious war" and urged Palestinians to carry out more attacks.

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Venezuelan opposition hopes for big turnout in protest vote

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's opposition called for a massive turnout Sunday in a symbolic rejection of President Nicolas Maduro's plan to rewrite the constitution, a proposal that's escalating tensions in a nation stricken by widespread shortages and more than 100 days of anti-government protests.

Maduro has called a July 30 vote to elect members of a special assembly to retool Venezuela's 1999 constitution. The opposition says the vote is structured to pack the constitutional assembly with government supporters and allow Maduro to eliminate the few remaining checks on his power, creating a Cuba-style system dominated by his socialist party.

Maduro and the military dominate most state institutions but the opposition controls the congress and holds three of 23 governorships. The country's chief prosecutor has recently broken with the ruling party.

"This fraudulent constitutional assembly will create a majority that will shut congress, throw democracy out the window, wipe out state governors and fire the chief prosecutor," said former Bolivian President Jorge Quiroga, who flew to Caracas Saturday with a group of former Latin American presidents to support the opposition vote. "Tomorrow, democracy and freedom are in play."

The opposition is boycotting the constitutional assembly. Instead, it has asked Venezuelans to oppose Maduro's plans by showing up at 2,000 sites across the country to fill out ballots featuring three yes-or-no questions. Do they reject the constitutional assembly? Do they want the armed forces to back congress? Do they support the formation of a government comprised of Maduro backers and opponents?

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Turks commemorate 1 year since failed coup with huge march

ISTANBUL (AP) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to "rip the heads off" of terror groups and coup-plotters who tried to end his more than decade-long rule on Saturday, as Turkey marked the anniversary of the country's crushed military coup with a series of rallies and other commemorative events.

Accompanied by his family and the families of the victims of the coup, Erdogan joined a massive, flag-waving crowd near the iconic July 15 Martyrs' Bridge in Istanbul to remember 250 people who died on July 15, 2016 resisting the coup.

He inaugurated a hollow, globe-shaped monument featuring the names of the victims near the foot of the bridge, before flying to Ankara to attend a special session in parliament at the exact moment it was bombed a year ago. He also opened a second memorial opposite the grounds of his palace in Ankara.

"Exactly a year ago today, around this hour, a treacherous attempt took place," Erdogan told tens of thousands of people in Istanbul who converged at the bridge following a "national unity march."

"The July 15 coup attempt is not the first attack against our country, and it won't be the last," he said, referring to a series of terror attacks that also hit the country. "For that reason, we'll first rip the heads off of these traitors."

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Honolulu fire: Victim remembered as talented and caring

HONOLULU (AP) - As smoke filled his 26th-floor apartment in Honolulu, a Hawaiian Airlines manager made one final telephone call to his brother, the brother says, before both the man and his mother were killed in the blaze.

Pearl City Community Church Pastor Phil Reller told The Honolulu Star-Advertiser (http://bit.ly/2tXsf7e) that police confirmed that two of the three victims killed in the blaze Friday are his mother and brother.

Reller told the newspaper he received a call from his brother, Britt Reller, 54, saying he had been taking a shower when he smelled the smoke. He rushed out but was unable to get to their 85-year-old mother, Melba Jeannine Dilley. He had crawled under a bed and wasn't heard from again, his brother told the newspaper.

Britt Reller had worked as an in-flight manager for Hawaiian Airlines for two years. In an emailed statement to The Associated Press on Saturday, Robin Sparling, vice president of in-flight services at the airline, said Reller "was a talented manager and caring co-worker and we will miss him terribly. Our hearts are with Britt's brother, Phil, and his entire family."

The fire broke out in a unit on the 26th floor, where all three of the dead were found, Fire Chief Manuel Neves said.

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Detroit at crossroads 50 years after riots devastated city

DETROIT (AP) - Deborah Chenault Green is 62, a writer. But 50 years ago she was a pre-teen, sleeping on the porch to escape the oppressive heat, awakening to see a sky that glowed unnaturally.

Azerine Jones is a retired baker. But in 1967 she was the 12-year-old daughter of a barber who watched his business go up in smoke.

Gerard Townsend is 66 now, living in a seniors building near the Detroit waterfront. But a half century ago, he was just a kid on a city bus.

The bus stopped near 12th and Clairmount streets. Townsend stepped off - and into the very start of the Detroit riot.

"I saw all these guys with masks and shields," he said - city police officers, most of them white, far outnumbered by a seething black crowd.

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NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week

A roundup of some of the most popular, but completely untrue, headlines of the week. None of these stories are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked these out; here are the real facts:

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NOT REAL: Trump Jr.: "My Russian Meetings Prove I'm A Real American That Knows How To Create Opportunities And Fake Advantages"

THE FACTS: Hoax site politicot.com published a lengthy defense attributed to Donald Trump Jr. of his meeting with a Russian lawyer last summer during the campaign against Hillary Clinton, featuring a screen grab of the president's son speaking on Fox News. Trump never made the remarks, with quotes like "our people value results above all else" and "the end justifies the means," in public statements. In his Fox interview this week, the president's eldest son called the meeting routine opposition research, but added he "probably would have done things a little differently."

___

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Disney Parks name Star Wars lands Galaxy's Edge

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Disney Parks isn't letting Han Solo or Luke Skywalker save the day at their new Star Wars-themed lands.

"When you step in to the world, you're the hero," Chris Beatty, Disney Imagineer and executive director of the new expansions said.

Beatty was just one of many Disney representatives who spoke Saturday on the new Star Wars-themed lands at the Disney fan expo D23 in Anaheim, California.

Bob Chapek, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, led a joyous panel where he unveiled many new projects for both domestic and international parks. New "Ratatouille," ''Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Tron" attractions are headed to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Discussion of the Star Wars land came early in Chapek's presentation, pleasing an eager audience. A video detailed a model on display at the expo's "A Galaxy of Stories." Then, Chapek revealed the name for the expansions.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran has imprisoned a Chinese-American man for 10 years after accusing him of "infiltrating" the country and detained President Hassan Rouhani's brother over allegations of financial misconduct, authorities said Sunday.

News of the detentions comes less than two months after relative moderate Rouhani beat a hard-line opponent to win reelection by running in large part on his record of pursuing greater engagement with the West. They were announced by the judiciary, a pillar of hard-liners' influence.

The Chinese-American dual national was identified as Xiyue Wang, a 37-year-old history researcher, according to Mizan Online, a website affiliated with the judiciary.

In this picture taken on Monday, July 3, 2017, Hossein Fereidoun, brother and top aide of moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani sits in a conference in Tehran, Iran. The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday, July 16, that Hossein Fereidoun has been detained over financial matters. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

He was not previously known to be among the handful of Americans detained in Iran.

"It was verified and determined that he was gathering (information) and was involved in infiltration," Judiciary spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi said during a routine press briefing.

Ejehi did not identify Wang by name. But hours after he spoke, Mizan published an article attributed to an unnamed source that revealed his identity and included several photos of him apparently taken from the internet.

The Mizan article said he was born in Beijing and entered Iran as a researcher. It pointed to graduate studies he did at Princeton University in 2013 and 2014, and described him as a fluent speaker of Persian.

In a statement, Princeton said Wang was arrested in Iran last summer while conducting research on the 1794-1925 Qajar dynasty for his PhD in late 19th and early 20th century Eurasian history.

"We were very distressed by the charges brought against him in connection with his scholarly activities, and by his subsequent conviction and sentence," the statement read.

The university said it's been working with Wang's family, the U.S. government, private counsel and others to secure his release. It said it was hopeful he would be freed upon appeal.

A photo of Wang on Princeton's history department shows him posing under a plaque at the entrance of China's official Xinhua News Agency's bureau in Kabul, Afghanistan.

A short bio on the Princeton in Asia website said Wang had been a fellow in Hong Kong in 2008-2009, had completed a bachelor's degree in South Asian studies at the University of Washington and did Russian and Eurasian studies at Harvard.

"For better or worse, he still can't tell you what exactly he has been studying in the many years that have passed," the site said. "What he does know is that his dream is to walk the ancient Silk Road from Xi'an to Rome one day."

Wang was arrested on Aug. 8, 2016 and is accused of passing confidential information about Iran to the U.S. State Department, Princeton's Sharmin and Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies, the Harvard Kennedy School and the British Institute of Persian Studies, according to Mizan. It alleged he recorded some 4,500 pages of digital documents.

The U.S. State Department was not immediately able to provide details on the case. It said its citizens' safety and security is a top priority.

The U.S. does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Tehran and warns its citizens traveling there that they risk arrest or being barred from leaving Iran.

"The Iranian regime continues to detain U.S. citizens and other foreigners on fabricated national-security related changes," it said in a statement to The Associated Press. "We call for the immediate release of all U.S. citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families."

The arrest of the president's brother, meanwhile, stunned many in Iran.

Ejehi said the brother, Hossein Fereidoun, was taken into custody over allegations of financial impropriety and is eligible for bail, but has not paid it yet.

Fereidoun is a close confidante of the moderate president, a cleric who changed his surname to Rouhani, meaning "spiritual," after joining the seminary decades ago.

Fereidoun was part of the negotiating team that ultimately sealed Iran's landmark nuclear deal with world powers in 2015, winning the country relief from international sanctions in exchange for limits on its atomic energy program.

The deal was unpopular with Iranian hard-liners, whose influence runs deep within the judiciary. They saw the nuclear deal as giving too much away in exchange for too little.

Fereidoun has long been a target of hard-liners, who have accused him of misdeeds including money laundering and misappropriation of government funds.

The unproven allegations were a flashpoint during the May presidential election, with the president's hard-line challengers demanding that the judiciary investigate accusations against Fereidoun.

Wang is one of several Americans in Iranian custody.

Iranian-American art gallery manager Karan Vafadari was detained along with his Iranian wife last year. They have yet to be convicted of a crime.

Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi and his 81-year-old father, Baquer Namazi, are each serving 10-year sentences for "cooperating with the hostile American government."

Another Iranian-American, Robin Shahini, was released on bail last year after staging a weeks-long hunger strike while serving an 18-year prison sentence for "collaboration with a hostile government."

Still missing is former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who vanished in Iran in 2007 while on an unauthorized CIA mission.

Also in an Iranian prison is Nizar Zakka, a U.S. permanent resident from Lebanon who advocates for internet freedom. He lives in Washington D.C. and has done work for the U.S. government. He was sentenced to 10 years behind bars last year after being accused of espionage-related charges.

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Schreck reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Didi Tang in Beijing contributed to this report.
ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's army says four of its soldiers have drowned in a river in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir after their vehicle was hit by Indian gunfire and plunged into the river Neelum.

A military statement Sunday says the military vehicle was hit near Athmuqam by unprovoked Indian fire from across the Line of Control, the effective frontier between the two nuclear armed south Asian neighbors.

It says the body of one of the drowned soldiers has been found and the search is on for the remaining three.

Both sides often trade fire across the line blaming each other for violations of the cease-fire agreement signed in 2003.

Pakistan and India, who have fought two wars over control of the disputed region since their independence from Britain in 1947, claim Kashmir in its entirety.
NEW YORK (AP) - Arminta Jeffryes was arrested while protesting police brutality. Then the police department played an unusual role in her court case.

A New York Police Department lawyer stepped in to prosecute the jaywalking charge against her, in a low-level court that usually has no prosecutors at all. While many similar cases get dismissed without any admission of guilt, Jeffryes' lawyer says the police attorney wouldn't agree to a dismissal unless Jeffryes said her arrest was legitimate, which she contests.

Instead, Jeffryes and another activist are trying to stop police lawyers from serving as prosecutors, a practice that's emerged in the last two years in the nation's biggest city.

Arminta Jeffryes poses for a picture in her home in Newark, N.J., Thursday, June 22, 2017. Jeffryes was arrested while protesting police brutality. Then the police department played an unusual role in her court case. A New York Police Department lawyer stepped in to prosecute the jaywalking charge against her, in a low-level court that usually has no prosecutors at all. Jeffryes' lawyer says the police attorney wouldn't agree to a dismissal unless Jeffryes said her arrest was legitimate, which she contests. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Jeffryes and a woman charged with disorderly conduct at the same 2016 Black Lives Matter protest are scheduled for trial in criminal court this fall. A ruling also is expected soon in their civil suit challenging the police-attorney prosecutors.

To Jeffryes, a Black Lives Matter activist who's organized protests over police shootings, it's chilling to see police lawyers step into prosecutors' shoes.

"Police departments are already killing us. Now they're going to prosecute us, as well," says Jeffryes, 23, who has repeatedly been arrested at demonstrations.

The dispute revolves around the Manhattan summons court that handles minor charges such as trespassing and open-container drinking. Tucked in a city office building, it handles tens of thousands of cases a year, almost always without prosecutors. The Manhattan district attorney's office says it doesn't want to expend resources on the small-time summons cases, though it did take on hundreds of Occupy Wall Street protesters' cases in 2011 in the name of ensuring consistency.

But the NYPD lawyers have prosecuted at least 15 disorderly conduct, unpermitted vending and unspecified summons cases since December 2015, according to department data obtained by defense attorneys and the New York Civil Liberties Union. At least five cases involved arrests at demonstrations, according to defense lawyers, transcripts and news accounts.

Police say their legal effort isn't focused on protesters. But defense lawyers say activists are being singled out by NYPD attorneys who aren't prosecuting cases purely on their merits.

"Their interest is not in doing justice. It's in cutting off false-arrest lawsuits," says Jeffryes' attorney, Martin Stolar. "There is an inherent conflict of interest."

Indeed, the NYPD says that it's sick of getting sued by people who got cases dismissed, and that dismissals happen too easily when there's no prosecutor.

It says it chooses offenders with a history of similar, unpunished misdeeds, though court transcripts show at least two people the department lawyers prosecuted in 2015 had never been arrested before. The department and DA's office later set out written guidelines, including a defendant's recidivism, for the police to choose cases to prosecute as the DA's delegate.

"We do it because there have to be consequences for recidivists that intentionally engage in conduct that receives (the) summonses," said NYPD legal bureau head Lawrence Byrne. He says the police-lawyer prosecutions are both legal and ethical.

A criminal court judge OK'd them last fall, saying they posed "no impermissible conflict of interest."

Elsewhere in the U.S., there's a long history of police officers, if not necessarily police department lawyers, acting as prosecutors in low-level cases.

In South Carolina, for instance, officers prosecuted 89 percent of over 600 cases observed last year in a National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers study of the state's lowest criminal courts.

The custom has engendered some debate. The South Carolina study recommended putting an end to police as prosecutors, saying it's inappropriate for an officer to be both prosecutor and key prosecution witness.

New York's state police told troopers in 2006 to stop plea-bargaining tickets they issued, saying there was "an inherent outward appearance of unfairness" when drivers had to negotiate with their arresting officers. Despite complaints that some towns had to hire lawyers to handle the cases, Republican and Democratic governors vetoed proposals to restore trooper plea-bargaining.

Critics say it's just as unfair for NYPD lawyers to prosecute. "It's simply wrong," particularly for people who might have a false-arrest claim, says NYCLU legal director Christopher Dunn.

The NYPD attorneys have demanded admissions in exchange for agreeing to dismiss the case eventually if a person meets certain conditions, including avoiding rearrest. Frequently used in summons court, the "adjournment in contemplation of dismissal" isn't a guilty plea or conviction, and the state law that allows the arrangement doesn't require defendants to admit anything. But court transcripts show the police lawyers have held out for defendants to say they broke the law.

Defense lawyers say the NYPD is improperly using prosecutions to try to thwart wrongful-arrest suits. The NYPD has responded that people should have to admit wrongdoing to get what it sees as leniency.

Jeffryes hopes her case puts an end to the police department prosecutions.

"It's not only for me," says protest organizer and former bank worker, who's now focusing on raising her 1-month-old son. "It's for everybody."
Brexit Secretary David Davis has denied claims the Government is using EU withdrawal to mask a power grab.

The comments came after the Opposition promised to create hell for ministers trying to get the Brexit Repeal Bill through Parliament.

Plans to allow the Government to use so-called Henry VIII powers, allowing ministers to alter legislation without full parliamentary scrutiny, drew sharp criticism.

The Repeal Bill provides confidence that there will be no unexpected changes on the day we leave the EU https://t.co/gq2pskjHdY pic.twitter.com/3lhKk5jpVE  Department for Exiting the EU (@DExEUgov) July 13, 2017

But Mr Davis defended the move, telling the BBC: The bit that is being described as a power grab, the so-called secondary legislation, where things are changed just to make them work, it isnt at the stroke of a pen, its through secondary legislation, and there are mechanisms whereby the House of Commons, and, indeed, the House of Lords, will have debates on this matter and can vote it down.

No, it is not just a ministerial signature, it is what they call a statutory instrument which is, can be debated, can be voted on.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Labour would oppose the Bill because it was undemocratic.

John McDonnell branded the Bill 'anti-democratic' (Victoria Jones/PA)

He told BBC Newsnight: It is the big issue. We have taken control from Europe, given it to the Government and then there is no parliamentary discussion or control over that, and that cant be right.

What we are saying is we need a different type of Bill. I am hoping the Government will let us amend a lot of this Bill and on that basis we may be able to support it. But we cant at the moment because it is so anti-democratic.

With 800 to 1,000 pieces of secondary legislation likely to be brought forward under the powers, and a two-year window in which to exercise them, there are likely to be strong further objections from MPs and peers.

The Repeal Bill means Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will not lose any of their current decision-making powers when we leave the EU pic.twitter.com/lbRL5GBTTO  Department for Exiting the EU (@DExEUgov) July 13, 2017

Mr Davis also dismissed talk of a Cabinet clash over how to handle withdrawal from the EU.

Asked if there was disagreement among senior ministers after Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said there was no plan for no deal, Mr Davis said he was working on arrangements for all outcomes of Brexit negotiations.

He said: No, this isnt a clash. I wasnt there when the Foreign Secretary said what he said.

Pressed on why Mr Johnson seemed unaware of the plans, the Brexit Secretary said: Youll have to ask him.

The remarks came as Labour looked set to vote against the crucial repeal legislation unless it is amended, because it states the European Charter of Fundamental Rights will not be put into UK law after the countrys withdrawal from the EU.

The First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, Nicola Sturgeon and Carwyn Jones, said they would not grant the required legislative consent to the Bill as it stands, describing it as a naked power grab because it does not immediately return EU powers to devolved administrations.

And the Liberal Democrats warned the Government faces hell over the Bill, and a political nightmare that could cost Theresa May her job as Prime Minister.
Roma have agreed a deal to sign defender Federico Fazio from Tottenham.

The 30-year-old Argentina international spent last season on loan at the Serie A outfit, making 48 appearances, and the Giallorossi have now made the move permanent.

Fazio joined Spurs from Sevilla in 2014 but found first-team action hard to come by at White Hart Lane and spent much of the last 18 months out on loan.

Tottenham's Federico Fazio agrees permanent switch to Roma

We have reached an agreement with @OfficialASRoma for the permanent transfer of @Fede2Fazio. We wish Federico all the best for the future. pic.twitter.com/0VumzgkFf5  Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 15, 2017

Tottenham said in a statement: We have reached agreement with AS Roma for the permanent transfer of Federico Fazio.

Federico joined us in August 2014 from Sevilla and went on to make 32 appearances in a Spurs shirt before returning to spend half of the 2015-16 season on loan with the Spanish side.

We wish Federico all the best for the future.
Shanshan Feng made her first birdie of the day on the 18th hole and with it retained the lead after three rounds of the US Womens Open in New Jersey.

Feng, who held a two-shot halfway lead, parred the first 17 holes at Trump National in Bedminster.

The 27-year-old from China then picked up a shot at the par-five closing hole to post a one under par 71 and reach nine under for the week.

Shanshan Feng lines up her tee shot on the 18th hole

"I mean that birdie made my day today. - Shanshan Feng made 17 pars and 1 birdie - on the last hole - to take a 1 shot lead #USWomensOpen pic.twitter.com/ChJ6IlqkuD  LPGA (@LPGA) July 15, 2017

She had earlier been caught by Korean pair Amy Yang (70) and Hye Jin Choi (70)  with the latter in contention to become the first amateur to land a major for 50 years.

The 17-year-old Choi bogeyed the first but fought back with gains at the eighth, 11th and 16th. Yangs start was even worse  after birdieing the first she bogeyed the second and ran up a six on the par-four third  but then produced four further unanswered birdies.

Another Korean, Sung Hyun Park, shot a five-under 67 to move into fourth on six under for the week, but Englands Charley Hull dropped to 18th and is eight shots off the pace following a one-over 73.

Feng pulls a Sorenstam on Moving Day at the #USWomensOpen



LPGA contributor @RonSirak with more ==> https://t.co/59RvC2X01T pic.twitter.com/DHpTWr408f  LPGA (@LPGA) July 15, 2017

I guess finally on the 18th I hit it close enough (to make a birdie) and give the fans some excitement, Feng told the LPGA website.

Coming to this week, I didnt have any expectation at all. I just wanted to bring out my A game.

I think I did really well for the first three days, and then Im going to stick to my game plan tomorrow. I just focus on my own game and lets see what happens.
Israeli security forces have shot dead a Palestinian assailant behind a pair of recent shooting attacks.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that in a joint operation with the military early on Sunday forces tracked down the suspect.

He said the 34-year-old Palestinian opened fire at the forces with an automatic weapon. The troops returned fire, shooting him dead.

Israeli border police stand guard outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City

On Friday, three Arab citizens of Israel opened fire at a Jerusalem holy site, killing two police officers before being shot dead.

In a first in decades, the site was closed. Israel says it will be gradually reopened.

Since September 2015, Palestinian attackers have killed 45 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist. Israeli forces have killed more than 255 Palestinians, most of them identified as attackers.
Tony Blair has said he feels sorry for Theresa May as she is surrounded by people waiting to throw her off the ledge.

The former prime minister said he believed Mrs May has the best interests of the country at heart, although reiterated he strongly disagrees with her about how to approach Brexit.

Mr Blair, asked if he feels any sympathy for Mrs May, told Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Sky News: Yeah, I do, of course, because I know what its like to do the job.

Mr Blair said he believed Mrs May has the "best interests of the country at heart"

I think its a very unsatisfactory situation where youve got the Prime Minister surrounded by people who are just waiting for the moment they decide to throw her off the ledge. I think theres something a little unseemly about all of it really.

And I do feel sorry for her because she is somebody who has got the best interests of the country at heart, its just that I profoundly disagree with her about Brexit.

I understand why she thinks Look, the people have spoken, my job is to deliver that verdict. But I would just like to see more leadership and less followership.

Tony Blair said he would "like to see more leadership and less followership"

Asked if he could empathise with the sharks circling around the PM, Mr Blair replied: When youve done the job, its a small club of people, you realise its very tough. Its a great privilege to do it, of course, but youre taking decisions all the time, every day, and youre under enormous pressure and, yeah, the sharks are always circling.

Mr Blair also said it is possible now that Brexit doesnt happen, adding it is absolutely necessary that it doesnt happen due to the economic and political damage it is doing to the UK.

He said Labour is providing the opposition up to a point but he would like to see the party go further over Brexit. Mr Blair paid tribute to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyns temperament during the election campaign and how he mobilised younger voters.
French President Emmanuel Macron said his glamorous Paris charm offensive on Donald Trump might have changed the US presidents mind about climate change.

Mr Macron said Trump listened to me on their main point of contention  Mr Trumps withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement  and said he would try to find a solution in the coming months.

Mr Macron defended his reaching out to Mr Trump, telling the Journal Du Dimanche newspaper: Our countries are friends, so we should be too.

Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump attending a Bastille Day parade in Paris

After a tense, white-knuckle handshake at their first meeting in May, Mr Macron said they gained better, intimate knowledge of each other during Mr Trumps visit last week.

The French leader acknowledged Mr Trumps visit was carefully choreographed to give Americans a stronger image of France after deadly Islamic extremist attacks damaged tourism.
Clinton Njie has joined Marseille on a permanent deal from Tottenham.

The Cameroon forward was on loan with the Ligue 1 club last season, having failed to secure a regular role at White Hart Lane.

We have reached agreement with @OM_Officiel for the permanent transfer of Clinton Njie. We wish Clinton all the best for the future. pic.twitter.com/2totValKNe  Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 16, 2017

The 23-year-old did not start a single Premier League game for Spurs, making eight substitute appearances after arriving from Lyon in a deal reportedly worth more than 8million.

Clinton Njie has left Tottenham

After returning to France he scored four times in 22 outings for OM.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for new Israeli-Palestinian peace talks to create two independent states.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris, Mr Macron said that everything should be done so that negotiations restart with the aim of reaching a two-state solution, as the international community has long sought.

He also condemned an attack last week that killed two Israeli police officers at a Jerusalem shrine revered by Jews and Muslims.

The Israeli and French delegations sit down for talks. (AP)

His office said he is concerned about Israels security but also about growing Jewish settlement building, and worried that Mr Netanyahu is backing away from a commitment to a two-state solution.

The two leaders also discussed fighting extremism in Syria and elsewhere, and improving economic cooperation.
Schools are being forced to ask parents for money due to unacceptable cuts, according to a mother at a rally about funding.

Hundreds of parents, children and teachers have staged a protest in central London against cuts to school funding as part of a campaign called Fair Funding For All Schools.

Jo Yurky, co-founder of the campaign, said she is aware of schools that have asked parents if they would be willing to make monthly payments of 20 to 50 or a one-off payment of 250.

(Jonathan Brady/PA)

The mother of two girls, who lives in Muswell Hill, North London, said: Ive discovered that schools near me were asking parents for money on a direct debit basis.

She said the money was going into a fund to keep the school afloat, adding: Money was so tight that they couldnt balance their books unless they asked parents to give a regular donation on a monthly basis.

Ms Yurky said it is voluntary but particular amounts are being suggested.

She said she was aware of another school which wrote to parents and suggested a minimum amount could be 250 as a one-off payment.

She said parents are not angry at the schools, explaining: Our issue is not with the schools for doing that. Our issue is why is there a problem? This is not a sustainable way to fund our schools. There is clearly a financial problem in our schools.

And this is not a long-term solution to that.

Picnic in Parliament Square ... pic.twitter.com/WDkgakPshj  FairFundAllSchools (@fairfundschools) July 16, 2017

Ms Yurky was shocked into action on hearing that the local secondary school was increasing class sizes because of funding constraints when she was at the open day.

She told how the head teacher there said class sizes would be going up because moneys tight.

Ms Yurky earlier said: Parents are deeply unhappy about the Governments failure to adequately address the funding crisis facing our schools.

Whilst the Government is busy saying nothing, damaging cuts are being made to our childrens education. This is unacceptable.

We will continue to apply pressure to force the Government to provide an urgent remedy.

We want increased investment in our schools so that our young people have the skills and knowledge they need and so that our future economy can reach its full potential.
Sevilla have announced the signing of Nolito from Manchester City.

The Spain forward has agreed a three-year deal and returns to LaLiga after one disappointing season at the Etihad Stadium.

Sevilla are reported to have paid 7.9million for the 30-year-old, who joined Pep Guardiolas City for 13.8million from Celta Vigo last summer.

Nolito struggled at Manchester City

Nolito, often playing in a wide midfield role, scored five goals in his first nine appearances for City but fell down the pecking order as Leroy Sane shone in the second half of the campaign.

He underwent a medical with Sevilla on Sunday and is now expected to join up with the squad on their pre-season trip to Japan.
By Stella Qiu and Adam Jourdan

BEIJING/SHANGHAI, July 16 (Reuters) - China's central bank will take on a bigger role in macro-prudential management and in averting systemic risk in the financial system, President Xi Jinping said at a once-in-five-years government work conference that ended on Saturday.

Financial security is a vital part of national security, Xi said at the fifth National Financial Work Conference, adding that China will strengthen the Communist Party's leadership in the financial sector.

A Financial Stability and Development Committee will also be set up under the State Council, or cabinet, state media cited Xi as saying.

No details were given on the committee and on how the role of the People's Bank of China (PBOC) will be strengthened.

Regulators oversee different parts of China's complex financial sector, and no singular regulator has a complete picture of capital movements in the system.

That complicates the job of authorities to catch market manipulators who secretly divert funds to risky financial products as they chase higher returns.

Authorities also worry about "giant crocodiles", a term regulators have started using to describe law-breaking tycoons who circumvent regulations to grab control of other companies.

Earlier this year, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) banned the chairman of Foresea Life from the insurance business for 10 years, citing violations of rules in the firm's use of insurance funds.

CIRC separately also restricted Evergrande Life's stock trading activities for one year, after accusing the insurance firm of engaging in irregular investment activities.

Xi also said China will push forward with deleveraging in its economy, and that lowering debt ratios among state-owned enterprises is the most pressing issue.

Beijing will also strictly control new local government debt and strengthen oversight of internet financing, he said.

BLOOD AND PULSE

Finance is the "blood and pulse" of the economy, and it is the sector's "divine vocation" to serve the real economy, the official Xinhua News Agency quoted Xi as saying.

Xi called for greater accountability for financial regulators at the meeting, saying it would be "negligence of duty" if regulators fail to identify risks in time, and it would be "malfeasance" if they fail to report and contain the identified risks.

The main financial regulators include the China Banking Regulatory Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and CIRC.

In 2015, a poorly coordinated response to a stock market crash in China spurred scrutiny on the government's response. Premier Li Keqiang openly criticised financial regulators as not responding sufficiently.

Xi said on Saturday that regulators must share industry data within their jurisdictions and coordinate their financial regulations.

The financial work conference comes ahead of a once-in-five-year congress of the Communist Party in the autumn, where Xi is expected to further consolidate his hold on power.

"Traditionally the (financial) conference is presided by the premier, but this time, not only was the big boss (Xi) there, people from the anti-corruption watchdog and the parliament advisory body were there too," said a person who follows Chinese regulatory developments.

At the conference, Premier Li said China will maintain prudent monetary policy and an appropriate credit growth rate while keeping liquidity basically stable.

"China's plans to ameliorate systemic risk, while laudable, are also significantly driven by the desire for an unblemished 19th Party Congress," said Brock Silvers, managing director of Kaiyuan Capital, a Shanghai-based investment advisory firm.

"Regulators have yet to announce detailed steps, and probably won't do so prior to the Congress," he said. "In the interim I don't expect major changes, such as the creation of a unified super-regulator." (Reporting by Stella Qiu in BEIJING and Adam Jourdan in SHANGHAI; Additional reporting by Benjamin Lim in BEIJING and Engen Tham in SHANGHAI; Editing by Ryan Woo and Richard Borsuk)
BRUSSELS, July 16 (Reuters) - NATO's Secretary General spoke to the Turkish and German foreign ministers last week to urge them to resolve their differences over visits to Turkish air bases, part of a wider row between the two allies.

Germany has refused to extradite asylum seekers Turkey says were involved in last year's coup attempt, Berlin is demanding the release of a Turkish-German journalist and Ankara has refused to let German lawmakers visit soldiers at two air bases.

German soldiers contribute to a NATO air surveillance mission at Konya, 250 km (155 miles) south of the Turkish capital Ankara, and its troops stationed at another air base, in Incirlik, have already been moved to Jordan.

NATO said Jens Stoltenberg had called Sigmar Gabriel and Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday to ask them to settle the disputes.

"We hope that Germany and Turkey are able to find a mutually acceptable date for a visit," a NATO spokesman said.

Germany's armed forces are under parliamentary control and Berlin says the lawmakers must have access to its soldiers. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek in Brussels Additional reporting by Thorsten Severin and Thomas Seythal in Berlin; Editing by Louise Ireland)
CAIRO, July 16 (Reuters) - Egypt's Manpower Ministry ordered the closure of leading market research firm Ipsos's Cairo office, citing workplace health and safety violations, a ministry decree dated June 20 showed.

The decree was made public by local media late on Saturday. The spokesman confirmed its authenticity to Reuters. He said Cairo local authorities had not yet carried out the order.

Ipsos, a global market research firm headquartered in France, conducts audience research for Egyptian television networks. Ipsos officials in France and Egypt were not immediately available for comment. (Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein; Additional reporting by Mathieu Rosemain in Paris; Editing by Eric Knecht)
ANKARA, July 16 (Reuters) - Turkish authorities detained the editor of a regional newspaper over a column she wrote criticising the government for exaggerating the importance of last year's coup attempt, the newspaper said.

Yeliz Koray, editor of the Kocaeli Koz newspaper in the northwestern province of Izmit, was detained at her home late on Saturday, the newspaper said.

"Certain groups were bothered by the piece and made Koray a target. They wanted to lynch Koray for her writing, which is part of the right of freedom of expression," the newspaper said on its website on Sunday.

In a column entitled "I'll Eat Your Epic", Koray criticised the government for what she said was an overemphasis on the events of July 15 last year, saying it paled in significance next to World War I and major battles in Turkish history.

She said the government had not done enough to expose what happened on the night, when rogue soldiers commandeered tanks and planes in an attempt to topple Erdogan. Some 250 people were killed, many of them unarmed civilians.

No one was immediately available for comment at the paper or at the local prosecutor's office.

Hundreds of thousands of Turks rallied to mark the anniversary of last year's failed coup in an outpouring of mass support for President Tayyip Erdogan that lay bare the divisions of a society riven by widespread purges.

In the aftermath of the putsch, some 150,000 people have been sacked or suspended from jobs in the civil service and private sector and more than 50,000 were detained for alleged links to the putsch, including local members of rights groups such as Amnesty International.

The purge, which has led to the detention of many journalists and caused the closure of some 130 media outlets, has alarmed Turkey's Western allies and rights groups, who say Erdogan is using the coup as a pretext to muzzle dissent.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists calls Turkey the world's biggest jailer of journalists, with some 160 detained.

The government says the measures are necessary due to the gravity of the threats it faces. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by David Dolan and Richard Balmforth)
By Abu Arqam Naqash

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan, July 16 (Reuters) - Four Pakistani soldiers were killed on Sunday when their army vehicle was struck by Indian shelling from across the Line of Control (LoC) that separates parts of Kashmir held by both countries, the Pakistani military said.

India's ministry of defence Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Kalia said he had no knowledge of the incident.

India and Pakistan have been in confrontation for decades across the LoC. The old ceasefire line runs through a region that both countries claim in full but rule in part.

Growing exchanges of fire in past months have frayed a 2003 truce.

"Indian troops targeted an army vehicle moving along LoC ... The vehicle fell into the river and four soldiers have drowned," Pakistan's military said in a statement.

One body has been recovered from the Neelum River and a search is underway for the remaining three, the military said.

In November a civilian bus was hit by Indian firing in the same region, killing 12 people.

Pakistan's military said it had responded to the ceasefire violation by firing at Indian soldiers.

In May India accused Pakistani forces of killing two soldiers patrolling the LoC and mutilating their bodies.

Pakistan's military denied the allegations and said it had not committed ceasefire violations.

Both sides have previously accused each of violating the ceasefire and of beheading soldiers in the past.

India accuses Pakistan of backing Islamist militants and encouraging them to attack Indian forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir and, occasionally, in other parts of India.

Pakistan denies that and says India must hold negotiations on the future of Kashmir. (Additional reporting by Fayaz Bukhari; Writing by Saad Sayeed; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
Few are aware that thousands of new-born calves are slaughtered every day within hours of their birth in dairy farms in Australia, through NZ, Europe, America England and other large scale milk producing countries

Today, in Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist country, many people avoid eating meat, especially beef. In the distant past, aversion to any food produced after taking an animal life was more marked than now and meat stalls of any type were seldom seen in operation during that time. Among some Buddhists this hands-off extended even to a taboo in eating eggs because they contained chicks in the process of development. This trend resulted in the term Buddhist eggs that referred to eggs produced in farms that raised only hens or layers to produce eggs. (No cockerels are found in layers cages.) Consequently there was no possibility of eggs getting fertilized- so Buddhist eggs.

To eat or not to eat beef (and other meats) has been a subject of argument among Buddhists. One group was of the opinion that it was permissible because beef or meat came from a dead animala carcass while another group pointed out that animals were being killed because there was a demand for their flesh.



Beef boycott and saving cattle from slaughter

In comparison to the consumption of chicken and other meats, the boycotting of beef among Buddhists is much more widespread especially in village areas where rural folk rear cows for milk and bulls to draw carts and for paddy field work. The love and care they extend to the one or two cows that provide milk for their children come from their hearts. When such animals get old and dry up, no-one thinks of selling them to a butcher. How can we do such a thing to an animal that provided us so much? Let them be around and when they die we will bury them is the usual response when questions are asked about their plans for ageing cows and also bulls. Calves are similarly loved and cared for. Admittedly there are some who think that the maintenance of a non-productive cow or calf is too costly. Such people take more drastic steps in getting rid of such uneconomical and troublesome burdens.



Stigmas in imported milk

The availability of fresh milk to consumers in this country is nowhere near the demand; hence, the need to import powdered milk in huge quantities into the country. And such milk as everyone knows is pricey and it seems importers do not think twice in demanding price hikes. In such a well-orchestrated monopoly, government finds its hands tied because the country depends on imported milk to meet their needs. However, questions have been raised about the quality of imported powdered milk. Concerns of substances tainting such milk powders have made the news in the past. But such negative impacts soon died down for various reasons. And, people still wanted milk.

A practice that has gained ground among Buddhists is the release of cattle destined to be slaughtered in an abattoir. Singly or in groups, people buy such animals destined to die and hand them over to families that are willing to care for them.



Do they or dont they know?

Fairly recently, one of the companies importing powdered milk (from Australia or New Zealand or both as far as the writer knows) and selling them here in value added packs under their own brand name was seen advertising them in conjunction with their programme in saving cattle from butchers. It cannot be denied that it has made praiseworthy progress in saving cattle from slaughter.

Now here comes the crunch. Is this company and others importing powdered milk aware of what takes place routinely in dairy farming in Australia and New Zealand that export huge quantities of milk to Sri Lanka. (This does not mean that milk producing countries like the UK, Europe, Canada, and the United States among others are not open to such criticism. They are as vulnerable to the same charges.)

"Where is the Buddhist voice in this Buddhist country? Why are animal rights activists in Sri Lanka so silent on the issue? In what manner is the government hoping to handle this two-facedness in this issue?"



The gross manner in which dairy farms are managed in Australia and New Zealand as commercially operated units has drawn severe criticism from people in those countries as well as international groups. It is well known that cows come into milk in their cycles of calving optimized at around 6. Over that ideal, it is not considered economical to maintain cows because their milk yields drop. Consequently to maintain levels of profit as determined by farm owners, cows are artificially impregnated practically annually according to time tables of coming into heat. Such drastic practice tells on the animals health and when their productive period is over they are culled; a polite way of saying they are killed for beef. Old cows just eat into profits while offering low returns. Because the poor quality of their meat does not satisfy sophisticated tastes, the stringy meat is generally channelled to fast-food chains that specialize in grinding low-priced, low-quality meats to produce hamburgers sausages and pies.

"Farmers separate calves from their mothers as soon as they are born and are allowed to die through thirst and starvation. Some are dragged away and shot dead"

Perhaps they are aware of the systems of bovicide (culling cattle) but choose to remain tight-lipped. That is not surprising when they too are partners in the milk business and do not wish to perish owing to moral considerations. Profit is the ulterior motive in any business and judging by the quantum of milk being imported the money in the business of importing milk must be enormously satisfying.

But, if Sri Lankan milk importers are aware of the manner in which dairy farms are run in Australia and NZ and their cost control tactics, they are hypocrites. While great publicity is being given to saving cattle from slaughter powdered milk produced in dairy farms that are also slaughter houses operating perhaps on a much bigger scale than of all abattoirs in Sri Lanka put together. [It transpires that 2 million newly-born calves are killed every year in NZ alone.]. And it is reasonable to assume other milk producing countries follow the same methods in cost cutting. Many of these milk producers treat milking cows and their calves like inanimate components of a cold-blooded production line that are discarded once their usefulness comes to an end in making money. In dairy farming too costs, sales and margins of profit take priority over any other consideration.



New-born calves have no chance

The real tragedy in commercialized milk production is the gruesome and inhumane manner in which newly-born calves economic inconveniences in farm managementare dealt with. The gender does not matter. Farmers separate calves from their mothers as soon as they are born. Still struggling to find their feet, calves are carted away and allowed to die through thirst and starvation. They are not given a chance to suckle the colostrum that gives a boost to their development or milk, bond with their mothers and experience their warmth. There are many reports made by people who have seen the heart-rending sight of bellowing cows running after trucks taking their babies away to be heaped in boxes and left on road sides until they die. About 36 hours later trucks collect the dead calves for disposal. In some cases newly-born calves are dragged away and shot dead. That means in addition to the tender veal young bulls provide, some calves also end up as veal steaks at restaurants.

When a new born calf is taken away from its mother the trauma must be devastating. Just imagine a baby being separated from its mother soon after delivery.





Government intervention is eyewash

It is understood that the governments of these countries have promulgated laws that stipulate that calves should be kept alive for a certain period of time a few daysbefore they are put away. That is the extent of governmental consideration to new-born calves. They have forgotten that they as shareholders of their countries milk industry bear a major responsibility to initiate a more merciful solution to this situation.

It must be mentioned that animal sanctuaries for unwanted cattle and calves have been established in some countries by private concerns. But being costly to manage them, their success and potential for expansion is understandably limited.

So what is the answer? No-one can expect Australia and New Zealand to stop producing milk-- powdered milk and exporting it. It is most unlikely their governments would place stringent regulations on the treatment of newly-born calves and ageing cows that are uneconomical to maintain either. The dairy industry is a very important cog in their economic wheel.

In Sri Lanka many see that the only answer is to produce our own milkenough to meet demand. During the past few decades governments made several attempts to promote milk production in Sri Lanka but failed. And the need to import powdered milk in such vast quantities confirms those failures that carried a multitude of loopholes in both government policy making in boosting local milk production and weaknesses in administration.

"But, where is the Buddhist voice in this Buddhist country? Why are animal rights activists in Sri Lanka so silent on the issue? Importantly, in what manner is the government hoping to handle this two-facedness in this issue?"





Is silence the answer?

The need for government to push the correct buttons to make the country self-sufficient in milk remains stronger than ever. But, many wonder whether it would ever happen.

The majority of Sri Lankans are blissfully unaware of the harsh practices involved in countries from where the milk they drink is imported. People who save cattle from slaughter are also ignorant about the camouflage behind milk production. Nevertheless, it is reasonable to assume that Sri Lankan milk-importing companies in Sri Lanka are aware of the dark secrets behind giant milk producers from whom they import milk and milk products. But no-one hears even a murmur of dissent from these companies against the unethical and cruel practices of their suppliers. It is not surprising; the milk-importing business is big money. Consequently it is not surprising that even institutions as savers of cattle from butchers throw moral principles and animal rights to the wind and import milk form abattoirs that function side by side in dairy farms abroad. The facts are stubborn and horrifyingly ugly; and could stand any challenge.

But, where is the Buddhist voice in this Buddhist country? Why are animal rights activists in Sri Lanka so silent on the issue? Importantly, in what manner is the government hoping to handle this two-facedness in this issue?

Is the deafening silence the only answer to the whole sordid business?
Dr. Tilokasundari Kariyawasam, the iconic Lady who skilfully decorated the field of education introducing modern scientific mechanisms in Sri Lanka, is sick no more.

During the past half century, she was the towering personality who remained as a huge banyan shelter radiating knowledge and wisdom to the up-coming generations. Her psychological implementations were not limited to class room in schools, but diversified the scope of education for the benefit of infants, pupils, youth, adult and even those of the ruling class.

She was born at Balummahara village in Siyanekorale, in 1927. Both, her parents were school principals. Her father was a descendent of Keragala Wanasinghe clan, while the mother belonged to the Mapa generation. Thus she not only inherited family prestige but also substantial fortune from cultivations and properties to lead a comfortable life.

At first Tilokasundari was an old girl of Vishaka College Colombo, during the tenure of Clair a Motwani, as the Principal. During World War 11, she was admitted to Dharmapala College Pannipitiya and finally to Ananda College, when Mr. L.H. Mettananda was its Principal. Among her school mates while at Ananda, had been Sagara Palansuriya and W.S. Karunaratna (Later Prof. W.S.). Obtaining direct passes, she and W.S. together had entered the University of Ceylon at the time.

Dr. Tilokasundari often reminiscence the serenity of rural life. She had even travelled daily to the campus, from their Rockhill Estate at Alawwa, which was located on top of a hill, 2000 feet high. Her days at campus during Sir Ivor Jennings, had been a glorious period. Most of her batch mates had later reached distinguished positions in the country. Among them were Felix Dias Bandaranaike, Irangani Serasinghe, Kamani Meedeniya, Irangani Gopallawa. Others included D.B.I.P.S. Siriwardene, Gunapala Senadhera, K.M.P. Rajaratne, Dharmapala Wethasinghe, Stanley Tilakaratne, Rupa Wethasinghe and Ilean Wickramasinghe (Mrs. Siriwardane) and Phylisia Makalanda.

Whilst at the University Tilokasundari, for the first and last time had acted the main character in a drama titled Sunethra. The drama was produced by another batch mate named Piyadasa Kariyawasam. The event became a turning point in her life, as two of the couples who took part in it, later got married. Tilokasundari married Piyadasa, who also became a Director of Education while Ilean got married to D.B.I.P.S. later becoming the Principal of Vishaka College.

In 1952, she started her educational career by joining the Tutorial Staff of Vishaka College, as a young graduate teacher. At the time Susan Pullimud, was its Principal. In 1958, Tilokasundari, became the Principal of Sangamitta College Galle and in the following year she was promoted to the rank of a grade one Principal.

"Her books covered almost all the aspects education and deep philosophy in Buddhist doctrine blended with her skills and vast experiences"





During 1966 to 1968 she was awarded a British Council Scholarship to obtain her Phd, at the University of London. After she returned to Sangamitta, she was transferred as the Principal of Ananda Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Colombo. Meanwhile, she was elevated to the rank of Special Grade Principal which was also equivalent to the post of a Director of Education (D/E).

Since February 1972, she functioned as the Regional Director of Education, for both Tangalla and Matara.

In 1973, between July and October she served at the Ministry as the All Island D/E. Beginning in October 1973 to January 1976, she functioned as the D/E for Teachers Training Colleges.

From January 1976 to April 1977 she became D/E for planning.

In October 1977, she received a one year scholarship to the University of London, where she underwent a course of studies in Educational Planning, Administration and Management.

Thereafter being a grade one D/E, she held the post of Commissioner of the Educational Publications, for a period of three years.

In June 1983, she assumed duties as the Deputy Director General of Education at the Ministry.

Finally in 1989, she simultaneously served as the Ministrys State Secretary and Director General of the National Institute of Education. However, due to pressure of work she relinquished her duties shortly, as the State Secretary.

Dr. Tilokasundari, had also served as a Director in State Printing Corporation and Library Service Board. Besides as a member of the Vocational Educational Committee. Being excelled in both oriental and occidental languages Dr. Tilokasundari, had authored over 25 books in Sinhala and in English. She also had the gift of oratory and had represented Sri Lanka, in Inter National Parleys and conferences on a large number of occasions.

Her books covered almost all the aspects education and deep philosophy in Buddhist doctrine blended with her skills and vast experiences.

Some of these were titled as  Achievement of Primary Level Student of Sri Lanka in Reading and Mathematics, A Study of School Drop  Outs in the City of Colombo, Suggestions for The Preparation of Language Books, The Story of Three Friends, Feminism in Theravada Buddhism, Munidasa Kumaratunga  The Genious, Buddhist Woman and Family Life, National Assesment of Educational Progress in Mathematics in Sinhala in Sri Lanka, Buddhism and Psychology.

Her demise is a great loss for the humanity at large creating an intellectual vacuum.
A Sri Lankan national and two Bengalureans have been arrested for defrauding bank customers in different countries of a staggering Indian Rs 100 crore by faking their credit cards in what is believed to be a massive online racket.

Divyan, a 30-year-old man from Jaffna, Sri Lanka, teamed up with Nawaz Shariff (22), a resident of Kanakanagar, and Nadeem Shariff (30), from HRBR Layout, to cheat credit card holders from Australia, Japan, Germany, Britain and other European countries. The gang targeted customers from these countries presuming that police would not come to India in search of them.

The suspects used an ingenious method to commit the fraud. First, they bought credit card data from shady websites. They then purchased magnetic swipe cards from e-commerce firms and used the secret data to clone credit cards. The next step was to contact businessmen from Haryana, Delhi, Mumbai and Puducherry who operate in Bengaluru and use point of sale (PoS) machines. They convinced these businessmen to allow them to swipe the credit cards at their PoS machines and promised them attractive commission on each transaction.

At this stage, the suspects acted cautiously. They always carried out transactions of low amounts so as to avoid scrutiny. Once the transactions were done, money would get transferred from the original card holders accounts in foreign banks to the businessmens bank accounts in India.

Foreign currency gets automatically converted into Indian rupees in case of credit card transactions. In these cases, credit cards were used and money was transferred without any sale taking place. Around 36 shopkeepers, some of the relatives of the suspects and bank officials were also part of the racket which had been going on for several years now and proved a money-spinner for all those involved.

The trios luck, however, ran out when they bought three LED television sets for Rs 1.1 lakh at Vishnupriya International, a home appliances store at Doddakallasandra, on June 21 and used a fake credit card to make the payment. The credit card turned out to be of a person from Bengaluru. The customer immediately blocked the card after receiving a message from the bank. The transaction was cancelled.

A team of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) happened to visit Canara Bank to investigate the increasing cases of online fraud. The bank staff informed the police about the illegal transaction at Vishnupriya International. The suspects had left a trail: they had given their phone number at the time of placing the order for the LED sets.

CCB sleuths started tracking them on the basis of the phones location and traced them to a three-bedroom flat at Prestige Collingwood in Jalahalli. During the raid, police found 144 fake credit cards, 16 fake driving licences, 36 card swipe machines, a card reader, a lamination machine, a card-printing machine and 270 plain cards.(Deccan Herald)
The one-of-its-kind Doklam standoff between China and India underlines New Delhis public-diplomacy failure, but it is unlikely to escalate any further.

The opposition parties have been briefed by the government on the Doklam standoff  the information shared is factual and the reason for the briefing appears to be two-fold. Lets examine the governments motives:

Firstly, to assure the country that the issue is being handled effectively and to dispel the notion that India has bitten off more than it can chew. Secondly, and more importantly, it is seen as an effort to counter the shrill public opinion based on poorly informed public debates and media reportage that is precluding New Delhi's ability to manoeuvre behind the scenes to restore the border status-quo.

New Delhi is clear that while it will remain firm in its stance at the border areas, at the same time it will use and leverage every available diplomatic option to mitigate the situation.

Doklam: A different kind of standoff

Incidents of standoffs between India and China along the nearly 3,488km Line of Actual Control (LAC) or the de-facto undemarcated border between India and China are not new. These incidents have been happening for long and there are well-defined mechanisms between India and China to handle and defuse such tensions.

But the Doklam standoff is different from previous ones. For one, the standoff is not in the territory shared or claimed by India and China  it involves a third country, Bhutan.

The IndiaBhutan friendship treaty makes it obligatory for India to help Bhutan.

And two, this standoff involves the only ratified border treaty between India and China, the 1890 border agreement. Getting China of today or of the past to delineate and then demarcate the border has been difficult. The British, despite several attempts couldn't settle their borders with China. In the 19th century, unclear and therefore wary of Russian designs, London repeatedly propped up China to keep Russia out of Tibet.

From 1846 and 1914, the British made five attempts to demarcate the boundary. Each attempt failed except the 1890 treaty that defines the border in this area. However, the border was never demarcated on the ground. In 2012, China agreed to demarcate the boundary on the ground at the Special Representative-level talks. This tripartite agreement among British India, Bhutan and Tibet is the only border treaty that is recognised and accepted by both sides. It is unlike the 1904 agreement between Tibet and British India which was marked by controversy, protest by the Chinese and subterfuge on part of the British. The 1890 treaty clearly spells out the points through which the border should run as per the watershed principle.

Chinese aggression with Bhutan

The Doklam plateau is used by shepherds of Bhutan and Tibet to graze their cattle, but neither cross the Torsa Nala.

In the present case, the India Army moved into Doklam after Bhutan requested for help when old bunkers used by the Bhutanese Royal Army to maintain vigil were destroyed and its soldiers were forcibly removed, most likely at gunpoint, by the Chinese PLA.

Taking soldiers at gunpoint isnt the norm along the most contested yet most peaceful border in the world. Bhutan leaned on India for help. The IndiaBhutan friendship treaty makes it obligatory for India to help Bhutan. And unlike past occasions, this time the Indian Army was able to mobilise fast and amass a body of troops, stopping China in the tracks.

To the east of Torsa Nala stands the Jampheri ridge. The Jampheri ridge is in Bhutan. And, whoever controls the ridge has an advantage over the other. Therefore, maintaining the status quo is important for India. India fears that the current move of the Chinese PLA to build a road through the area is aimed at threatening the Jampheri ridge.

Why was Indian interference necessary?

Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea  where it has reclaimed land from the sea in the Spratlys and another on Woody Island in the Paracels islands to set up forward military bases  has gone largely unchecked. The global community has only sought "freedom of navigation at sea" under the UN mandate. If the cartographic nibbling in Bhutan goes unchallenged the message to smaller countries is simple: it is better to submit to Chinas wishes because no one can stand up to China.

Bhutans population is less that the standing military of China. The fact that China is trying to eat into Bhutanese grazing ground needs to be highlighted.

New Delhis failure

The fact that India hasn't been able to raise awareness about the aggression on Bhutan by China is a failure of its public policy diplomacy. It must be highlighted that China is the aggressor here. It is trying to bully a tiny country. And, India has only rushed to the help of Bhutan.

South Block should have exerted itself more to highlight that it in Bhutan at Thimpus request. The fact that Chinese action amounted to cartographical aggression on Bhutan  a small, peace loving Himalayan kingdom that cannot defend itself against China  should have been stressed more vigorously.

The vast South Block machinery needs to draw lessons from this incident and take corrective measures to prevent a repeat. Todays narrative  of yet another border dispute between India and China  needs to be changed.

How and when will the stalemate end?

Despite sharp and harsh statements from Beijing and angry retorts by New Delhi, back channel talks are on. PM Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Hamburg, Germany this month. And, during the standoff as many as four union ministers toured China to meet various prescheduled commitments. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who is also India's Special Representative on Border Talks with China, will be in China in the last week of July for the BRICS NSA-level dialogue. In other words, neither side has raised the standoff to a strategic level.

Border protocols are still working

Most importantly, the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) of 2013 that spells out de-escalatory measures to thwart military face-offs along the LAC between India and China covers LAC, it doesnt expressly mention or deal with the borders with third countries  in this case Bhutan. And, yet, in the month-long standoff the protocols agreed to for a peaceful resolution of the border dispute have been respected to and extended to Bhutan. It underlines that both nations want to behave like mature partners.

The ties between two nations, especially those who share boundaries, are never peaceful. The history of Europe and its many wars in 17th, 18th, 19th century teach us that. New Delhi is pragmatic. There is no reason to assume Beijing isnt equally pragmatic. Therefore, the situation is unlikely to escalate.

Like India, the Chinese leadership too has political compulsions. The standoff will continue till each comes up with acceptable reasons and conditions to restore status quo in Doklam plateau.
In any well-established democracy, a prime minster facing graft charges, a determined opposition and media criticism would have dissolved the parliament and opted for an early election. He would have gambled and sought the verdict of the people.

But Pakistan is an exception. Its political institutions are weak and the all-powerful Pakistan army is using the remote control to stir trouble for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who is at sea after strictures were passed against him and his family members by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) appointed by the Supreme Court.

Sifting through the chain of events that have unfolded in Pakistan in the last one year and more, it is evident that the army, under General Raheel Sharif, had rescued Sharif and his government from the siege that was laid by opposition leader Imran Khan and Canadian-Pakistani cleric Maulana Quadri.

But the Pakistani military establishment is reluctant to do so under General Qamar Bajwa.

Has Nawaz Sharif, who erred in choosing the army chief in two earlier occasions when in power, made a third mistake by choosing Gen Bajwa? Only time will tell. As the crisis came to a crescendo with the announcement of the contents of the JIT report, army commanders met under Bajwas chairmanship and announced through its PR setup that it would guard the national interest.

Sharif is viewed as a dove on relations with India and would like to forge friendly ties. Photo: Reuters

What that national interest would be from the armys standpoint was not spelt out. But the timing of the meeting and the official announcement left nobody in doubt that the army is not just monitoring the raging controversy, but would also not hesitate to intervene, in one way or the other should the crisis go out of control  should the opposition take to the streets and if violence is resorted to.

There is more than some grain of truth in the arguments pushed by Sharifs PML-N that the JIT is a move to oust the prime minister and his government, with one year to go for the general elections.

It is also evident that in the absence of any effective opposition emerging so far, the army would not like Sharif and his party to secure a consecutive second term. No party in Pakistan has received a second term. Indeed, only the PPP was able to complete five years in office during 2008-2013, but under a wily but weak president and three different prime ministers.

Sharif is viewed as a dove on relations with India and would like to forge friendly ties. But this is not endorsed by the army that holds him under leash as well as the religious lot who would find their constituency eroded if not rendered extinct should Pakistan-India relations improve or be normalised at some time in the near future.

Both military and the orthodox nationalists would be rendered jobless if such an eventuality ensues. It is significant that the latter are trying to take the cue from the military and have not so far taken a public stand.

The JIT has recommended that its report, which is virtually a chargesheet against business dealings of Sharif family members  daughter Maryam and sons Hussain and Hassan  be referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for further investigations.

Pakistans Supreme Court that had ordered and formed the JIT is to take the call on July 17. But unless it passes a clear verdict, the political crisis is bound to fester. And if it turns violent, it could give the military enough reason to intervene. Going by the available reports, it is likely that Sharifs family made money and used that money to acquire  legally or otherwise  business interests abroad, as indicated in Panama Papers.

The moot point is that politicians everywhere make money grabbing the opportunity that office and power offer them. Sharifs, a family of businessmen and industrialists, are unlikely to be exceptions, since business would come naturally to them whether in or out of power.

It is also likely that they left some trail and indulged in concealing and/or fudging incriminatory evidence, which has surfaced now. But Nawaz was candid when he spoke to the media after appearing before the JIT the first elected leader in Pakistan to do so  that his family had been in business and industry for three generations and what the JIT was probing allegations of graft against the family not the misuse of government funds.
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (L) (Source: VNA)

Talking to representatives from the Vietnamese community and staff of the Embassy and Vietnamese representative offices in Singapore, the Deputy PM said he hopes each member of the community will promote solidarity and support each other to contribute to the host countrys prosperity.

He also asked the community to assist with their home countrys development using their knowledge and experience.

The Deputy PM also took this occasion to brief the overseas Vietnamese community on the countrys socio-economic situation, as well as opportunities and challenges it is facing, and the implementation of States guidelines and policies, especially in building a constructive and creative government, maintaining political stability, speeding up economic integration, and protecting territorial sovereignty.

Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh is making an official visit to Singapore from July 13th-15th at the invitation of Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

During the three-day visit, Binh held talks with and attended a banquet hosted by Deputy PM Teo Chee Hean, paid courtesy calls to President Tony Tan Keng Yam and PM Lee Hsien Loong, attended a luncheon hosted by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon./.




Deputy FM Son stressed the significance of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017 during which the two nations mark the 55th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and the 40-year signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation.

The establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries on September 5th, 1962 opened up a new chapter in bilateral ties, he said, reiterating that the two nations have gave each other whole-hearted support which greatly contributed to the victory of the revolution in both countries.

He also reviewed major milestones in the traditional relations between Vietnam and Laos, highlighting the importance of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation that serves as a foundation for the development of ties between the two Parties and States.

Deputy FM Son showed his delight at the growing partnership between the two countries in all fields, holding that the activities to celebrate these special joint events will help deepen understanding on the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos among people of both sides, especially the young generations.

On his part, Ambassador Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the Party, Government and people of Laos always treasure ties with Vietnam and exert every efforts to maintain, reinforce and develop the special relations.

He pledged to continue effectively working with the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam to beef up bilateral ties. He also expressed hope to continue to receive support from the ministry to fulfil his tasks./.
Four people are facing felony charges following Saturdays Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan rally in Charlottesville.

Twenty-two people were arrested Saturday during the rally and subsequent protests in and around Justice Park, according to police.

Sarah E. Barner, 32; Diego Trujillo, 20; and Naomi Michelle Bendersky, 18, all face felony charges of wearing masks in a public place. Jordan Lee Romeo faces a felony charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer.

All four are expected to appear in court on Aug. 24.

KKK rally in Charlottesville eclipsed by protests More than 1,000 people met about 50 members of the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan as they rallied at Justice Park.

Ten other people are facing misdemeanor charges:

 Jarell Sykes Jones, 28, faces a charge of assault and battery.

 Jo Zenobia Donahue, 24; Thomas Freman, 52; Nicolas Roy McCarthy, 28; Veronica Haunami Fitzhugh, 38; and Jeanne Marie Peterson, 37, each face a charge of obstructing free passage.

 Katherine M. Niles, 26; Erika Jenna Riles, 25; and Tracy Gene Redd, 25, each face a charge of obstructing justice.

 Rasha Langston, 19, faces a charge of failing to disperse in a riot.

Activists: Police use of tear gas excessive in clearing street As the city deals with the aftermath of the Saturday KKK rally in Justice Park, anti-racism activists criticized police use of tear gas to break up protests.

Police plans for KKK rally included barricades, tear gas in effort to protect At 10 a.m. close to 200 officers from the Virginia State Police and local police departments gathered to go over the days operation.

As the Klan members were escorted back to their vehicles by police following their rally on Saturday, counter-protesters tried to block them from leaving. At that point, police declared the gathering to be an unlawful assembly and told people to leave or they would be arrested.

Once the Klan members left the city, the protesters turned their attention toward police and refused to leave the area. State police tossed three canisters of tear gas toward the protesters in an effort to disperse the group, which has been criticized by activists as excessive.

Police currently are assessing the rally response and investigating the days events.

On Facebook, Mayor Mike Signer had expressed his gratitude for the way the rally turned out, as well as his support for how police handled public safety.

At the end of the day, our police succeeded in executing their strategy of protecting both the 1st Amendment and public safety up to and during the KKK rally, he said.

On Monday, he addressed criticisms, saying authorities owe our citizens an accurate account both of what happened on July 8 and why, and adding that city police Chief Al Thomas would answer questions from the media on Tuesday.

Signer continued: I know that July 8 was deeply distressing for many. For anyone who experienced trauma that day, I am sorry.  I recognize that many in our community had different opinions about July 8, including whether to directly protest the rally, participate in other events or stay home. But I am deeply proud that we spoke with one voice in rejecting bigotry here.

Albemarle County Commonwealths Attorney Robert Tracci also took to Facebook to ask for patience as authorities assess the rally while also praising local and state law enforcement.

I urge all area citizens to extend heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the exceptional sacrifice and professionalism of our law enforcement community, Tracci wrote.
Two people are dead after a wrong-way driver caused a fatal crash on the Interstate 64 in Albemarle County early Sunday morning, according to police.

Virginia State Police were alerted to a green pickup truck driving recklessly in the westbound lanes of the interstate just after 6 a.m. The driver  identified by police as Winston J. Smith II, 32, of Staunton  then crossed the median, into the eastbound lanes, and drove the wrong way.

Smiths Isuzu pickup truck struck a Hyundai sedan driving eastbound near mile marker 114. The head-on collision caused both vehicles to strike a Ford F-150 pickup truck, according to a statement from police.

Smith and the driver of the Hyundai sedan, Bethany M. Franklin, 30, of Troutville, both died at the scene. Both were wearing seatbelts.

The driver of the Ford F-150, identified only as an adult male, was transported to the University of Virginia Medical Center for minor injuries.

Police are still investigating the crash.

Bedford County Fire Marshal Jeff Pauley said Sunday by phone that Franklin was hired in July 2009 as a full-time firefighter and paramedic for Bedford County Fire & Rescue.

She was a great employee, Pauley said. She was one of our earlier hires when we first started hiring career staff.

Franklin continued to work part time for the county when she went back to school more than a year ago, Pauley said. She was stationed at the Moneta Volunteer Fire Department for a number of years, he said.

In a Facebook post Sunday, the Moneta department sent condolences to Franklins family and said Franklin will be missed by many. She also helped with department fundraisers, the post said.

Pauley described Franklin as extremely professional and would not hesitate to get in and get her hands dirty when it came to emergency services.

She was awesome, he said. She was a wonderful person. Its certainly a shock to everyone in our system.

The deaths are the second and third in the area under investigation by police in two days. On Saturday, a woman was found dead on U.S. 250 near the Old Ivy Road bridge. Police have not identified her publicly.

On July 11, police said Rodney D. Burnett, 46, of Indiana, stabbed his ex-girlfriend with a folding knife while she was driving on I-64 near mile marker 101 in Albemarle County. The 46-year-old Fishersville woman was taken to the UVa Medical Center in critical condition, having suffered stab wounds to her neck and abdomen, according to a search warrant. Burnett currently is being held at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail on a charge of malicious wounding.
The 46-year-old Fishersville woman found last week on the side of Interstate 64 with serious lacerations to her neck and stomach area was in the drivers seat of a car headed eastbound on the interstate when the attack occurred.

Thats according to a search warrant that shed new light on the July 11 assault. The warrant, which covered the vehicle where the attack allegedly took place, was filed Wednesday in Augusta County Circuit Court.

Police were called to Afton Mountain on I-64 eastbound, near mile marker 101, early Tuesday night for a report that was initially described a stalking/carjacking. The mile marker is in Albemarle County, just east of the Augusta County line.

Officers arrived at the scene to find Tricia Bowersox lying on the shoulder of the east lanes, bleeding from stab wounds to her neck and abdomen, according to the warrant. She was taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where she was listed in critical condition late Tuesday night.

She was still at the hospital Friday, according to an officer involved in the case, but her condition and prognosis were not immediately known.

Police say the victims ex-boyfriend, Rodney D. Burnett, 46, of Indiana, was in the passenger seat of the 2014 Subaru that Bowersox was driving when he began to stab her with a knife, according to the warrant.

Bowersox was apparently able to pull over and either stop or slow the car down enough to safely get out of the vehicle.

Burnett then jumped into the drivers seat and took off, leaving Bowersox seriously wounded on the side of the road, according to police.

He was eventually apprehended later Tuesday evening at the intersection of Batesville Road and Signal Hill in Afton. According to the warrant, blood was found on the steering wheel, a front door, and seats of the car. A folding knife also was found in the vehicle, according to police.

Burnett was taken to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, where he remains on a charge of malicious wounding.
LYNCHBURG  As the leaves changed colors in the crisp autumn air, a handful of Nelson entrepreneurs talked about the unique offerings of their businesses, all while promoting Nelsons rural and tourism-based economy.

That was more than eight months ago in October, when a documentary crew visited the county to get footage of Blue Mountain Brewery, Virginia Distillery Co., Bold Rock Hard Cider and the site of the Lockn Music Festival. Now, following post-production, interviews with the business owners and a quick look at some of Nelsons hotspots for tourism have been turned into a mini documentary for Behind the Scenes with James Earl Jones.

The Behind the Scenes program is professionally produced for use by public television stations. The segment  which in its entirety is about five minutes long and also was produced in a shorter, one-minute version  focuses on several topics, such as health, education and travel.

The Behind the Scenes program that Nelson businesses are featured in focuses solely on how rural economies like that of Nelson County survive and thrive.

Hosted by two-time Tony Award winner and three-time Emmy Award winner James Earl Jones, the program will air on public television stations in five markets: Raleigh, North Carolina; Baltimore; Philadelphia; Virginia Beach; and Washington, D.C.

Were proud of Nelson County and its partners for spreading the good news about where we are, Economic Development Director Maureen Kelley said.

According to Kelley, she was contacted by staff of the program in the summer of 2016, and Kelley got to work recruiting businesses to participate.

Bold Rock, Blue Mountain Brewery and Virginia Distillery Co. highlight the countys burgeoning craft alcohol business, which draws visitors from outside the area.

The annual Lockn Music Festival is the countys largest event, drawing more than 20,000 people each year, about 70 percent of whom come from outside the area.

As part of the segment, Lockn co-founder Dave Frey talked about the rural beauty offered by Nelson County and the community of Arrington, where the festival takes place. He also pointed out that Nelson isnt too far from major areas like Richmond or Washington, D.C.

Others, including county representatives and Virginia Tourism Corporation CEO and President for Operations and Finance Rita McClenny, talked about Nelson being a great place to live, great place to work and a great place to play, citing the countys work to balance economic development with rural beauty.

Virginia Distillery Co. CEO Gareth Moore said he believes the Behind the Scenes program will drive business and attract visitors to Nelson County. He added the program should serve to show potential visitors  and especially alcohol drinkers  how they can enjoy a day in the area.

We view ourselves as a big part of the county, Moore said. We promote ourselves by promoting the county.  With local and craft becoming bigger and bigger and bigger over the past decade or two, its nice to get the awareness that we have local products, craft products in our own backyard.

Moore added the Virginia Distillery Co. is one part of a holistic experience. Visitors also can stop by at another nearby brewery, cidery, distillery or winery for a drink.

While many of Nelson Countys businesses are farms, some of which do business nationwide, Moore said some people may tend to think agriculture is all rural economies can offer. There are several successful orchards and other agricultural businesses in the county, but the Behind the Scenes program shows that Nelsons economy is more diverse.

Nelson County has a history of adding a bit of yeast to their agriculture, Moore said.  I think we did a great job of showing that [people] may [have] a misconception of rural agriculture just being farms and orchards. [We also have the] value-added processes of brewing, distilling and making cider.

To see more about the Behind the Scenes program, go to jejproject.com.
Bappi Lahiri comes out in support of his favourite fimmaker Madhur Bhandarkar for 'Indu Sarkar'.

Mumbai: The upcoming film 'Indu Sarkar' has been the talk of the town since the time its trailer got released and now, after the Congress' recent protest against it, Bappi Lahiri has come out in support of director Madhur Bhandarkar.

Talking on the same, the 64-year-old music composer told ANI that Bhandarkar is his favourite filmmaker and one of the good directors in the film fraternity.

He further said, "Indu Sarkar is a controversy because of the period it is based in."

The 'Disco Dancer' hit-maker didn't comment further, but expressed his clear support for the film and its director.

On Saturday, the press conference of Bhandarkar's upcoming directorial was cancelled after few Congress workers took to protest against the movie.Thereafter, Bhandarkar took to twitter to share the news, citing the team of the movie was left stranded "like hostages in the hotel room."

"Congress workers hv barged in the Hotel lobby & created ruckus, me & team are stranded like hostages in hotel room. #pune activity cancelled," he tweeted.

Congress workers hv barged in the Hotel lobby & created ruckus,me & team are stranded like hostages in hotel room. #pune activity cancelled. pic.twitter.com/6GHX1VHGD8  Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) July 15, 2017

Earlier, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar had censured the controversy surrounding his upcoming directorial venture and had asserted that the movie is not a documentary, but a work of fiction.

"This is completely wrong, and controvery like this should not happen because I made a film as a filmmaker and I'm saying that 70 percent of film is fiction and 30 percent is reality. The reality is based on the books and the documentaries made on them. I don't understand the demand that they (the Congress) want to watch the movie before its release. Let my film get censor board clearance and the moment it is released in the theaters, you can go and watch the film," Bhandarkar said.

Citing that he has been known for making movies, which are hard-hitting, real and topical, Bhandarkar has appealed other filmmakers and the public to side with him over the issue as this reeks of suppression of freedom of expression.

"My movie is based on the story of a husband and a wife, who have contradictory opinion about the Emergency. It's about the clash of points of view and the backdrop of the movie is the Emergency. My film is an emotional journey. I am concentrating on that thing and they are simply bullying a filmmaker by asking him to change something or the other," he added.

'Indu Sarkar' is based on a 21-month long period, from 1975 to 1977, when the then prime minister Indira Gandhi unilaterally had a state of emergency declared across the country.

The trailer of the movie led the Congress party to ask the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for a review before it comes under the scanner.

In this regard, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam wrote to CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani, expressing the grand old party's wish to watch the movie before it is 'censored'.

"The trailer of the film says it's a film on Emergency and hence, we can see the likes of our beloved leaders like Indira Gandhi ji, Sanjay Gandhi ji and other senior leaders of the India National Congress. We, therefore, want to be certain that our leaders are not shown in bad light and hence, would like to see the film before it's censored," Nirupam mentioned, in a letter addressed to Nihalani.

Furthermore, reiterating Nirupam's request, Maharashtra Leader of Opposition (LoP) Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil wrote to state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene in the matter revolving around the controversial movie ' Indu Sarkar' based on the Emergency imposed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Patil expressed the Congress' apprehension that the movie might have distorted the historical facts which may hurt the sentiments of the Congressmen and the public at large and so the movie must be exhibited to the Congress first and then be released.

Patil further said the Chief Minister should assure this so that law and order situation post the release of the movie is maintained.

Few other political outfits have also expressed dismay over the movie, while some have taken to Twitter to threaten Bhandarkar against the movie's release.The movie is slated to release on July 28
A day before, another press conference of 'Indu Sarkar' at Pune was cancelled after few Congress workers took to protest against the movie.

New Delhi: Bollywood filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar on Sunday took to Twitter to call upon Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and sought his intervention into the grand old party's constant interference in the press conferences of his upcoming directorial 'Indu Sarkar'.

"Dear @OfficeOfRG after Pune I have 2 cancel today's PressCon at Nagpur.Do you approve this hooliganism? Can I have my Freedom of Expression?" Bhandarkar tweeted on Sunday.

Dear @OfficeOfRG after Pune I have 2 cancel today's PressCon at Nagpur.Do you approve this hooliganism? Can I have my Freedom of Expression? pic.twitter.com/y44DXiOOgp  Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) July 16, 2017

His tweet came after a press conference in relation with the movie was cancelled in Nagpur over the protests by the Congress workers.

"In Nagpur today for #InduSarkar promotions. Looking for some gr8 media interactions in the heart of India.@iamkirtikulhari @InduSarkarMovie," he had earlier tweeted.

A day before, another press conference of 'Indu Sarkar' at Pune was cancelled after few Congress workers took to protest against the movie.

Thereafter, Bhandarkar took to Twitter to share the news, citing the team of the movie was left stranded "like hostages in the hotel room."

"Congress workers hv barged in the Hotel lobby & created ruckus,me & team are stranded like hostages in hotel room. #pune activity cancelled," he tweeted.

Earlier, Bhandarkar had censured the controversy surrounding his upcoming directorial venture and had asserted that the movie is not a documentary, but a work of fiction.

"This is completely wrong, and controvery like this should not happen because I made a film as a filmmaker and I'm saying that 70 percent of film is fiction and 30 percent is reality. The reality is based on the books and the documentaries made on them. I don't understand the demand that they (the Congress) want to watch the movie before its release. Let my film get censor board clearance and the moment it is released in the theaters, you can go and watch the film," Bhandarkar said.

Citing that he has been known for making movies, which are hard-hitting, real and topical, Bhandarkar has appealed other filmmakers and the public to side with him over the issue as this reeks of suppression of freedom of expression.

"My movie is based on the story of a husband and a wife, who have contradictory opinion about the Emergency. It's about the clash of points of view and the backdrop of the movie is the Emergency. My film is an emotional journey. I am concentrating on that thing and they are simply bullying a filmmaker by asking him to change something or the other," he added.

'Indu Sarkar' is based on a 21-month long period, from 1975 to 1977, when the then prime minister Indira Gandhi unilaterally had a state of emergency declared across the country.

The trailer of the movie led the Congress party to ask the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for a review before it comes under the scanner.

In this regard, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam wrote to CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani, expressing the grand old party's wish to watch the movie before it is 'censored'.

"The trailer of the film says it's a film on Emergency and hence, we can see the likes of our beloved leaders like Indira Gandhi ji, Sanjay Gandhi ji and other senior leaders of the India National Congress. We, therefore, want to be certain that our leaders are not shown in bad light and hence, would like to see the film before it's censored," Nirupam mentioned, in a letter addressed to Nihalani.

Furthermore, reiterating Nirupam's request, Maharashtra Leader of Opposition (LoP) Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil wrote to state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene in the matter revolving around the controversial movie ' Indu Sarkar' based on the Emergency imposed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Patil expressed the Congress' apprehension that the movie might have distorted the historical facts which may hurt the sentiments of the Congressmen and the public at large and so the movie must be exhibited to the Congress first and then be released.

Patil further said the Chief Minister should assure this so that law and order situation post the release of the movie is maintained.

Few other political outfits have also expressed dismay over the movie, while some have taken to Twitter to threaten Bhandarkar against the movie's release.

The movie is slated to release on July 28.
Veteran Kamal Haasan thinks that there is nothing wrong in letting the world know the victim's name.

Mumbai: Kamal Haasan, recently, in a press conference had revealed the name of the Malayalam actress who was abducted and allegedly sexually assaulted in February.

The veteran thinks that there is nothing wrong in letting the world know the victim's name. After which, the actor found himself at the receiving end of severe criticism.

Haasan, later on Friday, received a legal notice from NYC (National Commission for Women) committees chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam. She said that a suo moto action would be taken against the Tamil star for revealing the name of the Malayalam actress in front of the media, and asked Haasan to apologise.

The superstar has apologised on Twitter, not because he had to oblige to any committee but because he feels that no one is above the law.

He wrote, Apologize say women, while I love & fight 4them.I wiill bend 2 no woman or man 4 no reason. U r penalizing the lawyer & missing criminals. Cant name her? Name her after my mother or my daughter. This war will be fought.Yehhai Mahabharath katha. Jago My lady bharath. Salaam. If you still want me to apoligize I will. No one is above law except your gods. God is no reason just a ruse for some.

Apologize say women, while I love & fight 4them.I wiill bend 2 no woman or man 4 no reason. U r penalizing the lawyer & missing criminals  Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) July 14, 2017

Cant name her? Name her after my mother or my daughter. This war will be fought.Yehhai Mahabharath katha. Jago My lady bharath. Salaam.  Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) July 14, 2017

If you still want me to apoligize I will. No one is above law ...except your gods. God is no reason just a ruse for some.  Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) July 14, 2017

At the press conference, where Haasan took the name of the victim, had said, "Why is it the safety of women in the film industry alone? A female's presence in the crowd is important to me and I will not let anything happen to her. It's our duty to see if you are safe. It is not just about actresses. We are not supporting her (mentions the name), because she is an actress."

"It doesn't matter if I have used the name. The media itself have used her name. Do not hide the name as there is nothing wrong with it. If you want to call her Draupadi, call her that. Don't refer to her as 'a female'," he asserted, on pointing out her name in public.

However, Malayalam superstar Dileep, who has allegedly been involved in the actress abduction case, got arrested a few days ago, and the proceedings, interrogations are on.

On the profession front, the Chachi 420 actor is currently busy hosting Bigg Boss Tamil. Besides this, he has two films lined up. They are the spy-thriller Vishwaroopam 2 and the spy-comedy Sabaash Naidu.
Nagpur: "Can't I make a film?" asks filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, who is extremely disappointed after the Congress workers created ruckus and forced him to cancel the press conference of his upcoming controversial film 'Indu Sarkar', here on Sunday.

Bhandarkar, through his tweets, recently called upon Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi seeking his intervention into the matter.

Addressing the media, the 48-year-old said, "Since his party workers are protesting against the film, that's why I have just made an appeal to Rahul Gandhi. It's my duty to ask him till when is this going to happen? When will this end?"

He further said, "The Congress people should condemn the protests and ask the protestors to not do such things. People write books, make documentaries, can't I make a film? You are reacting on a three-minute long trailer when I have already made this clear that the film is 70 percent fictional."

Bhandarkar also informed that the team has cancelled the Ahmedabad and Bengaluru round of promotion.

"Me and my actors are frightened, we are being threatened. We have cancelled the promotions in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad because they have been threatening us, saying wherever we go, they will protest. You are scared of a film, what is this?"

"This is neither a person's film nor a docu-drama. If my intention was to base it on a person, why would I make a film that is 70 percent fictional? I would have made a documentary, not a film. People should see it from a broader perspective. These protests are extremely unfair," he concluded.

The controversial movie 'Indu Sarkar' is based on the Emergency imposed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi. The Congress has objected to the film, saying that it may have portrayed Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi in bad light.
Dileep has been removed from various film associations he was a part of.

Kochi: Malayalam actor Dileep, arrested for allegedly plotting the abduction and assault of a popular South Indian actress will move the Kerala High Court Monday for bail, said his counsel on Sunday.

The actor decided to seek bail from the high court a day after an Angamaly magisterial court refused to grant bail to him and sent him to judicial custody till July 25.

"We will move the high court for his bail tomorrow," Dileep's counsel K Ramkumar told PTI.

He asserted that the actor has been framed in the case. The prosecution has said they will oppose the bail plea.

Opposing Dileep's bail plea on Saturday, the prosecution had told the magisterial court that there was strong evidence against Dileep.

The prosecution counsel had also expressed fears that on his release on bail, the accused might hamper investigation and tamper with evidence besides trying to influence witnesses.

It would also adversely affect the ongoing probe into the conspiracy behind the sensational case, the prosecution had said.

The police, meanwhile, have been looking for the actor's manager Appunni and a lawyer allegedly associated with Dileep and the prime accused in the case 'Pulsar' Suni.

The police have claimed that the phone used by the prime accused to take a video of assault of the actress reached Dileep through the lawyer.

In another development, Kerala Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar said a probe has been ordered into the incident of the alleged land grab by Dileep for building a multiplex at Chalakkudy in Thrissur district.

Dileep, lodged in Aluva sub jail, has been charged under various sections of IPC, including the one for hatching the criminal conspiracy for the abduction and assault of the actress in a moving car on February 17.

The police have claimed that the conspiracy to abduct and assault the actress and film the dastardly act was hatched by Dileep and 'Pulsar' Suni, the prime accused in the case. The police, in its remand application, had claimed that Dileep had developed a grudge against the actress for letting his former wife know about his alleged affairs and had hatched a conspiracy to take revenge way back in 2013.

The popular actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on February 17 and later escaped in a busy area here.

Six persons, including 'Pulsar' Suni, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Kochi: With Dileep reportedly refusing to co-operate with the probe into the conspiracy behind the abduction and sexual assault on his past co-star over four months ago, the special investigation team (SIT) is now set to book his absconding personal manager Appunni aka Sunil Raj which they think is crucial to take it forward. According to sources, the cops have intensified search for Appunni who had gone into hiding a couple of days back after the SIT summoned him for another round of interrogation.

They said his mobile tower locations revealed he was present near the places where the conspiracy was hatched along with Dileep and Suni. Even if he had no direct role in the plot, the SIT had evidence of his attempt at a compromise with main accused Pulsar Suni over the quotation amount besides destroying evidence. The police also gathered evidence of Appunni meeting Vishnu, Sunis one-time co-prisoner, at Eloor to reach a settlement post leakage of the letter written at the behest of Suni addressing Dileep.

Meanwhile, the cops on Friday evening carried out a search at the house of Dileep in Aluva to trace original memory card in which the February 17 molestation was recorded. They suspect that Suni had handed over the same to Mr Chacko who in-turn gave it to Dileep. The cops are also probing whether any money was paid to Suni by Dileep out of the Rs 1.5 crore promised. They questioned his relatives and checked their bank accounts. The SIT is again expected to interrogate actor-director Nadirsha in the coming days besides a few leading actors who were present at the hotel in MG Road in 2013 when Dileep and the victim had a public verbal duel.
Isn't it time we break our silence. Shouldn't we open our eyes to the genuine needs of our colleagues? Nurses in private hospitals have been struggling for their sustenance for years. They raise their voice periodically and then go silent. But now when they cry for help, isn't it better to find a solution and settle the issue rather than making everyone's life miserable. And when nurses, the souls of the hospital, weeps, the pain of the system gets worse. It is a known fact that our state is indebted to the nurses from 1950s;



1. In improving our financial status : Majority of the central Travancore NRIs have a nurse as a source of their entry to Middle East, Europe and US

2. Better health care: Though the number of doctors is less in Kerala compared to bigger states, our health status is much better. When political parties and literacy rate take all credits, we conveniently forget the role of nurses in the achievement.



The solution

Three simple steps can make a drastic change in the current burning issue. The burden should not be on private hospital managements and government alone. Together we can help build a better work atmosphere and living standards to the angels who help us in agony



A. We all know that there is a big disparity in salary between doctors and nurses in private hospitals. If every doctor, including the juniors who cover duty for a day or two, decides to give 1 per cent of their income per month for the welfare of nurses it amounts to a huge sum, which will lighten the burden on management.



B. If government permits, all OP patients may be charged 1 per cent of their OP ticket rate for welfare of nurses, which would help in bringing another good amount of money. IP patients may be charged 1 percent of their nursing care charges a day for the Nurses' welfare. Its assured that a large section of the people will be more than willing to part with one percent for the welfare of nurses. When my father was admitted under a certain doctor, renowned as one the best cardiologist in Kerala, unhappy as I was, I was able to sleep comfortably at night, because I knew, a nurse was always on vigil.



C. Another known fact is that majority of nurses trained from several colleges, especially from other states, have no clinical experience at all. Till 2010 they used to come to private hospitals in Kerala for training, after paying a huge sum as fee. Now the government has stopped this programme fearing labour rules. The quantum of nurses coming out every year is so high that majority change the field of practice once they realise what they dreamed as nurses were just dreams.

If the government permits to accommodate these candidates who request training in big hospitals, again the burden is lightened, for the management, for the staff and especially for the doctors. To avoid exploitation government can insist that no institution should take more than 10% of the nurses as trainees without salary and fee at a time and no staff should be appointed more than once as a trainee in the state.

We are concerned about the brain drain of doctors, engineers and scientists. Why don't we talk about nurses? The best among all the nurses, unless they have compulsions to stay back, would fly to foreign countries. They spend lakhs on IELTS training and some of them get exploited at the end of it. Fresh graduates, after staying for a year or two in state, fly abroad, not because it is heaven on the other side, but to pay back the debts they have incurred and to support the family. (Majority of nurses comes from middle or low income fa milies and they have huge burden on their shoulders from the day they pass out.)

In my 20 years of experience as a junior doctor, physician and now as a cardiology resident, I have never seen a better ally in medicine than a sincere nurse. And how many of the public know that a nurse on duty takes her breakfast at 3 pm, lunch at 7 pm and dinner at 4 am (mostly spoiled, because it would have been made 10 to 12 hours before they eat) Doctors please remember your reputation is partly because of the commitment of your good nurses. Nurses should remember that their mission is much praiseworthy than any religious or social work. Hence keep your spirits high. We as a society are with you. You don't have to fight for your rights but demand them especially when they are genuine. Do not compare yourself with your friend in a government sector or abroad. Make small adjustments when you negotiate with minister and authorities which will not belittle your dignity. Dear brothers and sisters, as a team member of health system, I promise my support to your dreams to live with dignity.

Students roped in to face strike

In the wake of the Indian Nursing Association's (INA) indefinite strike starting on Monday in Kannur and Kasargod districts, the Kannur district administration has geared up to face the challenge. In an order, the Kannur district Collector, Mir Mohammad Ali has directed the nursing colleges to depute their students to assist in the nine hospitals in the district for five days from Monday. All the students, except first year students, should assist the nursing faculty at nine major hospitals which include three government hospitals. The hospital concerned has to provide Rs 150 to a student daily, said the collector.

Besides, the police has been asked to be present at the hospital premises to prevent any obstruction to nursing students from carrying out work. Police will also provide protection to the transport of the students. The students will have to face action if absent for ward duty. Mr Ali said that hospitals in Kannur were already stretched by high patient intake due to the fever epidemic and a strike would cripple the emergency health care to the patients. As many as 22 hospitals are expected to be affected by the strike call by INA in Kannur and Kasargod districts. Meanwhile, the United Nurses Faculty Association had dismissed the collector's order as illegal.

(The author is a Senior Resident, Cardiology, Kasturba Medical College)
United Airlines has once again made headlines by sending US rapper ScHoolboy Q's dog to the wrong city in the country during a layover flight. The 30-year-old California-based rapper arrived in Burbank from a layover in Denver on Friday night to find someone else's pooch, the CNN reported.

You guys r idiots @united HOW U PUT MY DOG ON THE WRONG FLIGHT???? I need answers  ScHoolboy Q (@ScHoolboyQ) July 14, 2017

"My little dog been moving around since the AM, prolly has pee and number 2 all in his cage smh," the rapper said in a text message to CNN. "....I plan on suing," he added.

The rapper, whose real name is Quincy Matthew Hanley, was travelling with his French bulldog puppy, Yeerndamean, from Missouri to Burbank, California. But the dog was switched during a stopover in Denver and flown to Chicago instead.

United Airlines says the dog is being well cared for. "We're working as quickly as possible to reunite the pet with their owner later this evening. We have reached out to our customer and sincerely apologise for this mistake and are providing a refund. Pets are part of our customers' family, and their safety and wellbeing is of the upmost importance to us," the airline said in a statement.

It is the latest incident of public relation disasters for the airline. In April, the airline came under fire for video of flight attendants and airport police violently dragging a man off an overbooked flight. A month later, a large rabbit - about to set a world record for side - died during a flight from the UK.
An abhorrent ancient practice which defiles and denigrates women, can be banned by law but can it be excised from the human mind? Can the Devadasi cult, so familiar to Kannadigas, ever be abolished unless the socio-economic conditions which led to the birth of this practice, change? These are perplexing questions which every citizen of the state has to ponder over after the Mavinsoor case, when a ten-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly made a Devadasi and then surfaced in Chittapur in Kalaburagi district. It focused attention on the shocking fact that the cult continues unhindered though many believed it had died out in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region decades ago. K.N. REDDY reports.

The case of the ten year old girl sold as a sex slave has triggered a debate on whether the Mavinsoor case is an isolated one or is the symptom of a deeper malaise.

Kalaburagi where Mavinsoor is located, is the district which bred famed politicians like the late CM Veerendra Patil, Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and the Ajatashatru of Karnataka politics, the venerable Dharam Singh. Obviously their pioneering efforts in effecting social reform have not helped and the District Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the department of women and child welfare had to swing into action recently to rescue the girl, made a Devadasi five years ago.

Soon after the case came to light, the Karnataka State Children Rights Protection Committee constituted a committee to study the problem and submit a report. Although its almost a month since the case was reported, the Committee has not even visited this village, let alone the others where newly-initiated Devadasis are said to be living. Reason - the lack of a conducive atmosphere to go to Mavinsoor.

Equally afraid, are the residents of Mavinsoor and nearby Bedsoor villages. Tight-lipped, they flee the moment they spot a new vehicle entering their village. Any effort to engage them in conversation to elicit information on the Devadasi cult, is met with a stock reply, namage enu gothillari (We dont know anything). Mavinsoor is a tiny hamlet situated close to the famous Ratkal Revanasiddeshwara Temple, about 40 kms from Kalaburagi town. The majority of residents belong to the Dalit community. The Ashraya houses built for Dalits by the government are well connected with cement  concrete roads and there is an anganawadi centre and a primary school in the village as well.

What then made the parents of this 10-year-old virtually sacrifice their daughter, deprive her of her childhood? The tragic story of Gundappa and Bichalavathi, her parents, would make anyone wonder if anything has really changed in Indian villages. The couple were childless for some time and lost two male children born one after the other, both dying soon after delivery. It was then that they approached the priest of Samavva Temple in the adjacent Bedsur village, Sharanappa, seeking a solution to their problem.

Acting on his advice, the couple are said to have taken a vow to offer their daughter as a Devadasi, if they had one. When they did have a daughter, the god-fearing couple named her Samavva after the deity.

The inquiry conducted by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) brought to light the agonising facts. About five years ago, when the girl was five years old, the family members performed a ritual known as Kanya Patta to offer her as a Devadasi at the Samavva Temple. It was the first step to being initiated into the Devadasi system - the second known as Dodda Patta is performed when the girl attains puberty. She would then become a concubine of a rich villager or the headman. On the day, the girl was tied the Taali by the priest, Sharanappa, also belonging to the Dalit community, she was dressed like a bride and taken in procession to her dwelling place, marking her initiation into the cult.

Probably out of fear, the girls mother, an assistant in the government run anganawadi in the village, contradicts the version of CWC officials. Claiming that what was tied to the girls neck was not a Taali but a talisman, she vehemently argued that it was done to fulfil her vow and cure her of an unknown disease she has been suffering from since birth.

They (CWC officials) forcibly entered my house when nobody was there. They did not listen to me and took my daughter away. When my brother-in-law tried to question them, they slapped him. What offence have I committed? Is it a crime for a woman who has lost her two male children to seek the blessings of the goddess? We are ignorant and innocent people merely following prevalent practices. Till these officials told us, we did not know what the Devadasi system is, she fumed, blaming the officials for separating her daughter from her.

She was supported by her brother-in-law, who claimed they had not heard of Devadasis till the CWC officials told them about it. The practice may exist elsewhere, but it is totally non-existent here, he claimed.

The teacher of the school where the girl studies, while also claiming that what was tied to her neck was a talisman, said that they did not report it to officials as they were told by the parents that it was done to cure the girl. Moreover, till the girl was taken away and the matter was reported by the media, we did not know what the Devadasi system is, the teacher said, trotting out the same line.

In parts of Kalaburagi and in many other districts across Karnataka, hundreds of pre-pubescent girls like the ten year old from Mavinsoor are at risk, with the administration clueless on how to counter this pervasive practise. Caught in the grind of poverty and ignorance, its a cult that has so many of the poor and the ignorant in their clutches.

Ten-year old Samavva has been shifted from her village to the state government run girls home.

Samavva in government home

Ten-year old Samavva has been shifted from her village to the state government run girls home. Pale, her eyes well up with tears if anyone asks her about her plight and all that she went through. Small for her age and looking frail, she could be mistaken for a five-year-old. To most queries, her innocent reply is gottilla (dont know). Asked whether she knows who is a Devadasi, she mumbles gotilla. She says the Taali was tied on her neck some years ago by the priest because she was not keeping well. I was told I will be alright, if I wear this, she mutters. Asked whether rituals were performed at the time of tying the Taali, her innocent reply again is gottilla. Asked why she has been brought to the hostel, she says "its because Im wearing a Taali. Whether girls of her age in her village or any of her relatives wear the Taali, Samavvas reply was again, gottilla. Did her parents tell her why she was tied the Taali? Her response was gottilla.

Where is the priest?

There is an eerie silence in Bedsur village where the age-old Samavva temple is situated. Till the Muzrai department renovated it with concrete roofing in 2013-14, the temple was a tiny 3 X 3 ft block covered with slabs on three sides but open to the air. The deity is a triangular shaped granite stone, daubed with orange on all sides.

Efforts to trace the priest, who is said to have initiated many girls into the Devadasi system in the last one and a half decades, were unsuccessful as the villagers refused to give his address. Some even said that there was no permanent priest for the temple and the priest was changed every six months! According to CWC officials, the priest Sharanappa used to make the parents of poor innocent Dalit girls believe that goddess Samavva had conveyed to him in his dream that a particular Dalit girl should be made a Devadasi! He used to instil fear and convince the parents that they should fulfil the godess wish. Believing his words, many gullible parents offered their daughters up as Devadasis. The Committee is yet to visit the places to ascertain the names given by the priest, Vittal Chikni, CWC member, stated.

Police officials are not sure where these girls are now. As the priest is a drunkard, he would have uttered some nonsense, which cannot be taken seriously, said one official.

Chikni, who comes from a Dalit family and has studied the system however felt the practice is still alive in some villages in Aland taluk such as Hadalagi, Chinchansur, Honnali and Gola(B). The style of initiation has changed but the practice is prevalent in some parts of the district. Its being practised clandestinely and done in a systematic manner. Whether it exists in this part of Chittapur taluk can be established only after a thorough inquiry, he added.
Bengaluru: Following serious allegations by a subordinate officer against him, the DGP and IGP of Prisons, H. N. Sathyanarayana Rao, has recommended the state government shunt her out of the prisons department in the best interest of the department.

Sources said that forwarding DIG (Prisons) D. Roopa Moudgil's report on the alleged irregularities at Parappana Agrahara central prison and corruption charges against himself and other officers, Mr. Rao wrote to the government that the allegations made by the DIG were totally baseless and she had not given any evidence to prove her allegations.

Further, he has also reportedly pressed for a free and fair probe into all the allegations made by Mrs. Roopa against him and other officials. However, when DC tried to get in touch with Mr. Rao for his comments on the same, he was not available.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed sources said that the government was contemplating to send Mr. Rao, who is due for retirement this month end, on compulsory leave to avoid further damage to the government's image.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Ministers of State for MEA MJ Akbar and Union Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

New Delhi: Thirty-nine Indians abducted in Iraq by the ISIS three years ago may be lodged in a jail in Badush in northwest Mosul, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday, and added that her Iraqi counterpart may bring fresh information about them when he visits India on July 24.

Swaraj briefed family members of the abducted men, who are mostly from Punjab, about information gathered by the Minister of State for External Affairs, VK Singh, who was sent to the Gulf nation after its Prime Minister announced the liberation of Mosul from the dreaded terror group ISIS.

Swaraj said an authoritative official quoting intelligence sources told Singh, the Indians were deployed at a hospital construction site and then shifted to a farm. They were then taken to a jail in Badush in West Mosul, where fighting between the ISIS and Iraqi forces is on.

Ministers of state Singh and MJ Akbar and senior ministry officials were also present at the meeting with the family members.

She said Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari is scheduled to visit India on July 24 and may bring updated information about the missing men.

"East Mosul has been completely freed from ISIS and now buildings are being sanitised and authorities are not allowing civilians to go there as there may be bombs and other explosives," she said.

In West Mosul, fighting is still carrying on, she said.

"An official who quoted intelligence sources told Gen Singh that they were deployed for a hospital construction and then in a farm. From there, they were sent to a jail in Badush. There has been no information since then," Swaraj told said.

There would be fresh information once the fighting in Badush was over, she added.

Swaraj said she had spoken to foreign ministers of all the countries in the region which could help India in locating the men.

The external affairs minister had written a letter to her Iraqi counterpart and it was handed over to him in Baghdad by Singh. Singh returned from Iraq on Saturday. She said if required, Singh would again travel to Iraq.

We called family members of all those who were abducted in Iraq. I had already met them 10 or 12 times, but this time the situation was different as the Iraqi prime minister had declared that Mosul had been freed from ISIS. That very day I asked VK Singh to go to Iraq and collect details about the Indians, Swaraj said.

The Indians were abducted by the ISIS in Mosul in June 2014.
Addressing an all-party meet ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on Monday, Modi said action against corrupt politicians is a must. (Photo: Twitter)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the political class to join hands against those seeking an escape route by dubbing action against graft as a political conspiracy, apparently indicating the recent graft cases against leaders of the Trinamool Congress and RJD.

Addressing an all-party meet ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on Monday, he said action against corrupt politicians is a must.

"When the law takes its course against those who loot the nation, then we have to unite against those who seek an escape route by dubbing such an action as a political conspiracy," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Besides ensuring integrity in public life, action against corrupt politicians was a must. Every party should identify such leaders amongst themselves and disassociate itself from them, PM Modi said.

He also lamented that for the past few decades, the reputation of the political class has been at stake due to the behaviour of some politicians.

"We will have to assure the people that not all politicians are tainted," Modi said. Modi's remarks came against the backdrop of Trinamool Congress and RJD dubbing the action against their leaders by law enforcement agencies over alleged corruption as political conspiracy.

Opposition parties have often alleged that successive governments have used the CBI and other agencies as a political tool to arm-twist political rivals.
Ms.Lisa Eichhorn, Consulate Attache, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Chennai unveiled the plaque marking the inauguration of Ziegenbalg museum at Tharangampadi on Saturday.

Tranquebar: Ozone-filled sea breeze wafted across the house. A choir of girl students sang in praise of Jesus and Christian missionaries. Amidst a festive mood, the 'Zeigenbalg Museum on Intercultural Dialogue' was inaugurated at Tharagampadi, once a Danish settlement, on the Bay of Bengal in Nagapattinam district, on Saturday.

This is one of the landmark events in the history of Tharangampadi or Tranquebar as the quaint coastal place is known, declared those who attended the function. While Justice J. Kanagaraj, Judge, Administrator, Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC) inaugurated the museum, Lisa Eichhorn, Consular Attache, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Chennai unveiled the stone. Prof. D.Kamal Chopra, president, All India Federation of Master Printers inaugurated the exhibition.

A German missionary Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg landed at Tharangampadi, described as the land of singing waves on July 9 in 1706. He purchased the house and spent many creative hours of his life in it till his death in 1719.

The contributions of Ziegenbalg to society are many. Within a short span of time he was able to master the Tamil language and also set up the first Tamil Printing Press in 1712.

Opening of educational institutions for Tamil children, bringing out the first comprehensive translation of Bible and its distribution are some of his contributions.

The house where he lived has now been converted into a museum after restoration. The historical significance of the museum is that it is an important monument of Indo-German heritage.

The speakers at the function said that the museum is a joint project by TELC in close cooperation with the Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Lower Saxony, the Francke Foundations Halle, and the Leipzig Mission work.

The restoration work was generously funded by the cultural preservation fund of the German Federal Foreign Office and the United Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Germany (VELKD).

The work was professionally executed and co-coordinated by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and local craftsmen. The 'Baptism bawl' of Ziegenbalg brought from Pulsaitz to Tharangampadi in 1934, Oversize print of songs (devotional songs), old printing machines, photos of print workshops held at Tharangampadi at various years, print letters are among the display in the museum.

The German government has contributed Rs 36 lakh in Indian currency for the project. According to the project managers, for the time being, the museum concentrates on the impact of Tamil printing history exhibiting machines and accessories from 19th century. Salem District Printers Association and All India Federation of Master Printers have contributed to the museum.

In the course of time, when security standards are met, Original documents from 18th century, housed in the archives in Halle, Germany, Copenhagen, Denmark, and London, United Kingdom, will be displayed in the museum and made available to the members of the public. The museum will then be expanded into a research house.
New Delhi: The Delhi Police was thrown into a tizzy when it was alerted by a man about a threat call about blowing up the Red Fort.

The call later turned out to be a hoax, officials said.

The matter was reported to the Begumpur police station around 7:30 pm on Saturday. Later, the accused, who had made the call "just for fun", was nabbed, the police said.

Nitin Kumar, who informed the police about the call, recalled the almost three-hour long ordeal that he went through Saturday.

"I was in my digital marketing class when I got a call around 7 pm from a man, claiming to be from Pakistan.

"He said that there will be a bomb blast at the Red Fort around 8:30 pm. He also claimed that there is a bomb planted in a hotel in Connaught Place," Kumar said.

It was a Delhi number from which the call was made, he said, adding that he alerted the police soon after.

Kumar said that Police Control Room vans rushed to his residence in Rohini within no time, making his mother worried.

Kumar said he was called to the Prashant Vihar police station since he was closer to it, and the caller was traced to a hotel in Paharganj.

Personnel from the Paharganj police station visited the hotel and arrested a 22-year-old man, identified as Mehfuz.

Mehfuz is a resident of Kishanganj in Bihar and was working as a manager in the hotel for the last couple of years.

He told the police that he had made the call just for "fun" and had randomly dialled a couple of numbers.

The others did not take his call, and it was only Kumar who responded, the police said.
Tamil Nadu farmers will join an indefinite protest after their counterparts, taking part in 'Kisan Mukti Yatra', reach Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 18. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Scores of Tamil Nadu farmers, who had grabbed eyeballs with their unique protest earlier in 2017, on Sunday landed in the national capital to resume their agitation for loan waiver and drought-relief package.

Around 70 cultivators were, however, detained when they tried to stage a demonstration near the Prime Minister's residence on Lok Kalyan Marg. They were later taken to Parliament Street police station. "Our demands were not met as promised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy and Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan. So we have decided to resume our protest for another 100 days," farmers' leader P Ayyakannu said.

The farmers from the southern state have been demanding a drought relief package of Rs 40,000 crore, farm loan waiver and setting up of Cauvery Management Board by the Centre.

They will join an indefinite protest after their counterparts, taking part in 'Kisan Mukti Yatra', reach Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 18. The group led by Ayyakannu had in March staged novel protests by holding human skulls outside the Prime Minister's house, stripping naked outside the President's and drinking urine.
Media reports said the mishap occurred at Nichilana, about 11-km from the highway town of Banihal which is 107-km south of Srinagar. (Photo: PTI/Representational)

Srinagar: Sixteen Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 27 others wounded when the bus they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into a 150-feet deep gorge near Ramban area along the Srinagar-Jammu highway on Sunday.

The Jammu & Kashmir Police tweeted, Ramban accident update. 16 dead; 19 injured being airlifted for treatment. 8 minor injuries.

Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Shesh Paul Vaid told Deccan Chronicle that the bus was on its way to Kashmir from Jammu when accident occurred.

Media reports said the mishap occurred at Nichilana, about 11-km from the highway town of Banihal which is 107-km south of Srinagar.

According to the latest reports from Banihal, injured passengers are being treated at the Banihal sub-district hospital.

Witnesses said that local residents started a rescue operation immediately after the accident occurred and were soon joined by the police and a column of the Army.

Members of the State Disaster Management Force too have rushed to the area. Two Army helicopters too were pressed into service, reports added.

Reports also said that the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (J&KSRTC) bus with registration number JK02V- 0594 was part of an Amarnath convoy and that most probably its driver lost control over it and it fell into the gorge.

The 40-day annual yatra to Amarnath started on June 29 and, so far, nearly 200,000 devotees have paid obeisance at the 3,888-metre-high cave-shrine in Kashmir Himalayas.

However, forty pilgrims have died in the first 18 days of the yatra including eighteen in mishaps, 14 due to cardiac arrest and other ailments and the remaining eight in the July 10 terror violence at Botengo in Anantnag district.
Hyderabad: In an endeavour to combat menace of drugs in Telangana, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Sunday met concerned police official and excise officers.

KCR met officials on Sunday in Pragathi Bhavan where they submitted the report and drug users list to him.

According to sources, the list includes the names of celebrities who were already issued notices.

KCR, at the meet, assured officials of full support and ordered them not to spare guilty.

Reportedly, on Saturday KCR ordered Excise and Enforcement director Akun Sabarwal to cancel his leave and to do the unbiased investigation in the matter.
The EC said any ballot in the presidential poll signed with a personal pen will be invalid. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Legislators and parliamentarians who will vote to elect the country's next President cannot carry their personal pens into the voting room, the Election Commission or EC said today. The EC said the lawmakers will be instead given a "special marker" to sign their ballot.

"Before entering the voting chamber, a polling staff will collect personal pens from the voters and hand over the special pen to mark their vote on the ballot paper," an EC spokesperson said.

The serial-numbered pens are filled with a violet ink approved by the EC.

"When the member comes out of the voting chamber, the special pen will be taken back and the polling staff will return the personal pen," the spokesperson said.

The EC said using any other pen will invalidate the vote during counting under the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections Rules, 1974.

In the Rajya Sabha polls for Haryana in June 2016, the votes of 12 legislators were declared invalid on the ground that they were inked using wrong pens. Then EC then decided to use special pens for electors to mark their votes in the presidential and vice presidential elections.

Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited, which supplies indelible ink to the EC, made the pens. The EC will make the lawmakers aware of the new rule by putting up posters. It has told lawmakers not to issue any whip or directive to party members to vote in favour of either of the two candidates - the National Democratic Alliance's Ram Nath Kovind or the United Progressive Alliance's Meira Kumar. Since it is a secret ballot, voters should not disclose whom they have voted for, the EC said.

Green ballot papers are for Members of Parliament and pink ballot papers are for Members of Legislative Assembly. The value of an MLA's vote depends on the population of the state he or she represents. But the value of an MP's vote does not vary -- it is 708. So the coloured papers will help returning officers count the votes based on the value.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed pain at the loss of lives of Amarnath pilgrims in a bus accident in Jammu and Kashmir.

At least 16 pilgrims were killed and several others injured when their vehicle fell into a gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased," Modi tweeted.

"I pray that those injured in the bus accident in J&K recover soon," the prime minister added.
The session, which will continue till August 11, is also likely to witness heated debates on other key issues like the fallout of the GST, the agrarian crisis and the policy towards Pakistan. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: A united Opposition is all set to turn the heat up on the government over issues like lynching incidents and vigilantism, the Kashmir situation and the border stand-off with China during the monsoon session of Parliament that begins on Monday.

The session, which will continue till August 11, is also likely to witness heated debates on other key issues like the fallout of the GST, the agrarian crisis and the policy towards Pakistan.

Some parties are likely to raise the issue of notification on ban on cow slaughter and demand an explanation from the government on it.

"We will try and put the government on the mat and demand answers on some key issues that are posing a threat to the country's social harmony," a senior Opposition leader said.

CPI leader D Raja said the Opposition "will seek answers from the government on what they are doing to check rising incidents of cow vigilantism and lynchings in the country that pose grave danger to the social harmony of the country and the idea of India".

The government, on its part, is seeking the cooperation of Opposition in getting key legislative business passed and has lined up around two dozen bills in the session that will have around 20 sittings.

The increased Opposition synergy comes at a time when 18 parties have come together under one platform to pin the government on some key issues. The parties came together on the presidential and vice presidential election, but are keen to take the unity further in raising issues in Parliament.

Both Houses of Parliament will take up obituary references on Monday and may not transact business due to the death of some sitting members.

Two Rajya Sabha members -- former Union minister Anil Madhav Dave and Congress member Palvai Govardhan Reddy -- died during the interregnum period after the budget session while sitting Gurdaspur Lok Sabha member Vinod Khanna also died during that period.

A structured meeting within the Congress on the party's strategy in the coming session is slated on Monday, when the session is unlikely to transact much business due to the presidential election.

Another joint meeting of Opposition leaders is slated the next day for putting in place their strategy for the session.

"The government would want the monsoon session of Parliament to be fruitful and constructive. We will also ensure good coordination and communication with the Opposition to help get legislative business passed during the session.

"If the opposition demands a discussion on some current issues, we will discuss the same in the business advisory committee and the chairman will decide the time and date of discussion," Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

Issues like the flood situation particularly in Assam and other northeastern states, violence over Gorkhaland, fallout of demonetisation, job losses and disinvestment of PSUs are also likely to be raised.

The prime minister's first-ever visit to Israel is also likely to figure for discussion in the coming session.

A lot of legislative business is lined up by the government in this session, which includes the 'The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017', 'The Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill, 2017', 'The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017' in the Lok Sabha.

Besides, 'The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership) Bill, 2017' and 'The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017', 'The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017', 'The Footwear Design and Development Institute Bill, 2017', are also lined up for passage in the Lok Sabha.

The government in Rajya Sabha has also lined up a number of legislations for consideration and passage. These include the Constitution amendment bill on national backward commission, the labour code bill, the extension of GST in Jammu and Kashmir bill, the banking resolution bill and 'The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2017, among others.

The government has also listed 'The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 for consideration and passage, which has been pending in Rajya Sabha for sometime now.
PDP MLAs driver Touseef Ahmad was formally placed under arrest on Friday as part of investigations into militancy-related violence in south Kashmir. (Photo: PTI)

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police driver Towseef Ahmed detained earlier this week was not involved in the July 10 terror incident in Anantnag district in which eight Amarnath pilgrims were killed and eighteen others wounded.

He was wanted for his alleged role in a murderous assault on a special police officer in June this year. However, he has now been formally arrested along with three others for his role in the incident and for his links with a group of militants belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, the police said here on Sunday.

The news circulated by a section of media and also through social media about Towseefs involvement in the Amarnath terror deaths is not true, a police spokesman said.

He made a fervent appeal to media not to carry speculative and factually incorrect stories.

The police said Ahmed was part of an over-ground workers group for the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. It claimed that it has busted two modules of the terror outfit in southern Shopian and north-western Baramulla districts of the Valley.

The members of the twin groups, five of whom have already been arrested, were allegedly providing logistic support to militants and luring young boys of the Valley to the militancy before they could send them to Pakistan for receiving arms training in PoK, the police said.

A statement issued here said that while pursuing a case registered under various provisions of law including Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Ranbir Panel Code and the Arms Act at a local police station in southern Shopian, the police could lay its hands on four over-ground workers of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

The case pertained to the June 11 terror attack on a special police officer Khurshid Ahmed at Imam Sahib, Shopian. During the course of investigation four persons were arrested for their involvement in providing logistic support and participation in the furthering the said criminal act, said a statement issued by the police here.

It added that it has also been revealed that the said attack was carried out by one Nazim Nazir Dar at the behest of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen cadres Saddam Padder and Irfan Abdullah Ganie, both residents of Heff village of Shopian. In this criminal conspiracy four OGWs (over-ground workers) provided logistic support to the militant group. They are Amir Mohiuddin, also a resident of Heff and working in a bank at Chitragam, Constable-driver Towseef Ahmed of Chakoora, Basharat Yusuf Mir, a resident of Litter, working as private teacher and Iftikar Rather alias Jamshed, a resident of Awneera, the statement said.

It added, After sustained questioning they were arrested and are being investigated for their roles. Investigation so far has revealed their complicity in entering into criminal conspiracy for carrying future attacks at the behest of this group for targeting some more policemen and civilians.

In another statement, the police said that Baramulla police assisted by security forces has busted a module of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen which was active in the area and was mainly involved in luring young boys into militancy.

This module was being spearheaded by the terror groups commander Parvez Wani alias Mubashir, a resident of Gagloora, Handwara (Kupwara district), the statement said. It mentioned the names of other members of the group as Ansar Ullah Tantray, Abdul Rashid Bhat and Mehraj-ud-din Kak.

The module had plans to send many boys to Pakistan on valid visas to get them trained in terrorist camps of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (POK), the statement said.

It also added that one of the accused Abdul Rashid Bhat had visited Pakistan in May this year and was imparted training for undertaking terrorist activities in Khalid bin Waleed camp of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen located in PoK.

He had got the visa from Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi on the recommendation of one separatist organization, the statement claimed.

It further said that arms, ammunition and Rs. one lakh in Indian currency was recovered from the possession of the accused.

The module was not only luring young boys to terrorism, but also providing all logistic support to other terrorists of the terror outfit.

Pertinent to mention here that recently Baramulla police saved around 10 boys meant to be inducted in terror ranks from the clutches of terrorists and were handed over to their parents, the statement said.

A case FIR number 112/2017 under sections of 13 Unlawful Activities Prevention Act has been registered in Police Station Pattan (Baramulla) and investigation has been taken up.
It isnt often that one bounces off the padded walls, here in our somnolent state. But there were two events, one, right here in our backyard, and one further afield in Bantwal that were appalling in their shocking disconnect between the men running the political shop at the very top, and the situation at Ground Zero where reality and the politicians version of the truth violently collide.

In communally sensitive Bantwal, always on the knife edge between the largely Hindu fishing community and the preponderantly Muslim trader, the hacking to death of an RSS worker named Sharath Madiwala has lit a fire that the Siddaramaiah government has failed to douse with any sense of urgency.

Does it take one week for any policeman, beat or top cop, to realize that Section 144 has failed to keep the protestors and street processions and the attendant violence in check? As for the government of the day, shouldnt visiting Bantwal and BC Road and the grieving Madiwalas take priority over strategising for a re-election a full year away? Why give room to criticism  well founded or otherwise  that the Congress appeasement of minorities is behind the killing of innocents.

Neither the Congress nor the BJP has ever baulked from pandering to their respective vote banks. And Bantwal is no exception. The two entrenched power brokers here are the BJPs Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat and the Congress Ramanath Rai, whom the RSS denigrate as Karnatakas Maulana Mulayam. Neither will give an inch. Both have a lock on their following, with Rai electorally unchallenged in the area since the mid-eighties.

Its time matters were taken in hand. File the cases, put away the trouble-makers, whatever their nomenclature, Mr Chief Minister.

More so, now. The wave of anti-Muslim sentiment sweeping the nation that has followed on the heels of the rise and rise of the supreme ultra-nationalist prime minister Narendra Modi, has not left Bantwal or the rest of the deeply divided Dakshina Kannada untouched.

Its given an opening to the BJP, looking for any and every opportunity to whip up their following into the hysteria that has all of northern India in its grip. Do we really want a lynch mob beating the s#*~ out of some poor, unsuspecting Kannadiga  Hindu or Muslim  as they do in the benighted, ignorant north?

Or for that matter in the killing fields of Kannur? Just across the border? And let me correct you there, Mr Yeddyurappa. In Kannur and Kasargod and the home of the Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the leader of the Communist Party of India  Marxist in the afore-mentioned state of Kerala, the bloodlust, the cycle of blood-letting for over 60 years has seen the RSS and the Marxists hack away at each other. Not the Congress. The hapless target is nearly always a teacher, the man held in high esteem by his students. The job of finishing him off is done with that beautifully sharpened, curved little implement, the sickle, that either goes for the jugular, snaps the carotid artery or simply disembowels your belly.

The BJP has not hesitated to cast the first stone, either, in the scandalous mis-handling of the whistle-blower cop who has opened a can of worms with her report on the manner in which the AIADMK power behind the Jayalalithaa throne is playing master puppeteer at the citys Parappana Agrahara main prison!

Where is the state home minister? Just as PM Modi is stretched over the governments handling of the twin foreign policy challenges posed on its western and eastern border by Pakistan and China, because he doesnt have a foreign minister who can stay on top of the job - she isnt in the pink of health - here too, in this state, a home minister driving the police force would have seen the red flags long before the very public falling out between the woman cop and her boss. The woman cop, undoubtedly is spilling the beans on Sasikala for the wrong reasons - she clearly has an axe to grind against her boss. But hey! Transferring her for going public? Bad move. Does Mr Siddaramaiah really want his police force to be seen as anti-women? Anupama Shenoy was the first to bring the problem faced by women in the force to the fore. D. Roopa wont be the last.

The bigger issue is that  and its not political patronage, as the BJP now claims, the AIADMK and the Congress are and never will be friends or allies  the prisons in our country are dens of iniquity where prostitution and pimping, the drug trade and alcohol abuse and just plain thuggery is rampant. And for those doing time for crimes, its money that buys you the comforts of the world outside, the world that you have been banned from, for bending the very rules that you are breaking. On the inside. Lets shut that down. Poor judgement. In Bantwal. And Bengaluru.
Hyderabad: Three-year-old Renuka has died of iron poisoning and her six-year-old sister Malleshwari is in a critical state at Niloufer Hospital. The two girls, who had been pla-ying in the fields in Mahaboobnagar while their parents were far-ming, suddenly took ill, began vomiting, and complained of severe abdominal pains on Saturday. They were taken to the local doctor who advised the parents to take them to Niloufer Hospital. Befo-re the doctors could identify what was wrong with them, the younger girl turned completely blue.

Blood tests revealed that the amount of iron in their blood was extremely high. A senior doctor at Niloufer Hospital said, The blood reports indicated iron poisoning, which requires the administration of desferrioxamine as an antidote. Eight injections are required to control the poisoning. Malleshwari began to recover after the first two injections. The doctors tried to trace the source of the iron by asking her what she had eaten recently. Dr P. S. Ramesh, a junior doctor, said, The child said that she had consumed tablets that were lying in a garbage dum-p near the field. Malles-hwari had eaten three tablets and her younger sister Renuka ate six

It was the tablets that caused the iron poisoning. D. Swaroopa Rani, a volunteer at the hospital, said, The older girl had taken three tablets and was hence able to survive. Doctors tried to induce vomiting so that the effect of the tablets could be minimised, but that didnt happen. An antidote was required to treat the poisoning which was finally able to source with the help of volunteers. She need six more shots to recover completely.
The main causative agents for food adulteration are synthetic food colours, substandard food quality, misbranded food items. Sometimes the batch and date of manufacturing are not mentioned either. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: Telangana and AP State Food Laboratory of Institute of Preventive Medicine that tests the food samples for adulteration, is in the dock with its officials being charged with corruption.

ACB Director General Mr J.Purnachandra Rao said, On March 7, 2017 the food Inspector of Central Zone GHMC had collected samples of chicken biryani from Haveli Bar and Restaurant, Begumpet and sent the samples to SFL Nacharam for analysis. The analyst examined the samples and gave an unsafe report. In order to change the report, the samples were sent to the Central Food Laboratory at Pune, at the behest of the owner K.V. Narsinga Rao. The Assistant Food Controller Balaji Raju colluded with the Chief Public Analyst to influence the Central Food Laboratory authorities at Pune.

An average of 10,000 samples of food items are sent for analysis by the GHMC every year. At an average, 10 to 20 per cent of the food items are found to be adulterated. The main causative agents for food adulteration are synthetic food colours, substandard food quality, misbranded food items. Sometimes the batch and date of manufacturing are not mentioned either. Hazardo-us synthetic colours like tatrazine, sunset yellow, erythrosine, fast green and brilliant blue are used that damage the liver, kidney and digestive system, said Purnachandar Rao.

Food officials in connivance with the officials of State Food Laboratory are demanding bribes to generate false reports. ACB has also seized the cellphones of the accused, Mr Rao added.
Hyderabad: More than a month after she went missing, SSC student Poornima Sai was found in a child care home in Mumbai, putting an end to the anxiety of her parents and a massive search operation by the Cyberabad Police.

It was some quick thinking by the Mumbai police that helped them identify Poornima, who had claimed that she was an orphan. Suspecting her story, the Mumbai police informed its Tukaramgate counterparts, who passed the information to Bachupally police.

Her parents along with teams from Bachupally police are travelling to Mumbai to bring Poornima back, ACP Kukatpally N. Bhujanga Rao said.
A mass-produced CH-5 reconnaissance/combat drone takes off for a test flight at an airport in Hebei province on Friday. [Photo by WANG JING/CHINA DAILY]

China is ready to mass-produce the CH-5 reconnaissance/combat drone, the nation's latest offering to the international military drone market.

The first mass-production CH-5 made its debut flight, in which it was airborne for more than 20 minutes, at an airport in Hebei province on Friday afternoon.

Ou Zhongming, project manager of the Caihong, or Rainbow, series of drones at the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics in Beijing, said after the test that several nations, including current users of other CH models and new clients, are in talks with the academy on procurement of the CH-5, which is believed to be one of the best unmanned military aircraft in the world.

"Today's flight means the CH-5's design has been finalized and we are ready to mass-produce it," he said, refusing to name potential buyers.

The China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics is the country's largest military drone exporter by the number of products sold overseas. Its CH-series drones have been sold to militaries in more than 10 countries, making it the largest drone family the country has exported, according to statistics from the academy.

Shi Wen, chief designer of the CH series, said the CH-5 outperforms all of its Chinese-made counterparts when it comes to operational endurance and payload capacity. The plane is as good as the US-made General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, a hunter-killer drone often deemed by Western analysts as the best of its kind, he added.

The prototype CH-5 was first flown in August 2015. The drone is made of composite materials and has a wingspan of 21 meters. Twice as big as its predecessors in the CH family, the drone can stay in the air for 60 hours, almost three times that of other Chinese models. Its maximum operational range is designed at 10,000 kilometers, according to Shi.

The drone's 1-metric-ton payload capacity enables it to bring as many as 24 missiles on a single mission, strong enough to take out a convoy of armored vehicles.

The unmanned aircraft is also able to carry an airborne early warning system to act as a platform for regional surveillance and battlefield command and control. It also can carry electronic warfare instruments to collect electronic intelligence and to jam enemy communications or radar.

Moreover, the CH-5 can detect underwater targets such as submarines when mounted with certain devices, Shi said.

The CH-5 can also use high-resolution cameras, radar and radio transmitters to serve a wide range of civilian and public sectors.
A view of Parliament in New Delhi on Sunday, a day ahead of the monsoon session. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on Monday is set to be dominated by issues such as cow vigilantism, farmers protests, Kashmir unrest, action of law enforcement agencies against some opposition leaders over alleged corruption, and Indias stand-off with China.

The Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha will be adjourned on Monday due to the death of sitting members of both the Houses and serious proceedings are expected from Tuesday. The session is slated to conclude on August 11.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad made it clear on Sunday that the Congress and other opposition parties would target the government over the issues of Kashmir as well as the stand-off with China.

Targeting the government on the Kashmir issue, he said the government closed all doors for dialogue on it which led to political suffocation in the Valley.

He also observed that the differences with China over Kashmir had become a new focal point and the opposition parties would also seek a debate on the stand-off in the Dokalam area near the Bhutan trijunction.

The Congress and several other opposition parties, including the Left, have been critical of the ruling alliance over the cases of violence by self-proclaimed cow protectors who have often attacked Muslims and, in some cases, Dalits.

Economic issues, especially alleged lack of jobs, are also likely to be taken up by the opposition parties to corner the government.

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav has accused the Modi government of failing to fulfil its promises to create jobs and said the opposition parties would raise the matter in Parliament.

BJP leaders have said they would take on the opposition over these issues claiming that the governments track record has been better than the UPA in terms of economy and agriculture growth.

The government would want the monsoon session to be constructive. We will also ensure coordination with the opposition to help get legislative business passed, Union minister of state for parliamentary affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the political class to join hands against those seeking an escape route by dubbing action against graft as a political conspiracy, apparently indicating the recent graft cases against leaders of the Trinamul and the RJD.

Addressing an all-party meet ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on Monday, he said action against corrupt politicians is a must.

When the law takes its course against those who loot the nation, then we have to unite against those who seek an escape route by dubbing such an action as a political conspiracy, the Prime Minister tweeted.

Besides ensuring integrity in public life, action against corrupt politicians was a must. Every party should identify such leaders amongst themselves and disassociate itself from them, Mr Modi said.

He also lamented that for the past few decades, the reputation of the political class has been at stake due to the behaviour of some politicians.

We will have to assure the people that not all politicians are tainted, Modi said.

At the all-party meet, he said it would have been better if there had been a consensus on the presidential candidate.

The Prime Minister also said all parties should support the government in conducting parliamentary business so that constructive discussion could take place on issues of national importance.

The Congress, meanwhile, said it would ask for a debate on China and Kashmir, even as it said it stands by the government on matters of the nations territorial integrity.

Mr Azad said that though the Congress was not in favour of stalling the proceedings of Parliament, it was forced to do so when the government did not agree to the Oppositions demands.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with NCP chief Sharad Pawar, President of National Conference Farooq Abdullah and CPI's D Raja after an all-party meeting ahead of monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Sunday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Taking up the issue of cow vigilantism on the eve of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday put the onus on controlling hooliganism and cases of lynching on state governments and urged them to take strict action in such matters.

The Prime Minister made these comments at an all-party meeting that was attended by the entire Opposition, with the exception of the Trinamul and the Janata Dal (United). Both parties said their MPs were preoccupied with work.

The Opposition parties, led by the Congress, and including the Left, said they would corner the Modi government over issues like mob lynching, Kashmir, the border standoff with China, GST and agrarian distress during the session that begins on Monday.

Mr Modis statement on Sunday was seen as an effort at blunting the Oppositions attack over cow vigilantism. He also sought the support of all Opposition parties in tackling 7communal violence in the name of cow protection, and urged that no political colour be given to the issue.

In a series of tweets after the all-party meeting, the Prime Minister said all political parties should collectively denounce hooliganism in the name of cow protection... The state governments should take stringent action against such anti-social elements.
Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind is greeted by BJP chief Amit Shah as Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on at an NDA meeting in New Delhi on Sunday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated NDA presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind in advance, on the eve of the July 17 presidential election, and urged ruling alliance MPs to cast their vote.

Welcoming Kovind to the NDA meeting, the Prime Minister recalled how Kovind had worked as Morarji Desais sahyogi when Desai was Prime Minister, and said the government will offer all sahyog (cooperation) to him.

The PM also asked NDA MPs to reach out to the new millennial voters, those born in 2000 and after, and said they should be welcomed and made aware of their responsibilities.

With the numbers favouring Kovind in Mondays presidential election, against the Oppositions candidate Meira Kumar, the result is a foregone conclusion as nearly two-thirds of the electoral college is backing him, including some non-NDA parties.

Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar made light of Congress president Sonia Gandhi's call to MPs and MLAs for a vote of conscience, saying that not only had 40 parties supported Kovinds presidential bid, non-NDA CMs of Bihar, TN and Odisha had also announced their support.
Kochi: Dileep's hopes for relief in the actress kidnap case was shattered on Saturday when Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Angamaly, denied him bail. The court sent the superstar back to judicial custody till July 25. The court dismissed his plea after the prosecution heavily objected to it stating that there were chances of him influencing witnesses including Pratheesh Chacko, former counsel of Pulsar Suni, and Appunni, his aide. Sources said he would move the High Court on Monday, though a final decision was not taken.

The prosecution contended that if he were released, it would hinder the investigation and he is an influential person. Police also cited the support the actor was garnering on social media and reiterated that it had enough evidence to prove the conspiracy, and the investigation was not over. They suspected either Mr Chacko or any of Pulsar Suni's aide had handed over the visuals to Dileep. Dileep's counsel rubbished the contentions.

The magistrate sought Dileep's response on the behaviour of cops while he was in custody. He smiled and said he had no issues. Meanwhile, Dileep's counsel submitted two mobile phones he was using and wanted them to be sent for forensic analysis before the police could tamper with it. The cops were forced to bring the actor back to the court after they failed to unlock them.
KOCHI: The special investigation team probing the abduction and sexual assault of a female actor on Sunday has summoned Raju Joseph, a junior advocate of Pratheesh Chacko, the former legal counsel of Sunilkumar alias Pulsar Suni, the prime accused in the case. The junior has been taken into custody even as the probe team intensified the search for Appunni, a personal aide of actor Dileep, and Mr Chacko. Mr Joseph is being questioned at the Aluva Police Club.

Interrogation of Appunni and Chacko is crucial for the probe team to make further progress in the case as the two were allegedly involved in many behind the scene activities after the crime was committed. The police feels that Pulsar Suni had handed over the memory card containing the visuals of the assault to Dileep with the help of the lawyer. Appunni has been found involved in settlement talks with Suni over the amount. The probe team feels that the two are hiding to avoid the possibility of facing an interrogation along with the actor.

They meanwhile continued efforts to collect maximum evidence against the star and recorded the statements of two eyewitnesses to the conversation between him and Suni. Dileep is expected to file a bail application before a higher court on Monday. Women's Collective in Cinema has condemned an alleged statement by former police chief T. P. Sen Kumar against the female actor subjected to the attack. In a Facebook post, it said it would file a complaint before the State Womens Commission.
Hyderabad: TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has instructed party MPs and MLAs not to tick the name of UPA candidate Meira Kumar as their second preference while voting in the Presidential election. Mr Rao told them clearly to tick the name of the NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind as their only choice.

All TRS MLAs have been summoned for a mock polling on Sunday at Telangana Bhavan, on the eve of the Presidential election on Monday.

Mr Rao asked every elector to go through the mock polling as a precautionary measure to avoid any mistakes. TRS MLC Palla Rajeswara Reddy told DC that mock polling will be held on Sunday as a majority of the party electors had never participated in a Presidential election earlier. TRS MPs will participate in mock polling on Sunday evening at the New Delhi residence of Mahbubnagar MP A.P. Jitender Reddy. The MPs will exercise their vote on Monday at Parliament House. In a related development, the MIM has decided to vote in favour of Ms Kumar.

Though there is no official version about this yet, a senior legislator of the party said that all the seven MLAs and one MP will vote for Ms Kumar.

The MIM did not vote in Presidential elections in 2002 and 2007 but voted in favour of Pranab Mukherjee in 2012.

We cannot support or vote in favour of NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind who is nothing but a candidate sponsored by the RSS. We will vote for Meira Kumar, the senior legislator said.
Judging by the invectives and humiliation heaped on India, the state-run Chinese media is signifying that Beijing is displeased with New Delhi. For nearly a month there has been a standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction after India stopped China from building a road deep into Bhutanese territory (according to Indian and Bhutanese calculations). While New Delhi has asked Beijing to restore the position as it was prior to June 15, 2017, China wants India to withdraw troops from the Doklam area. The crucial point to determine is, despite the decibel level of Chinese anger honed by years of Mao Zedong-style indoctrination, the cause of Beijings fulmination. There are several strands to it, among them Beijings response to its ambitious One-Belt-One-Road (OBOR) initiative, snubbed by New Delhi for the good reason that it is built on a route through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. There are wider reasons for Indian scepticism as Beijing is proclaiming that it is a superpower that can disregard Indian interests as it takes its place at the high table for two (the other being the United States).

China is also expressing its opposition to Indias closer defence and strategic relationship with the US (inevitable given New Delhis troubled relations with two neighbours)  witness the joint maritime exercises with the United States and Japan in the Bay of Bengal. Another factor is Beijings increasingly close links with Pakistan, a key link in the OBOR concept, becoming in effect a Chinese colony with massive road and port works and injection of thousands of Chinese workers, particularly in the troubled Waziristan area. The Chinese moves come at a propitious time for it, with US President Donald Trump upholding his America First policy, and the anti-Chinese rhetoric of the campaign days giving way to his references to President Xi Jinping in reverential terms. Apart from Japan at one end and Australia at the other, with Vietnam standing out as a sore thumb, Southeast Asia has largely fallen under the sway of China for economic and political reasons. India stands in the way of Chinese dreams.

These factors present a complex problem for India because on one hand it must try to maintain relations on a civil course while on the other safeguard its interests. New Delhi has made it amply clear that Chinas forward movement in Doklam would adversely affect safeguarding the Chickens Neck area that links the Northeast to the rest of the country. There is also the close Indian historical relationship with Bhutan, which has no diplomatic relations with China, although the wife of the Chinese ambassador in New Delhi reportedly recently made a visit to Thimphu, apart from the super-active ambassador himself recently calling on Rahul Gandhi, to the Congress Partys acute embarrassment. Given Bhutans delicate position, it can only hope and pray that its two major neighbours would ultimately resolve the tri-junction problem primarily affecting its territory amicably. There are no early prospects of a thaw in Sino-Indian relations. Indias national security adviser Ajit Doval is due to attend a multilateral Brics meeting in China soon, with one Chinese expert (traditionally used as unofficial spokesmen) suggesting that there would be no official-level bilateral talks, with severe weather forcing the two sides to withdraw from their present positions on Doklam. The withdrawal of Indian troops is a Chinese condition for holding talks.

Although New Delhi is largely holding its tongue. Chinas effort to incite Indian passions by reminding it of the disastrous brief border war in 1962 is of a piece with its attempt to intimidate and humiliate India. China knows that without New Delhis cooperation, its OBOR ambition cannot be fully realised. It has still to discover that its propaganda offensive honed by years of revolution and chaos wi-ll have a contrary effect on Indian psychology. New Delhi has no option but to plod on in the hope that sooner than later Beijing will realise that though it can browbeat its smaller neighbours in Asia and now on the African continent, these bullying tactics are unproductive. China is quite happy to leave the larger border question with India unresolved in the belief that a future stronger nation could strike a more advantageous deal. One has also to look the India-China relationship against a wider canvas. The world is living in a very uncertain age, with President Trumps accession to power posing a host of questions relating to the entire post-World War II superstructure built on the US providing protection to its allies in Europe and elsewhere. For a time, he cast doubt on the Nato and other alliances even as he has been gradually brought to a grumbling acceptance of reality.

Western Europe for one has taken note of the change in Washington, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel fam-ously suggesting that Europe had to take care of protecting its own security. Although Mr Trump is obsessed with North Koreas nuclear capabilities in terms of threatening mainland America in the future, he has few options and is still pleading with China for help. On the other hand, Beijing has its own interests to safeguard in North Korea. President Xi has his own domestic problems and is in the process of consolidating his own powers at the forthcoming Communist Party meeting, held once in five years. Reports suggest that he is looking beyond the next five years  the traditional two terms for a leader  and might disregard the age rule for senior rulers to retain his loyal supporters in the politburo. As a modernising middle-level country, President Xi has new problems to contend with in a technological age while keeping a lid on dissent. The death of Nobel Peace Prize activist Liu Xiaobo from cancer even as he was removed from jail to a hospital while serving his 11-year sentence for speaking out for freedom was a reminder to the world of how the country aspiring for superpower status really works as a one-party dictatorship.
President Pranab Mukherjee is getting ready to vacate Rashtrapati Bhavan for his successor, who will move in next week. The election for the new President is due today in Parliament and the state Assemblies, but the issues faced by our new head of state and how these are tackled is of far greater import than the political and personal views of whoever steps into these majestic premises. The numbers are now stacked in favour of NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind, the first presidential candidate with a RSS background, and ranged against him is Meira Kumar, the Congress choice, in a dalit-versus-dalit contest that gives it a certain caste edge, though India has had a dalit President earlier. It is reassuring that Mr Kovind has declared he has had no political affiliations.

The last time the NDA was in a position to elect a President, it had chosen wisely, with the immensely popular A.P.J. Abdul Kalam going on to become our Peoples President. He too faced ticklish issues like having to sign an Article 356 proclamation while abroad. Ms Kumar has said it was a battle of ideologies, and called for a conscience vote, which lends itself to the question of whether ideology has much to do with conscience. The victor in the election will have to live up to the very high standards set by both Dr Kalam and outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee, who have proved themselves to be exemplars in upholding the Constitution.
Encryption essentially involves complex algorithms scrambling data to make it indecipherable until unlocked by its owner or when it reaches its destination. (Representational image)

Social media giants like Facebook and WhatsApp will be compelled to share encrypted messages of suspected terrorists and other criminals with Australian police under new laws unveiled Friday.

It comes after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warned encrypted messages were increasingly being used by terrorists, drug traffickers and paedophile rings, calling for legislation to be modernised to allow police to do their jobs.

"We need to ensure that the internet is not used as a dark place for bad people to hide their criminal activities from the law," he said, adding that the tech giants must "face up to their responsibility".

"They can't just wash their hands of it and say it's got nothing to do with them."

Australian authorities can currently obtain information from telecommunications companies, but not internet firms that use data encryption to guarantee user confidentiality.

Encryption essentially involves complex algorithms scrambling data to make it indecipherable until unlocked by its owner or when it reaches its destination.

"Because of this end-to-end encryption, all of that information, all of that data, that communication is effectively dark to the reach of the law," said Turnbull.

"And that's not acceptable. We are a society, a democracy, under the rule of law, and the law must prevail online as well as offline."

The laws will be introduced into parliament by the end of the year.

Attorney-General George Brandis said the legislation would be similar to Britain's Investigatory Powers Act, which imposes an obligation on companies to cooperate with investigations.

They would provide Australian intelligence and law enforcement authorities with coercive powers as a "last resort" if tech companies did not voluntarily help, said Brandis.

"It is vitally important that the development of technology does not leave the law behind," he said.

However, Silicon Valley tech companies have so far refused to bend to similar legal requests.

British Home Secretary Amber Rudd will travel to the United States shortly to discuss the issue with her American counterpart and tech companies, said Turnbull.

The US government last year locked horns in a legal battle with Apple, seeking to compel the iPhone maker to help decrypt a device used by one of the attackers in the San Bernardino shooting rampage.

Authorities eventually dropped the case after finding a way to break into the iPhone without Apple's help.

Turnbull admitted it may be difficult to enforce the laws if firms do not comply, but said it was important to "recognise the challenge and call on those companies to provide the assistance".

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Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the decision to set up the Financial Stability and Development Board (FSDB) under the State Council, a key move to strengthen the coordination of financial oversight and rein in financial risks in the world's second largest economy.

Xi made the announcement during the fifth National Financial Work Conference held in Beijing from Friday to Saturday, where he underscored serving the real economy, curtailing financial risks and deepening financial reforms as three main tasks of China's financial sector.

The National Financial Work Conference, which has convened every five years since 1997, is widely considered to set the tone for China's financial reforms.

Closing regulatory loopholes

Currently, the country's major financial watchdogs  the central bank People's Bank of China (PBOC), the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC), the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC)  largely operate independently while the boundaries of financial activities have become increasingly blurred.

In recent years, China's financial sector has been growing rapidly, creating over-leveraging problems and bubbles along the way.

Meanwhile, shadow banking and Internet financing of various forms are booming, posing new regulatory challenges.

By the end of 2016, the total assets of China's banking, securities and insurance industries amounted to 253.16 trillion yuan (about 37.37 trillion US dollars), a dramatic increase of 77.42 percent from 2012.

In 2015 and 2016, the added-value of the financial sector exceeded eight percent of the national GDP.

The imbalance between a robust financial sector and an inadequate regulatory mechanism has led to growing risks, prompting many economists to call for the establishment of a policy coordination body to reduce financial regulatory loopholes.

Their calls were answered during this week's National Financial Work Conference, as policymakers decided to create the FSDB under the State Council.

The FSDB will improve regulatory coordination by conducting comprehensive oversight and strengthening the regulators' accountability.

Meanwhile, according to Xi, the PBOC's role in prudent macro management and systemic risk prevention will be enhanced under the new mechanism.

Curtailing risks by serving real economy

Xi, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on the financial sector to serve economic and social development and meet the diverse financial needs of the people and the real economy.

Describing finance as the lifeblood of the real economy, Xi stressed that serving the real economy is not only a duty of finance but also the fundamental way to curtail financial risks.

Premier Li Keqiang, who also attended the conference, emphasized the importance of curbing and resolving financial risks through reforms, adding that efforts must be made to promote mutually beneficial interactions between economy and finance.

Growing financial risks in China have raised wide concerns recently.

International rating agency Moody's downgraded China's rating in May, citing rising debt levels.

Zhou Xiaochuan, the central bank's governor, reiterated last month that the country should prevent systemic risks in the financial sector.

Experts say over-leveraging is a big challenge for the health of the Chinese economy, but officials are walking a fine balance between deleveraging and maintaining growth.

The premier noted that deleveraging should be pushed forward in an "active yet prudent" way.

China's economy achieved a growth rate of 6.9 percent in the first quarter of the year and is expected to register a 6.8 percent growth in the second quarter, well above the target of 6.5 percent for 2017.

"Given a reasonably healthy economy, we will see similarly contractive measures into the future," Brock Silvers, managing director of Kaiyuan Capital, told CGTN.
The Japanese Coast Guard said this is the first confirmed entry by Chinese government vessels into the area. (Photo: AFP/File)

Tokyo: Two Chinese coastguard ships entered Japanese waters on Saturday and sailed for more than one hour near Okinoshima Island and Tsushima Island off the southwestern main island of Kyushu.

The Japanese Coast Guard said this is the first confirmed entry by Chinese government vessels into the area.

The Japan Coast Guard asked the ships to leave the territorial waters, though it did not clarify whether it considered their presence an intrusion.

According to the coastguard, it was notified by the Defence Ministry that one Chinese coastguard ship entered territorial waters near the southern tip of Tsushima Island around 11.50 am Japan time. The ship left the waters around 12.20 p.m. after the coastguard called on the ship to leave by radio.

Tsushima Island is located about half way between the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula and the northwest coast of Kyushu, Japan's westernmost main island.

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, vessels of every country have the right to sail through territorial seas as long as they do not harm the safety of the countries concerned.

But the coastguard confirmed this ship and another Chinese vessel entered waters some 19 km north of Okinoshima Island around 3.50 p.m. The two exited the waters soon after 5 p.m., the coastguard said, Japan Times reported.

Tensions have been high over the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, which China calls Diaoyu islands and the incidents of face-off between Chinese and Japanese ships are quite often. Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea are a group of uninhabited islets controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing.
Beijing: Chinese state media on Saturday said the standoff between India and China in Dokalam area in Sikkim could worsen if India does not withdraw its troops from the region, adding that there was no room for negotiations on the dispute.

China has made it clear that there is no room for negotiations on this incident, and India must withdraw its border-crossing troops from Dokalam. For China, border line is the bottom line, Chinas official press agency Xinhua said in a commentary, according to reports.

India has repeatedly ignored China's call for pulling its border-crossing troops from Dokalam area back to its own territory. However, turning a deaf ear to China will but worsen the month-long standoff and put itself further into embarrassment, it added.

China and India have been engaged in the standoff in the Dokalam area near the Bhutan tri-junction for the past one month after a Chinese Army's construction party attempted to build a road. Indian troops stopped road construction by Chinese soldiers on June 16.

India had expressed concern over the road construction, apprehending that it may allow Chinese troops to cut India's access to its north-eastern states.

China has time and again reiterated its demand for unconditional withdrawal of Indian troops from Dokalam to resolve the month-long face-off.

The commentary, however, took note of Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankars remark in Singapore as a positive sign.

As an old Chinese saying goes, peace is most precious. It has been noticed that Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar recently has made positive remarks in Singapore, saying that India and China should not let differences become disputes, it said.

Dokalam is controlled by India, but claimed by Bhutan. China also claims it as part of its Donglang region. China and Bhutan are engaged in talks over the resolution of the dispute in the area. India argues that since it is a tri-junction involving the three countries, it also has a say in the issue, specially in the backdrop of 2012 agreement between special representatives of the two countries, that have till now held 19 rounds of talks.

Bhutan has no diplomatic ties with China. As a close friend and neighbour, Bhutan enjoys diplomatic and military support from India.
Pro-Palestinian activists hold pictures of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron as they gather to protest Israeli Prime Minister's visit to France in Paris. (Photo: AP)

Paris: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be in Paris Sunday to mark the 75th anniversary of a notorious roundup of thousands of Jews, an invitation that has angered his critics.

He will also hold talks with Emmanuel Macron for the first time since the French president's election, barely a week after Macron met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Sunday's ceremony marks the day in 1942 that officials of the Vichy regime in Nazi-occupied France, began rounding up more than 13,000 Jews in the Velodrome d'Hiver, an indoor cycle track in Paris.

Fewer than 100 of those who were detained at the so-called Vel d'Hiv and then sent to the Nazi death camps survived.

Netanyahu arrives just after a surge of violence in Israel, where a gun attack by three Arab Israelis in Jerusalem's Old City Friday left two Israeli police officers and the attackers dead.

But his invitation to attend Sunday's ceremony has not been universally welcomed. The Union of French Jews for Peace (UJFP) described the decision to invite Netanyahu as "shocking" and "unacceptable".

France's Communist Party also protested, saying Netanyahu was not bringing a message of peace. And former French ambassador to Israel, Elie Barnavi, said. "The presence of Netanyahu makes me a little uneasy. "This story has nothing to do with Israel," he added.

The Israeli leader's last visit to France was to attend a march held in solidarity with the victims of the January 2015 terror attacks on Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket.

Netanyahu's talks with Macron will follow Sunday morning's commemoration ceremony and will be looking for a clearer idea of the French president's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Earlier this month, Macron held talks with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas at the Elysee Palace. He chose that occasion to reiterate both France's support for a two-state solution to end the Middle East conflict, and its opposition to Israel's building of settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

But it is not yet clear if Macron will follow the more interventionist line taken by his predecessor Francois Hollande, whose efforts to mobilise the international community on the question angered Israel. Talks between Israel and the Palestinians have not resumed since the failure of US mediation in the spring of 2014.

Since then the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has simmered on, with the occasional surge of violence such as Friday's killings.

"France and Europe have to get to grips with the question," former ambassador Barnavi, said. "There is perhaps an opportunity, given the state the White House is in at the moment, and the 'plans' of Donald Trump, which are still pretty vague and mysterious," he added.

Trump, who at one point seemed to be backing away from Washington's longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, called on both sides to make compromises during a visit to the region in May. But he offered no specifics on how he would resolve the decades-old conflict.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss Iran, in particular its role in the Syrian conflict, where it is backing the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Dubai: A top Emirati diplomat has cautioned that a diplomatic standoff between Qatar and its Gulf neighbors could be prolonged.

The United Arab Emirates' Minister of State for Foreign Relations Anwar al-Gargash said the countries "are heading toward a long estrangement" and that crisis is "far from a political solution." He published his comments on Twitter Friday.

The dispute between Qatar, on one side, and Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt on the other erupted more than a month ago.

Earlier in the week, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was in the Gulf, meeting separately with officials in the region to try and find a resolution to the impasse.

The Arab quartet accuse Qatar of disrupting regional security by supporting Islamist opposition groups and extremists. Qatar denies the allegations.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, receives French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday. (Photo: AP)

Riyadh: France and Saudi Arabia have pledged to combat terrorism.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, in a bilateral meeting, agreed to take collective efforts to counter terrorism and extremism and stop terror financing, reports Al- Arabia.

They also discussed bilateral relations, aspects of cooperation and ways to promote them.

Le Drian commended Saudi Arabia's leadership in the fight against terrorism at a joint press conference with Saudi FM Jubeir in Jeddah.

Jubeir said he has assured the French foreign minister of the kingdom's "refusal to finance and support terrorism," also stating that they will provide France with a full file of the abuses committed by Qatar.

France is seeking to mediate in the Qatar crisis. Drian also visited Qatar said such punitive measures should end.

Addressing a press conference in Doha with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Drian said, "France is calling for these measures to be lifted, especially ones that affect the (Qatari) population, specifically measures that impact bi-national families that have been separated."

French Foreign Minister's visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar comes in the backdrop of ongoing Qatar crisis, which began when Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt abruptly cut off diplomatic relations with Qatar in June 2017.

The Saudi-led coalition cited Qatar's alleged support for terrorism as the main reason for their actions, insisting Qatar has violated a 2014 agreement with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Qatar claims that it has assisted the United States in the War on Terror and the ongoing military intervention against Islamic State.

Saudi Arabia's move was welcomed by United States president Donald Trump despite a large US presence at the Al Udeid Air Base, the primary base of US air operations against the Islamic State.
Politics appears to be last thing on many diners' minds as they pose for photos with a cardboard cutout of the US president, placed strategically at the entrance by 29-year-old businessman Islam. (Photo: AFP)

Dhaka: A cafe in Dhaka named after Donald Trump has been luring Bangladeshis undeterred by his controversial politics and more interested in snapping selfies with a life-size cutout of the US president.

The cafe was opened in January by a self-professed Trump fan who rejects the notion that the US president is 'anti Islam', saying diners at his cafe in the heart of Muslim-majority Bangladesh agreed.

"If he were anti-Muslim, he would not have visited Saudi Arabia and had a good time there," cafe owner Shafiul Islam said, adding none of Trump's decisions had affected Bangladesh's 144 million-odd Muslims.

Politics appears to be last thing on many diners' minds as they pose for photos with a cardboard cutout of the US president, placed strategically at the entrance by 29-year-old businessman Islam.

"Girls are his bigger fans. They come to take selfies with the Trump picture. Children love him too," he said, adding more visitors snapped photos than ordered food.

The cafe serves Thai, Chinese and Indian dishes, with specials given names like the "Trump burger".

CNN is broadcast to give an extra American flavour, while the wi-fi password is "Ivanka Trump".

But it's the pull power of the man himself bringing in curious customers.

Nuzhat Sultana, said the cafe -- which Islam says will soon include wallpapered images of the Oval Office and Trump's family -- was "very fascinating".

"The best part is the sudden illusion when you enter the cafe and see the US president welcoming you at the door!" she said.
The statement said the former Indian Navy officer had filed the petition after the Military Appellate Court rejected his appeal. (Photo: Videograb/File)

Islamabad: Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is "analysing" the evidence against Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, sentenced to death by a military court, and will decide his appeal on merit, the army said here on Sunday.

Jadhav filed a mercy petition before Gen Bajwa last month, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on June 22. The statement said the former Indian Navy officer had filed the petition after the Military Appellate Court rejected his appeal.

Pakistan army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told reporters today that Gen Bajwa was "analysing the evidence against Jadhav. The Army chief will decide on Jadhav's appeal on merit."

Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in The Hague in May halted his execution on India's appeal.

Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.
Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne.

CANBERRA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Australia needs to "reverse the current situation" and become one of the world's premier arms exporters, according to the nation's Defense Industry Minister Christopher Pyne.

Speaking with local media on Sunday, the minister said that Australia must become self-sufficient in the way that it builds its defence capabilities, adding that creating an arms export industry would deliver self-sufficiency and build strategic relationships with ally nations in the Middle East.

Pyne said he would like to see Australia "design, build and export ships, vehicles, (and) missiles" with the 200 billion Australian dollars (152 billion U.S. dollars) the government has set aside for defence over the next decade.

"My ambition and the government's ambition is to reverse the current situation," Pyne told Fairfax Media, "There's absolutely no reason why we can't be as capable as Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain."

Currently, Australia is the world's sixth largest importer of defence goods, while it is the 20th largest exporter. Pyne said that within two decades, Australia should be exporting arms at similar levels to Germany, Britain and France, behind the United States and Russia as the world's largest defence hardware exporters.

Pyne said that creating a competitive arms industry would do wonders for the alliances which Australia holds with key Middle Eastern nations such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"Why wouldn't we want to cement our relationship with a country like the UAE, which shares many of our values in terms of the geopolitical issues that we face through things like defence exports?" Pyne said.
Tourism minister Yehia Rashed said on Saturday that there have been no reports of foreign tourists cancelling trips to Egypt following Friday's deadly knife attack in Hurghada that left two German tourists dead.

Rashed made the comments to TV talk-show host Amr Adib on his programme Kol Youm late on Saturday.

The minister said that his ministry had been in touch with tour operators abroad, including in Germany, and that no cancellations had been reported. The ministry would continue to monitor the situation, he said.

Two German tourists were killed and four others were injured on Friday when a man conducted a knife attack on tourists on a beach. The tourists were staying at a private tourist resort at the Red Sea town of Hurghada.

The assailant, who was arrested after the attack, had swum to the resort from a nearby public beach, according to a short statement from the interior ministry.

The injured were all transferred to Cairo on Saturday, Rashed said.

He said investigations were still underway to determine the nature of the attack, which has not yet been confirmed as a terrorist incident.

The minister's comments on Saturday reflect concerns that acts of violence or terrorism may cause further harm to Egypt's tourism industry.

Tourism visitor numbers dropped dramatically after a Russian passenger jet crashed in Sinai in October 2015, killing all 224 people on board, mostly holidaymakers.

The tourism industry has suffered more generally due to a range of political and security upheavals since a January 2011 uprising that toppled long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

However, the country saw a 51 percent rise in the number of tourists visiting Egypt during the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period last year, suggesting a revival in the industry's fortunes.

Germany topped the list of visiting tourists during the first three months of 2017, followed by Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, China and the United Kingdom.

Earlier on Saturday, Egypt's High State Prosecution issued a statement on Friday's attack, saying, "The perpetrator of the attack is being investigated by the prosecution. It has not yet been proven whether this was an individual act, a criminal act, an act of terrorism, or otherwise."

Late on Saturday, the High Information Service (HIS) issued a statement on the incident, saying that there have been "limited" attacks targeting tourists over the past four years.

The fact that the attacker had to swum to the resort points to the tight security measures in place around the permiters of such resorts, the HIS statement said.

"Some sources noted that the two victims are foreigners who are staying in Hurghada, where they work. This will be taken into consideration during investigations regarding the motives behind the attack," said the statement.

"There have been terrorist attacks in other countries, such as France and Belgium, but there was no speculation that these attacks would constitute a threat to tourism in these countries, as some people are trying to suggest in the case of Egypt," the statement concluded.

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On Sunday, July 30, 2006, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who we called Bethany May.

Bethany was born two weeks early and weighed 6lb 3oz. Everything was fine until Bethany started playgroup. It was then that we noticed Bethany wasn't very good interacting with her peers or with personal space. Bethany couldn't give a gentle kiss, she would put all her weight onto our faces.

As time went on, Bethany started nursery, by this point she couldn't concentrate on activities so was rushing from table to table to see what there was to do. Bethany doesn't sense danger so someone had to watch her on a one-to-one basis to make sure she was safe. I then went on to have another baby girl who we called Amelia, who is now seven.

However, as time went on, Bethany started at Chaddesden Park Primary School which is where she started showing signs of falling behind. Bethany loved school but struggled with making and keeping friends. When Bethany got to about six years old, I took her to the doctors as I thought there was something wrong.

After years of battling with them, we finally got somewhere. We applied for Bethany to be statemented but unfortunately it got refused. So I tried again as I don't give up on things and got the statement we needed to help Bethany.

When Bethany got to the age of nine we had to do something as her grades and performance were that of a five-year-old. We sent her to Alvaston Junior School as they have a special unit for children with special needs.

Bethany is so happy there and has even gone up with her grades. Bethany is due to start St Clare's in Mickleover in September as she will always need extra care and attention with her work.

We continued going to the doctors to get answers but got nowhere until we got referred to a genetics specialist. Bethany was always clumsy and falling over so now we had physio set in stone and speech and language. When she saw the genetics doctor, he noticed Bethany had hairy elbows, short stature and hypermobility. Bethany also doesn't sleep so that was a problem. He then got in touch with the Deciphering Developmental Disorders project which aims to find out if using new genetic technologies can help doctors understand why patients get developmental disorders.

Bethany, myself and my husband Iain had to do a spit test. That's a test that took two years to get the results. After more appointments with the pediatrician, he then diagnosed Bethany with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Bethany started medication to try and calm her down as she bounced off the walls and didn't concentrate on anything.

After seeing the genetics team a few times, we got a phone call saying they thought she had Wiedemann Steiner syndrome. Myself and my husband googled it and couldn't believe what we were seeing. Only 200 people in the world have this condition. Bethany has quite slanted eyes and has no bone at the top of her nose so has a special look about her. The photos we saw were just Bethany.

In June 2016, we got a letter from the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study to say Bethany had got Wiedemann Steiner but myself and my husband were not carriers.

We have been trying to find other families that have or know of some one with Wiedemann Steiner and on Facebook we found a forum. It's the best thing ever as other people know what we are going through.

On August 26, all families from the forum are meeting up at Twycross Zoo as this won't stimulate the children too much. We have also found out that Dr Wendy Jones, who works in the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study and also at Great Ormond Street Hospital for children in London, will be attending to give us a talk on how life will be for not only Bethany but for the families as well.
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Derbyshire Dales has more pubs and bars per head than almost anywhere else in the country - beaten only by boozy Westminster in London.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal that there were approximately 130 pubs and bars in the area in 2016.

That works out at one bar or pub for every 547 people living in the area - which is more per head than almost anywhere else in the country and THREE times the national average.

The Derbyshire Dales area includes places such as Ashbourne, Bakewell, Chatsworth, Matlock, Matlock Bath, Wirksworth and Tissington.

Across the UK as a whole, there were around 39,590 pubs and bars open in 2016, or one for every 1,645 people in the country.

Meanwhile, other parts of Derbyshire also had particularly high rates of pubs and bars.

In High Peak for example - the area that saw the next highest number per head - there were around 110 pubs and bars last year, or one for every 832 people.

However, Derby itself saw the fewest number of pubs and bars per resident in Derbyshire, with one for every 1,883 people - 135 in total.

But with the number of new bars and restaurants opening in the city centre - from the Post House in the Wardwick to the Art House in Friar Gate - change could be on the horizon.

Nationally, the number of pubs and bars has fallen over the last few years, which is part of an ongoing decline that has been going on for decades.

Numbers have fallen by more than 10% since 2010, when there were around 44,680 pubs and bars across the country.

The same is true in Derbyshire - across the region as a whole, the number of pubs and bars has fallen by 13% from 1,040 in 2010 to 905 last year.
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Ever wondered what's in a name? Well, it turns out there's quite a lot when youre trying to explain to someone where you live.

In Derby, for instance, the enlargement of political ward boundaries has some locals puzzled. For years they thought they lived in Normanton but apparently, without bothering to move, they find themselves in Littleover.

Meanwhile, people who always considered themselves to be Littleover residents have to adjust to living in somewhere called Abbey.

But how did all those old names occur? Well, it could be that you live where a Saxon landowner once marked his plot with a tree. All very poetic. Or it could be something as prosaic as a builder naming a new estate after himself.

Take Allenton. In the 1870s, one Isaac Allen bought several acres either side of the road that led Derbians from the town centre to Swarkestone. He started to build houses there and, before long, no less than five streets were under construction with another on the way. Soon we had Allens Town  or Allenton.

Before the Norman Conquest, Aedelheards boundary marker was a tree. Eventually, everyone knew the area was Allestree.

Alvaston derives from the farm of Aethelwald and was first recorded in the year 1002. Think of Alvaston and you think of Boulton  the farm of Bola, another Saxon.

Breadsall was Braegds corner of land  those Saxons were everywhere  and if we want to step outside the city boundary for a moment, we find Brunwulfs farm  or Burnaston.

California

A stranger might be puzzled to catch a bus to Mickleover  well come to that later  and find themselves travelling through California. No one knows quite why. Maybe it was to do with the 1849 gold rush. Nearby New Zealand is more easily explained: the Chandos-Pole family had a farm of that name there in the 19th century.

Back to those Anglo-Saxons, Chaddesden is from the valley of Ceadd or maybe the farm of Ceadd. The word denn means valley; dun means farm. Take your pick.

Chellaston is the farm of Ceolheard and Crewton is due to the fact that the Harpur-Crewe family owned the land there.

Everyone knows that Little Chester was where the Romans built a fort. The word chester is a common indication that the place is the site of a Roman castrum or military camp.

(Image: Guy Brennan)

Darley Abbey? Well, those Anglo Saxons had words for wild (deor) and clearing (leah), and there was an abbey here.

Litchurch

Litchurch comes from Ludas Church, although where that church stood isnt clear.

Littleover and Mickleover

Littleover is Parva Oufra, later translated as Little Ridge as opposed to Ulfram Majorem and later Michelovre or Mickleover, the Great Ridge of Littleover.

Mackworth is from Macaeworde or the enclosure of Macca, and Markeaton from Marcheton or Mearcas farm.

Normanton comes from Normanestune or the farm of the Northmen, the northmen being the Vikings, by the way. Ockbrook was the brook of Occa, simple really.

Osmaston

Osmaston was originally Osmundestune or Osmunds farm. Peartree is probably what is suggests.

Quarndon

Quarndon derives from the Old English for Mill Hill.

Rowditch

Rowditch was Rughediche, Old English for Rough Ditch, unsurprisingly.

Shelton Lock was on the Derby canal. The Shelton family probably looked after the lock gate there.

In 1086, Sinfin was recorded as Sedenefeld, perhaps Old English for a wide fen. The popular suggestion that it derives from swine fen has been refuted by academics.

Spondon was known as Spondun, and esteemed local historian Maxwell Craven has suggested that this may be translated from Old English as Hill where shingles for tilings abound. Others claim Anglo Saxon for gravelly hill. Same difference I should think.

Stenson

Stenson in 1086 was Steintune, Old English for Steinas farm.

Wilmorton

Wilmorton, according to Maxwell Craven, is a contraction of the name of a previous landowner, Rev Sir George Wilmot-Horton.

However, Wilmorton and Allenton are exceptions because, for the most part, it was those Saxon farmers who were responsible for naming the places where Derby folk live today.

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Egypt's army continues to fight an Islamic militant insurgency, especially in North Sinai

The Egyptian military killed three "highly dangerous" militants in a raid in the central part of Sinai, an official statement announced Sunday.

The military destroyed one SUV and five weapons storage facilities, according to the statement published by Egyptian military spokesman Colonel Tamer El-Refai.

This comes after a number of Central Security Forces (CSF) conscripts were killed and injured when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in North Sinai's Al-Arish Saturday, 8 July.

Earlier, the army killed 40 militants amid a Daesh claimed attack Friday, 7 July.

Hundreds of security force personnel have been killed in attacks claimed by militants, while the military has killed hundreds of insurgents as part of its ongoing campaign to end terrorist organisations in Sinai.

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Liverpool are weighing up a move for Aston Villa left-back Jordan Amavi, according to the Mirror.

The Villa defender was set to move to Spanish side Sevilla, but the deal fell through after they backed out of an 8.5m deal.

Medics refused to rule out a recurrence of his 2015 anterior cruciate ligament injury for the 23-year-old Frenchman.

That has reportedly opened the door for other suitors and Liverpool are said to be showing an interest.

Fulham defender Ryan Fredericks is reportedly keen to move to Premier League side Watford this summer.

The 24-year-old impressed during Fulham's play-off campaign and has drawn the interest of Watford, according to a report in Getwestlondon.

Fredericks, who plays at left-back, made 34 appearances for Fulham last season.

Defender Ciaron Brown has been handed a trial by Sheffield Wednesday.

The 20-year-old, who plays for Wealdstone, has reportedly attracted interest from league clubs since he joined the Stones.

Brown can play at centre-back and left-back but will now get a shot at earning a deal with the Owls.
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A new report into rented accommodation across the UK has revealed how more than a million private tenants have been victim to law-breaking landlords in the past year.

The Shelter investigation exposes that about 64,000 renters across England had vital utilities cut off without consent. It also reveals how almost 50,000 had their possessions thrown out and the locks changed.

And, The Mirror reports, other problems include poor deposit protection, abuse, threats and harassment by landlords, plus racial and religious discrimination.

Shelter's helpline adviser Danielle Goodwin said the charity was helping people with such problems on a daily basis.

She said: "Every day at Shelter we speak to people at the end of their tether after a law-breaking landlord has caused chaos in their lives.

"These range from instances where the renter has been unaware of their rights, to cases where renters are exploited and subjected to terrible experiences by a minority of landlords."

The Department for Communities and Local Government said it was taking the problem seriously.

A spokesman said: "We're cracking down on rogue landlords with over 40,000 properties inspected and more than 3,000 landlords facing further enforcement action or prosecution.

"We're also introducing banning orders, fines and blacklists and councils have been given 12 million to specifically tackle this issue."

What should you do if you have problems with your landlord?

With the first time buyers' market in chaos, millions of "generation rent" Brits are now having to rent - and it's not cheap either.

If your landlord is threatening eviction, entering the house without your consent or you feel you're being discriminated against, as a tenant you have rights.

This is what you can do about it.

A guideline:

If your landlord (or their agent) is harassing you, you have a right to contact the council, or take your landlord to court.

Keep a diary, notes and photographs of what happens, have someone with you as a witness whenever you see your landlord and get together with other tenants.

Assured shorthold tenants can only be evicted in certain circumstances and landlords must follow the correct rules.

If your tenancy is for a fixed period of time, you can only be evicted if your landlord has a legal reason to do so.

Mortgage lenders may try to repossess the property if the landlord has fallen behind with their payments.

Help! I'm facing eviction

1.Dig out the paperwork

Your landlord must follow certain rules and procedures to evict you - it's not simply a case of turning up and turfing you out.

In most private rent cases, your landlord must issue a Section 21 notice giving you two months' warning, and also apply for a court order telling you to leave.

You do NOT have to leave when the notice period expires - it's the possession order that counts.

2.Check your landlord is playing by the rules

If you're a private tenant, your landlord may find their eviction efforts are in vain if they haven't bothered to place your deposit in a protection scheme.

A similar rule applies if you're living in a house of multiple occupation and they haven't registered with the council.

3. Ask for help

Housing charity Shelter has a free housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444 - you can also contact the Citizens Advice Bureau.

How to deal with a difficult landlord

Shelter helpline adviser Danielle Goodwin shares some top tips for renters with landlord problems.

She says: "Get in touch with your landlord and let them know what the issue is. Make sure you are clear about the facts and what you want to happen.

"Find out what you need to do to resolve your problem. Shelter's website and free housing helpline (0808 800 4444) can let you know what your rights are.

"Be persistent. You might need to get back in touch with your landlord. Explain what you will do if the situation does not improve and describe how the problem is affecting you. Make sure you always stay polite and reasonable.

"If you cannot resolve the issue with your landlord, take your complaint to the next level. Make sure you see the process through.

"A good relationship with your landlord is important and you will be able to work through problems better if you build trust and co-operation."
One citizen was killed and 19 injured on Sunday in clashes between security forces and residents of Al-Warraq Island in Greater Cairo, according to health ministry figures reported by state-run MENA agency.

Thirty-one police personnel were also injured in the events according to an interior ministry statement, which described their actions on the island in Giza governorate as part of a campaign to remove illegal structures and encroachments on state property on the banks of the Nile.

The interior ministry said some of the residents gathered and attacked the police with stones and birdshot rounds, prompting forces to use tear gas to disperse them.

Clashes with those gathered resulted in the injury of eight officers, 11 police personnel, and 12 conscripts with wounds resulting from birdshot rounds, the statement said, adding that the police were able to control the situation.

The health ministry said the injuries of the 19 civilians involved include cases of asphyxiation and birdshot wounds. They are all in a stable condition.

Police arrested 10 people, who are currently being questioned for attacking the security forces, MENA quoted a second statement by the interior ministry as saying.

Reports of clashes emerged earlier on Sunday after both military and police forces cordoned off the bridges leading to the island on both sides.

According to media reports, some residents believe the campaign to demolish illegal buildings on the banks of the Nile is part of a plan to clear the whole island.

In a statement issued on Sunday evening, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said that it was necessary for the state to reclaim its land, and that the campaign aimed at restoring the peoples rights.

Ismail also said that over 700 judicial decrees have been issued ordering illegal properties on Greater Cairos Warraq Island be removed, and that property owners can still legalise their illegally-build properties. He also said that no agricultural land will be evacuated or destroyed.

Giza Governor Mohamed El-Dali affirmed in statements to MENA news agency that the security campaign had targeted illegal constructions and violations on the islands Nile banks.

Although the campaign did not target any agricultural lands or inhabited buildings, residents began an assault on security forces, and so the governorate has decided to postpone its campaign, the official announced.

Similar clashes between security forces and residents of the island took place last year when Egyptian authorities evacuated buildings on the island to construct the Rod Al-Farag axis road, either compensating residents by transferring them to different housing units or with financial compensation.

A nationwide campaign on Nile-side encroachments was launched in 2014.

Earlier this year the irrigation and water resources ministry announced that a total of 26,322 violations along the rivers banks had been removed.

The Egyptian parliament is set to vote on a draft law that would re-classify building encroachments on the Nile as a felony, and would mandate prison sentences for offenders.

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The Dothan Police Investigation Unit is determined to, one day, close the filing cabinet on all 18 unsolved murders in the city.

However, until all unsolved cases have been solved, investigators continue to work all 18 cases.

We never close an unsolved homicide case, said Dothan Police Lt. Will Glover. Each case has been assigned to an investigator, and that investigator goes back over that case periodically. We are determined to solve each of these cases. We make a point to contact each family on the anniversary of the victims death. We want them to know we are still working the case and their family member has not been forgotten. We also have family members contact us periodically. They want to check on things as well.

Dothans first unsolved homicide case goes back to April 1976, where Nathan Bussey Jr., was killed by a single gunshot wound to the chest at the Cannon Oil Station, during a robbery.

We know it has been a long time since 1976, Glover stated. However, we still believe someone out there knows something on this case, as well as all of our unsolved homicides. They may believe what they know is nothing really, but let us decide that.

In January 1978, Dothan Police Sgt. Robert Jackson was killed in his driveway in the 200 block of Young America Drive. Evidence in this case shows Jackson was killed by a drive-by shooter.

At the time of Sgt. Jacksons death he was assigned to narcotics, Glover said. It is not clear, but this crime may have been committed in a form of retaliation against Jackson.

According to Glover, two more homicides occurred in the 1970s. In July 1978, Sidney Grubbs was found stabbed to death in the 800 block of State Street; and in September 1979, Milledge Griffin was involved in a hit and run on Hodgesville Road.

Our next unsolved homicide case occurred in September 1989 at the Centipede Lounge on North St. Andrews Street. Jernathan Chambers was shot and killed, Glover said. During the 1990s we had several unsolved homicide cases. March 1994, we have John Robert McCord III, who was found dead in his car at Ussery Apartments due to multiple gunshot wounds. December 1994, we have Johnny Smith, who was found face down on the 1300 block of Ozark Street. Smith was killed by a single gunshot wound to the chest. In October 1995, Berry McGlon sustained multiple gunshot wounds while inside his residence on East Spring Street.

Glover said four unsolved homicide cases occurred in 1996. In February 1996, Flora Pullin Thomas was found dead inside her residence on the 900 block of Mercury Drive. She received several stab wounds to her body. According to Glover, it was never proven, but evidence indicates the death was related to a possible domestic incident.

In April 1996, Ruthie Mae Jackson was found inside her residence on the 1400 block of East Adams Street, Glover said. She received several stab wounds to her head and neck area. In November 1996, Rudolph Holston was found dead on the 400 block of Poynter Street. Mr. Holston received severe head injuries. We believe this homicide case is tied to a burglary. In December 1996, we have Milbon Floyd. Floyd was transported from the 600 block of Tacoma Street to a local hospital were the victim was pronounced deceased. The victim had been beaten severely in the head and chest areas. In October 1999, Cynthia Wilson was found deceased in a wooded area near East Burdeshaw Street. She was reported as a missing person on September 7. This case is a little different. We dont have anything at all to go on. The cause of death is even unknown due to the decomposing of the body.

The department received a break for a few years before additional unsolved homicide cases were added. In September 2006 to 2010, the department added five more unsolved homicide cases.

In September 2006 the department was called to a homicide involving a homeless man, Mark Brammeier, Glover said. This victim was actually beaten to death, and to this day no one knows anything. I just find that hard to believe about all of these cases.

In June 2007 Perry Griffin was found deceased at Panhandle Iron and Scrap. Griffin arrived at Panhandle on North Beverlye Road around 3 a.m. to make a trip to Mississippi for scrap metal purchases. One of two gunmen shot Griffin to death after he had exited the company truck to close a gate on the property. The shooting was motivated by a desire for cash, apparently. Police analyzed footage from video surveillance on the property and found both gunmen wore what appeared to be Halloween style masks during the robbery .

In October 2007, Robert Lee Moore also known as Rob Bass was killed in his driveway outside of his residence on the 1000 block of Woodland Drive, Glover said. He received several gunshot wounds to his entire body. Bass was known to many for his talent as a local disc jockey.

The year 2008 began with an additional homicide for Dothan Police Investigators. In January 2008, Curley Cliatt was found deceased inside an illegal shot house on the 900 block of Hamilton Street. He was shot multiple times. The last unsolved homicide case occurred in March 2010. Grace Bridges was found inside her business on South Park Avenue.

According to Glover, Bridges was shot and killed during an apparent robbery.

Like I said earlier, some of these cases are very old, Glover said. However, each case is still important to the victims family, and to our department. Each of these families want and need peace about their loved ones death. Although time has passed, their pain still exists. These cases will not go away and we will not close theses cases until they are solved and justice is served. Until they are all solved we will continue to do our job.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000.
Two men who Dundalk District Court was told were among 23 families evicted from the Woodland Park halting side 18 months ago, had a prosecution for moving their caravans onto land off the Inner Relief Road struck out by Judge John Coughlan who said that travellers are grossly discriminated against in Irish Society.

Kieran Joyce (23) and Martin Joyce (22) of no fixed abode were summonsed for bringing the caravans onto land at Marshes Upper on May 10th last year.

Kieran Joyce was also prosecuted for obstructing gardai.

The Defence solicitor told Judge John Coughlan last Wednesday that he might recall the Woodland Park evictions in January last year.

After he replied that news of them had not reached Kildare, the solicitor said the case had received national publicity as it involved 23 traveller families being evicted.

She explained that on the date of the offence Kieran Joyce had a two day old baby who was still in hospital and every time he had moved his caravan, he was moved on.

The solicitor said Mr. Joyce had reacted very badly and had obstructed the guards but she claimed it was only out of fear as they were being told by social workers that their children would be taken into care over the lack of permanent accommodation.

Judge Coughlan replied "I think itinerants are grossly discriminated against in Irish Society" and in the circumstances he said he was striking out both summonses.

In relation to a separate drugs prosecution against Kieran Joyce in respect of the unlawful possession of 15 euros worth of cannabis at Slieve Foy Park Dundalk on April 13th last year, the court was told the 23 year told had five previous offences but none were for drug offences.

Judge Coughlan said he would strike out that summons on July 26th if 200 euro is paid to charity by then.
Egypt's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. General Mahmoud Hegazy told a senior US Army general on Sunday that the United States and Egypt must continue working together to meet various regional challenges, including terrorism.

Hegazy made the comments to Lt. General Michael Garrett, the commander of US Army Central, during a meeting in Cairo on Friday, according to an official statement from Egyptian army spokesman Tamer El-Refaie.

During their Cairo meeting, Hegazy and Garrett discussed the boosting of military cooperation, particularly in the areas of training and the exchange of experience between the two nations' militaries.

Hegazi also asserted the depth of military cooperation between Egypt and the US.

Garrett, meanwhile, expressed his hopes for continued coopeation in all areas in order to accomplish the common interests from both countries.

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The Egyptian army says it destroyed a number of trucks laden with weapons and explosives

Egypts army forces foiled an attempt to smuggle arms into the country through its western border with Libya, the military said Sunday.

The Egyptian air forces launched a reconnaissance mission Saturday following intelligence received that "criminals" in 4x4 vehicles were in the process of crossing into Egypt, the army said in a statement

During the operation, which ontinued into Sunday, forces destroyed 15 vehicles "laden with weapons, explosives and other smuggled items."

Forces launched a hunt to catch the "criminals," the statement added.

The Egyptian army has been conducting operations in Egypt's Western Desert to stop the infiltration of militants or the smuggling of weapons through the Egyptian-Libyan border.

In May, Egyptian fighter jets carried out air strikes against terrorist camps in Libya, hours after gunmen killed 29 Coptic Christians travelling to southern Egypt in a bus attack. Egyptian officials said terrorists in Libya were training militants who carried out the attack.

Days later, four army personnel were killed during an army operation against militants in the Western Desert's Bahariya Oasis, near the border with Libya.

Security forces have been battling an Islamist insurgency for several years in North Sinai. Militants have killed hundreds of security personnel. Egyptian troops have also killed hundreds of militants during operations in the border region.



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An all-girls robotics team from Afghanistan arrived in Washington on Sunday after an extraordinary, last-minute intervention by President Donald Trump. The six-girl team and their chaperone completed their journey just after midnight from their hometown of Herat, Afghanistan, to enter their ball-sorting robot in the three-day high school competition starting tomorrow in the US capital. Awaiting them at the gate at Washington Dulles International Airport were a US special envoy and Afghan Ambassador Hamdullah Mohib, who described it as a rare moment of celebration for his beleaguered nation. "Seventeen years ago, this would not have been possible at all," Mohib said in an interview. "They represent our aspirations and resilience despite having been brought up in a perpetual conflict. These girls will be proving to the world and the nation that nothing will prevent us from being an equal and active member of the international community."

In the short time since their visa dilemma drew global attention, the girls' case has become a flashpoint in the debate about Trump's efforts to tighten entrance to the US, including from many majority-Muslim countries.

Afghanistan isn't included in Trump's temporary travel ban, but critics have said the ban is emblematic of a broader effort to put a chill on Muslims entering the US. The girls' story has also renewed the focus on the longer-term US plans for aiding Afghanistan's future, as Trump's administration prepares a new military strategy that will include sending more troops to the country where the US has been fighting since 2001.

They represent our aspirations and resilience despite having been brought up in a perpetual conflict. These girls will be proving to the world and the nation that nothing will prevent us from being an equal and active member of the international community

Hamdullah Mohib, Afghan Ambassador

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said on Friday the strategy was moving forward but "not finalised yet." Trump's personal intervention earlier in the week using a rare "parole" mechanism to sidestep the visa system ended a dramatic saga in which the team twice travelled from their home in western Afghanistan through largely Taliban-controlled territory to Kabul, where their visa applications were denied twice.


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India Portfolio Day 6/PNK Foreign-Study Fair to be held from November 17 to 18, 2022 The event has been successfully happening every year since the year 2016

NMC withdraws from three national awards The awards are Dr BC Roy National Award, Silver Jubilee Research Award and Hari Om Ashram Alembic Research

Maharashtra government approves upgradation of 92 schools Upgradation of primary schools will provide better education to EWS students
To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.
Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and President Emmanuel Macron of France discussed the situation in Libya by phone on Sunday, state news agency MENA reported.

The two men also spoke about other regional crises, MENA reported, and El-Sisi stressed that such crises, particularly the situation in Libya, require collective international efforts to reach political solutions.

The two leaders were keen to discuss the relationship of their countries and pledge further coordination and cooperation efforts, MENA reported.

Since the ousting of long-time Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has slid into conflict, and now has rival governments and parliaments in the west and east.



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Responding to Californias travel boycott By Bruce Walker

California has implemented a boycott on state agency travel to those states which have passed laws which it dislikes. This is unconstitutional. States may not restrict interstate commerce except in those narrow cases in which the restriction is directly related to protecting highway safety or preserving roads. The attempt by California to unconstitutionally limit interstate commerce is not resolved by the fact that state agency travel is involved. State agencies are clearly part of interstate commerce and, beyond that, the whole purpose of the boycott is to adversely affect interstate commerce in particular other states. What California is doing is no different than if it prohibited California state agencies from buying goods or services in Texas (a principal focus of Californias boycott) or if Texas prohibited state agencies from purchasing any goods or services from any state which did not protect the rights of the unborn. As bad as it is for California to interfere with Interstate Commerce Clause by using state government to limit trade with other states, the violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment by California is even worse. The boycott by California to ban state agencies from holding conferences or meetings in Texas is directed at private citizens of those states whose legislators passed laws which California does not like. So ordinary Texans are to be punished in their private lives for the political decisions of Texas state government because California state government dislikes the laws Texas has passed. Each state under our republican system of government has the right to pass laws which differ from other states. If a particular state law violates the Constitution, then the remedy is action by Congress or the Supreme Court but not action by a sister state which cannot discriminate against individuals of another state. The California boycott also involves the use of federal funds. The California state agencies prohibited by California law from attending conferences in states whose social politics offend California legislators are using for their travel and conference costs a hefty chunk of federal dollars which are categorized as administrative expenses by the state program involved. These federal funds cannot be used for purposes unrelated to the federal program activity involved. States cannot use administrative funds for welfare programs to promote highway safety or soil erosion funds to reduce crime. Californias boycott brazenly intends to do just what is prohibited: advancing a completely unrelated state issue with federal funds intended for an explicit and limited purpose. Most federal programs administered through state programs make it a federal crime to use funds for purposes outside the scope of the federal program. At a minimum, using state funds for a purpose not intended creates a disallowance, meaning that the state must pay back to the federal government all the funds it improperly used. There is yet another problem with California trying to control state agencies attending conferences in other states. These conferences, almost invariably, are actually conferences by private organizations which state agencies join in an effort to influence federal legislation, lobbying for more funds, share best practices and things like that. So when California state government dictates where its state employees may attend conferences, it is really dictating how non-governmental national organizations headquartered outside California must behave in scheduling its conferences and training seminars. Trying to dictate to state employees who happen to belong to this organization how they must behave as members of this non-governmental organization draws these state employees with the rules of the non-governmental organization which almost invariably provide for comity and respect among the state members. What ought to be done? Boycotted states like Texas could respond with similar boycotts, perhaps aimed at most vulnerable California economic interests. If enough states did this, the effect would be serious enough to make it politically unpalatable to try to bully other states from Sacramento. President Trump ought to issue an Executive Order to federal agencies requiring that agencies disallow all travel expenditures by states which boycott travel to certain other sister states. Indeed, President Trump and Congress might simply stop providing any federal funds for any state travel to conferences which would make thousands of state government programs throughout the nation furious at California for trying to abuse federal travel funds so flagrantly so that Washington was simply going to stop state agency travel on the federal dime. California, with the typical arrogance and silliness of all leftists, has done a very stupid and potentially counterproductive thing with the boycottbig surprise. Bruce Walker is the author of book Poor Lenin's Almanac: Perverse Leftists Proverbs for Modern Life and a contributing editor to Enter Stage Right. Home
Exposing the ABCCBSNBCCNNMSNBCPBSNPR cartel By Dr. Robert Owens

Recent revelations by the last investigative reporter in America, James OKeefe the founder of Project Veritas, expose the Corporations Once Known as the Mainstream Media; the ABCCBSNBCCNNMSNBCPBSNPR Cartel for what it is. A conglomeration of private and publicly sponsored corporations dedicated to leading us from America to Amerika. When Project Veritas released a fourth secretly recorded video episode in its CNN series. In this episode, the presstitutes worst nightmare of reality TV, a Project Veritas reporter spoke with CNN associate producer Jimmy Carr who according to his LinkedIn page has been with CNN since 2013 as a production assistant and associate producer. In the video Carr doesn't appear to know he's being recorded. The Veritas reporter asks if it "would be fair to question the intellect of the American voter." Oh, no. Theyre stupid as s---," replied the CNN "New Day" associate producer. Carr went on, "On the inside, we all recognize he is a clown, that he is hilariously unqualified for this, he's really bad at this, and that he does not have America's best interests," said Carr. "We recognize he's just f---ing crazy." "Here's the deal: This is a man who's not actually a Republican," Carr continued. "He just adopted that because that was the party he thought he could win in. He doesn't believe anything that these people believe." "Ninety percent of us are on board with just the fact that he's crazy," he added. Project Veritas also released a video of a medical producer at CNN saying that while he believes the Trump-Russia narrative is bulls---, CEO Jeff Zucker has instructed his employees to focus on it to help boost the networks ratings. According to Washington Free Beacon, in the video, CNN producer John Bonifield said the network's focus on potential ties between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia is based on ratings. The pull quotes are amazing. "I mean, it's mostly bullshit right now. Like, we don't have any big giant proof," Bonifield said of the Russia story. It is unclear when he made the statement. "And so I think the president is right to say, like, Look, you are witch-hunting me. You have no smoking gun. You have no real proof,'" Bonifield said. Once again according to Washington Free Beacon, Bonfield explained that ratings motivate CNN's focus on the Russia story. Asked why the network aired so much Russia coverage, Bonifield said, "It's ratings." "Our ratings are incredible right now," he added. Bonifield also said that the emphasis on Russia came from upper management. He detailed a meeting in which President Jeff Zucker advised staff to focus on the Paris climate accord for a day and a half before returning to Russia. "The CEO of CNN said in our internal meeting, he said, Good job everybody covering the climate accords, but we're done with it. Let's get back to Russia,'" Bonifield said. Bonifield described a jaded business culture at CNN and in cable news generally. "All the nice cutesy little ethics that used to get talked about in journalism school, you're just like, That's adorable, that's adorable. This is a business,'" he said. "They gotta do what they gotta do to make their money," Bonifield added. "And so I love the news business, but I am very cynical about it. At the same time, so are most of my colleagues." Bonifield said that CNN would have turned off its liberal viewers if the network strongly scrutinized former President Barack Obama, but Trump is "good for business." In Part Two of the current series of OKeefe videos Van Jones the professional leftist and former Obama Administration official is stopped on the street and filmed. Here is how the conversation between the Project Veritas journalist and Jones progressed: PV Journalist: Hey man, we met in Palm Springs a few years back. Van Jones: Hey good to see you man, you good? PV Journalist: What do you think is going to happen this week with the whole Russia thing? Van Jones: The Russia thing is just a big nothing burger. PV Journalist: Really? Van Jones: Yeah. So what does all this fake news and political propaganda add up to? We now have a Special Counselor investigating obstruction of justice when there was no underlying crime to begin with. How can that fail to bring justice for the American people? My prediction: They will convict someone of something. We all know that there were people working day and night to corrupt our electoral process in 2016. It was Clinton and the DNC Ratpack out to stack the deck against socialist Bernie Sanders. And there was obstruction of justice too in the deleting of email evidence. However the truth doesnt fit the playbook of the left. Theyre determined to reverse the results of the 2016 election because they didnt win. The presstitutes tell us that OKeefe is not to be believed. That he is disreputable and underhanded. A tactic right out of their guru Saul Alinsky, attack the messenger. They cant deny what theyve said because we can see and hear them as they speak. So just like the hacked emails they want us to look at how the information was gathered so we wont realize the information exposes them for what they are, the media megaphone for the Democrat Party, the ABCCBSNBCCNNMSNBCPBSNPR Cartel. Dr. Robert Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com  2017 Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook or Twitter @ Drrobertowens / Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens Home
Clashes erupted when police attempted to remove illegal encroachments on state property on the banks of the Nile

Egypts Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said on Sunday that it is necessary for the state to reclaim its land, following clashes that erupted between the police and residents of Warraq Island in Cairo when police attempted to remove illegal encroachments on state property.

One civilian was killed in the clashes and 19 were injured, while 31 police personnel were also injured.

State-news agency reported Ismail as saying that the states efforts to reclaim state lands started in May, and that the state began this campaign to restore the peoples rights.

Ismail also said that over 700 judicial decrees have been issued ordering illegal properties on Greater Cairos Warraq Island be removed, and that property owners can still legalise their illegally-build properties. He also said that no agricultural land will be evacuated or destroyed.

The interior ministry said in an earlier statement on Sunday that some of the residents of the island gathered and attacked the police with stones and birdshot rounds as they began a campaign to clear encroachments on the island, prompting forces to use tear gas to disperse them.

Police arrested 10 people, who are currently being questioned for attacking the security forces, MENA quoted a second statement by the interior ministry as saying.

According to media reports, some residents believe the campaign to demolish illegal buildings on the banks of the Nile is part of a plan to clear the whole island.

Giza Governor Mohamed El-Dali affirmed in statements to MENA news agency that the security campaign had targeted illegal constructions and violations on the islands Nile banks.

Although the campaign did not target any agricultural lands or inhabited buildings, residents began an assault on security forces, and so the governorate has decided to postpone its campaign, the official announced.

Similar clashes between security forces and residents of the island took place last year when Egyptian authorities evacuated buildings on the island to construct the Rod Al-Farag axis road, either compensating residents by transferring them to different housing units or with financial compensation.

A nationwide campaign on Nile-side encroachments was launched in 2014.

Earlier this year the irrigation and water resources ministry announced that a total of 26,322 violations along the rivers banks had been removed.

The Egyptian parliament is set to vote on a draft law that would re-classify building encroachments on the Nile as a felony, and would mandate prison sentences for offenders.



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Al Gore, Al Jazeera and Al Qa'ida By Mark Alexander

While the Demo/MSM propaganda machine is rolling out its latest Trump/Putin collusion conspiracy "evidence" for the sole purpose of undermining the Republican's agenda, in reality, the most dangerous threat to Liberty today is the collusion between Democrats and the mainstream media. And on that topic, returning to the news this week (in case you missed it) is a prime example of that collusion  in this case between one of the Democrat Party's most celebrated socialists and a global media outlet known for its advocacy of Islamist terrorism. Last month, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, among other Gulf states, broke off diplomatic and economic ties with their small, oil-rich neighbor, Qatar. They accused its monarch, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, of fomenting disunity in the region and lending support to terrorist organizations. Thus, they implemented land, sea and air blockades. But not to worry  Hillary Clinton's friends in Iran stepped in to help Qatar keep its oil profits flowing. Saudi Arabia claims that Qatar violated 2014 secret agreements with its Arab neighbors, most notably not to support "antagonistic media." That was a reference to the Qatar royal family's state-owned global Al Jazeera Media Network, which its CEO, royal family member Sheikh bin Al Thani, may now have to severely restrict or shut down in order to restore relations with Qatar's neighbors. Egypt's foreign ministry spokesman reiterated that point this week: "It is unacceptable for the Arab coalition [fighting the Islamic State] to have amongst its member states, one that supports terrorism or advocates for it in their media." Indeed, Al Jazeera is a well-funded and thus powerful propaganda machine for an otherwise tiny nation  and the Islamists it supports. In effect, Al Jazeera is the Arab media equivalent of the Democrat/MSM collusion machine in the U.S., which effectively dictates public opinion here. Israel has called Qatar "the Club Med for Terrorists" because, according to numerous sources including a comprehensive report on Qatar's support for terrorists, "With every important case of suspected terror finance involving a Qatari national in past years, the government in Doha has refused effectively to crack down." However, Qatar plays both sides of the divide, which is why Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was in the region this week. Qatar's al-Udeid Air Base is home to our largest military base in the region with 11,000 American military and support personnel. Notably, right next door, Bahrain is home port for the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet and our operations in the Persian Gulf and beyond. Thus, Tillerson and Defense Secretary James Mattis are working around the clock to defuse the Arab dispute. All that aside, my purpose is not to analyze the convoluted web of strategic alliances, disputes and strange bedfellows in the Middle East. Instead, allow me to revisit how Albert Arnold Gore, chief weather prognosticator for "climate change" cadres, and the most ignoble of leftist hypocrites, profited handsomely from his business dealings with the Qatar Emir and his Al Jazeera media network. We have tracked Al Jazeera since its media launch in 1996, but particularly since its English language launch in 2003. Recall if you must, the 2004 Democrat Party Convention, where Al Jazeera had a 20-foot-tall $30,000 banner displayed behind John Kerry's podium under its press skybox. At that time, Al Jazeera was promoting its brand by broadcasting the torture and executions of American military and civilian personnel by al-Qa'ida terrorists and by playing promotional videos from 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. The network established its support for Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qa'ida, the Muslim Brotherhood and other pro-Sunni (Osama) Islamist terror groups (and more recently, ISIL). Indeed, Al Jazeera broke new ground for using mass media to radicalize Jihad Terrorists around the world. As it was seeking entry into U.S. media markets, media watchdog group Accuracy in Media noted, "The U.S. and Israel will not be able to win this global war on terrorism unless the role of Al-Jazeera in radicalizing Arabs and Muslims throughout the world is recognized and addressed." A year after Kerry's failed presidential bid, Bill Clinton's former Veep, Al Gore, another failed Demo presidential bidder, launched his own leftist propaganda network, Current TV. Though it was well capitalized, after eight years, Gore and company had run Current TV into a deep hole  until 2013, when he figured out how to turn his failed network into a massive windfall profit. Al Jazeera, starved for a media pathway into every American home, cut a deal with Gore to acquire Current TV, for what Forbes estimated to be $500 million. At the time of Gore's deal with Al Jazeera, then-CNN media analyst Howard Kurtz noted in humor: "Al Gore starts a liberal cable network, which turns into a complete and utter flop, then sells it to a Middle East potentate. Is America a great country or what?" But the deal Gore cut with Al Jazeera was anything but humorous. According to a 2013 CNN business report, "The buy will give the network greater access to the U.S. market." More specifically, Al Jazeera's director general, Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani  another Qatar royal family member  noted, "By acquiring Current TV, Al Jazeera will significantly expand our existing distribution footprint in the U.S., as well as increase our news-gathering and reporting efforts in America." On his way to the bank, Gore confirmed that assessment: "We are proud and pleased that Al Jazeera, the award-winning international news organization, has bought Current TV. Since its founding in 2005, Current has grown into a national network available in nearly 60 million homes. ... Current Media was built based on a few key goals: To give voice to those who are not typically heard; to speak truth to power; to provide independent and diverse points of view; and to tell the stories that no one else is telling. Al Jazeera, like Current, believes that facts and truth lead to a better understanding of the world around us." One more time  according to Gore, "Al Jazeera ... believes that facts and truth lead to a better understanding of the world around us." (Kind of makes your eyes burn doesn't it?) That is a typical example of a "BIG Lie" from a master bender of "facts and truth." Fortunately for America, Al Jazeera had no more success with its media market than did Gore. In 2016, Al Jazeera America CEO Al Anstey announced that the network would cease operations that year, and Al Jazeera has been unable to sell the network. Perhaps Al Jazeera's biggest mistake was keeping the name "Al Jazeera." Had it kept the "Current TV" brand or launched under a new mainstream Western name, it might be piping its propaganda into every home across the nation today. Meanwhile, former Al Jazeera employees are on the record with more evidence the network "conspired" with terrorists. Gore is now suing Al Jazeera for failing to send him a final $65 million payment and Al Jazeera Media Network is countersuing Gore. But not to worry  Gore is still rolling high among the rich and famous Left-elite and is now holding a prominent position on the board of Apple Inc. and is a senior adviser to Google. It is notable that Gore's current Wiki profile page makes no mention of Al Jazeera... Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post. Home
Hizbullah mouthpiece presents Israels Options in the Face of the Resistance By Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Dr. Shimon Shapira

The Al-Akhbar newspaper, published in Beirut, Lebanon, is the unofficial mouthpiece of Hizbullah. Its editor, Ibrahim al-Amin, often expresses the views of Hizbullahs secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah. In an article dated July 3, 2017, al-Amin analyzed Israels military options against Hizbullah. Due to the importance of the author, we decided to publish this essay as translated. Unfortunately, with global attention focused on ISIS, Hizbullah does not receive the attention it deserves as a military power capable of undermining the stability of the Middle East. Editor Ibrahim al-Amin: Israels priorities have not changed since its establishment. Its central concern is maintaining its security. Over the last two decades, Israel was compelled to introduce essential changes in its security and military strategy. For instance, Israel introduced the concept of defensive programs which require a different approach in dealing with the public and introducing preemptive measures. The enemy [Israel] speaks about the calm that prevails with Lebanon, and at the same time, Israel reports every day on the rising power of Hizbullah. What Israel has done in the last decade does not transcend a few successful military and security operations. Some actions dealt Hizbullah some harsh blows, but they were not enough to imperil the Resistances [Hizbullah] capacity to continue to grow and empower itself. All this was true before the developments that occurred in Syria and Iraq. Suffice it for an observer in Tel Aviv to analyze the dimension of changes after six years of open warfare in Syria and Iraq for him to realize that the course of events went in the wrong direction. Hizbullah has become the main power in more than one country. In Syria, Hizbullah has become the ally of the Syrian army in waging its battles, while in Iraq Hizbullahs experts are present in the biggest operations rooms. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah serves as the commander of the Al-Hash Al-Shabi [the popular mobilization units] in Iraq and as the nexus in running the political relations between most of the political forces there. In Yemen, Hizbullah has become a direct partner in strengthening the military capabilities of the Houthi Ansarullah who consider Hizbullah to be their truthful ally. As for Palestine, and in spite of recent developments, the religious organizations [such as Islamic Jihad and Hamas] refer to Hizbullah in Beirut to coordinate their activities, while the rulers of Saudi Arabia behave as if Nasrallah represents hundreds of thousands of fighters who listen to the Hizbullah leaders words. Hizbullah retains the real veto power in conducting strategic affairs in Lebanon, and there is no opposition that can threaten it. As a result, the opponents remain silent and refrain from any action. It is a well-known fact that all international intelligence agencies are trying to assess the growing power of Hizbullah which has given valuable information to the Lebanese security agencies, thus preventing dozens and maybe hundreds of terrorist acts. Over the last decade, Hizbullah lost about 2,000 fighters [martyrs] between the Lebanese war of 2006 and the war in Iraq and Syria. However, Hizbullah has been successful in recruiting many thousands of new fighters. Hizbullah has not limited itself to developing its military and security infrastructures. In fact, it has tested dozens of theoretical military approaches which enabled it to obtain unprecedented expertise unknown [to Hizbullah] in the past, including desert warfare which Hizbullah is conducting in the eastern deserts of Syria and western deserts of Iraq. More important is the fact that arsenals of big armies have opened their gates to Hizbullah and allowed it to arm itself with whatever was needed. The equipment can be utilized in the preparation and readiness in case of an imminent war with Israel or to use in battles waged on more than one front. How are things going to develop now that there is a clear connection between the Lebanese, Syrian, Iraqi and Iranian arenas? We are not dealing only with the military activity but with activities related to strategic and economic matters. Bearing all the above in mind, is it possible that Israel can directly confront Hizbullah in Lebanon while it is fully aware that it doesnt control what will happen the day after the beginning of hostilities. Israel perfectly knows that all the drills and maneuvers undertaken to protect the domestic front will be of no use in controlling traffic in the area of Gush Dan [central coastal area of Israel] hours after the beginning of a total confrontation? Will the leaders of Israel be candid enough to tell their public what will be the fate of the electric grid, transportation networks, airports, sea ports, state headquarters and its infrastructure? Does the enemy really grasp the rain of rockets that will fall in the midst of summer? What can Israel do in Syria except wait for a renewed American attempt to impose facts on the ground which will force Russia and Iran to draw new red lines that meet Israels interests? Even if this were to happen, who can say that this will influence the Resistance and its course of action? Is Israel aware that with each day that passes without a war it will be losing more of its deterrence while the Resistance will continue its expansion? In any case, Israel is tied to American efforts. With this background, it is interesting to note the declarations published by the enemy [Israel] and by its supporters, Western and Arab, relating to big changes that will occur in the region as a result of what is happening in the Gulf. In any case, it is important to remember that since the first Gulf War until today, the Resistance Axis [meaning Iran and its satellites] did not initiate any action in the Arabian Peninsula, even in Yemen. The Axis waged a defensive war only. However, if a decision is made to change course and wage an offensive war, then one could expect only one thing from the enemy: the choice of collective suicide. Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Dr. Shimon Shapira is a senior research associate at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. He served as Military Secretary to the Prime Minister and as Israel Foreign Ministry chief of staff. He edited the Jerusalem Center eBook Iran: From Regional Challenge to Global Threat. Home
Insanity and hypocrisy Down Under By Paul Driessen

The Wall Street Journal called it the energy shortage no one saw coming. Actually, a lot of people did see it coming. But intent on pursuing their dangerous manmade climate change and renewable energy will save the planet agendas, the political classes ignored them. So the stage was set. As an Australia-wide heat wave sent temperatures soaring above 105 degrees F (40.6 C) in early 2017, air conditioning demand skyrocketed. But Adelaide, South Australia is heavily dependent on wind turbines for electricity generation  and there was no wind. Regulators told the local natural gas-fired power plant to ramp up its output, but it couldnt get enough gas to do so. To avoid a massive, widespread blackout, regulators shut off power to 90,000 homes, leaving angry families sweltering in the dark. According to the Journal, Aussie politicians and the wind industry, the primary problem was businesses that exported 62% of Australias natural gas production in 2016, leaving insufficient supplies to run gas backup power plants that are supposed to step in when wind and solar power fail. Policy makers didnt ensure enough gas would remain at home and couldnt foresee temperatures soaring with no wind. Gas export licenses were issued without regard to the consequences for the domestic market, said one pol. We should have had a national interest test in place to ensure domestic gas needs, said another. During this and even bigger Aussie blackouts, valuable fish, meat and produce rotted when freezers and refrigerators shut down. Business operations were interrupted or shut down. Rising electricity prices and unreliable power impacted smelters, factories and other businesses, causing many to lay off workers. The blackouts and energy debacle offer lessons for America, as it prepares to vastly increase natural gas shipments abroad, the Journal advises. It certainly does, though not the lessons suggested by the article or people quoted in it, amid the excessive exports narrative. Here are some of the correct lessons. First and foremost, have debates and red team-blue team exercises. Listen to experts who arent locked into climate chaos and renewable energy themes. Foster public discussions, instead of silencing them. Understand the entire situation and all the likely consequences of each alternative, before legislating. Recognize and study reality. Dead calms occur frequently when temperatures are at their highest, or their lowest  when families, businesses, hospitals and schools need electricity the most. Clouds can blanket regions for days or weeks on end. Reliance on wind and solar is risky, and reliable backup is essential. The justification for eliminating coal and mandating 50% wind and solar is heavily rooted in fears of catastrophic manmade climate change. But the alleged crisis has no basis in observed evidence. The 18-year pause continues apace, with the El Nino temperature spike of 2015-16 gone  and average global temperatures back down to where they were in March 2015. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and droughts are in line with or below multi-century historic trends and fluctuations and are hardly unprecedented. Greenland just recorded its most frigid July temperature reading in history: -33 C (-27 F). If alarmists have evidence to the contrary, they must present it for review  including original temperature data, not the revised, homogenized data that American, Australian and other scientists have been presenting to support cataclysm claims and justify demands that we eliminate fossil fuels and switch to renewable energy, regardless of the unprecedented energy and economic risks that would pose. Second, if Australia (or the USA) is to keep whats theirs, instead of exporting it, keeping it in the ground is the wrong way to do it. Exports may be playing a role. But Victoria and New South Wales have banned fracking, more are likely to follow, coal burning and nuclear are also banned  and you cannot export, use or generate electricity with energy that you are prohibited from taking out of the ground. You cannot benefit from resources you hoard and lock up. Ban fracking, and you ensure more natural gas shortages, soaring electricity prices, ever-greater reliance on expensive, unreliable wind and solar power, more blackouts, more layoffs, more economic downturns and dislocations, more shipping of good jobs overseas. Your may get many new low-pay jobs hauling, installing, maintaining and removing wind turbines and solar panels made in China. But you wont have smelters, foundries, turbine and panel factories, or the high-pay jobs that go with them. Adding to the problem, Institute of Public Affairs research director Brett Hogan notes, many coal and gas operators are investing less in maintenance because there is little point in spending on plants that activists and politicians are trying to shut down. That explains why their reliability is starting to wobble at times, which the renewables crowd falsely claims is proof that fossil fuels are also unstable. Meanwhile renewable energy mandates are pushing out the cheapest electricity provider in Australia (coal), gas prices are being set at the international level, and activists are demanding fracking bans that limit gas supplies and make gas still more expensive, he adds. The results should be easy to foresee. Third, applying a national interest test should not pertain only to export licenses. It must also apply to fracking and nuclear bans, coal and gas plant closures, and effects of skyrocketing electricity prices on smelters, factories, hospitals, schools, local governments and families. Government-imposed Australian austerity and sacrifices will have trivial, un-measurable, irrelevant impacts on atmospheric CO2 levels in the face of growing coal use and emissions from China, India, Indonesia, virtually all other Asia-Pacific nations, and the rest of the world. How does Australias overall national interest stack up against that? Once again, open, robust debate, honest, transparent information  and stiff penalties for prevarication, fabrication and falsification  are absolutely essential. Under sustainability and climate precepts, we are supposed to safeguard the assumed needs of future generations, even if it means ignoring or compromising the undeniable needs of current generations. We are supposed to protect people from theoretical, exaggerated risks of dangerous manmade climate change, regardless of how slashing fossil fuel use impacts millions of businesses and families. That is untenable. In the midst of all this, the Journal reports, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has offered to build a giant battery system in South Australia  as though batteries can back up wind power for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses  especially under true sustainability, economic and national interest tests. Mr. Musk, however, needs new customers to offset plunging sales in Hong Kong, Denmark and elsewhere. Meanwhile, the ECOCITY World Summit is being held in Melbourne. City planners, architects, elected officials, professors, teachers and eager recipients of more taxpayer-funded renewable energy grants are soaking up fake facts and clever strategies for imposing sustainable development goals on the governed classes. As my CFACT colleagues observing the summit put it, they want to use financial instruments and courts to transform communities into sustainable and resilient cities, with them in charge. Al Gore is jetting around the land Down Under, promoting his new climate chaos film and claiming manmade pollution is equivalent to 400,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs going off daily! Making Australian heat waves five times more likely because of manmade global warming! Teachers and journalists get free passes to Gores events, to get their propaganda talking points, but no one is allowed to record any part of his talks, to avoid embarrassing the false prophet. When Climate Depots Marc Morano offered him a free DVD of the Climate Hustle documentary film, a scowling Al Gore headed to his SUV and private jet. Mr. Gore and other alarmists are generally panic-stricken about debating climate realists, especially in debates proposed by USEPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. Participating in them would expose their claims to unaccustomed scrutiny, but refusing to do so would leave the impression that they have something to hide: such as their raw data, deceptive methodologies and absence of evidence to support their models. They should be worried. If the crisis is exaggerated, fabricated or exists only in computer models, we will refuse to keep spending countless trillions on junk research and job-killing renewable energy schemes. Paul Driessen is senior policy analyst for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (www.CFACT.org) and author of Eco-Imperialism: Green power - Black death. Home
After the defeat of ISIS in Mosul, Iran prepares for regional domination By Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Dr. Shimon Shapira

When the Iraqi army liberated Mosul from ISIS last week, they were joined by the Shiite militia, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), or in Arabic the Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi. Leading the PMF is Jamal al-Ibrahim, known by his nom de guerre Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Commander of the Popular Mobilization Force Born in 1954 to an Iraqi father and an Iranian mother, he established his reputation in 1983 as the terrorist mastermind who planned bombing attacks against the American and French Embassies in Kuwait. He was joined by Mustafa Badar a-Din from Beirut, who had served as the operational deputy to Imad Mughniya in the framework of Hizbullah. Though sentenced to death by a Kuwaiti court, he sat in prison between 1983 and 1990. The motive of many of the kidnappings of Westerners in Lebanon in those years was to obtain the release of the Shiite prisoners in Kuwait, known as the Dawa 17. Mughniya, who was responsible for the kidnappings, was married to Badar a-Dins sister, who pressed her husband to force the prisoners release. Iranian intelligence operatives extracted him from a Kuwaiti prison after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Abu Mahdi was elected to Parliament in 2005 as part of the Shiite coalition at the time. He also served as a security adviser to Iraqs first post-Saddam Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jafaari. Already in 2003, Abu Mahdi was operating in Iraq under the orders of Irans Qassem Soleimani to build a violent resistance to the American forces in Iraq. The Iranian Quds Force recruited instructors and advisors from Hizbullah in Lebanon. Mughniya and Badar a-Din themselves were involved in organizing and training the Shiite cadres in Iraq who assisted Abu Mahdi attacking U.S. forces. After the American forces left Iraq, Abu Mahdi became a leader of the Iraqi Hizbullah, known as the Kataibb Hizbullah or Hizbullah Brigades, which later morphed into the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). In the Mosul campaign, Iranian military factories worked around the clock to arm the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), reported Asharq Al-Awsat, quoting Quds Force Commander Maj.-Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani added that with its expertise, Lebanese Hizbullah helped the PMF and that it had lost many of its members fighting in Syria and Iraq. The leading role taken by the Shiite militias under Abu Mahdis command in liberating Mosul will have a strong impact on the future of Iraq. Irans Supreme Leader Khamenei made it clear to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi in his latest meeting in Tehran that the PMF is an important and blessed phenomenon. According to Khamenei, these forces have an important role in ruling Iraq after the defeat of the Islamic State. Thus, Iran has virtually won control over Iraq, a key segment of the Shiite arc land route from Tehran, through Iraq and Syria, to southern Lebanon and the Mediterranean. Today (after the capture of Mosul), the resistance highway starts in Tehran and passes through Mosul and Beirut to the Mediterranean, said Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Irans Supreme Leader, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Name tags on the Iraqi militia forces show Abu Mahdi, Khamenei, Khomeini and the Temple Mount Irans victory in Mosul was made inevitable by decisions taken years earlier by Washington to avoid any confrontation with the growing Shiite militias in Iraq at the same time as the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq during the Obama Administration. Tehran exploited the resulting vacuum. Significantly, the Trump Administration has built up the American presence in Syria, which besides helping to defeat ISIS there, will be pivotal for preventing the Iranians from achieving their strategic goal of a continuous highway from Tehran to the Mediterranean coast. Irans military leaders praised the Iraqi Popular forces capture of Mosul and the cooperation and coordination extended to them by Iran. Defense Minister Brig.-Gen. Hossein Dehghan congratulated Iraqs popular militias on the liberation of Mosul. The retaking of the city raised the spirits of all lovers and supporters of stability, calm, and safety in Iraq  in particular, the government and armed forces of [Iran]. Ali Shamkhani, Head of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), congratulated Iraqs Shiite leader, Ayatollah Sistani, and Iraqs popular militias on the retaking of Mosul. Shamkhani commented, The great victory in Mosul was achieved thanks to the leadership of top Shia clerics, the prudence of the Iraqi government and the bravery of the countrys army and popular forces. Maj.-Gen. Qassem Soleimani stressed on July 10, 2017, the contribution of Iranian forces in aiding Iraq. He noted that the work of our nations sons in service to the nation of Iraq was the work of soldiers, under the banner of Iraq and Iraqi clerics. He added that the nation of Iran, under the orders of the Supreme Leader, placed its life and possessions into the service of [Iraqis], and we consider any soldiering on that front a matter of pride." After the Mosul campaign and the boasts of both the Iranians and their PMF proxy, the words of Maj.-Gen. Qassem Soleimani do not offer any comfort: Sometimes we solve issues through diplomacy, which is good. But, some problems cant be solved through diplomatic ways. Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Dr. Shimon Shapira is a senior research associate at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. He served as Military Secretary to the Prime Minister and as Israel Foreign Ministry chief of staff. He edited the Jerusalem Center eBook Iran: From Regional Challenge to Global Threat. Home
I agree with the advice to go stay in the town to see what you "feel" or hear.



I don't know anything about Plouguernevel, but my first reaction is that I wouldn't let the fact there is a psychiatric hospital in the village deter you from going to the town at all. I wouldn't want my house to be right next to the campus, or facing it, or anything like that...but in the same village is okay.



For what it's worth, I used to work at a behavioral health facility in the US. I was in an admin building attached by a hallway to the main hospital area and residential treatment center. There were various incidents within the building, but I don't recall too many stories about people escaping and going on rampages or anything. I think the worst while I was there was one of the teenagers got into the parking lot and kicked/dented a car. But that was a car already on the premises. And there might have been one story of a guy escaping from before my time, but that's one out of the 20 years it was in business.



I guess my point is...personally I wouldn't be too worried about violent inmates escaping and causing problems. I looked at the site and it doesn't seem to be a prison for mentally ill criminals, etc. Yes, it has the hospital and then other things like long term care, transitional, etc. I'm not getting a strong "violence" vibe from it, though of course people going through a crisis might act out...but again, that would happen on the inside, not outside. Again, I wouldn't want to be right ON the campus or close to it. But the village itself I'd be fine with, at least sitting from where I'm sitting now.



As far as ambulances....I don't recall hearing screeching ambulances when I worked at the behavioral health place...at all? I think your agent is right that psychiatric hospitals aren't that kind of place. I mean, if a mentally ill person harms themselves in an urgent way, they'll be brought to a regular hospital first. Once healed, then quietly brought over to the psychiatric place...



BUT again definitely, if you can, go visit and get a feel for it too.



(edit: looking at street view on Google maps, the rest of the village looks really cute/scenic!)
Hello Respected Sir.

I'm from Pakistan living in Malaysia.

My agent cheat me very badly eat all money and not renew my next visa. But thanks to Allah I get my passport back now my leg cut at work place with aluminum now doctor put steches very bad condition . So I want go back soon immigration out pass or travel pass fees 400rm only but agent want total 1000rm to 1500rm .i have total 1000rm for out pass and for ticket so any person please help me Allah help you for this please I also go immigration but they say use agent but agent use us for money I can pay maximum 200rm who help me please. <snip>
Two Iranian civilians were killed in a cross-border attack by Pakistani insurgents, the Revolutionary Guards said.

"On Saturday evening, a terrorist team... fired (ammunition) from within Pakistani territory toward the Iranian border region of Saravan" in Sistan-Baluchistan province, the Guards said in a statement on their Sepahnews website.

"Two local workers in the region were martyred in this terrorist attack," it added.

Forces from the Quds force -- the Guards' foreign operations wing -- killed one of the attackers and wounded two, while others fled back into Pakistani territory, the statement said.

The insurgent group was not identified, but for years the region has been the site of frequent attacks by the Jaish al-Adl jihadist group, which Tehran says has links to Al-Qaeda and is based in the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan.

Jaish al-Adl was blamed for an attack in April that killed 10 Iranian border guards in the nearby Mirjaveh region.

President Hassan Rouhani wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif calling for greater efforts to prevent insurgent attacks along the border.

The Guards also said on June 19 that they had killed the leader and four members of another jihadist group called Ansar al-Furqan in the Iranian port city of Chabahar in Sistan-Baluchistan province.

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In 15 years at the San Antonio Police Department  plus 14 more as a consultant  psychologist John Price has helped countless officers through distress, anger and sorrow.

Every person, including officers, experiences grief in a different way.

Theres no set timeline for grief. Its two steps forward and one step backward for most of us, said Price, the SAPDs director of psychological services.

When the adrenaline wears off, thats when the emotions set in. When they reintegrate back into their life, things pop up.

Price was interviewed in June, shortly after he helped counsel San Antonio firefighters after their comrade Scott Deem died in a Northwest Side fire.

Since then, tragedy struck again: SAPD Officer Miguel Moreno was killed and Officer Julio Cavazos was injured in a shootout north of downtown.

Just eight months ago, the Police Department, and the city as a whole, mourned the death of police Detective Benjamin Marconi, who was ambushed in front of police headquarters.

It has been the deadliest period of time for civil servants in San Antonio since late 1988 and early 1989, when four police officers and one firefighter were killed in the line of duty, according to the citys website.

In the wake of the recent deaths, both the police and fire departments are working to support the citys roughly 4,000 public safety workers with an assortment of services, including counseling sessions, chaplaincy and peer support.

Both departments have seen an influx of officers and firefighters seeking mental health services. Some first responders have found solace through good deeds or personal tributes.

Police Officer Tom Fields, for example, handcrafted three leather wallets for an auction to raise money for officers families, according to the departments Facebook page. The wallets are crafted with Morenos badge on the front, with a thin blue and black line beneath.

Another group of officers, while having dinner at a local restaurant, ordered a beer and hamburger for their fallen comrade. The meal rested on the table, uneaten.

Recently, a group of firefighters gathered at a local gym to work out like Scotty would. Another group attended the first-grade graduation for Deems son, 7-year-old Tyler, just days after Deem died.

What happened the night Scott was killed was the greatest tragedy that has happened in any of our careers, said Joe Arrington, a paramedic and department spokesman. Yet when the next call for service comes in, department personnel have to be ready to respond, no matter what.

These programs are huge in making sure that we are still able to provide the highest level of customer service that the city expects from us, Arrington said. Without that, there would be lapses.

This is survivable

The police and fire departments have support services that are similar but adapted to fit the culture of each agency, Price said.

Any police officer involved in a critical incident, such as an officer-involved shooting, must see a department psychologist for an evaluation.

Because it is standard practice for everyone, Price said, officers wont feel like theyre crazy for talking with a psychologist.

The police chief can also require an officer to see a psychologist or attend mandatory counseling sessions after the death of a fellow officer, a family disturbance, or complaints of criminal or behavioral wrongdoing.

The police department also offers voluntary counseling services, spiritual guidance through the chaplaincy program and peer support. Created in the early 1990s, the peer support team consists of officers who have experienced difficult situations, such as the death of a partner, a serious injury, depression or alcohol abuse. All the members are trained so they can provide appropriate advice.

After a high-profile incident, a coordinator will often reach out to an officer involved and ask if he or she wants to be paired with a peer support officer. Then the two officers can meet on their own, in a more comfortable setting.

Having  that police officer or firefighter tell them the same thing the doctor is saying adds credibility, Price said. It also lets them know, This is survivable.

At the Fire Department, counseling has always existed, albeit more informally in the past. Firefighters called it the tailboard: sitting on the back of the truck, talking about the most recent run, veteran firefighters and newbies comparing stories.

James Gonzales, a fire engineer and paramedic who works at the dispatch center, said he remembers one of his first calls as a young firefighter. It was a difficult scene, and his supervisor approached him afterward to make sure he was OK.

In the late 1990s, the department implemented the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team  trained firefighters who provide help immediately after a particularly stressful or traumatic call.

Typically, one team member leads the session, while another takes a secondary role, chiming in only occasionally. The second person observes the participants and their body language to see if theres anyone they should follow up with later.

The leader will ask a few questions, but usually the conversation will progress on its own. The discussions are a good way for firefighters to hear from their peers, to learn that they are not alone in their emotions or grief.

We are all uniformed personnel, said Gonzales, a debriefing team coordinator. Chances are weve probably seen it, in varying degrees.

About 10 years ago, the department initiated a peer support team, which emulated the Police Departments program. Now, the Fire Departments program has 17 members who train with the Police Department.

Initially, there was a stigma in the profession against seeking mental health services. I help people, firefighters would commonly say. They dont help me.

Slowly, that mentality changed, partly because of participation of the command staff in the debriefings. On the night Deem died, Fire Chief Charles Hood took part.

New ground

For the Fire Department, Deems death was particularly painful. Many had never experienced such a tragedy: Deem was the first city firefighter in 20 years to die in the line of duty and the only one to ever die at the scene of a fire. (Other firefighters have died later as a result of injuries suffered in a fire or while working.)

Accordingly, Fire Department officials are assessing and adjusting counseling services to better serve grieving firefighters and paramedics.

With this one, we realized the grieving process is going to be extended. Everyones going to go through it differently  the denial, the bargaining, the acceptance, all that stuff, said Capt. Raul Chapa, coordinator of the San Antonio Fire Academy and a licensed professional counselor.

This was new ground for us, too.

Moving forward, coordinators for the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team would like to recruit more firefighters to volunteer for it.

Yvonne Garcia, a paramedic and licensed professional counselor intern, said she hopes to reach out to the larger San Antonio mental health community in an effort to coordinate services.

I see the need to educate the community and get them to become our allies, to coordinate with them, so we can have more resources, Garcia said. Its really hard to find a place to send (firefighters) where they feel comfortable.

Price, the Police Departments psychologist, said police officers and firefighters should expect the grieving process to take awhile. The one-year anniversaries will be especially hard, he said.

Its just been a little bit different, Gonzales said about the Fire Department. The hugs are just a little bit tighter.

eeaton@express-news.net

Twitter: @emilieeaton
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Federal judges in a redistricting trial over Texas alleged racial gerrymandering heard closing arguments in San Antonio on Saturday in a case that could have major implications for the 2018 midterm elections in the state.

The trial is part of an ongoing lawsuit filed in 2011 by a coalition of civil rights groups and individuals who claim that the state has suppressed minority voting rights in at least three congressional districts.

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, testified Saturday as the states final witness. He represents Congressional District 23, which is one of three districts found by a federal court March 10 to be drawn along racially discriminatory lines. The others are District 27 in Corpus Christi and District 35 along the San Antonio-Austin corridor.

Hurd defended the rationality of the boundaries of District 23, one of a relatively few genuine swing districts in the nation.

If more districts were like mine, wed have better-caliber people in Washington, Hurd said. My district is competitive, and thats a good thing ... because it forces people to talk to a broader sense of the community.

Attorney Luis Vera, representing one of the plaintiffs, the League of United Latin American Citizens, said Hurds appearance was more of a stump speech designed to distract the judges from the real arguments over racial discrimination in the case.

Hurd is a good man, and I dont have any disrespect for him, Vera said. But for 80 percent of the Latinos in his district, he was not their top choice.

The only reason for him coming here today was for the judges to attach a face to that district, Vera said.

The March 10 court ruling was handed down by the same three-judge panel that is handling the current trial. Those judges, Orlando Garcia and Xavier Rodriguez of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas and Jerry Smith of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, heard arguments on the constitutionality of the interim boundaries for congressional and some state legislative districts but issued no decision Saturday and gave no indication when they would issue a ruling.

The plaintiffs have pressed for a sweeping set of new districts drawn before the 2018 elections. The state is fighting to retain the current maps, which were drawn on an interim basis but have been used for two election cycles.

Vera told the panel that Texas politicians have a long history of cracking and stacking Latino voters  limiting their voting power by crowding them into small numbers of districts or diluting it by breaking them into several groups spread among majority-Anglo districts.

This state has gone after Latinos, directly, Vera said. Anyone can come up here and argue what they want, but thats whats happened.

Mark Gaber, another attorney for the plaintiffs, argued that Texas had a chance to solve many of the redistricting issues when lawmakers met in session in 2013 facing a court order, but still failed to fix several problems.

Weve demonstrated potent evidence that (legislators) drew these district lines with discriminatory intent, Gaber said. Even after (2013), the state continued to act in a discriminatory (way).

Matthew Frederick, deputy solicitor general for the Texas attorney generals office, countered that the plaintiffs had not met the necessary standard of proof required to prove discrimination under Section 2 of the federal Voting Rights Act.

When the Texas Legislature acts, we have to assume they are acting constitutionally, he said. Thats a presumption. ... And the plaintiffs have, in fact, provided little  if any  evidence to disprove that point.

Regardless of which side the judges favor, Vera noted, the case seems destined to be immediately appealed and then taken up by the Supreme Court.

Weve been fighting this fight for years, he said.

jgerlach@express-news.net
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Last fall, Cynthia Gibson found in her mailbox an unexpected manila folder emblazoned with the words Fallen Hero. The Cibolo resident had sent a photograph of her late husband to an artist in Washington state named Michael Reagan.

The widow realized as soon as she picked up the packet that inside was a portrait of her husband, Air Force Maj. Parks Gibson.

She could not bring herself to open the package, so she placed it on a shelf in the small space in her home where she keeps her husbands mementos. Gibson could not even look at it, not for several weeks.

Reagan has heard dozens of stories like Gibsons after sketching more than 5,000 such portraits of troops who have died in the past 14 years. The drawings have a deep and often frightening emotional effect on the family members who receive them.

At a conference for Gold Star wives Friday, Reagan met four San Antonio-area widows who had received portraits from him.

Reagan, 70, said he recently told his doctor that he had a hard time sleeping. He said his doctor asked him what might be keeping him up at night, to which he replied, Well, Ive been drawing dead people for 13 years.

Now retired, he once regularly did celebrity portraits, and he recently finished a drawing of President Donald Trump. Reagan began drawing fallen soldiers in 2004, which turned into a calling when, as a Vietnam combat veteran himself, he recognized how family members responded to his free, lifelike portraits of their loved ones.

Each portrait brings him close to a service member he has never met. Before starting a portrait, Reagan researches everything he can about his subject, going through Facebook pages and letters sent by relatives. When he starts sketching, he spends five to six hours staring at the veterans face. He tries to complete two drawings a day.

I really do converse with these people, Reagan said. I dont know these folks that Ive drawn. All I know is the loss.

The four widows who met Reagan in San Antonio each had vivid memories of receiving their portrait.

Katherine Maiorana of Stockdale, who lost Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mark Maiorana in 2013, said she received her portrait in June that year. She recalled being puzzled at the mysterious package in the mail, which she opened on the hood of her SUV at the post office parking lot. She said that after she saw the portrait, she stayed there for two or three hours, as word spread across the small town and drew friends and family to comfort her.

Meghan Jaquez of New Braunfels, who lost Army Sgt. 1st Class Jose Jaquez in 2012, said her portrait arrived at her parents home last August. She, like Gibson, did not open the package right away. After a few days, Jaquez, her parents, and her children opened it together, and her breath escaped her as she recognized her husbands eyes and lips.

Jaquez said she could not break down in front of her parents, and she did not want to squelch her childrens excitement, so she escaped to a bathroom and cried.

You look at him. A (photo) of him doesnt do him justice like this portrait does, Jaquez said.

Sabine Ward of La Vernia, who lost Sgt. 1st Class Clay Ward in 2013, said she could not wait to open up the package to see her portrait, a sketch of a candid photo she had taken of her husband during a happy moment in their lives. Ward cried as she recalled the way Reagan conveyed, in black and white, the blue of her husbands eyes.

Reagan said that when he started the project, he didnt expect to have to draw so many service members. He said he is grateful that so many strangers have allowed him to draw their loved ones. Im not sharing in your grief, Reagan said to the widows. Im sharing in your love.

When Gibson finally opened her portrait, she shared that moment with a fellow widow, Karen Riecke of San Antonio. With Gibson in the drivers seat and Riecke in the passenger seat, the two opened the package in the parking lot of a YMCA.

Looking at it, I had an intensity and an authenticity that I hadnt felt since I had looked at him, Gibson said.

She said the portrait came with a handwritten letter from Reagan. It read: Dear Cyndie, This is all about love.

jlawrence@express-news.net
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In an appearance in San Antonio, Jim Acosta, the CNN White House correspondent, had a message for all journalists Saturday evening.

I came down here to tell people and will tell people wherever I go, just do your job, he said at a news conference ahead of the 19th annual San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists Scholarships & Awards Gala. Continue to do your job. Were not going to be afraid. Were not going to be intimidated.

Acosta, 46, was honored with the Corazon de Oro award during the nights proceedings. The gala, with an expected 466 attendees, featured a keynote speech from Acosta as well as 11 scholars being honored for their work, SAAHJ President Joey Palacios said.

We are not going anywhere, Acosta said after accepting the award. There is too much at stake at this moment.

He spoke of what he called self-evident truths, things everyone in the general public knows for certain: The sky is blue, two plus two is four  (journalists) are not enemies of the people, Acosta said. We are the voices of the people.

The association provides networking opportunities for Latino journalists in the community and gives scholarships to upcoming student journalists, with a goal of promoting diversity among those working in Texas news media.

It gives the Corazon de Oro to an individual, group or institution whose work has been recognized nationally for excellence and has served as an inspiration for others, according to a news release about the event.

The Trump administration has had a running feud with Acosta. On Jan. 11, President Donald Trump dismissed Acostas questions during the administrations first news conference, at which Trump called CNN terrible and fake news.

At an audio-only White House press briefing June 26, Acosta confronted press secretary Sean Spicer repeatedly about the decision to ban the use of cameras in the briefings.

You are a taxpayer-funded spokesperson for the United States government, Acosta said. Can you at least give us an explanation for why the cameras are off?

Spicer later was asked about this exchange on Fox News and replied, I think some of these reporters are more interested in their YouTube clips than they are in getting factual news.

Acosta on Saturday defended the confrontational style as necessary given what he considers the administrations attempts to trivialize news and news professionals.

Its a different kind of president, so its a different playbook as journalists, he told reporters before the gala. What are you supposed to do when youre called fake news? What are you supposed to when youre called the enemy of the people?

Palacios recently spoke to the San Antonio Express-News on why the SAAHJ considered Acosta for the award.

He isnt afraid to push forward and he doesnt back down when those he is interviewing try to skirt his question, Palacios said.

Other notable figures in the San Antonio area were honored Saturday evening. John W. Gonzalez, a recently retired longtime reporter for the Express-News and other newspapers, received the Henry Guerra Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Journalism. The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services was given SAAHJs Community Service Award.

osanchez@express-news.net
AUSTIN  The special session that begins Tuesday is a high-stakes proposition for state leaders reputations and the well-being of Texans, who could pay more than $1 million for lawmakers to go into overtime to consider issues affecting taxes, education, abortion, health and the states economy.

The nationally watched fight over which public restrooms transgender people can use  at least in public schools  is just the tip of the agenda sketched out by Gov. Greg Abbott, whos plunging into the session fresh off his re-election announcement.

Abortion and school voucher proposals figure prominently, along with proposals pitting local governments against the state on everything from property taxes to tree regulations to rules on using cellphones while driving.

The issues divide Republicans and Democrats, and some set Republicans against each other.

I feel like Ive been dragged into someone elses campaign, said Rep. Diego Bernal, D-San Antonio. Politically, this is just the stage for Republicans to try and assert their bona fides. But I think it may backfire.  People are going to see how empty these priorities really are.

Sen. Donna Campbell, a New Braunfels Republican whos carrying proposals that would curb the annexation powers of cities like San Antonio and would strengthen reporting of abortion complications, differed.

I think the items on the call are important to Texans, she said. We are voted in to represent the citizens of Texas.

Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, supports the annexation measure but blames the governors decidedly low-key role during much of the regular session for the need to return at additional cost to taxpayers.

The reality is, since the governor skipped class for four months, weve got to summer school with him now to help him learn what we did, said Larson, who lost much of his regular sessions work when Abbott vetoed five of six bills that made it through the process. He blaming the slaughter on an ethics proposal he sponsored to rein in gubernatorial appointments of big donors to state boards.

He added by text, Summer School with Rodney Abbott Dangerfield. Sequel never as good as the original!

The session will be a test, a challenge and an opportunity for the Big Three officials wholl determine its outcome, with potentially large ramifications for the state.

The bathroom bill, pushed by backers as necessary to protect privacy and safety in public facilities, could affect the states reputation with harmful consequences. Opponents say passage of a measure viewed as discriminatory could lead to economic boycotts and inflict damage on a vulnerable population.

The stakes are highlighted with an increasingly aggressive campaign against the measure by businesses. As one example, a full-page IBM ad is appearing today in several Texas newspapers, including the San Antonio Express-News, urges Abbott and the Legislature to abandon any discriminatory legislation.

No one should face discrimination for being who they are, says the ad, which expresses IBMs firm opposition to any measure that would harm the states LGBT+ community and make it difficult for businesses to attract and retain talented Texans. The ad features the IBM logo in rainbow colors.

A proposal to institute automatic rollback elections if local officials raise local property tax revenue above a certain amount is touted as necessary to temper a burden crushing homeowners and businesses.

But the idea is panned by local officials who say the plan would hurt their ability to raise revenue for important services like public safety and would offer little, if any, relief to taxpayers.

State financial support for private school tuition for students with special needs is viewed is sold as presenting an important option for children who arent doing well in public school. Critics see it as the nose under the tent for a full-fledged voucher program that could divert resources from public schools that serve most children.

Not all the ideas are controversial.

Theres one must-pass item, the so-called sunset bill to continue the Texas Medical Board and other entities. And an initiative to target maternal mortality has bipartisan support.

Abbott and his staff have been working to line up support for his special-session agenda, highlighting his meetings with lawmakers on social media.

The exercise puts Abbott front and center on issues that are important to the GOP base and long have been championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who periodically is rumored to be considering a primary challenge to Abbott. Patrick repeatedly and energetically has pushed back hard on such rumors, even announcing for re-election early this year to try to tamp them down.

Its a test of Abbotts moxie, but the relatively limited power of the governors office could serve as a shield, allowing him to get credit for calling lawmakers into session even if they dont pass everything he wants.

If they fail, the likelihood is that most people will see it as a failure of either the lieutenant governor or the speaker, more than a failure of the governor, said political scientist Jerry Polinard of the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.

Patrick, who managed to pass the most contentious bills through the Senate in the regular session, can show whether he has the muscle to help them to actually become law by passing through the House.

Hes the instigator of the summers legislative festivities, having forced the special session by thwarting the must-pass sunset legislation, with the express aim of getting another shot at issues including property tax changes and the bathroom bill.

If these items fail twice, it makes it look like either hes misread the political tea leaves, or he is ineffective at getting things done despite having unified party control, said Brandon Rottinghaus, political science professor at the University of Houston. Simply bringing it up is sufficient for a lot of his base to be satisfied, at least temporarily, but that will only last for so long.

House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican with more moderate views and different priorities than the statewide leaders, has made clear his disdain for the bulk of the special-session agenda and particularly for the bathroom bill.

Hes praised by some Republicans and Democrats who see the red-meat issues as folly.

But Straus also is a target, with some Republicans openly talking up a challenge to his leadership post. It would be a long shot. Straus has easily won re-election to the House in District 121, and he was unanimously re-elected speaker by the House in January.

Still, theres risk for him if his opposition to hot-button issues galvanizes more Republicans within the House to oppose his re-election as speaker, Polinard said.

Beyond the top leaders, the 30-day session could boost primary opposition for Republican House members who oppose contentious bills. The bills passage appears virtually assured in the Senate.

I do believe that this special session will have an impact on all three of these leaders, and maybe on some of us as members as well, going forward, said Rep. Ron Simmons. It will not be inconsequential.

Simmons said he supports all three leaders, while adding that for everyone in elected office theres a constant process of evaluation: Were only kind of as good as our last vote, or our last action, or our last quote.

The Carrollton Republican is carrying legislation on two topics that are priorities for Abbott and Patrick  the bathroom bill and a measure to allow state support for students with special needs to attend private school.

One of his bathroom proposals would bar local ordinances and school district rules that protect transgender peoples ability to use multi-occupancy showers, locker rooms, restrooms, and changing rooms in public facilities and school districts that correspond with the gender with which they identify.

Another would apply only to schools, an idea that could gain broader support. After the Senate passed a bathroom bill in the regular session, the House passed a proposal that would be limited to schools. That House version was judged to do little by Patrick and others, and the issue died when Straus referred to budge.

Beyond the immediate arguments, the focus of the session potentially has ramifications for the Texas GOP in the future, said David Crockett, chair of the political science department at Trinity University.

Were still a red state, Crockett said. But nothing stays the same forever in politics. If people start getting the idea that the Legislature is paying too much attention to secondary issues and not as much attention to bread-and-butter issues, that could eventually start whittling away some majorities.

Straus and Patrick have taken shots at each other all year, setting a rancorous tone that only was heightened as the session neared.

Patrick on Thursday blamed Straus for the death of a number of bills that passed the Senate in the regular session but died in the House  and that have been resurrected on the special-session agenda. He also slammed a school finance reform plan championed by Straus as a Ponzi scheme.

Straus told the Express-News on Friday said he was glad to see Patrick talking about school finance reform, putting some of his invective aside.

But he also said that too many Texas political leaders are focusing on divisive social issues like this bathroom bill, and not enough on solving the real challenges that affect most Texans.

The divide has sparked rumors that the speaker might recess or adjourn the House after it approves the sunset bill. Straus, however, told the Express-News that the House will give due consideration to the priorities laid out by Abbott, saying his chamber respects Abbotts authority to set the agenda.

Still, Sunset and Sine Die buttons have been a hot item at the Texas Capitol  sine die is the term for adjournment. Abbott countered with 20 For 20 lapel pins urging passage of all his agenda items.

You cant even make this stuff up, Sen. Paul Bettencourt said of the dueling buttons.

The Houston Republican, who is pushing the proposal for automatic rollback elections, at one gathering sported a 20 For 20 button along with several House members. He suggested thats a favorable sign.

Concern about money encompasses not only the issues on the agenda but the session itself, whose cost could top $1 million in per diem payments alone.

The 181 lawmakers and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are entitled to $190 for each day of the session, which could last 30 days.

That amount could be countered a bit by taking into account per diem that would be paid during a normal month when lawmakers arent in session but are at the Capitol for state business. In addition, not every lawmaker claims per diem  one senator doesnt  but most do. And there are other expenses, for travel and additional staff.

I think that all of us that are in the Republican Party  we want to see this special session be successful, said Bexar County Republican Party Chairman Robert Stovall. If it only it didnt cost so much money.

pfikac@express-news.net
Several thousand Mauritanians took to the streets Saturday to protest a controversial constitutional referendum due on August 5, according to AFP journalists at the demonstration organised by an opposition coalition.

The "No" coalition is drawn from a broad political spectrum including Islamists and anti-slavery activists in the conservative west African nation, all of whom oppose measures including abolishing the senate and changing the national flag.

Saturday's march was followed by a rally where speakers denounced President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz for what was termed a "coup d'etat against the constitution."

Jemil Ould Mansour, head of the Islamic Tewassoul party spearheading the movement against the vote, described the protest's turnout as "giving the result in advance," calling it "a clear message to the regime to put an end to this useless venture."

Senators rejected the abolition of their own chamber in March, apparently to the government's surprise as a majority are from the ruling party, prompting Aziz to call the referendum.

But the opposition fears that despite Aziz's claims to the contrary he is laying the groundwork for a third term in power, with his own prime minister saying recently he supported the idea.

The march was the first action by the new "active boycott" movement, which has vowed to oppose the vote at every step.

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The co-operative would then be spun off, Dr Kershaw said, as a separate entity to SCF, but would continue to be supported through SCFs research programs  the group has primarily had an agriculture research focus since being created in 2009 by 12 southern farmers.
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker on Sunday urged Turkey to uphold democratic values if it hopes to join the European Union, after a year of purges following a coup bid.

Juncker's comments came a day after Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan gave a hardline speech to parliament on the anniversary of the attempted coup, following mass rallies in Ankara and Istanbul.

"Whoever wants to join the European Union is joining a union of values," Juncker wrote in an op-ed for German weekly Bild Sonntag.

"Europe's hand remains outstretched," he added, but it expects that "Turkey too should clearly show its European colours and emphatically take basic European values to heart."

In his speech, Erdogan vowed to sign any bill lawmakers pass on reintroducing the death penalty -- seen as a red line that would shut down Turkey's hopes of joining the EU.

"We will chop off the heads of those traitors" he told a crowd of hundreds of thousands in Istanbul.

The European Commission is in charge of accession negotiations for prospective new members, with Turkey's dossier largely frozen since last July's violence.

In his article, Juncker warned in particular against the detention without trial of journalists including Deniz Yucel of German daily Die Welt.

This was "in no way compatible with a union of human rights, press freedom and the rule of law," he said.

Following last year's coup bid, Erdogan embarked on the biggest purge in Turkey's history, arresting 50,000 people and sacking almost three times as many.

He also shored up his position by winning a referendum on enhancing his powers earlier this year.

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Bullock got married to Monster Garage host James on 16th July 2005. The pair first met when she arranged for him to meet her godson as a Christmas present.

Jesse James and Sandra Bullock (Credit: Famous)

In November 2009, the couple reportedly entered into a custody battle with James' ex-wife and won full custody of his five year old daughter.

A little over a year before they were married, the couple were in a serious road accident when they had a head on crash with a drunken driver- both cars were totalled but thankfully no-one was hurt.

They are both co owners of 'Cisco Burgers' in Long Beach, California.

Jesse James with ex-wife Sandra Bullock

In March 2010 many women supposedly came forward stating that they had had affairs with James, while he was married to Bullock and she cancelled her promotional tour for The Blind Side as a result of these allegations.

On 19th March 2010 James made a public apology to Bullock; "The vast majority of the allegations reported are untrue and unfounded" and beyond that, I will not dignify these private matters with any further public comment. James admitted that "There is only one person to blame for this whole situation, and that is me", and asked that his wife and children one day "find it in their hearts to forgive me" for their current "pain and embarrassment." (Wikipedia) It was later revealed that he was allegedly having an affair with tattoo model Michelle McGee for 11 months during their relationship.

Following this, James' publicist told press that he had checked into a rehab clinic to try and save his marriage to Bullock, however soon after she filed for divorce and it was finalised; the reason for their split was declared as 'conflict of personalities'.

James and Bullock had begun the adoption process while they were together, however once they split Bullock carried on with the legalities and adopted her son as a single parent.

by Lucy Moore for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Smart production towards sustainable development of the textile and garment industry was discussed at a workshop by the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) in Hanoi. The event, part of a cooperation programme between the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Vietnam, sought to improve Vietnamese textile enterprises in the context of digital era.The cooperation programme was agreed in a memorandum of understanding signed at the RoK-Vietnam Joint Economic Committees 15th meeting in the RoK on February 7, 2016, Vietnamese news agency said.

Smart production towards sustainable development of the textile and garment industry was discussed at a workshop by the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) in Hanoi. The event, part of a cooperation programme between the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Vietnam, sought to improve Vietnamese textile enterprises in the context of digital era.#

The seminar sought to improve the capacity of Vietnamese textile enterprises in the context of digital era and the fourth industrial revolution to sharpen their competitive edge. It also provided a platform for Vietnamese firms to meet with leading RoK experts, and get consultations of dyeing and smart fabric management systems, digital technology transformation, 3D design in the fashion industry, and sustainable development trends in the textile and garment industry.VITAS president Vu Duc Giang said the RoK was now the fourth largest importer of Vietnamese apparel. It spent $ 2.28 billion in 2016 on this. Vietnam imported a great volume of fabric and materials from the RoK to serve its textile industry in the year.Truong Van Cam, vice president of the VITAS said the association was encouraging its members to renovate production towards smart production in line with the on-going fourth industrial revolution.The smart factory solution in the industry is hoped to increase productivity and quantitative production, reduce production cost, effectively manage personnel and provide better working conditions, he said. (SV)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Kids fashion in particular is one segment of the market that is highly affected. Clothing and accessories selection is not only in the hands of parents these days, but kids have strong opinions on what design they prefer. Kids fashion brands are challenged to come up with more appealing, fashionable yet comfortable designs for this target market.The fair will be held during July 19-21 July in Shanghai, China.

The fourth Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai 2017 will present over 95 brands from 16 countries and regions with latest collections for zero-16 age group. Nielson's survey shows that the younger generation parents want products and brands that are unique and define personalities. This is particularly true in apparel and accessories selection and purchase.#

Athena Gong, general manager of UBM China (Hangzhou) commented, "Kids nowadays are opinionated and have a strong voice in purchase decision of parents, particularly in clothing. Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai 2017 provides kids fashion brands, designers and China's kids fashion key movers a fashion trade event for kids in China to showcase their collections and network with their peers in the industry. This is where the trends for kids fashion are set and is the gateway for any brand looking to reach China's kids fashion apparel market."Participating brands include Barbie, Bearpabey, Bibi, Bogs, Cienta, Clovis Australia, cocobambi, cocolic, Como Tomo, Cottonbebe, Devilollipop, Disney, donsje, EGG man, Emile et Rose, eotton, ergobag, Etwo, Eurropic, Fendi, FG4 London, Frankie & Maude Australia, Hanakimi, itty-bitty, Jujubong, KIDY, LAB BY BABY, Lamabaohe, Maya, Mayer-display, Melissa, Mini Phoebee, Nanos, Moschino, MoimoiKamppi, momobaby, NONO&co, Okker-Gokker Nature, Pepino, Ricosta, SpongeBob SquarePants, SUDO kids, supercute, Tip Toey Joey and more.Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai 2017 has lined up a series of activities to create business and highlight the trends, creativity, and innovation in China's kids fashion industry. Zheng Mianmian of WGSN and Professor Zhaorong Li of Qinghua University will take centre stage at this year's trend forums.. Zheng will present the fashion trends for autumn/winter (2017/2018). Li will provide tips on how to close business deals for kids' fashion.Aspiring designers will take centre stage with their design and creations at the Kids Fashion Design Contest and Gallery. A series of kids fashion shows will highlight the latest collections of 15 brands during the three-day event, including Babiboo, Babybol, Boboli, Hanakim, Hasbro, Hexue, Hi!Wawa, Maya, Mayoral, Momo Grow Maternity, My Little Pony, Pan Con Chocolate, Paz Rodriguez, Susana Mazzarino, Teddy Doctor, Transformers and more.Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai is co-located with CBME China, the world's largest trade fair for baby products, which showcases a full range of child, baby and maternity products with 3,952 brands from 2,662 exhibitors, and 88,000 visitors.Organised by UBM China, Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai is a perfect platform for brand owners, distributors and investors to meet and explore business opportunities. The event comprises an exhibition, kids fashion design contest, trend forums, kids fashion shows, and private networking events. (SV)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
TemperPack, a Richmond, Va.-based developer of earth-friendly packaging for insulated, temperature-sensitive goods, raised $10m in funding.

The round was led by SJF Ventures with participation from Interplay Ventures, Third Prime Capital and Dolik Ventures. Robert Beckler, formerly the president of packaging at WestRock, an international paper and packaging company, also participated in the round and will be joining the Board as Executive Chairman.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its operations and further commercialize innovative, new products.

Co-founded by James McGoff and Charles Vincent and Brian Powers, TemperPack provides companies that ship perishable goods such as food and pharmaceuticals with sustainable packaging technology to reduce their environmental impact.

The company currently employs more than 200 associates, and is on track to create an additional 150 jobs in Virginia and Nevada by 2018. It currently serves over 40 customers including many market leaders within the meal-kit and grocery e-commerce sectors.

FinSMEs

15/07/2017
Pune: National Award-winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar had to cancel the promotional activity of his forthcoming film Indu Sarkar here on Saturday after receiving threats from local Congress party workers.

"We are like hostage in the hotel room. The hotel management asked us not to step out as the cadre is here since 1 p.m. Since the last three hours, we have been locked in one room. My whole team is in the room," Bhandarkar told IANS over phone.

Bhandarkar even tweeted a few images of some of the Congress party members. He captioned them: "Congress workers have barged in the hotel lobby and created ruckus, me and the team are stranded like hostages in hotel room. Pune activity cancelled."

The film's team had planned to visit Suryadatta Institute of Management & Mass Communication on Saturday for the promotional event. The film's spokesperson said: "We received a call from Sanjay Chordiya from Surya who had arranged the whole press conference. He urged us to cancel it as they received a threat from local Congress party workers. As soon as we got to know, we cancelled the event."

Asked if Bhandarkar will release the film in Pune, he said: "I will release the film all over India and I think people who talk about freedom of expression should stand for this now. This is the time."

The film, set against the backdrop of the 1975-77 Emergency, has characters inspired by the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi.

Earlier also, Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam had penned a letter to Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Pahlaj Nihalani, asking for the movie to be screened for them before it is censored. CBFC later suggested 12 cuts and two disclaimers in the film. Bhandarkar had been asked to remove words like RSS and Akali from Indu Sarkar.

Featuring Neil Nitin Mukesh, Kirti Kulhari, Tota Roy Chaudhary, it is scheduled to release on July 28.
New York: Roger Waters, member of English rock band Pink Floyd, has defended his ongoing anti-Donald Trump US tour which he says is a "calculated and defiant response" to the "charade" of the American presidency, the media reported.

In an exclusive CNN interview on Saturday, the 73-year-old Waters said he has no regrets about turning parts of his two and a half hour performance into "as much an anti-Trump rally as a rock concert".

Waters' 54-date North American tour, Us + Them, began on 26 May and coincides with the release of Water's first studio album in 25 years, Is This the Life We Really Want?

The performance features an inflatable pig with Donald Trump's face on the side; screens that show doctored images of the President throwing up; photos of Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin; and Trump as Hitler.

"It would be a lot easier to be on tour if I wasn't doing any of this, if I didn't have opinions," Waters, Pink Floyd's co-founder and a longtime Trump critic, told CNN.

But, he said, 20 gigs in, people, even in Republican states, are "getting it". "We started in Kansas City and then we went Louisville, Tulsa, St Louis," Waters said, adding "And that was like a - that was a kind of, whoa, I wonder how this is going to be."

Generally, the shows have gone "great", he said, though some fans have demonstrated their objections by walking out.

"If you're looking for an escape from a connection with other people on this planet, if you want to be, you know, separated from your potential to empathise with others, if you want a life in an ivory tower where everybody is an enemy and you need to build walls and you've got to do a better deal with the Chinese or whatever it might be, that this leader that you've elected thinks is a good idea, well, that's what you believe," he said.

As for what Waters might say to someone who's looking for escapism rather than politics at a rock concert, the musician didn't mince his words. "Go see Katy Perry, you know?" he said.
Dhaka: A Special Task Force of the Kolkata Police has held a meeting with Bangladeshi security officials in Dhaka for information on arrested Jama'atul Mujahideen militant Sohel Mahfuz, wanted in India in the 2014 Burdwan blast case.

The three-member team reached the capital city on Saturday and met Bangladeshi security officials at the police headquarters, Assistant Inspector General Md Moniruzzaman said.

In the meeting, they discussed information received so far during the interrogation of Neo-JMB militant Mahfuz, who was arrested along with three other militants by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit from Chapainawabganj district in northern Bangladesh on 7 July.

The officials from both countries also shared their experiences dealing with militant incidents in addition to information on Mahfuz, Moniruzzaman said was quoted as saying by The Daily Star. Mahfuz, a top explosives specialist of neo-JMB, is on a seven-day remand in the Dhaka cafe attack case. He allegedly supplied firearms and explosives for the cafe attack in which 22 people, including 17 foreigners, were killed.

Mahfuz who lost a hand while making bombs, thereby earning him his title 'Hatkata', was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in India for the blast at Khagragarh in Burdwan district of West Bengal on 2 October, 2014.

"Mahfuz, who had worked for about five years from 2009 to set up an extremist network in India's West Bengal, was planning to expand the activities of IS-inspired militant group Neo JMB to India," The Daily Star reported. He wanted to visit India by this year and open a wing of "Neo JMB", counterterrorism officials were quoted as saying by the daily.

Sohel told the interrogators that he left India months after the JMB leadership removed him from the post of West Bengal JMB ameer and replaced him with Sajid, another Bangladesh-born militant, in 2014, the report said. After his return to Bangladesh in December 2014, he got involved with pro-IS militants and played an important role in recruiting youths to the new brand of terror group, Neo JMB as police call it.

In the meeting, the Bangladeshi and Indian police officials discussed how the top militant spread a militant network in both countries and carried out his activities in West Bengal and Assam during his stay in India, the daily said. The Kolkata police team would stay in Bangladesh for the next couple of days.

Besides, a team of National Investigation Agency is supposed to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow to learn about Sohel's arrest, Moniruzzaman added.
Five Yemeni soldiers were killed and three wounded Sunday when gunmen suspected of ties to Al-Qaeda opened fir, e on a military checkpoint, an army source said.

The source said the gunmen managed to escape after the attack on the checkpoint in the northeast of Shabwa province, a southern stronghold of Yemen's powerful Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

Sunday's attack is the latest in a string of suspected AQAP shootings targeting military checkpoints and outposts in Yemen.

AQAP, seen by the United States as the global terror network's most dangerous branch, has exploited years of deadly conflict between Yemen's government and Huthi rebels to expand its presence, especially in Shabwa.

A US air raid on the province last month killed AQAP emir Abu Khattab al-Awlaqi, according to the Pentagon.

The United States has intensified its air attacks on suspected AQAP sites in Yemen since President Donald Trump took office in January.

Yemen's government, allied with a Saudi-led Arab military coalition, has for years been battling Iran-backed Shia Huthi rebels for control of the impoverished country.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 8,000 people have been killed in Yemen's conflict, most of them civilians, since the Saudi-led coalition entered the conflict in 2015.

The country has also been hit by a deadly cholera outbreak and is on the edge of famine.

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New Delhi: Defence minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday condoled the death of Amarnath pilgrims in a bus accident in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Saddened by the loss of lives of #Amarnath Yatris in a bus accident in J&K. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families," Jaitley tweeted.

Sixteen Amarnath pilgrims were killed and around 27 injured, 19 of them critically, when a bus on Sunday skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and rolled into a deep nullah.

The bus skidded off the road, turned turtle, and rolled down into the nullah at the Nachlana belt of Ramban late on Sunday afternoon, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ramban, Mohan Lal said.

The deceased belonged to UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Assam, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh, they said. Two women were among the sixteen who died.

The J&K State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) bus was part of a convoy carrying 3,603 pilgrims from Jammu to the twin base-camps of Baltal and Pahalgam enroute the cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir Himalayas, police officials said.
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday expressed grief over the death of 16 Amarnath pilgrims in an accident on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

She asked officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured and ordered immediate airlifting of those seriously hurt.

Mufti also directed officials to speedily release the ex-gratia amount for of the next of kin of the deceased.

She directed the Jammu divisional administration to make arrangements for sending the bodies of the deceased pilgrims to their homes, the spokesman said.

Opposition National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah and working president Omar Abdullah also expressed grief and shock over the tragic accident.

Sixteen Amarnath pilgrims were killed and around 31 were injured, when a bus skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and rolled into a deep nullah in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, officials said.

The deceased included two women and belonged to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Assam, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh, they said. Sixteen of the injured persons were critical, the officials added.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the Amarnath pilgrims killed in a bus accident in in Jammu and Kashmir and Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured.

"PM announced ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs for next of kin of those killed & Rs. 50,000 for those seriously injured, in the bus accident in J&K (sic)," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.

PM announced ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs for next of kin of those killed & Rs. 50,000 for those seriously injured, in the bus accident in J&K.  PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 16, 2017

Sixteen Amarnath pilgrims were killed and around 27 injured, 19 of them critically, when their bus skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and fell into a deep nullah in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, officials said.

Earlier, Modi expressed pain at the loss of lives.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Jammu and Kashmir governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and took stock of the situation following the the incident.

The government has set up a helpline for inquiry about the Amarnath pilgrims travelling in the bus that met with the accident in Ramban. The helpline numbers are - 091-2560401, and 0191-2542000.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed pain at the loss of lives of Amarnath pilgrims in a bus accident in Jammu and Kashmir.

At least 16 pilgrims were killed and several others injured when their vehicle fell into a gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased," Modi tweeted.

Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2017

I pray that those injured in the bus accident in J&K recover soon.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2017

The accident comes just days after militants attacked a bus ferrying yatris in Anantnag along the Jammu-Srinagar Highway on Monday. That attack had led to eight deaths and 11 being injured. According to police officials, Monday's incident occurred when militants attacked an armoured police car at 8.20 pm. When the police fired back, the militants fled, firing indiscriminately, the official added. The injured were taken to the Army Base Hospital in Srinagar.
New Delhi: Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday spoke to Jammu and Kashmir governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and took stock of the situation following the death of 16 Amarnath pilgrims in a bus accident, officials said.

During the telephonic conversation, the chief minister apprised the home minister on the accident of the bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir and the ongoing rescue operation.

Mufti told Singh that the injured were being airlifted for treatment to Jammu.

The government has set up a helpline for inquiry about the Amarnath pilgrims travelling in the bus that met with the accident in Ramban. The helpline numbers are - 091-2560401, and 0191-2542000.

The home minister also had a telephonic conversation with the governor who has reached the accident site.

Vohra too apprised him of the situation, officials said.

"My heart goes out to the families of Amarnath Yatris who lost their loved ones in the bus accident. My prayers are with the injured," the home minister tweeted.

My heart goes out to the families of Amarnath Yatris who lost their loved ones in the bus accident. My prayers are with the injured. 3/3  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 16, 2017

The victims of the accident belonged to different states, officials said.

At least 16 Amarnath pilgrims were killed and around 30 others injured when their bus skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and rolled down into a deep nullah, late this afternoon.
Yamunanagar: Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda Sunday hit out at the Centre, claiming that tillers are at crossroads and staring at a disaster due to its "anti-farmer" policies.

The BJP government at the Centre must immediately implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, he demanded at his 'Kisan-Mazdoor Panchayat' rally in Haryana.

"Do not test the patience of hard working farmers. The Centre should implement the recommendations, otherwise we will force the government to do so," Hooda warned.

He alleged that the "anti-farmer" policies of the BJP-led central government were responsible for farmer suicides in the country.

"Farmers in the country are at crossroads. Thousands of farmers in the past three years have been forced to commit suicide. They are staring at a disaster due to the government's anti-farmer policies which are responsible for cases of farmer suicide," Hooda alleged.

He said a farmer is not alone, "even farm labourers and others are taking a stand with them against the anti-farmer policies".

The former chief minister alleged that the BJP, before the polls, had promised to implement the Commission's report, but once it came to power it "forgot about it". "They promised to give a minimum support price of Rs 2,100 per quintal for wheat, but how much the farmers are getting now? The same goes for the paddy crop. "It is an irony that farmers who grow cotton, paddy, potato and tomato are getting lower prices for their produce, but prices of products manufactured from these crops  garments, rice, chips and ketchup  continue to rise," he said.

Claiming that the Manmohan Singh government had waived about Rs 72,000 crore of farmers' loans, he said the central government cannot just "wash their hands off" by leaving it to the states.

Hooda also hit out at the Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana, saying it had failed on all fronts. "What is the state of affairs in Haryana, there is acute power shortage. Two and a half years have passed, but they have failed to take even one decision in the interest of farmers," he said.

The former chief minister had recently held a 'Maha Kisan Panchayat' in Jind. Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda also addressed today's function in Haryana.
Tragedy hit the Amarnath Yatra once again on Sunday as 16 pilgrims were killed and 19 were injured when a vehicle carrying them fell into a gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district. The death toll was reported to be 11 and the number of the injured was put at 35 in earlier reports.

The bus carrying pilgrims skidded off the road, turned turtle and rolled down into the nullah at Nachlana belt of Ramban late this afternoon, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ramban, Mohan Lal said.

ANI reports that an army rescue operation is underway.

#WATCH: Rescue operation by Army underway as bus carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims fell off road on Jammu-Srinagar highway in Ramban, 11 dead pic.twitter.com/f1anBmdtdd  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

The accident comes just days after militants attacked a bus ferrying yatris in Anantnag along the Jammu-Srinagar Highway on Monday. That attack had led to eight deaths and 11 being injured. According to police officials, Monday's incident occurred when militants attacked an armoured police car at 8.20 pm. When the police fired back, the militants fled, firing indiscriminately, the official added. The injured were taken to the Army Base Hospital in Srinagar.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the attack arrested a local policeman on suspicion of aiding terrorists strike the bus.

The police claimed that this was a major breakthrough in cracking the attack on the yatra bus and they are also questioning a ruling PDP legislator in connection with the case.

A fresh batch of 3,603 pilgrims left Jammu for the Kashmir Valley on Sunday, to perform the annual Amarnath Yatra.

Over 35,000 security personnel drawn from the army, Central Reserve Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the state police have been deployed to provide additional security to the pilgrims in the wake of Monday's incident.

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: The Centre has told the Supreme Court that it is taking the help of a US-based private body, which gives technical details on uploading of child porn to 99 countries, to curb the menace in India.

In a status report to be filed in the top court, the Centre has said that US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) acts as a resource centre for information about missing and exploited children and they provide "free" details through a secure channel to the central law enforcing agency of the US and 99 other nations.

The government has told a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra that as per information conveyed by the NCMEC, they are trying to establish the "secure link" with the law enforcing agency in the country.

"The NCMEC, USA is a private, non-profit organisation and acts as a national clearing house and resource centre for information about missing and exploited children. The NCMEC hotline provides technical details of any child porn uploading to the law enforcement agency concern in the USA and across the world in about 99 other countries," the report said.

"This information is provided free, but through a secure channel to a central law enforcement agency. According to the information conveyed by the NCMEC, they have been trying to establish this secure link with an Indian law enforcement agency," the government has told the apex court.

The report further said the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEIT) has sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, a copy of which has also been sent to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, requesting them to follow up for establishing communication with the NCMEC.

Recently, in a communication to the home ministry, the MEIT has said that the NCMEC has informed that "a large number of reports are available with them wherein illegal imagery related to child pornography/child abuse have been uploaded from Indian territory".

"It is also understood that the NCMEC has been trying to establish a secure channel of communication with the CBI for sharing details in this regard since 2013.

"However, there is no concrete progress in the matter so far. Action on such reports can create a definitive deterrent mechanism for potential uploaders of such illegal imagery from India," the communication said.

The status report also gave details about various other initiatives taken by the government to curb child pornography in the country.

Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand had on July 14 told the bench that the Centre has blocked 3,522 websites carrying child pornographic content last month and has asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider installation of jammers in schools to block access to such sites.

The government had said that installation of jammers in school buses was "not possible" and they were coming out with steps to deal with the menace in its entirety.

"We are coming out with steps which will deal with the situation in its entirety," Anand had told the bench that also comprised Justices A M Khanwilkar and M M Shantanagoudar.

"The government has asked the CBSE to consider whether jammers can be installed in schools to curb access to such websites," she had said.

The apex court had asked the government to file a status report within two days on the steps taken by it to stop child pornography.

The court is dealing with a petition which has sought a direction to the Centre to take appropriate steps to curb child pornography across the country.
Kolkata: Film maker Ashish Avikunthak on Saturday claimed that he was denied entry into a city mall for wearing a dhoti.

The film maker took to Facebook to write about the incident, which triggered outrage on social media.

He wrote: "Denying entry into the neo-colonial clubs of Kolkata is nothing new. But today I was denied entry into the .... mall because I was wearing dhoti (which I have been wearing for the last 26 years). On resisting and questioning I was told that we have orders because of security reasons to prohibit entry of people in lungi and dhoti. I was eventually allowed in because I could argue in English and assert myself."

"This is unambiguously a new low for this city. Private clubs have always created hierarchies and distinctions because of clothing. Now public spaces are also threatened and a culture of segregation based on class is being practiced unhindered. I write this with a sense of deep disgust," he said.

Avikunthak said, "What have I to say about the whole incident? Please go through my Facebook post which has narrated the entire consequence."

Avikunthak's companion Debaleena Sen said, "We were about to enter the mall when Ashish was stopped by security guards who said he can't be allowed inside since he was wearing a dhoti. As we argued and Ashish spoke in English the mall officials came and allowed him in."

"Probably after hearing him speak in English they were assured that he belonged to higher social profile and can be allowed in. We immediately came out in protest."

Debleena claimed she recorded the incident on her mobile, which the mall employees allegedly asked her not to. "This shows they want to hide their racist attitude."

The mall authorities denied the charges. They said the security personnel at the gate, who form the first ring of security at the mall, asked the film director to wait and went to the supervisor to seek his opinion. He was then allowed in.

"The total waiting period for the person was 20 seconds and after that he entered the mall. We have video footage of his entry into the mall," the mall authorities said.

The issue caused outrage on social media which had a large number of posts against the mall authorities.

"Ashish Avikunthak not allowed entry in .... mall because he was wearing a dhoti. Incidentally, mall-keepers were a bit beeped out because the dhoti wearing filmmaker spoke better English. Then they allowed him," a Facebook post said.

Here is how Twitterati reacted:

Kolkata mall denies entry to man wearing dhoti. Don't know where the concept of "wearing traditional local clothes is not good" comes from?  Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) July 15, 2017

Dhoti - traditional dress of Bengali Hindu men but denied entry to Quest Mall in Kolkata for wearing Dhoti! Lungi is OK? #NoEntryForDhoti   (@trunils) July 15, 2017

Bizarre act of a shopping mall.Director Ashis Abhikuntak is barred for entry for wearing a dhoti,that too in Kolkata.Shame Quest shame!  Rajdeep Deb (@idrrajdeep) July 16, 2017
Nagpur: The Muslim man who was thrashed by cow vigilantes in Nagpur district of Maharashtra three days ago was carrying beef, police said on Saturday.

Police had arrested four persons for beating up Salim Shaha, a member of Katol unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on 12 July and sent the meat he was carrying to a forensic laboratory.

Superintendent of Police (Nagpur rural) Shailesh Balkawde told PTI on Saturday that the lab report was "positive", i.e. it was beef.

Police will initiate further action against Shaha as per the law, he said.

BJP Nagpur rural unit's president Dr Rajiv Potdar said that it was shocking that Shaha has been found to be carrying beef that day, and he would be dismissed from the party.

Stern action should be taken against him according to the law, but people must not take law in their own hands and resort to violence in such cases, Potdar said.

Salim's mother had claimed that he was the head of the BJP's Katol tehsil minority morcha, while local BJP leaders had said he was a party member.

The incident of thrashing had drawn strong condemnation from the ruling BJP's coalition partner Shiv Sena, besides the opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), while the BJP had sought to play it down, calling it a "stray" incident.

Shaha, resident of Katol town in Nagpur district, was returning home on his motorcycle when 5-6 men accosted him at a bus stop on 12 July in Bharsingi village on suspicion that he was carrying beef, and assaulted him.

Ashwin Uike (35), Rameshwar Taywade (42), Moreshwar Tandurkar (36) and Jagdish Chaudhari (25) were arrested under IPC sections 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt).
The United States called on Iran Sunday to immediately release US citizens and other foreigners detained on "fabricated" national security charges.

A State Department official issued the statement after an Iranian spokesman said an unidentified US citizen had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for alleged "infiltration" of the country.

"We call for the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families," the official said, without making specific reference to a person.

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A special court has junked the plea of a sacked Defence Ministry official for a CBI probe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged inaction on charges of corruption in the Ministry.

Dismissing the plea calling it "not maintainable", Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal said "there are no allegations against the Prime Minister of taking gratification or obtaining (any) valuable thing "

In the entire complaint, "the nature of allegations made are only that Prime Minister has failed to take action", which do not attract the provisions of Section 14 (habitual committing of offence) of the Prevention of Corruption Act "in any manner", the court said.

The order came on a private complaint of K N Manjunatha, who was working in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and was sacked after disciplinary proceedings. He had failed to get any relief from Central Administrative Tribunal which had also ordered the AIIMS Director to get his mental state examined.

The complainant had alleged that he had brought corrupt activities in the MoD and the Air Headquarters to the notice of the concerned officials, as well as the Prime Minister. However, they failed to take any action in this regard, Manjunatha had said in his complaint. He had also claimed that the rule of law was not followed by the MoD and the Air Headquarters where he was posted
The Delhi Police was thrown into a tizzy when it was alerted by a man about a threat call about

blowing up the Red Fort. The call later turned out to be a hoax, officials said.

The matter was reported to the Begumpur police station around 7.30 pm on Saturday.

Later, the accused, who had made the call "just for fun", was nabbed, the police said.

Nitin Kumar, who informed the police about the call, recalled the almost three-hour long ordeal that he went through.

"I was in my digital marketing class when I got a call around 7 pm from a man, claiming to be from Pakistan. "He said that there will be a bomb blast at the Red Fort around 8.30 pm. He also claimed that there is a bomb planted in a hotel in Connaught Place," Kumar told PTI.

It was a Delhi number from which the call was made, he said, adding that he alerted the police soon after. Kumar said that Police Control Room vans rushed to his residence in Rohini within no time, making his mother worried.

Kumar said he was called to the Prashant Vihar police station since he was closer to it, and the caller was traced to a hotel in Paharganj.

Personnel from the Paharganj police station visited the hotel and arrested a 22-year-old man, identified as Mehfuz is a resident of Kishanganj in Bihar and was working as a manager in the hotel for the last couple of years. He told the police that he had made the call just for "fun" and had randomly dialled a couple of numbers.

The others did not take his call, and it was only Kumar who responded, the police said.
Ahmedabad: At least nine persons have died and over 400 people rescued by the National Disaster Response Force and the Air Force as heavy rains lashed many parts of Gujarat in the past two days, leading to swollen rivers and overflowing reservoirs.

Rescue operations gained momentum on Sunday as the rains took a break after lashing several parts of the state, especially Saurashtra and Kutch, throwing normal life out of gear and leaving thousands stranded in flood waters.

Gujarat revenue minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama visited the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar to take stock of the situation in Morbi, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Kutch districts, which bore the brunt of the rain fury.

"With the help of NDRF and Air Force, we have rescued 405 persons in different parts of the state in the last 48 hours. Nine persons have lost lives while 2,004 persons have been shifted to safer places," said Chudasama.

"Today 40 persons were rescued in Jodia tehsil of Jamnagar. Seven persons were rescued in Surendranagar using a helicopter. We are taking the help of NDRF and the Air Force," he said.

Three persons stranded at Natwargarh in Surendranagar district were airlifted by an IAF chopper this morning, a release by defence PRO said.

During the last 24 hours (till 8 am on Sunday), Abdasa tehsil of Kutch district received the maximum rainfall of 322 mm followed by Jodia in Jamnagar (259 mm), Dasada in Surendranagar (236 mm), Rajkot (206 mm), Dhrangadhra in Surendranagar (166 mm), Morbi (161 mm) and Chotila in Surendranagar (149 mm), said a release by the SEOC.

Other places which received heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours include Sutrapada in Gir Somnath (123 mm), Lodhika in Rajkot (117 mm), Gadhada of Gir Somnath (116 mm), Lalpur in Jamnagar (112 mm), Mandvi in Kutch (111 mm), Bhachau in Kutch (106 mm), Bhuj-Kutch (106 mm) and Tankara in Morbi (100 mm).

The meteorological centre said light to moderate rains would continue in many places over the next two days.
New Delhi: Chief of Air Staff BS Dhanoa left for France on Sunday on a four-day visit to ramp up cooperation between the air forces of the two countries in a range of areas, the Indian Air Force said.

Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa will also take stock of progress in the supply of 36 Rafale fighter jets by French aviation major Dassault to the IAF under a  7.87 billion (approximately Rs 59,000 crore) deal inked in September last year.

The fighter jets will be capable of carrying nuclear weapons and be equipped with the latest missiles that will give the IAF greater "potency" over arch-rival Pakistan. Dhanoa is also likely to fly a sortie in a Rafale jet.

During his stay, he is scheduled to hold talks with the top brass of the French armed forces on security challenges being faced by the two countries in the current geopolitical scenario and explore ways to further deepen defence cooperation.

The main focus of the visit will be on improving bilateral relations, promote defence ties and outline further areas of defence cooperation between the two countries, the IAF said in a statement.

Defence and security ties between India and France have been on an upswing for the last couple of years and the two nations have resolved to strengthen the relationship further.

The statement said boosting cooperation between the two air forces would be a focus area. The current cooperation between the two forces includes military training and joint air exercises.

Dhanoa will also visit the headquarters of the French air force and a few operational air bases.

The Chief of the Air Staff will interact with the top echelon of the French military aviation industry and visit the Rafale PMT Infrastructure.

The Rafale combat aircraft will come with various India-specific modifications including Israeli helmet mounted displays, radar warning receivers and low band jammers, among others.

The Inter-Governmental Agreement for the supply of the jets was signed in September last year, 16 months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India's plans to buy 36 Rafale aircraft in fly away condition.

According to the deal, the delivery of the jets will start in 36 months and will be completed in 67 months from the date the contract is inked.

This visit of the Air Chief would provide further impetus towards increasing defence cooperation between the two air forces and pave the way for greater interaction and cooperation in the future, the IAF said.
The Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, has written to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urging him to persuade militant youth and Hurriyat leaders to agree for a ceasefire and resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue.

"Thousands of people are living under the shadow of AK- 47, a life besieged by bloodshed," he said. This game of death and destruction is making the situation grave. Due to these circumstances, millions of Indian Muslims are also facing a trying situation. Whenever ties between the two countries are tense it directly affects the Muslims of India, Bukhari said.

"The Kashmir issue can neither be solved through guns and stones nor through military expeditions. We should create an environment conducive for the talks at the earliest.

"Through the exchange of views and dialogue on the larger issues, we all should formulate a strategy that is in the interest of both nations," he said in the letter.

Referring to what former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said that "one could change friends but not the neighbours", Bukhari said he perceived in the context of current situation positive measures aimed to ensure dialogue process is needed keeping in view the interest of the two countries and their people.

"I request you to kindly persuade the militant youth and Hurriyat leaders to agree for a ceasefire through your good offices and influence," the Shahi Imam said. When contacted, Bukhari told PTI, "I had written the letter to Nawaz Sharif on 22 June , in the month of Ramzan
Srinagar: Security forces have unearthed a module of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant outfit by arresting three persons in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, police said on Sunday.

Baramulla Police, assisted by other security forces, busted the module which has been active in the area to lure young boys to terrorism, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Baramulla, Imtiyaz Hussain Mir said.

Mir said the module was being spearheaded by Hizbul Mujahideen commander Parvez Wani alias Mubashir, a resident of Gagloora Handwara in north Kashmirs Kupwara district.

Three persons have been arrested by police  Ansarullah Tantaray, resident of Raipora, Palhalan, Abdul Rashid Bhat, resident of Minipora, Sopore and Mehrajuddin Kak, resident of Andargami, Pattan  all in Baramulla district, the SSP said.

He said the module had plans to send many boys to Pakistan on valid visa to get them trained in militant camps of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

One of the accused Abdul Rashid Bhat had visited Pakistan in the month of May this year and obtained training for undertaking terrorist activities in Khalid bin Waleed camp of Hizbul Mujahideen located in PoK, he said.

The SSP said Bhat had got the visa from Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi on the recommendation of a separatist organization.

"Arms, ammunition and Rs 1 lakh in Indian currency has been recovered from their possession, he said.

Mir said the module has not only been luring young boys to militancy, but providing all logistic support to other militants of the outfit as well.

A case under section 13 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act has been registered in Pattan police station and investigation has been taken up, he said.

He said that recently Baramulla Police saved around 10 boys meant to be inducted in militant ranks and handed them over over to their parents.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government would hold a meeting of nurses association and private hospital managements on 20 July to settle various issues, including hike in wages and other allowances.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would hold discussions with representatives of nurses associations and private hospital managements on July 20, an official release said here today.

The nurses under the United Nurses Association had on Saturday postponed their state-wide indefinite strike planned from Sunday following government intervention to 19 July.

Members of the outfit said that the decision in this regard was taken at their state committee meeting after the intervention of the Chief Minister's Office.

The strike call was given by United Nurses Association demanding minimum wages of Rs 20,000 as fixed by the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, BJP alleged that state government instead of settling the nurses' issue was trying to suppress their agitation.

BJP national executive member V Muraleedharan said in a statement that government had acted in favour of private hospital managements and denied the reasonable wages to nurses.

'Directing nurses to join duty by threatening to impose ESMA was anti-working class,' Muraleedharan said.
Kolkata: In a scathing attack on the Centre for delaying the appointment of judges, the Calcutta High Court has warned of "appropriate action" if urgent steps are not taken on it, while asking whether the nation could think of the Parliament functioning with half its strength.

The "continued silence" of the Centre on appointing judges, despite concerns over the dearth in their numbers, would "certainly be viewed seriously as interference in the course of administration of justice," it said.

"Immediate action is called for to appoint maximum number of judges to prevent the justice delivery system from collapsing, which seems to be imminent," a division bench comprising Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice D P Dey said, pointing out that the functional strength of judges in the high court was 34 compared with a sanctioned strength of 72.

"Today, this court has a functional strength of 34 judges only. The present functional strength is, therefore, a little less than 50 percent of the sanctioned strength," it said.

"This Bench is of the opinion that the concerns expressed in this order should reach the Hon'ble Law Minister of the Union immediately so that the matter relating to appointment of Judges in this court is given topmost priority," the bench said, adding that "the politeness of this Bench may not be understood as weakness on its part to be firm."

"It is made clear that continued silence of the Central Government in the matter of appointment of Judges in the near future despite the concerns expressed in this order, would certainly be viewed seriously as interference in the course of administration of justice and followed by appropriate action as authorised in law," the court cautioned.

Expressing serious displeasure at the country's oldest high court being handicapped by a massive shortage of judges, the Bench said, "The bar and the litigant public have been tolerant so long, but this Bench cannot remain a silent spectator waiting for the inevitable ire to explode."

The directions and observations came in the light of the Bench's failure to hear an anticipatory bail prayer more than a month after it was filed on 5 June.

The prayer was disposed of by the bench on 12 July as infructuous as the petitioner was arrested on 6 July.

The bench noted that by February 2018, ten judges of the court will retire, thus bringing down the strength to 24, if no fresh appointment was made by that time.

"Working at less than 50 percent strength, disposal of proceedings in this court have been quite high in the sense that it is comparable with disposals of high courts functioning with greater strength of judges.

"Nonetheless, it cannot to be doubted that whatever is being achieved is far below the expectations of the litigants," the order said.

"Can the nation think of the Lok Sabha in a functional state with half of its elected members? Similarly, can Legislative Assemblies function at half-strength? The answer cannot be in the affirmative," the bench asked.

"The Lok Sabha and/or the Legislative Assemblies are important constitutional entities and it would be a disgrace for the largest democracy of the world if elections were not conducted on time," it said.

It also asked whether it could be found that the bureaucracy was functioning "years after years without sufficient personnel? No time is spared in making the

necessary appointments at the right time to ensure its smooth functioning."

"This bench is thus left to wonder as to why only in respect of filling up of vacancies in the high courts, which are also high constitutional authorities, there is such a brazen apathy and indifference of the political executive," the bench wondered.
Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday took a strong note of the killing of a pastor in Ludhiana and ordered the police to act against those trying to incite communal passions in the state.

He asked Punjab DGP Suresh Arora that the police and intelligence in the state to co-ordinate with each other to ensure prevention of recurrence of such incidents in the future, an official spokesperson said.

The DGP has been directed take all possible steps to ensure law and order is maintained in the state and the communal harmony is not disrupted.

Attempts to vitiate the state's environment would not be tolerated at any cost, Amarinder said on Sunday, warning of strict action against any police officer found guilty of dereliction of duty in this connection.

Given the sensitivity of the incident in which pastor Sultan Masih was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants, the chief minister has asked the police to closely monitor the situation to prevent any fallout, the spokesman said.

He also asked the police to coordinate with local Christian leaders for support in defusing the situation resulting from the killing.

Masih was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants at Salem Tabri locality in Ludhiana late last night.

Amarinder pointed out that he had already taken up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the matter of expediting CBI probes into cases of other targeted killings, including of RSS, Hindu and Shiv Sena leaders in the past.

During the meeting with Modi in Delhi last on 11 July, Amarinder had requested central intelligence and investigation agencies assistance in solving these cases.

In August last year, senior RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja was shot at in Jalandhar by unidentified assailants, he died at a hospital a month later.

In April this year, Punjab RSS chief Brij Bhushan Singh Bedi had demanded that the state government ask the CBI to expedite its probe into Gagneja's killing.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) condemned the killing and lashed out at the Congress-led state government for the alleged breakdown of law and order, saying "no one was safe" in Punjab.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is developing a software to prepare the list of farmers eligible for crop loan waiver.

The move is aimed at bypassing manual interference in list preparation, keeping a check on malpractices that crop up during the process and ensure that only eligible farmers reap the benefits of a loan waiver.

The minister cited the experience of the 2008 loan waiver scheme wherein many non-eligible farmers walked away with the benefits leaving the needy farmers in the lurch.

"The 2008 loan waiver scheme, benefitted many non-eligible farmers, while those in need and eligible ones were kept away," Maharashtra state cooperation minister Subhash Deshmukh said.

"In 2008, all the documents of the outstanding loan, bank accounts and eligibility were processed manually. It was carried out by officials in cooperative banks, who under influence of local political leaders, favoured some persons and got their loans waived," said Deshmukh.

"These persons were not eligible, but because the documents were processed manually, politicians could manipulate it resulting in non-eligible farmers getting a loan waiver," he said.

The minister said, "As per my information, around Rs 9,000 crore outstanding loans from Maharashtra were waived when the then UPA government introduced the relief package.

"Out of it, Rs 180 crore worth amount was of non-eligible farmers which was later pointed out in CAG report. As a follow up to it, the state government insisted those farmers and persons to repay the amount but not more than Rs 150 crore have been recovered so far."

Deshmukh said, "In the backdrop of previous experience, the state government decided to develop a software for implementing such large-scale loan waiver scheme.

"It will have an in-depth database of farmers, their land holdings, all the bank accounts along with linking of Aadhaar number to these accounts and to the land owned.

"If available, PAN will also be linked to the farmers account to bring more authenticity and transparency."

The meta-data can be accessed in multiple ways and based on crop, the size of land, a particular region, information can be sought, he said.

"We will use it for finding out eligible farmers as the Maharashtra government has come up with some criteria for the loan waiver. It will bypass manual intervention as we will be adding entire information of farmers in Maharashtra and then based on criteria, eligible farmers list will be prepared," Deshmukh said.

The database once ready, will be used on a regular basis for assessing the cropping pattern, change in yield and change in land holding patterns, he added.

There are 1.34 crore farmers in Maharashtra of which some 90 lakh farmers have availed crop loan from respective district central cooperative banks or public sector banks.

The Maharashtra government has claimed that around 89 lakh farmers will benefit from the loan waiver and relief scheme while the entire outstanding of 36 lakh farmers will be totally waived.

The Devendra Fadnavis government has decided to waive farm loans of Rs 34,000 crore with a cap of Rs 1.50 lakh for each farmer.
President Donald Trump's attorney insisted Sunday there was nothing illegal in the meeting Trump's eldest son had with a Russian lawyer during last year's presidential campaign.

Donald Trump Jr.'s willingness to meet with the lawyer in the expectation of receiving incriminating information about Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has raised new questions about possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. The information had been described as "part of Russia and its government's support for Mr. Trump."

The president's attorney, Jay Sekulow, defended Trump and his son in a series of appearances Sunday on five television networks.

"Nothing in that meeting that would have taken place, even if it was about the topic of an opposition research paper from a Russian lawyer, is illegal or a violation of the law," Sekulow said on "Fox News Sunday," a point he repeated several times. He said the president did not attend the meeting and was not aware of it.

The attorney's focus on the law appears aimed at moving beyond the shifting accounts of the meeting given by Trump Jr. At first, the June 2016 meeting was said to be about a Russian adoption program. Then, it was to hear information about Clinton. Finally, Trump Jr. was compelled to release emails that revealed he had told an associate that he would "love" Russia's help in obtaining incriminating information about the Democratic nominee.

The number of people known to be at the meeting also changed over time. As recently as Friday, Rinat Akhmetshin, a Russian-American lobbyist and former Soviet military officer, confirmed his participation to The Associated Press.

Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Sunday that he wants everyone who attended the meeting to appear before his committee, one of several in Congress investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 election and potential coordination with the Trump campaign.

In addition to Trump Jr. others in the Trump Tower meeting included Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort, both of whom played major roles in the campaign.

"I want to hear from everyone in that meeting and get their version of the story, as well as I think we may find out there may have been other meetings as well. We don't know that yet," Warner, D-Va., said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Sekulow said he was not aware of any other meetings involving Russians. "I represent the president of the United States, but Donald Trump Jr. said not in the context of formal meetings. He said he may have met with Russian people, as a lot of people meet with Russian people, so that's not unusual," Sekulow said on CNN's "State of the Union."

Trump himself came to the defense of his son, who he said "is being scorned by the Fake News Media." The president ended a series of Sunday morning tweets by writing: "With all of its phony unnamed sources & highly slanted & even fraudulent reporting, #Fake News is DISTORTING DEMOCRACY in our country!"

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New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to enhance the "hardship allowance" for the state police force by bringing it on par with that of central paramilitary forces.

She pointed out the Jammu and Kashmir police was at the forefront of the battle against militancy in the state and was the first respondent to all emergencies, state officials, who did not wish to be quoted, said.

They said Mehbooba, during her meeting with Singh in New Delhi on Saturday, stressed that not only was the life of the local policemen at a greater risk because of militancy, their families, too, had been targeted in the recent past.

The chief minister said local policemen faced threats even after retirement, the officials said.

At present, state police personnel get 10 percent of their basic pay as a hardship allowance  given to sections of people working in difficult conditions  whereas paramilitary forces get 40 percent of their basic pay.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police Headquarters has also begun the process of consolidating the grievances of police personnel about pay and pay bands and is forwarding them with recommendations to the state home department.

In response to a letter written by the police headquarters on the grievances of the personnel, the home department has communicated that these may be consolidated and forwarded to the state's principal secretary, who is a member of the pay committee constituted by the government for the purpose, a police spokesman said.
New Delhi: The monsoon session of Parliament beginning from Monday is expected to be stormy with the Opposition parties all set to corner the government over a range of issues concerning national security, foreign policy and other domestic matters while the ruling alliance is gearing up to counter the onslaught on it.

Eighteen Opposition parties, which have joined hands to put up candidates in the presidential and vice-presidential elections against the ruling National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) nominees, are expected to raise the military stand-off with China, though in a restrained manner, the law and order situation in Kashmir in the wake of the recent terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims and incidents of lynching over beef controversy and suicide of farmers in some states.

The Opposition parties that include the Congress, CPI-M, Trinamool Congress, Samajwasdi Party, Nationalist Congress Party, BSP, Janata Dal-United, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and DMK among others, have already clarified that besides the elections of the President and Vice President, they will have floor coordination in Parliament to corner the government.

The stand-off between India and China in the Doklam plateau in the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan, is now a month old, with no end to it yet in sight.

In an attempt to convince Opposition parties on the stand-off with China, the government on Friday and Saturday briefed their leaders and assured them the issue will be resolved diplomatically. The Opposition parties are expected to raise some questions, though they may not be very aggressive in their strategy on the issue.

"Every issue that affects national security and national interest is a matter of concern for each one of the 125 crore Indians. As a responsible and principled Opposition party, we shall be raising all these issues and many more," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told IANS.

He said former finance minister P Chidambaram had already said that the GST roll-out will be raised during the session in view of the fact that the law in its present form was not the law that was originally drafted by the Congress party.

"The Congress will demand inclusion of petroleum, electricity and real estate in the GST," Surjewala said.

Besides these, he said, the Congress will also raise issues pertaining to farmers' distress and Mandsaur police firing in both houses of the Parliament.

CPI-M leader Mohammad Salim said apart from issues concerning tension on the border, his party will raise the issue of mob lynching and the agrarian crisis.

"Fear is being spread in the minority community. In the name of saviour of cow, the government has become the devourer (Rakshak ke naam par ye sarkar bhakshak ban gayee hai)," Salim told IANS.

He said the CPI-M will also raise the issues of Kashmir situation, border tensions with China as well as Pakistan, and agrarian crisis. "We have identified all these issues which we are going to be raised in both the houses," he said.

The TMC and RJD are likely to raise the issue of vendetta politics and targetting of the Opposition leaders through the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and other central agencies.

To counter the opposition's onslaught, the government is also gearing up.

The BJP Parliamentary Party Executive will meet on the eve of begining of the monsoon session that will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will also address NDA members of Parliament.

Parliament Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar also has convened an all-party meeting to seek their support for smooth functioning of Parliament.

Sources in the BJP said that the government will try to pass a dozen bills during the session, including the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, Whistle blowers' Protection Bill, Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, Enemy Property (Amendment) Bill Consumer Protection Bill, and the Companies (Amendment) Bill.

Both houses of Parliament are unlikely to transact any business on the first day (July 17) on account of the death of two members - Vinod Khanna (Lok Sabha) and Anil Dave and P Goverdhan Reddy (Rajya Sabha).

On the same day, voting to elect the new President is scheduled in which 776 members of Parliament are eligible to vote.
Islamabad: Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is "analysing" the evidence against Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, sentenced to death by a military court, and will decide his appeal on merit, the Army said in Islamabad on Sunday.

Jadhav filed a mercy petition before General Bajwa last month, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on 22 June. The statement said the former Indian Navy officer had filed the petition after the Military Appellate Court rejected his appeal.

Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told reporters on Sunday that Gen Bajwa was "analysing the evidence against Jadhav. The Army chief will decide on Jadhav's appeal on merit."

Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in The Hague in May halted his execution on India's appeal.

Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on 3 March last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.
New Delhi: A day before voting in the presidential election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said NDA's nominee Ram Nath Kovind has the support of 40 parties and expressed confidence about his victory.

Addressing a meeting of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parliamentarians on the eve of the commencement of the monsoon session of parliament, Modi urged the alliance lawmakers, including legislators in the states, to cast their ballot.

Parliamentary Affairs minister HN Ananth Kumar later said that the meeting, held in the Parliament House Library building, was also addressed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah and leaders of other alliance parties, including Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan and Shiromani Akali Dal's Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

Ananth Kumar said Modi noted that chief ministers of Odisha, Bihar, Telangana and Tamil Nadu had extended their support to Kovind.

Modi was quoted as saying that there was "clarity" about the presidential poll and the "road ahead is also clear".

The prime minister said he will be delighted to work with Kovind.

Modi asked NDA parliamentarians to make special effort to reach out to the youth who will become voters after 1 January, 2018.

He dubbed them 'new millennium voters' and called upon the MPs to organise programmes to honour them and make them aware about the worth of vote.

The move is being seen as an effort to reach out to the young and new voters ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Before addressing NDA MPs, Modi also addressed a meeting of BJP parliamentary party executive committee.

Those present included party leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, M Venkaiah Naidu, Ananth Kumar and Thawar Chand Gehlot, besides Shah.

Modi asked them to ensure the presence of MPs during the house proceedings.
Jaipur: Voting for the presidential election will be held tomorrow at the Rajasthan Assembly from 10 am to 5 pm, a senior official said.

"All preparations for the election have been made. It will be a ballot paper election," Chief Election Officer Ashwini Bhagat said.

The ruling BJP and the opposition Congress held a meeting of their MLAs on Sunday, ahead of the election.

The parties asked all their legislators to remain present for the understanding of the polling process. "All the MLAs have been asked to reach the Assembly Hall on time. The party had roped in experts to demonstrate the polling process during the meeting," a state BJP functionary said.
Bengaluru: In a sudden move, 32 convicts serving terms in the Parapanna Agrahara Central Prison were shifted on Sunday to two other jails in Karnataka allegedly for trying to air their grievances, an official said.

The convicts were shifted around 1 am to prisons in Ballari and Belagavi, the official said on condition of anonymity.

The convicts were shifted within days after DIG (Prisons) D Roopa submitted a report to DGP (Prisons) Sathyanarayana Rao alleging that there were "talks" that Rs 2 crore had exchanged hands to give preferential treatment to AIADMK (Amma) chief VK Sasikala and even said there were allegations against him as well.

The DGP had rubbished the charge while the state government on 13 July ordered a high-level probe into the allegations.

"As many as 32 convicts jailed in Parapanna Agrahara Prison have been shifted to Bellary and Belgavai prisons. They have been shifted because they tried to air their grievances and level corruption charges against senior jail authorities, including chief jail superintendent," the official said.

The official said the jail inmates were desperate to meet Roopa as they think she could solve their problems.

The jail inmates were 'unhappy' with the conduct of the prison superintendent and accused him of beating them up for airing their grievances on several occasions in the past, the official said.

The superintendent could not be reached for his comments.

In yet another development, Roopa has submitted a second report to the state officials.

"Yes, I have submitted my second report yesterday," she told PTI in Bengaluru.

It has been submitted to home secretary, additional chief secretaries, Anti Corruption Bureau chief, the DG and IGP R K Dutta and DG (Prisons) Rao.

She, however, declined to divulge the contents of the report.

However, an official, declining to be named, said Roopa had alleged in the report that a few video footages of her interaction with prison inmates wherein they spoke of critical issues, including corruption involving jail officials, had deliberately been deleted.

The report also alleged that a special meeting room had been provided for Sasikala.

"There are no CCTV installed in the special room," the official said quoting the report.

It was also alleged that a few CCTV cameras near Sasikala's cell were deliberately kept non-functional.

The state government, on 14 July, had served a notice on Roopa for going to media with her first report, which had triggered a major controversy, leaving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah red-faced.

Lamenting Roopa's conduct, Siddramaiah had said it was "absolutely against the rule book and inappropriate on her part to share details with the media."

An unfazed Roopa had said she did not divulge the details of the report to media.

Roopa said the DGP (Prisons) was the first one to talk about the report and only after that she gave her reaction.

Rao, however, had rubbished Roopas charge against him, terming it "absolutely false, baseless and wild."

Stating that no special treatment was being given to Sasikala, he had also said he would take legal recourse against the junior officer.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said it will examine whether an IIT can withhold the results of a final-year student, who was terminated after being held guilty in a sexual harassment case.

A bench of Justices SA Bobde and L Nageswara Rao issued notice to the Centre and IIT-Kanpur on the plea of the student, who challenged the Allahabad High Court order dismissing his plea. Advocate Manu Shanker Mishra, appearing for the petitioner, said the results of the final semester should be given to the student as the delay is jeopardising his career.

The petitioner, before being terminated, was a final-year student of Department of Physics after being admitted to the institute in July 2012. He was expelled from the institute in April 2016 after he was found guilty of sexually harassing a girl student. The 23-year-old BSc Physics girl student had accused her senior of sexually harassing her for two years after which the college administration had forwarded the matter to the Women's Cell. The cell found the accused guilty and he was expelled later.

He claimed that the Women Cell never gave the copy of the complaint made by the girl to him and did not even consider his reply.

"The charges levelled against the petitioner were absolutely vague and were incapable of being replied properly. However, the petitioner gave replies to all the charges and he also tried to support his defence by introducing a large number of documents and a list of students who would appear as witnesses in the inquiry in support of his defence," he said.

The student claimed that the findings of the Internal Complaint's Committee were also not made available to him by the Women's Cell.

He said that the report of the Women's Cell together with the minutes of the meeting of the Senate Students' Affairs Committee of 30 March, 2016 were placed before the Academic Senate for its consideration on 5 April, 2016 and were ratified and he was terminated. "The Academic Senate did not give a copy of the report to the petitioner and it also did not give him any show-cause notice asking him to appear before the Senate for hearing. No opportunity of hearing of any kind whatsoever was afforded to the petitioner either by the Senate Students' Affairs Committee or by the Academic Senate before the aforesaid decision of terminating the academic programme of the petitioner was taken by them," he said.

The student claimed that his defence was not considered at all by the authorities at any stage of the proceedings and "there was sufficient material supplied by the petitioner so as to demonstrate that the complaint that was made against him by the female student was malicious".

He said that single judge bench of the Allahabad High Court had ordered that the petitioner will submit a written unconditional apology before the institution and had directed the IIT to declare the petitioner's result, if he has passed the examination.

IIT-Kanpur, however, challenged the order of the single-judge bench which the division bench on 3 February, set aside.
New Delhi: Scores of Tamil Nadu farmers, who had grabbed eyeballs with their unique protest earlier in 2017, landed in the national capital to resume their agitation for loan waiver and drought-relief package on Sunday.

Around 70 cultivators were, however, detained when they tried to stage a demonstration near the Prime Minister's residence on Lok Kalyan Marg. They were later taken to Parliament Street police station.

"Our demands were not met as promised by Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami and Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan. So we have decided to resume our protest for another 100 days," farmers' leader P Ayyakannu said.

The farmers from the southern state have been demanding a drought relief package of Rs 40,000 crore, farm loan waiver and setting up of Cauvery Management Board by the Centre.

They will join an indefinite protest after their counterparts, taking part in 'Kisan Mukti Yatra', reach Jantar Mantar here on 18 July.

The group led by Ayyakannu had in March staged novel protests by holding human skulls outside the prime minister's house, stripping naked outside the president's and drinking urine.
Srinagar: Two of the three militants killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir's Pulwama district have been identified and were involved in several terrorist activities, police said Sunday.

A police spokesman here said two of the militants killed Saturday in Satoora forest area of Tral were locals while the third was a foreigner.

The two locals have been identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Lone alias Gazi Umer, a resident of Amirabad Tral, and Parvaiz Ahmad Mir, a resident of Pahoo, Pulwama, the spokesman said.

He added that both of them were involved in a number of terror activities.

Lone was involved in many grenade attacks on CRPF and police, the spokesman said. He said Lone was involved in attacks on CRPF battalion headquarters at Tral Bala in which two personnel were injured, CRPF camp at Lariyal Tral in which 10 CRPF personnel were injured, army camp at Panzoo, Tral, and police post at Aripal in which one CRPF person was injured.

He said Mir, along with four other persons, was involved in the murder of a man named Mushtaq Ahmad Kuchay, a resident of Rakh Lajoora in 2010.

Mir was in judicial custody in the case. During the trial, the court released him in March and later he joined the militant ranks, the spokesman said. He said three AK rifles and other ammunition were also recovered from the encounter site.
Foreign participation in Egypt's Treasury bill auction on Sunday reached 4 billion Egyptian pounds ($222.59 million), the head of public debt at the Finance Ministry, Sami Khallaf, told Reuters.

Khallaf said that foreign buyers bought 25 percent of the paper.

($1 = 17.9700 Egyptian pounds)

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Agartala: The Tripura government on Sunday held an inconclusive meeting with the leaders of the IPFT, who rejected a plea to call-off the week-old blockade of the state's key national highway and the lone railway line over their demand for a separate state.

The seven-day-old blockade has led to serious shortage of essential items, including food grains.

Responding to the state government's call for talks to end the impasse, a nine-member Indigenous People's Front of Tripura delegation, led by party chief Narenda Chandra Debbarma, took part in the meeting with top Tripura officials at the state secretariat in Agartala.

The state government was represented by chief secretary Sanjeev Ranjan and director general of police Akhil Kumar Shukla.

"We have told the officials that we would not withdraw the blockade until the central government gave us a concrete assurance about our separate state demand," Debbarma later told reporters.

He said, "Our party General Secretary Mevar Kumar Jamatia and youth wing president Dhananjoy Tripura are now camping in New Delhi. They will meet Union Minister of State Kiren Rijiju on Monday. We would decide the future course of action after their meeting."

Debbarma said that the state government should also communicate its decision to the central government about IPFT's statehood demand.

The indefinite blockade, since 10 July, has caused a crisis in supply of essentials, food grains, fuel, basic goods and other items in the markets of the north-eastern state.

The IPFT has been agitating since 2009 for a separate state carved out by upgrading the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas.

The politically important TTAADC constitutes two-thirds of Tripura's 10,491 sq.km. area, which has 12,16,465 (mostly tribals) of the state's 37 lakh population.

Meanwhile, President of another tribal party Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura - and former extremist leader - Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl said Tripura is the "Twipraland" and tribals have been living here for decades and there is no need to split the state.

"To protect the interest of the tribals, TTAADC can be made more powerful with increase in financial support, promulgation of inner line permit for outsiders, more land rights to the tribals and all-round development of the council areas," Hrangkhawl added.
Lucknow: The UP Anti-Terrorism Squad on Sunday conducted a mock drill in the precincts of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature building to plug possible loopholes in security ahead of voting for the presidential poll on Monday.

"A mock drill is being conducted to cater to any emergency-like situation and evacuate people during the critical hour. Apart from this, the mock drill will also enable us to plug possible loopholes in the security apparatus (if any)," SSP, ATS, Umesh Kumar Srivastava told PTI.

Apart from ATS commandoes, UP Police personnel and fire brigade staff were also spotted in the UP Legislature.

The Uttar Pradesh Police had already put in place anti-sabotage measures apart from sounding a high alert as the ATS started recording statements of employees of the Assembly in connection with the recovery of PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) explosive.

On Saturday, officials of the ATS questioned and recorded statements of 15 people who were present or were on duty in the premises of the Assembly at the time of recovery of PETN on 12 July.

Those who were questioned included the assistant marshals, technical staff and security personnel. Besides, the ATS also looked into the details of CCTV footage of 23 cameras of which 12 are in the Assembly and is also studying the Doordarshan recording, he said.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Anand Kumar had earlier told PTI that all the anti-sabotage measures have been put in place, apart from sounding a high alert.

"As immediate measures, Quick Response Teams, ATS and additional PAC personnel have been deployed in the UP Legislature. Apart from this, security audit of the entire Assembly complex is being done. An integrated security plan is being deliberated upon, which will ensure effective liasion with Sachivalaya Suraksha Dal," Kumar said.

Entry on old passes has been disallowed, and people with bonafide passes are only allowed to enter the precincts.

As many as 109 close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been made functional, so as to increase the vigil.

ATS sources said three teams of ATS will remain posted in the UP Legislature Complex.
Lucknow: Funds allocation to "wasteful projects" of previous Uttar Pradesh government have been "stopped" to create resources for farm loan waiver scheme, state agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi said.

"The wasteful expenses incurred in different schemes of the erstwhile SP government such as Gomati River Front Scheme and Janeshwar Mishra Park have been stopped and funds utilised to make the budgetary provision of Rs 36,000 crore for payment of crop loan outstanding against small and marginal farmers in the state," Shahi told PTI in an interview.

He further said the UP government is concerned and sensitive to the needs of the farmers, and will take every possible step to improve their condition and augment their income.

"Rs 67,682 crores have been allocated to agriculture in this Budget, which is the biggest allocation so far. Last Budget's allocation to agriculture was Rs 29,771 crore. Provision of Rs 19.56 crore has been made for increasing availability of vermi-compost in order to augment crop yield. Besides, provision of Rs 261.66 crore made for soil survey and testing," Shahi said.

A target has been set to distribute 88.82 lakh metric tonnes of fertilisers.

Emphasising that the government is keen to revive the traditional agricultural techniques, the minister said, "There is a proposal to implement bio-agriculture programme through traditional agricultural development scheme under the national mission for sustainable agriculture in 30 districts including all the district of Bundelkhand".

Provision of Rs 968.57 crore has been made under the national agriculture development scheme, while an arrangement of Rs 450 crore made for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna.

"The state government has proposed to set up 300 custom hiring centres and 582 farm machinery banks under the Submission on Agriculture Mechanisation, so that small and marginal farmers can procure farm equipment on hire and subsidy basis," Shahi said.

A target of producing 567 lakh metric tonnes of food grains and 11 lakh metric tonne of oilseeds has been fixed. Similarly, a target to distribute 56 lakh quintal of seeds has been fixed, out of which 11 lakh quintal will be distributed for Kharif crops and 45 lakh quintal for Rabi crops.

"Provision of Rs 10 crore has been made to set up centre of excellence for crop research in agriculture and technology universities in Kanpur (vegetables and fruits), Faizabad (paddy), Meerut (agro-forestry), Banda (development of rainfed farming) and Allahabad (agro-machinery)," the minister said.

For Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Kisan Samriddhi Yojna, a provision of Rs 10 crore has been made under which ravines, waste land and water logged land will be reclaimed and land allotted to farm labour will be treated, besides providing source of livelihood, Shahi said.

"Apart from this, provision of Rs 10.41 crore has been made for irrigation sprinklers for over-exploited, critical and semi-critical development blocks. Provision of Rs 125 crore made to set up photo voltaic irrigation pumps under the alternative energy management," he added.

The BJP government in its maiden Budget has also made provision of Rs 25 crore for hybrid vegetable production and management to augment income of small and marginal farmers.

The Budget also mentions that 20 new agricultural science centres will be set up in 20 districts with the help of the Centre.
The crisis in Bihar reveals a larger problem that Indias Opposition is facing. They will continue to face this problem and it will hurt them in 2019 and the general election. The problem is credibility and I will come to that in a moment.

The issue is Bihar is simple: The deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav has been accused of corruption. The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a first information report on this. The government has revealed or leaked details of some of the assets held by Yadav and his family. The accusations are damning, particularly the revelation of the scale of the assets. There is almost no defence of the deputy chief minister in the media. The family head is Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is one of the most enthusiastic advocates of a common front against the BJP.

The Bihar government is run by an alliance of Yadavs party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, along with Chief Minister Nitish Kumars party, the Janata Dal (United). The two parties were once linked by a common ideology, which can be described as Lohiate socialism (named after one of the most fascinating individuals of Indian politics, Ram Manohar Lohia, who is now almost entirely forgotten). Originally, the socialists were all opposed to the Congress.

However after the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and particularly the success of its movement against the Babri Masjid, the Lohiaite politicians became anti-Hindutva and were open to alliances with the Congress. Though some of the socialists held on to their anti-Congressism, like George Fernandes and to some extent Nitish Kumar, almost all of them have returned to their original anti-BJP stand.

Now they are being accused of hypocrisy and of abandoning ideology. What sort of socialism is it when political leaders and their families make billions in states where the majority is poor? Reports on the Yadavs refer to benami transactions worth a thousand crore rupees or more. I accept that these are accusations that must be proven in a court of law, but the defence has not been factual. The Yadavs have said things like they are not afraid of the BJP and will fight the communal forces.

The other thing the Congress was accused of by the socialists is promoting a dynasty, a charge that was true. Who can deny that Nehru promoted Indira and that Rajiv was followed as Congress chief by Sonia? But again, we do not expect socialists to form dynasties themselves. The Yadavs of Uttar Pradesh have captured the Samajwadi Party, which is Samajwadi only in name, totally. Barely a third cousin or uncles son has not been given a Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha ticket and when elected, hardly one is kept out of government.

This then is the record of the socialists who say that they are fighting divisive and communal politics in India. Now it is true that their commitment to minorities is strong and their vision of India is inclusive. But they have no credibility on issues that are not concerned with religion in politics. On corruption the Yadavs of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will find it very tough to give an answer to the accusations of the BJP and its supporters.

This lack of credibility has damaged them severely. It is very unlikely that the major issue of the 2019 government will be communalism. The reason for this is that the BJP has normalised violence on issues like cattle slaughter. The country can comfortably absorb the murder of Muslims every few days in lynchings and it is not seen as that big an issue. If it was, then we would see a reflection of that. We do not. It is shameful, but it is true. These things are seen as minor issues.

The dominant narrative will be a repeat of the election of 2014. Modi will say that India is being held back by corrupt leaders who are soft on terrorism and allow India to be damaged because they are only interested in themselves and enriching their families.

This is a simplistic argument and I do not think it is accurate. However, it is up to the political Opposition to put up a defence and a counter-attack. So long as their response is limited to accusations of communalism, it will not be enough. They will need a central narrative that convinces the majority of Indians that they can be trusted to run the government without corruption. That they are personally above suspicion in the way that Manmohan Singh was, and Narendra Modi is.

Looking at Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and many of the other states, it is difficult to see how this is going to be possible with the same faces who have been tainted for so many years. This is a burden that the Opposition carries into 2019. Unless it is able to acknowledge this and act vigorously to change it, they will come undone just as they were in 2014, because of it.
Patna: Amid the present acrimony between ruling JD(U) and RJD of the grand alliance, BJP on Sunday said it does not favour snap polls in Bihar.

The party also extended support to Nitish Kumar's stand that deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav must come clean on corruption charges against him.

"We are not in favour of mid-term polls in Bihar. Such a situation should not arise in the state," senior Bihar BJP

leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters in Patna.

BJP sought to steer clear of the acrimony between the two ruling allies saying it is not going to extend inside or outside support if JD(U) severs ties with RJD.

"BJP does not believe in breaking the alliance government, but wants it to complete its term. Party's parliamentary board will decide the issue depending on the political situation," the BJP leader said.

Sushil Modi, the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council, said Kumar has on several occasions supported BJP and the Centre on various issues.

An intense "check and mate" game is going on between the two warring allies, but both are wary of losing power, the BJP leader said expressing hope that the situation will be resolved at the earliest.

The JD(U) has asked its key ally RJD to come clean on the issue of corruption charges levelled against its legislature party leader Tejashwi Yadav.

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad has, however, said Tejashwi will not resign merely on the ground that the CBI has lodged an FIR against him in the land-for-railways hotels case.
New Delhi: The government's agenda for the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, beginning on Monday, includes a total of 34 bills.

Among the 16 new ones that are to be introduced are the Consumer Protection Bill and two bills to implement the GST in Jammu and Kashmir.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that apart from 16 new bills, 21 bills are pending in Lok Sabha while 42 bills are pending in Rajya Sabha, many of which would be considered for passing during the session.

A list of items of government business identified for being taken up in both the Houses of Parliament is as follows:

New bills for Introduction:

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017;

The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, 2017;

The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension To Chandigarh) Amendment Bill, 2017;

The Central Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017;

The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017;

The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) Bill, 2017;

The Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property Amendment Bill, 2017;

The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill, 2017;

The Consumer Protection Bill, 2017;

The National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2017;

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017;

The Right of Children Free and Compulsory Education (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017;

Labour Code on wages; and

The National Sports University Bill, 2017

Bills already pending in Lok Sabha:

The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2016;

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Amendment) Bill, 2017;

The Indian Institute of Management Bill 2017;

The Right of Children Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017;

The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2017;

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016;

The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017; and

The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership) Bill, 2017

Bills already pending in Rajya Sabha:

The Footwear Design and Development Institute Bill, 2017 as passed by Lok Sabha;

The National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha;

The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha;

The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 as passed by Lok Sabha;

The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013;

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha;

The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha;

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Third Amendment) Bill, 2017 as passed by Lok Sabha;

The National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 as passed by Lok Sabha; and

The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, 2017 as passed by Lok Sabha.

Financial Business:

Supplementary Demands for Grants (including Railways) for 2017-18

Bills for withdrawal in Lok Sabha:

The Consumer Protection Bill, 2015

Bills for withdrawal in Rajya Sabha:
Kohima: Nagaland chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu on Sunday appealed to his party NPF's dissident MLAs, led by former chief minister TR Zeliang, to settle differences at the party forum.

Liezietsu made the appeal on the eve of the slated hearing by the Kohima bench of the Guwahati High Court of his plea against the Nagaland governor's directive to him to seek a confidence vote.

It is unfortunate that the issue which could be resolved in the party, as it is purely an internal problem of the Nagaland People's Front (NPF), but it has been dragged to the governors and speakers office, government spokesperson and minister Yitachu said in a statement on Sunday evening.

He asserted that Liezietsu was forced to take over as chief minister the during public agitation against the then chief minister TR Zeliang against 33 percent reservation for women in the election for the urban local bodies.

Yitachu said that being a member of the NPF, Zeliang cannot move a no-confidence motion simply because he belongs to the party which Liezietsu heads.

Therefore, constitutionally and legally Liezietsu still enjoys absolute majority in the House as NPF alone commands 47 members in the House of 60, he argued.

Lok Sabha member and former chief minister Neiphiu Rio and 44 MLAs, all supporters of former chief minister TR Zeliang, had on Saturday met Governor PB Acharya who promised to uphold the Constitution.

On the other hand, Liezietsu, along with his council of ministers, had also met the governor on Saturday evening and apprised him about the political situation.

Earlier, the governor's directive to the chief minister to hold a trust vote had been rejected by the state cabinet.
Kohima: Rebel Naga People's Front (NPF) and Independent legislators, who are seeking the removal of Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu, on Saturday met Nagaland Governor PB Acharya and asked him to uphold the Constitution.

Led by former chief minister TR Zeliang and lone Nagaland Lok Sabha member, Neiphiu Rio, 43 legislators  36 NPF legislators and seven Independents, met Acharya and apprised him of the present political imbroglio.

Zeliang and his group of legislators drove to Raj Bhavan followed a day after the Kohima bench of the Gauhati High Court stayed, till 17 July, the floor test for Liezietsu.

"The minority government headed by Liezietsu should be asked to step down honourably instead of heading to the legal battlefield to cling on to power," Zeliang told the governor.

Zeliang had last Sunday written to the governor staking claim to form the new government. The next day, the chief minister sacked four of his top ministers and 10 Parliamentary Secretaries following a demand for his removal.

Following Zeliang's staking claim, Acharya asked Liezietsu to summon an assembly session for the floor test before 15 July.

However, Liezietsu sought legal recourse against Acharya's directive based on Supreme Court judgment that the Governor has no authority on his own to summon, prorogue or dissolve the Assembly.

Justice LS Jamir of the Kohima bench of Gauhati High Court has listed the matter for the next hearing on Monday.

In the 60-member assembly one seat is vacant. The ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland coalition has 47 NPF legislators, four Bharatiya Janata Party members, and eight Independents.
Expressing anger over the incidents of cow vigilantism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday warned gau rakshaks of strict action, urging state governments to keep the "anti-social elements" under check.

"Gau raksha ke naam par jo hinsa kar rahe hain, aise logon par kathor se kathor karyawaahi karenge (We will take strict action against those who kill people in the name of cow protection)," Union minister Ananth Kumar told reporters after the conclusion of the all-party meeting.

Kumar continued, "Pradhan mantri ne asamajik tatvo ke khilaf kathor karyavahi ke liye rajya sarkar se maang ki hai (prime minister has asked state government to take strict action against these anti-social elements)."

According to Kumar, Modi told the all-party meeting that while Indians believe that the cow is like our mother, that does not let people take the law into their own hands.

"Cow vigilantism should not be given political or communal colour as the nation doesn't benefit from it," Kumar quoted Modi as saying in the all-party meeting.

Gau raksha ke naam par jo hinsa kar rahe hain, aise logon par kathor se kathor karyawaahi karenge: Ananth Kumar,Union Minister  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

PM said that strict action will be taken against such people(gau rakshak violence): Ananth Kumar,Union Min after all party meet  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

This is the second time in less than a month that the prime minister denounced violence in the name of cow protection. In June, Modi slammed gau rakshaks during his visit to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.

Modi invoked Gandhi, saying, He would have shown us what a true gau rakshak is. He would have never approved of cow vigilantism.

Opposition parties have attacked the BJP over the cases of cow vigilantism, in which Muslims and Dalits have often been targeted. These parties have also planned to raise the issue during the Parliament session.

All political parties except the JD(U) and Trinamool Congress attended the all-party meeting, which was called on the eve of the Monsoon Session, which begins on Monday. Among those opposition leaders who attended the meeting were Ghulam Nabi Azad (Congress), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Sitaram Yechury (CPM), Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP) and D Raja (CPI).

Kumar said that Parliament will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Quit India and added that the prime minister has sought healthy discussion over the historical significance of the event.

Talking about Monday's voting for electing India's 14th president, Kumar said that Modi urged MPs of all parties to exercise their right to vote. The Union minister from Karnataka also appreciated that the fight for presidency had "high levels of dignity" and without any kind of mudslinging. However, Kumar told reporters that it would have been very good had a consensus been reached on the candidate.

On GST roll-out, Kumar said that the prime minister called the reform an example of "co-operative federalism". "The prime minister also sought the co-operation of all parties for the successful implementation of GST," Kumar said.

Uttar poorva rajyon mein jo baadh aayi hai usko lekar PM ne chinta jataayi- Ananth Kumar,Union Minister after all party meet pic.twitter.com/XOp0gtIfY2  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

The Union minister also said that Modi expressed concern over the flood situation in the North East, which has engulfed large parts of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

Modi took a dig at RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who is facing fresh corruption charges, as he sought cooperation in fight against corruption. "People involved in corruption should not be saved," Kumar quoted Modi as saying at the meeting.

Kumar told the all-party meeting that 30 per cent of total expenditure and 49 per cent of spending in the infrastructure sector already took place before the monsoon started due to the advancement of the budget. On the issue of Kashmir and tensions with China, Kumar said that the government was assured of the Opposition's support on matters of national security.

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Sunday refused to allow Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Narottam Mishra  disqualified by the EC for not disclosing money spent on paid news in 2008 assembly elections  to participate in the 17 July Presidential poll.

A Division Bench of Justice Muralidhar and Justice Pratibha Singh rejected Mishra's application that challenged a single-judge bench's order to dismiss his plea to vote in the Presidential poll.

The single-judge bench had on Friday also dismissed his plea that challenged his disqualification by the Election Commission (EC) on 23 June for not disclosing expenses he incurred on paid news in his election expenditure returns and barred him from contesting elections for three years.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Mishra to move the Delhi High Court after he failed to get any interim relief from the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

The Minister had moved the apex court to seek an urgent hearing of his plea either by the High Court or the apex court itself so that he could participate in the 17 July election.

The top court, in its order, said that the outcome of the case has an "important bearing" on whether Mishra would continue to be a member of the assembly and vote in the Presidential election.

Narottam Mishra is a Minister of Legislative Affairs and the Madhya Pradesh assembly session is starting from 17 July, with voting in the Presidential election scheduled for the day.

The Election Commission, while disqualifying Mishra for not disclosing expenditure incurred on paid news in local media during the 2008 assembly elections, had said that it was concerned about the "menace of paid news" which has been assuming "alarming proportions" in the electoral landscape.

The EC order said that all the 42 news items that had appeared in five Hindi dailies were "extremely biased in favour of" Mishra.

This phenomenon, a manifestation of the "pernicious effect of money in elections", has been growing increasingly vicious and "spreading like cancer" in recent times, the EC observed.

The EC order disqualifying Mishra came on a complaint filed in 2009 by Congress legislator Rajender Bharti, who had unsuccessfully contested against Mishra from the Datia assembly constituency.
The American University in Cairo is to transfer nearly 5,000 Islamic, Coptic, Pharaonic, Greco-Roman artifacts to the possession of the Egyptian state

The American University in Cairo (AUC) has recently moved to transfer nearly 5,000 Islamic, Coptic, Pharaonic, and Greco-Roman antiquities to the protection of the Egyptian state.

AUC has been in legal possession of these antiquities since the 1960s, ensuring their preservation. Though we legally possessed these artifacts and scrupulously preserved and protected them over so many years, we took the initiative to transfer these important antiquities to the Ministry of Antiquities because we felt that this should be their rightful home, said AUC President Francis J Ricciardone.

Egyptology has been one of AUCs most beloved fields over many years. In collaboration with the ministry, we have always strived to advance the field globally, through both our scholarship and our demonstration of responsible stewardship, he added.

Former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs Zahi Hawass commended this collaboration. I am thrilled to know that AUC gave its antiquities collection to the Ministry of Antiquities as a gift, said Hawass, who had officially stated in 2011, while serving as minister, that all artifacts in AUCs storage were registered and documented with the ministry.

The nearly 5,000 pieces were registered and reviewed in collaboration with the Ministry of Antiquities. They date from a time when archaeological material, after a stringent review, did not have to remain exclusively in the hands of the Egyptian Antiquities Organisation (now the Supreme Council of Antiquities).

The bulk of the materials consisted of fragments of everyday pottery, such as bowls, ulnas, jars and lusterware vessels. Most of the materials could be dated back to the 10th and 11th centuries. Some of the objects in the collection had been legal gifts to the university. The materials from the excavation often seem humble, but they help fill in the blanks to understand what people ate, their social class and trade in the region, said Distinguished University Professor Salima Ikram and head of the Egyptology unit at AUCs Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology and Egyptology.

The pots, for example, can point to how people lived and the technologies used at the time, and can demonstrate artistic influence on ceramic production and decoration.

Specifically, AUC acquired most of these artifacts during joint excavations in the Fustat area led by the late George Scanlon, professor emeritus in AUCs Department of Arab and Islamic Civilisations who became a prominent name in the field of Islamic archaeology. George Scanlons work at Fustat was invaluable, as it set the stage for Islamic archaeology in Egypt, said Ikram.

He and his colleagues helped create the discipline, fusing art history, archaeology and texts in an effort to understand the administrative, sacred and secular lives of the inhabitants of Fustat, one of the first Muslim capitals of Egypt.

Ikram had reviewed the Pharaonic materials in AUCs possession, while Scanlon was responsible for the Fustat materials. The objects were regularly checked against the list made by AUC and the Egyptian Antiquities Organisation.

The Fustat objects had already been catalogued by Dr Scanlon, who excavated them, so they were fully recorded, said Ikram. The discovery of these artifacts was shared between Egypt and the American mission at that time.

After this excavation, the diverse antiquities were brought to AUC, and the university came to legally possess these artifacts in accordance with the Egyptian Antiquities Law No 215 for 1951, which previously allowed foreign excavations in Egypt to keep 50 percent of their findings. The remaining 50 percent of the artifacts went to the Egyptian state. Throughout AUCs period of custody over the collection, the materials were kept under close surveillance, and were securely stored to prevent damage.

The special storage room, locked behind two secure doors, was equipped with protected cupboards to ensure the safekeeping of the materials.

The same committee from the Ministry of Antiquities responsible for the recent handover had collaborated closely with AUC over the years to conduct reviews of the collection twice a year, keeping records of the inventory and maintaining photographic documentation.

In May 2017, the Ministry of Antiquities assigned a special committee to review the inventory of antiquities at AUC, comparing it to its own government records. They worked with AUCs Office of Legal Affairs to ensure that all antiquities were preserved and documented in the handover.

This [transfer] is incredible news, and I hope that any institution that owns antiquities not shown in museums would give them back, said Hawass.

AUC President Francis Ricciardone will be remembered in history because of his courage, power and honesty to take this decision, Hawass added.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked all political parties for a very dignified campaign for the 17 July presidential election.

"It would have been better if there was a consensus for the President's election. But, the election campaign for this election was very dignified. There was no instance of use of harsh words or feelings. I thank everyone for this," Modi was quoted by a Union Minister as saying at an all-party meeting in Parliament House Complex in New Delhi, ahead of Parliament's Monsoon Session from Monday.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister HN Ananth Kumar said Modi later appealed to all the members of parliament and state assemblies to vote in the President's election.

He thanked all political parties for their support in the passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill and related legislations and sought their assistance for the smooth implementation of the legislation.

Modi said the programme for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Quit India movement  launched by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August, 1942, to demand an end to British rule in India  will be discussed in both houses by the government.

The Prime Minister expressed concern over the flood situation in north-eastern states, and said "the government is taking all steps to provide help".

Those who attended the all-party meeting included Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jyotiraditya Scindia from the Congress, Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, D Raja of the CPI, Sharad Pawar and Tariq Anwar from the Nationalist Congress Party, HD Deve Gowda from Janata Dal-Secular, Farooq Abdullah from National Conference, Mulayam Singh Yadav from Samajwadi Party, Jaiprakash Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, M Rajamohan Reddy from YSR Congress Party and AP Jithender Reddy from TRS.

Trinamool Congress boycotted the meeting while no representative of Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal(United) was seen.
New Delhi: A day before the presidential election, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi described the electoral contest as a fight against a "narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision" on Sunday.

Addressing Opposition leaders in the presence of their presidential and vice-presidential nominees  Meira Kumar and Gopalkrishna Gandhi respectively  she said that the numbers may be against them but "the battle must be fought and fought hard".

"We cannot and must not let India be hostage to those who wish to impose upon it a narrow-minded, divisive and communal

vision," she said.

According to the text of her speech, she said, "We must stand more aware than ever of who we are, what we fought for in our Independence struggle and what future we want for ourselves. We must have confidence in the values we believe in. This election represents a clash of ideas, a conflict of disparate values. The election demands a vote of conscience to preserve the India that the Mahatma and that illustrious generation of freedom fighters, joined by thousands upon thousands of ordinary men and women, fought for."

She said the presence of representatives from different parties to support Kumar and Gopal Gandhi confirms that "the fight for an inclusive, tolerant and pluralistic India is being truly waged".

The vice presidential poll will be held on 5 August.
Lucknow: Rejecting Rahul Gandhi's suggestion that Uttar Pradesh should close down hospitals to save money after it reportedly cut the education budget, the state government on Sunday clarified budgetary allocation for education has been increased by 25 percent.

"The total budget for primary, secondary and higher education in the Uttar Pradesh budget for 2017-18 is Rs 62,185.25 crore as compared to the previous budget of 2016-17 of Rs 49,607.93 crore, which is 25.4 per cent higher," an official spokesperson said.

He said the budget for primary education is Rs 50,142 crore this time compared to Rs 38,066.06 crore last time, which is 31.7 percent more.

Similarly, the budget for secondary education is 4.8 percent higher than the previous fiscal. This year Rs 9,387.44 crore has been earmarked for the department, compared to Rs 8,956.86 crore last time.

For higher education, he said, the allocation this time is 2.7 percent more than the last fiscal year.

For 2017-18 Rs 2,655.81 crore has been earmarked against Rs 2,585.01 crore in the last fiscal.

The Yogi Adityanath government presented its first annual budget in the state Assembly on 11 July.
Kinshasa(Congo): A local official says five Congo park rangers have been found dead and an American journalist has been found in good condition in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve after going missing during a militia attack.

Mambasa territory administrator Alfred Bongwalanga told The Associated Press on Sunday the journalist hid in the forest after the Friday attack in northeast Congo. He said she was found by the army, who called in her rescue. He did not have her name or other details.

At least 10 people were missing after the attack outside the town of Mambasa but six of them, all Congolese rangers, were later found alive. Two British journalists and five other park rangers escaped during the attack.

A human rights group has blamed the attacks on the Mai Mai SIMBA militia.
Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron called on Sunday for a resumption of long-stalled Middle East peace talks based on a two-state solution.

"France is ready to support all diplomatic efforts towards this end within the parameters of peace recognised by the international community," Macron said after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He said Israelis and Palestinians should be able "to live side by side within secure and recognised borders with Jerusalem as the capital".

Stressing that international law should be "respected by all", Macron said he was referring to Israel's "continued building of settlements" in occupied Palestinian territory, a policy opposed by France.

"I hope everything will be done for negotiations to move forward," he said as he and Netanyahu made joint statements to the press.

Talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been at a standstill since the failure of US mediation in the spring of 2014.
Gaza City: Gaza's militant Hamas rulers has called on Palestinians to attack Israeli forces in Jerusalem after a sacred site was closed following a deadly assault in Jerusalem.

Hamas described the closure of the site known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount in a statement as a "religious war" and Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum called on the Palestinian "uprising" to target the Israeli army and West Bank settlers.

Israel made the rare move after three Palestinian assailants opened fire there Friday, killing two Israeli police officers before being shot dead. The attackers were devout Muslim citizens of Israel.

On Saturday, the White House condemned the attack in a strongly-worded statement.

Hamas staged a rally celebrating the attack

The Muslim-administered site is revered by both Muslims and Jews. Israel says it won't reopen before Sunday.
Tehran: Iranian media have hailed trailblazing Iran-born mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani following her death from cancer, with her image blazoned across newspaper front pages on Sunday.

In some cases newspapers even broke with tradition and portrayed Mirzakhani without her hair covered by a hijab - mandatory for women in public since the Islamic republic's 1979 revolution.

Mirzakhani, the first woman to win the coveted Fields Medal, died aged 40 on Saturday in a US hospital after the breast cancer she had been battling for four years spread to her bone marrow.

Mirzakhani was born and studied in Iran before leaving to pursue her career in the United States.

When she won the Fields Medal  the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for mathematics  in 2014, newspapers used every means possible to avoid showing her hair, including publishing old images of her in Iran with covered hair or drawing her picture with an improvised head scarf.

Some criticised the move then and on Sunday many chose to publish Mirzakhani's picture without a hijab - perhaps easier to justify for authorities after her death.

Hamshahri, a centrist newspaper owned by the municipality of Tehran, and reformist economic daily Donyaye Eghtesad both used full-blown portraits of her without a hijab.

"The Queen of Mathematics' Eternal Departure," Donyaye Eghtesad's headline read.

The reformist Shargh daily published a photo of her wearing a hat  under the headline "The Queen of Numbers Land"  while some others used designs and photo editing to fade her signature short hair into a black backdrop.

Other newspapers continued to use older photographs or sketches showing Mirzakhani wearing a headscarf.

Only ultraconservative newspapers Resalat and Keyhan did not feature her picture on the front page, with the latter covering her story in an inside page with a picture of her wearing hijab.

Messages of grief also poured in on social media, including from senior officials.

President Hassan Rouhani was among the first to react following news of her death, posting a recent picture of Mirzakhani on Instagram without her head covered.

Writing in Shargh about Mirzakhani, reformist figure Azar Mansouri urged Rouhani to pick female ministers in the cabinet the moderate cleric is forming after he won re-election in May.

"Appreciating the likes of Mirzakhani" is only possible by "establishing equal opportunities for them," she wrote.

Rouhani has three female deputies but no woman ministers.
Tehran: A United States citizen accused of "infiltration" in Iran has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, a spokesman for the judiciary said on Sunday.

"The person was identified and arrested by the intelligence forces. The court has sentenced the person to 10 years," deputy judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie said in a televised press conference.

The individual, whose name was not provided, has appealed the sentence, he added.

The foreigner holds dual nationality of the United States and another country, he said, promising to give more details once the appeals court confirms the sentence.

In January, Tehran's chief prosecutor said as many as 70 "spies" were serving sentences in the city's prisons - the identities of only a handful of which have been made public.

Most are thought to be Iranians who hold another passport from Europe or the United States.

In October, US-Iranian business consultant Siamak Namazi and his 80-year-old father Baquer, a former UNICEF official, were given 10 years in prison for "espionage and collaboration with the American government".
Tehran: Two Iranian civilians were killed in a cross-border attack by Pakistani insurgents, the Revolutionary Guards said.

"On Saturday evening, a terrorist team... fired (ammunition) from within Pakistani territory toward the Iranian border region of Saravan" in Sistan-Baluchistan province, the Guards said in a statement on their Sepahnews website.

"Two local workers in the region were martyred in this terrorist attack," it added. Forces from the Quds force  the Guards' foreign operations wing  killed one of the attackers and wounded two, while others fled back into Pakistani territory, the statement said.

The insurgent group was not identified, but for years the region has been the site of frequent attacks by the Jaish al-Adl jihadist group, which Tehran says has links to Al-Qaeda and is based in the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan.

Jaish al-Adl was blamed for an attack in April that killed 10 Iranian border guards in the nearby Mirjaveh region.

President Hassan Rouhani wrote to Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif calling for greater efforts to prevent insurgent attacks along the border.

The guards also said on June 19 that they had killed the leader and four members of another jihadist group called Ansar al-Furqan in the Iranian port city of Chabahar in Sistan-

Baluchistan province.
Jerusalem: Israeli soldiers and police on an arrest mission in the town of Nabi Salah in the occupied West Bank shot dead a Palestinian who attempted to open fire at them early Sunday, the army said.

"The forces encountered the suspect, who attempted to open fire at them," a statement from the Israeli army read. "In response to the immediate threat forces fired towards the attacker resulting in his death."

Palestinian security forces identified the suspect as 34-year-old Amar Dagharah from Kafr Ein, a town near Nabi Salah in the central West Bank.

Another Palestinian suspect was lightly wounded and arrested, the statement from the military read.

On Saturday, a gunman targeted a vehicle near an Israeli settlement north of Ramallah and wounded a foreign national of Palestinian descent who is residing in a Palestinian village.

In a separate incident, gunshots hit a military post near Nabi Salah.

The army said Dagharah was behind both incidents.

A wave of unrest that broke out in October 2015 has claimed the lives of at least 282 Palestinians or Arab Israelis, 44 Israelis, two Americans, two Jordanians, an Eritrean, a Sudanese and a Briton, according to an AFP toll.

Israeli authorities say most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks.

Others were shot dead in protests and clashes, while some were killed in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip.

The violence has greatly subsided in recent months.
Beijing: An India-China-Myanmar trilateral interaction will be an interesting topic in the future as it will be of "great geopolitical and economic significance" to the region, an article in the Chinese state media said on Sunday.

An article in the Global Times online said, "For Myanmar, which is nestled between China and India, the policy of 'no enemies' is the best strategic choice. And, at least for now, it has benefited from Beijing-New Delhi contention in the India-China region."

The article suggested Myanmar was enhancing ties with India to "minimise its over reliance" on China, diversify its economic portfolio, and out of its "urgent need to engage neighbouring countries after prolonged isolation."

"Considering all these factors, the trilateral interaction among Beijing, New Delhi and Nay Pyi Taw will be an interesting topic for some time in the future because it will be of great geopolitical and economic significance to the region," it said.

The article came as Myanmar's military chief concluded his eight-day visit to India from 7 July. During the visit, General U Min Aung Hlaing called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley separately. He also held discussions with Army chief General Bipin Rawat and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on defence and security cooperation.

It said the visit has added "a tinge of sensitivity to India-Myanmar military interaction" amid the standoff between the Indian and the Chinese armies in Doklam area. "Their cooperation has brought subtle changes to the region."
Syria: More than 330,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict since it started six years ago, around a third of them civilians, a monitor said on Sunday.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it has documented the deaths of 331,765 people across Syria since the conflict erupted in mid-March 2011 with anti-government protests.

Included in the overall death toll are 99,617 civilians, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP, adding that the figures were for the period between 15 March, 2011 and 15 July, 2017.

A total of 18,243 children and 11,427 women were among the civilians killed, the Observatory said.

The figures were the latest provided by the Observatory since March when it said 320,000 people, including 96,000 civilians, had been killed.

In its latest report, the Observatory said a total of 116,774 members of the regime forces or regime supporters have been killed in Syria since the conflict began.

Of those, it said 61,808 were soldiers and 1,408 were members of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, an Iran-backed regime ally.

Also killed in Syria, since the conflict erupted, were 57,000 rebels, including those from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an Arab-Kurdish alliance.

In addition, more than 58,000 jihadists, namely from the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate, were killed, said the Observatory, noting that the figure also includes foreign extremists.

The conflict broke out with peaceful anti-government protests but quickly turned into a fully fledged war involving a multitude of local, regional and foreign powers.

The brutal conflict has destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and displaced millions of people, more than half of Syria's population.
Islamabad: The Pakistan Army said on Sunday that it had no role in the investigation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's family assets, asserting that it was "focused only" on safeguarding the country's security.

Pakistan Army spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor told reporters that the joint investigation team was formed by the Supreme Court, and it "did its job honestly. Its report will be examined by the court. Army has no role in the process".

Asked about the Sharif government's allegations that the Panama Papers scandal and the subsequent probe into the prime minister's family wealth was a "conspiracy" against the civilian dispensation, the spokesman said that the army was "only focused on the security of the country".

"There is no army involvement in the JIT," he asserted, adding that the "Pakistan Army will continue playing its role for the security of Pakistan with other institutions," according to a report in The Dawn newspaper. "Political talk is in the political domain."

The denial comes ahead of the Supreme Court hearing into the case, which begins on Monday. The JIT in its damning report submitted to the Supreme Court on 10 July recommended that a corruption case be filed gainst Sharif and his sons  Hassan and Hussain  and his daughter Maryam for evading tax.

The high-profile graft case is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in the 90s when he twice served as prime minister to purchase assets in London. The assets surfaced when the Panama Papers last year showed they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif's children.

Sharif, 67 has rubbished the report as a "bundle of baseless allegations", and said that an "unjustified campaign" was launched against his government soon after he won in 2013. "The people of Pakistan have elected me and only they can remove me from this post," he said this week.

The Pakistani military has always played a crucial role in the country's politics. It has ruled Pakistan for more than 33 years of the country's 70-year history.

Reports of disagreement between the civilian and the military leaderships this time dates back to 6 October, when The Dawn, in a front-page report, claimed that civilian authorities have warned the Inter-Service Intelligence spy agency to act against militants or face international isolation.

The rift was a grim reminder of 1999, when then army chief Pervez Musharraf had ousted the government of Sharif. Sharif is the only Pakistani politician who has the distinction of being the prime minister of the coup-prone country for a record three times.

He served as prime minister from 1990 to 1993, and from 1997 to 1999. Both of Sharif's first two stints ended in the third year of his tenure.
Islamabad: Pakistan's military has launched a major operation in its volatile tribal areas to stop the Islamic State making inroads into areas bordering Afghanistan, the military's spokesman said on Sunday.

Pakistan has long denied Islamic State has a foothold inside the nuclear-armed nation despite a series of attacks claimed by the group over the past two years, including a bombing in the northern town of Parachinar last month that killed 75.

Military spokesman Lieutenant General Asif Ghafoor said Islamic State  also known as Daesh  was growing in strength inside Afghanistan, prompting Pakistan to launch an operation in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

"This operation was necessary because Daesh is getting established there and we have to stop the influence of Daesh spreading into Pakistani territory through the Rajgal valley," Ghafoor said, referring to a valley surrounded by mountains reaching up to 14,000 feet.

He said that the "Khyber 4" operation, which would include the Pakistan air force, would focus on the border areas inside the Khyber Agency area, which is part of FATA.

Ghafoor said across the Khyber border there are safe havens for multiple "terrorist" organisations that are linked to recent attacks in Pakistan, including the Parachinar assault.

Northwestern Pakistan's ethnic Pashtun lands are awash with weapons and the area remains the most volatile region in the country despite the military's success in driving out many al Qaeda and Pakistani Taliban militants.

Fighting had subsided in FATA in recent years and many internally displaced people have been sent back to villages reduced to rubble due to military operations against the Islamists over the past 15 years.

"Once this operation is completed, we will first secure the international border on our side and eliminate the hideouts of various terrorist groups," Ghafoor added.

Islamic State has had more success in neighbouring Afghanistan, where it controls small chunks of land, but has also faced tough resistance from the US-backed government in Kabul and local Afghan Taliban militants.

Pakistan is seeking support from Afghanistan to control the border but Ghafoor made it clear that it will not allow "foreign boots on the ground" in its territory.

Pakistan's military began building a fence along the 2,611 kilometre border with Afghanistan in May as part of its security programme.
Islamabad: Pakistan says it has launched a new military operation near the Afghan border to combat militants.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, an army spokesman, says an infantry division backed by air force and artillery will clear the Rajgal Valley in the Khyber tribal region.

He says Pakistan has informed Afghan authorities and urged them to take similar measures on their side of the border.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have long accused each other of turning a blind eye to militants operating along their porous border. Pakistan's construction of a fence along part of the frontier has also caused tensions, as Afghanistan does not recognize the colonial-era line as an international border.
Kuwait City: French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian held talks with top officials in Kuwait on Sunday in a bid to bolster the emirate's attempts to mediate in the Gulf crisis.

Le Drian, who is due in the United Arab Emirates Sunday night, stopped in Qatar and Saudi Arabia at the start of his two-day Gulf tour on Saturday.

The French foreign minister has supported Kuwait as a mediator in the Gulf crisis, which he said should be resolved "by the Gulf countries themselves".

"France does not want to substitute the mediator," Le Drian said in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. "It wants to be a facilitator by joining efforts of other countries".

Le Drian's visit comes after a four-day mediation mission by US secretary of state Rex Tillerson, which ended on Thursday with no announcement of progress towards defusing mounting tensions in the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia and its allies imposed sanctions on Doha on 5 June, including closing its only land border, denying Qatar access to their airspace and ordering their citizens back from the emirate.

The four Arab states accuse Qatar of ties to Iran and of funding Islamist extremist groups. Qatar has denied the accusations.

The Gulf crisis is the worst to hit the region since the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council in 1981.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday said that 39 Indians who were kidnapped by the Islamic State in 2014, could be in Badush Jail, ANI reported.

Sources there told VK Singh ji that the missing Indians are most probably in a jail in Badush where fighting is still going on: EAM Swaraj pic.twitter.com/UlhNwx1ATa  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

On Sunday, she met families of the missing Indians in Iraq along with minister of state for ministry of external affairs MJ Akbar and retired general VK Singh.

Delhi: EAM Sushma Swaraj, MoS MEA MJ Akbar and MoS MEA VK Singh met families of 39 Indians who are missing in Iraq since 2014 pic.twitter.com/4gCXwtDBc6  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

ANI reports her adding that, "I have already met them several times, but this time the situation was different as Iraqi prime minister recently announced that Mosul has been liberated from the Islamic State. The very same day I asked VK Singh ji to go to Erbil and personally oversee where are the missing Indians and how can they be rescued."

The report also adds that the Iraqi foreign minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari would be visiting India on 24 July and will provide further information.

This comes as the Iraqi forces liberated Mosul on Sunday after 266 days of fierce battles, bringing to an end three years of Islamic State rule.

The 39 Indian construction workers, mostly from Punjab, were held hostage in 2014. However, no demand was made for their release. VK Singh reached Erbil on Monday to discuss this issue, meeting with the local authorities as well.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay had earlier assured that the ministry would make efforts to find the missing Indians. "If they see any Indian, not just these 39, but any Indian, we have requested them to inform us," he added.
Istanbul: Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday threatened to "chop off the heads" of traitors, in a speech marking the first anniversary of the failed coup bid that aimed to oust him from power.

"First of all we will chop off the heads of those traitors," Erdogan told a rally in Istanbul, prompting cries from the crowds that capital punishment should be restored in Turkey.

Reaffirming previous comments, he vowed to sign any bill passed by parliament to restore capital punishment in Turkey, a move that would effectively end Ankara's European Union membership ambitions.

"We are a state governed by rule of law. If it comes to me after parliament, I will sign it," he said.

Erdogan also said the suspects being tried on suspicion of involvement in the failed coup should wear uniform clothing like the notorious orange jumpsuits used at US military prison at Guantanamo Bay.

"I spoke to the prime minister and when they appear in court, let's make them appear in uniform suits like in Guantanamo," Erdogan said.

A controversy erupted last week when one suspect was seen going into court with the word "hero" in large letters in English on a T-shirt.

Erdogan was speaking to hundreds of thousands of supporters gathered at the bridge over the Bosphorus that saw some of the fiercest fighting on the night of the 15 July, 2016 attempted coup.

"We paid a price but there is no price for the independence and future we obtained in return for that sacrifice," he said, referring to the deaths of 249 people at the hands of the plotters.

He meanwhile lashed out at claims from the opposition that the government had foreknowledge of the coup and let it play out to its own advantage in a so-called "controlled" putsch.

"This is a shame, this is an immorality," Erdogan said. "This is a disrespect, an insult to our people," he added.
London: The UK government has ordered the takeover of one of the country's first state-funded Islamic secondary school after its policies, including the rule to segregate boys and girls in classrooms, were found "inadequate" and not "sufficiently" safe for students.

Al-Hijrah School in Birmingham, one of the first state-funded Islamic schools in Britain, had offensive books in its library which said a husband can beat his wife. The school also has a rule to segregate girls and boys.

Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of the UK's schools regulator Ofsted, said Al-Hijrah would be taken over by an independent academy trust on the orders of the Department for Education (DfE).

The department confirmed that the school's management would be handed to an outside trust, The Sunday Times reported.

Birmingham City Council said both it and Al-Hijrah's interim executive board were "co-operating fully" with the DfE to find a suitable academy sponsor.

The move follows a report by Ofsted inspectors who visited the school, which has about 750 pupils, after nine-year-old Mohammad Imaeel Ashraf collapsed there in March. He was taken to hospital but died soon afterwards. His funeral was attended by more than 2,000 people.

An inquest into the death, initially reportedly linked to an allergic reaction to fish and chips, will be held later this summer.

In a report published last month the inspectors gave the school an "inadequate" judgment, the lowest ranking.

They found bullying, a chaotic playground, weak teaching, pupils who were not "sufficiently" safe and staff who did not know what to do in medical emergencies.

For more than a year, the co-educational Islamic school has fought through the UK courts to try to suppress an earlier critical Ofsted report that said its segregation of girls and boys for all lessons from the age of five to 16 was a breach of the UK Equality Act.

Last week, appeal court judges were asked to make a definitive ruling in the case.

If Ofsted wins, up to 20 faith schools that teach boys and girls separately will be re-inspected and may have to change their arrangements.

Spielman told the newspaper, she found it "deeply frustrating" when legal challenges were "used to delay things that in our view urgently need to happen".

Spielman said: "I am deeply concerned about the idea that total segregation of children within a mixed school is acceptable. Segregating boys and girls in a mixed school feels as though it is depriving both boys and girls of a big part of the benefits of a school".
Caracas: Polls opened in Venezuela on Sunday in an opposition-organized vote to measure public support for President Nicolas Maduro's plan to rewrite the constitution, against a backdrop of worsening political violence.

Dozens of people were queuing in Caracas neighborhoods including Chacaito and Los Palos Grandes before polling stations opened at 7 am (1100 GMT), according to the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) opposition coalition.

They are due to close at 4 pm (2000 GMT), though they will remain open as long as people are in line.

Delegates and volunteers, many dressed in white, manned tents and tables at some 14,300 polling stations nationwide.

Maduro supporters are boycotting the vote, and the National Electoral Council has refused to authorize it, so the outcome is not binding.

Opposition leaders expect as many as 11 million of people to cast ballots anyway, voting to reject the president's controversial plan for a separate referendum 30 July to elect a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution.

The opposition is boycotting the Maduro-backed vote.

They hope a big turnout on Sunday will increase pressure for Maduro's removal from power, clearing the way for new presidential elections before his term ends in January 2019.

The rival elections have given rise to international worries  voiced by the Catholic Church and UN secretary general Antonio Guterres  that the chances of bringing both sides together for dialogue have become more remote.

That in turn is stoking fears of more protests and running street battles with police, clashes that have cost the lives of nearly 100 people since the beginning of April.

Maduro portrayed Sunday's vote as merely an "internal consultation by the opposition parties" with no electoral legitimacy.

But he also urged Venezuelans to "participate peacefully."

While Maduro is deeply unpopular  with 80 percent of Venezuelans criticizing his rule, according to the Datanalisis survey firm  he enjoys backing from some, mostly poor, parts of the population and, most importantly, from the military.

Many Venezuelans, though, are less focused on the political power play than they are on just getting by day to day under a crushing economic crisis that has led to shortages of food and medicine.

The opposition accuses Maduro of attempting to assume dictatorial powers through the constitutional rewrite and other steps.

Opposition figure Maria Corina Machado predicted the vote would not only reject the Constituent Assembly but also "give a mandate for a change of the regime."
Caracas : Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged citizens taking part in a vote organised by the opposition the next day to do so "peacefully," as concerns simmered of worsening political violence.

The poll today is meant to gauge public support for a plan by Maduro to rewrite the constitution through the election on 30 July of a citizens' body. But with authorities refusing to greenlight Sunday's vote and pro-Maduro supporters boycotting it, it looked likely to return a rejection of the president's scheme.

Likewise, the opposition has told its supporters to stay away from the 30 July election.

The cross-purpose initiatives have given rise to international worries voiced by the Catholic Church and the head of the UN, Antonio Guterres that the chances of bringing both sides together for dialogue has become more remote. That, in turn, is stoking fears of more protests and running street battles with police, which have been persistent for the past three and a half months.

Nearly 100 people have died in the unrest since the beginning of April. While Maduro is deeply unpopular with 80 percent of Venezuelans criticizing his rein, according to the Data analysis survey firm he enjoys backing from some, mostly poor, parts of the population and, most importantly, from the military.

Many Venezuelans, though, are less focused on the political powerplay than they are on getting by day-by-day under their country's crushing economic crisis, which has meant shortages of food and medicine.

The opposition, which accuses Maduro of trying to gather dictatorial powers with the constitutional rewrite and other steps, said all was prepared for Sunday's vote. "Everything is ready," one opposition figure, Maria Corina Machado, told AFP. She predicted today's vote would "not only reject the Constituent Assembly" the body Maduro is seeking to have elected to come up with a new constitution "but will give a mandate for a change of the regime, the end of the dictatorship and the start of a transition with a government of national unity."

But Maduro, giving a national radio and TV broadcast, portrayed the vote as merely an "internal consultation by the opposition parties" with no electoral legitimacy. "I call on all Venezuelans to participate peacefully in political events tomorrow, with respect for others' ideas, with no incidents. Peace is what I ask," he said. He directed his followers instead towards a rival poll exercise that, unlike that of the opposition, has been approved by electoral authorities: a dry-run simulation of the election to take place on 30 July. He also repeated claims the opposition was tied to foreign powers -- implied to be the "imperialist" United States with the aim of toppling his government.

The international media, he railed, was covering the opposition vote in a way to justify foreign intervention.
Mike Pence is the loyal wingman, the ever-discreet figure who rises above the Washington fray. But as the Russia scandal encroaches ever further on Donald Trump's White House, the vice-president is also walking a political tightrope.

The 58-year-old former governor of Indiana is currently the man closest to the US presidency: Either as Trump's immediate successor should his term end prematurely, or as his heir apparent in 2020 or 2024 elections, depending on how many terms Trump serves.

As the troubles of his boss grow deeper by the day, ensnared in a widening investigation into his campaign ties to Russia, experts say the 48th US vice-president remains compelled to stand by his man: At least for now.

"Pence is in a very difficult position," Joel Goldstein, an expert on the vice presidency at Saint Louis University School of Law, said,

"A vice-president is expected to be loyal to the president, but President Trump imposes a heavy burden on his subordinates by saying and doing things that often are hard to defend."

The two men could hardly be more different: where Trump likes to blur ideological lines, Pence is a committed Christian conservative, as stiff and disciplined as his boss is exuberant and unpredictable.

While Trump tweets about a high-stakes health care bill, it is Pence who has been shuttling between the White House and Congress in a behind-the-scenes effort to rescue the imperiled legislation.

In Trump's turbulent Washington, Pence is seen as the administration's steadying force, the "ax behind the glass you're supposed to break in case of emergency," as The Daily Beast news website put it recently.

Hang on

Pence offered a glimpse Wednesday of what it's like on the Trump roller-coaster, as number two to arguably the most controversial US leader in modern times.

"You need to keep your arms and legs in the ride at all times," he told student leaders at American University.

"Pull the roll bar down, because you just got to hang on."

Yet Pence has taken low-key steps that suggest he could be laying the groundwork for his political future.

In an unusual move, two close advisors to Pence have founded a political action committee, The New York Times reported.

He has also begun hosting Republican mega-donors at his Washington residence, according to the daily.

Next president?

As federal and congressional investigators dig deeper into allegations that Trump's camp colluded with Russia to tilt the 2016 election, a handful of Democrats are now calling openly for the president to be impeached.

However remote the prospect of impeachment by the Republican-controlled Congress, the Russia cloud stubbornly refuses to dissipate.

Should Trump eventually be forced from office, Pence would become the 10th US vice-president to assume the presidency without being elected and the first since Gerald Ford succeeded Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal in 1974.

When Donald Trump Jr recently acknowledged that he and campaign aides met a Russian lawyer last year in hope of obtaining dirt on Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, Pence distanced himself from the snowballing scandal.

"He is not focused on stories about the campaign, particularly stories about the time before he joined the ticket," said a statement from Pence's office.

But the vice-president has not emerged entirely unscathed so far.

As head of Trump's transition team, he publicly backed Michael Flynn during the uproar about contacts with the Russian ambassador which cost the newly-minted national security advisor his job.

And having flatly denied any Trump campaign contacts with Russia, Pence's credibility is further rocked with each new revelation.

Losing credibility

Pence's defense will look increasingly questionable, especially if Trump's troubles worsen. But it is survivable, said Michael Munger, director of the politics program at Duke University.

"Pence was probably not lying. He was lied to, and he took the party line and then kept his mouth shut when they cut him off at the knees," the professor said.

"He is losing credibility, I suppose, but he gets extra points for doing his job."

Yet Pence's close ties to the president  as recently as last month he said serving with Trump has been "the greatest privilege of my life"  may yet prove an albatross around his neck.

"None of the last seven vice-presidents have been so willing to be so sycophantic in their praise and have said so many significant things that later turned out to be untrue," the expert Goldstein said.

Striking the balance between loyalty to an embattled leader and avoiding getting caught up in scandal is a fierce challenge.

Pence has "juggled" well, said Paul Beck of Ohio State University.

"But if this Russia controversy really gets the Trump administration into deep, deep trouble... then Pence is kind of trapped out there as one of the team."
Aden: Five Yemeni soldiers were killed and three wounded Sunday when gunmen suspected of ties to Al-Qaeda opened fire on a military checkpoint, an army source said.

The source said the gunmen managed to escape after the attack on the checkpoint in the northeast of Shabwa province, a southern stronghold of Yemen's powerful Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

Sunday's attack is the latest in a string of suspected AQAP shootings targeting military checkpoints and outposts in Yemen.

AQAP, seen by the United States as the global terror network's most dangerous branch, has exploited years of deadly conflict between Yemen's government and Huthi rebels to expand its presence, especially in Shabwa.

A US air raid in the province last month killed AQAP emir Abu Khattab al-Awlaqi, according to the Pentagon.

The United States has intensified its air attacks on suspected AQAP sites in Yemen since president Donald Trump took office in January.

Yemen's government, allied with a Saudi-led Arab military coalition, has for years been battling Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels for control of the impoverished country.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 8,000 people have been killed in Yemen's conflict, most of them civilians, since the Saudi-led coalition entered the conflict in 2015.

The country has also been hit by a deadly cholera outbreak and is on the edge of famine.
Authorities have arrested at least 66 people in a European food scam which sold horse meat unfit for human consumption.

European Union police coordinating organization Europol announced Sunday that eight nations cooperated in the operation. In Spain, 65 people face a series of charges relating to public health, money laundering and animal abuse.

The operation took several months and the chief suspect, a Dutch businessman, was arrested in Belgium in April.

Spain's Civil Guard said that the criminal ring acquired horses in Spain and Portugal that were "in poor shape, old, or had been designated 'not apt for consumption.'" After falsifying paperwork and substituting microchips used to identify the horses, the animals were slaughtered and the meat shipped to Belgium.

The Civil Guard said that the profits from the illegal meat could reach 20 million euros ($23 million) a year.

The case was linked to a 2013 scandal when Irish authorities detected beef burgers containing horse meat.

Authorities in Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, Britain and Spain cooperated in the operation.
Give President Trump his due.

Late last year, the then-president elect blasted Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) for charging taxpayers a "tremendous cost" for its F-35 stealth fighter jet. At the time, Lockheed Martin's cheapest F-35 variant, the F-35A conventional takeoff-and-landing (CTOL) fighter jet, cost about $100 million each -- significantly more than fourth-generation fighter jets built by Boeing (NYSE: BA).

And so Trump tweeted that, if Lockheed Martin didn't move quickly to cut the cost of the F-35, he would "price-out a comparable F-18 Super Hornet" from Boeing (NYSE: BA) and buy that instead. (At the time, Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets were selling for closer to $70 million, and a new Advanced Super Hornet was in the works that would eventually be priced at about $79 million.)

F-35 prices have been plummeting ever since.

Message received

Case in point: Last week, the U.S. Department of Defense announced in its daily digest of defense deals that it has awarded Lockheed Martin a $5.58 billion contract to supply the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps with a grand total of 74 new F-35 fighter jets. Specifically, Lockheed Martin will be delivering:

48 F-35A aircraft to the Air Force,

18 F-35B aircraft to the Marine Corps,

and eight F-35C aircraft to be split between the Navy and Marine Corps.

Now, $5.58 billion probably sounds like a lot of money (because it is). But here's the crucial fact to keep in mind: At the time President Trump made his infamous F-35 tweet, Lockheed Martin was selling F-35A CTOL fighters for about $100 million apiece. (F-35B short takeoff-and-vertical landing (STOVL) fighters, and F-35C carrier variants cost much, much more).

Responding to President Trump's criticism, however, and helped by economies of scale as it ramped up production, Lockheed had already worked down the price of an F-35A to just $94.6 million by early this year. Granted, F-35Cs were still costing nearly $122 million a pop, and F-35Bs nearly $123 million -- but even so, the price for all F-35 variants was coming down rapidly, and moving in the right direction.

By June, we heard that the price had fallen even farther, with Lockheed rumored to have inked an 3-year, 11-nation, $40 billion deal to sell as many as 440 F-35 fighter jets (mainly F-35As) to the Pentagon and American allies for prices as low as $80 million. This latest Defense Department purchase shows that F-35s have become even cheaper than that -- and ahead of schedule.

Military math

Here's how the math works: $5.58 billion in spending to acquire 74 F-35s works out to an average price of just $75.4 million per fighter. That's even cheaper than the $80 million unit price that was mooted last month. It's also cheaper than the $79 million unit price that Boeing floated as the likely cost of its new Advanced Super Hornet earlier this year.

Even more amazing, more than one third of the F-35s the Pentagon will be buying are of the -B and -C variants -- which at last report each cost roughly 30% more than an F-35A. This suggests either that F-35Bs and -Cs are now approaching the lower cost of cheaper F-35As -- or that the F-35A itself may now cost even less than $75.4 million.

What it means to investors

Assuming the $5.58 billion price holds firm (F-35 Joint Program Office spokesman Joe DellaVedova says that the final price for Low Rate Initial Production Lot 11, containing the 74 planes in question, is still being negotiated), this new and improved F-35 price appears to weaken Boeing's argument for the Pentagon buying F/A-18 fighter jets as a cheaper alternative to Lockheed's F-35. So what does this mean for investors in Boeing and Lockheed?

Well, it's probably not great news for Boeing, but it doesn't mean all hope is lost. Boeing just succeeded in securing a commitment from Navy to fund development of its Advanced Super Hornet, after all. And even if Lockheed's F-35A variant is now price competitive with Boeing's F/A-18, F-35As still can't land on aircraft carriers. Meanwhile, F-35Cs -- which can land on carriers -- probably still cost more than F/A-18s.

That said, the lower F-35 prices fall, the smaller Boeing's price advantage shrinks. If this trend of falling F-35 prices keeps moving the way it's been going, Lockheed could win this contest yet -- and push Boeing out of the fighter jet business for good.

10 stocks we like better than BoeingWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

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Unless you've been living under a rock, you're probably well aware of the blazing quick growth pace of the legal marijuana industry -- as well as why investors have been gravitating to marijuana stocks, many of which have more than doubled over the trailing 12-month period.

Why investors have flocked to marijuana stocks

According to cannabis research firm ArcView, North American legal weed sales, including both recreational and medical pot, launched 34% higher in 2016, to $6.9 billion, and they're slated to grow to an estimated $21.6 billion by 2021. Considering that more than $46 billion in North American pot sales were conducted under the table last year, there's a perceived-to-be multiyear double-digit percentage growth opportunity still to come for the legal weed industry.

Growing favorability toward cannabis among the public has certainly helped. The percentage of respondents in Gallup's 2016 poll who wanted to see weed legalized nationally has more than doubled, to 60%, since the question was posed in 1995, the year before California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis for compassionate use.

Ongoing expansion also provides a means for investor excitement. Last month, President Enrique Pena Nieto legalized medical cannabis throughout Mexico, while our neighbors to the north are currently debating legislation introduced by Justin Trudeau that would legalize recreational marijuana by as early as July 1, 2018. We've also witnessed 28 states follow California's footsteps since 1996 and give the green light to medical pot, and residents in eight states OK'd recreational weed since Nov. 2012.

The question that consumers, investors, and proponents simply have is: Which state is next?

Is Delaware next in line to legalize recreational marijuana?

One state that appears to be in the thick of discussion surrounding recreational marijuana is Delaware, which is aptly nicknamed the First State since it became the first state to ratify the U.S. constitution in December 1787. If proponents have their way, the First State could become the ninth state to legalize recreational pot by early 2018.

In March of this year, Sen. Margaret Rose Henry (D-DE) introduced legislation that would allow adults aged 21 and over to purchase marijuana, as well as give the state the right to tax the substance at the retail level. There was nothing specifically unique about the bill itself relative to what other legal states have previously introduced. However, what is unique about Delaware, as well as two dozen other states in the U.S., is that it's not an initiative and referendum (I&R) state. In other words, state residents don't get to vote on initiatives. Instead, Delaware is a state where laws are introduced and passed entirely at the Congressional level.

What makes Delaware's shot at passing recreational marijuana legislation so challenging, despite a purported 61% support from its residents, is that its House and Senate will require a two-thirds vote. In other words, Rose Henry's bill, or any marijuana legislation for that matter, is going to require bipartisan support. Gallup's 2016 weed survey showed that only two groups of people still oppose legalizing marijuana nationally: seniors and Republicans. Not surprisingly, the biggest source of opposition toward Rose Henry's bill has been state Republicans.

But not all hope is lost. A middle ground of sorts was recently reached whereby a marijuana task force, consisting of state government regulators, public safety officials, politicians, medical expects, advocates, and detractors, will be created. The task force is expected to report their findings to Delaware's Congress in Jan. 2018, when it reconvenes. If the outlook from the task force is positive, and there is indeed clear support from Delaware's residents, lawmakers in the state may have little choice but to move forward with the bill, or risk losing their seats in an upcoming election.

Only time will tell if Delaware has the votes to become the elusive ninth state to legalize recreational marijuana. Vermont failed earlier this year, with its governor vetoing a bill that made it to his desk.

I&R is an inhibitive process that really stymies legal expansion and marijuana stocks

Though investors and legalization advocates are probably excited about the progress being made in Delaware and other states across the country, this Fool can't help but point out just how inhibitive the I&R process could be for the industry's future growth prospects. Without the ability of state residents to coerce a ballot vote, it's left up to lawmakers in two dozen states to introduce marijuana legislation on behalf of consumers. In many of these I&R states, this probably isn't going to happen, despite growing support in favor of legalizing marijuana, as a whole.

For example, 21 states have yet to legalize medical marijuana. Most of the remaining states that haven't done so yet are either firmly controlled by Republican lawmakers, or there's a pretty even make-up in Congress between Republicans and Democrats that would suggest little chance of compromise on a marijuana bill.

Many of these 21 states also don't have the I&R process. Essentially, this means that, without a federal law changing marijuana's scheduling, expansion opportunities on the medical cannabis side of the equation have thinned out. Soon, the same may be said for recreational marijuana.

Put plainly, the I&R process is bad news for marijuana stocks that are counting on continued expansion in the U.S. to grow their sales. This, along with the fact that most marijuana stocks are still losing money, provides all the more reason why marijuana stocks should be left to speculators and kept out of long-term investors' portfolios for the time being.

10 stocks we like better than Wal-MartWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

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The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The BBC has announced the 13th Doctor on the long-running science fiction series Doctor Who, and its British actress Jodie Whittaker -- the first woman to take on the role.

I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender, Whittaker said, according to The Associated Press, responding to some backlash on social media. Because this is a really exciting time, and 'Doctor Who' represents everything that's exciting about change.



The show follows a galaxy-hopping Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who travels in the time machine Tardis, which is shaped like an old-fashioned British police telephone booth.

Prior to the announcement, there had been mounting speculation that a woman would be cast in the role, generating excitement from some fans, but opposition from others who claimed the character has been established as male.

FLEETWOOD MAC IS IN HARMONY ON SUMMER TOUR

Whittaker will be replacing Scottish actor Peter Capaldi at the end of the year, the BBC reported.

She added that her new role feels completely overwhelming, as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
I have spent more than half of my life wearing this nations uniform, serving in the worlds greatest military force to ever grace this Earth. My service crossed the past five presidents starting with Ronald Reagan. I concluded my nearly 30-year military career in 2014 at the Pentagon, retiring as a brigadier general. During this time, I have seen the military surge in capabilities and unfortunately witnessed firsthand the erosion of our combat edge.

The previous administration, along with Congress, cut military funding by 22 percent over the last eight years while we were still at war and conducting operations in multiple locations. Our servicemen and women carried the burden of doing much more with much less.

When I joined the military in the 1980s, we flew double the number of flying training hours over our nearest competitors and had nearly twice the number of active-duty airmen. We had better tanks in the Army, better ships in the Navy, better planes in the Air Force, better technology in each Service, and were better in about every military capability. I have seen this American advantage slowly evaporate in every respect.

If I could spend another 30 years in uniform I would, but in that absence, I will fight in Congress until we get our military back on its feet again.

I was charged with preparing our forces to prevail over any adversary while commanding five different organizations, ranging from the squadron-level to base commands. Because of the massive budget reductions while in war, we are today trailing our peer adversaries in training, and our modernization programs and readiness stats are in the toilet. It is unconscionable to send our warriors to fight without every possible advantage.

If I could spend another 30 years in uniform I would, but in that absence, I will fight in Congress until we get our military back on its feet again. We need to repair, we need to restore, and we need to rebuild our military.

This years National Defense Authority Act (NDAA) will begin to right the ship with a 10 percent topline increase. The NDAA directs the Department of Defense to reform their acquisition process to streamline bureaucracy and drive efficiency through competition. This bill highlights the repairs needed for better space and cyber capability to meet the equally expanding vulnerabilities in those areas. It restores a fully funded 2.4 percent military pay increase and grows the number of service members equally with our new global threats.

Finally, this years NDAA rebuilds our force with new tanks, funding to address aircraft shortfalls, strengthening of ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) capabilities, and shoring up much-needed expansion of electronic warfare.

I will not forget that Congress is compelled in the first line of the enumerated powers in the Constitution to provide for the common defense For the House Armed Services Committee, this is a solemn obligation rooted in more than 50 years of bipartisan cooperation and civility that honors the best traditions of service to the American people. I congratulate the commitment of Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, and every member of the committee that made possible this years National Defense Authorization Act.

We must continue to provide the means to rebuild readiness, deter aggression and defeat adversaries knowing that freedom is not free. This years NDAA is a much-needed investment in peace through strength."
Conventional wisdom says that President Donald Trump has been propagating Americas retreat from the world, giving China a golden opportunity to fill the void and make its case for global leadership on issues such as trade and climate change. These declarations grew to a crescendo at the G-20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, earlier this month, but they are fundamentally mistaken about U.S. leadership and Chinese reforms and ambitions.

Chinese leaders are determined to challenge U.S. dominance in Asia and had never planned on asking for American permission, no matter who occupies the White House.

U.S. global leadership also is not premised on blindly following the preferences of other countries. Additionally, under Trumps predecessor, U.S. foreign policy bounced between setback and blunder, especially in Asia. The Trump administration would be wise not to rush into the same exercise.

In short, recollections of the success of U.S. global leadership before Trump are simply misplaced, as rumors of the imminence of a Chinese global takeover are greatly exaggerated.

After the new U.S. president took office, the Chinese commerce minister admonished America: Now is no time for protectionism. Instead, he observed, more openness and cooperation between the two countries was the right path forward.

His message, delivered in 2009, was intended for President Barack Obama, who came to office promising to renegotiate NAFTA unilaterally and oppose free trade pacts concluded by the George W. Bush administration.

Today, Communist China has again taken to preaching the virtues of globalization. Those who declare the world has been turned upside down obviously have a short memory, but they also fail to appreciate that Chinas pronouncements stem from more than pure opportunism; they are about the core tenets of the countrys messy economic reforms as well.

Beijing had professed its affection for the market economy long before Trump surprised the world with his trade rhetoric. Indeed, Chinas economic reforms of the past 38 years featured precisely a raging battle between free-market capitalism and state control. In November 2013, the Chinese Communist Party even issued a blueprint pledging to give the market a decisive role in its ongoing economic experiment.

Yet China is in no way qualified to lecture the U.S. on economic freedom. In its blueprint, the Chinese Communist Party could not even bring itself to refer to the private sector by name, and opted to call it the non-public ownership economy. Whatever Xi may say about open economies at fancy international gatherings, he has expressed little interest to stand on the side of the market reforms against statism at home.

Meanwhile, those familiar with Chinas trading practices know not to buy into Xis speechmaking at face value. Trumps threats of drastic tariffs might be over the top, but China hardly has the moral high ground. After all, this is the country that favors domestic industries while restricting imports, coerces technology transfer from foreign firms wishing to operate in the China market, and steals over $200 billion of intellectual property from the U.S. each year.

Similarly, Beijings supposed leadership on climate change means standing together with Europe and other countries on an agreement that would have almost no discernable impact on the climate.

Amid these contradictions, Beijings intent to challenge the U.S.-led order in Asia is no joke, and it would be a mistake to assume, as the Obama administration did, that China will back down simply because the U.S. says so.

Notably, Chinas One Belt, One Road initiative, a grand vision for building infrastructure and promoting development along maritime and land routes of the old Silk Road, has been touted as Chinas effort to create a new world order. Already, the initiative has attracted 68 other member countries, on whom China has promised to spend over $100 billion.

Many see this as an opening for China to challenge the international financial architecture that America helped built, but the unmistakable rebuke to U.S. leadership in this realm actually took place a couple of years ago when Obama tried and failed to strong-arm allies into boycotting the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), an entity established by China to fulfill the unmet infrastructure needs of Asias emerging markets. Allies from Europe to Asia ignored U.S. wishes and signed on. The AIIB is now a key funding organization for One Belt, One Road projects.

The Obama administrations ham-handed approach to the AIIB fit into an overall Asia policy that was ineffective and inadequate. Having begun by over-promising an accommodation of Beijings interests, the administration then announced a muscular pivot to Asia. Beijing saw the effort as a thinly veiled effort to contain Chinas rise and pushed back harder. Before Chinas aggressive land grabs in the South China Sea, intimidation of neighbors and outrageous cyber-attacks against the U.S. government, the Obama administrations response was frequently hapless.

Obamas inability to enforce the red line he drew for Syrias use of chemical weapons in 2013 further eroded U.S. credibility. It sent a message to the capitals of Asia that America might talk tough but would do little.

In short, recollections of the success of U.S. global leadership before Trump are simply misplaced, as rumors of the imminence of a Chinese global takeover are greatly exaggerated.

This does not mean that the U.S. should graciously yield power to China, and the Trump administration has never argued as such. Just in recent weeks, it grumbled about Chinas inability to rein in North Koreas nuclear ambitions, announced sanctions against a Chinese bank for aiding North Korea, approved a new arms sales package to Taiwan (to help it defend against China), and conducted a freedom of navigation exercise in the South China Sea near an island that is claimed by China but disputed by its neighbors.

Contending with Chinas rise will require a much more comprehensive strategy than just a tougher posture, but trying something new might actually be a good idea, and was exactly what the American electorate ordered last November.
Inside the ever-evolving world of communications it is clear that technology sits at the center of our conversations. Never before has it been so easy to share information with someone anywhere at anytime. But just because we are talking to someone, doesn't mean we are talking with them. Its this challenge that sits at the heart of an ever-widening divide between America and the rest of the world.

A recent international survey spearheaded by the Pew Research Center found that favorable ratings of the United States have decreased from 64 percent of people across all countries surveyed in 2016 to 49 percent this spring. The decline in regard for how much foreign nations hold America is especially pronounced among some of our closest allies in Europe and Asia, as well as neighboring Mexico and Canada. Those looking for an answer to rectify this crisis of confidence in American leadership, would be wise to look to the words of American educator Steven Covey, who said we must seek to understand before you can be understood.

In 1963, President Kennedy founded the Arts in the Embassies program, a public-private partnership between the U.S. State Department and more than 20,000 partners from museums, galleries, collectors and others that enable thousands of artists to show their art at U.S. embassies abroad. Every president and secretary of state has embraced this program since. The universal language of art has become an important part of American foreign policy and continues to play a leading role in strengthening ties between nations.

On September 11, 2001, shortly after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Americas Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary, I was on my way to the airport to board a flight for Budapest when the planes hit the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The car was turned around. That day my travel itinerary changed along with the norms that had come to define U.S. foreign policy for generations.

After my arrival in the Hungarian capital we set to work on establishing ties between our two nations. Enhanced security and safety concerns resulted in delayed approval to acquire American art. So instead of waiting to decorate the residence with American art, artists from Budapest were invited to loan their art to adorn the walls. That gesture, which sought to personify a communicative bond and respect for culture between two peoples, went a long way toward gaining the appreciation of the Hungarian government.

The artwork, which encapsulates creativity in the face of duress, allowed me to better understand the unique history of the Hungarian people. Together, our progress included newfound cooperation with security initiatives in the Global War on Terror; resolved commerce transparency issues; and the establishment of the first conference on human trafficking and the exploitation of workers, which was attended by neighboring Balkan States.

My return to the United States in 2003 and subsequent posting as the Chief of Protocol for the White House offered the opportunity to welcome foreign heads of state and educate a wide audience on Hungarian art. The collection, which is shared with my son Eric, spans more than 150 years, from just before the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the present. One of the largest collections outside of Hungary, it includes the works of the acknowledged masters of modernism, as well as artists of more modest reputations who never would have gotten the recognition they deserve if we had not been able to share their works with American universities and museums that have featured our collection.

In this time of complex communication and diminished respect for American ideals among our allies, 140 Twitter characters will only get us so far. My experience as an ambassador bears this eternal lesson: if you want to know a people, you need to take the time to learn about who they are and where they came from, their hopes and aspirations, their art and culture.
The sun is like a teenager that cycles through mood swings  from dramatic to chill and back again  roughly every eleven years. But this time its different. It now appears the sun is heading for a rare, super-chill period that threatens to add some unexpected drama to todays climate change discussion.

For most of its history, science believed the suns output was constant. It was wrong. Today, we realize that lots of things about the sun wax and wane every eleven years, most notably its brightness and the number of explosive disturbances on its surface called sunspots and faculae.

Thats not all. The eleven-year cycle itself snakes up and down like a roller coaster, reaching grand maxima and grand minima every 100-200 years. The last grand maximum peaked circa 1958, after which the sun has been steadily quieting down. Today, the drop in activity is at its steepest in 9,300 years.

Is the sun headed for a grand minimum? If so, it immediately calls to mind the famous Maunder Minimum, during which the sun languished for seventy years. From 1645 to 1715 the suns brightness dimmed by a fraction of one percent and the number of sunspots and faculae plummeted to nearly zero.

On top of that, the Maunder Minimum occurred precisely during the coldest part of the centuries-long Little Ice Age, when the average temperature of the northern hemisphere dropped by about 1.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Was it a coincidence? Or did the Maunder Minimum help drive the ice age? Heres where the story about todays apparent plunge toward a solar grand minimum really heats up.

According to NASAs Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Earths temperature has increased by about 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, roughly the end of the Little Ice Age. The worst warming is yet to come, most scientists claim, and not even a grand solar minimum will prevent it.

Using computer simulations, scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, estimate that a grand solar minimum in the middle of the 21st century would slow down human-caused global warming and reduce the relative increase of surface temperatures by several tenths of a degree [Celsius, equal to about 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit]. But at the end of the grand minimum, they say, the warming would simply pick up where it left off. Therefore  a grand solar minimum would slow down and somewhat delay, but not stop, human-caused global warming.

But the suns dramatic quiescence comes with a surprising complication: cosmic rays. They are subatomic particles  mainly protons and helium nuclei  that originate from somewhere deep within our galaxy. Their source is still a mystery.

Usually, the suns powerful magnetic field and radioactive winds keep cosmic rays away from our neighborhood. But when the sun weakens, the cosmic rays are freer to move in and bombard Earth. New research shows that upon striking the atmosphere, cosmic rays produce showers of particles and ions that seed clouds with extraordinary efficiency. The increased cloudiness shades Earth from the sun.

Recently, a team of Russian scientists compared the cosmic-ray cooling mechanism to two other well-known drivers of climate change  the suns inconstant brightness and greenhouse gases. Publishing in the "Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Physics," they maintain the cosmic-ray cooling phenomenon will dominate everything else in the coming decades and actually force a period of global cooling.

It is a radical hypothesis, to be sure, but even mainstream scientists monitoring the suns rapidly flagging behavior agree the growing likelihood of a grand minimum is stirring up a grand maximum of uncertainty and excitement. We are not quite sure what the consequences of this will be, says Yvonne Elsworth, a solar physicist at Englands University of Birmingham, but its clear that we are in unusual times.
Utah's sped-up special election to replace Jason Chaffetz in Congress doesn't seem to allow enough time for new political parties to get on the ballot, including one recently formed by the son of a former U.S. senator, a federal judge said Friday.

Judge David Nuffer said at a hearing Friday that he's not ready to rule on whether he'll order state officials to include Jim Bennett, the son of the late U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, and his United Utah Party on the November ballot. But he intends to make a decision soon, Nuffer said.

Bennett contends in lawsuit that Utah elections officials violated his constitutional rights by telling him they didn't have time to verify his new United Utah Party, a centrist alternative in the GOP-dominated state. His father served 18 years in the U.S. Senate as a Republican before he was ousted in 2010.

Utah's elections office said there wasn't time to accommodate Jim Bennett and his new party without shutting out other potential United Utah candidates or delaying the entire election.

Chaffetz made a surprise announcement May 18 that he was resigning at the end of June. Utah elections officials announced May 19 that candidates who wanted to run as a political party's nominee had one week to file their candidacy with the state, starting that day.

On the last day of the weeklong filing period, Bennett and his United Utah Party submitted documents to create the party and run Bennett as the party's first candidate.

The Utah lieutenant governor's office, which oversees elections, said it couldn't certify the party in time and couldn't allow a candidate to run as a party's nominee if the party didn't officially exist.

Nuffer said Friday that the special election timeline set by Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox doesn't appear to offer enough time for a new political party to participate.

Assistant Attorney General David Wolf, who represents the lieutenant governor, said it typically takes about 30 days to certify a new political party and United Utah could have been on the ballot if they'd started the process earlier.

Bennett and his lawyers pointed out that they couldn't have kick-started their nascent party sooner because they didn't know Chaffetz was resigning until Chaffetz made the announcement.

The judge seemed sympathetic to that argument.

"If what one has to do to get on the ballot is be a soothsayer, then that is a pretty high burden," Nuffer said.

He's expected to issue a ruling soon on whether Bennett should be included on the ballot, but the lawsuit isn't expected to derail the special election because Bennett isn't challenging the rest of the process.

It's one of several lawsuits that has been filed over the process to replace Chaffetz in Utah's 3rd Congressional District, which covers Salt Lake City's southeastern suburbs to desert towns in southeastern Utah.

Another potential candidate, Brigham Young University Professor Chia-Chi Teng, sued the state because he wasn't allowed to file via video conference to run as a Republican candidate.

Teng is teaching in China this summer and said he couldn't return to Utah and file in-person, as the law requires. A judge sided with state elections officials who denied his candidacy.

The primary election to replace Chaffetz is Aug. 15, and the general election is Nov. 7.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said Sunday he doesnt think Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has enough votes to pass his overall ObamaCare bill, but suggested that the GOP-controlled chamber could still pass a more conservative measure.

"I dont think he does have the votes, the Kentucky Republican and Tea Party conservative told Fox News Sunday. We won four elections on repealing ObamaCare  but this doesnt.

Paul is one of two Republican senators who publicly does not support the measure, arguing largely that it gives too much subsidy money to health insurance companies in the ObamaCare program.

That is not a Republican idea, to give taxpayer money to a private industry, Paul, a doctor, said about the bill's so-called temporary stabilization fund that is now at about $200 billion.

McConnell had scheduled a key vote this week on the legislation. But on Saturday night he postponed the vote, following Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain announcing that he had surgery to remove a blood clot near an eye and that he needs about a week to recover.

Without McCains vote, McConnell likely couldnt get 50 yeahs from the chamber's 52 senators to pass the bill.

Maine Sen. Susan Collins is the other GOP senator who now opposes the measure -- a second version after the first failed to get support before Congress July 4 recess.

I still think the entire 52 of us can get together and pass something more narrow, said Paul, who has suggested putting the subsidies plan in a separate bill that Senate Democrats could support.

The Republican plan doesnt fix the death spiral of ObamaCare, it merely subsidizes it, said Paul, who acknowledges talking in recent days to President Trump, who's pushing hard to fulfill a major campaign promise to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

He also said Sunday that hes not willing to compromise on the insurance subsidies.

Im not willing to trade Medicaid reform for an insurance company bailout, insurance company entitlement, he said. I dont think Republicans should put their name on this [bill]  Its a really bad political strategy and its not going to fix the problem.
California Rep. Adam Schiff said Sunday that fellow Washington Democrats acted inappropriately if they indeed met with Ukrainian officials to get potentially damaging information on 2016 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump -- amid widespread probes, allegations and revelations about the Trump campaign meeting with Russian officials to try to derail Democratic nominee Hillary Clintons campaign.

It wouldnt be appropriate for the Democrats to get help from the Ukrainian government, Schiff, the top Democrat on the House's Intelligence committee, which is investigating the Russian meddling, told ABCs This Week. It would be problematic to get any kind of support from a foreign government.

The White House and Trump allies in recent days have pointed to a reported meeting last year between a Democratic National Committee consultant and officials at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington. They spoke amid recent revelations about Trump campaign officials accepting a meeting in June 2016 with a Russian lawyer, on the possibility of potentially damaging information on Clinton.

If you are looking for an example of a campaign coordinating with a foreign country or a foreign source, look no further than the DNC, which actually coordinated opposition research with the Ukrainian Embassy, White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday. This is not an accusation. That is an on-the-record action that they took.

Sanders was referring to a meeting that Politico first reported in January. The report cited a meeting between Ukrainian government officials who allegedly tried to help Clinton undermine Trump by publicly questioning his fitness for office and shared research and damaging information on Trump and his advisers with Clinton allies.

The Politico investigation exposed that a Ukrainian-American DNC operative -- Alexandra Chalupa, who worked in the Clinton White House -- met with officials in the Ukrainian Embassy to expose ties between Trumps then-top campaign official Paul Manafort and Russia.

Manafort later resigned.

The Ukrainian Embassy suggests Sanders spoke without being fully informed.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Washington did not coordinate with the DNC about opposition research, the embassy said. While some politicians who are not part of the Ukrainian government might have taken sides during last years elections in the U.S., the government of Ukraine did not.

While Schiff acknowledged that Democrats seeking such information on Trump from Ukrainian officials would be inappropriate, he said that doesnt compare to what Russia did in the 2016 White House race.

The U.S. intelligence community has largely concluded that Russia meddled to hurt Clintons bid, including hacking emails from the DNC and others related to her presidential campaign.

I think to compare the two is a bit like comparing a bank robbery with writing a check with insufficient funds, Schiff told ABC.

Fox News Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
Premier Li Keqiang required related departments to solicit public opinions on the draft regulation for express delivery at the State Council executive meeting on July 12.

We should not only consider the opinions of administrative authority, but also the views of all delivery companies, Premier Li said. More importantly, the courier industry has been closely linked with peoples lives, thus their opinions should be heard.

He also noted that express delivery is an emerging industry which can offer convenience for people, reduce logistical costs, stimulate consumption and promote economic development.

When the courier industry just emerged several years ago, it was not allowed to be developed in some cities, attributing to its possible negative impact on a citys outlook. But we believe that, supervision should be conducted in an inclusive yet prudent way, rather than stifle new things at the initial period, the Premier said.

The transformation of governments concept in supervision has boosted the continuous growth of the new business format in recent years. In 2016, Chinas delivery volume exceeded 30 billion packages, with 2.45 million new jobs being created.

The express delivery industry has benefited a lot from the State Councils measures of cutting red tape and improving public service, Wang Wei, board chairman of SF Express, said at a symposium chaired by the Premier a week before.

He told the Premier that SF Express now uses 53 airplanes and 15,000 vehicles to ship items and is upgrading the industry by developing automatic sorting, drone delivery and smart logistics.

The express industry has changed a lot. We must understand that, as new industries and businesses are emerging rapidly, the things we dont know are much more than those we know. So, we must be inclusive and prudent in market supervision, Premier Li said at the latest executive meeting.

Meanwhile, being inclusive does not mean the government will let the market run itself, instead, it will conduct more effective supervision, in order to create a fair and healthy market, he added.

Premier Li pointed out that the government must listen to the opinions of all stakeholders and conduct in-depth research, so the draft regulation of express delivery cannot only promote a healthy development of the industry, but also protect the legal rights of customers and companies.

If the express delivery industry booms, the logistics cost in China can be further cut and the domestic market can be stimulated, he said.
Jay Sekulow, a member of President Trumps legal team, said Sunday that nothing in a 2016 meeting between Trump advisers and a Russian lawyer was against the law and defended the president and members of his team for steadfastly denying contact with the Russians.

There was nothing in that meeting that is illegal, against the law, Sekulow told Fox News Sunday. The meeting, the discussion was not a violation of the law.

The issue of whether Trump and members of his presidential campaign colluded with Russian officials is the subject of several investigations, including two by Congress and one by special counsel Robert Mueller.

The probes took a shocking turn in recent days amid news that Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., and other members of the Trump team met in June 2016 with a Russian lawyer with purported ties to the Kremlin on a promise of possible negative information about 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Opposition research is a big part of the campaign, Sekulow said Sunday.

He also said the presidents statements have been clear about him having no connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin or other Russian officials in trying to win the White House race.

Trump did not attend the meeting with the Russian lawyer. And James Comey, who served as FBI director before Trump fired him in May, has acknowledged that Trump was not the target of the agencys Russia meddling-collusion probe.

Sekulow on Sunday also blasted Comey for leaking memos of several private meetings with Trump and now shopping his time as FBI director for a book deal.

He leaked information for one purpose and one purpose only: to get a special counsel, Sekulow said.
German authorities say a South Korean airliner headed for Switzerland was escorted to Stuttgart Airport by two German military jets after losing radio contact.

Police said officials determined after the Boeing 777 landed safely on Saturday evening that there was a problem with the aircraft's radio equipment. They said Sunday that they received some 250 calls from residents because of sonic booms caused by the two fighter jets.

The German news agency dpa reported that Stuttgart Airport said the 211 passengers on the Korean Air flight from Seoul to Zurich had to spend the night on cots in a terminal because it wasn't possible to organize buses at the late hour and there weren't enough hotel beds available.

The passengers were taken to Switzerland by bus early Sunday.
A downtown Dallas business owner says city officials are threatening to issue summonses over an 8-foot-tall fence on her property that features a mural honoring five police officers killed in an ambush last year.

The large mural pays tribute to the officers who were killed during an attack on law enforcement at a Black Lives Matter rally in Dallas on July 7, 2016. Flowers, notes and other tokens have been left at the mural regularly since its unveiling four days ago.

Diana Paz, who runs the Last Call Lounge, told Fox News Friday that city officials didnt want to listen when she tried to them about the mural, which is about a mile away from where the shooting took place.

They never gave me the chance to tell them what it was that we wanted to do, Paz said.

City officials insist the mural is not the problem and that they are wrongly being portrayed as insensitive. They say the fence was constructed in violation of city codes.

We did not ask that any mural be taken down, this has nothing to do with any mural, said Richard Hill, the public information officer for Dallas City Hall. It has to do with the fact that a fence was built without a permit.

The building inspector went out and looked at it, and gave them a notice, Hill said. They went back and the owners still didnt have a permit, so they gave them a warning. The city did its job.

Paz was issued a violation notice May 25 saying that she failed to obtain a permit to use metal siding in the construction and that the fence blocks visibility at a nearby four-way stop.

Paz said her cousin, Cesar Rodriguez, made changes. He moved the fence back three feet to address complaints about visibility at the intersection at an added cost of $2,000, bringing the cost of building the fence to more than $17,000.

They still said it wasnt right, Paz said. The previous old posts are still there, they can see we moved the posts. They say theyll keep giving us citations.

Paz said her intention was to commemorate the shooting anniversary with the mural, which shows six officers of different races carrying a coffin with an American flag draped over it.

She said she vividly remembers that horrible night. Three officers working at her bar took off when they heard the call for assistance.

We saw how they rushed out, Paz said. It touched our own employees. We just wanted to do something for the anniversary, to give some positivity by commissioning the mural.

Paz said she will continue making modifications to the fence until inspectors are satisfied and grant her a permit.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Authorities say the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has agreed to join the probe into a bystander's video of a police officer beating a homeless woman inside an Atlanta area convenience store.

DeKalb County Police reopened a use of force investigation after local media broadcast video showing the officer striking 38-year-old Katie McCrary at least 10 times.

The police report says McCrary had pushed the officer, who was questioning her about begging customers for money at the store in Decatur, Georgia.

Police said McCrary was taken to a hospital after her June 4 arrest. She's charged with obstructing law enforcement and was served a criminal trespass warning.

DeKalb County Police Chief James Conroy tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that authorities requested the state agency's help after a meeting involving county CEO Michael Thurmond.
Additional rounds of thunderstorms will take aim at the Upper Midwest next week, threatening to turn severe and further heightening the flash flood danger.

After severe weather returns to close out Saturday, the Upper Midwest will welcome a comfortable end to the weekend.

The risk for locally gusty thunderstorms will shift to the corridor from Detroit and Toronto to Indianapolis later on Sunday, while great weather for outdoor plans greets residents from Fargo, North Dakota, to Minneapolis to Madison, Wisconsin.

The turn to calm and dry weather will not last long.

Steamy air will quickly surge back across the Upper Midwest on Monday, setting the stage for thunderstorms to erupt from Minnesota and eastern North Dakota to Nebraska in the afternoon and evening.



While a widespread outbreak of severe weather is not expected, AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Brown is concerned for a few of the thunderstorms to turn violent.

Hail, damaging winds and locally heavy rain are the main hazards, Brown said.

Residents in Fargo; Aberdeen, South Dakota; and Duluth, Minnesota, will have to keep an eye to the sky and be prepared to seek shelter.

This zone of thunderstorms will continue to press to the south and east through Wednesday.

The morning drive to work on Tuesday morning can feature a soaking rain along the I-35 and I-94 corridors of Minnesota, Brown said.

The stormy weather will also return to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday and Detroit on Wednesday.

However, a strong push of dry air will not sweep in behind these thunderstorms.

Instead, additional rounds of thunderstorms will ignite over the northern Plains and track to the Great Lakes into later next week.

Each bout of thunderstorms will likely bring the risk for at least localized severe weather. The areas at risk each day will depend on exactly where fronts settle, as well as lingering showers/cloud cover from the previous days thunderstorms.

Even beginning on Tuesday afternoon, low pressure developing over the central Plains can work to ignite severe thunderstorms, Brown said.



These thunderstorms can produce hail, damaging winds and flooding rain from the eastern Dakotas through central Minnesota.

The heaviest thunderstorms each day could also drop a quick 1-2 inches of rain with locally higher amounts in a matter of a few hours. Where these thunderstorms repeat over the same areas, flash flooding may threaten lives and property.

By the time the third round of thunderstorms track through the Upper Midwest on Wednesday night, areas that have seen heavy rain earlier in the week will be especially vulnerable to flash flooding, Brown said.

This concern will only expand to more communities as additional downpours follow later in the week.

Southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois are already more susceptible to new or aggravated flooding after heavy rain this past week left the ground saturated and rivers running high.

Major river flooding continues on the Fox and Des Plaines rivers.

On the other hand, the Dakotas and parts of Nebraska and eastern Montana are in need of rain.

An extreme drought is currently plaguing the Missouri River valley from northern South Dakota to eastern Montana, according to the United States Drought Monitor.

The rounds of thunderstorms next week may develop far enough to the west to help ease these conditions.
Scores of brides were jilted last week, leaving them scrambling to find a gown for their wedding day after a national retailer announced its bankruptcy.

Alfred Angelo Bridal abruptly closed 60 bridal stores Thursday night after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The company, whose headquarters is in Delray Beach, Fla., also sells at 1,400 locations. As news sites reported the closings, brides-to-be were sent into a frenzy to track down dresses they paid for. Several incidents were reported at stores across the U.S., with bridezillas banging on doors as they stared at their dresses through the glass.

"I drove all the way here from work," one customer at a Springfield, Va., location told Fox 5 DC. "I'm hoping my dress is in there. The wedding is in three weeks and half the bridesmaids don't have their dresses."

BRIDE-TO-BE CALLS OFF WEDDING, THROWS PARTY FOR HOMELESS

Another woman found out the bridal store closed while she was at the gym Thursday evening. She said she immediately rushed to the location that was holding her dress only to be told the dreaded news -- she might not get her dress, or a refund.

"The chances of us getting our dresses and getting our money back  who knows? Right now, I'm like, 'Do I start looking for another dress? Am I out a thousand dollars?' What kind of business practice is this?" Manuela Rayner told the news station.

"One of the saleswomen inside told me that in the Richmond store, they had to close at 4 [p.m.] because there was an assault. I guess somebody showed up, kind of like how I feel right now  a little bit frantic," she added.

The company's website and social media accounts did not mention any possible closing before Thursday. The last tweet on Alfred Angelo's Twitter was posted last Tuesday, featuring a bride in a fishtail dress with the caption, "That mermaid life."

People who visited the website on Sunday were met with a large, bolded message that read: "apologizes for the inconvenience and hardship resulting from this event." The company said more information on the status of dresses will be posted on the site at a later date.

Patricia Ann Redmond, a Miami bankruptcy lawyer representing Alfred Angelo, told The Miami Herald that she received more than 7,300 emails by Friday.

"Ive been prioritizing them by the dates of their weddings," Redmond told the news station.

Redmond said stores were advised to ship out dresses that were already paid for before they shuttered their doors, but not all locations followed through with the promise.

"There are still dresses due to brides in the stores," Redmond said. "People are calling and saying, 'My dress is in the store, and I can see it.'"

Other bridal chains are stepping in to help by discounting dresses for affected customers. In California, rival bridal shop Enchanted Bridal is offering to help Alfred Angelo customers who paid for dresses.

"We just decided, let's take them," Jennifer Baker Blackman, owner of Enchanted Bridal, told KMAX. "If we don't take them they're never going to get their dresses."

Blackman said though she helped many women, her shop couldn't rescue dresses for every bride-to-be. One woman went to Enchanted Bridal with a receipt for a $2,000 dress and veil. She only got the veil.

Click here for more from Fox 5 DC.
Gun battles raged in Detroit's streets. Snipers clashed with National Guardsmen and police. Many residents huddled for safety in their homes, while others  both black and white  looted businesses. Many of the businesses were then set ablaze.

The riots engulfed the city beginning July 23, 1967, and continued for five days  one of many to hit the U.S. that summer. The violence prompted President Lyndon Johnson to send in federal troops to quell the upheaval.

Forty-three people  33 blacks and 10 whites  were killed. More than 7,000 people were arrested. Over 1,400 buildings were burned. Fifty years later, Detroit is still recovering.

On the anniversary, The Associated Press offers excerpts of its coverage from those tumultuous days. Some of the dispatches have been edited to correct typos.

___

The trouble began before dawn Sunday after police raided a Negro nightspot in a predominantly Negro neighborhood and arrested 73 persons. Sixty-one were later released.

Police said the nightclub was selling liquor illegally.

Negroes in the neighborhood claimed police kicked a hand-cuffed teen-aged Negro down two flights of tenement steps in making the arrest.

Some 200 Negroes milled about in a three-block area near where the raid was made and began pelting police with stones and bottles.

Rioters set fire to a shoe store and looted about a dozen other stores in the area, most of them owned by whites.

___

Fires flared anew Monday, as the nation's fifth largest city reeled under the second consecutive day of rioting, plundering and killing.

By midafternoon, at least four new fires had been set on the fringe of downtown Detroit. One collapsed the roof of a supermarket, which had been looted throughout the night.

As firemen struggled to control flames two stories high, an integrated crowd of looters continued to pillage a five- and ten-cent store across the street.

"Ooh, golly, look at what that man is bringing out," shouted a small Negro boy as a white man passed by carrying a hobby horse just taken from the store.

Groups of young girls  Negro and white  streamed from the stores dodging firemen as they struggled to carry pairs of shoes, dresses, pole lamps and boxes upon boxes of sweaters and blouses.

The only law enforcement in sight was a single national guardsman standing by nearby fire trucks.

"Why don't you stop them?" he was asked.

"Would you?" he countered, gesturing toward several muscular white men wearing beards and dressed in tight pants, colorful shirts and sun glasses, much like hippies, as they carried off armloads of loot.

"My orders are to watch the engines," the Guardsman added. "I don't like it any more than you do."

___

The Negroes who live near 12th Street hate what their own people have done to the neighborhood, but they hate the police even more.

They blame the police for showing up too late with too little, dealing brutally with those arrested and failing to help the sick and wounded.

But when a group of them gathered Monday at the corner of 12th and Taylor, one block from the illegal after-hours saloon where a Sunday morning raid touched off mass violence, they spoke of the looting and store-smashing with revulsion.

Johnny La Duece, 26, said it reminded him of Vietnam, where he served with an Air Force rescue team until seven months ago.

"We'd go to the small villages that had been bombed," he said. "People would go through the garbage looking for food. This reminds me of that  and it's sickening."

___

Shouting whites as well as Negroes ravaged one integrated Detroit neighborhood, residents said Monday, looting and burning to the ground furniture warehouses and homes.

"This wasn't no Negro riot," said a Negro woman who lived two doors down from a blackened front wall, all that remains of a three-story brick warehouse on 14th St., just south of one of the heaviest damage areas along Grand River Avenue. "It's an all of 'em riot. They're putting it on one side but it's both sides."

Earlier, a newsman observed white looters emerging from the shattered windows of supermarkets and grocery stories on Third St., cradling loads of beer and whiskey bottles in their arms.

"There were almost as many whites as Negroes," said Mrs. Theresee King, a white woman who watched all evening from her front yard across the street (from where) the warehouse was turned into a pile of rubble.

"They were laughin', talking, having a good time. It seemed like everyone was enjoying themselves."

___

Crack Army paratroopers rolled into this beleaguered city Monday night to help police and National Guardsmen quash two days and two nights of wild rioting.

At least three police precincts in widely separated sections of the city were besieged by snipers as the toll of dead rose to 17.

A fireman, shot down by a sniper, and a civilian were the latest to die.

___

(President) Johnson, appearing before a national television audience, said he made the decision to send the troops from their stations outside the city "with the greatest regret and only because of clear, unmistakable and undisputed evidence."

He said that the federal government intervenes only in "extraordinary circumstances."

___

National Guard tanks clattered along the expressway in the darkness and police cars, their lights out, sped at 70 and 80 miles an hour toward areas of heavy sniper fire.

Streets in the riot area were deserted except for small pockets of people near the sniper zones.

Women screamed from apartments at each volley of gunfire.

___

As the battles intensified Guardsmen opened fire with .50-caliber machine guns mounted on armored personnel carriers. A raging gunfight blazed within a mile of the affluent Grosse Pointes several miles east of the main trouble center.

Associated Press Photographer Eddie Adams, a veteran of front line photography in Vietnam, saw two Guardsmen shot down in a 1 -hour exchange of sporadic gunfire at one intersection.

"We were pinned down," he said. "Then the Guardsmen pulled out, so I got out of there. Their radio told them: 'Shoot anything that moves.'"
The 14 people who were caught in a flash flood at a popular swimming hole in Arizona Saturday were identified by police on Monday and some were members of an extended family, authorities said.

One man remains missing.

Officials had previously said the last missing person was a 13-year-old boy, but have since realized that his body was recovered Sunday. Authorities now say the person missing is a 27-year-old man who has not been identified.

About 40 volunteer search-and-rescue workers and four search dogs resumed the search early Monday.

Gila County Sheriff's Office identified the others who were rescued from the flood as Julio Garcia, 29, Esthela Atondo, 28 and Marina Garcia, 1. The people who were killed are Jonathan Leon, 13, Mia Garnica, 5, Emily Garnica, 3, Danial Garnica, 7, Javier Raya-Garcia, 19, Selia Garcia Castaneda, 57, Erica Raya-Garcia, 2, Maribel Raya-Garcia, 24, and Maria Raya-Garcia, 27.

ARIZONA FLASH FLOOD: AT LEAST NINE KILLED IN UNSUSPECTING STORM, INCLUDING FIVE KIDS

The group from the Phoenix and Flagstaff areas had met Saturday for a day trip at a swimming hole near Payson, about 100 miles northeast of the capital. The intense thunderstorm caught everyone by surprise, unleashing 6-foot-high floodwaters mixed with trees and other debris onto the group.

The National Weather Service estimated up to 1.5 inches of rain fell over the area in an hour. The thunderstorm hit about 8 miles upstream along Ellison Creek, which quickly flooded the narrow canyon where the swimmers were.

Gila County Sheriffs Detective Sgt. David Hornung said the National Weather Service had issued a flash flood warning about 1 1/2 hours before, "but unless they had a weather radio out there, they wouldn't have known about it. There is no cell phone service out here."

"They had no warning. They heard a roar, and it was on top of them," Water Wheel Fire and Medical District Fire Chief Ron Sattelmaier said.

While Arizona is known for its dryness, it gets bursts of heavy rains during the summer monsoon season. The severe thunderstorm was located in a remote area that had been burned by a recent wildfire, Sattelmaier said.

Sudden flooding in canyons has been deadly before. In 2015, seven people were killed in Utah's Zion National Park when they were trapped during a flash flood while hiking in a popular canyon that was as narrow as a window in some spots and several hundred feet deep.

In 1997, 11 hikers were killed near Page, Arizona, after a wall of water from a rainstorm miles upstream tore through a narrow, twisting series of corkscrew-curved walls on Navajo land known as Lower Antelope Canyon.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


An Indiana woman threw a party for the homeless after calling off her $30,000 wedding.

Sarah Cummins told the Indianapolis Star that she called off the wedding week ago but was left with a nonrefundable contract at the Ritz Charles and a plated dinner for 170 guests.

Cummins said she decided that rather than throw away the food she would bring some purpose to the event and contacted area homeless shelters.

"For me, it was an opportunity to let these people know they deserved to be at a place like this just as much as everyone else does," Cummins said.

Several local businesses and residents donated suits, dresses and other items for the guests to wear.

Three of Cummins seven bridesmaids, along with her mother and aunts, came to support her at the event

When asked about what she would do with her wedding dress, Cummins said its too painful to think about.

Cummins declined to give a reason for calling the wedding off.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Deborah Chenault Green is 62, a writer. But 50 years ago she was a pre-teen, sleeping on the porch to escape the oppressive heat, awakening to see a sky that glowed unnaturally.

Azerine Jones is a retired baker. But in 1967 she was the 12-year-old daughter of a barber who watched his business go up in smoke.

Girard Townsend is 66 now, living in a seniors building near the Detroit waterfront. But a half century ago, he was just a kid on a city bus.

The bus stopped near 12th and Clairmount streets. Townsend stepped off  and into the very start of the Detroit riot.

"I saw all these guys with masks and shields," he said  city police officers, most of them white, far outnumbered by a seething black crowd.

In the days that followed, he would witness  and take part in  an epic eruption of violence that still reverberates in his life and the life of this city.

Five days of violence would leave 33 blacks and 10 whites dead, and more than 1,400 buildings burned. More than 7,000 people were arrested.

A decline that had already begun would accelerate; Detroit was the nation's fourth biggest city in 1960, but would rank 21st by 2016. The middle class fled, and a proud city fell into poverty, crime and hopelessness.

There are signs of rebirth in Detroit. But the men and women who lived through the riots are getting older, and most doubt they will live to see Detroit reclaim its former glory, when its very name was synonymous with American know-how and industry.

"Detroit still hasn't come back to where it was," Townsend said sourly, sorting through 50 years of memories.

___

Detroit wasn't the first of the riots in the summer of 1967, and it was far from the last. Buffalo, New York, and Newark, New Jersey, preceded it; in the course of the summer, more than 150 cases of civil unrest erupted across the United States.

Detroit's started after a July 23 police raid on an illegal after-hours' club  a "blind pig"  at 12th and Clairmount.

The raid, though, was just the spark. Many in the community blamed frustrations blacks felt toward the mostly white police, and city policies that pushed families into aging and over-crowded neighborhoods.

"We had a fear and kind of a hatred toward the police department," Green said. "They would harass people, especially young black men. Stop them for no reason. A lot of men and women were beaten. A lot of that led up to the city exploding."

When Gerard Townsend got off the bus that night, he stumbled into the immediate aftermath of the blind pig raid. By the next day, the riot was in full bloom: "I got up the next morning and the whole west side was on fire. Everything was burning. People were running around with clothes in their hands, TVs and all kinds of stuff."

Townsend was among them. He made off with a television from a furniture store.

"We stole liquor and stuff," he said. "I watched it. I lived it. I was part of it."

There is general agreement that the rioters did not focus their fury on whites. Theresa Welsh and her husband, David, rented an apartment early that summer about eight blocks from where the riot started. "Nobody bothered us. We were a couple of white people wandering around," said Welsh, 71.

Deborah Chenault Green recalls she was at a cousin's home. They slept on a mattress on the porch because it was such a hot night.

"The noise, I think, is what woke us up," she said. "You could hear cars and people and police sirens. I looked in the sky and I saw red. There was looting. It was mayhem everywhere. Everybody was just going crazy."

National Guard tanks and other armored vehicles rumbled through the streets. There were reports of snipers firing on law enforcement, the National Guard and even firefighters from rooftops and other secreted spots. Authorities fired back.

The city lost more than 2,000 shops to fires or looting, many of them owned by blacks. Among them was the barbershop on Warren Avenue owned by Azerine Jones' father.

"They were burning some of everything," she said "It wasn't a matter of them saying this was white-owned or black-owned. Stuff just got caught on fire."

___

When the smoke cleared and the military rolled out, Detroit stood bruised and battered.

"A lot of the fires may have started in white-owned business and spread," Green said. "A lot of black businesses were destroyed. A lot of people had jobs in those shops. The majority of them didn't reopen. After the riot, it looked like a war zone and the burnt smell still lingered."

Jones said her father never rebuilt his barbershop. He took on other jobs after the riot.

"Owning your own business as a black in the 1950s and '60s was an accomplishment in itself," she said.

"Before the riot it was a really good comfortable neighborhood," added Jones, who now lives west of Detroit in Farmington Hills. "We had the things that we needed there: A theater, a butcher shop, dairy shop, shoe store. Since my mother didn't drive it was nice having everything in walking distance. That's what really got us when they burned everything down. She had to take a bus with the groceries. It just really killed everything."

In the end, it was Detroiters hurting themselves, she said.

"The silly people who did this didn't really realize they were burning down their neighborhoods," Jones said. "The (white) business owners were able to pick up and go somewhere else. The people who lived there lost a lot. We lost a lot."

The departure of white residents and businesses to the suburbs that had started years earlier accelerated. Between 1970 and 1980 more than 400,000 more people would leave.

"Some white people were rooted in Detroit," Townsend said. But after the riot, "they moved out. They didn't want to be here anymore."

After the riot, David Welsh took a job as a photographer in a town just north of Detroit. He and his wife moved from the riot zone.

"It didn't make sense for us to be down there anymore, all things considered," said David Welsh, 74. "We didn't feel comfortable there anymore."

The couple would move to other parts of the city and eventually settled north of the city limits.

So did many middle-class blacks. Altogether, Detroit's population has fallen by about 1.1 million people since the 1950s.

Even as the Motor City was diminished, Murder City grew. More than 700 homicides were committed in 1974.

Within a decade of the riot, the car plants that provided jobs and helped keep the city running were hiring fewer people. Three years after the riot, Detroit's unemployment rate was just over 7 percent. It reached 25 percent by 1990.

Green was hired by Chrysler in 1978 to work on one of the automaker's assembly lines.

"That job didn't last long," she said. "I got laid off."

Today, nearly four in 10 Detroit residents live in poverty compared to about 15 percent nationally. The city's $26,000 median income is less than half of the national figure.

___

Now, two years out of insolvency and free of billions of dollars of debt, Detroit is working to fix up its battered neighborhoods and its image.

Though more than twice the national number, unemployment is down to 11 percent. Downtown is thriving and some nearby neighborhoods are filling up. The city, 80 percent black, even elected Mike Duggan, Detroit's first white mayor since the 1970s.

The population is leveling out at around 670,000 people and families are taking advantage of special home buying programs through the city's land bank.

Between 2010 and 2014, the city's white population grew from just under 76,000 residents to more than 88,000.

"We're in the first period of growth in 50 or 60 years  people are moving back," Duggan recently told business, philanthropic and elected leaders at a statewide policy conference. "Our principle is this: It's one city for all of us."

To get there, Detroit has had to correct mistakes of the past that led to the 1967 riot and eventually bankruptcy.

Duggan said many of those decisions were "rooted in racial discrimination" and included forcing poor black residents into ever smaller areas where housing stock already was aging or substandard. Loans backed by the federal government allowed whites to buy homes in the suburbs in the years leading up to 1967.

"Few loans were given to blacks to buy or improve houses in Detroit," Duggan said. "By 1970, half of the population of Detroit was African American  and it still was segregated. This is our history and it's something we have to overcome."

But some who lived through the riots say any progress will not wipe away their distress in those five days of violence, and in the 50 years that followed.

"It's part of everyone's story," Green said. "I look at the people who suffered through the riot as going through a war-like environment. What happens when you go through a war? A lot of people come out with post-traumatic stress disorder. We were traumatized. We never got the help we needed."

___

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Girard Townsend's first name.
At the latest State Council executive meeting on July 12, Premier Li Keqiang mentioned for the first time creating an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, which means the innovation strategy will be further endorsed.

The Premier said it is not enough to promote innovation and entrepreneurship only by building business incubators and innovation bases. The more important factor is environment, and supportive policies should be integrated and coordinated to create a vigorous ecosystem, he said.

An ecosystem is much more sophisticated than just one supportive factor, such as an incubator or a government document. It will take more effect because it contains systematic and coordinated policies and can create a social atmosphere that supports innovation and startups.

It is common sense that most innovations come from the market and entrepreneurs. What the government can do is to create a favorable environment, a comment from yicai.com said.

That is to say, governments role in innovation should not be neglected. In the United States, two venture capitalists said in their book, The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley, that public institutions have taken a much more important role in innovation than people usually believe.

Governments role in boosting innovation is getting more and more recognition globally. And in fact, the Chinese government is leading the world in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.

Innovation in China has caught the attention of the international community. At the 2017 Summer Davos Forum, Klaus Schwab, the executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, said China is showing the power of leading the fourth industrial revolution, and the secret is mass innovation and entrepreneurship.

In April, the UN General Assembly wrote the idea of mass innovation and entrepreneurship in a resolution, calling on countries to promote innovation and startups in the business sector.
Over two decades, one prospective buyer after another passed over the abandoned village in the Connecticut countryside. There were requirements to preserve its historical character and problems with the septic system, not to mention rumors that it was haunted.

So when a Filipino church came forward and bought the deteriorating collection of Victorian-style buildings last week, local officials were elated the village would be saved from rotting away. An official with the church, Iglesia Ni Cristo, says it is not daunted because it has a history of repurposing shuttered buildings for its fast-growing membership.

"We purchase a lot of abandoned worship buildings and restore them," said Joji Crisostomo, a district minister who oversees 32 congregations and missions for the church in the northeastern U.S. "That way people can use them again to reconnect with God."

The relief in East Haddam has been mixed with curiosity over what exactly the church has planned for the community known as Johnsonville, which was home to twine mills in the 19th century before becoming a tourist attraction in the 1960s. The church bought the 62-acre property from a hotel group for $1.85 million.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what they're going to do. Needless to say, there's always a little apprehension," said Emmett Lyman, East Haddam's first selectman. "A willingness to accept other ideas and other approaches to life is part of the beauty of this town."

No plans for the Connecticut property have been finalized, Crisostomo said, but a chapel will probably be restored as a new house of worship, and the church expects to keep the four residential properties and possibly add some more. If possible, he said, all the buildings will be restored, and there is also discussion of opening a Johnsonville museum.

In 2011 the church bought an abandoned town, Scenic, South Dakota, but it hasn't offered any clues for its Connecticut plans. Officials with the county in South Dakota say the church's intentions remain unclear.

"As far as I see, they aren't doing anything with the property. They haven't requested a tax exemption," said Shannon Rittberger, equalization director for Pennington County.

A church spokeswoman, Lois Riturban, said that for now the church in South Dakota is focused on the community rather than property development. It has been doing outreach projects on the nearby Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and nearly a dozen residents there have become church members, she said.

Iglesia Ni Cristo, founded in 1914, has a mainstream profile in the Philippines and has gotten deeply involved in recent decades in issues such as land reform, according to Smita Lahiri, a professor of anthropology at the University of New Hampshire. The Roman Catholic-inspired sect rejects Catholicism in its ritual practices and recently has been conducting more outreach in India and Africa, she said.

It has millions of devotees in the Philippines and more than 7,000 congregations worldwide, including three already in Connecticut.

The church has a history of doing missions to the West, according to Dyron Daughrity, a professor of religion at Pepperdine University, who said that while some call it a cult, that is not a fair accusation. He said they have done good things for Filipino society in areas including education and health.

The Connecticut property was first developed as the Neptune Twine and Cord Mill Factory in the 1800s. An industrialist who acquired it in the 1960s bought old buildings including a schoolhouse and stable and moved them here with aspirations of recreating a 19th century village but it never became a major tourist attraction.
A motorist was nearly killed when a large metal pipe crushed his van on a Florida highway.

Troopers expressed amazement that Jesus Armando Escobar, 36, walked away from the crash in Orlando Saturday morning with only minor injuries.

The pipe fell off an overpass from a truck loaded with scrap metal, WFTV reported.

The truck overturned when the driver lost control negotiating a curve and hit a guardrail, the station reported.

Another foot to the left and he would be dead, Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes told People magazine, referring to Escobar. He had no idea. He didnt see it coming. It came down right in the middle of his van. It is miraculous he didnt get more than a scratch on his face.

Escobar, of Orlando, was driving a 2003 Pontiac van.

The scrap metal hauler was on a ramp heading to westbound I-4 at the time.

The man, Antonio Santiago Wharton, 33, of Kissimmee, Fla., survived the crash with minor scrapes, Florida Today reported.

Wharton was ticketed for careless driving, the paper reported.
Two kayakers on a first date had to be rescued Saturday from a river in Indiana's largest city after they capsized in turbulent water.

The 24-year-old man and 23-year-old woman were on a first date on the White River in Indianapolis around 4 p.m. Saturday when they found themselves in trouble, the Indy Star reported.

The Indianapolis Fire Department said in a statement after the two capsized, they had to be rescued from a low head dam near a bridge.

Both of the kayakers were wearing life vests at the time, and were thrown rope bags to be pulled to safety, FOX 59 reported.

The two were transported to a nearby hospital, where the man was reported to be in fair condition, while the woman was listed in serious but stable condition.

"The messaging remains the same, please stay off the water until the levels subside," the fire department said in a statement. "Dont let the less turbulent topside fool you into thinking that recreational kayaking is an option  right now. It is not what you CAN see but what you CANT."

Last week, a man died after being rescued from the same river after a kayaking accident, the Indy Star reported.

Read more from FOX 59.

Read more from the Indy Star.
A Pennsylvania man allegedly murdered by his girlfriend on Saturday may have asked her to kill him to escape a cult that warned about alien invasions and the end of days, investigators revealed.

Barbara Rogers, 42, has been charged with criminal homicide and is being held without bail after calling 911 to report the death of her boyfriend, 32-year-old Steven Mineo. Rogers was suspected of firing the fatal shot into his forehead at close-range in their Coolbaugh Township apartment at his request, according to Monroe County police.

She identified that the deceased was having online issues with a cult and he wanted to be killed and he requested she do it, Lt. Steven Williams with Pocono Mountain Regional Police said. Apparently they belong to a cult. He was upset with the cult, felt he was being harassed, and he was frustrated. And he asked his girlfriend to kill him. And she did.

The online organization includes literature pertaining to new-age alien agenda and accents apocalyptic biblical themes from the Book of Revelation, Williams said.

PENNSYLVANIA MURDERS: KILLER USED PIG ROASTER TO BURN BODIES, OFFICIAL SAYS

Furthermore, Mineo was said to have informed friends in a Facebook post on Thursday that he was watching Resident Evil: Vendetta, and that these apocalyptic movies (always) give you a glimpse of whats coming.

Police found a .45 caliber semi-automatic Glock next to Mineos body at the crime scene, as well as another handgun, rifle and used casings both inside and outside the apartment. It was not immediately clear which weapon was used in the apparent murder.

ILLINOIS POLITICIANS WAKE UP TO CHICAGO'S MURDER PLAGUE

Rogers is set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on July 26.
A cat slaughterer in California was sentenced Friday to a maximum jail term of 16 years in jail, but avoided having to register as a sex offender.

Robert Farmer, 26, pleaded guilty in October to 21 felony counts of animal cruelty  including stealing, torturing and dismembering several treasured felines in the south San Jose neighborhood of Cambrian Park. Police say Farmer murdered at least 16 cats, but only four of their remains have been found  two of which were uncovered in trash bins.

The rapid disappearance of the pets in the fall of 2015 caused great anxiety in the northern California community, prompting owners to keep their outdoor felines enclosed inside. Several of the pet owners issued emotional pleas during the court hearing, which was packed with animal rights activists and community locals donning purple ribbons with white cat paws.

Prosecutors and owners of the victimized cats also claimed that Farmer had sexually abused at least one of the cats he killed, but Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Sharon Chatman dismissed the argument based on a lack of immediate evidence.

STATE EXPERIMENTS WITH LEGAL ADVOCATES FOR ABUSED ANIMALS IN COURT

EUROPE HORSE MEAT SCAM: AT LEAST 66 PEOPLE ARRESTED

Farmers attorney, Wesley Schroeder, contended that his client suffered from a long-running meth addiction which functioned as an accelerant to his mental health deterioration, and that the countys probation officer had suggested a nine-year prison term. However, Chatman did impose the most stringent sentence possible  16 years behind bars  despite the countys probation officer recommending only a nine-year term.

Given that Farmer is not required to register as a sex offender, he will serve his sentence  with two years credit for time already served  in county jail rather than federal prison. After release, which could be in as little as four-and-a-half years, Farmer will have to register for probation until the terms of the full 16-year sentence are fulfilled. He will not be allowed to own or care for any animal for 10 years and was given a restriction order to stay away from the Cambrian Park area in addition to undergoing court-ordered psychological treatment.

Farmer was arrested in October after authorities discovered him asleep in his car, with a dead cat in the center console and surrounded by wads of fur. The matter was immediately taken up by scores of activists demanding a harsh sentence for the perpetrator, sparking a widely-circulated petition, frequent calls to the district attorneys office and the creation of a Facebook group entitled Justice for our Catz.

Finally, today, after almost two years and 15 hearings we got a justice for our babies. Today was very long and emotionally exhausting day. We can't thank you enough for all your help and support, either by attending court or via electronic communication, one of the owners of a slain cat, Miriam Petrova, wrote. You have shown that our pets are not things, but loving family members who have feelings and have a soul and they deserve justice. On their behalf, we want to thank you for being the voices for our voiceless animals.
New York Police Department lawyers have been stepping into court to prosecute some low-level cases, including some against people arrested while protesting police brutality.

Activists are now trying to put a stop to the police-department prosecutions.

Two women arrested at a 2016 Black Lives Matter protest are scheduled for trial in criminal court this fall. Meanwhile, a ruling is expected soon in their civil suit challenging the police-attorney prosecutors.

Their lawyers say NYPD attorneys are improperly using prosecutions to fight false-arrest lawsuits.

The NYPD says it's sick of getting sued by people who got cases dismissed in a summons court that usually has no prosecutor.

There's a history of police officers acting as prosecutors in low-level cases around the U.S. The custom has engendered some debate.
A skydiver in Florida sent his wife a video on Tuesday saying he was "not going to pull the cord" moments before jumping to his death, police said.

Capotorto Vitantonio, 27, was at Skydive DeLand, 22 miles southwest of Daytona Beach, about 10 a.m. when he jumped from a plane and didn't pull the cord to open his parachute, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

DeLand Police released a revised report Friday saying Vitantonio's wife, Costansa Litellini, 25, received a video from her husband saying he was "not going to pull the cord and that he was going somewhere wonderful." She ran into the skydiving center begging the employees to radio the plane to stop her husband.

PENNSYLVANIA MURDERS: COUSINS ESCALATE FROM PETTY CRIMES TO ALLEGED KILLERS

The plane, however, had already departed and her husband had left the aircraft. The general manager of the center told Daytona Beach News-Journal Litellini arrived "moments too late."

Employees said Vitantonio went to the center that morning and "had seemed normal."

Vitantonio was found facedown in an open field near DeLand Municipal Airport. He was a veteran skydiver and worked at United Parachute Technologies, a company that makes containers for parachutes, with his wife, the newspaper reported.

Skydive DeLand has had five fatalities since 2013, according to the newspaper. It is one of the nation's busiest skydiving facilities in the nation.
A tall ship from Italy will grace Boston Harbor this week.

The Amerigo Vespucci is scheduled to return to Boston on Tuesday, and visitors will be welcomed aboard through July 22.

The full-rigged, 330-foot (100-meter) ship is an official training vessel of the Italian Navy, which commissioned it in 1931. It was last here during the Sail Boston event in 2000.

The Amerigo Vespucci will sail into the harbor Tuesday morning and dock at the World Trade Center Pier in Boston's Seaport District. It will offer free public tours.

Part of Sail Boston's Visiting Ships program, the Amerigo Vespucci will be followed by the Colombian Navy's Tall Ship Gloria on July 28.

The Amerigo Vespucci and its crew of 270 are visiting Boston as part of a six-month, trans-Atlantic tour.
A toddler in Florida died Saturday after he was trapped inside a hot car parked outside a home, police said.

One-year-old Khayden Saint Saveur was found about 3:20 p.m. inside the BMW that was parked outside a Delray Beach home, according to the Sun Sentinel. Delray Beach police said Khayden was playing with other children and may have been trapped in the car for hours before the family found him.

Police found Khayden unconscious when they arrived at the scene and administered CPR. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

It's unclear how the toddler entered the vehicle. There was one adult at the home at the time, the Sun Sentinel reported. Police are conducting an investigation.

Khayden was just one month away from celebrating his second birthday.

A car sitting outside in the Florida heat in July can reach up to 150 degrees, according to police. Temperatures reached 90 degrees in Delray Beach on Saturday.
Police arrested a man Saturday after he started a fire in a South Sacramento Walmart.

Witnesses say around 3:30 p.m. a man took lighter fluid and sprayed a display shelf near a can of paint or varnish then lit the area on fire.

Customers and employees in the store on Gerber and Elk Grove Florin roads used fire extinguishers to put out the flames.

The store was evacuated as the man who started the fire attempted to walk away with what appeared to be a red bag full of goods.

Since he was still in the store when officers arrived, officials could not say if he was trying to steal anything. However, witnesses suspect he was using the fire as a diversion to take products.

Police report they took the man into custody on suspicion of arson.

Read more from FOX 40 Sacramento.
Tens of thousand of flag-waving people took to the streets in Istanbul Saturday to mark the one year anniversay of Turkey's crushed military coup.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the crowds at a ceremony, vowing to "rip the heads off" of terror groups and of the coup-plotters who tried to end his more than a decade-long rule.

Erdogan joined the large, flag-waving crowd who took part in a national unity march in Istanbul, converging at the iconic July 15 Martyrs' Bridge to remember 250 people who died on July 15, 2016 trying to resist the coup. Accompanied by his family and the families of the deceased, he inaugurated a hollow, globe-shaped monument featuring the names of the victims near the foot of the bridge.

"Exactly a year ago today, around this hour, a treacherous attempt took place," Erdogan said.

"The July 15 coup attempt is not the first attack against our country, and it won't be the last," he said, referring to a series of terror attacks that also hit the country. "For that reason, we'll first cut the heads off of these traitors."

The bridge was the scene of clashes between civilians and soldiers in tanks. At least 30 people died there and more than 2,000 were injured across Turkey in the struggle. Thirty-five coup plotters were also killed.

Photographs of the 250 "martyrs" were displayed on monitors and their names announced. Erdogan praised their bravery saying they were armed only with Turkish flags and "their faith" while resisting coup-plotters in their tanks.

Erdogan was later due to return to Ankara to address parliament at the exact moment it was bombed a year ago. He is also scheduled to inaugurate another monument honoring the dead.

Turkish soldiers attempted to overthrow the government and the president using tanks, warplanes and helicopters on July 15, 2016. The coup plotters declared their seizure of power on the state broadcaster, bombed the country's parliament and other key locations, and raided an Aegean resort where Erdogan had been on vacation. But Erdogan had already left and the coup attempt was put down by civilians and security forces.

Turkey blames U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for orchestrating the coup and infiltrating state institutions. Gulen denies the allegations.

In the aftermath of the coup attempt, Turkey declared a state of emergency that has been in place ever since, which has allowed the government to rule by decree and to dismiss tens of thousands of people from their jobs. More than 50,000 people have also been arrested for alleged links to Gulen and other groups.

In the latest government decree published Friday evening, 7,395 more state employees were fired, including teachers, academics, military and police officers, bringing the number of dismissed to more than 110,000. The government calls the crackdown necessary to purge state institutions of those linked to Gulen, but critics say the dismissals are arbitrary and the victims' paths to recourse severely curtailed.

"It has been exactly one year since Turkey's darkest and longest night was transformed into a bright day, since an enemy occupation turned into the people's legend," Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said earlier in the day at a special parliamentary session in Ankara, the capital, attended by Erdogan.

The U.S. State Department on Saturday issued a statement praising the bravery of the Turkish people who took to the streets to "preserve the rights and freedoms of their democratic society."

"The preservation of democracy requires perseverance, tolerance, dissent and safeguards for fundamental freedoms," the agency said, warning that curbs on those key freedoms erode "the foundations of democratic society."

"More voices, not fewer, are necessary in challenging times," the statement said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg paid homage to those who lost lives resisting the coup and said attempts to undermine democracy in any one of the allied nations was "unacceptable."

July 15 has been declared a national holiday in Turkey.

As they did on the night of the 2016 coup attempt, mosques across Turkey after midnight began to simultaneously recite a verse, usually read before Friday prayers, to alert and invite Muslims to the streets.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Five Congo park rangers have been found dead and an American journalist has been found in good condition in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve after going missing during a militia attack, a local official said Sunday.

"The American journalist is safe and healthy. She hid in the forest during an attack," Mambasa territory administrator Alfred Bongwalanga told The Associated Press. "On the other hand, five park guards have been killed."

Bongwalanga said the army found the American overnight Saturday, and called in her rescue. He did not have her name, saying other details would follow. The identity of the assailants is not known, he said.

At least 10 people had gone missing after attacks near a security station Friday outside the town of Mambasa in Congo's northeast Okapi Wildlife Reserve, but six of them, all Congolese rangers, were later found alive, he said.

Two British journalists and five other park rangers, part of the same team, escaped during the attack, making their way to another Okapi reserve base, Bongwalanga said early Saturday.

Army reinforcements had been searching since Friday night in the reserve for the missing.

A rights group, the Center for Studies of Peace and Defense of Human Rights, blamed the attacks on the Mai Mai SIMBA militia, which is active in the area.

A Congolese civilian was also kidnapped Friday near Mambasa by armed men, the group said.
Six Congolese rangers were found Saturday in a large forest reserve in Congo's northeast a day after a security station was attacked by militia, but an American journalist and at least three security guards remain missing, a local official said Saturday.

At least 10 people had gone missing after an attack Friday by the Mai Mai militia outside the town of Mambasa in Congo's Okapi Wildlife Reserve, said Mambasa territory administrator Alfred Bongwalanga Efoloko. He confirmed that the six had been found but had no information on their conditions. The park rangers are part of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation.

No details about the missing journalist were immediately available and authorities had no proof the attack was an abduction, he said. Army reinforcements have been searching since Friday night for those still missing, he said.

"I am optimistic they will all be found," Efoloko told The Associated Press by telephone. "The forest is very big. Maybe they fled in another direction. According to testimony of their colleagues, the attack came as the team wanted to go have a meal" and there was a lot of crossfire.

In Washington, the State Department said it was "aware of reports that a U.S. citizen was kidnapped" in Congo.

"The U.S. Department of State has no higher priority than the protection of U.S. citizens overseas," a State Department official said on background. "Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment."

Two British journalists and five other park rangers, part of the same team, escaped after the attack, making their way to another Okapi reserve base, Efoloko said.

The Center for Studies of Peace and Defense of Human Rights said earlier Saturday that a journalist had disappeared with 11 park security guards. It also identified Friday's attackers as the Mai Mai SIMBA, saying they attacked in Bapela, 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Mambasa. The group's executive director, Omar Kavota, expressed concern for the missing.

A Congolese civilian was also kidnapped Friday near Mambasa by armed men, he said in a statement.

Kidnappings for ransom are common in eastern Congo.

A separate attack Saturday by the Mai Mai in the country's North Kivu province killed two soldiers.

___

Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
An American journalist was found alive Saturday and five Congo park rangers were found dead after they went missing in a large forest reserve during a militia attack on Friday, a local official said.

"The American journalist is safe and healthy. She hid in the forest during an attack," Mambasa territory administrator Alfred Bongwalanga told The Associated Press on Sunday. "On the other hand, five park guards have been killed."

Bongwalanga said details on the American journalist would be released later and it's unclear who the assailants are at this time.

At least 10 people went missing on Friday after the Mai Mai militia launched an attack near a security station in northeast Congo's Okapi Wildlife Reserve outside the town of Mambasa. Army reinforcements have been searching for the missing in the reserve since Friday night. Bongwalanga initially said he was "optomistic" that all the missing people will be found.

"The forest is very big. Maybe they fled in another direction. According to testimony of their colleagues, the attack came as the team wanted to go have a meal," Bongwalanga said.

Two British journalists and five other park rangers, part of the same team, escaped during the attack, making their way to another Okapi reserve base, Bongwalanga said early Saturday.

The park rangers are part of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation.

The Center for Studies of Peace and Defense of Human Rights identified Friday's attackers as the Mai-Mai SIMBA, saying they attacked in Bapela, 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Mambasa. The group's executive director, Omar Kavota, expressed concern for those missing.

Kidnappings for ransom are common in eastern Congo. A Congolese civilian was also kidnapped Friday near Mambasa by armed men, he said in a statement. A separate attack Saturday by the Mai-Mai in the country's North Kivu province killed two soldiers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The Latest on the Israeli prime minister's visit to France (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for new Israeli-Palestinian peace talks to create two independent states.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris, Macron said that "everything should be done so that negotiations restart" with the aim of reaching a two-state solution, as the international community has long sought.

Macron also condemned an attack last week that killed two Israeli police officers at a Jerusalem shrine revered by Jews and Muslims.

Macron's office said he is concerned about Israel's security but also about growing Jewish settlement building, and worried that Netanyahu is backing away from commitment to a two-state solution.

The two leaders also discussed fighting extremism in Syria and elsewhere, and improving economic cooperation.

___

1:40 p.m.

French President Emmanuel Macron has denounced his country's collaboration in the Holocaust, lashing out at those who still downplay the French role in sending tens of thousands of Jews to death.

Commemorating 75 years since a mass roundup of French Jews outside of Paris, Macron insisted that "it was indeed France that organized this." He said "not a single German" was directly involved, but French police collaborating with the Nazis.

Macron dismissed arguments by French far-right leaders that the collaborationist Vichy regime did not represent the French state, saying that is "convenient, but it is false."

At a ceremony Sunday attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron also pledged to fight continued anti-Semitism. He called for thorough investigation into the recent killing of a Parisian woman believed linked to anti-Jewish sentiment.

___

11:50 p.m.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are honoring the victims of a mass deportation of French Jews to Nazi camps 75 years ago.

French Jewish leaders are giving speeches at an emotional ceremony at the Vel d'Hiv stadium outside Paris, where French police rounded up some 13,000 people on July 16-17, 1942, before they were sent on to camps. Fewer than 100 survived.

Pro-Palestinian and other activists protested Netanyahu's appearance, criticizing Jewish settlement policy and the blockade of Gaza.

Macron called it a "natural gesture" to invite Netanyahu but insisted in an interview Sunday in the Journal du dimanche newspaper he is "not trying to confuse the subject of the commemoration and Franco-Israeli relations."

Macron is holding separate talks with Netanyahu later Sunday.
What a difference a year can make in the life of Fredericksburgs oldest chain grocery store.

A looming merger between Royal Ahold, Giant Foods parent company, and Delhaize, which owned Food Lion, caused employees to protest in March 2016 in front of the Giant in Eagle Village because they feared the agreement would result in the closure of that location and several others in the Fredericksburg area. But Ahold Delhaize, as the merged companies are known, ended up selling several area Food Lions to Weis instead.

Now Giant Food, which is based in Landover, Md., has signed a multi-year extension of the lease for its Eagle Village store. It also will offer a 5 percent discount to all University of Mary Washington students and faculty who show a valid university ID at checkout.

I got the sense that theyre really doubling down on their Giant locations that are going to remain Giants, said Jeff Rountree, chief executive officer for the University of Mary Washington Foundation and President of Eagle Property Holdings LLC.

He said that he is delighted that Giant will remain an anchor for the shopping center on U.S. 1 near UMW, but couldnt release any details about the lease, other than it is for a long term and that there are no plans to expand the store.

I think the size of the store is where they want to remain for now, Rountree said. Giant has gone to larger stores and pulled back. Were 48,000 square feet in that space; that seems to be right where they want to be at this stageuntil they change their mind again.

Giant Food opened its location at what was then known as Park & Shop Shopping Center in 1963. It served as an anchor for what was Fredericksburgs first shopping center, and played a major role in the centers revitalization after it was purchased in 2007 by the UMW Foundation and renamed Eagle Village. It also helped with the broader urban renewal of the U.S. 1 corridor in Fredericksburg. The store underwent major interior renovations last year.

The lease extension comes on the heels of ongoing renovations that include exterior painting and a roof replacement. Both will provide the store an updated look that matches ongoing redevelopment of the Eagle Village shopping center.

Were starting on the roof any day now, Rountree said. Thats a major project. Once the roof is done, that will probably enable them to do some in-store renovations. That roof was really shot.

External renovations are scheduled to be completed in August.

Giant is thrilled to sign a multi-year extension that confirms our ongoing presence in Eagle Village, and our relationship with the Fredericksburg community, said Gordon Reid, president of Giant Food of Landover, Md., in a news release.

Rountree said that he is close to signing an agreement with another tenant, and its essential to have stability within our larger, marquee properties as Eagle Village continues to develop.
The DMV isnt just the place where people list on their licenses that they want to be organ donors.

For Freida BoothPitts, it was where she got a kidney.

The Caroline County woman is an assistant manager at the North Henrico branch of the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. When her kidneysbean-shaped organs that filter waste from the blooddeteriorated to the point she needed a transplant, her donor was Sandy Bloxom, a co-worker who renews drivers licenses and updates registrations right along with her.

BoothPitts had the surgery June 5 and is slowly recovering. She takes nine different pills, twice a day, to keep her body from rejecting the transplanted organ, but shes so grateful shes already seen improvement in one key area.

Her failing kidneys couldnt remove all the toxins from her body, and BoothPitts said she felt like she was in a constant fog.

Not anymore.

As her thoughts have cleared, she doesnt hesitate to praise the one who made it all happen.

Im still flabbergasted, she said, adding her sister had offered to be her donor but eventually declined. Here, Sandy comes from my DMV family and steps up and saves my life.

PERFECT MATCH

Bloxom, 52, was such a perfect match for BoothPitts, 48, that transplant officials at VCU Health System in Richmond told them they could have been blood relatives.

But when Bloxom first volunteered to be a donor in 2015, there was one aspect of her health that caused her to fail the test.

She smoked, and her lungs werent strong enough for surgery. Bloxom had quit for 11 years, then resumed the habit.

God only knows why I started up again, she said. I couldnt have a conversation without hacking and coughing.

Bloxom was devastated by the news, especially as her friend worsened. The past few years havent been easy for BoothPitts.

The doctor tells me I have the medical history of an 80-year-old, she said.

VALUE OF CHECKUPS

At a yearly checkup about 12 years ago, BoothPitts learned she had elevated levels of creatinine.

Thats a waste product that comes from normal wear and tear on the bodys muscles. Everyone has it in their bloodstream, according to the National Kidney Foundation, and additional tests show if theres kidney failure.

BoothPitts started seeing a specialist at VCU. She didnt have any symptoms at first, but then she developed gout and had so much pain in her ankle and big toe that she couldnt stand to have a sheet touch them. Her hands and feet started to swell as well.

Seven years ago, a biopsy showed her kidneys were getting worse.

Three years ago, she was told dialysis was imminent.

In March 2016, she started peritoneal dialysis, an at-home treatment that uses the lining of the abdomen and a cleaning solution to cleanse the blood.

I had to stay hooked to this machine for nine hours, and then I would get up and go to work everyday, BoothPitts said. I hardly missed a day.

Thats a fact, Bloxom added.

At another checkup, BoothPitts discovered shed had an aneurysm in the aortic valve of her heart. She had emergency valve replacement in July 2016, and during the surgery, another vein in her heart collapsed. She was on the operating table for 10 hours, almost twice as long as scheduled, but BoothPitts realized the episode could have ended much differently.

If the routine test hadnt revealed the aneurysm, that would have burst, and I would have died, BoothPitts said. Like I always say, Do your yearly checkups. 

SUCH A STRONG PERSON

As BoothPitts detailed her health ordeal, Bloxom sat in her friends living room, in an area of Sparta thats filled with rolling grain fields and open space, and admired her courage.

Youre such a strong person, she said.

BoothPitts admitted that by the time this spring rolled around, she had taken dialysis nightly for a year, and the fatigue and brain fog were wearing her down. It was depressing when she couldnt remember information she used to recite easily. She started questioning herself at every turn.

Doctors suggested she cut back to half-days, but the woman whos worked at the DMV for 23 years would often be at the office from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

I would eat lunch at my desk, said BoothPitts, whos married to Jamie Pitts and has two grown children.

PEOPLE PULLING FOR HER

While BoothPitts declined, Bloxom was trying to boost her own health. She had stopped smoking again and was trying to get the tobacco toxins out of her body and improve her lung strength.

She went back to VCU to be tested again.

When Bloxom was cleared for surgery, I jumped up and down and started crying and screaming, she said.

There was a sign in the North Henrico DMV office about BoothPitts needing a kidney, and several customers called Karen Huber, transplant coordinator at VCU Health System. One woman didnt match BoothPitts, but she was able to donate a kidney to someone else.

Freida had a lot of people pulling for her, she really did, Huber said, adding that many didnt meet qualifications because of health problems. It was her good friend who followed through and saved the day.

A SIGHT TO BE SEEN

By the time Bloxom passed the donor test, she was working in the Henrico West End DMV. She went to her friends workplace on May 26 to share the news that she could give her a kidney.

Manager Heather JonesMarable arranged for several district managers to be there as well. JonesMarable likes to make announcements, such as when a customer at the DMV is celebrating a birthday.

So BoothPitts, who was with a client at the front counter, didnt pay much attention when she heard her managers voice over the intercom.

Then she noticed a few co-workers shedding tears.

And she heard something about someone being approved as a kidney donor.

Then I saw Sandy and I just lost it, BoothPitts said.

So did most others who witnessed it, her manager said.

I started crying, customers started crying, employees started crying, it was a very emotional thing, JonesMarable said. It was a sight to be seen.

SHES PART OF ME NOW

In terms of the operation, it was much easier to give than to receive.

Bloxom was in surgery for six hours and away from home for two nights. Shes had no problems and little pain.

BoothPitts insurance covered all Bloxoms expenses, even prescriptions. Like most state and federal employees, she gets six weeks of leave to recover from an organ donation.

Bloxom hopes her story will inspire more people to become organ donors once they realize how easy it is for someone to save another persons life. At VCU alone, doctors transplant about 160 kidneys a year.

Its been a more arduous journey for BoothPitts, as her body has fought to get rid of what it sees as a foreign object. The medicine she takes helps trick her immune system into accepting it.

But as she tells people when she talks about the new kidney, me and little Sandy are doing just fine. Shes eager to get back to work, but Bloxom has promised to keep her posted about life in the DMV world.

She cant get rid of me now, Bloxom said.

Shes part of me, BoothPitts added.
Sunday offers a (very) brief break in the heat for the area.

A dryer but not really cooler air mass has settled into Fredericksburg behind a cold front that passed through early Saturday morning. Said boundary has stalled near the Virginia / North Carolina border, the graveyard for most July cold fronts. Before this feature dissipates tonight and allows additional heat and humidity to flow northward the Burg will enjoy a somewhat more comfortable day today (Sunday).

Although area thermometers will still boost to the 90 degree mark this afternoon lower humidity will be the mitigating factor in the comfort level. The dew point  the true measure of moisture in the atmosphere  will remain in the low to mid-60s today, about ten degrees lower than this past Fridays soupiness. Per the graphic this means today will be a bit sticky but nowhere near as oppressive as late last week.

Unfortunately this rather pleasant break wont last long...in fact, 70 degree dew points will drive humidity levels back to the oppressive levels overnight. As the weak front over northern North Carolina falls apart winds will swap around from the south and Gulf heat and moisture will surge northward into Fredericksburg and vicinity. Tomorrow will thus feature temperatures again rising into the low 90s but with a return to that wet blanket feeling as the stickiness returns.

This combination of heat and additional moisture will help fire thunderstorms tomorrow as an upper level system drops across the Great Lakes. At the moment the Storm Prediction Center has the Burg under a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe weather Monday. The threat will be for strong straight line winds and perhaps some hail from any storms that do rumble across the area. It would be wise to stay alert for any warnings issued by NWS Sterling tomorrow afternoon.

The rest of the upcoming work week looks progressively hotter and stickier with only a few chances of storms until the weekend. Looks like typical summertime heat tips will be in order once again: drink plenty of fluids, take frequent breaks, and check on neighbors who may be more susceptible to heat-related issues. And make sure to keep an eye on the pets as well!

Enjoy todays brief break from the oppressive humidity and think cool thoughts this week.
Caroline County supervisors say the board will try to find the funds to give Sheriffs Office employees their first raise in six years.

The county is conducting a pay and classification plan study looking at compensation rates across county government compared to those of neighboring jurisdictions.

We need to know where we fall in the region so we can start taking care of our county employees, supervisor Jeff Sili said. Were gonna look hard at this and look for the funds to do this.

Board chair Jeff Black said board members are quick to take phone calls from constituents but need to be mindful of the concerns of county employees as well.

The board is dedicated to moving the needle forward, he said.

Seventeen employees of the sheriffs office attended the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday to advocate for pay raises. Seven stood up to speak during public comments.

I love working here, said Tony Dip, a sergeant who works the midnight shift and has been with the office since 2005. We do not do this for the money. But we put our lives at harm and do things normal people wont think about doing. Enough is enough and we need to get a little relief for what we do.

Maj. Scott Moser, chief deputy, said the officers wanted to make a show of support for the pay study and also highlight the need for raises.

We wanted to show up and support the boards efforts to conduct the pay study and tell them that we appreciate them taking a stand to make sure that our county is competitive with other jurisdictions to help with retention of employees, Moser said by phone. We lose people to other jurisdictions. Its not the only factor, but it is a factor.

Sheriff Tony Lippa said in a phone interview that Caroline deputies are underpaid compared with neighboring counties.

Even if you look at departments our size like King George or Mary Washington, he said.

Lippa said he is proud of his staff and that Caroline deputies work hard and wear many hats.

There are endless accounts that we make arrests in incidents where other jurisdictions havent, he said.

He said he encouraged his staff to speak at the board meeting Tuesday because he thinks supervisors need to hear from deputies directly.

The Caroline sheriffs office employs 90 people, including 47 full-time officers, three animal control officers and 17 emergency dispatchers.

The starting salary for a deputy in Caroline is $38,923 and is capped at $59,163.

In Spotsylvania county, deputies start at $41,789.03 and can receive a maximum of $66,862.45 annually.

In King George county, the salary range for deputies is $41,316 to $67,344 annually.

At the meeting, some officers spoke about the physical and emotional costs associated with service.

I enjoy this job, I would have no other, said Sgt. David Lipscomb, an employee since 2005. But if somebody would have told me back in 2002 of the cost associated with my sleepless nights, regrets of not being able to help somebody, dying children in my arms, it takes a toll. The total cost cant be accounted for. I ask that you consider the cost associated with this on us and our families.

Others spoke about the fact that they have numerous jobs in the small department.

Lt. Stacy Cary said he started his career as a volunteer fire fighter in Caroline County. He has worked for the sheriffs office since 1997 and now oversees the patrol division.

Compared to some of my counterparts [in other jurisdictions] that I talk to, Im still volunteering, even though Im getting paid, he said. Lets make sure we look at [the pay study]. The younger folks youve got back there, they deserve it.

Capt. Joe Crowder, who is in charge of investigations, courthouse security and training, asked the supervisors to look at this pay study and look at it hard.

Most of the officers who spoke live in Caroline and have children attending county schools.
Finding a sliver of shoreline shade to dull the midday heat, Sarah Schaefer squints into a hand-held apparatus to get a salinity reading for a water sample just pulled from the Potomac River.

Its barely brackish, not as salty as we might have figured for this location, said the rising junior at North Stafford High School. The rains weve had recently could have affected that.

The 14 other students surrounding her on the beach at Westmoreland State Park Thursday all nod as her results are added to a water-quality chart with measures of everything from a low nitrogen reading to a to a water temperature of 84 degrees.

The exercise was part of a week-long crash course in leadership and conservation offered by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The students, who were selected from schools across Virginia, started the week on a small farmstead in Swoope, near Staunton, where they saw that some simple changes on one farms practices had a major impact on the water quality on a tributary of the Middle River.

A subsequent day took them to an EPA Superfund Site, AVTEX Fibers Inc. near Front Royal, where the students saw how the once-toxic site is being cleansed and repurposed.

After the group canoed on the Shenandoah River and spent two nights in campgrounds and then two days at Westmoreland State Park, they were to continue on to the CBF headquarters in Annapolis.

There, the Virginia students were to connect with four similar teams coming from other Chesapeake Bay states. For two days there, the students would continue their study and create a multi-team presentation for the closing night event highlighting the 50th anniversary of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

During a break in their activities in Westmoreland County on Thursday, I got a chance to talk to some local students excited to be part of the program.

Schaefer said she was drawn to the program because she knows that she wants to pursue an education based in STEM subjects, and this was a way to test the waters in this [environmental science] field, no pun intended.

Andres Esparsa, a rising junior at Brooke Point High School, said the time hes spent with family on the water in Stafford made him interested in the course.

It is a little disappointing to learn of all the environmental challenges and problems, he said. But it was also encouraging to see that one person can make a difference.

He mentioned the steps one farmer who talked to the group has taken to keep cattle out of streams on the farm, reduce runoff by planting trees and other measures.

Kiara Madeam, a rising junior at Colonial Force High School, said she applied for the course partly because she hasnt lived in the area long, and saw it as a way to learn more about the Chesapeake Bay and the region.

Its been really interesting, she said, noting that the concepts shes learning have helped her to understand the many factors involved in conservation. And Id really never camped much before, so it was cool to do that, she said.

Thursday morning at the park, the students spent time with W. Tayloe Murphy, the former Virginia legislator and Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources.

The chief patron of whats known as the Chesapeake Bay Act, which manages development along the bay and its tributaries, gave the students a short master class in conservation history, and advice on how to make a difference.

He told them they should not accept the substantially decreased health and condition of the Bay as it exists today. They should know that it can and should be worlds better.

When I was a boy, my mother would ask me to go out and gather some soft crabs for dinner, he told the students. I could do that in 45 minutes, not something you can do today.

He also implored the students to get involved in conservation topics they care about, noting that at a recent public hearing on fracking in Westmoreland County, he thought the most moving speaker was a young Washington and Lee High School student who gave the days most eloquent plea for a moratorium.

Educate yourself on an environmental issue and speak to your elected leaders and they will hear you, he said. You are the face of the future.
Huh, what? About columnist Marc Thiessen's analysis [June 7, "Repeal now, replace later' will kill GOP reform bill"] that Democrats are to blame for the sheer greediness of insurers who are bailing out of the Affordable Care Act? Nope. Fake news.

President Obama called out the legalized greed of insurance company CEOs and skillfully made them get into the ACA exchanges with honest coverage for sick human beings.

Now those insurance companies are bailing out of ACA because they know Rep. Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell won't push back on their avarice.

Rep. Rob Wittman, who is on Trump's Leadership Team, continues to be political wallpaper when it comes to robust health care for his constituents and keeping local hospitals alive. Sure, ACA needs tweaking. Republicans can rename it anything they want.

But no one should believe the GOP can negotiate "the art of the deal" and persuade CEOs not to charge higher premiums for people with preexisting conditions or aging baby boomers.

Just think of the arguing you get when you call into your insurer when a catastrophic illness comes up. That's when you find out what isn't covered. Obama knew this, and got companies to give up some of their profit margin in exchange for mandated coverage of young healthy Americans, to stabilize the risk pool.

Back in the 1970s, "Dallas" star Larry Hagman said "Everyone knows a J.R. Ewing." We sure do. Those J.R./insurance CEOs are dropping out of the market because they know the GOP is too weak to call them out on their spoiled riches.

Sue Sargeant

Fredericksburg
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A car struck a power pole around 7 p.m. Saturday along Highway 99W in Lewisburg, setting off a chain reaction of events that included a small fire, a road closure and an extended power outage for more than 750 customers.

According to Corvallis Fire Department battalion chief Andy Louden, the fire began when the collision's impact toppled the pole and its wires shorted out on the ground. The car was soon aflame, and the fire then spread to a ditch line full of grass. Firefighters had to wait for Pacific Power to arrive to turn off the power before attacking the blaze, which damaged a power distribution line, Comcast fiberoptic cable and railroad ties before being extinguished.

The fallen pole also broke a second power pole and rendered other lines along the road unstable for about a quarter-mile, Louden said.

That portion of the highway was closed in both lanes for about an hour, with traffic diverted to Northeast Elliott Circle.

"It was a mess," Louden added. "The car (produced) most of the smoke. You could see it from downtown Corvallis."

The vehicle's unidentified driver escaped injury and was checked by medics at the scene. However, the collision left 752 Pacific Power customers without power. Pacific Power spokesman Tom Gauntt estimated that power would be fully restored early this morning.

The Corvallis Fire Department was assisted by the Benton County Sheriff's Office, Adair Rural Fire & Rescue, the Oregon Department of Transportation, Pacific Power and Comcast.
Members and visitors attending the New Ephesus Baptist Church Youth Day recently were treated to accounts of how young people have overcome challenges.

Tiffany Pulliam was welcomed back to New Ephesus with outstretched arms. She provided a message during the Youth Church segment of the worship service. Pulliam told the young children and teens she used to sit right where they were sitting in the church today. She urged her listeners to never accept it if someone tells them that cant accomplish something with their life.

She said she had always wanted to become a teacher. She worked hard and kept at it and one day she found herself in her own classroom. Pulliam is a teacher at Southern Middle School. She empowered the young people to never give up on their dreams.

Breonca Oliver, a 2017 graduate of Perry High School in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, was the speaker. When she began her speech she called all the children to come up closer to the front of the church. Oliver used the written words in the Books of Psalms and Proverbs as Scripture to support what she was saying.

She shared when she was a young teen she thought she knew everything and didnt want to listen to the adults in her life. Her rebellion resulted in trouble for her. She urged the children to listen to their parents because they only want what is good for them.

As their peer, she counseled them not to take their cellphones to school but to instead focus on their school class lessons and get good grades. But most of all, at 18 years old, she repeated several times that God is your best friend. One of the people that Breonca credited with helping her to turn her life around so she could be accepted into college was Marlika Hairston.

Hairston is a 2017 graduate of North Carolina Central University. Hairston said she not only wanted to graduate and earn a college degree for herself, but wanted to show her younger family and friends that it was possible. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and has applied to the NCCU School of Law.

Other graduates and inspirational academic performers were recognized were Jayvion Eskridge, Sydnee Dennis, Zayden Walton, IShod Hairston, Tifani Eskeridge, Hakeem Hairston and Jaymarian Eskridge.
The Kerala Government does not expect the Governor to sign the ordinance.
Calling for a "thinner border for trade, not a thicker one," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday told United States governors that he would oppose any Trump administration efforts to reform the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in a way that would inhibit trade between member countries."More trade barriers, more local-content provisions, more preferential access for homegrown buyers and government procurement, for example, does not help working families over the long-term or even the middle-term," Trudeau said at the National Governors Association's annual summer meeting in Providence, R.I. "Such policies kill growth."President Trump has repeatedly criticized and vowed to renegotiate the free trade agreement. Trudeau agreed that "NAFTA isn't perfect" and said he welcomes efforts to update it, but he cautioned that "we must get this right. Sometimes getting it right means refusing to take the politically tempting shortcuts."Trudeau was the first leader of a national government to address a meeting of the National Governors Association in its 109-year history. His presence, along with numerous other Canadian federal and provincial officials, Mexican representatives, and officials from Vietnam, China and Japan, signaled a marked international shift for the governors. As Trump has pulled back on trade agreements and promised to pursue an "America First" strategy on international relations, many governors -- Democrats and Republicans -- have stepped up their efforts to appeal to foreign leaders themselves."With all the inconsistencies and conflicting information coming out of the White House messaging on trade, our message to foreign leaders is: Do business directly with the governors," said Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the outgoing chair of the governors association. "What's coming out of the White House is scaring other countries. It's stifling our ability to create economic activity."Vice President Mike Pence also spoke to the governors on Friday. While the bulk of his address was focused on Obamacare repeal efforts , he said the White House "in the coming weeks" will "modernize NAFTA for the 21st century so it is a win-win-win for all of our trade partners across North America."For his part, Trudeau seemed to welcome the opportunity to work more directly with governors, vowing in his address "to step up our engagement across all different levels" of government in the United States. Governors, he said, "are better connected than some folks in Washington to realities of people in their day-to-day lives." He added that state leaders are better equipped to show the "tangible benefits of trade, the benefits of a global perspective."Trudeau's sentiment was echoed at the meeting by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, who advocated for "strong subnational relationships" between states and provinces, and directly between municipalities in the U.S. and Canada."If we see this relationship in North America as a zero-sum game, then it will be competitive, then it will be that race to the bottom," she said. "It will degenerate into a trade war."Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera, who also heads the association of Mexico's governors, made a similar plea for maintaining free trade throughout North America."We are stronger," he said, "if we remain together."
Toto Wolff has blasted Lewis Hamilton's critics, after the Mercedes driver skipped the London demonstration event this week.

Critics suggested that as the British hero and arguably F1's most popular driver, Hamilton should not have been the only driver absent in the UK capital.

That criticism came amid speculation Hamilton and Wolff have fallen out, after the Mercedes chief accepted an invitation to title nemesis Sebastian Vettel's recent birthday party in Switzerland.

"The press has completely delusional stories about the relationship between myself and Lewis, and Lewis and the team," Wolff said at Silverstone.

"Actually it's quite the opposite."

As for the criticism about Hamilton's conspicuous London absence, Wolff said: "This three time world champion has just set another record for the number of pole positions, so to doubt that he knows how to best prepare for a race weekend is an insult.

"As team boss, I give him that freedom and if he thinks it is better to stay away, to spend some time with friends, then so be it," he added.

A bullish Wolff also slammed Romain Grosjean, after the Haas driver hit out at the stewards for not penalising Hamilton for an alleged blocking move in qualifying.

"I understand that the title fight is important," Grosjean had said, "but there is far too much inconsistency in the decisions."

Wolff hit back by characterising Grosjean as a driver who regularly complains.

"Given what happened in the past, he should just be happy that he is in formula one," said the Austrian.

(GMM)
Although boss Vijay Mallya is happy with his pink-coloured cars in 2017, the sponsorship deal has landed Force India in legal trouble.

Bild am Sonntag newspaper reports that an agency is claiming a commission for the EUR 12.5-15 million deal with Austrian water company BWT.

"At the end of the day, I find the colour quite attractive," Mallya said at Silverstone.

Less attractive is the prospect of being sued.

"It is clear from the complaint that while there was no contract signed by Force India, there was a written commitment," the German newspaper report claimed.

It is a rare paddock visit for Mallya this weekend, as his dispute with Indian authorities resulted in his passport being seized.

"I certainly miss races like Monaco and Singapore," said the former Indian billionaire. "But I had that for eight and half years.

"Now I'm back in the office, but that's also important."

Mallya has denied that the Indian dispute is why the team is likely to drop the word 'India' from its name for 2018.

(GMM)
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Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont recently honored its top cookie sellers at the annual Girl Empowering Opportunity ceremony June 17 at Wet n Wild Emerald Pointe in Greensboro.

This year, 986 girls who sold 500 or more boxes of cookies during the 2017 Girl Scout Cookie Program were recognized at the ceremony.

This years 2017 top cookie seller, Aariena Brincefield of Greensboro, sold 7,594 boxes of cookies, breaking her own record by 794 boxes from 2016.

The other top 10 council-wide cookie sellers for 2017 included: Ayslee Pilkenton of Greensboro (3,201 boxes); Heaven Coble of Julian (2,100 boxes); and Megan Small of Elon (2,100 boxes).

Along with the top sellers, 22 girls were recognized as recipients of the annual cookie scholarships. Each year, $25,000 in scholarships are awarded. Every girl who sells more than 500 boxes is eligible to win and girls in all Girl Scout age levels receive part of the scholarship funds.

Local recipients included: Abigail Peebles, Aariena Brincefield, Ayslee Pilkenton, all of Greensboro; Kayleigh Dean, Brooke Hawkins, Josie Manter, all of Kernersville; Maedelene Martin of Liberty; Ava Kuecker of Stokesdale; and Avery-Grace Chrismon of Whitsett.
Though I have to admit my background in the hard sciences is very limited, the use of DNA to unravel the mysteries of the past  especially human evolution and genealogy  is something I find absolutely fascinating. A couple of years ago, I finally gave in to the urge and paid a genetic testing company to test my Y chromosome line. Thats the line of your paternal ancestry thats passed down from one father to another.

Since traditional documentary sources on my fathers family peter out in the late 18th century, Id hoped this would help me tie in with another more distant line of Coles.

DNA testing didnt really help much with my Cole genealogy, but I still havent given up on what it might tell me about my past. Just recently I tried autosomal testing, which examines the 22 pairs of chromosomes we have in addition to our X and Y sex chromosomes.

One of the things autosomal testing will give you is a pretty good idea of your national and ethnic ancestry. Since Cole is an English surname, I wasnt surprised to see an autosomal finding of 49 percent UK ancestry, but I was a bit surprised that I was 32 percent Scandinavian (though my prior Y chromosome test had indeed also revealed some Scandinavian matches). The rest of my other autosomal origins (Celtiberian, Sephardic Jew and other European) came in at 5-9 percent each.

When I received the autosomal findings, I remembered Bryan Sykes Saxons, Vikings, and Celts: The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland (2006) and thought it might shed some light on the Scandinavian result  or at least, suggest a theory to explain it. Sykes, who is a professor of human genetics at Oxford, also is author of the popular The Seven Daughters of Eve (2001), which explores how virtually everyone of European descent can trace his or her ancestry back to one of seven women.

As most everyone knows who is familiar with U.K. history, between the eighth and 11th centuries AD Vikings, mainly from modern-day Norway and Denmark, raided and invaded the coasts of the British Isles. In 866 AD, they even captured York, one of the largest cities in England at the time.

Though Sykes was working with Y and X chromosome matches rather than autosomal DNA, his research identified especially high concentrations of Viking DNA (37 to 42 percent) in the Northern Isles (Shetland and Orkney). Perhaps these and other areas of old U.K. Viking settlements are places I should look for my own ancestry  assuming Im interpreting all this right.

The complexity of all this DNA stuff reminds me that I used to kid around about being a low-browed Neanderthal, the ancient Eurasian humanoid species, extinct since about 30,000 B.C., which is genetically closest to Homo sapiens. In his investigations in the U.K., Sykes wrote about a story hed heard of alleged living Neanderthals in the mountains of Wales near Plynlimmon. Though Sykes didnt take this seriously of course, he did hope one day to find just one person with Neanderthal DNA.

Turns out he probably did  in fact, Sykes has probably tested lots of them. DNA research has advanced since he wrote Saxons, Vikings, and Celts,and in 2010 Dr. Svante Paabo and his team at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, succeeded in mapping the entire Neanderthal genome.

This led to a stunning finding: When they compared the Neanderthal genome to Europeans, Asians and Africans, the Max Planck scientists found just a little bit of Neanderthal DNA in modern humans of European and Asian ancestry. This meant that there must have been gene flow between Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis, i.e., they interbred. The institutes work on Neanderthal DNA, detailed in Paabos Neanderthal Man: In Search of Lost Genomes (2014), set off a human evolutionary firestorm of sorts among scholars because it didnt neatly conform to the Out of Africa model, which holds that modern humans are descended from Homo sapiens and originated in Africa. I suppose all this means that Ive actually got a little Neanderthal in me, as well as Viking.

The work of Paabo and his colleagues is certainly wonderful stuff, but if you simply want a great read about DNA research, I cannot fail to mention James D. Watsons The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA (1968). It was of course the work of Watson and Francis Crick in the early 1950s at Cambridge which led to the discovery of the structure of DNA.

The Double Helix is an enthralling story of scientific discovery written in a very witty and lucid style. I believe Ive read this book three times  and now that I think of it, I think Ill read it again.

As for my own adventures in DNA, I still have at least one thing left to test  my X chromosome or mothers line. Like my paternal ancestry, the paper trail gets fuzzy in the late 18th century. Who knows what surprises might be in store?

After that, maybe Neanderthal testing?
There is no such thing as an objective journalist, and no such thing as straight, unfiltered news. Every cable network, newspaper, magazine and website reflects the collective ideological tilt of its reporters, writers and editors. These are long-established truths that are obvious to most readers and viewers.

News consumers who hail from a right-of-center perspective have complained about liberal bias for decades, and justifiably so. Indeed, prior to the launch of Fox News, the broadcast media were dominated by progressives.

One might think that the arrival of competition would force the mainstream press  the three major broadcast networks, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, etc.  to moderate its tone.

Alas, one would be mistaken. If anything, in the era of Trump, the bias of those outlets is more flagrant than ever. Their contempt for the president (and his supporters) has driven them to unprecedented lows. Whatever credibility they may have had, pre-2016, has vanished.

And you need not take my word for it. In April, Michael Goodwin was the keynote speaker at Hillsdale Colleges National Leadership Seminar in Atlanta. Goodwin has taught at Columbia Universitys Graduate School of Journalism, and a few years ago, he led the editorial board of the New York Daily News to a Pulitzer Prize. Prior to that, he toiled for 16 years at The New York Times.

Goodwins speech, The 2016 Election and the Demise of Journalistic Standards, is a devastating indictment. Most of what you read, watch, and listen to, he says, is distorted by intentional bias and hostility. Ive never seen anything like it. Not even close.

According to Goodwin, liberalism is baked into the journalism cake. That ideology entails belief in a government solution to every problem, knee-jerk support of endless taxation to achieve a fanciful notion of equality, and sympathetic coverage of groups like Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter.

And, lest we forget, seething hostility toward every candidate whose name is followed by an R. Consequently, during the campaign, in every market in America, Trump was savaged like no other candidate in memory. We were watching the total collapse of standards, with fairness and balance tossed overboard. Every story was an opinion masquerading as news, and every opinion ran in the same direction: toward Clinton and away from Trump.

For more than a year, mainstream media outlets have humiliated themselves by breathlessly peddling fairy tales about the Trump teams collusion with Russia during Vladimir Putins alleged election meddling. When that scandal belly-flopped due to an absolute dearth of evidence, they shifted gears and pitched allegations of obstruction of justice. That, too, has relied on anonymous sources and yielded zero evidence. And worse, three CNN reporters fabricated a story detrimental to the president. They are now unemployed.

The latest bombshell in the collusion fairy tale is a 20-minute meeting that Donald Trump Jr. attended with a Russian lawyer in June 2016. Despite orgasmic coverage by the mainstream press, this, too, is insignificant. According to law professor Alan Dershowitz, it is unlikely that attendance at the meeting violated any criminal statute. Collusion, even if it did take place, is not against the law.

Goodwin reminds us that The Times has not endorsed a Republican for president since Dwight Eisenhower in 1956. Think of it: Jimmy Carter over Ronald Reagan? Walter Mondale over Reagan? Any Democrat would do. And The Washington Post, which only started making editorial endorsements in the 1970s, has never once endorsed a Republican for president.

The losers are not only the mainstream media outlets but also, in a sense, the American people. How so?

The splintered media accommodate our hunger for user-friendly news, so progressives have their preferred sources, and conservatives theirs. What we lack are common, shared sources of news  mutual starting points for discussion. And thats a loss for every citizen.
At last weeks State Board of Education meeting, Eric Hall officially announced the North Carolina Innovative School District, which he will lead as its first superintendent.

With this launch, North Carolina added a tool to provide educational equity for all children. We at NorthCarolinaCAN are excited to partner with Dr. Hall, as well as the parents, educators and community members who care deeply about their children and schools. Working together, we will ensure the ISD is successful in fulfilling its mission of dramatically improving student achievement across the state.

The Innovative School District will increase our states capacity to provide a quality education in some of our lowest-performing schools serving some of our neediest kids. We all agree a childs future shouldnt be dictated by geography, race or family income.

Access to a high-quality education is every childs right, and we envision a North Carolina where this can be a reality. However, to bring that vision to life, we must embrace innovative new approaches to schooling, administration and teaching.

A child born into poverty today likely will stay there into adulthood. Fewer than one-third of low-income children in our state will find a path to middle-class prosperity in their lifetimes, ranking North Carolina among the toughest places in the country to achieve economic mobility. While weve tried many policies and programs to reverse that trend, our students suffer from perpetual cycles of poverty and schools continue to systematically fail entire generations of children.

There is no one explanation for these problems, nor is there a single solution. Those looking for a single innovation to act as a magic bullet wont find it. This is a community problem and it will take our collective efforts as a community to fix it. To truly improve our educational system, we must continue to be innovative and take a more holistic approach that bridges communities and classrooms. A system that embraces equity and builds capacity to make sure that all children come to school ready to learn will give students the best opportunity to succeed in 21st-century careers.

The states newest innovation is the ISD, which was created to improve student and school outcomes in low-performing districts. It will do so by inviting school districts and communities into a collaborative partnership through the creation of two innovative models: Innovative Schools and Innovation Zones. A small number of low-performing schools will become Innovative Schools with additional flexibility to engage new practices designed to promote student achievement, and local school districts where an Innovative School is located will be given the opportunity to form an I-Zone  a group of low-performing schools that will be granted similar flexibility to create opportunities for broader, systemic change across campuses and grade levels. We are excited to engage with parents and community leaders to ensure that schools that have been chronically failing will receive the support, flexibility and resources they need to quickly and dramatically improve student achievement.

We need a willingness  if not an eagerness  to embrace a wide range of innovative methods, working in tandem with one another to build the capacity necessary to provide the excellent education every child deserves. We must all work together to build effective educational solutions that will bring communities together and propel students forward.

The ISD is not the only solution to curing our ailing school system, but it is a crucial part of our broader vision of success and one way to return hope to the students attending some of the states lowest-performing schools.
BRIDGEPORT  There were cheers, hugs and a few tears as Boy Scouts from Fairfield and New Haven counties gathered at the Webster Bank Arena lot Sunday morning to depart for the National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia.

The Connecticut Yankee Council contingent  split into six troops and decked out in specialized PEZ candy patches, hats and neckerchiefs  loaded onto six buses for the first leg of their trip south. The Scouts will spend all day Monday at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania.
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GREENWICH  Panelists from politics, art, philanthropy and journalism weighed in on how America can mix civility back into the national discourse at the Nantucket Project Library in Greenwich last week.

The issue that we are working on together here is the issue of polarization and incivility in our country, said Bruce Bond, co-founder of Common Ground Committee. Bond co-hosted the conversation titled, Talking without Shouting along with The Nantucket Project.

We demonstrate that finding common ground, working together civilly, is not only something that we can do, but its something that we should expect and not just of our leaders but of ourselves, he said.

State Rep. Gail Lavielle, (R-Wilton and Westport); Linda Feldmann, Washington bureau chief for the Christian Science Monitor; Narda Alcorn, associate professor of Arts at New York University Tisch School of the Arts; and Mary Fetchet, founder of the nonprofit Voices of September 11th, weighed in how to allay the incivility dominating current politics.

Among the Nantucket Projects many initiatives is producing discussions like this one at its Greenwich location on Tuesday.

Were afraid of who is different and what is different, and we dont allow for difference, said Alcorn, who teaches theater and was the Broadway stage manager for The Lion King. Allowing difference is huge to moving forward.

A journalist who has covered every presidential election since 1996, Feldmann said, Civility to me means listening.

All of the panelists touched on how their work allows them to listen to others and the power that being heard can give an individual.

The American public doesnt necessarily feel empowered to help move something that they believe in, said Fetchet, a New Canaan resident who lost her son Brad in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Many people dont know that 75 percent of the Connecticut House votes are unanimous, Lavielle said. She described the statehouse as so civil because of its laws and by-laws governing behavior, but said it is in the public where tempers and animosity can flare.

Its out in the world where these things happen, said Lavielle. I find that people are very good at making assumptions about other people based on one thing they know about them.

Alexander Heffner, host of The Open Mind on PBS, moderated the panel discussion.

emunson@greenwichtime.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson
The Nokia 5 is one of the better midrange smartphones from a major brand that you can buy.

But first, here's our initial impressions in video form, enjoy!

The Nokia 5 cost under 200, which is cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) or Huawei P10 Lite, two of its more serious competitors.

For that reasonable price you get a surprisingly solid offer sheet. The retail package has the basics plus earbuds, the phone has an aluminum body with a curvy, matte finish and there's a nimble fingerprint scanner on the front, just like the one on the Nokia 6.

The display is convenient in size and is great both indoors and out. There's microSD for storage expansion and the battery capacity should provide a lasting run time.

The Nokia 5 is only about 40 cheaper than the Nokia 6, which has stereo speakers, a bigger, better screen, more RAM and a higher resolution main camera, and that puts the 5 at a disadvantage. But where the Nokia 5 feels comfortably compact, the Nokia 6 feels big and cumbersome for single-handed use.

It's a whole other story when we compare the Nokia 5 to the Nokia 3, which has an inferior build, slower processor, a smaller battery, no fingerprint scanner and a lower resolution camera on the back.

There are a few very important questions about the Nokia 5 that we're going to answer when we're done with its review. Battery life is chief among them.

For now, we still think the Nokia 5 is one of the better midrange smartphones from a major brand you can buy.

Stay tuned for out full review.
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Haiti - FLASH : Journalist Guyler C. Delva assaults GJH's Young-President





In a protest note, Carlin Michel, President of the Association of Volunteers for Democracy (AVD) strongly condemned the violence carried out in the studios of Radio Caraibes by the journalist Guyler C. Delva on Faranday Pierre-Louis, Youth-President of Haiti of the Youth Government of Haiti (GJH), Friday, on July 14, 2017.



Excerpts from the protest note :



"The Association of Volunteers for Democracy (AVD), organizing body of the Youth Government of Haiti (GJH), is dismayed to learn that the journalist Guyler C. Delva slapped on Friday morning in the studio of radio Caraibes FM, the Young Youth President of Haiti, Faranday Pierre-Louis, invited to the program 'Matin Caraibes' to talk about an activity that the GJH organized Saturday at the Lycee Fritz Pierre-Louis.



The Young President, accompanied by the Young Prime Minister, Myflesta Gourdet, was brutally prevented from speaking on the show, without reasons, by Mr Delva. Under the insistence of the other animators, the Young-President was invited to leave the seat he occupied to take that of another host of the program, Edmond Jean-Baptiste [...]



Despite this, Mr. Guyler C. Delva moved to pick up the microphone in front of the young president before slapping him in the face. Faced of this odious act, the other animators of 'Matin Caraibes' announced to their public that Mr. Delva had just made an unworthy act and that he let him complete the program alone and withdrew with the Young President and the Young Premier Minister the studio.



The Association of Volunteers for Democracy strongly condemns this aggression unworthy of Guyler C. Delva on the young President of the Republic, Faranday Pierre-Louis. It considers this gesture to be an offense to the Haitian youth... The AVD also considers this act without greatness of a journalist who claimed to defend other journalists from any form of aggression, as a spit in the face of the organized and active youth of Haiti. By attacking the Young President of the Republic, all the Haitian youth also feels assaulted...



Since its installation on 23 February, the Youth Government of Haiti has encountered all sorts of difficulties. But the young have shown willingness to stand and go to the end, as they are the present and the future of Haiti.



[...] The Association of Volunteers for Democracy, like all the organized groups of the Youth sector, is ready to accompany the young President of the Republic in all the steps he wishes to undertake."



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20079-haiti-politics-list-of-members-of-the-new-youth-government-of-haiti.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Cholera : UN suggests reallocation of unused funds from Minustah





On 13 July, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution welcoming the intention of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to invite Member States to reallocate their respective part of the unencumbered balance of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah), "on an exceptional basis and in accordance with their legislation", to the "UN Haiti Cholera Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund", to finance the new UN strategy adopted in December 2016 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19550-haiti-politics-un-adopts-new-strategy-against-cholera-in-haiti.html



Recall that it was in 2016 that the former Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon unveiled the "new strategy of the Organization to fight against cholera in Haiti" https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19030-haiti-cholera-new-un-approach.html , estimated at $400 million over a two-year period https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18970-haiti-health-un-creates-a-fund-to-fight-against-cholera-in-haiti.html



In this resolution, the General Assembly invites Member States, regional, international and bilateral donors, financial institutions, the private sector and other donors to "continue to support the new strategy to fight cholera in Haiti under the voluntary financial contributions or other appropriate forms".



The representatives of Guatemala, Chile and Canada welcomed the idea of reallocating the resources of the Minustah. Colombia spoke of "a new step in the right direction" that will better help a country "which has always shown great determination despite its difficulties" and which has also made political progress, which enabled the Minustah to be replaced soon by Minujusth.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20204-haiti-cholera-funding-failure-for-the-$400m-un-funds.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19550-haiti-politics-un-adopts-new-strategy-against-cholera-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19496-haiti-health-eliminating-cholera-in-haiti-a-matter-of-money.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18970-haiti-health-un-creates-a-fund-to-fight-against-cholera-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19030-haiti-cholera-new-un-approach.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18970-haiti-health-un-creates-a-fund-to-fight-against-cholera-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18778-haiti-health-alarming-evolution-of-cholera-in-the-country-2016.html



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Education : Towards more cooperation with the Caribbean Development Bank





Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet, the Minister of National Education, accompanied by Norbert Stimphil Coordinator of the Education for All (EPT) project and Delima Pierre the Director General of the National Office for Education Partnership (ONAPE), met with Ms. Idamay Denny, Social Programs Officer of the Caribbean Development Bank (BCD) and several Bank staff, on cooperation in the education sector between the Bank and Haiti.



Ongoing projects in support of Haiti's education sector, which has just received more than $20 million in grants from BDC https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21441-haiti-politics-more-than-$20m-in-grants-for-2-projects.html And the prospect of other projects financed by the Caribbean Bank were at the center of discussions. For Minister Cadet, teacher training, school infrastructure and the new secondary education are among the priorities submitted to the BDC.



Idamay Denny said he was at the listing of the Ministry of Education to support the priorities identified by Minister Cadet and the Government of Haiti for the education sector and both parties agreed to continue and deepening these exchanges with a view to launching new projects for the benefit of the education sector in Haiti.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21441-haiti-politics-more-than-$20m-in-grants-for-2-projects.html



SL/ HaitiLibre


















By Vasia Orion | Published on 2017/07/15

There is never a shortage of villainous rich people out to abuse the poor and powerless in Korean drama and "Whisper" breaks no molds. The drama by acclaimed writer and PD duo Park Kyeong-soo and Lee Myeong-woo has quite the big shoes to fill and its own place to find in a very saturated genre and premise.

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Detective Sin Yeong-joo (Lee Bo-young) and judge Lee Dong-joon (Lee Sang-yoon) meet as victim and culprit when Dong-joon wrongfully jails Yeon-joo's father. Yeon-joo then uses Dong-joon in order to find justice. "Whisper" is a typical revenge work where people conspire on all sides and engage in a long game of one-upping, constantly trying to frame, defeat and kill one another. It is a familiar story with its pros and cons.

Revenge and justice stories are a double-edged sword. On one hand they are usually repetitive and oftentimes boring, which is the case for "Whisper" as well, a topic I will get back to in a moment. At the same time, a revenge story is an asset in terms of audience investment, because it taps into the need of audiences for a world where justice works. "Whisper" therefore covers the basics for engagement.

While I recognize the premise as one many would find engaging, I find it hard to become invested in it myself, because revenge stories tend to blend together in Korean drama and there is a thing as being too similar. This is why I am much more interested in and find the drama's strength to be its take on shifting morality and parental influence. "Whisper" barely scratches the surface of interesting topics, but at least it tries.

Try as it may, however, I found myself struggling to feel involved enough for an emotional response. Perhaps this comes down to the genre's popularity. "Whisper" is too standard a revenge story in most aspects. The characters for the most part have cookie-cutter backstories and follow familiar trajectories. The power struggles do not escalate well enough to feel suspense over, an already challenging issue given the set episode duration. We know nothing major can happen until the end.

The villains do not help the story, as they are not layered or interesting enough to really hate past the typical annoyance that characters of the type try to spark in viewers. The characters can only be carried so far by their actors' charisma. It is a shame, because the character of Dong-joon acts as a flawed protagonist and similar antagonists would have made their battle gripping.

I feel "Whisper" is a series better suited for those who have not experienced some of the better works of the genre in Korean drama, including those by this writer. As someone regularly exposed to similar stories, however, I cannot call "Whisper" a very entertaining or in any way revolutionary experience and it is definitely not one I would repeat for myself.

"Whisper" is directed by Lee Myeong-woo, written by Park Kyeong-soo and features Lee Bo-young, Lee Sang-yoon, Kwon Yul and Park Se-young.

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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Note: Due to licensing, videos may not be available in your country
By William Schwartz | Published on 2017/07/15

Je-in (played by Ha Ji-won) is a murder mystery writer who has been on a long slump. The main reason behind said slump is that Je-in is for some neurotic reason completely obsessed with ferreting out largely imaginary murders in the real world, a task in which her beleaguered best friend policeman Rok-hwan (played by Chun Jung-myung) reluctantly assists, to his scorn in the department. The plot in "Life Risking Romance" kicks off when Je-in finally notices that there is, in fact, a real-life serial killer currently operating in Itaewon and maybe she should investigate that instead. For research material, of course.

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That's where we get Jason (played by Chen Bolin), an FBI agent who's working on an American case very similar to the Itaewon serial killings. He's an FBI agent because no one knows or cares what section of the Taiwanese government is responsible for investigating serial killers, and this leads to one of the movie's biggest flaws- the English. All of Cheon Bolin's dialogue is in English, and he speaks it very poorly. So does Ha Ji-won, although her English language acting isn't quite as bad.

Aside from some fantastically dumb pick-up lines, they mainly just discuss criminal psychology. The material is potentially interesting. But especially presented as it is in subpar English, the discussion ends up being horribly mundane. Likewise, Je-in's Korean language discussion of murder mystery plots is just too bare-boned to be of any particular interest, and only really calls attention to how basic the premise of "Life Risking Romance" really is.

By contrast, a focus on actual evidence, a crucial aspect to any good murder mystery, is conspicuously absent. Airtight evidence proving the identity of the true culprit appears rather late in "Life Risking Romance", even though said evidence had been collected fairly early in the story. It's just, the test results were withheld for the sole purpose of creating tension as Je-in gets involved in more wacky hijinx.

Said wacky hijinx have less to do with actually finding the killer and more with allowing Je-in to bounce off of Rok-hwan and Jason in romantic comedy fashion. But the romance, too, is largely at a standstill because until the murder mystery is solved, the love triangle has that very obvious cloud hanging over it. We can't start seriously seeing any of the men in "Life Risking Romance" in a romantic light when at any time a new revelation could pop out of nowhere implying that he is a murderer.

So having generally failed as either a romance or a mystery what does "Life Risking Romance" have going for it? I guess...jokes? Kind of? There's a few hits in there but by and large they're just misses. Honestly, probably the best one just involves some random foreigners talking like cranky Korean barflies. Yes, I suppose that qualifies as bizarre praise- "Life Risking Romance" is probably the only piece of Korean media I've seen where the foreign actors speak better Korean than they do foreign languages.

Review by William Schwartz

"Life Risking Romance" is directed by Song Min-gyo and features Ha Ji-won, Chun Jung-myung, Chen Bolin and Oh Jung-se.
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BOISE, Idaho (AP)  A lost Boise dog is back home after nine months and a brutal winter alone in the Idaho mountains.

Mo, an elderly Chesapeake Bay Retriever, wandered away from her owners during a hunting trip last September.

Darwin and Cindy Cameron stayed near the tiny hamlet of Horseshoe Bend about 30 miles north of Boise for three months looking for Mo. But deep snow and harsh conditions eventually made the search impossible.

Dog rescuer Cheri Glankler took in a starving retriever that had collapsed at a nearby ranch last month, the Idaho Statesman reported (http://bit.ly/2sXrGNy). Based on the dogs initial disheveled appearance, it was clear that she had been living on her own in the wild, Glankler said. She posted photos of the dog on Facebook, and word quickly reached the Camerons that Mo may have been found.

The Camerons were initially hesitant to see the dog after receiving so many false alarms before Glanklers call.

Mo had lost her hearing and half her body weight while surviving in the wild, and Glankler warned the couple that she would not be exactly as they remembered her.

They all expect this kind of Disneyland response like you see sometimes in videos when veterans come home, she said. And to be perfectly honest, thats abnormal. People dont understand that (the dogs) have gone into survival mode.

Despite Mos subdued behavior, the Camerons recognized her through her mannerisms and other distinctive details.

The couple is thankful to all the people who came forward to make the reunion possible.

The sheriffs office, the hunters who set aside their tags and their hunting trips to help look for a lost dog, Darwin said. Boy, were blessed to have her back.

Glanker became very fond of the now 14-year-old dog during their brief time together and has nicknamed her The Legend in honor of all she survived.

Who saved Mo? Mo saved Mo, Glankler said. Even here when I would take her out on a lead, she was searching. She knew who she was looking for. Shes incredible.
UPDATE -- The murder trial of a Bristol Tennessee man charged in the death of three family members has been postponed because he fired his attorneys this afternoon.

Jury selection began today for the trial of Robert Seth Denton. The trial was expected to last two weeks.

Denton is accused of fatally shooting his mother, stepfather and grandmother in front of six children in August 2015.

The trial will be reset. An announcement is set for July 28.

..................................................................................................

A Bristol, Tennessee, man charged with gunning down his grandmother, mother and stepfather in August 2015 will be in Sullivan County Criminal Court on Monday for the first day of his trial, which is scheduled for two weeks.

Robert Seth Denton is accused of fatally shooting his family members in front of six children at a double-wide located in the 600 block of Henson Road in Bristol, Tennessee. Sullivan County District Attorney General Barry Staubus is seeking life without the possibility of parole.

Dentons mother, 39-year-old Toshya Millhorn, and 57-year-old Lena Rose, the grandmother, died at the scene. Dentons stepfather, James Millhorn, 36, died at the hospital.

Denton was also charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of reckless endangerment because the children, ages 2 to 12, were in the home during the shooting. Five were the Millhorns children. The sixth was a friend of one of the children.

Denton pleaded not guilty to all of the charges in February 2016.

Immediately following the shooting, Denton told his grandfather, Curtis Rose, to call 911. Rose was working inside a trailer behind his home on Henson Road on Aug. 29, when the shooting took place.

Rose found the bodies of his wife and daughter inside the house and his son-in-law badly wounded. All three had been shot.

In a statement to Sullivan County Sheriffs Office Detective Steve Williams the night of the shooting, Rose said he didnt try to help his wife and daughter because he knew they were already dead.

Rose also told Williams that he found James Milhorn near the front door, still moving but struggling to survive.

I started talking to James, and at one time he said to me that he was going to die, said Rose.

Rose then got his .45 semi-automatic pistol, jumped in his van and left to find Denton, according to the statement. He found him sitting in a car in the driveway. One of Roses shots hit Denton in the arm. Denton then called 911.

Denton is being held on $1 million bail at the Sullivan County jail.
Nearly 80 PA people have been charged for Jan. 6 riot. Three are dead.

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Villagers in tribal dominated Mandla districts Chutka staged a protest on Saturday, refusing to allow drilling for soil samples for the proposed nuclear power plant in the area. They said their demands and concerns have not been addressed by the authorities. Mandla is 382 kms from Bhopal.

Union environment ministrys forest advisory committee (FAC) recommended forest clearance for Chutka nuclear project in Mandla after discussing the diversion of 119.46 hectares of forest land in Mandla in its meeting on May 16 this year. In 2015 the state cabinet had approved allotment of 41 acres of land for the Chutka project.

The 1,400 megawatt project being set up by Nuclear Power Corporation of India in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Power Generation Company will come up at village Chutka in Narayan Ganj tehsil of Mandla district. Over 400 families will be displaced by the project.

People of the four villages in Mandla district, predominantly tribals, have been protesting against the project since it was cleared by Centre in 2009. Most of them were displaced by the Bargi Dam in 1984. Now people in three villages are demanding a good compensation package.

Chutka Parmanu Sangarsh Samiti (CPSS) secretary Navrattan Dubey told HT on phone that tribals from gram sabhas of three of the four affected villages -Chutka, Tatighat, and Manegoan- gave their conditional approval to the project while the gram sabha of Kunda village didnt give any approval and continues to oppose the project.

We gave approval provided our demands are conceded. But the government has not accepted our demands. Our demands include Rs 60 lakh compensation per acre of land, job to a family member, five acre land to landless and Rs 25 lakh per family for construction of a house, he said.

He said on Saturday they stopped the drilling work that was going on for collecting soil samples that had to be sent to the Mumbai lab. We are demanding that until our demands are conceded, we will not allow any work in the area, he said

Dubey said government had deposited Rs 3.83 lakh per acre as compensation in the bank accounts of the villagers, even as nearly 60 % of the affected villagers were not ready to take the money. The government has also provided Rs 6 lakh compensation per family, he said, adding the government wants to rehabilitate them at Potla, 17 to 18 kms from Chutka.

Environmental expert Soumya Dutta who has visited Chutka many times, told HT that there was no rationale for the proposed nuclear power plant as MP was already a power surplus state.

Given the scenario of power generation and power demand at present, there is no need for nuclear power plant in MP. Besides, if a village Gram Sabha (of Kunda) has not approved the project, the government has to constitutionally accept it. But the concerns of the villagers are not being addressed. Over the years, people in rest of the three villages, have moved from opposing the project to demanding a good compensation package, he said.
Extreme darkness is always followed by light, or so goes an old saying. Even today, amid all that bloodbath in Kashmir, some people are hoping for a ray of light. They are not wrong.

Let me begin with talking about Sandeep Sharma  aka Aadil. Born in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Sandeep was a welder by profession. Work opportunities took him to Kashmir. Here he met members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). They were planning to use his skill to rob ATMs. Sandeep considered it an easier option rather than spoiling his eyes in the searing heat while working as a welder. Around the same time he met a Kashmiri girl. They got married and he converted to Islam. The possibility cannot be ruled out that the LeT hatched this conspiracy to mislead Hindu boys from western Uttar Pradesh.

Can those fighting with the so-called love jihad sense a new challenge here? Theyll now have to keep a close watch not just on the girls but the boys as well.

Sandeeps story isnt a crime thriller full of twists and turns. If the LeT militants are using non-believers to break into ATMs, it can be interpreted in a number of ways. Is a shortage of cash compelling them to rob banks? When their separatist movement was dying down, militants in Punjab had adopted similar tactics to make a fast buck. That was the beginning of their downfall.

If you remember, I had mentioned Dehraduns Danish Ahmed four weeks ago in this column. He had come in contact with militants through social media. He had affirmed that in the garb of militants certain people were busy extorting money and creating the impression of being macho. Sandeeps story appears to be the next episode of the same story. This is because till now the militants described themselves as mujahideen. They used to justify bloodshed in the name of jihad. Their attempt was to make the issue of Kashmirs independence synonymous with Islam so that the unity and sovereignty of India could be challenged by internationalising regional dissent.

There was a time when it was perceived that most personnel of Kashmir police sympathised with the separatist cause. But the manner in which the Jammu and Kashmir police personnel have recently come under attack has unleashed a wave of anger and sorrow across the state. Is this the azaadi we were fighting for? asked the sister-in-law of Ayub Pandith, who was killed outside the Jamia mosque. A few days before that the barbaric manner in which the bodies of six policemen from the Kashmir Police were mutilated also raises the question whether it is a holy war (jihad) or terrorism foisted upon us in the name of jihad?

This is where the role of politicians in Kashmir comes to the fore. Mehbooba Mufti may say with a heavy heart that the murder of seven Amarnath yatra pilgrims has brought shame upon Kashmiriyat, but she has to sow the seeds of such emotions in the hearts of common people. Are the ministers, MLAs, leaders and activists of the PDP in a position to confidently ask the people on the street to boycott those spreading terror in the name of Kashmiriyat? Why doesnt she seek the cooperation of the National Conference and other regional parties for the sake of peace in Kashmir? Why doesnt Mehbooba request spiritual organisations and religious leaders at mosques not to issue statements in the favour of terrorists and speak about the well-being of Kashmir?

History is looking at Mehbooba Mufti with curiosity. Her failure wont just be the failure of a leader, but the failure of an entire political system.

Here I have a hope from people in the rest of the nation. Even my heart is crying over what happened to the Amarnath yatra pilgrims. But instead of spreading sensation or self-destructing rumours, let us keep our faith in the system. You have good reason to do this. At the Centre, apart from a government armed with a majority, we have a national security adviser of the calibre of Ajit Doval. He has spent more than five decades of his life fighting terrorism and separatist forces. Rather than indulging in needless criticism and pontification, let us allow him to do his work.

We have to keep believing that in the ultimate analysis, Hindustaniyat will triumph over imported terror. This is what our 5,000-year-old history teaches us.

Shashi Shekhar is editor in chief, Hindustan

letters@hindustantimes.com
Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has set a target of one year to bring Dehradun, which recently finished poorly in a nationwide sanitation survey, among the top 100 cleanest cities of the country.

Officials efforts towards achieving the target will be linked with their annual appraisal process to ensure accountability among them.

Dehradun got 316th position out of 434 cities in the Swachh Survekshan 2017 conducted by the Union ministry of urban development as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission. The city scored 751.80 marks out of 2000. None of the seven participating cities of Uttarakhand could figure among the top 200 cities.

Dehradun is at the 316th position in the latest survey. The immediate target is to bring it among the top 100 (cities in the survey) within a year and later among the top 50 cities, Rawat said. He asked Dehradun district magistrate SA Murugesan, the nodal officer for cleanliness in the city, to monitor the progress every week.

For meeting the target, sub-divisional and joint magistrates will be made accountable for cleanliness and their efforts will be recorded in their annual confidential report (ACR, an appraisal system to assess performance of government employees), the CM said. Officials cleanliness performance has been linked with their appraisal for the first time in the state.

Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) officials have been asked to inspect solid waste operations daily and ensure that waste management rules were followed in their designated areas.

Besides Dehradun, the CM has also set targets for other district magistrates to ensure that cities were ranked among the top 150 in a year in the nationwide survey.

Challenges galore

While the CM has set the target, the DMC faces challenges, including lack of a scientific waste disposal site, lack of manpower, transportation of trash through dumpsters amid heavy traffic and micro-management of door-to-door waste collection.

Dehradun mayor Vinod Chamoli, who was also elected as Dharampur MLA, said the city generates over 350 metric tonness of solid waste every day.

Right now, our main priority is to ensure that the construction of the waste-processing plant and scientific landfill site (at Shishambara on citys outskirts) gets completed within July, Chamoli told HT.

Besides, we are working on outsourcing door-to-door waste collection and planning to begin night lifting of waste to ensure better results within a short time.

Varanasi model for Dehradun

The states urban development department recently asked DMC officials to study the cleanliness model of Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi city, which was ranked 32nd cleanest city in this years survey.

Ranked among the 10 dirtiest cities of the country last year, Varanasi was declared the fastest moving city in north zone for its improvement in ranking. We hope to learn from and implement the model, Chamoli said.

Minister speaks

Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand and we want it to look like one (capital city). Our government is paying special attention to the issue (of cleanliness) and removing encroachments; we are sure that we will be able to restore its glory, urban development minister Madan Kaushik told HT.

Locals sceptical

Locals were doubtful if the city will be able to jump from 316th position to the top 100 within a year, especially at a time when the local body was struggling with manpower, resources and infrastructure.

Besides, residents also need to come forward to assist the authorities in ensuring cleanliness as it is not the governments job alone, said Mahesh Bhandari, president of the Doon Residents Welfare Front, an umbrella body of resident welfare bodies of the state capital. We hope officials will take the Swachh Bharat campaign more seriously now, he added.

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Kanwariyas created ruckus on Sunday after a bus mowed down a female pilgrim at Haridwar-Bijnor highway.

The woman was returning to her native place in Uttar Pradesh from Haridwar after collecting Ganga water, police said. The angry pilgrims pelted stones on several passing vehicles.

The incident took place at Shyampur village which is located at Haridwar-Bijnor highway around 4 am on Sunday.

The deceased has been identified as Suluchna Devi from Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh.

She was returning from Haridwar with her family members. She was run over while crossing the road. Several buses were ransacked by Kanwariyas, said Mamta Vohara, superintendent of police (city), Haridwar.

They also blocked the highway. After that police rushed to the spot and brought situation under control. We registered two cases, one of them filed by the victims family and another was lodged against unknown Kanwariyas for creating ruckus, said Vohara.

In a separate incident on Sunday, two Kanwariyas suffered electric burns when they were trying to climb to roof of a train at Haridwar railway station.

They were identified as Satish (25) from Loni Gaziabad and Ravi (20) a resident of Bagpat district of Uttar Pradesh, police said.
A man claiming to be a sub-inspector with the Delhi Police allegedly threatened to kill social activist Shabnam Hashmi in an encounter when she called him over phone to find out about a case involving an auto driver.

The man, who identified himself as Sandip Malik and claimed to be posted at Lajpat Nagar police station, also allegedly said that an initiative to surround and kill(Ghero aur Maaro) had been launched against those who did not have an Aadhaar card or other identity proof.

Hashmi disconnected the call and installed a call recorder on her phone before resuming the conversation. Much of those threats were recorded and submitted to the Delhi Police commissioner on Saturday even as she awaited response on any action taken.

When questioned about the allegations, Romil Baaniya, DCP (south-east), said no sub-inspector by the name Sandip Malik is posted at Lajpat Nagar police station. There is a constable by the same name though, but he does not use the phone number in question, said the DCP.

Since Hashmis complaint was addressed to the commissioner, Baaniya said he was yet to receive her complaint and the audio recording and that he got to know of the allegations only through media reports.

Once we have the audio recording, we will get it verified. In case the audio reveals any offence, we will pursue legal action, said the DCP, adding that Truecaller, a mobile application used to check the callers identity, showed the phone number to be belonging to one Ashish Kumar. The phone owner is not taking the call, but we will reach the person soon, he said.

Human rights activist Hashmi is associated with Pehchaan, a voluntary organisation that imparts skills and education to girls who drop out of school.

The first call from the accused policeman was received on Friday night by one of her former students husband, an auto driver. The caller claimed to be SI Sandip Malik and ordered this man to immediately visit Lajpat Nagar police station. He was threatened that he will be beaten up if he switched off his phone and not informed what the case was about, alleged Hashmi.

When Hashmi heard this, she decided to call the policeman and enquire about the case. She claimed that she was bombarded with vulgar abuses. I told the policeman I was a social worker, but he demanded my identity proof, Aadhaar card details and names of all girls who are trained at my organisation, said Hashmi.

Hashmi immediately disconnected the call and downloaded a call recorder even as the person at the other kept calling her. But when the fresh round of conversations resumed, the policeman avoided using expletives as he appeared to be aware that the recording going on.

Among several threats, the man also claimed that a surround and kill campaign to kill those without Aadhaar cards or any identity proofs is being carried out by the instructions from the top and these instructions have been passed on to every police station, alleged Hashmi.
One of the oldest churches of the city, St James, Kashmere Gate, is on the verge of degeneration and has been crying for repair.

The first phase of repair of the 181-year-old structure was recently completed, but the Church Conservation Committee has been running short of funds, making it impossible for it to continue the remaining work.

The church, which saw its first bishop service in 1836, has been surviving with severe damage to its foundation and its structures on the verge of crumbling.

In April last year, the church conservation committee, with the help of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), had launched restoration work on the grand old structure. A grade I heritage structure notified by the Delhi government, the total cost of conservation was estimated to be around Rs 3.5 crore.

A severely fund-starved church committee has now planned a fund raising event on July 29 to invite individuals, social and government organisations along with corporates to make contributions through their CSR initiatives.

The church is a live monument and attracts tourists and students from across the globe. It is a heritage structure closely wedded with the history of the city for the past two centuries. We must preserve it. Therefore, we are appealing to organisations, people and especially the corporates, to come forward and help us under their CSR initiative, says Kamal Baluja, chairman, Church Conservation Committee.

History of its construction

A severely fund-starved church committee will organise a fund-raising event on July 29 to invite individuals, social and government organisation along with corporates to make contributions through their CSR initiatives. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT PHOTO)

On a sunny afternoon in January in 1800, Colonel James Skinner, who was fighting for Karolis (now in Haryana) ruler against the king of Uniara, was lying injured with several others in the battlefield near Tonk in Rajasthan.

Tortured by the heat, the injured were crying for water. Jackals were feasting on the dead, ignoring the feeble attempts by the wounded soldiers to shoo them away. It was then that Skinner made a vow to build a church if he survived.

And his prayer was answered the next morning. An old woman reached the site with a basket full of bread and a pot of water for the troops and they survived

But it took Skinner almost 20 years before he could fulfil his vow.

He started building St James Church just opposite to his mansion near Kashmere Gate, north Delhi, in 1821. The construction was started sometime in 1821 and consecrated 15 years later, which means that the first Bishop service was held in 1836.

The initial budget of construction was estimated at Rs 95,000 which escalated to around Rs 2 lakh later.

Glorious past

The church almost turned to ruins during the mutiny in 1857. The mutineers shot down its gilt cross and the bell. The structure was attacked with cannons, damaging its walls. (HT PHOTO)

Skinner, an Anglo-Indian military adventurer, was born to a Scottish father (an officer in East India Company Army) and a Hindu Rajput princess mother in Kolkata in 1778. He was raised as a Muslim and joined the Maratha army as a mercenary only to later join the British forces. Before shifting his residence to Kashmere Gate, Skinner stayed at Kucha Raiman (now known as Kucha Rehman) in Chandni Chowk, where he had built a house in 1811 after settling down in Delhi.

Skinners decision to move to this part of the city (Kashmere Gate) was prompted by his attempt to fit into the British society. It was during its consecration that Skinner and his three sons were confirmed in their Christian faith, INTACH Delhi chapters convener Swapna Liddle writes in her book Chandni Chowk: The Mughal city of old Delhi.

In its history of 180 years, St. James Church has witnessed several momentous events. This is the place where two notable citizens of Delhi  Master Ram Chander and Chiman Lal were baptised in July 1852. Chander was a Mathematics teacher at a government college and Lal was working as a government sub-assistant surgeon.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh also worshipped here in 1961.

The church almost turned to ruins during the mutiny in 1857. The mutineers shot down its gilt cross and the bell. The structure was attacked with cannons, rendering its walls badly mutilated.

Status of semi-official church

St James Church also served as a semi official church during the British empire where viceroys worshipped. It was designated as the semi-official church of the government and of the Army headquarters after Delhi achieved its status as Capital of British India in 1911.

Until the shifting of the British Capital to New Delhi, St James Church was mostly frequented by the East India Company officers and Christians living in Delhi. When, the British took over the city after the mutiny, it assumed significance and the number of worshippers increased, said Satish Jacob, a veteran journalist.

However, this glory was short-lived. It was considered by the British government that this modest church would not suffice for imperial purposes. Hence, its semi-official status ceased in 1931 and the Church of Redemption (near Rashtrapati Bhavan in North Avenue) was conferred the semi-official title instead.

Still, there are about 200 members on the churchs roll and worship takes place every Sunday, in which around 100 odd people participate. The number is higher on occasions like Christmas, says Baluja.

Restoration and challenges

Two underground tracks of Delhi Metros Heritage line (connecting Mandi House and Kashmere Gate station), passes through the churchs compound and are just five metres away from the building. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT PHOTO)

At present, the restoration of the church is faced with one major challenge. Two underground tracks of Delhi Metros Heritage line (connecting Mandi House and Kashmere Gate station), passes through the churchs compound and are just five metres away from the building.

Ajay Kumar, project director, INTACH Delhi chapter, said the exact amount of damage to the foundation of the church due to vibrations caused by Metro rail movement is not known but the work to stabilise the underpinning has successfully been completed.

Due to concentrated water seepage, the plinth protection was damaged. During the rains, the ground water level increases exceptionally in the area and water gets into the foundations. Leakages in the roof are also damaging the structure. Under the first phase, safety measures to prevent possible damage to its foundation has been taken, he adds.

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An 11-year-old boy was found dead in mysterious circumstances in outer Delhis Rohini on Saturday. The boys parents alleged that the minor was beaten up by some schoolmates a day earlier.

The boy, Vishal, a Class 5 student at a local government school, lived with his parents and two siblings in Rohinis Sector 21.

His parents do odd jobs in the neighbourhood.

According to his father, the boy had returned from school on Friday evening and was allegedly in pain. When his father asked him what was wrong, he had allegedly said that he had been beaten up by three-four schoolmates. He said that he recieved blows on his neck and chest.

The injuries did not appear very serious to his parents and the boy went off to sleep. But when he woke the next morning, he complained of unbearable pain in his chest.

Vishals parents immediately rushed him to a nearby private hospital which referred him to the Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in Rohini.

The boy was referred to Safdarjung Hospital later, but died on the way to the hospital, after which the police were informed and the allegations of the parents noted down.

Rishi Pal, DCP (Rohini), however, said that doctors had not found any external injuries on the boys body while treating him. Also, no PCR call was made from the school , said the officer. The initial enquiry conducted at the boys school has not revealed any assault.

But the allegations have not been dismissed . On the request of the boys father, a medical board will be constituted to conduct a post-mortem Pal said
Delhi cops acting as midwives? As crazy as that sounds, the cops  yes, even male cops  are trained to help deliver babies in emergency situations, and that training comes in handy every now and then.

One recent occasion was when a woman went into labour at Old Delhi Railway Station at 4.15am; her panicked husband called the police control room. To cut a long story short, a PCR van (mobile patrol) arrived, and the woman delivered her baby in the van.

We rushed to the spot on receiving the call. What we saw was a woman, accompanied by her husband, suffering from labour pain. While taking her to the hospital, her water broke and we had to get the baby delivered in the van itself, near Netaji Subhash Marg, says Inspector Rajendra Sehrawat, who was present during the incident.

This is the seventh case of childbirth in the multipurpose vehicle this year. This is not new for us. We have trained our staff in such a way that they can handle childbirth, says Monika Bhardwaj, DCP, Police Control Room. Weve briefed our staff not to disturb the cord, giving the mother her privacy and taking the mother and baby to the nearest hospital. They have a fair idea of the process. Were proud that theyre fulfilling their duties responsibly.

In most such cases, PCR vans come with policewomen, but this time, there were only two male police officers who handled the case. Its easy when we have women officers with us. They look after the pregnant women very efficiently. But this time, the womans husband and our inspectors had to take charge. During trainings, were asked to not move the baby from his/her position, but convincing parents at that time is difficult. This father agreed and didnt touch the baby girl, says Sehrawat.

The baby and mother were then taken to the LNJP hospital, Daryaganj, and were declared in good health.

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The Government Railway Police (GRP) on Sunday produced Naresh Kumar, the main accused in Junaid stabbing case, in a court which sent him to judicial custody.

GRP was granted five-day police custody of Naresh last Tuesday to recover the T-shirt he was wearing at the time of the incident.

GRP superintendent of police (SP) Kamaldeep Goyal, however, said he was not taken to Maharashtras Dhule again as he had burnt the T-shirt.

Six accused are already in jail in this case. All of them will be produced in the court on July 25.

Initially, 14-day judicial custody is sought, but in this case as already five other accused are facing trial all the six accused will be produced in the court on July 25, Nibrash Ahmed, lawyer for the victims family said.

The judicial custody of the five accused was extended till July 25 during the last hearing. It will now be one case so the court decided to keep a single date for producing them all, including the main accused, before it, Ahmed said.

Four of the accused were arrested from Khambi village near Hassanpur in Palwal district, one was arrested in Jodhpur village in the district, whereas Naresh of Bhamrola village was arrested from Dhule district in Maharashtra last Saturday.

Junaid died after a scuffle in a moving train over a seat on June 22.
Having accidentally dialled a wrong phone number, a 22-year-old man decided to have some fun. He told the person at the other end that he would be blowing up the Red Fort and a hotel in Connaught Place, sending Delhi police into a tizzy.

Police personnel from several police stations were deployed to search the blast targets for explosives and nabbing the caller. The call was finally declared a hoax and the alleged caller caught.

Employed at the front desk of a hotel in Paharganj, Mehfooz Raza used the hotels landline number to make the call. Little did he realise that he was live on a CCTV camera installed at the hotels lobby.

With the threat call being recorded by the person at the other end, Raza was left with no chance of lying through the situation and has been arrested, said a senior police officer.

The call had been received by Nitin Kumar Gupta, a 30-year-old resident of Rohini. Employed by an advertising firm, Gupta was at work on Saturday evening when he received a call at 7.09 pm.

It was a 33-second-long call in which the man told me that he was calling from Kashmir and would blow up Indias Red Fort around 8.30 pm. He also said he had planted explosives at a hotel in Connaught Place and it would go off soon after, Gupta told HT.

Immediately after the call was disconnected, Gupta dialled 100 and sought advice on how to proceed with his complaint. I was immediately put in touch with senior officers who took my address. Seeing so many police personnel landing at my home, my parents panicked, said Gupta.

But Gupta was confident that there was not much to harass him about, as the police told him he had little to fear as they went about their job for the next three hours. The call was recorded on my phone. I immediately provided the recording to the police. I had also called my office and my boss to apprise them of the situation, said Gupta.

Since it was a landline number registered in Delhi, police made a call to the number and got to know that it belonged to a Paharganj hotel.

A team from the local police immediately landed at the hotel and scanned the CCTV footage of the lobby. Raza was allegedly caught using the landline at the same time that the hoax call was made.

Raza has told us he was dialling a friend when he ended up contacting a wrong number. As soon as Gupta received the call, Raza decided to have fun and began warning about bomb blasts in Delhi, said an interrogator.

Having ruled out the possibility of Raza being mentally stable, the police are yet to find out why the hotel staffer would try such a dangerous and criminally liable hoax that too under CCTV surveillance.
Kolkata The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur will approach institutes of higher education in eastern India to familiarise students and teachers with free online courses offered by National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL).

NPTEL, a joint initiative of the IITs and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, offers 160 courses in various categories like agriculture, computer science, management studies, mathematics and basic science, engineering and humanities.

While over five5 lakh students had enrolled for NPTEL courses this year, only about 7% of them were from Eastern India.

The biggest problem for NPTEL courses is that not only the students from eastern India, but also the colleges and universities in the region are not aware of it, Anupam Basu, coordinator of NPTEL at IIT-KGP, said.

We are sure if people get to know about the facility and that it is encouraged by AICTE and UGC, there will be many takers, said Basu, also professor of computer science and engineering.

Too boost enrolments from the region, IIT-KGP is talking to various institutes of West Bengal, Odisha and northeastern states to offer credit transfers to the students, an IIT-KGP spokesperson said.

For West Bengal, IIG-KGP would approach the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (formerly West Bengal University of Technology), while talks are on with general degree colleges like Vidyasagar College and Gokhale Memorial Girls College of Kolkata.

Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Jadavpur University and and Presidency University would also be approached, the spokesperson said.

IIT-KGP has also approached most of the private engineering colleges in Bengal.

A workshop with over 100 teachers from various private engineering colleges was held at IIT-KGP recently. PTI SUS NN SBN
Washington Indian students have a high level of concern about potential study in the US and a large number of them worry about their physical safety and about the feeling of being welcomed, says a new survey.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) suggested that the final outcome of the US Supreme Court order in June that temporarily upheld President Donald Trumps executive order to restrict entry of nationals from six Muslim majority countries to America weighs on their mind.

With over a million international students pursuing higher education in the US and contributing more than $36 billion to the American economy, the stakes are high, it said.

Founded in 1919, the IIE is a US-based not-for-profit working to build peaceful and equitable societies by advancing scholarship, building economies and promoting access to opportunity. It focuses on International student exchange and aid, foreign affairs, and international peace and security.

The IIE said that the survey results indicate the highest level of institutional concern regarding enrolment of students from the Middle East, followed by India.

Thirty-one per cent of institutions are very concerned that Middle Eastern students who have accepted offers of admissions may not arrive on campus in the fall, and 20% are very concerned that Indian students may not arrive on campus, it said.

This uncertainty raises valid concerns as to whether students from the Middle East may be deterred from US study, it said.

Securing and maintaining a visa is reported as the top concern among these students and was reported by 46 % of institutions, while feeling welcome in the United States was an almost equal concern, with 41% of institutions noting so from their conversations with students, it added.

According to the IIE, survey findings suggest that Indian students have a high level of concern about potential study in the United States, 80% of institutions responded that physical safety was the most pronounced concern for Indian students, while 31% of institutions indicated that feeling welcome was also a concern.

Although application totals appear to largely remain stable, yield rates and a concern about personal safety suggest the possibility that Indian students may not continue to grow as the second largest international group in US higher education, IIE said.

Their concerns may lead some Indian students to accept admissions offers from other leading host countries, especially from those that issue student visas more quickly.

The IIE, however, said despite widespread concerns that international student interest in the US might be flagging, the evidence from this survey suggests that this is not the case.

It said that interest among international students in the US remains steady overall despite the current environment.

According to the study, modest drops in yield - the percentage of students that attend a college or university after having been offered admission - at some institutions may be offset by steady or increased yield at other schools.

Among the 112 colleges that provided data there was a 2% decline in the expected yield rate this year compared to last year.

Overall, international undergraduate yield has dipped slightly from 26 to 24% from fall 2016 to fall 2017.

The two percentage point decline is comparable to shifts in the domestic (US) student yield reported by institutional respondents, which fell from 30 to 28% over the same time period, it said.

According to the study, there is however little concern about students from Europe and Canada arriving on campus in the fall and only modest concern about students arrival from China and Latin America.
With just a day remaining in counselling for MBBS and BDS courses in Punjab, confusion prevails over whether or not the government will allow Sri Guru Ram Das Medical College (SGRDC), Amritsar, to convert all 75 government quota MBBS seats into management quota on account of its being a Sikh minority institute run by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Eligible candidates will appear for counselling at Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) on Monday.

The SGRDC has 150 seats: 75 in government quota and 75 in management/minority quota. The fee for minority/management quota is around Rs 40 lakh for the fiveyear course, which is four times the cost of a seat in the general government quota. On July 1, it announced to scrap government quota, and put all seats under management quota.

Officials from the state government discussed the issue at a meeting in Chandigarh on Friday evening, but no decision was announced. Dr Raj Bahadur, vice-chancellor of the BFUHS, had earlier said, We cant accept the proposed division of seats until the institute gets the approval of the ministry concerned. Harjit Singh, director of public instructions (DPI), colleges, didnt respond to the text messages and calls.

An education department official told HT on the condition of anonymity, SGRDC will definitely get the status of a medical university sooner or later, but cannot charge fee as per its will. They (SGRDC) initially sought to charge Rs 62 lakh for MBBS! But the fee has to be as per the Punjab Private Health Sciences Educational Institutions Act, 2006. Though the official decision is yet to come, it may not be allowed to scrap its government quota this session.

Parents have been seeking clarity. Naveen Sehgal from Bathinda said, I am not sure if my child can seek a government quota seat in the SGRDC as they are claiming to have converted all the seats to management quota which are really expensive.

Geeta Sharma, principal of the college, did not take calls.

PRESENT POSITION, AND POSSIBILITIES

If the SGRDC is allowed to scrap the government/general quota, those having no reservation or those who are not in the NRI quota will not get admission at the institute.

Already, 75 seats in the government quota had 12 seats reserved for NRIs. Of the 63 seats left, 25 are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and physically handicapped candidates.
From a distance, this government-run Sanskrit school in Sikar district of Rajasthan appears like any other run-down school with the building in need of paint. But once you enter the premises, it becomes clear that something else is amiss. The school is erringly quiet  there are no children on the small playground or, for that matter, in the classrooms.

The Government Upper Primary Sanskrit School in Pratappura village has six classrooms, four teachers  but not a single student. The teachers report for work at about 8am, water the plants, read newspaper, chat among themselves and leave after 2pm. They get their salary on time, but are not happy about the state of affairs.

We feel ashamed to be sitting idle the whole day. It was once a thriving school with more than 50 students, but things changed a few years ago, Sanwarmal, the schools head teacher, told HT.

The school, which was established in 1998 attracted children from the neighbouring villages. In 2005, the student strength peaked to 55 and then gradually began to decline. In 2015-16 academic session, only four students were left and their parents also withdrew them last year.

A few years ago, the neighbouring villages did not have schools so the children used to come to Pratappura. Now, there are three middle schools within 1-2 km range, and so this school has been deserted, village sarpanch, Balram Verma, said.

Pratappura has a population of about 300, and in most households the head of the family are employed in other towns and only the elders have stayed back to look after the ancestral home.

The village has only six to seven students from class 1-8 who now study in other schools in the neighbouring villages, Sanwarmal said.

All the teachers are now sick with boredom. There is nothing to do here. We even encourage the village elders to come and chat with us so that we are able to pass the time, Krishna Verma, who is the sole female teacher, said.

A retired army man, Kashiram and a farmer, Ghanshyam Singh, are regular visitors.

The teachers have approached the education department in Jaipur to shift them on deputation to other nearby schools where there is vacancy for Sanskrit teachers. We gave a written request many months ago, but no action has been taken in this regard. We were told that deputations have been stopped for now, Sanwarmal said.

The school has a glorious past, said Prabhudayal Sharma, who joined as a teacher in 2003.

Some of the students have become doctors and engineers and one of them is a senior police official. But now there is little hope. The chances of the schools revival are very slim, he said.

As if to emphasise his point, a stray dog wanders inside the premises to be quickly shooed away by one of the teachers.

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Several sightings both on and off the runway are putting socks at the forefront of fashion. Forget arm and wrist candy, it is time to put your best foot forward with the affordable new statement accessory.

The sock is hot property when it comes to making a fashion statement. Socks for men and women in all shapes and sizes are making a striking return to the runway, from the thigh-grazing sock boots in Balenciagas capsule for Paris concept store colette to Kenzo and Pradas latest stylish socks.

Kenzos collection of attention-getting socks for next spring, unveiled in Paris in June. (Bertrand Guay/AFP)

Cutting-edge designers are sharing some common ground with seemingly fashion-forward Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. Trudeaus high-profile sock moves have been widely charted. The head of state never misses an opportunity to show off his colourful sock signature. On the opening day of the G20 summit in Germany, Trudeau stole the show with a pair of red patterned socks that he had paired with tan formal shoes with quirky blue laces.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeaus colourful red patterned statement socks stole the show at the G20 summit on July 7. (Bertrand Guay/AFP)

Wearing socks with trainers makes perfect sense, but socks and slides? The formerly uncool pairing was seen on the Louis Vuitton Spring 2018 runway. If Vuitton says its okay, the old faux-pas must be worth investing in!

Last month, Prada socked it to em with sporty acid yellow socks and matching trainers during the Spring Summer 17-18 show at Milan Mens Fashion Week. Longer striped socks also featured in Pradas menswear collection.

(Left) Louis Vuitton paired socks and slides on the Spring 2018 runway. (Right) Prada showed sporty acid yellow socks and matching trainers during the SS 17-18 show at mens fashion week in Milan in June (Bertrand Guay/AFP)

On the Kenzo catwalk, Brighton rock-style candy striped knee-high socks accessorised some of the standout looks from the labels ready-to-wear collection. Models rocked red and white and black and white colour combinations worn with Birkenstock-style slide-ons in a fashion faux-pas busting move.

The new attention to socks comes in the wake of a number of sporty footwear drops with a built-in sock design. Alexander Wangs sneaker for Adidas is a perfect example of how sock exposure can be cool.

Nikes Zoom Mercurial Flyknit and Adidas City Sock models are other on-trend sock-uppers.

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Heres some good news for women undergoing menopause. A study has found that fermented-red clover extract can effectively reduce the number and severity of hot flushes, hormonal swings and bone loss experienced during menopause.

The study also found that the extract prevents the normally accelerated menopausal bone loss, which affects one in three women over the age of 50.

Researcher Max Norman Tandrup Lambert said that it is the fermentation process of the red clover extract that makes the difference, as the lactic acid fermentation increases the bioavailability of the bioactive estrogen-like compounds.

The team led by professor Per Bendix Jeppesen, from the department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine under the department Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, investigated fermented red clover extract as a healthier alternative to traditional estrogen therapy proscribed by doctors. The red clover extract was fine-tuned to improve the gastro-intestinal uptake of the active isoflavone compounds.

The researchers analysed 60 women with menopause symptoms based on criteria of at least five severe hot flushes per day and blood tests (including FSH, that indicates the stage of menopause).

The women were separated into two groups of 30 each, in which 30 drank 150ml red clover extract per day for 12 weeks, while the other 30 drank a masked placebo product. After 12 weeks they were tested again.

The study also found that fermented red clover extract prevents the normally accelerated menopausal bone loss, which affects one in three women over the age of 50. (Shutterstock)

In this study, the hot flush symptoms of women were measured using a so called skin conductor, a device that is applied to the underside of the wrist that can determine the number hot flush events and their severity objectively based on sweat secretion. Similarly, the effect of the red clover extract on bone health has been tested via so-called DXA scans of the spine and hips.

These findings are very promising as the benefits take place without any of the side effects of traditionally proscribed hormone therapies that increase the risk of cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

The research appears in the journal PLOS ONE.

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A 60-year-old woman was shot at inside her Sector 57 residence on Saturday night. The assailant came along with son of the victims friend. Preliminary investigations point to a property dispute behind the incident, as the victim owns a large plot on which she has a small house.

The victim, Sudha, was admitted to a private hospital in the city and her condition is stable. She lives alone at her house near Wazirabad village. She hails from Rohtak district of Haryana, police said.

According to the victims statement to the police, at around 10.30pm on Saturday, her door bell rang and she found Krishna, her friends son, at the door.

Krishna was with another unidentified man whom she had never met, the victim told police. She welcomed them home and as she went to fetch water from the kitchen, the person who was with Krishna fired at her.

The bullet hit her back. She raised alarm as she slumped to the floor. Krishna and the assailant had fled by the time her neighbours rushed in and got her admitted to the hospital, the police said.

A case has been registered at Sector 56 police station under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

A search operation is on for the accused. Though the investigation is at a preliminary stage, we suspect that the incident could be the fallout of a land or property-related dispute, inspector Arvind Kumar, station house officer, Sector 56, police station, said.

Police said that the victim is mired in some land-related issues that are in court. Police said they are yet to ascertain the motive behind the attack, the court cases could well have had a role in it. The assailant planned to carry out the attack at her house as the area is isolated and she lives alone, the police said.

Read I Gurgaon: Cops from northeast to tackle rising crimes against people from the region

Her relatives, who reached the hospital, said some people are eyeing her plot.

Earlier on February 5, Vikrant alias Vicky who lived in Gopal Nagar, Delhi, was shot dead at Palam Vihar area in Gurgaon. Vikrant, 25, son of Nepal Singh, hailed from Jhajjar district in Haryana.He suffered three bullet injuries, including one in the stomach, the police said.

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Alert and on guard after the recent terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir, the Gurgaon police has decided to beef up security along the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway for the Kanwar yatris.

Muhammad Akil, additional director general of police (law and order), Haryana, directed the police on Sunday to deploy more force at sensitive points to avoid any untoward incidents during the pilgrimage.

The direction came after a meeting with officers on the need to ensure a safe passage for the pilgrims, who set out from Haridwar on foot and are carrying holy water from the Ganges that they will offer at temples of Lord Shiva.

We will deploy maximum force and equipment on road to maintain peace during this period. Separate lanes are being created for the pilgrims to enable smooth traffic movement. The police has been directed to create more lanes wherever necessary and the traffic should be diverted accordingly, Akil said.

Police will also take help from the Municipal Corporation Gurgaon (MCG) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials in providing safety to the pilgrims, manage traffic and maintain law and order.

Apart from, additional police reinforcements, drone, sniffer dogs and metal detectors will also be deployed to ensure top security. Quick response teams will be updated on the situation on the ground from control rooms to enable swift action.

Read I Gurgaon gets ready for kanwar yatra

The police has also been advised to extend all possible help in setting up camps for the Kanwariyas away from the main road. Special security will be provided to women pilgrims during the yatra, Akil said.

Ambulances and cranes are in place and these will be used in the event of an emergency, the Gurgaon police said.The police said that while daytime monitoring has been stepped up, night patrolling, too, is being carried out in areas where the pilgrims have set up camps.
I dont even know Manjeet Mahal, met him only in Bhondsi jail on Friday, assistant sub inspector Raj Singh of the Gurgaon polices crime branch, who was arrested on Thursday in an alleged land grab case, said on Sunday, a day after he was released on bail.

Singh claimed he was being targeted by former Gurgaon police officials whom he had paid a bribe of 15 lakh for not putting fake corruption charges on him.

The suspended cop, who allegedly asked dreaded gangster Mahal to threaten Rakesh Kumar, on whose complaint the police arrested Singh, conducted a press conference on Sunday afternoon where he claimed that the charges against him were completely baseless.

Singh was arrested after Kumar, a resident of Jhund Sarai village, complained to the Gurgaon police commissioner that Singh was trying to usurp a 500 square yard plot in Sector 45. Kumar alleged that he received threat calls from Mahal on June 27 and then again on June 30 on the plot.

He complained to the CP that Singh had asked Mahal to make these calls and had not registered the plot in his name despite taking 20 lakh from him.

Mahal allegedly made these calls from inside the Bhondsi jail. The police swung into action after the complaint was filed.

I got a call from the CIA on July 13 and went there myself. Had I been in the wrong, would have I gone there voluntarily? Singh said.

Kumar had also alleged that he was attacked and threatened by Singh on July 10 inside Sector 53 police station in the presence of police officers. Singh rubbished the charge on Sunday.

Read I Gurgaon: Sadar cop found dead in restroom

Singh said he had received a call from Kumar on July 9, asking him to come to Sector 53 police station. Kumar and I have are closely related, as his plot is adjacent to mine in Wazirabad. I got a call from him asking me to come to the police station in connection with some case, Singh said.

If I had threatened and assaulted him at the police station in the presence of the SHO, then the officer, too, should be booked. If not, the case should be withdrawn, Singh said.

Sector 53 police station SHO Rahul Dev Singh confirmed that Singh did arrive at the police station that day, but he asked him to go back.

He was there for a while and when I asked him what was the purpose of his visit, he said he was closely related to Kumar. I asked him to return. There was no altercation between the two, he said.

Rahul Dev, however, added he was not aware if something happened between the two inside or outside the police station.

Gurgaon police PRO Ravinder Kumar said the investigation into the case was going on and if Singhs was associated with Manjeet Mahal, there must be some connection.

He said a departmental inquiry is on against him. The PRO said he did not want to comment on other allegations against former cops.

This isnt the first time a case has been filed against ASI Singh.

In August 2015, an FIR had been filed against Singh for alleged corruption and amassing illegal assets worth 4 crore. Raids were conducted in his residence in Sector 40 and he and his wife Santosh were booked .

In May 2015, a video had also surfaced in which Singh was seen taking bribes from dumper drivers. Singh claimed the video did not show him taking any money, but checking necessary documents.

The departmental inquiry put me in the clear. Even in the assets case, I was not at fault. I hold hereditary properties and earn money by renting them out. I will show the papers in the court, he said.

I and my wife feel tortured and it feels suicide is the only option left for me, he said.
Visually impaired and disabled, 97-year-old Gracy is one of the 28 inmates at the Tau Devi Lal old age home in Sector 4.

This is a home for destitute women in the city. Over 90% of the inmates here were brought by the police, Sister Sherly from Kerala, the home in-charge, told Hindustan Times.

Justice HS Bhalla, chairperson of Haryana Human Rights Commission, along with fellow members of the commission, Gurgaon DC Vinay Pratap Singh and members of Red Cross Society visited the old age home on Friday afternoon.

It was a regular visit to check the facilities at the home and understand how it works, Singh said.

Gracy, who hails from Madurai and has been lodged at the home for the last five years, is the oldest inmate.

I worked for the Britishers at the homes and took care of their children. Though I didnt do it for money while my father was alive, I took it up as a job after his death, Gracy told Hindustan Times.

She said she later moved to Delhi to stay with her sisters daughter as there was no one. However, life was not the same again after she slipped on the carpet and was rendered invalid.

Since there was no one to take care of me, I came here of my own volition, Gracy said.

Wahida (35), another inmate hailing from Hayatpur village in Haryana, said she divorced her husband in 2004 as he used to beat her up.

I have no children and went to stay with my father after splitting from my husband. But he was too old and to take care of me. I have nine sisters and all are married. None of them agreed to take me in, said Wahida, who has been staying at the home for one-and-a-half years.

Sister Jaise Maria, one of the five sisters who run the home, said most of the inmates are physically or mentally challenged.

The home provides recreational facilities to inmates and admits anyone who comes here, Sister Maria said.

This is service to god. Who can say no to that? However, we are full now and cannot admit any more destitutes, Sister Maria said.

Justice Bhalla said that while the home was very well maintained, he will make some suggestions to the government to ensure that the home is run well and the inmates are properly cared for.

The sisters here said that doctors visit once a week and there are no ambulances on standby. Id write to the government to ensure that doctors visit the home every two days and that there should be an ambulance on standby in the event of a medical emergency, Justice Bhalla told Hindustan Times.

Read I Gurgaon: String of public offices to be made disabled-friendly

Though originally a state government property, the building was given to Red Cross Society, who, in turn, gave it to St Josephs Service Society, a charitable organisation in 2003. Since then, sisters of the destitute have been managing the home.
A US House of Representative candidate and feminist, Brianna Wu, has expressed her disappointment at actor Andy Serkis new movie, War for the Planet of the Apes for having no dialogues for a female character.

Wu took to Twitter to share a series of tweets on the film and how it failed include a single speaking role for women in the film, not even from a female ape.

There is no woman that gets a speaking role in all 2 1/2 hours of #WarForThePlanetOfTheApes. No woman gets any lines. Not even a female ape.  Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) July 15, 2017

There is no woman that gets a speaking role in all 2 1/2 hours of #WarForThePlanetOfTheApes. No woman gets any lines. Not even a female ape, she wrote in the tweet.

War for the Planet of the Apes is director Matt Reeves second film in the highly successful and critically acclaimed trilogy.

Wu further said that such sexism even in the films of the new generation is unbelievable to her.

2/ Movies were sexist when I was a child. I really expected my generation to change this. Nope. What is wrong with us?!  Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) July 15, 2017

3/ And male reviewers that gave #WarForThePlanetOfTheApes great reviews. If a movie is sexist, and you don't notice, you suck at your job.  Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) July 15, 2017

4/ Shout out to all male geeks defending absence of women speaking in #WarForThePlanetOfTheApes on my Twitter. You are our sexism problem.  Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) July 15, 2017

War for the Planet of the Apes goes silent for long stretches where the apes converse in sign language. Two female apes do have prominent roles in the film but they converse in only in sign language, thus not really passing the Bechdel Test (The Bechdel Test is a test for movies introduced by Alison Bechdel in 1985. For a movie to clear the test, it must contain a scene in which two or more female characters with a name have a conversation about anything at all besides men.)

The point was brought up by a few men on her thread:

The apes talk in signs. Any signing?  Plutoburns (@Plutoburns) July 15, 2017

do you consider sign language speaking?  Tyler Again (@sorryjzargo) July 15, 2017

This isn't a matter of consideration. Signing is speech. Sounds like the movie fails regardless, but let's not lose sight of that.  Kyle Pflug (@kylealden) July 15, 2017

Wu gave said for the sign to be counted, the character should have had a rich emotional journey:

Kyle, if the woman that signs had a rich emotional journey, I would count it. But, the two women that sign have breathtakingly shallow parts  Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) July 15, 2017

One has lost all higher brain functions. She's carried around as a literal damsel in distress. She is naratively used for the men's emotions  Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) July 15, 2017

The other is the ape woman that dies to send all the men off on adventure. She gets one line.  Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) July 15, 2017

Even in all of 2016, only a few major film passed the Bechdel Test. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Doctor Strange, The Angry Birds Movie, Sully, Central Intelligence, Kung Fu Panda 3, Star Trek Beyond, Jason Bourne, Deadpool, The Jungle Book, The Magnificent Seven and The Legend of Tarzan all failed the test.

The only few successful ones were Ghostbusters, The Conjuring 2, Bad Moms, Zootopia, Sausage Party, Finding Dory, Suicide Squad, Trolls, Captain America: Civil War, Batman v. Superman, X-Men: Apocalypse, Independence Day: Resurgence and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

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Amid the controversy over alleged bribery by AIADMK leader VK Sasikala for privileged treatment in Bengaluru central prison, 32 inmates were shifted out because they allegedly complained to deputy inspector general (prisons) Roopa D Moudgil on Saturday.

Sources said, 21 convicts were shifted to Ballari and the rest to Belagavi on Saturday night, because they had raised issues over the functioning of the jail.

Moudgil had on Wednesday written a letter to the director general (prisons) HN Sathyanarayana Rao saying she had heard accusations that a bribe of Rs 2 crore had been paid to give Sasikala privileged treatment, such as a separate kitchen, apart from other violations.

This had led to a furore, with Rao accusing Moudgil of making baseless and wild allegations.

A probe has been ordered into the matter by chief minister Siddaramaiah. However, the issue continues to simmer.

During Saturdays visit by Moudgil, around 800 of the 4,000 inmates of the prison aired their grievances. Some complained that they had to pay a bribe to get into good barracks and also that they were assaulted by staff and other prisoners, sources said.

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A 47-year-old woman from Gujarat, who was injured in the attack on Amarnath pilgrims earlier this week, succumbed at a hospital in Srinagar, taking the toll to eight.

Lalita was admitted to the ICU of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) after the attack on July 10.

She died during the night, Syed Amin Tabish, medical superintendent of SKIMS, said on Sunday.

Seven pilgrims were killed when the bus carrying over 50 pilgrims mostly from Gujarat and Maharashtra was attacked by gunmen at Batengoo in Anantnag on July 10.

While 19 wounded were airlifted to Delhi on July 11, two injured, Pushpa and Lalita, were being treated at SKIMS in Srinagar.

Police had said Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the attack, although the militant outfit denied the charges and blamed Indian agencies for the attack.

Kashmiris reacted in unison against the attacks. Civil society members, traders and even separatists expressed widespread anger saying the attack on the centuries-old pilgrimage is against Kashmiri ethos and tradition.

Hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani had condemned the attack, saying, Almighty Allah wont forgive the killers of innocents.
In Mirati, a village about 180 kms north of Kolkata, there is a tinge of sadness because its most famous son, who used to walk seven km from the village to school in the early 1940s, will step down as the President of India on July 25.

For most villagers President Pranab Mukherjee is Poltu da.

A devout Bengali brahmin, Poltu da would rush back to Mirati ahead of Durga Puja, Bengals biggest festival. During the three days of the puja, he would attend all the rituals and perform Chandipath (reading out the scriptures). Dressed in full traditional Bengali attire for worship, Mukherjee would assist the priest in conducting the puja.

Irrespective of his responsibilities -- he held heavyweight ministries such as finance, defense, external affairs and commerce -- he would follow this routine every year.

Never did he fail to turn up at his ancestral house during puja. Never did we bother what designation he held. The labels were of interest for the rest of the country. To us he was, and still is, our Poltu da, said Dhanapati Choudhury, who lives in a house next to Mukherjee Bhavan, the ancestral house of the President at Mirati.

Some are actually happy that Mukherjee is retiring. This puja he will hopefully not have the irritating security ring around him. We can visit his home without any trouble, said Gopinath Dutta, 78, who has a grocery shop in nearby Kirnahar, and is a regular visitor to the Mukherjee family puja.

After Pranab Mukherjee became President in 2012, there were reports of identity cards being issued for his family members who live in the same house so that it becomes easier for the security officers to identify who would get easy access to the President.

As for Mirati, by the side of Kuye river, it would continued with an ordinary and faceless existence but for Poltu.

The river used to breach its banks every monsoon. The residents gratefully remember Mukherjees efforts to put an end to the woes. A concrete dam and sluice gate were built to tame the river. Mirati Kishore Samity, a club founded by Mukherjee, now houses a library.

Most of the development works that you see here, from roads to sanitation to electricity, is because of him, remarked Rabi Chattaraj, a long-time aide of the President.

The son of freedom fighter Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, Poltu studied at Shibchandra High School in Kirnahar and left the village after he finished school education.

Another person who will be overjoyed to get her Poltu back is Annapurna Mukherjee, the Presidents elder sister. She lives in Parota village about 3 km away, and is the only person whose feet the President still touches whenever he comes to his village.

However, the Presidents two-day visit to his former constituency of Jangipur (about 100 km away in Murshidabad district) triggered some grievance among the villagers.

We have read in the newspapers that he has come to Jangipur. We would have been happier if he visited Miriti as well for the last time as the President, said his neighbour Dhanapati Choudhury.

One of Mukherjees relatives, retired professor of Vidyasagar University, Tarun Mukherjee remarked, He has served the nation for more than four decades. After July he may not be in active politics, but surely people and the villagers of Mirati will benefit from his advice.

Locals recalled how they celebrated the day their Poltu da became the first citizen of the country with crackers and beating drums. But ahead of his retirement, none has any idea how they will make July 25 memorable.
Planning for a baby is tough in a land where floods may displace people four times a year.

Suresh and Bina Sarohs son, now 6, survived fever and diarrhoea after their village, Sildubi Borbeel Mising Gaon near Kaziranga National Park, was inundated in 2012. They lost their second son in a similar situation last year. The baby named Ajay, meaning invincible, was barely three months old.

Bina, 29, is pregnant again. And she knows she is not in the right place  a cramped relief camp for the flood-affected  to be with child.

One can tolerate the heat and humidity in this tin-roofed camp (No 1 Hatikhuli Tea Estate Lower Primary School), but sharing one toilet with 247 others is tough, Bina said. The school has two toilets, but one has been locked, forcing the inmates to dent the BJP-led coalition governments avowed achievement of making Assam open-defecation free.

We are trying to ensure health care and some degree of comfort for Bina and 10 lactating mothers who have been in this relief camp for more than a week. The conditions are tough for them, anganwadi worker Jyotemoye Rajkhowa told HT.

The camp has no provision to filter iron-heavy groundwater drawn from a tube-well in the school complex. Officials said water purifying tablets are being provided to offset possible diseases. Bina and the lactating mothers are lucky that the school has an anganwadi centre attached, where ASHA (Accredited

Social Health Activist) worker Gayatri Tanti attends to them besides half a dozen children suffering from fever.

The inmates are fortunate too that the camp is on National Highway 715 and adjoins the Kaziranga National Park. The attention the wildlife preserve gets during floods, spills over.

The daily flood update from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has no break-up of male and female inmates in the 279 relief camps and relief distribution centres. As of Saturday evening, these had 24,423 inmates.

At the Hatikhuli flood relief camp in Kaziranga. (Rahul Karmakar/Hindustan Times)

Estimates from field officials say a tenth of the women in these camps are either pregnant or lactating. Their condition is said to be sub-human in the worst hit districts such as Lakhimpur and South Salmara.

We are trying our best to provide relief materials to the remotest of relief camps. In places such as Majuli (island), I have asked officials to make a list of people who lost everything so that we can help them rebuild, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said. We have adequate money and the Prime Minister has assured more assistance, he added.

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The BJP parliamentary board would meet on Monday to pick the ruling NDAs vice presidential candidate. A parliamentary board member said the meeting is expected on Monday evening.

An alliance of 18 opposition parties, including the Congress, has already announced Gopalkrishna Gandhi as its candidate for vice presidential poll scheduled for August 5.

July 18 is the last date for filing of nominations.

The electoral college for the election consists of 790 MPs of the two chambers of Parliament.

The ruling bloc enjoys an overwhelming majority in the electoral college and BJP has expressed confidence about garnering anywhere between 500 and 550 votes.
Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu and Tamil Nadu governor C Vidyasagar Rao have emerged as strong contenders within the NDA for the vice-presidents post, election for which is due on August 5.

The BJPs parliamentary board will meet on Monday evening to take a call on the NDAs candidate. At a meeting here on Sunday, NDA allies authorised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pick the ruling coalitions candidate. Tuesday is the last day to file nomination.

The NDA candidate will take on joint oppositions candidate Gopal Krishna Gandhi, a former governor of West Bengal.

Selection of either Naidu or Rao would send a signal down south where the BJP is aiming to make inroads ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Naidu is from Andhra Pradesh and Rao hails from Telangana.

While Naidu is currently a senior member in Prime Minister Narendra Modis team, Rao was a minister of state in the previous NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Both have risen from within party ranks.

Names of Madhubani MP Hukumdev Narayan Yadav, Manipur governor Najma Heptulla, and Kerala governor P Sathasivam, too, did the rounds.

BJP leaders, though, did not rule out the possibility of Modi springing a last-minute surprise, like he did in choosing then Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind as the presidential candidate. The vice-presidents role as the Rajya Sabha chairperson makes the appointment crucial for the ruling coalition.

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The Nagpur Rural Police have arrested Salim Shah, a BJP worker who was allegedly beaten up by cow vigilantes earlier this week, under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act for possession of beef.

Shaha was beaten up by some people on July 12 on the suspicion that he was carrying beef. Police had said on Saturday that as per the forensic laboratory report, the meat which he was carrying that day was beef.

Superintendent of police (Nagpur Rural) Shailesh Balkawde told PTI on Sunday that Shah was arrested on Saturday night, and produced before Narkhed magistrates court in the district on Sunday which sent him in police custody for one day.

Police will ask for extension of his custody tomorrow, the SP said, adding that a case has been registered at Jalalkheda Police Station.

Shah (34), a resident of Katol town in Nagpur district, was returning home on his motorcycle when a group of five or six men accosted him at a bus stop in the Bharsingi village on July 12. They allegedly assaulted him on the suspicion that he was carrying beef.

Shahs family, however, said he may not have known what he was carrying.

The family was initially reluctant to talk about the forensic report, stating that it was already in trouble.

But Salim may not have been aware of what he was carrying, a relative said.

The Nagpur (rural) unit president of the BJP, Rajiv Potdar, had said Shaha would be dismissed from the party.

After Shah was beaten up and taken to a hospital, four men -- Ashwin Uike (35), Rameshwar Taywade (42), Moreshwar Tandurkar (36) and Jagdish Chaudhari (25) -- were arrested and booked under charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the joint opposition candidate for the post of vice president, will file his nomination papers on Tuesday, the last date for doing so, in the presence of top leaders, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi.

I will file my nomination papers on Tuesday, Gandhi told PTI.

Sources said he was to file the papers on Monday, but it was delayed by a day in view of the presidential election on July 17.

The sources said Gandhi would also be accompanied by top opposition leaders, including those of the Left parties and the TMC.

The name of Gandhi, the former West Bengal Governor, was approved unanimously on July 11 at a meeting of 18 opposition parties chaired by the Congress president. The meeting was also attended by the JD-U.

The JD-U had broken ranks with the opposition on the presidential election and decided to support the ruling NDAs nominee Ram Nath Kovind.
The JD (U) Legislature Party meeting, presided over by party national president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, here on Sunday, unanimously resolved to vote en-masse in favour of NDA-backed candidate Ram Nath Kovind, in the Presidential election on Monday.

The meeting poured cold waters on the media speculation its deliberations would lift the curtain on the uncertainty shrouding deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadavs fate in ministry, as the matter did not come in for discussion.

There was no discussion on the present political situation as the meeting was convened only to discuss the poll strategy for presidential election, said Bihar JD (U) president Bashistha Narayan Singh, after its conclusion.

Parliamentary Affairs minister Shrawan Kumar said, legislators, including first timers, were apprised of the voting process to ensure that their votes dont go waste.

Unlike its other two Grand Alliance partnersthe RJD and Congress, the JD (U) unilaterally decided to support Kovind, a former Bihar Governor, even before the Opposition could name its candidateMeira Kumar, former Lok Sabha Speaker and a native of Bihar.

The JD (U) decision had triggered a war of words among the three allies.

During the meeting on Sunday, the chief minister is learnt to have apprised legislators of the reasons for partys stand on Kovind, including his cordial tenure with the Nitish government as Governor of Bihar (2015-17). He said this was also conveyed to Lalu Prasad and Sonia Gandhi, presidents of JD (U) allies in Bihar.

This was not the first time that JD (U) has taken an independent stand on an important issue. In 2012, while it was part of NDA, the party had supported UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee, in the then Presidential election.

But the President poll is not the only issue on which GA partners have been split. More bitterness crept into their relations after the CBI filed FIRs against chief Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi, deputy CM, and raided premises associated with them on July 7.

Since then, JD (U) leaders have been demanding Tejashwis resignation, citing the Nitish government policy of zero tolerance of corruption. But the RJD has rejected the demand, leaving the matter for CM Kumar to take call on.

With the CMs four-day ultimatum for Tejashwi to come clean on charges levelled by the CBI, ending on Saturday, some JD (U) legislators reached 1 Aney Marg, official residence of CM, with the hope of being a party to a final call on Tejashwis resignation.

Tejashwi, who spurned JD (U)s overtures seeking his resignation to spare the government from embarrassment, had skipped a CMs function on Saturday, raising the prospect of an imminent showdown.

JD (U) MLA Shyam Bahadur Singh said, He must resign, even if it triggers the fall of the government. We are ready for mid-term polls. Kavita Singh, another party MLA, nodded in agreement.

Industries minister Jay Kumar Singh, while coming out of the meeting, denied any discussion on the issue. We have apprised the CM with our views on Tuesday itself. He has to take a decision, he said, adding fuel to speculation that the JD (U) may wait for follow up action (on Lalu and family) by the investigating agencies.

Kumar, while addressing state executive meeting last Sunday, had asked puzzled party functionaries to leave the task of running the government to him and focus on strengthening the party at grass roots level.

The JD (U) is learnt to have deferred its much awaited national executive committee meeting, scheduled forJuly 23, to August 19.

All the 71 JD (U) MLAs and two independent legislators, representing Valmikinagar and Kanti assembly constituencies, attended the meeting on Sunday.

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Indias most decorated officer, Colonel Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, has accused two former army chiefs and a senior serving officer of victimising him for speaking up about a botched operation in 2011 that embarrassed the force.

The 45-year-old Shekhawat has named former chief Gen Bikram Singh, his successor Gen Dalbir Singh and Lt Gen Abhay Krishna in his complaint to the army headquarters.

I am forced, with distress and disillusionment, to state that despite being highest decorated serving officer in the army with an unblemished operational profile, I have been systematically vicitimised by officers at the highest level, Shekhawat has said in the letter, a copy of which is with Hindustan Times.

Shekhawats allegations have brought the focus back on the Jorhat operation that led to an all-out war among Indias top army officers and at one point even threatened to derail the forces succession plan.

Gen Dalbir Singh and Lt Gen Krishna didnt respond to repeated phone calls or messages. Gen Bikram Singh said he didnt remember the case. It is not right for me to comment also, as its more than three years that I have retired, he told HT.

Shekhwat, who is on study leave and is pursuing research at the Delhi-based Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, declined comment.

Such complaints usually take six to seven months to be processed, army sources said, refusing further comment. The complaint was made in April.

On the night of December 20, 2011, an army intelligence unit barged into the house of Jorhat-based businessman Surjit Gogoi on the suspicion he was working with the separatist United Liberation Front of Asom.

Gogoi, a contractor with the military engineering corps, was not home when the intelligence unit of the 3 Corps, which was based in neighbouring Naglands Dimapur, raided his home in the presence of his wife and other family members.

The soldiers allegedly took away cash, gold and mobile phones from his home, inviting allegations the raid was a robbery. Gogoi lodged a complaint that led to a police investigation.

His 21 para (SF) unit was based in Jorhat at that time but in a breach of procedure, the army intelligence unit didnt inform his unit or local police about the operation, Shekhawats letter says.

He brought the incident to the notice of his superiors but they denied the army was involved.

He spoke to the then brigadier, general staff, Abhay Krishna, who denied any involvement and asked me as to how do (did) I know that 3 CISU (the Intelligence Unit) had done such a thing? I was shocked by the reaction.

The intelligence unit was under Krishnas command. Bikram Singh was the eastern army commander and Dalbir Singh the 3 Corps commander. Krishna took charge of the southwestern command this January.

The intelligence unit raid caused an uproar and the then army chief Gen VK Singh, who is now a minister at the Centre, issued a showcause notice to Dalbir Singh, who was in line to be the army chief in 2014.

It threatened Dalbir Singhs chances to lead the army. In an affidavit to the Supreme Court, he accused VK Singh of victimising him with the sole purpose of denying promotion to the appointment of army commander.

When he took over as the chief in May 2012, Gen Bikram Singh reversed VK Singhs decision to bar Dalbir Singh from heading the Eastern Command, clearing his way to the forces top job.

Similar allegations have now been made against Gen Dalbir Singh.I learnt that directions were issued to my initiating officer to fix Col SS Shekhawat. This vindictive attitude continued when General Dalbir took over as army commander, the letter says.

As the chief, Gen Dalbir Singh even got him dropped as the leader of an Indian Army expedition to Mount Everest in 2016. An avid mountaineer, Colonel Shekhawat has conquered the Everest thrice.

A part of the Indian Armys elite special forces, Shekhawat has three gallantry awards to his name  Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Sena Medal  and a Vishisht Sena Medal for distinguished service.
A Pakistani woman and her minor daughter who are languishing in Indian jails since November 2012 after her husband allegedly abandoned them in Delhi will be repatriated, with Islamabad finally authenticating their nationality.

Jammu and Kashmir high court on Saturday directed the central government to deport the mother-and-daughter duo, who had been currently lodged in Jammus Amphalla jail, by August 21.

Kashmirs prominent human rights lawyer Mir Shafaqat, who has been fighting for Rubeena and her daughters deportation to their country, told HT that Pakistan authorities have confirmed her nationality to the union government.

Counsel for union government Tahir Shamsi presented a communication from union external affairs ministry in the high court that bears confirmation of their nationality by Pakistan high commission, Shafaqat said.

I am happy that these innocent souls would finally go home. It really means a lot to me as a human being, said the lawyer who has been fighting their case without charging any fees.

Earlier in January, media had reported about the plight of the duo, prompting Pakistans interior minister Chaudhry Nisar to take notice.

Rubeenas story came to the light after Shafaqat met them accidently in 2014 during a visit to Jammus Kot Bhalwal Jail where they were incarcerated then.

Shafaqat said Rubeena, a resident of Musa Colony in Pakistans Hyderabad, was on a visit to Delhi in November 2012 for the treatment of asthma. She was accompanied by her husband and the four-month-old daughter.

Her husband disappeared with theirs passports, visas and money, leaving behind Rubeena, who was then in her late twenties, and her daughter.

Moved by her plight, some people in Delhi contributed money to arrange her visit to Wagah border to cross over to Pakistan, but authorities of the neighbouring country did not allow her journey for want of proper documents.

She then went to Jammu on the advice of some people only to be arrested by security forces at Kanachak on November 6, 2012. She was booked under section 14 of the Foreigners Act for travelling without proper travel documents.

On completion of her six months sentence, the authorities booked her under Public Safety Act as she could not be deported as Islamabad did not confirm her nationality.

Shafaqat filed a case in 2014 seeking her deportation. Such has been their plight that even Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar of the Jammu and Kashmir high court in December last year prodded the authorities by saying that Rubeena and her minor child belong to some place on the planet and they be returned to their roots.
The Sri Lankan Navy is on the verge of commissioning its largest warship, which has been built in India under a Rs 1,000-crore contract inked four years ago for two such vessels.

The manufacturer, state-owned Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), will deliver the first offshore patrol vessel to the Sri Lankan Navy at a ceremony at the yard on July 22.

The 105-metre long warship, with a displacement of around 2,400 tonnes, is expected to be commissioned into the Sri Lankan Navy on August 2.

It will be the largest warship to be operated by the Sri Lankan Navy. It is also the largest warship to be exported by an Indian shipyard. The step will deepen naval ties between the two countries, Rear Admiral Shekhar Mital told HT from Goa.

The shipyard has beaten the deadline for delivering the warship because of which the Sri Lankan Navy will induct the vessel almost three months ahead of the scheduled delivery. Sri Lanka will get the second warship in February 2018, again three months ahead of schedule.

Such patrol vessels carry out several roles including fleet support operations, maritime surveillance, defence of offshore installations and escorting high value ships.

Capable of reaching a top speed of 25 knots, the vessels have been designed to accommodate a helicopter on their flight decks.

The shipyard will also deliver a fast patrol vessel to Mauritius on August 9, the 14th such vessel to be delivered to that country during the last two years.
For opposition candidate Meira Kumar, the presidential election is a war of ideologies that she hopes to win if legislators across the country listen to their inner conscience, but the battle of numbers seems tilted in favour of NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind.

With the odds stacked against her, the Bihar ki Beti (Bihars daughter) will need a miracle now to win the Dalit vs Dalit fight.

The 72-year-old former Lok Sabha Speaker is known for her soft demeanour and gentle persuasive skills with which she used to run the House. Kripya baith jaiye. Shaant ho jaiye (Please sit down. Be quiet), she would say softly and mellifluously many a times daily to calm down agitated MPs.

Her prowess did work, but not always. A Lok Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh once requested her not to use shaant (peace), claiming that it was used for dead people in his state. But Kumar wouldnt give up.

On Monday, when the Presidential ballot opens, Kumar will have the support of the 17 opposition parties which nominated her. A keen contest could be in store if, as the opposition expects, some in the ruling side cross-vote due to the absence of a whip.

Daughter of former deputy prime minister Jagjivan Ram, Kumar shares many similarities with Kovind. Both are Dalits, studied law, were active politicians and describe reading as favourite pastime.

Kumar was schooled in prestigious institutions: Dehradun-based Welham Girls School, Indraprastha College and Miranda House in Delhi for her Masters and LLB.

She joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1973 and served 15 years before plunging into politics. Kumar got elected to the Lok Sabha five times  the first from Bijnor in 1985 when she defeated Mayawati and Ram Vilas Paswan.

She went on to become a Cabinet minister in Manmohan Singh government before occupying the Lok Sabha speakers post in 2009.

In her long illustrious career, Kumar had her share of controversies too. She had taken over a bungalow in Lutyens Delhi by getting her fathers erstwhile residence converted into a memorial even as she occupied another ministerial bungalow. A bill of Rs 1.98 crore due from her was waived off by the UPA government as she was not occupying the bungalow.

Like her father, Kumar too had a troubled relation with the Congress for a while. She quit the party in 2000 and returned two years later. There was no stopping her in Sasaram, her fathers constituency, in 2004, as she completed a five terms in Lok Sabha.

Kumars candidature for the presidents post is unlikely to swing the balance in Oppositions favour in the July 17 election, but her presence will make it a contest between two Dalit Bihar leaders  one a former governor of the state and the other its beti (daughter).

Read| Ram Nath Kovind or Meira Kumar: Presidential election 2017 live updates

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A day before voting in the presidential election, the JD (U)s decision to back NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind, as against the RJD support for Congress backed nominee Meira Kumar, remained the most visible sign of discord within Bihars ruling grand alliance.

Yet, it was by no means, the only discordant note emerging from the three-party alliance.

The alliance appeared to be staring at a crisis threatening its survival as the constituent parties appeared to go in different directions on issues having implications for its survival.

After RJD chief Lalu Prasad announced Saturday evening his son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav wont resign as deputy CM, following a CBI FIR against him in the land for railways hotels case, all eyes were on CM Nitish Kumar to make his next move.

As Kumar remained in a silent mode, JD-U state leaders continued to issued thinly-veiled warnings to the RJD leadership, citing Kumars uncompromising stance on corruption as his USP.

Said JD-U national spokesman KC Tyagi, tell me one instance when Nitish Kumar has sought resignation of Tejashwi. But those facing charges should clarify their positions. JD-U spokesman Ajay Alok advised, Just wait, time will tell what happens next.

For Kumar, the biggest challenge is that he is being tested against his own yardstick on corruption. As head of NDA governments (2005-13), he had his ministers quit office the moment they were found facing corruption charges. But those were different times.

Now, his deputy and leader of RJD, the largest GA constituent with 80 MLAs to JD (U)s own 71 MLAs in the 243-member Bihar assembly, Tejashwi is in the eye of a storm over corruption charges but dislodging him is fraught with risk as the Nitish government needs RJD support to survive.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Shivanand Tiwari, who was earlier with the JD (U) but is close to the RJD at present, expressed surprise over the communication gap between the two major GA constituents.

The alliance is stable right now, but the supporters of both the parties are despondent and disillusioned with the goings on. The communication gap will certainly harm both, leaving the opposition BJP smiling, he said, as he emerged from Lalu Prasads house.

Tiwari said the CM should not treat the case of his deputy like that of Jitan Ram Manjhi or other ministers who had to quit when charges were brought against them.

Today, Tejashwi has been named in the FIR, tomorrow the matter may go further. The best way is for the two senior leaders to talk to prevent a break up. They (Lalu and Nitish) call themselves elder and younger brother. I am the eldest and I request them to talk because that is the only way to break the impasse, he added.

Laluji will emerge as the Dhritrashtra of Kaliyug. He will sacrifice all the ministers for the sake of his son, tweeted union minister Giriraj Singh,without elaborating. But RJD spokesman Manoj Jha refuted reports that GA was falling apart.

Amid the festering dispute, it was left to the Congress to make efforts to keep the coalition intact. Bihar Congress legislature party leader Sadanand Singh once again appealed for truce between the warring allies.

A senior RJD leader said: You never know what will happen next, as the situation continues to be fluid. Be it for snapping ties or bringing truce, one of the two will have to take the initiative. And the decision will have wider ramifications.

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Odisha is staring at a major flood this monsoon after over 520 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts flooded most parts of the two districts with one person dying in a landslide.

Rains triggered by a low pressure over Bay of Bengal since Saturday have led to flash floods in Nagabali and Kalyani rivers of Rayagada district affecting over 7,000 people in Kalyansinghpur block. Unconfirmed reports said three persons  a minor and two elderly persons  were swept away by flood water in Kalyansingpur block. A local Panchayat Samiti members husband died in a landslide while trying to rescue a family.

We have requested four helicopters from Indian Air Force for dropping food packets in affected areas. Another Naval helicopter in Vishakhapatnam is in a state of readiness for rescue. With more rains expected in southern Odisha till July 18, we are taking no chances, said special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi, after chief minister Naveen Patnaik conducted a review meeting of rescue operations on Sunday.

In Rayagada, four road bridges were washed away, while in Kalahandi, Hati river was flowing over the bridge connecting Junagad and Bhawanipatna. While rivers continued to swell in neighbouring Koraput district, the district administration rescued 16 pregnant women from inaccessible villages of the district and sheltered them in Maa Gruha (maternity waiting centres). Emergency medicine stock including anti-snake venom have been stored in community health centres of the district.

A major rail mishap was averted after heavy rains washed away a rail bridge in Rayagada-Titlagarh section on Sunday just minutes before a goods train was about to pass over it.
Dreams have taken wings in Paraunkh, the ancestral village of BJPs presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind in Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur Dehat district.

Just let him become the President, proud villagers say, eagerly awaiting their time in history.

Paraunkh erupted in joy after Kovind was named the ruling sides candidate for the countrys top post. Diwali, usually celebrated in October-November, had advanced, as sweets were distributed, crackers were burst and temples were lit.

Special prayers are still held at the revered Pathri Devi temple for his hassle-free victory.

Kovind is pitted against opposition candidate Meira Kumar, a five-time MP from Bihar, ex-Lok Sabha speaker and daughter of prominent Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram. On Monday, legislators from across the country will line up to vote for either of them. The majority is expected to side with Kovind.

And once that happens, this little-known village of around 9,000 people will shoot to stardom.

Presidential polls from the past 1st Presidential poll (1952) Candidate Name Votes Dr. Rajendra Prasad 507,400 K.T. Shah 92,827 Thatte Lakshman Ganesh 2,672 Chowdhry Hari Ram 1,954 Krishna Kumar Chatterjee 533 2nd Presidential poll (1957) Candidate Name Votes Dr. Rajendra Prasad 459,698 Chowdhry Hari Ram 2,672 Nagendra Narayan Das 2,000 3rd Presidential poll (1962) Candidate Name Votes Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan 553,067 Chowdhry Hari Ram/t6,341 Yamuna Prasad Trisulia 3,537 4th Presidential poll (1962) Candidate Name Votes Zakir Hussain 471,244 Kota Subbarao 363,971 Khubi Ram 1,369 Yamuna Prasad Trisulla 232 Bhamburkar Shriniwas Gopal 232 Brahma Deo 232 Krishna Kumar Chatterjee 125 Kumar Kamla Singh 125 Chandradutt Senani 0 U.P. Chugani 0 Dr. M.C. Davar 0 Chowdhry Hari Ram 0 Dr. Man Singh Ahluwalia 0 Manohara Holkar 0 Seetharamaiah Ramaswamy Sharma Hoysala 0 Satyabhakt 0 5th Presidential poll (1969) Candidate Name Votes Varahagiri Venkata Giri (INDEPENDENT) 401,515 / 420,077 Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy (INDEPENDENT) 313,548 / 405,427 C.D. Deshmukh 112,769 Chandradatt Senani 5,814 Furcharan Kaur 940 Rajabhoj Pandurang Nathuji 831 Babu Lal Mag 576 Chowdhry Hari Ram 125 Sharma Manovihari Anirudh 125 Khubi Ram 94 Bhagmal 0 Krishna Kumar Chatterjee 0 Santosh Singh Kachhwaha 0 Dr. Ramdular Tripathi Chakor 0 Shri Ramanlal Prushottam Vyas 0 6th Presidential poll (1974) Candidate Name Votes Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (INC) 754,113 Tridib Chaudhuri (INDEPENDENT) 189,196 7th Presidential poll (1977) Candidate Name Votes Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Won unopposed* *37 candidates filed nominations, 36 got rejected 8th Presidential poll (1982) Candidate Name Party Votes Zail Singh Indian National Congress 754,113 H.R. Khanna Independent 282,685 9th Presidential poll (1987) Candidate Name Party Votes R. Venkataraman Indian National Congress 740,148 V. R. Krishna Iyer Independent 281,550 Mithilesh Kumar Independent 2,223 10th Presidential poll (1992) Candidate Name Party Votes Shankar Dayal Sharma Indian Nationlal Congress 675,864 G.G. Swell Independent 346,485 Ram Jethmalani Independent 2,704 11th Presidential poll (1997) Candidate Name Party Votes K.R. Narayanan Indian National Congress 956,290 T.N. Seshan Independent 50,631 Kaka Joginder Singh a.k.a. Dharti Pakad Independent 1,135 12th Presidential poll (2002) Candidate Name Party Votes Abdul Kalam Independent 922,884 Lakshmi Sahgal CPI(M) 107,366 13th Presidential poll (2007) Candidate Name Party Votes Pratibha Patil Indian National Congress 638,116 Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Independent 331,306 14th Presidential poll (2012) Candidate Name Party Votes Pranabh Mukherjee Indian National Congress/UPA 713,763 P.A.Sangma Independent 315,987

I cannot describe the feeling, says Shiv Swaroop, a farmer. It just tickles each one of us. It is going to be our identity for next the five years.

Kovind, like his deeply religious father Maikoo Lal who ran a small grocery shop in the village, was a devotee of the goddess Pathri Devi. After leaving Paraunkh when 13, he went on to study law in Kanpur and practice in Delhi high court and Supreme Court.

He later joined BJP and unsuccessfully contested for assembly elections twice and Lok Sabha from Ghatampur, but was elected Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh in 1994 and went on to serve two consecutive terms.

Paraunkh saw the first signs of development then. All roads were made concrete; Kovind opened a college, and donated his ancestral house which was turned into a Milan (marriage) centre.

Ours was just an ordinary village with no streets, college, school or doctor, recalls Vijay Pal Singh, a childhood friend. He alone looked into our issues.

The possibility of miraculous makeover in the next five years is rife in the village. The district panchayat has decided to open a primary health centre here. Earlier, the nearest was in Derapur, eight km away. Kanpur Dehat authorities have begun work on four tubewells, the first ones in the village.

See, he hasnt become the president and the works have begun. Imagine what will happen to all of us when he becomes the President, beams Vijay Pal Singh, hinting at the big hopes people have.

Jaswant Singh, another childhood friend with whom Kovind used to fight a lot, eat sattu together and walk eight kilometres to Khapur, says they will submit a detailed proposal on what should be done to make Paraunkh a happening village.

There will be industries and the young will have jobs, he announces proudly, sitting on a plastic chair surrounded by people on charpoys. Just let him become the President.

Ganga Prasad, who lives in a thatched house, believes like many others, he too would get a new house under the governments scheme and there would be toilets for them.

I hear they are going to build new houses for the poor and new toilets. I wont have travel to the fields for the purpose. And the village will have a proper drainage system, he hopes.

We knew our time has come, says Chandrakli, the village headwoman. Each household celebrated his ascension. He is our pride. He will remain so.

Read| Ram Nath Kovind or Meira Kumar: Presidential election 2017 live updates
A military court in Pakistan on Sunday rejected the mercy petition of Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian national sentenced to death for alleged spying. The decision on his plea now lies with Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The armys public relations wing said Bajwa is analysing the evidence against Jadhav.

The mercy petition was filed before the army chief last month, it said.

Another mercy petition, filed by Jadhavs mother, is also being examined by the Pakistani authorities.

Gen Bajwa will take a final decision on the appeal of Kulbhushan Jadhav at the earliest. The decision of the chief will be based on merit, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, director general of Inter Services Public Relations told reporters in Rawalpindi.

Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a secret military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in The Hague in May suspended his execution on Indias appeal.

Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy. (With agency inputs)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked all political parties for a very dignified campaign for the July 17 presidential election.

It would have been better if there was a consensus for the Presidents election. But, the election campaign for this election was very dignified. There was no instance of use of harsh words or feelings. I thank everyone for this, Modi was quoted by a Union Minister as saying at an all-party meeting in Parliament House Complex, ahead of Parliaments monsoon session from Monday.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister HN Ananth Kumar said Modi later appealed to all the members of parliament and state assemblies to vote in the Presidents election.

He thanked all political parties for their support in the passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill and related legislations and sought their assistance for the smooth implementation of the legislation.

Modi said the programme for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Quit India movement -- launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, to demand an end to British rule in India -- will be discussed in both houses by the government.

The Prime Minister expressed concern over the flood situation in north-eastern states, and said the government is taking all steps to provide help.

Those who attended the all-party meeting included Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jyotiraditya Scindia from the Congress, Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, D Raja of the CPI, Sharad Pawar and Tariq Anwar from the Nationalist Congress Party, H.D. Deve Gowda from Janata Dal-Secular, Farooq Abdullah from National Conference, Mulayam Singh Yadav from Samajwadi Party, Jaiprakash Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, M. Rajamohan Reddy from YSR Congress Party and A.P. Jithender Reddy from TRS.

Trinamool Congress boycotted the meeting while no representative of Nitish Kumars Janata Dal-United was seen.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems to be unhappy with the potholed roads, power outages, waterlogging and various other civic problems that plague Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency.

The Prime Ministers Office on July 12 emailed the district administration and gave it 24 hours to send a status report on around 50 projects undertaken to improve the infrastructure in one of the worlds oldest living cities.

An amount of Rs 6.5 crore goes down the drain. The amount was allotted to the PM constituency for making it pothole free; two days rain shows the true picture of inefficiency, Tanmay Mehta, the PMs executive personal assistant, wrote.

He asked why roads had not been fixed despite repeated instructions and funds being made available.

The UP government had set June 15 deadline for the roads to be free of potholes across the state.

Varanasi is an ancient holy Hindu town visited by millions every year. Narrow bylanes, congested neighbourhoods and unplanned construction make its civic issues unique.

Modi wants to turn around the temple town. Varanasi has been picked to be part of his ambitious smart city project that aims to overhaul, with the aid of information technology, the way urban India lives.

But it seems like a tall order, for now.

The administration sent a letter, which was accessed by Hindustan Times, to all 24 departments, asking for the status of projects.

On the basis of details, a detailed progress report of various developmental projects was prepared and sent to the PMO, district magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra said.

The PMO also sought an explanation from the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) on its failure to take care of stray animals.

It pointed to leaking pipes, which it said wasted water, and also pulled by the civic body for not cleaning public toilets regularly.

The citys municipal commissioner has ordered regular cleaning of toilets.

The PMO also asked about the arrangements made to check waterlogging in primary schools and sought a report on programmes launched to boost tourism.

Taking note of recent waterlogging after a spell of heavy rain, Mehta wanted to know why the drainage system failed.

The administration was also asked about the steps taken to clear the misgivings of cloth merchants, who went on a strike against the goods and services tax.

Varanasi is famous for its Banarasi silk, well-known for its intricate patterns and use of gold and silver thread. The fabric is named after the town -- Varanasi is also known as Benares or Kashi.

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The opposition is keen to make a match of Mondays presidential election which looks like a one-sided contest that the ruling NDAs nominee Ram Nath Kovind is expected to breeze through.

The Congress-led opposition is putting up a brave front to counter the perception that the contest is a mere formality. It has pitched the election for Indias 14th President as a fight between ideologies and not a Dalit versus Dalit battle. Both Kovind and opposition candidate Meira Kumar are Dalits.

Its not a symbolic fight It will be a good, tough fight, said CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy.

Out of the total value of 10,96,004 votes, the opposition is eyeing around 400,000 and also is hopeful of cross-voting in the absence of a party whip. At the same time, the opposition parties are taking all steps to ensure there lawmakers dont vote for Kovind.

It has a reason to be cautious. The Janata Dal (United), which leads the ruling coalition in Bihar, has already broken ranks to announce support for Kovind, the former state governor.

Fearing cross-voting, Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has asked her party MPs to vote in the state capital Kolkata and not in Delhi as is customary.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi is meeting her party MPs in the Capital on Sunday and has also invited the members of Parliament from other opposition parties for an interaction later in evening.

As the Congress leader tries to fortify the opposition camp, the BJP-led NDA expects to make some inroads. It has tasted initial success, with six Trinamool Congress MLAs from Tripura supporting the NDA nominee.

The Trinamools Tripura unit defended the move, saying it decided to back the Kovind since the ruling CPM was supporting Meira Kumar.

Banerjee, who shares an acrimonious relationship with the NDA, is upset but there is little she can do about it.

The BJP leadership has also approached KM Mani, the Kerala Congress chief, and expects support from some of his MLAs. The Kerala Congress has six MLAs and one member in the Rajya Sabha.

There are some states where we will get 100% of votes, a BJP leader said, refusing to elaborate.

The partys parliamentary party committee is to meet on Sunday evening and so are the members of Parliament from the NDA.

The factionalism within the Congress in Gujarat and Karnataka and growing trouble for the Trinamool in Bengal following a crackdown on chit-fund companies has the BJP hopeful of cross-voting.

The NDA, which has a brute majority in the Lok Sabha and BJP governments is several big states, is also buoyed by the support pledged by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, the YSR Congress Party, the AIADMK and the Biju Janata Dal.

Its complicated

The President is elected by an electoral college, which comprises elected members of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state assemblies.

According to the Election Commission, the electoral college has 4,896 members this year.

The value of votes of all MPs is the same but that of an MLA differs from state to state. The value is arrived at through a complicated calculation in which the population of a state and the strength of its assembly play a crucial role.

For instance, a Tripura MLAs vote has a value of 26 while that of Kerala is 152. A vote from Uttar Pradesh, which is countrys most populated state, is the most valued at 208.

Read| Ram Nath Kovind or Meira Kumar: Presidential election 2017 live updates
A two-time Rajya Sabha MP, former BJP spokesman and till recently the Bihar governor, Ram Nath Kovind has never been part of the Lutyens Delhi until the limelight was thrust upon him when the ruling party announced his name as its Presidential nominee last month.

And come July 20, he will be set to occupy the most palatial building in the leafy central Delhi  the Rashtrapati Bhawan as Indias 14th President.

As a member of the upper house, Kovind was allotted 53 South Avenue flat. As Bihar governor, 144 North Avenue flat was his home in Delhi. And between the two addresses lies the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The 71-year-olds journey from South Avenue to the Presidents office has been so nondescript that it caught almost everyone on the wrong foot. People in newsrooms franticly searched on Google who Ram Nath Kovind was when BJP president Amit Shah announced his candidature. He wasnt too familiar to politicians outside the BJP.

1st Presidential poll (1952) Candidate Name Votes Dr. Rajendra Prasad 507,400 K.T. Shah 92,827 Thatte Lakshman Ganesh 2,672 Chowdhry Hari Ram 1,954 Krishna Kumar Chatterjee 533 2nd Presidential poll (1957) Candidate Name Votes Dr. Rajendra Prasad 459,698 Chowdhry Hari Ram 2,672 Nagendra Narayan Das 2,000 3rd Presidential poll (1962) Candidate Name Votes Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan 553,067 Chowdhry Hari Ram/t6,341 Yamuna Prasad Trisulia 3,537 4th Presidential poll (1962) Candidate Name Votes Zakir Hussain 471,244 Kota Subbarao 363,971 Khubi Ram 1,369 Yamuna Prasad Trisulla 232 Bhamburkar Shriniwas Gopal 232 Brahma Deo 232 Krishna Kumar Chatterjee 125 Kumar Kamla Singh 125 Chandradutt Senani 0 U.P. Chugani 0 Dr. M.C. Davar 0 Chowdhry Hari Ram 0 Dr. Man Singh Ahluwalia 0 Manohara Holkar 0 Seetharamaiah Ramaswamy Sharma Hoysala 0 Satyabhakt 0 5th Presidential poll (1969) Candidate Name Votes Varahagiri Venkata Giri (INDEPENDENT) 401,515 / 420,077 Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy (INDEPENDENT) 313,548 / 405,427 C.D. Deshmukh 112,769 Chandradatt Senani 5,814 Furcharan Kaur 940 Rajabhoj Pandurang Nathuji 831 Babu Lal Mag 576 Chowdhry Hari Ram 125 Sharma Manovihari Anirudh 125 Khubi Ram 94 Bhagmal 0 Krishna Kumar Chatterjee 0 Santosh Singh Kachhwaha 0 Dr. Ramdular Tripathi Chakor 0 Shri Ramanlal Prushottam Vyas 0 6th Presidential poll (1974) Candidate Name Votes Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (INC) 754,113 Tridib Chaudhuri (INDEPENDENT) 189,196 7th Presidential poll (1977) Candidate Name Votes Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Won unopposed* *37 candidates filed nominations, 36 got rejected 8th Presidential poll (1982) Candidate Name Party Votes Zail Singh Indian National Congress 754,113 H.R. Khanna Independent 282,685 9th Presidential poll (1987) Candidate Name Party Votes R. Venkataraman Indian National Congress 740,148 V. R. Krishna Iyer Independent 281,550 Mithilesh Kumar Independent 2,223 10th Presidential poll (1992) Candidate Name Party Votes Shankar Dayal Sharma Indian Nationlal Congress 675,864 G.G. Swell Independent 346,485 Ram Jethmalani Independent 2,704 11th Presidential poll (1997) Candidate Name Party Votes K.R. Narayanan Indian National Congress 956,290 T.N. Seshan Independent 50,631 Kaka Joginder Singh a.k.a. Dharti Pakad Independent 1,135 12th Presidential poll (2002) Candidate Name Party Votes Abdul Kalam Independent 922,884 Lakshmi Sahgal CPI(M) 107,366 13th Presidential poll (2007) Candidate Name Party Votes Pratibha Patil Indian National Congress 638,116 Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Independent 331,306 14th Presidential poll (2012) Candidate Name Party Votes Pranabh Mukherjee Indian National Congress/UPA 713,763 P.A.Sangma Independent 315,987

The Kanpur-born politicians CV has few highlights  a law graduate who cleared Civil Services Examination but did not join and personal associate to Morarji Desai before he became PM.

Its his modest background that Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to highlight on June 19 when the BJP nominated him.

Modi wrote on Twitter:

Shri Ram Nath Kovind, a farmer's son, comes from a humble background. He devoted his life to public service & worked for poor & marginalised  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2017

As national spokesperson of the BJP between 2010 and 2012, Kovind addressed just three press conferences  all of them having less than an impressive attendance.

Heavyweight spokesmen overshadowed him, a BJP leader who worked with Kovind in the media department told HT. He wasnt a favourite in TV studios. He was too simple to spice up on-screen debates. Kovind would not engage off-the-record talk and limit himself to the briefing, whatever he had, from the party brass.

There wasnt much space in the media cell office at BJP headquarters and Kovind used to be the last one to jostle for a room. It wasnt a big deal for him if could not find a seat in the media cell. He had very few visitors to attend.

Life took a turn for Kovind in 2013. Narendra Singh Tomar, then BJPs general secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh, wanted a suave Dalit leader in Lucknow. Kovind was asked to shift base to Uttar Pradesh. It wasnt an easy call for him but Kovind decided to accept what destiny had decided for him.

As luck would have it, Amit Shah soon replaced Tomar as the partys in-charge in Uttar Pradesh. Shah took total control in no time, working overnight to plan a Dalit-OBC outreach. Kovind came in touch with him for the first time.

Kovind had known Modi since his days as sangathan mantri (organisational secretary) of the BJP, but had no interaction with Amit Shah. Kovind built a rapport with Shah in Uttar Pradesh with his no-nonsense politics.

In Bihar, his association with chief minister Nitish Kumar remained peaceful. Kovind did not let Raj Bhawan become an extension of the BJP, JD(U)s general secretary KC Tyagi told HT. This was one facet of his personality that also impressed Nitish Kumar.

But as he prepares to maek the transition from the raj Bhawan to the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Kovind will have the challenge to fit into the big shoes of Pranab Mukherjee.

Read| Ram Nath Kovind or Meira Kumar: Presidential election 2017 live updates

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The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Opposition parties intensified their campaigns a day before the countrys 15th presidential election on Monday, with leaders from both camps holding strategy meetings and calling for support.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi led the Oppositions charge at an inter-party meeting, where she asked members to cast conscience votes against a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision. Gandhi told participants from non-NDA parties to fight the battle and fight hard despite the ruling dispensation seemingly having a numerical advantage. The event was attended by the Oppositions presidential candidate, Meira Kumar, and vice-presidential nominee, Gopal Krishna Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the issue of corruption to attack political opponents hours before Sonia Gandhi held the Oppositions strategy meet. Over the last few decades, the image of Indias political leadership has been at a crossroads due to the deeds of some leaders among us. We need to convince the people that not every leader is tainted, and not every leader runs after money, Modi said at an all-party meeting.

Later, Modi congratulated NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind in advance.

Modi termed the lack of bitterness in the poll campaign as a sign of maturity in the Indian democracy.

Voting will begin at 10am in the Parliament building as well as state assemblies. The electoral college of the presidential election comprises 4,120 MLAs and 776 MPs with a total vote value of 10,98,903.

Sonia Gandhi termed the election a battle of ideologies.

We cannot  and must not  let India be held hostage by those who wish to impose upon it a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision. We must stand more aware than ever of who we are, what we fought for in our independence struggle, and what future we want for ourselves, she said.

Gandhi said the presence of diverse parties such as the Left and the Trinamool Congress in the Opposition camp went to show that the fight for an inclusive, tolerant and pluralistic India is truly being waged.

According to sources, the Congress is looking at this election as a possible stepping stone for forming a united Opposition in time for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

However, parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar Kumar seemed undaunted. He said the road ahead for the BJP was very clear because 40 political parties, including non-NDA entities such as the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and Biju Janata Dal, had already committed to Kovind.

Opposition unity had suffered a jolt when JD-U chief Nitish Kumar switched sides and pledged his support to Kovind last month.

As things stood on Sunday, the NDA looked set to get over seven lakh votes while the Opposition seemed unable to cross four lakh.

Read| Ram Nath Kovind or Meira Kumar: Presidential election 2017 live updates
The Supreme Court has said it will examine whether an IIT can withhold the results of a final-year student, who was terminated after being held guilty in a sexual harassment case.

A bench of justices SA Bobde and L Nageswara Rao issued notice to the Centre and IIT Kanpur on the plea of the student, who challenged the Allahabad High Court order dismissing his plea.

Advocate Manu Shanker Mishra, appearing for the petitioner, said the results of the final semester should be given to the student as the delay is jeopardising his career.

The petitioner, before being terminated, was a final-year student of Department of Physics after being admitted to the institute in July 2012.

He was expelled from the institute in April 2016 after he was found guilty of sexually harassing a girl student.

The 23-year-old BSc Physics girl student had accused her senior of sexually harassing her for two years after which the college administration had forwarded the matter to the Womens Cell. The cell found the accused guilty and he was expelled later.

He claimed that the Womens Cell never gave the copy of the complaint made by the girl to him and did not even consider his reply.

The charges levelled against the petitioner were absolutely vague and were incapable of being replied properly. However, the petitioner gave replies to all the charges and he also tried to support his defence by introducing a large number of documents and a list of students who would appear as witnesses in the inquiry in support of his defence, he said.

The student claimed that the findings of the Internal Complaints Committee were also not made available to him by the Womens Cell.

He said that the report of the Womens Cell together with the minutes of the meeting of the Senate Students Affairs Committee of March 30, 2016 were placed before the Academic Senate for its consideration on April 5, 2016 and were ratified and he was terminated.

The Academic Senate did not give a copy of the report to the petitioner and it also did not give him any show-cause notice asking him to appear before the Senate for hearing.

No opportunity of hearing of any kind whatsoever was afforded to the petitioner either by the Senate Students Affairs Committee or by the Academic Senate before the aforesaid decision of terminating the academic programme of the petitioner was taken by them, he said.

The student claimed that his defence was not considered at all by the authorities at any stage of the proceedings and there was sufficient material supplied by the petitioner so as to demonstrate that the complaint that was made against him by the female student was malicious.

He said that single judge bench of the Allahabad High Court had ordered that the petitioner will submit a written unconditional apology before the institution and had directed the IIT to declare the petitioners result, if he has passed the examination.

IIT Kanpur, however, challenged the order of the single- judge bench which the division bench on February 3, set aside.
Villagers living close to Uttar Pradeshs Pilibhit Tiger Reserve have been for the past three days putting up a strong resistance against an eviction drive, clashing with police and forest guards amid growing man-animal conflict in the area.

A sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) and at least three forest personnel were injured when a group of villagers attacked them in Madhotanda area of Pilibhit on Friday evening. The irate villagers even vandalised some vehicles of the officials and attempted to set them ablaze.

Again on Saturday, they attacked a forest guard patrolling the reserve forest, forcing the district administration to deploy a police team in the area.

The trouble broke out on Friday when a team of forest officials went to clear encroachments from more than 500 acre of forest land near the tiger reserve to start a plantation drive in the area.

The villagers, who claimed to have been living in the area for decades, resisted the move attacking the forest team. They even kept hostage three forest guards for hours locking them in a room.

When the magistrate rushed to the spot with a police force, the villagers turned their ire against them, pelting stones. One stone hit the SDM Sadanand Saroj .

The SDM said the situation was brought under control only after additional police force rushed to the spot and detained over 30 people.

A complaint has been lodged at Madhotanda police station against 50 people for rioting and other offences.

The violence, sources said, is the outburst of pent-up anger of villagers against forest officials for their alleged failure to prevent tigers from preying on humans.

At least 15 people living near the reserve have been killed by tigers in the last 10 months. Forest officials say there are over 50 adult tigers in the reserve.

The present flare up has only increased the mistrust with the villagers now even turning their gun against the district administration.

Earlier only forest department was against us, but now it seems even district administration is also against us, said Lalwati Devi 23.

She alleged that during Fridays clash, a male cop assaulted her.
A day before the presidential election, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi described on Sunday the contest as a fight against a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision.

Addressing opposition leaders in the presence of their presidential and vice presidential nominees --- Meira Kumar and Gopal Krishna Gandhi, she said in these contests the numbers may be against them but the battle must be fought and fought hard.

We cannot and must not let India be hostage to those who wish to impose upon it a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision, she said.

Election for the next President of India will be held on Monday where NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind is pitted against opposition nominee Meira Kumar.

The counting of votes will take place on July 20 in New Delhi where all the ballot boxes will be brought from various state capitals.

According to the text of Gandhis speech, she said, We must stand more aware than ever of who we are, what we fought for in our independence struggle and what future we want for ourselves.

The electorate, comprising elected Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members and members of state assemblies, is tilted in favour of the NDA, but the opposition is still working to seek support of some regional parties in favour of their candidate.

We must have confidence in the values we believe in. This election represents a clash of ideas, a conflict of disparate values. The election demands a vote of conscience to preserve the India that the Mahatma and that illustrious generation of freedom fighters, joined by thousands upon thousands of ordinary men and women, fought for, she said.

She said the presence of representatives from different parties to support Kumar and Gopal Gandhi confirms that the fight for an inclusive, tolerant and pluralistic India is being truly waged.

The vice presidential poll will be held on August 5.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday said authorities have been informed that the 39 Indians, who went missing in Mosul in June 2014, were last located in a prison in Badush in Iraq where fighting was still on.

Swaraj along with minister of state for external affairs M J Akbar and V K Singh met the families of the missing Indians construction workers who were abducted by the Islamic State.

The Union minister said that fighting was still going on in West Mosul and further developments would be reported so as soon as the area was cleared.

I have already met them (the families of missing Indians) several times, but this time the situation was different as Iraqi Prime Minister recently announced that Mosul has been liberated from the ISIS. The very same day I asked V K Singh to go to Erbil and personally oversee where the missing Indians are and how can they be rescued, Swaraj told reporters.

Sources there told V K Singh that the missing Indians are most probably in a jail in Badush where the fighting is still going on, she added.

The minister assured, Once fighting stops in Badush and the area is cleared, we can probably find out about the whereabouts of the missing nationals.

Swaraj added that the Iraqi foreign minister would be visiting India on July 24 and will provide further information.
A 159-year-old co-educational school in West Bengal has adopted a segregation policy after complaints of boys harassing the girls.

According to the plan for classes 11 and 12 at Barhra high school, boys attend classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while girls are taught on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The boys use lewd words at us, shout in class and also use mobile phones even when the teacher is present in class, a girl said.

The school, established in 1858 and affiliated to the state education board, is about 225km northwest of Kolkata on the West Bengal-Jharkhand border. It has 439 students, including 257 girls, in the two classes.

After getting several complaints from the students of classes 11 and 12 that the boys create trouble, we were forced to take the decision of asking them to attend school on separate days, headmaster Kanchan Adhikari said.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the schools managing committee.

The district inspector of schools disapproved of the move.

I am not aware  But if it is true, we will take necessary steps, said Rejaul Haque, the inspector in Birbhum district. I say such a decision is illegal. Before taking this step, they should have consulted us.

Headmaster Adhikari, who is the deputy head of the local panchayat, clarified that the decision is not permanent and the measure will be withdrawn if the students change their attitude.

Parents are worried that the alternate-day schedule leaves students and teachers with little time to complete the syllabus.

My son is attending school three days a week. The number of classes is reduced further in case of holidays, said a guardian who didnt wish to be named.

For teachers, the segregation entails double duty as they have to teach the same lessons twice to the boys and the girls separately.

We are aware that it will be difficult to complete the syllabus. But what can we do? Even after warnings, the troublemakers did not mend their ways, a teacher said.

Former headmaster Jamaluddin Ahmed is surprised at the move.

I taught there for more than 35 years. The school authorities have taken a strange decision, he said.
A higher secondary school of Tripuras north district asked its female teachers to wear a decent dress during school hours.

The advisory was an outcome of guardians complaints about some female teachers wearing objectionable and/or glittery dresses while at school.

According to the headmaster of Kanchanpur Higher Secondary School BB Chakma, he has been receiving these objections for some time now.

Reportedly, such complaints have also been raised against female teachers in other schools of Kanchanpur.

...After discussing with other senior teachers about the issue, I have verbally advised the female teachers to wear their traditional outfits in school hours such as salwar-kameez. But personally, I would not like to interfere in putting restrictions on someone. I didnt issue any circular or notice for that, Chakma said.

Some, however, have not taken too kindly to the advice.

 A dress signifies personality of a person and every person, whether he is a teacher or an officer, should wear decent dress during duty hours. But it is not good if restriction is imposed on any persons choice of wearing clothes, a senior government teacher Ashit Datta said.
After a brief blaze of glory, Imran Khan of Alwar finds himself saddled with a dud free internet connection.

Less than two years after state-run BSNL offered Khan free internet connection for developing mobile applications following Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising him in his address at the iconic Wembley stadium in London in November 2015, the service provider has virtually logged him out.

His internet connection has been down for more than six months.

Khan caught the PMs attention after HT front-paged an article on the mathematics teacher from a Sanskrit School in Alwar on July 22, 2015, for developing 42 educational android apps in three years without any formal training in computers.

Modi said, My India resides in people like Imran Khan, during his speech at the London stadium. A day later, telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad called up Khan congratulated him for the noble work he was doing for the students.

Today morning I asked the CMD of BSNL to send the GM of Alwar to meet him. He was traced, I talked to him, congratulated him and told him that the entire country is proud of him for the work he is doing, Prasad had said after the call.

BSNL gave Khan free internet connection through wireless WiMAX technology because his house in Khareda village in Malakhera was unfeasible for a wired connection. But, Khan said, it was a basic connection and I could log in only sporadically.

For last six months, it is completely down, he added.

On Saturday, a BSNL team visited Imrans house to fix the fault but failed.

I learnt about it on Saturday and sent a team to repair the connection, BSNLs GM in Alwar Shyam Singh told HT.

He initially claimed that the connection had been restored but after checking with Khan he conceded that the link was still not working.

A former top BSNL official said there was need to lay about 1.5 km of optical fibre to Khans house to provide him seamless internet connectivity but despite several letters to Delhi, the department never got budget for the same.

Khan said the optical fibre had been laid until 200 metres from his house.

The 36-year-old schoolteacher has developed more apps since Modi hailed him  72 at last count  with 8.5 million downloads.

I have two SIM cards of a private service provider to access internet but now the company has limited internet to 1GB a day, he said.

In November 2016, Union minister of state for law and justice, electronics and IT, PP Chaudhary made Khan a member of the technical advisory of an institute under the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY). Khan was roped in to develop mobile applications for the ministry under the national institute of electronics and information technology (NIELIT), the human resources development (HRD) arm of the MeitY.

Two months ago, he was asked to make an app on goods and services tax (GST) to spread awareness among businessmen. With no internet at home, I couldnt download the videos the ministry wanted in the app so I went to Delhi for two days to make the app, Khan said.

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Rejecting Rahul Gandhis suggestion that Uttar Pradesh should close down hospitals to save money after it reportedly cut the education budget, the state government clarified budgetary allocation for education has been increased by 25%.

The total budget for primary, secondary and higher education in the UP budget for 2017-18 is Rs 62,185.25 crore as compared to the previous budget of 2016-17 of Rs 49,607.93 crore, which is 25.4% higher, an official spokesman said.

He said the budget for primary education is Rs 50,142 crore this time compared to Rs 38,066.06 crore last time, which is 31.7% more.

Similarly, the budget for secondary education is 4.8% higher than the previous fiscal. This year Rs 9,387.44 crore has been earmarked for the department, compared to Rs 8,956.86 crore last time.

For higher education, he said, the allocation this time is 2.7% more than the last FY.

For 2017-18 Rs 2,655.81 crore has been earmarked against Rs 2,585.01 crore in the last fiscal.

The Yogi Adityanath government presented its first annual budget in the state Assembly on July 11.

The Congress vice president had mocked at the Uttar Pradesh government in a tweet, saying great move CM Yogi - next you can save some more money by closing all the hospitals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the state governments to sternly deal with those who incite violence in the garb of protecting cows, a day before the monsoon session of Parliament begins with the opposition geared up to raise the issue.

Cow is revered as the mother in our country. Public sentiments are attached with the cow. However, people must know that there is a law to protect the cow and the violation of law is not an alternative, Modi said, acknowledging that such violence impacts Indias image in the world.

It has an impact on the image of the nation. State governments must deal sternly against such anti-social elements, he said.

The PM also said, Some anti social elements have incited violence in the name of cow protection. Those engaged in disturbing the harmony in the country are trying to take advantage of the situation, he said at the all-party meeting convened by parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar.

The monsoon session of Parliament will start Monday amid the latest round of tussle between the government and opposition over issues, including the atrocities related to cow vigilantism. Three days ago, a man was attacked over suspicion that he was carrying beef.

This is not the first time Modi spoke against the self-styled cow protection groups, but on Sunday the PM also tried to underline that it is the state government that must act against such hooligans and criminals, in a bid to deflect the possible Opposition attack on his party and government. Maintaining law and order is the responsibility of State Governments and wherever these incidents are taking place, state Governments must deal firmly with it. The State Governments must also see to it that in the name of cow protection some people are settling their personal rivalry, the PM said.

While he called upon all political parties to condemn strongly the goondaism, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said the government will be targeted over issues of Kashmir and the border stand-off with China.

The government has closed all doors for dialogue, leading to political suffocation in Kahsmir, Azad alleged. The parties like Left, Trinamool Congress are keen to discuss the misuse of CBI and the Modi governments vendetta politics.

CPI(M) to take up womens quota bill, cow vigilantism

The CPI(M) declared on Sunday it would raise the issue of cow vigilantism in the House and demand the passage of the Womens Reservation Bill.

Every day, the country is witnessing an incident of cow vigilantism and so many innocents are being killed in the name of cows. This issue needs to be discussed and the government should answer, partys general secretary Sitaram Yechury told reporters in New Delhi.

He also demanded that the Womens Reservation Bill be passed. Before the Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister had promised the passage of the Womens Reservation Bill. Now the government should ensure it, the CPI(M)leader said, referring to the proposed law that seeks to ensure 33% reservation for women in elected bodies.

He said in what was perhaps the shortest monsoon session in the history of Parliament, the government has listed 16 bills apart from the so many bills pending in both the Houses for the 14 working days of the session.

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I will come back as an ordinary citizen of India, President Pranab Mukherjee said at a public meeting in a Bengal town on Friday.

It shouldnt be tough for the 81-year-old to switch roles, again. Five years ago, when he entered the Rashtrapati Bhavan as Indias 13th President he left behind a political career that was spread over 50 years.

But, he adapted well to the relative quiet of the presidential office after the hurly-burly of Indian politics. He found things that kept him busy.

First and foremost, he decided to set his house in order. Built over 17 years and completed in 1929, the Rashtrapati Bhavan is the worlds second largest presidential estate, a treasure trove of history.

Mukherjee decided to restore the houses glory, digging deep for pieces of history stored away in many of the 340 rooms of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Every corner had a story to tell. He wanted to share the stories with the people. As the imposing iron gates of the Rashtrapati Bhavan opened for people, the President decided to shed some baggage as he dropped honorifics such as Mahamahim and His Excellency.

Education is a cause close to Mukherjee who started out as a teacher. He regularly met vice chancellors and also introduced in-residence programmes for scholars and artists.

He was not averse to taking hard decisions either. Mukherjee cleared 32 mercy petitions, some of them pending since 2000. He rejected 28 of them, including those of 26/11 Mumbai attacker Ajmal Kasab and Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, the most by a president.

Two years after Mukherjee moved into the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the BJP stormed to power at the Centre with a brute majority.

There were differences of opinion between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but it didnt affect their relation, he said.

Surely there have been divergences of views, between me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But we have been able to keep divergences only to ourselves, that didnt affect our relation, Mukherjee told a gathering a few days ago.

For Modi, Mukherjee was a mentor. In my initial days, Pranabda held my hand to help me settle in Delhi, the Prime Minister said.

The governments ordinance spree though was an irritant. Mukherjee, whose clearance was a must for the emergency measure, summoned ministers and questioned the need to take the ordinance route, skirting Parliament. He publically cautioned the government against pushing ordinances.

Mukherjee was quick to back Modis decision to scrap high-value notes but as currency shortage hit people and caused hardship, the President talked about alleviating the suffering of the poor.

He didnt shy away from expressing his views as the Modi government battled charges of religious and social intolerance.

He spoke out on most troubling issues but when the Centre tried to topple the Congress governments in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, the Rashtrapati Bhavan was a mute spectator.

The controversial dismissal of the Uttarakhand government, which got Mukherjees approval, saw the Congress point fingers at him for the first time.

Party leaders said Mukherjee, who spent most of his political career with the Congress, should have been more circumspect and not be led by the nose by the Narendra Modi government.

To add to Mukherjees discomfort, the dismissal of the Uttarakhand government was overturned in the high court and the Supreme Court.

But, as he packs his bags and gets ready to move into 10, Rajaji Marg as his term ends on July 25, Mukherjee will probably be a contended man.

Never the destinys favourite child, the man from Mirati, a small village in Bengal, rose to occupy Indias highest office.

He will be remembered as the president who brought the Rashtrapati Bhavan closer to Indias people.

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Government employees at the Areraj block-cum-circle office in Bihars East Champaran district have taken to wearing helmets for personal safety at workplace, turning into objects of curiosity and wonder.

Reason? The office, some 30 kms west of district headquarters Motihari, and 150 kms north-west of Patna, is in such a dilapidated condition that plasters peel off the ceiling and fall on their heads, putting officials and civilians coming to the office at risk.

Even the block development officer (BDO) has been forced to wear a helmet. The building construction department has already declared the structure unfit, but no effort has been made to undertake repairs, said Manoj Paswan, a village representative.

Ranjit Singh, a staff at the BDOs office, said: Many employees have reportedly sustained injuries due to falling of plaster from the ceiling. The situation has aggravated due to rains. The entire building also leaks, compromising the safety of office equipment, records, especially computers, he said.

With the office located just beside the popular Areraj Shiv temple, many pilgrims also take refuge in the office corridors when it begins to rain, oblivious of the fact that they were putting their lives at risk.

BDO Amit Kumar Pandey said the matter has been communicated to senior officers many times in writing, but to no avail.

He said the building construction department had two years back declared the building hazardous and unfit for use. The authorities have, however, found no alternate accommodation to shift the office.

When HT contacted East Champaran district magistrate Anupam Kumar for comments, he reeled out a mobile number and said, Please talk to the sub-divisional officer (SDO) concerned.

SDO Vijay Pandey said, We are in the process of shifting the office and should complete it by Monday. We have already moved the staff of circle office to an adjoining community hall . The block office and staff of Right to Public Services (RTPS) will be shifted tomorrow to the adjoining Krishi bhawan. We had ordered shifting of offices immediately after the adverse report from the building division, but the BDO delayed the process. We have already issued him show-cause notice, asking him to explain the reason for delay in shifting.

Show-cause notices had also been served on the four RTPS staff in the video for taking their problem to the media and not apprising their seniors, he added.
Even as the controversy surrounding the death of gangster Anandpal Singh refuses to die down anytime soon, senior police officials of the Rajasthan police addressed the media on Sunday morning, putting forth their side of the story  once again.

Three top officials of the state police force told journalists about the circumstances surrounding the encounter and subsequent protests, most of which is already public knowledge and has been widely reported by the media.

Anandpal Singh was a person who would commit the most heinous crimes for petty reasons. We are ready to answer any questions surrounding the encounter, said additional director general of police (crime) Pankaj Kumar Singh.

ADG (law and order) NRK Reddy said, We have inspected Anandpals farmhouse in Ladnun and were shocked to discover that it is nothing less than a torture chamber.

There were several private lockups at the farmhouse where his prisoners were kept. He used to tie the prisoners inside these shallow, constricting lockups, said ADG Pankaj Kumar Singh.

He added that in the murder of one Nanuram, Anandpal tortured him inhumanly before finishing him off.

Nanurams hands were broken and he was hung upside down from a ceiling fan. Thereafter his throat was slit and his body was cut into pieces before they were dissolved in acid and thrown on the highway, said Singh.

The officials also spoke about the events surrounding the encounter, which took place on June 24 in Churu district.

Our teams called out to Anandpal to surrender but the only response we got from his end was gunfire. Be it Shrawan Singh and his family, who had given shelter to the gangster or his brothers who were present on the spot, nobody has disputed our narrative, said Singh.

The police said the fact that no counter narrative has come up in the last 22 days is evidence enough to suggest that the encounter was genuine.

Singh added that a special investigation team (SIT) has been formed which will be looking at the encounter and the events surrounding it.

Additional director general of police (ATS &SOG) Umesh Mishra was also present during the press briefing. The police have faced strong criticism from the Rajputs and opposition members for the encounter.

Violence had erupted during a condolence rally at the gangsters native village, Sanvrad, on July 12 in which one person died and more than 32 people were injured.

The mob wanted to burn the personnel of railway police at the Sanvrad station and had also poured kerosene on them. It was because of a local that they couldnt succeed, said additional director general of police (law and order) NRK Reddy.

Reddy, who didnt reveal the identity of the person for safety reasons, said that the man stood between the angry mob and the cornered policemen and even spat on the matchsticks that were lit to burn the policemen.

Crime has no caste and religion and its completely uncalled for to unnecessarily hype the death of a gangster, said Reddy.
rajesh.singh@hindustantimes.com

Several loopholes were detected in the Vidhan Bhavan security during a joint drill conducted by security and intelligence agencies here on Sunday.

After the high-potential plastic explosive powder PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) was found below the cushion of a Samajwadi Party MLAs seat on July 12, the secretariat administration strengthened security but senior police and intelligence officers were not satisfied with the measures taken.

Additional director general of police (Lucknow zone) Abhay Kumar Prasad said the loopholes in the Vidhan Bhavan security will be plugged. There was need for better use of technology, strengthening human resource and improving security procedures, he said.

Owing to security reasons, he refused to speak about the shortcomings found during the drill.

Inspector general, Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Asim Arun said, The drill was conducted to identify the shortcomings in the Vidhan Bhavan security. The workplan of the Vidhan Bhavan will be prepared on the basis of the outcomes of the drill.

The drill started at 2pm after the Vidhan Bhavan security officer revealed that two unclaimed bags, suspected to be packed with explosives, were lying on the premises. While one bag was found near the State Bank of India branch on the ground floor, the other one was located on the first floor.

The ATS commandos, police, intelligence sleuths, bomb disposal squad, sniffer dogs, and assembly security personnel swung into action. A medical team arrived in an ambulance.

The Vidhan Bhavan building was cordoned off as ATS commandos and the quick reaction team took position. The bomb disposal squad started the operation to deactivate the explosive material. A fire tender moved into the premises

The operation continued for one-and-a-half hours with senior police officers monitoring the exercise from the control room at the Vidhan Bhavan. Some ATS commandos stuck in gallery were guided by the assembly security staff. The reaction time of the team and the shortcomings were recorded.

The ADG (Lucknow zone) said the IG, ATS, will submit a detailed report and suggestions will be included in the work plan.

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Eight women sit primly around an elaborately set table making pleasant small-talk about the weather, as immaculately starched waiting staff stand at the ready. But as one of the servers steps forward holding a silver soup tureen with white-gloved hands, an instructor helps her adjust the angle of the bowl to make sure the ladle is facing the diner. And a second tutor whispers in the ear of another diner to lower her elbow as she brings the spoon to her mouth.

The women are not at a fancy restaurant or a high-end social club, but at Switzerlands last finishing school, learning to master good manners, strict etiquette and how to avoid a fatal faux pas.

A student practises meal etiquettes with her tutors at the school. (AFP)

I realise now that I have been mixing the French style of eating with the British style, said Institut Villa Pierrefeu student Heba, asking that her last name not be shared.

With some embarrassment, the 34-year-old Egyptian national explained that she had placed her knife on her plate even though she had not used it during her meal  a no-no in French dining etiquette.

Heba is among 30 students from 14 different countries taking an intensive Pierrefeu summer course, lasting either three or six weeks, and offering classes like international business etiquette, floral art and staff management.

Not all princesses

The students are a diverse crowd, according to Viviane Neri, who took the reins of the school in 1972  nearly two decades after her mother founded it.

Obviously, we have daughters of presidents and princesses, but those are definitely not the majority, she said.

Women taste chocolate during a lesson. (AFP)

We also have people who save money to finance their stay because... they realise that this will give them extra knowledge that very few people have, she said.

It is not cheap. Depending on the formula chosen, a six-week course, with exams and lodgings at the schools majestic manor houses, can cost close to 30,000 Swiss francs ($31,000 or Rs 20 lakh approx).

The current students, aged between 18 and 50 and ranging from professional businesswomen, to doctors and housewives, do not reveal their last names to each other to ensure equal treatment.

A lesson in progress at the finishing school. (AFP)

Half a century ago, the students at Institut Villa Pierrefeu, which overlooks the picturesque town of Montreux, were among thousands attending a plethora of finishing schools dotting the hills around Lake Geneva.

Back then it was common for girls and young women from wealthy, upper-class families to attend so-called charm schools to polish their manners and social graces. Britains late Princess Diana was among the famous alumni of since shuttered finishing schools in this area.

Women sit around an elaborately set table as immaculately starched waiting staff stand at the ready. (AFP)

Ashamed, post-1968

But today, Pierrefeu is the only one left, after the industry was decimated by the 1968 student revolution and rise of feminism.

There was a huge dip in attendance right after the student revolution, Neri said, adding that the few who came said they were going to a languages school. They were ashamed.

Neri attributes her schools longevity to its broad international focus and its rigorous efforts to keep the course material, including textbooks available only to Pierrefeu students, constantly up-to-date.

A teacher holds a knife and a fork during a lesson. (AFP)

The students learn and practise the proper etiquette and protocol of 20 different countries, as well as cultural taboos to be avoided.

Cultural differences you are not aware of can create conflicts for very silly reasons, Neri said, pointing out, for instance, that in Japan it is rude to blow your nose in public, while in Germany it is rude not to.

She suggested that many journalists could use a Pierrefeu course to avoid embarrassing articles like those criticising US First Lady Melania Trump for not covering her head during a recent trip to Saudi Arabia. She doesnt have to because it is not compulsory for non-Muslims who come to Saudi Arabia. Thats protocol, she said.

The students seem to enjoy delving into such details, although some expressed surprise at the intensity of the course. I dont know if, when you hear finishing school, you take it as seriously as I think we all do now, said Taylor, a 34-year-old American student.

It is very rigorous,... very comprehensive, she said, adding that she felt she was becoming educated here in a very rounded way.

Directors of the Switzerland's last finishing school Institut Villa Pierrefeu, Viviane and her son Philippe Neri. (AFP)

Not about snobbism

Unlike the post-1968 generation, she and others said they proudly boasted of attending the school. Former student Nadine Abou Zahr, 46, said she had been sceptical when she first heard about the school while attending university nearby two decades ago.

But the French-Lebanese former fashion magazine editor, who declined to reveal her current occupation, told AFP in an email that she could not be more delighted with her experience.

Learning good manners in my opinion is not about snobbism or superficiality. Its about respect, for yourself and others, she said. The course is not about creating dramatic career or life changes, she said, but, rather, designed to broaden cultural horizons and teach the importance of paying attention to detail.

Etiquette roaring back?

Neri said she had noted a clear shift in attitudes towards the need for good manners. I think people, after two generations of no etiquette, realise that it is so much easier when people share the same codes, she said.

The shift has led Neri, along with her son and would-be successor, Philippe, to explore a range of expansion options.

Women learn how to serve a dessert during a lesson. (AFP)

Three years ago they opened shorter seminars to men. They are also looking into reinstating a full school year and online courses. At the same time, Neri is working to clear up common misunderstandings about what finishing schools actually represent.

Far from seeing girls walking gingerly with books balanced on their heads, or being focused on how to find a husband, her finishing school provides for in-depth learning and opening-up of the mind, she said.

I always say we dont finish them (the students), we start them, Neri said. We open their eyes to the diversity there is.

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Brash, brawny and keen to impose their will on anyone who enters their sphere of existence: the alpha male in action is unmistakable.

Now scientists claim to have pinpointed the biological root of domineering behaviour. New research has located a brain circuit that, when activated in mice, transformed timid individuals into bold alpha mice that almost always prevailed in aggressive social encounters.

In some cases, the social ranking of the subordinate mice soared after the scientists intervention, hinting that it might be possible to acquire alphaness simply by adopting the appropriate mental attitude. Or as Donald Trump might put it : My whole life is about winning. I almost never lose.

Professor Hailan Hu, a neuroscientist at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, who led the work said: We stimulate this brain region and we can make lower ranked mice move up the social ladder.

The brain region, called the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), was already known to light up during social interactions involving decisions about whether to be assertive or submissive with others. But brain imaging alone could not determine whether the circuit was ultimately controlling how people behave.

The latest findings answer the question, showing that when the circuit was artificially switched on, low-ranking mice were immediately emboldened. Its not aggressiveness per se, Hu said. It increases their perseverance, motivational drive, grit.

Mice generally organise themselves in stable social hierarchies that minimise conflict between cage mates. So the scientists pitched animals of different rank against each other in a range of tests to assess dominance.

In one, pairs of mice engaged in a head-to-head contest to shove their opponent backwards out of a narrow tube. In the video, one subordinate mice is seen putting up only light resistance, but when the alpha circuit is stimulated for 10 seconds it adopts a rugby-style drive, propelling its opponent along the tube. With brain stimulation, low ranking mice won 90% of the time against animals they would normally have lost to.

When the circuit was artificially switched on, low-ranking mice were immediately emboldened. (Shutterstock)

When we took mice that used to lose in the tube test they could win within just several seconds of stimulation, said Hu. Intriguingly, the experience of winning appeared to leave an imprint on the mice, making them more assertive, even when their brains were no longer being artificially controlled. They were found to be more combative in a second scenario in which they competed to occupy the warm corner in a cage with an ice-cold floor.

We observed that not all the mice returned to their original rank, said Hu. Some mice [did], but some of them had this newly dominant position.

The scientists described this as the winner effect, hinting that there may be a grain of truth in the self-help mantra fake it til you make it. The authors note that similar circuitry exists in the human brain, and although our own social hierarchies are less rigid they argue that similar mechanisms may be at play. The findings, they suggest, could have applications in understanding a variety of psychiatric conditions where people exhibit overly dominant behaviours, or lack motivation to compete socially.

Ivan de Araujo, a psychiatry researcher at the Yale University School of Medicine, agreed that the findings could be relevant in people.

Social behaviours in rodents arguably operate under very different conditions when compared to human social behaviours, he said. However, history of winning is one characteristic of social dominance that is relevant for almost every social species studied, from insects to primates. Because each brain region investigated has its direct primate homologue, the present study opens new opportunities for understanding the involvement of brain regions linked to planning and decision-making in establishing social hierarchies.

If the winner effect translates to humans, it would suggest that experience of success in one area of life could help build confidence in another. And you can imagine for athletes before a really serious game they could maybe play a video game to have the winner experience to build up confidence, said Hu.

The study, published in the journal Science , used a technique called optogenetics, to pinpoint and ultimately take control of the neuronal circuits involved in socially dominant behaviour. The mice were genetically engineered so that the target group of neurons were light-sensitive, meaning that the scientists could switch the circuit on and off at will by shining a laser into the mouse brain.

In the past few years, optogenetics has provided a window into the brain circuitry involved in a wide range of behaviours, from romantic attachment to the killer instinct of predators.

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The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 4, which shows that women across India are having fewer children, comes at a time when a campaign is growing for a population control law.

The survey, done for 2015-16, reveals an India in the middle of a rapid demographic change. The last such study was done for 2005-06.

When fertility  the number of children per woman  falls to 2.1, it is said to have reached replacement level, where two children replace their parents (the .1 accounts for mortality). Most states in Indias south, west, north and east have achieved this milestone or will reach there shortly.

The data indicates that improvement in womens educational status leads to a reduction in the number of children. In Bihar, the percentage of women who are literate rose from 37% in 2005-06 to 49% in 2015-16 and the fertility rate declined from 4 to 3.4. In Uttar Pradesh, where womens literacy rate improved from 44.9% to 61% in the decade, the number of children per woman declined more sharply  from 3.8 to 2.7. Even in states such as Kerala and Goa, where fertility was already low, further improvements in womens literacy has reduced the number of children in a family. In Goa, womens literacy rose from 83% in 2005-06 to 89% in 2015-16 and fertility fell from 1.8 to 1.7. In Kerala, the literacy rate for women grew from 93% to 97%, bringing down fertility from 1.9 to 1.6.

The NFHS does not publish demographic trends among different religious groups, so the data gives no insight into the question whether religion plays a major factor in the number of children that a family choses to have. Data does suggest that education, and not religion, plays a more important role in determining fertility. In Jammu and Kashmir, the countrys only Muslim majority state (the community is two-thirds of the population), fertility rate declined from 2.4 in 2005-06 to 2.0 in 2015-16 as womens literacy improved from 53% to 69% during the period. In urban areas of the state, the fertility is 1.6  similar to Canadas. In Lakshadweep, where 95% of the residents are Muslims, fertility is now 1.8. The literacy rate among women here is 95%. Lakshadweep, a union territory whose population is smaller than a municipal ward in Mumbai, may not be an adequate representative of Indias Muslims, but it shows how education affects population growth.

All this should be good demographic news for India, but, Bharat4PoulationLaw, the group leading the campaign for a population control law, thinks that the calculation of fertility is flawed. The planning commission had said in 1978 that if Indias fertility  which was 3.3 then  remained constant the population would grow to 127 crores (the population according to the 1981 census was 71 crores). The government says that Indias fertility has declined to 2.2, but the population crossed 131 crores in 2015. How is this possible? asked Manu Gaur, a financial consultant, who is heading the campaign.

The group said they are in the process of creating a draft for the law. While they declined to give away details, their ideas include withdrawal of government subsidies on food and fuel to families that have more than two children. The campaigners do not want the law to be imposed on families who already have more than two children, but have suggested a future cut-off date.

Demographers say while Indias population will continue to grow for another 30-35 years, the momentum of growth has slowed. RB Bhagat from the International Institute of Population Sciences, Mumbai, said, The countrys fertility rate is just 2.3 now; we have almost reached replacement level. The population will grow despite reaching replacement rate because life expectancy is increasing and we have a young population which will go on to have children.

There will be demographic challenges, especially with most of the population growth in the next few decades coming from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and other poor states in central India. A population law will punish people in areas that have been denied education and health care.

Who is this law for? We cannot apply the law to Kerala, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh where the fertility rate is below replacement level, said Bhagat. So the target would be poor people in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan .

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To prevent her daughter-in-law from filing a domestic violence case, a 55-year-old woman with the help of her niece allegedly kidnapped her two-year-old granddaughter. The grandmother, a resident of Mumbra, and her niece were arrested on Saturday.

When the child was allegedly abducted from outside her mothers maiden house by a veiled woman on June 16, the police thought that it was a child trafficking case. But even after 20 days when police informers could not get any clue, the police began questioning the mothers relatives. During investigation, the police found out that the girls mother had separated from her husband.

She told us that she missed her granddaughter after her son and daughter-in-law separated, said Nitin Chauhan, assistant inspector from Shivaji Nagar police station.

According to the police, the incident came to light when the mother went to call the child playing outside the house but could not find her. After searching for the whole day, she finally registered a missing persons complaint with the police.

CCTV footage shows a veiled woman carrying a child.

The police recovered CCTV footage from a nearby shop showing a veiled women walking off with the girl in her arms, said an officer. When the police questioned the womans in-laws, they denied their role in the abduction. However, the police asked their informers to follow every move of the grandmother.

Informers followed her trail, which led the police to a hotel room in Thane in which the grandmother was found to be nursing the girl, said the officer. The police arrested her on charges of kidnapping.

The arrested woman said that she was attached to her granddaughter and missed her after her sons separation with his wife. She said she was scared that her daughter-in-law would register a case of domestic violence against her and had threatened her, said the police. The threat and fear prompted the grandmother to hatch a plan with her sisters daughter. After the abduction, the niece was asked to stay in the hotel room to nurse the child.

READ

Mumbai Police arrest two teenagers for kidnap and murder of toddler

Cops rescue 3-year-old within 12 hours of filing kidnap complaint in Mumbai
After Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation sent a demolition notice to pull down a cross on Andheri Kurla Road , Gundavali, residents associations and catholics said that it was illegal because the cross is a category A structure.

Structures that come under category A cannot be demolished and have to be regularised.

The municipal ward office in Andheri (East) sent notices to demolish five holy crosses and one grotto of Mother Mary on July 15. Calling it a harassment for catholics, residents have demanded that the owners of crosses and BMC should work out a way of shifting the structures instead of demolishing them.

The BMC has identified 221 category A shrines in Mumbai. Only 482 structures under category B can be demolished or shifted.

As the civic body continues to raze illegal shrines in the city, Andheris Catholic residents have been called for a meeting with K/East assistant municipal commissioner on Monday, with their ownership papers.

Watchdog Foundation, Bombay Catholic Sabha and East Indian Association and other groups have demanded action against the civic officials for sending a demolition notice for a category A cross.

All crosses are over a hundred years old. The one on Gundavali road was marked on the citys survey plans in 1921 and 1955. It is an A category structure and cannot be demolished, Godfrey Pimenta, trustee, Watchdog Foundation, told HT

Chairman of Gundavali Residents Association and owner of the Gundavali cross, Ladislaus Pereira, said, BMC has asked for ownership documents about six times before this. They even acknowledged that they received the documents last time. This is nothing but harassment of the Christian community.

Head of Bombay Catholic Sabha Rita Dsa said, Of privately-owned crosses, 80% have proper documents. Demolition of these structures will not be tolerated. But, owners and ward offices can work out a way of shifting them. Another meeting will be held at Dadar to discuss the three crosses in that area.

Acting on a public interest litigation (PIL), the Supremem Court had ordered demolition of illegal shrines in 2011. Following this, the BMC published a list of such shrines, most of which are in public places.

Of the 482 illegal shrines in Mumbai, the BMC has demolished about 210 till date. HC has set the deadline for November 2017.

Assistant municipal commissioner DK Jain was not available for a comment.

THE COUNT:

Total notices sent to holy crosses- 46

Most number of illegal crosses in- G/North (Dadar, Mahim)

Total illegal shrines to be demolished (category B)- 482

Demolished so far- 210

Total shrines under category A- 221
A day after 227 corporators general body passed a resolution demanding 15-day extension to approve Development Plan 2034 stating August 24th as the final deadline, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta clarified that the deadline for the general body was July 18. This means the body will lose its right to register its say if the deadline was missed.

As per the extension given and by the law July 18th is the final deadline for passing the DP, said Ajoy Mehta.

A senior civic official said that the August 24th is the deadline for the administration to submit the entire DP with the proposed amendment, with the changes on the map to the state government and not for the general body. BMC is supposed to send the note of amendment to the state on July 18th.

After granting three extensions to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the state government, in a letter dated May 31st, had informed the general body that no further extensions will given for the approval of the development plan (DP) 2034 beyond the deadline of July 18.

Sena corporator and leader of the house Yashwant Jadhav said that the state has granted it time till August 24 to pass the plan.

If the general body doesnt submit the document by the July 18th deadline then they will have no say in the contents of the development plan of the city for next 20 years, said a senior civic official.

The letter also points that the DP has been in preparation for eight years and BMC will not get an extension further than this. However, if state again grants extension and decides to give another 15 days then the corporation will get chance to discuss the DP, if not then the 227 corporators just have Monday for the discussion. The resolution passed on Friday will now be submitted to the commissioner and the next course of action will be decided.

Post the February-2017 elections, this is the third extension sought by the corporation.

On Friday, Sena corporators said that all the 227 corporators should be given a chance to present his/her views on the plan. Keeping this in view, a discussion of 2-3 days would not suffice, corporators pointed out.

The plan is a crucial document on Mumbais 20-year vision for the city which had to be passed in 2014. Constant delays have slowed down the already affected real estate sector in the city.

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Three days after he butchered his wife for going to work, a Palghar resident was arrested by the Manor police on Saturday.

The police said the Bhagwan Bapu Koli, 45, had told his wife not to go to work at a nearby factory. His wife, however, went to the factory. On 11 July, when she returned, Koli started fighting with her. He then picked up a sickle and hacked her to death, said API Kishore Shinde of Satpati Coastal Police station.

The couple has two grown-up sons.

Koli then took a train to Surat and hid in the jungles of Dhulia. He was about to enter Madhya Pradesh when the Manor police team caught him.

We sent a team to Dhulia, his native place. As Koli did not have a mobile, we could not detect his location, but we showed Kolis photos to the residents and traced him, said Shinde.

Koli was arrested for murder and is in police custody for five days. He will be produced in court after that.
Around 11pm on Saturday, Neil Pereira, Pali Village resident, called up Khar police station in Mumbai to complain about the incessant honking and traffic snarl on 16th Road in Bandra. He was told that a van would be sent to address the issue.

This is not a new thing for the gaothan residents. Every day, they are troubled with unnecessary honking, ceaseless music and late night revellers creating a nuisance outside their homes. What worsens this is the traffic situation. Reason: the narrow lanes and many pubs.

We hear loud music blaring from one of them throughout the year. We have also had people fighting and urinating outside our house late in the night. More than once, we have caught drunk couples in compromising positions. It is actually a torture, Pereira said.

He added that he had complained at the ward office and police station several times but to no avail. There are around six bars and pubs around gaothan area, most of which are open beyond the 1.30am deadline on weekends, Pereira added.

Residents also raised the issue of security, with outsiders entering the premises often. The other day, a few rowdy guys were sitting just outside my house around 2am. I believe had come here after drinking in the nearby bar, said Maria Noronha, a resident.

Elderly people said that all this put them in a helpless situation as there was no way for them to get out in case of there was an emergency in the middle of night, because people who come to these pubs park their cars in the narrow lanes, clogging them.

We live in a residential area and not a parking lot. Our verandahs are used by these pubs as parking spots for their guests. There is no way for us to know who owns a car that is randomly parked near our houses. Who do we question? said Errol Ferreira, a serviceman with a private company.

Commercial establishments were of the opinion that the rising number of pubs in the area caused the problems.

There cant be a parking problem because we have valet parking. This pub has been around for 15 years now. The number has increased on 16th Road, which is why there is a parking issue. Also, we have a soundproof place, so there is no question of any nuisance, said Sadhana Lalwani, owner of Hawaiian Shack , a nearby pub.

Meanwhile, Sharad Ughade, ward officer, H-West, said that he had not come across any issue raised by the residents, No complaint has been brought to my notice yet. But I will check with my juniors about the issue. If the problem persists, it will be forwarded to Khar police station.
Medical and dental aspirants in the state are up for another fight for seats in coveted colleges, with a petition planned to challenge the new rules on domicile eligibility.

Unhappy with the states decision to relax domicile eligibility for medical and dental admissions in state, parents of a group of students are filing a writ petition in the Supreme Court this week.

Close to 40 parents had gathered at the Directorate of Medical Education & Research (DMER) on Saturday evening to discuss issues about medical admissions with the officials. Based on a recently passed high court order, the DMER has relaxed domicile norms because of which the ranks are very high this year. Students from other states have made it into the state quota merit list while our children are struggling, said Mahendra Chaudhuri, one of the parents.

On July 7, the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court relaxed domicile norms for medical and dental aspirants in the state. Originally, those who had cleared Class 10 and 12 from state or had a domicile certificate were eligible for state quota seats. Now, the compulsion on Class 10 from state has been dropped. Those who have cleared Class 12 from Maharashtra, even without Class 10 from the state, will be eligible for state quota seats from now, said Dr Pravin Shingare, director of DMER.

Parents said the purpose of state quota seats was being defeated as most students from the state were losing out on seats in state-run and private institutes due to this change in eligibility criteria. We have no option but to take our fight to the SC once again this year. Our children deserve seats in state institutes, said Ranjan Mehta, another parent.

Parents were also unhappy with DMERs decision to not release a revised provisional state merit list, after verification of documents of all aspirants. Thousands of students apply for seat in Maharashtra medical and dental institutes and document verification will decide whether all those who have applied are eligible for state quota seats. DMER cannot do away with this procedure, said Mehta. She added that parents have requested DMER to release a final list before the first seat allotment list is out on July 25.

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Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST)s plan to procure 100 new mini buses, including 50 air-conditioned ones under Maharashtra governments Tajaswini scheme for women, may run into a delay.

Shiv Sena members in the BEST committee have opposed the proposal of buying them from a particular manufacturer.

The opposition came before the administration moved the proposal to the committee. Sources said that the Sena members on the BEST committee have objected to buying buses from Force Motors, claiming that the capacity of these buses was low when compared to regular ones. Also, the mini buses wont serve any purpose and adversely affect the efficiency of the BEST engineering department, they said.

Suhas Samant, a Sena member on the committee said that the buses, which have a steel body will corrode fast like JCBL buses. He suggested buying 50 buses from Tata.

Under its recently launched Tejaswini scheme, the Maharashtra government has allotted Rs90 crore for 300 new buses in cities like Pune, Nagpur, Kalyan-Dombivli.

A senior BEST official said that they were thinking about buying 100 mini buses with a seating capacity of 21 each, under the scheme. They have thought of buying the mini buses made on the lines of Force Motors.

Sawant said that some officials were buying these buses, ignoring the larger interest of the undertaking. We wont allow the proposal to get the nod. We do not want people to unnecessarily blame our party for buying these buses, he said.

A BEST official said that they were going for mini buses because they were faster on congested roads. Also, BEST wanted to launch an app for booking seats.

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Residents of Mahagun Moderne society on Sunday decided that around 60 domestic helps who were caught on camera supporting the mob that had stormed the society on July 12 will be banned from the housing complex. Helps who did not take part in the protest and share a good rapport with their employers will be allowed to resume work on Monday.

Residents faced a riot-like situation last week when a mob stormed into the society premises and vandalised a resident, Harshu Sethis, house. Over 300 people had gathered at the gates of the Mahagun Moderne around 6am, alleging that Sethi had assaulted Zora Bibi who was employed as her domestic help. The crowd had managed to overpower the security guards and forcefully enter the premises. Sethis house was ransacked by the mob.

Following the incident, the society had banned all helps from entering the premises in a sign of protest against the hooliganism created by Bibis supporters. The residents, including pregnant women and senior citizens, had come together to manage their daily chores without domestic helps till they could come up with a solution to the issue.

The society management on Sunday decided that they will review the CCTV footage of July 12 to identify those who were a part of the mob. Helps who assisted the mob in creating a ruckus wont be allowed to work in the society. Its a unanimous decision of all the residents. Such people cant be trusted to enter our homes. It is unsafe, a resident of Mahagun Moderne society said.

The society will also do fresh verification of domestic helps who will be allowed to work in the complex. Helps will be made to fill a form mentioning all the required details. Employers will also be giving their consent and the details of their respective domestic helps to the society management.

Member of Parliament Mahesh Sharma also met the residents of Mahugan Moderne society on Sunday and assured them that a police post will be set up in the vicinity to increase police presence in Sector 78.

Mahesh Sharma visited us and assured that a dedicated police vehicle will be present outside the society and that a new police chowki will be set up to check such incidents, said Amit Sachdeva, a resident.

Its a big relief that helps will start working from Monday. The last five days have been very stressful as we are used to domestic helps. However, it was necessary for us to come together against the hooliganism of helps and their relatives, said Neelam Goyal, a resident.
The Noida traffic police imparted road safety training to 20 volunteers on Sunday who will assist them in reducing vehicular congestion and curbing traffic violations in their respective residential areas.

Earlier in June, the traffic police had appealed to residents through social networking sites to assist them in reducing traffic congestion. Residents welfare associations were also roped in to encourage residents to be a part of the initiative.

Officials said that the volunteers will also be given reflector jackets for their safety and identification. The volunteers will mostly have to perform their duty during the peak hour when there is a high volume of traffic on city roads.

On Sunday, the superintendent of police (traffic), Anil Kumar Jha interacted with the traffic volunteers at his office in Sector 14A and briefed them on their role. He assured them all assistance from the traffic police for regulating traffic movement on city roads.

He also made them aware of the major traffic problems in Noida and sought their cooperation to curb them. Jha said that forty volunteers have extended their support and will work in their free time to streamline movement on city roads.

The next batch of 20 volunteers will be given training in the coming week, the police said. Those who were given training were also provided reflector jackets and whistles to man traffic.

Traffic inspector Layak Singh said that the volunteers will mostly be stationed at intersections, markets and roads. Noida city has 301 intersections and not all are equipped with traffic signals.

Singh said that the initiative will generate awareness among commuters to follow traffic rules. Another reason behind inviting volunteers is a shortage of traffic personnel in Gautam Budh Nagar.

According to senior police officials, the traffic police department has a shortage of 130 traffic personnel in the district. The department has two traffic inspectors, two traffic sub-inspectors, 38 head constables and 113 constables in the district.

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Uttar Pradesh police have launched a probe against officers of Vijay Nagar police station in Ghaziabad for their alleged laxity and inhumane behaviour in rushing the victim of a knife attack to a hospital.

A video of the incident was recorded by a local resident and uploaded online and was widely shared on social media.

Fourteen-year-old Qadir from Vijay Nagar had reached the police station around 11am on Friday with a stab wound on his hand. A disturbing video of the incident uploaded online shows Qadir pacing around at the police station complex in pain, with blood running down his hand. The boy, in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding, had covered his wound with his shirt.

#Ghaziabad: Police behavior of Vijay Nagar personnel with injured boy and his mother as they are sent to hospital on July 14 @httweets pic.twitter.com/FdHjr2bq4y  Peeyush Khandelwal (@journopk) July 15, 2017

The video shows policemen at the station keeping Qadir waiting for nearly 20 minutes and finishing their documentation, rather than rushing him to a hospital urgently.

I was speaking on my mobile phone when some neighbours arrived and tried to snatch my phone. When I resisted, one of them stabbed me, Qadir said.

The video of the boy bleeding heavily and roaming inside the police station was captured by a local man and soon went viral on social media.

Later, the boy and his mother, who was also injured in the attack, were rudely packed off in an auto rickshaw to a nearby hospital. One of the constables on duty handed the women their documents and said, Pakdo isey, chalo... (Hold this and get going). The constable is later heard telling the auto driver to take them to a hospital where he would be reaching soon.

#Ghaziabad: Injured minor boy roaming around at Vijay Nagar police station, seeking police help on July 14 @htTweets pic.twitter.com/rUccxHDtxf  Peeyush Khandelwal (@journopk) July 15, 2017

Station house officer (SHO) of Vijay Nagar Naresh Kumar Singh said that a case has been registered against the attackers and legal proceedings are underway.

Senior police officials on Saturday took cognizance of the video and said that they had initiated an inquiry into the behaviour of the personnel at the Vijay Nagar station.

We have set up an inquiry into the incident. The officials were busy preparing documentation which is to be sent to the hospital for medical examination. But the officials should have shown proper behaviour and attended to the injured boy first. We will fix responsibility of the officials after the inquiry, said Manisha Singh, circle officer (city I).

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Im a Hindu vegetarian by choice from Kerala, the land of Hindus who delightfully eat meat, be it beef or pork. Meat-eaters dont gross me out; what churns my gut is the brutality of clobbering people to death for eating what they like, all in the name of cow.

There seems no end to targeted lynching of Muslims for allegedly killing cows. On June 29, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said killing in the name of gau bhakti is unacceptable, a mob of more than 100 people in Jharkhands Ramgarh district lynched a 45-year-old Muslim trader for allegedly carrying beef in his car.

It will be advisable for these self-appointed gau rakshaks to take stock of the life of cows than taking offence to their killing.

Before gau became mata

I turned a vegetarian after I witnessed a goat being killed for a function in the neighbourhood. I was 10 years old. An ardent animal lover, I was frozen and couldnt turn away from the scene. The cut on its neck, blood oozing out, the animals last frantic efforts to escape, its limbs falling silent, the severing of its head, the skinning, pulling out of internal organs I watched it all.

But it never prompted me to ask others to stop eating meat. Years before we were ordered to take care of gaumata, we had cows at home and we treated them as family members; in the very state where hardcore vegetarians, non-vegetarians of all faiths as well as Hindu beef-eaters and pork-eaters co-existed peacefully. We had names for all our cows and gave them a share of what my father brought home after work every evening; be it jalebis, laddoos or vadas.

Our routine was dependent on them and all of us at home could fathom their emotions - whether they were unwell, angry, sad, playful or happy from their drooping ears or the way their eyes lit up. I would come back from college and spend at least an hour with them, petting them and talking to them. The adorable calf, Kalyani, with deep blue eyes, would lay her head on my lap and fall asleep. We gave them the leftover food that was not served; never the half-eaten portion from the plate.

Is it just Muslims?

As teenager, in one episode of Heads and Tails in Doordarshans first satellite channel, DD Metro, I happened to watch a cattle sacrifice in a Hindu temple. Devotees who looked savage, queued up to cut open the neck of a hapless animal tied to a pillar. One person came forward, landed a hard blow on its neck with a machete and collected the warm blood in a bowl even as the animal was quivering. Then another cut by another person and it went on till the animal could wobble on its limbs, with its neck half open. Couple of more cuts and the animal collapsed.

Devotees reveled consuming the warm blood. I shuddered and cried aloud only to get rebuked by my mother for watching such programmes.

Holy scavengers

Years later, in Bengaluru, I saw cows feeding on garbage on the streets. Once I tried to pull out a plastic cover, which the cow was chewing down along with some edible inside. She registered a firm protest by shaking her huge head, making me retreat. It was painful to leave her die a slow death.

In Delhi, where cow slaughter is banned, cows seem to survive just on garbage. They gather around heaps of filth to have their fill. I have never seen a single gau rakshak feeding some fresh grass to them.

Cows at a garbage dump opposite Sector-3 Fire station, in Noida, India. (Virendra Singh Gosain/ Hindustan Times)

Their pain, no ones worry

The reports that came out from across the country after cow vigilantism took centre stage were even more disturbing. States that have banned cow slaughter are seeing a problem of plenty - of barren and unproductive cows. Gaushalas are functioning many times beyond their capacity and organisers are struggling to feed the cows.

Worse is the plight of cows that come under vehicles. If it is a minor injury, the animal would manage itself. In case of grievous injuries, even the owner would abandon the animal with broken limbs or severed parts on the streets. The hapless animal is left to die a painful death.

In dairy farms where the cows are said to be taken care of, they are abused through crude artificial insemination that make them productive through the year, without giving any gap between calf-births. Hormonal injections to increase productivity add to their woes.

Whose mother anyway?

Calves are denied their mothers milk and are often left dehydrated in the initial days of birth itself so that most of the milk could be sold. Most of the times, male calves with no assured returns in the future, are left to die inch by inch unless it is sold for meat.

In Delhi, in a house where they sell cows milk once had the severed head of a calf in the cowshed. A colleague who went there to buy milk was appalled by the sight and inquired what it was for. The calf died, probably of dehydration, and the head is preserved so that the mother cow would give milk! This happened in a Hindu household.

Burden of old animals

In Dehradun, villagers around Rajaji National Park are abandoning their old and unproductive cows for tigers to feed on. Sometimes, forest officials find them and inform the villagers but nobody accepts the sterile cows or impotent oxen. And, if a cow is eaten by a leopard, the villager turns up at the forest office for compensation.

In August 2016, over 500 cows died at Jaipur Municipal Corporations Hingonia cow rehabilitation centre, located 36 km from Jaipur, in two weeks after 266 contractual workers at the establishment went on strike demanding their payment dues.

The bovines starved to death after they were caught neck-deep in cow dung and fodder that turned slushy due to rainwater seepage. The cows died after being trapped for days on without food and water.

Dignity in death

Dignity in death is what they require. Help them live a life rather than just survive each day.

They are crammed into trucks and transported, during which most of them suffer multiple fractures. The half-dead cattle go through excruciating pain before they reach the destination.

As a school girl I was distraught at the sight of bulls made to walk - perhaps hundreds of kilometres - to Kerala in the most inhuman way. The person who was herding them was poking their back with a sharp stick and twisting and fracturing their tail to make them walk fast. The animals were weak and frothing from their mouth. There were bubbles of blood clots where they were poked and a wet mark of tear stream down their eyes.

Do our cattle really wish to live? Help them from dying a hundred deaths before they actually stop breathing.
A Russian yacht recently entered Indian waters without authorisation and, undetected, dropped anchor barely 500 metres from the shore near a location no less prominent than the Gateway of India in Mumbai. Till this point, it had escaped security scrutiny. This is eight and a half years after the 26/11 attacks, which were initiated after infiltration from the sea, and after coastal security was declared to be one of Indias highest counter-terrorism priorities.

The 390-tonne US-owned Seaman Guard Ohio, operated undetected as an illegal anti-piracy floating armoury in Indian waters for 45 days, prior to its detention off Tuticorin on the Tamil Nadu coastline on October 12, 2013, while illicitly refuelling on subsidised diesel.

In 2011, three massive vessels drifted into Mumbai, unnoticed by the multiple layers of security purportedly established after 26/11. They included the container ship MV Wisdom, with a deadweight of 7,025 tonnes, which drifted onto Juhu Beach that June; the 1,000-tonne MV Pavit, a month later, which ran aground at roughly the same location. In the latter case, the police were informed well in advance by local fishermen of the drifting transport, but failed to respond for nearly 14 hours. Again, that August, MV Rak, carrying 60,000 metric tonnes of coal and 340 tonnes of fuel oil, sank 20 nautical miles off Mumbai, causing a major oil spill.

These may appear to be occasional aberrations  but so was 26/11. These incredible incidents demonstrate that existing coastal security systems lack the capacities to detect and respond to a breach by relatively massive vessels, leave alone the detection and neutralisation of a terrorist infiltration on a small fishing boat.

While we may take consolation in the fact that there have been no subsequent attacks from the sea since 2008, the sobering reality is that our vulnerabilities remain undiminished, despite numerous proclamations of improvements and hundreds of crores spent.

A six-year Coastal Security Scheme (Phase 1) was implemented between 2005 and 2011 at a total cost of Rs 646 crore, to establish a network of coastal police stations, check posts and outposts, backed by an array of interceptor boats and motor vehicles, as well as a range of other equipment. A second phase, originally intended for completion in 2016, with a sanctioned outlay of Rs 1,579 crore, remains substantially incomplete.

Over the three years between 2014 and 2017, the total expenditure on strengthening coastal security totalled a paltry Rs 110.73 crore, and some of this money has been poorly spent. An October 2016 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report noted that in Odisha as against patrolling of at least 81,000 hours during 2012-15 as per norm, the actual patrolling hours were only 2,805 hours (3.46 %). The shortfall in patrolling hours ranged from 93.43 to 99.44 %. In Maharashtra in late 2016, of 19 projected coastal police stations, work was yet to start on seven; of 2,134 personnel appointed there, just 916 had been trained by the Coast Guard as intended, and 57 % of the total could not swim; of 61 functional boats available, 34 did not have GPS devices; and, of 426 bulletproof jackets required, 170 were available.

Several institutional changes have been brought about to improve coordination and intelligence, including a three-tiered security mechanism under the coordination of the Indian Navy, and a specialised desk in the Intelligence Bureau to handle maritime intelligence. A biometric identity card scheme for fishermen and a colour coding scheme for their boats has been partly implemented, with glaring deficits. A coastal surveillance system of 74 automatic identification system (AIS) receivers and 46 radars is due to be expanded to plug remaining gaps.

Among a range of glaring lacunae, the greatest is the absence of a comprehensive system for identifying all vessels in Indian waters. The AIS is only effective if every such vessel is fitted with a transponder. At present, a notification has been issued for all vessels above 20 metres to be fitted with transponders, and has been partially implemented. There is no provision for vessels below this length  which constitute a majority of all boats in coastal waters at any point of time, and would be the likely transport to be used by terrorists.

Governments continue to congratulate themselves on the comparatively better coastal security as a result of their erratic efforts, but the reality is, we are safe more because of the shifting priorities and calculus of our enemies, than because of any dramatic reduction in our vulnerabilities.

Ajai Sahni is executive director, Institute for Conflict Management

The views expressed are personal
The current military stand-off at Dokalam will test effectiveness of changing foreign policy orientation in both India and China. After years of concentrating mainly on economic modernisation, China is becoming more assertive in the last few years. Twenty-five years of relatively high growth has also made India confident. The strategic consequences of growth are clearly evident with New Delhi signing close to 30 strategic partnerships and about 15 trade agreements.

As both Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping would like to be portrayed as strong leaders to their citizens, neither side is likely to back down from the present standoff in a hurry. The behaviour of both big powers is going to shape the evolving Asian economic and security architecture. The indications of conflicting or cooperative Asian architecture as well as role of external players like the United States, Russia and Europe will also become clearer soon. The relevance of New Delhis increasing ties with the US is going to be tested before long.

Chinas economy and global trade is five times bigger than India. Due to this huge asymmetry, Chinese have been quite relaxed about New Delhi. In comparison, many in India have been more nervous about the rise of China. And the growing Chinese influence in South, Southeast and Central Asia regions of immediate Indian concern  has been watched carefully by New Delhi. In the meanwhile, with $70 billion bilateral trade, China has become the number one trading partner of India. With only $10 billion exports going to China, the trade is hugely tilted in favour of Beijing. So, increasing economic ties have not necessarily reduced tensions.

For years, New Delhi has believed that China has transferred nuclear and missile technology to Pakistan, so that India is bottled up in South Asia. With its all weather friend Pakistan further blocking India westwards, Indian access to Afghanistan and Central Asia has become difficult. This has provided China a relatively free space in Eurasia. In addition, Russias growing tensions with Europe and the US also made Moscow further close to Beijing.

Despite all these complexities, both India and China have managed their relations reasonably well so far. One of the main sources of tension between India and China is their shared but disputed border. Since 1993 when an agreement on the maintenance of peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was signed, incidents of Chinese troops crossing the border have not gone out of control. Tone of cooperation at the BRICS gatherings as well as Indias entry into Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has been part of this trend.

Indirect Chinese reference during Modis US visit and Indias decision to boycott the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) gathering seems to have annoyed Beijing. Similarly, Chinese objections to Indias entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) as well as blocking Indias move to ban JeM chief Masood Azhar in the United Nations have made New Delhi suspicious of Beijings real intensions. The nationalistic rhetoric fuelled by media from both sides has created a situation, in which Dokalam has become more than a normal border incident. The entry of a new actor, Bhutan into this game has made things further complicated and, to some extent, unpredictable.

Most European powers are not very comfortable with the rise of China. Apart from some statements on human rights and democracy, however, they are unable to do much. How to manage Chinas rise was left to the US. The pivot to Asia or rebalancing initiated by the Obama administration is practically over. The current policy muddle in Washington will benefit China.

The South China Sea dispute had provided an opportunity for the West to put pressure on China. An extended India-China standoff would provide another chance for them to pinprick China without getting involved in a serious manner. The vice-president of the European parliament Ryszard Czarnecki has asserted that Chinese action in the Doklam plateau can be seen as a part of the countrys recent tendency to unilaterally change the ground situation in areas that are disputed. The US so far has avoided commenting on the standoff. The joint India-US-Japan Malabar Exercise was a regular event, though some in the Indian media were trying to link it with the standoff. The exercise started way back in 1994.

The all-party meeting on the standoff has rightly stressed on diplomatic engagement. Enhanced engagement and understanding is required not just for Dokalam but also for broader strategic issues and economic projects. Some serious issues are involved in projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Still, there is an ample scope of coordinating the BRI with our initiatives like the International North South Transport Corridor, Chabahar port, Kaladan Multi-Model Transit Transport Project or the newly launched Asia-Africa Growth Corridor. Beyond geopolitical moves, all these projects offer tremendous developmental opportunities for citizens in participating countries.

With cooperation and coordination both India and China can make the 21st century a truly Asian century. Otherwise conflicting Asian powers will offer opportunities for the West to continue its hegemony for some more decades.

Gulshan Sachdeva is professor at the school of international studies, JNU

The views expressed are personal
Though the residents of Chandawa know that the electoral arithmetic is in favour of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, they clutch on to the hope that Congress pick Meira Kumar will emerge victorious.

And why wouldnt they, considering that a daughter of their village now has a shot at becoming the first citizen of India?

Drop by Chandawa, about 55 km west of Patna, and you will find people anxiously discussing Kumars chances in the presidential polls. Most television and radio sets have been switched on, and any piece of information they disclose is relayed rapidly across the village.

But silence reigns at the house of Suraj Ram, a relative of Kumar.

We arent scanning television channels for information here, says 28-year-old Shveta Rani, one of the two college-going members of the household. We know the NDA candidate is ahead in numbers, but we have faith in our grandmother (Kumar). She has a spotless record, and her conviction for uplifting the downtrodden is unparalleled.

Shveta and 26-year-old Seema Prakash have been praying day and night for Kumars victory before their Kuldevata (family deity).

Though three others of the family  Ravi Kumar (35), Satyendra Kumar (28) and Surya Prakash (32)  are not as optimistic, that does not prevent them from feeling proud of the presidential candidate. Our family symbolises the strength of Indian democracy. Who would have thought that somebody from a downtrodden family, like our great grandfather Jagajiwan Ram, could climb such improbable heights in his life? That goes for Meiraji too, says Ravi.

Meanwhile, an outhouse belonging to Prakash Tiwary  a resident of the village  is a picture of revelry. People can be seen sipping tea and chewing paan, enjoying every bit of the attention being showered upon the village by the media. Meiraji is not just Jagajiwan Rams daughter, she is our sister too. She is fighting for democratic values and morals that should prevail over mere vote politics. She has always been a winner, says 22-year-old Shrikant Tiwary.

Devi Dayal Ram, a 45-year-old school teacher, doesnt even want to hear about the numbers game. Even when the NDA is forced to choose a Dalit, it puts up a puppet. Really, can you even compare Meiraji and Kovind? he asks.

Prabhawat Devi, who was milking her goat when we chanced upon her, had a different take on the matter. Women from all the parties will vote for Meiraji because she is a woman, the 35-year-old said.
The Union ministry of urban development (MoUD) has reportedly asked the ministry of home affairs (MHA) to direct the Chandigarh administration to allow conversion of properties from leasehold to freehold and fix the rates.

In January this year, the UT administration had decided to allow conversion of residential properties from leasehold to freehold. The rates were fixed  7.5% to 20% of the collector rate  and sent to the MHA for approval.

Once the MHA gives it the go ahead, the decision will benefit 50,000 residential properties in Chandigarh.

Sources in the administration said as soon as they receive the directions, the rates for commercial and industrial properties will also be finalised. There are around 5,000 commercial and industrial properties on leasehold in the city.

55,000 PROPERT OWNER TO BENEFITS WHAT IS LEASEHOLD? A property on leasehold can be occupied for a limited period, mostly for 99 years. The real ownership remains with the UT administration. WHAT IS FREEHOLD? The person having freehold of property is its owner and can utilise it for any purpose. HOW CONVERSION AFFECTS YOU? It gives you peace of mind if you are the owner, says Sunil Kumar, former chairman of the property consultants association. The conversion from leasehold to freehold will also facilitate sale of properties, he says. Kamaljit Singh Panchhi, president of the Sector-17 traders association, says the traders have to pay lease at 2.5% of the amount at which the shop is auctioned every year. They are still not the owners. This will change once the conversion to freehold gets the nod. WHATS THERE FOR UT? The UT administration can earn up to m500-crore revenue if they allow the conversion. At present, it is earning just a few lakhs from the lease money, says Sunil Kumar. Panchhi says the UT will also be able to earn more from stamp duty on registries.

PATIL IMPOSED BAN IN 2013

In2013,the then UT administrator Shivraj Patil had imposed a ban on the conversion of property, leaving the decision to the MHA.

Patil was of the view that allowing conversion will make the leaseholder an owner, which couldnt be allowed at a price lower than the market price. He feared that it would lead to a scam, as otherwise properties were either auctioned or sold at market price. He wanted the decision to be taken at highest level.

RESIDENTS WELCOME MOVE

The city residents have been demanding the conversion for long. Sources said the urban development ministry has told the MHA that the conversion of leasehold to freehold was part of the governments policy and Chandigarh residents shouldnt be deprived of it.

Welcoming the development, Kamaljit Singh Panchhi, president of the Sector-17 traders association, said: We have been fighting for it (conversion). As of now, we have to pay lease money at 2.5% of the amount at which the shop is auctioned every year. If the amount is Rs 1 crore, we deposit Rs 2.5 lakh. Then we also have to pay the Goods and Services Tax (GST) now. But we are still not the owners.

The conversion from leasehold to freehold will facilitate sale of properties, says Sunil Kumar, Laghu Udyog Bharti vice-president and ex-chairman of the property consultants association.
The police have constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the murder of a church priest, Sultan Masih, 50, who was gunned down by two motorcycle-borne assailants at Peeru Banda Mohalla in the Salem Tabri area on Saturday night.

Commissioner of police RN Dhoke said the SIT would comprise deputy commissioner of police (DCP investigation) Gagan Ajit Singh, additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP) Rattan Singh Brar, assistant commissioner of police (ACP investigation) Maninder Bedi and SHO of the Salem Tabri police station Amandeep Singh Brar.

Dhoke said he would monitor the investigation. We are working on various leads, including the information provided by the family, relatives and friends of the pastor. The accused will be nabbed soon, said Dhoke.

The police have also procured the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and are trying to identify the accused.

Earlier, members of the Christian community blocked traffic on the Jalandhar bypass in protest against Masihs killing. The family refused to hold a funeral until his killers were arrested.

Rs 5 LAKH RELIEF TO PASTORS WIDOW, JOB TO SON

Chandigarh: Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the widow of Sultan Masih and a government job in the police for the son. The CM talked to the pastors family over phone to convey his condolences and promised strong action against the culprits. He told the pastors widow Sarabjit that her son Alisha would be provided a job in the police.

AMARINDER ORDERS CRACKDOWN

Taking serious view of the pastors killing, the CM on Sunday directed the director general of police (DGP) Suresh Arora to order a police crackdown on elements trying to whip up communal passions by indulging in such attacks.

He has also directed DGP to ensure that various departments of the police and intelligence in the state liaison and coordinate with one another in order to gather advance intelligence to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, a spokesperson in chief ministers office said.

He directed the DGP to ask field officers to coordinate with local Christian leaders for support in defusing the situation resulting from the killing.

Amarinder said he had already urged the Prime Minister to expedite CBI probes into cases of other targeted killings, including that of RSS, Hindu and Shiv Sena leaders.
Its the elemental childhood fantasy, isnt it, to see space in some way, says photographer Robert Ormerod. I think I wanted to be an astronaut, and then that enthusiasm got replaced by other things. But there are those people who never lose it, and Im interested in what they do with that passion. Such a small fraction of the population will ever go to space  how do those people live their dream?

Its a question that in recent years has led Ormerod all over the world in pursuit of space enthusiasts, shooting UFO hunters in America and amateur rocket builders at a festival in the highlands of Scotland . His latest expedition took him to Iceland. He wanted to track down the aurora hunters, people who spend their nights chasing the northern lights. Then there was the opportunity to capture the countrys unique topography, its weird and wonderful lunar landscapes.

If youve watched a sci-fi blockbuster at the cinema over the last few years, you will have seen a fair bit of Iceland without realising it. From the Vatnajokull glacier to the Krafla volcano , it is the perfect stand-in whenever a vast, otherworldly set is required. The opening scene of Ridley Scotts Prometheus features the spectacular Dettifoss waterfall. More than one of the planets featured in Interstellar was created from Icelandic locations ; the ice planet, home of Matt Damons character, Dr Mann, is part of the huge Svinafellsjokull glacier . Sequences of the water planet, with its huge, terrifying waves, were filmed with a 52-feet spaceship replica in the lowlands at Mafabot; such is the quality of the air that cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema shot those scenes using only natural light.

Icelandic backdrops crop up in Batman Begins , Star Trek , Tomb Raider  and, of course, in numerous Star Wars films (the black sand beaches of Jyn Ersos hideaway planet in the early scenes of Rogue One were shot at Myrdalssandur). When Jon Snow headed north of the Wall in Game Of Thrones , he was, of course, heading to Iceland.

All the celluloid exposure hasnt done the tourist industry any harm. In 2010, Iceland was very much post-kreppa (crisis), emerging from the financial crash after a group of bankers nicknamed the Viking Raiders sent the countrys banks tumbling. The number of international tourists was then around 4,90,000, but jumped to almost 1.8 million in 2016 . Tourism has now overtaken fishing and aluminium production as the main source of income. Visitors flock to cultural events such as the Reykjavik International Literary festival (Iceland prides itself on being a nation of storytellers, claiming that one in 10 Icelanders is a published author).

But for many, the landscape is the real attraction. Hiring a car to hit the Golden Circle is increasingly popular, a 190-mile round trip of the area surrounding Reykjavik that takes in sights such as the Gullfoss waterfall, the wild ingvellir national park and Geysir, a huge, spouting hot spring.

Ormerod took the path less travelled, heading out on the larger ring road that circumnavigates the whole country , in search of moonscapes. He wasnt disappointed. Its an incredible place. I could drive for hours without seeing another person, which added to the surrealism. Its primal, as if the core of the Earth is pouring out. Some of his most atmospheric shots are from the shores of Lake Myvatn , where the nearby hot springs rival those of the more famous Blue Lagoon. Its funny  its such a beautiful, tranquil place, but because of the sulphur, everything stinks of egg.

It wasnt just the natural geology that suggested an otherworldliness; structures such as the geodesic dome are dotted across the country and used to harness the Earths natural steam power. Ormerods father, who had planned to join him on the trip, texted his son locations that might be interesting.

Giant volcano Askja offers a view at two crater lakes. The smaller, turquoise one is called Viti and contains warm geothermal water. The large lake is Oskjuvatn, the second deepest lake in Iceland. (Shutterstock)

He had already arranged to meet Orlygur Hnefill Orlygsson, guesthouse owner and founder of the Exploration Museum in Husavik. In fact, to describe Orlygur as a guesthouse owner is selling him a bit short: he has also been a journalist, an actor, a director and a politician. I was born here, but moved away as a teenager, he says. I left a small fishing village and returned 10 years later to a town that had become a tourist destination.

Whale-watching had become big business. There are now four companies running tours, a whale research centre and a whale museum. People have moved here from all over the world. Theres a really international vibe in the summer.

Like Ormerod, Orlygur was interested in space exploration as a child, but the passion had faded. Then a few years ago, I was in a bookshop and found an old newspaper from 1965 with a headline that read: Apollo astronauts training for moon arrive in Iceland today. I had no idea that they had been training in my back yard.

American astronauts made two training expeditions to Iceland  in 1965 and in 1967, when Neil Armstrong visited. A lot of people think they trained here because the landscape looks a bit like the moon, but thats not the real reason. It was the rocks, Orlygur explains. Iceland has a diverse geology, so it was a good way for them to learn about selecting the best samples to bring back.

Even so, the lavafields of Askja made an impression on the men. It was a misty, surreal place, unlike anything Id ever seen on my travels, Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell later recalled. And because we were there in the summer, the sun never set. Armstrong joked that he was tempted to sneak a piece of limestone on to the mission and bring it back to Earth as a moon rock.

Orlygur began to collect Apollo memorabilia, tracking down artefacts on eBay and at antiques markets, allowing him to open the Exploration Museum (dedicated not just to astronauts, but also Viking and polar explorers). He got in touch with a number of the astronauts who had visited in the 60s, six of whom have now visited the museum and toured their old training grounds at Askja.

Natural sulfurous hot springs in Iceland. (Shutterstock)

I think it is an emotional experience for them, Orlygur says. You dont get to go back to the moon, so perhaps this is the closest thing. And its also very emotional for their families to come here and get a sense of what it was like. Neil Armstrongs two sons and grandchildren have visited, and I think it was very special for them.

This week, astronaut Charlie Duke paid a visit and broke ground on what Orlygur hopes will be the site of a replica lunar module. He is collaborating with the Smithsonian in Washington, and also hopes to create a science exhibition for Icelandic children. His daughter, Anita, is just three, but he is aware of the impact his passion for space can have on a younger generation.

We got the local schools involved, and now I would say we have a lot of young astro-scientists, he says. Hes not sure the children know just how lucky they are. Its funny, in the US I think its quite a big deal if an astronaut visits your school. But here the kids are starting to take it for granted, that you get to meet someone who walked on the moon.

While whale-watching remains the big tourist draw in Husavik, the wider community has renewed its interest in the great space race of the 60s.

There are quite a number of residents who are into it, says Ormerod. I was very grateful to Orly for introducing me to some of them  including a couple of local aurora hunters. After a week in Iceland in terrible weather, Ormerod had almost given up on seeing the northern lights, but the brothers picked him up in their huge 4x4, with tyres the size of a person, and drove to a beach just out of town. I was still fiddling with my head torch when they headed off down this rocky cliff  and then all of a sudden, there were the lights. It was insane. Like an alien invasion. Im not sure you can ever capture it in a picture.

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At least 27 people have died and 54 are missing after a boat sank in the river Kasai in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a local official said Sunday.

Rigorous checks had confirmed at this stage the numbers of dead and missing in the accident, which happened overnight Thursday to Friday, the administrator of Idiofa territory, Jacques Mbila, told AFP.
The autorickshaw is not a common sight in the United Kingdom, but a British man is setting off on a journey across the nation on Monday to raise funds for charity organisation Healing Little Hearts, active in India and other countries.

Fitted with a pacemaker, Steve Gibbs, who is based in Wigston in the east Midlands, wants to raise 6000 pounds for the Leicestershire charity by riding his favourite Bajaj autorickshaw.

Some autorickshaws  better known as tuk-tuks here  are allowed to operate on short journeys in parts of the country. The India-style cycle rickshaw is more visible in central London, where customers use them to traverse short distances or around tourist attractions.

Seeking funds online, Gibbs said: Departing on July 17, I will drive my genuine Indian Bajaj (autorickshaw) from Wigston, Leicestershire, to 12 cardinal points of mainland England, Wales and Scotland to raise money for the charity Healing Little Hearts which sends teams of surgeons, doctors and nurses to such countries as India, Africa and Malaysiato teach and give life-saving heart operations to babies and very young children.

I am now 77 years old and kept alive by a heart pacemaker. For me to help these desperate children is payback time, Gibbs, who aims to cover 3,000 miles in 21 days, said.

The 12 points he will travel in the autorickshaw to are Lizard Point, Lands End, Lowestoft Ness and Marshalls Meadow Bay (in England); Lady Wood Park, Breaksea Point, St Justinians Bay and Point of Ayre (in Wales); and Mull of Galloway, Adnamurchan Point, Dunnet Head and Keiths Inch, Peterhead (in Scotland).

The Healing Little Hearts charity is founded by Leicester-based consultant Sanjiv Nichani.

In 2016, Gibbs completed a 2,500 mile-journey across the UK to raise funds for Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation.

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An Indiana woman didnt want her cancelled $30,000 wedding to go to waste, so she threw a party for the homeless.

Buses pulled up to the swanky event center on Saturday that Sarah Cummins had booked for the reception in Carmel, a suburb just north of Indianapolis. About a dozen veterans from a local organization were among the guests who dined on bourbon-glazed meatballs, goat cheese, chicken breast and wedding cake.

Cummins told the Indianapolis Star that she and her fiance called off the wedding a week ago. She declined to give a reason, but she said they were left with a nonrefundable contract for the Ritz Charles in Carmel and a plated dinner for 170 guests.

Cummins said she decided that rather than throw away the food she would bring some purpose to the event and contacted area homeless shelters. She greeted her guests when they arrived to attend the Saturday party.

For me, it was an opportunity to let these people know they deserved to be at a place like this just as much as everyone else does, Cummins said.

Sarah Cummins talks with men from Wheeler Mission, at the Ritz Charles. (AP Photo)

Several local businesses and residents donated suits, dresses and other items for the guests to wear.

Charlie Allen, whos spent three months at a homeless mission, received a donated jacket.

I didnt have a sport coat, he said, tugging gently at the lapels. I think I look pretty nice in it.

Like other guests, Allen said he was grateful for the invitation.

For a lot of us, this is a good time to show us what we can have, he said. Or to remind us what we had.

Three of Cummins seven bridesmaids, along with her mother and aunts, came to support her at the event. Guests dined on bourbon-glazed meatballs, goat cheese and roasted garlic bruschetta, chicken breast with artichokes and Chardonnay cream sauce and wedding cake.

Janice Williamson-Cox, from Dayspring, left, hugs Sarah Cummins as she and others arrive at the Ritz Charles to enjoy a reception. (AP Photo)

Cummins, a 25-year-old Purdue University pharmacy student, said her ex-fiance, Logan Araujo, footed most of the bill for the wedding contract, with Cummins and her parents, along with one of Araujos family friends, paying the rest. Cummins said that when she approached Araujo about donating the dinner, he agreed to what he believed was a selfless way to handle the situation.

Cummins said she is not sure yet what she will do with the wedding dress.

Its too painful to think about.
One of President Donald Trumps personal lawyers defended a meeting that the presidents son had with Russian nationals during the 2016 campaign, suggesting the fact that the Secret Service allowed the meeting showed it was not nefarious.

Well, I wonder why the Secret Service, if this was nefarious, why the Secret Service allowed these people in. The president had Secret Service protection at that point, and that raised a question with me, Jay Sekulow, a member of Trumps legal team, said on Sunday on the ABC news program This Week.

Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., acknowledged meeting with a Russian lawyer in New York City during the 2016 presidential campaign after he was told she might have damaging information about his fathers rival, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

According to emails released by Trump Jr. last week, he eagerly agreed to meet the woman, who he was told was a Russian government lawyer. The woman, Natalia Veselnitskaya, said she is a private lawyer and denies having Kremlin ties.

On Friday, NBC News reported that a lobbyist who was once a Soviet counter-intelligence officer participated in the meeting, which was also attended by Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and the presidents former campaign manager, Paul Manafort.

Sekulows comments drew quick criticism, including from Frances Townsend, who advised Republican former president George W Bush on homeland security.

The Secret Services mission is to protect the physical safety of the U.S. president. The agency also provides protection for presidential candidates, though its role in vetting people who meet with the candidates is limited to ensuring that they do not pose a physical threat.

A federal special counsel and several congressional panels are investigating allegations by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as potential connections between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.

Moscow has denied any interference and the president and Trump Jr. have denied any collusion.
The younger brother of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Hossein Fereydoun, was arrested on financial crime charges, the judiciary said on Sunday.

Multiple investigations have been conducted regarding this person, also other people have been investigated, some of whom are in jail, deputy judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie said in a televised press conference.

Yesterday, bail was issued for him but because he failed to secure it he was referred to prison, Ejeie said, adding that he would be released if he secures bail, pending trial.

Fereydoun has acted as a key advisor and gatekeeper to Rouhani.

News of his arrest comes a year after the head of the General Inspection Organisation, Naser Seraj, accused him of financial violations.

Conservatives have demanded Fereydoun be put on trial, accusing of him of receiving zero-interest loans and influencing the appointment of a bank director who Rouhani had to dismiss for taking a enormous salary.

US calls for release of detained US citizens

The United States called on Iran to immediately release US citizens and other foreigners detained on fabricated national security charges, after Tehran said an unnamed American has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

We call for the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families, a state department official said.

The statement made no specific reference to any individual, but it came after an Iranian spokesman announced the sentencing of an unidentified US citizen for alleged infiltration of the country.
Ai Xiaoming, known in China for her gritty documentary films and as a feminist scholar, was Nobel Laureate and democracy activist Liu Xiaobos contemporary at the Beijing Normal Universitys (BNU) Chinese department in the 1980s.

Liu, considered a dissentient by China for his pro-democracy activism, was undergoing his fourth stint in prison when he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. He was granted medical parole, but was not allowed to travel abroad for treatment. Liu died in a hospital in Shenyang on July 13, mere weeks after being released from jail.

His wife Liu Xia  under house arrest since 2010  scattered his ashes after cremation at sea, with the Communist Party of China (CPC) ensuring that there would be no grave on land to serve as a magnet for protests.

Liu Xia prays as Liu Xiaobo's ashes are buried at sea on July 15, 2017. (AFP)

We were friends, though we were in different majors in the Chinese language department. He was already a radical literary critic then, Ai said.

Ai also knows a thing or two about living under the watch of the authorities  her films are banned in China and she lives under constant surveillance at her home in Wuhan city.

Her latest documentary, Jiabiangou Elegy: The Death of the Rightists, is on the purge that the CPC carried out in 1957 against those they thought of as rightists  broadly speaking, those people the party considered its critics.

Speaking to HT from Wuhan, Ai was frank about her evolving relationship with Liu.

They met in the 1980s and received their doctoral degrees from BNU. Then in 1989, the Tiananmen movement happened, where Liu was a key leader.

We had sympathy for the students but could not take responsibility of fighting for the students. But Liu was very brave, his behaviour was very brave. He was a very rare intellectual, Ai said.

Liu was jailed soon after, and their paths didnt cross for years.

Our roads (to fighting for political freedom) were different. He was known as the dissident intellectual. I was working from within the system, Ai said, adding that she moved to Guangzhou where she worked for years as a lecturer on comparative literature and as an independent documentary film maker. She also did a course on womens and gender studies from the University of South Tennessee.

Ai Xiaoming after Liu Xiaobo was hospitalised. Ai said: I did this painting with Chinese ink and brush pen. The flowers in the painting are called heaven birds and in it, I wrote that I would like to have a heaven bird to fly to the window of the hospital and to see my old friend. (Ai Xiaoming )

It was after her return to China in early 2000 that Ai began to focus more on human rights and individual freedom.

Liu saw some my documentaries and we realised we have common goals. We spoke sometimes on Skype over the weekend, she said.

They never met face-to-face for years but by then, according to Ai, their aims had merged.

Then, she met Liu for the last time. It was at a non-descript Chinese restaurant in Beijings Haidian district in October 2008. The food was frugal but the discussion about their goals were lofty.

It was an ordinary restaurant. We chatted about Charter 08 (a manifesto for political reform and individual freedom). I read the draft, gave a few ideas. We didnt think it was such a big idea then, Ai, 64, said.

However, Charter 08 became a big headache for Chinese authorities after it was released two months later  big enough for the government to crackdown on those who signed it. It led to Lius arrest under subversion charges in 2009 and his wife Liu Xia was put under house arrest soon after.

Picture taken on April 1, 2010, when Ai interviewed Liu Xia. Ai said: I brought Liu Xia these two Alpacas  one for her, the other for Liu Xiaobo. The Alpaca is used as a metaphor in China  It is a popular way to show a challenging gesture. If you say it aloud, it sounds similar to a swear word. (Ai Xiaoming )

Despite being closely watched, Ai managed to interview Liu Xia in 2010 and a released a 26-minute version of their interaction.

Last week, she wrote an open letter to the government to allow Liu to go abroad for treatment.

I hereby call upon the alumni of BNU, Chinese Nobel Laureates, the signatories of Charter 08 and all peace-loving people around the world, to step out and speak up for the Liu Xiaobo, in order to help him realise his last wish  freedom, Ai wrote.

But Lius death wasnt in vain, she said. Liu died for us. He was innocent. He was a valuable man. We should remember him, she said.
The Pakistan Army said on Sunday that it had no role in the investigation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs family assets, asserting that it was focused only on safeguarding the countrys security.

Pakistan Armys spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor told reporters that the joint investigation team was formed by the Supreme Court, which did its job honestly. Its report will be examined by the court. Army has no role in the process.

Asked about the Sharif governments allegations that the Panama Papers scandal and the subsequent probe into the prime ministers family wealth was a conspiracy against the civilian dispensation, the spokesman said that the Army was only focused on the security of the country.

There is no direct army involvement in the JIT, he asserted, adding that the Pakistan Army will continue playing its role for the security of Pakistan with other institutions, according to a report in Dawn newspaper.

Political talk is in the political domain.

The denial comes ahead of the Supreme Court hearing into the case, which begins Monday.

The JIT in its damning report submitted to the Supreme Court on July 10 recommended that a corruption case be filed against Sharif and his sons - Hassan and Hussain - and his daughter Maryam for evading tax.

The high-profile graft case is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in 1990s when he twice served as the Prime Minister to purchase assets in London. The assets surfaced when Panama papers last year showed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharifs children.

Sharif, 67 has rubbished the report as a bundle of baseless allegations, and said that an unjustified campaign was launched against his government soon after he won in 2013.

The people of Pakistan have elected me and only they can remove me from this post, he said this week.

The Pakistani military has always played a crucial role in the countrys politics. It has ruled Pakistan for more than 33 years of the countrys 70-year history.

Reports of disagreement between the civilian and the military leaderships this time dates back to October 6, when the Dawn in a front-page report claimed that civilian authorities have warned the Inter-Service Intelligence spy agency to act against militants or face international isolation.

The rift was a grim reminder of 1999, when then Army chief Pervez Musharraf had ousted the government of Sharif.

Sharif is the only Pakistani politician who has the distinction of being the prime minister of the coup-prone country for a record three times.

He served as prime minister from 1990 to 1993 and from 1997 to 1999. Both of Sharifs first two stints ended in the third year of his tenure.
With Pakistans opposition parties and the military apparently on the same page, Nawaz Sharif will face one the most serious challenges of his career when the Supreme Court takes up a probe panels report on corruption allegations against the Pakistani premier on Monday.

Over the weekend, Sharif told the faithful in his PML-N party that he would fight till the last breath, but the chances of him being disqualified by the Supreme Court have become very likely since the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) submitted its report on offshore assets owned by the premiers family.

Opposition parties have been demanding that Sharif should step down ever since it emerged that the JITs report had said the Sharif family had been living beyond its means.

The opposition parties have filed a formal request with the Speaker for a special session of Parliament to be convened to debate the issue of Sharifs resignation. The move has put pressure on the PML-N, which has seen most of its political allies distancing themselves since the JIT submitted its report.

Pakistani lawyers shout slogans against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during a protest in Lahore. (AFP)

The army high command has again indicated it was with the institutions and the people of Pakistan. These statements from the military, at a time of political turmoil, suggest that Sharif is fast running out of options on how to proceed with his case in the Supreme Court.

There are also apparent divisions in the ranks of the PML-N, with interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan reportedly telling a party meeting that only a miracle can save Nawaz Sharif.

For its part, the PML-N has still not come up with a strategy for Monday, when the Panamagate case will be taken up by a three-judge bench. Media reports suggested that Sharifs legal team is yet to finalise its strategy regarding the filing of objections to the JITs report.

The legal team met after the PML-Ns parliamentary party meeting on Friday and Saturday but could not decide whether it should file the objections. The meetings were reportedly not pleasant, with participants divided over the legal strategy to be adopted in the Supreme Court.

The media reported that PML-N counsel Khawaja Haris, who is leading the legal team, had prepared a draft of objections to the JIT report but one group of legal minds said the Sharif family should not file its written objections and should instead seek more time from the bench on Monday.

A Pakistani journalist poses with a copy of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report in Islamabad. (AFP)

It is still not clear what strategy Sharif will adopt but there are chances that the prime minister could ask for more time to satisfy the apex court. The idea is to buy as much time, say insiders, before elections are called in 2018.

However, the more time that the PML-N wants, the less opposition parties want to give it, as this will affect their chances in the coming elections. This tug of war will be decided one way or another in the coming week, say political analysts.
More than 330,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict since it started six years ago, around a third of them civilians, a monitor said Sunday.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it has documented the deaths of 331,765 people across Syria since the conflict erupted in mid-March 2011 with anti- government protests.

Included in the overall death toll are 99,617 civilians, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP, adding that the figures were for the period between March 15, 2011 and July 15, 2017.

A total of 18,243 children and 11,427 women were among the civilians killed, the Observatory said.

The figures were the latest provided by the Observatory since March when it said 320,000 people, including 96,000 civilians, had been killed.

In its latest report, the Observatory said a total of 116,774 members of the regime forces or regime supporters have been killed in Syria since the conflict began.

Of those, it said 61,808 were soldiers and 1,408 were members of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, an Iran- backed regime ally.

Also killed in Syria since the conflict erupted were 57,000 rebels, including from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an Arab-Kurdish alliance.

In addition, more than 58,000 jihadists, namely from the Islamic State group and Al-Qaedas former Syria affiliate, were killed, said the Observatory, noting that the figure also includes foreign extremists.

The conflict broke out with peaceful anti-government protests but quickly turned into a fully fledged war involving a multitude of local, regional and foreign powers.

The brutal conflict has destroyed much of the countrys infrastructure and displaced millions of people, more than half of Syrias population.
Longitude is open for business again today after Marlay Park was 'Shutdown' by Skepta and The Weeknd last night and a weary team Hot Press have dusted themselves off for a final day in the sun. That's right, we've decamped from Trinity Street and set up Hot Press HQ here at Longitude for the weekend!

We'll be bringing you all the latest news, reviews and photos as the likes of Glass Animals, Jack Garratt and Mumford and Sons take to the stage today. Don't forget to call into the Hot Press speakeasy where we're offering subscription deals and fantastic competitions!

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Texas shrimp will be harder to find and cost more because of an ignorant immigration decision designed to appease conservative voters misinformed about our economy's reliance on foreign labor.

This will create a windfall for foreign shrimpers, who will gladly take market share from local boats and damage the Texas economy.

The Gulf Coast brown shrimp season opens Saturday, but 20 percent of the Brownsville-Port Isabel fleet will not leave port because of a crew shortage, according to Andrea Hance, executive director of the Texas Shrimp Association. Almost every boat along the coast will be short-staffed.

RECENT: New area factory needs fair trade, immigration to expand

That's because the Republican-controlled Congress did not renew the H-2B Returning Worker Program, which allowed seasonal labor to cross the border from Mexico to crew the boats. In Texas, where unemployment is low, there are simply not enough Americans interested in spending days at sea scooping up shrimp and removing their heads.

Hance told the Brownsville Herald that 95 percent of rookie shrimpers quit in the first week, while Mexican laborers tend to be experienced and work the entire season. Pay is not the issue here.

"We do try and hire American. Actually, it costs us a lot of money for us to bring that visa worker," she said. "It costs a couple thousand dollars per worker, not to count the time it takes to fill out all the paperwork."

The short-staffed boats will catch less shrimp and collect lower prices because crews won't have time to remove the heads, which means $2 less per pound at market.

Shrimp is America's most popular seafood, and a critical part of the Gulf Coast economy. American shrimpers, though, face fierce competition from foreign sources that sometimes farm or catch the shrimp using victims of human trafficking and other illegal means to keep prices low.

RELATED: H-1B debate is much ado about very little

A shortage of Gulf Coast shrimp will be a boon for foreign suppliers who will meet market demands. Serious business people have been warning Congress for years about exactly this kind of unintended consequence from dumb, knee-jerk immigration policies.

The H-2B program is a visa for temporary, nonagricultural workers. Businesses apply for 120,000 visas a year, but Congress only has authorized 66,000. In the past, Congress has exempted returning H-2B workers from the 66,000 person cap, but lawmakers didn't do it this year. That has sparked a nationwide labor crisis across many seasonal industries.

In response to the business outcry, Congress recently gave Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly authority to issue additional visas later this month, but conservative groups are trying to stop him.

Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, called additional H-2B visas "an absolute betrayal of the very workers President Trump has consistently pledged to protect."

The honest truth, though, is that middle-aged, former factory workers in the Midwest are not willing to move to Port Isabel for a few months and spend days at sea in hot, steamy weather pulling shrimp nets. Nor are they willing to move to Florida for the summer to mow lawns at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, which also employs H-2B workers.

In a free market, labor needs to flow like capital to where it is needed and used most efficiently. That's not a pitch for open borders, but for supplying enough legal, temporary workers to the needs of businesses so they don't need to hire illegal immigrants.

RELATED: America's love for a bargain hurts the nation's economy

Until our politicians stop pandering and start dealing with the legitimate needs of our business community, American companies will suffer. Anti-immigrant slogans and claims of forcing people back into the workplace may appeal to some, but they don't survive contact with reality.

Consumers always end up paying the price, either in most costly goods or the inability to find them.
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A month after the Senate voted to increase economic sanctions against Russia and Iran, the bill still hasn't gotten a vote in the House.

And part of the reason, according to a report by Politico Tuesday, is the U.S. oil lobby.

Senior House Republicans also argue that the oil industry's objections have stalled the bill.

Exxon and Chevron, insiders say, have been complaining to GOP leaders and other members that the legislation could potentially block them from doing business on projects that have Russia connections, hurting their bottom line.

Of course, between the usual jockeying by House Republicans and Democrats and efforts by the White House to give President Trump power to offer waivers to the sanctions when national security is at stake, there's plenty holding up the bill, which the Senate passed last month in a sweeping bipartisan vote of 98-2.

But for the world's oil majors, Russia remains a hugely attractive opportunity.

Russia has the largest proven natural gas reserves in the world at 1,688 trillion cubic feet, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

But opportunities for U.S. oil companies in Russia are fairly limited under sanctions imposed over Russian troops' invasion of the Crimea region of Ukraine.

That postponed a blockbuster deal Exxon signed in 2011 with Russian firm Rosneft to develop oil and gas fields in the Russian Arctic and deepwater regions of Russia's Black Sea, as well as shale deposits in Siberia.

Exxon applied for a waiver from the sanctions, which was rejected by the Trump administration earlier this year.

Chevron also remains active in Russia, according to its website.

The California-based company is an investor in the $2.7 billion Caspian Pipeline project, which would bring gas from Russia to Europe. And it also sells lubricants and technology to Russian oil companies.

And while Exxon and Chevron's interest in this legislation appears limited to Russia, according to Politico, Iran is also an enticing prospect for the world's oil majors.

While some European companies like Total are already moving ahead there, under existing sanctions Iran for now remains off limits to U.S. companies.

As the Chronicle reported earlier this year on the decision facing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on maintaining the deal agreed to by the Obama administration over Iran's nuclear program:

Iran's oil and gas fields rank as the fourth and second largest proven reserves in the world, respectively, according to the Department of Energy. And after years of being in "the penalty box," those fields are ripe for new investment and updated equipment, said Fadel Gheit, senior energy analyst at the investment firm Oppenheimer & Co.
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Reggie Van Lee stretches his long legs out from a plush chair in his spacious Wharton home to talk about his home and his life.

His sisters are buzzing around with their children and grandchildren as others move chairs, set up tables and prepare food for a party to mark the birthday and retirement of Van Lee's brother-in-law, Mark Szafarz.

Van Lee takes it all in, smiling as his niece, Emily Szafarz, scurries after her 18-month-old son, Tommy, who's run off with a balloon.

The 59-year-old created this place - so much more than a home - so his family could live together. The idea was hatched years ago when he was a student at MIT in Boston.

One of many brushes with celebrity throughout his life, Van Lee and Caroline Kennedy had a mutual friend, and she invited the two to visit Hyannis Port one weekend.

He was a sophomore in college - not long out of the protective shell of his tight-knit family in Houston's Sunnyside neighborhood - and he was awestruck.

Someday, he told himself, he wanted to build a place to share with his sisters and his parents.

It took a while, but he did. His dream has come full circle.

His sister Tommye Szafarz knew all along that it could someday happen. Their parents were aging and needed help, then their sister Eva Watkins became ill, and someone said, "Wouldn't it be great if we were all in one place?"

"When Reginald starts a project, everyone knows at some point it will come to fruition," she said. "Once he sets his mind on a project, it is going to happen."

Today, he and his three sisters and brother-in-law share a one-level, 20,000-square-foot home on land in Wharton that was purchased by their great-grandmother Susan Freeman Jones Jefferson in 1899.

They're all in

A grand piano shares space with artwork just off the foyer, capped with a glittery Hudson chandelier dripping with strands of gold chain. To the other side is their banquet hall, a giant dining area usually set up with a table for 24.

Today, though, it's where the party will be later in the afternoon.

A huge living room filled with curvy Christopher Guy chairs and sofas arranged in several small groupings is the center of the home. There's also a grotto bar for refreshments, plus a huge kitchen with two islands and enough cabinet and cooking space for a small restaurant.

Designed by architect John Sullivan of Sullivan, Henry, Oggero and Associates in Spring Valley, the 300-foot-wide home is a series of intimate spaces connected by halls and art-filled galleries.

Elsewhere is more private space, with quarters for Van Lee and Corey McCathern, his husband of nearly six years, on the north side of the home.

On the south side are "casitas," small apartments for his sisters - Carolyn Conner, Tommye Szafarz and her husband, Mark, and Anita Lee - all accessed by a common hallway. Another sister, Eva Watkins, died during construction; a chapel in the home is named in her honor.

A small hair salon was created on the sisters' side because Van Lee didn't want them to have to drive all the way to Houston every week or so to get their hair done. Instead, a niece who owns the salon Mass Appeal drives down to take care of them.

If he'd been able to persuade his 98-year-old aunt, Maggie Jefferson Prince, to leave Houston for Wharton, she'd be here, too. A guest room is waiting just for her, decked out in bold neoclassical Versace style.

"She's set in her ways. She said to me, 'You know no one will come out there,' " Van Lee said, mimicking the voice of his elderly aunt. "But people come, and sometimes they bring suitcases."

Tommye Szafarz said the large family home is a product of their upbringing. "That is my mother's influence. She taught us that all you have is your family, and you have got to stick together. It was very important to her, and that's why we do it."

The north side of the home is opulent, filled with art that Van Lee has collected through dealers and his world travels.

One area meant to be a spa - a sauna, massage room and prep room - is now a guest area for visitors. Further inside are a tiny kitchen ("Kitchens are for refrigerating and microwaving," he said) and a larger living/dining area where Van Lee holds court with friends.

Decorating the home has been the work of Van Lee's longtime interior designer, Philip Sheffield of Sheffield Design Group, who finds himself at the home a few times a month, tweaking arrangements, hanging art or placing new accessories.

"I'm still a little nervous sometimes, but Reggie just says, 'You know what I like,' " Sheffield said. "With that comes a lot of responsibility. We've become friends over the years, of course."

Van Lee loves color, bold style and dramatic design. Sheffield cites neoclassical as Van Lee's favorite style, and pieces by his late friend Gianni Versace are scattered throughout his home.

"There's a story behind every piece," Van Lee said as he pointed to a large artwork on one wall. "I got this in Vietnam when we were on one of my birthday trips. We walked in this gallery, and this piece was suspended from the ceiling. I said 'I want this,' and they said, 'It's not for sale.' I said, 'Everything's for sale.' "

Much of his art is purchased through dealers, and most is by African-American artists. A patron of the arts, he is a trustee of the Studio Museum of Harlem and the Washington Ballet and has supported many arts and dance groups.

He has pieces by esteemed artists such as Frank Bowling and Norman Lewis, but his eclectic taste also brings in sculpture by Kehinde Wiley and stenciled glyphs by Cheryl Riley.

Hallways and galleries leading to his sisters' casitas are filled with more, a big piece by Gregory Coates made of chicken feathers painted pink, a series of photos mixed with paint by Cedric Smith and a collection of subtle portraits of black women by Chris Shelton among them.

Five mothers

Van Lee's love of his sisters, all retired teachers, runs deep. The youngest, he jokes that he was raised by five mothers.

He and his sisters had strict, God-fearing parents - Tommie Lee, a postal worker, and Eva Elnora Jefferson Lee, a nurse - who instilled the virtues of honesty and respect. At school, academics were more important than extracurricular activities. If he's in town on weekends, he still attends the family church, Blue Ridge United Methodist.

Instead of attending ball games in high school, Van Lee was active in the Slide Rule Club and participated in the science fair, speech and drama. "I was a nerd," he said matter-of-factly.

"We were all nerds," Conner chimed in.

He was watching "Star Trek" one day, and there was a reference to MIT. "What's MIT?" he asked his mother.

She didn't know, but they figured it out, and that's when Van Lee decided that he would attend MIT. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees there and later earned an MBA from Harvard. Van Lee loved his years in Boston and later served as a trustee at MIT; this year he received its Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award.

He worked for Exxon for a couple of years, then shifted to Booz Allen Hamilton where he worked for 32 years, retiring as an executive vice president in its Washington office.

He worked in Houston for a while but spent many years in New York and Washington, D.C. He traveled the world for his employer, meeting his husband on a trip to Milan. The couple has been together 14 years.

McCathern was working as a model in Italy and later became a personal trainer. For the past four years, he's owned a fried chicken joint, Corey's Soul Chicken, in Milan.

A touch of whimsy

From a travertine-lined patio, visitors look out beyond a cool blue pool to a different backyard diversion. There's a catfish pond and a vintage RV, a sparkling 1960s Avion that Lee had shipped to Wharton just for fun. A few years ago, Sheffield stepped in again to revamp the whole thing, including plush custom-made pullout beds and a pullout dining table.

It doesn't get much use, except when the grandkids head out back for the afternoon. They fish for a while and then head to the trailer.

"They call it camping," Sheffield said. "They have no idea they're napping on Italian sheets and Versace pillows."
Fifty years ago the first automated cash dispenser - which came to be known as an automated teller machine, or ATM - was inaugurated in London.

In the years that followed, ATMs spread everywhere societies flourished, even inside worship centers.

Automated teller machines started to make appearances in the lobbies of evangelical churches just over a dozen years ago. It was important for churches to have something to put into the collection plate, and it was important that it be cash that people actually possessed - not a promise to pay someday on their credit card accounts. The ATM allowed evangelicals who didn't carry a checkbook or a wallet full of cash not to be embarrassed when the offering plates or baskets came around.

Marty Baker, pastor of the Stevens Creek Church in Augusta, Ga., was credited as the first to install two ATMs in the church lobby in 2005. That first year the donations produced $100,000. They more than doubled by the next year. He was so successful in increasing giving by making cash available (up 18 percent over pre-ATM machine levels) that he took it one step further, by introducing the "automatic tithing machine" that took cash out of the giver's account and deposited it directly into the church's coffers. This new ATM was beginning to virtualize the all-important act of collection. Some users responded by placing their receipts in the plate at the appropriate time in the service.

The tithe, of course, refers to the tenth of one's income that conservative Protestants are largely taught to pay to the church in gratitude for what God has done. It is a sacred obligation, and the cash money is a serious matter.

Giving to the church

Fundamentally, the legal separation of church and state in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in the United States did more than simply assure freedom of religion - it privatized what until then in Europe had been a public good and provided funding under the auspices of the state.

In the United States, religious leaders and their ministries had to increasingly depend on voluntary donations and to appeal ever more strenuously for those gifts.

During the 19th century, various church support plans were tried and abandoned. What in Europe had been a discreet offering with alms boxes kept at the back of the church (alms for the poor) became a central ritual activity in America. In most American weekly church services, offering plates were passed around to finance all church activities. As giving became very public, one of the features of the weekly offering was, of course, that all gathered could see who was giving, if not how much.

Nature of money

Once the age of plastic money arrived, all of this ritual and financial necessity in American churches was jeopardized. ATMs began appearing in churches, providing a way for people to come up with the ready cash to give to God and their church.

So, why did people need cash in the first place? To answer this question, it is important to first understand the nature of cash in the context of religious life.

The German sociologist Georg Simmel famously noted that the essential, almost magical quality of money is that it is fungible - that is, it is exchangeable or replaceable. Individuals can use the same $100 to buy drugs, feed a frugal family for a week, buy a designer scarf or give it to God in an offering plate.

Indeed, as we know only too well, money is a universal currency to purchase things of incommensurate worth. However, as sociologist Viviana Zelizer explains in her book "The Social Meaning of Money: Pin Money, Paychecks, Poor Relief, and Other Currencies," not all money is the same - there are social and moral dimensions to money that are frankly surprising.

To illustrate, Zelizer narrates the striking example of Marty, a 1950s Philadelphia gang member who would donate to the church only the 25 cents that he got from his mother - not money from robberies. When asked, Marty provided a clear distinction between different sets of money. He said, "Oh, no, that is bad money; that is not honest money."

But the money he got from his mother was earned through hard work, so "he could offer it to God." The point is, not all dollars are equal - individuals have some strong ideas about clean and dirty money, or appropriate and inappropriate money.

Here is where ATMs come into the story.

Donors in the age of ATMs

There are two interesting dimensions of ATMs and churches to consider. One is the strong affinity between cash and conservative evangelicals.

For many evangelicals debt is a form of bondage - a message conveyed through conservative radio financial guru Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University to tens of millions of his followers in his call-in programs each week. Ramsey teaches how to "dump debt, budget, build wealth and give like never before!" The building of wealth is a corollary to eschewing debt and it makes Christians free, in Ramsey's view, to be godly.

The point is, money isn't just a fungible means to various ends, it is sacred to these believers.

The second dimension for consideration in the appearance of ATMs in the lobbies of evangelical churches is that they signaled something by their very presence: America was in fact becoming a cashless society. The debit card that people carried in their wallet could be just as good as cash anywhere else, but in the sanctuary, cash was the appropriate offering.

So as in the ancient world where Jews from all over the world exchanged their secular coins in the Court of the Gentiles in Jerusalem's Second Temple for coins with no image on them that they could use inside to make various offerings and purchase sacrifices, today's believers also needed to make an exchange.

Those ancient believers were obeying the Second Commandment ("Thou shalt make no graven images," Exodus 20:4-6). American Christians were, by contrast, partial to greenbacks with the words, "In God We Trust" on them.

Who would have guessed 50 years ago when the automatic teller machine was invented that this modern human financial interface also would play a part in the interface between human beings and their God?
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Tom Connelly swears he didn't just put playground equipment inside his elementary school so he could play on it at nighttime when the kids and staff are gone. Sure, Tom.

Yes, an indoor playground for kids.

While it might seem novel, it really has become the norm in commercial buildings, but only outside the school doors.

A visit to local fast food restaurants and parents quickly observe the indoor playground to keep little Johnny and Mary fascinated and occupied.

But the placement of the new $38,000 fantasyland for students was not to attract attention, but to meet the needs of children.

Connelly, who signs his emails and paperwork "Putting kids first," has become accustomed to finding ways to match that signature valediction in the administration of his duties.

"I haven't tried out the slide yet. Every time I go back there to try it out, there's always people around," he laughed.

The Dayton News investigated and found footprints on some of the mats, but they appear to belong to children - not Connelly.

The playground equipment is in the foyer of the pre-K pod section of the school.

"Rain or shine, our kids will always have physical activity and there's a lot of research out there that touts the benefits of kids being physically fit," he said.

In plain view of the students sitting in their pre-K classrooms, Connelly sees it as being motivational for them.

"We know that's going to have a direct impact on their learning experience," he said.

Connelly also saw the benefits to those children with severe handicaps.

"We write goals and individual education plans that are specific to their motor skills. They also have sensory needs and so this provides for a lot of them," Connelly said.

In an email to Superintendent Dr. Cody Abshier, Jeanine Adams, PT, DPT, expressed her appreciation for the ambitious project.

"You can't imagine how excited I was when the principal at SJE told me this was being done!" she wrote. "I am the co-op's physical therapist that serves the students with special needs in Liberty, and this unit will be amazing for their motor development, as well as a wonderful reward for positive behavior in the classroom."

The physical therapist echoed the need for meeting sensory demands.

"I am always encouraging gross motor activities for brain enhancement, overall motor planning and coordination as an avenue to stimulate improved classroom performance and attention to task," she continued.

The journey began with a tedious application that was closely scrutinized by the state.

The grant required high standards that had to be met for schools to be accepted and participate.

Some of those included curriculum, teachers certified as highly qualified, and the school had to meet all the criteria for educating students, including health and wellness.

Highly qualified teachers are required to teach in their field of expertise or have additional training to teach a class outside of their discipline.

When Connelly was notified that the school had been accepted by the state to receive funds from the High-Quality Prekindergarten Grant Program, the planning began.

"Once we saw we had funds we could use, we were thinking of the things that would fit our creed for kids: exploring, discovery, and adventure," he said.

These are three concepts not always heard in the halls of schools, but Connelly felt they were significant to the learning process for little minds.

During the process of discovery, teachers suggested to their principal that an indoor playground would be helpful to their students.

"Part of the discussion was deciding where to put it," Connelly said. He related his most recent experience with his own church who had considered the same idea.

Once decided, Connelly was faced with the daunting task of getting it approved.

"The manufacturer is telling us that the reason it was so hard to get the state fire marshal's approval to say it was okay was there's no public schools that have submitted plans for that," he said.

He thought that was only Texas, but the manufacturer installs them across the United States.

The manufacturer said schools have approached them, but because there are so many roadblocks, they usually give up and never follow through.

The process wasn't easy. In fact, it took nearly a full year to get it done.

Connelly did most of the paperwork with help from administrator Margaret Gardzina.

Construction began last week and was completed in five days, but before the project could begin, crossing of the T's and the dotting of the I's had to be addressed.

Some of the delay in the approval from the state fire marshal was hinged upon the type of material the playground was constructed with and was it safe?

"We had to address questions like, 'If it was set on fire, do we have a sprinkler system to handle it?'" At the time, they didn't, but the district updated the system to accommodate the new equipment.

"Do we have enough time to get the kids out?" was another question.

"All the sprinkler systems and our evacuation plans exceed what is required. I don't expect anyone to walk in and set it on fire," the principal said.

The teachers, who were part of the planning, are thrilled that the project is complete.

Having the indoor playground won't prohibit the kids from outside play.

"This is just another tool. On sunny days, they will want to be outside, on others inside," he said.

Connelly wasn't as excited about being pioneers in this area as much as he was proud to provide something so special for his kids.

"Our kids are going to have the same reaction as I do as an adult when I first saw it and that's to go and check it out," he smiled.

A drive by San Jacinto Elementary school in the late hours at night might find the lights in the pre-K area are on. If so, give Tom a honk and wave.
President Donald Trump's suggestion during his visit with French President Emmanuel Macron that "something could happen with respect to the Paris agreement" awakened hopes that he just might be willing to reverse the decision to pull the United States out of the landmark climate agreement.

Laurence Tubiana, the French official who was one of the architects of the agreement endorsed by about 195 countries, said the comments suggest that Macron had managed to broach the topic with the president - and that Trump just might have been willing to give him a receptive hearing.

"He is saying, 'I am listening to you and I am ready to continue the conversation.' What is the nature of the conversation is not known," she told The Washington Post.

It won't be that simple for the United States to get back into the agreement, if it really does exit - itself a long and involved process. And some diplomats warned Macron against giving away too much to try to get Trump back in.

Trump made the comments standing alongside Macron during a news conference in Paris, where the landmark deal was signed in 2015.

"Yeah, I mean, something could happen with respect to the Paris accord. We'll see what happens," Trump told reporters. "But we will talk about that over the coming period of time. And if it happens, that will be wonderful, and if it doesn't, that will be okay, too. But we'll see what happens."

Macron had earlier said that he hopes "to be able to persuade" Trump not to withdraw the United States from the deal.

Tubiana acknowledged there was "nothing revolutionary" in the president's remarks. Other politicians and diplomats across Europe also warned against reading too much into Trump's words.

Even as he promised to withdraw from the accord on June 1, Trump said he would be willing to renegotiate the terms of the Paris agreement to create "a new deal that protects our country and its taxpayers."

Diplomats regarded Trump's "something" as yet another reference to reopening the deal - a proposition that has already been dismissed by European leaders, including Macron.

"Until further advice or interpretation is given from Washington, I wouldn't see this as differing from that slight opening he gave when announcing withdrawal," Vidar Helgesen, Norway's minister of climate and environment told The Washington Post. He added that renegotiation would "not be on the table."

He also suggested that Trump could have been referring to remaining in the Paris agreement on that basis that the United States could significantly weaken its U.N. climate targets, known as its nationally determined contribution. The United States would be legally entitled to do so, said Helgesen, although he added it would be "against the spirit" of the deal.

Others were more dismissive of the president's efforts to appease. "Yes, 'something could happen'! The American president could come to his senses and realize that he has just thrown away the opportunity for the U.S.A. to lead the technological revolution that is about to usher in a zero-carbon economy," said Barry Gardiner, the U.K. Labour Party's shadow minister for international climate change.

Diplomats attributed any potential softening on the president's part to the influence of Macron.

"This is very much Trump being wooed by Macron, who seems to be very good at handling Trump as a person. He wanted to say something more mollifying than just repeating his previous statement. I think Trump has this desire to be liked. Part of this was just that," said Nick Mabey, chief executive of E3G, a British-based environmental think tank.

Since Trump's announcement that he would withdraw from the Paris deal, Macron has adopted the slogan "Make our planet great again" and created a website encouraging those interested in tackling climate change to immigrate to France.

The French president is also drawing up plans for a global climate summit at the end of this year.

France's new president is "really willing to keep the door open for conversation," added Tubiana.

But bringing Trump back into the fold should not happen "at any cost," warned Green Party MEP Bas Eickhout.

"It seems that Macron sees it as his personal task to get Trump back on board. Clearly that would be a great achievement," he said. "But as long as the Paris objectives are put upfront, it seems to be difficult to get Trump back on board, and these objectives are not negotiable."
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Summer traditionally is a time for teachers like Chris Williams to take a break after a busy and stressful school year, but this year he finds himself working to the point of exhaustion.

Monday through Thursday, Williams works 7 1/2 hour days as an instructor at a summer school. Then he logs in another 15-20 hours on weeknights and weekends as a sales associate at the Barnes & Noble on West Gray near Shepherd.

"For me, if I did not have to work at Barnes & Noble or any kind of second job, I wouldn't spend more summer time watching Netflix or at the beach," Williams said. "I would really spend more of that time doing things that are reasons why I got into the profession in the first place - help students make connections."

Williams and about half of Texas teachers take on summer jobs to help supplement their incomes, according to a survey funded by the Texas State Teachers Association.

Moonlighting, especially during the summer months, has long been a popular way for teachers to earn more money. But data indicate it has become more common, especially with the rise of the so-called freelance economy and service apps such as Uber and grocery-shopping services.

Williams said that without his second job, which he also works during the school year, he would be unable to live close to his job at Stephen F. Austin High School, east of downtown.

He said his book-selling gig provides him with about $400 or $500 extra a month, depending on his hours. He earns $54,000 teaching.

But his moonlighting presents Williams with a Catch-22: He took the bookstore job so he could live closer to his school and spend more time with his students, but the second job keeps him too busy to spend more time with them during the school year.

"There are a lot of things I would like to do in school - starting clubs and organizations, and students have asked me to sponsor things," Williams said. "I would love to do that and be more involved in the classroom and less involved at my retail job."

Teachers wear a range of hats during the summer months: swim instructor, freelance writer, Uber driver, summer school instructor, camp counselor cashier, tax auditor, etc.

Many reasons for jobs

Dale Ballou, an associate professor of public policy and education at Vanderbilt University who has studied teacher moonlighting, stressed that teachers take on second jobs or summer work for a myriad of reasons, not just stagnant salaries and rising living costs.

"It's definitely a mixed bag, but it's certainly not true that all these teachers are working second jobs purely out of dire financial circumstances," Ballou said. "A lot of teachers working second jobs are doing these fairly substantial activities - not just checking groceries at a local grocery store, but sometimes activities of a professional nature such as having a photo studio on the side."

While salaries in the Houston area for the 2016-17 school year ranged from a low of $50,000 for a new teacher in the Spring Branch ISD to a high of $63,748 for teachers with more than 20 years of experience in Alief ISD, educators say it's still difficult to make ends meet in the nation's fifth-largest metropolitan area.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced he would ask state lawmakers in a special session this month to require that every teacher in the state get a $1,000 annual pay raise.

Abbott says local school districts should dip into their pockets to pay for the increases by reprioritizing how they spend and changing how they hire and retain teachers.

"Texas doesn't need to spend more. We just need to spend smarter," Abbott said.

With about 350,000 teachers in Texas, districts statewide would have to shell out $350 million annually if the Legislature orders such raises, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Last month, the Houston ISD's board adopted a budget that would create a $160 million shortfall, in part, to give teachers payraises ranging from 2-4 percent based on experience - less than the 5 percent across-the-board raises that teachers and advocates wanted.

A Texas Teachers Association survey last year found that 49 percent of teachers reported working over the summer while about 31 percent worked a second job during the academic year, up from 42 percent and 28 percent respectively in 2000.

Financial burdens

Elizabeth Santos recalled that when she went to work for the Houston ISD in 2008, she never thought she would have to take a summer job.

The 35-year-old English teacher at Northside High School said she took a second job as a Spanish and SAT tutor when she became pinched financially after her first year on the job.

But the stress on her finances grew after she gained custody of her niece and nephew, and she was unable to raise a family on her teacher's salary alone.

Things are better now - Santos is engaged, and now her household has two incomes - but she will continue to spend her summer months working at Northside High.

"We're still working in summer - any good teacher will be working on how to perfect their craft," Santos said. "Financially it's a burden. If I don't work summer school, it's not even that I won't get ahead; I'll just be making it. A lot of my peers are single moms, and it's hard enough to be a teacher, but it's even harder to be a teacher and single mom."
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The young woman's body was found outside a Westheimer office building early one morning in late 1989.

She was slumped over the edge of the stairs, with her bruised face planted in the groundcover.

The landscaping and her dark brown curly hair concealed a gunshot wound in her head. She had no ID. Her remains were taken, customarily, to the Harris County morgue.

Houston police tried to determine her identity, even circulating a portrait just a month or so later by legendary forensic sketch artist Lois Gibson.

Eventually, the remains were buried in a pauper's grave without a name in Harris County's cemetery on Oates Road in an industrial part of east Houston.

The decades-old cold case continues to confound Sharon Derrick, a forensic anthropologist who leads identification efforts for the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

"She's quite attractive. She's young. We estimate 20 to 25," Derrick said. "Nobody claimed her. Why? That's very odd."

More Information Chasing cold cases The Houston Police Department debuted a cold case website in March - featuring older, unsolved homicides along with wanted individuals identified as suspected killers - in hopes of receiving new leads. The details are available at houstontx.gov/police/cold_cases/ There's also a link to "Homicide Division Cold Cases" on the main HPD website at houstontx.gov/police/ Anyone with information about the 1989 unsolved killing of the woman found at 5433 Westheimer or any other homicide in the city of Houston should call HPD's homicide division at 713-308-3600 or toll-free at 1-800-887-5800. The direct number to the Cold Case Squad is 713-308-3618. HPD also can receive information by mail at 1200 Travis, Houston, Texas, 77002. Tips also can be shared by calling Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477. See More Collapse

The woman is among dozens and dozens of unidentified bodies that have passed through the forensic center, with some dating back as far as the 1950s.

New technology and renewed interest, however, is offering hope that the young woman could finally be identified.

Her blood card sample has been developed into a DNA profile by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification and added to databases, where it waits for a potential match.

And earlier this month, her case file was brought out of storage for a fresh look from a Houston Police Department homicide detective in hopes of finding new leads and making a positive ID.

Solving long-ago deaths and killings has become a priority for institute officials such as Derrick and the HPD's reinvigorated cold-case squad.

In March, the police department launched a cold-case website to alert the public about deaths that remain unsolved.

"We put up a small synopsis about the cases," said Officer Ramon Cervantes, a 25-year police veteran who has worked 13 years as a homicide detective. He joined the cold case squad last year.

"If there are photographs that we're able to put on there or if it involves a sketch of a possible suspect, we do that as well," he said. "Those that visit that page and may have information on it, they can call us directly or Crime Stoppers."

A case is considered "cold" when all investigative leads that can be pursued are exhausted and the crime remains unsolved for three years.

Rows of small, flat markers with metal plates mark the spaces where thousands of unknown and indigent bodies are buried in the oldest of Harris County's two burial grounds run by its community services department.

Thousands of graves

About 15,000 people are buried in the vast, plush greenway of grass. The Oates Road cemetery, established in 1923, stopped accepting new burials in 2014, when the county's new cemetery opened in Crosby.

In Section L at the old burial ground, one grave is denoted by only five letters: UNK W F. She was an "unknown white female" whose identity was updated later to include an ethnicity, Hispanic.

She's the person found around 7:15 a.m. on Dec. 29, 1989.

Someone's daughter. Someone's granddaughter. Possibly someone's spouse or mother. Potentially someone whose loved ones are alive and hope to learn what happened to her.

A bank employee headed into work at 5433 Westheimer found her lifeless body at the mid-rise building's entrance, according to police records.

The woman, about 5-foot-4, was wearing decidedly 1980s attire: A white T-shirt, black Lee-brand jeans, black socks and black Coasters-brand shoes.

Detectives at the time believed she had been killed elsewhere and was dumped outside the building.

"It's puzzling," Cervantes said. "It might have been around the corner or at the other end of the parking lot."

Police canvassed the immediate area that December day, and ran all the investigative traps available in 1989 and the early 1990s, he said.

"She was identified as a Hispanic or possibly being a Hispanic. The detective at the time also sent off her prints to [federal immigration authorities] and ran the prints through their system. At the time, nothing came back," Cervantes said. "Was she relatively new to the country where there was no profile on her at all? That's possible."

'Somebody  knows'

Because the woman was found in the morning, HPD investigators at the time brought the overnight security guard in for questioning about events on his night watch. Cervantes said warming up the case could include trying to interview that person again.

Houston police officials have declined to release photos of the scene or discuss specifics of the close-range gunshot to the woman's head. Some details need to be preserved as evidence.

"I believe that the person or persons who are involved in this know the manner in which she was shot and exactly where she was shot," Cervantes said. "Only someone who did it knows where they put the gun up to what area of her head."

Recollections and memories that may still be intact are called upon to help solve this case nearly 28 years later.

"The challenge when we have an old case such as this one that occurred in 1989 is going back," Cervantes said. "If there is some new information that is brought forth in any form or fashion, be it Crime Stoppers, a family member or even the possible suspect themselves, the challenge is going back to find the individual. And, unfortunately, sometimes the individuals - witnesses, family members - have died or have moved away."

Like many other cases where pieces of the puzzle have yet to coalesce, Derrick goes with her gut.

"Somebody potentially knows," she said.
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WASHINGTON - Once a fringe player in the U.S. Senate, Ted Cruz has taken center stage as one of the pivotal figures in the Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.

It's been a long journey.

The latest version of the contentious Republican health care bill still faces many lingering doubts from the right and the left. But Cruz's "Freedom Option" to allow insurers to sell cheap, bare-bones policies alongside heavily regulated Obamacare plans has emerged as a potential game-changer.

Hailed on the right as a much sought-after marketplace reform, the Cruz amendment has run into stiff resistance from Democrats and some Republicans who see it as an end-run around popular consumer safeguards, including protections for pre-existing medical conditions.

Cruz calls it a compromise. But among the skeptics is Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, a senior Republican in the Senate, who called it a potential "subterfuge."

The Medicaid rollbacks in the Republican bill also remain a major sticking point, particularly for GOP moderates from states that expanded the poverty program under Obamacare.

But Cruz has chosen to focus - like a "laser," he says - on the regulatory front that most excites conservatives: Obamacare's insurance requirements for comprehensive "essential benefits" such as doctor visits, prescription drug coverage, pregnancy and childbirth, and mental health services.

Cruz's prescription: Allow insurers that sell plans that comply with Obamacare dictates to also sell lower-cost plans that cover less. He calls it "the key to bringing Republicans together and getting repeal passed."

Critics, including the main lobbying group for insurance industry, say that while Cruz's plan sounds like a compromise, it would actually mean the end of the Obamacare insurance marketplace - and some suspect that's his real motive.

"We know how this will play out," Houston Democratic U.S. Rep. Gene Green said in a House floor speech Thursday. "Healthy people would pick the skimpier plan and sicker people would enroll in the more robust plan.  Separating the sick and healthy will drive up costs and essentially lead to a death spiral."

A lesser evil

Cruz has acknowledged this market segmentation, calling it "an understandable policy concern." But he argues that in exchange for healthy people getting lower premium costs on his "freedom plans," he's willing to accept direct taxpayer health care subsidies for the poor, the old and the sick - including money to help insurers cover the costs.

Some analysts see this as a sea-change in conservative ideology, considering that House Republicans have gone to court to challenge the legality of Obamacare's subsidies to insurance companies. Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican who opposes of the GOP health care bill, called them "an entitlement for insurance companies."

But despite the right's aversion to government aid, some conservatives have bought into the idea of direct taxpayer subsidies as a lesser evil than Obamacare's system of cross-subsidization between young and old within the insurance markets.

Appearing on ABC's "This Week," Cruz called the current system "wildly unfair."

Cruz, working alongside Utah Republican Mike Lee, has helped sell his plan by offering conservatives another bone: The expansion of tax-exempt health savings accounts to cover insurance premiums as well as out-of-pocket costs.

Health savings accounts, known as HSAs, have long been the preferred GOP route to tax reform and lower health care costs. Cruz has won plaudits from conservative backers for adding them to the equation in the current health care bill.

Democrats have been less sanguine, noting that tax-preferred savings do little for families that struggle to get by and pay little or no federal taxes. But between middle- and upper-class tax incentives for premiums, and direct subsidies to cover those on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder, Cruz calls it a "win-win for everybody."

For Cruz, this positioning represents some uncharacteristic compromises.

Jason Pyle, vice president for legislative affairs at FreedomWorks, a conservative advocacy group, called Cruz's move "a step in the right direction."

But to influential conservative Brent Bozell, chairman of ForAmerica, Senate Republicans' embrace of taxpayer-funded subsidies for insurance companies represents a sellout of their promise to repeal Obamacare.

"They effectively have embraced Obamacare," he said.

Making compromises

Nevertheless, by bringing along many of his fellow conservatives, Cruz's proposal could give Senate leaders some breathing room on the right.

Along with the sharp reductions in planned Medicaid spending, some analysts say Cruz's measure could save the health care bill, even if GOP leaders have been forced to retain many of Obamacare's higher taxes on the wealthy.

"Yes, the compromise is spending lots more than before to purchase compromises, but that is how Obamacare was passed in the first place," said Peter Ferrara, a senior policy analyst at The Heartland Institute, a free-market think tank.

Shoring up the conservative base, however, could expose moderate Republicans, particularly swing votes like Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Dean Heller of Nevada, Susan Collins of Maine, Rob Portman of Ohio and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia.

Capito's office released a statement Friday saying she still has "serious concerns" about the Medicaid provisions." The Congressional Budget Office is analyzing the changes in the latest GOP bill, including the Cruz amendment.

The CBO's estimate of the GOP's last Senate health care bill projected that it could result in 22 million more Americans dropping off the insurance rolls, most of them people who are currently on Medicaid.

The Republican bill also took a hit last week from two powerful interest groups, AARP and America's Health Insurance Plans, which tore into Cruz's provision to offer alternative plans that don't have to cover pre-existing conditions.

"Allowing health insurance products governed by different rules and standards would further destabilize the individual market and increase costs for those with pre-existing conditions," the insurance lobby said in a policy paper.

Cruz argues that his plan would preserve guarantees for pre-existing conditions in the Obamacare exchanges. But industry experts, echoing Green and Grassley, said such coverage would be cost-prohibitive in parallel markets dividing young and old.

"Such protections  only work if there is broad participation to assure stable markets and affordable premiums," AHIP's analysts wrote.

Open to change

Cruz's backers counter that allowing companies to sell plans off the federally regulated Obamacare exchanges could make private insurance affordable to people who now rely on the Medicaid expansion.

Liberals are skeptical.

Holding a narrow 52-seat majority, Senate Republicans have little room to spare to pass their bill. In a reflection of the conservative-moderate divide, Paul and Collins already have signaled their opposition, though for different reasons.

Counting on Vice President Mike Pence as the tie-breaker in a potential 50-50 vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is on the precipice. He now has to count on the cooperation of both wary moderates and Cruz, the tea party upstart who once accused him of lying on the Senate floor.

Playing an unaccustomed insider role, Cruz has spent the past five months quietly working with other Republicans senators of varying stripes to forge an agreement that can get at least 50 votes.

Some analysts say that to the extent that he can help deliver conservatives, he can inoculate himself and the party's right flank should the health care bill fall to the opposition of moderates. And if it passes, it likely will be regarded as a victory for Republicans and President Donald Trump, even if it falls far short of the goal of repealing every last vestige of Obamacare.

Still struggling for votes to move the bill forward this week, GOP leaders have promised that they're still open to change.

"We're going to have an open amendment process," said Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, McConnell's chief vote counter. "So long as senators have the energy to stay on their feet and offer amendments."

At the center of it all will be Cruz, whose amendment has become a rallying point for conservatives who want to dismantle former President Barack Obama's legacy health care law.

"If ever there was a litmus test about whether a politician supports Obamacare, the Cruz amendment is it," said Michael Cannon of the libertarian Cato Institute, writing in The Hill. "Any politician who voted against Obamacare  or campaigned on repealing it  but opposes the Cruz amendment is flip-flopping."
U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke raised $2.1 million in his first three months as an official candidate for the U.S. Senate, according to his campaign.

The El Paso congressman has quickly emerged as the Democrats' top hope to take on U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. His $2.1 million is nearly three times as much as Democrat Paul Sadler raised in all of 2012 in his run against Cruz.
The special session of the Texas Legislature, which opens Tuesday, has the potential to be, as they say in Amarillo, as worthless as a sidesaddle on a sow. Gov. Greg Abbott called the 30-day meeting to protect his right flank. It will cost hundreds of thousands of taxpayers dollars and result in little more than a replay of the mud wrestling that came to a miserable end in late May.

But there is a way to take the sow's ears and make something worthwhile. In his call to action, Abbott should include a system to protect our region from a killer, so-called "Scenario 7" hurricane.

A Scenario 7 hurricane is one that is 15 percent stronger than Hurricane Ike and makes landfall in the vicinity of Freeport. Researchers paint a grim picture of such a storm's aftermath: thousands dead; billions in property damage; hundreds of thousands homeless; and catastrophic environmental damage.

It was disappointing in the extreme that the Legislature accomplished nothing in the regular session to prevent such a disaster.

State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, whose district would suffer the brunt of such a storm, introduced a bill that would have given an existing special-purpose district the additional power to construct a surge-protection system. But that bill was gutted amid infighting among local officials over which agency should be tasked with the project. It is beyond regretful that any progress on protecting our region may be delayed another two years because of political turf battles.

Even a bill that would have funded an additional $2 million so Texas A&M University at Galveston can continue its research on surge protection failed to pass. The session was a complete abdication of responsibility when it comes to preparing our region for the next big storm.

Every item on Abbott's special call list pales in comparison to the existential threat a Scenario 7 hurricane poses to our region. So, if we must go through the Kabuki theater of a special session to satisfy Republican Party infighting, can we, at least, use it to make some progress on protecting our region from the killer storm we will one day inevitably face?

At a minimum, Abbott should add to the special session call the creation of a blue-ribbon panel to develop a definitive plan for a comprehensive storm-surge protection system to be considered by the 2019 Legislature. That would be a silk purse of which the governor could be proud.
STEPHEN CROWLEY/STF

Next steps

Regarding "Leaders pledge climate action" (Page A1, July 9), although world leaders have pledged to move forward on climate action without the United States, we should not let our legislators off the hook concerning climate-related budgetary issues. U.S. Rep. John Culberson, as chair of the subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, should reject the proposed cuts to NASA and NOAA. Investment in both these organizations support more than 10,000 jobs in the Houston area and help protect the city from severe storms, hurricanes and floods. The president's proposed cuts would endanger their ability to provide these life-saving services.
Flood preparations

Regarding "Flood insurance costs may fall for many" (Page B1, Friday), there are many things wrong with this picture. First of all, it should not require privitization to use more sophisticated flooding models for determining rates. Secondly, I love the bit about "Conceivably, homes that would see rate offers jump from private insurers could remain on the federal program post-reform". So what this really appears to be is a giveaway for private insurers - allowing them to cream the low-risk properties and leave the government stuck with the high-risk properties, leading to the inevitable bankruptcy of the federal program. Whenever attempts have been made to reform the program so that the cost of insurance accurately reflects the risk, there has been so much pushback that it has yet again been turned into a subsidy for people living in flood-prone areas. This bill solves nothing, creates a giveaway to insurance companies, and will lead to either the collapse of the federal program or taxpayer subsidies.

Alan Jackson, Houston

Love, war and politics

Regarding "Ran out of questions? Here are a few more" (Page A15, Thursday), after reading Ruth Marcus' column, let me offer the candid Trump administration response you'll never see or hear.

Has Marcus ever heard the expression, "all's fair in love and war"? Well, politics is war, baby. So the question is really "What does "all's fair" include?" In our opinion, which is the only one that counts anyway, it includes: fabricating, twisting and/or omitting facts to create our version of the truth; lies from "little white" to "whoppers"; cheating (even if we get caught), and yes, colluding with foreign governments.

Another favorite of ours is "the end justifies the means" and we won, she lost, end of story.

Ernest Davis, Houston

Crackdown on pill mills

Regarding "Clinic leaders nabbed in fraud sting"(Page A3, Friday), the Texas Medical Board appears to have dirty hands too. The article said that the doctor accused of running a prolific pill mill had a "pending investigation" begun last August. That was almost one year ago.

I wonder when their investigation would have been completed had the federal government not stepped in?

Curt Anderson, The Woodlands

Covering Trump

Regarding "Did U.S. media hope Trump would fail abroad? (Page A28, July 9), columnist Kathleen Parker's chastisement about the media coverage of President Trump's trip to Europe is a weak defense of a president who has shown himself to be ignorant and untruthful about almost everything. The media is probably tired of trying to fairly cover a man who calls them fake and their stories lies, but I don't think they want him to fail, especially when he represents our country.

His trip's impact is still up in the air, but I have a quibble with Parker's quote from his speech in Poland, "Do we have the confidence in our values to defend them at any cost?"

She sees this as a powerful and important statement of our people's dedication to America's principles. It also sounds like the declarations of the zealots that want to destroy us.

Bob Gayle, Houston

American values

Regarding "Did U.S. media hope Trump would fail abroad?" (Page A28, July 9), Parker seemed to get great inspiration from Trump's Poland speech when he asks "do we have the confidence in our values to defend them at any cost?" Or says " our values will prevail." However to get inspired by theses comments you have to ignore the fact that the person saying them is destabilizing those American values when he goes abroad and denigrates the media, his own government support team, his presidential predecessors and democracy by seeming to praise authoritarian leaders.

Trump told Putin the American people wanted him to know their concerns about potential Russian hacking but at no time gave Putin a firm reprimand coming from the president of the United States himself.

Inspiration doesn't come only from speeches, but also from actions.

Ron Curtis, Houston

Selfies and rights

Regarding "Can a monkey own rights to its selfies?" (Page B2, Thursday), the fundamental premise of our legal system is that it advances through groundbreaking cases that challenge the status quo. PETA's "monkey selfie" case is just such an example.

Animals are thinking, sentient beings deserving of respect, consideration and legal protections for their own sake. Mindsets are evolving. An Argentinian court found that a captive orangutan named Sandra is a non-human person with rights, and unanimously agreed she has been wrongfully imprisoned in a zoo.

Loyola Marymount University ethicist Thomas White, said, "The scientific research suggests that dolphins are "non-human persons" who qualify for moral understanding as individuals."

Reevaluating our entrenched prejudices is the central measure of how we progress as a species. Naruto's case is really quite simple. Naruto took the photos. As the "author" of those photographs, he deserves to own the copyright.

Jennifer O'Connor, senior writer, PETA Foundation, Norfolk Va.
The regular Texas legislative session has ended and a special session is about to begin to focus on work judged incomplete by Gov. Greg Abbott. Incomplete is a good term because one has to ask: Aren't we forgetting about our future? Aren't we forgetting about the children?

We hear from legislators time and time again about how much they care about the most vulnerable residents of our state. But if actions speak louder than words, then the inaction on the part of our elected leaders is deafening. Do they not care about children?

One in 10 children born in America is born in Texas. Sixty percent of all of Texas public school children are growing up in low-income households; indeed 440,000 Texas children are growing up in households where the average annual income is less than $9,000. What is clear to me as a researcher is that children who grow up in low-income households need help in the form of good schools and good health to break free of the cycle of poverty. A quality education and adequate health care are necessary for children to thrive, grow up and contribute to a vibrant economy.

In the regular session, a few significant proposals to improve public education appeared on the legislative slate. One was school finance. Last year, the Texas Supreme Court ruled our state education finance system constitutional, yet broken. After a session where education was argued about in terms of vouchers and bathrooms, the core of the system (finances) remained unchanged, unfair and unhelpful to the 6 million children in our schools.

The other key education issue was high-quality pre-K. High-quality pre-K, which was a priority for our conservative governor, is an evidence-based, essential ingredient for success for low-income students, and a real benefit to working parents and to our future economy. Last summer, a major research project in Texas funded by the Meadows Foundation showed the dramatic positive impact that high-quality pre-K programs have on our children. It represents a big bang for the taxpayer buck and is the best dropout prevention and college prep program our state could have; yet, our Legislature elected to cut funding for pre-K programs.

Our Legislature also bungled better child health through misguided legislation around immunizations. I understand that bringing up the documented science around immunizations means that I need to be prepared to be harassed by a core group of activists who have foregone any belief in science. But since when did science and evidence become the enemy of our Legislature? Several brave Republican legislators gave impassioned speeches calling for sensible belief in the power of medicine, only to be shouted down, resulting in policies that will hurt the health of our children.

Cost-neutral bills that would have significantly improved coordination, efficiency and transparency in early-childhood education fell to the wayside. Legislation that would have provided parents, policymakers and educators with clearer information about the quality of child care paid with state and federal funds failed. Good public policy like this would have allowed public elementary schools and local child care providers to work together to get kids school-ready.

We saw inaction when it came to school recess, which has been eliminated by many elementary schools. We witnessed the failure to enact policies around parenting, such as creating a task force on parent education and engagement to strategize best practices, giving parents the tools they need to do the most important job they have. These issues had support on both sides of the political aisle, but nothing was passed.

As Texans we value parents and personal responsibility. We must also understand that children can't be expected to succeed on their own. Quality schools, quality childhood programs and quality health care give parents the support they need to ensure that every little Texan can grow into a strong, economy-building Texan.

No doubt if asked, every representative and senator at the Capitol would be aghast at the mere suggestion that the Legislature "hates" children. But when the Legislature neglects crucial children's issues, when the money for vital kids programs is used as a bargaining chip, when political games are played with the programs and taxpayer money meant for children and when a session ends with things actually becoming worse for many of our most vulnerable children, this conclusion is not only logical, it is inevitable.

Children represent the future of Texas. No, children don't vote, children don't contribute to political campaigns and children don't mobilize public support. But don't we elect our Legislature to fight for these very same children? Maybe it's time for our state lawmakers to cowboy up and put on their big boy and big girl pants and do the work we elected them to do. This includes understanding that a fight for a strong future for our state and fight for our children are one and the same.

Sanborn is the president/CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK, a Texas-based research and advocacy group. He also serves as executive editor of the Journal of Applied Research on Children and the Journal of Family Strengths.
"If living were a thing that money could buy, then the rich would live and the poor would die."

"All My Trials, Lord" - Joan Baez

In yellowing family photos, my grandfather's eyes dominate - dead, pained and hopeless. He could barely draw a breath, his hands shook and he stood only with pain. A master carpenter, he had accepted any kind of work to support his four children and wife during the depths of the Great Depression, work that exposed him to toxins, sawdust and tiny deadly flakes of asbestos. As he and his family journeyed back and forth across the Texas-Louisiana border, his lungs wore out. Emphysema led to heart failure and then multi-organ failure. Finally, he died at age 72 in Charity Hospital in Shreveport, La.

His story was not unusual for the 1950s and 1960s - the years during which he suffered with little medical treatment or pain control and only the care his family could provide. He died in 1962, three years before President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the legislation that established Medicare, insurance for people who had reached the age of 65. As the ability of physicians and health-care providers to treat the great killers of our day - heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes - has increased, so have the demands on this life-saving program to cover the costs of treatment.

Medicare and the state-federal companion Medicaid that provides care for the poor and disabled were a boon to people most in need of health care. For these people, Medicare and Medicaid provided the security that if they got sick, one of these programs would provide help. When the state Children's Health Insurance Program designed to help families of modest income purchase insurance for their children went into effect in 1997, the security was reinforced.

The establishment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 extended that security to those who owned their own businesses or worked for employers who did not provide health insurance. In those states that were forward-looking, legislators extended the reach of Medicaid beyond the poverty level. None of these programs - some federal and others a combination of federal and state - were perfect, but they were enough to give people a backstop when disaster struck.

Today, the Republican-held Congress - House and Senate - is searching for ways to strip that security away from those who need it the most. That means single mothers with sick children, the unemployed and underemployed with jobs that provide no health benefits, children and young people born with ailments that require expensive treatments and surgeries and a host of others. House Speaker Paul Ryan opines that under the proposed House plan, people will lose their health insurance because they choose not to purchase it. That is sophistry. Before the Affordable Care Act, they could not afford health insurance, and without the aid provided under the ACA, they will be without it again.

For residents of Harris County, HarrisHealth will once again have to step into the breach. That tax-supported health system is responsible for providing care for at least 1 in 3 county residents.

The lack of security in health care came to the fore almost daily when I was the medical writer for the Houston Chronicle from 1978 to 1998. I met parents whose employer-provided health insurance would not cover the cost of organ transplantation their children desperately needed. I saw mothers who could not go back to work because the added income would make them ineligible for the Medicaid that was a lifeline for their youngsters. Cruelly, many large employers in Houston provided health insurance for workers but not their families.

I cannot understand the callousness of leaders like Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and Speaker Ryan, who have designed plans that will strip the needy of health care. Cruz's plan to offer stripped-down policies offers little or no protection and makes insurance ultimately unaffordable to those with pre-existing conditions. He and his state Republican cohorts have already made Texas the most uninsured state in the nation. Mothers giving birth in Texas die at rates that are the United States' highest. This is inhumanity in its worst form, and it cannot continue. We must fight to maintain the health insurance that our people need.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has given Congress until the end of July to repeal and replace ACA. Doing so would not only be a disaster, but would also be morally reprehensible.

As Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, an iconic figure in U.S. medicine and driving force in the establishment of Houston's Baylor College of Medicine, often said, "We can deliver the best medical care in the world, and we have the worst method of distributing it." The GOP proposal amplifies his point.

Health care legislation should embrace DeBakey's wisdom and seek to make health care more accessible, more humane and more effective to ensure that no one in the United States ever again suffers from its lack. My grandfather's story was a story of health care's past. The GOP proposal will make stories like it part of health care's future.

SoRelle is a former Houston Chronicle medical writer.
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Not even a week had passed since Anne Marie Morris shot in to the public conscientiousness with her racist turn of phrase and another equality gaffe pops up. Philip Hammond thinks that train driving is so easy that "even a woman" could do it. I have my suspicions that both of these Tories are so dull and ultimately forgettable that this is a cunning ruse to mark them as memorable. I can think of no other reason why anyone would say such stupid and offensive things without ulterior motive, except the glaringly obvious reason is that they are racist and sexist.

After their spell of disasters I wouldn't let the Tories drive anything. If I was sat on my usual Euston to New Street train and the speaker system announced; "Today Ladies and Gentlemen your train will be driven by Philip Hammond, the Chancellor of the Exchequer," I would quickly gather my things and jump off the train, I'd rather take my chances with the Megabus.

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So I joke, I like a cutting aside. Many people have jumped to the defence of that racist Tory whose name I have already forgotten and to the Chancellor saying "they don't mean it, it's a turn of phrase". Or "God it's just a joke". This defence is weak because it is not a turn of phrase ever said by anyone in the last 40 years who wasn't a racist and what Phillip Hammond said wasn't even in the slightest bit funny so it can't have been a joke. A joke makes people laugh. The Chancellor does not qualify.

What Philip Hammond says does not hurt me in and of itself. I have heard much worse. People think that feminists like me can't take a joke, but in fact the jokes would be fine if the reality was different. If women lived in a world where the work that they did was considered equal to that of a man and was paid on equal terms, I could take the jokes. If the job of a nursery worker or a care worker garnered the same wages as bin man or the men who fix the roads, I'd be laughing it up down the pub at all the jokes. If young women apprentices got paid 5.85 per hour (on average) like young men do instead of the 4.82 that they actually earn, I'd be rolling round the floor laughing at all the gags. If Philip Hammond had even mentioned women or the kind of sectors where women work in his industrial strategy, or hadn't asked the women of the world to shoulder the burden of 86% of his budget cuts, I'd gladly buy a humorous t-shirt and join in with all the boy bantz. Jokes on you Hammond if you realised that "even a woman" has a value you might not be missing out on the 41 billion that eradicating the full-time gender pay gap would contribute. Think how many shady deals you could do with political parties who want to tell me and my sisters what we can and can't do with our wombs you could buy with that. Oh how we laughed. The jokes just keep rolling in.

It's not funny that Philip Hammond thinks like this, it's not funny because his thinking runs his department. His thinking says what money gets spent and what services get cut. It's not funny when you are the joke and your people are the ones who suffer.

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Mums and dads are counting down the days to the beginning of the school holidays. At the school gate, all conversations seem to revolve around summer getaways with the children, mixed with anxiety about childcare arrangements for when work intrudes. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and even neighbours will play their part.

Our own children are grown up but the summer holidays loom large in our lives. We are foster carers, and we want the children in our care to look forward to the break with the same degree of excitement as their friends. We want them to return to school in the autumn refreshed and bursting with stories about a wonderful, happy summer to share with the class.

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But the long summer holidays present unique challenges for foster families, and for children and young people unable to live with their own families. This is particularly true when a permanent arrangement has yet to be agreed, so living arrangements are temporary, as is the case for thousands of looked-after children.

When school shuts down and after-school activities take a break, the harsh reality of living in care can be overwhelming. Separated from classmates as well as their own families, and without term-time routines to fill the day, life can feel lonely and unforgiving.

For many children and young people in care visits to grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins are out of bounds. They are likely to be placed some distance from the family home, so contact with mates in their old neighbourhoods is often lost and frequently discouraged. And while children generally are able to enjoy carefree days out with mum and dad, children in foster care are limited to parental contact sessions in the company of a social worker or specialist supervisor. These are unlikely to be the happy-go-lucky play days of idyllic summers.

Young people trying to follow the process that will determine their future have the added frustration of knowing that little or no progress towards a resolution will be made during the summer, when children's services and the family courts seems to be on hold for all but the most urgent business.

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Foster carers must navigate a way through the summer without the networks that typically support mums and dads. Relatives are sometimes willing but unable to help, either because of formal restrictions or because the children do not know them well. Foster carers may not have had time to form trusted relationships with other parents before the holidays begin, which makes organising summer activities difficult.

Foster families planning to take their foster children on holiday can face significant hurdles, particularly when a youngster's long-term future remains undecided. Parental consent, when it is required, cannot be taken for granted. Trips abroad with children of different surnames are likely to meet frequent challenges from authorities concerned about the relationship. And whether you opt for a staycation or a foreign holiday, securing accommodation that is both appropriate and affordable is a logistical nightmare.

If I paint a particularly bleak picture of a typical summer in the world of fostering, I apologise. Yet these are some of the concerns that preoccupy the UK's 55,000 fostering families as they prepare for the end of term. This summer they will carry much of the burden of caring for society's most vulnerable children alone, with little help from their communities. I just thought you should know.

We have been foster carers for almost nine years, and some 12 children have been welcomed into our family for significant periods of time. Some of our happiest memories of foster care are of summer holidays spent with children and young people discovering the joy and beauty of a world they had known only as toxic and threatening. We strive to create the happy memories that will nourish and comfort them as they continue their journey.
When the UK finally revealed its 'offer' to give EU citizens 'settled status' after Brexit, Theresa May said she "would not want to tear families apart". This was followed shortly afterwards by a statement that EU citizens couldn't possibly have more rights than UK citizens and therefore family reunion was off the table. My MP has reiterated this to me in person.

So what does this mean for me? Will I have the right to bring my mum over from the Netherlands at some point in the future, should she need care? Or would I need to leave my British husband and kids and move to the Netherlands?

Let me take you through the twists and turns in my personal history of this "right":

When I came to live in the UK as a Dutch citizen, it was on the terms of Freedom of Movement. My move from Rotterdam to London was akin to, and as easy and seamless as, someone moving from Bradford to Bristol. Under EU Law (Directive EC/2004/38/EC) I had this right, and I must point out that any Brit who has lived in the EU in the past, even if now returned to the UK, also has this right. In May I became a dual Dutch-UK citizen (at vast expense), and discovered to my horror that I had lost the right, due to a flawed UK interpretation of a case called McCarthy. The UK Supreme Court had the good sense to check this question with the CJEU (the Lounes case - see this recent article) who have just given their inital opinion and said that a person in my situation should not lose this right. The EU offer on almost 5 million UK/EU citizens rights would ensure I keep the right. The UK counter-offer would take the right away from me again post Brexit.

Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws asked for clarification in the House of Lords, using the example of an Englishman married to an Italian:

The wife is an only child and her parents are elderly and in Italy. It is expected that, when one of her parents--the in-laws--dies, the lone in-law is allowed to come here, but it may not be within the next two years. What happens in that situation? Will it be possible for an in-law left alone in another country in Europe to be able to join their daughter or son to live here?

The answer from the Minister of State, Baroness Williams, was:

It is important to note that they will have the opportunity to do so by either applying under post-exit immigration arrangements for EU citizens who arrive after the specified date or by applying under the same rules as those joining British citizens. I hope that answers the question.

Well, no, respectfully, it does not answer the question!

Firstly, the government has not told us what the new immigration arrangements for EU citizens will be post-Brexit, and as for her second option, applying under the same rules as those joining British citizens is virtually impossible. The government rules are found here on the government's website.

The main stumbling block is proving that the care is not available in the country of origin - which of course will be pretty nigh impossible when considering The Netherlands. One immigration lawyer has commented on these rules, introduced in 2012, saying

It is now virtually impossible for an adult dependent relative, typically a parent or grandparent, to succeed under the current rules and the Home Office has conceded that far fewer cases qualify under the new rules than was expected. It seems that is considered an added bonus rather than a mistake.

My MP did not know this. It does not sound like the Minister of State does either.

Now it is all very well to argue that it would be unreasonable for EU citizens to have more rights than UK citizens (not entirely accurate in itself because UK citizens who have spent time working in the EU in the past also have these rights), but is it my fault that the British rules have recently been adjudged the least family-friendly of 38 developed countries?

Oh and by the way, considering the UK citizens living in the EU who Theresa May has been insisting she wants to protect? They would be equally stuck. If my British friend in Germany wants to resettle in the UK after Brexit, she could not bring her German mother-in-law to care for. (In fact, she would not even be able to bring her German husband unless she first found a job in the UK earning at least 18,600!).

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iciHaiti - France : International aid can not continue to cushion chronic crises





On Friday, 14 July, Elisabeth Beton Delegue, Ambassador of France accredited to Haiti, delivered a speech on the celebration of the National Day of France, which we invite you to share the essence of some excerpts about Haiti.



Extract from the speech of Ambassador Delegue :



"[...] France is convinced that the opportunity to engage Haiti in the path of recovery is open, with the support of the international community, in which, as a friend and partner, without any ulterior motive of all kinds, it intends to take all its place to accompany the change without which the country will not leave the trap of underdevelopment nor its inhabitants of precariousness.



[...] International aid, the observation is shared, can not continue to cushion chronic crises, nor replace the responsibilities of the national actors: we welcome in this respect the relaunch of the coordination of the partners under the aegis of the Prime Minister, with the holding of a new aid effectiveness committee after 3 years of sleep.



[...] Since November 2016, following a government decision, Haiti has joined the list of 17 priority countries for official development assistance https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19562-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html , exclusively African club until now: this means that our support will be spared budget cuts : the AFD will thus increase the volume of its interventions in its sectors of concentration, agriculture, historic area where it has been present for 30 years, but also education and vocational training, urban development and governance.



[...] Our cooperation is also based on a cultural and educational network with the Lycee Alexandre Dumas, the French Institute of Haiti, which depends directly on our embassy and the 5 alliances in the province, local associations, for their part, focused on Haitian youth [...] we distributed 20,000 books in this network and that of the partner schools https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20560-haiti-martinique-donation-of-nearly-20-000-books.html . We will continue to book libraries and develop a network of community radio stations to broadcast bilingual educational and recreational programs in Creole and French.



[...] Arts and culture are an industry, a source of income for Haitians, to which France contributes, whether it concerns the sales of books by your writers, or the rooms that program your musicians, such as the famous Group Tabou Combo that plays almost more in Guadeloupe and Martinique than in Haiti ! On April 8, France's largest auditorium, the Accor Arena Paris Bercy, gathered 15,000 people for 'La nuit du Kompa'.



[...] for foreign investment to contribute to the sustainable development of the country, it is important to build trust and confidence by improving the legal framework and transparency of business practices. As for the companies that are already present in the country, it is important that their partnership with Haiti continues to be a win-win [...]"



IH/ iciHaiti


















#football Injured star Son Heung-min named to S. Korean World Cup squad The injured South Korean football star Son Heung-min was named to the country's World Cup squad Saturday, as the football-crazed nation waits with bated breath to see if the belove...
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A new book series celebrates the creative leaps architects took at the turn of the 20th century, building from the ground up a new architectural style: Art Nouveau.

Taschens Architecture Fin-de-Siecle is a dramatic-three volume set of architectural photographs captured by the late Keiichi Tahara.

Tahara travelled across Europe to capture the finest examples of the genre, including the works of Antoni Gaudi, Victor Horta and Josef Hoffmann.

From Victor Hortas elegant Maison et Atelier Horta in Brussels in Austria to Otto Wagners enchanting Kirche am Steinhof in Vienna, Tahara manages to capture the intricate details that have come to represent Art Nouveau, which gained popularity between the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Architecture Fin-de-Siecle by Keiichi Tahara and Riichi Miyake (Taschen)

The style, which spread throughout Europe and beyond, was inspired by organic and geometric forms and in particular, the curved lines of flowers and plants. While it traditionally featured colours such as blues, browns, greens and yellows, the focus of the style was always on its linear contours.

Taharas photographs capture the splendour of these buildings that define the turn of the century, or fin de siecle. The photographers images are accompanied by texts from Riichi Miyake, describing each buildings floor plans, designs and the contexts within which each structure was created.

Keiichi Taharas Architecture Fin-de-Siecle is available during July on Taschens website
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With summer comes the usual seasonal hairstyles  think tousled beach waves, slick ponytails and breezy braids. But this time round these looks are set to be finished off with perhaps the most stellar of hair accessories: the oversized bow.

If the last time you wore a bow in your hair it cast a flashback to butterfly clips and Velcro shoes, then its time to rethink how you dress up your tresses because this look is no longer reserved just for the toddler set.

Now, youre never too old to wear a bow.

Believe it or not this trend isnt really anything new. Back in 2013 Celines Autumn/Winter 2013 ads saw model Daria Werbowy sport an insouciantly tied bow in her dishevelled bun that complimented the oversized feel of the collection.

It was playful, sharp and anything but juvenile.

Fast forward four years and the elaborate use of bows has re-enterted the fashion landscape with Dolce & Gabbana, once again, proving that they do hair accessories better than anyone else.

For Spring/Summer 2017, the fashion house sat a stack of social media stars and millennial influencers front row - Lionel Ritchie's daughter, Sofia and Jude Law's son, Rafferty among them. But not even they could outshine the jaw-dropping headpieces that graced the runway.

Gucci's headband came larger-than-life and crafted from bubblegum pink satin (Rex Features)

Here, hairstylist Guido Palau showcased various types of large hair accessories placed right on top of models heads for an old Italy feel.

The most elegant of which was a polka dot silk hairband, twisted up and around a chignon to form an exaggerated bow.

Mini Gingham Headband, 6, topshop.com

Similarly, Guccis models sported a range of hairstyles but all were dramatically embellished.

A far cry from the demure black ribbon seen elsewhere, the Gucci headband came larger-than-life and crafted from bubblegum pink satin.

Hairband with a Bow, 6.99, hm.com

So, how do you wear a hair bow the grown up way?

The trick here is to consider how youre styling your locks because while a sleek high bun might verge on ballerina, pairing a bow with bed-head hair perfectly straddles sweet and sultry.

Khaki Sateen Bow Hair Band, 2.99, newlook.com

Satin Hairband, 6.99, hm.com
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The Home Secretary has suggested acid attack convictions could soon carry life sentences as the Government launched an urgent effort to combat the rising number of acid attacks in the UK after a spate of assaults, including five that took place in just 90 minutes in London.

Amber Rudd warned an overhaul of current guidelines would ensure those who used noxious liquids as a weapon "feel the full force of the law".

"I am clear that life sentences must not be reserved for acid attack survivors," she wrote in The Sunday Times.

A review announced by the Home Office, working alongside the police and Ministry of Justice, will examine the law enforcement and criminal justice response, existing laws, the access to harmful products and support available for victims.

The Crown Prosecution Services sentencing guidance for offenders will be reviewed as part of measures to ensure corrosive substances are treated as dangerous weapons and punished accordingly. A widened list of substances could be also be included in the Poisons Act 1972, amid mounting calls for restrictions on the purchase of corrosive substances.

Ms Rudd wrote: "Today I am announcing an action plan to tackle acid attacks. It will include a wide-ranging review of the law enforcement and criminal justice response, of existing legislation, of access to harmful products and of the support offered to victims."

"We will also make sure that those who commit these terrible crimes feel the full force of the law," she added. "We will seek to ensure that everyone working within the criminal justice system, from police officers to prosecutors, has the powers they need to punish severely those who commit these appalling crimes."

 Five acid attacks carried out across London

Labour MP Stephen Timms, who will lead a debate on the issue in the House of Commons on Monday, is backing the move, as are survivors like Katie Piper.

The campaigner and author has undergone more than 250 operations since an ex-boyfriend arranged the assault almost a decade ago.

I couldnt recognise myself when I woke up from a coma and I wanted to commit suicide, she wrote in an open letter published in the Scars, Burns & Healing online medical journal.

I will continue to need operations and therapy for life. For acid attack survivors, the aftermath is a life sentence.

Another acid attack victim from Luton, who wished to be named only as Mr Khan, told The Independent those found guilty should get 15 years in prison  minimum. Its disgusting that someone can so easily obtain that kind of liquid and change someones life, he added.

The Home Office said new guidance will be provided to police officers on preventing attacks, searching potential perpetrators and responding to victims at the scene. Work will also take place with retailers to agree measures to restrict sales of acids, which can currently be bought cheaply and easily from high street retailers and online.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA 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 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty 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

Another measure in the Government plan includes ensuring that victim impact statements are completed in every case so courts are made aware of the full impact of the attack, while police will be encouraged to draw up separate evidence showing the effect on communities.

Concerns have spiked following a series of high-profile incidents, with the nation shocked by a rampage on Thursday that saw five separate victims targeted by two moped-riding attackers in the north and the east of the capital. Two of the assaults saw mopeds stolen, while another victim was left with life-changing injuries inflicted after being sprayed.

Recommended How worryingly easy it is to buy corrosive acid online

Detectives have made two arrests relating to Thursdays rampage, with boys aged 15 and 16 in custody.

Another similar suspected acid attack was launched the follow day, police revealed on Saturday. The Metropolitan Police said they were called at around 5pm on Friday to reports of an attempted robbery of a moped in Dagenham. The rider, in his 20s, was approached by two men on another moped who squirted what was described as a noxious substance at him.

Scene of one of the multiple acid attacks in London last week (AP)

They attempted to steal his moped but were unsuccessful, and the man was taken to hospital. He does not have lasting injuries and has been discharged, a spokesperson for Scotland Yard said. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Chief Inspector Ben Clark said attacks using corrosive substances were rising in London, adding: I would urge businesses and parents to challenge those who they think may be trying to obtain or carry these substances as this could help prevent serious offences and life-changing injuries being caused.

In April, clubbers in east London were caught up in a mass attack that injured 20 people, then last month cousins Resham Khan and Jameel Mukhtar were left with life-changing injuries after having liquid thrown on them through a car window.

Figures from the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) suggest that more than 400 acid or corrosive substance attacks were carried out in the six months up to April 2017, based on returns from 39 forces in England and Wales. They also indicated that bleach, ammonia and acid were the most commonly used substances.

There were more than 300 crimes using corrosive substances in London alone during the 2016/17 financial year, including 208 incidents of violence against the person  one that was fatal  and 118 robberies.

Jameel Muhktar, 37, in hospital following an acid attack on 21 June (Channel 4 News/YouTube)

Data obtained from the Metropolitan Police by the BBC through Freedom of Information requests showed the incidents were among more than 1,800 reports of attacks involving acid-like fluids since 2010, with their use recorded in murders, robberies and rapes.

The dramatic rise in incidents has generated suspicion of a copycat effect, with campaigners warning that gang members now see acid attacks as a safer form of crime following crackdowns on guns and knives.

Jaf Shah, from the Acid Survivors Trust International charity, said carrying the corrosive liquid should carry the same penalty as possessing a knife to help tackle an explosion of attacks in the UK.

Acid attacks were previously dominantly associated with so-called honour crimes by men aiming to disfigure female victims, but have been used in the UK for crimes including robbery, rapes and assaults motivated by personal disputes. Globally, most acid attack victims are women and girls but in the UK men are more likely to be targets, with recorded numbers in Britain now higher than countries such as Colombia, India and Pakistan.

Delivery driver Jabed Hussain was targeted during a spate of acid attacks (BBC)

In an earlier statement, Ms Rudd said: Acid attacks are horrific crimes which have a devastating effect on victims, both physically and emotionally.

It is vital that we do everything we can to prevent these sickening attacks happening in the first place. We must also ensure that the police and other emergency services are able to respond as effectively as possible, that sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences and victims are given the immediate support they need.

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Kearton, of the NPCC, said forces are continuing to collect data to understand the scale and extent of attacks. While it is virtually impossible to ban the sale of all corrosive substances, we are working closely with the Home Office and retailers to determine how we can keep these products from people who intend to cause harm, she said.

I would urge anyone who is a victim of this type of attack to report it so that we can deal with the matter positively and sensitively.

Sarah Newton, minister for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability, will outline the Governments proposals during the debate in the Commons on Monday.

Additional reporting by PA
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Donald Trump reportedly told Theresa May he will not make a state visit to the UK until he is guaranteed a "better reception".

The US President asked the Prime Minister to prepare a "warm welcome" before he agrees to set a date, it has been claimed.

The pair spoke on the phone to discuss the planned state visit, which has now been postponed until next year.

 Trump handshake with Macron goes on forever

"I havent had great coverage out there lately, Theresa," Mr Trump told Ms May, according to a transcript of the conversation seen by The Sun.

Ms May replied: "Well, you know what the British press are like."

But Mr Trump added: "I still want to come, but Im in no rush.

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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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"So, if you can fix it for me, it would make things a lot easier.

"When I know Im going to get a better reception, Ill come and not before."

Over 1.8 million people signed a petition to prevent Mr Trump from being honoured with a formal state visit.

The petition reads: Donald Trump should be allowed to enter the UK in his capacity as head of the US Government, but he should not be invited to make an official State Visit because it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen.

It comes just days after French President Emmanuel Macron wooed his American counterpart during an official state visit to France.

The pair took a tour of the Les Invalides war memorial and Elysee Palace before a bilateral meeting, followed by a luxurious dinner in the Eiffel Tower.

Mr Trump was also the guest of honour at Friday's military parade on the Champs-Elysees - the first time a US President had attended since George Bush in 1989

Downing Street declined to comment.
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Britains new high-speed rail line will be the most expensive railway in the world with costs per mile expected to reach 403m, according to Government calculations.

The HS2s first phase between London and Birmingham will cost almost 48bn, according to expert analysis commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Michael Byng, who created the method used by Network Rail to cost its projects, made the estimates for DfT and said the line would cost double the official figure and 15 times more than the cost per mile of the TGV in France, according to the Sunday Times.

The scheme could cost up to 104bn in total, including extensions to Manchester and Leeds, he believes. The first 6.6 miles from Euston to Old Oak Common would cost 8.25bn, or 1.25bn a mile.

The senior civil servant responsible for the project reportedly told Mr Byng he was very worried the official costs could be unrealistic.

Former transport minister John Spellar said the controversial project was an ever-deepening bottomless pit.

HS2 has not questioned the figure, or my methodology, nor have they come up with any structured estimate of their own, Mr Byng told the Sunday Times.

A couple of days later I got a call from the DfT saying Look, if 6.6 miles is going to cost us 8.25bn, what chance have we got of getting to Birmingham? I said: Ill work it out for you.

Michael Hurn, the project sponsor at the DfT, is a very good guy and is very worried at the advice hes been given [by HS2]. The big contractors are also worried. Theyve said when they submit a bid its nowhere near [as low as] the estimates that HS2 have got for the job.

HS2 said it did not recognise Mr Byngs figure and was confident we will deliver the project on time and on budget.

The DfT said: We are keeping a tough grip on costs and the project is on time and on budget.

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. 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It comes after Chancellor Philip Hammond got the cost wrong by at least 20bn in a radio interview.

Mr Hammond said HS2 will cost the taxpayer 32bn, when in fact it is expected to cost more than 52bn.

The Chancellor had been attacking Labour's policy costings, which he claimed don't add up, when he made the ironic gaffe.

The project has also been mired in delays and complications. The engineering firm that was handed the multimillion-pound contract to develop HS2 pulled out of the project less than two months after it was selected to complete the work.

The Government confirmed on 9 February that it had appointed US-based company CH2M to help develop a section of the network north of Crewe to Manchester and from the West Midlands to Yorkshire.

But in March, CH2M said it had decided to withdraw its interest, following what it called continuing discussions between HS2 and CH2M over the award of the contract.
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A former senior Metropolitan Police officer has called for stronger measures to be used against criminals who operate on mopeds, even if it results in their deaths.

David Videcette, who investigated organised crime with Scotland Yard, said the "overzealous" enforcement of current guidelines were impeding police from tackling the moped crime wave which has gripped London.

He also admitted officers used to bend the rules to hide the fact they deliberately knocked drivers off their bikes.

Referring to a daylight knife attack using a moped he witnessed on Friday, Mr Videcette told The Independent: I dont care how many of them fall off and kill themselves because theyre not wearing a crash helmet. We cannot allow them to behave like this in the capital city.

He added: No police officer wants anyone to die. But you should stop when the police indicate you do so. If you continue on, after that point, whatever happens is down to you, not the police.

If the choice is these [pursued] criminals falling off and killing themselves, that the choice were going to have to make.

Public concern has been mounting over moped crime in London, which is often associated with violent offences, including acid attacks and robberies.

Last Thursday, five people were burned with corrosive substances and two victims had their mopeds stolen. A murder in Greenwich on Saturday was also linked to moped criminals.

They are willing to disfigure people with acid to get their hands on these bikes, thats how valuable they have become, Mr Videcette, adding that the vehicles are used by organised criminals in robberies in which they can make up to 1,000 a day.

Mr Videcette said the reluctance of officers to pursue moped thieves  driven by the harsh treatment of those who do so by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)  had driven up the value of scooters as a criminal commodity, allowing drivers to become bolder and more violent.

But the IPCC rejected accusations of overzealousness, saying guidelines for pursuits were set by the police themselves. Tactical contacts  in which rogue riders are knocked off their scooters at lower speeds  are allowed with authorisation.

 Woman dragged along road by moped thieves

Mr Videcette argued the spate of moped crime was a culmination of criminality which had increased since the death of Henry Hicks, 18, who died after losing control of his scooter during a 2014 chase in north London. Four officers face a misconduct hearing in October.

The death of Mr Hicks  who was in possession of drugs and cash  was described by Mr Videcette as a watershed moment in the way police officers who pursued suspects on vehicles were treated.

Back when the police ran their own internal investigations, when we got to decide how the law should be applied  we would bring moped pursuits to a very abrupt halt, Mr Videcette said.

Wed get behind the moped and knock them off [at slow speeds] Wed give them a little nudge and theyd fall off. It was really easy. And we would write our evidence to say that theyd slowed down and wed hit them. That was the way it was and it worked Everybody knew.

But officers say the action has come under intense scrutiny since the death of Mr Hicks, and that criminal riders have taken advantage of this, including by removing their helmets when followed by police -- knowing the chase will be ended.

Mr Videcette said officers had been left in an incredibly stupid situation where they feared for their jobs if giving chase to suspects.

When you allow them to act with impunity, you find them riding at greater and greater speeds, he said. They believe the more recklessly they drive, the more likely it is the pursuit will be called off, and thats a very dangerous situation.

Mr Videcette described the IPCC as very overzealous in wanting to prosecute police officers, and the organisation lambasted the police.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every 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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

He said officers were being accused by the IPCC of driving dangerously and that untrained officers antagonised criminals into driving more recklessly.

Theyve taken confidence away from police officers who believed they were doing the right thing in pursuing vehicles, he added.

But an IPCC spokesperson said: "All officers are treated as witnesses until there is any evidence that would suggest either misconduct or criminality so any suggestion that the IPCC is overzealous in its approach to investigations is simply wrong."

Mr Videcette called for a new framework for police drivers to work under, including for more officers to be trained in tactical contacts and to be protected from prosecution when carrying out their role correctly.

The IPCC added: "When the IPCC conducts a mandatory investigation into a death or serious injury to a member of the public following a police pursuit we examine if the actions of the police are in line with the policies and procedures set either nationally by the NPCC and College of Policing or locally by the police force.
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The Government has ordered the takeover of a state-funded Muslim school in Birmingham where a boy died in March.

Ofsted visited the Al-Hijrah School after nine-year-old Mohammed Ismaeel Ashraf reportedly suffered an allergic reaction and collapsed while at school. He was taken to hospital, but died shortly afterwards.

An earlier inspection found books in the library that said husbands were allowed to beat their wives and could force them to have sex.

A June report said the school was inadequate, saying pupils were not sufficiently safe and staff were not prepared for medical emergencies.

The school is currently embroiled in a long legal battle to allow it to segregate girls and boys.

Amanda Spielman, chief inspector at Ofsted, told The Sunday Times: I am deeply concerned about the idea that total segregation of children within a mixed school is acceptable.

In November, the High Court ruled that Ofsted inspectors were wrong to punish the school on the basis of the erroneous assumption that segregation amounted to unlawful discrimination.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA 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 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty 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

The judge said: There is no evidence in this case that segregation particularly disadvantages women.

But Ofsted is appealing the decision and a Court of Appeal has been asked to give a final ruling on the issue.
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An executive at the government-owned Royal Mint reportedly billed the taxpayer for a 45p packet of tissues as he clocked up 45,000 in expenses in a year.

Director of bullion Chris Howard also claimed for a 50p packet of chewing gum and a 1.50 bottle of water despite earning 123,000 a year, according to the Sunday Times.

He ordered a $14 Bloody Mary at 11.30am during a business trip to Las Vegas, figures obtained by the newspaper through a Freedom of Information request revealed.

Mr Howard's bills apparently provided a glimpse into the extraordinary lifestyle of a man who travels the globe selling bullion.

He spent 15,000 stay at some of the world's most luxurious hotels last year and 8,700 entertaining contacts and staff, the newspaper reported.

But the 57-year-old, from Fulham, west London, appears to have modest culinary tastes - regularly choosing fast food over fine dining. Meals from McDonald's and KFC were on the menu during a trip to Jackson, Ohio.

The globetrotting director's work spanned much of the world in last year, including visits to California, Melbourne, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing.

A Royal Mint spokeswoman said: "Mr Howards commercial activities on the organisations behalf necessitate frequent meetings with customers and distribution partners across the world, in order to grow sales.

"Business travel in the UK and overseas forms a significant part of his working time, representing the organisation as the face of Royal Mint Bullion overseas."

The mint said Mr Howard had the option of claiming 5 a day for expenses and 10 if staying abroad but "instead claims actual expenditure, which is lower.

The mint's bullion sales have "grown significantly" since Mr Howard was tasked with expanding the division, the spokeswoman added. Profits climbed from 1.5m in 2014 to 4.6m at the end of the 2016/17 financial year.

The Royal Mint, established 1,131 years ago, is a limited company but is owned by the government.

Based in Llantrisant, south Wales, it is the world's leading export mint and sells coins, medals and other types of bullion to about 60 countries as well as producing the UK's coinage. Exports make up about 70 per cent of it sales.
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Data about the private habits of 13 million people would fall into the hands of Rupert Murdoch if his bid to take over Sky is approved by the Government, posing a grave threat to our democratic process, members of the House of Lords have warned.

In a cross-party letter, six peers led by filmmaker David Puttnam said the Sky database could be used to satisfy the political purposes of the billionaire media mogul.

The Government is deliberating whether to allow Mr Murdochs 21st Century Fox  which currently owns 39 per cent of Sky  to take over the broadcaster. A decision on the 11.7bn deal could come as soon as next week.

Mr Murdoch already owns The Times, The Sun, The Wall Street Journal and Fox News. Ofcom raised concerns the deal threatened the plurality of the media.

But the peers warned the significance of the data Sky possessed  on the TV viewing, internet and phone habits of millions of households  had not been considered by the Government.

Should the records fall into the hands of an owner with an appetite for political leverage, the temptations and opportunities for misuse become very great indeed, the letter to the Observer warned.

Lord Puttnam, a Labour peer, said the information could be used to target individuals with political advertisements and profoundly alter public perceptions.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA 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 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty 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

The peers said there was an urgent need for the Information Commissioner to give assurances the data could not be misused.

The UK is the final country required to give permission for Mr Murdoch's company to buy the remaining 61 per cent of the broadcaster. Regulators in other countries where Sky operates  Ireland, Austria, Germany and Italy  have all approved the deal.

Mr Murdochs bid comes six years after his last attempt at taking the business over through News Corporation in 2011.

That bid was derailed by the phone-hacking scandal at his News International newspaper company, which eventually forced the closure of the News of the World.

Ongoing civil cases against some of Mr Murdochs newspapers have raised questions about the suitability of Fox to take full control over Sky, although he was never charged with phone-hacking offences.
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The former head of the civil service has warned Theresa May that Britain is in for a tough ride unless cabinet ministers end their squabbling over Brexit.

Lord ODonnell called for ministers to unite in backing a lengthy transition deal and start being honest about the complexity of the challenge after the UK leaves in 2019.

Writing in The Observer, he warned: The EU has clear negotiating guidelines, while it appears that cabinet members havent yet finished negotiating with each other, never mind the EU.

 Tony Blair: It's necessary that Brexit doesn't happen

He wrote: "There is no way all these changes will happen smoothly and absolutely no chance that all the details will be hammered out in 20 months.

We will need a long transition phase, and the time needed does not diminish by pretending that this phase is just about implementing agreed policies as they will not all be agreed.

The former Cabinet Secretary added: So fasten your seat belts, we are in for a rough ride.

It comes after Tony Blair intervened to say Brexit could be stopped if Britains leaders realise EU officials are prepared to meet us halfway on restricting the free movement of people.

The former Labour Prime Minister said it is possible the will of the British people could change as the public becomes more aware of the potential economic damage of a hard Brexit.

Chancellor Philip Hammond has also called for colleagues to accept the need for a lengthy transitional period.

In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier listens at the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivers his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit reacts during a meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Member of the European Parliament and former leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage wears socks with Union Jack flag at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) member and MEP, addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcoming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier gestures during speeches at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (L) speaks with European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France Getty Images

Defending the Governments plans, a spokeswoman for the Department for Exiting the European Union told The Guardian: Our aim is to build a deep and special partnership with the European Union, as the EUs closest friend and neighbour.

As we negotiate to leave the EU, we are seeking the best possible deal for the UK, one that gives citizens and businesses as much certainty as possible.
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Philip Hammond has all but admitted saying public sector workers were "overpaid".

The Chancellor said it was "a simple fact" that wages for employees of the UK's public services earned about 10 per cent more than private sector staff when "very generous" pensions contributions were taken into account.

Mr Hammond was grilled by the BBC's Andrew Marr over comments he reportedly made during a Cabinet meeting this week.

He caused "astonishment" by describing public sector workers as overpaid, according to The Sunday Times.

The Treasury initially denied he had made the comments, but when challenged on what he had said, the Chancellor pointedly - and repeatedly - declined to do the same on BBC1's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday morning.

"I'm not going to talk about what was or wasn't said in a Cabinet meeting and it's easy to quote a phrase out of context," he said.

But he added: "Public sector pay raced ahead of private sector pay after the crash in 2008-09. Taking public sector pay before pension contributions, that gap has now closed - public and private sector pay on average are around and about the same level.

"But when you take into account the very generous contributions that public sector employers have to pay in for their workers' pensions - their very generous pensions - they are still about 10 per cent ahead."

Asked directly whether he felt public sector workers were overpaid, Mr Hammond said: "This is a relative question; this is about the relationship between public and private sector pay.

"It is a simple fact - independent figures show this - that public sector workers on average are paid about 10 per cent more than private sector workers."

The Treasury had earlier denied that Mr Hammond made the remarks during Tuesday's Cabinet meeting.

A spokesman said: "The Chancellor was describing the public sector pension premium. He did not say that public sector workers were overpaid."
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National security will be put at risk unless Theresa May aborts a hard Brexit that would starve Britain of vital intelligence information, a parliamentary inquiry will warn.

The Prime Minister will be told to drop her resistance to EU judges overseeing the cross-border flow of data or give a helping hand to terrorists and organised crime, The Independent has learned.

Britain must pursue a transitional deal on data-swapping or risk an immediate stop on Brexit departure day in March 2019, an all-party House of Lords committee will say.

Its hard-hitting report will suggest that this can only be achieved by conceding continuing oversight by the European Court of Justice (ECJ)  a red line for Ms May in the Brexit talks, so far.

At stake is access to intelligence sharing through the Europol law enforcement agency and to the Schengen information system, which holds an 8,000-name watchlist of suspected terror suspects.

Without a deal, separate agreements would have to be struck with individual police forces and intelligence services  with the danger that vital information will fall between the cracks, experts fear.

The peers will also strongly criticise the Home Office for failing to explain how it plans to avoid a sudden cliff edge loss of intelligence, when giving evidence to the inquiry.

The stark warning will carry extra weight because Lord Condon, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, sits on the committee and will speak out when it is released on Tuesday.

A source who has seen the report told The Independent: The committee will say a transitional arrangement is crucial if the Government is not going to put national security at risk.

It will say it has little confidence that a new deal can be struck in time  so the status quo makes sense, which involves oversight by the European Court of Justice.

The source added: The committee was taken aback by ministers inability to give any clear direction as to how they intend to deal with this enormously complex issue.

The report, by the Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee, will warn that security data-sharing with the US could also be lost  because that currently forms part of an umbrella agreement with he EU.

Also at risk is Britons control over their own personal and financial data, vast amounts of which is held in the US, rather than in Britain.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA 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 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty 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

The threat arises because, after Brexit, the UK will be treated as a third country  requiring the European Commission to be satisfied it will protect data as securely as EU members.

It will take up to three years for Britain to be granted an adequacy decision from Brussels  the necessary approval for data to be freely exchanged.

Furthermore, the ECJ has ruled that mass data retention of the kind allowed in the UK under the Investigatory Powers Act, or snoopers charter, is unlawful, throwing up a further hurdle.

Businesses also fear the loss of data sharing rights. Companies face moving part of their operations to the EU or risk losing business to rival firms on the Continent.

The British Bankers Association has warned of a damaging cliff edge effect where the flow of data could lapse overnight at the point of UK exit from the EU.

Last month, The Independent revealed how technology experts feared ministers were not giving the issue proper priority because they did not understand it fully.

Antony Walker, the deputy chief executive of the trade association techUK, said: The danger of an ad hoc fix is that things fall between the cracks and, for security issues, that would be a significant risk.

Ministers say this is on their list of ten priority issues, but Im not sure they understand the full significance of the threat.

The Home Office is expected to respond when the report is published, after one of its ministers, Baroness Williams of Trafford, left the committee in the dark when she gave evidence in April.

Baroness Williams was unable to say what the transition arrangements might look like, telling peers: I am not being unhelpful. It is just that I cannot.

Asked whether Britain was willing to sign up to amendments to data transfer rules after Brexit, to ensure continued compliance, she replied: I literally do not know. That is to be determined.

The minister was also unable to say whether anyone from the Home Office would be represented at the Brexit negotiations, to ensure the issue was given prominence.
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Trade Secretary Liam Fox has insisted Britain must be free to sign deals with non-EU countries from day one after Brexit, potentially opening up another cabinet split.

Mr Fox laid down his own red line by saying he would not accept a transitional deal to delay full EU withdrawal if it held back the trading opportunities on offer across the globe.

He also condemned cabinet leaks which have targeted Philip Hammond  an attempt, the Chancellor has claimed, to undermine his soft Brexit policy.

Recommended Chancellor says Cabinet infighting is bid to sabotage soft Brexit

I absolutely deplore leaks from the Cabinet. My colleagues should be very quiet and to their own departmental duties, Mr Fox told the BBCs Sunday Politics. He added: The only people smiling at this will be in Berlin and Paris,  warning it was making the exit negotiations more difficult.

Earlier, Mr Hammond urged the Cabinet to accept a lengthy transitional period, after exit day in March 2019, for new IT systems and extra staff to cope with tougher trading arrangements.

These things cant be magicked up overnight, the Chancellor said  targeting ministers apparently happy for Britain to crash out if necessary.

Mr Fox denied any disagreement with the Chancellor, but insisted any transitional deal must be very time limited and have strict conditions. Crucially, he said: I want, in a transitional period, to be able to negotiate agreements at that point.

What we cant have is a putting off of the point where we have freedom to negotiate our trade agreements.

He said that should be a condition in the exit talks, adding: Otherwise it makes it much more difficult for us to take advantage of the opportunities that Brexit is going to produce.

The Trade Secretary also opened up a second conflict with the Chancellor, who has criticised the Prime Ministers threat to walk away from the EU with no deal.

I think that anyone who goes into a negotiation without that position is foolish, Mr Fox said. Those that we negotiate with need to understand that we are not going to accept any deal that they give us.

That was the problem that David Cameron had with his negotiation before the referendum  I think our European partners believed we would accept a bad deal, rather than none.
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Philip Hammond has laid bare cabinet infighting over Brexit, suggesting other ministers are out to get him because he is pushing for Theresa May to change course.

The Chancellor said damaging stories about him were coming from people who are not happy with the agenda that I have, which is to steer Britain towards a transitional exit deal.

The claim came as Mr Hammond all but admitted he had told the Cabinet that public sector workers are overpaid  while denying he said even a woman can drive a train.

The leaks of his remarks in cabinet meetings have made front-page headlines in recent days, prompting claims they are coming from rival ministers.

Asked why colleagues are going for you, Mr Hammond said: If you want my opinion, some of the noise is generated by people who are not happy with the agenda that I have  over the last few weeks  tried to advance, of ensuring that we achieve a Brexit which is focused on protecting our economy, protecting our jobs and making sure we can have continued rising living standards in the future.

The Chancellor said he did not know if the stories were being placed in newspapers by hard core Brexiteers.

Asked, on the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show, if a leadership contest to succeed Ms May is underway, he replied: I certainly hope not  and if there is Im no part of it.

The Chancellor lashed out at his Cabinet rivals as he dismissed Brexiteer claims of a windfall from leaving the EU, after the notorious promises of an extra 350m a week for the NHS.

He pointed out that the independent Office for Budget Responsibility had simply estimated money might be used for different purposes, either at home, or for some EU programmes.

Broadly speaking, the amount of money will remain the same. They havent budgeted for a bonus from leaving the European Union, Mr Hammond pointed out.

He again urged colleagues to accept the need for a lengthy transitional period, after exit day in March 2019, to put in new IT systems and extra staff to cope with tougher trading arrangements.

These things cant be magicked up overnight, the Chancellor said  targeting ministers apparently happy for Britain to crash out if necessary.

He also sought to slap down Conservatives insisting Britain need not pay a penny to cover its outstanding obligations to the EU, a key stumbling block in the exit talks.

If there is any amount that is due, when its been properly accounted and audited for, of course we will deal with it. We are not a country that walks away from our debts, Mr Hammond said.

However, he agreed talk of a 100bn (87m) payout was a ridiculous figure, which Britain would not sign up to.

The Chancellor also insisted he was winning the battle on Brexit, saying: I think the Cabinet is coming much closer together on issues like transition.

It was a new concept when he first raised it, but now you find that pretty much everybody around the Cabinet table accepts that there will be some kind of transition.
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Most voters believe Theresa May should resign as Prime Minister before the next general election, a poll has found.

Some 57 per cent of people surveyed by Opinium said Ms May should quit before the next election, while a third  33 per cent  said she should step down now.

The next general election is due to be held in 2022, but many believe a vote will be called much sooner since the weakened Conservatives are likely to struggle to pass legislation after losing their majority.

Around 16 per cent of people Opinium approached said Ms May should stay as Prime Minister until negotiations on leaving the EU are complete.

Ms May is facing a humiliating defeat over Brexit, with Labour warning it could vote against her repeal bill unless she makes significant changes to it.

Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said he was putting the Government on notice, demanding increased protection for workers rights.

The bill does not propose bringing the European Unions charter of fundamental rights into domestic law, which other parties want.

Ms Mays general approval rating is minus 21, compared to Jeremy Corbyn's positive 4 per cent score.

But 36 per cent of respondents thought she made a better prime minister  only 33 per cent believed Mr Corbyn would be the best premier.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA 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 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty 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

Adam Drummond, head of political polling at Opinium, told Politics Home: Although support for May has waned, there is a lack of enthusiasm for other senior Conservative politicians to take the reins, presenting a dilemma for the party,

In our findings, UK voters were most likely to view Boris Johnson as a future Conservative Prime Minister, but he remains a polarising figure with two thirds  63%  struggling to imagine him as Prime Minister.
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The Egyptian university graduate who stabbed two German women to death at a popular Red Sea resort first sat and spoke to them in fluent German before producing a large kitchen knife and attacking them, security officials said.

Leaving them for dead, 29-year-old Abdel-Rahman Shaaban fled the scene, chased by hotel workers and security guards.

He rushed into the hotel next door where he attacked and wounded four female tourists who, according to local media reports, included two Armenians, one from Ukraine and another from the Czech Republic.

Recommended Two tourists killed after man with knife attacks Egypt beach resort

Stay back, I am not after Egyptians, Shaaban shouted in Arabic at his pursuers, according to the officials.

They eventually caught up with him, disarmed and pinned him down and later handed him over to the police. Shaaban stabbed the women in the face, neck and feet, said the officials.

No group claimed responsibility for Friday's attack, but it appeared to have been inspired by recent calls made by the local affiliate of the extremist Islamic State group on its followers to attack Egypt's minority Christians and foreign tourists.

The officials said Abdel-Rahman hails from the Nile Delta province of Kafr el-Sheikh where he attended the business school of the local branch of Al-Azhar University  the world's foremost seat of learning of Sunni Islam and the target of mounting criticism in recent months over its alleged radical teachings and doctrinal rigidity.

Investigators were still trying to determine how Shaaban came to be in Hurghada, one of Egypt's main Red Sea resorts, popular for its year-round sunny weather and diving.

The officials spoke to Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

A statement by the national security prosecution's office, which is questioning Shaaban in Cairo, said Saturday that his motives and ideological convictions remained unclear. The characterization of the action committed by the culprit, whether it is an individual act, criminal or terrorist, is not clear to the prosecution at this time, said the statement.

Police are meanwhile interviewing 15 hotel workers to piece together what happened.

Germany on Saturday gave the first official confirmation that the two tourists killed by Shaaban were German nationals, but gave no other information. Local German media reports, however, said the two were residing in Hurghada, not tourists.

In a statement, the German Foreign Ministry said: According to everything that we know, this act was aimed at foreign tourists  a particularly perfidious and criminal act that leaves us sad, dismayed and angry.

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. 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The attack on the tourists took place just hours after five policemen were killed in a shooting near some of Egypt's most famous pyramids in the greater Cairo area. No group claimed responsibility for that attack, which bore the hallmarks of a militant group known as Hasm that has been behind similar attacks in recent months.

Authorities say Hasm is a splinter faction of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group that was outlawed and declared a terrorist organization several months after the military in July 2013 ousted Mohammed Morsi, a senior leader of the Brotherhood who was elected president in 2012.

Friday's attacks are likely to further impact Egypt's tourism industry  a backbone of the country's economy that employs millions of people but which has been decimated by the political turmoil and lacking security roiling the country since the 2011 Arab Spring uprising.

On Saturday, tight security was in place at Hurghada, with additional checkpoints at the city's entry and exit points and reinforced security at tourist sites, including where the attack took place.

Egypt has been rocked by deadly suicide bombings, drive-by shootings and other attacks since Morsi's ouster four years ago. The violence has been concentrated in the northern Sinai Peninsula, but attacks have spread to the mainland, including the capital.

The last time tourists were attacked in Hurghada was in January 2016, when two Austrians and a Swede were stabbed by two suspected militants, also at a hotel. They were only lightly wounded. Security forces shot the attackers, killing one and wounding the other before arresting him.

Separately, authorities on Saturday said four suspected militants were killed in an exchange of gunfire with the police in the desert near the Suez Canal city of Ismailia east of Cairo. The shootout was not related to Friday's attacks at Hurghada and Cairo.

Also Saturday, army troops backed by armored vehicles and snipers deployed outside churches and monasteries in southern province, a precaution against possible attacks by Islamic militants. The deployment came ahead of two major festivals by the sizable Orthodox Coptic church in southern Egypt in the next few weeks that routinely attract millions of worshippers.

Churches in Egypt have also suspended for the remainder of the summer organized pilgrimages and holiday trips for their congregations, following the recommendations of security agencies fearing for their safety.

IS militants have vowed to attack Egypt's minority Christians, as punishment for supporting President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi who, as defense minister, led the military's 2013 ouster of the Islamist Mohammed Morsi, a freely elected president whose one year in office proved divisive.

They have targeted several churches in a series of suicide attacks since December. In May, they shot dead about 30 pilgrims traveling to a remote desert monastery. In all, at least a 100, mostly Christian, people were killed in those attacks.

Elsewhere Saturday, in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, a Christian guard on duty outside a church was lightly wounded in the neck when a man he prevented from entering attacked him with a shaving blade, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

It identified the attacker as 24-year-old Abdullah Hassan, a Muslim law graduate.

It said the assailant was arrested and was being questioned to establish his motives.

Associated Press
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Alexandre Cazes, believed to be behind dark net marketplace AlphaBay, has been found dead in a Bangkok jail cell.

The suspected co-founder of AlphaBay, one of the largest dark web marketplaces, was found unresponsive at Thailands Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

He was due to meet prosecutors pushing to extradite him to the United States just an hour before they found his body.

Police say that evidence points to Mr Cazes taking his own life, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Surveillance camera footage of the cell indicated no signs of physical assault, Police Major General Surasak Khunnarong said.

His father Martin Cazes said it was difficult to believe that his son would take his own life.

For my fathers heart its hard to accept that my son committed suicide... under police surveillance, its incredible, he told Canadian website Canoe.

Mr Cazes senior said he was awaiting the autopsy results and hopes he will find out the truth behind his sons death.

The US Embassy in Bangkok stated that Mr Cazes was detained at the request of the US with a view toward extradition to face federal criminal charges.

Thai police arrested Mr Cazes, also known by the pseudonym DeSnake, on 5 July on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering.

Authorities seized several million dollars, three properties and four Lambourghinis owned by Mr Cazes, according to Deutsch Welle.

Mr Cazes was under investigation by local authorities.

He was a computer expert involved with international transactions of bitcoins, Major General Soontorn Chalermkiat, a spokesman for Thailands Narcotics Suppression Bureau, told AFP.

Bitcoin: Is the virtual currency the new gold standard? Show all 2 1 /2 Bitcoin: Is the virtual currency the new gold standard? Bitcoin: Is the virtual currency the new gold standard? pg-38-bitcoin-1-alamy.jpg Alamy Bitcoin: Is the virtual currency the new gold standard? pg-38-bitcoin-2-getty.jpg Getty Images

He didnt have any business in Thailand but he had many houses, the officer said.

The properties were worth around 400 million baht (9m) according to the Bangkok Times.

The Canadians wife, a Thai national, is believed to be pregnant. She has subsequently been arrested on charges of money-laundering.

Originally from Quebec, Mr Cazes was at the centre of an FBI investigation, accused of being an administrator and co-founder of AlphaBay.

The website sold illegal goods, class A drugs, pornography, stolen credit cards and weapons.

The website, which was shut down on 5 July, had up to $800,000 (611,000) of transactions every day, according to researchers.

Anyone needing confidential support can call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90.
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Donald Trump has been praised for allowing an all-girl robotics team from Afghanistan to enter the US, despite his travel ban making it difficult for them to receive visas.

The six-girl team and their chaperone from Herat, Afghanistan, had two visa applications refused before a last-minute intervention by the US President allowed them to travel.

Mr Trumps personal intervention in the girls case using a rare parole mechanism to sidestep the visa system ended a dramatic saga in which the team twice travelled from their home in western Afghanistan through largely Taliban-controlled territory to Kabul, only for their applications to be denied on both occasions.

The team will enter their ball-sorting robot in a three-day international robotics competition in Washington DC that starts on Sunday.

Afghan Ambassador Hamdullah Mohib said: Seventeen years ago, this would not have been possible at all.

They represent our aspirations and resilience despite having been brought up in a perpetual conflict. These girls will be proving to the world and the nation that nothing will prevent us from being an equal and active member of the international community.

Mr Trumps counsel Kellyanne Conway also praised the decision, saying: Thank you, @POTUS, for helping these girls. Others talk (and talk and talk). You act.

Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Show all 22 1 /22 Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump talk as they leave the Army Museum at Les Invalides in Paris AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump arrive for the group photo at the G7 Taormina summit on the island of Sicily in May 2017 Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Mr Trump was pressed on the subject at the G7 summit in Italy Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump gives a speeech at the Warsaw Uprising Monument on Krasinski Square Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May during a ceremony at the NATO headquarters before the start of a summit in Brussels, Belgium Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic is seen to the right of Donald Trump at a Nato summit in Brussels REUTERS Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis meeting with US President Donald J. Trump EPA Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis poses with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump arrives at Palazzo del Quirinale ahead of the meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella Ufficio Stampa Presidenza della via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is seen during a joint press conference with the Palestinian leader at the presidential palace in the West Bank city of Bethlehem AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas meets US President Donald Trump PPO via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with US President Donald Trump prior to the President's departure GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after delivering a speech at the Israel Museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump lay a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance as White House senior advisor Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump watch on during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem accompanied by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump takes his seat before his speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump look at a display of Saudi modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips King Salman presents Donald Trump with The Collar of Abdulaziz al-Saud Medal at the Royal Court Palace on 20 May AP Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk on the South Lawn prior to their first foreign trip Getty Images

But others accused the White House of having the audacity to take credit for helping the girls despite their visas being rejected twice before by US officials.

Pollster Matt McDermott wrote on Twitter: The audacity: White House wants credit for intervening to help girls that had difficulty entering country because of Trump's own Muslim Ban!

Another user said: Trump is like the boy in court for murdering his parents who asks the judge for mercy because he's an orphan.

Afghanistan isnt included in Mr Trumps temporary travel ban, but critics have said the ban is emblematic of a broader effort to put a chill on Muslims entering the US.

The US would not confirm why the girls were rejected for visas, citing confidentiality.

But Mr Mohib said that based on discussions with US officials, it appears the girls were rebuffed due to concerns they would not return to Afghanistan.

Competing against entrants from more than 150 countries, the girls will present a robot they devised that can recognise blue and orange and sort balls into correct locations.
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The Presidents son-in-law reportedly has an unusual excuse for why he, the Presidents family and campaign aides attended a meeting before the election with a Russian lawyer to get dirt on Hillary Clinton.

Jared Kushner was forwarded an email from Donald Trump Jr, in which a contact claimed he could set up a meeting at Trump Tower with a lawyer who worked for the Russian government.

In the emails, the contact, a former tabloid reporter called Rob Goldstone, said the lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, was a Russian government attorney who could provide very high level and sensitive information as part of Russia and its governments support for Mr Trump.

But a source close to the situation told BuzzFeed that Mr Kushner did not read to the bottom of the email, missing out key words like Russian government and therefore did not realise what the meeting was about.

The subject line of the email chain was Re: Russia - Clinton - private and confidential.

Mr Kushner was only in the meeting room for about 10 minutes and was not party to any sharing of information about Ms Clinton, his senior adviser claimed. Mr Kushner was only present to hear the lawyers proposals for a Russian adoption programme, he said.

The adoption programme was not mentioned in the email chain.

 Russian lawyer says Trump Jr 'badly' wanted dirt on Clintons

According to Yahoo News, Mr Kushners legal team said that they sent in his SF-86 form for senior administration posts in January without mentioning any meetings with foreign government officials, because a member of his staff had prematurely hit the send button for the firm before [the form] was completed.

Paul Manafort, Mr Trumps former campaign manager, also attended the meeting at Trump Tower.

A source close to Mr Manafort told Politico that he hadnt read all the way to the bottom of the email exchanges on his phone and that he didnt even know who he was meeting.

The President reportedly approved his sons statement about the meeting after the news broke, and he said his son was a high quality person.

Hillary Clinton can illegally get the questions to the Debate & delete 33,000 emails but my son Don is being scorned by the Fake News Media? President Trump tweeted on Sunday.

Mr Trump and his lawyer Jay Sekulow have repeatedly pointed to their former rival when questioned over the most recent email scandal.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

Well, I wonder why the Secret Service, if [the Trump Tower meeting] was nefarious, why the Secret Service allowed these people in, Mr Sekulow told ABC News.

The president had Secret Service protection at that point, and that raised a question with me.

Mr Trump's son claimed the Russian lawyer tried to push for an adoption programme and after 15 or 20 minutes the meeting broke up and he did not get any information about Ms Clinton.

The Presidents son has never denied his aim was to hear negative reports about his fathers opponent, which he has termed as opposition research, and he released the email chain himself on Twitter last week.

The meeting last year took place a week before the Democratic National Committee said its email servers had been hacked, a move that US intelligence agencies said was due to Russians trying to exert a campaign of influence upon the election.

During an interview with NBC, the lawyer, Ms Veselnitskaya, agreed with the party line that Mr Kushner had only appeared in the meeting room for about 10 minutes and that Mr Manafort gave more attention to his smartphone than to her.

Questions remain as to how senior aides of the President during the campaign failed to notice the subject line of Donald Trump Jrs email chain or its content before agreeing to attend the meeting.
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Justin Trudeau has met his younger Syrian namesake.

The Canadian Prime Minister came face to face with two-month-old Justin Trudeau Adam Bilan  the son of a Syrian couple who fled war-ravaged Damascus to start a new life in Canada.

The boys parents, Muhammad and Afraa Bilan, named their newborn son after the Prime Minister to pay tribute to his open refugee policy and show their gratitude for the offer of refuge.

The get-together took place at the Calgary Stampede on Saturday where the baby snoozed contently while Mr Trudeau held him.

The couple arrived in Montreal in February of last year in the midst of Canadas bitterly cold winter accompanied by their daughter Naya, who is 4, and their son Nael who is 3.

Mini Trudeau was born in Calgary - a city near the Canadian Rockies which is home to around 1,000 Syrian refugees - in May of this year.

A Sneak Peak At Justin Trudeau's Marvel Debut Show all 4 1 /4 A Sneak Peak At Justin Trudeau's Marvel Debut A Sneak Peak At Justin Trudeau's Marvel Debut Marvel A Sneak Peak At Justin Trudeau's Marvel Debut Marvel A Sneak Peak At Justin Trudeau's Marvel Debut Marvel A Sneak Peak At Justin Trudeau's Marvel Debut Marvel

The familys opportunity to flee Syria came five years into the atrocities of the war. After learning Canada was starting to take in Syrian refugees after Mr Trudeau became Prime Minister, they jumped at the chance to leave.

Just over 40,000 Syrian refugees have been resettled in Canada since Mr Trudeau took office in November 2015. In December 2015, the world leader personally welcomed the first planeload of Syrian refugees at Toronto airport and was seen handing out winter coats.

But adjusting to life in Canada has not been devoid of obstacles. Syrian families have discussed the difficulty of finding jobs and learning English or French. What's more, some settlement agencies have condemned the federal government for not going far enough to help refugees settle into their new lives.

(Twitter (Twitter)

Last year, John McCallum, Canadas minister for immigration, refugees and citizenship, said the government had boosted money for language training to tackle nationwide shortages.

He said: And what makes me proud is not just that we got the job done, which we did  but there is still more to do  but really that if you compare Canada with other countries around the globe which are tending to close their doors to refugees, Canadians responded so overwhelmingly positively to the refugees.

After President Donald Trump sought to introduce his hard-line immigration ban, Mr Trudeau vocally restated the countrys open-door refugee policy. He wrote on Twitter: To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength".

In total, roughly 12.5 million Syrians - six out of 10 - are displaced from their homes.
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A Brazilian politician was forced to leave her own wedding in an armoured vehicle after being pelted with eggs by protesters.

Political tensions reached a head as hundreds of protesters assembled outside the church where her wedding was being held on Friday evening.

Maria Victoria Barros, 25, a member of the state assembly in Parana and daughter of President Michel Termers health minister, had to leave the church in the secure vehicle after being bombarded with eggs.

Ms Barros accused demonstrators of physically and verbally abusing the wedding guests over her familys support for President Termer. Last month, Mr Temer was charged and accused of plotting to receive bribes from the boss of a massive meatpacking firm but has denied any wrongdoing.

The extravagant wedding which was held in Parana state capital, Curitibawas was attended by the upper echelons of Brazilian society and the states political elite. Ricardo Barros, her father who is also national vice-president of the Progressive Party, and her mother, Cida Borghetti, Parana's deputy governor, were of course at the wedding.

Ms Barros also invited at least 30 members of the Brazilian Congress to make their way from the capital Brasilia for her wedding.

Demonstrators waved anti-government placards and chanted slogans which were directed at Ms Barros such as including her of being a "coup plotter". After some time, riot police officers were ordered in to safeguard the newly weds and their guests.

Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Show all 10 1 /10 Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Brazilian women march in Sao Paulo during a protest following the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl There have been calls for protests to end to what campaigners call Brazil's 'culture of rape' after the attack Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl An online campaign has been set up in response to the crime, using the hashtag #EstuproNuncaMais, meaning 'rape never again' Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl The 16-year-old victim was attacked in a poor neighbourhood in the west of the city on 21 May 2016 Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Two of the attackers posted pictures and video on Twitter of the assault, which has shocked the country Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Brazilian women protest in front of the Candelaria Church in Rio de Janeiro AFP/Getty Images Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Seven men have been charged in connection with the attack AFP/Getty Images Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Women's underwear and photos from Brazilian photographer Marcio Freitas displayed on Copacabana beach during a protest by non-governmental organization Rio de Paz (Rio of Peace) against rape and violence against women REUTERS Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Women's underwear smeared with paint is seen during a protest against rape and violence against women in Brasilia, Brazil REUTERS Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Demonstrators attend a protest against rape and violence against women in Brasilia, Brazil REUTERS

Ms Barros told the BBC the demonstrations were "financed by left-wing parties and unions" and prompted by her mother's recent decision to run for state governor.

Political friction has steadily mounted in the country since Dilma Rousseff, Mr Termers precursor, was impeached last year. Many Brazilians are disillusioned and even repulsed with the political class and the country is becoming increasingly divided as the political crisis deepens.

In May, troops were forced to guard federal buildings in the capital while the president struggled to cling on to power as the outcry over corruption allegations grew. In the end, clashes between police and protesters calling for Mr Termer to resign forced the evacuations of several ministries.

A day before, tens of thousands of demonstrators descended on the streets and lawmakers in Congress called for his expulsion.

A congressional committee in Brazil recently voted against advising the President to be tried in the Supreme Court on corruption charges. While the decision is non-binding and still needs to be approved by the full parliament, the choice significantly reduces the chances of him appearing in the dock.
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Sir Richard Branson has claimed Donald Trump regrets the bizarre mistake of withdrawing the US from the Paris climate agreement.

The Virgin empire founder said he hoped the US President was rethinking his decision to pull the country out of the global climate agreement which almost 200 countries signed in 2015 in an effort to tackle global warming. He called on President Trump to do all he could to eliminate the ailing US coal industry.

Speaking in Brooklyn on Friday, the billionaire said both businesses and cities were adamantly in favour of shifting to low-carbon energy and this made Mr Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement very, very strange.

With climate change, its America first and our beautiful globe last, and that seems incredibly sad, he said. Ive got a feeling that the president is regretting what he did. Maybe his children and son in law [adviser Jared Kushner] are saying, Look, I told you so. Hopefully, there is a positive change of mind.

America is on the brink of becoming one of only three sovereign nations in the world not to be part of the deal. The other countries are Nicaragua who feels the accord does not go far enough and Syria which is plagued by civil war.

Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Show all 22 1 /22 Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump talk as they leave the Army Museum at Les Invalides in Paris AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump arrive for the group photo at the G7 Taormina summit on the island of Sicily in May 2017 Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Mr Trump was pressed on the subject at the G7 summit in Italy Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump gives a speeech at the Warsaw Uprising Monument on Krasinski Square Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May during a ceremony at the NATO headquarters before the start of a summit in Brussels, Belgium Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic is seen to the right of Donald Trump at a Nato summit in Brussels REUTERS Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis meeting with US President Donald J. Trump EPA Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis poses with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump arrives at Palazzo del Quirinale ahead of the meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella Ufficio Stampa Presidenza della via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is seen during a joint press conference with the Palestinian leader at the presidential palace in the West Bank city of Bethlehem AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas meets US President Donald Trump PPO via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with US President Donald Trump prior to the President's departure GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after delivering a speech at the Israel Museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump lay a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance as White House senior advisor Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump watch on during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem accompanied by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump takes his seat before his speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump look at a display of Saudi modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips King Salman presents Donald Trump with The Collar of Abdulaziz al-Saud Medal at the Royal Court Palace on 20 May AP Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk on the South Lawn prior to their first foreign trip Getty Images

Branson said his businesses would join the We are still in campaign  a group of hundreds of businesses, cities and universities devoted to sticking to emissions reduction targets.

Trump had hundreds of the most influential business leaders in the world speaking to him and he ignored them, so theres no guarantee that hell change his mind, he said.

Who knows what goes in there, he added gesturing to his head. The Paris decision was a bizarre mistake.

You have people in America who believe the world was made 5,000 years ago. There are some strange people out there who have got into heady positions in the American government. You have the strange position of a cabal of people with very influential positions in America making these decisions.

This is by no means the first time the tycoon has taken aim at President Trump. In March, he said President Trump is an embarressment for the world, claiming the president's first two months in office had been disastrous and predicting the world leader would only last a maximum of one term in office.

Whats more, in October he recounted an encounter with the fellow businessman several years back where Mr Trump allegedly vowed to spend the rest of his life destroying five people. Branson warned President Trumps vindictive streak was proof of why he should not be the next US president.

Even before the starters arrived he began telling me about how he had asked a number of people for help after his latest bankruptcy and how five of them were unwilling to help, Branson recalled of the lunch at Mr Trumps Manhattan apartment in a blog post. He told me he was going to spend the rest of his life destroying these five people.

What concerns me most, based upon my personal experience with Donald Trump, is his vindictive streak, which could be so dangerous if he got into the White House. For somebody who is running to be the leader of the free world to be wrapped up in himself, rather than concerned with global issues, is very worrying.
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Donald Trump has insisted his performance in a poll assessing his six-month approval rating is "not bad"  despite recording the lowest rating of any president since it started being conducted in the 1940s.

Just 36 per cent of Americans endorsed his job performance, down from another record low of 42 per cent at the 100-day mark, in a joint survey by The Washington Post and ABC News. Fifty-eight per cent disapproved of his first six months, most of them "strongly".

The previous worst approval rating after half a year in the White House was 39 per cent, given to Gerald Ford in 1975.

Mr Trump's deterioration in support comes amid questions over his election campaign's links to Russia, doubts over his ability to negotiate on a world stage, and unpopular policies at home.

Forty-eight per cent of people think the US's place as a global leader has weakened under Mr Trump, compared to 27 per cent who say it has strengthened, the poll found.

Sixty-three per cent of Americans felt a meeting between the President's son Donald Trump Jr and a Russian lawyer who claimed to have damaging information about Hillary Clinton was "inappropriate". Only 26 per cent of those survey said it was appropriate.

However, Mr Trump took to Twitter to denigrate the poll, saying it had been "just about the most inaccurate" during the election last year. He added that his "almost 40 per cent" rating "is not bad at this time".

Earlier, Mr Trump claimed his son had been "scorned by the Fake News Media". "With all of its phony unnamed sources & highly slanted & even fraudulent reporting, #Fake News is distorting democracy in our country," he wrote.

His latest attack on the media came hours after the poll results emerged, although he did not refer to them.

The survey, carried out for each US president since Harry S Truman, found only a third of Americans trusted Mr Trump to negotiate on the world stage. Forty-seven per cent said they had no trust in him, despite the billionaire businessman's boasts about his deal-making. Even fewer trusted the President in talks with Vladimir Putin specifically.

Mr Trump's healthcare plans were also unpopular, with less than a quarter of those surveyed preferring the Republican bill to existing laws. Half of Americans preferred Obamacare to the proposals the Republicans have drawn up to replace it.

Mr Trump's 36 per cent overall approval rating is a close to a mirror image of his predecessor's score after six months. Fifty-nine per cent of Americans felt Barack Obama was doing a job good after half a year in the White House. The Democrat's all-time lowest rating was 40 per cent, which came after years in the White House.

Mr Trump's tenure has been dogged by controversy, with the latest furore centred on his son's meeting with Kremlin-connected lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. His son-in-law Jared Kushner and Republican election campaign chief Paul Manafort also spoke with the lawyer last summer after being offered supposedly compromising information about Ms Clinton. A leading law professor this week predicted Mr Trump would resign over a constitutional crisis sparked by the meeting.
PARIS: Winter barley production in France is expected to rebound sharply this year on the back of above-average yields, but the rapeseed crop is seen shrinking to a 20-year low after a decline in area, the farm ministry said on Tuesday.



In its first production forecasts for 2021, the ministry projected the winter barley crop at 7.74 million tonnes, up 19.3percent from last year though 6.4percent below the average of the past five years.



The rise in production in the upcoming harvest would be mainly due to an anticipated rise in yield to 6.41 tonnes per hectare (t/ha) from 5.52 t/ha in 2020, surpassing the five-year average, the ministry said.



The winter barley crop area is estimated to have edged up to 1.21 million hectares from 1.18 million last year.



In contrast, winter rapeseed production was forecast to fall 9.2percent to 2.95 million tonnes, below 3 million for the first time in 20 years, it said. That is 32percent below the five-year mean.



The average yield was expected to rise to 3.00 t/ha from 2.93 t/ha last year, but the crop area was estimated to have decreased to 984,000 hectares from 1.11 million.



Rapeseed sowing in France was disrupted by drought at the end of last summer and a poor 2021 harvest could help sustain supply tensions that led to record prices this year.



Winter rapeseed represents almost the entire rapeseed crop in France, whereas barley production includes a significant volume of spring crop.



The ministry raised slightly its projection of spring barley sowings to 600,000 hectares from 593,000 last month, still well below last years exceptionally high 795,000 hectares.



It also maintained its expectation of reduced sowings of other spring crops, with grain maize projected down 11.5percent and sunflower down 13.9percent.



Soft wheat, Frances main cereal that is almost exclusively a winter crop, is expected to cover 4.90 million hectares, up 15percent.



Frosts in April did not appear to have had a significant impact, except for the replanting of tens of thousands of hectares of sugar beet, the ministry said.



The sugar beet area is estimated at 397,000 hectares, down 5.6percent on the year.Reuters




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A former federal prosecutor says that he believes the investigation into the Donald Trump campaigns ties to Russia is going to land some people in jail.

The various Congressional and FBI investigations into the apparent Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, and any possible ties to Mr Trumps campaign team, have been rumbling for months. But they have been thrown back into sharp focus by the release of emails showing Mr Trumps oldest son, Donald Jr, agreeing to a meeting with a Kremlin-connected attorney who claimed to have damaging information on Hillary Clinton.

Its a really serious investigation, and there are people that are going to go to jail, Harry Litman, who used to work at the Department of Justice in the 1990s, told The Independent. The whole atmosphere in the White House has to be paranoid.

Recommended White House in chaos after Trump Jr emails detail Russia meeting

Mr Trump Jr was joined at the meeting with Natalia Veselnitskaya and a Russian-American lobbyist named Rinat Akhmetshin, by President Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, and former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort during that meeting. Mr Akhmetshin is said to have possible ties to Russian military intelligence, something he denies.

Mr Trump Jr says the meeting was a nothing, while Ms Veselnitskaya has denied that she was at the meeting working for the Russian government and says she had no information on Ms Clinton to give Mr Trump Jr. The White House has repeatedly denied allegations of collusion with Russia.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

Mr Litman said that even without the drip-drip of information over members of his teams contact with Russia, the Presidents relationship with the Department of Justice and the FBI  and the Washington apparatus that has granted members of those institutions power to push back against the White House historically  is unique. And, hes already shown that hes unconcerned with the sorts of norms that his predecessors were sensitive to in his firing of former FBI Director James Comey.

That firing led to the establishment of a special counsel to investigate the Trump administration, headed by the widely respected and diligent former FBI director Robert Mueller.

Of course, Mr Trump could decide to instruct Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein  who has authority on that matter after Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from matters related to investigation  to fire Mr Mueller. That instruction could likely result in Mr Rosensteins refusal to do so and, Mr Litman said, either a firing or a resignation if the President insisted on moving forward to have Mr Mueller removed.

There are a couple potential problems for Mr Trump should he decide to take this route  and its not at all certain that he would attempt to do so anyway.

First is that firing Mr Comey itself sparked cries that the President had obstructed justice, an allegation that was fanned by Mr Trump himself when he said on live television that he had made the decision to fire him in part because he thought the Russia investigation was bogus. Mr Comey, in the weeks that followed, also released memos detailing private conversations with the President in which Mr Trump had asked him to let go of investigations into a former member of the White House staff caught up in the Russia scandal.

Theres also the concern with historical precedent. Back during the Nixon administration, as the Watergate scandal was gaining steam, former president Richard Nixon instructed his Justice Department to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox, leading to the resignations of Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus. Nixon then ordered then Solicitor General Robert Bork  who became the acting attorney general  to fire Mr Cox, which he did.

The firing was in response to subpoenas from Mr Coxs team to obtain information related to secret tapes in the White House. Those resignations and firings  referred to as the Saturday Night Massacre  infuriated Congress. The House Judiciary Committee later subpoenaed the tapes, which included the so-called smoking gun that led to Mr Nixons resignation.

Still, its not certain that top-level resignations pull the weight they used to, Mr Litman said.

At worst, if theyre ordered to, they say, I resign. And, that sends reverberations all through Washington, Mr Litman said, describing the historical muscle that Justice Department officials have had. But, its not clear in 2017 that thats the ace of spades kind of trump card it was. Its pretty obviously a pretty big trump card, so to speak. But its really not the kind of card it wouldve been.

But, he still says that the investigation is at the point where indictments  or the threat of indictments  are inevitable. As to whether or not that reaches the President, he says that could depend on if Mr Mueller is able to offer deals to members of his inner circle caught up in the scandal to cooperate.

I know the statutes. I know the progress of the investigation. I know the sense of whats going on in the FBI. I think there will be people going to jail, he said. Of course, going to jail is a great source of leverage to make people cooperate.

Mr Litman added that the door to possible federal charges is open. Mr Kushner also faces the fact that he initially failed to disclose meetings with Russian sources on his Federal filings before joining the White House.

There may already be people cooperating, said Mr Litman. Thats how the FBI will pursue this investigation, is to try and put the screws to people to get them to speak more generally about the Russia connections.
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Senior German politicians reportedly launched a scathing attack on their British counterparts, calling them a disgrace and labelling their response to Brexit farcical during a meeting in the Bundestag.

Irish and German figures gathered at an Oireachtas delegation held by the German Parliaments finance committee to discuss Brexit.

Fine Gael senator Ray Butler, who attended the meeting, said the German politicians were speaking after a recent visit to Westminster.

They said they met the finance committee in London and they were shocked by the way they handled themselves, Mr Butler told the Sunday Independent.

They said they were making it up as they went along and were very poorly prepared for Brexit.

It was actually farcical, is what they said. They came out of the meeting very bemused and annoyed.

Independent senator Gerard Craughwell said the group raised deep concerns over how prepared the UK was for Brexit.

They found the British finance committee unprepared for Brexit and said they didn't seem to have considered the impact leaving the EU would have on Britain's economy, Mr Craughwell said.

A report documenting the Bundestag visit recorded both German and Irish politicians as being disappointed by Britains decision to leave the EU.

In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier listens at the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivers his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit reacts during a meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Member of the European Parliament and former leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage wears socks with Union Jack flag at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) member and MEP, addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcoming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier gestures during speeches at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (L) speaks with European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France Getty Images

Both sides agreed that there was no upside to Brexit, and while there were significant bilateral issues for many countries, it was essential that the EU27 act in the best interests of the EU as a whole, the report said.

The delegation continually stressed that it remains essential that our EU partners, especially Germany, are aware of the unique implications of Brexit for Ireland.

Flexible and imaginative solutions are required to address the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, in particular with a view to avoiding a hard border, which are compatible with protecting the integrity of the single market and Ireland's place in it.
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The much heralded speech was due to start at 2.32am, the precise hour and minute that an airstrike had hit parliament during last years coup attempt. That was missed by 49 minutes, but there was little doubt that Recep Tayyip Erdogan remains the man of the moment in Turkey.

Tens of thousands gathered for the climax of the commemoration of that extraordinary and violent night 12 months ago. It shaped whats happened in the country since and has had widespread repercussions beyond Turkeys borders. There were chants, thumping music and, amid the sea of the crescent-and-star flag, photographs of those who had fallen.

Turkey is a nation divided and traumatised since the failed putsch, blamed on followers of the exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, with 50,000 people now in prison, 150,000 driven from their jobs and others whove fled into exile. The week preceding the anniversary had seen a fresh wave of sackings, detentions and issuing of arrest warrants.

There have been no offerings of reconciliation from President Erdogan and his ministers. In the days leading to the anniversary the governments rhetoric became increasingly strident and aggressive, vowing to hunt down fugitives supposedly behind the coup, accusing the main opposition party of colluding with terrorists, and lashing out at the West for its criticism of the continuing purge.

That mood was reflected outside the parliament building in the capital. The name of each of the dead was read out with the crowd roaring back here to show their spirit lives on. This was followed by the call for vengeance: there must be payment; we demand executions. The sermons from the Koran which followed were about betrayal, martyrdom and resistance.

The crowd had heard that the President had made promises of tough measures earlier in the evening in Istanbul and he brought these with him on his helicopter flight to the capital. Mr Erdogan reiterated his support for the death penalty and warned that the enemy may try to strike again and thus must be eliminated. The 15 July coup attempt was not the first attack against our country and it wont be the last. For that reason, well first rip the heads off these traitors. We will cut their heads off, Turkeys leader declared.

Mr Erdogan also stated that he wanted prisoners charged with coup offences to be dressed in uniforms like in Guantanamo. This contradicted his statement in which he raised clothing as an example of how much better off inmates were in Turkey compared to the West. We allow our prisoners dignity. You see prisoners in US and Europe and they are taken to court in prison uniform, he said. Here they wear their own clothes, what they choose, they turn up in suits.

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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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However, he appears to have taken umbrage at one prisoners choice of clothing: a soldier, who appeared in court wearing a t-shirt with the motif of hero. The man has been accused of being part of a team which had sought to capture or kill Mr Erdogan on the night.

But it is the issue of the death penalty which causes serious problems for Turkey internationally.

Although Mr Erdogan stated that he backs without hesitation its reintroduction, parliament is still to vote on it.

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has warned of the result of such a move: If Turkey were to introduce the death penalty, the Turkish government would finally slam the door on EU membership.

Mr Erdogan knew what the crowd wanted to hear: I dont look at what Hans and George say. I look at what Ahmet, Mehmet, Hasan, Huseyin, Ayse, Fatima and Hatice say, he proclaimed to a loud and prolonged ovation.

The opposition parties have protested about being sidelined at the anniversary commemoration. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, of the Republican Peoples Party, CHP, repeated a call for a public investigation into the coup and warned that the government is trying to turn the ensuing state of emergency into a permanent legal regime.

Ahmet Yildirim, the deputy chairman of the Kurdish-led Peoples Democratic Party said that those who had been publicly against the coup have still been targeted and arrested. A dozen of the partys leadership are in detention.

But Mr Erdogan can swat aside criticism for now.

He holds the whip hand in power and his supporters are firmly backing him, chanting his name at 4.30 in the morning as he left the venue outside parliament.

He is our leader, he is the guide of our country, said Husein Yilmaz, voice hoarse from the nights exertions.

We will not let anyone harm our country or him. You heard what the President said, we will chop of the heads of those who come against us, our enemies.
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Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to behead traitors in an emotional address to tens of thousands of people on the first anniversary of the countrys failed military coup.

Mr Erdogan told the vast, flag-waving crowd the attempt to end his more than a decade-long rule was not the first attack against our country, and it won't be the last.

Exactly a year ago today, around this hour, a treacherous attempt took place, he said.

Recommended Erdogan celebrates grip on power as Turkey marks coup anniversary

Then, referring to a series of terror attacks that hit Turkey over the last year, he added: For that reason, we'll first cut the heads off of these traitors.

Mr Erdogan took part in a national unity march in Istanbul, converging at the July 15 Martyrs' Bridge, formally called the Bosphorus Bridge, to remember 250 people who died on this day last year trying to resist the coup.

Accompanied by his family and the families of the deceased, he inaugurated a hollow, globe-shaped monument featuring the names of the victims near the foot of the bridge.

The bridge was the scene of clashes between civilians and soldiers in tanks. At least 30 people died there and more than 2,000 were injured across Turkey in the struggle. Thirty-five coup plotters were also killed.

Vast crowds gathered in Istanbul (Associated Press)

Photographs of the 250 martyrs were displayed on monitors and their names announced. Mr Erdogan praised their bravery saying they were armed only with Turkish flags and their faith while resisting coup-plotters in their tanks.

Mr Erdogan was later due to return to Ankara to address parliament at the exact moment it was bombed a year ago. He is also scheduled to inaugurate another monument honouring the dead.

Turkish soldiers attempted to overthrow the government and the president using tanks, warplanes and helicopters.

The coup plotters declared their seizure of power on the state broadcaster, bombed the country's parliament and other key locations, and raided an Aegean resort where Mr Erdogan had been on vacation.

But the president had already left and the coup attempt was put down by civilians and security forces.

Turkey blames US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for orchestrating the coup and infiltrating state institutions. Mr Gulen denies the allegations.

In the aftermath of the coup attempt, Turkey declared a state of emergency that has been in place ever since, which has allowed the government to rule by decree and to dismiss tens of thousands of people from their jobs.

More than 50,000 people have also been arrested for alleged links to Mr Gulen and other groups.

Onlookers at a rally on the anniversary of the failed coup (Reuters)

In the latest government decree published Friday evening, 7,395 more state employees were fired, including teachers, academics, military and police officers, bringing the number of dismissed to more than 110,000.

The government calls the crackdown necessary to purge state institutions of those linked to Mr Gulen, but critics say the dismissals are arbitrary and the victims' paths to recourse severely curtailed.

It has been exactly one year since Turkey's darkest and longest night was transformed into a bright day, since an enemy occupation turned into the people's legend, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said earlier in the day at a special parliamentary session in Ankara, the capital, attended by Mr Erdogan.

The US State Department on Saturday issued a statement praising the bravery of the Turkish people who took to the streets to preserve the rights and freedoms of their democratic society.

The preservation of democracy requires perseverance, tolerance, dissent and safeguards for fundamental freedoms, the agency said, warning that curbs on those key freedoms erode the foundations of democratic society.

More voices, not fewer, are necessary in challenging times, the statement 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

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg paid homage to those who lost lives resisting the coup and said attempts to undermine democracy in any one of the allied nations was unacceptable.

A new national holiday in Turkey has been declared on 15 July.

As they did on the night of the 2016 coup attempt, mosques across Turkey after midnight began to simultaneously recite a verse, usually read before Friday prayers, to alert and invite Muslims to the streets.

Associated Press
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Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has denied the existence of gay men in his country - before saying: "If there are any, take them to Canada.

During an interview on TV network HBO, Mr Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republic, was vehement in his denials when asked about the LGBT community in the Eastern European country.

David Scott, from HBOs Real Sports, asked the 40-year-old head of state: I wanted to ask you about the alleged roundup, abduction, and torture of gay men in the Republic. What, Mr President, do you want to say about that?

This is nonsense, he said in reply.

We dont have those kinds of people here. We dont have any gays.

In case some homosexuals should have slipped through the net, Mr Kadyrov advised transporting them to Canada. Take them far from us so we dont have them at home. To purify our blood, if there are any here, take them.

Mr Scott continued to press the Chechen leader, saying: But do you not get concerned when you read these accounts of young men who say theyve been tortured for days?"

Mr Kadyrov responded angrily: They are devils. They are for sale. They are not people. God damn them for what they are accusing us of. They will have to answer to the Almighty for this.

Purges strike fear in new Chechnya Show all 6 1 /6 Purges strike fear in new Chechnya Purges strike fear in new Chechnya 234121.bin Mari Bastashevski Purges strike fear in new Chechnya 234123.bin AP Purges strike fear in new Chechnya 234124.bin Mari Bastashevski Purges strike fear in new Chechnya 234125.bin Mari Bastashevski Purges strike fear in new Chechnya 234126.bin Mari Bastashevski Purges strike fear in new Chechnya 234127.bin GETTY

During the HBO interview, the first time a Western outlet has interviewed him, Mr Kadyrov also vowed to put the world on its knees and screw it from behind.

Canada has condemned Chechnya for reportedly torturing and killing gay men.

A global affairs spokesperson emailed a statement to BuzzFeed News in April saying: "We are very concerned by any and all allegations of human rights violations in Chechnya, Russia.

"Canada deplores acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta was the first to break the story of an anti-gay purge in the southern Russian republic.

One man who has fled Chechnya told the Guardian he was stripped naked by three men, filmed and beaten up.

They shouted insults at me, they broke my jaw and left me covered in blood, he said.

They told me I had to pay them a huge bribe or theyd publish the video online and tell my family I was gay.
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As Britains largest airports gear up for their busiest ever summers, the worst days of the week for crowds are Fridays and Sundays. The Independent has researched the peak times for passenger numbers, with staff and facilities working at full stretch. A key date to avoid at most big airports is Friday 25 August, at the start of the Bank Holiday weekend.

At Heathrow, a new single-day record has already been set this summer, with 259,917 people flying through on Friday 30 June  representing almost four people per second. Numbers since then have been affected by the strike by some members of British Airways cabin crew. The forecast for the busiest day in the main summer holiday is Sunday 6 August, with 257,893 passengers.

The busiest long-haul routes from Heathrow are New York, Dubai and Los Angeles. Dublin, Amsterdam and Frankfurt are the short-haul destinations with the most passengers.

The airports chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: Our record breaking year, month and day figures show Heathrow continues to be the trade and tourist gateway to all of the UK.

For outbound travellers from Gatwick, Friday 21 July will be busiest, with 84,000 passengers, while baggage reclaim and passport queues will be most stretched on Sunday 3 September when 87,000 passengers are expected to arrive. Sunday 13 August will be the busiest day overall with 168,000 passengers using the Sussex airport.

Guy Stephenson, Gatwick's chief commercial officer, said: We are expecting record numbers to use the airport this summer with passenger numbers on all of our top 10 routes exceeding last years totals.

The top three long-haul destinations are Orlando, Dubai and Toronto, while the busiest European routes are all to Spain: Barcelona, Malaga and Palma. On Friday 21 July, Gatwick expects 15 departures to Barcelona, on five airlines: British Airways, easyJet, Monarch, Norwegian and Vueling.

Manchester is now firmly established as the third-busiest UK airport and in the top 20 European hubs, with annual passenger numbers rising at 11.5 per cent. The airport expects Friday 18 August to be the busiest day. Manchester claims 210 destinations, more than any other UK airport.

Lower down the league table for passenger numbers, Friday remains the most common day for crowds. Stansted, which is the nation's biggest single-terminal airport, predicts its busiest day will be Friday 25 August. On that day, 93,000 people - more than the capacity of Wembley Stadium - are expected to fly in and out. Its nearby rival, Luton, also forecasts 25 August will be the busiest day; the two preceding Fridays, 11 and 18 August, are expected to be almost as busy.

Birminghams busiest day is also predicted to be Friday 25 August, with an estimated 50,284 passengers, almost exactly split between arrivals and departures. The biggest crowds for departures are expected on Friday 21 July. Coming home, the day after the Bank Holiday weekend, Tuesday 29 August is looking busiest.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA 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 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty 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

In Scotland, the school holidays have already begun, and some airports have already experienced their busiest days for the summer. But Aberdeen is expecting its busiest day on Thursday 20 July, with 12,350 passengers passing through.

Travellers using Scotlands busiest airport, Edinburgh, might choose to make an especially early start next Saturday 22 July. The airport predicts the busiest time of the summer for going through the outbound security check will be 5am-6am on that day, with 2,742 overall for the hour  representing 47 new passengers joining the end of the queue every minute.

Additional research by Charlotte Wickens
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In other circumstances, Turkey would have been the foreign country most often making headlines in the last 12 months. As it is, the election of Donald Trump to the American presidency, the ongoing civil war in Syria and Iraq, the madness of Kim Jong-un and the Machiavellian machinations of the Kremlin have drawn attention elsewhere. The consequence is that President Recep Erdogan has been able to gain for himself ever more dictator-like powers  at the expense of both democracy and human rights.

Once upon a time Mr Erdogan was something of a revolutionary himself, standing against the dogmatic secularisation  and establishment elites  which had dominated Turkish politics since the days of Ataturk. Using the democratic institutions the old elites claimed to represent, he won power for his Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2004. In the years since, he has done whatever it takes to maintain his position. He has turned Turkish politics on its head in the process.

Throughout his reign  first as Prime Minister for a decade, then as President  Mr Erdogan has given little quarter to his critics. He has used the judiciary, increasingly stuffed with pliable apparatchiks, to bring opponents to book, claiming always that his manoeuvres are backed by the laws of the land. In the first two years of his presidency more than 1,800 prosecutions were launched against people who were deemed to have insulted him. Independent media outlets have been a particular target.

It was against the backdrop of his efforts to make the office of president all-powerful that elements within the military launched an attempted takeover last summer. This weekend Erdogan and his supporters have been celebrating the coups startling failure.

Undoubtedly the attempt by disgruntled officers to unseat Erdogan was as dramatic in its unravelling as it was surprising in its initiation. During a night of confusion, the government at first appeared to have been overthrown, before unarmed supporters of the President  aided notably by police recruits  forced the soldiers to lay down their arms. Some 250 people were killed during the violence.

Erdogans response in the coups aftermath has been to redouble the purging of dissent. In the three months immediately after the failed military action, an estimated 70,000 individuals were taken into custody  not only soldiers, but civil servants, police officers, lawyers and academics. Many took no active part in the coup but were victims of the regimes paranoia about enemies within any part of the state apparatus. As the anniversary of the attempted overthrow approached, a further 7,000 military and other state-employed personnel were removed from their posts, bringing the total dismissals during the last year to 150,000. Government decrees and trumped-up charges have replaced due process. It is all rather Soviet.

The President, perhaps unsurprisingly, has been emboldened by the revolts defeat and the popular opposition which put a stop to it. He and his supporters present the event as a triumph of democracy over military interference and, more broadly, as the moment of Turkeys renaissance; the time when the countrys people defended their rights  and significantly their faith  against the final, desperate flailing of those who wished to reinstate the failed, unelected, secular elites of the past. The fact that there remain many in Turkish society who do not support Erdogans rule is irrelevant in this propaganda-backed narrative.

Western governments, most with their own troubles and all concentrating on the diplomatic challenges thrown up by the unpredictable behaviour of the present incumbent of the White House, appear to be conflicted when it comes to events in Turkey. Sympathising with a military coup against a democratically elected regime isnt a good look (notwithstanding doubts about the fairness of the election in November 2015 which regained the AKP its parliamentary majority). Moreover, Turkey remains a vital strategic ally of America in Syrias ongoing civil conflict; and of the EU in preventing further mass influxes of refugees.

Still, the failure of European leaders to speak out against Erdogans crushing of critical voices is shameful. A referendum in April concentrated even greater authority in his own hands, enfeebling parliament. And it is fear of the consequences, not love of the President, which has quietened opponents. Whatever Erdogan and his backers may say, Turkey is no longer a true democracy and we must not pretend otherwise.
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I applaud The Independent for drawing much needed attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in war-ravaged Yemen.

This poor country is in the grip of man-made cholera; is sitting on the cusp of famine, malnutrition, severe shortages of food, medicine, clean water and livestock. This war has weakened the Yemeni people, rendered them more impoverished and susceptible to diseases, acted as a breeding ground for radical extremism and terrorism and resulted in an economic collapse and crumbling health systems, with no end in sight to peoples' miseries. Warring factions and their backers are responsible for stoking the embers of war and hatred for mere financial gains the merchants of war.

It is also imperative to remember the besieged people in Qatar. Unlike Yemen, Qatar is a wealthy country with massive oil and gas reservoirs. However, its unwarranted siege would have severe repercussions for families, students, the elderly, the infirm and the sick. Qatar has always believed in dialogue and diplomacy as a way out of this conflict. The global community cannot remain impervious to the anguish and suffering of people. It is time to demonstrate the wisdom of diversity, constructive engagement and diplomacy during times of adversity.

Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London NW2

Seat swapping

I read with interest Simon Calder's piece on seat allocation on Ryanair. I wonder, as Ryanair and many other airlines no longer provide catering and therefore the need to know who is sitting where decreases, whether there is an opportunity for passengers cooperating to allow families and friends to sit together? Common kindness would triumph over moneymaking.

Im sure that there will be some security reason for not doing this but if the airlines insist on being like buses, then we should equally act like bus passengers and willingly give up our seats.

Laura Dawson

Harpenden

Unpaid work trials and interns

An MP has launched a bid to outlaw unpaid work trails. We all know that the only people who can afford to work for free are those with rich parents. All in this together? I don't think so.

Philip Pound

Sydenham



The 37 per cent

John McDonnell claims Tony Blair is out of touch with the general public. The results of the recent election show that neither the Tories or Labour are in tune with the public. What most people want is a Britain, rather than a Brexit, that will protect their jobs and protect the economy.

It looks increasingly doubtful that Brexit will provide this. Politicians should not lose sight of the fact that only 37 per cent of the electorate voted to leave. As is shown regularly by politicians, John McDonnell amongst them, policies change as new facts emerge. The election results showed very plainly that public opinion changes.

If Labour really believe that the will of the people should prevail then they should back a further referendum on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations with an option to remain in the EU.

Andrew Erskine

Address supplied

Robin Walker persists in saying, The majority of British people voted to leave the European Union.

This is false. How often does one need to keep repeating that only 37 per cent of the electorate voted to leave the EU? The electorate itself manifestly does not constitute the totality of British people.

The majority of British people did not vote to leave the EU.

D Maughan Brown

York
The shortage of insulation material has its roots in a blaze at a key plant in Germany

Smaller construction companies and housebuilders are struggling to source supplies of insulation for new projects, according to a number of sources in the construction industry.

The shortage, which was originally brought about by a major fire at an insulation factory in Germany last year, is understood to have worsened for many contractors in recent weeks.

Prices are rising and supplies are becoming increasingly hard to source without pre-existing contracts.

Industry sources said that the insulation drought was particularly impacting upon smaller players after the bigger operators moved to ensure their own supplies of the material.

Last October, a huge explosion at a chemical plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany caused a shortage of MDI, which is a key ingredient in the production of Polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation boards.

Subsequent production issues at a number of other MDI-producing plants globally have further tightened the supply to insulation manufacturers.

One well-informed source said the cost had jumped by at least 10pc over recent months.

He explained: "The cost has risen by that and even more but the real problem for smaller builders and people building one-off houses is that they are not even able to buy the insulation at the moment because it is out of stock. The bigger guys have ensured their own supply."

The three main suppliers in the Irish market are Kingspan, Quinn International Holdings (QIH) and Navan-based Xtratherm.

A spokesman for QIH said: "Given continuing supply constraints of MDI, QIH, in common with the broader industry, continues to adopt a managed approach in customer allocations."

The biggest supplier to the Irish market did not take the opportunity to comment but it is understood that notwithstanding some industry-supply constraints, Kingspan is meeting client requirements.

Efforts to contact Xtratherm were unsuccessful.

Prices have been going up in the last few weeks and it has been biting a lot more on the one-off housebuilder, said one industry source.

"The big guys have their contract in at a set price for a certain project but the guy looking to build a small project is going to have to pay through the nose to get this material," he said.

The sharp rise is coming at a time when there are also increases across other supply chains and further increase in the cost of insulation or other materials will have a serious impact on the cost of house building, said the source.

"If there is any further disruption to the supply of this material, it will be a very serious issue for anyone who has bought forward and has long-term costs associated with big developments," the industry source added.

The problems in the MDI market have seen prices for other types of insulation rise too as demand for alternatives rise.

A chemical-industry report earlier this month said that contracts in June in the European expandable polystyrene (EPS) market increased by up to 40 per tonne.

Big customers involved in the European MDI market have moved towards the EPS market, with one buyer quoted as saying that demand was 10pc to 20pc higher year-on-year due to the MDI shortages.
BUENOS AIRES: Grain exports from Argentina were likely to be affected by a seven-hour strike by customs officers on Tuesday, as the officials press for priority access to coveted COVID-19 vaccinations, the port manager said on Monday.



It seems that it is going to affect all exports of all ports in Argentina, Guillermo Wade, manager of the Chamber of Port and Maritime Activities (CAPyM), told Reuters.



Tugboat captains similarly walked off the job last month to pressure the government into giving them vaccines, as the South American grains powerhouse gets hit by a second wave of infections at the height of soy and corn harvesting season.Reuters




The Spanish police, in coordination with Europol, have dismantled an organised crime group that was trading horsemeat in Europe that was unfit for human consumption.

The operation was carried out in coordination with Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

In Spain, 65 people were arrested and charged with crimes such as animal abuse, document forgery, perverting the course of justice, crimes against public health, money laundering and being part of a criminal organisation.

In 2013, Irish food safety authorities detected beefburgers containing horsemeat. This marked the start of an investigation to find out the origin of the contamination; the anti-inflammatory drug phenylbutazone was found in the meat.

Meat companies, frozen food companies and fast-food companies were affected by the investigation, which led to the identification of a Dutch citizen known in the horsemeat world, although his whereabouts were unknown at that moment.

Scam

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In the summer of 2016, Guardia Civils Environmental Protection Service initiated Operation Gazel after unusual behaviour was detected in horsemeat markets.

They detected a scam whereby horses in bad shape, too old or simply labelled as "not suitable for consumption" were being slaughtered in two different slaughterhouses.

The animals came from Portugal and several places in northern Spain, their meat was processed in a specific facility and from there sent to Belgium, which is one of the biggest horsemeat exporters in the European Union. The criminal organisation forged the animals identification by modifying theirs microchips and documentation.

During the investigation, Guardia Civil was able to locate the Dutch businessman related to the Irish case of the beefburgers containing horse meat, in Calpe, Alicante. From there he led the activities of the organisation, putting his most trusted men in charge in every country affected by the scam.

Investigators concluded that the Spanish element of this organisation was a small part of the whole European structure controlled by the Dutch suspect.

The arrest of the leader of the criminal group was carried out in Belgium. This action was coordinated by the Federal Police, the Federal Food Agency in Belgium and Guardia Civil. Different police actions were simultaneously carried out in France, Portugal, Italy, Romania, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

In total 66 individuals were arrested or investigated. Three officers from Europol supported the Spanish actions in Alicante and Leon. As a result of all of these actions, several bank accounts and properties were blocked or seized, and five luxury cars seized.

Because of the international nature of this case, Guardia Civil asked Europol for its support in the operation.

During the searches at the slaughterhouses and facilities, several samples were taken. The results concluded that the destination of the horsemeat was mainly outside of Spain, due to the fact that the samples in Spain matched those found abroad.
Moyvore, a small rural village in Co Westmeath, is aiming to play a starring role in the story of Ireland's whiskey renaissance.

This month, Westmeath County Council will consider planning permission for a 138m whiskey maturing complex to be built on a 100-acre farm on the Mullingar side of the midland hamlet.

The first phase of 'Project Vault' is for 12 warehouses and a whiskey filling hall, but ultimately the ambitious local developers intend to build a whiskey museum on site to help promote tourism in the region.

With roughly 600,000 people visiting distilleries nationwide last year, it is hoped that the new private project will bring employment opportunities to the area with a total population of between 250-300 people.

Grain farmers nationwide are also expected to reap rewards.

The proposed site, located just 5km from the massive 223m forest holiday resort Center Parcs currently under construction in Forgney, Co Longford, was selected from 11 other possible locations nationwide.

Alan Wright, joint CEO of Mullingar Writech Group and one of two Mullingar businessmen behind the venture, already has commitments from three multinational distillers to fill 80pc of the space for phase one.

"This is liquid gold for Moyvore. Initially there will be 80 full-time construction jobs, we want to have at least 10pc local. A further 20-25 direct jobs will come for phase two, we want to give back as much as possible to the community.

"Down the line, we want to develop a museum on site and we've already approached the minister about getting this on the Whiskey Trail, the Kilbeggan Distillery and Tullamore Dew are only a few miles away.

"There has been a renaissance in the industry since 2005 and there will be massive knock-on benefits for the barley industry and grain farmers. The more whiskey produced, the more business for barley farmers," he said.

Earlier this summer, the Government launched the midlands/east regional Irish whiskey tourism strategy which aims to grow distillery visitors to 1.9 million by 2025.

"Having Moyvore and Westmeath on the national and international whiskey map would be a phenomenal achievement," said Mr Wright.

Local Fianna Fail TD Robert Troy said the project would give a huge boost to the area which has no large employers. "It would be terrific for Moyvore and the surrounding parishes of Milltown, Ballymore, Ballynacargy and beyond. I hope there will a lot of support for it," he said.

A public meeting will take place with the people of Moyvore on July 19.
The lost art of whiskey bonding has been restored to Ireland once again after being neglected for almost a century.

Clare-born Louise McGuane returned to the family farm after an international career in the drinks industry to set up a new bonded whiskey warehouse on the farm, on a site nestled between the Shannon Estuary and the Atlantic.

This unique micro climate will be used to create a very special flavour of whiskey  the first bottles of which will be available in five years time.

Louise has come full circle. She remembers growing up when the local creamery was still operational. We bought the bulk milk tank down to the creamery using the tractor every day. I even remember the pails before that, she says. Naturally, those are in the past but the community has retained its rural bearing.

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Now she is reviving another ancient tradition of bonding that had all but died out in Ireland. Back in the last century many local grocers or pubs would also be bonded agents and blend or mature their own brands of whiskey. They bought the plain spirit off a main distiller and then matured it in casks for a number of years before blending their own whiskey.

Most local communities had their own whiskeys  all with their own unique flavour, she says.

Each whiskey derives the majority of its flavour, some 80%, from the cask or container in which it matures and in the local climate where it resides.

Back in 1930s Ireland, the main distillers began creating brands  such as Jamieson and Powers  and were reluctant to release whiskey to local blenders and so the local versions died out.

Louise has also bought in limited number of litres of aged whiskeys and employs a Master Blender. She will use these matured whiskeys to have her first pilot whiskeys ready in September. This is to create a path to market, she explains.

It will take at least five years to produce her own whiskey and she needs an active sales channel once the product is ready.

Of course, we dont really know what it will taste like, she says. But we do know it will be unique. Our coastal micro climate will influence the flavour, plus we have built a traditional warehouse leaving mud as the foundation. This will both moderate the temperature and humidity as well as ensure no other whiskey will taste the same.

Louises inspiration comes from local Kilrush grocery and bonded whiskey maker JJ Corry. We discovered that he matured his own whiskey locally and sold it in the community. He died in 1930 and I have visited his grave. I also discovered his shop was dismantled and removed to Bunratty Castle where it is now a tourist feature.

There was a lot of paperwork remaining in his shop, details about his whiskeys and their names, and so I decided to reclaim his brands. I trademarked them and now we are in production, she says. It is wonderful to not only rejuvenate an old tradition but also to rejuvenate his original brands.

Louise is very happy to be home and on a mission. In the twenty odd years she was away she worked at the top of her profession in sales and marketing for some of the biggest luxury names in drinks. She worked in the US, the UK and Paris France. Her contacts and experience are invaluable. While away, she and her husband saved up to renovate her grandmothers house on the farm. Initially it was intended to be a holiday home but she realised in recent years that her career would keep her an international nomad and she wanted to come home.

There is something very satisfying to return home to a project like this, says Louise. I looked at a number of possible projects but this one felt right. The barn, which currently holds 24,000 litres of maturing whiskey, looks as though it has always been there. That continuity is important to me.

Louise initially crowdfunded to finance the proof of concept raising 45,000 through KickStarter. That came mostly from the US and was without the sniff of a whiskey product. I knew we were onto a winner at that stage.

She is currently working with a number of private investors and may turn to the EIIS tax relief scheme. Right now her project is eating money as the whiskey quietly matures on the farm. Down the line, Louise has plans to integrate tourism into her project, handling small tour groups before moving them off to the local pub for food and refreshment. In time too she is looking at parenting with a local brewing company.

I love being home on the farm, says Louise. My parents are still going strong, farming beef and diary, and I love being part of the lifestyle and community. While our first blends will be available in less than six months we will spend the next five years watching our whiskey, opening the casks and checking on the maturation process, helping it where needed and finally creating our final taste. It is a long, gentle process but I am excited already about the final product.

Louise will have to patient. Her whiskey will mature all in its own good time, and not a moment sooner, surrounded by her parents inquisitive dairy herd and the every present flocks of seagulls.
The amount of farm machinery and equipment being stolen around the country each week is shocking.

Everything from tractors, trailers, jeeps, quad bikes, lawnmowers, generators, welders and chainsaws regularly being reported as stolen from farms. The latter items are a particular risk because they are smaller and easier to transport, while still being very valuable and resalable - a good chainsaw these days can cost 700 or 800.

As recent reports have highlighted, gangs are getting more brazen and predatory and they target the vulnerable every single time.

The advice from the Gardai is that the following screening questions can show whether there is a risk of burglary on your farm:

Are your tools, quads, trailers and other expensive equipment stored in a safe place?

Have you ever found anyone in your yard without a valid reason for being there?

Has anyone just turned up unexpectedly to try to buy or sell you something?

Have you seen suspicious vehicles on your property or in the neighbourhood?

I think most of us would answer yes to at least a couple of the above, which leads to the next obvious question - what can be done to cut down on rural crime?

In terms of making your farm a safer, more secure place, in the first instance Gardai recommend restricting access to your yard by installing gates and fixing them to a sturdy concrete or metal post.

Don't hide spare keys outside or leave ladders or other climbing aids lying around outside.

Yard boundaries are important also; fencing, hedges and walls should be robust, well maintained and checked regularly for breaches.

Some farmers in particularly vulnerable areas have considered installing alarms and/or CCTV which can provide surveillance on places out of view of the farmhouse.

A relatively cheap but effective deterrent for burglars is lighting.

Illuminating darkened areas which are overlooked from the dwelling or covered by CCTV increases the risk of a burglar getting caught.

Another cheap and effective way of deterring potential burglars is having a good guard dog who will act as a physical deterrent and make plenty of noise if a stranger enters the yard.

A common mistake made by farmers with a lot of machinery or farm tools is to keep them stored in an outbuilding away from the main holding.

Gardai say it is much safer to keep such equipment in a building with enhanced security features close to the farmhouse.

Marking your equipment (for example a chainsaw) is a great idea for two reasons; firstly it is a deterrent to the saw being stolen (as it will be harder to sell on), and secondly, if the equipment is stolen but later recovered by Gardai you will be able to prove that it is, in fact, yours.

Your name or personal mark with permanent marker or even heavy etching with an angle grinder are both very durable markings. Etching or engraving can be done underneath machinery or in areas which will become mud splattered, and so remain hidden. A soldering iron is effective for permanent marking on plastic areas.

Alarm bells

Farmers have a role to play in making sure we do not inadvertently support criminals operating rural crime rings. Ensuring a thorough check of an item's history is carried out is just as important as assessing its condition - nobody wants to uncover any nasty little surprises after the sale.

Everyone likes a good deal but if the price you are paying is way under the market value then you shouldn't ignore those alarm bells ringing in your head. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Trust your gut instincts because buying a stolen vehicle or other piece of farm equipment will result in it being seized by the Gardai and there is no come back. This will mean the loss of the tractor or vehicle and the cash paid for it.

Take 10: essential checks when buying tractors and jeeps

For bigger items like tractors and jeeps, a few checks should provide you with the peace of mind you need. Even if it is priced correctly, due diligence checks should still be made:

1 Check the price of the vehicle you're looking to purchase is in-line with the market. If it is much cheaper, then alarm bells should be ringing.

2 Check the seller has a valid address and telephone number. Visit them at their home or business premises. Never meet half-way, at a service station or car park.

3 If in doubt, walk away until you have carried out research and checks to be sure.

4 Check the details on the Vehicle Registration Cert (log book) with the tractor serial/chassis number.

5 Check the year of manufacture. This will be stamped on the cab and glass and on other places around the engine.

6 Be satisfied with the identity of the person selling. If it's a private sale, it is not unreasonable to ask for ID and to note the registration of their transport.

7 Make sure any invoice or receipt you receive has a genuine VAT number and that it looks original.

8 Only buy from a trustworthy, reputable source.

9 Give the vehicle a full inspection and test drive.

10 and finally, don't buy from strangers.
The EU Commission in 2016 ruled that Ireland failed to justify selective treatment of Apple Photo: Reuters

Tax advisers are blaming increased caution among Revenue officials in the wake of the Apple tax ruling for crippling the State's main business scheme, the Employment and Incentive Investment Scheme (EIIS).

Concerns over the future of the scheme, which is a vital source of funding for hundreds of Irish SMEs, have intensified over the course of recent weeks.

The scheme, which used to guarantee a 30-day approval turnaround, now faces delays of several months, sources told the Sunday Independent.

This is leaving investors and SMEs in limbo and many firms are in the process of informing clients that serious issues have arisen with the scheme.

Changes were made to EIIS in 2015 in order to comply with European State Aid rules.

One source, who has been involved with EIIS and its predecessor, BES, for over a decade, said that schemes identical to those that were approved in 2015 were now facing significant delays.

A number of accounting sources believe Revenue is taking an increasingly conservative view in relation to tax schemes and is reluctant to give interpretations of legislation in the wake of the Apple ruling.

However, Revenue rejected this claim.

"The role of Revenue is to administer tax legislation in a fair and consistent manner. EU law forms a part of the legislative framework in which Revenue operates," said a spokeswoman, who cited the legislation for EIIS.

"The Apple tax ruling has no bearing on this," she added.

Revenue also said that this year, in the period from January to May 25, 73 applicant companies were processed, of which 18 were rejected and 55 were accepted.

Last year, 261 companies were the recipients of investments and there were 1,768 investors.

Tens of millions of euro is raised by small companies through the scheme annually.
Tony OReilly, chief executive of Providence Resources, has managed to secure a couple of heavyweight partners for Druid/Drombeg, the companys flagship prospect off the Cork coast

Two years ago, Providence Resources looked like it was on the cusp of going bust. Now, however, it is arguably the most exciting business in Ireland as it starts drilling off the west coast in search of oil.

In one sense, the timing is unfortunate in that it came in the week that Shell finally exited the Corrib gas field, a project which lost it around 1bn, with its partners down about the same.

But such is the nature of the oil and gas exploration industry that if Providence gets a good result on the prospect it is drilling, it will probably be taken out by a bigger player long before any oil discovery is brought through to commercial production. It's a high-risk, high-reward game.

Getting to this point is a remarkable achievement by chief executive Tony O'Reilly Jr, who has had a rough couple of years. Shareholders have been getting restless at the lack of progress on finding a partner to drill at Barryroe, the company's flagship prospect off the Cork coast.

O'Reilly has been on record many times in the past couple of years, saying discussions were taking place but as of yet no deal has been concluded. This week, the company announced it had been granted an extension to its licence for the prospect.

It said that Providence and its partner at the field, AIM-listed minnow Lansdowne, were "in dialogue with a number of parties regarding advancing the appraisal of Barryroe through to first oil".

Instead, the action has come at the company's Druid and Drombeg prospects in the Porcupine basin, off the west coast. Between Druid and Drombeg, the company is telling the market that there could be as much as five billion barrels of oil in prospective resources.

O'Reilly has managed to secure a couple of heavyweight partners for this well and the result is that in effect it won't have to pay a penny towards it if the well meets current cost expectations (there are no guarantees in this industry).

The money it has received from partners Cairn, the exploration company which has taken a stake in the project, and French supermajor Total, which has paid for an option to take a stake in the project, more than covers Providence's share of the drilling costs. Even if the well comes up dry, Providence will remain well capitalised.

"Our cost exposure for the well is essentially zero. In fact, on the numbers we look at, using the gross well costs, we actually would have about a $5m (4.36m) surplus," O'Reilly told a podcast published by the markets website Vox Markets.

That surplus comes on top of a cash balance of $31.6m at the end of 2016.

"We will have a lot of cash on our balance sheet and that opens up very interesting opportunities for us in terms of how we might deploy that capital in our portfolio. Because obviously, the market is aware we have our big asset Barryroe in the Celtic Sea, we have opportunities like Newgrange in the Goban Spur (an area off the south-west coast). Having cash on our balance sheet post this well, significant amounts of cash, puts us in a very strong commercial position going forward," O'Reilly said.

Providence has deep links to the O'Reilly family. It has its roots in Atlantic Resources, the exploration company founded by Tony O'Reilly Sr and others in 1981.

Atlantic was bought by Conroy Petroleum & Natural Resources in 1991 and when the deal was completed, the newly-merged entity changed its name to Arcon.

In 1997, Arcon demerged its oil and gas assets into a new company called Providence, which was floated on the Irish Stock Exchange.

O'Reilly Jr (50) has been chief executive since 2005 - and to say it has been a rollercoaster ride is an understatement. Few Irish companies have had as many twists and turns over the last couple of years.

Indian state-owned explorer Oil India mulled a takeover of the company back in 2013 and was reportedly willing to pay in excess of 1bn. But the deal never materialised and then things began to go downhill.

A well drilled at the company's Dunquin North prospect in the summer of 2013 was a disappointment, with water having infiltrated the part of the seabed where the company hoped to find commercially-recoverable oil.

Then, when the oil price plummeted at the back end of 2014, Providence found itself in trouble along with many others as the industry was plunged into chaos.

A major knock-back came when a deal to sell a stake in Barryoe collapsed. Providence told the market that it had agreed commercial terms with a partner but said the deal was conditional on the partner completing a required fundraising.

The partner, which Providence never named, is widely known to have been Dutch firm Sequa Petroleum. Sequa never managed to raise the money. Today, Providence (80pc) and Lansdowne (20pc) remain the owners of the Barryroe asset and, given that no deal has yet been done, questions have to be asked about whether Barryroe is as good as the company says it is.

The 20pc stake in the field is essentially Lansdowne's only asset and that company is valued by the market at 6m. Providence's market cap is about 120m.

If this well at Druid/Drombeg is a bust, the focus will most likely switch back to Barryroe and whether a deal can finally be concluded. In the company's defence, it has been a difficult market in which to conclude deals in recent years.

In early 2015, it was forced to tap shareholders for around $30m in funds to cover working capital and potential payments arising out of a legal dispute with drilling-equipment company Transocean. Providence had engaged Transocean for equipment for use on appraisal drilling at Barryroe in 2011 and 2012 but the equipment was faulty and the companies ended up in court.

Despite the acknowledged problem with the equipment, the net result was that Providence was deemed to have to pay Transocean $7m by the London Court of Appeal.

By the time the decision came around, Providence was on shaky financial ground. It ended up with its shares suspended from trading as it sought to work out a deal with its lenders to enable it to make the payment.

The company looked to be on the brink but ultimately O'Reilly managed to get shareholders to foot the bill again - this time the company raised the best part of $70m and paid off Transocean while also paying off its debt facility.

This was the beginning of the turnaround for O'Reilly, with the positive momentum growing when the company announced the capture of Pat Plunkett as its new chairman. Plunkett was chairman of Tullow Oil from 2000 to 2011, during which time the company went from a market capitalisation of 275m to over 12bn.

He was probably instrumental in the later acquisition of Angus McCoss, Tullow's current exploration director, as a non-executive director.

Plunkett and McCoss are industry heavyweights and securing them was a coup.

Having brought the company back from the brink, O'Reilly's fate is now in the lap of the gods.

The massive Stena Ice max has begun its work at the drill site and the project is slated to last for about two months.

Davy analysts Job Langbroek and Caren Crowley said in a note circulated earlier this week that the start of the well is a long-awaited event for offshore Ireland. "If it works, it will be transformational, both for the region and Providence. In this regard, it has two very strong targets, with results from both expected within a 60-day window. Providence has been a pathfinder for the Irish offshore and this well is more of the same."

If the well produces a good result, it will be a massive boost for the region and further exploration activity is likely to follow. Some of the world's biggest oil companies - including Exxon Mobil, Statoil and Woodside - have exploration acreage off the Irish coast, and a good result for Providence will help undo any damage caused by the massive losses incurred by Shell at the Corrib gas field. Should Druid/Drombeg ever turn into a producing field, it will be a game-changer for Ireland's energy independence, even as the country transitions away from fossil fuels towards renewables. It will also be a massive boon for the O'Reilly family, who have been trying to get oil out of Irish waters for the best part of four decades.

Perhaps this time Providence will deliver.
LONDON: Currency market volatility on Tuesday fell to its lowest since before the Covid-19 pandemic roiled markets in March 2020, as investors sat on the sidelines waiting for clearer signals on the inflation trajectory and how central banks will respond.



With an impending European Central Bank meeting on Thursday and US inflation data due the same day, and a US Federal Reserve meeting next week, currencies appear to be treading water.



Range-bound currency markets mean a fall in volatility. The Deutsche Bank Currency Volatility Index hit its lowest since February last year.



Marshall Gittler, head of investment research at BDSwiss, called the FX market nearly frozen with trade-weighted indices on Monday stuck within 0.1% ranges.



While volatility levels are nowhere close to record lows, the doldrums are widespread - all major pairs are below their average vol, he added.



The US dollar found a bit of support on Tuesday as investors prepared for the inflation data following weaker-than-expected jobs data, which has eased concerns about an early tapering of the Federal Reserves monetary stimulus.



The euro fell marginally, weakened by the dollars strength and data showing German industrial production numbers declined in April.



Currency markets were generally in a holding pattern ahead of Thursday, when the European Central Bank meets and US inflation numbers are published.



As investors continue to process G7 corporate tax proposals, low volatility remains the name of the game in FX into this weeks super Thursday (US CPI and ECB meeting), ING analysts said in a note.



The dollar index rose 0.1% to 90.105, while against the euro, the greenback was 0.1% higher at $1.2174.



The British pound fell 0.2% to $1.4147 and the Australian dollar eased 0.2% to $0.7742, with both stuck in ranges seen over the past couple of months.



With recent trading channels tight, implied volatilities on both currencies have dropped to their lowest levels since early 2020, before markets were pummelled by the Covid-19 pandemic.



The Japanese yen dropped as the dollar rose, fetching 109.48 yen per dollar, down 0.2% on the day.



Cryptocurrencies dropped but trading was generally calm. Bitcoin earlier eased to a three-week low of $32,418, while ether fell 4% to a one-week low of $2,431.93.Reuters




'O'Rourke said that Vit Hit aims to have the entire east coast covered within 12 months and then gradually move towards the west coast' (stock image)

Fast-growing Irish drinks company Vit Hit has signed a major new US distribution deal worth at least $20m (17.5m) over the next two years. The deal with the New Jersey-based Honickman Group - which distributes Canada Dry - will see Vit Hit sales double from an expected 18 million bottles this year to 36 million next year.

The drink - which is a low-calorie blend of teas, juices, water and vitamins in a range of flavours - has seen sales shoot up as increasingly health-conscious consumers continue to turn away from high-sugar carbonated drinks.

Speaking to this newspaper, Vit Hit's chief executive and co-owner, Ian O'Rourke, said that by 2019 the company was targeting sales of 60 million bottles, many multiples of the 96,000 bottles it sold when it launched in 2007.

"This deal in the US is a game-changer for us. Honickman has a big reach along the east coast and a lot of sway with the big multiples. We are very confident that once we are on the shelves we will sell," said O'Rourke.

The new distribution deal serves an area of 25 million people and will see the Irish drink immediately stocked in 5,000 of Honickman's 15,000 outlets in the Mid-Atlantic region, from New Jersey to northern Virginia. Vit Hit already has deals with a number of smaller independent Pepsi distributors across 12 US states.

Honickman, based in Pennsauken, New Jersey, is one of the US's largest privately-owned bottlers and distributors of soft drinks, with more than $1bn in annual revenue. Its key brand is Canada Dry but it also distributes Vita Coco, Snapple, Sunkist and 7-Up.

O'Rourke said that Vit Hit aims to have the entire east coast covered within 12 months and then gradually move towards the west coast

"This deal also gives us credibility with the rest of the market and we are discussing another distribution deal in the northeast of the US as a result of this deal," he said.

The company has been approached by a number of major potential investors, including two major drinks companies.

"Because we are starting to be recognised, we have a lot more people approaching us in terms of funding. We have had approaches from venture capitalists, wealthy individual investors and other drinks companies.

"But we want the right backer. There is no point being wowed by a big name and big money if the soul of the brand creeps away. Our aim is to make this Irish-born drinks company into a global brand," said O'Rourke.

The brand is now sold in 16 countries and in Ireland it is expected to sell more than nine million bottles this year. Overall turnover is expected to double to about 10m and the new deal is expected to add 20m to that within two to three years.

"If someone asked me 10 years ago would we enter the US market I would have said, 'not a hope'. But the sugary carbonate market is stagnating in the US and consumers are looking for something different. Vit Hit fits rights into that," added O'Rourke.
Set up in 1999, Oasis is one of the largest record and information management (RIM) companies in Europe. (stock image)

The Dublin-based records and information-management company Oasis Group has acquired a Cork document-storage business, making it the company's 28th acquisition.

Oasis has completed the purchase of Federal Archive, which is based in Kinsale. It is the company's eighth deal since last October.

"This region was always a key area of interest for Oasis and Cork has provided us with a prime location", said Brian Connolly, chief executive officer of Oasis Group.

"Increasing our footprint domestically and expanding our reach locally provides us with an opportunity to build on our offerings and existing relationships."

Set up in 1999, Oasis is one of the largest record and information management (RIM) companies in Europe. It employs over 300 people and provides services to over 5,000 companies throughout several industries, including the financial, legal, healthcare, government and educational sectors.

Oasis Group now operates across Europe and market sources believe the ambitious company now has an ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) well in excess of 10m. In May, the company bought a Scottish company, Removal Services Scotland based near Edinburgh. It had entered the Scottish market in December 2016 with another acquisition.

In that month, it also bought the RIM business of National Archive Records Management, located in Limerick. Other acquisitions late last year included deals in the UK and the Netherlands.

Oasis Group is owned by two US-based private equity funds, Housatonic Partners and Sverica International. It has debt funding from an arm of Goldman Sachs.

Last May, it was announced that a 30m add-on to the senior facilities provided by Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Group had been arranged for Oasis. At the time, the company said that debt was to finance Oasis's "external growth strategy, mostly focused on Western Europe". The document-storage business is extremely fragmented and sources said that Oasis sees itself as a consolidator in the sector.

Many of the companies are very profitable but lack modern technological infrastructure and Oasis can offer clients a range of additional services around new areas, such as data protection.
Ted Carberry was a 42-year-old saddler in Mountmellick, Co Laois, sole supporter of his wife and 11 children when he had a brain aneurysm. He lost his memory and the use of his right-hand side, a potential disaster for a family in 1940s Ireland. He lost his memory, he forgot who he was and what he did and his family had to reintroduce themselves to him. But Ted Carberry just made some changes. He regained his memory, he learned to do everything with his left hand and he made smaller leather goods.

Today in Mullingar his legacy lives on in an award-winning high-end leather goods business run by his grandson and called, in honour of its inspiration, My Name is Ted. This year they won the inaugural Local Enterprise Showcase Award for emerging Irish design businesses.

Brendan McEvoy remembers his grandfather. "I would have been eight years of age when he passed away but my parents are still in the family home so my grandfather lived with us and he was a big part of my early life. He was right-handed and he lost the use of his right-hand side so he started making leather goods with his left hand and his mouth. A couple of years ago we found some of his work, his bags and wallets and his diary which he kept at the time. He was documenting his road to recovery through a nurse in St Vincent's [hospital] and he was writing to her to remember what he did and how he did it.

"In 1957 he was saying 'Dear Sister, I'm not much use for writing with my left hand but even so I am going to try,' and he documents his journey from Mountmellick to Dublin where he was going for speech therapy.

"Throughout the diary he documents different things: 'Dear Sister, today I am going to advise you on how I make a leather satchel or a cartridge belt for hunting', and stuff like this."

Neither Brendan nor his Polish-born wife, Kasia, had any background in leather work but they were taken with the idea of restarting the business, "We decided it would be phenomenal to bring the business back into the family and, not only that, but to incorporate the fact that he swapped over from right to left-handed. In the logo there is an arrow on the E, crossing over from right to left and on our website, on the heritage page, there is one of the pages from his diary. Also we decided not only to come up with a range of products inspired by his designs but to make them cross-functional, like he was. So all of the bags have something you wouldn't expect from that type of product, for example signature briefcases cross over for a backpack to be cyclist friendly, that type of thing, and they all have a tech element," Brendan explains.

Brendan and Kasia began the journey of refining their ideas about product and market at the Craft Council of Ireland. "Mary Whelan in the Craft Council spent hours on end and she pointed me to certain people in Ireland who were making leather goods. I visited or spoke to every single person in this country and tried to start understanding how you would go about this. That led to where to get leather and what leather and what's good. Like everyone I thought "genuine leather" was the way to go but it is actually the third cut down: "full grade" is the premium leather. That led me to Italy to different conferences and then I realised you have to have somebody to make them but before you can get somebody to make them you need to have a designer who can bring your design into a technical format so that the artisan can actually make patterns and then in turn make bags. So I just went on a journey and stayed really patient."

Brendan was also doing a full-time job as corporate acquisition manager with Three Ireland. "I've spent over 15 years in the telecoms industry and that kind of complemented what we're doing. Every bag has a tech element because we wanted to make them really accessible for the changing times so they come with a smart pocket and a power bank to charge while on the move. It's to enable people to have everything they need on a daily basis with a product that will last and pass from generation to generation."

The research for My Name is Ted was done then on evenings, weekends and annual leave. "I was just enthralled with it to be honest because the inspiration was my grandfather but now it needed to become something tangible. The product needed to stand up on its own."

The research also clarified their target market. "We saw there was a huge gap in the market combining luxury and tech. We decided not to do something that would be a fad, we wanted to maintain some of the traditional values but we wanted it to be instantly recognisable as lifelong business and lifestyle items that people become attached to. Their journey could start as small as a wallet and that they keep having faith in the business to grow the product portfolio that they have from it." The idea was hatched in December of 2013 and in January of 2015 they saw their first bag, "People in the industry told me it was probably about six months to a year ahead of what is possible. I kept setting the timeline of what we needed to achieve by when and our designer is from Florence and she has worked with some of the biggest names, from Vivienne Westwood to Lacoste, and she, and everybody, was saying I was crazy, it's just not possible to make this industry move at that pace.

"Italy is considered the Mecca of the leather industry so some Irish lad cannot tell the Italians what to do when it comes to leather goods. But I tried to use my business acumen to empower people to see things differently and people could see the passion of why we started in the first place." And this without speaking any Italian: "I speak enough to get in through reception, then my very next question when I get to who I need to is, 'Do you speak English?'

"We funded the business ourselves in the beginning then we went to Enterprise Ireland. It takes time for them to understand this mad fella with a PowerPoint but they gave us advice and feasibility funding, website funding and my wife has done courses.

"Once you've got your idea and think it's going to work I would say genuinely speak with them. The process is very black and white and without the support of Enterprise Ireland we would definitely be much further back. You can't be everything and do everything in your own business, you need to be multifunctional and they gave us that support."

Brendan still works his day job. Kasia, who studied law and worked in the marketing division of Ryanair, works full time in the business. The company is going from strength to strength and they are working to find "the absolute sweet spot" in marketing their product. "Google Adwords works well, paid ads on Facebook and other platforms less so. Social media influencers can work really well if you pick the right one. We did a campaign with a Snapchat person and got more orders in an hour than in a normal week."

Related: Use our calculator to estimate your small business loan repayments

Hard work and totally worth it. "The night that the first bag was delivered was one of the best experiences of my whole life. It felt phenomenal to continue on from my grandfather," he says. Success inevitably breeds imitation but Brendan is far from worried.

"The day that I see a knocked-off My Name is Ted bag on Henry Street I will have a big grin."

mynameisted.ie
Bitcoin can work at any time and anywhere with an internet connection (stock image)

Since the inception of bitcoin in January 2009, it has appreciated exponentially in value. In 2009, it would have cost 24 for 5,000 bitcoins. At the time of writing, those same 5,000 bitcoin would cost 10,868,309.

Some view this as a 'bubble' or 'Ponzi scheme' that will eventually burst. In terms of ease of use, bitcoin can work at any time and anywhere with an internet connection. It does not take holidays and allows for the effortless transfer of payments to anywhere in the world.

The transfer fees are significantly cheaper than bank-transfer fees.

One of the significant risks associated with bitcoin is the extremely large fluctuations in value that it appears to go through.

The Russian government recently confirmed that a draft bill would create the legal framework for trading in bitcoin and other digital currencies. This comes a year after the same Russian institutions said people trading in these currencies could be jailed.

Ethereum, the second biggest cryptocurrency in the world after bitcoin, also continues to skyrocket in value. Ethereum was released in 2015 by a then 21-year-old Vitalik Buterin. Born in Moscow, he now lives in Canada.

Ethereum raised $18m (15.75m) during its initial coin offering, a process used by start-ups to bypass the rigorous and regulated capital-raising process required by venture capitalists or banks.

Its currency is now trading at $256 - 18 times more than at this time last year. Russia and the rest of the world share similar concerns regarding the pseudo-anonymity of cryptocurrencies.

There is no need to fill out any paperwork or personal details and it is possible for cash to be converted to bitcoin in approximately 15 seconds.

Users do not disclose any personal details and while transactions are recorded in this public ledger, information concerning the transacting parties is not recorded, which signals the greatest threat to the combating of money-laundering, fraud and theft.

The inability to link an individual user to an identifiable bitcoin address means that the ability of law enforcers to track the actual injection, layering and re-entry of laundered funds into an economy has become a virtually impossible task.

Bitcoin's website contains a disclaimer, which includes the following: "The website does not store, send or receive bitcoins.

"This is because bitcoins exists only by virtue of the ownership record maintained in the bitcoin network.

"Any transfer of title in bitcoins occurs within a decentralised bitcoin network and not on the website."

The complete lack of a controlling authority has resulted in many concerns with regard to anti-money-laundering (AML) governance.

All solicitors (when working on matters that fall within the regulated area) must comply with the requirement to ensure that funds are not laundered or procured illegally.

This inevitably involves an inquiry into the source of funds. With bitcoin, this is practically impossible. There is no mechanism to even identify suspicious transactions in the first place.

Similarly, it is virtually impossible to identify account holders or their locations, meaning that the original source of funds cannot be identified.

Even in an ideal scenario, where a bitcoin wallet address is known, obtaining a freezing order over that wallet would not be an easy task.

Wallets are solely controlled by the person who has the private key. Secondly, the pseudo-anonymity of the wallet address means that there is no formal name attached to that specific wallet address.

This creates obvious issues in terms of ensuring that the assets can be frozen, as this is usually done by a third party, such as a bank.

Moreover, there is also the issue that if it is not known to whom the wallet belongs, then the court will not grant a freezing order over that particular wallet.

Coinbase is the largest bitcoin exchange and was one of the first well-designed bitcoin wallets to enter the scene.

A recent US government request to trawl through the personal data of millions of users of the Coinbase signals the start of an effort to pull digital currencies like bitcoin into the mainstream.

In the United States, cryptocurrencies are classified as "property" for the purposes of tax law, while in Europe, the European Court of Justice concluded that they are neither "property" nor a "currency" in relation to a question of whether they were subject to VAT.

A lot of people value their pseudonymity and the compliance with existing AML and KYC (know your customer) guidelines force Coinbase to ask for identity documents, which are then stored on behalf of the government.

However, the extent to which bitcoin users with US tax liabilities have been declaring such assets is unclear.

Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are making daily headlines, whether it relates to the volatile exchange rate, the regulatory issues concerned or its criminal potential.

In terms of how to regulate bitcoin in protecting against the inherent risks that exist, there does appear to be a clear-cut solution. Bitcoin is speckled with legal uncertainty and has the potential to become something of a scammer's paradise. Technology is advancing at a pace which regulators simply cannot match.

Any attempts to regulate the initial bitcoin sender or receiver appears to be impractical as a result of the pseudonymous and dispersed nature of each user's identity.

The best solution may be to follow the proposed US model of regulation and introduce the mandatory disclosure of one's digital currency holdings.

The question remains: how do we ensure that cryptocurrencies do not become even more of a conduit for criminal activity?

Reliance upon the good faith of whistleblowers to reveal the wrongdoings of others is simply not an effective solution and with no central authority to sue or an effective technique for revealing the identity of the parties to a bitcoin transaction, it is difficult to see how this question can be solved.

Regardless of how the regulatory approach is dealt with, the solution needs to be addressed at an international level if measures are to be effective in the modern, increasingly globalised economy.

Gregory Glynn is a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group at Arthur Cox. Patrick Munnelly is a solicitor at the firm.

The views expressed here are solely those of the authors in their private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Arthur Cox.
Japan is the fourth-largest economy in the world (by GDP) and in 2016 exports by Enterprise Ireland client companies increased by 19pc to 149m. (stock image)

The concept of Wa, best described by the English word harmony, lies at the heart of the Japanese approach to business. Although it is important to search for a solution, this must not be achieved by disturbing the peace.

This July, the European Union and Japan reached a state of Wa, signing an agreement in principle on the main elements of a significant EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.

For EU member states, the Economic Partnership Agreement will remove the vast majority of duties. In addition, it will focus on resolving non-tariff obstacles to trade, such as Japanese technical requirements.

Japan is the fourth-largest economy in the world (by GDP) and in 2016 exports by Enterprise Ireland client companies increased by 19pc to 149m. Irish success stories in the market include fintech companies like Fexco and Daon, medical-device company Aerogen and the renewables player C&F Green Energy.

Enterprise Ireland is focused on helping more Irish-owned companies increase their exports to Japan, particularly in the digital technologies, medtech, aviation, fintech and agri-tech sectors.

The elimination of tariffs on medical devices and pharmaceutical products is especially welcome news. Japan is already the second-largest healthcare and pharmaceutical market in the world, with national medical expenditure estimated at around 300bn.

With one of the fastest-ageing societies on the planet, the proportion of its 128 million population that is over the age of 65 is expected to exceed 30pc by 2025 and reach 40pc by 2055, creating ever-increasing demand for health-management services, medical devices, generics, over-the-counter medicines and novel pharmaceuticals.

The agreement is also set to open up the services markets, in particular for financial services, e-commerce and telecommunications - again, important sectors for Irish exporters.

Moreover, it will guarantee EU companies access to the Japanese procurement markets in 48 large cities and remove obstacles to procurement in the railway sector at national level. Selling to the Japanese government may appear to be a daunting prospect, but with the right local partner and/or staff, there are many opportunities in areas such as renewables, aviation, fintech, agritech, healthcare and digital technologies.

The Economic Partnership Agreement also brings good news to food producers as it will scrap duties on many cheeses, allow the EU to increase beef exports to Japan and reduce, or in some cases eliminate, duties on pork.

Given that Japanese buyers can be risk-adverse, the market is best suited to companies that can provide high-quality, market-proven services or products.

Success also demands an understanding of Japanese business culture and etiquette.

That said, demonstrating a small knowledge of Japan's culture and traditions will go a long way. Key national values to be aware of include personal responsibility and the ideal of everyone working together for the good of the larger group. Education, ambition, hard work, patience and determination are also highly regarded.

Relationships drive deals. Without the right depth of relationships with the right people, it can be very difficult.

Generally, decisions are taken over much longer time-frames, through a lengthy consensus-building process. Organisations should be prepared to invest for medium-term results, rather than expecting too many quick wins.

However, once a decision is taken, Japanese business relationships tend to last.

Based on the agreement in principle reached earlier this month, negotiators from both sides will now aim to resolve all remaining technical issues by the end of the year and conclude a final text of the agreement for approval by the European Parliament and member states, opening up a new era of opportunity in Japan.

Tom Cusack is Enterprise Ireland's Regional Director for Asia Pacific.
Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan at the Dublin Premiere of the film Dunkirk at the Lighthouse Cinema,Dublin.

Barry Keoghan and Shona Guerin at the Dublin Premiere of the film Dunkirk at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin

Barry Keoghan and Cillian Murphy at the Dublin Premiere of the film Dunkirk at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin.

Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan were the epitome of returning heroes at tonight's Dunkirk premiere in Dublin.

The red carpet was rolled out at the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield for Christopher Nolan's epic action movie about the 1940 evacuation of Allied Troops from the French city of Dunkirk during World War 2.

With an all-star cast that also includes Tom Hardy, Kenneth Brannagh, Mark Rylance and One Direction's Harry Styles, the movie based on a true story has already received a rave reaction online.

Former Love/Hate star Barry Keoghan (24), who's originally from Dublin's Summerhill, said that it was an "unreal" feeling to take the movie back to his home city.

He was joined at the glitzy event by a gang of mates that he's known from his childhood, alongside his stunning new girlfriend, make-up artist Shona Guerin.

"That's my lady - she's gorgeous. She's a good one," he told Independent.ie.

And despite being hailed as a rising star in Hollywood, he insisted that he won't be swapping his home town of Dublin for the bright lights of LA anytime soon.

"Jesus, no. I feel that it's a great place to be (LA) - good vibes or whatever but here I feel I have my feet on the ground, or in the mud as it may be. I'm surrounded by good people and I just think over there, it could get to my head and I don't want that," he said.

When it came to his role in the big-budget movie, he came to his character of George with a completely fresh outlook.

"No, it was naivety I played on with this. I didn't know a lot about the character and I kept that thing of not being aware of what was going on," he said.

His co-star Cillian Murphy (41) said that it was an honour to reunite with his Batman director, Christopher Nolan.

"I just feel very privileged to work on a film like this and to work with Chris ever time because he's one of the greats. He's one of the greatest directors working today so for any actor you'd want to selfishly work with someone like that," he said.

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He recently finished filming on season 4 of hit BBC series Peaky Blinders  but was keeping tight-lipped when quizzed about what fans can expect from the new series.

"I can tell you nothing! There will be a few surprises in store," he said.

Dunkirk is out in Irish cinemas from July 21.
Rory Cowan has given his first television interview since departing Mrs Brown's Boys and said being so far away from his family and friends was the reasoning behind his shock exit from the show.

The actor (58) appeared on Saturday Night with Miriam to discuss his departure and opened up about a frightening family crisis that came about while he was touring in Australia with the show.

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Cowan revealed that it "really bothered" him that he was not able to return home to Ireland when he was told his elderly mother had days to live, due to an insurance issue.

"We were in Australia the year before last in January and I got word. My mother has dementia. Before we left things were bad but she was still mobile. When I was in Australia I got word that she had days to live and I couldn't get home. I couldn't get home because it was an insurance issue. They said 'If your mother dies you can go home for a week and come back all the way to Australia, but if she doesn't die you can't go because if people want their money back for refunds, even if you're not in the show, even though Brendan is the star, you'd have to pay full price for every seat, which would have worked out at hundreds of thousands of dollars'. They explained it to me, they said 'It's just to stop other actors in a similar situation or musicians to not drop out of a tour'."

Cowan revealed that he believed the Mrs Brown's Boys tour visited Australia too many times throughout the last four years, instead of exploring other continents such as USA and Canada.

"It really bothered me that I was on the other side of the world and I didn't want to be there anyway because we'd only been there a couple of years before hand and if I stayed with Mrs Brown's Boys they're going back again in January next year and that would have been three visits to Australia in four years. I think that's too much."

Cowan, who began working as Brendan O'Carroll's publicist in 1991, revealed that he struggled with the lack of activity during the tour, and said he felt his qualifications were going to waste.

"In the early days I started out as Brendan's publicist and I was booking the gigs and I was doing the PR and all this type of stuff and I had a lot to do. I have a Higher Diploma in Marketing and PR and a certificate in Journalism and a certificate in Philosophy so I am qualified. As the show got bigger and bigger and bigger then you have promoters and you have producers and all the stuff that I had been doing, someone else was doing.

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"Now I'm bored because I didn't have other things to do. I just had to go on stage at night and play the part of Rory Brown. For the rest of the time I'm abroad in arenas and stuff like that I have nothing to do. When my mother was at home sick I would prefer to be at home. I didn't like the idea of not having anything to do. I'm too qualified to be doing nothing."

Cowan said he would hate for people to think that he and Brendan had a falling out, and praised the star's generosity and kindness throughout the past 26 years.

"I decided this year in Cardiff on June 16 and I just said 'I'm going to hand in my notice'. Brendan must have known I wasn't happy because I'd said to him 'Brendan I want to hand in my notice, how much notice do you need?' He said, 'You can leave at the end of the week if you want'. He never asked me why I was leaving, I never told him I was leaving.

"Brendan always made me feel like part of the family. I've know Brendan for 26 years. I've known Danny since he was nine, he plays Buster and I've known Fiona who plays Maria since she was 12...

Video of the Day

"Brendan was paying me very, very well and it enabled me to leave because I have money behind me now. I would hate to have said I needed to stay because I needed a wage. Brendan was a very very generous employer, and he still is.

"I just thought things were happening that were out of my control, like three visits to Australia in four years. That's too much. I think that's wrong.

"I'm still friends with Brendan, mind you, when I did hand in my notice it was most bizarre. After I handed in my notice I was really enjoying it because I thought, now I'm counting down the days until I can try something new. I didn't have much conversation with anybody because I was staying on my own."

The actor did not dispute a return to Mrs Brown's Boys, but said he will take this time to explore other professional avenues.

"The only way I would come back is if Brendan asked me, and I agreed or if I asked Brendan and he agreed. Brendan O'Carroll was never the reason I left. If I went back the reasons I left would still be there so I know I wouldn't be going back.

"I want to try other stuff on television and on radio. I would love my own weekend radio show and I think it might be popular because I was on the Ray Darcy Show and they did a Facebook live and there was over 100k views on it that day. It was the biggest they've ever had. That hit me that I'm quite popular."
The grave of Little Nellie of Holy God at Sunday's Well in Co Cork

Inspired: Pope Pius X said Little Nellie was the sign he'd been waiting for to lower the age of Communion

This week there was a full house at Cork's Girl's Club Centre for what was billed as a 'Little Nellie of Holy God Evening'. Those attending were urged to bring along "stories of miracles" which might be used "to make Little Nellie a saint".

Many won't have heard of Little Nellie, who died aged just four 109 years ago, but to her devotees, she is "the unofficial patron saint of Cork". She has inspired a dozen books spanning a century, and if you go to YouTube, you'll find two musical tributes, one a highly polished ballad in the schmaltzy style of R Kelly, the other a rough and ready Country'n'Irish waltz.

While Ellen 'Nellie' Organ's afterlife has been a feel-good story, her brief existence was filled with pain, suffering and tragedy.

She was born in 1903 in a Waterford military barracks, before her soldier father's job would take the family to Spike Island in Cork Harbour. One day, with her mother suffering the early symptoms of tuberculosis, Ellen was entrusted to a babysitter who dropped her. The infant's hip and back were twisted out of joint. As she grew, and she developed curvature of the spine, her pain intensified. She had difficulty walking and was unable to sit up straight.

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Her mother finally succumbed to the scourge of TB when Nellie was just three. Unable to cope, the father handed his four young children into the care of the nuns in Cork. Examined at a Sisters of Mercy hospital, she was found to be suffering from the savage affliction of whooping cough. She spent most of her time in the infirmary, where the nuns and nurses quickly came to believe that they were in the presence of a spiritual savant.

Gift of 'discernment'

She is known as Little Nellie of Holy God because she always referred to the deity as "Holy God" and to the chapel as "the house of Holy God". She was deeply fascinated by the religious icons in the chapel, especially the Stations of the Cross. Her carers believed that the tiny girl had the mystical gift of 'discernment', which meant that she instinctively knew what the will of God was directing her to do in any given situation. This 'gift of discernment' is one reason her followers today believe she qualifies for sainthood.

When she died in 1908, her grave at St Joseph's Cemetery quickly became a place of pilgrimage. In many cases, those at the graveside prayed directly to the little girl for blessings, cures and miracles. They would leave votive items like crutches by the graveside.

A year after her death, her remains were exhumed for reburial in the Good Shepherd Convent Cemetery in Sunday's Well. It is claimed that when the coffin was reopened, she looked exactly like she had at the moment of her death, with not a hint of decay.

A victim of the economic crash, the Good Shepherd Convent, and Little Nellie's resting place, passed into the hands of receivers, cutting off access to a growing stream of pilgrims. Two years ago, the Bishop of Cork & Ross called for a second exhumation of Little Nellie so she could once again be made accessible to her devotees.

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However, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd said this week that good progress has been made with the new owners of the site, and they hope the access issue will be soon resolved.

"A few years back, lots of people were ringing into the Bishop's office about Little Nellie, so the Bishop asked me to set up a study group," says Fr Patrick McCarthy, parish priest of the Church of Saints Peter & Paul in Cork. "Our report is almost complete."

He takes care to stress: "Our mandate was not promotion, but to gauge levels of devotion. And there is growing devotion to Little Nellie, from Cork to Canada. What's remarkable is that the child died aged just four-and-a-half in obscurity, but 109 years later she is widely venerated."

The investigators identified places at home and abroad where there appeared to be a special interest in Nellie. They put notes on parish noticeboards inviting people to share their beliefs and experiences.

"People did tell us they were asking for miracles," Fr McCarthy confirms.

So what's so special about this mere child that inspires such veneration?

"She was said to have a remarkable understanding of the Holy Eucharist, or 'the real presence', as we call it," he says. "She grasped how Christ is really or substantially present in the Eucharist, and not just symbolically. She could apparently sense 'the real presence'. One story is that a nurse claimed to have received Holy Communion, but Nellie flatly told her that she had not received it that day."

Word reached the Bishop of Cork about this little girl's intense spirituality, and he sought and got a special dispensation so the dying Nellie could make her First Communion aged four, and not the usual (for the time) age of 12.

Pope Pius X became a fan. He'd already given long thought to lowering the age of First Communion from 12. "The Pope said that Little Nellie was the sign he'd been waiting for to go ahead and lower the age," Fr McCarthy says. It dropped from 12 to seven.

Relics of the little girl, in the form of personal items, were requested by the Pope and the Queen of Spain.

Fatima siblings

For over a century, the Vatican has resisted calls to elevate Little Nellie to sainthood. This has had nothing to do with doubts about her precocious piety, but because the Church has traditionally only canonised children who died as martyrs. However, that situation changed earlier this year when huge crowds thronged Fatima in Portugal for the canonisation of brother and sister Francisco and Jacinta Marto, who the faithful believe encountered the Virgin Mary in 1917. "Up until this year, the practice was that child saints always had to be martyrs, but Francisco and Jacinta were not, so their canonisation raises the possibility - and it's only a possibility - for Little Nellie to follow suit," Fr McCarty explains.

The Fatima siblings died young, aged nine and 10, so at just four years old, Nellie would be one of the youngest saints in Church history, but not the youngest. The Holy Martyrs - the male under-twos slaughtered in the Bible by King Herod in search of Jesus - have been accorded the status of saints.

The current devotion to Little Nellie - the praying to an individual for cures and miracles - seems very much like old-time religion from Ireland's past. Is there a lot more of it going on than mainstream society sees? Is it still a strong presence, but only underground?

"I think there's no doubt it's not all one-way traffic," Fr McCarthy replies. "In our church, there's shrines to Our Lady, Padre Pio, etc. If you sit at the back of the church on, say, a weekday, you'll see men and women of all ages, sitting in prayer or contemplation, and often lighting a candle. Maybe it's to ask for something, maybe an act of thanksgiving. What's interesting is how many are men of all ages. They may not even go to Mass.

"At the heart of it, I think, is that at some point, or with some event, we all come to a realisation of the fragility of life."
A bouncer who ruptured a patron's testicles when he kicked out at him following a verbal altercation has been given a suspended sentence.

Alan Foley (46) was working as security at Colossus Casino on Montague Lane in Dublin city centre, when Robert O'Donnell and his three friends tried to gain admittance following their Christmas party.

Mr O'Donnell was allowed in as he was a member but when the other men were refused entry he returned to the door staff to remonstrate with them.

Garda Brian O'Connor told Eoin Lawlor BL, prosecuting, that a verbal altercation broke out between Mr O'Donnell and Foley, which had been initiated by the victim.

He agreed with Anne-Marie Lawlor BL, defending, that it was clear from CCTV footage that Foley flicked out his leg towards Mr O'Donnell.

In my opinion there was no real malice or intention to cause injury. I would say he kicked out just to get him away the garda continued.

He agreed with Ms Lawlor that it was more a reckless act by Foley and that he demonstrated the highest possible level of co-operation in the subsequent garda investigation.

He is probably one of the most remorseful people I've interviewed, Gda O'Connor said.

Foley of Dolphin House, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on December 16, 2015. He has no previous convictions and has worked in the security industry for 20 years.

Judge Karen O'Connor said the circumstances of the case put it in the lower end of this type of offending. She said this was not to take from the injury which was caused to the victim.

She imposed a one year sentence which she suspended in full and ordered that 3,000 brought to court by Foley be paid over to the injured party.

During the sentence hearing Gda O'Connor said there was an exchange of insults when Mr O'Donnell was unhappy that his friends were not allowed into the casino on the back of his membership.

He said the day after the assault Mr O'Donnell woke up in extreme pain and attended hospital where it was discovered he had ruptured his left testicle. He was off work for two weeks but by the middle of the following month he was completely pain free.

Foley was arrested after gardai viewed CCTV footage of the assault. He accepted it had been wrong of him to kick out but said he didn't think he had kicked the victim that hard.

An apology he offered Mr O'Donnell during interview has been accepted as has 3,000 Foley had in court as a token of his remorse.

A victim impact statement before the court said although Mr O'Donnell has been assured by medical professionals that the injury had not affected his fertility, he worried if the damage may affect his ability to have a family in the future.

Gda O'Connor agreed with Ms Lawlor that the offence seemed to be out of character for Foley who has a long established career in the security industry.

Ms Lawlor submitted that although Mr O'Donnell sustained a serious injury, her client had no intention to cause injury nor had he used a weapon.

She said he had an unblemished record and a conviction such as this against him would have an impact on his career.
Angela Gallagher enjoyed her work as a civil servant in Limerick. She says she was devastated when she was forced to retire as she reached her 65th birthday.

The widow could not even bring herself to tell her colleagues that she was going, until after she had actually departed. And she has not been back since.

"It was akin to a bereavement," she says. "I was rudderless and didn't know what to do.

"When you have retired, people look at you differently. Suddenly they call you 'dear'. It's as if they feel sorry for you."

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The idea that employers can get rid of their staff at the apparently arbitrary age of 65, without any hindrance, is still taken for granted as part of the natural order of things.

But there is now a growing clamour for mandatory retirement age to be abolished, and the radical measure is attracting support across parties.

The Citizen's Assembly this week voted 86pc in favour of doing away with enforced retirement.

Retirement is now a matter of choice for most occupations in the United States, Canada and Australia. Unless they are in workplaces such as the army, police or fire brigade, employees can continue working so long as they can show that they are still competent to do the job.

There are a number of compelling reasons why having a set age when workers have to go is unlikely to survive over the coming years.

Justin Moran, head of advocacy at Age Action, believes it is only a matter of time before it is scrapped.

"The Central Statistics Office predicts that by 2046, there will be 1.4 million people over the age of 65. The idea that everybody will still be forced out of jobs at 65 does not make economic sense."

The latest census figures for 2016 show a dramatic growth in the population of older people. The numbers have surged by 19pc to 637,000 over the last five years.

According to the CSO, there has been a growth in what it calls "age dependency".

This measures the number of children aged up to 14, and older people aged 65 and above as a percentage of those of "working age". This figure rose from 49.3pc in 2011 to 52.7pc last year.

Is it time to stop thinking of older people as frail and passive "dependents"?

Those in favour of making retirement a choice say it will no longer make sense to stop older people working when they could be paying the taxes required to keep the State ticking over.

Older taxpaying workers will be needed to pay for schools, spiralling healthcare costs and their own pensions.

The traditional retirement age, which now almost seems like a random number, was designed in an era of short life expectancy.

In 1950, the average life expectancy in Ireland was just 66. Now it is 81, and once an older person makes it past 65, their life expectancy is actually 84.

Glaring anomaly

Justin Moran of Age Action says the 65 figure does not suit the modern way of life.

In the past, husbands and wives might have married at a young age - and they only had the option of tying the knot once. By the time they reached retirement age, their mortgage was paid off, and their children had left home.

"Often, people in the sixties are still paying off loans and mortgages, and they may still have kids in college," Moran says. "They may need to continue working for slightly longer for added financial security."

There is also the glaring anomaly that workers let go at 65 cannot claim a State pension until they are 66. This means that they have to claim Jobseeker's Benefit.

The effects of enforced retirement are not just financial.

"Often it has a social impact on people," says Moran. "It can have an impact on someone's mental health if they are told they have to retire when they still feel they have a lot to contribute.

"I have been with people who cried when they talked about that experience.

"Their sense of self-worth, how they perceive themselves, and their friendships are wrapped up in their work."

Angela Gallagher says it was gut-wrenching and heartbreaking to leave her job in the civil service. She lived on her own at the time and her social life revolved around her job. "You would meet people for tea breaks at work, go for walks at lunchtime and go out sometimes in the evenings."

Like many who are retiring now, she still faced large debts when she retired, and ultimately had to sell her home in order to pay back loans.

She cannot see the sense in a compulsory retirement age, when politicians who make the rules can work well into their seventies, and we have a President who is 76.

While civil servants in his department had to retire at 65, Michael Noonan stepped down as Finance Minister at a time of his own choosing at the age of 73. And he is still too young to be a Pope.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no actual statutory retirement age in Ireland. But employers can stipulate when staff have to go in a contract of employment.

There are few restrictions on self-employed people.

There are many occupations where older people can more or less choose when they retire, even where they are doing physical work. Many farmers work well into their seventies or eighties.

GPs have to give up working with patients with medical cards at the age of 70, but can continue in private practice if they meet the fitness to practise criteria set by the Medical Council.

Consultants and other health professionals in the HSE have to retire at 65 at a time of critical shortages. Professor John Crown, who will be forced to quit in five years' time, said recently that getting rid of fit, healthy, competent workers, whose skills and experience are in critically short supply, is daft.

Nonsensical campaign

He has signalled his intention to emigrate when he is forced to retire, so that he can continue his work.

Justin Moran says it was nonsensical that the HSE was going to Britain to attract nurses back to Ireland with a high-profile campaign, when skilled, experienced nurses were let go at 65.

Although the average retirement age in America is 63, there has been a strong growth in the number of people who are continuing to work beyond the age of 75. The number has doubled over the past three decades.

A recent report on American elderly workers in The Washington Post said they tended to be in the highest and lowest wage brackets.

The higher earners continue their careers because they love their work, and may enjoy good health, while less well-off workers continue out of sheer financial necessity.

Employment lawyer Catherine O'Flynn, a partner in William Fry solicitors, believes most employers are in favour of keeping a retirement age.

"They are concerned that if they don't have a retirement age, they won't be able to finish up with those employees."

But O'Flynn believes employers can cope in countries where there is no mandatory retirement age by dealing with older staff like any other employee.

"If staff are not fit for the job, employers can deal with it on the grounds of capability, or if they are not performing well, you deal with it on the grounds of competence."

Younger bosses

Peter Cosgrove, director of CPL recruitment and founder of the Future of Work Institute, says there are two sides of the debate on when staff should be forced to go.

"There may be staff on old-school contracts - at a certain age an employer wants them to finish up. It doesn't mean their worth has gone, but they may be quite expensive for the job that they can do."

Another issue with older workers is that younger bosses may not know how to handle them.

"It used to be the case that the older you got, the more senior you were in a company, but that is no longer the case," says Cosgrove.

On the plus side, according to Cosgrove, older workers may not have the commitments or distractions of younger colleagues.

"You could argue that the older worker is the perfect worker.

"You don't have to worry about the revelry when they have been out the night before. And you don't have to worry about their kid's sick day, which means the parent has to take a day off.

"Another positive is that they are actually choosing to work when they may not have to. So they are self-motivated."

One of the most common arguments in favour of compulsory retirement is that it is necessary to give younger jobseekers opportunities.

But Justin Moran of Age Action dispels this repeated claim as a myth. He says research by the OECD shows that encouraging older workers to stay in employment actually increases youth employment. This is because older people with jobs have more disposable income. This boosts the economy and leads to higher employment all round.

Of course there are some areas that are bound to cause controversy. In the United States, there is a lot of debate about when surgeons should have to step down. Peter Cosgrove says this could be covered by tests of motor skills.

Employment lawyer Catherine O'Flynn says: "In some cases, older workers could continue in employment by changing their roles.

"In the United States, where employees can continue into their seventies and eighties, they might be involved in mentorship or training. In some other countries, they are a lot more comfortable that your job can evolve as you get older."

@KimBielenberg

Compulsory retirement at 65 is daft and much too young

Kevin Healy (70), Barrister, Dublin

Seventy-year-old Kevin Healy started his career as a copyboy at the Cork Examiner in 1964 just after his Leaving Cert.

He worked as a journalist and presenter in RTE before rising to the top as Director of Radio.

After retiring from RTE, he switched careers, and now works as a barrister in Dublin. His wife, Deirdre Purcell (72) is just finishing her latest novel, and also presents It Says in the Papers on RTE.

"I do not agree with the idea of compulsory retirement at 65. It's unfair and inequitable," he says.

"People will look back on it in 20 years time and think it was daft.

"They will look on it in the same way as we now look at the marriage ban in the civil service, when women had to give up their jobs.

"Compulsory retirement at 65 is much too young. Look at someone like David Davin-Power, the RTE political correspondent, who had to retire recently.

"Nobody would suggest that his competence was affected by the fact that he was 65.

"One of the great things about working at the Bar is that you can stay on as long as you like, so long as you feel you are up to it.

"The greatest judges of your ability are the solicitors, who hire barristers. If a solicitor decides you have lost it, you are not going to get any work."

Healy cites the example of Maurice Gaffney, the 'Father of the Bar', who was still practising law until shortly before his death last November at the age of 100.

Healy says he himself first became interested in the law when he was working in RTE.

"As a journalist, you would have a close proximity to the law because you can be sued for defamation - and I was heavily involved in contract law, because I was dealing with the broadcasters and staff who were being hired.

"When I was coming up to the age of 55 I had gone as far as I was going to go up the corporate ladder in RTE, and I wanted other challenges."

After four years of legal training, Healy was called to the Bar in 2005. He says he found the academic work required to become a barrister extremely tough - "It nearly killed me, and I wouldn't like to do it again."

His first case in 2006 was in the District Court, where he defended a man who had been convicted of urinating in a public place.

"For me, the case seemed as important as the OJ Simpson trial."

Most of his work is now in family law.

Healy says the job of a barrister can be quite stressful.

"I am very conscious that someone is depending on me to make the best case. I feel a heavy sense of responsibility, and it is not an easy job by any means."

- Kim Bielenberg

No longer shy and retiring

63%

of employees aged 55 years or over either dont wish or dont expect to be financially able to retire at 66

51

The age employers tend to define an older worker

19%

Over the past five years there has been this increase in the population aged 65 and over

61%

of employers believe that older workers are resistant to change

50%

of employers believe that older workers are more loyal than younger workers

60%

of employers believe it can be difficult for younger employees to manager their older counterparts

No limit

Mandatory retirement ages are unlawful in a growing number of countries including the United States, Canada and Australia. There are exceptions for certain occupations.

Sources: William Fry Employment Report

2016: Age in the Workplace; CSO
Funeral directors are calling for the removal of the age of funeral vehicles from licence plates in order to prevent people judging the car's quality.

The Irish Association of Funeral Directors (IAFD) has contacted Transport Minister Shane Ross to allow its members an exemption from having to display the age of their funeral vehicles on their license plates, according to The Sunday Times.

John Foley, association president of the IAFD, reportedly wrote to Mr Ross this summer seeking "a distinct registration system for hearses and limousines in Ireland" so that "the age of the vehicle is not the predominant factor in its appearance."

Mr Foley, who is a director of Jennings Undertakers, said that funeral vehicles should not be judged in the same way as other vehicles because their mileage is considerably less than that of a regular car.

"Most funeral vehicles are only used between 8:30am and11am and are garaged for the rest of the day," he said.

"We would worry that a family might think less of a car because it is 10 years old. But the cost of a new hearse or limousine is in excess of 100,000, so it's not something you can change too regularly either.

"A 10-year-old hearse is on a par with a one-or-two-year-old car."

Mr Foley said that he was advised by Mr Ross' officials to give his request to the finance department.
An inspirational woman from the Travelling community has told how she went from leaving school at 15 with no qualifications to working on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Kathleen Lawrence (31) has spoken candidly about being discriminated against from an early age and how she is determined to break down barriers and destroy negative stereotypes about Travellers.

Kathleen, who is from Swords in Dublin, said to Independent.ie: I only really went to primary school, I did about a year in secondary school between Ireland and when I lived to England.

When I was in primary school it was expected Id never do anything with my life, I remember when I was about ten and everyone else was learning Irish and the teacher gave me a colouring book and said I didnt need to learn Irish.

Or for an hour a day any kids who were Travellers were sent for basic level English and maths without actually being assessed for whether we needed to be there.

It was the same in secondary school, teachers just assumed you didnt want to do anything with education because youre a Traveller.

Kathleen decided she wanted to return to her studies when she was 17 and did courses in subjects like literacy and maths.

In March 2012 she did an internship through JobBridge and after that she did another night course.

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The turning point in Kathleens life was in January 2013 when she started volunteering with the Fingal Traveller Organisation.

She said: I just wanted to be doing something with my time but I ended up really enjoying it so later that year I started working in Pavee Points primary Health Care programme, which improves healthcare for women and also families, it increases their life expectancy by providing information and linking them up with services.

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As she flourished in her role, Pavee Point encouraged her to apply for third-level education.

Kathleen said: It had never been on my radar but they kept saying Id be well able for it.

As far as Im aware Im the first one of my extended family to go to college, which was a bit of an adjustment for my parents at first.

I got into Maynooth University, I studied Law and Sociology and I found out a few weeks ago Ive graduated with a 2:1 degree, I couldnt believe it because I never even finished secondary school.

She continued to say there should be more supports available for people from the Travelling community who are interested in going to third-level education.

She explained: I dont think everyone should go to college because it might not be right for them but I think there should be options there for Travellers who want to do it.

I got there because I work with an organisation who wanted me to progress and were able to help and support me with the application but so much funding supports for Travellers have been cut.

She is now spending eight weeks working in Capitol Hill under Congressman Brendan Boyle as part of the prestigious Washington Ireland Programme.

Kathleen said: Its absolutely amazing being here, I keep having to pinch myself.

Its opened my life to new experiences that I probably never would have had otherwise.

Im so proud to be Irish but its a shame that Ive had to travel thousands of miles to feel accepted for the first time - among Travellers I feel accepted but in wider society Travellers are treated like pariahs.

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She continued to say: Ive been followed around shops, refused service in pubs and restaurants, its incredibly frustrating in this day and age.

Discriminating against Travellers seems to be the last acceptable form of persecution in Ireland.

I remember even after the Carrickmines fire in 2015 when ten people died and I saw someone on Facebook write, Good, thats ten less kn**kers in the world.

Kathleen is determined to use her academic knowledge and experience in Capitol Hill and with Pavee Point to help tackle discrimination against minority groups.

She said: My main goal is human right rights for Travellers and Roma, its more important than ever, not just because of discrimination but also in the areas of education, health and accommodation.
Gardai have made an arrest in connection with an investigation into the death of a 56-year-old man who was found unconscious on a north Dublin street in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The victim was found lying unconscious on concrete steps at North Street in Swords town shortly after 3am.

He received urgent medical attention but died at the scene.

A 29-year-old man was arrested this evening and is currently detained at Swords Garda Station.

Earlier the scene was sealed off for forensic investigations and the body of the man remained at the scene for a number of hours.

The victim was understood to have been found lying on steps leading to Fingal Community College.

Expand Close General view of Gardai forensics at scene on North Street, Swords, Dublin. Pic: Caroline Quinn / Facebook

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Darragh O'Brien, Fianna Fail TD for Dublin Fingal, said his thoughts and prayers were with the family and friends of the victim.

"This is a very tragic incident, and while the full details of what happened aren't yet known, we all need to look after our friends on nights out," he said.

It is believed the assault began several metres from where the victim was found. A number of places, including the area around a parking meter, were cordoned off.

Shortly before 11.30am, assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster arrived in the town and was escorted to the scene by senior detectives.

A local hotel, a pub, and the local courthouse were among the venues placed off-limits by the extensive garda cordon.

Local people stood at the cordon today and expressed their shock and sadness at the violent death of the victim.

"It's terrible. He is some mother's son. It's dreadful how something like this can happen," said a 60-year-old mother of two.

Mother-of-four Bridget Carr (55) said "It's so sad. Swords is a lovely place to live but it's awful how something like this can happen to someone on the streets of this town."

Gardai wish to appeal for witnesses who may have been in or around North Street between 1.30am and 3am this morning or to anyone who may had drove around the area and have Dash Cam footage from their vehicle, to contact Swords Garda Station on 01 6664700.
On a mission: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, in his office in Government Buildings, has laughed off accusations of 'style over substance' and has vowed to 'reward work and reward enterprise through targeted but modest tax reductions' Photo: David Conachy

As Taoiseach, Enda Kenny operated a revolving mantelpiece in his office, often changing the photographs on display depending on which international politician was in town.

"Too much effort" is the blunt reply from the new incumbent as he gives a very brief outline of his plans for the famous room in Government Buildings.

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For all the talk about style over substance, Leo Varadkar has no intention of changing the curtains or filling the place with personal effects. A single picture of him with his family in Aras an Uachtarain sits on a table, waiting to be hung.

He has kept the portrait of Michael Collins over the fireplace and, perhaps in a nod to his administration's 'confidence and supply' arrangement, the 38-year-old has added one of "moderniser" Sean Lemass to the wall behind his desk.

There's also a painting by Paul Henry called Into The West which was a favourite of his predecessor. "That's there to remind me that I'm Taoiseach for the whole country," he says, before sitting down for his first in-depth interview as leader.

His first month has proven to be a steep learning curve, marked by controversy over judicial appointments and the Jobstown trial. And while there have been plenty of light moments, most notably his day of fun with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Taoiseach gives the appearance of a man distracted by an ever-growing schedule.

As the Dail headed for its summer break, top of the Government agenda is the budget.

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A day prior to our meeting, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe played down expectations, warning there is only 300m available for tax cuts and new spending.

Mr Varadkar paints a more positive outlook, explaining that they have ways of "expanding" that figure.

"It's going to be tight. Any spending increases and tax cuts are going to be modest. But it'll be more than 300m," he says.

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"For example, if unemployment continues to fall, and we anticipate it will, there will be savings in jobseekers' allowance. There's also the possibility of revenue-raising measures. It's pretty normal in budgets now to put 10 or 20 or even 50 cents on cigarettes and that brings in revenue too."

That, Mr Varadkar believes, will give him room "to reward work and reward enterprise through targeted but modest tax reductions".

He says the "big story for 2018 when people look at it historically will be the fact that we balance the books for the first time since 2007. For the first time in 11 years, Ireland will balance the books and will continue to reduce our debt. That's the most important thing."

At the same time, he accepts that his Fine Gael leadership campaign has created an expectation among people who get up early in the morning.

"We have two million people in the country now at work. Some 1.5 million of those pay income tax and USC. Because of their work and the taxes they pay, it makes everything else possible and affordable in this State. It's important to reward work and support enterprise.

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"That's why I think we will find some space to have a tax package to reduce taxes on Middle Ireland. What we may need to do, though, is set it out over two or three years so that people can have a bit of certainty about their incomes.

"The fact people have a bit of money in their pockets is important, too, because that will drive domestic demand and create jobs in itself. People will see their payslips improve and their incomes rise."

So on Budget Day in October, we can expect a multi-annual tax plan - which sounds a lot like electioneering, given that the deal with Fianna Fail is up for review in late 2018.

Not the case, says the Taoiseach. It's about showing people that there is a "prudent and responsible" way to "put money back in people's pockets and start to show real progress in areas like housing and health".

According to the Summer Economic Statement, there could be in the region of 3bn of so-called 'fiscal space' for 2019, raising the question as to why Fianna Fail would prop up the Government long enough to allow Mr Varadkar a giveaway budget.

"That's ultimately going to be a decision for them," he says. "The focus of the Government is going to be on doing a good job. And I think if we demonstrate to the public that we're doing a good job, we will stay ahead in the opinion polls. Why would Fianna Fail cause an election if they are behind in the polls?"

Having said that, Fine Gael has begun planning for a general election. Since taking office, Mr Varadkar has met with key party staff to discuss their strategy and his diary now includes monthly forums to get updates from ministers, the head of the Seanad, the party chairman and the head of Fine Gael's executive council.

"I'm not planning an election but I think it would be remiss of any political party not to be prepared for one if one was to occur," he admits, adding: "I won't be doing a Theresa May, you can be sure of that."

Last year's election should have been a home run for Fine Gael but the 'Keep The Recovery Going' campaign fell dramatically flat, in no small part due to the debacle over water charges.

At Easter, a deal was done to end the regime and a promise made to give almost one million households their money back. Families are due up to 325 but Paschal Donohoe has been unable to give a timeline for when they can expect what is rightly theirs.

Now Mr Varadkar has told the Sunday Independent that everybody will definitely have a refund in time for Christmas, possibly much sooner.

The Government is still in talks with the European Commission and Irish Water about how to fund and administer the money-back scheme - but the Taoiseach promised: "They'll be refunded this autumn. We're gearing up to do that."

He suggests the 170m needed will not come out of the money allocated for Budget 2018, saying payments will start before the budget is even announced.

"We'll do it and have it under way. I anticipate that everybody will have their money back before the end of the year."

If he can follow through on his promise, then what former Finance Minister Michael Noonan once described as a "dead cat" will finally be taken off the pitch.

At the same time, it will mark a victory for protesters like Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, who claims Mr Varadkar accused him of "thuggery" in the Dail last week.

Mr Murphy, who was cleared of falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton after a nine-week trial, has accused the Taoiseach of defaming him - but Mr Varadkar says his words were carefully chosen.

"I think it was important to state for the Dail and the public that while he and the other people involved in that protest, and who led that protest, might not be guilty of the crime with which they were charged, none of us in politics should condone that sort of behaviour."

He refuses to say whether he believes Mr Murphy should have been charged with a different offence than false imprisonment, which can carry a sentence of up to life in jail.

Yet he doubles down on his criticism of what happened in Jobstown.

"People can disagree on issues but there's a way we should conduct ourselves. Surrounding somebody's car, hurling abuse at them, calling them names, throwing things at them is not acceptable in my view," he says.

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"There's two separate issues. There's the conduct of the protest which I condemned unreservedly. And then there's the whole issue of prosecutions being unsuccessful. Prosecutions, whether it's this case or the Sean FitzPatrick trial, cost a lot of taxpayers' money and take a lot of time for people. I think it's reasonable for the head of Government to express a concern held by a lot of the public that prosecutions aren't always taken to the highest standard."

And Mr Varadkar again called for those involved in the protest to offer his constituency rival an apology. "I think anyone who was involved in violent behaviour - and there was violence - you can see that from a water balloon being thrown in somebody's face. Anybody who was involved in using terms of abuse about women, the likes of which were used. I think anybody who's involved in that sort of conduct should apologise for their behaviour. That's no way to conduct debate in this country."

The Taoiseach met with Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan for over an hour-and-a-half last Wednesday but declined to say whether he raised his concerns about the garda evidence during the Jobstown trial directly with her.

He did tell the embattled police chief that he will continue the Government's defence of her work, even advising her to "take on" those within the force who might be obstructing reform.

"I reassured her again that she has my full support, that she has the confidence of the Government, and I said to her that if she's facing resistance, if there are people in the gardai who are resisting reform, who are resisting culture change, who are not willing to engage in the kind of reform that's required in the gardai, that she should take them on and she'll be backed up if she does so," Mr Varadkar said.

The Taoiseach told Simon Harris something similar when they met recently. Relations between the pair became extremely strained when the Health Minister became the only Cabinet minister to support Simon Coveney in the leadership contest. It was widely reported that Mr Varadkar thought long and hard about sacking the young gun from Cabinet but decided against such a move after a plea from Mr Coveney.

Has the bad blood washed away now? "Yeah, I think so. All these things tend to be exaggerated, anyway. I'd read these things in the papers about there being a terrible feud between us. It was never like that.

"We were on different sides in the leadership contest. I think since then we've had a very good relationship. I want him to succeed. It's very important for the success of the Government that we make progress in health."

Mr Varadkar has sent his RSVP and will be at the Wicklow TD's wedding later this month.

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He says he wants them to work closely together now because, while the Department of Health has a record budget, the public isn't seeing the benefits.

"I think the first thing we need to do is change the idea that always adding more staff and more money to a system that isn't delivering is the solution. I'm really focused on what is required, which is much better management and greater clinical leadership," Mr Varadkar says. The former doctor "broadly" supports the 10-year plan set out by a cross-party Oireachtas committee, including the separation of public and private practice and a slimmed-down national body to replace the HSE.

He "imagines" there'll be progress next year on extending free GP care, although it's likely to be done by changing thresholds rather than in a universal fashion.

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"It's not decided how we're going to expand free GP access next year. But one of the things we may do, it would certainly be the easiest thing to do, would be to do it around the income limits. We can do that within the existing contract [with GPs]. We've already indicated we're going to raise income limits for people on disability allowance.

"We could do that more generally and bring more families on low incomes into the free GP care net."

Alongside health, housing is the other big area where the Government is struggling to show progress.

"I am concerned about the rise in property prices, particularly for people who want to buy a home for the first time. Even people in my age group, in their late 30s, haven't bought properties yet. People used to often buy in their 20s. Because of the recession, we now have a lot of people in their late 20s and 30s who are renting and would like to buy. We're nowhere near the kind of property prices we had at the peak, even with the rises that have happened. We're still roughly 30pc behind the peak. But we don't want to go back there," he says.

The Taoiseach notes that prices did "moderate", but are now rising again. He reckons some of that may be down to the loosening of Central Bank mortgage rules but also has a "real concern" that Simon Coveney's first-time buyers' grant may be partly responsible.

"So we do need to look at that and see to what extent they have impacted on house prices."

For people already with homes, he has one eye cast towards the revaluations which will take place next year on property taxes.

With prices rising substantially, households are bound to get an increased bill - but not perhaps by as much as they would expect.

"Some people, particularly in the cities, will see a very dramatic increase in their property tax. I don't think that should happen. I don't think people should be facing 40, 50, 60pc increases all of a sudden.

"The most obvious way to alleviate that and make sure it doesn't happen is to give local authorities more flexibility to vary property tax. At the moment, they can vary it up or down by 15pc. You could allow them much more power to vary property tax and not to take the windfall.

"The other option is to put off the re-evaluation for another couple of years but I think all that does is put off the problem.''

That will prove popular with 'Middle Ireland', whom Mr Varadkar has set as his target audience. He says his election as Taoiseach did lead to a 'Leo leap' but perhaps not the one people expected.

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"Before Enda announced that he was going to step down, we were behind Fianna Fail in the polls. Now we're ahead. That's where I intend to keep us for lots of different reasons. There was never going to be a second bounce. I think some people hoped there was going to be a double bounce,'' he says.

So what about the accusations that the newly minted Taoiseach puts style ahead of substance? A 'Mr Taoiseach' mug on his desk could be added to the list of quirky Varadkar stories - but he's happy to point out it was actually left for him by Mr Kenny.

"It doesn't bother me much. I see it as a little bit of a compliment that people think I have style. So I don't take any offence from that.

"It's my duty now to prove over the coming months that I have substance as well. I hope I can prove that by bringing a budget through that makes people better off and provides more money for services. There'll be some really tough decisions and political calls to be made in the second half of this year."

Aside from the budget, his 'to do list' includes a new capital plan, Brexit negotiations and Northern Ireland.

"I would intend over the next six months to demonstrate real substance and real progress in all those areas. And then perhaps people will be talking about the good substance as well as style."
It used to be all about the people but now it seems to be all about Paul. Paul Murphy that is. Paul is Ireland's modern day Nelson Mandela with a megaphone.

Paul is a fearless protester who does not shirk in the face of public decency or moral ethics when he wants to get a bit of media coverage. Oh, no - that's not Paul's way at all.

He would not dare cower when faced with two defenceless women sitting in a car. Paul is too principled to allow two defenceless women go about their business when instead he could chant slogans at them. As the freedom fighter of our generation, he owes it to the oppressed of our nation to stand and chant at them in the car. Only after seeing two women heckled in a car for two hours will society be ready for change.

Real revolution can only be sparked by the sight of a woman in her 60s being pelted with a water balloon from close range. That is how you get the proletariat to rise up against the aristocracy. That'll show them. Once people sitting in their homes saw the footage of the balloon exploding on Joan Burton's face and lightly dampening her cardigan, they knew it was time to take to the streets and force the Government from office. How courageous Paul is to have become involved in such a brave show of strength against two defenceless women attending an award ceremony at an educational centre in Jobstown.

Paul did not throw that water balloon or any other water balloons that day. He had a far more dangerous weapon. His megaphone. And boy does he love shouting into his megaphone. He's quite well spoken but when he talks through the megaphone it gives his voice a commanding tone. A tone befitting a general leading a revolution. Think Che Guevara, Fidel Castro or Hugo Chavez. One day there will be movies, books and a Netflix series about Paul and how he overthrew the Irish Government

No wonder the entire political establishment and the police force is out to get Paul. It used to be about water charges but that's over now so Paul needs something new to campaign about and what better to campaign about than himself. He's not really bothered too much by the changes to bin charges because people are paying those already and the Left lost the battle to make local authority waste collection a human right some years ago.

Expand Close Michael Murphy (53),Kieran Mahon (37), Michael Banks (46), Frank Donaghy (71), Scott Masterson (34), Paul Murphy (33). Pic Collins Courts / Facebook

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The country's finances are in pretty good nick at the moment and people are getting back to work, so there's not as much anger to tap into for a good old fashioned protest outside the Dail. The charges of false imprisonment relating to his brave protest in Jobstown, which, as mentioned earlier, involved chanting slogans while two woman sat in a car. And good for him, the charges seemed a bit harsh.

But Murphy was acquitted and is a free man. Free to roam the country shouting into his megaphone or to shout across the Dail floor at other politicians. But it's not over. He made his name by shouting down a megaphone at two women sitting in a car so he's damned if he's going to let that episode of his life go and move on.

Paul now believes there was a Garda conspiracy - not a very good one as he's a free man - to have him locked up for chanting at two women in a car.

He wants the force called to account because three gardai said something in court which was not accurate. This he believes was part of the State-sponsored conspiracy against him - the Americans are probably involved in it, too. They always are.

The Taoiseach said some of the behaviour at the Jobstown protest was thuggery. Paul did not like this one bit and complained (I wonder if he remembers what Joan Burton was called that day?).

But Paul will not be overcome. He knows one day they will build a statue of him chanting at two women in a car.
Water charge refunds will be paid to almost one million households within weeks, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has promised in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Independent.

Families can expect up to 325 back from Irish Water as the Government attempts to finally end the saga over the utility.

Mr Varadkar suggests the 170m needed will not come from money allocated for Budget 2018, saying payments will start before the Budget is announced.

He also said that he intended to re-evaluate property tax to alleviate dramatic increases from 2019, indicating that he is inclined to give local authorities more flexibility to vary the tax.

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In his first in-depth interview since taking office, the Taoiseach also defended himself against accusations that his leadership so far had been more style than substance.

In a week in which he featured on the cover of Time magazine, he said he was conscious that some commentators were critical, but added that in the second half of the year he would be making significant decisions on the Budget, Brexit and Northern Ireland.

"And then perhaps people will be talking about the good substance as well as style," he said.

With that in mind, he said there was no logic in calling a general election to seek his own mandate - even though he has convened the top brass in Fine Gael to start planning in case Fianna Fail pulls the plug on his Government. "I won't be doing a Theresa May, you can be sure of that," he added.

On water charge refunds, he said: "They'll get their money back. They'll be refunded this autumn. We're gearing up to do that."

It will cost around 170m but the Taoiseach is satisfied that the European Commission will allow repayment without it impacting on Budget 2018.

"There's a cost. There are logistical issues as to how it's going to be done by Irish Water. And it may also require legislation. But we intend to do it in the autumn. It's not going to be a Budget announcement.

"We'll do it and have it under way. I anticipate that everybody will have their money back before the end of the year."

In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Varadkar also revealed that while Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe had announced a figure of 300m for tax cuts and spending increases next year, there would be more money available by October.

"It is going to be tight. Any spending increases and tax cuts are going to be modest. But it'll be more than 300m," he said.

"There are ways of expanding that. For example, if unemployment continues to fall, and we anticipate it will, there will be savings in Jobseeker's Allowance. There's also the possibility of revenue-raising measures. It's pretty normal in budgets now to put 10 or 20 or even 50 cent on cigarettes and that brings in revenue, too."

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Mr Varadkar admitted his administration was facing an uphill battle to convince the public that progress was being made in health and housing.

"I am concerned about the rise in property prices, particularly for people who want to buy a home for the first time. Even people in my age group, in their late 30s, haven't bought properties yet. People used to often buy in their 20s. Because of the recession we now have a lot of people in their late 20s and 30s who are renting and would like to buy.

"We're nowhere near the kind of property prices we had at the peak even with the rises that have happened. We're still roughly 30pc behind the peak. But we don't want to go back there."

One big plan he has in mind is to change the operation of the Local Property Tax in a bid to save householders from massive increases in 2019.

"Some people, particularly in the cities, will see a very dramatic increase in their property tax. I don't think that should happen. I don't think people should be facing 40, 50, 60pc increases all of a sudden.

"The most obvious way to alleviate that and make sure it doesn't happen is to give local authorities more flexibility to vary property tax. At the moment, they can vary it up or down by 15pc. You could allow them much more power to vary property tax and not to take the windfall," he said.

On health, Mr Varadkar said any bad blood with Simon Harris had washed away.

"We were on different sides in the leadership contest. I think since then we've had a very good relationship. I want him to succeed. It's very important for the success of the Government that we make progress in health," he said, adding that he would be attending Mr Harris's wedding later this month.
Jaguar's new compact SUV got off to a record-breaking start with a 15.3m jump complete with a 270-degree corkscrew-like barrel roll in London last week.

And the Tata-owned marque is hoping you too will be falling head over heels when the E-Pace is launched here later in the year.

A baby brother to the F-Pace, it will go head-to-head with the likes of the Audi Q2/A3 and BMW X1/X3. Built on the same platform as the Range Rover Evoque, and sharing the same parts bin as the Land Rover Discovery, the new offering is boasting "incredible spaciousness onboard" compared to its rivals.

Styling is a mix of the two Fs - the aforementioned SUV and the sleeker F-Type - with sweeping roofline, distinctive Jag grille, muscular panels, short overhangs and powerful haunches.

Irish customers (according to the website) can choose three trims with the entry model coming with alloy wheels, LED lights, climate control, 10-inch Touch Pro infotainment system, parking sensors, lane assist and rear camera.

Engine-wise, there's either a 2.0 litre diesel with 150, 180 or 240bhp or a 240 or 300bhp petrol with FWD or AWD. Inside, the cabin offers Q5-like room with a boot that's capable of swallowing 577 litres of luggage.

There are no prices at the time of us going to print (the world launch takes place tomorrow) but a little bird tells us that it should start just shy of 35,000.

Now that will impress.
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Ian O'Doherty Opinion For once, the UN is right  were standing on the edge of a deadly nuclear precipice

For those of us of a certain age, the last few months have felt as if we have somehow time-warped back to the 1980s. Stranger Things, which is set in that decade, has been the biggest show on TV. Kate Bush  thanks, incidentally, to Stranger Things  is now regularly played on the radio and she has reached number one in 2022 with the re-release of her 1985 hit, Running Up That Hill.
In the summer of 1994 I found myself somewhere in rural west Limerick, canvassing for my father's failed attempt to get elected to the European parliament.

I canvassed a lady with an English accent, and clothes that marked her out as 'alternative'. She asked about the candidate's opinion on hare coursing, an issue that was current, but not one I knew much about. It didn't come up in our usual haunts in Limerick city. I didn't even know what my father's views were - but I was pretty sure I knew hers.

I exclaimed that I found hare coursing a horrific excuse for a sport, leaving her satisfied.

A few houses away, a man with working hands and a strong Cork accent asked about the candidate's view on the same issue. "He's sound on it," I said, winking. He too was satisfied that he and the candidate were as one.

I didn't lie, but I'm not sure I told the whole truth.

At the time the bigger parties, especially Fianna Fail, would have had intelligence on who lived where, how they voted and what issues were important to each. They would have been better prepared than we were going to each door. A lot of that micro knowledge is gone because parties just don't have as many members as they did, and people's political concerns aren't as obvious.

Legendary political operations, such as that operated by Bertie Ahern, allegedly knew who to get out, on what issues they could be mobilised to vote, and who not to waste their time on.

There is of course a name for this type of canvassing: microtargeting.

In the last two British elections, the Brexit referendum and Trump's election, there are claims that political campaigning has moved online and that much of the online work is microtargeting.

The Tory party spent 1.2m (1.37m) on Facebook ads in 2015 and the Labour Party may have spent a similar amount this year. These are pretty small numbers, especially when you consider that the Leave side in the Brexit referendum reckon it was the Facebook ads that swung the result for them.

Microtargeting starts with a political campaign putting different voters into segments according to their personal and political preferences, based on polls.

In the Brexit campaign, Leave identified six groups. Two were solidly Remain, accounting for about 30pc of the electorate. Two were certain to vote to Leave, accounting for a third of voters.

The rest were in one of two floating groups: the first was the 'Disengaged Middle' (middle-class, in their 30s and not interested in politics). They didn't regard the EU as important and didn't know much about it.

The other group they called 'Hearts v. Minds' (mainly female, late middle age, poorly educated, with children, and in low-paid jobs). They didn't like the EU but were unsure that leaving was such a good idea.

Campaigns work by making information available to voters. We all have predispositions, and some information confirms us in our views, some persuades, some repels us.

Both persuadable groups were susceptible to economic arguments that put forward the idea that Britain would do well outside the EU.

The 'Disengaged Middle' didn't feel threatened by immigration, and were a bit queasy about arguments against immigrants. The 'Hearts v. Minds' were attracted to the anti-immigrant rhetoric of Ukip.

As in Ireland, the UK does not allow broadcast advertising for political aims. But advertising online is unregulated.

Microtargeting involves a sort of 'narrowcast' advertising. Companies such as Facebook claim they can identify target groups because of the vast amounts of information they have - often information that people have willingly shared with the company.

A political campaign can then offer an ad on Facebook pages tailored to the people it wants to persuade - and unlike ads you might see in a newspaper, those ads can be very different depending on the different reader.

Those who don't like immigrants can be shown ads using anti-immigration arguments, while the other group can be channelled arguments tailored to their predispositions.

This poses danger to democracy - because a basic idea in democratic debate is that the debate should happen publicly.

It's when those arguments come in contact with all voters that they are tested. But if you can privately say one thing to one group and another to a different group, you can deceive both.

Here in Ireland, in the Lisbon Treaty referendums of 2008 and 2009, the Yes side stuck with a dull campaign based on a message of 'jobs and growth'.

The No side was supported by a medley of groups, with differing and often contradictory arguments. Some saw the Treaty as a sure-fire way your children would be conscripted into a European army. Others thought those children would be lucky to make it to that army because the EU was poised to impose abortion on the country. In short, different groups made different claims to their target audience.

However the fact that all voters - be they Yes or No supporters - could see the various arguments meant that they were possible to refute. And one of the greatest fears with Facebook ads is that, because they are not made public, they cannot be challenged.

There will be a referendum in Ireland on abortion next year. The louder shouters on both sides in the debate claim that nefarious outsiders will try to influence the outcome.

There's very little to stop outsiders doing so. While party election spending is regulated, spending by third parties is not as regulated.

It would be easy for a third party based abroad to influence the referendum through Facebook ads without ever breaking a law here.

There's an understandable rush to have a referendum on abortion - but it might be best to sort out narrowcast advertising first. Better that than have the losing side claim the referendum was unfairly influenced, without anyone really knowing whether it was.

Eoin O'Malley is director of the MSc in Public Policy programme at the School of Law and Government in DCU
For some reason it was particularly noticeable last week. They were gone. Who? That's the weird thing. We're not quite sure. But for some gilded class of people who make up much of the traffic and many of the goings-on around the place, summer is here and they have disappeared somewhere. Which is odd, because most of us are still here, still doing our jobs, still functioning throughout the summer. So who are these people and where have they gone?

Obviously the traffic situation is partially explained by the schools closing. So we know that much. The teachers are off. And some of the mothers and the children are gone to these places they seem to go. But that doesn't really explain the sense of gone fishin' around the place, does it?

The politicians obviously are gone too now. They have this strict rule whereby nothing can be done in the summer months. Even if it's urgent. So we had that odd situation in Northern Ireland a few weeks ago where they tried to reach a deal, and it was really urgent to reach a deal, but they failed. And then everyone just gave up and said: "Ah well. They'll surely reach a deal in September." And that was it! Suddenly it was urgent no more. The only pressing issue all of a sudden was that they should all be paid over the summer.

And what about the drink driving? Another burning issue it seemed, much argument about who would and wouldn't support it, and then suddenly... Nothing. We will deal with that in the autumn. Imagine if the rest of us carried on like that? "Look boss, I might finish that job by Friday. But. If not I'll do it in September so not to worry.'' Or "Yes Missus, I'll hopefully to be out Friday to fix your washing machine, but if not, don't worry, I'll sort it out in September".

Leo can't be happy about all this. He must be thinking, "Do we really have to stop now? Just when I was getting a bit of momentum? Just when I put Love Actually and the socks behind me?" Everyone agrees Leo has had a good run in the last two weeks.

Prime Time, Time magazine, and a filleting of Paul Murphy that everyone except Paul Murphy and a few of his cronies seemed to enjoy. Murphy was managing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on Jobstown anyway, but Leo put the icing on the cake.

And you could sense the rowdy relief from Leo's colleagues. This was the Leo they'd been promised. This was the Leo they'd signed up for, not some overawed schoolboy in Downing Street. And Time magazine gave the rest of us the Leo buzz we needed.

We were reassured that the rest of the world was looking enviously at us and our fancy, new, gay, young Taoiseach, and that's all we care about.

But a summer is a long time in politics. And all this momentum could be long gone by September. Gone like the mysterious half of the population who go fishing all summer.
We got the lowdown on radio host and Snapchat sensation Doireann Garrihy's most-loved pieces in her wardrobe. Pictures: Damien Eagers

We got the lowdown on radio host and Snapchat sensation Doireann Garrihy's most-loved pieces in her wardrobe.

How would you describe your personal style?

Ninety per cent of the time my style is very laid back. I love a good pair of jeans, a blouse or jumper and comfy flats - sliders or espadrilles in summer or boots in winter. Working in radio is great in that way, you don't need to fret about your work clothes! When I do get dolled up I go hell for leather. All out! I love floaty, shift style dress, playsuits and co-ords. If I'm going to a formal event, I'll always look out for a suit rather than a full length dress. They're so comfortable but still chic.

How long does it take you to get ready every day?

It depends on what I have going on. If I'm heading into Spin 1038, where I work on the Zoo Crew, I'll throw on jeans, a top, runners, a bit of slap and be out the door in 15 minutes. If I'm going somewhere nice, I've been known to take up to two hours to get ready. Usually I'll have my outfit ready to go, but will take my time curling my hair and putting on makeup. You can't rush liquid eyeliner. It senses your panic!

What are your essential wardrobe items?

A pair of River Island Molly jeans, a black Zara blazer, a black clutch bag for nights out and barely there black sandals.

What are your three desert island essentials?

Flip flops, a big floppy hat to keep my skin looking young (although no one else would be looking at me!) and of course, a bikini. I'm ever so practical!

Who is your biggest style influence?

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I love a cross between Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton. Holly always looks so classy and nails an old Hollywood glamour look. I love that she wears loads of clothes from the high street too. Fearne is the epitome of cool. She's never afraid to mix different prints and bold colours. Outside of those two, I get loads of ideas from the discover feed on Instagram!

What is the best purchase you ever made?

An oversized denim jacket from Topshop about 5 years ago. In summer I throw it on over anything and everything. Then in winter, it's big enough to fit a cosy knit under. No brainer!

What is the most indulgent purchase you ever made?

On a recent trip to Barcelona, I bought a Pinko bag that I've had my eye on since February. There's no better feeling than buying something you've wanted for ages and put a few bob aside for. Finally getting your hands on it is the sweetest thing!

What is your go-to store?

Zara. My love affair with the place will never end!

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Blazer, Vero Moda; top, jeans and shoes, River Island; watch, Cluse.

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Follow Doireann on Instagram @DoireannGarrihy and add her on Snapchat at dg19592.

Independent Style Instagram: @independentstyle

Amy Mulvaney Instagram: @whatshedoesnow

Shot on location at Roberta's, 1 Essex St East, Temple Bar. Book Roberta's for Dinner or Brunch www.robertas.ie.
Things havent gone to plan for a certain drug dealer in the Manchester area of late.

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When the Middleton unit of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) discovered a sizeable quantity of a very ominous white powder abandoned in a hotel room, they were quick to point out that the hapless owner had failed to take his bags and ID with him before fleeing the scene.

The force took to Twitter, where they posted: Dear Mr Drug Dealer,

Next time you leave your hotel room in a hurry dont leave your drugs behind

Weve your bags and ID too

See you soon.

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But after gaining widespread attention online, the irresistibly cheeky tweeter just couldnt resist poking fun at members of the public, looking to get involved.

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You stay classy, GMP.
With Silverstone set to ditch the British Grand Prix, the nation must think of somewhere new to host the popular event.

But where? Well, there are plenty of options, some of which encapsulate the best of British.

London

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London is perhaps the most sensible option, on this list certainly, with F1 cars of the past taking to the streets around Trafalgar Square on Wednesday ahead of the British GP.

The event proved highly popular with fans, teams and drivers, and mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was open to bringing the race to the capital.

Now a privately owned company, London GP is planning on hosting the race around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford  although there are currently no specifics in place.

F1 on the streets of London, anybody?

Milton Keynes

A Guardian article writes of Milton Keynes: For nearly 50 years, Milton Keynes has been derided as a soulless suburb.

But perhaps hosting the British Grand Prix could be the making of it.

With its grid system and many roundabouts, a street circuit around Milton Keynes could make for an excellent, albeit perhaps repetitive, race.

Spaghetti Junction

Can you imagine? What a crazy spectacle this would be, to see Formula Ones finest tearing around Spaghetti Junction, originally known as the Gravelly Hill Interchange.

With its five layers, Spaghetti Junction was designed to join up the M1, M5 and M6 motorways and last for 120 years  whether that estimate takes into account copious amounts of Formula One action is a different question.

The drivers are sure to get a bit dizzy, which might dent the junctions chances of hosting a British GP  but perhaps a huge bowl of spaghetti for a trophy might swing things in its favour.

Velodrome

OK, getting a little further from feasible now.

Your classic velodrome hosts the greatest track cyclists in the world, but consider this: scale it up and give the Formula One drivers a go.

All right, its not perfect, but it would provide an interesting challenge in terms of tyre choice  and with the central area available for pit stops, the crowd would be able to see it all from one seat.

OK, fair enough. This is basically Nascar.

Scalextric

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Lewis Hamilton, sat in his living room, with a cup of tea in one hand and a Scalextric remote in the other, battling it out against all his F1 mates on a Sunday afternoon.

Now thats what Grandstand was made for.

Multi-storey car park

The noise would be something, wouldnt it? If you could find a space that is.

Car park at full capacity? Sorry everyone  therell be no race this year.

Mario Kart

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Something that would surely be right up Max Verstappens street, Mario Kart offers a world of possibilities.

Tracks such as Bowsers Castle, Rainbow Road and DK Jungle would offer variation, while instead of three laps, the drivers would complete 70, and be forced to make the occasional pit stop.

Can anyone else imagine Sebastian Vettels furious reaction to a blue shell wiping out his lead? Think of the team radio
The Wealdstone Raider has been making the most of his guest appearance at a stag do in Barcelona, after arriving in the Spanish city handcuffed to the groom on Thursday.

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Gordon Hill, who became an internet sensation after a video of him watching Wealdstone FC went viral in 2014, said it was one of the best events Ive ever done, while speaking from a packed bar on Saturday evening.

He said: This is amazing. Absolutely amazing. I tell you, its brilliant. Weve had a right good time.

The stags enjoying himself. Everybodys enjoying themselves.

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Gordon, who does not accept money for appearances as the Raider, said he agreed to accompany the group to Spain after they offered to donate to charity in lieu of payment.

Laurie Carey, who is the best man for the partys stag, James OConnor, said hed been unsure if the joke would fall flat when the group first met up at the airport.

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He said: To be honest, when we turned up at the airport, I didnt think anyone was going to get the joke  you know, what my intentions were.

It could have been three years too late, but weve come out here and everyones enjoyed it. Yeah, its been really good.

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Gordon, who works as a labourer, revealed his highlight had been drinking champagne with the lads, and said he couldnt have hoped to meet a nicer bunch of people.

He said: Everybodys getting on, its just been a brilliant few days. Im privileged to have been invited.

The group are due to fly back to the UK for some rest on Sunday, before James ties the knot in September.
The news that Jodie Whittaker is to become the first woman Doctor had fans elated on Sunday, but one particular little girls reaction spoke volumes about the momentous occasion.

Author Jenny Trout posted a clip of her daughter watching the tense BBC trailer in which Whitaker was unveiled as the new star of Dr Who, and screaming with delight as she realised the shows creators had broken the mould.

The video quickly clocked up over 2,000 retweets and nearly 6,000 likes on Twitter, with many commenting they had been moved to tears at her joy.

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The Broadchurch actor will now replace Peter Capaldi as the 13th Time Lord, after he makes his final appearance in the 2017 Christmas special.

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Fans of the show waited in patient suspense as the trailer showed a hooded figure walking through a forest to the Tardis police box, which serves as The Doctors craft through space and time.

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The shows head writer Chris Chibnall, who worked with Whittaker on Broadchurch, said he always wanted the next Doctor to be a woman.

If this fans reaction is anything to go by, so did everyone else.
State control: Liu Xia, wife of Liu Xiaobo, holds a portrait of her husband in a photo provided by the Shenyang Municipal Information Office

Deceased Chinese Nobel Peace Prize-winning dissident Liu Xiaobo's ashes were scattered at sea yesterday, Liu's brother said, in a move described by a family friend as an effort to erase any memory of him.

Liu (61) died of multiple organ failure last Thursday in a hospital in the north-eastern city of Shenyang, where he was being treated for late-stage liver cancer, having been given medical parole but not freed.

He had been jailed for 11 years in 2009 for "inciting subversion of state power" after helping to write a petition known as 'Charter 08' calling for sweeping political reforms.

His widow, Liu Xia, has been under effective house arrest since her husband won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010, but had been allowed to visit him in prison about once a month. She has never been formally charged with any crime.

Speaking at a government-arranged news conference, Liu Xiaobo's eldest brother Liu Xiaoguang offered thanks several times to the Communist Party for its thoughtful care considering the dissident's "special situation".

"Why has Liu Xia not come here? Her health is very weak at the moment," Liu Xiaoguang said, sitting in between an English-language interpreter and a Shenyang government official. "So she can't come here. It's very regretful."

After speaking for about 20 minutes, Liu was escorted out by two unidentified women, an unlit cigarette in his mouth, and did not answer questions from journalists who surrounded him.

The government then showed reporters images of the ashes being scattered from a boat.

City government information official Zhang Qingyang said Liu Xia and Liu Xiaoguang had decided upon the scattering of ashes at sea.

But close friend and fellow dissident Hu Jia said the motivation behind the sea burial was so that there was "nothing to remember him by on Chinese soil" and so that supporters could not create a shrine to pay tribute to him.

"We know that Liu Xiaobo's home is Beijing, his spiritual home is here, his love was also found here," he said.

Hu said it was well known among Liu's friends that his elder brother did not agree with his political views and that it was a cynical move for him to be presented to the media as representing Liu Xia and the family.

"The extent to what the authorities are capable of always exceeds our imagination, they always have something worse than imagined planned," Hu said of the news conference.

Amnesty International's East Asia Regional Director Nicholas Bequelin tweeted that the news conference was "one of the most crude, cruel and callous political show(s) I have ever witnessed".

Government official Zhang, speaking earlier, said Liu's widow was "currently free", adding that as a Chinese citizen, her rights would be protected under the law.

"But she just lost her spouse. She is extremely sad. In the period after dealing with the death of Liu Xiaobo, she won't take any more outside disturbances. This is the wish of the family members. It's natural."

Zhang did not say where Liu Xia currently was.

A government statement said Mozart's Requiem was played during the funeral, a work of music Mozart left unfinished on his death bed.

Liu family lawyer Mo Shaoping said he did not know whether the cremation was in accordance with family wishes, however, as they had been unreachable.

"They are likely still to be under the watch and control of authorities," Mo said. "They can't be contacted."

In funeral photographs handed out by the government, Liu Xia and other family members stand around the coffin containing Liu's body, surrounded by white flowers that signify mourning in China.

During the past couple of weeks, Liu Xia had been at the hospital as her husband's health deteriorated.

Rights groups and Western governments have mourned Liu Xiaobo's death and urged authorities to grant freedom of movement to his wife and the rest of his family.

Several thousand people held an evening vigil for Liu in Hong Kong, holding up candles and white roses in a largely silent march to China's main representative office. Some carried banners calling Liu a "people's hero" and demanding Liu Xia be truly freed.

"Even though he is dead, his fight and beliefs will never be forgotten," said a 62-year-old marcher. "We have to do something to commemorate him."

China has repeatedly attacked foreign governments for their concern about Liu and calls to allow Liu Xia to leave the country if she wishes, and foreign reporters in Shenyang have been closely monitored by plainclothes security.

Efforts are being made to secure permission from Chinese authorities for Liu Xia and her brother Liu Hui to leave, a Western diplomat said last Friday.

The last Nobel Peace Prize winner to live out his dying days under state surveillance was Carl von Ossietzky, a pacifist who died in Berlin in Nazi Germany in 1938.
The family of Abbey Conner, a Wisconsin student who died at a five-star Mexican resort after drinking shots in celebration of finishing her exams, are demanding to know what happened in her final hours.

The 20-year-old was found floating face down in the swimming pool at the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar resort in January. Her death certificate recorded it was an accidental drowning.

Her brother, Austin Conner, who was with her at the time of the incident, said they were celebrating the end of their final exams in January and each drank four or five shots of tequila at the pool bar.

After this, the 22-year-old recalls they drank more shots with a group of young men and has suspicions the drinks were spiked.

The next thing Mr Conner remembered was waking up in an ambulance on the way to hospital after he and his sister were discovered unconscious in the pool.

Ive been in college for five years and had my fair share of drinks before," he told the Journal Sentinel. "No way in hell Im putting my face down in a pool and going to sleep.

He added: Knowing that we got played or are victims of some sick person drugging us is almost surreal.

Their father, Bill Conner, suggests that the drinks were tampered with. Somebody had to slip them some type of drug.

Austin Conner recovered after being treated in hospital, but Ms Conner never regained consciousness. She had a broken collarbone and had anoxic brain injury as well as cerebral edema, according to her medical reports.

Toxicology reports taken at the Playa del Carmen medical centre showed that her blood-alcohol content was 0.25. At this level of intoxication, effects can include nausea, vomiting and a loss of consciousness according to BreathKey Breathalyzers.

Ms Conner was moved to a Florida hospital where she was declared brain dead. Her family later decided to remove her ventilator.

The family have hired a lawyer to investigate further what happened to their daughter. Its all too convenient, lawyer Florentino Ramirez said.

If it was an accident, where was everybody? It just doesnt make sense. There are too many open ends.
Protesters in Paris demonstrated against the visit of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for new Israeli-Palestinian peace talks to create two independent states.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris, Mr Macron said that "everything should be done so that negotiations restart" with the aim of reaching a two-state solution, as the international community has long sought.

He also condemned an attack last week that killed two Israeli police officers at a Jerusalem shrine revered by Jews and Muslims.

His office said he is concerned about Israel's security but also about growing Jewish settlement building, and worried that Mr Netanyahu is backing away from a commitment to a two-state solution.

The two leaders also discussed fighting extremism in Syria and elsewhere, and improving economic cooperation.
Emergency services attend the scene of the colission (Image: Twitter Gabinete de Informacion de Emergencias. Ayuntamiento de Madrid)

Spanish authorities say 33 people, including six children under 10 years old, have been injured in a roller coaster collision in Madrid.

Emergency services say that 27 people needed hospital treatment for minor injuries when two roller coaster cars collided on Sunday on the Tren de la Mina at Madrid's Parque de Atracciones theme park.

Emergency services spokeswoman Carmen Camacho said that none of the injuries appeared to be serious.

She said that the riders were treated for neck, back and stomach pains.

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Park representatives told Spanish news agency Europa Press that the roller coaster had passed a daily safety inspection on Sunday morning.

Tren de la Mina roller coaster riders can wear virtual reality goggles that recreate a Wild West setting, according to the park's website.
The brother of President Hassan Rouhani has been detained and an unnamed US citizen sentenced to 10 years behind bars for "infiltrating" the country.

The identity of the US citizen did not directly match the background of anyone known to be held in the Islamic republic.

Mr Rouhani's brother, Hossein Fereidoun, was taken into custody over allegations of financial impropriety and is eligible for bail but has not paid it yet, said judiciary spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi.

Mr Fereidoun is a close confidante of the moderate president, a cleric who changed his surname to Rouhani, meaning "spiritual," after joining the seminary decades ago.

He was part of the negotiating team that sealed Iran's landmark nuclear deal with world powers in 2015, winning the country relief from international sanctions in exchange for limits on its atomic energy program.

The deal was unpopular with Iranian hard-liners, whose influence runs deep within the judiciary. They saw the nuclear deal as giving too much away in exchange for too little.

Mr Fereidoun has long been a target of hard-liners, who accused him of misdeeds including money laundering and misappropriation of government funds.

The unproven allegations were a flashpoint during the May presidential election, with the president's hard-line challengers demanding that the judiciary investigate accusations against Mr Fereidoun.

Mr Rouhani trounced his nearest opponent to secure a second term in office in the first round of voting.

The US citizen whose sentence was also announced faces 10 years in prison.

"It was verified and determined that he was gathering (information) and was involved in infiltration," said Mr Ejehi although he did not elaborate on what specific charges led to the conviction, which he said could be appealed against, or say when the verdict was handed down.

The suspect was described as a dual national of the United States and another foreign country.

The US state department was not immediately able to provide any details on the case.

"The Iranian regime continues to detain US citizens and other foreigners on fabricated national security-related changes," it said in a statement.

"We call for the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families."

The US does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Tehran and warns its citizens, particularly dual nationals, that they risk arrest or being barred from leaving Iran.

Mr Ejehi could have been referring to Nizar Zakka, a US permanent resident from Lebanon who advocates for internet freedom.

He lives in Washington DC and has done work for the US government. He went missing in Iran in September 2015.

Permanent residents do not hold American citizenship, but they have the right to live in the US indefinitely and are eligible to apply for it after living in the country for several years.

But Mr Zakka was already known to have been sentenced to 10 years behind bars last year after being accused of espionage-related charges.

Mr Ejehi may also have been referring to Iranian-American art gallery manager Karan Vafadari, who was detained along with his Iranian wife last year. They have yet to be convicted of a crime.

Other American dual nationals who have been taken into custody and remain in Iran include Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi and his 81-year-old father, Baquer Namazi.

They are both serving 10-year sentences for "cooperating with the hostile American government."

Another Iranian-American, Robin Shahini, was released on bail last year after staging a weeks-long hunger strike while serving an 18-year prison sentence for "collaboration with a hostile government."

Still missing is former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who vanished in Iran in 2007 while on an unauthorised CIA mission.

AP
"The people of Mosul will receive their salaries, while the people of Basra will receive the bodies of their martyrs," runs a bitter comment on Iraqi social media.

Many Iraqis see the inhabitants of Mosul as willing collaborators with Isil during its three years in power in the city. In particular, there are calls for the punishment of 'Daesh [Isil] families' whose male members had become Isil fighters or officials.

The desire for revenge runs deep among the victims of Isil in the wake of the fall of Mosul, which is scarcely surprising given the cruelty and violence of Isil rule. "I can always tell members of Daesh families when they ask for medical treatment," said a volunteer medical worker in west Mosul. "They have plump faces and look well-fed, while everybody else in Mosul is thin and malnourished."

Grounds for suspicion that a person was associated with Isil may be flimsy, but they are deeply held. "When women and children appear without any male relatives with them, it is assumed that the men were with Isil and have been killed, arrested or have fled," says Belkis Wille, the senior researcher in Iraq for Human Rights Watch. Young men from Mosul and the rest of Nineveh province find it difficult to persuade the victorious Iraqi security forces that they spent years under Isil without doing some form of military service.

Revenge killings of suspected Isil activists and collaborators are still limited in number. There have been some abductions and killings in the Sunni Arab villages south of Mosul, but no mass killings along the lines frequently carried out by Isil.

Yazidis who once lived to the west of Mosul and Christians are convinced that their Sunni Arab neighbours, with whom they had previously lived peacefully, were complicit with Isil in murdering, raping and stealing. They say they cannot return to their villages and towns if Isil collaborators are allowed to live there. In addition, the Shia-dominated Iraqi government and the Kurdish authorities have an interest in rounding off or expanding the territory occupied by their communities at the expense of the Sunni Arabs whose fortunes, willingly or unwillingly, have become linked to Isil.

Communal punishment in the shape of the forced expulsion of 'Daesh families', which may mean sanctions against whole villages, is taking place in parts of northern and central Iraq. Ms Wille says that at the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps in Khazar and Hassan Shami in Kurdish-controlled territory east of Mosul, Sunni Arabs can "see their former villages, but are not being allowed to return there".

Sectarian and ethnic cleansing by state authorities or militia groups in Iraq may have long-term political objectives, but they also fulfil popular wishes. There are hundreds of social media accounts evidently from Iraqi Shias, accusing the people of Mosul of supporting Isil.

Since the US invasion of 2003 Iraq has witnessed much demographic change. The Shia-Sunni sectarian war in 2006-7 saw Sunnis compressed into smaller enclaves and mixed areas become Shia.

Since the counter-offensive against Isil began in 2014, Sunni Arabs have been forced to leave villages and towns in areas south of Baghdad and in northern Hilla province.

The Sunni community of Iraq, some six million strong, has suffered badly, with all its main cities in addition to Mosul being heavily damaged by war. There are still 500,000 Sunni IDPs in Kirkuk, who are being allowed to return to wholly Sunni centres but not to those where Shia also live.

In both Iraqi and Kurdish- controlled areas there are camps that are little better than "open prisons", says Ms Wille, where IDPs cannot come and go from the camp freely, receive visitors or even own a mobile phone. Enforced demographic change may be one motive for this, but there is also genuine, though probably exaggerated, fear of Isil 'sleeper cells' waiting to strike.

Independent
Last week, Jared Kushner and wife Ivanka Trump were hobnobbing with technology titans and billionaires at an annual conference for the global elite in Sun Valley, Idaho.

For America's foremost power couple, it was a welcome respite from Washington, where a full-scale Democratic assault has reached a crescendo.

Mr Kushner, in particular, has become the focus of a concerted, multi-pronged attempt to claim a senior White House scalp. He is the only serving member of the Trump administration who was present at a meeting between Donald Trump Jr, the president's son, Natalia Veselnitskaya, a Russian lawyer, and Rimat Akhmetshin, a former Soviet intelligence officer, at Trump Tower in New York on June 9, 2016.

An email chain revealed the meeting was brokered by Rob Goldstone, a British publicist, who said his client had damaging information on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as part of a Russian government effort to help Mr Trump's campaign. Mr Trump Jr was eager to hear the information. Mr Kushner and then campaign chairman Paul Manafort also attended.

While critics initially focused on Mr Trump Jr, who does not hold a position at the White House, it is Mr Kushner who could pay a higher price.

Crucially, he twice failed to disclose the meeting on application forms for security clearance. Intentionally concealing or falsifying information on the forms, known as SF-86s, is a criminal offence, carrying up to five years in jail.

While Mr Kushner's lawyers have indicated it was an innocent omission, Democrats scent blood.

One senior Democrat said: "He watched his father-in-law say no one in the campaign talked to the Russian government. He knew that was false."

A White House spokesman said the attacks were an example of "Democrats playing political games".

Elijah Cummings, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, wrote to Mr Kushner demanding to see his SF-86 application.

Democrats also tried to secure an amendment in Congress preventing the government from allowing security clearance for White House employees under investigation, which was aimed at Mr Kushner, who has been identified as a "person of interest" in a Department of Justice investigation into collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Mr Kushner has, in response, urged the White House communications team to be more aggressive. When asked about the situation, a White House official appeared to carry out Mr Kushner's wishes, arguing that the media should instead investigate links between Democrats and Ukraine during the election.

Mr Kushner first filed his SF-86 on January 18 but the section for foreign contacts was left blank.

In May, an updated form was filed but the meeting with Ms Veselnitskaya and Mr Akhmetshin was not listed.

On June 21, another form, including the key meeting, was sent.

Lawyers indicated that it was not disclosed previously because someone prematurely pressed send on the application form.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
The US Secret Service on Sunday denied a suggestion from President Donald Trump's personal lawyer that it had vetted a meeting between the president's son and Russian nationals during the 2016 campaign.

Donald Trump Jr. has acknowledged that he met in New York with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya after he was told she might have damaging information about his father's rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

"Well, I wonder why the Secret Service, if this was nefarious, why the Secret Service allowed these people in. The president had Secret Service protection at that point, and that raised a question with me," Jay Sekulow, a member of the president's legal team, said on Sunday on the ABC news program "This Week."

In an emailed response to questions about Sekulow's comments, Secret Service spokesman Mason Brayman said the younger Trump was not under Secret Service protection at the time of the meeting, which included Trump's son and two senior campaign officials.

Expand Close Lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. Photo: AP / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. Photo: AP

"Donald Trump, Jr. was not a protectee of the USSS in June, 2016. Thus we would not have screened anyone he was meeting with at that time," the statement said.

According to emails released by Trump Jr. last week, he eagerly agreed to meet Veselnitskaya, who he was told was a Russian government lawyer. Veselnitskaya has said she is a private lawyer and denies having Kremlin ties.

On Friday, NBC News reported that a lobbyist who was once a Soviet counter-intelligence officer participated in the meeting, which was also attended by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and the president's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort.

The meeting appears to be the most tangible evidence of a connection between Trump's election campaign and Russia, a subject that has prompted investigations by congressional committees and a federal special counsel.

Moscow has denied any interference and the president and Trump Jr. have denied any collusion.

Sekulow's comments about the Secret Service drew quick criticism, including from Frances Townsend, who advised former Republican President George W. Bush on homeland security.

"Ok let's try to deflect blame & throw those in @SecretService who protect @POTUS @realDonaldTrump @FLOTUS & family under the bus," she said on Twitter.

The Secret Service's mission is to provide physical protection for the US president. The agency also protects major presidential candidates. But its role in vetting people who meet with a US president or candidates is limited to ensuring physical safety.

Trump himself has said he was unaware of the meeting between his son and the Russian lawyer until a few days ago.

"The president was not aware about this meeting, did not participate in this meeting," Sekulow told the CBS program "Face the Nation."

Sekulow added that Trump was not aware of any meetings between his campaign staff and Russians.

A federal special counsel and several congressional panels are investigating allegations by US intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 US presidential election to hurt Clinton and help Trump. They are also investigating potential connections between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.

Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on one of the panels investigating the matter, the Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNN: "The level of credibility from the senior level of this administration really is suspect."

Warner said he wanted to hear from everyone who attended the June 2016 meeting.

"Whether we will be able to get the Russian nationals to come over and testify is an open question, (but) those people that our committee has jurisdiction over, the Americans, I sure as heck want to talk to all of them," Warner said.
Donald Trump's attorney has said that there was nothing illegal in the meeting the president's eldest son had with a Russian lawyer during last year's presidential campaign.

Donald Trump Jr's willingness to meet with the lawyer in the expectation of receiving incriminating information about Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has raised new questions about possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

The president's attorney, Jay Sekulow, defended Mr Trump and his son in a series of appearances on Sunday on five television networks.

He said repeatedly that nothing in the meeting was in violation of the law.

In addition to Mr Trump Jr, others in the June 2016 meeting included President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort, both of whom played major roles in the campaign.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the July 15 Martyr's bridge to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the botched coup attempt (AP)

Turkish authorities briefly detained the editor of a regional newspaper over a column she wrote criticising the government for exaggerating the importance of last year's coup attempt.

Yeliz Koray, editor of the Kocaeli Koz newspaper in the northwestern province of Izmit, was detained at her home late on Saturday, the newspaper said.

Koray said on Twitter on Sunday that she had been released on condition of judicial supervision, meaning she will need to check in regularly with authorities.

In a column entitled "I'll Eat Your Epic", Koray criticised the government for what she said was an overemphasis on the events of July 15 last year, saying it paled in significance next to World War I and major battles in Turkish history.

The column also said the government had not done enough to expose what happened on the night, when rogue soldiers commandeered tanks and planes in an attempt to topple Erdogan. Some 250 people were killed, many of them unarmed civilians.

Hundreds of thousands of Turks rallied to mark the anniversary of last year's failed coup in an outpouring of mass support for President Tayyip Erdogan that lay bare the divisions of a society riven by widespread purges.

In the aftermath of the putsch, some 150,000 people have been sacked or suspended from jobs in the civil service and private sector and more than 50,000 were detained for alleged links to the putsch, including local members of rights groups such as Amnesty International.

The purge, which has led to the detention of many journalists and caused the closure of some 130 media outlets, has alarmed Turkey's Western allies and rights groups, who say Erdogan is using the coup as a pretext to muzzle dissent.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists calls Turkey the world's biggest jailer of journalists, with some 160 detained.

The government says the measures are necessary due to the gravity of the threats it faces.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses supporters outside the Presidential Palace during the inauguration of a monument to commemorate the victims of the July 15 2016 coup attempt, in Ankara (Presidency Press Service via AP, Pool)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the July 15 Martyr's bridge to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the botched coup attempt (AP)

Turkey's main opposition party has accused the government of blocking a full investigation into last summer's attempted coup and using the state of emergency imposed in its wake to hide the truth.

The government was using the commemorations for the anniversary of the failed July 15 2016 coup to "write a fabricated history," said Bulent Tezcan, the spokesman of the Republican People's Party (CHP).

The government says it is cracking down to purge state institutions and prevent future threats.

But Mr Tezcan and his party call the state of emergency a "controlled coup" that must be revoked immediately.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed tens of thousands of people at memorial events in Istanbul and Ankara at the weekend.

Turkey blames US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for orchestrating a violent attempt to overthrow of the government and the president but the cleric denies the allegations.

Mr Tezcan said inquiries were obstructed to protect the government which, he claimed, is using the state of emergency imposed after the failed coup to create a lawless environment without checks and balances.

"No investigations have been made into how this terror organisation got to such a daring point within the state, how it was placed there to attempt a coup, and new information was covered up," he said.

The CHP lawmaker said government pressure on the judiciary prevented prosecutors investigating the alleged infiltration of the coup plotters and their political connections.

He said a parliamentary investigation commission was used to fend off political accountability.

"The facts need to come out for the sacred memory of the 250 martyrs - those who died resisting the coup," he said.

More than 50,000 people have been arrested and 110,000 public employees sacked for alleged links to Mr Gulen and other terror groups, under the state of emergency imposed on July 20 last year.

Mr Erdogan called the charge "rude and immoral" and accused CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu of siding with Mr Gulen and other terror groups.

Mr Gulen was once an ally of the president but the two had a public falling out in 2013 and his movement was declared a terror organisation.

Mr Erdogan said the country was doing everything to punish the "traitors."

AP
Briana Landis is a runner.

Shes excited about starting her junior year at Meredith College, has a passion for science and is a fiercely loving and protective older sister.

She also has lived with multiple sclerosis since the age of 4.

No one looking at Landis would see anything other than her quiet confidence, her soft eyes beneath a head of frizzy brown hair. Many have shown shock to learn she has a disease that leaves others bedridden.

But in spite of or even because of that, Landis has become something of a spokesperson for multiple sclerosis, through speeches and presentations in Raleigh and now as a summer intern at Discovery MS at the N.C. Research Campus back in her hometown.

Ive learned so much already so far, Landis said. Its just been amazing because there are a lot of things I didnt know were happening in the MS world, and to actually get to know about that is really cool.

Coming to Kannapolis

Discovery MS, a nonprofit research initiative housed in the David H. Murdock Research Institute on the Research Campus, looks to develop new ways to diagnose and treat multiple sclerosis. Dr. Simon Gregory started the organization in 2008 with a founding donation from Herman Stone, and Landis actually met him at that grand opening event when she was 10 years old.

Since then, she attended A.L. Brown and graduated as valedictorian in 2015. She began her studies in biology at Meredith, undergoing research on probiotics. She speaks at MS-related events around Raleigh, and she reconnected with Gregory at one such conference.

I went up to him, and I was like, Hey, do you remember me?  she said. And he was like, Yes, do you want a job? 

Discovery MS

So Landis came back to Kannapolis, working with Sabrina Cote to analyze genetic data, look at possible environmental trigger factors and draft questionnaires to send out to study participants.

Im working on making a survey that we can send out to people in the MS study so that we can look at genetic factors and environmental factors and smoking and different things like that that may have a relationship to MS, Landis said.

She is also working on genotyping, which is looking at the 200 different genetic variants that experts think might predispose a person to develop multiple sclerosis and assessing what environmental triggers may have activated the disease.

MS is one of those really complicated diseases thats not strictly genetic, so its not you have a mutation in this gene and you develop MS, Cote said. What shes working on, were interested in how these genetic factors increase a persons risk and how the environment is acting on it. That survey is one part of it, so its what are this persons environmental exposures theyve had, whats their life history.

The goal, Cote said, is to map out each participants genome, find out which variants they have, and see if they can detect any patterns between specific variants and environmental factors.

We want to know how the environment is acting on this genetic background to cause MS, Cote said. That gets us to a couple of things. If we know how its getting triggered, we can help prevent it. So for example if people in your family have MS, and you think you might be at risk, and you know your genetic background, and you say, OK, I know I should avoid smoking or I should make sure I get extra Vitamin D or these are the lifestyle changes that someone could actually do to maybe help reduce the risk of developing it.

Cote said she hopes her research could lead to better treatments for MS patients. Since drugs aimed at stopping the progression of the disease are pretty newthere werent any before 1993, Cote saidthe next step would be to repair the damage already done.

Another goal is to improve methods of diagnosis. Because MS symptoms are so varied, Cote said it can be very difficult for doctors to separate multiple sclerosis out from other diseases. Currently the best ways to detect it are through a spinal tap or a scan to detect legions on the brain, and even then the only way to verify the condition as multiple sclerosis is determining if symptoms continue or come back.

That time component is one of the big factors of diagnosing MS, she said. Its legions on your brain and your spinal column, so anything involved in your nervous system could be a symptom. Its very common to lose vision; not everyone has that. It could be I had numbness or I started tripping or I had this weird paint hat came and then it went away.

Much of the diagnosis tic process involves eliminating other possibilities first, which makes for a drawn out process and just more time before patients get the treatment they need.

Its such an individualized disease that all the symptoms are different, and then you have to wait over time, Cote said. Thats one of the factors in the diagnosis is it gets worse over time.

To help with that, Cote said they would like to develop something like a blood test that would not only be easier on patients but also cheaper to run and quicker to get results.

A journey with MS

Landis said her parents went through the headache and heartache of misdiagnosis when she was young. Neurologists originally told her parents she couldnt have MS because she was too young; most patients usually show symptoms in their 20s or older.

But a year later, the girls severe headaches and vision loss continued, and doctors confirmed it was, in fact, multiple sclerosis.

Despite the devastating diagnosis, however, Landis is upbeat about her condition.

Im really lucky in the fact that it really hasnt impacted my life, she said. I was diagnosed when I was 4 years old, so I dont really know my life before MS.

Her main symptom is vision loss in one of her eyes, but, thanks to treatment, she hasnt experienced it since her younger sister was born 12 years ago. Not to mention her medicine has improved dramatically with time.

For the past 15 years, I took shots every other day to treat my MS, she said. But because of advances in research kind of like what were doing here, Im actually on a pill now. So thats so much better.

Making a mark

And given her personal history, Landis said she has a vested interest in the work shes doing with Discovery MS. She has already been an advocate speaking out on multiple sclerosis, but now she said being part of the fight for a cureor at least better treatmenthas been incredible.

Its made me more excited about it, she said. I have a goal, and its really exciting to see where we are in the MS world because Ive talked to a lot of people with MS, and they just seem like they dont really have any hope or theyre not happy about where they are in life. So to be able to be a part of whats actually getting us toward a cure and being able to talk about it and talk to people about it is really an exciting experience.

Her coworkers at the Research Campus also said they were happy to have her on board, not only for her dedication, commitment and knowledge but also for her particular experience with what theyre studying.

Its been really great for us to have her insights, Cote said. The questionnaire that shes building, getting her feedback on what makes sense, what should we include, what should we leave outthat kind of thing is priceless help.

Whats next

Landis said she hopes to continue in the MS research world, finishing up her education at Meredith and potentially pursuing a masters or doctorate degree. Her main focus, she said, was pediatric MS; because its not as common, many doctors dont consider it as a possible diagnosis, like hers didnt at first.

But she also wants to just continue the fight to improve the quality of life of those who share her disease.

I have two big focuses; one is very personal, she said. I do not want my little sister to get MS, even though genetic is very rare. Its still a very big goal for me, and obviously my children, as well. And the other is Ive met so many amazing people with MS, and to give them a better quality of life would just be amazing.
A day heavy in green Indian equity markets saw a day, heavy in green, today. Nifty 50 ended, up by 321.5 points. Sensex ended, up by 1181.34 points. Top Gainers today were HDFC, HDFC Bank, Infosys. Top Losers ... November 11, 2022 | 11-11-2022 3:43 pm

In early trade, Rupee rises 71 paise to 80.69 / $ Early on Friday, the rupee strengthened 71 paise to 80.69 against the dollar as investors' attitudes were bolstered by easing US CPI data and a decline in the dollar index. Forex traders claime... November 11, 2022 | 11-11-2022 2:24 pm

Sensex zooms over 1,100 pts; Nifty above 18,300; IT index top contributor Domestic benchmark indices in the fast lane today led by IT and Metal stocks outperforming. Both the Sensex and Nifty benchmarks were nearly 2% higher amid positive global cues. On the se... November 11, 2022 | 11-11-2022 2:00 pm

NIBE receives order of Rs11.88 crore from Goa Shipyard; Stock slips 1% Nibe Limited stocks in focus as the company announced the receipt of purchase orders. As per the regulatory filing, it has received two purchase orders dated November 08, 2022 from G... November 11, 2022 | 11-11-2022 12:53 pm

Ashoka Buildcon receives provisional certificate for NHAI road project; Stock up 2% Ashoka Buildcon Limited has informed the declaration of October 26, 2021 as the Commercial Operation Date (CoD) for its Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) Project of National Highways Authority of ... November 11, 2022 | 11-11-2022 12:26 pm
While most of our Bollywood actors are in NYC for IIFA, our Desi Girl turned global star PC was in Mumbai, before she flew off for her annual birthday vacay with family. PC has time and again expressed how much she loves being back home in Mumbai. For her, one of the best feelings is to fly back home.

BCCL

This year has been full of professional highs for PC. With her second Marathi film as a producer releasing on her birthday, there was a reason why PC chose to stay back in Mumbai. She said, I wanted to be with my family and friends. We will be traveling to Pune to celebrate my birthday. Also, since my second Marathi film releases through my home production, Purple Pebble Pictures, I had to be here personally to support the new talent.

Happy family vacaaaaayyyyy.. #Chopra'sOut  @siddharthchopra89 @madhuchopra A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Jul 15, 2017 at 2:38pm PDT

Another big achievement for PC this year has been to get an invite to become the committee member of the Academy Awards (Oscars). A Deccan Chronicle report quotes PC Expressing her happiness on the same, PC said,

BCCL

I accepted their invitation and must confess it was so simple (smiles). I am grateful to the Academy for including people from around the world. They ask for our opinions. I am very clear about my views and the Academy opens itself up to nominations for foreign language films outside of just one category. I hope that is something which happens because there are so many films which come from around the world. Even for Indian films where our talent has won awards, it has been for those not made by India, because of the lack of opportunities. I hope that is something which changes and I can contribute to that.

No matter in which part of the globe PC is leaving her mark on, for her, being an Indian Actor is a tag she proudly flaunts. She said,

BCCL

It is not easy to go to another country and start work without any kind of privilege. I dont go with a mind frame that because I am someone I need a certain kind of treatment. I am an artiste, and when I go to another country, I have no problem introducing myself as Priyanka Chopra, an Indian actor. I have always spoken only about my achievements. I have strived to be where I am and this is the result.

PC might be rocking international red-carpets and making it big in the west but she will always remain our Desi Girl first!
We as a nation are reaching new heights of intolerance every day. The Mumbai Police Cyber Cell on Friday filed a FIR against AIB founder Tanmay Bhat for 'making fun of' nation's Prime Minister Modi.

For the uninitiated, AIB became an offender again because they had created a meme that had a picture of Modi look-alike at a railway station but they morphed it and used Snapchat's popular dog filter, and this photo of the Prime Minister with the caption #Wanderlust, adding "Dog filter is lyf."(sic) evoked a massive outrage online.

Screenshot

Reacting to Bhat's tweet that was 'massively offensive' to many Bhakts, arm-chair activists, one of the Twitterati, Reetesh Maheshwari, tagged the Mumbai Police, urging them to take a quick action against AIB and the organization for an offensive joke on PM Modi.

And what followed were a flood of rants, protest tweets and in just a few hours, AIB faced a lot of flak.

Publicity theek hai yaar, lage haath thode nationalist sentiments aur hurt kar lo cuz Modi goes hand in hand. Magar joke to dhang ka ho! pic.twitter.com/sLSo4EyMHy  A La' Vile De Satara (@AdvancedMaushi) July 13, 2017

However, a day after the Mumbai Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against comedy collective All India Bakchod (AIB) co-founder Tanmay Bhat, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O' Brien posted pictures using the same filter.

In order to take a mild but impressive dig at the trolls, the Congress leader took to his Twitter to post a picture of his 'dog-filter'ed face with the caption: "Attn all trolls: I took the #DogFilter challenge! @AllIndiaBakchod"

Earlier on Saturday, even Derek O'Brien took to Instagram to post his picture and captioned it: "It's the weekend. Time for a little bit of fun."

It's the weekend. Time for a little bit of fun  A post shared by Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) on Jul 14, 2017 at 9:44pm PDT

Just to clarify, these tweets and the pictures that both posted, were in reply to a Twitter user who had asked O'Brien and Tharoor to be a sport and don the dog face.
At least 16 people have been killed and 20 others were injured when a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ramban, Mohan Lal said the bus skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway close to Banihal, turned turtle and rolled down into the gorge. Rescue operations are currently underway. Read more

1. Modi Once Again Hits Out At Cow Vigilantes, Says Belief That Cow Is Like Mother Shouldnt Prompt People To Violate Law

With a united opposition eyeing to corner the government in the Parliament over the recent incidents of beef lynchings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned those breaking the law in the name of cow protection and asked the states to take stringent action against them.

Speaking at the all party meeting ahead of monsoon session the PM cautioned against giving political or communal colour to the issue. Read more

2. India Pushes Efforts To Find 39 Indians Missing In Iraq, MEA Sushma Swaraj Meets Families

39 Indians who are missing in Iraq since 2014 are yet to return to India and Swaraj met their families along with Ministers of State for MEA MJ Akbar and Gen VK Singh (retd) in New Delhi.

The day Iraq PM declared Mosul is liberated from ISIS, I asked VK Singh to go to Erbil, Swaraj was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Read more

3. Secret French Reports Still Says That Netaji Didn't Die In Air Crash

Paris-based historian J B P More, who recently stumbled upon a brief French secret service report dated December 11, 1947 at the National Archives of France, has come up with a finding that Bose didn't die in an air crash and was still alive in 1947.

"It is not stated in the document that Subhas Chandra Bose died in the air crash in Taiwan. Instead, it is reported that Bose's present whereabouts were unknown as late as December 1947, which again implies that the French did not buy the theory that Bose died in the air-crash on August 18, 1945," said More, who teaches at the Institut des Hautes Etudes Economiques et Commerciales, Paris. Read more

4. Uttar Pradesh Government Proposes A Disneyland-Like 'Krishna Land' Theme Park In Mathura

That is, the 'Krishna Land', a proposed theme park in Mathura the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Uttar Pradesh tourism officials have been asked to develop the blueprint of the project which the government aims to begin construction this year itself.

According to officials the 'Krishna Land' will be modeled based on the Disneyland in the US. Read more

5. Amarnath Yatra Terror Attack Death Toll Rises To 8, One More Woman Succumbs To Injuries

The death toll in last week's terror attack near Anantnag on a bus carrying pilgrims to Amarnath shrine has risen to eight after a woman who was injured died early on Sunday. The victim, identified as 47-year-old Lalitaben, died at the SKIMS Hospital in Srinagar.

She was one of the 56 passengers all from Gujarat, onboard the illfated bus which came under a gun attack at Batengoo about 8.20pm on July 10. Read more
The death toll in last week's terror attack near Anantnag on a bus carrying pilgrims to Amarnath shrine has risen to eight after a woman who was injured died early on Sunday.

PTI

The victim, identified as 47-year-old Lalitaben, died at the SKIMS Hospital in Srinagar.

She was one of the 56 passengers all from Gujarat, onboard the illfated bus which came under a gun attack at Batengoo about 8.20pm on July 10.

Indian security agencies had blamed Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Taiba headed by Hafiz Saeed for the attack, even though the outfit hasn't claimed responsibility of the act yet.

PTI

Last week's attack was the second such strike on Amarnath pilgrims in Kashmir since 1990.

The annual 40-day long pilgrimage has been under terror threat for many years, but remained relatively incidents-free all these years.

PTI

The latests attack came at a time when the security cover was at an all time high, owing to the increase in militant activity in the valley in the past one year.

The bus which came under attack had violated various security protocols. It was not a part of the registered vehicles, which received security cover from the agencies. It was also travelling at 8:20 in the night, nearly one-and-a-half hours beyond the time limit for vehicles carrying Amarnath pilgrims.
Exhaustive field trials are being carried out on two long-range ultra-light howitzers in Pokhran which the Indian Army received from the US after a gap of 30 years since the Bofors scandal broke out.

ap/representational image

The test-firing of the guns is primarily aimed at collating and determining various critical data like trajectory, speed and frequency of fire of the M-777 A-2 ultra-light howitzers (ULH) which are expected to be mostly deployed along the border with China.

The trials will continue till September for formation of the "firing table" which is a major aspect of the overall induction process, said the Army official privy to the trials on the condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

ap/representational image

The 155 mm, 39-calibre guns will fire Indian ammunition. Three more guns will be supplied to the Army in September, 2018 for training. Thereafter, induction will commence from March 2019 onwards with five guns per month till the complete consignment is received by mid-2021.

"The trials have been going on smoothly and various data are being collected for formation of the firing table," the official said, adding the aim was to ensure that there was no delay in the induction of the guns.

India had last procured howitzers in the mid-1980s from Swedish defence major Bofors. The alleged pay-offs in the deal and its subsequent political ramifications had severely crippled the Indian Army's procurement of artillery guns.

ap/representational image

The Army had received the howitzers in May as part of an order for 145 guns.

India had struck a government-to-government deal with the US last November for supply of the 145 howitzers at a cost of nearly Rs 5,000 crore.

While 25 guns will come in a fly-away condition, the rest will be assembled in India by the BAE Systems in partnership with Mahindra Defence.

twitter

The Army has been pressing the government to speed up its modernisation programme.

In a major decision, the government last week had empowered the Vice Chief of the Army to procure critical ammunition and spares for key weapons systems to maintain combat readiness for short duration "intense wars".
Sushma Swaraj is known for her swift actions to help Indians stranded overseas and in most of the cases, she has done a wonderful job. But 39 Indians who are missing in Iraq since 2014 are yet to return to India and Swaraj met their families along with Ministers of State for MEA MJ Akbar and Gen VK Singh (retd) in New Delhi.

AFP

The day Iraq PM declared Mosul is liberated from ISIS, I asked VK Singh to go to Erbil, Swaraj was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Speaking on the missing men, she added: Sources there told VK Singh that the missing Indians are most probably in a jail in Badush where fighting is still going on.

Devinder Singh, brother of one of the missing men Gobinder Singh, had earlier told The Indian Express that this would be the 12th meeting with Sushma since the Indians went missing.

The 39 Indians were believed to abducted by ISIS on June 11, 2014, Family members had been making several calls to MEA to know about the missing men. That appears to be the reason that the minister has apparently called a meeting to brief the family members collectively, Devinder told The Indian Express.

AFP

I got a call about the meeting and was told that the minister would share information gathered by V K Singh, said Gurpinder Kaur, one of the missing men Manjinder Singhs sister.
The Syrian army backed by Russian air power has seized a string of oil wells in South-West Raqqa province on Saturday as the retreating ISIS militants battle to save their last remaining stronghold in the country.

AFP

State own television Ikhbariyah quoted a military source as saying army had taken control of Wahab, al Fahd, Abu Qatash, Dbaysan, Abu al Qatar,al-Qseer and several other villages in the desert area that lies south-west of Raqqa.

The latest gain has tightened their grip over territory from eastern Hama province to eastern Homs and the edge of Raqqa and Deir Zor provinces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said.

AFP

The monitor said Russian air force increased its strikes n several targets and town held by the ISIS in areas includes Uqairbat. The Syrian army next goal would be retake the twon of Sukhna which is a gateway to eastern province of Deir Zor that borders Iraq and would be militants last bastion if Raqqa falls.
It has been a year since an attempt of coup was made in Turkey to topple President Recep Tayyib Erdogan and on Saturday Turkey marked one year of it and president Erdogan issued warning of chop off the headsof traitors.

In order to showcase the national unity, national wide rallies were organised and the authorities declared 15 July an annual national holiday of democracy and unity.

Reuters

Much has changed in Turkey in last one year and President Erdogan is now more assertive their ever before. In an intense programme to assert his authority in the garb of democracy, President Erdogan attended a special session of parliament in Ankara, spoke to mass rally in Istanbul and then attended a rally in Ankara outside Parliament.

First of all we will chop off the heads of those traitors, Erdogan was quoted by AFP, reaffirming he would sign any passed by Parliament bill on resuming executions. Erdogan was speaking by the bridge across the Bosphorus in Istanbul which was the flashpoint last year.

Erdogan warned that Turkey would reintroduce capital punishment.

Post the coup attempt that failed, the Erdogan led authorities had unleashed heavy crackdown on Gullen supporters. Fethullah Gulen, a US based preacher is still believed to be behind the attempted coup.

Reuters

Erdogan also said the suspects being tried over the failed coup should wear uniform clothing like the notorious orange jumpsuits used at US military prison at Guantanamo Bay. When they appear in court, lets make them appear in uniform suits like in Guantanamo, Erdogan said to cheers.

Supporters of Erdogan shouted, we are soldiers of Tayyip [Erdogan].

In the later speech to thousands outside parliament in Ankara which was bombed by warplanes that night, Erdogan declaimed our nation showed the whole world what a nation we are on July 15.

Two hundred and forty nine people, not including the plotters, were killed when a disgruntled faction of the army sent tanks into the streets and war planes into the sky in a bid to overthrow Erdogan after one-and-a-half decades in power.

But they were thwarted within hours as the authorities regrouped and people poured into the streets in support of Erdogan, who blamed followers of his ally-turned-nemesis, the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen.

Did my citizens have weapons? They had their flags like today but they had a more efficient weapon: their faith, Erdogan said in Istanbul.

Reuters

Murat, an Erdogan supporter at the Ankara rally, said: If that happened once more, I would stay out again. That night, it was like a war. We take ownership of this country and its people.

After the attempt failed, authorities launched the biggest crackdown in Turkeys history and arrested 50,000 people and sacked almost three times the people from their jobs. Months later Erdogan further cemented his position by winning a referendum on enhancing powers in his hands.
An outstanding student of the University of Leicester has gained a first-class Honours BSc degree in Mathematics,just days after he turned 15 year-old.

Yasha Asley was only 12 when he embarked upon the three-year undergraduate degree. This week, he joined some 3,500 graduates of the University of Leicester to become the youngest graduate in the Universitys history.

Yasha said: Right from my primary school days I wanted to start my university education early. I love absolutely everything about mathematics and I would like to continue studying.

Now, at 15 years old, I finished my degree course when children of my age are doing their GCSEs and I am grateful for the opportunity that was created for me. Overall I will have great memories to look back on.

I look forward to continuing my education here at Leicester by embarking on a PhD in Mathematics in September. Eventually, I would like to become a research mathematician here so that I can continue to enjoy my love of mathematics.

Yashas father, Moussa, who accompanied his son for the ceremony, said: I am so proud of him- I have waited 14 years for this day. I always knew he could do it.

Professor Jeremy Levesley, who taught Yasha, said: It has been a great pleasure to work with Yasha over the last three years. He has integrated really well with the other students, and if I had not known he was younger I would not have guessed.

He has proven to be one of the best students we have ever had here, so it is great that he is staying with us to do a PhD. On a personal note, I think he is a great bloke, and will go on to do really interesting things.

Source: ( Instablog9ja )
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has confirmed that it is ready to testify against a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and oil barons, Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore in the United States and the United Kingdom.

It was learnt that evidence had been sent to the US Justice Department, as well as the UKs National Crime Agency with a view to repatriating part of the $1.6bn allegedly stolen by Alison-Madueke, Aluko and Omokore.

Omokore, Aluko and four others are standing trial before a Federal High Court on nine counts of criminal diversion of about $1.6bn alleged to be proceeds of the sale of petroleum products belonging to the Federal Government.

A source at the anti-graft agency said, We have sent evidence to the UK and the US on this case. The investigation involves many countries because these guys bought properties on different continents.

We also update them as the case in court continues to unfold. We will be willing to testify if need be. This was how we assisted the UK in the James Ibori case. We will continue to work together.

While Omokore is currently in Nigeria, Aluko has continued to elude both local and foreign authorities for over a year and was last seen in Porza-Lugano, Switzerland, in 2016.

It was learnt that the anti-graft agency has been sending court testimonies to the US and the UK, as well as sworn affidavits deposed to by key witnesses against the three primary suspects.

The key witnesses are a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Andrew Yakubu; the Managing Director, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited, Yusufu Matashi; as well as some officials of the EFCC.

Omokore and Aluko were accused of creating two shell companies in the British Virgin Islands  Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria and Atlantic Energy Brass Development  to handle their oil contracts.

Though the companies did not meet all the requirements set by the Bureau of Public Procurements, they were said to be given the contract through the influence of Alison-Madueke.

After failing to fulfil the terms of their deals, they were allowed to produce and sell about $1.6bn worth of crude oil. The duo then allegedly created additional shell companies to launder the proceeds through the US and the UK, giving kickbacks to Diezani.

According to the UK Financial Times, a prosecutor told a US court that, Aluko, a trader, who made about $500,000, became a billionaire in less than three years, purchasing $87m of US property and a yacht worth $82m.

In a conversation with Aluko that prosecutors said Diezani recorded, she criticised him for his lavish spending, saying, If you want to hire a yacht, you lease it for two weeks or whatever. You dont go and sink funds into it at this time when Nigerian oil and gas sector is under all kinds of watch.

Aluko and Omokore allegedly purchased millions of dollars worth of property in and near London for Diezani and her family and then furnished the homes with furniture, artwork and other luxury items from Houston-area stores that she fancied.

The report said, In January 2011, the Nigerian businessmen and unidentified co-conspirators bought a Buckinghamshire home known as The Falls for 3.25m. Two months later, as Aluko was meeting with Nigerian oil officials to discuss a contract, he arranged to buy two properties near Londons Regent Parks: a 1.7m home at 39 Chester Close and 58 Harley House on the Marylebone Road for 2.8m.

The first property, upgraded with an elevator and new stone flooring and countertops, was intended for the use of Alison-Maduekes mother and her son, according to the complaint. The men, that month, also purchased a 3.7m-flat at 83-86 Prince Albert Road for the oil minister.

The US prosecutor alleged that on a single day in May 2012, Aluko wired $461,500 from a Swiss bank account to one furniture store and spent an additional $262,091 at a second on Diezanis behalf.

The US prosecutors have also moved to seize $144m in assets, including a 200-foot yacht and a Manhattan condominium, one block from Central Park, calling them the fruits of an international bribery scheme that involved Diezani.

The Justice Department action targeted Alukos vessel Galactica Star, which its builder considered as the worlds largest, fast displacement yacht, along with condominium units in Manhattan and real estate in Southern California located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean.

The yacht was said to have also been rented to US star couple, Jay-Z and Beyonce at the cost of $900,000 a week.

The acting Assistant Attorney General, Kenneth Blanco, said the properties would be sold and the fund repatriated to Nigeria.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has confirmed that four of its members were killed by youths in the troubled Southern Kaduna.

According to the herdsmen, the youths, said to be from Kadara and Gwari communities in Kajuru Local Government Area, were responsible for the killings

The National Secretary of the association, Ibrahim Abdullahi, speaking at a press conference in Kaduna, claimed the incident occurred when some kidnappers raided the communities and took away some villagers.

He noted that the youths took advantage of the incident and stormed the village, killing four of their members, including a brother to one of those kidnapped.

He said, MACBAN wishes to condemn the recent unprovoked, unwarranted killing of its members in Kajuru Local Government Area by Kadara and Gwari communities.

The killings followed a kidnap incident in which Fulani, Adara and Gbagyi people were victims. In fact, the brother and sister of one of the Fulani killed were kidnapped during the incident that led to the attack on the Fulani community.

As soon as the kidnap was over, the communities decided to attack the nearest nomadic settlements, killing the four youths.

Abdullahi alleged that there were deliberate attempts by some misguided individuals to ensure that violent crisis spread across the state.

It started with the amputation of the hands of migratory nomads in Maho village in Kachia Local Government Area, unprovoked attacks and burning of three nomadic settlements in Tsohon Damishi in Chikun Local Government Area, and now, these unjustifiable killings, he added.

While calling on their members to remain calm and not to take laws into their hands, Abdullahi called on the relevant security agencies to apprehend all the perpetrators.

The Kaduna State Police Command could not confirm the incident as responses to a phone call and text message sent to the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Mustapha Mohammed, were still being awaited as of the time of filing this report.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
According to reports, Parents of the six abducted pupils of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla Epe, have paid N31m ransom to the criminals who kidnapped their children.

It was revealed that some parents were assigned to take the money to an undisclosed place, where they paid to some members of the gang in two tranches.

The parents were, however, worried that their children had not been released since last week when their abductors promised to set them free.

The kids were kidnapped exactly 53 days ago, three days after the gunmen notified the school management of their plans.

They broke into a boys hostel around 6am on Thursday, May 25, picked 10 Senior Secondary School pupils and led them to a waterside.

The pupils were screened based on their family background. While four were consequently released, the assailants whisked away the remaining six pupils identified as Peter Jonah, Isiaq Rahmon, Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Pelumi Philips and Farouq Yusuf in a speedboat.

The kidnappers last Sunday promised to release the children.

Sources, who spoke with SUNDAY PUNCH, said many parents sold their property and borrowed from friends and relatives to pay the N31m ransom.

A source said, We dont know what else these people want. The parents are stranded. The first time, three parents met with them somewhere and gave them N10m.

They demanded another N21m ransom. The parents took the money to the place and gave it to some gang members. They told the parents that they had done all the necessary things and promised to release the children in the next two days. They have been expecting the children since last week.

One of the parents said his quest to reunite with his child had increased tremendously in the last few days as a result of the assurance by the abductors.

We gave them N31m cash. We didnt send it through a third party and they confirmed the money was complete. They promised to release our children soon.

We were confused when we heard that they demanded another N1.5m before the children could be released, the parent added.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole and the Force PRO, CSP Mashood Jimoh, had repeatedly assured the parents and members of the public that the pupils would be rescued soon.
A medical doctor identified as Dr. Okafor Ikechukwu has been arraigned before an Enugu Magistrate Court for unlawfully detaining a nursing mother and child in his private hospital located in Abakpa, Enugu, for a year and four months against their will.

The charge further read that you Dr. Ikechukwu Okafor from April 2016 to 8th day of July 2017 at Divine Grace Hospital and Maternity situate at No 10 Nsude Street Garki Awkunanaw Enugu, in Enugu South Magisterial District, did unlawfully confine and detain one Chiamaka Ogbodo and her child Kosisochukwu against their will.

He was therefore accused of depriving them of their personal liberty and thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 316 of the 1999 Criminal Code, Cap 30 volume.

The doctor however pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail at the cost of N100,000 by presiding magistrate A.O.Eze.

Commenting on the issue, Chiamaka told NewTelegraph that she put to bed at the suspects hospital on April 10, 2016 but due to her familys inability to pay all the bills at once, she was detaine

She said she lost her father in the process compounding her familys financial challenge and that every appeal made to the doctor to even allow her to go and see the corpse of her late father before his interment fell on deaf ears.

She said it took the intervention of the national coordinator of Human Rights Volunteer Copse (HRVC), Mr. Larry Oguego, to use the police to rescue her from the doctors cell on July 8.

She further alleged that while in detention, several attempts were made on her by the doctor and his friends to violet her sexually, but she resisted.
The wife of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has suffered minor injuries in an accident involving the presidential motorcade after the 93-year-old leaders return from a trip for medical treatment.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabes wife Grace was injured in what officials called a freak accident as she left the airport with her husband on Saturday following their return from Singapore, state television reported.

Mugabe had gone to Singapore on July 7 for a medical check, his third such trip this year and was accompanied by his wife.

State television ZBC quoted Mugabes spokesman George Charamba saying that the veteran leaders wifesuffered some soft tissue bruising on the right ankle as a result of a freak car incident at the Harare International Airport soon after arrival from Singapore.

The accident occurred as the First Family was about to leave the airport for the residence, ZBC reported on its website, without giving details of what happened.

Grace Mugabe was taken to a local hospital where she was treated for the bruises and discharged.

The report did not say whether Grace was traveling in the same car with Mugabe although the two usually use the same presidential limousine when traveling together.

Charamba could not be reached for comment when contacted.

At the time of her discharge, she complained of pain from the hurt ankle, ZBC said, adding that Mugabe, his daughter and son-in-law, accompanied Grace to the hospital.
A conflict is brewing between the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), even though neither side wants to admit it. The two private trade associations, with memberships composed of public officials, are on a collision course over what lawmaking power may be constitutionally delegated to nonpublic entities.

The delegation practice in question is known as incorporation by reference (IBR), a supposedly benign process whereby noncontroversial technical and procedural changes are introduced into law without debate or scrutiny. In essence, many insurance statutes across the country make reference to NAIC guidance documents and model laws and regulations. An update by the NAIC effectively changes the law in every state that makes such references.

Of late, NCOIL members and insurance trade associations have begun to express concern that the NAIC, which relies on IBR to transmute its pronouncements into law and regulation rapidly, is introducing substantive changes into state codes and thereby running afoul of constitutional restraints on the delegation of legislative authority.

Twice in Chicago, the site of NCOILs summer meeting, NCOIL participants discussed the need for IBR reform. NCOILs past president, state Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Ind., presented at the meetings welcome breakfast about his states effort to reassess language that has been incorporated by reference into Indiana law and regulation since 1991, with an eye toward reviewing any substantive changes. Holdman tried to make clear he was not trying to pick a fight with the NAIC, but felt he had a constitutional obligation to ensure that non-delegable authority was and is not being wielded unconstitutionally.

At a subsequent session focused on dialogue between the NAIC and NCOIL, four insurance commissioners gave prepared remarks and answered questions about IBR. Maine Insurance Superintendent Eric Cioppa shared his view that the NAIC material incorporated by reference is not only technical in natureas it is focuses on accounting, actuarial and financial examination practicesbut is also merely guidance and not authority upon which enforcement actions could be based. He opined that how each states chooses to treat NAIC work products is exclusively their own concern, a sentiment later echoed by his commissioner colleagues.

Cioppas assertion to the contrary, the NAIC does actively promulgate de facto national standards that have the force of law. The issue may play out at the state level, but the scope of the NAICs reach is truly national. And a June decision out of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court may change all that.

Protz v. Workers Compensation Appeal Board, concerning the incorporation of American Medical Association (AMA) standards into state law, raises questions about the legality and sustainability of the NAICs current arrangement. The Protz court struck down the states IBR scheme with the AMA without resorting to the distinction between substantive and nonsubstantive changes that has animated the controversy between the NAIC and NCOIL. In fact, the Pennsylvania court held the entire scheme, which is virtually identical to the one currently enjoyed by the NAIC, to be unconstitutional on the basis of the scope and duration of the authority delegated to the private body.

Applying that reasoning, NCOIL could play a trump card against the NAIC by suggesting a narrower and appropriately defined scope and duration of IBR authority. The Protz two-step would go something like this:

Require basic policy choices to be made by the Legislature; and Include standards to guide and restrain the exercise of delegated administrative functions, including a definite and predictable schedule of review.

Such an approach would recommend that state legislatures avoid adopting standards sight unseen without guiding criteria.

No matter how NCOIL and the NAIC characterize their approaches to this issue, theres no question it will come up again and again, simply by virtue of the roles these groups play and the constituencies they represent. Constitutional fidelity demands that there be only one appropriate outcome  that the NAICs shadow governance be brought to heel.

Topics Legislation
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for new Israeli-Palestinian peace talks to create two independent states.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris, Mr Macron said that "everything should be done so that negotiations restart" with the aim of reaching a two-state solution, as the international community has long sought.

He also condemned an attack last week that killed two Israeli police officers at a Jerusalem shrine revered by Jews and Muslims.

His office said he is concerned about Israels security but also about growing Jewish settlement building, and worried that Mr Netanyahu is backing away from a commitment to a two-state solution.

The two leaders also discussed fighting extremism in Syria and elsewhere, and improving economic cooperation.
This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
YOU better see it to believe it  a mermaid has been spotted off the shores of Ventnor.

Seen swimming from Ventnor to Shanklin, the mermaid in question was Mermaid Athiraa  also known as Linda Agren  who hails from Sweden.

Linda was on the Island to visit her friend Elliot Nichols, but she couldn't resist trying her namesake gin at the Isle of Wight Distillery.

Alongside her job teaching at a Swedish secondary school, the 27-year-old, who was born in the same year as Disney's The Little Mermaid, performs at children's parties.

"People are very curious when they see me swimming, and at parties I really make an effort with my costume and make-up to make the children believe they actually met a real life mermaid," she said.

"To see that glittering fascination in their eyes is what makes it all worth it, because I made their childhood a little bit more magical."

This is the second time Linda has visited the Island, but it sounds like she'll be back.

"I love the isle because I love the closeness to the sea. I would love to come back to the Isle of Wight to meet my friends, find inspiration, and breathe in the amazing culture surrounding the sea," she added.




Ann Zuraw, the president of Zuraw Financial Services, has been ranked No. 8 on Investopedias List of Top 100 Influential Financial Advisors. She has more than 30 years of professional experience in financial planning, portfolio management, family businesses and stock analysis. Zuraw is a certified financial planner, and chartered financial analyst.

Dr. Jeffrey C. Zackeru, DMD, has joined the practice of Dr. Lindsay C. Yancey, Jr. DDS as an associate dentist. He did his undergraduate study at UNC Charlotte and graduated from the East Carolina University School of Dentistry in May. Zackeru is a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the N.C. Dental Association.

Daymark Recovery Services, Inc. has received a $10,000 Transportation Grant from Mark and Sallie Serosky. The grant will provide transportation to people in Forsyth County who have recently been discharged from an inpatient unit, or have recently received mental health or substance-abuse crisis care.

Dr. George Ghobrial has joined Novant Health Forsyth Brain and Spine Surgery. He completed a spinal surgery fellowship at the University of Miami Hospital from 2016 to 2017 and before that was a neurological surgery resident at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital from 2009 to 2016. Ghobrial received a bachelors degree from State University of New York at Binghamton, and graduated from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center has earned a place on the 19th annual Health Cares Most Wired list. The list was compiled by Health Forum, a business enterprise of the American Hospital Association. The survey is designed to measure the use of information technology by U.S. hospitals and health systems. The 461 institutions on the 2017 list were selected on the basis of information collected from 698 participants, representing an estimated 2,158 health care entities.

Tony Hartsoe has been recognized by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys as a 10 Best Family Law Attorney for Client Satisfaction for two years. The attorneys on the list have passed a selection process that includes client and/or peer nominations, research and the institutes independent selection process.

Dr. Albert Stanley Stan Meiburg has been appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission to fill the seat requiring special training or scientific expertise in hydrology, water pollution control or the effects of water pollution. Meiburg is the director of graduate studies at the Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability at Wake Forest University. He has worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for almost 40 years where he was the second person in history to serve as Deputy Regional Administrator in more than one region.

Sharon Fisher has been named the director of Government Affairs for the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. She will direct the chambers advocacy work at the local, state, and federal level. Prior to joining the chamber, Fisher was a senior constituent services representative for U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan and district liaison for U.S. representatives Melvin Watt and Eva Clayton.

Krista Nance has joined Keller Williams Triad in Kernersville as a real estate agent.

Adam Barnett has been named the executive chef of The Katharine Brasserie & Bar, adjacent to the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in the historic Reynolds Tobacco Co. building. He is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and attended the New England Culinary Institute. Barnett started his culinary career working in traditional French bistro and brasserie kitchens. He became known for bringing a fresh, modern approach to classic French dishes at such renowned Washington, D.C., restaurants as West End Bistro by Eric Ripert at the Ritz Carlton, Eventide Restaurant/OddBar Lounge in Arlington, and Poste Brasserie. Barnett has worked with Chef Patrick OConnell at The Inn at Little Washington in Virginia and at Sierra Mar at the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, Calif. Before joining The Katharine, Barnett was the executive chef at Lyon Hall in Arlington, Va., a bustling restaurant in the Clarendon neighborhood, serving a classic French brasserie menu.
As Ali Alazab, 10, shoveled food onto his dinner plate, he paired a traditional Syrian chicken and rice dish with a good old American heap of macaroni and cheese.

It was a taste of home and a taste of his new home, he said.

Ali, a refugee from Syria who moved to Winston-Salem with his family of 10 nearly a year ago, remarked on the many differences.

They speak English here, Ali said. Oh, and the potatoes and the Pepsi. Those are my favorite.

Ali and three of his siblings were some of the more than 100 refugee families and community members to attend Winston-Salems first Triad Refugee Festival Saturday in Corpening Plaza.

Although the event was cut short by a thunderstorm, attendees made the most of their time by enjoying the music, live performances and potluck style meal.

The people here are so welcoming, said Somali refugee Sofia Aden. Its a big difference from home in safety and the people.

While Saturday was the inaugural event for Winston-Salem, the festival has been held in High Point for about seven years, said World Relief executive director Jennifer Foy.

World Relief  a nonprofit organization that has integrated thousands of refugees into Triad communities in the past 10 years  hosted a refugee festival in High Point on Friday night.

Traditionally, weve done this as a way to celebrate and build new friendships, Foy said. One year we had a Pakistani child singing a lullaby. Its just a beautiful expression of different cultures.

Each year, the festival coincides with World Refugee Day, which is held June 20 as a global celebration of the strength and resilience of the millions of people around the world forced to flee their homes due to war or human rights abuses.

This is such a great introduction into different cultures and seeing the different puzzle pieces that make up Winston-Salem, said volunteer Amy Archambault. We celebrate diversity here and celebrate our different roots.

Attendees, many of whom donned traditional garbs, enjoyed a variety of food including Persian soup, a sweetened crepe native to the Congo and pizza.

I like the bread and the rice, its all so different, said Adaya Masamba, a refugee from the Congo.

Many shared in the talent of refugee sisters from Pakistan, Yasmeen Musarred and Sahrish Nasir, who drew Henna designs on peoples hands.

Attendees also each contributed to a world map, scribbling words like love and hope within the contours of the continents.

The interactive art piece, which began at Friday nights festival in High Point, will be displayed in the World Relief office.

Many things are good here, said Kalthom Alazab, 12. The people are wonderful. They help us.

Syrian refugee Kalthom attended the festival with her brothers, Ali, Osama, 7, and Anaas, 4.

Irene Bantigue, who moved to Winston-Salem from London two years ago, accompanied them.

Bantigue volunteers with the family to help them learn English.

I love that this festival celebrates the diversity of Winston-Salem, she said. Things like this bring us together and show us the world isnt so big after all.
Southern poutines were a popular menu choice at Bailey Park on Thursday, a pimento cheese variation on the popular Canadian dish made with french fries, cheese curds and brown gravy. Offered up by Almost Home, a new player to the local food-truck scene, the tasty concoction was just one of the dinner choices for the Sunset Thursday concert series at the park, and several hundred people came out to enjoy the music against a backdrop of green space and new construction.

Beverly Knight, Jerel Smith, Sydney Hyman and Victoria Bost made time to snap a few selfies in front of the water feature that anchors the park. When asked for his name, Smith smiled.

Im Mr. WSSU and these are my friends, he said. Ms. Beverly said we should do this so we came out for the first time.

My shop  Its Beauty: Shades of Color  is just around the corner at 344 Patterson Ave., Knight said. Its a boutique and has fair-trade items and attire from Africa.

Aaron Graff also works in the area and attended the concert with Honey, a corgi-boxer-Australian shepherd mix.

I work at Biotech Place, and I think a lot of people are surprised that there is so much going on around here, Graff said. And in the summer, they also have movies outside here.

Bailey Park consists of 1.6 acres of publicly accessible green space and is a favorite destination for people living, learning, working and playing in and around the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter. The park features a covered stage, restroom facilities, a food-truck court and a large grassy lawn along with a variety of free, community programming like Bailey Blues & Bluegrass and an appealing pet-friendly ambiance. Bailey Park is managed and operated by Cushman & Wakefield, a global real- estate services company on behalf of the Innovation Quarters North District Owners Association.

For the Sunset No. 8 concert, Boone Doggies, Zekos 2 Go, Home Slice Pizza, Taqueria El Azteca and Sunset Slush joined Almost Home in the food truck lineup. A variety of food trucks can also be found at the Bailey Park food-truck court during lunchtime hours Monday through Friday and includes La Vie En Rose, Taqueria Lucianos, Bandito Burrito, Camel City Grill and Urban Street Grill.

Brooke Groce, Abigail Mobley and Jessi Pennington chose Sunset Slush for dinner and Cry Baby, Cotton Candy and Cherry flavors, respectively.

Im downtown almost every day, so we come here a lot, Pennington said. I love the colors and the aesthetics of the park.

Reece Guida and Alex Longa joined their friends, Joe Hewitt and Madeline Lizard, for the night.

I just found out about this, Lizard said of the concert series. Our friends asked us to come, so we decided to give it a try.

Deborah Walls, mom to James Richardson, aka owner of the Almost Home truck, was happy to see people enjoying her sons food.

Im down here supporting him, Walls said, smiling. Hes from Charlotte, but hes done some events here and goes over to JuggHeads every so often. Im happy people like what hes serving.

Michelle Cohen and Megan Johnston caught up with each other in front of a gorgeous floral backdrop.

Nearby, Dylan Gallimore and Jose Rodriguez took a few minutes away from their work duties to grab a quick bite for dinner.

Were actually here in response to an outage, said Gallimore, referencing the work he does for Fiber Optic Construction. Were waiting on our materials to arrive.

Melissa and Trevor Downing brought their girls, Victoria, 3, and Ella, almost 1, to the concert. Their au pair, Nadine Wilding, helped the parents keep the little ones entertained.

This is our first time here, Melissa Downing said. Its a lot of fun!

Weve lived in Winston-Salem for seven years, but this is the first time weve made it to this event, Trevor Downing said. We saw it online and thought it looked like a good family activity.

Over at the food trucks, Richardson graciously agreed to a quick photo in between customers.

Along with the Southern-style poutines, he serves such items as an eggplant sandwich, a Cuban sandwich, pork belly tacos and truffle fries  all through a small window that released savory aromas throughout the evening.

Weve had the truck open for about a month and a half, but weve been doing private parties and catering for about 18 months, Richardson said, his Never Trust a Skinny Chef T-shirt apropos for the evening. Well be at the GMAC Building in August, and were looking to build our dates in Winston-Salem. If people like the food, they can request our truck for events.

The number of satisfied smiles post poutines seems to suggest that Almost Home will become a new local foodie favorite. And the variety of concertgoers at Sunset No. 8 underscores the ongoing development of local venues for diverse music events.

Food, music and outdoor arenas  cheers to the City of Arts and Innovation!
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  Talk about adding to the stress of planning a wedding.

Dress retailer Alfred Angelo Bridal filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in Florida on Friday. The dressmaker, which has 60 stores nationwide and sells at 1,400 other locations, has its headquarters in Delray Beach.

The company lists no standalone stores in North Carolina on its website. However, it does list a few stores in the Piedmont Triad that sell Alfred Angelo dresses: Eman Fashion at Four Seasons Town Centre in Greensboro, Carolina Bridal World in Burlington and Bruce's Bridal in Lexington.

The sudden closing has created more bridezillas than usual. Many brides-to-be took to social media to express their frustration and hope that they could still get their dresses.

Patricia Redmond, a lawyer who is representing Alfred Angelo Bridal, told the Sun Sentinel that she will ask the court-appointed trustee to release dresses being held in the stores awaiting pickup.

Other national chains are also trying to help out, discounting dresses by as much as 30 percent, for affected customers.
Can African Americans be racist? Like other seemingly philosophical questions, the answer varies.

If one subscribes to racism being an institutional structure that African Americans did not create, they would most likely answer in the negative.

Others have chosen to nuance the question by adding reverse racism into the lexicon. Ive always found this to be a curious term in that it suggests that somehow racism, in the hands of marginalized groups, possesses the ability to swim upstream like the sock-eye salmon.

Both perspectives, in my view, are inadequate. Racism remains one of Americas most misunderstood terms. As it is appropriated in contemporary discourse, racism is one of the most stinging and amorphous charges one can levy.

Racism is often transmuted as the big brother of prejudice. The two are not the same. I fully admit my prejudice against beets, snakes and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Everyone has prejudices, which could include certain people. But this is not racism.

Nor should we comingle racism so that it conforms to the outdated model personified by Eugene Bull Connor and his vicious use of police dogs and fire hoses in Birmingham during the Civil Rights Movement.

Did the election of Barack Obama officially usher America into some post-racial Nirvana? In poll after poll, whites are more likely to accept 21st century America as post-racial than their African American counterparts. I suspect as long as we maintain a sophomoric understanding of racism, such data is unlikely to change.

Racism must be removed from the hackneyed black/white axis. It should not be based on people, but rather policy and procedures.

The federal sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine has been widely touted as a racist policy that has led to mass incarceration. What has been discussed less is that the Congressional Black Caucus, at the behest of many African American leaders in local communities, supported those policies.

The context for that support was not some diabolical plan to rid communities of young black and Latino men, but rather the primordial desire to feel safe. The level of violence, especially in urban areas, during the crack epidemic made the desire for Congress to take action understandable. But it was ultimately a reactionary policy that was blind to the unintended consequences.

Intent notwithstanding, the outcome suggests many within the Congressional Black Caucus and those African American leaders supported what could be viewed as a racist policy. Moreover, glossing over such details is to seek a mythical moral high ground that does nothing to move the conversation forward.

After the Supreme Court gutted Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, in Shelby County v. Holder, many states previously under its provision, most notoriously North Carolina, went to work to make voting more onerous. This had a pernicious impact on low-income, the elderly, as well as some people of color.

Led by state governments dominated by Republicans, the motivation may have very well been to suppress the vote of those unlikely to support their candidates. But the legitimacy of the policies was marred by its dishonest justification.

The case for widespread voter fraud has yet to be proven. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, voter fraud in the 2016 election was between 0.0003 and 0.0025 percent. These findings hardly justify systematically disenfranchising untold numbers of registered voters.

In 2016, the 4th Circuit panel ruled against North Carolinas newly instituted voter laws stating: The new provisions target African Americans with almost surgical precision and impose cures for problems that did not exist.

Some hold to the theory that blacks cannot be racist because they would first need to subjugate whites. But that oversimplifies the institution of racism that operates in an amoral paradigm. For this to be true, wouldnt it also negate any African Americans from participating in the institution?

How does one account for the two black officers who plead guilty in shooting deaths of black civilians during Hurricane Katrina?

Neither George Zimmerman, who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, nor Officer Jeronimo Yanez, who killed Philando Castile, was white. But in my view, both were guilty of racist acts.

Anyone participating in institutions of power can be susceptible to the nefarious clutches of racism. Yanezs power lay in his being an officer; Martin's death was bolstered by Floridas Stand Your Ground law.

We must find a better way to talk about racism. We need to embrace a common understanding so that we can have a more judicious conversation.

What we have now is too simplistic. Its only contribution is to assure arrested development.
The Office of the Inspector General for the US Department of Justice [official websites] issued a report [PDF] on Friday criticizing the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) [official website] treatment of inmates with mental illnesses. The report singles out [NPR report] a prison in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, having a pending lawsuit against it, alleging that the institution mistreated prisoners and denied adequate mental health services. According to the report, the BOP is violating its own recently implemented policy by keeping prisoners with mental illness in solitary confinement for too long and denying them medical treatment. The American Correctional Association [official website] recommends that solitary confinement cells be no smaller than 80 square feet, but those at Lewisburg are a mere 58.5 square feet. Prisoners who suffer from mental illness are confined with other afflicted inmates which often results in violent confrontations that cause serious injuries or death. The report also found that many who arrive at Lewisburg prison with mental disorders are denied treatment and medication. We believe that the additional requirements established by the new policy, along with no increase in mental health staffing, resulted in institution mental health staffs reducing the number of [mentally ill] inmates, who are required to receive more frequent mental health care. According to NPR, the BOPs acting director agreed to conduct a comprehensive review of Lewisburg prison and adopt the recommendations provided by the report.

The increasing need to provide inmates with medical and legal services has been a significant issue of concern for quite some time. On Tuesday, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit [official website] ordered [JURIST report] that a Texas death-row inmate must be provided funds to build a defense against his impending execution. Earlier this month, William Morva was executed by lethal injection [JURIST report] after supporters failed to convince Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe [official website] to grant him clemency because of a mental illness. In June, the US Supreme Court [official website] ruled [JURIST report] that psychiatric assistance must be provided for indigent defendants sentenced to the death penalty.
[JURIST] Maltas Parliament [official website] approved [press release] a bill legalizing same-sex marriage on Wednesday, making it the fifteenth country in the EU and the twenty-fifth country in the world to do so. The bill, in making marriage fully gender neutral also allows same-sex couples to adopt or take on their partners surname without distinction. Malta had only legalized [WP report] divorce in 2011. Previously one of the EUs more conservative countries, Malta has been moving in a more liberal direction after the election of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat [official profile].

LGBTQ+ rights and anti-homosexuality laws have been a matter of international controversy for decades, and have been receiving increasing attention and scrutiny in the past few years. Earlier this week the UK Supreme Court awarded [JURIST report] equal pension rights to same-sex spouses. Earlier in July the New Zealand Parliament formally apologized [JURIST report] to the hundreds of men who were criminally convicted under antiquated anti-homosexuality laws. Also in July a Chinese court has ordered a mental hospital to issue a public apology and pay compensation [JURIST report] to a 38-year-old man after forcing him to undergo conversion therapy. In June the lower house of the German Parliament voted [JURIST report] 393-226 to legalize same-sex marriage. In April Nigeria prosecutors in Kaduna charged [JURIST report] 53 men for celebrating an LGBTQ wedding in violation of the states law against unlawful assembly and the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act. A day earlier Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups had urged [JURIST report] UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to investigate alleged abuse against LGBT people in Chechnya.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, second left, and French President Emmanuel Macron, second right, pay their respect after laying a wreath at the Vel d'Hiv roundup memorial, during a ceremony commemorating the 75nd anniversary of the Vel d'Hiv roundup, Sunday, July 16, 2017 in Paris. French Jewish leaders are giving speeches at an emotional ceremony at the Vel d'Hiv stadium outside Paris, where French police rounded up some 13,000 people on July 16-17, 1942 before they were sent on to camps. Fewer than 100 survived. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu, Pool)
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The Financial Post reports:

Greenpeace, after repeated attacks against Canadas biggest forest products company for destroying, Canadas boreal forests, now says that it was merely stating an opinion about the logging activity, not a fact.

After years of weathering attacks on its forestry practices, Montreal-based Resolute Forest Products Inc. last year sued Greenpeace in United States District Court in Georgia under racketeering statutes, alleging that Greenpeaces repeated attacks on Resolute, to raise money for Greenpeace, amount to criminal activity.

In its claim, Resolute noted that Greenpeace has lobbied big Resolute paper customers, such as the Rite-Aid pharmacy chain (which printed its flyers on Resolute newsprint), encouraging them to switch suppliers, because, said Greenpeace, Resolute is a forest destroyer.

But now Greenpeace says it never intended people to take its words about Resolutes logging practices as literal truth.
Stuff reports:

Winston Peters wants a fair go leading into the election and says it would be anti-democratic for any media to host leader debates without NZ First. Peters, the anti-establishment politician, says not having his party represented in election campaign debates would be blind political prejudice or the media deliberately trying to protect National and Labour  the establishment parties. He said in the past state-funded broadcasters, Radio New Zealand and TVNZ, had been dominated by National and Labour not to include other parties and had so far got away with it.

Normally you have two types of debates  the two person debates with the PM and Opposition Leader and the larger debates with pretty much the leader of every party that has a reasonable chance of making Parliament. Last time the National and Labour leaders only took part in the former debates.

The more people involved in a debate is inversely proportional to the usefulness of the debate. You could make a case for including the leaders of the seven parties currently in Parliament plus TOP, Mana and the Conservatives. So ten leaders who in a 90 minutes debate would get around 400 seconds each.

But does Winston have a point that Andrew Little should not be assumed to be the only alternative PM to Bill English? If Labour drop 5% more and Peters gains 5% more he will be aiming for the top job.

Maybe one way you could do it is have the PM debate anyone who scores over 5% as Preferred Prime Minister. That would currently mean a three way debate between Bill English, Winston Peters and Jacinda Ardern!

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By Kang Seung-woo



U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist moves, as highlighted by his administration's request for renegotiation of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA), faces growing domestic opposition.



Many former and current government officials warn against the move, merely based on trade imbalances in a few industries such as cars and steel. Against this backdrop, observers point out that Trump may find himself embroiled in further protests if he turns a deaf ear to them.



Since his presidential election campaign last year, Trump has described the five-year-old deal as "horrible and unacceptable," vowing to renegotiate or terminate it under his slogan "Make America Great Again."



The U.S. government officially requested a revision last week.



The latest warning against Trump's protectionist moves came from 15 former White House economists from both political parties who sent a letter to Trump on July 12.



The economists include former Federal Reserve Chairs Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan, as well as Glenn Hubbard of Columbia Business School, Greg Mankiw of Harvard and Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz.



"The United States already has over 150 countervailing and antidumping duties on steel imports, including some as high as 266 percent. We import steel from over 110 countries and territories, but the top source countries are important allies like Canada, Brazil, South Korea, and Mexico. Additional tariffs would likely do harm to our relations with these friendly nations," the renowned economists said.



Trump issued an executive order in April to check if steel products imported from countries, including Korea, pose a threat to U.S. national security.



"The diplomatic costs might be worth it if the tariffs generated economic benefits. But they would not. Additional steel tariffs would actually damage the U.S. economy," they said.



Recently, Sunvia, a bankrupt U.S. solar cell and module maker, asked the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to raise tariffs on imported cells and modules, including those from Korea.



However, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) warned that if the petition succeeds, 88,000 jobs, about one-third of the current American solar workforce, would be gone.



"Rather than help the industry, the action would kill many thousands of American jobs and put a stop to billions of dollars in private investment," SEIA President and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper said.



U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Myron Brilliant also said last month that renegotiating the agreement would only result in benefitting U.S. trade rivals.



"Such a rash move would be a mistake," he said, adding that the merchandise trade numbers are also moving in the right direction.



U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Chairman Chip Councell is another to praise the current trade agreement between the two countries.



"U.S. farmers and agribusiness value the mutually beneficial trade benefits both parties have realized since the Korea-U.S. FTA went into effect," Councell said to Feedstuffs, a U.S. media outlet specialized in agriculture.



Given the current situation in the U.S., the Korean government believes it is not likely for the U.S. government to make "unreasonable" demands in negotiations with its Korean counterpart that may lead Seoul to scrap the agreement that the U.S. also considers important.



"The Korea-U.S. FTA is a very important pact to the U.S. as well. If the U.S. repeals the FTA, it is unimaginable that American businesses will just sit back," said Yeo Han-koo, the trade ministry's director general of trade policy.



According to the ministry, the bilateral trade agreement has helped the U.S. cut $2.1 billion in tariffs, compared to $1.8 billion for Korea.




By Park Jae-hyuk

The labor union at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has vowed an all-out struggle against the Moon Jae-in government following the company's decision to suspend construction of reactors 5 and 6 at the Shin Kori Nuclear Power Plant in Ulsan.

The KHNP union said it would take legal action to cancel the suspension and demanded an official meeting with President Moon.

"We will protest against the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, which requested the suspension to the KHNP," union leader Kim Byung-gi said during a rally in front of the construction site, Saturday.

Trade Minister Joo Hyung-hwan, who is in charge of the issue, has come under fire for remaining silent throughout a cabinet meeting on June 27, although he made it clear the reactors would be completed just a few months ago. ICT Minister Choi Yang-hee and Land Minister Kim Hyun-mee, both of whom are linked to the thorny issue, also reportedly said nothing during the cabinet meeting.

The union workers said they could not accept the hasty decision made by the board members and the ministers, who had supported construction under the previous administration. They also urged the board members to step down.












KEB Hana Bank Foreign Investment Department chief Kim Bum-rae, left, shakes hands with Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public Vice President Lachay Khanpravong after signing a memorandum of understanding at the Crowne Plaza Vientiane hotel, Friday. / Courtesy of KEB Hana Bank



By Nam Hyun-woo



KEB Hana Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the top Laos bank by assets for their strategic partnership, the Korean bank said Sunday.



Toward that end, KEB Hana Bank Foreign Investment Department chief Kim Bum-rae and Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL) Vice President Lachay Khanpravong signed the MOU.



The agreement was aimed at boosting the two lenders' partnership on remittance and trade financing. KEB Hana said the collaboration will allow the two sides to provide financial services to Laotians working in Korea.



Last October, the Human Resources Development Service of Korea and its Laotian counterpart signed a service commitment agreement of the recruitment of foreign workers.



Since 2004, Korea has been running an employment permit system to have more migrant workers protected by the law.



The system requires Korean employers to provide four types of insurance to foreign employees. The four include salary and accident insurance.



Under the agreement, Laos became the 16th country to dispatch workers protected by the system to Korea. The system will take effect in the second half of this year.



"Under the partnership with BCEL, KEB Hana will be able to provide improved financial services to Laotian workers in Korea," a KEB Hana Bank official said. "As a specialist in the foreign exchange business, KEB Hana will spare no efforts to provide quality services to meet the needs of the global market."



KEB Hana has been showing expertise in providing remittance services for migrant workers in Korea. The bank has a marketing team responsible only for foreigners here, providing counseling services in eight languages.
This is the fifth in a series highlighting Korean banks' operations in Southeast Asian countries. _ ED.



By Nam Hyun-woo





Shinhan Bank Vietnam General Director Shin Dong-min

In making advances into Southeast Asia, Shinhan Bank has built a reputation as a "pioneer," as its local body in Vietnam is one of the first-generation foreign banks in the country.



Shinhan first opened its office in Ho Chi Minh City in 1993, just 11 years after the bank's establishment in Korea.



The move seemed to be an alternative way for survival back then since the young bank was lagging behind its rivals in domestic competition and had to seek alternative opportunities in Vietnam where many Korean companies were advancing after the two countries established formal diplomatic relations in 1992.



After more than two decades, the choice turned out to be a significant move for the future.



The office has become the largest foreign bank in Vietnam by the number of branches, 18, and assets amounting to $2.5 billion as of the end of May. According to the Asian Banker, a market analysis firm, Shinhan Vietnam showed the highest return on assets last year among banks operating in Vietnam.



Though the bank has been enjoying a robust presence in Vietnam for more than two decades, Shinhan Bank Vietnam General Director Shin Dong-min says it is time for the local body to seek "a quantum leap" through mergers and acquisitions (M&As) with financial firms in the country.



"Given the nature of the banking business, we have to admit that there is a limit in organic growth," Shin said in an interview with The Korea Times. "For a quantum leap in our businesses, in-organic growth such as M&As will be essential."



The remark came after Shinhan Bank Vietnam's successful achievement last year. According to the bank's earnings, its net profit reached $47 million in 2016, up 12 percent from the previous year. Given continuous growth of its assets, the bank's net profit is expected to increase further this year.



Despite sound earnings, Shin said Shinhan Vietnam should not be complacent with its current market status since competition is getting fierce in the local market amid the rapid economic development of the country.



Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. Its gross domestic product (GDP) grew 6.7 percent in 2015, with the average growth rate from 2000 to 2014 standing at 6.5 percent.



Shin expects long-term economic growth given that some 60 percent of the country's population is aged between 20 and 59, which he described as "working age." Along with rich labor resources, their heightened consumerism and willingness to get loans will help expansion in the individual loan market.



"From 2011 to 2015, the volume of loans extended by banks in Vietnam surged by 21.6 percent every year and it will grow 15.4 percent every year from 2016 to 2020," Shin said. "With robust growth expected in the banking industry here, local banks and foreign banks are in fierce competition to raise their market share."



The strategy Shinhan Vietnam opted to take for a step ahead of its rivals was an M&A deal.



In April, Shinhan Vietnam acquired ANZ Bank's retail business in the country. The Australian bank made its entrance in Vietnam along with Shinhan in 1993 and has been standing as a foreign titan there, serving 125,000 clients.



Through the acquisition, Shinhan Vietnam expects noticeable growth in retail deposits and in its credit card business.

Shin said the takeover will be extra horsepower for Shinhan Vietnam to compete with not only foreign banks in Vietnam but also with homegrown banks.



"ANZ's strengths lie in its management of retail, credit loans, and property clients," he said. "The takeover of the credit card sector could be especially meaningful, as it would allow Shinhan to be No. 6 in the market and secure the foothold to take over the No. 3 spot within two to three years."



"For growth in the future, M&As are a must-do. The acquisition of the ANZ retail sector is the very beginning of this process," Shin said.



This is in line with Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Cho Yong-byoung's initiative to nurture Shinhan Bank into "a leading bank in Asia" through M&As.



A Shinhan Bank official said the bank is eyeing multiple M&A targets in North America and Southeast Asia.



From this month, Shinhan Vietnam will also do custody services, which have not been the domain of a Korean bank in Vietnam.



Despite Korea being one of the largest foreign investors in Vietnam, Korean investors had to rely on foreign banks with custody licenses to have their stocks and bonds managed.



"The services had been available only through global custodian banks such as HSBC or Citibank, but Shinhan Vietnam became another option for investors after earning a license in May," Shin said. "This means Shinhan has set up a platform to become a rival of global banks."



Korea Times intern Suh Chung-hwa contributed to this article.
Mixologist Thibaud Pierre Vatan demonstrates making a cocktail at McQueen's Bar in Hilton Busan, Thursday. / Korea Times photo by Yun Suh-young

By Yun Suh-young

BUSAN -- The color of the watermelon martini would have contrasted beautifully with the vivid blue ocean if only it wasn't the night. Under the gentle light of McQueen's Bar, the hot pink cocktail looked softer than its color.

"This is made of watermelon, vodka, strawberry liquor, homemade sugar syrup and lime juice," said Thibaud Pierre Vatan, mixologist at Hilton Busan's McQueen's Bar, while making a watermelon martini. The stylishly designed bar is situated inside the newly opened Hilton Busan which is likely to rise as a popular destination for tourists for its stylish architecture.

"I noticed they like fruity drinks. Fruit is their culture so I try to mix fresh fruit into each cocktail. They like their culture and stick to it a lot," Vatan said, referring to the Busan people who, not surprisingly, eat fruit as a staple due to the warm weather of the region.

The French mixologist finds Busan people similar to southern Italians.

"They like to show off a bit like south Italians with a big car, a ring and necklace. They like nightlife. It's a very lively city," he said.

Vatan has lived in Korea for three years now, and in Busan for two years. He worked as a bartender at French restaurant Les Planches in Busan, run by a French chef who has worked at Michelin-starred restaurants, before moving to the global hotel chain. After living in London and Sydney, he settled in Busan with his Korean wife whom he met in Australia.

"That's why we decided to move to Korea. My wife wanted to come back to her country. I love Busan because it's similar to Sydney. So at the moment it's perfect for me," he said, not seeming to have any difficulties living in the country as a foreigner and in Asia for the first time.

"If there's a difficulty, it's language but I'm learning. I'm getting there."

Since he came to Busan, he's whipped up a list of inventive cocktails inspired by the city, notably the unique coffee cocktail called "Busan Never Sleeps."

"I know Koreans love coffee. I try to connect with Korean taste. So I created this cocktail and I think the cocktail represents Busan and Korea. It's a cocktail with cacao liquor, vodka, and maple syrup, to name a few," he said.

Watermelon martini and lychee martini made by Thibaud Pierre Vatan

/ Korea Times photo by Yun Suh-young

"And Busan is a city of speed. It's fast. Ppalli-ppalli." Hence came the name "Busan Never Sleeps," which is so far the most popular cocktail at the bar.

"I have a few other combinations such as the Hilton Blue which is the hotel's signature cocktail," he said.

Busan, however, is still slow in terms of the development of cocktail culture, he said.

"Busan is still developing; Seoul is more present. So there's not yet a trend in Busan. They still like soju, somaek (soju plus beer), or Korean spirits," Vatan said.

"I've also noticed Koreans like non-alcoholic cocktails more than people in other countries do."

The global trend in cocktails is "innovation," he said.

"People try to expand the taste to join the food and the cocktail. People are trying to innovate, trying to find something other people haven't done. Lots of flavors -- that's the trend."

Vatan studied bar and brasserie management and organization in Toulouse, France, after which he decided to go to London because it's the "capital of cocktail."

"In London it's a career; in France it's not. I started at the bottom and grew up to become a bartender there. It's like a pastry chef who learned at school but when they go into the field, it's completely different. I realized I had to learn everything again. I didn't know the secrets to the taste, the balance. I had a hard time in London and getting from the bottom to the top took me five years," he said.

In London he worked at bars No. 5 and Dean Street Townhouse, and restaurant Hakkasan Mayfair. In Sydney, he worked at Bambini Trust -- a highly rated restaurant and bar.

His career as a mixologist dates back to his first experience working for a friend.

"At the beginning it was just to help in a bar for a friend and I realized I really liked it. And I realized if I wanted to continue doing that, I needed to be the best," he said.

When asked how he defines mixology, he said, "taking different elements, making it together and balancing it well so that it's easy to drink."

"When two elements are mixed together then that's cocktail. A mixologist balances the acidity, sweetness and strength. The three S of a cocktail is sweet, sour, and strong. Our job is to balance the product to make it taste good."
By Yi Whan-woo

The top nuclear envoys of South Korea, the United States and Japan met in Singapore, Tuesday, to discuss possible countermeasures in the wake of North Korea's test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) last week.

Kim Hong-kyun, special representative for the Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun and Japan's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Kenji Kanasugi on the sidelines of the Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue that began on Tuesday.

The dialogue will run through Wednesday. It is an informal security meeting involving officials and civilian experts from the members of the dormant six-party talks aimed at the denuclearization of North Korea.

Kim, Yun and Kanasugi shared their thoughts on how they can shape the joint promise made among the leaders of the three countries in Germany during the G20 summit last week to press North Korea harder, according to the diplomatic sources.

The three envoys agreed to step up efforts for the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) to adopt stronger sanctions against Pyongyang.












Defense Minister Song Young-moo, second from right, talks to military officials while looking over North Korea from an observation post in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas, Saturday. The newly appointed minister also visited the Panmunjeom truce village on his first official visit since taking office Thursday. / Yonhap
By Jun Ji-hye



The nation's arms procurement agency had pushed for the deployment of the Surion utility helicopters despite a series of defects including engine problems, the state auditor announced Sunday.



This raised a suspicion that the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has attempted to cover up for Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the nation's sole aircraft maker that developed the chopper, to maintain the Surion project in which 1.2 trillion won ($1 billion) was invested.



The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) said it has asked state prosecutors to investigate DAPA chief Chang Myoung-jin and two other working-level officials for dereliction of duty.



BAI spokesman Chun Kwang-choon said the Surion chopper fell short in 29 out of 101 categories on the safety test to see whether it can withstand the tough conditions of winter.



The results of the test suggest the possibility that lumps of ice could enter the engine through the air intake, which could cause serious safety issues, Chun noted.



"The DAPA resumed work to deploy the choppers in December 2016, citing the need to maintain DAPA personnel and replace aging helicopters, although the fatal defects had not been resolved," Chun said.



The announcement came two days after prosecutors searched KAI headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, and its office in Seoul on allegations of corruption in a set of major defense projects.



The investigators said they are paying attention to the allegations that the company inflated expenses for developing military aircraft, pocketing illicit gains in the process.




A scene from "Once Upon a Time in High School" (2004)



By Ko Dong-hwan

A man who has habitually molested or assaulted people since his teenage years has been jailed following his latest violent act early this year.

Cheongju District Court on Sunday sentenced the man, 22, to two years in prison.

The court also sentenced his three accomplices to jail terms ranging from six months to 18 months.

The court heard that at middle school, the accused had targeted and traumatized a classmate.

At a restaurant in Cheongju last November, the men, aware of closed circuit cameras, made the classmate act as if he was stealing a watch from one of the group.

They then showed the victim's mother a video of the incident and demanded that she pay them 7 million won ($6,200) not to report her son to police.

After the woman paid, the men used the victim for additional crimes.

They ordered him to buy a mobile device, resell it and then took 700,000 won profit from him. They also robbed him of his bank account details and a banking card to sell them.

The victim also became a "human sandbag" whenever plans went wrong.

As well, the men also were violent toward other people, the court heard.

They beat a man in his 20s for unintentional physical contact as they passed each other, injuring the man so badly he needed two weeks' medical care.

The victim's girlfriend, 16, also was targeted.

One of the men also assaulted his cheating girlfriend and her new lover, who suffered serious injuries, the court heard.

The suspects faced six charges, ranging from physical violence to robbery and blackmail.

The court said the men "showed no signs of self-reflection as they never attempted to compromise with their victims or sought ways to mitigate the victims' damages," for which it is hard for them to avoid jail terms.

The suspects have appealed against their sentences.

Prosecutors have also appealed, claiming the sentences are not severe enough.
Participants of the Korea Queer Culture Festival march along Sejong-daero Road between Seoul City Hall and Gwanghwamun Square. / Yonhap Parents of sexual minorities carry a banner proclaiming themselves as "the association of parents of homosexual, bisexuals and transgender children" in the festival. / Yonhap Foreign members of the festival drape themselves in rainbow flags, the festival's symbol, in front of Seoul City Hall on July 15. / Yonhap



By Lee Han-soo

Korea's biggest annual queer festival continued without any hitch after it got under way in Seoul Friday evening for a 10-day run.

About 50,000 attended the "Queer Parade"on Saturday, despite torrential rain.

More than 15,000 police on duty to prevent any conflict between festival supporters and anti-LGBT groups.

There were no reports of violence.












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Taipei, July 16 (CNA) "You had to be ready to go to prison anytime," Chiu Wan-hsing (), a photographer who documented the democracy movement in Taiwan before and after the country's lifting of martial law, said of being a cameraman during that period of transformation in Taiwan.


People march in downtown Seoul during the Korea Queer Culture Festival, Saturday. Yonhap



There is no later. We change it now'

Gay parade gains traction as anti-discrimination movement

By Lee Kyung-min

Participants of this year's queer festival united as one, calling for equality and seeking to elevate the country's level of human rights standards by abolishing discrimination.

The 18th Korea Queer Culture Festival (KQCF), held in Seoul Plaza, Saturday, had more than 100 booths, run by human rights groups, embassies, companies and university clubs that support sexual minorities referred to as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender). The event was attended by more than 70,000 people, the most ever for the annual event, according to the event organizer. The organizer will also screen queer films on Thursday for four days.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the first government agency to have participated in the annual event, said it would also attend next year's event.

The human rights watchdog said it would increase efforts to tackle the spread of misinformation about false associations between homosexuality and HIV AIDS. The false claim is the primary basis for far-right Christian groups for opposing homosexuality, while data identifies "unprotected sex" as the cause of infection.

Embassies of the U.S., France, Germany, Canada, Austria, Sweden and Finland voiced their support for the annual event for increasing awareness of the human rights issue.












A Cheong Wa Dae official seals boxes containing documents, created by the former President Park Geun-hye government, to send them to the Presidential Archives, Friday. The presidential office said it found about 300 sensitive documents, some of which are related to the influence-peddling scandal involving Park and her confidant Choi Soon-sil, in an unused cabinet in Cheong Wa Dae earlier this month. / Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae



Sensitive Cheong Wa Dae documents may affect trials of Samsung heir, ex-president

By Jun Ji-hye

The sensitive documents of the former Park Geun-hye government, found and disclosed by the Moon Jae-in administration, are expected to affect the ongoing trials of Lee Jae-yong, the de facto leader of Samsung Group, as well as Park and her close friend Choi Soon-sil.

Lee is facing charges of offering bribes to Park and Choi in return for business favors including facilitating his succession of power and wealth from his father, group Chairman Lee Kun-hee.

Park and Choi are also standing separate trials for their involvement in the Samsung bribery case and other charges.

All three of the suspects have been denying their bribery charges.

But some of more than 300 documents, created by the Park government, may be used as new evidence as they suggested the former government had at least sought to support a major merger deal between the Samsung subsidiaries.

President Moon's spokesman, Park Soo-hyun, said Friday some documents stated an order, possibly from the former president, to "utilize Samsung's management succession as an opportunity" and "seek ways to drive Samsung to contribute more to the national economy."

Such an order is construed as referring to the National Pension Service's (NPS) support of the conglomerate's controversial merger of two units _ Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries.

The NPS, which held stakes in both of the subsidiaries, allegedly voted in favor of the merger that has been widely believed to have helped solidify Lee's control over the nation's largest conglomerate.

In return for the NPS's support, Lee is suspected of offering bribes to the former president and Choi, and sponsoring Choi's daughter, equestrian Chung Yoo-ra, for overseas training and the purchase of expensive horses.

Two former NPS officials, including former chief Moon Hyung-pyo, have been found guilty of causing enormous damage to the state-run pension fund by endorsing the merger.

The controversial merger was one of the cases in the massive corruption scandal involving the former president, which led to her removal in March.

"We believe the documents are related to the Choi Soon-sil scandal," the spokesman said.

Cheong Wa Dae sent the copies of the documents to the prosecution.

If the documents are recognized as evidence, they could be critical in proving the involved figures' illegalities.

For the documents to be recognized at trials, who wrote them and why should be confirmed first, according to legal experts.

Cheong Wa Dae said the documents, dated between June 2014 and June 2015, were found in a file cabinet in an office previously occupied by the presidential secretary for civil affairs.

This is raising expectations that Woo Byung-woo, the former senior secretary for civil affairs, could face reinvestigation after having avoided arrest twice.

Woo began to work at the division in May 2014 and was promoted to senior secretary in February 2015. He remained there for 20 months until he resigned in October last year following the outbreak of the scandal.

The prosecution has claimed that Woo exercised unlimited authority and power beyond what is permissible for the civil affairs secretary while assisting Park.
Federation of Korean Textile Distribution Workers' Union's chief Kwon Young-deok, left, and Korea Employers Federation Executive Director Lee Dong-eung show contrasting expressions after the Minimum Wage Commission raised next year's minimum wage by 16.4 percent to 7,530 won, Saturday. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Labor in Sejong City. Yonhap



Gov't to subsidize small businesses to ease burden



By Kim Bo-eun



The minimum hourly wage jumped 16.4 percent from the previous year to 7,530 won ($6.64) for 2018 in a settlement by a panel representing the government, labor and management, Saturday.

The biggest increase in 17 years gave the Moon Jae-in administration new impetus toward its goal of raising the minimum wage to 10,000 won by 2020, but drew strong protest from employers, especially mom-and-pop businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Ending three months of negotiations, members of the tripartite panel passed the 7,530 won proposal with 15 votes, against 12 votes for the 7,300 won proposal, in last-minute negotiations before the Sunday deadline, officials from the panel said.

The Minimum Wage Commission said around 4.63 million workers will benefit from the hike, which will alleviate the income gap.

Commissioner Uh Soo-bong said, "The minimum wage was not settled in favor of a certain party and is a win-win decision that alleviates the burden both for labor and management."

Employers did not welcome the hike, while the labor side said it's not enough yet.

The Korea Employers' Federation said in a statement: "Small businesses will have to burden massive additional costs. The hike will seriously deteriorate the management environment for small businesses which are already enduring difficult circumstances."

To help reduce the burden on marginal businesses, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance promised to shoulder some of their increased burden.

The government said it will pour over 4 trillion won into subsidizing labor costs and improving management circumstances for these businesses, and will work at rooting out unfair practices.

"The minimum wage hike will be good news to many who will benefit, but it can pose a considerable burden on owners of small businesses," Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon said in a meeting of economy-related ministers, Sunday.

"We will minimize the burden on small business owners, and ensure they can maintain and even increase employment," he said.



Double-edged sword



The minimum wage hike is obviously a double-edged sword for the economy. It will have the effect of easing income inequality and help boost consumer spending. But at the same time it could adversely affect the economy by shrinking corporate sentiment on higher labor costs.

Not only employers and employees but even economists are split over the economic pros and cons of the increased wage hike.

Part-timers and other daily laborers reacted positively to the decision.

"Despite the relatively high raise, it is still too little to allow a family of two to three to live decently," labor representatives said in a statement after the meeting. "We will continue to make greater efforts until it reaches 10,000 won."

In the past five years, the increases were between 6 and 7 percent.

Government data shows workers at small retail, restaurant and manufacturing businesses that employ less than 10 people account for 68.2 percent of those who have been paid below the minimum wage.

Mom-and-pop stores and small businesses are bound to be burdened, which could lead to side effects such as reduced employment.

The Korea Federation of SMEs criticized the hike in minimum wages.

"It's so disappointing. The hike is a level that does not consider the wage payment capabilities of SMEs," it said in a statement.

It said the hike will raise employers' wage costs by 15.2 trillion won in 2018.

"Excessive labor costs will push marginal business owners to the edge unless the government comes up with measures to reduce their burdens."

The minister of employment and labor will announce the minimum wage on Aug. 5.
Emergency workers conduct a rescue operation of a resident in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Sunday. The city had 290.1 millimeters of rain, the most in 22 years since August 1995. / Yonhap



By Lee Kyung-min

Households were evacuated and more than 500 rescue reports were filed following record heavy rainfall in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Sunday.

Local authorities confirmed two deaths, 58 and 80, both women caught in a landslide in the city. One more was reported missing at the time of reporting.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the city had 290.1 millimeters of rain, the most in 22 years since August 1995 when it had 293 millimeters of rain. The amount will exceed the 1995 record as 90 millimeters of rain is falling per hour in the region.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Security issued a warning to residents advising against outdoor activities, due to possible landslides.

Fire departments in the city had more than 500 reports calling for emergency support after their houses were flooded and their vehicles were submerged by heavy flooding.

Fifteen households near Musim Stream were evacuated as the water level there rose to 4.19 meters, only about 1 meter short of 4.3 meters designated as a dangerous level.

Emergency crews spent two hours pumping water out of a flooded 660-square-meter tire-manufacturing factory in Jincheon.

Traffic was banned in parts of major intersections in the central region in the city.












By Pedro Abramovay



RIO DE JANEIRO  Latin America is in the grip of a homicide epidemic. Although the region is home to just 8% of the world's population, one in three of all homicides occur there; and one in four of all homicides occur in just four countries: Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, and Colombia. Of the 25 most murderous cities in the world, a staggering 23 are in Latin America.



But data alone cannot describe the scale of this human tragedy. Latin Americans are living in a continent-wide war zone, and many of them are being denied the right to life  the most basic human right of all.



Some of the stories behind the statistics have been widely reported; others are known only to the victims' families. Veteran Mexican journalist Javier Valdez Cardenas, for example, had just filed a story about teachers being murdered, simply for doing their jobs, when he died last month in Culiacan, Mexico, after being shot a dozen times. Cardenas is the sixth journalist to be murdered in Mexico in this year alone.



Mexico's National Human Rights Commission has found that, since 2000, at least 125 journalists have been killed in that country. The killers of 33 of the 41 journalists murdered in connection with their work since 1992, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, have gone unpunished.



Homicide has become the great equalizer in Mexico and throughout Latin America. And the victims are not usually prominent citizens such as Cardenas. Far more often, they are people like Gustavo, a 17-year-old store clerk who was killed on his way to work in Rio de Janeiro's Complexo do Alemao favela, when he was hit by a stray bullet in a shootout between police and a local gang. According to a local newspaper, Gustavo's mother now sits for hours by her door with her son's dog, waiting for him to come home.



Indeed, despite such poignant personal stories and the sheer scale of the carnage, homicide is rarely a subject of public debate in the region, not least because most victims hail predominantly from the region's invisible, neglected classes. They include Afro-Brazilians living in the favelas, poor young men in El Salvador, and migrant women in Mexico. Their murders are committed with impunity, and ignored by the media and local and national authorities.



As the homicide epidemic has become normalized, it has eroded people's compassion and motivation to demand more from their governments. Latin Americans are simply standing by as the bodies pile up. The bitter irony is that politicians only make the problem worse. Competing with one another to prove who is tougher on crime, they have militarized the region's police forces, and casualties have increased. In the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, police now commit the majority of homicides.



Unfortunately, advocates of aggressive policing have no interest in breaking the cycle of violence, and they have dismissed evidence-based public policies that could transform lives throughout the region. For them, responding militarily is more expedient than investigating and addressing the underlying social problems that fuel crime in Latin American neighborhoods.



We already have proven strategies for stemming the tide of violence, including gun and ammunition control, conflict mediation, "hot spot" policing, and drug-policy reform. But forcing governments to implement these policies will take political will and popular support. Sadly, many Latin Americans remain indifferent to the fate of the invisible classes that comprise a majority of murder victims.



Still, Latin American civil society is coming together to push back against political indifference and the culture of impunity. For example, the Open Society Foundations and 29 other organizations are participating in the "Instinto de Vida" campaign, which aims to reduce the region's homicides by 50% over the next 10 years. Achieving that goal would mean more than 350,000 lives saved.



Because law enforcement alone cannot solve this problem, "Instinto de Vida" also includes Venezuelan professors, grassroots organizations in Brazil's favelas, tech-savvy groups in Colombia, think tanks in Mexico, and faith-based organizations in Honduras. All of us involved in the campaign will work toward developing concrete solutions to the root causes of the homicide epidemic.



More broadly, we will make sure that what is happening in our communities is no longer ignored. It is time to end the silence that makes all of us complicit in our generation's greatest tragedy.





Pedro Abramovay is Director of the Latin America Program and regional director of Latin America and the Caribbean at the Open Society Foundations. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate.




By Lee Min-hyung



Tiger Company CEO Kim Beom-jin

Korea has leaped into being one of Asia's leading economic powerhouses in less than a century after the post-war devastation back in the early 1950s.

Many attribute the rapid growth to the nation's tough working culture  represented by an obsession to generate short-term, outstanding outcomes mainly in the business circle.

This has brought about such homegrown hardware titans as Samsung and LG whose history falls short of their overseas counterparts, but have become top-tier players.

The hardware-driven growth, however, is still holding back the development of the local software industry, with the government putting little attention on the non-manufacturing yet crucial growth area.

"Not a single Korean software company has achieved global success, compared with the hardware or manufacturing industry players," Tiger Company CEO Kim Beom-jin said in an interview Sunday. The software startup  established in 2011  is an enterprise-level social networking system provider here.

He said the nation's software market is not huge enough to grow into a sizable shape due to the small market size and weak infrastructure, so the government needs to implement specific measures for its long-term growth both in quality and quantity. The software market in the United States and China is 20 to 30 times bigger than that of Korea, he said.

"It is also tough for us to tap directly into overseas markets, as we are no match for industry leaders there in terms of factors such as capital, workforce and marketing," he said.

Kim urged the government to support local software startups in particularly overseas networking and marketing activities.

"Small startups with weak capital cannot have enough chances to contact overseas clients and promote products by participating in global exhibitions," the chief executive said.

The government has in recent years pushed for the development of the local software industry. For example, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning unveiled a plan last year to name and support 20 software-oriented universities by 2019.

The move comes amid growing calls that the country should make more effort in software education to build an infrastructure for its long-term growth.

This reflects that global information and communication giants such as Google and Facebook generate billions of dollars in profit with their software infrastructure. But even if the global tech paradigm has shifted into the software sector, the government has made little effort to catch up with the trend.

"The small software market size is also blocking the government from making enough investments in software industry players," he said. "Most state-run bodies have invested mainly in hardware and online to offline industry players here, paying little attention to their software counterparts."

"Local venture firms or small- and medium-sized firms can receive state-run research and development funding projects for as long as three years," he said. "But the government needs to draw up concrete funding policies from a longer-term perspective, from product development to global expansion."
POSCO engineers monitor an artificial intelligence-based system's calculation of optimal coating weight for automotive steel sheets in a control room at the company's steel mill in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, in this January. / Courtesy of POSCO



Steelmakers, builders work on futuristic techs



By Yoon Sung-won



Brick-and-mortar businesses are boosting efficiency in manufacturing and construction work by introducing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.



Korea's leading heavy industry companies such as POSCO and Hyundai Steel are tapping into the technologies to increase yield rate, reduce defects and to provide internet of things (IoT) services, according to industry sources, Sunday.



In March, POSCO introduced AI technologies to its steelmaking process for the first time in Korea, aimed at improving its workplaces as smart steel mills.



The company said it has worked with SungKyunKwan University's department of systems management engineering to develop an AI-powered automatic coating weight control technology, and applied it to its workplaces this January.



"Taking one step forward from establishing a smart factory and boosting our business competitiveness, we are seeking new business opportunities by connecting diverse industries to information and communication technologies," POSCO Chairman Kwon Oh-joon said.



POSCO said the new technology uses AI-based algorithms to maintain an optimal and constant coating weight to automotive steel sheets.



In the steelmaking industry, maintaining a constant coating weight is considered difficult work because the manufacturers have to chain factory settings to meet the different demands of carmakers.



In particular, the existing way of controlling coating weight, based on manual handling by human workers, usually accompanied errors and overconsumption of zinc, which is the key material for coating.



As one of its key high value-added products, POSCO's coated automotive steel sheet is considered to require complicated manufacturing technologies that only about 20 steelmakers in the world can produce. The company sold about 9 million tons of automotive steel sheets last year, 10 percent of the entire market demand worldwide.



POSCO said it plans to expand application of AI technologies to other types of steel products to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.





Hyundai's AI application



Last month, Hyundai Steel introduced the deep learning algorithm that was used by Google subsidiary DeepMind's AI system AlphaGo, to develop new manufacturing technology for automotive steel sheets. The new sheets developed using this technology has about a 40 percent higher solidity, the company said.



"The new steel sheet has maximum solidity, and price competitiveness," an official at Hyundai Steel's R&D center said.

Automotive steel sheets are made by fusing seven metallic materials including iron, zinc and manganese. Though it is essential to figure out the optimal formula with the best performance and profitability, the calculation is considered to be too complex to do without high-powered computers.



Hyundai Steel said its R&D center worked with advanced materials engineering experts for the last three years to develop the algorithm based on Google DeepMind's deep learning.



"It is noteworthy that we have made the achievement by using the AI deep learning technology in actual manufacturing," said Sohn Kee-sun, a nanotechnology and advanced materials engineering professor at Sejong University.



Sohn participated in the Hyundai research project.



"Upon the arrival of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the combination of AI technologies and manufacturing is highly likely to dramatically change how things work in the industry," he said.



The steelmaker plans to roll out the next-generation automotive steel sheets in the latter half of this year.





Caption No. Hyundai Engineering and Construction (E&C) CEO Jung Soo-hyun, left, shakes hands with former Naver CEO Kim Sang-hun after agreeing to co-develop a voice-recognizing digital assistant system for apartments at Hyundai's head office in Seoul in this Nov. 22, 2016 photo. The two work on the project. Courtesy of Hyundai E&C





Hyundai E&C



In the construction sector, Hyundai Engineering and Construction (E&C) is working with Naver to introduce a voice-recognizing digital assistant system for its Hillstate brand apartments. The two companies signed an agreement for cooperation last November.



With the system, residents of the apartment can give verbal orders to it to control built-in devices and home appliances. They can also receive weather information and the latest news through the system.



"We will continue to take a leading role in creating houses of the future by applying both AI and ambient intelligence technologies not just to apartments but also to all the houses that we build," Hyundai E&C CEO Jung Soo-hyun said.
By Park Jae-hyuk



Mister Donut is expected to stop operating in Korea after a court ordered its Korean operator to stop using the brand, according to industry officials Sunday.



SDK2, a unit of Korean construction group SDK, has run Mister Donut's Korean stores since July 2014, after signing a franchise contract with a Hong Kong subsidiary of Duskin, which owns the Japanese-based doughnut chain.



Last November, Duskin said it planned to terminate the agreement with SDK2 as of Jan. 31 this year, citing the Korean company's contract violations, such as allegedly falsifying expiration dates.



SDK2 has resisted the move, emphasizing that it was acquitted of the charge.



The Korean operator was fined 3 million won ($2,600) last September for making doughnuts with ingredients whose shelf lives had expired. The regulation regarding the case was found unconstitutional later last year, which prompted prosecutors to acquit SDK2.



But Duskin claimed the Korean store had obviously falsified the expiration dates. It also said the contract included a clause that headquarters could immediately terminate the agreement if a local operator received a criminal penalty. In addition, the Osaka-based company blamed SDK2 for selling products that were not on the headquarters' menu.



Seoul Central District Court recently granted Duskin's injunction against SDK2's trademark infringement. The court also judged that the trust between Duskin and SDK2 had been "totally destroyed."



SDK2 will be unable to use the Mister Donut brand on its products, packages and in advertisements. If the Korean company violates the order, it will have to pay 3 million won a day to Duskin.



Duskin also must put down a 100 million won deposit to compensate for SDK2's possible losses in case the judgment is reversed. If Duskin pays the deposit, the court's order will take effect immediately.



SDK2 is considering appealing to the upper court, but has reportedly closed its stores in Korea.



Duskin will continue its other businesses in Korea, including cleaning kit rentals, although it will not run any food business here.








Cathay Pacific Airways is Hong Kong's flagship carrier.



Chinese national allegedly lashed out because of delay in clearing her food tray



By Julia Hollingsworth





A female passenger on a Cathay Pacific flight bound for Hong Kong got so frustrated by slow service that she kicked and hit a flight attendant, according to police.

The 34-year-old Chinese national  surnamed Liu  with a Hong Kong identity card was travelling on CX754 from Bangkok to Hong Kong when the incident happened, a police spokeswoman said.

Angry that the flight attendant was taking too long to clear her food tray, the woman allegedly lashed out, kicking the 29-year-old staff member, surnamed Wen, twice on her leg before hitting her shoulder.

Liu was arrested by police at Hong Kong International Airport at 4.23pm on Friday, the spokeswoman said.

Shesaid she did not know whether Liu had been charged.

Despite the incident, the flight landed slightly ahead of its scheduled 4.30pm arrival time, according to the Hong Kong airport's website.

Cathay Pacific said the police were called when the flight arrived in Hong Kong, and the crew member was sent to hospital for examination.

"The crew member is fine and has been released from the hospital," a spokeswoman said in a statement.

In 2015, Swiss tourist Rolf Rimann was arrested upon arrival in Hong Kong for indecently assaulting three Cathay Pacific flight attendants during a flight from Zurich, Switzerland.

Rimann was sentenced to 30 days in jail after being found guilty on three counts of indecent assault.






HILLARY COLLUSION: Campaign Set Up Private, Off the Record Meeting with Chinese AmbassadorHILLARY CAMPAIGN COLLUDED WITH CHINESE AMBASSADOR  TOO BAD ONLY REPUBLICAN COLLUSION IS NOT ALLOWEDConservative Sean Hannity tweeted out today the Wikileaks leaked document that shows the Clinton Campaign discussing a private, off the record meeting with Chinese ambassador Cui.Here is a copy of the document.Ambassador Cui set up a meeting with Hillary Clintons campaign manager John Podesta during the campaign.
He could have died so many times.

The youngest of four children raised by a single parent, Curtis Barnes was just a boy when his mom died  six days before his 12th birthday. Before long, he was introduced to intravenous drug use and sticking a needle into his arm.

My dad was in prison at the time my mother died and when he got out of prison we went to live with him and basically I was raised in a drug house, he said.

That set the stage for years of drugs and criminal activity.

Barnes overdosed from heroin. He was in car wrecks, stabbed or beaten and left for dead. His life could have ended in any of those situations.

He struggled with addiction for 21 years.

Last Sunday, Barnes shared his story at Full Life Church in Fremont.

Barnes and his wife, Teressa, are executive directors of the Adult & Teen Challenge of the Midlands Blue River Womens Center in Beatrice.

The center, set to open in September, will house 12 women during a 12-month-long recovery and discipleship program. Formerly a bed and breakfast place, the house is situated on 10 acres of land.

The Barnes will start taking applications in August.

We want to see God restore mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, grandmothers  making homes and communities healthy again, Curtis Barnes said.

Barnes understands the challenges that addicts face.

But he also knows the hope they can find in Christ.

In 1998, Barnes was facing five felonies when he was sent to jail for the fifth time that year.

He was 33 years old.

As he sat in jail, Barnes found some reading material about God. Barnes realized hed either die or spend the rest of his life in jail, unless he did something to turn it around.

So he gave his life to God. Barnes was still in jail when his grandmother sent him an application for Adult & Teen Challenge of the Midlands.

With what Barnes calls a miracle, he was released from jail and allowed to go to the Adult and Teen Challenge center in Iowa.

During the next 15 months, he took part in a program of discipleship and mentoring. Barnes said he learned who he was in Christ. He learned about the value of Bible study and prayer. Barnes said he was delivered from his addictions and set free through the Gospel of Christ.

He earned a General Education Diploma (GED) through the program.

And even before he graduated from the Teen Challenge program, Barnes met his future wife, Teressa, at church.

It was a divine appointment, he said. Neither one of us was looking for the other.

They married in 2000.

Teressa was a single mom with four children ages 8 to 18. They would adopt Curtis Barnes nephew. Today, they have 17 grandchildren.

Curtis would see other blessings, too.

God faithfully got me a good-paying job, which led to owning my own Snap-On Tools franchise, he said.

Teressa appreciates the Adult and Teen Challenge program.

The foundation God laid in Curtis through the ministry of Teen Challenge is the foundation God laid for our family and the reason our five kids are living successful lives free from drugs and alcohol and our 17 grandchildren have the propensity to not walk in that generational addiction we walked in, she said.

Teressa said the couples daughter married a Teen Challenge graduate in 2016. When asked if she was afraid her son-in-law might have a relapse, she said no, because she knows her son-in-law and the Teen Challenge program.

With their children grown and out of the house, the couple began wondering what the Lord would have them do at this point in their lives.

God started moving and speaking to both of us about Teen Challenge, she said.

Teressa Barnes, who was director of operations for a development company in Omaha, quit a 25-year career. Curtis sold his business and they sold their house. They went to Beatrice in January.

The couple said the Teen Challenge house in Beatrice is ready, but they are raising additional funds. Adult and Teen Challenge, a 501c3 nonprofit agency, is 100 percent donor funded. Funds come from private donors: businesses, individuals and churches.

Those interested in donating may email Teressa at t.barnes@tcmid.org or go to the Adult and Teen Challenge Blue River Womens Center page on Facebook or visit the website at www.tcmid.org.

People wanting to apply to participate in the program may go to the website and download an application or call the regional office at 1-515-674-3713.

The Barnes noted that Teen Challenge graduates have gone on to become pastors, evangelists, professors and community leaders.

Teressa Barnes pointed out something else.

You look at the addict and you say, Shes made a choice, but a lot of times that woman has children and they didnt make a choice and they need a mom, Barnes said. Thats what were about is restoring mothers to their children and children to their mothers.
Hello! Im Mark Olsen, and welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies.

Among the biggest surprises of this movie season has been a handful of smart, well-crafted movies that in many ways fulfill the very ideals of the summer blockbuster. Now, along comes War for the Planet of the Apes, the third in the recent reboot of the series that has provided a showcase for the emergent motion-capture technology that blends actors live performances with technological wizardry and a storytelling sensibility that probes the underside of what holds society together.

In his review of War, Times critic Justin Chang called out the breathtaking formal beauty and tonal control of director Matt Reeves film, adding, It would be hard to overstate just how singular this picture feels in its seriousness of purpose and in its cumulative power to enthrall and astonish.

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The Times Josh Rottenberg spoke to Reeves, who said of his unlikely career path that has landed him making high-minded big-budget action thrillers, including an upcoming Batman picture, I never thought I would be making these kinds of movies.

Our two screening this past week  To the Bone, with guests Marti Noxon and Lily Collins, and Landline, with Gillian Robespierre, Elisabeth Holm, Abby Quinn and Jenny Slate  were both terrific events, full of insights, info and a few laughs. We hope you can make the next one. For updates on future events, go to events.latimes.com.

Lady Macbeth

Based not on Shakespeare, but a 1965 Russian novella, Lady Macbeth is a gripping drama full of murder, sex, betrayal and self-discovery as a young woman bristles against the confines of her role as lady of the house. Directed by William Oldroyd, the film features an astonishing performance by Florence Pugh.

In his review for The Times, Kenneth Turan said of the film: A cold and unnerving tale of the twin deranging powers of passion and oppression, its a 19th century costume drama impeccably made on a minuscule budget with some very modern thematic concerns in mind.

I interviewed Pugh (as well as Oldroyd and Stephen Merchant, who directed the actress in the upcoming wrestling drama Fighting With my Family) to talk about her dynamic abilities onscreen.

Of her role in Lady Macbeth, Pugh said, Im probably the worst person to ask about Katherine now because I am such a Team Katherine.

Moving forward, Pugh added, I hope to create characters that people want to watch  and they either want to be or are or its something that they recognize. Why shouldnt there be more epic, brilliant female characters onscreen?

At the New York Times, Manohla Dargis said that even when Katherine is standing over a second corpse, its not obvious whether shes a newly sprung prisoner of gender with a reasonable sociopolitical alibi (the patriarchy made her do it!) or just a psychopath in a fetching peacock-blue gown. Mr. Oldroyd doesnt tip his hand, forcing you to choose.

For Vox, Alissa Wilkinson added that the movie intimately explores how privilege from wealth, class standing, gender, and race can by turns insulate or expose people to the consequences of their actions, and of others actions. Its like watching a balletic game of chess, with Katherine maneuvering herself, as the queen, into the perfect position of power by eliminating everyone around her.

Writer/director Marti Noxon, left, of the movie To the Bone, and the films star, Lily Collins. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)

To the Bone

Marti Noxon already has a fine career as a writer and producer in television, having worked on shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Mad Men, and The Girlfriends Guide to Divorce. She now makes her feature film debut as writer and director with To the Bone. The film tackles the tricky issues of eating disorders, with Lily Collins as a young woman who, after having bounced from one treatment center to another, finds herself under the care of an unconventional doctor played by Keanu Reeves.

In his review for The Times, Justin Chang wrote that the film wants to seem sufficiently authoritative on a tough and relatively underdramatized subject. It means to convey some essential, hard-won truths about the experience of those who struggle with eating disorders, even as it filters that experience through one not-so-ordinary young womans story.

The release of the films first trailer stirred notable controversy online, as some accused the film of glamorizing the very disease it tried to honestly depict. The Times Amy Kaufman spoke to Noxon and Collins, both of whom have overcome eating disorders in their own lives, about the movie they intended to make and their surprise at how its being taken.

Theres this idea that Hollywood sells over and over again: If I just looked more like this, Id be accepted,  Noxon said. I digested this value system that told me there was no one for me unless I reached a certain type of perfection. And as you get older, you realize that ideal is constantly changing. ... I look around and see how women and men of all types find the love and the life they want.

The film has inspired some impassioned writing, both pro and con, with many noting the difficulty of depicting eating disorders without triggering those who suffer from them. Hazel Cills at Jezebel said of the film, Whether fairly or not, a movie like To the Bone  the rare picture about ED written and directed by a woman about her personal experience  is expected to move the genre forward.

For BuzzFeed, Alison Willmore noted the film is at its best when it feels specific  the story of one persons experiences rather than a broadside about eating disorders as an impossible whole. Ultimately the most resonant message To the Bone has to offer is that there is no one certain way to heal from anorexia, and no one right way to tell stories about it either.

At Vulture, Emily Yoshida wrote, When Noxon says she wants to cast light on this experience, especially one so personal, I cant help but feel as though shes failed.  The filmmaking is as polite and clinical as a junior-high health class, getting no closer to its subjects than a teacher armed with a laser pointer.

City of Ghosts

Filmmaker Matthew Heinemans Oscar-nominated documentary Cartel Land took an up-close look at the drug wars in Mexico. For his new film, Heineman finds an even trickier situation, as City of Ghosts examines the impact of the ongoing war in Syria and how a group of citizens are attempting to combat Islamic State and terror with journalism and the truth.

For The Times, Kenneth Turan said the film is powerful and unnerving while going on to note that the title takes on a double meaning as it almost seems as if the heroic individuals the film portrays have become close to ghosts themselves because of the terrible price they continue to pay for exposing Islamic States horrors to the world.

Email me if you have questions, comments or suggestions, and follow me on Twitter@IndieFocus

SIGN UP for the free Indie Focus movies newsletter 
Ever since Donald Trump was elected, Melody Klingenfuss has known her time in the United States could be limited.

The 23-year-old has temporary immigration relief under President Obamas landmark Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which seemed imperiled amid Trumps vowed crackdown on illegal immigration.

But instead of clear policy, Klingenfuss and thousands of other DACA recipients have faced mixed messages, contradictory leaks and a lack of clarity about their future. Inside the administration, there has been talk of deportations, only to have the president himself sound a less dire tone.

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Its been very typical of this administration to give really good news and follow it with really bad news, Klingenfuss said. We really dont know if they are going to change their minds the next day.

The sense of dread began to ramp up again last week when Texas attorney general and nine other Republican-led states threatened to sue the Trump administration over DACA.

Then, Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly told lawmakers the federal government might not defend DACA in court.

If the threatened lawsuit goes forward and is successful, Klingenfuss and more than 750,000 other beneficiaries  known as Dreamers  would be at risk. All were brought to the country at young ages and dont have legal status.

But as he has before, Trump seemed to indicate a softer tone on Thursday, saying he, and not his subordinates, would personally decide the future of the Obama administration program.

Its a decision that I make, and its a decision thats very very hard to make. I really understand the situation now, Trump said. I understand the situation very well. What Id like to do is a comprehensive immigration plan. But our country and political forces are not ready yet.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to immediately end DACA. But in recent months, he has said Dreamers shouldnt be very worried and described them as these incredible kids.

The lack of clarity has sparked frustration from Dreamers as well as anti-illegal immigration activists, who are demanding Trump make good on his promised deportations, including an end to DACA.

Melody Klingenfuss still believes DACA is under threat like never before. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Despite the presidents softening language, Klingenfuss still believes DACA is under threat like never before.

She came legally to the U.S. from Guatemala at age 9 and fell out of legal status when she overstayed her tourist visa. Klingenfuss, who earned a masters degree from USC, now is an immigrant and youth organizer with Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights Los Angeles.

This is a very scary time for people, said Adrian Reyna, director of membership at United We Dream, an immigrant rights organization that advocates for immigrant youth.

Reyna, who lives in Oakland and is a DACA recipient like his two younger sisters, said he had a serious conversation Thursday morning with his mother about the future of the program.

There is a sense of comfort in knowing that your kids are fine and not going to be a target for deportation, Reyna said. So its not just the lives of Dreamers but lives of their parents that are really impacted at this moment.

Karla Estrada, a DACA recipient who runs two Facebook pages devoted to those in her situation, said: Some are even contemplating going back to their country of origin. There is a lot of sadness but anger, also.

A petition in support of DACA she launched on Wednesday garnered more than 6,000 signatures in less than an hour.

The community is usually pretty apathetic, so this sort of thing is very rare, to be honest, she said. But they now see an actual immediate danger.

Estrada said she and others are concerned that the DACA program will meet a similar fate as that of the expansion of the program that Obama created three years ago, which was blocked by the courts.

Those like Klingenfuss  DACA recipients who are given a social security number and work permit  are arguably the most politically sympathetic in the often vitriolic immigration debate.

We have young people who have developed American identities and American dreams and gone to American schools and live in American communities and breathed our American dream mythology and have become Americans, said Jerry Kammer, a senior research fellow for Center for Immigration Studies.

Kammer believes DACA should be challenged in the courts and questions the programs legality, but nevertheless can see its benefits for the recipients.

DACA is only a temporary reprieve that addresses a small subset of the 11 million who are here without legal status. While immigrant rights advocates argue it did not go far enough, it has been the biggest immigration policy gain in more than a decade.

Roberto Gonzales, Harvard University sociologist who has been studying DACA and its recipients throughout the nation, believes the Trump administration recognizes that ending the program would pose a political risk.

To cut the program and force these young people back into the shadows seems inhumane and counter to what this country stands for, Gonzales said. It could also have the effect of galvanizing a group of young people who proved to be effective in protesting against elected officials.

Many anti-illegal immigration activists have long condemned the program, questioning its constitutionality. They are now voicing discontent with Trumps unwillingness to phase it out.

For me, DACA is one big problem in the administration. [Trump] is actually reneging on a promise, said Mark Krikorian, executive director for the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington group that is fighting illegal immigration and wants more restrictions on legal immigration.

Luis Serrano-Taha, a DACA recipient who lives in Los Angeles, said DACA was always a double-edged sword.

Serrano-Taha was part of a group of activists that participated in sit-ins and protests that ultimately helped push Obama to pass the executive action that created the program.

After the win, Serrano-Taha said some DACA recipients became complacent and stopped fighting for others left behind by the program, despite the growing numbers of deportations during the Obama administration.

People built their lives and careers and did not think about the fragility of DACA, he said. Others forgot about the larger immigration picture.

It created a sense of entitlement, Serrano-Taha said. DACA has always been in danger, ever since it started. This should be a wake-up call. Its a reality check.

cindy.carcamo@latimes.com

Follow Cindy Carcamo on Twitter @thecindycarcamo
A 28-year-old man known as the masked thrill-seeker 8booth, notorious for videos of his death-defying leaps off buildings and cliffs in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, was sentenced Friday to probation, community service and a day in Orange County Jail after pleading guilty to four misdemeanors.

Anthony Booth Armer of Laguna Niguel pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of unauthorized entry of a dwelling and two counts of trespassing with intent to interfere with business, according to Orange County Superior Court records.

Judge Brett London immediately sentenced Armer to three years informal probation, 100 hours of community service and one day in jail.

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Armer, known as 8booth on YouTube, has jumped from private rooftops, hotels and cliffs into the ocean and swimming pools. 8booths videos show him leaping from cliffs above Crystal Cove State Park and the Montage Laguna Beach resort, from hotels in Laguna Beach and off the roofs or railings of beachfront homes.

He often wore a bandanna and sunglasses to conceal his face.

The charges against Armer are related to a Newport Harbor leap and three jumps in Laguna Beach.

Authorities said Armer climbed over a retaining wall onto the property of a residence near Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach on July 21, 2016, climbed onto the roof and leaped into the ocean, authorities said.

The Laguna Beach Police Department investigated the incident after a video of it gained media attention, and the homeowner confirmed that Armer did not have permission to access the property, authorities said.

On Sept. 29, authorities said, Armer climbed over a wall to get into the employee-only areas of Laguna Beachs Surf & Sand Resort before jumping from the fifth floor of the hotel into the pool. Employees reported that incident to Laguna Beach police.

On Oct. 14, Armer posted a video of himself leaping from the top of the eight-story Newport Towers apartment building into Newport Harbor, narrowly missing a dock, authorities said. Newport Towers security reported the incident to police.

Police said detectives identified Armer as the man in the videos through interviews with homeowners and other witnesses. Laguna Beach police arrested him in October and he was released on $500 bond several days later.

But he wasnt through with the thrill of the jump, authorities said.

On Dec. 28, Armer suffered severe injuries to his feet after jumping off a ledge into the pool at the Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach. A YouTube post shows him landing on the edge of the pool, falling into the water and then climbing out. He crawled toward a nearby gate, which another person opened for him.
The Cuban Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) has reported record numbers of tourists numbering close to 4m (+13%) during 2016, buoyed strongly by increased flights from North America following the partial opening up of air routings between the US and Havana in the new spirit of mutual cooperation. And now in 2017, Cuba's tourist destinations have received more than 2.53 million foreign tourists so far this year.

The Director General of Development, Investments and Business of the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) of Cuba, Jose Daniel Alonso, projected on Wednesday that the semester should conclude with a 22.2 percent increase, equivalent to 2.53 million foreign visitors.

So far, Canada is Cuba's major tourist-sending market, followed by the United States, although U.S. citizens can only travel to Cuba under 12 categories approved by the government.

At present, Cuba offers 67,769 hotel rooms, a number that is expected to increase to 68,200 rooms by the end of the year.

In addition, there are more than 22,500 rooms in the private sector.

The country expects to have 100 thousand rooms by 2030.

There are 114 hotels under foreign management contract, 66.8 percent of the country's total rooms.
Months after he said hed started to quietly work to contact Russian hackers to look for a cache of Hillary Clintons emails, Peter W. Smith called the Wall Street Journal on May 4 to explain.

The next day, the longtime Republican operative and donor checked into a hotel near the Mayo Clinic, far from his Chicago-area home, police records show. Smith, 81, would kill himself there 10 days later.

The detailed notes he left behind spoke to failing health since January. Also in January, his son David entered a state prison following a conviction on aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges, state records show. The notes also cite an expiring $5 million life insurance policy, and property records show he sold his Gold Coast condo last year amid a foreclosure threat.

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NO FOUL PLAY WHATSOEVER - ALL SELF INFLICTED, Smiths note read in part. NO PARTY ASSISTED OR HAD KNOWLEDGE AS AN ACCOMPLICE BEFORE THE FACT.

A worker at the Aspen Suites in Rochester, Minn., said Smith was pacing in the lobby area the morning he died. He would get up from his chair, walk over to the newspapers, then go back to his chair and sit down for about 30 seconds and then get up and walk over to the newspapers again, the employee said. It seemed like he had a lot on his mind.

Police records say he killed himself later on May 14, more than a month before his name would be thrust into the political spotlight via the Journals report about his claims. They would be deemed explosive at a time when both Congress and former FBI chief Robert S. Mueller III are investigating possible links between the Russian government and people associated with Republican Donald Trumps presidential campaign.

The Journal reported it had seen emails written by Smith showing his team considered retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, then a top advisor to Trumps campaign, an ally. Flynn briefly was President Trumps national security advisor and resigned after it was determined he had failed to disclose contacts with Russia. Flynns attorney declined to comment.

In todays political world, Smiths suicide sparked conspiracy theories and questions on social media after the Chicago Tribune first reported his cause of death Thursday. Police on Friday said they notified the FBI as a courtesy and made it clear that all the evidence pointed to Smith taking his own life.

We are providing limited follow-up on this case as it has been determined a suicide, which is normal protocol for our agency, said Rochester police Lt. Mike Sadauskis.

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, a Chicago Democrat and the only Illinois member of Congress on an intelligence committee, said Friday he read the stories about Smith with great interest. It is obviously an area that I think this [House Intelligence] committee should investigate, he said.

By Friday, Rochester police and staff at the hotel had become wary of further media inquiries. Police said they would not answer questions, and hotel staff referred queries to corporate managers.

Among the questions raised about Smiths death was his insurance policy. In the notes he left in the Rochester hotel room, he wrote that the timing of his suicide was related to an old, expiring $5-million life insurance policy.

Professor Ezra Friedman of Northwestern Law School said Friday that as a general rule, insurance companies must pay life insurance benefits if people commit suicide, provided that a certain period of time has passed since the policy was taken out.

Usually after you buy life insurance, after a year or two, and it might be more in some states, they have to pay no matter what, said Friedman, who specializes in law and economics, torts and insurance law.

All the details of Smiths policy were not known, and a spokeswoman for the insurer, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co., offered no comment.

Smiths obituary said he was involved in public affairs for more than 60 years. Police records show he wrote much of his obit himself, touting political work but not mentioning the push for the former Democratic presidential candidates emails he described to a Journal reporter.

In the obit, he touted his work with Gopac, a political committee affiliated with former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Georgia. The focus of his national political campaign activity since 1992 has been on independent expenditures, including Troopergate disclosures involving President Clinton, the obit read, before listing the family Smith left behind.

In the Troopergate probe he touted, political enemies of Bill Clinton gathered information suggesting that Arkansas state troopers had helped the then-governor arrange and cover up extramarital affairs.

According to Uncovering Clinton: A Reporters Story by Michael Isikoff, Smith gave $5,000 in research funds to David Brock, who wrote an explosive article in the American Spectator about Clintons sex life. Isikoff said Smith gave $25,000 more to a whistleblower fund for troopers who talked about Clintons alleged affairs.

Also in the key final documents he left behind, Smith wrote: No Chicago residence has been maintained for past 15 months.

In addition to having a home in Lake Forest, Smith and his wife, Janet Smith, purchased a $582,000 condo in Chicagos exclusive Gold Coast neighborhood in 1999, public records show. The two-bedroom residence on East Delaware Place is atop the Four Seasons Chicago Hotel. The property was sold in January 2016 for $705,000 to a private firm amid a pending foreclosure, which was dismissed, records show.

On June 7, Rochester authorities mailed Smiths cellphone, credit cards and passport to a daughter in Lake Forest, police said. Smith had heart problems, according to a former employee.

At the top of the key document that spelled out his health concerns and insurance motivations for taking his life, Smith addressed the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiners Office.

Sorry to have involved you, he wrote, and appreciate your assistance.

Skiba, Heinzmann and Lighty write for the Chicago Tribune. Skiba reported from Washington, D.C., Heinzmann from Rochester, Minn., and Lighty from Chicago.

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He grabbed his mothers wrist and took her phone when she tried to call 911. They were having a family argument.

Within hours, 30-year-old Leonard Thomas was dead, killed by a police snipers bullet on a May night in 2013. In this freeway-divided Tacoma suburb, the unarmed black man was shot on his porch while holding his 4-year-old son in his arms.



For the record: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described the bullet that hit Leonard Thomas as .380 caliber. It was .308 caliber.

Police said the minor dispute had turned into a standoff that could only be settled with a militaristic show of force and lethal action.

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But on Friday, a federal court jury in Seattle unanimously disagreed, handing down one of the most costly legal verdicts against police officers in Washington state history.

Having heard testimony from an officers after-incident report boasting that the snipers bullet, fired from 90 yards away, was a frickin million-dollar shot, the jury decided to award Thomas family $15 million.

The seven-member panel awarded the amount to the family in a civil rights lawsuit as a way of saying local police had overreacted to a minor domestic dispute. At least 27 officers from the Pierce County Metro SWAT team and two armored vehicles were sent to the scene after Thomas  who was bipolar, had been drinking and was despondent over a friends death  refused to leave his house.

Witnesses during the trial described a battleground setting: One armored transport was driven across a neighbors yard, through a fence, and parked off the back patio of the Thomas home in the town of Fife. The other vehicle, a BearCat personnel carrier, took position at the front of the house.

A four-hour late-night standoff followed, during which Thomas, who spoke defiantly if not belligerently to police, made no threats and repeatedly said he was unarmed, according to court testimony. Police eventually made an offer to Thomas  if he handed over the boy to a relative, theyd leave. (Police planned to arrest him at a later, safer time, testimony showed.)

Thomas agreed and then appeared on the porch with the boy, his backpack and car seat. A commander, however, ordered officers not to let Thomas reenter the home after the handoff. At the same time, the SWAT team blew open the back door and killed the family dog, shooting it at least four times.

Thomas remained on the porch as the sniper took his shot. The .308 bullet hit him in the belt-line, just below the child in his arms.

Police would later say they felt Thomas was using his son as a shield and was holding him hostage.

Thomas last words he lay bleeding to death from the snipers bullet were, Dont hurt my boy.

The youngster, Elijah Thomas, now 9, told reporters Friday night in televised interviews that he thought his father had done the right thing. I think he was trying to protect me, he said.

In a statement, Lakewood police said the court case boiled down to dissecting and second-guessing over the course of three weeks the actions our officers took during a four-hour standoff where a childs life was in danger as he was held hostage, dangled out a second-story window and used as a human shield by his father.

The Lakewood Police Department is always reviewing its practices and procedures for improvement, but is confident the officers involved in this incident acted appropriately given the circumstances they faced.

Lakewood is another Tacoma suburb of about 59,000 people. Its Police Department was thrust into the national spotlight in 2009 by tragedy when four officers were ambushed at a cafe and killed by a gunman in the states most deadly attack on law enforcement.

The statement in the Thomas case did not indicate whether the department would appeal the verdict.

In an internal review conducted after Thomas death, Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist decided that police acted lawfully. The sniper, Brian Markert, an expert marksman, did what was necessary to protect a child, Lindquist stated in his findings.

The federal jury, in contrast, singled out the Fife and Lakewood police departments and the sniper along with two other officers as principally responsible for the use of excessive force. The operation was headed by officers from the Lakewood department, but Fife officers also participated in the takedown.

According to a breakdown released by the court, the jury assessed $3 million in punitive damages against SWAT commander and Lakewood Police Chief Mike Zaro; $2 million against the sniper, Markert, a Lakewood sergeant; and $1.5 million against Mike Wiley, a SWAT team commander also from the Lakewood department.

In addition to that $6.5 million, the jury imposed damages on the Lakewood and Fife police departments, awarding $1.4 million in compensatory damages to each of Thomass parents, $1.8 million to his estate, and $4 million to his son.

In court documents, Thomas family attorneys said the incident was steeped in race, noting that the officers most responsible were white. Thomas father, Fred Thomas, who the jury also found was wrongly arrested that May 23, 2013, as he tried to help his son, had said all along that his sons death would be added to the roster of unarmed black Americans wrongly killed by police.

Court testimony suggested police had their minds made up about Thomas, who they said had a conviction for a drive-by shooting. At an earlier hearing before the trial, Thomas estranged wife said shed informed officers that he was unarmed. According to testimony at that pretrial hearing, Wiley was quoted as saying at the scene: Babys momma [says] No he aint got no gun, blah blah blah. I dont know how many times Ive heard that and found weapons.

No weapons were found at the Thomas home.

Anderson is a special correspondent.

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Sen. John McCains absence from the Senate as he recovers from surgery for a blood clot has led the GOP leadership to postpone consideration of healthcare legislation that is already on the brink.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Saturday night that he was deferring action on the measure as McCain recovers at his home in Arizona. Surgeons in Phoenix removed a blood clot from above McCains left eye Friday. The 80-year-old Republican senator was advised by doctors to remain in Arizona next week, his office said.

While John is recovering, the Senate will continue our work on legislative items and nominations, and will defer consideration of the Better Care Act, McConnell said in a statement.

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A close vote had already been predicted to pass the GOP healthcare bill, with all Democrats and independents coming out against it and some Republicans opposed or undecided. With the GOP holding a 52-48 majority, they can afford to lose only two Republicans. Vice President Mike Pence would break a tie for final passage.

Two Republicans, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine, have already said theyll vote against the measure.

A procedural vote expected in the coming days had been cast as a showdown over the measure designed to replace President Obamas healthcare law, commonly called Obamacare.

McConnell and other GOP leaders have been urging senators to, at least, vote in favor of opening debate, which would allow senators to offer amendments. In recent days, GOP leaders have expressed optimism that they were getting closer to a version that could pass the Senate.

In Phoenix, Mayo Clinic Hospital doctors said McCain underwent a minimally invasive procedure to remove the nearly 2-inch clot and that the surgery went very well, according to a hospital statement. McCain was reported to be resting comfortably at his home in Arizona.

Pathology reports on the clot were expected in the next several days.

McCain is a three-time survivor of melanoma. Records of his medical exams released in 2008, when he was the GOP candidate for president, showed that he has had precancerous skin lesions removed. McCain also underwent a procedure to remove early-stage squamous cell carcinoma, an easily curable skin cancer, according to the records.

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UPDATES:

8:15 p.m.: This article has been updated with a statement from McConnell.

7:55 p.m.: This article has been updated to report that McConnell said he is deferring consideration of the GOP healthcare bill.

This article was originally published at 7:05 p.m.
Drone pilots have been quitting the U.S. Air Force in record numbers in recent years  faster than new recruits can be selected and trained. They cite a combination of low-class status in the military, overwork and psychological trauma.

But a widely publicized new memoir about Americas covert drone war fails to mention the outflow increases, as one internal Air Force memo calls it. Drone Warrior: An Elite Soldiers Inside Account of the Hunt for Americas Most Dangerous Enemies chronicles the nearly 10 years that Brett Velicovich, a former special operations member, spent using drones to help special forces find and track terrorists. Conveniently, it also puts a hard sell on a program whose ranks the military is struggling to keep full.

For the record: This story originally stated that Brett Velicovich piloted drones. Actually, he used drones to help special forces find terrorists, but did not pilot them. The story also misstated the subtitle of his memoir. It is, An Elite Soldiers Inside Account of the Hunt for Americas Most Dangerous Enemies, not An Elite Soldiers Inside Account of the Hunt for Americas Most Dangerous Memories.

Velicovich wrote the memoir  about his time hunting and watching in the cesspools of the Middle East  to show how drones save lives and empower humanity, contrary to much of the persistent narrative that casts them in a negative light. Instead, the book is, at best, a tale of hyper-masculine bravado and, at worst, a piece of military propaganda designed to ease doubts about the drone program and increase recruitment.

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There is something particularly unseemly about Hollywoods enthusiasm for bringing Velicovichs version of drone warfare to the big screen.

Velicovich and the books co-author, Christopher S. Stewart, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, reinforce the myth that drones are machines of omniscience and precision. Velicovich exaggerates the accuracy of the technology, neglecting to mention how often it fails or that such failures have killed an untold number of civilians. For instance, the CIA killed 76 children and 29 adults in its attempts to take out Ayman al Zawahiri, the leader of Al Qaeda, who reportedly is still alive.

And yet, I have no doubt that we could find anyone in the world, Velicovich writes, no matter how hidden they are. One might ask Velicovich to explain the deaths of Warren Weinstein, an American citizen, and Giovanni Lo Porto, an Italian citizen  both aid workers who were killed by an American drone strike that was targeting Al Qaeda members in Pakistan.

We believed that this was an Al Qaeda compound, President Obama announced three months after the strike, that no civilians were present. Indeed, the Air Force had clocked hundreds of hours of drone surveillance of the building. It had used thermal-imaging cameras, which are supposed to identify a persons presence by his or her body heat when the line of sight is obstructed. Nevertheless, the surveillance somehow failed to notice two additional bodies  Weinstein and La Porto  who were being held hostage in the basement.

Perhaps the aid workers went unnoticed because, according to a forthcoming report on the limitations of drone technology co-authored by Pratap Chatterjee, the executive director of the watchdog group CorpWatch, and Christian Stork, thermal-imaging cameras cannot see through trees and a well-placed blanket that dissipates body heat can also throw them off, nor can they see into basements or underground bunkers.

Even more insidious are the memoirs attempts to co-opt the psychological torment of drone operators and intelligence analysts and turn it into a narrative of valor and stoicism. I fought to keep my eyes open, Velicovich writes of working while sleep-deprived. Every hour wasted was another hour the enemy had to plan, another hour it had to kill.

Compare that portrayal with the reality as described by Col. Jason Brown, commander of the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing. Our suicide and suicidal ideation rates were way higher than the Air Force average, Brown told the Washington Post earlier this month, explaining why full-time psychiatrists and mental-health counselors have been introduced into the drone program. They were even higher than for those who had deployed. Suicide rates have fallen as a result of the mental-health teams, Brown said. The work itself hasnt changed.

The film rights to Drone Warrior were bought over a year ago, with much fanfare, by Paramount Pictures. (The studio also optioned the life rights to Velicovichs story.) In the acknowledgments section of the memoir, Velicovich mentions that the forthcoming movie will be directed and produced by Michael Bay, the filmmaker behind Transformers, Pearl Harbor and Armageddon.

This development is predictable. The U.S. military and Hollywood have long enjoyed a symbiotic relationship. Filmmakers often gain access to locations, personnel, information and equipment that lend their productions authenticity. In return, the military often gets some measure of control over how its depicted.

Pentagon officials and CIA staff are known to have advised and shared classified documents with the filmmakers behind Zero Dark Thirty, the Oscar-nominated movie that misrepresented the CIAs controversial torture and rendition program as having been instrumental in locating Osama bin Laden. The CIA also has been linked to the production of Argo, Ben Afflecks Oscar-winning depiction of how that agency rescued American hostages in Iran.

But there is something particularly unseemly about Hollywoods enthusiasm for bringing Velicovichs version of drone warfare to the big screen. In Drone Warrior, the American military may have a powerful platform for portraying its program as effective and its operators as heroic  instead of overworked and distressed. We have to wonder if Velicovich was approached by the U.S. military to write his memoir. It certainly could help with their attrition problem.

Alex Edney-Browne (@alexEdneybrowne) is a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne, where she is researching the psycho-social effects of drone warfare on Afghan civilians and veterans of the U.S. Air Forces drone program. Lisa Ling (@ARetVet) served in the U.S. military as a technical sergeant on drone surveillance systems before leaving with an honorable discharge in 2012. She appears in the 2016 documentary on drone warfare, National Bird.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook
The Islamic States self-proclaimed caliphate, the brutal state the extremist group ruled for three years in Syria and Iraq, is rapidly collapsing.

After months of grueling combat, Iraqi troops have finally retaken Mosul, their countrys second-largest city, at the cost of thousands of lives and the destruction of its ancient center. In neighboring Syria, Kurdish and Arab fighters with American advisers are closing in on Islamic States capital of Raqqa.

The United States and its allies are winning the major battles. But they are still in danger of losing the war.

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The fall of Mosul and Raqqa wont solve the problem that led to Islamic States rise: the misrule of Sunni Muslim areas by governments in Baghdad and Damascus. It wont even eliminate the terrorist threat that Islamic State poses to the West. Instead, itll open a vacuum  and if the Middle East has shown us anything over the past decade, its that when theres a vacuum, bad things can happen.

In the short run, Islamic State still holds big chunks of territory in Syria and Iraq. The group has been displaced from its two biggest cities, and there are persistent reports that its leader, Abu Bakr Baghdadi, is dead. But the rest of its leadership has already moved the de facto headquarters from Raqqa to Deir Ezzor in eastern Syria.

Islamic State has been weakened, but it hasnt been destroyed. There is still a tough fight ahead, the U.S. commander in the region, Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, warned last week.

The only way to end the threat from Islamic State  in whatever guise it adopts  is to stay in the fight a good deal longer.

Islamic State wasnt originally a caliphate. It began as an underground guerrilla group, Al Qaeda in Iraq. American and Iraqi forces almost destroyed the group, but it moved into Syria and evolved. The groups biggest mistake  almost unique among terrorist groups  was its brash declaration of statehood in a desert territory vulnerable to the U.S. Air Force.

Now its evolving again, into what one terrorism expert calls Islamic State 3.0. Many of its militants have scattered and returned to the earlier, traditional model: clandestine cells with no fixed territory. Theyre already carrying out small-scale attacks in Iraq and Syria  and they are probably still capable of launching attacks in Europe as well.

Many of the Trump administrations national security officials know that history painfully well, and firsthand. Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and national security adviser H.R. McMaster both commanded troops in Iraq.

Weve all seen the results of leaving ungoverned areas, Mattis said recently. Its not like you can say, Im going to quit.

Mattis and his aides have offered a plan  at least, the outline of a plan  to fill the governance vacuum in areas taken from Islamic State. It begins with a continued U.S. military presence. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., has told Congress that he expects U.S. advisors to be in Iraq for years to come.

In Iraq, the governance plan relies on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to step up efforts at reconciliation between the Shia Muslim majority and the Sunni Muslims who were Islamic States base of support. But reconciliation hasnt taken hold yet; Abadi is being opposed by Nouri Maliki, the pro-Iranian former prime minister whose sectarian policies fueled Islamic States rise.

In Syria, the problem is even more complicated. The United States is organizing local councils to try to govern areas that fall vacant when Islamic State withdraws. But theres a rival claimant to power: the Russia-backed government of Bashar Assad. The most likely scenario is for the Assad regime to reassert its influence with help from Russia and Iran, Charles Lister, a Syria expert at the nonpartisan Middle East Institute, told me. That would merely lead to a new cycle of repression and rebellion.

Then theres the need for economic reconstruction, a multibillion dollar challenge in both countries. The United States wants wealthy Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, to shoulder most of that burden, but the oil states havent stepped up.

Theres no real money for reconstruction, from either the United States or our wealthy allies in the region, said Richard A. Clarke, a former counterterrorism adviser under Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Eventually, that will create conditions ideal for Islamic State or some other terrorist group to come back. It will be as though we built a terrorist breeding ground.

When Trump was campaigning last year, he claimed he had a secret plan to destroy Islamic State very, very quickly. Instead, to his credit, he listened to Mattis and endorsed an intensified version of the strategy he inherited from President Obama.

But now, to make it stick, hes going to have to continue the military campaign  and add a better-funded diplomatic and reconstruction campaign, too. That wont be easy for a president who has proposed to slash spending on diplomacy and foreign aid by roughly 30%.

It will be tempting, for some, to celebrate the fall of Raqqa, declare the war over and pull out. But thats not how counter-terrorism works. The only way to end the threat from Islamic State  in whatever guise it adopts  is to stay in the fight a good deal longer.

doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com

Twitter: @DoyleMcManus

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook
President Trump and congressional Republicans, despite repeated pledges to preserve sick Americans access to health coverage, are poised to scrap this core insurance protection in their campaign to roll back the Affordable Care Act.

Both the House GOP bill that passed in May and the revised Senate GOP bill unveiled last week effectively eliminate the coverage guarantee by allowing health insurers to once again sell skimpier plans and charge more to people with preexisting health conditions who need more-comprehensive coverage.

At the same time, the House and Senate bills dramatically scale back financial aid to low- and moderate-income consumers, and slash funding for Medicaid, the government safety-net plan that has helped millions of sick and poor Americans gain coverage.

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That combination  looser insurance requirements and less financial assistance for patients  will once again put health plans out of reach for millions of sick Americans, according to numerous analyses.

The fundamental guarantee at the heart of the Affordable Care Act was that people who are sick can get insurance at the same price as everyone else, said Larry Levitt, an insurance market expert at the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation. The House and Senate replacement bills move the system back to a place where healthy and sick people are treated very differently.

The Senate bill was enveloped by more uncertainty Saturday night when Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced he was delaying action on the measure because fellow Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona was recovering from surgery for a blood clot.

Republicans have a 52-48 majority in the Senate, and McConnell can afford to lose only two Republicans if the bill is to advance. The Senate had been scheduled to begin voting on its healthcare bill this week, and GOP Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine have already said they will oppose it.

Obamacares coverage guarantee remains among the most popular parts of the 2010 law, with nearly 7 in 10 Americans rating it favorably.

Trump administration officials and congressional leaders insist the Republican bills wont leave anyone behind.

The legislation ensures that every American with preexisting conditions has access to the coverage and care they need, no exceptions, Vice President Mike Pence told a meeting of the National Governors Assn. in Rhode Island on Friday.

We think its great to give people more options and more choices and the freedom to actually buy the insurance products they want.  Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.

But that assurance has been contradicted by nearly every independent evaluation of the Republican healthcare bills, including two lengthy reports by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Pences claims are also at odds of with the assessment of health insurers themselves.

On Friday, the heads of the industrys two leading advocacy groups  Americas Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Assn.  called the Senate bill simply unworkable, warning it would undermine protections for those with preexisting medical conditions.

Similarly, in a letter to Senate leaders this month, the American Academy of Actuaries warned that provisions of the Senate GOP bill could erode preexisting condition protections and make it more difficult for high-cost individuals and groups to obtain coverage.

Nearly every major patient advocacy organization has reached the same conclusion.

Older and sicker individuals  would face the full cost of these higher premiums, leaving millions of people with chronic conditions and disabilities unable to afford the kind of coverage they need, a coalition of 13 patient groups wrote in a letter to senators last week, condemning the latest version of the Senate bill.

The coalition includes the American Heart Assn., the American Lung Assn., the March of Dimes, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the AARP and the advocacy arm of the American Cancer Society.

Obamacare 101: A primer on key issues in the debate over repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act 

The kind of deregulated insurance markets envisioned by the House and Senate bills would mark a return to what health insurance looked like before the current healthcare law was enacted in 2010.

Before Obamacare, most insurance companies worked aggressively to exclude sick customers, either denying coverage altogether or charging unaffordable prices to people with preexisting conditions such as cancer, diabetes, even acne.

That left tens of millions of Americans with next to no options for coverage.

Although some states offered special health plans for sick patients whod been rejected by insurers, most of these so-called high-risk pools limited benefits or capped enrollment because the coverage was so costly.

It was a medical gulag, said Richard Figueroa, former enrollment director of Californias plan, which had a long waiting list because demand always outstripped money available for coverage.

Obamacare fundamentally equalized how health insurance treats patients. Insurers were not only forbidden to deny coverage to sick consumers, they had to provide a basic set of benefits.

That standardization ensured that sick Americans were not forced to pay more for health insurance than healthy Americans, who might be tempted to buy skimpier plans that did not offer some benefits, such as prescription drugs or mental health and substance-abuse therapy.

This meant higher costs for some consumers, particularly those who enjoyed lower premiums before the law, when insurers were allowed to exclude the sick.

But uniform standards are necessary to ensure equal access to coverage, said Manatt Health managing director Joel Ario, a former insurance commissioner in Oregon and Pennsylvania. It doesnt work unless everyone participates on the same terms.

To date, more than 20 million Americans have gained coverage through the law and many more depend on its protections.

Republicans have been careful to emphasize that their Obamacare repeal legislation does not repeal the coverage guarantee that prohibits insurers from denying coverage.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) famously pledged that he wouldnt vote for a bill that didnt pass what he called the Jimmy Kimmel test, in a reference to the late-night hosts emotional explanation of how important it had been that his baby son was not shut out of insurance coverage after being born with congenital heart disease.

Last week, Senate GOP leaders said they were simply trying to give consumers the opportunity to find more-affordable coverage.

We think its great to give people more options and more choices and the freedom to actually buy the insurance products they want, said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the third-ranking Republican.

Conservative Republicans led by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who insists on the insurance deregulation, have said they will not support the Obamacare repeal bill without Cruzs amendment.

But offering this kind of choice  even with additional money to help sick consumers  would effectively end the coverage guarantee, the two health insurance groups said.

Given our experience and long-standing commitment to providing health care coverage, we understand what it takes to make health insurance markets work for consumers, the presidents of the groups wrote.

We believe strongly that the rules must apply equally to all insurance.

Obamacare vs. Trumpcare: A side-by-side comparison of the Affordable Care Act and the GOPs replacement plan 

Times staff writer Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

noam.levey@latimes.com

@noamlevey

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The top contenders to be Californias next governor have similar low points in their political careers: extramarital affairs that exploded in public view during their tenures as big-city mayors.

And in a twist that reveals the small world of Golden State politics, theyve each hired advisors who know the most intimate details of those transgressions  about the other guy.

Sean Clegg was Antonio Villaraigosas deputy mayor in 2007 when the then-Los Angeles mayor and wife Corina separated after two decades of marriage. Soon after the news came out, Villaraigosa revealed that the cause of the split was his relationship with Telemundo reporter Mirthala Salinas, who covered the mayor at City Hall. It was his second acknowledged extramarital affair.

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Clegg is now a top advisor to Villaraigosas chief opponent, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Eric Jaye was Newsoms chief political strategist when he was the mayor of San Francisco. The San Francisco Chronicle once described Jaye as Newsoms political touchstone, mad scientist and wizard behind the curtain and the brains behind his City Hall administration.

Jaye was at Newsoms side when the mayor disclosed a sexual relationship that occurred shortly after his divorce with his appointments secretary, who was the wife of Alex Tourk  Newsoms deputy chief of staff and campaign manager until he learned of the affair. Jaye and Tourk are close friends, and Jaye is now Villaraigosas senior strategist. Tourk also briefly worked for Villaraigosas political action committee last year.

Political consultants sign nondisclosure agreements, so Jaye and Clegg cant share any secrets they learned when they worked for Newsom and Villaraigosa. But both men have a valuable and unusual degree of insight into their former bosses habits and foibles, a familiarity that could give both candidates a boost.

One of the first rules of campaigns is know thy enemy as you know yourself. The more you understand not only their positions on the issues and their vulnerabilities, but how theyll react, the more it gives you an edge, said Rose Kapolczynski, a veteran Democratic strategist.

She said a critical part of running a campaign is catching the opposition off guard. You have an advantage any time you can do something unexpected that your opponent wont know how to react to, and these guys have a deep understanding of how their former bosses [and] current rivals will react under pressure.

Clegg and Jaye both insist that their history is irrelevant and dismissed the notion that it offers any added benefit.

I certainly dont candidly feel like I have much of an inside track on any information about Antonio, and its certainly not our strategy to make this campaign a referendum on things that happened 10 years ago, Clegg said. Gavin Newsom and Antonio Villaraigosa are two of the most experienced, seasoned elected officials in the state, and theyve both held a variety of offices.

Noting that they served as high-profile, heavily scrutinized mayors in two of the nations largest cities, Clegg added, Newsom and Villaraigosa are guys  who can take a punch and not take the bait.

Jaye said he felt privileged to work for both Newsom and Villaraigosa but believes Villaraigosa is best suited to lead the state.

I know and respect them both, he said.

The familiarity the political strategists have with the men they previously worked for  including an encyclopedic knowledge of their track records in office and an understanding of what makes them tick  offers advantages in the battle to replace termed-out Gov. Jerry Brown.

The consultants could use their inside knowledge to point reporters toward political missteps made in their former clients lives, and help their respective candidates prepare for debates and campaign stops by anticipating how their rivals will perform and what they might say.

Stuart K. Spencer, a veteran GOP strategist who worked on Ronald Reagans 1966 and 1970 California gubernatorial campaigns, said he used his knowledge about the actor-turned-politician to rattle him while working for President Ford during the 1976 presidential primaries.

When you got under [Reagans] skin, he staggered around for a couple of days, Spencer said. You just knocked him off his feet.

Spencer, who later worked on Reagans successful presidential campaigns in 1980 and 1984, said he was skeptical that the Democrats in next years gubernatorial contest would be able to keep the race as clean as Clegg and Jaye promised.

Old wars are very common in politics, he said. They would probably do anything they can to beat each other. This is an old-fashioned political brawl. Everything is going to get thrown in.

But if either Newsom or Villaraigosa raises his opponents dalliances, its all but certain there will be return fire.

Its like, let he without sin throw the first stone. Neither one of these candidates can get into a negative campaign against the other talking about their personal lives, because that opens up a whole can of worms, said Garry South, who worked on Newsoms short-lived 2010 gubernatorial bid and has informally advised Villaraigosa over the years. They cancel each other out.

Both candidates indiscretions were widely publicized when they emerged in 2007. While Newsom and Villaraigosa alienated some longtime supporters because of their affairs, their political careers survived largely unscathed. They were both reelected to second mayoral terms  Newsom later that year and Villaraigosa in 2009.

And both men have moved forward in their personal lives. Villaraigosa is newly married, and Newsom has four young children with his second wife.

Newsom and Villaraigosas past improprieties could be raised if only one of them makes it to the general election and faces off against a candidate with less personal baggage, a possibility given the fluid gubernatorial field. But its unclear whether voters would care.

The country seems to have moved past a time when some questioned whether Reagan could be elected president because he was divorced and remarried. President Clinton was impeached for lying under oath about his affair with an intern, yet years later remains one of the Democratic Partys most valued voices. President Trump has been married three times and has acknowledged being unfaithful to at least one of his prior wives.

South also noted that Californians elected Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003 shortly after allegations that he groped women without their consent emerged.

In California, the bar has been set so low, you couldnt limbo under it, he said.

seema.mehta@latimes.com

For the latest on national and California politics, follow @LATSeema on Twitter.

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The hundreds of protesters who show up weekly to wave signs outside Rep. Darrell Issas office in a drab office park in Vista, Calif., have written a song for him to the tune of Oh! Susanna.

Darrell Issa, youve got to oversee. You need to check-and-balance [Trump] before its World War III, they sing toward the tinted windows of the building.

As chairman of the committee charged with overseeing the executive branch, Issa was once known as President Obamas toughest critic. Now the richest man in Congress has found himself with protesters at his door, no committee to lead, and a tough race expected in 2018.

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It has forced the nine-term congressman to walk a shaky line, reassuring his conservative base that hes not moderating his positions while showing the growing number of independents and Democrats in his district that hes not as partisan as people think.

For months, the 63-year-old Issa has sporadically ventured outside, all smiles, to talk with protesters at his office. Hes been the only vulnerable Southern California Republican to do so since President Trumps election inspired regular demonstrations at their offices.

Though the crowd of about 300 at an April protest yelled and booed over him at times, Issa answered questions with a steady voice, pushing back when someone accused him of being more conservative than tea party supporters or demanded that he try to impeach the president.

You can go online and look at conservative groups and what youll find is Im not the most conservative Republican, Im not the least conservative Republican, but I am a Republican, he told them.

Prior to his tight 2016 win, Issa had gotten at least 58% of the vote in his eight previous campaigns. He wasnt expecting the reliably Republican district to react so badly to Trump, or so well to Democrat Doug Applegate, a novice candidate on no ones radar.

His 0.6% victory margin, and the fact that the district narrowly went for Democrat Hillary Clinton, makes him one of the most vulnerable Republicans in Congress. For 2018, Issa has already raised $1.2 million, and has drawn a rematch from Applegate and challenges from Orange County environmental lawyer Mike Levin and San Diego real estate investor Paul Kerr as well as the attention of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has promised to make the 49th District a battleground again.

He won by only about 1,600 votes. ... We smell blood, said protest organizer Ellen Montanari, 63, of Encinitas.

When Issa was first elected in 2000, more than half of registered voters in the district were Republicans, 27.2% were Democrats and 15.4% chose no party preference.

Now Republicans make up just 37.7% of registered voters in Issas district, which includes southern Orange County and northern San Diego County suburbs such as Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista. Meanwhile, the share of voters registering as Democrats, 31%, and no party preference, 26%, has increased.

Though it is mostly white, the district has a growing Latino population. The influence of the military vote from Camp Pendleton still holds a lot of sway, but the areas tech industry is growing, too.

The district is changing, said UC Irvine political scientist Graeme Boushey. He is really walking on a razors edge now, especially given Trumps unpopularity with voters.

Those who first showed up at Issas office protests were hoping hed moderate to match the district, Montanari said.

I wanted to hear him, I wanted to talk to him, I wanted to be able to find out what hes thinking and what he thought about Trump, Montanari said. Ive never heard him sound more like a moderate than he did [during a telephone town hall]. The day he starts voting like that is the day I will say, Thank you.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) speaks to a crowd of protesters outside his district office. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Born in Cleveland as the second of six children in a Lebanese American family, Issa dropped out of high school at 17 to join the Army. While there, he got his GED and went on to earn degrees from Kent State University and Siena Heights College before returning to the Army as an officer.

Issa bought a struggling Cleveland electronics business in 1980 and within a decade transformed it to produce the popular Viper automobile anti-theft device, with Issas voice as the warning to would-be thieves to stand back. In 1986, he and his wife, Kathy, moved the business to Vista. His net worth was estimated at more than quarter of a billion in 2015, according to personal financial disclosures.

How much is your member of Congress worth? Check it out here 

In 1998, Issa lost in a Republican primary to pick a challenger to Californias Sen. Barbara Boxer in part because of news reports that he and his older brother, William, had been arrested twice in connection with car thefts decades earlier, including the theft of a Maserati from a dealer. Issa was indicted, but the charges were dropped in both cases.

I was exonerated of all wrongdoing, Issa told the Los Angeles Times in 1998.

Two years later, he was elected to replace retiring Republican Rep. Ron Packard. Issa gained statewide fame when he bankrolled the successful 2003 effort to recall former Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. He says the $1.7 million he spent to gather signatures shows hes willing to buck his party. The George W. Bush White House opposed it.

Hed hoped to replace Davis, but abruptly quit during a tearful news conference when Arnold Schwarzenegger entered the race, saying he was assured a quality candidate was running.

Over the next few years, Issa developed a reputation as a data privacy and personal property rights advocate. He helped overhaul how the government fulfills public information requests, and worked on patent reform with Silicon Valley.

After he was named House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman in 2011, Issa became nationally known for his dogged pursuit of perceived problems in the Obama administration.

He took the administration to task over the Benghazi attack, the Internal Revenue Services treatment of conservative groups, and the Fast and Furious failed gun sting. He issued more than 100 subpoenas in four years, calling Obama one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times.

His combative, cantankerous hearings were high on theatrics  Issa once had to apologize for turning off his Democratic counterparts microphone and storming out of the room. But the hearings rarely showed direct culpability of Obama or his administration.

GOP patience with the televised shouting matches waned, and when Issa reached the limit set by Republican caucus rules on how long he could serve as chairman, House leaders brushed aside Issas request to give him another term in 2015.

Issa doesnt talk much about those years any more.

You can write something that says Im a bulldog, but I didnt come here to be the Oversight chairman, he said. I came here to try to leave government a little bit better than I found it.

Now, he wants to focus on the legislation he has worked on with Democrats to expand government transparency, local issues such as finding a home for nuclear waste stored at Southern California Edisons San Onofre power plant, or ways he disagrees with Republican leadership. In an interview, he called House Speaker Paul Ryans border adjustment tax proposal, which would tax imports and subsidize exports, plain stupid, wrong, misguided. The issue divides congressional Republicans.

A senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, Issa is starting to talk about becoming chairman in 2018. He says he would work on the traditionally Democratic issues of prison reform, reducing mandatory minimum sentencing laws and keeping employers from asking potential hires about their criminal backgrounds.

Ive always been passionate on things which are sometimes in the left, sometimes in the right, and sometimes one might say in the middle, but none of them are new, Issa said.

Issas communications director has a new mandate to show voters how the congressmans work benefits constituents. That has meant shiny fliers asking people to fill out surveys on local issues, email newsletters detailing legislation he has filed and telling people always feel free to send me an email, and town halls at a time when few of his Southern California counterparts facing tough races are holding them. Revved-up constituents pushed him on the GOP healthcare bill at the most recent meeting.

Former California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring said that just because Issa is explaining his positions now doesnt mean they have changed.

If hes making a concerted effort [to show] hes a conservative and hes not in a bad mood about it, that doesnt mean hes changed his philosophy, Nehring said.

Retired UC San Diego political scientist Steven Erie said Issa needs to mend fences in San Diego County, the bulk of his district, where Democrats are still upset about his treatment of Obama.

In the final days of the 2016 election, Issa sent a mailer praising Obama for signing legislation that the congressman supported, a move that the outgoing president called shameless and the definition of chutzpah.

Hes a smart guy and certainly in terms of the tone, in terms of the verbiage, the reaching out, he realizes that to survive, hes got to lower the Democratic opposition, or at least neutralize it, Erie said.

While Issa endorsed Trump and campaigned with him at a San Diego rally, he has appeared to put some distance between them since the inauguration.

In February, Issa became the first House Republican to call for a special prosecutor to take over the FBIs investigation into Russian attempts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.

With the president denying climate change is real, and his administration pulling back on climate change research, Issa this year joined the Climate Solutions Caucus, a bipartisan group in Congress looking to address climate change.

While it gives the impression that Issa is trying to appear more moderate, he has stayed in line with Trumps policies. Political data analysis site FiveThirtyEight gives Issa a 100% ranking on its tracker of how often members of Congress vote with the president.

Issa was hesitant to vote for the widely unpopular GOP healthcare bill, saying the party could do better. But, in the end, he joined the rest of the Republicans in Californias delegation and backed the bill, saying he was confident the Senate would fix it.

The congressman has consistently scoffed at the idea that he is moderating his opinions or moving toward the middle, and in an interview this month, he mentioned what he had told The Times in April, referring to a barnyard vulgarity to describe the alleged shift.

Its still the thing that falls to the ground beneath a male cow. Im not going to change, Im not going to change a bit, he added.

sarah.wire@latimes.com

Twitter: @sarahdwire

Read more about the 55 members of Californias delegation at latimes.com/politics

ALSO:

L.A.'s new Democratic congressman has been in the majority his whole career. Now hes going to Washington

Darrell Issa gets on his office roof to take a picture of protesters. A mild hubbub ensues

Updates on California politics

UPDATES:

1:10 p.m.: This article was updated to clarify that other Republicans in the same term-limited circumstance as Issa were not granted exceptions.

11:05 a.m.: This article was updated with more specifics on why Issa did not get an extended term as chairman of the Oversight committee.

This article was originally published July 16 at 12:05 a.m.
Before Don Schoendorfer founded the Irvine-based Free Wheelchair Mission, a trip to Morocco he and his wife took in 1979 first sparked his desire in donating wheelchairs globally.

As he passed a narrow street in Medina during that trip, he saw a woman lying on her stomach who was using her hands to drag herself across the road. She moved a few inches at a time, moving carefully so that no one would step on her hands, he said. He remembers no one stopping to help her.

That was a hard reality to react to and we didnt know how to react to it, so we walked away and essentially walked away for around 20 years, Schoendorfer said. But life caught up to us.

Later on, Schoendorfer began to fiddle with spare parts he had in his home garage from his work as an engineer. He spent around two years figuring out how to build an inexpensive, durable wheelchair.

He eventually built multiple ones to give.

Since handing out the first wheelchair in India in 2001, the Free Wheelchair Mission has donated 1 million wheelchairs to 93 countries across the world, an accomplishment that the faith-based organization celebrated at its annual Miracle of Mobility gala at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa on Thursday.

Each wheelchair represents a life changed, someone who can now go to school or to work and can enjoy a life of mobility, Schoendorfer said in a release. It also represents a great network of generous supporters and committed partners dedicated to giving back and creating opportunity for people in great need around the world.

The first wheelchair was given to a boy with cerebral palsy during a medical mission Schoendorfer took to India in February 2001, he said.

Schoendorfer remembers seeing the boys family carry him since he could not control his arms or legs.

It was very hot and humid and they looked worn out from carrying him, Schoendorfer said. But seeing him in the chair, you could see the relief of the parents.

After giving away the chair, Schoendorfer boarded a bus that was driving away until the boys mother flagged it down, coming out with broken glasses of water for the people on the mission.

That was all she had to offer us in return, Schoendorfer said. It was very emotional.

After coming home from the mission trip, Schoendorfer planned to return to his regular job until he found out the company he had been working for went bankrupt.

That was when it all started to line up, he said, realizing he would now focus his energy on the Free Wheelchair Mission. I wasnt going to admit it back then, but Id admit it now. This was Gods plan.

The 1 million wheelchairs given by the Free Wheelchair Mission come in three different designs, including a foldable one.

Since the different types of chairs are made with similar components and produced by a manufacturer in China, they are able to be built and delivered at a cost of $80 per chair, a cost thats covered by donations and fundraising in the U.S. so that recipients in developing countries can receive their wheelchairs for free.

I cant speak enough to what the [Free Wheelchair Mission] does, said Robert Kalatschan, founder of the Huntington Beach-based nonprofit Giving It Back to Kids, which partners with the Mission to deport the chairs. For one, they get people off the ground and I never want to take away what it means to take someone off the ground  to give dignity, grace and hope back to a person.

Wheelchair recipients from El Salvador, Jamaica, Uganda and Vietnam were in attendance at the Missions gala Thursday. Among them was Vo Thi Thuy Hien, 19, who lost mobility after treatments and surgeries to treat a tumor on her spine, which caused her to leave school, according to a release.

By having her wheelchair, she can seek an education in multimedia design.

When we first started our work, the goal was to change the life of each individual in need, Schoendorfer said in a release. That is still our goal, however, reaching 1 million makes us realize that we can help another million and then another million after that.

Alexandra.Chan@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlexandraChan10
Santa Ana council members have approved pay raises for 477 police officers, sergeants and other police department employees amid city staff projections of major funding shortfalls that could require millions of dollars from reserves to make ends meet.

I think that this proposal is modest, given the need in this town, Councilman Jose Solorio said during the July 5 meeting, adding that the increase will help with retention and recruiting.

Santa Ana officers are typically paid 20 to 25% below market, which drives recruits to other departments, Solorio said, adding, Weve got to stay competitive.

Before the new labor contract, median total compensation for a Santa Ana officer was about $213,000 per year, including $111,000 in pay before overtime and $88,000 in benefits, according to city data published by Transparent California.

The starting salary was $77,000, plus extra pay opportunities, like $1,900 per year for being fluent in English and Spanish.

The new contract raises the base salary for officers and sergeants by 5.6% percent to 10.6%, depending on seniority and work schedule. At least a third of officers will receive raises of 8.1% or more.

Staff attribute the citywide budget shortfalls mostly to sharply increasing pension costs for retired employees (up $22 million per year since 2014 and continuing to rise, largely due to police pensions) and the cancellation of the citys jail contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (a loss of $11 million per year).

And staff say the shortfalls, projected at about $9 million per year for the next two years, are on track to increase in future years as pension costs continue to rise faster than the citys revenues. The situation has sparked interest among some council members to put a tax increase before voters within the next year.

In return for the pay raises, police employees agreed to increase their contributions for pensions and cap the citys payments for their medical costs at current levels. These changes are projected to save the city $1.1 million of its additional $3.8 million cost for the contract this fiscal year.

For the remaining cost, city staff say theyre confident they can absorb it into the existing police department budget, through shifting jail employees to different positions, charging overtime to non-general fund revenue streams where appropriate, and extra revenue from unpaid parking citations.

If that doesnt pan out, staff say theyll notify the council and recommend ways to raise more revenue or draw an additional amount from reserves.

All of us are feeling pretty confident that this was a very good plan, interim City Manager Cynthia Kurtz said in a follow-up interview, referring to the views of staff. But if something doesnt come to fruition, well be back to tell the council.

The new, one-year labor contract with the Santa Ana Police Officers Assn., which covers 293 sworn officers and sergeants and 184 non-sworn Police Department staff, was approved on a 5-2 City Council vote.

Voting in favor were Mayor Miguel Pulido and councilmen Solorio, Juan Villegas, Vicente Sarmiento and Sal Tinajero. Opposing it were Michele Martinez and David Benavides.

The council also gave final approval July 5 to a budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year, which began July 1.

Supporters of the new police contract agreed with Solorio that the raises are needed to bring Santa Ana up to market rate, and noted the officers concessions, which are projected to reduce the citys costs for the increase by about 29%.

Martinez and Benavides said they support the officers, but that the city simply cant afford the increase.

I cant support this, because we cannot sustain this in the long-term, Martinez said.

She questioned whether the city was truly paying below market.

These types of cost increases, Martinez said, will ultimately push the city to the brink of bankruptcy like it was a few years ago.

By the 2019-20 fiscal year, Martinez said the city will find ourselves in a hole, and I dont think were gonna get out of it this time.

As for the market-rate comparison, Kurtz said city staffs analysis found Santa Ana was below the officer pay rate for comparable cities by a couple of percentage points.

Kurtz said she wasnt able to immediately provide a copy of the analysis, but that it looked at cities of a similar size and level of service, and within the same geographic hiring pool.

Voice of OC reviewed police compensation data for Santa Ana and the other two largest cities in Orange County, Anaheim and Irvine. The review found that before the pay raise, Santa Ana was already compensating its officers more than its two largest neighbors.

Santa Anas starting salary for officers was $4,400 higher than Irvines and $6,100 higher than Anaheims. And last year, median total compensation for Santa Ana officers was higher than Irvine and Anaheim, both with and without overtime included.

This story was reported by Voice of OC, a nonprofit investigative newsroom, as part of a publishing agreement with TimesOC. Nick Gerda covers county government and Santa Ana for Voice of OC. You can contact him at ngerda@voiceofoc.org.
After 18 years, had they finally found him?

Ashley Roberts of Ravenna, Ohio, and her brother Bradley Meade had gotten a lead on the whereabouts of their father, Donald Meade, who vanished from their lives in 1999.

In April, she pulled out her phone and with a few keystrokes, Bam! she recalls. It popped up.

She and her brother found themselves looking at a 2015 article about Meade in Voice of OC. In it, Meade was described as a once-homeless denizen of the Santa Ana Civic Center now living in a Fullerton apartment.

They read about their fathers battles with alcoholism, homelessness and illness, including bypass surgery, cancer and heart disease. They stared at the picture, which showed a weathered face, blue eyes and gray hair with remnants of auburn in his mustache.

No question it was their father.

He still looks like dad, Roberts told her brother.

A few days later, she contacted the Illumination Foundation, a Stanton nonprofit that had helped Meade through his medical issues and arranged for his housing. She gave the foundation her number to pass on to Meade, and then she waited.

The next day, Allison Moore of the foundation broke the news to Meade that his kids had found him.

He was shaking. I was shaking, Moore recalls.

She gave Meade the number.

He dialed. When Roberts saw a call from California on her phone, she thought it was the foundation and casually picked up.

How do you start a conversation 18 years in the making?

One sentence at a time, it turns out.

He began by saying, Ashley, this is your dad, she recalls.

She immediately recognized his voice.

It was a beginning.

How Meade hit rock bottom

Meade, now 56, is a soft-spoken guy with a humble demeanor. Hes one of 14 children born into a hardscrabble life in Kenton, Ohio, two and a half hours southwest of Cleveland.

Growing up, the family kept chickens and pigs, and disobedience was met with strict physical punishments. Meades mother died when he was 12, which is the age when he began abusing alcohol.

He married young, at 19, served in the Ohio National Guard and worked in a foundry in Tiffin, Ohio, before joining the U.S. Army.

His first marriage broke up after a few years, and he remarried and had two more daughters before marrying a third time and becoming a stepfather to four more children.

I chose alcohol and drugs over my family.  Donald Meade

When he left Ohio in the mid-to-late 90s, he began traveling to far-flung locations, including Louisiana, Montana, California and Florida, working in different capacities.

Already an alcoholic, he took up crack cocaine. During his travels, he sometimes lacked for proper housing, and so he camped or made unorthodox arrangements, such as sleeping in a guesthouse owned by a church for which he did upkeep in the Florida Keys.

Meanwhile, his health was declining.

He had a quadruple heart bypass in 2010, after which he was unable to work. He came to California, finding his way to Santa Ana. By this time he received a regular check for disability. Still, he slept on the grounds of the Civic Center, often bedding down near the entrance to the Council Chambers and rising before dawn to avoid tickets.

By 2015 his health declined further; sometimes his friends living in the Civic Center had to call 911 when he was too ill to move, leading to hospitalizations for his heart problems as well as a diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Living on the streets had taken a toll on his mental health as well as physical strength, says Paul Leon, CEO and founder of the Illumination Foundation.

When we first met Donald, if I had to give him a percentage to survive, I would say 19%, Leon says. He had chronic medical and mental health issues. He was just rock bottom.

Illness, addiction and daily survival challenges routinely compromise the physical and mental health of the chronically homeless, for whom life expectancy is somewhere between 42 and 52.

Opioid abuse has contributed to shorter lifespans, but so have routine illnesses  heart disease and cancer  except that homeless people tend to die of them 20 years ahead of schedule.

Meades precarious health made him a candidate for recuperative care, which places ill homeless patients in a rehabilitative setting. Case managers help stabilize the recipient and in some cases obtain benefits such as housing vouchers or low-income medical care.

After six months in recuperative care, Meade was placed in the apartment where he currently lives with his dog, Scrappy. Foundation staffers helped him navigate medical appointments, medicines and rides to doctor visits.

But even as he was on the mend, he was haunted by what he had lost. He wondered more and more about his children: had they forgotten about him, would he see them again?

Facing his own regrets was especially painful.

I chose alcohol and drugs over my family, he says plainly.

In late 2016 he grew so despondent that he tried to kill himself; it wasnt the first time. He faced another health setback when he underwent triple bypass heart surgery earlier this year. Doctors are monitoring his cancer for the moment.

An unexpected homecoming

After Meade called Roberts this spring, he reconnected with his four biological children and four stepchildren, talking with some of them by telephone every day.

Recently, Meade did something he couldnt have foreseen during his most despairing moments less than a year ago: he flew to Ohio to spend time with his children and to meet his five grandchildren. If all goes well during the 12-day visit, he may even move home for good.

But to do that hell have to build trust and acknowledge the pain caused by his absence.

Hes well aware that his family needs him to own up.

You have to expect some criticism and take it like a man, he says.

Meades eldest daughter, Roberts, has been frank during their telephone conversations leading up to the visit.

I told him, You missed so much of our lives. Im keeping you at arms length, she says. I spoke my mind. I had to. Thats a chapter I needed to close.

Meades daughter from his second marriage, Amanda Sweeney, was fortunate to have been raised by a loving stepfather. But she was still hurt that her biological father was not in her life.

When she found out he was looking to reconnect this past spring, I had every intention of hating him and not forgiving him or ever talking to him again, she says.

Upon getting Meades number, My first thought was, yes, Im going to go off and cuss him out.

But as soon as they began speaking, he apologized fully and asked respectfully if she would hear him out. A connection was born and has grown stronger with regular telephone calls.

The staff at the foundation is anticipating a happy ending but nonetheless has sought to manage his expectations for the Ohio visit, which could be stressful, says Leon, whose organization has helped arrange several reunifications between homeless people and their families, some as far away as Mexico and Russia.

We let Don know were going to still support him if things dont go right, but from conversations with him, it sounds like a positive thing, Leon says. They really want to meet him.

Stepdaughter Kristina Wampler cant wait. She has a fishing trip planned for him, which seems only right since he taught her how to fish.

I hope he feels enough love to want to come back home. I would want nothing more than for him to be a part of our lives again, says the now 33-year-old. People make mistakes, she adds. And people learn from their mistakes.

Editors Note: The Illumination Foundation created a GoFundMe page for anyone who would like to contribute to Meades expenses related to his visit: www.gofundme.com/DonsFamilyReunion.

This story was reported by Voice of OC, a nonprofit investigative newsroom, as part of a publishing agreement with TimesOC.
Adult education students in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District will get more course offerings and services this fall under an agreement the board of trustees approved Tuesday.

Starting in the 2016-17 school year, the adult education program will be managed by the Huntington Beach Adult School, which belongs to the Huntington Beach Union High School District. Courses still will be offered at the Barbot Educational Support Services and Teaching Center in Costa Mesa.

Newport-Mesas adult education program, open to anyone 18 or older, currently offers four English as a Second Language morning classes and a high school diploma program in which students take independent-study classes they need to obtain a diploma.

There used to be a wider selection that included a GED preparation program, citizenship classes, computer courses and ESL classes in the evening for those who work during the day.

Large program cuts were made in 2008 as a result of the national economic recession, and course offerings have been further reduced since then, according to Vanessa Galey, the districts director of special projects.

Under the new agreement, adult education will get back some of what it lost years ago, such as evening ESL classes and the GED program.

Instructors for those classes in the fall will come from the Huntington Beach Adult School.

For years, money came directly from the California Department of Education to the school district to fund the adult education program, said Susan Astarita, Newport-Mesas chief academic officer. When we went into the Great Recession, the state department made a decision not to fund certain programs, and adult ed was one of them.

Currently, the program serves about 120 students in the ESL classes and 40 in the high school diploma program. The ESL and diploma students are led by only two teachers in adult education.

As a result of Assembly Bill 86 in 2013, the Newport-Mesa and Huntington Beach Union districts are sorted into the Coast Adult Education Consortium so school districts could regionally improve adult education services.

The consortium consists of three K-12 districts, three community colleges, the Orange County Department of Education and the Coastline Regional Occupational Program.

The agreement with Huntington Beach Union also will enable Newport-Mesas adult education program to offer counseling to students for social, emotional, career and college needs.

Other than purchasing books and other class materials, theres no cost for students to take adult education courses at the BESST Center.

The registration period for fall classes is scheduled to begin Sept. 6. Those interested must register in person at the BESST Center, 2045 Meyer Place.

--

alexandra.chan@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlexandraChan10
MEXICO

Presentation

Join travel writer Ray Bartlett for a journey to Yucatan, Mexico, with slides, stories and a reading from his debut novel, Sunsets of Tulum.

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Monday at Distant Lands, 20 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena.

Admission, info: Free. RSVP to (626) 449-3220.

CAMP COOKING

Workshop

REI experts will help you plan and prepare for your next campfire feast.

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When, where: 7 p.m. Tuesday at the REI store in Woodland Hills, 6220 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Admission, info: Free. (818) 703-5300

PACIFIC CREST TRAIL

Slide show

PCT thru-hiker Shian Sung will offer tips for gear and planning and present a slideshow on his five-month through-hike from the Mexican border to the Canadian border.

When, where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Adventure 16 store, 11161 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles

Admission, info: Free. (310) 473-4574.

INDIA

Presentation

Gene Smith and Praneet Jaspal will discuss northeast India and the peoples of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Assam, three little-visited states.

When, where: Noon July 23 at El Floridita restaurant, No. 3 1253 N. Vine St., Hollywood.

Admission, info: $25 for lunch and program. Hosted by the Network for Travel Club. RSVP to Odette Ricasa at (323) 578-3601.

Please email announcements at least three weeks before the event to travel@latimes.com.

a
When the boss is an insufferable troll, his personality can create a toxic environment that sets the workplace on edge. If the boss happens to be the captain on a commercial aircraft and his abrasive temperament creates undue stress for his co-pilot, the result could threaten the integrity of a flight.

For this reason, co-pilots, or first officers, have a way to quietly avoid flying with a captain they despise.

At the airline I work for, this subversive maneuver is known as Do Not Pair.

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Heres how Do Not Pair works:

When a first officer submits electronic bids for the next months flight schedule, he must enter the name of the undesirable captain into the computer bidding module.

As the bid is processed, the system makes certain the two pilot names are not paired on the same flight sequences.

This is not to say that captains have a reputation for prickliness. On the contrary, the vast majority Ive worked with are skillful managers who have earned the respect bestowed on them.

Day in and day out, these unsung heroes calmly pilot millions of passengers through lightning strikes, turbulent skies, hydraulic failure and, on rare occasions, bird strikes that cause engines to flare out. (Think Capt. Chesley Sully Sullenberger of Miracle on the Hudson fame.)

Once in a blue moon, however, the captaincapable though he may beis endowed with a personality that makes him difficult to work with.

As one of 14 crew members on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Miami, I worked with a captain who was so corrosive and lacking in managerial etiquette that he inconvenienced more than 200 passengers.

He made flight attendants cry and the first officer worry. He may even have sucker-punched by an enraged colleague.

In the cockpit, there is a hierarchy. There is a first first officer and a second. The second is jokingly referred to as Food Boy because his limited responsibilities allow extra time to eat.

He is the lowest-ranked pilot in the cockpit, and his primary responsibility is to relieve first officer A and the captain during long-haul flights of more than eight hours.

Typically, that person is not at the controls during takeoff or landing.

Fifty minutes before takeoff in Rio, our captain and Food Boy got into a shouting match.

As I welcomed passengers aboard, the pilots voices bellowed through the open cockpit door.

And then, Get...off my airplane!

It was the captains voice. Loud. Unabashed. Derisive.

A moment later Food Boy emerged from the cockpit, his pilots bag in one hand, trusty roll-aboard in the other.

His face was fire-engine red. There was something about a punch and the captains face.

He stormed past me and marched alongside the queue of startled passengers waiting on the jet bridge.

Work rules forbid us from flying an eight-hour flight without that position. By kicking him off the airplane, the captain had effectively canceled our flight.

While the drama unfolded, first officer A had been using a nearby lavatory and no doubt heard the captains fiery dismissal.

Concerned, the first officer bolted from the lav and into the cockpit to find out what was what.

Basically, our captain was an overbearing bully who seemed to enjoy making his colleagues miserable.

The previous day, on our inbound flight from Miami, he berated two rookie flight attendants for no apparent reason other than the fact that they were young, inexperienced and women.

Just before boarding the flight in Rio, he paraded the same two women out onto the jet bridge and scolded them for being airborne neophytes.

Really? The second first officer and I watched in disbelief as the captain gleefully chided them when in fact they had done nothing wrong.

This was Food Boys breaking point.

When the captain returned to the cockpit, he followed and said to his boss, You were way out of line.

Thats when the shouting began.

Food Boy was ultimately relieved from duty for insubordination.

Luckily, the other first officers cooler head prevailed. He tracked down the departed first officer who was in the terminal making hotel arrangements.

Our three pilotsthe two first officers and the captainheld a 10-minute meeting where differences were resolved, or at least shelved.

Boarding resumed soon thereafter, and our flight departed with only a minimal delay.

Sometime after landing in Miami, Food Boy pulled out his laptop, logged onto the employee website, entered the captains name and clicked, Do Not Pair.

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel
An American citizen has been sentenced to prison for espionage in Iran, the latest foreign national to be jailed on spying charges in the Islamic Republic, state news media reported Sunday.

Mizan news agency, the mouthpiece of Irans judiciary, identified the American as Xiyue Wang, a 37-year-old researcher at Princeton University. Wang, who was born in China, was arrested in August 2016 while trying to leave Iran, the report said.

Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi, a spokesman for the judiciary, said a court had sentenced Wang to 10 years in prison. He has the right to appeal.

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Mizan reported that Wang had digitally archived 4,500 pages of Iranian documents for foreign research institutions, including Princeton and the British Institute of Persian Studies.

The news agency published screenshots of Wangs Princeton Web page and an excerpt of a March 2016 report from the British institute that quoted Wang as saying he had been in contact with senior scholars at Iranian government archives in Tehran and Mashhad.

Mizan cited the statement as evidence that Wang was on a covert mission, even though the institutes report was publicly available.

In a statement, Princeton said Wang is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the universitys history department, studying late 19th and early 20th century Eurasian history. It said Wang was arrested while conducting research on the Qajar dynasty, which ruled Iran until 1925.

The university said Wangs family, the U.S. government, lawyers, Princeton officials and others had been working to secure his release.

We were very distressed by the charges brought against him in connection with his scholarly activities, and by his subsequent conviction and sentence, the statement said. His family and the university are distressed at his continued imprisonment and are hopeful that he will be released after his case is heard by the appellate authorities in Tehran.

At least three Americans are imprisoned in Iran. Baquer Namazi, 80, and his son Siamak are serving 10-year sentences in Tehrans notorious Evin prison and are believed to be in ill health. Karan Vafadari, who owns an art gallery in Tehran, was arrested last July with his wife, a U.S. green card holder.

A fourth American, Gholamrez Reza Shahini of San Diego, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for national security crimes but has appealed the judgment and is free on bond.

The U.S. government has repeatedly called for the Americans release. An unknown number of Iranians holding European passports are also believed to be jailed.

The prisoners are apparent pawns in a power struggle between the hard-line judiciary and the more moderate government of President Hassan Rouhani. Rouhani, who won reelection in May, has invited Iranian dual citizens to return to the country to help bolster its economy.

In another sign of the struggle, Rouhanis brother, Hossein Fereydoun, was arrested on corruption charges, Ejehi said Sunday.

Allegations against Fereydoun of money laundering and theft of government funds date back several years and have not been proved, but hard-liners have called for his arrest for months.

Analysts believe Fereydoun is being targeted because he is close to Rouhani and was part of the negotiating team that sealed the 2015 nuclear agreement with the United States and five other countries. Hard-liners strongly oppose the agreement, which they believe sacrificed Irans nuclear program while failing to obtain enough economic concessions in return.

ALSO:

Iran bans womens Zumba aerobics classes

Islamic State rarely carries out terrorist attacks in Iran. How does Iran prevent them?

I watched her die: The last push for Mosul, from those who lived through the ferocious battle

Special correspondent Mostaghim reported from Tehran and Times staff writer Bengali from Mumbai, India.

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Follow @SBengali on Twitter

UPDATES:

8:30 p.m.: This article was updated with comment from Princeton University.

This article was originally published at 11:20 a.m.
Millions of people gathered across Turkey in observance of one year since civilians poured into the streets and confronted rebel soldiers, thwarting what would have been the countrys fourth military coup.

At least 250 people were killed and more than 2,000 wounded the night of July 15, 2016, when a faction of the military deployed fighter jets, attack helicopters, tanks, and other heavy weapons against the government.

The July 15, 2016, Saga, as the Turkish government has branded the event, marked a turning point in a country prone to military coups. The military seized power in 1960, 1971, 1980 and 1997.

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Late Saturday night, mosques across Turkey broadcast funeral prayers for the dead and public buses and other transportation were free all day to help people attend memorial rallies.

Hundreds of thousands marched over a bridge across the Bosporus in Istanbul, carrying Turkish flags and portraits of the scores of civilians killed. The bridge, now named July 15 Martyrs Bridge, was just one site of a long night of pitched battles between soldiers and mostly unarmed civilians backing lightly armed police.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who barely escaped an assault by three rebel commando units the night of the attempted coup, addressed the crowd and unveiled a monument commemorating the civilians killed, a few kilometers from his home near the bridges entrance.

The night of the coup attempt, thousands of supporters had camped out at Erdogans home as a defensive measure officials dubbed a democracy watch. One year later, Erdogan asked the crowd to return to the locations where they had confronted soldiers that night.

That day the traitors used heavy weapons against the nation, but the people who came, just like today, only had their flags and their faith, Erdogan told the crowd before reciting verses from the Koran praising martyrs as being granted eternal life. Do you know what God has promised the martyrs? For those who fight in the way of God, or in the way of their nation, he has promised them paradise.

Erdogan promised to decapitate the traitors, adding that not one of them will be left in this country without getting their punishment.

Turkey has been under a state of emergency since last July 20, and officials have said they intend to keep it in place as long as it takes to track and prosecute those with alleged connections to Fethullah Gulen, the cleric who is blamed for the coup attempt and who resides in Pennsylvania.

Ankara has called for Gulens extradition for his role in the coup attempt. On Saturday, effigies of Gulen, some with a rope around the neck, were carried by some of those attending the memorials.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Justice announced a total of 169,013 people had faced legal proceedings related to the coup attempt, and 50,510 were currently under arrest. Among those jailed are more than 150 journalists, 169 generals, 8,815 police department members, 24 governors, 73 deputy governors, 116 district governors and 2,413 judiciary members.

On Friday evening, a presidential decree announced the dismissal of 7,348 public-sector workers from five ministries, the police, and other government offices, adding to the more than 150,000 already purged since the coup attempt. Those dismissed are barred from leaving the country and holding any government job in the future. About 34,000 public employees have been reinstated, and the government has announced an inquiry commission will begin hearing appeals from those dismissed starting July 17.

Only a fraction of those arrested for their role in the attempted coup have been brought to trial, including a case against 221 top military officials for attempting to overthrow the government force and attempting to assassinate the president. They also face charges for those hundreds of civilians killed.

Erdogan pledged to be tough on the accused coup plotters, stating they will be forced to wear single-colored uniforms during their court hearings just like in Guantanamo.

The purges fractured a once-united political landscape, with Turkeys two largest opposition parties, the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democracy Party (HDP) and the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) largely boycotting memorials on Saturday.

Erdogan told those gathered in Istanbul he regretted inviting the head of the CHP to a democracy rally in Istanbul in August 2016, a meeting that had symbolized a united civilian front.

Twelve HDP lawmakers, including its top leadership, are behind bars facing decades of prison time on terrorism charges. Last month, a CHP lawmaker was sentenced to 25 years in prison for allegedly passing information to journalists that indicated Turkish intelligence was sending weapons to jihadist rebels in Syria.

July 9, hundreds of thousands gathered in Istanbul to support a call by the CHPs head, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, for a popular movement that calls for an independent judiciary. It was a rare protest against the government, which has imposed a blanket ban on the gatherings under the state of emergency.

On Saturday, Kilicdaroglus party said it would not attend a late-night parliament session meant to commemorate the moment rebel fighter jets bombed the building. Kilicdaroglu has dubbed July 20, the day a national state of emergency was first imposed, a civilian coup.

Farooq is a special correspondent.

ALSO

Post-coup purge will affect Turkeys education sector for decades

Did a U.S. think tank sponsor a military coup? Turkey thinks so

Op-Ed: How did Erdogan, and his party, escape the fate of their predecessors?
A Bethlehem woman was jailed for allegedly slashing a man five times in his arm and chest with a razor blade Thursday in Hanover Township, Northampton County.

The victim needed 24 stitches, according to Colonial Regional police.

The incident occurred about 1 a.m. at a home in the 1200 block of Stark Road where the suspect, 23-year-old Breanna N. Cruz, had been asked to leave because she was an uninvited guest, police said.

Cruz left then returned and made her way into the home, where she argued with the homeowner's daughter, according to police.

The victim got between Cruz and the daughter and told Cruz to leave, police said. That's when Cruz allegedly attacked him with the razor.

Cruz, of the 1800 block of Norwood Street in Bethlehem, was arraigned Thursday morning before District Judge Alicia Rose Zito on a felony charge of aggravated assault, in addition to misdemeanor simple assault and defiant trespass and summary harassment.

She was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail and faces a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled July 24 before District Judge James Narlesky.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
What if you could major in Facebook and Instagram?

A new bachelor's degree in social media theory and strategy approved at Kutztown University will give student a chance to do just that starting this fall.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors approved the creation of the degree on Thursday and Kutztown is already accepting applications for the program, according to news releases from the system and university.

Kutztown is now one of a handful of colleges across the country offering dedicated social media degrees. Many schools do offer certificate degrees in social media and some marketing and digital media programs offer a social focus.

"Social media is intricately woven into our economic, civic and social lives, and those who don't become adept at producing and analyzing it are increasingly at risk," Moe Folk, associate professor of English, said in a news release.

Folk said the "cutting-edge program" will prepare students for careers in the corporate and nonprofit worlds and to take charge of their own content.

There's high job demand for those with social media savvy and employers are paying top salaries, according to the news release.

"This major would not only benefit students, but would benefit companies ... primarily because the major is a rarity and would provide a much more appealing skill-set on a resume that current majors are unable to provide," said Nick Gorrie, digital marketing account manager at SearchworxX in Allentown.

When searching for a job, candidates find digital expertise boosts salary significantly, the releases say.

An entry-level candidate who studied psychology in college is paid on average $42,206 annually. When that same psych major picks up a data analysis and statistics skill set the starting salary can jump to $68,788, Kutztown University said, citing Burning Glass Technologies.

"While there are a host of reasons why the new program is important, the one that may stand out the most is sheer need," said Keith Massie, assistant professor of communication studies at Kutztown. "The National Institute of Social Media found that 'social media' jobs have increased 37 percent since February 2013."

Locally, Centenary University in Hackettstown launched its Social Media Center for Expertise in 2015. Students there can earn a degree in business administration with a social media concentration or combine a social media marketing minor with other majors. DeSales University offers a social media certificate program.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Communities such as Easton and Bethlehem should resist the urge to overtax, over-regulate and potentially kill Airbnb rentals.

It's a good sign that visitors to the Lehigh Valley are signing up for short-term lodging provided by property owners, which can vary from a long-term house rental to a weekend bedroom to an overnight stay. It's a reflection of a healthy tourism and visitor economy.

But that's not to say Airbnbs shouldn't be taxed or regulated. Far from it.

Complaints about Airbnb come from several quarters -- notably hoteliers and bed-and-breakfast owners who say in-home rentals allow hosts and customers to avoid paying hotel, sales and business privilege taxes.

Airbnb has responded by agreeing to pay hotel taxes, as it does in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Representatives also have expressed a willingness to pay the 4 percent room tax levied by Northampton and Lehigh counties to support tourism and economic development.

As Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. points out, regulation is a thornier issue than taxation. Most short-term rental properties aren't subject to zoning oversight or safety inspections. Because of that, routine procedures such as certificates of occupancy, smoke alarms and sanitary conditions aren't addressed on a municipal level.

What about the neighbors? In some places, weekend rentals lead to loud parties. On-street parking can dry up with more vehicles per dwelling.

Homeowners have a reasonable expectation that their residential blocks won't "go commercial" without having a say through planning and zoning hearings. Also, many cities are dealing with tight rental markets; short-term rentals can reduce the availability of apartments.

Some cities have reacted by banning Airbnbs outright. That's an overreaction. Bethlehem hasn't gone that far, but city officials ordered the owners of home in a historic district to cease Airbnb bookings while the city tries to sort things out.

Easton is on alert, too. Panto has asked the planning director and chief codes officer to investigate to see what other municipalities are doing and make recommendations to city council.

This much seems certain: Just as Uber and Lyft changed the landscape of taxi service, Airbnb is tapping into popular demand and ease of online access. It's here to stay, in one form or another.

Uniform tax collection is a start. Municipalities will need registries to keep up with regulation, and that might depend on state laws still in the formation stages.

The New Jersey Legislature, for example, is entertaining two bills -- one that would subject Airbrbs to state sales tax, along with hotel and motel occupancy fees. Towns would be able to enact their own fees. Another bill would prohibit rentals of fewer than 30 days and let municipalities ban Airbnbs outright. Reasonable local control is needed; prohibitions are short-sighted.

In Pennsylvania, Airbnb is paying the 6 percent hotel occupancy tax. It should also pay county and municipal hotel taxes, and fees that apply to similar businesses.

A balance must be struck. State legislators should give towns the go-ahead to regulate, but not stifle, a grassroots industry that shows a lot of promise. Cities such as Bethlehem and Easton should look to integrate new laws into their housing/fire/safety codes and landlord-licensing ordinances with an eye to create a fair business climate and keep the peace on residential blocks.
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We're finally enjoying a bit of sunshine here in the UK.

But those hot days can lead to sleepless nights for some of us.

Many of our homes are just not designed for warmer weather - and it can be hard to keep things cool in the bedroom overnight.

And while there's nothing better than climbing into a set of freshly-washed bedsheets, its even more crucial to change them during hot weather, The Mirror reported.

Philip M. Tierno, a clinical professor in Microbiology, told Business Insider that we should aim to wash our bed sheets once a week.

(Image: StockSnap)

He says our beds can quickly become a "botanical park" of bacteria and fungus.

What this means is you're sharing a bed with fungi and bacteria from your sweat, sputum, skin cells, and vaginal and anal excretions.

On top of this are foreign microbes like animal dander, pollen, soil, lint, dust mite debris and faeces.

Your comfy bed isn't looking so inviting now, is it?

The microbiologist says that the build-up of bacteria can become "significant" in as little as a week, which is why he recommends weekly wash-days.

(Image: Getty)

Having unclean bedding is harmful because your mouth and nose are so close to the sheets, you're forced to breathe in those spores.

"Even if you don't have allergies per se, you can have an allergic response," Tierno explains.

And one or two weeks is enough to leave anyone with a scratchy throat, but particularly those suffering from respiratory conditions like Asthma.

So why is it more important to wash your bedding in hot weather?

(Image: Getty)

We produce approximately 26 gallons of sweat in bed every year and, when it's hot and humid outside, this moist environment becomes an "ideal fungal culture medium", according to scientists.

That basically means it's the perfect condition for fungus and bacteria to spread on your lovely sheets.

So when it's warm outside, like at the moment, it's even more important to stick to weekly washing - or even more often if it's a particularly sticky night.

Better get that duvet cover in the washing machine!
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With the summer break less than a week away in Leicester, thousands of families will be preparing to jet off on their holidays.

But counter-terrorism authorities are calling on Brits to stay alert on their travels this summer.

Tourists are being urged to make sure they know the key steps they can take to stay safe in the event of a terrorist emergency - before they depart.

(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

A new four-minute film adapting the "run, hide, tell" safety message for a holiday setting will be released on Monday as part of the drive, Birmingham Mail reports.

It depicts a firearms attack unfolding at a hotel and outlines the main advice.

Just over two years ago thirty Britons were among 38 victims killed when a gunman opened fire at a Tunisian beach resort.

Police emphasised there is no specific intelligence that UK holidaymakers will be targeted this summer, saying the film is part of a general campaign to raise public awareness.

Detective chief superintendent Scott Wilson, national co-ordinator for the protect and prepare strategy, told the Press Association: "As we saw in Tunisia in 2015, any westerner is likely to be a target anywhere in the world.

"That's the sad reality of it. The chances of it happening are still very low.

"We've seen attacks in numerous countries so we are trying to say western tourists overseas should be aware of what they should and shouldn't do if they are caught up in such an attack."

The run, hide, tell message was first introduced by UK police in December 2015 and was activated during the London Bridge atrocity last month.

The guidance says that people should run to a place of safety if there is a safe route, leaving belongings behind and insisting others go with them.

If there is nowhere to go, then they should hide by barricading themselves in and turn their phones to silent.

Then, only when it is safe, they should alert the authorities by calling the local emergency number, which holidaymakers should find out in advance. For EU countries it is 112.

Mr Wilson said: "The chances of being caught up in a terrorist incident are still low but sadly we have seen atrocities take place in the UK and abroad.

"So it is important everyone stays alert and knows what to do if the worst was to happen.

"We want people to think of this in the same way they do the safety film airlines show before take-off. They don't expect anything bad to happen but it is a sensible safety precaution to show people what to do."

Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon encouraged people to watch the film before they go away.

He said: "While there is no specific information that British holidaymakers will be targeted this summer, it sets out some simple steps we can all take to minimise the impact of an attack if one does take place."

More than 20,000 travel reps have been trained in safety measures including how to spot suspicious items and activity, as well as what to do in the event of a major terrorist incident.

Nikki White, director of destinations and sustainability at travel association Abta, said: "We know that customers would look to those staff working in their hotels and resorts to take the lead and respond quickly to an emerging situation."
Damien Ward of MM Ward successfully completed his first ever full distance Olympic triathlon on June 18 in aid of Touch Ireland.

Damien managed a 1,500m swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run before being warmly welcomed by his family at the finish line in Blessington.

Months of training and preparations paid off for the local estate agent.

Touch Ireland is proudly supported by Damien and all his team at MM Ward in Naas and getting involved in the triathlon was a no brainer according to Damien.

Seamus Gleeson runs Touch Ireland, a charitable organisation helping vulnerable children in some of the world's poorest countries. The funds will go towards the work Seamus and the team are doing in Zambia, particularly a project in Kandongo, Zambia to build a new school block.

The community members built a shelter to prevent the small children being affected by the flooding during the rainy season. Lives of smaller children were at risk from being swept away by the river, as they journey to school. The shelter currently caters for the youngsters in grade one and two, but if the school block is built, it will cater for up to grade four, providing for about 200 children when finished.

I think youll agree that a good education is the best gift we can give our children. It is more important for the children of Zambia. Education is their best chance of changing their circumstances for the better, said Damien.

Handing over the cheque to an ecstatic Seamus Gleeson, he said; Thank you to all the people who contributed to the Touch Ireland Charity. We raised nearly 2,000 which will get the building of the new school started, which is incredible.

Damien and Seamus said they will keep people updated and asked people to follow the relevant social media pages and websites.
Hes really cocked up his chances of getting back into Australia, commented Judge John OHagan prior to convicting Oisin Donaldson of assault at last weeks sitting of Carrick-on-Shannon Circuit Court.



Mr Donaldson, Headford Lodge, Headford, Drumsna was convicted of assault causing harm to Eamon Kennedy on March 31, 2013 and sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for a period of two years.



Giving evidence Gda Mark Irwin said he was on mobile patrol, driving down Main St, Carrick-on-Shannon on the date in question when he was approached by a number of people who pointed him in the direction of an incident.



I saw girls standing over an elderly man who it appeared had just been assaulted.



Gda Irwin said Mr Kennedy had been playing music in Little Glancys when he saw someone kick the wing mirror of his car. When he went over to investigate he was punched in the back of the head by another male and fell to the ground.



Mr Kennedy was transferred to Sligo University Hospital and was kept in overnight. He lost a tooth in the attack and also suffered a graze to his scalp. As a result of the head injury a CT scan was carried out and he was allowed home after a period of observation.



A victim impact statement was read out by Gda Irwin in which Mr Kennedy, a full-time musician, said he was black and blue following the assault.



Since the attack he said, I find on leaving establishments I am playing I am nervous. He added, I ensure I park on a well lit street.



He said he suffered a gross loss of 1,000 as a result of cancelled performances.



Keith OGrady BL addressed the Court on behalf of Mr Donaldson saying the defendant made contact with Gardai last year. Mr OGrady stated the defendant had been in Australia where he is sponsored and has a job there. It was also noted that Mr Donaldson has not come to the attention of police in Australia.



Mr OGrady added that a sum of 5,000 had been gathered to put up as cash bail and a similar sum was available to be handed over subject to the Court.



He left the jurisdiction knowing what was coming down the line. You are dealing with someone who comes from a very good background. His life has been turned around since he left the jurisdiction and he offers a complete and full and unreserved apology, added Mr OGrady.



Addressing Mr Kennedy the defendant, Mr Donaldson said, I sincerely apologise for my actions and the impact it had on yourself, physically and mentally, and on your wife and children. I hope you can find it in you to forgive me and over time we can put it behind us.



Mr OGrady urged Judge OHagan to consider a punishment other than a custodial sentence saying, I respectfully say there are other options open to the Court.



Having heard the evidence Judge OHagan referred to the number of assault cases that come before him saying, I really am like a cracked record every time I come to Carrick-on-Shannon and many other venues. It is very distressing.



Judge OHagan continued, What reason was there other than to throw his weight around and act the big man. It must have been a very frightening time. Going back to your car and suddenly you are attacked. It beggars belief why people would do that.



He decided to do a runner and went to Australia and sought his fortune there. He decided to come back and through his solicitor went to see the Guards and put his hands up.



He carried out a very serious assault and he has decided to fall on his sword.



Judge OHagan noted the maximum sentence he could impose was five years in prison and stated the maximum the offence deserved based on the facts of the case would be 18 months in prison, without taking into account the aggravating or mitigating circumstances.



Outlining the aggravating circumstances Judge OHagan pointed to the fact that the assault was unprovoked, involved alcohol and the fact that the defendant did a runner.



There are no aggravating factors that would cause me to increase the sentence, stated Judge OHagan.



He then focused on the mitigating factors noting the signed plea, the positive probation report and the fact that Mr Donaldson surrendered to Gardai.



It was also noted that Mr Donaldson is remorseful for what he has done with Judge OHagan highlighting that There is 5,000 in bail money and he is prepared to add 5,000 to that.



Prior to imposing a conviction and sentencing Mr Donaldson to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, Judge OHagan stated, He has really cocked up his chances of getting back into Australia. I have little doubt it will affect how Australian authorities view him.



The State was represented by Donal Keane BL and Noel Farrell, State Solicitor.
The one Liberal Democrat left in national government, Kirsty Williams, has written an article for the Guardian in which she sets out what she is introducing in Wales  a plan to help students with living costs which will support part time and postgraduate students too:

The new support package in Wales will cover those who start their course in 2018/19, wherever in the UK they choose to study. Every student will be entitled to support equivalent to the national living wage. This means that eligible full-time students will receive maintenance support of 11,250 if they study in London and 9,000 per year elsewhere if they live away from home.

This will be delivered through a mix of loans and grants, unlike in England where zero maintenance grants are available. Very small, limited grants are available in Scotland, but they too are currently reviewing the system.

Welsh students from the lowest household income will receive the highest grant  8,100 in their pocket, and more in London. Our estimates suggest that a third of full-time students will be eligible for that full grant.

Furthermore, our data shows that the average household income for a student in our current system is around 25,000. Under the new system such a student will receive around 7,000 a year in their pocket.

However, potentially the most radical element of our reforms is to provide equivalent support for part-time and postgraduate students. Wales will be the first in Europe to achieve this. For the first time, part-time undergraduates will receive similar support for maintenance, pro-rata to their full-time counterparts.
Shirley Williams is probably my biggest political hero. It was she who inspired me in 1981 when she fought the Crosby by-election. Her sharp intellect, indefatigable energy and ability to communicate with her audience have all made sure that she is loved by many of all political persuasions.

She came up to Scotland during the last few days of the horribly divisive independence referendum in 2014. It was a painful time. However, as Shirley stepped on to Dunfermline High Street, one of the Yes campaigners came across and took her hand and said how much she had always admired her. It was a rare moment of togetherness during that most unpleasant of campaigns.

I was distraught that I missed her when she came up to Edinburgh West and East Dunbartonshire during the General Election. At 86, she was still supporting and helping other women get to Westminster.

Anyway, I know Im not alone in my devotion to Shirley. So, youll be pleased to hear that theres an interview with her on BBC Parliament tonight at 8pm. Itll be available here on iPlayer later.

Enjoy.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
JOSEPHINE Peters doesnt do anything by halves.

After raising 11,000 from a tractor run there was only one way she was going to hand a cheque over in UHL. The Knocklong mum-of-three jumped in her trusty Ford 4000 and set course for Limerick.

The sum was equally divided between Mid-Western Cancer Foundation and Circle of Friends Cancer Support Centre in Tipperary.

A total of 230 vehicles - 174 tractors as well as 37 cars and 19 trucks - took part. It was a fantastic spectacle, said Joesphine, who led the run in her Ford.

They headed for Christ the King through Emly, Lattin, Mount Bruis, Tipperary and returned by Lisvernane, Galbally, Knockcarron to arrive in Knocklong for 3pm.

Over 300 were fed by a hearty stew. Drivers came from as far away as Monagahan, Armagh, all over Munster and Limerick.

As it was billed a ladies tractor run it was great to see so many women driving. Some had only learned to drive a few weeks prior to the run.

"One woman brought her Massey Ferguson 35X, camped the night before so as not to miss the atmosphere in the morning. Another woman had her grandson work the clutch as a farming accident has left her without the full use of her left arm and leg.

"Most if not all involved have been touched by cancer either themselves or members of their families. What a day, what a huge success. Thanks to everyone who made it happen. said Josephine.
CAN we make it three in a row? Glin man Henry Lyons certainly hopes so.

Henry, a retired lecturer in science at Tralee Institute of Technology, began the search for three old school pals back in May.

And he used the Glin notes in the Limerick Leader as his springboard. Within a few weeks, he got information on two of them.

Unfortunately, he learned, one man, John Glynn, had died in the meantime. Then came news that the second man, Paddy Baggott, was living in England.

But Henry hasnt given up hope of finding out what happened to a third classmate, Joe Hayes.

The story is very simple, Henry explains. He started secondary school at St Patricks in Glin, better known as Dores, in 1958. About 30 boys and girls started out that year and among them were three boys from St Josephs Industrial.

Two of them stayed on and one left after first year.

Only about eight of the initial class stayed on to do their Leaving Cert in 1963.

We never met again until 2013, 50 years after doing the Leaving Cert, Henry continued. For the re-union, nearly everyone from that class was tracked down. But nobody knew what had happened the three lads from St Josephs Industrial School.

Then I read a book by Tom Wall (The Boy from Glin Industrial School) and I was quite shocked by what I read, Henry explained. I found it very very hard to take it in. We had no idea of what was going on there.

The book stirred up memories of his three classmates.

They were very quiet fellows. They came in the morning. They didnt mix much. We didnt know much about them, recalled Henry. And he began to wonder how they had made out in life.

Following his appeal in the Limerick Leader, a first cousin of one man got in touch to say his cousin had died. He had become an actuary. Then a man from Pallasgreen made it his business to track down a relation of the second classmate, Paddy Baggott, to get his telephone number and pass it on to Henry.

I spoke to Paddy, Henry said. We had a great chat. He had very sad memories of his early days. But he has done very well since. And they are now planning to meet up.

So far, however, Henry has had no luck in tracking down Joe Hayes. I was very happy to get two out of three, he said. But he remains hopeful.

What drives him on, he explained, is a mixture of curiosity and regret. Curiosity was a big part of it but I also felt a small bit of guilt that we didnt know what was going on there, he told the Limerick Leader.

If we did, we would have tried to help them, Henry continued. Even a kind word might have helped.

If anybody has information that could help Henry, he can be contacted on 087-2608482.
Stamps celebrate bicentennials of cement, the bicycle, and the kaleidoscope

May 3, 2021, 7 PM

Jersey combines the 200th anniversary of the patent for the kaleidoscope with images of its wildlife on six stamps issued July 10. A souvenir sheet includes all six of the stamp designs.

Due to a shortage of horses, Karl Drais invented his two-wheeled vehicle, the laufmaschine (running machine), in 1817. Germany honored the 200th anniversary of this forerunner to the bicycle on a stamp issued July 13.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Croat Administration) shows Karl Drais in the wheel of his running machine on this stamp issued June 12.

A new French stamp commemorating the 200th anniversary of the invention of artificial cement depicts the inventor Louis Vicat and the first bridge made from this material.

By Denise McCarty

Recent stamps celebrate the 200th anniversaries of three inventions: artificial cement, a forerunner of the bicycle, and the kaleidoscope.

Cement

A 1.30 French stamp issued June 6 is inscribed 1817 - Invention Du Ciment Artificial, which translates to invention of artificial cement.

This stamp pictures Louis Vicat (1786-1861) in the foreground and the Souillac Bridge over the Dordogne River in the background.

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Vicat, the cement and concrete company founded in 1853 by Vicat's son Joseph, tells the story of this invention:

As a young graduate of Frances Polytechnique and Ponts et Chaussees engineering schools, Louis Vicat was appointed in 1812 to build a new bridge over the Dordogne River, whose torrential flow conditions called for some special techniques. Driven by the need to build a robust bridge at the lowest possible cost, Vicat devoted all his time to research, culminating in 1817 with the discovery of the principles underlying the manufacture of artificial lime and cement.

Souillac Bridge thus became thus became the first to have foundations made from artificial cement.

The bridge was completed in 1824.

Vicats invention was authenticated by the French Academy of Sciences in 1818, but he never obtained a patent for it.

Florence Gendre designed the French stamp, and Philaposte printed it by gravure.

Bicycle

New stamps from Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Croat Administration) and Switzerland commemorate the 200th anniversary of Karl Drais two-wheeled vehicle, the laufmaschine (running machine).

Drais was born in Baden in 1785, and the Baden-Wurttemberg Ministry of Transport has devoted a website to the laufmaschines bicentennial.

The site explains how necessity led to this invention:

1816 was the year without a summer. The reason was the eruption of the Tambora volcano in what is now Indonesia. This had dire consequences for Europes climate, bringing low temperatures, hail, endless downpours and floods. Failed harvests, famine and massive increases in food prices followed, and the scarcity of animal feed led to the death of huge numbers of horses.

This desperate situation led a man called Karl Friedrich Drais (1785-1851) who was born in Karlsruhe to invent the draisine or dandy horse in 1817, the prototype of the modern bicycle. Like childrens balance bikes today, this original design had no pedals and it was simply pushed forward by the riders legs. A comfortable saddle and moveable handlebars helped to maintain balance.

The 70 German stamp, issued July 13, depicts Drais invention. Rudolf Gruttner and Sabine Matthes designed this commemorative, and Bagel Security-Print printed it by offset in panes of 10.

Drais took his bicycle out for his first public ride on June 12, 1817, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Croat Administration) issued its 2.90-mark commemorative exactly 200 years later.

Designer Ariana Norsic placed Drais portrait inside the front wheel of his laufmaschine on this stamp. Zrinski printed the stamp by offset in panes of nine.

Two 1-franc Swiss stamps issued March 1 honor the 200th anniversary of the bicycle. One depicts the draisine, and the other shows a modern bicycle.

Vaudeville Studios designed the Swiss stamps, and Cartor printed them by offset in sheets of 20.

Kaleidoscope

Six stamps from Jersey not only honor the invention of the kaleidoscope, they also feature flora and fauna of this Channel island in kaleidoscopic patterns.

Jersey Post issued the stamps July 10.

Melanie Gouzinis, head of philately at Jersey Post, said, As Jersey has such an amazing abundance of wildlife, we took the opportunity to showcase different aspects in a unique and interesting way, whilst commemorating the fascinating work of David Brewster, inventor of the kaleidoscope.

An inscription on each stamp provides a clue as to what is shown. For example, the 49-penny stamp is inscribed shells & anemones.

The other stamps are inscribed: feathers & eggs, 63p; wildflowers, 73p; woodlands, 79p; minibeasts (insects and a spider), 90p; and marine life, 1.07.

Brewster (1781-1868), a Scottish physicist, actually invented the kaleidoscope in 1816. The 200th anniversary refers to the year it was patented, 1817.

The Brewster Kaleidoscope Society mentions his many other interests: He was a man with as many facets as his invention. Whether delving into scientific research, religion, philosophy, education, optics, photography, writing, inventions, or life on other planets, Sir David pursued each endeavor with incredible energy.

Mark Wilkinson designed the stamps. Cartor printed them by offset in panes of 10 with kaleidoscopic designs in the selvage, and in a souvenir sheet with the six stamps se-tenant.

Medical inventions

New stamps of Mexico, Belgium and Spain honor inventions and innovations related to health and medicine.

On World Intellectual Property Day, April 26, Mexico issued a se-tenant pair of stamps featuring various inventions, including a scorpion anti-venom developed by Alejandro Alagon Cano. He also has created anti-venoms for snake and spider bites.

Among the medical advances recognized on a pane of five issued June 12 by Belgium is the invention of mosquito repellent by Alfons Vandoninck.

Spains philatelic tribute to the decade of the 1970s includes a stamp commemorating the 1973 invention of the disposable syringe by Manuel Jalon Corominas.

Issued July 10, this souvenir sheet of four also salutes the discovery of fiber optics.
Eugene 'Gene' A. Robbins

May 4, 1932 - July 11, 2017

Belmond | Eugene 'Gene' A. Robbins, age 85, most recently a resident of Hampton, Iowa, and a native of Goodell, IA, died, Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton, with his family at his side following a lengthy and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease. As per Gene's wishes to celebrate his life in a reserved manner there will be public graveside services at 1:00 PM, Sunday, July 30, 2017, at the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Belmond, IA, with full military honors provided by the Goodell Military Unit, his remains will later be laid to rest in Tennessee at a later time. Arrangements are being handled through the Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA.

Eugene Arthur Robbins, was born May 4, 1932, to Lee and Mildred (Fuller) Robbins in Goodell, IA. He grew up in the Goodell area and graduated from Goodell High School.

Following graduation Gene entered the United States Army 11th Airborne Division from 1950-1954 and attended Unit Supply Specialist School at Fort Bragg, NC. Upon completion, he was assigned Company Armored at Fort Campbell, KY and was promoted to Company Supply Sgt.. During his services to his country he completed 31 successful jumps. He was Honorably Discharged at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Upon returning to civilian life and employment he worked in various positions and for numerous corporations, most of his roles were as manufacturing supervisors. His vast intellect, understanding of functionality, visualization of the end product allowed for him to fulfill many roles regardless of the company he worked for. His ability to work with others to accomplish goals was a wonderful characteristic as well. He was proficient at almost any task put in front of him and often times was called upon for his troubleshooting skills. His work ethic was top notch and he passed this trait and belief to his family. Throughout his working life Gene was employed with General Mills, Winnebago, and for Fleetwood. These positions led him and his family to many areas throughout Iowa and Pennsylvania. In 1977, he transferred to Riverside, CA, as a plant manager of the Winnebago Satellite Plant and upon closure of the plant decided to stay in California and then work as a Supervisor for Fleetwood Motorhomes.

Gene returned to his Iowa roots in 1994 and lived in Forest City, IA, until his health began to decline making it important to be nearer his family. In more recent years he had been forced by health ailments to become a resident at the Rehabilitation Center in Hampton.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, LuJeanne (Ronald) Fink, Jolene (Brian Smith) Robbins, Bradley Robbins, Brian (Glenda Auchampach) Robbins, Ryan Robbins (Heather Hagist); Grandchildren: Amanda Robbins, Loren Robbins, Samuel Robbins, Sara (Dan) Collins, Tiffany Fink (Jacob Talcott) and Robert Fink; great grandchildren: Elizabeth Collins, Clark Collins, and Gabriel Fink; sisters Norma Zelsdorf and Maxine Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lee and Millie, wives Mary Lou (Loth) and Jeanette (Plawin); sister Janice Pascaly, brother Lee Robbins, Jr., and 23 day old granddaughter Aubrey Renee Robbins.

Memorials, cards or other expressions of sympathy may be directed to Gene Robbins Family % LuJeanne Robbins-Fink, 1725 Union Ave., Belmond, IA 50421
Despite a complete lack of evidence of purported voter fraud in November's general election, a committee appointed by President Donald Trump chases the ghost nonetheless.

As believable as Trump's claims that he won by a landslide, which he didn't, is his debunked statement that millions of illegal votes cost him the popular vote. Erroneous logic that every supposedly fraudulent vote went against Trump aside, his commission is seeking far too much information on voters without clearly setting forth a purpose - besides combating a nearly nonexistent problem.

Accordingly, we share the concerns of Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale regarding the Presidential Advisory Commission of Election Integrity's needlessly intrusive request. By requiring the group to follow state law in obtaining only information that is already public record, disclose the intended use and mandate security for the data before granting the request, Gale's cautious approach is the right one.

The editorial board of a newspaper, particularly one that advocates as strongly for transparency as this one, asking to withhold public records would be hypocritical. Requiring even a presidentially appointed commission to follow state law to ensure Nebraskans' privacy is protected and needs are met is the proper approach.

But the wide scope of the commission's request - including for information such as the last four digits of Social Security numbers that is not publicly available and raises concerns about identity theft - is just too broad. A lack of clarity on its exact purpose and security of obtained data give us further pause.

Plus, voting irregularities are incredibly rare.

The Kansas City Star reported in May that Kris Kobach, the committee's vice-chairman and spokesman, landed just his ninth voter fraud conviction in his six-plus years as Kansas' secretary of state. For as much sound and fury as he's generated, the only secretary of state in the nation with the powers to prosecute voting irregularities himself should have turned up more such evidence if this truly was the scourge he's claimed.

Nebraska has had similarly low numbers of reported voter fraud. The only known cases of ineligible voters in November were two Dawson County men turned away at the polls - meaning the system in place worked exactly as it should have by preventing them from voting.

To be clear, we don't support the commission's effort. It's not needed and could promote voter suppression. But public records must be released if requisite conditions are met.

Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have outright refused to comply with the committee's request. If we thought Nebraska law allowed it, we'd encourage Gale to join them. Given the vague, dubious nature of this voter data fishing expedition, though, the state's desire for privacy and safety of its voters is wise.

This editorial appeared in the July 7 edition of the Lincoln Journal Star, another Lee Enterprises publication.
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81 employees of the popular breastaurant chain Hooters competed in Las Vegas, Nev. Wednesday, all competing for the crown of Miss Hooters International.

While all the women at the competition fought valiantly for the extravagant crown, sash and a huge bouquet of flowers, only one woman could be crowned champion. This year, Chelsea Morgensen  a native of the Gateway City was deemed the ultimate winner.

And though she won as a representative of Hollywood, California, the aspiring model/actress started her pageant career in earnest in Laredo, winning the title of Miss Laredo Teen and later Miss Texas Teen USA 2010 at the age of 15, the youngest ever winner of the Texas title.

READ ALSO: Hooters is hiring male servers at its new restaurant

She previously fell just short of Hooters crown in 2016, coming in at 4th in last year's competition.

In addition to the crown and a shower of confetti, Morgensen also won a $30,000 cash prize and the chance to be the face of the Hooters brand worldwide, assisting with marketing initiatives, international openings and special events throughout the year for the company.

After the win, she went on social media, saying the night "was like a dream"

The judges this year included retired UFC champ Miesha Tate, former Miss USA 2014 contestant Brittany Oldehoff, Sirius XM radio host Steve Covino, original Hooters Girl Lynn Austin, and model and sportscaster Bonnie-Jill Laflin.

You can check out all the models and the celebrity judges in the gallery above.

The Houston Chronicle contributed to this report.
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A Webb County Precinct 1 deputy constable is under investigation for an alleged hit-and-run collision with a civilian vehicle while en route to an emergency, authorities said.

Authorities identified him as Ricardo Bill Walker, 37. Disciplinary action is pending, awaiting the outcome of the investigation being conducted by Laredo police and the District Attorney's Office, stated Alberto Torres, spokesman for the Precinct 1 Constable's Office.

On June 2, Walker was traveling north in a marked Chevy Tahoe in the 5500 block of Springfield Avenue. He activated his lights and sirens to respond to the shootout that left three LPD officers wounded at the intersection of Hillside and McPherson roads, Torres said.

RELATED: Suspect killed, 3 officers wounded in shootout in central Laredo

A Kia Soul driven by Sandra Lizeth Gonzalez, 37, yielded the right-of-way to the unit by moving to the outermost lane, according to a Texas peace officer's crash report. Police said the constable unit failed to pass safely and struck the Kia. Walker allegedly continued driving to the scene of the shooting.

Torres said the office was notified of the alleged incident two days later.

"Upon notification, the Constable Pct. 1 Department responded diligently to identify whether or not a department unit was involved in the alleged incident. Upon review of unit footage, it is seen that a Constable Pct. 1 unit responding to an emergency call with lights and sirens passes the vehicle allegedly involved in the incident. However, it is unclear whether or not a collision occurred," Torres said in a statement.

It is unclear whether Walker took a drug test upon the county being notified that he may have been involved in a collision.

READ MORE: Former Webb County judge critically injured in fatal crash

"Drug and alcohol examinations are conducted by the Human Resources Department. They are the only county department that may request the employee take the drug test. HR was notified of the incident," Torres stated.

Larry Sanchez, Webb County spokesman, could not be reached for comment on whether Walker took the test.

Torres added that the Webb County Risk Management Department is working to ensure damages are paid if indeed the alleged collision did occur.

Authorities continue to investigate the case.
Tom Wallace/TNS

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  An Indiana woman who called off her $30,000 wedding is throwing a party for the homeless at the swanky event center she had booked for the reception.

Sarah Cummins told the Indianapolis Star she called off the wedding scheduled for Saturday a week ago, but declined to give a reason.
A group of mutinous soldiers in the Ivory Coast clashed with security forces in the northern city of Korhogo, a day after after talks with military commanders over bonuses deadlocked.

The conflict on Saturday was preceded by shots fired into the air by members of the army group called 2600 in barracks at the capital Abidjan and Korhogo to protest military leaders telling them they won't be paid bonuses due to unavailability of funds.
San Francisco, CA, July 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deem, a leading mobile and cloud technology provider for the business travel industry, announced the launch of its Facebook Messenger chatbot interface into Deem Work Fource. Deem Facebook Messenger connects travelers to their corporate Deem Work Fource platform and profile within the Messenger app, accessible on any device, anywhere. The support of Messenger is the first step in Deems strategy to put the Work Fource Platform in the hands of business travelers on any device, anywhere  in messaging and other highly adopted global platforms  so that the online travel booking and in-trip management process is frictionless.

We want to make it so easy for travelers to book and manage their travel that the travel management experience disappears into the background, said John F. Rizzo, President and Chief Operating Officer, Deem. Providing travelers with travel assistance right inside the platform theyre already using is the perfect way to do that.

Company and user specific content, policy and preference information  including preferred suppliers, negotiated rates, payment types and loyalty programs  are automatically connected to Deem Facebook Messenger. All the functionality of Messenger, including speech recognition, geolocation services for duty of care, mobile and desktop support are integrated within Deem Work Fource for a best-in-breed corporate travel management platform.

Traveler behavior is constantly evolving, said Todd Kaiser, Vice President, Products Deem. Research shows that people are downloading fewer apps and using messaging platforms more. It makes perfect sense that we focus on delivering the right content and services, at the right time to our travelers in the surfaces they already use.

Travel management companies (TMC), Cain Travel and Campbell Travel are piloting the new product and expect to rollout the new features to customers in the coming months.

"Deem is helping us to provide relevant, next generation booking and artificial intelligence capabilities that will foster increased program adoption and elevated service levels for our client partners, said Bill Campbell, Visionary and Partner, Campbell Travel. Via Messenger, Campbell Travel is now perfectly positioned to embrace the millennial business traveler, who will represent nearly 80% of our clients' workforce."

We expect the demand for artificial intelligence and chatbot related communication channels to rise among our clientele said Michael Cain, President, Cain Travel. Deems Facebook Messenger product gives us an early opportunity to serve our clients in a new and innovative way.

Weve built Deem Facebook Messenger to provide efficiencies to every stakeholder in the corporate travel ecosystem said Rizzo. Travelers receive personalized and proactive assistance throughout their journey, travel managers know their travelers are making compliant decisions, travel management companies can now provide seamless self-service options and suppliers know their content is reaching travelers on the devices and apps they interact with every day.

Facebook Messenger is the most widely used messaging platform with more than one billion monthly users worldwide.

Learn more at deem.com

About Deem

The most difficult part of any business trip is too often the trip itself. It shouldnt be. Deem makes it painless for the traveler to get down to business without distraction, simpler for the travel manager and management company to keep track of all the moving parts, and easier for partners to get the information they need to stay competitive.

The Deem Work Fource platform is designed for the entire business travel ecosystem using machine learning, AI and predictive analytics. Deems suite of tools range from a dynamic traveler booking platform, travel manager cost controls, travel agency service technology and supplier revenue opportunities, including the worlds largest car service affiliate network and operator solutions.

Deems Work Fource Platform services more than 35,000 corporate customers in 61 countries, speaking 15+ languages - including the worlds largest travel management companies. The company, headquartered in San Francisco, CA, with offices in Bangalore, India, is backed by leading venture capital funds, as well as corporate and private equity investors.

About Campbell Travel

Campbell Travel has spent 30 years on the forefront of the travel industry. With divisions in corporate travel management and luxury leisure travel, the underlying thread is one of delivering the highest levels of innovation, integrity, and insight. Weve built a track record of success by not just keeping up with the trends, but looking ahead to whats coming up on the horizon. We believe in innovative solutions to everyday travel needs. Our approach allows us to deliver the quality and service clients need throughout a lifetime of travel, both for business and pleasure.



About Cain Travel

Founded in 1985, Cain Travel is the successor company to Viking Travel, established in 1975. Our commitment to our employees, our customers and to continual innovation on their behalf has resulted in a continual record of growth over the past 30+ years. Our human resources policies have been honored by US Presidents (Clinton 96) and we have participated in the White House Conference on Corporate Responsibility at Georgetown University.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f4a28e61-3129-4728-8c1d-317fb5ac7326
Washington

President Donald Trump has often said he doesn't want people "dying in the streets" for lack of health care.

But in the United States, where chronic conditions are the major diseases, people decline slowly. Preventive care and routine screening can make a big difference for those at risk for things such as heart problems and cancer, especially over time.

That edge is what doctors and patients fear will be compromised if Republican efforts to repeal the Obama-era health law lead to more uninsured people. The uninsured tend to postpone care until problems break through.

It's a message that lawmakers are hearing from doctors' groups and constituents, in letters and emails, and at town hall meetings.

About 10 years ago, Cathy Cooper of Ocala, Fla., was battling a blood cancer. Against doctor's advice, she continued to work full time as a paralegal, through chemotherapy and radiation, just to preserve her health insurance. Cooper said she would schedule chemo on Fridays, spend the weekend sick from side effects and report back to work Monday.

Now in her early 30s, Cooper is healthy. She has her own business as a photographer specializing in maternity, newborns, families and seniors, and a family of her own. Her health insurance is through HealthCare.gov. With her cancer history, Cooper is worried about changes under debate that may reduce options for people with medical conditions. She said she voted for Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.

"The 'dying in the streets' thing  it's an over-time process," said Cooper. "If I didn't have insurance, it (cancer) could just keep forming inside me and I wouldn't know. Then I'd go into the hospital, and there's nothing they could do. And then, yeah, I could die in the street. But that's because I wouldn't have had insurance to get things checked out prior to that point."

In Charlotte, N.C., Dr. Octavia Cannon said that's basically what happened to one of her patients several years ago. The patient, a working mother with three young children and more than one job, was uninsured after losing previous Medicaid coverage. She went to Cannon, an osteopathic ob-gyn, because of abnormal bleeding. Cannon said she knew something was horribly wrong on the basis of her initial physical examination. The pathology lab confirmed advanced cervical cancer.

"In six months, she was dead," Cannon recalled. "All I could think was 'Who is going to take care of these babies?' If she had only come in for a Pap smear."

Such stories are swirling around the Senate debate as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pushes toward a vote on legislation rolling back much of former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. The GOP bill has been facing headwinds since the Congressional Budget Office estimated it would lead to 22 million more uninsured people by 2026.

Administration officials say the nonpartisan budget office has been wrong before about health coverage, and its analytical methods may give too much weight to the current requirement that most people carry health insurance or risk fines.
AUSTIN  Ahead of a special legislative session defined by hot-button measures, House Speaker Joe Straus on Friday sharpened his message against divisive social issues and said top leaders instead should focus on challenges such as reversing Texas slide in a new business ranking.

The San Antonio Republican, who has stood firm against a far-reaching bathroom bill, said in an interview with the San Antonio Express-News that his chamber will look at all the issues put forth by Gov. Greg Abbott for lawmakers consideration, which are championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

But he said his focus, and that of other House members, remains on core issues such as school finance.

My position is very well known. And let me say this very clearly: I know how to govern without being an extremist, Straus said. I know how to govern, trying to bring people together to focus on issues that really matter to all Texans, and I think thats where our focus ought to be in the special session. Its where our focus should be in any regular session as well.

The bathroom proposal would keep transgender people from using multi-occupancy restrooms of the gender with which they identify in government buildings, or at least in public schools.

Straus, along with advocates for transgender people and business groups, has voiced concern about the possible economic effect of boycotts because the bill is viewed as discriminatory. He also has expressed a worry that it could hurt transgender people.

I see no good reason to promote a divisive bathroom bill when it does nothing but harm to the economy, and some very vulnerable people could be harmed, Straus said.

His comments came just ahead of the special session, which begins Tuesday, and a day after Patrick lambasted Straus. Patrick blamed the speaker for squelching Senate-backed issues such as the bathroom bill in the regular session, and he slammed the speakers school finance plan, calling it a Ponzi scheme.

Straus, who has been a thorn in the side of Abbott and Patrick on red-meat issues, said he considered it actually encouraging that Patrick was talking about school finance. Straus has said that issue is more worthy of attention than most of those on the special-session agenda.

On Friday, when Abbott was showcasing his record as he announced for re-election in San Antonio, Straus made his point about the need to focus on core issues by citing CNBCs annual ranking of Americas Top States for Business. In it, Texas fell from No. 1 to No. 4. The No. 1 state was Washington. Its governor and both senators are Democrats.

While No. 4 is not a terrible place to be, I dont like the direction. And I think that our Texas political leadership ought to be focused on making Texas No. 1 and reverse that slide, Straus said.

The CNBC study also ranked Texas as No. 34 in education and No. 37 in quality of life, partly because Texas doesnt have statewide protections against discrimination.

Abbott, asked about the ranking on a stop at Boeing Co.s global services site, blamed the troubled oil industry.

In that story, what CNBC noted is that Texas was the best state of all states for the past decade. They made clear that Texas had the No. 1 workforce in America, the No. 1 infrastructure system in America. And CNBC pointed out that the reason why Texas suffered this time was because of the downturn in oil, Abbott said.

Listen, oil got cut in half, and Texas is still an energy state, he said. The reason why Im here is because this is an example of my efforts to ensure that we are expanding jobs in areas that have nothing whatsoever to do with energy so that when oil prices do take a tumble in the future, we wont suffer this type of setback.

pfikac@express-news.net

Staff Writer Rye Druzin contributed to this report.
Despite the legislative session being one of the most contentious in recent memory, homebuilders and cities managed to agree on a bill limiting local tree ordinances. But Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed the bill and called for statewide repeal of tree ordinances in the special session that begins Tuesday.

Based on past incidents, one can easily predict the consequences of Abbotts legislation; homebuilders from California will come into our community and clear-cut entire hillsides of trees. To make way for big-box parking lots, giant heritage oaks will be routinely destroyed.

And taxpayers will be saddled with the costs of dealing with the stormwater runoff, air pollution and water contamination these new developments generate.

Based on the rhetoric coming out of Austin, you might not realize that you are probably free to do as you please with your trees. Thats because San Antonios ordinance, like about 98 percent of ordinances in Texas, applies only to land developers and builders, not to homeowners. Moreover, ranches and agricultural land are exempt and counties arent allowed to have tree ordinances.

The military has been quite vocal regarding the tree ordinances importance to Camp Bullis mission. Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Randolph rely on Bullis for field training. With more than 85,000 personnel stationed at these military installations and the secretary of defense calling for Base Realignment And Closure, or BRAC, in 2019, Abbotts legislation could have a devastating impact on our local economy.

Tree ordinances are an equitable requirement imposed on new development to offset its impacts. When new subdivisions and strip malls are finished, they discharge stormwater, contaminants and pollutants onto other peoples property. As trees are bulldozed and natural land paved with streets, driveways and buildings, flooding and drainage problems increase for downstream property owners.

In a story titled With a building boom comes higher flood risk, the Express-News reported that floods keep happening, damaging private property and roads, and taxpayers end up with the bill. Since 2007, San Antonio and Bexar County combined have spent at least $850 million on drainage. Thats only a small fraction of the $2 billion worth of flood control projects needed in the city alone.

Subdivisions are home to thousands of cars emitting tons of toxic gases and even carcinogens such as benzene. Hot, unshaded parking lots are areas of prolific ozone generation.

Moreover, pesticides, herbicides, dog droppings, motor oil and other contaminants are washed off with stormwater and find their way into creeks, rivers and the Edwards Aquifer.

San Antonio enforces its tree ordinance to ensure that trees remain to reduce stormwater runoff, clean up air pollution and absorb the water contamination that new developments generate. In a crowded city of 1.7 million, people must clean up after themselves. Thats why developers are required to install expensive sanitary sewer systems and why they are required to preserve trees.

San Antonios trees remove about $84.4 million worth of air pollution each year. They provide about $1.6 billion in stormwater management value. And their root systems absorb contaminants, preventing them from polluting our drinking water supply, the Edwards Aquifer.

Finally, city taxpayers are spending $3.4 billion on the Vista Ridge pipeline, which will bring water to support future development. And weve spent $325 million buying forested land over the aquifer recharge zone to protect our drinking water from development. We have been more than fair to the land development industry.

So dont let the governor overturn our tree ordinance and mess with our economy, health and safety.

Call your state senator and representative and tell them to stand up for San Antonio and its trees.

Richard Alles is the forests/trees conservation leader of the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club.
In his January State of the State address, Gov. Greg Abbott elevated the reform of the child protection system as his No. 1 emergency item.

This occurred against the backdrop of U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jacks 2015 ruling that Texas foster care system violated childrens constitutional right to be free from an unreasonable risk of harm. Media scrutiny also revealed major problems with Child Protective Services, such as children sleeping in hotels and CPS offices due to placement shortages.

Our system was in crisis; with high turnover and high caseloads, the foundation was crumbling as children slipped through the gaps. Under the leadership of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus, the Legislature took significant steps toward filling these gaps and began the process of re-laying a solid foundation to build on in the coming sessions.

As a result of new legislation and additional appropriations, substantive changes championed by Texas CASA and other child advocates were enacted, including measures to consolidate all investigations under CPS regardless of whether children live in foster care facilities or with families; increase foster care and kinship capacity; increase caseworker pay and lower caseloads; and enact structural changes to the Department of Family and Protective Services to help it operate with more flexibility, and ensure all reports of abuse and neglect are investigated in a thorough, consistent and timely manner.

By sessions end, significant reforms reached the governors desk, including a $508.5 million funding increase for DFPS. This substantial increase comes during an otherwise austere budget cycle  highlighting how dedicated the Legislature was to making child welfare reform a priority.

Already, the CPS workforce has begun to stabilize, thanks to Sen. Jane Nelson and other state leaders. With their leadership, caseworkers received a much-needed pay raise in December that, along with increased staffing to lower caseloads, has led to improved child protection.

Lawmakers also turned their attention to addressing the need for more foster homes. Currently, about 60 percent of children are placed outside their home counties. With an investment of $95 million toward payment increases to foster care providers and an expansion of foster care redesign, lawmakers hope to bolster the number and quality of providers, and improve the chances of children being placed closer to their home and families.

The expansion of foster care redesign, now called community-based care, also aims to keep children closer to home, reduce the number of times a child changes placements, and ensure children and families have access to supports and services in each community.

A major CPS reform bill increases the placements for children with relatives, known as kinship placement. Spearheaded by Rep. Cindy Burkett and Sen. Charles Schwertner, this legislation better supports family members who take in children in CPS care. Family caregivers who once received an annual $1,000 payment and an additional annual payment of $500 for each sibling will now receive approximately $350 per month per child, about half of what basic foster care providers receive.

The future looks brighter for children in foster care than it did back in January, yet theres more to be done. The focus must remain on the best interest of the children. All aspects of our child protection system need to become more informed about the complex trauma that abused and neglected children experience and how it affects their behavior. We also need to create mechanisms that engage and involve relatives and other caring adults to support children in foster care, such as the Collaborative Family Engagement program that CASA programs are developing with CPS.

Lawmakers took meaningful steps to change the fate of Texas children. We continue to move forward from here. It will take time, it will be gradual, and it will be worth it because our children are worth it. When foster children have the level of care and services they need, they will begin to thrive  and when our kids thrive, so will Texas.

Vicki Spriggs is the chief executive officer of Texas CASA.
So-called property tax reform is back on the agenda for the special legislative session, which starts Tuesday.

It shouldnt be confused with meaningful property tax reform. Meaningful reform might include fixing the appraisal process for commercial property sales, which are kept secret (unlike residential sales). Reform would definitely include addressing the states ongoing school finance crisis since local taxes for public schools are the dominant drivers of property tax bills.

But this so-called reform doesnt address these complicated issues. We cant state this clearly enough: The school funding imbalance is driving tax bills. All of this banter about cities and counties is a sideshow. Texas needs to spend more money on public schools instead of shifting that cost onto local districts, which raises your taxes.

Heres why: On average, cities account for about 16 percent of a property tax bill, according to the Texas Municipal League. Here in San Antonio, its a little higher, 22 percent. Counties account for even less of your tax bill. But local school districts account for 55 percent of property taxes, according to the Center for Public Policy Priorities.

This isnt really surprising since state funding for schools has not kept up with the times.

In 2012, the state spent $17.4 billion on education, and in 2016 it was $19 billion, state figures show. But over the same time period, as school populations have grown, local tax dollars went from $20.5 billion to $25.6 billion.

The Texas Senate is ignoring this reality by focusing on capping revenues for city and county governments. Its bad legislation for three main reasons. It does not provide meaningful tax relief to property owners. It would significantly constrain revenues for local governments. It does not address school funding.

So what does it address?

At best, a very small sliver of your property tax pie. Currently, cities and counties can increase tax rates by up to 8 percent a year. If cities and counties want to go above that amount, they have to hold rollback elections for voter approval. During the regular session, the Senate put forward a plan to cap the tax rate increase at 5 percent.

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, chairman of the Select Committee on Property Tax Reform, and the architect of the Senate plan, said taxpayers could save $35 to $100 a year. Thats about a cup of coffee or two a month.

We like coffee, but we also like police officers, roads and parks.

For some cities and counties, the cap could mean the loss of potentially tens of millions of dollars that fund public safety, streets and parks. It is a potential nightmare for high-growth areas such as San Antonio and Bexar County. For others, the cap might not mean anything. Many counties never hit the 5 percent mark, according to the Texas Conference of Urban Counties.

For example, during the past 16 years Bexar Countys tax rate has increased by an average of 3 percent a year, Judge Nelson Wolff has said. Some years, its more. Some years, its less.

So, at best, you wont save much money. Some Texans wont get any benefit. And some cities like San Antonio will get hit hard.

On top of this, tax bills probably will keep increasing. If home values go up and local school taxes increase, then bills will continue to rise.

This is not meaningful reform. Lawmakers should shelve it and focus on schools. Taxpayers deserve better.
Two amateur beekeepers were attacked by their own bees in a residential New Jersey neighborhood on Sunday, prompting a local Office of Emergency Management to issue a warning for nearby residents to remain inside until the "aggressive" swarm had been contained. Such behavior, according to bee experts, is highly unusual, and almost unprecedented for the region.

"I've never seen something like this in forty years of beekeeping," retired NYPD cop and bee guru Anthony "Tony Bees" Planakis told Gothamist. "If what they're saying really happened, that's extraordinary."



According to a statement issued by the Ramsey, NJ Office of Emergency Management, the hive was accidentally disturbed on Saturday afternoon, leading the bees to disperse throughout the northern New Jersey town. The amateur beekeeper, who kept the hive in his private residence, was found unconscious in his driveway. His wife was also hospitalized for stings.

Ramsey Police Chief Bryan Gurney, who was stung on the scene as well, told NJ.com that it was unclear what set off the bees, but speculated that the state might investigate whether or not these bees were Africanized.

Commonly known as "killer bees," the invasive species is known to chase humans up to a quarter of a mile, and for their excessive quantity of stinging. They've appeared in the South and West coasts, but aren't known to be living this far North. According to Planakis, however, it's not impossible for African bees to survive in the region.

"If those bees are in fact Africanized, its not a natural migration, but a man-made migration" he said. "But its a possibility that they could live up here under ideal conditionsprobably in the rafters of someone's home."

Planakis emphasized that he didn't want to speculate before the DNA of the bees had been tested, but added that videos of the stings seemed to suggest the mark of the "killer bees."

"If you look at these stings, how close together they are, the last time I've seen something like that was in a documentary of Africanized bees," he said. "Now, the detective work begins."
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > A Whiff of Fresh Air from Sri Lanka

As the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Government is short of a few months to roll on to its third year in office, Sri Lankas declining economy and unresolved political issues have served to erode much of the sheen that was generated in January 2015 with former President Mahinda Rajapaksas surprise defeat and the ushering in of a new-look and promising government.

However, in this gathering gloom came a sudden and welcome whiff of fresh air with President Maithripala Sirisena affirming in the clearest possible terms his governments resolve to go ahead with the framing of a new Consti-tution that is set to guarantee meaningful auto-nomy to the Tamils in the northern peninsula. On July 6, he said that the new Constitution would grant extensive autonomy to Tamils in the Northern Province. He was determined to prevent a repeat of the bloody separatist conflict that had claimed 100,000 lives between 1972 and 2009.

An elaboration of Colombos firm stand on the highly contentious issue came from the Cabinet spokesperson and Minister Rajitha Senarathne, who said that it was the responsi-bility of the government to fulfil the peoples mandate it had received in the elections. Making it clear that the government was determined to ignore the sustained and vociferous campaign by the powerful Buddhist clergywho exercises enormous influence in the Buddhist majority countryin the matter, he remarked that even the Mahanayake Theras (the highest echelon of the clergy) were a part of the peoples mandate.

On July 4, the three chief incumbents of the Buddhist clergy had met and decided unani-mously that there was no need for a new Constitution and even an amendment to the existing Constitution in order to grant autonomy to the Northern Province. They also registered their strong protest against a government bill to incorporate into domestic law the Inter-national Convention on Enforced Disappearances. While the clergy and the Opposition led by former President Rajapaksa have warned the government of consequences of granting real-time autonomy to the Northern Province, they are particularly set against the convention on the ground that once made into law, this would be used to witch-hunt members of the former regime and security forces personnel.

The situation is further complicated by the reported reservation of the Sirisena faction of the government about the convention as it inter alia prefers, instead, the introduction of subs-tantial autonomy in the existing Constitution by way of amending it. While all the provinces would benefit in this process, the real beneficiary would be the Tamil-majority province and the government would also thereby honour its commitment.

The Tamil political leadership, however, has maintained its pressure on the government to play fair and fulfil all its commitments including that on aligning with the international con-vention. The Minister of National Dialogue and National Languages, a post created by the present government to specifically address the concerns of the minority communities, Mano Ganeshan, has already put forth his view that the government cannot now go back on its electoral promise to rewrite the Constitution in order to promote post-war ethnic reconci-liation.

This government was elected in 2015 with a promise to abolish the Executive Presidency, change the Constitution, and bring about electoral reforms, he has stated. The majority Sinhalese as well as the minority Tamils and Muslims supported the present leaders on the basis of these promises. The minorities, especially, wanted all these three promises fulfilled. They would not accept piecemeal implementation of the promises.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the main minority supporter of the government, however, believes there is no need to feel that the Buddhist clergys opposition to the reconciliation process is a setback. This opposition is essentially part of a political campaign being led by Rajapaksa as he feels that the majority community is already thoroughly disillusioned with the governments promises of an improved economy and new jobs. Sri Lanka is perceived to be bogged down with a massive debt burden (a process begun in earnest by the Rajapaksa regime in a hurry to usher in development after the civil war ended in 2009) to which subsequent foreign loans liberally endowed by China and other international players have kept adding. In May 2016, Sri Lanka owed China alone a massive $ 8 billion debt. A month later, the International Monetary Fund came to its immediate rescue by clearing a bailout package worth $ 1.5 bn. The government continues to be plagued by its inability to repay the accumulating loans.

Thirtyone months ago, the ethnic Tamils had voted oerwhelmingly for the Maithripala Sirisena- Ranil Wickremesinghe combine, backed by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, as did indeed every other section of the majority Sinhalese, Muslims, Malays and others. At the time the newly appointed Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera called the results a rainbow revolution. The unexpected result of the presidential election in January 2015, reinforced later in the year by those of the parliamentary elections, proved to be a balm for the sorely wounded national psyche badly in need to recover from the prolonged and bloody ethnic conflict.

Judging by the frequent reiterations by the government of its determination to pursue its promises to the minority communities to a logical conclusion, it is still possible to believe in Colombos sincerity. On January 5 this year, Sirisena lashed out at government critics for their opposition to ethnic reconciliation efforts and called them anti-nationals. While the efforts had been welcomed and appreciated at both home and abroad, he said that opportunistic forces were trying to scuttle these for narrow political gains, thereby acting against the country. Those who were working against the government, he charged, were actually working against the stability of Sri Lanka and preventing its reconstruction.

The Tamils in particular and other ethnic minority communities like the Muslims, however, seem to be unwilling to rest in peace after reposing faith in the goodwill of the government and are constantly hammering at immediate and visible implementation of concrete steps for the fulfilment of the electoral promises. Besides, international donors and players and the United Nations Human Rights Commission remain on vigil to ensure that the government does not falter mid-way by capitulating to the ultra-nationalist Sinhalese.

It goes without saying that the Tamils feel in unison that the progress at reconciliation is tardy and must be expedited to restore their faith in the government they had largely helped win the elections. Speaking in Parliament on February 22 this year, Leader of Opposition R. Sampanthan complained that the present regime was treating the Tamils in the same manner as the Rajapaksa Government did. Mentioning the two key issues in reconciliation, the restoration of land in the previous war zone to their rightful owners and the final accounting of the missing or disappeared persons during the war and especially in its closing months in 2009, he said: I am extremely unhappy with the way our people are treated by this government with respect to their land.

Indicating that the Tamils suspected a deliberate use of double standards in respect of accounting for the missing or disappeared persons, he said: So many soldiers (who were almost invariably Sinhalese) are missing; (yet) their families are not protesting. The government must be talking to them offering some solace; there must be some conciliation. The same is not available to our people.

Is there any danger of a revival of Tamil militancy in case the government eventually shies away from satisfying the aspirations of the main minority community? If Colombo goes ahead with the framing of a new Constitution in order to provide genuine autonomy to the provinces, a nationwide referendum would be inevitable. There is apprehension that the government would be defeated in such an eventuality with the Sinhalese majority voting against the referendum.

While the TNA continues to be positive about the governments overall good work, it is facing a rising opposition to its pro-government stance from sections of Tamils in the Jaffna peninsula. The Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran, having largely botched up in governing the province even within his limited powers, has been instigating these Tamils largely to cover his own failings.

Significantly, common Tamils are also clearly exercised over their two chief concerns, recovery of their land seized by the Army during the war and a satisfactory accounting of their relatives missing in the war. In March and April this year, the Northern Province witnessed their amply expressed frustration. In February-March, hundreds of families in Mullaitivu district held a prolonged fast in protest against the Armys continuing holding of their land and homes. They asked why the army was still holding on to their land almost eight years after the war ended (in May 2009).

On April 27, the entire Northern Province observed a total shutdown in protest against what the Tamils felt was the governments inaction in tracing the fate of the thousands of persons who went missing since the insurrection began thirty years ago. The Eastern Province, where the Tamils account for one-third of the population, saw a partial hartal on the same issue.

In the second half of 2017, therefore, Sri Lanka finds itself on a considerably rough patch, sandwiched between hard choices of staying true to the electoral promises to the minority communities and to the international community and, in the process, risking antagonising the majority community and ultimately facing a defeat. The government is also buffeted by allegations of rising and widespread corruption and a weakened economy with all its ramifications.

Apratim Mukarji is an analyst of South and Central Asian affairs.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Time to Judge the Chinese Chicanery

by Sankar Ray

Revered and erudite journalist Sunanda Kishore Datta-Ray, author of Smash and Grab: Annexation of Sikkim, has very succinctly stated about the mounting tension in the Dokolam plateau: Strictly speaking, India is not involved in todays dispute over the Dokolam plateau where the Chinese are said to claim 269 sq km of Bhutanese territory. But Jawaharlal Nehrus warning in the Lok Sabha in 1959, We have publicly, and rightly, undertaken certain responsibilities for the defence of Sikkim and Bhutan, if they are attacked. It is very necessary for us to understand that if anything happens on their borders, then it is the same thing as an interference with the border of India still shapes policy. Dokolam is one of the four disputed areas in Haa and Paro in western Bhutan. Haa Dzong (Castle) is the family seat of the once powerful Dorjee clan of the half-Sikkimese Ashi Kesang Wangchuck, whose grandson, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wang-chuck, is the current Dragon King. Haa is also the headquarters of the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and, therefore, an object of Chinese suspicion. Indias southernmost military post is at Dokola on the China-Bhutan-India tri-junction. http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/sunanda-k-datta-ray-india-not-involved-in-dispute-over-doklam/1098885. Ajay Shukla too has logically raised the issue of the protracted Sino-Indian territorial and boundary dispute along a 3500-km stretch which indeed is a complex, historical, multi-layered wrangle http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/the-sikkim-patrol-clash-117070301373 _1.html. The reflex of a local cold war has been the eyeball-to-eyeball patrols by the two Armies on the Sikkim-Tibet border since June 16.

But why have the rulers of the Peoples Republic of China (read brass of the Communist Party of China) suddenly resorted to belligerent gesture in the vicinity of the tri-junction of India, Bhutan, and China? Out of a diplomatic failure? After all, it is well known that Beijing initially liked the ascendancy of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister as an end to the Nehruvian tradition and did not seem to have envisioned that a deeply committed saffronite would gravitate more towards Washington than Beijing.

For scholars and political analysts specialising in the history and politics of Sino-Indian border differences, it is time to broaden their study into the dynamic history of statecraft of states in the Himalayan regionno less brittle and seismic than one of the youngest mountainous regions the world over. Take the case of Arunachal Pradesh (formerly North-Eastern Frontier Agency). Those who think the claim of China over the region deserves to be considered because of the religious affiliation of the Golden Nagoya Lhotse, the Twang monastery, to the Mahayana school of Buddhism of Legalistic faith of Tibet, may be reminded that it was set up in the relatively recent past (1860-61) by the Merck Lama Lode Gatos. Prof Ram Rahul, an outstanding scholar on the history and politics of the Himalayan and Central Asian regions, in a paper, The History of Himalayas, presented to the fifth annual conference of the Institute of Historical Studies in 1967 at Patiala, stated: The present area of NEFA has always been a part of Assam since the earliest times. The early rulers of Kamarupa exercised a political control of sorts over it. Bhagadattas domination before the first century touched the confines of South-West China at a distance of about a months journey from the capital of Kamarupa. According to Sanskrit source and the travel account of Yuam Chwang, the northern limits of Kamarupa including Bhutan extended much beyond the frontiers of modern Assam. (The Sino-Indian Border Question: A Historical Review, edited by S.P. Sen, p. 21) Prof Rahul, whom this writer met with in the mid-1970s, when the books and publications of the Chemicals and Allied Export Promotion Council commissioned him for the pavilion at the first Moscow Trade Fair, knew Tibetan, Russian, Mongolian and other languages. He referred to P. Chaudhuris seminal work, History of Civilisation of People of Assam to the Twelfth Century AD (1959).



For a section of Leftist academics, Neville Maxwell and Alastair Lamb are like a church on the Sino-Indian border disputes, never caring to note that the limit of historical knowledge of the two Western writers does not go beyond the British colonial period. They are even silent about the British expedition to Tibet (December 1903-September 1904), led by the imperial adventurer Colonel Sir Francis Edward Younghusband that not only debilitated Tibet politicaly and militarily, but severely curtailed the Chinese claim for suzerainty over it. The ruthless British military officer, instigated by Lord Curzon, led incursions across the Tibetan plateau. The Manchu rulers of China did not only remain mum, they had dissipated, digesting humiliation. The Tibetan Army, having been no match for the British invaders with its antiquated armaments, had to surrender with the loss of more than 2000 souls. On September 6, 1904, the Tibetans were forced to sign the Anglo-Tibetan treaty. The Thirteenth Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, fled to Mongolia. Maxwell and Lamb relied mostly on British colonial (including secret) reports and did not consider the pre-18th century historical documents and treatises. Sen, in his introduction to the IHS compilation, rightly said: The political status of Tibet or the question of Indias northern border did not suddenly come to existence with the treatises of 1890 and 1895 or Younghusbands expedition. One has to go far back in history to ascertain the correct position of Tibet and Indias close relations with the Himalayan state which the Chinese Communists claim as the five fingers of the Tibetan palm. It is because of this over-concentration on the recent past that many a foreign writer, like Alastair Lamb and Neville Maxwell, has been led to a ridiculously distorted view of history.

However, the Chinese Communists claim as the five fingers of the Tibetan palm is a questionable statement. Although there has been no denial from the CPC or Mao Zedong, who was said to have made this statement, none of the political and defence commentators could refer to any authentic quote. Nonetheless, the Chinese emperors had no presence for several centuries in Tibet until the 17th century. Gushi Khan, Khoshut prince and leader of the Khoshut Khanate, annexed Central Tibet in 1642 and expellled all the Karma Kargyu Lamas from Lhasa, appointing his Gelugpa preceptotor, Dalai Lama V (Rahul, ibid) who belonged to the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism.

At the IHS conference, Suniti Kumar Pathak of Viswa-Bharati University, in a lengthy paper, India-China Boundary: Eastern Sector, argued that Tibet was an independent monarchy between 618-1200 AD under the Tang Dynasty. It lost its freedom when the Central Asian Mongolian chief of Kansu region, Godan, handed over Tibet to the Sakya Pandita of the Sakya monastery as the Viceregent of Tibet in the 13th century. After the death of Godan and his Viceregent in 1251, Kublai Khan, the builder of the Yuan dynasty (1200 AD) in China offered Phagpa of the Sakya Monaestry the authority over the whole of Tibet upto the Kokonor in the far west. These historical events vouchsafe the statement of the present Dalai Lama: There is no basis in history for the Chinese claim that Tibet was a part of China.

The official Communist Partiesthe CPI, CPI-M and several variants of CPI-MLeven Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Tibetologist Rahul Sankrityayan want (wanted) us to believe that Tibet was a part of China. (This writer too was of the same view for many years, but the fact remains that China colonised Tibet. Unfortunately, the CPC has been a shameless defender of Chinese colonialism of the early period. And on this issue, there was no difference among Mao, Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping. At the International Conference of Communist and Workers Parties in 1960 (known as the 81 Party Congress), the legendary French Communist Party leader, Maurice Thorez, scolded the CPC delegates. The Chinese comrades brought up the question of the recent conflict on the Sino-Indian border. I must say frankly that we are hardly able to understand why the question of the frontiers has been raised at such a moment. We were alarmed at the tense situation that was being generated between the two great countries, both being members of the peace camp, and like all the workers of France, we welcomed the political wisdom of the Soviet Union on this question, he stated. (Link, July 10, 1961, Pravda, October 13, 1961, etc, quoted in Hemen Rays Peking and the Indian CPI, Delhi, 1980, p. 82, footnote)

The CIA and a few foreign intelligence agencies in all likelihood have a presence in Tibet and around but the entire movement for freedom of Tibet is not under these foreign agencies under various names. The issue is whether the future of the Himalayan state is to be decided by the Tibetans themselves instead of Beijng and its chauvinistic minds.

The author, a senior journalist based in Kolkata, specialises in Left politics and history.

In the light of the Political Notebook titled Modi in Israel, Chinas Muscle-flexing in Doko La in Mainstream (July 8, 2017), B.D.G. (Barun Das Gupta) informs:

The Indian name for the place (of Sino-Indian confrontation) is Doko La. The Bhutanese call it Dokolam. The Chinese call it Donglong.

From this point the Siliguri Chickens Neck corridor is just 50 kilometres.
MARTINSVILLE  The same window treatments that grace the finest million-dollar homes of Martinsville hang on wooden rods in the cinderblock rooms of an orphanage in Africa.

Jannie Jones of Axton has been making custom drapes and curtains for 43 years. In February, she began sewing curtains for the orphanage of the City of Hope, which also has schools and a medical center in Tanzania, Africa, and is operated by Teamwork International Ministries of Martinsville. She provided all of the material and did all the work at no charge. She paid for her trip to Africa the last week of June and first week of July to hang the curtains.

Jannie has made drapes for 43 years, the most gorgeous curtains and drapes, and a lot of us have them in our homes, said Marion Myers, who has been involved with Teamwork since its beginning.

One day last year, Myers said, Jones told her that she had plenty of leftover material she could use to make curtains for the orphanage. She received window measurements and went to work.

Ninety-six children live in the orphanage, which has 39 windows.

I didnt want to leave one child without curtains. I was determined I was going to do every child, Jones said.

She started making the curtains in February.

I was stressing myself out, trying to get two pairs made in a day. I had to leave off TV in the morning to get them done, Jones said.

All the while, I still had other jobs of my own customers to do, she said. Most were understanding that it took her longer than normal to complete orders, she added.

For the orphanage, she didnt make just plain, straight curtains, Myers said. She made her most gorgeous, lined window treatments.

In fact, the women laughed, Myers asked her not to line all of the curtains, because it would be hard enough to get the bulk and weight of 39 pairs of curtains to Africa as it was without adding more material.

Im just not used to sewing without linings, Jones said.

I just kept saying, Jannie, this is a simple place. This is the bush of Africa. Its just plain old concrete walls and bunk beds  but Jannie doesnt compromise on quality, Myers said.

When Jones ran out of material after making 12 pairs, she asked A.C. Furniture of Axton if they would donate me 286 yards so that I could finish. The company stepped right up with the donation of fabric.

Jones joined a group of 13 others leaving for the City of Hope on June 22. Seven of the group carried a suitcase packed with 50 pounds worth of curtains each  the maximum weight the airline allowed for baggage.

Coincidentally, one of the other women on the trip also was a curtain-maker, someone who works with patrons in Connecticut.

She and I just bonded just like this and worked together hanging the curtains, Jones said.

Giving a gift

The children were really smiling when the saw their new curtains, Jones said.

The existing curtains that were hanging were hanging on strings, Jones said. I asked a missionary to cut me some boards (into strips) to use as rods for the new curtains.

Curtain-hanging hardware and supplies are not sold in stores near that region of Africa, she said.

I had some strips of lining and had my staple gun, so I stapled over the wood strips so the curtains would slide easily, she said.

Jannie went prepared, Myers said. To hang the tie-backs, Jones had brought cinderblock nails to nail into the block walls and sprayed them gold to match the hooks. She does not compromise.

She goes first class, Lisa Anderson said.

They deserve something nice, Jones said.

Shes worked with high-end designers in high-end homes and has carpenters working with her to hang them perfectly, and she just rolled with the punches to give quality installation with the limited materials available in the remote region of Africa, Anderson said.

During idle times with the curtains project, Jones darned sweaters for the children.

A lot of the little children had holes and raveled places in their red school-uniform sweaters, Myers said. All day she would just set at a table darning sweaters.

I sewed up to six holes in one sleeve, Jones chuckled.

Lisa Anderson, Teamworks Finance Director, also went on the trip to the City of Hope  her first time in her nine years of working with the organization.

It was highly emotional getting to finally see it all come to life, Anderson said, saying that she has only seen it through photos, stories and videos.

It was overwhelming. I cried for a good 15 minutes when she saw it in person for the first time.

While there, she worked with each of the 96 orphanage children to get photographs and letters to send to their sponsors.

Anderson said that the children dont have store-bought toys like you see in America, but they are crafty when it comes to making their own. Boys made cars out of construction scraps and cut circles out of old flip flops to use as tires. At night, they would use their flashlights to be headlights.

Electricity was available  from 7 to 10:30 each night, when the generator would be turned on.

Back in the day, I remember my parents didnt have running water, a telephone or electricity, Jones said. It was memories for me. One time in my life we were living that way.

The sparse living in Africa made Jones want to help in some way.

A lot of the things could really get you emotional when you are there, compared to the situation at home, Jones said. Theyre so friendly.

She plans to start a toothbrush campaign. The kids dont have toothbrushes, she said. I wonder how many churches would donate me toothbrushes to fill a couple of suitcases to send to Africa.

Now, she said, she hopes that churches and businesses will put out boxes to collect toothbrushes, suitcases and ink pens  three things the doctor told her were needed. She or other members of Teamwork will pick the boxes up if called; the number is 632-8477.

The week after she returned from Africa, Jones and master woodworker Burr Fox were hanging her drapes in Stoneleigh, Myers said.

Jones got her start as a seamstress making clothes. However, I got tired of trying to fit women, she said. Women dont like having their measurements taken, and often insist they are a few sizes smaller than they actually are.

I told myself, Lord, theres got to be something better  and curtains became that better option, 43 years ago.

She said that some people tell her that she shouldnt be still working at 83. However, sewing is a gift that the Lord gave me, and I still try to use it. I dont want to lay down what the Lord gave me as long as I have my health, she said.

A key to her professional success, she said, is that I found out through the years that neatness was the most important thing when it came to a being seen as a good seamstress, Jones said, and thats what has kept her work in demand.

Back at the City of Hope, the foundation is just being laid for a new dormitory for the secondary school students. The dormitory is going to be named for Myers -- and Jones said that its going to have curtains.
We have become a nation of Homer Simpsons, if an article from the Wall Street Journal is to be believed. Behold:

A national craving for bacon is pushing U.S. pork-belly prices to record highs. Prices for the part of a hog used to make bacon have risen around 80% this year, while frozen reserves are at a six-decade low. Americans bought around 14% more bacon at stores in 2016 than in 2013, according to market-research firm Nielsen.

A commodities economist told the paper, "The consumer has simply woken up to the joy of having bacon on more and more things."

Good to know we made it back from that possible global bacon shortage (so far).

The NY Times noticed how the fatty cut was entering the fine dining scene in 2003:

Apparently, connoisseurship of fat, long a competitive sport among chefs and food enthusiasts, has finally trickled down to the culinary cognoscenti. Americans have always had a national weakness for pork at breakfast time, but if you prefer your bacon crisp and your sausages cooked through, you don't belong to this new club. This unctuous pleasure is reserved for those who enjoy the velvety limpness of prosciutto, the soft shreds of a country ham. A taste for pure pork fat, long restricted to a furtive devouring of the white nubbin in the can of baked beans, can now be worn as a badge of honor.

Back in 2004, David Chang introduced his now famous pork buns, where thick pieces of juicy, fatty pork belly are the star. Eater's Greg Morabito wrote, "[The dish] also inspired countless imitators across the country, even entire restaurants devoted to buns in the very specific David Chang style. Pork buns are now a part of our modern American restaurant vernacular, and it's all because of this dish."

Food Genius offered some stats in 2015:

And Pork belly trends prevail in foodie states with hot culinary scenes: New York is home to 23% of restaurants with pork belly on the menu, followed by California (16%) and Illinois (10%). But even though 23% of pork belly menu items are in New York, only 2% of restaurants in New York serve it. Niche indeed! As previously mentioned, pork belly trends are popular in Asian cuisine. According to Food Genius, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai restaurants represent a combined total of 29% of all pork belly dishes in the US. But the biggest market for pork belly is American cuisine, which accounts for 35% of all pork belly dishes.

The NY Times, in a 2015 trend article, called avocado toast "the pork belly of the 2010s."

Now there are restaurants dedicated 100% to bacon as well as maple bacon on a stick at Landhaus. Arby's head of product development hailed pork belly, "We call it the bigger, badder bacon. This could be the next chapter in Americas love affair with bacon."

Anyway, apparently bacon is totally different in Britain.
NORTH ADAMS - A local man is accused of stabbing and seriously injuring a pizza delivery employee over the weekend.

Travis Perras, of North Adams, was arrested early Saturday morning and charged with armed assault with intent to murder, armed robbery while masked and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He is being held at the Berkshire County House of Corrections on $75,000 bail, North Adams Police said.

The stabbing was reported at about 11:30 p.m. Friday in the area of 394 Union St. When Police arrived they found a North Adams man sitting in his car suffering multiple stab wounds to his chest and abdomen, police said.

The victim, identified as Charles Sauer, was taken to Berkshire Medical Center, in Pittsfield. He was initially listed in critical condition but he has improved and is now stable, police said.

Sauer was delivering pizza for Dominos when he was stabbed. Police said he was able to identify his alleged assailant.

"This investigation, at this time, points to the motive as a robbery for money," police said.

Police then started searching for the suspect, identified as Perras. He was found in a home near the area where Sauer was stabbed and arrested, police said.

North Adams Police was assisted by Massachusetts State Police troopers and detectives with the crime scene division and the Adams Police K9 officer.

The investigation was conducted by members of North Adams Police Department, Massachusetts State Police - Troopers, Detectives and Crime Scene Division & Adams Police K9.
BENNINGTON, Vt - A North Adams man is facing a sexual assault charge after allegedly taking a 15-year-old girl into a wooded area and raping her, according to The Berkshire Eagle.

At his arraignment Thursday, 50-year-old Wilfred Bombardier pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault without consent in Vermont Superior Court Bennington Criminal Division.

The case initially came to light after the 15-year-old alleged victim told authorities that Bombardier had taken her and an 18-year-old girl to a North Adams park and proceeded to have sex with her, according to a Bennington Police detective affidavit.

The alleged victim told police that the incident had begun on April 24 as she and the 18-year-old had been talking on the school bus. The victim asked her friend if she would like to come over to her house later in the day and the friend replied that she couldn't because she was meeting "Will" that day. She told the 15-year-old that she could come along and meet him too and to "dress nice."

The alleged victim told police that she and the 18-year-old later met Bombardier in Pownal, Vermont--a town that borders the Massachusetts state line and is about a 20 minute drive from North Adams.

According to the teen, Bombardier proceeded to take them to a McDonald's in North Adams where he bought them both dinner. As they were leaving the restaurant, Bombardier allegedly asked the victim how old she was, to which she replied with her real age. He then allegedly asked her if she wanted to "get laid."

The girl allegedly thought Bombardier was joking with her and had an "anxiety attack" when she discovered he was serious.

Bombardier allegedly drove both girls to a public park, where he walked with the victim into a wooded area while the other girl stayed in the car. When they were alone in the woods Bombardier allegedly asked the girl to remove her pants and lie down. The girl told authorities that she "considered running" but was frightened by Bombardier and did what he told her to do.

Court documents show the 18-year-old was also interviewed by police on May 24 and that she alleged she had met Bombardier through an app called "Whisper"; she claimed she had never had sex with Bombardier, but that he paid her to hang out with him and that he had once asked her to find 13-year-old girls he could have sex with. She also claimed she did not know what Bombardier's intentions had been when he took them to the North Adams park.
CHARLOTTE, VT - A Pittsfield man fell into the water while exiting his boat and drowned on Saturday.

David Clement, 64, was found in the water at Point Bay Marina, off Thompson's Point Road, at about 8p.m., Vermont State Police said.

Troopers initially responded to the call of an abandoned boat that was idling near the docks. Officers later found the body of the Massachusetts man about 30 feet from shore and near the boat, police said.

Police believe Clement was returning to his slip at the marina when he fell into the water. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information or who spoke to or saw Clement on Saturday is asked to call the Vermont State Police at 802-878-7111.
SPRINGFIELD-- The South Vietnam Veterans Association of Greater Springfield recent,y commemorated the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day with a ceremony in Springfield's Forest Park neighborhood.

Held at the Springfield Vietnamese Cultural Center on Belmont Avenue, the event was also attended by Mayor Domenic Sarno.

"I'm again honored to be with our Vietnamese/American community. As these Vietnamese/American veterans stood with us during the Vietnam War, we will continue to stand by them," Sarno said. "They and their families have been a vibrant part of our Springfield community."

The annual Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Vietnam is held every year through the efforts of Capt. Hue Nguyen and Lt. Colonel Xu Ba Tran, both veterans of the Vietnam War.

Located at 433 Belmont Ave. near The X in the city's Forest Park neighborhood, the new cultural center is in the heart of a part of the neighborhood occupied by many locals of Vietnamese ancestry and immigrants from the Southeast Asian country.
According to the New York Times, a publication that can hardly be accused of playing footsie with Donald Trump, a remarkable version of the president appeared on a recent Air Force One flight to Paris.

By his own choice, Trump spent some time with reporters, and the conversation was expansive, relaxed and collegial. The president lowered his guard and lowered his voice, standing by his opinions but calling ceasefire to his personal war with the world, his political opposition and the media.

It's a Trump the nation needs to see more, and in higher-profile moments. If Trump can deliver his message as a passionate man of reason, and not an outraged malcontent who seized the keys to the kingdom, his messages will resonate better throughout the nation, and eventually the world.

People who have known Trump say he handles media relations opposite to previous presidents, who fumed in private but turned on the diplomacy in public. Acting presidential, they called it.

Trump does his raging for the world to hear, often in 140 Twitter characters or fewer. His supporters say he's only being honest by venting what other politicians are too cautious or cowardly to say out loud, and there might be some truth to that, but an angry, spiteful president is not the picture Americans should always see or hear if they're to trust him to handle hard problems with wisdom and skill.

Associates also say that for all his media bashing, Trump has always used the press as a kind of tonic and still needs it now. It's like the old joke women say about men and men say about women: can't live with 'em, can't win without 'em.

Until his chance of being elected became serious, Trump enjoyed the same banter with media that he always enjoyed as a TV star, business tycoon and Kardashian-like celebrity. Only in the past 18 months has The Donald discovered that in politics, unlike his other forms of public life, not all publicity is good publicity.

The Trump on the Paris flight is the Trump that America should see more: passion without anger, conviction without rancor or vitriol. People who find Trump repugnant and dangerous will read this and say no person this inherently mean can do that, and that the writer (me) is a fool or a sucker for buying any version of a "good Trump."

My answer is that he is our president, and he will be, until at least the next election - regardless of Impeachment talk that has neither the political nor legal legs to stand on. We can scream for the next 42 months at every misstep, bizarre tweet or his very existence, or those of us who didn't want Trump in the first place can look at how this administration might actually get some worthwhile things done without ruining what ought to be left alone. The choice is individual.

I didn't vote for Trump and it's hard to imagine a scenario where I would, but I know people who wake up every morning and their day is ruined because Trump is the president. They're slowly driving themselves crazy. I have no interest in being one of those people.

To some of us, Trump is like the new, obnoxious neighbor next door. We know he won't move, but we wish he'd turn down the noise and we cling to hope that some form of mature co-existence can make for a better neighborhood - in this case, the neighborhood being America.

We're told his base doesn't want that. We hear they like the bellowing, abusive, vindictive, campaign-version Trump - because, we're told, his base consists of bellowing, bullying, abusive people who think governing is about settling scores and want that from him.

That attitude does a disservice to his base, which voted for Trump for a myriad of reasons, starting with its antipathy for the tone-deaf alternative. But to those in that base who think the White House is merely an extension of a belligerent pep rally that glorifies outrage, mob rule and hate, my suggestion is simple: screw 'em.

The country doesn't need that from a president. Trump doesn't need it, either, if he hopes to govern properly and get anything meaningful done.

There is no question that Trump's grasp of history is weak. He is the product of privilege and his interests did not include careful study of worlds he did not inhabit.

It would be more comforting if he understood the depth of some of the issues where he wades in, screaming to be heard. But associates have insisted that Trump is a quick learner and a better listener than he allows the outside world to think, and if that's true, his vast lack of knowledge on complex subjects can possibly be neutralized.

One thing that's always bothered me about Trump is that he has no sense of humor. Zero. None. I've never written about that for fear it would be misinterpreted as a plea for a comedian, not a leader.

But Lincoln had a sense of humor, and JFK and Reagan, and they were great leaders. Part of leading a great nation means putting people at ease, a first step toward getting the population to believe in them and trust them.

Even accepting that many major media outlets have exposed a new level of bias in their journalism, Trump has been far too vain and thin-skinned to do that well. Humor isn't the only way to do that, but rage isn't the answer, unless your goal is a perpetually angry country - a result bound to make difficult problems worse and solutions unattainable.

Trump's exaggerated displays of self-importance interfere with messages that might reach more people if everybody calmed down and looked at what he was saying. This requires Trump to calm down first. On this flight to Paris with comments on the record but without all the world watching, he appeared to do that.

It would help Trump's own cause if he showed more of the Trump from that flight: a man willing to accept the enormity of his job, a president with convictions based on thought and not outrage, a leader whose words come from reason and not impulse fueled by obsessive combativeness - and maybe, just maybe, a man who doesn't act as if God chose only him to be born with all the answers.

That's the Trump the country needs to see more often. Some people will never accept his presidency, but it would be easier for the rest of the nation if he let down his guard and turned down the volume, long and often enough to give everybody else a chance.
There arent enough Native Americans in the technology sector right now, said Cory Cornelius, a research scientist for Intel Labs and enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Volunteers from the West Coast to the East trekked to Salish Kootenai College this week to teach Native Americans about technology and computer science.

The college held a free, four-day technology camp for Native American students in high school or who had recently graduated to give them insight into what types of careers are open to them in the tech sector.

ASHLEY NERBOVIG [email protected]

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/local/coding-culture-native-american-skills-needed-in-technology-sector/article_ed439b59-1075-5771-81d6-b9efb94b3d10.html
A huge iceberg  said to be the size of Delaware  broke off from the Antarctic Peninsula. Its one of the largest ever recorded. But scientists differ on whether it can be blamed directly on climate change. Still, former Vice-President Al Gore called the floating giant "a jarring reminder of why we must solve the climate crisis." Gore has been a crusader on that issue for years now, and took Lee Cowan back to Tennessee to take stock of the battle in our "Sunday Morning" Cover Story:

Lee Cowan

Video: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/al-gore-crusade/
Last summer, Operation Backpack assisted 802 McDowell students with back to school supplies during summer distribution. This years distribution is scheduled to begin Monday, July 24.

School supplies will be available at the Alternative Education Center gym for McDowell County School students kindergarten through 12th grade on Monday, July 24th through Thursday, Aug. 10; Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Operation Backpack equips students with a book bag, three-ring binders, notebook paper, spiral notebooks, pocket folders, erasers, pens, No. 2 pencils and colored, crayons, glue, scissors, makers and pencil boxes or pouches. These items can be distributed and donated throughout the year.

Supplies and monetary donations are accepted all year long. Donations may be dropped off or mailed to the McDowell Board of Education at 334 S. Main St. in Marion. Checks can be made out to The Endowment Fund marked for Operation Backpack.

Number of students assisted during summer distribution:

Year ----Number of Students

2011 ---- 631

2012---- 855

2013-----623

2014----646

2015----740

2016 --- 802

About the Endowment Fund:

Originally organized in 1998, and administrated by the Endowment Fund of the Public Schools of McDowell County, the goal of Operation Backpack is to provide all underprivileged children in McDowell County Public Schools with a new backpack and school supplies. Through the gracious giving of our community and others, school supply assistance has been provided directly to over 600 McDowell County School students each year. It is our wish that no child returns to school without the necessary supplies. Although the majority of the supplies are distributed during the few weeks prior to school starting, Operation Backpack is a year-round project and will supply students all year when needs arise.

List of supplies needed throughout the year:

Backpacks

3-ring binders

24-count crayons

Glue (bottles and sticks)

Ballpoint pens

Notebook paper

#2 and colored pencils

Safety scissors

Spiral notebooks

Composition books

Pencil boxes/pouches

Erasers

Markers

Post-it Notes

Pocket Folders

Highlighters
The return of Game of Thrones Sunday is cause for celebration for legions of fans who swear their allegiance to the series, claiming theres nothing else like it in this or any other world.

Not quite so. While GOT has captured the worlds imagination  and 38 Emmys  the HBO fantasy epic is not as unique as some believe. Many of the elements that appeal to the shows fans can be found in past TV series that would make for excellent binge-watching on Amazon, Netflix or DVD as you wait breathlessly between each of GOTs final 13 episodes.

If youre drawn to the shows family feuds: Try Hatfields & McCoys (2012), in which Kevin Costner and the late Bill Paxton play patriarchs who put honor above everything else, including getting a decent shave.

If youre drawn to the epic scale of the action: Try Rome (2005-07), the woefully underrated drama that concentrated more on edge-of-your-chariot storytelling than historical accuracy. Like Julius Caesar, it was gone too soon.

If youre drawn to the sassy swordplay: Try the BBC America version of Robin Hood (2006-09). Its not as thrilling as the 1938 Errol Flynn swashbuckler (few adventures are), but its loaded with sex appeal and zingers so delicious even Downton Abbeys Dowager Countess would swoon.

If youre drawn to the stronger-than-expected female warriors: Try Netflixs new series GLOW, a powerhouse dramedy that transcends its campy premise to emerge as an early contender for show of the year. Alison Brie (Community) flexes new muscle as a struggling actress in the 1980s searching for identity in and out of the ring.

If youre drawn to characters drunk on power: Try Boss (2011-12), in which Kelsey Grammer plays a Chicago mayor who wouldnt be caught dead in a bar like Cheers. The series ultimately didnt work, but if you want to see political corruption in action, abandon House of Cards and check out this two-term effort.

If youre drawn to Peter Dinklages wit: Try Suburgatory, (2011-14), a sitcom for and about teenagers who loathe and envy anyone attending Beverly Hills 90210. Jane Levy plays the mopey protagonist who survives her Stepford Wives surroundings with a backpack jam-packed with withering one-liners.

If youre drawn to anything ever touched by George R.R. Martin: Try The Last Defender of Camelot (1986), an episode of a re-booted Twilight Zone series in which the fantasy novelist wrote a teleplay based on a story by pal Robert Zelazny about Merlin and Lancelot trying to adapt to a modern-day world. You can find the episode in its entirety on YouTube.

If youre drawn to dragons: Youre out of luck, at least when it comes to TV forerunners. Before Game of Thrones, the small screen couldnt get the special effects right, which means youll have to get your fix from the film library. Reign of Fire (2002) should do the trick with Matthew McConaughey, Christian Bale and Gerard Butler battling the fire breathers with gruesome gallantry.
PHILADELPHIA  In a darkened room at CHOP Primary Care, Cobbs Creek, physician Chris Renjilian set up a projector and debriefed doctors, nurses and other staff on a new intervention that the office will begin offering to patients in its care.

The medical breakthrough in question? Prescription-strength outdoor play.

As primary-care pediatricians, one of our goals is to help children get more active. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes a day of outside play, he said. This is something we already spend a lot of time screening for and talking to families about.

Now, theyll actually be able to prescribe it, in the form of customized, detailed action plans that are tailored to connect kids with Philadelphias park system at a time when children are spending far less time in nature than doctors say is needed for healthy development of motor skills, social competence, problem-solving abilities, and even eyesight. Its an antidote to the plague psychologist Richard Louv described as nature-deficit disorder.

The initiative, called NaturePHL, is a collaboration between CHOP, the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Department, and the National Forest Service.

Launching in August in the form of a pilot program at CHOPs primary-care offices in Cobbs Creek and Roxborough, NaturePHL will be a standard part of all check-ups for kids age 5 to 12, integrated right into their electronic medical records.

Every patient will be screened, given a brief message about the importance of outdoor play, and referred to a new website, NaturePHL.org, that provides a guide to local parks. Some  perhaps those struggling with obesity or attention-deficit disorder  will get more comprehensive counseling; a detailed park prescription for an outdoor activity such as a hike, a scavenger hunt, or a visit to a playground; and a referral to a nature navigator. Thats a community health worker who will help create a detailed plan, figure out how to overcome barriers to getting outside, or even join the patient on a park visit.

Its not the first park-prescription program: Similar ones have launched around the country, including one in Washington, D.C., created by a network of community health centers and the National Park Service that reported a 22-minute average boost in weekly activity.

The Philadelphia organizers intend to undertake the most comprehensive study yet of whether such programs work and how best to undertake them. They hope to analyze whether the program will lead doctors to talk about the importance of outdoor play more, whether kids in the program actually spend more time outdoors, and what effect, if any, it has on their health and well-being.

There really isnt any research out on parks-prescription programs, their effectiveness and their impact on health, said Michelle Kondo, a scientist with the National Forest Service. Were still figuring out whats important to measure and what you can quantify.

It might involve using GPS trackers to check whether kids are complying with the prescriptions, or monitoring changes in a patients heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol levels (which indicate stress), core strength, and attention.

Until now, she said, these studies have been done with college students, for example, taking them on a bus ride out to the forest and hooking them up to machines as they sit or walk in the forest  not often with urban residents in their own neighborhoods.

Renjilian was a pediatric resident at CHOP when he began talking about the idea with staff at the Schuylkill Center.

The story of NaturePHL is really a story of shared goals. Philadelphia parks advocates want to encourage use of green space, he said. And I think a lot of pediatricians struggle because they know they have a responsibility to talk to their patients and families about physical activity and physically active play, but thats really hard to do. We fall short in giving advice that is efficient, but also sufficiently personal, local, and specific. Theres a knowledge gap there. Most pediatricians dont live in the same neighborhoods as their patients, and were very aware of that.

NaturePHL aims to fill that gap with a website that maps Philadelphia parks and lists such features as playgrounds, bathrooms, swimming pools, and wheelchair accessibility. Mary-Grace Gorman of the Parks & Recreation Department said the hope was that a new demographic would also get connected to activities and programs the department was already running in city parks.

The NaturePHL interface starts with a map through which visitors can click into pages dedicated to each park.

As Renjilian presented the initiative to CHOP staff, physician Nicole Jaffe asked what organizers expected, based on focus groups, to be the most common question. Are the parks on here screened for safety? Thats the biggest concern I get from my patients, and if Im endorsing it, Jaffe said, I want to know that there is a low probability of something going down there.

Theres no simple answer, though. What is safe? Renjilian asked.

The hope is that the website will help families evaluate that. A team from the Schuylkill Center has been conducting park audits to list the features of each park, and the center plans to add photos and a forum for user reviews and user-submitted photos.

The idea is, maybe if you can see what the park looks like, you might think its safer, said Elisa Sarantschin, the NaturePHL program coordinator for the Schuylkill Center.

Although the website was designed in collaboration with CHOP, Sarantschin hopes that the general public will look to it as a resource and that pediatricians in other health systems around the city can begin introducing the program to patients over the next several years.

Kondo is thinking even bigger. The Forest Service would also like to be part of providing tools to other cities and other groups wanting to start parks-prescription programs.

Such nationwide initiatives have shown success in the past. One, Reach Out and Read, targeted literacy by providing a brief message from a pediatrician, along with a new book, to young children during checkups. Researchers found that the result was childrens language development advanced by three to six months.

Wedging these conversations into a 15-minute pediatrician visit may be challenging, but the hope is, if theres a patient whose body-mass index has been creeping up over several visits, the doctor might set aside a couple of minutes to talk about options.

Were the ones who are going to have to do this. This has to be practical, Renjilian told the group at CHOP. But for kids with obesity, other than telling them to go outside, there was nothing to give them. Now we have NaturePHL.
ANTIOCH  Humans love pigs and goats, but opossums may have a bit of an image problem.

Animal Quest founders Jessica Reedy and her husband, Steve Reedy, however, say they are on a mission to change that.

When Antioch, Illinois-based Animal Quest brings Opal, the opossum, to one of many educational programs it gives throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, humans learn the good side of these marsupials.

They eat ticks, Jessica Reedy said.

Within an hour after showing Opal at libraries, museums and other venues, people are up touching her and saying weve changed their minds about opossums. Shes super friendly, Jessica Reedy said.

Animal Quests mission extends far beyond getting some respect for a skinny-tailed mammal. The Reedys and their part-time employees work to teach young and old to respect and appreciate wild animals as well as understand that most exotic animals do not make good pets.

In fact, Jessica Reedy said, nearly all of the animals they keep and bring to educational programs are rescues of exotic creatures purchased as pets and then abandoned or mistreated.

Jessica Reedy talked about Animal Quests mission in her backyard while petting Zoey, a Scottish terrier, one of three dogs the couple owns.

Behind her in a large enclosure, several goats and sheep, a pig and one large attention-craving goat named Bart meandered. Next to the enclosure, a couple of African sulcata tortoises caught some rays near the couples 4-year-old-daughter Avas sunny playground. A rooster crowed even though it was noon.

While Jessica Reedy petted Bart the goats nose, he closed his eyes. If she walks around the fence, he follows her and asks for more pets. Sometimes, hell try to take a bite of her sleeve, she said.

Before they took charge of Bart, he was kept in a crate and was neglected, she said. Steve made this whole yard for him  and we ended up getting more goats.

Since they started Animal Quest in 2011, theyve moved from an apartment in Schaumburg (where for two weeks they kept a baby pot-bellied pig Norman) to a one-acre property in Ingleside and now five acres in Antioch. Norman is now a 7-year-old, 200-pound pig who patrols the part of their land where a raccoon, fox, rabbits and ducks are kept. The raccoon and fox are unable to be returned to the wild, Jessica Reedy said.

Norman is kind of a sassy guy, she said. He seems to only like her and her husband, she said. Hell be with them for a while  he can live to be 20.

Both grew up loving animals  Jessica in British Colombia, where her parents allowed her to keep chinchillas as pets as long as she provided what they needed and took good care of them, and Steve in Crystal Lake.

Steve, however, wasnt allowed to have any pets, Jessica Reedy said. Hes got his fill of them now.

The couple met while attending Americas Teaching Zoo in Moorpark, Calif., where they learned hands-on animal husbandry, education, conservation and veterinary work. They worked with capuchin monkeys, hyenas, lizards, snakes and hawks including a golden eagle, among many other exotic animals as well as those native to North America, Steve Reedy said.

They married just before graduation, then moved to Illinois to take summer jobs caring for animals. Within a year, they started Animal Quest, which is licensed by the USDA, Jessica Reedy said.

The couple started with 15 animals, mostly reptiles, Steve Reedy said, and now, Jessica Reedy said, We have about 100. I have to count them again. These include the albino Burmese python, Kenyan sand boa, Flemish giant rabbits, rose-haired tarantula, African pygmy hedgehogs, bearded dragon and Madagascar hissing cockroaches, among others.

Thats a lot of critters to tuck in every night  and the Reedys need to be home at dusk every day to get the animals ready for bed. Some of their charges also require medication morning and evening. Cleaning the animals waste is done daily as well.

Taking care of so many animals is time consuming and sometimes unpredictable: Once a goat ate an important contract, Jessica Reedy said.

Goats poop everywhere. They cant control it, she said. The moral of the story  keep the goats out of the house.

Twitch, the coatimundi always gets a little crazy during the dinner hour so we have to make sure we bring his dinner with us if we are at a show during this time, Steve Reedy said. His wife does not recommend keeping coatimundis as pets  theyre related to raccoons and can tear up your house, she said.

One of the rabbits has a problem with his hips and needs medication twice a day. The rabbits father, Monroe, had similar issues and had to be recently euthanized.

Even though we have so many animals, when we lose one, were heartbroken, Jessica Reedy said. Monroe was one of my all-time favorites. He was so laid back. He was with us almost from the start. My day started and ended with him when I gave him his meds. At bedtime, I made sure that he was on his pillow.

Mary Ann Gawlik, a part-time employee, said she admires the couples commitment to their animals. Ive seen how loving they are. They have taken a hamster for massages and for chiropractic work, Gawlik said.

The hamster  actually a guinea pig, Jessica Reedy said  had an ear infection and strained its neck  the veterinarian suggested they take it to a chiropractic veterinarian.

We dont spare any expenses for our animals, she said.

Gawlik of Libertyville, Ill., said shes always loved animals and has served as a foster caretaker for unwanted pets, but before coming to Animal Quest, she said she wasnt really keen on reptiles. But thats past tense.

Now she holds, with ease, Jig, the 8-foot-long Burmese python.

Its really cool. I describe it to kids saying its like carrying a hug  I just went from there to a monitor lizard, which is 3 feet long  and I even held their tarantula, she said.

Gawlik has learned to slowly approach people who might be afraid of snakes and guide their hand to touch one if they want.

Jessica Reedy said she believes Animal Quest is making a difference.

We tell people the truth. We educate them. People have run up and banged on a tortoise. I tell them a tortoise is not a rock. It feels it when you bang on it.

They rotate the animals to give them a rest, and after reptiles have been fed they get a day off to digest.

The family eats meat thats raised humanely and organically, she said. In addition, they grow vegetables outdoors including corn on the cob, which some of their animals eat raw.

Recently, Jessica Reedy saved a painted turtle that was crossing Grass Lake Road and almost got hit by a car. I swooped it up and ran through the tall grasses and put it in a pond, she said. Last week, she took in a domesticated duck that was found hobbling down a street in Waukegan.

Ava said she enjoys being around the animals. I like petting them, she said.

Ava has a special bond with both Nuna (a chicken) and Waldo (a Patagonian cavy, a large rodent native to Argentina ), Steve Reedy said. Both let her touch them as much as she wants but they dont like others touching them.

We love to be around animals, Jessica Reedy said. Its calming. Its what makes us happy. We dont go on vacation. I take Ava to Canada to be with my family once a year, but Steve stays here to take care of the animals. Were happy here.
DECATUR  The first true impact of lawmakers hiking the states income tax will likely be felt on paychecks starting this week. For Decatur, the actions in the Statehouse during the historic overtime session mean residents will pay an average $580 more annually come next year.

It is affecting peoples bottom line more than they think it is, said Amy Jedlicka, an accountant for Gustafson & Associates, a tax service in Decatur. How much are you getting to keep at the end of the day after all of these taxes?

Legislators this month approved increasing the individual income rate from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent, which works out to an additional $12 in state taxes for every $1,000 of income. Corporations will pay 7 percent instead of 5.25 percent. Both new percentages are permanent and retroactive to July 1, meaning any compensation received this month should be taxed at the higher rate.

The changes were part of a $36 billion package the Democratic-controlled Legislature passed over opposition from GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has called for various pro-business reforms. Rauners veto was overridden, giving Illinois its first budget in more than two years, a period during which more than $14.7 billion in overdue bills was amassed and various programs were threatened.

The state Department of Revenue on July 11 officially notified human resources departments the information used to start deducting more money from paychecks. The tax hike is projected to rake in about $5 billion.

Eric Kohn, marketing manager for the Illinois Policy Institute, a conservative-leaning think tank, said the changes amount to a reduction in pay for residents.

His group has rallied against the using taxes to solve the budget impasse and pointed to various studies showing that the state is losing both population and standing as a destination for business. And on July 10, Rauner announced Kristina Rasmussen, who was president and chief operating officer of the Illinois Policy Institute, as his new chief of staff.

With the latest action, Kohn said lawmakers were short-sighted.

For the average taxpayer, it means, as of July 1, they are taking a pay cut, he said.

The impact is being felt by Matthew Mitchell-Cupp, a part-owner of Lockharts Barber Shop near downtown Decatur. He questioned if lawmakers understood the impact on front-line job creators.

What do you think thats going to do to businesses that you are taxing? Mitchell-Cupp said. You are shooting yourself in the foot.

He said such increases stop hiring and expansions. That Illinois markets itself as friendly to small businesses, he said, is a joke, a sick joke. Its a slap in the face really.

Limited impact on most paychecks

Kohn said the recent legislation especially hurts Decatur by stifling growth. The tax increase will be difficult for small businesses, he said, as well as larger companies. It will be more difficult to grow a business, which would benefit people in Decatur, Kohn said.

It is going to make things difficult on them, Kohn said, and have a discouraging effect on businesses wanting to come here.

The Decatur area had a 5.7 percent jobless rate, 1.4 percentage points higher than the statewide rate in May, the most recent period for which Illinois unemployment data is available.

Supporters of the legislation, which received GOP votes from 15 House lawmakers and one in the Senate, said it was the only option to ensure educational institutions, social services agencies and other groups received funding. Critics say it did not do enough to fix long-standing structural problems or a $130 billion unfunded pension liability.

In Decatur, the state budget stoppage threatened the domestic violence shelter Dove Inc., which was owed $500,000 in back payments, and construction of the Richland Community College Student Success Center.

Decatur Memorial Hospital is also feeling relief due to a passed budget. President and CEO Tim Stone told the Herald & Review recently it takes uncertainty off the table.

Local schools will continue to welcome students this fall due to the spending plan. Some, like Central A&M, had enough money saved up to remain open but only for little over a year.

Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center and Baby TALK, which provides early education for low-income population, both had to lay off staff throughout the historic impasse. Baby TALK reduced services and programs and workers arent sure if the impasse will restore their original funding.

Rauner tacks right after major budget defeat CHICAGO  Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is hardening his anti-tax stance as he readies a re-ele

The average annual adjusted gross income in Decatur is $48,297, which works out to a yearly state income tax payment of $1,811 under the old system and $2,391 under the new one.

Financial experts said the impact on most paychecks will be minor. The exception is lower-income residents, although any change could be offset if they use the earned income tax credit. At the same time, lower-income people may benefit the most from the restoration to human service and other funding.

Since most people have little leeway in their budgets, this will be a hardship for some, said David Merriman, who teaches finance at the University of Illinois.

'They are probably not done'

Earners are being advised to should make sure paychecks show that more money is being withheld. The tax increase applies to anyone who receives compensation, including from gambling and the lottery.

Terry Horstman, of the state Department of Revenue, said most employers can be in compliance quickly, but advised that anyone with questions should contact their payroll department or visit tax.illinois.gov.

Income from January 2017 to June 30, 2017, will be taxed at 3.75 percent. Any money after July 1, 2017 will be taxed at 4.95 percent. The state in January is expected to provide further guidelines for calculating income tax when two rates will be applied in the same 2017 tax year.

Mitchell-Cupp said they raised prices for a haircut July 11 because of the taxes. He said the latest increase, coupled with a self-employed rate and a partnership tax, make it difficult to bring in enough income for his wife and three kids and to pay for health care.

He said corporations should pay a fair share instead of getting tax breaks rather than small businesses constantly seeing increased costs.

I have no problem paying taxes.  I never had a problem paying taxes until they started doing that. Now I struggle paying taxes, he said.

Jedlicka, the accountant, said if residents dont like the new costs, they should wield their power come Election Day.

If you dont like the tax increase then I wouldnt be voting for the people who voted for it, she said.

Kohn said taxpayers should pay attention to the decisions legislatures are making in Springfield.

They are probably not done trying to take money from Illinois taxpayers, Kohn said.
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HURON COUNTY  Authorities are searching for a missing kayaker in Lake Huron.

Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson reports that at 4:16 Saturday afternoon, a motorist was flagged down on Lighthouse Road in Huron Township by a 20-year-old male kayaker from the Detroit area.

He had had just swam to shore.

"He and another 22-year- old male companion kayaker, also from the Detroit area, had apparently swamped their separate kayaks and ended up in the water," Hanson stated in a press release Saturday.

"This was believed to be about a third of a mile offshore from that location," he added. "Neither man had a life jacket, and the missing man was unable to swim."

"Thus it is believed the companion slipped beneath the surface of water. The water depth in that area is estimated to be over 10 feet deep," he said.

Hanson and his deputies responded to the Lighthouse County Park Marina with patrol boats and dive equipment, and the U. S. Coast Guard responded with a boat and a helicopter.

"The search was in full operation shortly after (6 p.m.), using divers, patrol boats, side scan sonar and the Coast Guard's helicopter," Hanson reported. "The area being searched is extremely rocky and the water visibility was zero, likely because of runoff from rain a couple of days ago.

"Regardless, we had to pull the divers out of the water at dusk and ended our portion of the search until first light (this) morning."

The Coast Guard remained on scene with helicopter support. The Sanilac and St. Clair County Sheriff's Offices would join the search today. Other agencies assisting Saturday were the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Bad Axe Fire Department, which supplied air refills to divers.

"No other information to be released until we're able to find the missing man, or if an updated press released is issued (Sunday) afternoon," Hanson concluded.
EAST LANSING -- More than 2,500 individuals from 83 Michigan counties visited Michigan State University (MSU) for one of the largest pre-college programs offered anywhere in the United States.

Exploration Days is sponsored by MSU Extension, and it took place on the MSU campus June 21-23. Twenty-five Huron County 4-H youth and leaders traveled to East Lansing to participate in 4-H Exploration Days, including three new delegates attending for the first time.

4-H Exploration Days is a youth development conference that helps youth ages 11 to 19 learn new ideas, techniques and skills they can use personally and in their 4-H groups and communities. The 4-H Exploration Days' environment fosters independence, accountability, decision-making and time management. It enhances participants' sense of personal and social responsibility. Youth have numerous opportunities to develop teamwork, cooperation and collaboration skills and meet new people from different places and with different backgrounds from across Michigan.

Participants pre-register, choosing from more than 200 session options, and they attend these sessions throughout their three-day stay. The sessions offer a wide variety of hands-on opportunities for our youth in subjects that include rocket science, archery, fashion and crafts, performing arts, cooking, environmental studies, entrepreneurialism, mentoring and much more.

Youth can explore their interests and, possibly, consider future career options. They are housed in MSU residence halls.

To learn more about MSU Extension's 4-H Exploration Days program, go to http://4h.msue.msu.edu/4h/4_h_exploration_days.

For local information on Exploration Days or any other aspect of 4-H in Huron County, contact Patricia Errer, 4-H Program Coordinator, at 989-269-9949, ext. 609.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
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...
UPDATE: As of Sept. 29, Bouza paid $7,189 in restitution. On Oct. 10, he was discharged from probation.

BAY CITY, MI -- Five years after perpetrating a racially motivated beating of a black man, a Bay City man is facing prison time for failing to financially reimburse his victim.

Justin L. Bouza, 28, on Thursday, July 13, appeared before Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran to be arraigned on a count of violating probation. Police had arrested Bouza the day before.

In June, Bouza tested positive for opiates, which he was prohibited from using on probation.

Sheeran in January 2013 sentenced Bouza to concurrent terms of one year and 334 days in jail, followed by three years' probation. The sentences resulted from Bouza having pleaded no contest to single counts of aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation, the latter being punishable by up to two years' incarceration.

Bouza had also been ordered to pay $8,074 in restitution. As of Thursday, he still owes $7,781.50.

Sheeran in November 2015 added a fourth year to Bouza's probation, then a fifth year in October 2016. The judge did this to ensure Bouza did not complete his probation without having paid his restitution.

On Thursday, Sheeran told Bouza that if he is found guilty of violating his probation, he could still get the two years in prison.

The judge asked Bouza if he wanted a court-appointed attorney. He declined.

"You want me to just send you to prison right now then?" Sheeran asked.

"No, thank you," Bouza said. "(Attorney) Matt Reyes will be representing me."

Pressed by the judge, Bouza qualified his response by adding he planned to see if Reyes was available.

"How are going to see if he's available?" Sheeran asked. "You're all shackled up."

Bouza said if Reyes is unavailable, he'll hire a different attorney of his choosing. He went on to ask the judge to release him on bond pending his next hearing, so that he could return to work. Sheeran was incredulous at Bouza's assertion that he's employed at a paying job.

Bouza replied he works 60 hours a week at Nexteer Automotive.

"You have a good job," Sheeran said, feigning surprise. "Why haven't you paid the money due here?"

At that point, the judge raised his voice.

"You better get on it. Your term of probation is running out, my man. I want that restitution paid. Get it paid."

Bouza's probation ends Jan. 28, 2018.

Sheeran reminded Bouza that if he doesn't pay the restitution, his only alternative will be a prison sentence.

Bouza is to appear for a probation violation hearing at 8:30 a.m. on July 25.

Bouza's legal woes stem from an incident that occurred in the wee hours of Aug. 12, 2012. He and another man attacked a 26-year-old black man in the area of Ohio and Henry streets. Police arrived at the scene to find the victim motionless on the ground, bleeding from his nose and mouth.

Witnesses told officers Bouza and the other man yelled racial epithets as they knocked their victim to the ground and proceeded to beat him and spit on him.

The victim suffered a concussion and fractured nose.

The other man witnesses said was with Bouza was not charged.

A person claiming to be Bouza commented on a previous MLive article that he was punched first and that there was no racial motivation to the incident.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today urged the industry to spend 2 percent of their profits on corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

He also asked industry representatives to focus on building toilets in schools, especially for girls. "There are villages which have seen a bulb and a toilet for the first time. We target to electrify all the villages by 2018. I appeal to all the corporate house, industries and businessmen to spare 2 percent of their profits for social work and help us in making India developed," Jaitley said.

He was speaking at a function organised by Satya Bharti Foundation to mark completion of a CSR project under which at least 17,000 toilets were built in rural areas of the city in past two years.

Rakesh Bharti Mittal, patron of the foundation also announced next project of building 55,0000 toilets in rural Amritsar.
Meira_Kumar_President_of_India_Nominee

All eyes will be at Parliament on Monday as the Presidential elections take place and Monsoon Session commences. The elections will be closely watched as the next President may have a bearing on the 2019 general elections.

While former Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind is the NDA's pick for the President of India's post, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is Opposition's nominee. Interestingly, both the government and opposition have contested a Dalit candidate for the 2017 presidential polls.

Who is Meira Kumar?

> Meira Kumar was born in 1945 in Patna, Bihar. She holds an MA and LLB degrees along with an advanced diploma in Spanish.

> A Dalit to take on Dalit: Meira, like Kovind, belongs to the scheduled caste. She is the daughter of former deputy prime minister late Jagjivan Ram, a Dalit leader.

> In 1973, Kumar joined the Indian Foreign Service. She has also worked at High Commission of India in London and with the Ministry of External Affairs during 19980-1985.

> In 1985, she was elected to the Lok Sabha.

Explainer: How the President Of India is elected

> Kumar was the first woman speaker of Lok Sabha and a five time Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP). She served as the speaker from 2009 to 2014.

> Kumar, a member of Congress, has also served as a Cabinet Minister in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2004-2009.

> Besides politics, Kumar actively works for social reforms and human rights.

> On the personal front, Kumar is married to Manjul Kumar, a lawyer, and has four children.
State lawmakers are asking the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to reconsider their decision to halt funding for two homeless veteran programs in Wisconsin.
NDA's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind today met MLAs and MPs of the BJP and its allies in Maharashtra and called up Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to thank him for supporting his candidature in the July 17 poll.

Lawmakers of the BJP and its allies, the Shiv Sena, the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) and the RPI(A), were present at the meeting where Kovind outlined his priorities once he is elected to the country's top constitutional post.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP president Raosaheb Danve, Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A), Anant Geete (Shiv Sena), BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya and state minister Mahadev Jankar (RSP), and a few Independent MLAs were among those present.

Though Kovind did not visit Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' at suburban Bandra, he spoke with the Sena chief over phone and thanked him for his party's support to him.

Pranab Mukherjee and Pratibha Patil, as presidential candidates of the UPA, had visited 'Matoshree' and met then Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. The party had broken ranks with the BJP-led NDA in the past two presidential elections (2007, 2012) and voted for the Congress-backed nominees.

Addressing the MLAs and MPs, Kovind said he would uphold the sanctity of the Constitution and work towards ensuring justice for all after he became the president.

"We all have the duty to preserve the importance of the Constitution of India. I would ensure equal justice to all and avoid discrimination based on caste, religion, sect, gender and region," he said.

The former Bihar governor, who was in Mumbai for merely three hours after which he left for Goa, said there should be a comprehensive growth of all the states.

"My priority would be to address the aspirations of the youth and push for promotion and modernisation of education," he said.

According to a senior BJP leader, of the 239 elected NDA representatives from the state, where the BJP is in power in alliance with the Shiv Sena and some smaller parties, not even 150 attended the meeting.

"It was expected that all the representatives would attend the meet. We can understand Union ministers like Piyush Goyal (a Rajya Sabha member from the state) not attending the meet due to their busy schedule, but MLAs and MPs, who are comparatively free, could have attended the meeting," the BJP leader said.

The ruling BJP has 122 MLAs, while Shiv Sena has 63 legislators in the state. The NDA's total number of voters in the presidential polls from Maharashtra, with the MPs and Rajya Sabha members put together, is 239.

Gadkari described Kovind as an "outstanding person" who had "great dedication" for public service.

"The NDA has chosen the right candidate for the post of president. He will get overwhelming support from Maharashtra," the Union minister said.

Fadnavis said Kovind had organisational and administrative skills and was also a constitutional expert.

Danve spoke about Kovind's clean image, simplicity and modesty and asserted, "His victory is certain as there are 239 voters from Maharashtra who are with the NDA while the UPA has only 98 voters (from the state)."

Maharashtra minister and senior Sena leader Subhash Desai said Thackeray had asked the party legislators to ensure the victory of the NDA candidate.

Athawale said everyone was happy that Kovind, who is associated with the Dalit movement started by B R Ambedkar, would be the country's next president.

Senior Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde sought to downplay the issue of Kovind not visiting 'Matoshree'.

"We have already extended our support to Kovind. As per Uddhav Thackeray's orders, all the MLAs and MPs of Shiv Sena have decided to vote for him," he said.

"Kovind thanked Uddhav Thackeray today in his speech for extending support to his candidature. As Kovind had to visit a couple of more states after the Mumbai tour, we did not insist on him visiting 'Matoshree'," Shinde said.

A visit to Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' at suburban Bandra was not in Kovind's itinerary.

MP Raju Shetti of the Swabhimani Shetakari Sanghatana, who was present when Kovind filed his nomination, was absent today as he was busy with a farmers' rally.

Maharashtra is the second largest state in terms of Assembly and Parliamentary seats.

The voting for the presidential election is scheduled on Monday and the counting will take place on July 20.
A day before the presidential election, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi today described the electoral contest as a fight against a "narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision".

Addressing opposition leaders in the presence of their presidential and vice presidential nominees  Meira Kumar and Gopal Krishna Gandhi respectively, she said, in these contests, the numbers may be against them but "the battle must be fought and fought hard".

"We cannot and must not let India be hostage to those who wish to impose upon it a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision," she said.

According to the text of her speech, she said, "We must stand more aware than ever of who we are, what we fought for in our independence struggle and what future we want for ourselves. "We must have confidence in the values we believe in.

This election represents a clash of ideas, a conflict of disparate values. The election demands a vote of conscience to preserve the India that the Mahatma and that illustrious generation of freedom fighters, joined by thousands upon thousands of ordinary men and women, fought for," she said.

She said the presence of representatives from different parties to support Kumar and Gopal Gandhi confirms that "the fight for an inclusive, tolerant and pluralistic India is being truly waged".

The vice presidential poll will be held on August 5.
One-horned rhinoceroses are seen at the flooded Kaziranga National Park in the northeastern state of Assam, India, July 12, 2017. Picture taken July 12, 2017. REUTERS/Anuwar Hazarika - RTX3B8NE

The flood situation in Assam remained grim today as seven more deaths were reported and nearly 12 lakh people in 24 districts were affected by the deluge.

Two persons lost their lives in Sivasagar and one each at in Morigaon, Bongaigaon, South Salmara, Sonitpur and Jorhat districts in flood related incidents, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said

With this, the toll in this year's flood related cases has gone up to 59, including eight in Guwahati.

Nearly 12 lakh people are affected at present in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Darrang, Nalbari, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Morigaon, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Jorhat, Majuli, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Dibrugarh, Karimganj and Cachar districts, the ASDMA said.

Till yesterday, 15 lakh people were affected in the latest wave of flood across 25 districts in the state.

Meanwhile, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the government has sufficient funds available for relief and rehabilitation of the victims across the state.

"We had provided relief money to the deputy commissioners before the floods this year and we can provide money as sought by them.

"Funds for flood relief were left unspent last year and Rs 300-400 crore is still lying in the state coffers, meant for this year's relief," he said.

Sarma also announced at a press conference that the Assam government, for the first time, will provide free textbooks to school students, whose books have been damaged in floods.

At the Kaziranga National Park, 93 anti-poaching camps or 52 per cent of the area is under water, leaving some animals dead and some moving to nearby highlands.

Some animals were killed by speeding vehicles on the National Highway 37, which passes through the Park.

ASDMA said 1,795 villages are under water at present and more than 66,500 hectares of crop areas are inundated.

The worst affected is South Salmara, where over 3.07 lakh people have been affected by the deluge, followed by Dhubri with more than 1.94 lakh people.

In Guwahati, also, water logging incidents have been reported, ASDMA said.

Authorities are running 279 relief camps and distribution centres in 16 districts, where 24,423 people are currently taking shelter.

The government has distributed 4,631.32 quintals of rice, 855.30 quintals of dal, 349.82 quintals of salt and 416.46 litres of mustard oil among the flood victims during the last 24 hours, ASDMA said.

Due to the impact of the flood waters, many roads, embankments and bridges have been damaged in many districts, including Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Dhubri, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Barpeta, Morigaon, Nagaon, Karimganj and Chirang.

Currently, the Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark at four places -- Nimatighat in Jorhat, Tezpur in Sonitpur, along with Goalpara and Dhubri towns.

Other rivers like Dhansiri at Numaligarh in Golaghat, Barak at Badarpurghat in Karimganj and Kushiyara at Karimganj town are flowing above the danger marks.
Answer: Vijay Mallya

The Supreme Court on Friday considered the Centre's submission that proceedings to extradite embattled businessman Vijay Mallya are going on in London and said the contempt case against him would move further only when he is produced before it.

A bench comprising Justices AK Goel and UU Lalit took note of the fresh status report, referred by Attorney General KK Venugopal that efforts to bring Mallya back were on.

The apex court, which was to pronounce quantum of the sentence today against Mallya, who has already been convicted for its contempt, said proceedings can't move further unless the businessman is produced before it.

Earlier, Mallya had failed to make a personal appearance before the top court despite being directed to do so.

The apex court had on May 9 held Mallya, who is presently in the United Kingdom, guilty of contempt on a plea by the consortium of lender banks, led by the State Bank of India, for his failure to furnish details of all his Indian as well as offshore assets.

It had directed Mallya to appear before it today to argue on the quantum of punishment.

The offence of contempt of court entails a maximum imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of upto Rs 2,000 or both.

India had recently asked Britain to ensure early extradition of Mallya, who is an accused in a bank loan default case of over Rs 9,000 crore involving his defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

The apex court's order had come on a plea by the consortium of banks, led by the State Bank of India (SBI), which had said that Mallya had allegedly transferred USD 40 million received from British firm Diageo to his children in "flagrant violation" of various judicial orders.

The bench had reserved its order on two pleas of lending banks seeking contempt action and a direction to Mallya to deposit USD 40 million received from offshore firm Diageo respectively.

The banks have alleged that Mallya had concealed facts and diverted the money to his son Siddharth Mallya and daughters Leanna Mallya and Tanya Mallya in "flagrant violation" of the orders passed by the Karnataka High Court.

The bench had also pulled up Mallya for not giving details of the USD 40 million which he had allegedly received from Diageo in February last year, saying it was of the "prima facie view" that proper disclosure as per its earlier order was not made.

The banks had on August 29 last year told the Supreme Court that Mallya had deliberately not made full disclosure of his assets including the USD 40 million he received on February 25 from Diageo.
Sushma Swaraj

Thirty-nine Indians abducted in Iraq by the ISIS three years ago may be lodged in a jail in Badush in northwest Mosul, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said, and added that her Iraqi counterpart may bring fresh information on them when he visits India on July 24.

Swaraj today briefed family members of the abducted men, who are mostly from Punjab, about information gathered by the Minister of State for External Affairs, V K Singh, who was sent to the Gulf nation after its Prime Minister announced the liberation of Mosul from the dreaded terror group ISIS.

Swaraj said that an authoritative official quoting intelligence sources told Singh that the Indians were deployed at a hospital construction site and then shifted to a farm. They were then taken to a jail in Badush in West Mosul, where fighting between the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Iraqi forces continues.

Ministers of state Singh and M J Akbar and senior ministry officials were also present at the meeting with the family members.

She said Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari is scheduled to visit India on July 24 and may bring updated information about the missing men.

"East Mosul has been completely freed from ISIS and now buildings are being sanitised and authorities are not allowing civilians to go there as there may be bombs and other explosives," she said.

In West Mosul, fighting is still carrying on, she said.

"An official who quoted intelligence sources told Gen Singh that they were deployed for a hospital construction and then in a farm. From there, they were sent to a jail in Badush. There has been no information since then," Swaraj told reporters.

There would be fresh information once the fighting in Badush was over, she added.

Swaraj said that she had spoken to foreign ministers of all the countries in the region which could help India in locating the men.

We called family members of all those who were abducted in Iraq. I had already met them 10 or 12 times, but this time the situation was different as the Iraqi prime minister had declared that Mosul had been freed from the ISIS. That very day I asked V K Singh to go to Iraq and collect details about the Indians, Swaraj said.

The Indians were abducted by the ISIS in Mosul in June 2014.
Jarrett Coleman goes from school board to statehouse with win in 16th Senate District race
Did you miss out on the Pop Quiz this week? It's time to catch up and get ready for next week!
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

A few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny. High 76F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight. Low 54F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Gov. Greg Abbott recently issued his call for a special session of the Legislature. The special session is necessary because of the failure to pass a sunset bill to extend the Texas Board of Medical Examiners. There has been a lot of finger-pointing between the House and Senate as to who is to blame for the special session. The one thing we know for certain is taxpayers will bear the burden of the more than $1 million daily cost of the 30-day special session.

Property tax relief is one of the 20 items Abbott has made eligible for the special session. Much like other property owner in our area, it is something I think about a lot, especially when I receive my new valuations.

But to all of those state leaders who are ringing the chorus of property tax relief, please understand, if you are really serious about solving the problem and not just getting re-elected, real property tax relief will be possible only when you fix our states broken school finance system.

The proposal from the Texas Senate during the regular session ultimately called for a 5 percent cap on property value increases, slightly down from the 8 percent that currently exists in state law.

A lot of you probably think thats a start. There is just one problem: It applies only to the valuations and taxes for cities, counties and special purpose districts. It does not apply to taxes and valuations for public schools.

Of my current property tax burden, 52 percent is for local public school taxes. So the proposed property tax relief package -- which some state leaders herald as a great benefit -- would apply only to the 48 percent of my tax bill for valuations that are split between four entities and not the majority of my taxes that go to fund public schools.

In Midland ISD, this is compounded by the fact that we live in a property-wealthy district, which means approximately $50 million generated by local property tax is going somewhere else to offset the states ever-shrinking share of public school funding.

I am not saying this because I want to be critical of current efforts; instead, I am making the honest point that capping the increased valuations on less than half of my property values will not do much to reduce my actual tax bill.

In the new budget passed during the regular session, the Senate included a provision that again reduced the states share of public school funding by more than $1.4 billion and allowed for an increase of $1.8 billion in taxes generated by local property values to make up the difference. So while leaders have talked about their valiant efforts to try to cap 48 percent of my property tax values at a 4 percent increase, they were simultaneously raising my local school property taxes.

Many elected officials from around our state previously had been committed to fixing the Robin Hood school finance system. In recent years, very few have seemed interested in addressing the issue. Meanwhile, our state has continued to reduce its share of public school funding, causing the number of property-wealthy districts to grow and increasing the amount of recaptured funding sent to the state.

This special session, before the Legislature passes a $700 million teacher pay raise (I am not against pay increases for teachers) and before they start debating more property tax relief for every entity -- except the one that receives most of my property taxes -- I would encourage them to first reprioritize and dedicate more of our existing state tax dollars for public education to help reduce the burden on local taxpayers. Second, they must reform the current state appraisal methodology to ensure that increases in property valuations are fair and take place in the same manner across the state.

Finally, legislation considered during the regular session called for the creation of a select committee to advise the state comptroller and give direction to local appraisal districts. If our states leadership is serious about property tax reform, instead of creating another state advisory committee based in Austin to dictate terms to local entities, perhaps they could consider adding to existing appraisal district boards a few local members who represent property taxpayers, rather than just the taxing entities.

I am willing to bet adding a couple of local property payers to the mix would do more to improve the process than any bill they can pass.
DALLAS (AP) While taking time to share memories of their time at the White House during a stop in Texas Thursday, Bill Clinton took time to pose for a now viral photo outside the George W. Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University.

Clinton was dwarfed while standing between large statues of George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush and Clinton's press secretary snapped a photo and tweeted it saying "Everything is bigger in Texas."
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is re-upping his push to rename the address of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. as soon as possible in honor of a pro-democracy dissident in the wake of the Nobel Peace Prize winners death.

Liu Xiaobo, a leading critic of Communist Party rule in China, died in state custody in a Chinese hospital on Thursday after battling liver cancer. He played a key role in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.

A year earlier, a Chinese court sentenced him to 11 years in prison for his contributions to Charter 08, a political reform manifesto.

Liu was a hero of liberty and freedom, Cruz said in a press release after his death.

The Texas Republican began a push in 2014 to change the address of the Chinese Embassy to 1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza in honor of Liu, citing as precedent Congress 1984 decision to rename the road outside the Soviet Embassy after prominent Russian political dissident Andrei Sakharov  another Nobel Peace Prize winner.

In May, Cruz introduced a bill to change the address, setting in motion a process of changing all maps, official documents and street signs related to the embassys new designation.

Cruzs legislation, Senate Bill 1187, has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for consideration.

Cruzs press secretary, Phil Novack, told the Tribune on Friday that the bill is a major priority for Cruz and that the senator is optimistic it will win support from Congress and the White House.

In a speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday  delivered before Lius death  Cruz denounced Lius detention and vowed to continue to fight for the change of address if China did not release Liu.

The end goal has never been to merely rename a street, but rather to use that action to shine light on [Liu Xiaobo and his wife Liu Xia] and to pressure [China] to do the right thing, by freeing Liu, he said.

While also being a significant political statement, Cruz  who is of Cuban descent  has described his quest as personal.

In 2015, he told the Senate that Lius imprisonment is not an issue that is abstract to me because his own father and aunt were imprisoned and tortured by repressive regimes in Cuba.

The U.S. has a moral responsibility to make Liu and his fellow dissidents central to all our dealings with China, he said, because they represent values that transcend the mighty dollar of economic relations.

Beijing disclosed in late June that Liu had advanced liver cancer and granted him medical parole. But despite Lius request to receive treatment overseas  and the testimony of two foreign doctors who declared Liu fit to travel  the Chinese government insisted that Liu was too ill to leave the country.

In 2016, Cruz sponsored a bill similar to SB 1187 that passed the Senate but died in the House after then-President Barack Obama indicated he would veto the legislation.

After the Senate vote, a spokesman from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it violated basic norms of international relations and promised severe consequences if the bill became law.

In an email newsletter Thursday, prominent China-watcher Bill Bishop wrote he expects Cruzs bill to be revived now because it could be an easy bipartisan win for Congress and the embattled President.

Midlander Bob Fu, a leading Chinese human rights activist, told the Tribune that he is definitely more optimistic about Cruzs bill getting passed now Trump is president. Fu called Cruz a fearless champion of human rights in China and said his advocacy group, ChinaAid, is actively lobbying Congress to pass Cruzs legislation.

The White House released a brief statement on Thursday saying President Donald Trump is deeply saddened by Lius death.

Fu says that SB 1187 will boost the U.S.s moral authority in the world by showing the Chinese government that human rights will not be sidelined. Fu urged other Texan senators and representatives to issue a statement in support of Liu Xiaobo and human rights in China.

Calls on Friday to both the Chinese Consulate in Houston and the Chinese Embassy went unanswered.

If Cruz gets his way, he says Chinese officials will be forced to recognize the bravery of Liu and to acknowledge it dozens of times a day  day after day after day.

---

Texastribune.com
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'The big truck is still on ...
MADISONBirute Ciplijauskaite, John Bascom professor emerita of Spanish at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her academic home since 1960. An internationally known scholar of classical and modern Spanish literature, she died on June 19, 2017, at age 88, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, Wis., after a protracted illness. She was the author and editor of some 25 books and 200 articles and lectured widely in American universities and abroad, having held visiting professorships at Harvard University, SUNY Stony Brook, and a variety of universities in Spain, Germany, and Lithuania.

A typical displaced person, Birute was born in Vilnius, Lithuania, graduated from high school in Germany, obtained a Master of Arts degree at the University of Montreal, Canada, and a doctoral degree at Bryn Mawr University in Pennsylvania in 1960, and was elected a permanent member of The Institute for Research in the Humanities at Wisconsin from 1974 until her retirement in 1998. In 2003 she was named Commander of the Order of Alfonso X el Sabio by the Spanish government, complete with the elegant accruements of the title.

While specializing in Spanish literatureher edition of Gongoras sonnets, to take but one example, remains unsurpassedshe did not neglect her Lithuanian heritage. She served as Vice-President of the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies, 1982-84, and as Founding Senator of Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas 1989-96. She also published a number of essays on Lithuanian literature, and translated contemporary Lithuanian poets and narrators for Spanish, French, and Italian anthologies.

She was born in Vilnius, Lithuania, on April 11, 1929. Her father was a prominent medical doctor and hospital administrator in Kaunas. Her privileged life found her studying classical music and learning to play piano between ages of 4 and 5 when she also began her study of German as a second language. When advancing Russian forces entered Lithuania in the early 1940sher father having diedBirute fled with her mother and sisters to Germany at about age 12, eventually joining an extensive Lithuanian refugee community in Tubingen and there adding French to her formidable language skills. In addition to Lithuanian, she would in her maturity eventually master some 17 languages, which added to her remarkable scholarly output.

She eventually emigrated with an older sister to Canada, and, after daytime work, attended night classes studying French and Spanish at the University of Montreal. During her studies there, she attended a summer course in Spain on Spanish poetry, which thereafter became her special passion and the subject of her extensive scholarship and writing. Subsequently she earned a fellowship to Bryn Mawr University and completed her doctorate in Spanish literature in 1960. The philosopher Jose Ferrater Mora was her inspiration at Bryn Mawr, and her praise for him was constant and substantial.

For 17 years after her retirement, Ciplijauskaite volunteered her services to the Special Collections Department of the Memorial Library at the University of Wisconsin where she translated the correspondence and unpublished memoirs of Eva Noack Mosse and Martha Mosse, survivors of the Theresienstadt concentration camp. She also left Special Collections some 1,000 letters of Spanish writers and critics, most notably those of the poet Jorge Guillen.

Without a doubt, Birute Ciplijauskaite was one of the greatest Hispanists of the Twentieth Century, a true humanist who taught and inspired several generations of scholars and educators in Spanish letters. Her substantive presence on the international academic scene will be sorely missed.

At her request, there was and will be no memorial service. Her remains are to be buried next to her mothers in a Lithuanian community cemetery in Putnam, Conn.

Please share your memories at www.CressFuneralService.com.
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Venezuelan citizens living in the Tampa Bay area can cast votes Sunday to send a signal about the direction their troubled homeland is heading.

Venezuelan citizens in Tampa Bay to vote on opposition in homeland

Opposition party oppose effort to rewrite Venezuelan consitution

President Nicolas Maduro trying to make it easier for socialist party to stay in power

An opposition party in Venezuela, Mesa de la Unidad Democratica, has scheduled a nonbinding international straw poll designed to show that Venezuelans oppose an effort to rewrite the constitution in a way that make it easier for the party of socialist President Nicolas Maduro to remain in power.

"It has to stop," Anna Maria Tague with Casa Venezuela Tampa Bay, said. "It's got to be a stop and we are going to stop it. We are going to win this war."

Carlos Nogales left Venezuela in 1999 when he was 11-years-old. He said he cast his vote for his family struggling to survive in Venezuela.

"The fact that I am here and I can't be in my own country, then this is the least I can do, to help my family and give them a better future, something I left Venezuela to have," he said.

"I hope the whole world will see we don't want Maduro in power and then we want him out of there," Sora McFarland, who left Venezuela 41-years-ago said. "We just have the hope that this is it. We are going to see this man out of Venezuela and I would be one to return there because I would love to go back."

Voting will take place across Venezuela and in 108 cities outside the South American nation.

"Everybody from Venezuel needs to come out," Tague said. "The Venezuelan regime wants to own the country. They want everything."

There will be five polling stations in the Tampa Bay area:

Pitas restaurant located at 2734 University Square Drive

Tampa Players School of Music located at 923 McMullen-Booth Road

Clearwater Dollar to Go located at 3248 Lithia Pinecrest Road

Valrico Early Childhood Learning Center located at 3135 Airside Center Drive

Lakeland Los Chamos Latin Market located at 3801 McIntosh Road

Voting is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but Casa Venezuela Tampa Bay will keep polls open later if needed.

Sarasota voters must be 18 or older. Proof of Venezuelan citizenship is required, such as a government ID, passport or birth certificate.

There will be three questions on the ballot: Does the voter reject or recognize the call for a new constitution, believe Venezuela's armed forces should protect the current constitution and favor free and transparent elections.

Casa Venezuela said after the polls close they will count the votes and fax them to the opposition party in Venezuela.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The email to Donald Trump Jr. just before the general election campaign offered a meeting with a Russian lawyer who would provide incriminating information about Hillary Clinton as "part of Russia and its government's support for Mr. Trump." The younger Trump wrote back: "If it's what you say I love it especially later in the summer."

While every campaign seeks damaging information on political opponents, the interaction between the president's son and a foreign national represents a departure from the norm. Legal experts are divided on whether what happened could be a crime.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE MEETING?

Details of the previously unknown meeting on June 9, 2016, among attorney Natalia Veselnitskaya, Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort emerged over the weekend. Kushner, who is Trump's son-in-law and was a key figure in the campaign, and Manafort, a campaign chief, attended at Trump Jr.'s request.

An email exchange Trump Jr. posted to Twitter on Tuesday gives more details about why the meeting was arranged. A music publicist friendly with the Trump family said in those emails that Russia was supportive of the Trump campaign and that a "Russian government attorney" had dirt on Clinton to share.

The emails included a message from the publicist, Rob Goldstone, that the attorney had "some official documents and information" to provide, but Trump Jr. said he received nothing.

Here's my statement and the full email chain pic.twitter.com/x050r5n5LQ  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 11, 2017 Here is page 4 (which did not post due to space constraints). pic.twitter.com/z1Xi4nr2gq  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 11, 2017

DOES THIS SHOW THE CAMPAIGN COLLUDED WITH THE RUSSIANS?

First, it's important to remember that there's no law, per se, against "collusion." Trump advocates have been reminding people of this for weeks. However, some attorneys say that the events described in the emails could amount to a conspiracy to break campaign finance law.

Jeffrey Jacobovitz, a criminal defense attorney who represented White House officials during the independent counsel investigation of President Bill Clinton, said Trump Jr. and others involved in the meeting are "exposed to the conspiracy to commit election fraud." He said they appeared to be working together to illegally solicit a foreign campaign contribution in the form of opposition research.

WAIT, DON'T ALL CAMPAIGNS SEEK OPPOSITION RESEARCH?

Trump Jr. made this argument Monday on Twitter, writing sarcastically, "Obviously I'm the first person on a campaign to ever take a meeting to hear info about an opponent... went nowhere but had to listen."

Indeed, presidential campaigns typically have entire teams of employees devoted to digging up dirt on their opponents. And longtime political strategists recall being inundated with offers from all sorts of people to share tips that campaigns might find useful.

SO WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT?

No one has stepped forward to say they experienced anything quite like the Trump Jr. interaction with the Russian lawyer at Trump Tower in New York.

Terry Sullivan, who was Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's 2016 presidential campaign manager, wrote on Twitter, "Running @marcorubio camp lots of random people asked to meet to share 'secret oppo' I was just never dumb enough to meet w/ them." He added: #ButWeLost

Campaigns tend to be timid about handling materials that could have been obtained illegally. When a former congressman helping Al Gore prepare for a presidential debate received an unsolicited package of George W. Bush's debate preparation materials, he turned it over to the FBI.



WHAT ABOUT THE INTERACTIONS COULD BE ILLEGAL?

Foreign nationals are prohibited from providing "anything of value" to campaigns, and that same law also bars solicitation of such assistance. The law typically applies to monetary campaign contributions, but courts might consider information such as opposition research to be something of value.

Larry Noble, a former general counsel to the Federal Election Commission, said the newly released emails "put meat on the bones" of a possible criminal campaign finance violation. The emails show that the younger Trump knew the Russian government was offering the information and "give a clear indication he was soliciting it." As for whether the offer involved something of "value," Noble said that could be established if the Russians put resources into obtaining the information or even sent anyone over to relay it to the Trump campaign.

Noble, Jacobovitz and other lawyers argue that the Trump campaign saved money by not having to do that opposition research on its own, arguing that what Russia offered was essentially an "in-kind" campaign contribution. The goods don't need to have been delivered, they say, to trigger the solicitation provision.

DOES EVERYONE AGREE ON THAT?

Tom Fitton, president of the conservative Judicial Watch, said "it would be an absurdist interpretation of the law" to consider what Trump Jr. did a crime. "The law does not cover talking politics," he said. "If it did, pretty much every political meeting would be considered an in-kind contribution that needs to be reported."

Bradley A. Smith, a former Bill Clinton-appointed Republican Federal Election Commission member, also says "a meeting does not a conspiracy make."

Opposition research might have a marketable value, Smith added. "But if someone simply comes to the campaign and says, 'I have some information you might find interesting,' I don't think we've had a solicitation by the candidate or campaign."

"There's no illegality in the meeting," one of President Donald Trump's private attorneys, Jay Sekulow, said on Fox News Channel's "Hannity." He said there is no law on the books that Don Jr. may have broken.

Opposition research might have a marketable value, Smith said. "But if someone simply comes to the campaign and says, 'I have some information you might find interesting,' I don't think we've had a solicitation by the candidate or campaign."

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

There are multiple probes into the Trump campaign and its interactions with Russia during the 2016 election, led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller and by Senate and House committees.

Trump Jr., who hired an attorney this week, said Monday that he is "happy to work with the committee to pass on what I know," referencing the Senate intelligence committee. Kushner and Manafort agreed weeks ago to cooperate with the congressional probes.
Dr. John Foster helps improve families lives

I moved to Midland 25 years ago to be near my family after I was disabled by multiple sclerosis. I was concerned about moving to a new city and finding a new neurologist. I neednt have worried.

Midland is a great city, and I became the patient of Dr. John Foster. I have an unrelenting form of MS; it progresses slowly but steadily. All of the FDA-approved medications for MS have been developed in the last 25 years. Once under Dr. Fosters care, he chose a course of pharmaceuticals for me that kept my cognitive skills intact and slowed the progression of my MS without putting me at risk from dangerous side-effects.

From time-to-time, I would believe the hype surrounding a new MS drug and ask Dr. Foster to prescribe it for me. Dr. Foster would urge caution, sometimes gently reminding me that only one of us had a medical degree.

When I moved to Midland, my parents were octogenarians and my younger brother had Down syndrome. They had reached the stage in their lives where they needed a little help living independently. Because of the excellent care I received from Dr. Foster, I was able to provide that support, and my parents and brother were able to live out their lives at home.

Because Dr. Foster was called to practice medicine, many families such as mine lived better lives.

When you are diagnosed with a catastrophic illness that has no known cure, you need a brilliant compassionate doctor who sees his patients lives as valuable. I am very grateful that Dr. Foster has been my neurologist all these years.

Linda Draper

Drivers need to be more considerate

I travel two or three times a week from Midland to Odessa on State Highway 191. When Highway 191 opened, it relieved a lot of traffic from Interstate Business 20. At first, this was a good thing. It provides a corridor of increased exposure for businesses.

Now, as the increase in population has quickened in recent years, traffic likewise has become more congested and less friendly. I have begun using Interstate Business 20 more frequently to avoid aggressive motorists at the higher speeds.

While traveling to Odessa recently on 191, a slower driver traveling in the left lane would not move over to the right lane, either out of habit or inconvenience. The situation was creating a high-speed bottleneck. As I switched lanes to pass on his right, he suddenly increased his speed. This caused me to get caught behind a truck. The car convoy that I attempted to leave safely behind was at once passing me. As I moved back into the convoy -- this time bringing up the tail end -- I immediately had anxiety of searching for the shortest line in Wal-Mart, albeit with greater risk to life and limb.

Lets all try to be more considerate drivers.

Pam Floyd
Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal Urban affairs, investigations, consumer help ("SOS") Follow Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Jeff Simpson says it was his criticism of state Rep. Jesse Kremers young Earth beliefs that got him blocked from the lawmakers Twitter account.

In that (and probably a few other things), the president and the conservative Republican from Kewaskum share some common ground, given that Donald Trump is the subject of a lawsuit for blocking access to his Twitter account.

In a June 15 tweet to Kremer, Simpson, a liberal Monona Grove School Board member, asks: Are we at a point where we can ask @repjessekremer if he has a mental illness ..., and includes a link to a blog post he authored in which he writes: Kremer continued his crazy recently, by telling us it is a fact that the earth is only 6000 years old.

Similarly, it was criticism of Kremers bill to punish people who disrupt speakers at University of Wisconsin campuses that got liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now blocked from accessing Kremers tweets, according to the groups executive director, Scot Ross.

It shows a radioactive level of hypocrisy for Kremer to back a bill he says is about free speech, and then be too fragile to let certain people read his Twitter feed.

Clearly, a lot of the political sparring on Twitter and Facebook is mean, stupid, disheartening or harmfully addictive. Ive been the target of Simpsons and Ross posts before, and responded in kind.

But in using social media to talk policy or other issues related to their offices, elected officials may well be creating a public record that, as a matter of state law, cant be kept from the public.

In a December 2009 letter, former Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen writes that a Google discussion group run by a town board chairwoman in Kenosha County is probably a public record under state law because it includes discussions of town business and is maintained by a government official. As such, he said citizens should probably have access to it, although that doesnt mean they must be allowed to participate in the discussion.

If the same logic is applied to lawmakers use of social media, it would be OK for them to keep people from commenting on their sites, but not OK to keep people from seeing what gets posted there. Although, unlike Google discussion groups, Twitter feeds are often publicly available to those not signed into Twitter, depending on the Twitter users privacy settings.

I asked the Wisconsin Legislative Council, which provides guidance to lawmakers, and Attorney General Brad Schimels and Gov. Scott Walkers offices what guidance, if any, they provide to elected officials on who can access and comment on their social media accounts. I also asked the AGs office whether Van Hollens 2009 letter applied to such issues today.

Schimel spokesman Johnny Koremenos said questions regarding restrictions on access to and ability to comment on social media accounts have more to do with free speech than public records.

I am not able to comment on legal advice or guidance we may or may not be giving to our clients, he said. Anybody who uses Facebook knows there is a balance that needs to be struck between harassing, abusive, and profane language and the First Amendment.

Ross and Simpson say they havent threatened Kremer on social media. Ross said he believes his group has grounds to sue Kremer for access to his Twitter, but hasnt decided to take that step.

Kremers and Walkers offices and the Legislative Council did not respond to my inquiries.

Because Im on a one-man mission to keep Twitter from ever being profitable, the only people or companies I block from my feed are the ones who promote their Tweets. Ive blocked one person on Facebook after spending way too much time responding (unconvincingly, it would seem) to her questions and criticisms.

I figure people who get paid to write their opinions or report the news should be accessible to the people they want to read their stuff.

Elected officials deserve even less leeway in denying the public access to their government-related musings.

That includes members of the public who act like jerks, which at the intersection of politics and social media, can often feel like pretty much everyone.
In the hours after William Sachs Goldman died in a small plane crash that also injured his two children and their nanny, he was widely remembered as much more than just the grandson of prominent San Francisco philanthropists.

To friends, the 38-year-old was just Bill. Bill, the brilliant scholar who held a doctorate in European history from UC Berkeley. Bill, the assistant professor who livened up staff meetings at the University of San Francisco with his garrulous laugh. And Bill the pilot who loved flying his private five-seater plane, sometimes for Angel Flight West, a charity that transports critically ill patients.

It was in that single-engine, Cirrus SR-22 that he died Thursday after crashing just north of Highway 12 in Sonoma. The incident was reported at 12:46 p.m. just after the plane had taken off from the only runway at Sonoma Skypark Airport. His school-aged children and their Italian nanny sustained critical to severe injuries, Schell-Vista Fire Protection District officials said.

The minors were transported by helicopter to UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland, and the woman was sent by ambulance to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. Hospital officials were unable to provide updated conditions for any of the victims Friday. Calls to Goldmans wife, Serra Falk Goldman, an attorney at Falk, Cornell & Associates law firm in San Carlos, were not returned.

Investigators are focused on documenting the site and any perishable evidence, said Peter Knudson, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board. It could take a year to get to the probable cause of the crash.

In video footage taken after the crash, officers surround the crumpled plane. One of its wings is ripped off, and ragged metal parts scatter the ground. A red-and-white striped parachute lies deflated on the grass. Cirrus aircraft have parachutes as an emergency measure  but officials could not say whether it was deployed before the crash or as a result of the planes impact.

Goldman received his pilots license in February 2009, according to Federal Aviation Administration records. His plane was registered out of Palo Alto, according to an agency spokeswoman. Goldman had addresses in Sonoma and San Francisco.

USF President Paul Fitzgerald praised Goldman as an accomplished scholar, a beloved and generous teacher, and a valued member of our community.

He will be greatly missed by his colleagues, students and the countless alumni who were inspired by him in and out of the classroom, Fitzgerald said in a statement about Goldman, who was an assistant professor in international studies at the university.

Elliot Neaman, a professor of history at USF, said Goldman was a sweet man who never alluded to his privileged upbringing.

The Goldman surname is associated with millions of dollars in collective assets and a history of prestigious giving. Goldmans grandparents, Richard and Rhoda, created the Goldman Environmental Prize, also known as the Green Nobel, which gives out $150,000 awards to fund efforts to protect and enhance the environment.

He never in any way let you know that he came from such a famous family or in any way had that kind of air of someone who came from privilege, Neaman said. He was funny and personal and extremely smart. He was very, very good at what he did as a scholar. We all really liked him and are shocked that this happened.

Thomas Dandelet, a professor at UC Berkeley and Goldmans dissertation adviser, remembered his former pupil as an optimist who had a zest for life. The two would often chat over large lunches, or a glass of wine in the evening. They attended historical conferences together in Spain and Italy. Dandelet went to Goldmans wedding and frequently saw his children, George and Marie. It was a long friendship that went back to 2003, he said.

Back then, Goldman was applying to UC Berkeley, where Dandelet was on the admissions committee. In his application, Goldman reflected on studying abroad in Spain as an undergraduate at Yale University. He fell in love with the richness of the countrys culture.

He just had a lot of intellectual curiosity, Dandelet said. It was that early trip to Spain that sparked his love for the field. It was something that never really went away. He was a rising young talent taken from us before the fullness of his time. He had already contributed a great deal. He was just getting started in some ways.

And, Dandelet said, Goldman never had a negative thing to say about anyone  even his fellow graduate students.

I never heard a bitter thing come out of his mouth, which is pretty rare in my profession, he said. Hes good-natured and generous. He always understood how much good fortune he had.

Daniel Sokatch, a CEO for the New Israel Fund, a nonprofit supporting democracy and civil rights in Israel, also mourned Goldman, who served on the organizations board of directors.

His vision, idealism, and sharp sense of humor sustained us all, Sokatch said in a statement Friday. Our thoughts are with his family, and especially his children. As we begin to process this loss, we know that his memory will be a blessing, as was his life.

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn
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San Antonio brides preparing to walk down the aisle in Alfred Angelo gowns are instead running to local bridal stores after the long-time designer abruptly apparently closed shop Thursday and left customers in a lurch.

Several local San Antonio areas stores, and some national chains, are now working to help clean up the mess. At least three San Antonio stores contacted mySA.com in hopes of reaching brides who were left without dresses or answers.

All the while, Alfred Angelo has continued to remain silent on the unfolding drama. The company filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on Friday, according to The Wall Street Journal.

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Roman and Rafaela Garcia, a husband-wife team who owns Bridal Connection in Stone Oak, kept their 923 North Loop 1604 location open late on Thursday to accommodate panicked brides and are planning in the coming weeks to work with designers to forgo rush fees, keep seamstresses on hand in-house and discount dresses as much as possible, depending on style and budget.

They said they've had at least six brides rush into their store in a "complete panic" since yesterday and their phones have been "steadily" ringing with calls from women setting up appointments.

One Alfred Angelo customer they spoke to was told she had to pick up her dress in less than an hour or she would lose it, they said.

"This the worst case scenario for a bride," Roman Garcia said. "You can get another DJ or caterer, but when you find your dream dress and lose it  it's really sad."

Over in the Alamo Heights area, Lauren Bracken is also doing her best to help bridal parties. She owns Bella Bridesmaid at 5800 Broadway and is welcoming victims of the debacle  and one former Alfred Angelo employee who was reportedly one of many to lose her job overnight.

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Bracken said that although her shop is not bridal gown-heavy, she is doing her best to work with vendors to alleviate this "nightmare."

One of the brides she spoke with is one month out from her wedding and without a gown after she sent it into one of the two San Antonio locations for alterations.

Bracken said the local bridal-based businesses are "reeling" and "shocked" this happened.

"Thing like this hurt everyone involved [in the industry]," she added. "We have to make sure the consumer trusts everyone and make sure there's someone there to help them."

She said Hayley Paige, Amsale and other designers she works with are offering discounts and waving rush fees to ensure brides have their dresses on time.

Adriana Khalil Peden owns Khalil & Co., a wedding hair and makeup salon at 8746 Wurzbach Road. She planned expand with a bridal boutique opening on Aug. 22, but moved up the date after witnessing a group of customers crying outside one of the Alfred Angelo locations.

"When it happened, I thought (Alfred Angelos) would take their time to liquidate stuff so I had gone over there to buy stock wedding gowns to add to my inventory," she said. "Brides were crying, one was shaking the door  people were hysterical."

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With the opening pushed up by a month, Peden described shopping at her store as "not the most glamorous experience."

"But, we'll make it work," she said, adding that she can offer up to 50 percent discounts depending on the dress. "If I can help you, I will."

While local stores are doing what they can, national retailers  like David's Bridal  are stepping up to the plate. They announced on Friday that affected brides with an Alfred Angel receipt would receive "special discounts" at their U.S. stores.

The local retailers mentioned in this article also ask for brides and bridesmaids to bring in receipts or other proof of purchase.

"I can't imagine if that happened to me, it's supposed to be the happiest day of your life," Peden said. "How do you do that to somebody?"

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye
The Virginia State Corporation Commission announced Friday that it will reconsider its decision to allow the route of a set of Dominion Energy power lines to cut through land near Haymarket that has been owned for more than a century by descendants of a freed slave - a case connected to a project for a new computer data center that has faced fierce community opposition.

Commission spokesman Ken Schrad said the panel will weigh two appeals filed by local resident groups this week before reaching a final decision on whether to stick with a route along Carver Road or choose a different path. The six-mile project between Haymarket and Gainesville requires 100-foot-high transmission towers supporting lines carrying 230,000 volts of power.

Opponents argue that the health and environmental impacts along Carver Road would be too great and that VAData - an Amazon.com subsidiary that is pursuing a data center project on 38 acres of land - does not need the extra capacity to operate because the company said it does not yet know when it expects to build its two warehouse-size buildings.

"What the commission did was agree for the time being to keep its options open to address the issues raised in the motions for reconsideration," Schrad said.

An Amazon representative did not respond to requests for comment Friday. (Jeffrey P. Bezos, founder and chief executive of Amazon, owns The Washington Post.)

Dominion spokesman Charles Penn argued that the project is needed to serve both the proposed data center and the wider Haymarket area, which has been growing.

The company said it will work with local residents along whichever route is chosen to purchase the land it needs.

"This project has broad public benefit and on Day One of completion will serve more than 450 customers directly, and improve reliability for more than 6,000 customers in western Prince William County," Penn said in a statement.

Residents have been pushing for the transmission lines to be located along Route 66 with a portion of the lines buried - an option the state commission ruled would be too expensive.

The commission had favored an alternative path along a nearby freight rail line, but Dominion failed to secure an easement needed for the project from Prince William County.

Elena Schlossberg, director of the Coalition to Protect Prince William County - one of the groups that filed an appeal - said her organization will continue fighting against the Carver Road route.

"Our arguments are strong," she said.

Nathan Grayson, a descendant of Livinia Blackburn Johnson, the ex-slave who purchased some of the Carver Road land in 1899, said he and the roughly 30 siblings and distant cousins who live there have been filled with anxiety over the possibility of having to leave the property.

"People have been living not knowing what's going to happen from day to day, not knowing what to do," he said.
A water and sanitation district that serves mostly Blooming Grove residents would be acquired by Madison, likely leading to decreased utility prices for its customers, under a plan awaiting approval from the state.

At no cost to the city, Madison would acquire all remaining assets of Waunona Sanitary District No. 2, which has about 440 mostly residential customers in the town of Blooming Grove and Madisons East Side. While sewer costs are projected to increase, according to the submission to the state Public Service Commission, decreased water prices would likely lead to similar or slightly lower overall utility bills for Waunonas customers.

Although Madison would have absorbed the district in 2027, when the city annexes Blooming Grove, the district wants to dissolve early because it has struggled to attract residents to run for district commissioner seats and Blooming Grove lacks the resources and expertise to run the system.

The sanitary district and town approached the city at the end of last year when they had problems getting people to run for the board, said Robin Piper, Madison Water Utility chief administrative officer. Nobody wanted to step up and be on the board, and the town itself didnt want to take over operation.

If approved by the Public Service Commission, the change would take effect in August, when the commission is slated to consider the proposal, Piper said.

The districts water services would be handled by the Madison Water Utility; sewer services would be managed by the citys Engineering Division.

Rather than waiting 10 years, absorbing the district and its more than 65-year-old pipes now is best for everyone, so that Madison can begin handling the immediate, intermediate and long-term maintenance, repairs and improvements needed to adequately serve (Waunonas) customers, according to a Madison City Council acquisition resolution approved in May.

Madison took over responsibility for maintenance earlier this year.

Based on what weve seen doing maintenance on the system for the last six months, we havent seen a lot of issues, Piper said.

Established in 1950, the sanitation districts system was designed to last for about 75 to 100 years, said Hal Bohne, chairman and president of Waunona Sanitary District No. 2.

While the system overall is not in too bad of shape, a new lift station is needed to continue to pump sewage out of the district, Bohne said.

The project is estimated to cost about $400,000. Madison would pay for about $155,000 of the project, with the sanitary district paying for about $180,000 of the replacement. Blooming Grove would add about $65,000 to the project.

Water bills are projected to decrease up to 41 percent for the average residential customer, with lesser decreases for public authority and commercial customers, according to a public notice sent out to the districts customers last week. Sewer rates for the district are projected to increase if the deal is approved.

Customers in the district would also be billed monthly, not quarterly as they were as Waunona Sanitary District customers.

About 20 percent of Waunona customers are Madison residents, with the rest coming from Blooming Grove.

While the dissolution of Waunona would mean an end to more than 20 years of involvement in a system that his grandfather helped found, the end of the district is not that big of a deal to Bohne.

It is what it is, he said. A lot of people dont want to do public service. Its a thankless job.
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Two men are dead after a hit-and-run sparked a north Houston police chase that ended in a fiery wreck Sunday morning.

Officers were investigating a crash around 1 a.m. where one of the drivers fled without stopping to exchange information. Afterward, Houston police spotted a suspicious vehicle and tried to make a traffic stop near Crosstimbers and Airline.

Instead of pulling over, the truck sped away and sparked a high-speed pursuit, Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner of the Houston Police Department told reporters at the scene.

The chase started southbound on Interstate 45 before turning east onto the North Loop. After the suspects exited Irvington, they sped through two red lights and then crashed into a concrete pillar in the 1700 block of Kelley.

The truck burst into flames, and officers initially tried to douse the blaze but it was too late. Both the driver and a male passenger died at the scene.

"I would like to speak to the human element of this accident," Finner said. "In speaking to the officer - he's a two-year veteran - good officer, very emotional. People think that with our jobs sometimes we're just machines, but we're not. We're human beings. We have families just like everybody else."

Authorities called out counselors to help the distressed officer, Finner said.

"I also want to say something to the families," Finner continued. "We haven't identified the individuals but we know that they have families as well. So we're praying for the officers, but we're praying for the suspects' families as well."

Authorities did not immediately identify the men who died and said that it wasn't clear why they fled.
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A Bexar County sheriff's deputy was arrested Thursday morning after he was caught allegedly driving drunk.

Michael Magana, 25, faces a charge of driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor. He was booked into the Bexar County Jail at 5:35 a.m. on a $1,000 bond. He has since bonded out.

RELATED: Manhunt underway for 19-year-old driver who assaulted, ran over Windcrest police officer

Magana was initially stopped for traffic violations around 2:30 a.m. in the 5700 block of Industry Park, according to a preliminary police report. A San Antonio police officer thought Magana had been drinking, performed a field sobriety test on him and arrested him on the drunk driving charge.

According to Sandra Pickell, a spokeswoman for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, Magana was hired in Oct. 2015 and served as a detention officer.

READ ALSO: 2 San Antonio police officers arrested on drunken driving charges hours apart

The Bexar County Sheriffs Office is fully cooperating with the San Antonio Police Department and the Bexar County District Attorneys Office, said Sheriff Javier Salazar in a statement to the press.

The deputy is set to return to work under restrictions and not to his regular assignment, Salazar said.

The BCSO has already initiated administrative procedures in connection with this matter, he said.

This is a developing story. Check back with mySA.com for more details as they are made available.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

cdowns@mysa.com

Twitter: @calebjdowns
In the coming days, the Congressional Budget Office will release an updated analysis of the Senate bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. The CBO will likely predict lower health insurance coverage rates if the bill becomes law. The American people and Congress should give this prediction little weight in assessing the bill's merit.

The reason: The CBO's methodology, which favors mandates over choice and competition, is fundamentally flawed. As a result, its past predictions regarding health-care legislation have not borne much resemblance to reality. Its prediction about the Senate bill is unlikely to fare much better.

When Obamacare passed in 2010, the CBO projecteda healthy individual market with 23 million people enrolled in exchange plans by this year. The CBO predicted that by 2017, exchange plans would be profitable and annual premium increases low.

The CBO reached these conclusions, in large part, because its model puts significant weight on the individual mandate. The CBO expected millions of relatively young and healthy people to buy exchange plans under government coercion.

But this never happened. Today, there are only 10 million people enrolled in exchange plans - about 60 percent fewer than expected. (Contrary to some claims, this is not because more people have maintained employer plans than the CBO expected; the reduction in employer coverage has been greater than the CBO projected, and overall about 9 million more people are uninsured now than projected.) Absent the projected bounty of young, healthy consumers, health insurers are abandoning the exchanges, leaving a third of American counties with only one insurer to choose from. As insurers continue to flee the exchanges, consumers will face even fewer options next year.

And while choice is declining, costs are skyrocketing. A recent analysis by the Department of Health and Human Services found that the average annual premium on the individual market has more than doubled since 2013 - up nearly $3,000 in only four years. Premiums seem set to increase at least 25 percent next year as well. These hikes, along with the large drop in insurer participation, show that many state exchanges are descending deeper into adverse-selection spirals.

The CBO failed to foresee any of this. Despite the obvious shortcomings of its previous analyses, the CBO has utterly failed to update its model to account for reality. Instead, the CBO continues to attribute mythical power to the individual mandate.

Two examples clearly show the flaws. First, the CBO believes that about 15 million people value their insurance so little that they will simply drop coverage next year following the repeal of the individual and employer mandates - an unlikely occurrence given the individual mandate's inability to cause people to enroll thus far. Furthermore, this figure includes approximately 4 million people on Medicaid, even though Medicaid enrollees pay little or nothing for coverage and are largely exempt from the penalty. It makes little sense for fewer individuals to have Medicaid coverage just from the repeal of the individual mandate, yet the CBO predicts millions of fewer Medicaid enrollees.

Second, the CBO estimates that the Obamacare exchanges will average 18 million enrollees next year assuming the law remains in place. Yet only about 10 million Americans had exchange plans in 2015, 2016 and 2017 - and the CBO ignores Obamacare's collapse. Simply put, the CBO predicts coverage under Obamacare that will never materialize.

The CBO's belief in the power of the individual mandate skews its premium estimates as well. If the mandate actually compelled millions of additional healthy and young people into the market, as the CBO assumes, lower average premiums would result. But such consumers have largely steered clear of the law. By failing to account for this reality, the CBO's estimate of any replacement measure assumes that consumers will leave a market they never joined in the first place - and correspondingly estimates higher premiums than will materialize.

Beyond the individual market, the CBO has also failed to properly analyze Obamacare's Medicaid expansion. For one, the Medicaid expansion to working-age, non-disabled adults has proved to be substantially more expensive than the CBO projected - nearly 50 percent more expensive per enrollee.

The forthcoming analysis of the Senate bill will likely contain additional projection errors. It will almost certainly assume that many additional states would expand Medicaid under Obamacare, even though other agencies, such as the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have determined this is highly unlikely. An assumption that states will expand Medicaid means that the CBO will determine that millions of people will "lose" Medicaid coverage under the Senate bill - but these people were never enrolled in the first place.

The American people - and their representatives in Washington - deserve the most accurate assessment possible of the effects of critical health-care legislation. Although the CBO generally plays a valuable role in the legislative process, as Obamacare's ongoing failure clearly demonstrates, the CBO's health-care model is fundamentally flawed. The CBO's failure to update the model means its forthcoming analysis of the Senate bill will be no better - and perhaps worse - than its disproven Obamacare projections. Although the media and the political left will certainly seize on it, the CBO's estimates will be little more than fake news.

- - -

Short is assistant to the president for White House legislative affairs. Blase is special assistant to the president for the National Economic Council.
By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She now spends much of her time in Asia and is currently researching a book about textile artisans. She also writes regularly about legal, political economy, and regulatory topics for various consulting clients and publications, as well as scribbles occasional travel pieces for The National.

NBC News reported last week that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) concedes it lacks authority to access data stored only on the cloud when its agents examine the electronic devices of US citizens crossing the border.

The NBC news report, Border Patrol Says Its Barred From Searching Cloud Data on Phones, was based on a CBP Letter, dated June 20, sent in response to written questions posed to CBP acting commissioner Kevin McAleenan by Senator Ron Wyden. Last April, Wyden and Senator Ron Paul introduced the Protecting Data at the Border Act that require border officials get a warrant based on probable cause before they could to search or seize cellphones at the border.

McAleenan provided the answers in advance of his confirmation hearing, according to this article in The Verge, US Customs says it cant search cloud data at the border.

The money quote from the CBP letter:

CBPs authority to conduct border searches extends to all merchandise entering or departing the United States, including information that is physically resident on an electronic device transported by an international traveler. Therefore, border searches conducted by CBP do not extend to information that is located solely on remote servers. I appreciate the opportunity to offer that clarification(CBP Letter, question 1b, p. 3).

The letter added:

In conducting a border search, CBP does not access information found only on remote servers through an electronic device presented for examination, regardless of whether those servers are located abroad or domestically. Instead, border searches of electronic devices apply to information that is physically resident on the device during a CBP inspection (CBP Letter, question 1c, p. 3).

And it further elaborated that border officers were recently reminded of this policy in April:

As explained in greater detail above, CBP border searches extend to the information that is physically resident on the device, and does not extend to information that is solely located on emote servers (known as solely in the cloud). In fact, with my concurrence, CBPs Office of Field Operations issued a nationwide muster in April 2017 reminding its officers of this precise aspect of CBPs border search policy (CBP Letter, question 4, p. 4).

Now, the first problem I have with this statement is well-summarised by this article in Ars Technica, US border agents: We wont search data located solely on remote servers:

The phrase located solely on remote servers seems like its a step toward privacy, but its unclear what the statement would mean in practice. After all, many modern appsnotably social media, e-mail, or messaging appskeep data on remote servers, but a smartphone often also keeps a local copy of the message or relevant data. Plus, if the phone is on and not otherwise in airplane mode, its likely going to be able to connect to the Internet and automatically pull the latest data.

To guard (imperfectly and somewhat) against this, as the Ars Technica account makes clear, the American Civil Liberties Union warns people crossing the US border to put their phones into airplane mode.

Constitutional Status of the US Border

But theres an even bigger border risk with the CBP policy that travellers should consider. Now, the border isnt a Constitution-free zone at least for US citizens no matter what border officials might like you to believe.

While the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution- which in theory protects against unreasonable searches and seizures does apply at the border, it is subject to a loose,imperfectly defined border exception, developed via Supreme Court cases (and also further complicated by statutes).

Allow me to quote from Chief Justice William Rehnquists opinion in the 1985 case of United States v. Montoya:

Consistently, therefore, with Congress power to protect the Nation by stopping and examining persons entering this country, the Fourth Amendments balance of reasonableness is qualitatively different at the international border than in the interior. Routine searches of the persons and effects of entrants are not subject to any requirement of reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or warrant, and first-class mail may be opened without a warrant on less than probable cause (citations omitted).

The key question is: What constitutes a routine search? The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has examined this question in detail in Digital Privacy at the U.S. Border: Protecting the Data On Your Devices and In the Cloud and concluded:

In sum, the border search exception provides that routine searches at the border do not require a warrant or any individualized suspicion that the thing to be searched contains evidence of illegal activity (emphasis in original; citations omitted).

Thus far, the US Supreme Court has yet to consider the issue of whether CBP examination of a travelers electronic device qualifies as a routine search.

Surrendering Devices

What happens if the CBP decides to search your device? Again quoting from the CBP letter:

In the exceedingly rare instances when CBP seeks to conduct a border search of information in an electronic device which affects less than one-hundredth of one percent of travellers arriving to the United States CBP will never prevent a U.S. citizen from entering the United States because of a need to inspect that travelers device. Therefore, although CBP may detain an arriving travelers electronic device for further examination, in the limited circumstances when that is appropriate, CBP will not prevent a traveler who is a confirmed U.S. citizen from entering the country because of a need to conduct that additional examination (CBP Letter, question 1a, pp. 2-3)

Lets assume the CBP has decided to detain your device for further examination. Are you obliged to make it easy for them to search that device: by, for example, turning over your passwords or pass codes, or disabling the fingerprint sensor. On this question, allow me to turn to this report by the CATO Institute, CBP Dodges Sen. Wydens Electronic Searches Question, on the CBP Letter:

Many electronic devices are locked with either a passcode or a fingerprint sensor. Sen. Wyden explicitly asked whether CBP officers are obliged to inform travelers that they are not required to disclose social media account passwords or passcodes to unlock electronic devices.

The CATO account concludes McAleenan dodges the question entirely and goes on to quote extensively from the CBP Letter (CBP Letter, question 3, pp. 3-4). I would add that in question 2 of the same letter, the CBP also dodged the related question of [w]hat statutory authorities allow CBP to request or demand that a U.S. person provide his or her US personal electronic device PIN or password (CBP Letter, question 2, p. 3). [Jerri-Lynn here: In the interest of keeping this post to a manageable length, Ive not quoted the full sections from the letter here, but interested readers can easily examine them themselves.]

So, the bottom line here, at least for U.S. citizens, is that border officials cannot look at anything that may be found exclusively on the cloud. But they are allowed to search your electronic device for any information contained on that device until Congress passes new legislation or further court decisions on this issue. US citizens can refuse to allow CBP agents to look at their devices, and to turn over the passwords for their electronic devices. To do so wont bar their entry into the United States (although I imagine it would still subject them to significant hassles).

Border officials, however can detain their devices and once out of a persons control, the full force of the feds can be brought to bear to romp through ones data. The CBPs concession appears to mean that such romping wouldnt extend to information remotely held. Yet even if the feds were to provide such an assurance, would you trust them? Particularly once youve surrendered your device to their tender mercies. (See, for example, this Ars Technica piece which suggests my scepticism is amply justified: Man: Border agents threatened to be dicks, take my phone if I didnt unlock it).

The NBC report drily notes:

Homeland Security has published numerous documents (PDF) detailing what it touts as its progress in decoding password and PIN protection on most devices.

Senator Wydens Response

It appears that Senator Wyden wasnt gulled by the CBP response and I expect well hear more from him on this topic during McAleenans confirmation hearings (or at least, I certainly hope so). Ars Technica noted:

In a statement sent to [Ars Technica], Sen. Wyden expressed dissatisfaction about the agencys response. It flies in the face of Americans expectations of Constitutional protections for Customs to conduct warrantless, suspicionless searches of Americans devices at the border, he wrote. Thats why I wrote the Protecting Data at the Border Act. I appreciate Mr. McAleenan provided substantive responses to my questions, particularly when it comes to limits on searching data stored in the cloud. However, its critical that CBP revise its policies immediately while Congress works to enact my law, Wyden continued. CBP should take four steps right now: First, start tracking the number of Americans searched and type of device searched; Second, amend its policies to require reasonable suspicion prior to search; Third, fully inform Americans of their rights and CBPs authorities before searching or requesting assistance to search a device; and finally, continue to educate officers as to the fact that they cannot search any cloud information at the border.

What About Non-Citizens?

Sorry, youre out of luck.

CNP data show that social media searches at the border rose sharply even before Trump was inaugurated, tripling from October 2015 to October 2016 and rising slightly again by last March, according to the NBC report cited above.

As The Verge article quoted above notes:

Social media searches have grown more aggressive under the Trump administration, as border agents seek more information about travelers online activities. Even visa-holding non-citizens can be denied entry to the US if agents perceive them as a threat, so travelers are often willing to hand over passwords rather than be turned away at the border.

Further, such scrutiny has been ramped up and is only expected to intensify, as Indeed, Fortune reports, New Social Media Screening for U.S. Visitors Goes Into Effect:

The Trump Administration, which vowed to implement extreme vetting at the borders, has implemented part of a controversial plan requiring some U.S. visa applicants to disclose their social media history before entering the country.

The plan, which requires applicants to disclose user names for social media platforms theyve used in the past five years, was approved by the Office of Management and Budget on May 23 and is now in effect.

Plans are in place to expand such measures further, again according to Fortune:

The Department of Homeland Security began asking visitors for social media informationincluding Facebook and LinkedIn accountson a voluntary basis last year, and the Trump Administration has since moved aggressively to expand the vetting tactic. Homeland Security officials in April said they intend to expand the social media screening to citizens of close U.S. allies, including Britain and Australia, and to instruct more visitors to share their contact lists and other information from their phones.

Implementing such additional measures, I would imagine, will only serve further to depress US tourism figures.
By Kyla Mandel, Editor of DeSmog UK. Originally published at DeSmogBlog.

Power grab. Backroom Deals. Henry VIII. Reckless. All of these words have been used to describe the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill  better known as the Repeal Bill.

The Repeal Bill was officially released on 13 July. This is the plan for how the UK will bring over all the EU laws it is currently operating under. And theres one big question everyone is asking: how transparent will Brexit be?

From Labour to the SNP, most opposing parties have denounced the bill. And green groups in particular are concerned about the lack of scrutiny and accountability that will take place as the government tries to turn some 1,100 pieces of EU environmental legislation into British law in a very short time span.

The Repeal Bill risks turning back the clock on 40 years of environmental gains, ClientEarths director of programmes, Karla Hill, said. The Bill creates sweeping new powers for ministers without giving a proper role to Parliament.

To protect the environment we need strong laws that cannot be undone by backroom deals in Whitehall.

Changing Laws

Under the EU, Britain has been held to account on environmental issues such as breaching legal air pollution limits and cleaning up a swath of beaches, areas once too polluted to swim in. But now many fear that these laws will be weakened and that there will not be the same level of power to enforce them.

On the first concern, laws can be diluted or weakened in a few ways. While some changes are needed in order for the laws to make sense in the UK (for example, changing EU authorities to UK authorities responsible for a given rule) there is the risk that not all EU environmental law will get translated into legislation or the wording could get changed in such a way that would change the meaning or intent of the law.

The Bill fails to guarantee existing environmental laws will be safely kept on our statute books as primary legislation, Hill told DeSmog UK. This creates more uncertainty to businesses and for millions of people across the country who want their natural environment protected.

One example that some commentators have given is that the precautionary principle may no longer have any legal basis once Britain leaves the EU.

The reasoning behind this is that currently Britain, as part of the EU, adheres to the Lisbon Treaty which entered into force in 2009 and was signed by all EU member states. The Lisbon Treaty is based on the precautionary principle and on the principles that preventive action should be taken, that environmental damage should as a priority be rectified at source and that the polluter should pay. But once Brexit happens, its likely that this constraint will no longer apply unless specifically retained by new UK law.

Only those treaties which apply directly to the UK will be adopted, leaving room for interpretation. And as the Repeal Bill states: There is no right of action in domestic law on or after exit day based on a failure to comply with any of the general principles of EU law.

Another example can be found in the governments White Paper on the Repeal Bill published in March. As the White Paper explains: There will be gaps where some areas of converted law will be entirely unable to operate because we are no longer a member of the EU. There will also be cases where EU law will cease to operate as intended or will be redundant once we leave.

It goes on to give some examples for how this may unfold including one situation where the law involves an EU institution: the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001.

As it explains, when it comes to regulating offshore oil and gas activities relating to the conservation of habitats, this is currently the responsibility of the European Commission. When changed into UK law, the government could decide to either replace the reference to the Commission with a UK body or remove this requirement completely.

As Shane Tomlinson, a director at climate think tank E3G explained: Under the powers proposed in the Withdrawal Bill there would be no public scrutiny over such a decision, which could have a major impact on critical habitats for birds and marine species.

The blanket powers given to Ministers in the draft Bill with deficiencies arising from withdrawal raise serious concerns about the scrutiny for environment and climate issues, Tomlinson continued. The powers would enable Ministers to make provisions that could be made by an act of Parliament without having any of the usual checks and balances.

Where do ministers get these powers? Under Section 7, entitled Dealing with deficiencies arising from withdrawal of the Repeal Bill it gives government ministers the power to change EU laws. This can happen for any number of reasons, such as when the EU law doesnt apply to the United Kingdom, or contains references to the EU which arent necessary.

And when it comes to implementing the Brexit withdrawal agreement, it also states that a minister can make any changes they consider appropriate for the purposes of implementing the withdrawal agreement if the Minister considers that such provision should be in force on or before exit day.

According to the Bill, the power to modify laws includes the ability to amend, repeal, or revoke laws.

Power Grab

This is the crux of the issue  the so called Henry VIII powers. Typically, new laws are introduced into either the House of Commons or House of Lords and then go through a series of Parliament debates to scrutinise the proposed legislation before it gets approved.

But as the Bill currently stands, many argue it allows government Ministers to modify legislation without full parliamentary approval. (The much repeated reference to Henry VIII comes from the fact that in 1539 he pushed through a law that gave him unilateral power to change legislation as he wished. The law was abolished shortly after his death.)

Typically these sorts of powers (modifications without Parliamentary scrutiny) are reserved for small, time-sensitive technical changes to the law, a Business Insider article explained. But the time pressures caused by Mays Brexit timetable means that they will have to be used much more widely and liberally.

With Article 50 triggered, the deadline for Brexit is March 2019. When this happens, all EU laws will become UK law. The government then has set a two-year limit from the day Britain leaves within which it can keep, change, or drop these laws.

And given the sheer number of laws that need to be translated in order to properly apply to the UK, there are questions about how this can be done while also going through due process and allowing all MPs to scrutinise the changes before theyre adopted.

As former Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom previously acknowledged, about one third of the 1,100 pieces of environmental legislation that need to be put into British law will be difficult to translate.

This is one of the most broad and constitutionally significant bills to go through Parliament and will have massive ramifications for us all, and future generations, said Alexandra Runswick, director of democratic reform campaign group Unlock Democracy. This bill is not just about process, its about power. If Brexit was about taking back control, the repeal bill is very clear that Westminster government is the only beneficiary.

Runswick called the governments existing scrutiny procedures woefully inadequate and said that given the volume of different laws to examine without additional capacity this will simply not happen.

The bill will hand significant powers to ministers on an unprecedented scale, she said, and the public should be concerned that at the moment the appropriate checks and balances are simply not in place.

As it stands, there is a very real threat that these powers could be used to substantially rewrite our laws behind closed doors  For public confidence to be restored this cannot be a power grab by Government Ministers but an opportunity to meaningfully engage our representatives.

Enforcing New Rules

Once the laws are set, then comes the issue of enforcement.

According to a government briefing document published alongside the Repeal Bill, new laws will be enforced through judicial reviews and Parliamentary scrutiny.

But many, including a House of Lords select committee report on Brexit and climate change published in March, question how well new laws will actually be enforced. Theres also the question of whether those departments or agencies that will be responsible for enforcing new rules will receive increased budgets or more resources to do so. (Local councils for example are already facing pressures to comply with air pollution law due to lack of resources).

Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas said: Theres an enormous environment-shaped hole in the Governments Brexit plans. The Repeal Bill may transfer EU laws onto the British statute, but theres no provision here for ensuring that these laws are properly enforced by institutions in the UK.

The Government knows that this simple transfer isnt enough to ensure that our environment is protected  and their refusal to legislate for specific environmental protections and enforcement is reckless.

#RepealBill hands extraordinary powers to ministers & fails to offer security on environmental law enforcement. Its a dangerous document.  Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) 13 July 2017

Lucas is now working with other MPs in order to table amendments to the Repeal Bill (much as she did for the Queens Speech) to ensure environmental laws are properly enforced through the Brexit process.

As ClientEarths Hill put it: Laws are not just pieces of paper. We need a robust, independent means of policing these laws, not just Ministers making up institutions and marking their own homework.

There are significant risks in terms of democratic accountability or access to justice to challenge and enforce environmental regulations explained E3Gs Tomlinson.

To manage these risks it is critical that the government gives explicit guarantees that new arrangements relating to environmental and climate change issues will be as strong or stronger than existing regulation; and that it sets out a clear, transparent plan to build robust and accountable organisations to ensure democratic enforcement.
A firefly's flash inspires new nanolaser light (Nanowerk News) A reinvented, low-cost laser source that stores light energy inside nanoscale disks could underpin the development of optically powered neurocomputers, reveals a simulation study led by KAUST researchers (Nature Communications, "Anapole nanolasers for mode-locking and ultrafast pulse generation").

Photonic devices that use controlled laser pulses to manipulate data switches, biomedical implants and solar cells are sought-after because they are lightning quick compared to traditional electronics; however, current prototypes have not been commercialized because of the difficulty in making lasers small enough to fit onto computer circuit boards, while also retaining pulse-shaping capabilities.

The complex flashing patterns of fireflies (left) led KAUST researchers to develop anapole lasers that use interactions between energy-storing nanodisks (center) to generate high-speed pulses of light on microchips (right). (Image: KAUST)

The challenge of reducing an optical source down to the nanoscale is that it starts to emit energy strongly in all directions, explained Andrea Fratalocchi, an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering. This makes it almost impossible to control.

A partnership with Yuri Kivshars group at the Australian National University revealed paths to beat optical diffraction limits with unconventional anapole lasers. Being made from semiconductors shaped into precisely sized nanodisks, anapoles respond to light stimulation by producing electromagnetic waves that either radiate or rotate in donut-shaped toroid distributions.

At specific excitation frequencies, interference between the two fields produces a statethe anapolewhich does not emit energy in any direction and traps light inside the nanodisk.

You can think of this laser as an energy tankonce the laser is on, it stores light and doesnt let it go until you want to collect it, said Fratalocchi.

To unlock the potential of this new light source, the KAUST team simulated various engineering architectures using quantum-based algorithms.

These calculations, along with improved microchip integration and thousand-fold enhancements in coupling to optical routers, predict that anapole nanolasers can generate ultrafast light pulses that are uniquely suited for studying natural patterns of signaling and neural connections.

Fratalocchi notes that the nanolasers would appear invisible to an observer until perturbed by a nearby object. Consequently, arranging the cylindrical light sources into a loop could be used to produce a chain reaction of light emissions, tunable down to as small as femtosecond pulse times.

Its really like a population of fireflies, where the individuals synchronize their emissions into beautiful patterns, he explained When we place the nanolasers close together, we can get similar control over the pulses.
A Grand Junction woman is alive today and celebrating a very special milestone.

Thirty years ago on Saturday, July 15, her life was saved when she got a heart transplant she so desperately needed. Diane Harden suffered from Cardiomyopathy and was told she had 10 years to live by doctors after getting a new heart back in 1987.

She has defied all odds and is shocking her friends and family.

"Who would've thought 30 years ago today, that we'd be sitting here and talking about Diane's 30th heart transplant anniversary and talking about the 35th coming up," Diane's sister, Linda Dixon said.

Diane received a life-saving operation on July 15, 1987, for her heart.

"I inherited my mother's disease," she said.

This disease is where the heart gets bigger and doesn't pump blood properly through the body. During her wait, there were some bumps along the way.

"One came in and it died," Harden said about a heart, "so the second one came in but it was three months later and that was tough waiting for another heart," she said.

Her new heart came from an 18-year-old who lived in Wyoming. After the operation, she wrote a heartfelt message to the young girl's mother.

"I thanked her for her daughter's heart because, without her, I wouldn't be here," she tearfully said.

Her story doesn't end there. Doctors told her she had only five to 10 years with this new heart.

"I'm sorry you guys were wrong," she said. "I'm so thankful I'm this lucky and with the Lord to go on because I've been through a lot," Harden added.

Defying all odds and hardships with a smile and positivity.

"If you have a good attitude, you're going to make it no matter if it's bad or good, but if you don't have a good attitude then you can get yourself in trouble," she said.

The record for the longest surviving person after a heart transplant is 33 years. Harden said that she's already thinking about her 35th heart birthday, and showing other transplant recipients to never lose hope.

The Donor Alliance said every person has the power to save up to 8 lives if they become an organ donor themselves.

Right now, nearly 70 percent of Coloradans are registered as organ, eye and tissue donors. That's second in the nation, according to the Donor Alliance.
In an effort to beautify the bland, Madisons City Council will consider creating a program to make city utility boxes into displays for local artists.

Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District, who represents the core of Downtown, will introduce the resolution Tuesday. It is based on a pilot program launched last year on Capitol Square in which four utility boxes were wrapped with photographs by city housing rehabilitation specialist Craig Wilson.

If approved, the Madison Arts Commission, with input from the Planning Division, will select artwork to be printed on vinyl and wrapped around 25 utility boxes.

While specific boxes have not yet been chosen, they will all be city-owned and most will be Downtown or in other areas with heavy foot traffic, such as Monroe Street.

It has improved the aesthetic of bland  some would say ugly, I would just say ordinary  parts of the cityscape, Verveer said, adding he has not seen or heard any reports that the utility boxes had been vandalized.

The proposal would call for up to $30,000  80 percent of that coming from the 2015 Municipal Arts Budget and the other 20 percent from City Engineering  to pay for licensing fees, printing and installation.

Madison Arts Program administrator Karin Wolf worked with Verveer and city planner Rebecca Cnare to expand the project and draft the resolution. To her, changing a common sight in the city into a work of art will make public spaces more enjoyable and uniquely Madison.

It beautifies our urban landscape, Wolf said. Its taking an urban object and turning it into a canvas.

Artists will not paint directly onto the utility boxes  Wolf said that idea was rejected to keep the boxes from possibly overheating and to maintain access to the panels and wires inside, should city staff need to access them. Instead, an artists image will be printed on vinyl  the same kind used to place ads on buses  and wrapped around the box.

Through this method, any local artists who use a two-dimensional medium  such as photographers, painters and illustrators  could submit their art.

Wolf said the city plans to accept submissions only from local artists.

This is kind of a special project that we want to keep local, Wolf said.

Wilson, who said his art was installed on the utility boxes in October last year, had long been a Madison resident. He said he grew up in the city and only recently moved to Cambridge.

Wilson said he was chosen for the pilot program because people involved in the project knew of his art. He said his images currently on utility boxes were all taken in the city.

Its exciting for me to walk around the Square and see them there and to see that they have mostly been respected, Wilson said.

Wilsons aerial photos look down directly at the ground from great distances, which is becoming more common with drone technology, but his are taken by attaching a camera to a kite  a method hes been using for more than 30 years. Although he said the placements havent increased business for his photography, he has gotten emails and texts from people who have seen his work on the Square.

This is a really cool way for an artist to really show their work, Wilson said. As an artist, you want your art to be seen. Those electrical boxes are very visible.

Exposure isnt the only benefit for artists who are selected. Wilson was paid a $400 licensing fee for each photo, which would be the same amount paid to other artists if the resolution passes.

Its another way for them to make a little income, showcase their work and engage in public dialog, Wolf said.
Some residents in Vallejo are raising concerns after an officer opened fire at a car-jacking suspect sprinting along neighborhood streets.

Video footage from the scene of the shooting captured an officer fire multiple shots at the suspect, who has since been identified as Victor Hurtado, during a foot pursuit last weekend. Neighbors have since started asking questions about why the officer opened fire, but police have insisted that Hurtado was armed and posed a threat to the public.

The shooting and part of the pursuit occurred along Santa Clara Street. At least three shots were fired, but the suspect was not hit.

Flying bullets made life uneasy for nearby resident Claire White, a local criminal defense attorney who recently voiced her concerns with the city council.

"Those rounds went somewhere," she said. "My kids were home right across the street from where this happened.

Police countered those concerns by insisting that Hurtado had a gun. Just before the foot pursuit, Hurtado and his partner were wanted for pistol-whipping a man and stealing his car, according to the Napa County Sheriff's Department. The pair was later spotted in Vallejo before the foot pursuit took place.

"In this situation, you have an armed felon with parole violations fleeing through a neighborhood thats dense with innocent people," Lt. Kent Tribble with the Vallejo Police Department said.

A gun was never recovered, but the officer who opened fire thought Hurtado was armed, according to Tribble.

"It looks like he may be holding something," Tribble said. "I cant tell you if he was holding something or not, but [Hurtado's arms] are definitely not free-swinging like someone running an all-out sprint."

The officer has since been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted.

White plans to take a group of neighbors to the next city council meeting to press city officials for more answers about the incident.
A 9-year-old boy was among two juveniles killed as gun violence across Chicago over the weekend left eight others dead and at least 41 people wounded.

The 9-year-old was shot and killed when someone in a vehicle opened fire on the car he was riding in near midnight in the 3500 block of East 97th Street.

The boy was shot in the back and taken to Comer Childrens Hospital where he later died, according to police.

A 31-year-old man was also shot in the back, face and chest, authorities said. He was taken in critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center.

"I was speaking on the phone in my house when I hear screaming, it's just screaming, screaming," said a witness at the scene. "[The man] tells everybody in front, 'They killed my son, they killed my son.'"

A 17-year-old was also shot and killed in the 4500 block of West Jackson Friday night.

At least eight others were killed in shootings across the city of the summer weekend.

A 21-year-old man was killed on West Pershing on Friday evening, according to Chicago Police. Two more people were wounded in the shooting, as a 19-year-old was shot in the head and hand and a 22-year-old was shot in the back.

A violent Friday night continued when a 26-year-old was shot and killed in the 4600 block of South Washtenaw. A silver SUV pulled up to the victim and one of the occupants opened fire, striking the man multiple times.

Another man was shot and killed in the 10600 block of South Green Bay Ave. on Friday night. While exiting a vehicle, two men were shot when a white SUV drove by and an occupant fired shots at the car.

A 49-year-old man was shot in the back and transported to Christ Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Saturday. A 54-year-old man was also wounded in the shooting after being shot in the face.

The violence continued on Saturday morning, as a 20-year-old man was shot and killed in the 4400 block of West Monroe. Police were called because of shots fired at the scene, and when they arrived they found the man lying in the street after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

An attempted robbery ended in the death of a 60-year-old man on Saturday morning in the citys East Garfield Park neighborhood. The victim was approached by an unknown assailant, who demanded money from him. A struggle ensued, and the man was shot in the left shoulder. He was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A 58-year-old man was shot and killed in the 1100 block of West 95th Street on Saturday afternoon. At approximately 4:15 p.m., the victim was walking when a dark-colored vehicle approached, and one of the occupants fired multiple shots. The man was shot in the mouth and torso, and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

Sunday morning saw two more people shot and killed, including a 31-year-old man in the 3900 block of West Arthington. He was approached by another man on a sidewalk, and he was shot in the neck by the unknown assailant, who also shot a 32-year-old man in the leg.

A 23-year-old man sitting in a parked car in the 2100 block of East 71st Street was shot and killed when two men walked up to the car and fired shots. He was taken to Northwestern Hospital with gunshot wounds to his chest and his arm, and he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Friday:

A 17-year-old boy was shot in the chest at approximately 6:03 p.m. in the 4500 block of West Jackson. He was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.

Three people were shot in the 0-100 block of West Pershing at approximately 6:05 p.m. A 21-year-old man suffered gunshot wounds to the abdomen and shoulder, and was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. A 19-year-old was shot in the head and hand, and a 22-year-old man was shot in the back. Both victims were transported to Stroger Hospital.

A 26-year-old man was shot and killed in the 4600 block of South Washtenaw at approximately 10:20 p.m. The man suffered multiple gunshot wounds when a silver SUV pulled up, and shots were fired. No one is in custody in the shooting.

Two men were shot when they got out of a while in the 10600 block of South Green Bay Ave. A 54-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the face, and was taken to Northwestern in stable condition. A 49-year-old man was shot in the back, and he was pronounced dead at Christ Hospital.

A 44-year-old man was walking on a sidewalk in the 6900 block of South Campbell when he was shot in the back and the arm. He was taken to Mt. Sinai in stable condition, according to police.

A 9-year-old boy was shot and killed in the 3500 block of East 97th Street at approximately 11:13 p.m. The boy was riding in an SUV when a grey sedan pulled up alongside the vehicle and an occupant opened fire. The boy was pronounced dead at Comers Hospital, and a 31-year-old man was taken to Christ Hospital with gunshot wounds to his back, face, and chest. He was listed in critical condition.

Saturday:

A 41-year-old man was shot multiple times in the 12800 block of South Peoria at approximately 12:09 a.m. He was transported to Christ Hospital in critical condition.

A 24-year-old man was shot in both legs in the 1800 block of North Leclaire. The shooting occurred around 2:15 a.m. when the victim was standing next to a car. He was taken to St. Marys Hospital in stable condition.

At around 3 a.m., a 26-year-old man was driving his car in the 5000 block of West Washington when he was shot in the right arm. He drove himself to the hospital, where he was listed in good condition.

A 26-year-old man was walking in the 2800 block of West Division when he was shot multiple times in the right leg. The man, who was transported to St. Marys Hospital in good condition, was shot by an occupant in an unknown car, according to police.

At around 4 a.m., two men were shot in the 0-100 block of North Leclaire. A 29-year old man was shot in the head, and was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition. A 27-year-old man was shot in the stomach and was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

In the 4400 block of West Monroe, a 20-year-old man was shot in the head and killed at approximately 4:15 a.m. Saturday morning. Police were called to the scene and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

An attempted robbery ended tragically when a 60-year-old man was shot and killed in the 3200 block of West Franklin. The incident occurred in the 3200 block of West Franklin, when a man confronted the victim and demanded money. A struggle took place, and the victim was shot in the left shoulder. He was pronounced dead at Mt. Sinai Hospital.

Two men were shot in the 3000 block of West Lexington around 11:32 a.m. A 21-year old man was shot in the groin and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in serious condition, and a 25-year old man suffered a graze wound to the wrist. He was taken to the hospital in good condition.

A 56-year old man was shot in the leg during an attempted robbery in the 7300 block of South Halsted. He was taken to Christ Hospital in serious condition, according to police.

A dark-colored SUV pulled up, and one of the vehicles occupants shot a 26-year old woman and a 25-year old man in the 1200 block of North Mozart. The woman was taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the mouth, and the man was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the thigh.

A 58-year old man was shot in the mouth and torso in the 1100 block of West 95 th Street. The shooting occurred at 4:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Street. The shooting occurred at 4:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Two people were shot in the 3600 block of West Augusta at 4:20 p.m. Saturday afternoon. A 32-year old woman was shot in the knee and was taken to the hospital in good condition. A 27-year old man was shot in the back and was taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition, according to police.

At 7 p.m., a 30-year-old man was shot in the right leg in the 600 block of East 131st Street. He was taken to Christ Hospital in good condition, accoridng to police.

A light-colored sedan pulled up in front of a building in the 300 block of North Central, and one of the occupants opened fire, striking a 35-year-old man. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.

Four men were shot in the 12200 block of South Throop around 8 p.m. on Saturday night. All four of the victims were transported to area hospitals in stable condition, and two of the four men shot are known gang members, according to police.

A 21-year-old man was standing on a sidewalk in the 6000 block of South Eberhart when he was shot by a person in a grey SUV. He was taken to University of Chicago Hospital in stable condition.

A 19-year-old man was shot in the left leg by a person in a red sedan in the 5000 block of West Monroe. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in stable condition.

A man fired several shots from a gangway in the 5500 block of South Throop, striking a 21-year-old man in the right arm. He was taken to St. Bernard's in stable condition.

Sunday:




The leader of an Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan was killed in a U.S. airstrike on the groups headquarters this week, the Pentagon said Friday.

Abu Sayed, the emir of ISIS in the Khorasan Province, called ISIS-K, died in Tuesdays airstrike in Kunar Province, a region on Afghanistans northeast border with Pakistan.

"This operation is another success in our campaign to defeat ISIS-K in Afghanistan in 2017," commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan Gen. John Nicholson told NBC News.

Senate Armed Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Arizona, last month said the U.S. has no strategy to end what he called a stalemate in Afghanistan after 16 years of war.
A Hebron man was injured in an ultralight aircraft crash in Eastford Sunday, according to Connecticut State Police.

Connecticut State Police said that 52-year-old Christopher Arel was doing ground tests on an ultralight airplane at the Buell Dairy Farm shortly before noon.

According to police, during the tests the plane caught a gust of wind and lifted into the air. Arel lost control of the plane and crashed into a swamp about 500 feet past the runway.

The Eastford Independent Fire Company responded and extricated Arel from the woods. He was transported via LifeStar to Hartford Hospital with serious injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.
A woman who worked as a drug company sales representative in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island has pleaded guilty in a kickback scheme involving the powerful prescription painkiller fentanyl.

Federal prosecutors said 33-year-old Natalie Levine of Scottsdale, Arizona, paid thousands of dollars to induce medical practitioners to prescribe a fentanyl-based spray known as Subsys.

Levine pleaded guilty Tuesday in Hartford to conspiracy to violate an anti-kickback law. She faces a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The activity occurred in 2013 and 2014 when Levine was employed by Insys Therapeutics, an Arizona-based pharmaceutical company.

Prosecutors said Levine paid people to participate in hundreds of sham "speaker programs," which were typically held at high-end restaurants.
A Cedar Hill woman reported missing Friday was found dead in the trunk of her own vehicle in Ohio Saturday.

Cedar Hill police said a concerned family member reported the woman missing Friday night after they had not heard from her, or her child, in a couple of days. [[434803693, R]]

At about midnight Saturday, police in Mansfield, Ohio were asked to check a home for the missing woman and found her vehicle parked in front of the home. They said a man, identified as Dequalan Dejuan Harris, said he had not seen the woman since Thursday when he picked up a child in Texas.

Police tried detaining Harris but he fought with officers and attempted to run away. Mansfield police chased Harris a short distance and used a stun gun to bring him into custody.

Ohio officers opened the trunk of the womans vehicle and found her dead. An autopsy is being performed to determine how she died.

Harris was taken to the Richland County Jail in Ohio and is charged with obstructing official business, resisting arrest and abuse of a corpse.

Cedar Hill police said the womans child was taken into protective custody and arrangements are being made to place the child with family members.
For the third time, California Gov. Jerry Brown has rejected parole for a man convicted of gunning down a San Diego police officer.

It happened back in 1978 when Jesus Cecena was a 17-year-old gang member.

Brown's decision late Friday rejected the February recommendation of a state parole board, which said Cecena is fit to be released.

Brown also blocked Cecena's parole in 2014 and 2016, citing nearly identical reasons, primarily his "resistance to explore the motivations behind the killing."

Although Brown acknowledged Cecena's youth at the time of the crime, and that he has improved himself while in prison, he said that other factors override those benefits.

The governor said that while Cecena admitted for the first time this year that he had wanted to execute Officer Archie Buggs, he still refuses to give a real account of the night in November, 1978 when he shot Buggs four times during a traffic stop.

"Mr. Cecena has yet to offer a plausible explanation for the reasons he killed Officer Buggs," the governor wrote in his decision.

Cecena said in his parole hearing that he feared his father, upon learning he had gotten a traffic ticket and had been caught with alcohol, would abandon him. He said that drove him to act impulsively and shoot Buggs.

But the governor said the evidence presented at Cecena's trial, including the patter of the shots fired, indicate that he acted with calm, cool calculation.

Cecena was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life with no parole, but his term was later modified, giving him a chance at parole under a state law that allows youth offenders serving life sentences to petition for release once they have served at least 15 years.

Brown has made a regular practice of blocking recommended parole for the state's most high-profile murderers, including frequent rejections for followers of Charles Manson.
A man trying to stand on his motorcycle as a group of about 50 riders cruised down a freeway crashed and was killed Sunday.

His compatriots then blocked off all traffic on the four-lane freeway, causing an hours-long traffic jam heading towards Lake Elsinore, California Highway Patrol officers said.

The crash was in the midst of a rolling pack of bikers on the southbound 15 Freeway just south of the Cajalco Road interchange near Corona, shortly before 10 a.m., CHP officials said.

The man was part of a group of about 50 other motorcyclists performing stunts on the freeway Sunday morning known as the "Ruthless Ryderz." He was attempting to stand on his bike but fell when he lost control of his motorcycle and suffered major head trauma, the CHP said.

After the crash, the other motorcyclists in the group blocked lanes on the freeway, prompting the CHP to issue a Sigalert and causing traffic to back up in both directions.

The victim was hospitalized but later died from his injuries, the CHP said. His name was not released.
Five boaters were rescued Saturday from a capsized boat off the Florida Keys, Coast Guard officials say.

Officials say the 18-foot pleasure craft was taking on water about 3 miles west of Alligator Reef Light, when the Coast Guard's Key West station received the call for help. A Coast Guard rescue crew was dispatched and and recovered all five boaters.

All boaters were reported to be in good condition, according to a Coast Guard report.
Venezuelans in South Florida turned out to vote along with millions in their native country and across the world Sunday, casting ballots to decide whether to back President Nicolas Maduros referendum to elect a National Constituent Assembly.

More than 7.1 million people - including just under 10 percent from outside the country - overwhelmingly voted in a symbolic rejection of Maduro's plans to consolidate his power by rewriting the constitution.

Maduro has called a July 30 vote to elect members of a special assembly to rewrite Venezuela's 1999 constitution. The opposition says the vote is structured to pack the constitutional assembly with supporters and eliminate checks on his power.

The Maduro administration has said they will not recognize the results of the non-binding resolution.

Democratic elected officials say they are standing in solidarity with the people of Venezuela and their demands for law and constitutional order, against repression.

In Florida, every Venezuelan who turned 18 years old before June 14th of this year and/or is enrolled in the Electoral Register was able to vote.
Iran has imprisoned a Chinese-American Princeton University graduate school student for ten years, accusing him of "infiltrating" the country, and detained President Hassan Rouhani's brother over allegations of financial misconduct, authorities said Sunday.

News of the detentions comes less than two months after relative moderate Rouhani beat a hard-line opponent to win reelection by running in large part on his record of pursuing greater engagement with the West. They were announced by the judiciary, a pillar of hard-liners' influence.



The Chinese-American dual national was identified as Xiyue Wang, a 37-year-old history researcher, according to Mizan Online, a website affiliated with the judiciary. Wang is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Department of History at Princeton University, according to Daniel Day, the Assistant Vice President in the schools Office of Communications.



His field is late 19th and early 20th-century Eurasian history, Day wrote to NBC10. He was arrested in Iran last summer, while there doing scholarly research on the administrative and cultural history of the late Qajar dynasty in connection with his Ph.D. dissertation. Since his arrest, the university has worked with Mr. Wang's family, the U.S. government, private counsel and others to facilitate his release.



He was not previously known to be among the handful of Americans detained in Iran.



"It was verified and determined that he was gathering (information) and was involved in infiltration," Judiciary spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi said during a routine press briefing.



Ejehi did not identify Wang by name. But hours after he spoke, Mizan published an article attributed to an unnamed source that revealed his identity and included several photos of him apparently taken from the internet.



The Mizan article said he was born in Beijing and entered Iran as a researcher. It pointed to graduate studies he did at Princeton University in 2013 and 2014, and described him as a fluent speaker of Persian.



We were very distressed by the charges brought against him in connection with his scholarly activities, and by his subsequent conviction and sentence, Ray wrote. His family and the university are distressed at his continued imprisonment and are hopeful that he will be released after his case is heard by the appellate authorities in Tehran. In the interim, the university will continue to do everything it can to be supportive of Mr. Wang and his family. 

Wang was arrested on Aug. 8, 2016 and is accused of passing confidential information about Iran to the U.S. State Department, Princeton's Sharmin and Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies, the Harvard Kennedy School and the British Institute of Persian Studies, according to Mizan. It alleged he recorded some 4,500 pages of digital documents.

The U.S. State Department was not immediately able to provide details on the case. It said its citizens' safety and security is a top priority.

The U.S. does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Tehran and warns its citizens traveling there that they risk arrest or being barred from leaving Iran.



"The Iranian regime continues to detain U.S. citizens and other foreigners on fabricated national-security related changes," it said in a statement to The Associated Press. "We call for the immediate release of all U.S. citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families."



The arrest of the president's brother, meanwhile, stunned many in Iran.



Ejehi said the brother, Hossein Fereidoun, was taken into custody over allegations of financial impropriety and is eligible for bail, but has not paid it yet.

Fereidoun is a close confidante of the moderate president, a cleric who changed his surname to Rouhani, meaning "spiritual," after joining the seminary decades ago.



Fereidoun was part of the negotiating team that ultimately sealed Iran's landmark nuclear deal with world powers in 2015, winning the country relief from international sanctions in exchange for limits on its atomic energy program.



The deal was unpopular with Iranian hard-liners, whose influence runs deep within the judiciary. They saw the nuclear deal as giving too much away in exchange for too little.



Fereidoun has long been a target of hard-liners, who have accused him of misdeeds including money laundering and misappropriation of government funds.



The unproven allegations were a flashpoint during the May presidential election, with the president's hard-line challengers demanding that the judiciary investigate accusations against Fereidoun.



Wang is one of several Americans in Iranian custody.



Iranian-American art gallery manager Karan Vafadari was detained along with his Iranian wife last year. They have yet to be convicted of a crime.



Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi and his 81-year-old father, Baquer Namazi, are each serving 10-year sentences for "cooperating with the hostile American government."



Another Iranian-American, Robin Shahini, was released on bail last year after staging a weeks-long hunger strike while serving an 18-year prison sentence for "collaboration with a hostile government."



Still missing is former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who vanished in Iran in 2007 while on an unauthorized CIA mission.

Also in an Iranian prison is Nizar Zakka, a U.S. permanent resident from Lebanon who advocates for internet freedom. He lives in Washington D.C. and has done work for the U.S. government. He was sentenced to 10 years behind bars last year after being accused of espionage-related charges.


A swarm of bees are that were on the loose in Ramsey forcing residents to remain indoors are contained, for the most part.

A bee hive owned by a professional beekeeper was disturbed in Martis and Elizabeth avenues, emergency management officials said in a Facebook post Saturday afternoon.

It has since been removed by the beekeeper, but officials urge residents to use caution in the area as the bees may linger.

The bees are considered aggressive and have dispersed throughout Martis, Elizabeth, Rose, Refy, Armstrong and Maples roads, officials said.

It is unclear what kind of bees they were.
A man shot two of his neighbors, one to death, in the Frankford section of Lower Northeast Philadelphia and four people were wounded in a shooting in southwest Center City as gunfire erupted throughout the city Sunday morning.

The Frankford killing was the fifth incident of the early hours and a 69-year-old resident of the 4700 block of James Street was being questioned by detectives for the shooting of a man and a woman that left one dead and another on life support. None of those involved were immediately identified.

"The story is still being sorted out," one police official at the scene in the 4700 block said. The shooter was seen in the back of a police cruiser.

Overall, the carnage across Philadelphia left 11 people injured or killed, including a man killed near 22nd and Fitzwater streets. Another homicide occurred about 7:30 a.m. Police found a man face down in a parking lot on South Fourth Street just north of Washington Avenue. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

In addition to the dead man in the Fitzwater Street shootout, three others were wounded in a shooting that stretched over two blocks in the Graduate Hospital section of Center City.

The gunfire began shortly after midnight and responding officers found the four injured men stretched over two blocks of Fitzwater Street from 20th to 22nd streets.

"We woke up at like midnight last night and heard about 11 gunshots, like one after another, and then we just ducked behind our bed for like 15 minutes," Cassie McGoldrick told NBC10.



All of the men were in their 20s, including the dead man who was 28.

The second shooting of the night happened about 1:30 a.m. in North Philadelphia at North 29th Street and Ridge Avenue during what police are investigating as a potential attempted robbery. The shot man was rushed to Temple University Hospital and was in critical condition.

The third shooting occurred just before 2 a.m. at a strip mall along Harbison Avenue near Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia. Police found a man shot multiple times in the back and chest.

Minutes later, the fourth shooting occurred shortly after 2 a.m. in Southwest Philadelphia. A 24-year-old man was found shot in the 5900 block of Kingsessing Avenue.

About the same time, homicide detectives were called to the deadly neighbor confrontation on James Street.

And in the sixth shooting of the morning, a 24-year-old man was found about 4 a.m. in the Fairhill section with a leg wound. A black Chevrolet Monte Carlo was seen driving away from the shooting, according to police.

None of the people involved in any of the shootings have been identified by police.

Correction: Philadelphia Police initially said two people died in the James Street shooting but later said one victim remained on life support.
As Air Force One flew home from Europe, news was set to break about a meeting that Donald Trump's eldest son had with a Kremlin-connected lawyer, promising yet another round of unwelcome headlines about the president and Russia. And that happened twice within a week.

The day-after-day drip-drip-drip of revelations over the past week about Donald Trump Jr.'s contact with the Russian lawyer in 2016 underscores the White House's inability to shake off the Russia story and close the book on a narrative that casts a shadow over Trump's presidency. No matter how presidential Trump may have looked on his back-to-back trips to Europe in recent days, the persistent questions about connections between Trump's team and Russia prevent him from savoring a public relations victory and building momentum for his stalled legislative agenda.

"No successful crisis management model works the way they are doing things," said Lanny Davis, who worked as special counsel to President Bill Clinton during his impeachment hearings. "If your mission is to control a story or try to end a story, you need to tell it early, tell it all and tell it yourself."

Trump Jr.'s account of his Trump Tower meeting has seemingly changed on an almost daily basis. At first, the meeting was said to be about a Russian adoption program. Then, it was to hear information about campaign rival Hillary Clinton. Finally, Trump Jr. was forced to release emails  mere moments before The New York Times planned to do so  that revealed he had told an associate that he would "love" Russia's help in obtaining negative details about the Democratic nominee.

Even the number of people who attended the meeting has changed. On Friday, a prominent Russian-American lobbyist told The Associated Press that he, too, had been part of the discussion.

Each revelation, no matter how small, has been seized upon by Democrats and dissected in detail on cable news.

Davis is credited with helping to steer the Clinton White House through a series of investigations, allowing the president to focus on his agenda while the lawyer shouldered the burden of dumping bad news and keeping West Wing staffers in lockstep in their response. He doesn't see a central figure doing that for Trump, and believes the president would be well-served to appoint a lawyer within the White House, instead of using a web of external attorneys.

Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner  the president's son-in-law and senior adviser also attended the June 2016 meeting  also have retained attorneys separate from those hired by the president.

"They need to have one lawyer get every person in one room and figure out who knows what. No more surprises," said Davis, who favors proactively releasing any new findings. "The facts are coming out anyway  only question is whether they come out all at once or a little bit in a time."

The firestorm over Don Jr.'s emails has been a frustrating distraction during a stretch in which some White House advisers believed they were finding their footing. Trump's allies also were heartened by his trips to Europe, believing that his speech saluting national pride in Poland was a high point of his presidency and that he appeared statesman-like during a whirlwind visit to Paris.

But behind the scenes, a group of Trump aides gathered in a cabin on the presidential aircraft flying home from Germany last weekend to begin preparing for the initial fallout from Trump Jr.'s 2016 meeting. And then just six days later, as Air Force One was returning from France, more news was breaking about Trump Jr.'s shifting account of the meeting, again launching a bad news cycle and straining the credibility of the president's defense team.

For some, the steady drumbeat of Russia revelations echoes how the Watergate story emerged in one Washington Post story after another.

"I think the 'drip-drip-drip' is a perfect analogy, for that's exactly what people said about Watergate and President Nixon's Oval Office tapes," said Luke Nichter, a historian who has written several books on the former president. "They were released piecemeal and every release was damaging."

Even if the ongoing Russia questions don't end in legal consequences for Trump, they can still inflict serious political damage if allowed to needlessly drag out.

"I don't know that there's anyone powerful enough on the team to marshal this and get all the facts out now," says Ari Fleischer, former press secretary to President George W. Bush. "Omissions are as harmful as contradictions because it seems like you're hiding something. From a communications standpoint, it's unforgiveable."
The Metropolitan Police Department destroyed more than 60 off-road vehicles that were seized for being illegally operated in Washington, D.C.

Police said 62 ATVs and dirt bikes were turned into 14,180 pounds of recyclable metal at a location in Capitol Heights, Maryland, on Saturday. The vehicles were seized during arrests for crimes or were left abandoned in public spaces and not registered or the owners failed to claim them.

We hope those who illegally and recklessly operate these vehicles will see this as a symbolic gesture that this type of behavior wont be tolerated in the District of Columbia, said police Chief Peter Newsham. The community is fed up with this behavior. As long as they continue endangering the lives of everyone on our streets, MPD will continue confiscating and destroying these vehicles.

D.C. police released more photos Tuesday of ATV riders who illegally rode through streets on dirt bikes and ATVs late last month.

Dozens of dirt bike and ATV riders wove in and out of vehicle and pedestrian traffic June 25 in National Harbor, Maryland. Riders also were seen in D.C. on Pennsylvania Avenue, on H Street NE and near the Tidal Basin.
A man involved in a minor crash was pronounced dead after he was taken to the hospital, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

Zain Siddiqui, 22, from Alexandria, Virginia, was driving north on South Van Dorn Street on Saturday night when he was "involved in a minor crash with little damage," according to a police statement. Siddiqui was conscious and was transported to the hospital.

When Siddiqui arrived at the hospital, his condition worsened, and he died, police said.

Police are looking into whether Siddiqui had a medical emergency before the crash. An autopsy will be performed to determine how he died.

Investigators have not released a cause for the crash.
Thousands of Quincy, Massachusetts residents were without power after a car crashed into a utility pole on Saturday night, snapping it in half.

Police said the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. The man who was driving the car was taken to South Shore Hospital and is expected to be fine.

A woman who lives across the street from where the accident occurred said she looked outside after the crash and saw a second car speeding off. Police are looking into this possibility.

National Grid and Comcast Xfinity were both at the scene, working to restore power to residents.

This incident is under investigation.
Vermont State Police are investigating how a Massachusetts man drowned at a marina in Charlotte on Saturday night.

Troopers were called to Point Bay Marina on Thompsons Point Road at 10 p.m. after a boat was found abandoned and idling near the docks.

A short time later, first responders found the body of David Clement, 64, of Pittsfield, nearby and approximately 30 feet from shore.

Authorities believe Clement was returning his boat to his slip at the marina when he fell into the water and drowned.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Vermont State Police.
A pilot is safe after crash landing his seaplane in the water in Naples, Maine Sunday afternoon.

According to WCSH, the small Cessna careened into Brandy Pond, in the Sebago Lakes Region aroun 3:15 p.m.

The plane reportedly sustained significant damage, but its only occupant, the pilot, was able to swim away from the crash uninjured.

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate this incident.
House and Senate negotiators are once again trying to resolve differences over proposals to revamp the state's voter-approved recreational marijuana law.

Friday's meeting of a six-member conference committee came two weeks after an original deadline set by legislative leaders to reach agreement on a final bill. Lawmakers have apparently been struggling to find common ground on issues including taxes, regulatory oversight and local control.

Democratic Rep. Mark Cusack said before Friday's closed-door session he was optimistic a deal could be struck, but offered no timetable.

A House-passed bill overhauling the law would raise the marijuana tax to 28 percent and give local officials more control over pot shops within their communities. The Senate approved a more modest version on the bill that keeps the tax at the current 12 percent.
By Reuters

WASHINGTON: A U.S. judge did not reach a decision on Friday in Western Digital Corp's bid to temporarily block Toshiba Corp from selling its flash memory business in an $18 billion deal but proposed requiring Toshiba to give Western Digital two weeks' notice before closing.

Toshiba is scrambling to sell its flash memory unit to cover losses from its nuclear reactor business.

In late June, Toshiba announced its preferred bidder was a group made up of Bain Capital, South Korean chip maker SK Hynix and Japanese-government backed banks that offered $18 billion.

Western Digital, which is also bidding, sued Toshiba in San Francisco County Superior Court in mid-June, saying it believed a joint venture with Toshiba means Toshiba needs its consent to sell the flash business.

Western Digital's joint venture with Toshiba helps finance equipment at Toshiba's plants in exchange for some of their output.

Separately from the California lawsuit, Western Digital is also contesting its consent rights in an international arbitration tribunal. Western Digital filed its lawsuit in San Francisco to prevent Toshiba from closing the sale of its memory unit before arbitration has a chance to play out.

At the hearing, Judge Kahn proposed requiring Toshiba to give Western Digital two weeks notice if it believed it would close the sale before the arbitration finished.

Toshiba's attorney said they were concerned about agreeing to be bound by the San Francisco court's jurisdiction. Toshiba has argued that because it is a Japanese company and the deal is taking place mostly in Japan, the court should not have jurisdiction.

Attorneys for Western Digital subsidiary SanDisk, which is formally party to the case, expressed concern that any order in which Toshiba did not agree to the court's jurisdiction would not be enforceable.

The two sides could not agree, so Judge Kahn instructed them to come up with final language for his proposed order and set a new hearing for July 28, when a related dispute between the two will be heard.

In a statement, Western Digital CEO Steve Milligan called the proposed order and postponement a "victory."

"Our entire goal was to preserve and protect our rights through the binding arbitration process, and thats precisely what the court has done today," Milligan said.

Toshiba called Judge Kahn's proposed order "a 'finessed' alternative to issuing a preliminary injunction" and confirmed it agreed not to close a sale before July 28.

WASHINGTON: A U.S. judge did not reach a decision on Friday in Western Digital Corp's bid to temporarily block Toshiba Corp from selling its flash memory business in an $18 billion deal but proposed requiring Toshiba to give Western Digital two weeks' notice before closing. Toshiba is scrambling to sell its flash memory unit to cover losses from its nuclear reactor business. In late June, Toshiba announced its preferred bidder was a group made up of Bain Capital, South Korean chip maker SK Hynix and Japanese-government backed banks that offered $18 billion. Western Digital, which is also bidding, sued Toshiba in San Francisco County Superior Court in mid-June, saying it believed a joint venture with Toshiba means Toshiba needs its consent to sell the flash business. Western Digital's joint venture with Toshiba helps finance equipment at Toshiba's plants in exchange for some of their output. Separately from the California lawsuit, Western Digital is also contesting its consent rights in an international arbitration tribunal. Western Digital filed its lawsuit in San Francisco to prevent Toshiba from closing the sale of its memory unit before arbitration has a chance to play out. At the hearing, Judge Kahn proposed requiring Toshiba to give Western Digital two weeks notice if it believed it would close the sale before the arbitration finished. Toshiba's attorney said they were concerned about agreeing to be bound by the San Francisco court's jurisdiction. Toshiba has argued that because it is a Japanese company and the deal is taking place mostly in Japan, the court should not have jurisdiction. Attorneys for Western Digital subsidiary SanDisk, which is formally party to the case, expressed concern that any order in which Toshiba did not agree to the court's jurisdiction would not be enforceable. The two sides could not agree, so Judge Kahn instructed them to come up with final language for his proposed order and set a new hearing for July 28, when a related dispute between the two will be heard. In a statement, Western Digital CEO Steve Milligan called the proposed order and postponement a "victory." "Our entire goal was to preserve and protect our rights through the binding arbitration process, and thats precisely what the court has done today," Milligan said. Toshiba called Judge Kahn's proposed order "a 'finessed' alternative to issuing a preliminary injunction" and confirmed it agreed not to close a sale before July 28.
By PTI

NAGPUR: Fearing Congressmen's wrath during a promotional event of his film 'Indu Sarkar' here, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar on Sunday cancelled the function and tweeted to party vice president Rahul Gandhi to ask him if he approves "this hooliganism."

Bhandarkar cancelled the event after the Congress workers gathered at his proposed press meet venue to lodge their protest against the alleged defamatory content of the movie.



Congress has objected to the film, saying that it may have portrayed Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi in a bad light. Bhandarkar had to face Congressmen's ire in Pune too yesterday after which he had to cancel the promotional events there.



A senior police official told PTI that Congress workers were waiting to meet Bhandarkar at the venue where he was supposed to brief media about the upcoming film. However, after they came to know that the filmmaker is not going to come to the spot, they went to the hotel where Bhandarkar was staying but by the time they reached there, he had already checked out of the hotel.

Dear @OfficeOfRG after Pune I have 2 cancel today's PressCon at Nagpur.Do you approve this hooliganism? Can I have my Freedom of Expression? pic.twitter.com/y44DXiOOgp  Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) July 16, 2017

After cancelling the events in Nagpur, Bhandarkar tweeted to Rahul Gandhi's Office saying, "Dear @OfficeOfRG after Pune I have 2 cancel today's PressCon at Nagpur. Do you approve this hooliganism? Can I have my Freedom of Expression?"



Maharashtra Congress spokesperson, Atul Londhe, said, "The people of India will not accept any attempt to malign the image of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who laid down her life for the unity and integrity of the country.



"If the producers had nothing to hide about the movie, they should have first shown it to the Congress leaders and the members of the Gandhi family."



Nagpur city Congress chief Vikas Thakre, said, "We wanted to meet Bhandarkar and know as to why he was not showing the movie to the concerned Congress leaders. What is he hiding?



However, he left the city before we could meet him."

NAGPUR: Fearing Congressmen's wrath during a promotional event of his film 'Indu Sarkar' here, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar on Sunday cancelled the function and tweeted to party vice president Rahul Gandhi to ask him if he approves "this hooliganism." Bhandarkar cancelled the event after the Congress workers gathered at his proposed press meet venue to lodge their protest against the alleged defamatory content of the movie. Congress has objected to the film, saying that it may have portrayed Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi in a bad light. Bhandarkar had to face Congressmen's ire in Pune too yesterday after which he had to cancel the promotional events there. A senior police official told PTI that Congress workers were waiting to meet Bhandarkar at the venue where he was supposed to brief media about the upcoming film. However, after they came to know that the filmmaker is not going to come to the spot, they went to the hotel where Bhandarkar was staying but by the time they reached there, he had already checked out of the hotel. Dear @OfficeOfRG after Pune I have 2 cancel today's PressCon at Nagpur.Do you approve this hooliganism? Can I have my Freedom of Expression? pic.twitter.com/y44DXiOOgp  Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) July 16, 2017 After cancelling the events in Nagpur, Bhandarkar tweeted to Rahul Gandhi's Office saying, "Dear @OfficeOfRG after Pune I have 2 cancel today's PressCon at Nagpur. Do you approve this hooliganism? Can I have my Freedom of Expression?" Maharashtra Congress spokesperson, Atul Londhe, said, "The people of India will not accept any attempt to malign the image of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who laid down her life for the unity and integrity of the country. "If the producers had nothing to hide about the movie, they should have first shown it to the Congress leaders and the members of the Gandhi family." Nagpur city Congress chief Vikas Thakre, said, "We wanted to meet Bhandarkar and know as to why he was not showing the movie to the concerned Congress leaders. What is he hiding? However, he left the city before we could meet him."
By IANS

MUMBAI: The makers of "Mubarakan" had shot the film in the Gurudwara of Kent in Britain, which is considered to be the largest Gurudwara in Europe. It didn't take them long to form an emotional bond with the people there.

Director Anees Bazmee and the crew members, around 150 people, went for 'langar' every day.

"We were so happy that we got permission to shoot in this specific Gurudwara because it is such a beautiful place. We have shot a very important scene in the film at this place and our crew members developed an emotional bond with the Gurudwara people," Bazmee said in a statement.

The director added: "In fact, when we wrapped our London schedule, some members from my team again went to Gurudwara to meet them and give them a goodbye hug. Without their support, it wouldn't have been possible to shoot 'Mubarakan' there."

"Mubarakan", produced by Sony Pictures Networks Productions and Ashwin Varde and Murad Khetani's Cine1 Studios, is slated to have its worldwide release on July 28.

MUMBAI: The makers of "Mubarakan" had shot the film in the Gurudwara of Kent in Britain, which is considered to be the largest Gurudwara in Europe. It didn't take them long to form an emotional bond with the people there. Director Anees Bazmee and the crew members, around 150 people, went for 'langar' every day. "We were so happy that we got permission to shoot in this specific Gurudwara because it is such a beautiful place. We have shot a very important scene in the film at this place and our crew members developed an emotional bond with the Gurudwara people," Bazmee said in a statement. The director added: "In fact, when we wrapped our London schedule, some members from my team again went to Gurudwara to meet them and give them a goodbye hug. Without their support, it wouldn't have been possible to shoot 'Mubarakan' there." "Mubarakan", produced by Sony Pictures Networks Productions and Ashwin Varde and Murad Khetani's Cine1 Studios, is slated to have its worldwide release on July 28.
By IANS

NEW YORK: Doing yoga for a long time could change the structure of your brain and protect it against cognitive decline in old age, suggests new research.

When the researchers imaged elderly female yoga practitioners' brains, they found that the "yoginis" have greater cortical thickness in the left prefrontal cortex, in brain areas associated with cognitive functions like attention and memory.

As we age, the structure and functionality of our brains change and this often leads to cognitive decline, including impaired attention or memory.

One such change in the brain involves the cerebral cortex becoming thinner, which scientists have shown is correlated with cognitive decline.

So, how can we slow or reverse these changes?

The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, suggest that the answer could lie in contemplative practices like yoga.

"In the same way as muscles, the brain develops through training," explained one of the researchers, Elisa Kozasa of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, Brazil, involved in the study.

"Like any contemplative practice, yoga has a cognitive component in which attention and concentration are important," Kozasa added.

The research team wanted to see if elderly long-term yoga practitioners had any differences in terms of brain structure compared with healthy elderly people who had never practiced yoga.

They recruited a small group of female yoga practitioners (also known as yoginis) who had practiced yoga at least twice a week for a minimum of eight years, although the group had an average of nearly 15 years of yoga practice.

The researchers compared the yoginis with another group of healthy women who had never practiced yoga, meditation or any other contemplative practices, but who were well-matched to the yoginis in terms of their age (all the participants were 60 or over) and levels of physical activity.

The researchers scanned the participants' brains using magnetic resonance imaging to see if there were any differences in brain structure.

"We found greater thickness in the left prefrontal cortex in the yoginis, in brain regions associated with cognitive functions such as attention and memory," Rui Afonso from Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo added.



NEW YORK: Doing yoga for a long time could change the structure of your brain and protect it against cognitive decline in old age, suggests new research. When the researchers imaged elderly female yoga practitioners' brains, they found that the "yoginis" have greater cortical thickness in the left prefrontal cortex, in brain areas associated with cognitive functions like attention and memory. As we age, the structure and functionality of our brains change and this often leads to cognitive decline, including impaired attention or memory. One such change in the brain involves the cerebral cortex becoming thinner, which scientists have shown is correlated with cognitive decline. So, how can we slow or reverse these changes? The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, suggest that the answer could lie in contemplative practices like yoga. "In the same way as muscles, the brain develops through training," explained one of the researchers, Elisa Kozasa of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, Brazil, involved in the study. "Like any contemplative practice, yoga has a cognitive component in which attention and concentration are important," Kozasa added. The research team wanted to see if elderly long-term yoga practitioners had any differences in terms of brain structure compared with healthy elderly people who had never practiced yoga. They recruited a small group of female yoga practitioners (also known as yoginis) who had practiced yoga at least twice a week for a minimum of eight years, although the group had an average of nearly 15 years of yoga practice. The researchers compared the yoginis with another group of healthy women who had never practiced yoga, meditation or any other contemplative practices, but who were well-matched to the yoginis in terms of their age (all the participants were 60 or over) and levels of physical activity. The researchers scanned the participants' brains using magnetic resonance imaging to see if there were any differences in brain structure. "We found greater thickness in the left prefrontal cortex in the yoginis, in brain regions associated with cognitive functions such as attention and memory," Rui Afonso from Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo added.
Ravi Shankar By

In the mandala of statecraft are words that resound with karma. Juggernaut is one, which owes its etymology to the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha where BJP President Amit Shah is spreading the ideology of the party and preparing the state and party for the Assembly elections scheduled in 2019. Says he, Im travelling through states where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power and states where it is yet to. The intention of my tour is to strengthen the BJP in all parts of the country.

In the 35 months since he took over as party head in 2014, he has clocked 5.6 lakh-plus kilometres over 303 tours, holding over 536 rallies. The man never rests, not even inside his campaign vehicle, where his staff fields the endless stream of calls regarding issues concerning the party and the government. Giving quick instructions, the multitasking head of the BJP disposes of matters even as he prepares to address the gathering at the next stop with local flavour and a national message.

Shahs juggernaut, as it rolls through the Southern and Eastern states, challenging established satraps such as Naveen Patnaik, Mamata Banerjee, Siddaramaiah and the cadre-strong Left in Kerala, aims to capture the 120-odd seats the BJP couldnt bag in 2014. In 2019, he plans to change the paradigm of electoral campaigning.

His innovation of taking ideology to the booth level with the slogan Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot (My Booth is the Strongest) has kicked off a mammoth competitive party campaign involving senior party leaders, Union ministers, national general secretaries, volunteers and ordinary party workers on an unprecedented scale. Shahs purpose is to take the fight to the opponents strongholds, using the ripple effect of ideology and political messaging under the Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Vistarak Programme. In Odisha, he invaded Biju Janata Dal (BJD)-dominated areas in Ganjam, Cuttack and Jajpur districts in a white Scorpio, starting out from the state guest-house in Bhubaneswarthe BJP chief doesnt believe in staying in luxury hotels or flying business class, which has caused much heartburn among senior leaders, according to a party General Secretary.

In Dakkhin Katiajote village in West Bengal, a Dalit family greets him with jamai adorthe special treatment reserved for son-in-lawswhere he asserts the Trinamool Congress cannot stop Modis chariot. In Kerala, escorted by scores of motorcycles flying the saffron and green party flag, he garlands colonial-era social reformer Ayyankalis statue, declaring that nothing can stop the BJP from coming to power. In Odisha, Shahs convoy is 40 vehicles long, rolling through Rambha, Chamakhandi and Berhampur in Ganjam, and Neulapur and Jarka in Jajpur districtmostly BJD territory. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaiks constituency is in Hinjli, Ganjam, where Shah gets a warm welcome. Every 10 kilometres or so, Modis indomitable general is stopped by crowds choking flyovers and roads, lining the streets of small towns and waiting for him with bouquets and belief at roadside platforms. The crowd is so thick that he can barely step out, but the famed discipline of party cadres ensure that everything goes off smoothly.

The air resounds with cries of Amit Shah Swagatam, Amit Shah Swagatam. His instinct for local connect is on display, as he comforts the mother of a BJP worker who was murdered by opponents; at a highway stop at Khordha, he praises the Paika rebels who had fought the British during the great rebellion of 1817. The people there revere Bakshi Jagabandhu, the Paika warrior who was killed by East India Company soldiers. Shah, like his icon Modi, milks the power of the social media effectively. As he moves out from Khordha, he immediately tweets, The great Paika Rebellion in 1817 was led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Paika Bakshi projecting Lord Jagannath as the symbol of Odia unity. Unifying Odisha for the BJPas well as other target statesunder the Modi banner is his slogan as he continues his journey to unite all of India under the saffron standard.

The BJP chief is being assisted in his organisational work by full-time Vistaraks of which there are three categoriesthose who devote their time for one year, six months and 15 days. He had himself worked as one for 15 days. The BJP has so far over four lakh Vistaraks to form booth committees and enrol more members for a nationwide social outreach. On Shahs agenda are West Bengal, Telangana, Lakshadweep, Odisha, Gujarat and the Northeast.

He says, The BJP has succeeded in taking organisational strength to the booth level everywhere. Shah spends three days in each state, visiting polling booths, forming booth committees, and interacting with booth- and panchayat-level workers. In West Bengal, it was in Naxalbari where he sounded the bugle first; it was the womb of the Naxalite movement in India. The flag-off was fraught with symbologychallenging the violence of the Naxals and TMC cadres with combative ideology. He says the government pays armed Naxalites back in the same coin. We have won over people in these areas with development, he says. In the state, Shahs booth committee strategy has been unleashed against the TMC, Left and the Congress by deploying 43 lakh cadres in over 60,000 booths of 77,000 in a three-pronged drive.

The mandate of booth workers is to carry messages on development from their party president to be spread at the local level. Uttar Pradesh was the largest laboratory of Shahs booth strategy where committee meetings held in 1.40 lakh booths well before the Assembly polls charged the cadre with organisational voltage. His strategy of inclusivity in Kerala to counter the Left involves wooing Christian leaders, many of whom had praised Modi before the 2014 polls: in January, Shah met Cardinal Mar George Alancherry at Kochi.

Amit Shah with Prime Minister Narendra Modi

During his three-day visit to West Bengal in May, he attacked the Trinamool Congress for promoting violence and appeasement politicsa dig at the Islamisation of parts of West Bengal along the Bangladesh border. After the Basirhat riots, this had retrospective resonance. Illegal immigration was also a factor in BJP winning Assam in 2016. In Tripura, where the Communists have ruled for over 24 years, the BJP strength has grown from 2,000-odd members to more than two lakh since 2014. By the time the country gets ready for the 2019 General Elections, Shah expects to set up booth committees in the over 9.7 lakh polling booths across the countryan exercise of such magnitude that it will take all of the BJP chiefs chutzpah and organisational skills to pull off.

The development mantra is integral to Shahs campaign in these states. Getting off the highway to Hugulpatta village in Odisha, his convoy passes through a narrow unpaved Vermillion mud path running through village green, under the benediction of ancient trees beside which haystacks sleep like dozing hopes in a state infected by mass poverty.

At the public booth meeting, he recalls encountering Odias who come to Gujarat, his home state, in search of work. I feel both happy and sad. Happy to meet them, but sad that they cannot find employment in their own state. There are many Odias working in Surat. There is a divine connection tooLord Jagannath; since both states are home to eponymous temples. Over a million of Odishas population of 47 million are officially unemployed. At roadside meetings small and big, attended by crowds ranging from a few hundred to many thousands, Shah promises work so that people can live in comfort with their parents, wives and children.

In Hugulpatta, where the houses of the poor are less than four feet wide, his promise has emotional connect. On the stage where heavy hitters such as Central ministers and senior party officials keep Shah company, is also a young man wearing a saffron capthe local booth head. The BJP chief engages him in an animated discussion.

A local leader garlands the Chief and tries to touch his feet, which he stops with a mild hug. The message from the podium about his working style comes through loud and clear: youth first and no sycophancy, please. He exhorts people to work shoulder to shoulder with Modi to empower their states. His blunderbuss is aimed at corruption in state governments: the joke doing the rounds is that Odishas Patnaik government is a PC (percentage) sarkarhinting at the reported commission charged by bureaucrats and politicians to get work done. The Centre is giving Odisha money which doesnt reach the poor, Shah announces from umpteen stages; all caravanserais of powerful rhetoric.

His caravan passes through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country; the distant adamantine stretches of the vast Chilika Lake, the passive salt fields of Humma, rows of kewra trees from which ittar is made and the smooth slopes of Barunei hills where the Eastern Ghats begin as a gentle gradient of shadowy violet. Storks meditate on green vistas of paddy where black turbaned palmyra trees interrupt the neat rectangles of fields. Colourful temples glow by the wayside, adorned with figurines of local mythological serpents, lions and icons.

Uttar Pradesh With Yogi Adityanath and Keshav Prasad Maurya before the Assembly elections in Basti

But beneath all the beauty is mind numbing poverty and prejudice; even today Balichhai village in Ganjam is a ghost village, from where its Dalit residents fled after upper caste mobs torched their homes 17 years ago. Burning Dalit homes is not an exclusive feature of Uttar Pradeshs cast escape but afflicts Odisha as well. Shahs visits to their homes to share frugal meals of dal, roti and shredded potato are signals of repudiationthat the BJP will protect Dalits as one with them.

Last year, he took a holy dip with Dalit sadhus in the Kshipra river in Ujjain. His strategy of deploying BJPs Dalit MPs to campaign in 85 reserved Assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh paid off. Last month when he visited Puducherry as part of his Vistarak campaign, he garlanded the statue of the southern poet and freedom fighter Subramania Bharati, a Brahmin who championed Dalits against upper caste prejudice, who had even conducted the sacred thread ceremony of a young Dalit. Through it all, Development, with a capital Dthe catchword, which helped Narendra Modi become Prime Ministeris Shahs leitmotif.

Modis trusted journeyman eats up miles the way an armoured regiment on the offensive does. The Vistrit Pravas, which Shah started in April, involves three-day visits to all states and Union Territories200,000-odd kilometres over 95 days to review government projects such as Swachh Bharat and Beti Padhao, and the work of various departments with strict deadlines. Booth-level expansion, empowering local workers, strengthening the partys cultural focus, training Vistaraks and bonding with specific groups are cardinal aspects of this drive.

But its not just mass communication that is on the agenda. Shah has been holding intellectual meets in most states he visits. Statements take the place of slogans; he discusses serious issues such as economy and economics, defence, national pride and comparative evaluationall without tension. In Goa, he took the high ground abjuring attacks on Congress corruption but placing stress on the benefits of development. Match. Set. Goal. He explains the governments banking crusade to intellectuals with candid clarity.

Can you imagine a life without a bank account? was his disarming question at a meet in Goa. It was a different Amit Shah on stage; disarming, smiling and even jokingunlike the austere man in spotless white linen at whose word even senior party leaders and ministers are known to shiver. Along with vernacular writers and thinkers, Shah has been inviting a discourse with ideologically-aligned English writers and bloggers, too, holding closed-door meetings to discuss the partys thought thrust. Going by the response he is getting from dusty roadsides, state highways and exclusive auditoriums, there seems to be a strong undercurrent gathering force in favour of the BJPa velocity the party chief is intent on harnessing like he did in Uttar Pradesh. In Odisha too, the stress is on progresslack of toilets, doctors and electricity in villages.

The spirit of the Constitution hasnt percolated to the grassroots, he says.

Sitting in a sparsely furnished room in the Jajpur Circuit House, snacking on grapes and nuts, the countrys second most powerful man says the Modi government has ended many contradictions prevailing in the country. Amit Shah is good at reconciling contradictions himself; being both the ultimate party worker and powerful party boss.

It was from the Jagannath Temple in Odisha that his idol Narendra Modi kicked off his prime ministerial campaign in the state. Amitji has a strong connection with Odisha since his first rally after becoming the party president was held in Puri, after taking Lord Jagannaths darshan, says a party general secretary accompanying him. And it was in Odisha in 2015 that he became an active member in the state from Gopinathpur village near Bhubaneswar by formally inducting 129 new members into the saffron folda BJP worker can become an active member by enrolling over 100 primary members.

Both mass leader and number cruncher par excellence, Shah is an enigma to both party men and Opposition leaders; the statistician who understands the power of the electoral calculus by penetrating the grassroots also dominates the most rarefied heights of the party structure. The yatra of Amit Shah is about drawing a roadmap for the party. The karma of Modis Hanuman is not just to help return the BJP to power with increased land spread in 2019, but also to look beyond this decade to create the Age of Modi in perpetuity.

Karnataka Flagging off a motorcycle rally as part of the partys Tiranga Yatra campaign

Regional Meetings

The entire country has been divided into seven zones. Each zone is expected to hold at least one meeting every year where public representatives or office-bearers do brainstorming for expansion of the party.

Core Group

Every state has formed a core group of 13 members, which is expected to meet at least once in six weeks. Proceedings of the meetings are evaluated by the national president.

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Vistarak Programme

Under this, the party has called for full-time Vistaraks. There are three categories of Vistarakone year, six months and 15 days. So far, over four lakh Vistaraks across the country have volunteered to work for the party. Their task includes forming booth committees, enrolling new members, reaching out to difficult social segments, approaching opinion leaders etc. At the end of this exercise, the party is expected to have a strong organisation till booth level in every corner of the country.

Vistrit Pravas

Office-bearers of 12 central organisations have been asked to visit every state on a regular basis. The thrust is to expand party organisation till the booth level. Pravas entails night stay in government guest houses. Use of chartered flights is prohibited.Dates in the map show the tour programme of Amit Shah during his all-India Vistrit and Vistarak Pravas in 2017.

After Being in Power for Over Three Years, Not a Single Allegation of Corruption Has Been Levelled Against Anybody in the BJP

Some political yatras are to win elections; some go beyond elections and become movements that perpetuate an ideology. What do you plan to achieve with your visits to the states?

Im on an 110-day tour of India. The purpose of my tour is to both expand the partys ideology and organisation. It has nothing to do with elections. Im travelling through states where the Bharatiya Janata Party has formed the government as well as states where it is yet to come to power. The intention of the tour is to strengthen the BJP in all parts of the country.

How does this micromanagement work?

For the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Centenary, four lakh BJP workers have set out as Vistaraks. Each of them will work for 15 days in around 750,000 booths across the country. Over 4,000 workers will work full-time for six months to a year. These Vistaraks will handle each and every constituency, and will make the BJP even more formidable before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

What is the BJP doing to spread its ideology among Indians living abroad?

Our Vistaraks are spreading our ideology. Abroad too, the BJP has units for this purpose.

Youre opening libraries in party offices across the country. What kind of books will they have?

Weve decided to set up a party office in each district. In their libraries, besides ideological works, there will be books on history, debates on the Constitution and books that contribute positively to national politics. The libraries will be staffed by ideologically-committed scholarly workers of the BJP.

The PM spoke about samarasta (social harmony) and samata (equality) at a recent function in Delhi. How do you plan to achieve them?

If you have development that is sarvasparshi (touching everything and everyone) and sarvasamaveshak (inclusive), samarasta and samata will follow automatically. As far as the spirit of the Constitution is concerned, even after 70 years of Independence, the culture of samarasta and samata ka sanskaar has not percolated to the grassroots. The spirit of the Constitution has not fully been realised.

Kerala In Thiruvananthapuram, paying tributes to social reformer Ayyankali

For years, Uttar Pradesh has been one of the most violent states for lower castes and women. Many parts of it are very poor. How can it be fixed? How does the Centre plan to help Yogi Adityanath?

UP will certainly get its share of development funds from the Centre. As far as the law and order situation is concerned, when the police and administration do not operate under the compulsions of caste and religion, there will be an automatic reduction in violence. I believe three festering wounds, which can lead to gangrene, have been plaguing democracy in India. They are casteism, dynasty politics and appeasement. After the BJPs victory in UP, the country has been freed from these wounds.

There seems to be a strong demand from J&K political leaders outside the Valley for a trifurcation of the state. Comment?

That must never happen.

The Congress organisation was large. Why did it decline in your opinion?

I feel dynasty and corruption were the main reasons.

Does the BJP want a Congress-mukt Bharat or a BJP-sampann Bharat?

By Congress-mukt Bharat, we mean a Bharat free of Congress culture. Thereby, we want the country to be free of caste-based politics, dynastic politics and the politics of corruption.

Will the BJP be able to carry out a sustained campaign against Pakistan? As a political party, how will it pressure the government to act?

There is no question of pressure. The government is constantly alert for any threats to national security. It is committed to meeting such threats forcefully.

Example?

We carried out surgical strikes. This country is prepared to do anything to defend itself. We believe in the politics of strength, and the world has taken note.

Comment on China policy?

It wont be proper of me to comment on this at this juncture.

So many of our soldiers and policemen are killed by terrorists. Is anything being done for them and their families?

Every security force in this country has its own rules to honour its men. I believe the forces themselves should decide. Every regiment and every battalion must remember their martyrs, their history and tradition.

You are the most successful BJP president in the partys history. Any lessons learned from your predecessors?

Crores of BJP workers are behind the success of the BJP. Its not right to give credit to any particular party president. However, the fact is that today the BJP has become the worlds largest political movement. It has 1,378 MLAs, 13 state governments, four governments with alliance partners and a majority at the Centre. I believe Modijis leadership has taken the party much ahead of where it was in 2014. But the journey is not over yet. Kaafi journey hamaari baaki hai. Im sure in 2019, under Modijis leadership, the BJP will strengthen its position all over the country.



Would you care to elaborate?

A total of 104 satellites were launched simultaneously. This is unprecedented. The philosophy of the Narendra Modi government is responsible for this achievement. No government had cleared One Rank One Pension for 50 years. We did it at one go. Weve decided that before May 2018, there will not be a single village in the country without electricity. Of 18,000, this has been achieved in 13,000 villages. Our target was to give five crore poor families gas cylinders by 2019; 2.25 crore have already got them.

NITI Aayog says the governments claim in rural electrification is not correct; only one electrical connection has been given per village.

It doesnt work like that. First, the village has to get electricity. If the village itself doesnt have electricity, how will any house there get it? Once electrification happens, there is a different scheme to take power to the homes. The first bulb installed in a village is a symbol that electricity is available there. Afterwards, comes the Gram Jyoti Yojna. Work is on now. Every home will have power soon.

And what is the government doing for the poor?

We have decided that by 2019, thousands of toilets will be built in the homes of the poor. Work is on at full tilt. When we came to power, around 60 per cent of families did not have bank accounts. By opening 29 crore accounts, we have connected each and every citizen of India to the economy.

What are you doing for the youth?

Some 7.5 crore youth have been granted loans of `10,000-`10 lakh for self-employment. The lives of numerous youth have been transformed under Skill India. Stand Up India, Startup India has enabled Dalits and technocrats to live with self-respect.

What about farmers?

So much has been done which was pending since Independence. Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna, lakhs of farmers are protected from crop loss due to natural calamities. Pradhan Mantri Irrigation Yojna has irrigated large tracts of land. Once a rare commodity, urea is now available for everyone due to neem coating. E-mandis are being established to get good price for farm produce and laboratory research is percolating down through Soil Health cards.This is a government, which believes in Complete Development, with much work being done in this direction over three years until now.

Did demonetisation and GST really help?

Demonetisation was a war against black money, terrorism and corruption. GST has unified India and will boost growth. Lakhs of people have been brought under the tax net in both cases.

What is the achievement that youre most proud of?

After being in power for over three years, its significant that not a single allegation of corruption has been levelled against anybody in the BJP. I believe this is a big achievement. Under the Congress government, scams exceeding Rs12 lakh crore took place. But now, governance is proceeding in a non-corrupt fashion. Prime Minister Narendra Modiji is the most popular leader of post-Independent India. He is a leader who is loved all over the world.

Both you and the prime minister never seem to rest. Where does this energy come from?

(Laughs) When we see crores of party men working so hard, we get inspired by them. For instance, I just met a 72-year-old man in a village who was actively engaged in crowd control before I arrived. I asked him, Dada, how old are you? And he replied with a smile, Im only 72, with the emphasis on only. We get inspiration from people like him.

How do you relax?

Right now I am relaxed (laughs).

Dont you miss your family with all this travelling?

When I go to Gujarat, I stay with my family. When I am in Delhi, they visit me often.

Do you call yourself a political optimist or realist?

It is not proper to pose such questions. We have been working long before the BJP and the Jan Sangh became strong. So, the question of personal ambition does not arise. Our ideology has satya (truth) and sattva (virtue), and is deeply rooted in Indian culture. That is why we are optimistic as a party.

You are often referred to as the Chanakya of Indian politics. The great Chanakyas stratagems contributed to the creation of the great Maurya empire. How relevant is the Arthasastra to you?

Not just the Maurya empire, he united India (laughs). I have been compared to Chanakya very often in the past. But Chanakyas Arthasastra is relevant even today.

Who are the great strategists in Indias history?

There are so many of them. Its not proper to mention just a few names. Many figures have done much to take the country to the highest levels.

What are you reading now?

Maratha history.

In the mandala of statecraft are words that resound with karma. Juggernaut is one, which owes its etymology to the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha where BJP President Amit Shah is spreading the ideology of the party and preparing the state and party for the Assembly elections scheduled in 2019. Says he, Im travelling through states where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power and states where it is yet to. The intention of my tour is to strengthen the BJP in all parts of the country. In the 35 months since he took over as party head in 2014, he has clocked 5.6 lakh-plus kilometres over 303 tours, holding over 536 rallies. The man never rests, not even inside his campaign vehicle, where his staff fields the endless stream of calls regarding issues concerning the party and the government. Giving quick instructions, the multitasking head of the BJP disposes of matters even as he prepares to address the gathering at the next stop with local flavour and a national message. Shahs juggernaut, as it rolls through the Southern and Eastern states, challenging established satraps such as Naveen Patnaik, Mamata Banerjee, Siddaramaiah and the cadre-strong Left in Kerala, aims to capture the 120-odd seats the BJP couldnt bag in 2014. In 2019, he plans to change the paradigm of electoral campaigning. His innovation of taking ideology to the booth level with the slogan Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot (My Booth is the Strongest) has kicked off a mammoth competitive party campaign involving senior party leaders, Union ministers, national general secretaries, volunteers and ordinary party workers on an unprecedented scale. Shahs purpose is to take the fight to the opponents strongholds, using the ripple effect of ideology and political messaging under the Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Vistarak Programme. In Odisha, he invaded Biju Janata Dal (BJD)-dominated areas in Ganjam, Cuttack and Jajpur districts in a white Scorpio, starting out from the state guest-house in Bhubaneswarthe BJP chief doesnt believe in staying in luxury hotels or flying business class, which has caused much heartburn among senior leaders, according to a party General Secretary. In Dakkhin Katiajote village in West Bengal, a Dalit family greets him with jamai adorthe special treatment reserved for son-in-lawswhere he asserts the Trinamool Congress cannot stop Modis chariot. In Kerala, escorted by scores of motorcycles flying the saffron and green party flag, he garlands colonial-era social reformer Ayyankalis statue, declaring that nothing can stop the BJP from coming to power. In Odisha, Shahs convoy is 40 vehicles long, rolling through Rambha, Chamakhandi and Berhampur in Ganjam, and Neulapur and Jarka in Jajpur districtmostly BJD territory. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaiks constituency is in Hinjli, Ganjam, where Shah gets a warm welcome. Every 10 kilometres or so, Modis indomitable general is stopped by crowds choking flyovers and roads, lining the streets of small towns and waiting for him with bouquets and belief at roadside platforms. The crowd is so thick that he can barely step out, but the famed discipline of party cadres ensure that everything goes off smoothly. The air resounds with cries of Amit Shah Swagatam, Amit Shah Swagatam. His instinct for local connect is on display, as he comforts the mother of a BJP worker who was murdered by opponents; at a highway stop at Khordha, he praises the Paika rebels who had fought the British during the great rebellion of 1817. The people there revere Bakshi Jagabandhu, the Paika warrior who was killed by East India Company soldiers. Shah, like his icon Modi, milks the power of the social media effectively. As he moves out from Khordha, he immediately tweets, The great Paika Rebellion in 1817 was led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Paika Bakshi projecting Lord Jagannath as the symbol of Odia unity. Unifying Odisha for the BJPas well as other target statesunder the Modi banner is his slogan as he continues his journey to unite all of India under the saffron standard. The BJP chief is being assisted in his organisational work by full-time Vistaraks of which there are three categoriesthose who devote their time for one year, six months and 15 days. He had himself worked as one for 15 days. The BJP has so far over four lakh Vistaraks to form booth committees and enrol more members for a nationwide social outreach. On Shahs agenda are West Bengal, Telangana, Lakshadweep, Odisha, Gujarat and the Northeast. He says, The BJP has succeeded in taking organisational strength to the booth level everywhere. Shah spends three days in each state, visiting polling booths, forming booth committees, and interacting with booth- and panchayat-level workers. In West Bengal, it was in Naxalbari where he sounded the bugle first; it was the womb of the Naxalite movement in India. The flag-off was fraught with symbologychallenging the violence of the Naxals and TMC cadres with combative ideology. He says the government pays armed Naxalites back in the same coin. We have won over people in these areas with development, he says. In the state, Shahs booth committee strategy has been unleashed against the TMC, Left and the Congress by deploying 43 lakh cadres in over 60,000 booths of 77,000 in a three-pronged drive. The mandate of booth workers is to carry messages on development from their party president to be spread at the local level. Uttar Pradesh was the largest laboratory of Shahs booth strategy where committee meetings held in 1.40 lakh booths well before the Assembly polls charged the cadre with organisational voltage. His strategy of inclusivity in Kerala to counter the Left involves wooing Christian leaders, many of whom had praised Modi before the 2014 polls: in January, Shah met Cardinal Mar George Alancherry at Kochi. Amit Shah with Prime Minister Narendra Modi During his three-day visit to West Bengal in May, he attacked the Trinamool Congress for promoting violence and appeasement politicsa dig at the Islamisation of parts of West Bengal along the Bangladesh border. After the Basirhat riots, this had retrospective resonance. Illegal immigration was also a factor in BJP winning Assam in 2016. In Tripura, where the Communists have ruled for over 24 years, the BJP strength has grown from 2,000-odd members to more than two lakh since 2014. By the time the country gets ready for the 2019 General Elections, Shah expects to set up booth committees in the over 9.7 lakh polling booths across the countryan exercise of such magnitude that it will take all of the BJP chiefs chutzpah and organisational skills to pull off. The development mantra is integral to Shahs campaign in these states. Getting off the highway to Hugulpatta village in Odisha, his convoy passes through a narrow unpaved Vermillion mud path running through village green, under the benediction of ancient trees beside which haystacks sleep like dozing hopes in a state infected by mass poverty. At the public booth meeting, he recalls encountering Odias who come to Gujarat, his home state, in search of work. I feel both happy and sad. Happy to meet them, but sad that they cannot find employment in their own state. There are many Odias working in Surat. There is a divine connection tooLord Jagannath; since both states are home to eponymous temples. Over a million of Odishas population of 47 million are officially unemployed. At roadside meetings small and big, attended by crowds ranging from a few hundred to many thousands, Shah promises work so that people can live in comfort with their parents, wives and children. In Hugulpatta, where the houses of the poor are less than four feet wide, his promise has emotional connect. On the stage where heavy hitters such as Central ministers and senior party officials keep Shah company, is also a young man wearing a saffron capthe local booth head. The BJP chief engages him in an animated discussion. A local leader garlands the Chief and tries to touch his feet, which he stops with a mild hug. The message from the podium about his working style comes through loud and clear: youth first and no sycophancy, please. He exhorts people to work shoulder to shoulder with Modi to empower their states. His blunderbuss is aimed at corruption in state governments: the joke doing the rounds is that Odishas Patnaik government is a PC (percentage) sarkarhinting at the reported commission charged by bureaucrats and politicians to get work done. The Centre is giving Odisha money which doesnt reach the poor, Shah announces from umpteen stages; all caravanserais of powerful rhetoric. His caravan passes through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country; the distant adamantine stretches of the vast Chilika Lake, the passive salt fields of Humma, rows of kewra trees from which ittar is made and the smooth slopes of Barunei hills where the Eastern Ghats begin as a gentle gradient of shadowy violet. Storks meditate on green vistas of paddy where black turbaned palmyra trees interrupt the neat rectangles of fields. Colourful temples glow by the wayside, adorned with figurines of local mythological serpents, lions and icons. Uttar Pradesh With Yogi Adityanath and Keshav Prasad Maurya before the Assembly elections in Basti But beneath all the beauty is mind numbing poverty and prejudice; even today Balichhai village in Ganjam is a ghost village, from where its Dalit residents fled after upper caste mobs torched their homes 17 years ago. Burning Dalit homes is not an exclusive feature of Uttar Pradeshs cast escape but afflicts Odisha as well. Shahs visits to their homes to share frugal meals of dal, roti and shredded potato are signals of repudiationthat the BJP will protect Dalits as one with them. Last year, he took a holy dip with Dalit sadhus in the Kshipra river in Ujjain. His strategy of deploying BJPs Dalit MPs to campaign in 85 reserved Assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh paid off. Last month when he visited Puducherry as part of his Vistarak campaign, he garlanded the statue of the southern poet and freedom fighter Subramania Bharati, a Brahmin who championed Dalits against upper caste prejudice, who had even conducted the sacred thread ceremony of a young Dalit. Through it all, Development, with a capital Dthe catchword, which helped Narendra Modi become Prime Ministeris Shahs leitmotif. Modis trusted journeyman eats up miles the way an armoured regiment on the offensive does. The Vistrit Pravas, which Shah started in April, involves three-day visits to all states and Union Territories200,000-odd kilometres over 95 days to review government projects such as Swachh Bharat and Beti Padhao, and the work of various departments with strict deadlines. Booth-level expansion, empowering local workers, strengthening the partys cultural focus, training Vistaraks and bonding with specific groups are cardinal aspects of this drive. But its not just mass communication that is on the agenda. Shah has been holding intellectual meets in most states he visits. Statements take the place of slogans; he discusses serious issues such as economy and economics, defence, national pride and comparative evaluationall without tension. In Goa, he took the high ground abjuring attacks on Congress corruption but placing stress on the benefits of development. Match. Set. Goal. He explains the governments banking crusade to intellectuals with candid clarity. Can you imagine a life without a bank account? was his disarming question at a meet in Goa. It was a different Amit Shah on stage; disarming, smiling and even jokingunlike the austere man in spotless white linen at whose word even senior party leaders and ministers are known to shiver. Along with vernacular writers and thinkers, Shah has been inviting a discourse with ideologically-aligned English writers and bloggers, too, holding closed-door meetings to discuss the partys thought thrust. Going by the response he is getting from dusty roadsides, state highways and exclusive auditoriums, there seems to be a strong undercurrent gathering force in favour of the BJPa velocity the party chief is intent on harnessing like he did in Uttar Pradesh. In Odisha too, the stress is on progresslack of toilets, doctors and electricity in villages. The spirit of the Constitution hasnt percolated to the grassroots, he says. Sitting in a sparsely furnished room in the Jajpur Circuit House, snacking on grapes and nuts, the countrys second most powerful man says the Modi government has ended many contradictions prevailing in the country. Amit Shah is good at reconciling contradictions himself; being both the ultimate party worker and powerful party boss. It was from the Jagannath Temple in Odisha that his idol Narendra Modi kicked off his prime ministerial campaign in the state. Amitji has a strong connection with Odisha since his first rally after becoming the party president was held in Puri, after taking Lord Jagannaths darshan, says a party general secretary accompanying him. And it was in Odisha in 2015 that he became an active member in the state from Gopinathpur village near Bhubaneswar by formally inducting 129 new members into the saffron folda BJP worker can become an active member by enrolling over 100 primary members. Both mass leader and number cruncher par excellence, Shah is an enigma to both party men and Opposition leaders; the statistician who understands the power of the electoral calculus by penetrating the grassroots also dominates the most rarefied heights of the party structure. The yatra of Amit Shah is about drawing a roadmap for the party. The karma of Modis Hanuman is not just to help return the BJP to power with increased land spread in 2019, but also to look beyond this decade to create the Age of Modi in perpetuity. Karnataka Flagging off a motorcycle rally as part of the partys Tiranga Yatra campaign Regional Meetings The entire country has been divided into seven zones. Each zone is expected to hold at least one meeting every year where public representatives or office-bearers do brainstorming for expansion of the party. Core Group Every state has formed a core group of 13 members, which is expected to meet at least once in six weeks. Proceedings of the meetings are evaluated by the national president. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Vistarak Programme Under this, the party has called for full-time Vistaraks. There are three categories of Vistarakone year, six months and 15 days. So far, over four lakh Vistaraks across the country have volunteered to work for the party. Their task includes forming booth committees, enrolling new members, reaching out to difficult social segments, approaching opinion leaders etc. At the end of this exercise, the party is expected to have a strong organisation till booth level in every corner of the country. Vistrit Pravas Office-bearers of 12 central organisations have been asked to visit every state on a regular basis. The thrust is to expand party organisation till the booth level. Pravas entails night stay in government guest houses. Use of chartered flights is prohibited.Dates in the map show the tour programme of Amit Shah during his all-India Vistrit and Vistarak Pravas in 2017. After Being in Power for Over Three Years, Not a Single Allegation of Corruption Has Been Levelled Against Anybody in the BJP Some political yatras are to win elections; some go beyond elections and become movements that perpetuate an ideology. What do you plan to achieve with your visits to the states? Im on an 110-day tour of India. The purpose of my tour is to both expand the partys ideology and organisation. It has nothing to do with elections. Im travelling through states where the Bharatiya Janata Party has formed the government as well as states where it is yet to come to power. The intention of the tour is to strengthen the BJP in all parts of the country. How does this micromanagement work? For the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Centenary, four lakh BJP workers have set out as Vistaraks. Each of them will work for 15 days in around 750,000 booths across the country. Over 4,000 workers will work full-time for six months to a year. These Vistaraks will handle each and every constituency, and will make the BJP even more formidable before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. What is the BJP doing to spread its ideology among Indians living abroad? Our Vistaraks are spreading our ideology. Abroad too, the BJP has units for this purpose. Youre opening libraries in party offices across the country. What kind of books will they have? Weve decided to set up a party office in each district. In their libraries, besides ideological works, there will be books on history, debates on the Constitution and books that contribute positively to national politics. The libraries will be staffed by ideologically-committed scholarly workers of the BJP. The PM spoke about samarasta (social harmony) and samata (equality) at a recent function in Delhi. How do you plan to achieve them? If you have development that is sarvasparshi (touching everything and everyone) and sarvasamaveshak (inclusive), samarasta and samata will follow automatically. As far as the spirit of the Constitution is concerned, even after 70 years of Independence, the culture of samarasta and samata ka sanskaar has not percolated to the grassroots. The spirit of the Constitution has not fully been realised. Kerala In Thiruvananthapuram, paying tributes to social reformer Ayyankali For years, Uttar Pradesh has been one of the most violent states for lower castes and women. Many parts of it are very poor. How can it be fixed? How does the Centre plan to help Yogi Adityanath? UP will certainly get its share of development funds from the Centre. As far as the law and order situation is concerned, when the police and administration do not operate under the compulsions of caste and religion, there will be an automatic reduction in violence. I believe three festering wounds, which can lead to gangrene, have been plaguing democracy in India. They are casteism, dynasty politics and appeasement. After the BJPs victory in UP, the country has been freed from these wounds. There seems to be a strong demand from J&K political leaders outside the Valley for a trifurcation of the state. Comment? That must never happen. The Congress organisation was large. Why did it decline in your opinion? I feel dynasty and corruption were the main reasons. Does the BJP want a Congress-mukt Bharat or a BJP-sampann Bharat? By Congress-mukt Bharat, we mean a Bharat free of Congress culture. Thereby, we want the country to be free of caste-based politics, dynastic politics and the politics of corruption. Will the BJP be able to carry out a sustained campaign against Pakistan? As a political party, how will it pressure the government to act? There is no question of pressure. The government is constantly alert for any threats to national security. It is committed to meeting such threats forcefully. Example? We carried out surgical strikes. This country is prepared to do anything to defend itself. We believe in the politics of strength, and the world has taken note. Comment on China policy? It wont be proper of me to comment on this at this juncture. So many of our soldiers and policemen are killed by terrorists. Is anything being done for them and their families? Every security force in this country has its own rules to honour its men. I believe the forces themselves should decide. Every regiment and every battalion must remember their martyrs, their history and tradition. You are the most successful BJP president in the partys history. Any lessons learned from your predecessors? Crores of BJP workers are behind the success of the BJP. Its not right to give credit to any particular party president. However, the fact is that today the BJP has become the worlds largest political movement. It has 1,378 MLAs, 13 state governments, four governments with alliance partners and a majority at the Centre. I believe Modijis leadership has taken the party much ahead of where it was in 2014. But the journey is not over yet. Kaafi journey hamaari baaki hai. Im sure in 2019, under Modijis leadership, the BJP will strengthen its position all over the country. Would you care to elaborate? A total of 104 satellites were launched simultaneously. This is unprecedented. The philosophy of the Narendra Modi government is responsible for this achievement. No government had cleared One Rank One Pension for 50 years. We did it at one go. Weve decided that before May 2018, there will not be a single village in the country without electricity. Of 18,000, this has been achieved in 13,000 villages. Our target was to give five crore poor families gas cylinders by 2019; 2.25 crore have already got them. NITI Aayog says the governments claim in rural electrification is not correct; only one electrical connection has been given per village. It doesnt work like that. First, the village has to get electricity. If the village itself doesnt have electricity, how will any house there get it? Once electrification happens, there is a different scheme to take power to the homes. The first bulb installed in a village is a symbol that electricity is available there. Afterwards, comes the Gram Jyoti Yojna. Work is on now. Every home will have power soon. And what is the government doing for the poor? We have decided that by 2019, thousands of toilets will be built in the homes of the poor. Work is on at full tilt. When we came to power, around 60 per cent of families did not have bank accounts. By opening 29 crore accounts, we have connected each and every citizen of India to the economy. What are you doing for the youth? Some 7.5 crore youth have been granted loans of `10,000-`10 lakh for self-employment. The lives of numerous youth have been transformed under Skill India. Stand Up India, Startup India has enabled Dalits and technocrats to live with self-respect. What about farmers? So much has been done which was pending since Independence. Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna, lakhs of farmers are protected from crop loss due to natural calamities. Pradhan Mantri Irrigation Yojna has irrigated large tracts of land. Once a rare commodity, urea is now available for everyone due to neem coating. E-mandis are being established to get good price for farm produce and laboratory research is percolating down through Soil Health cards.This is a government, which believes in Complete Development, with much work being done in this direction over three years until now. Did demonetisation and GST really help? Demonetisation was a war against black money, terrorism and corruption. GST has unified India and will boost growth. Lakhs of people have been brought under the tax net in both cases. What is the achievement that youre most proud of? After being in power for over three years, its significant that not a single allegation of corruption has been levelled against anybody in the BJP. I believe this is a big achievement. Under the Congress government, scams exceeding Rs12 lakh crore took place. But now, governance is proceeding in a non-corrupt fashion. Prime Minister Narendra Modiji is the most popular leader of post-Independent India. He is a leader who is loved all over the world. Both you and the prime minister never seem to rest. Where does this energy come from? (Laughs) When we see crores of party men working so hard, we get inspired by them. For instance, I just met a 72-year-old man in a village who was actively engaged in crowd control before I arrived. I asked him, Dada, how old are you? And he replied with a smile, Im only 72, with the emphasis on only. We get inspiration from people like him. How do you relax? Right now I am relaxed (laughs). Dont you miss your family with all this travelling? When I go to Gujarat, I stay with my family. When I am in Delhi, they visit me often. Do you call yourself a political optimist or realist? It is not proper to pose such questions. We have been working long before the BJP and the Jan Sangh became strong. So, the question of personal ambition does not arise. Our ideology has satya (truth) and sattva (virtue), and is deeply rooted in Indian culture. That is why we are optimistic as a party. You are often referred to as the Chanakya of Indian politics. The great Chanakyas stratagems contributed to the creation of the great Maurya empire. How relevant is the Arthasastra to you? Not just the Maurya empire, he united India (laughs). I have been compared to Chanakya very often in the past. But Chanakyas Arthasastra is relevant even today. Who are the great strategists in Indias history? There are so many of them. Its not proper to mention just a few names. Many figures have done much to take the country to the highest levels. What are you reading now? Maratha history.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Thirty-nine Indians abducted in Iraq by the ISIS three years ago may be lodged in a jail in Badush in northwest Mosul, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said, and added that her Iraqi counterpart may bring fresh information about them when he visits India on July 24.

Swaraj today briefed family members of the abducted men, who are mostly from Punjab, about information gathered by the Minister of State for External Affairs, V K Singh, who was sent to the Gulf nation after its Prime Minister announced the liberation of Mosul from the dreaded terror group ISIS.

Swaraj said an authoritative official quoting intelligence sources told Singh the Indians were deployed at a hospital construction site and then shifted to a farm. They were then taken to a jail in Badush in West Mosul, where fighting between the ISIS and Iraqi forces is carrying on.

Ministers of state Singh and M J Akbar and senior ministry officials were also present at the meeting with the family members.

She said Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari is scheduled to visit India on July 24 and may bring updated information about the missing men.

"East Mosul has been completely freed from ISIS and now buildings are being sanitised and authorities are not allowing civilians to go there as there may be bombs and other explosives," she said.

In West Mosul, fighting is still carrying on, she said.

"An official who quoted intelligence sources told Gen Singh that they were deployed for a hospital construction and then in a farm. From there, they were sent to a jail in Badush. There has been no information since then," Swaraj told reporters.

There would be fresh information once the fighting in Badush was over, she added.

Swaraj said she had spoken to foreign ministers of all the countries in the region which could help India in locating the men.

The external affairs minister had written a letter to her Iraqi counterpart and it was handed over to him in Baghdad by Singh. Singh returned from Iraq yesterday.

She said if required, Singh would again travel to Iraq.

We called family members of all those who were abducted in Iraq. I had already met them 10 or 12 times, but this time the situation was different as the Iraqi prime minister had declared that Mosul had been freed from the ISIS. That very day I asked V K Singh to go to Iraq and collect details about the Indians, Swaraj said.

The Indians were abducted by the ISIS in Mosul in June 2014.

NEW DELHI: Thirty-nine Indians abducted in Iraq by the ISIS three years ago may be lodged in a jail in Badush in northwest Mosul, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said, and added that her Iraqi counterpart may bring fresh information about them when he visits India on July 24. Swaraj today briefed family members of the abducted men, who are mostly from Punjab, about information gathered by the Minister of State for External Affairs, V K Singh, who was sent to the Gulf nation after its Prime Minister announced the liberation of Mosul from the dreaded terror group ISIS. Swaraj said an authoritative official quoting intelligence sources told Singh the Indians were deployed at a hospital construction site and then shifted to a farm. They were then taken to a jail in Badush in West Mosul, where fighting between the ISIS and Iraqi forces is carrying on. Ministers of state Singh and M J Akbar and senior ministry officials were also present at the meeting with the family members. She said Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari is scheduled to visit India on July 24 and may bring updated information about the missing men. "East Mosul has been completely freed from ISIS and now buildings are being sanitised and authorities are not allowing civilians to go there as there may be bombs and other explosives," she said. In West Mosul, fighting is still carrying on, she said. "An official who quoted intelligence sources told Gen Singh that they were deployed for a hospital construction and then in a farm. From there, they were sent to a jail in Badush. There has been no information since then," Swaraj told reporters. There would be fresh information once the fighting in Badush was over, she added. Swaraj said she had spoken to foreign ministers of all the countries in the region which could help India in locating the men. The external affairs minister had written a letter to her Iraqi counterpart and it was handed over to him in Baghdad by Singh. Singh returned from Iraq yesterday. She said if required, Singh would again travel to Iraq. We called family members of all those who were abducted in Iraq. I had already met them 10 or 12 times, but this time the situation was different as the Iraqi prime minister had declared that Mosul had been freed from the ISIS. That very day I asked V K Singh to go to Iraq and collect details about the Indians, Swaraj said. The Indians were abducted by the ISIS in Mosul in June 2014.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: Eighty-seven year old Babulal Gaur is perhaps the oldest politician in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Madhya Pradesh.

However, the former chief minister who was dropped from the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet in June 2016 because of his age, is not willing to give up his Assembly seat. He says he is determined to contest the state Assembly polls for the eleventh time in 2018 from the Govindpura seat of Bhopal where he is undefeated since 1980.

The nine-time sitting MLA who won his first assembly election from Dakshin Bhopal seat in a bypoll in 1974 told the New Indian Express, he is determined to contest from Govindpura in 2018 and win that seat for the BJP again.

Im confident that the party will again repose faith in me in 2018, as Ive been winning the seat with ease since 1980, said Gaur.

The BJP has banned MLAs who are above 75 years of age from taking up minister-level positions.

The 75-plus formula was meant for council of ministers. As far as I know, there is no age formula in the party for contesting the polls. An 80-plus man was awarded the party ticket in this year's UP Assembly polls, then why will the party deny ticket to me, maintained Gaur.

Gaur, recounted how he was fielded as an independent candidate in 1974 at the behest of Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan. He (Jaiprakash Narayan) gave me blessings to be a lawmaker for entire life. Since then Ive never lost an assembly election. In 2003, our chief minister candidate Uma Bharti wanted to deny me the party ticket from Govindpura. But her plans met the disapproval of the then Prime Minsiter Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other senior party leaders Sushma Swaraj and Pramod Mahajan. Im Ataljis disciple and will contest the poll from Govindpura again as a BJP candidate in 2018, said Gaur.

At a time when other leaders of the party, including Bhopal mayor Alok Sharma (considered close to MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan) and MP Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) head Tapan Bhowmick have publicly staked claim as Gaurs successor from Govindpura, the veteran BJP politician made it clear, there is no concept of political successor in the BJP. Political successors exist only in the Congress, spanning from Motilal Nehru to Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi.

With Gaurs daughter-in-law and former Bhopal mayor Krishna Gaur also said to be in the race for BJP candidature from Govindpura in 2018, the former CM said those leaders dubbing themselves as my political successor are committed party workers who have played crucial role in previous polls. But I dont have any political successor. Even my daughter-in-law can at best inherit my property only, said Gaur.

The octogenarian who has embarrassed his own government by raising questions on various issues in the state assembly after being dropped from state cabinet in June 2016 said he will again perform his jan-dharma (duty as lawmaker) in the monsoon session of assembly starting on Monday.

Im an MLA and hence, will raise questions pertaining to development, be it on delay in metro railway project in Bhopal or Indore or the smart city projects in the state. I dont intend to embarrass the government, but can't shun my responsibility of taking up issues of development in the assembly, said Gaur.

BHOPAL: Eighty-seven year old Babulal Gaur is perhaps the oldest politician in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Madhya Pradesh. However, the former chief minister who was dropped from the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet in June 2016 because of his age, is not willing to give up his Assembly seat. He says he is determined to contest the state Assembly polls for the eleventh time in 2018 from the Govindpura seat of Bhopal where he is undefeated since 1980. The nine-time sitting MLA who won his first assembly election from Dakshin Bhopal seat in a bypoll in 1974 told the New Indian Express, he is determined to contest from Govindpura in 2018 and win that seat for the BJP again. Im confident that the party will again repose faith in me in 2018, as Ive been winning the seat with ease since 1980, said Gaur. The BJP has banned MLAs who are above 75 years of age from taking up minister-level positions. The 75-plus formula was meant for council of ministers. As far as I know, there is no age formula in the party for contesting the polls. An 80-plus man was awarded the party ticket in this year's UP Assembly polls, then why will the party deny ticket to me, maintained Gaur. Gaur, recounted how he was fielded as an independent candidate in 1974 at the behest of Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan. He (Jaiprakash Narayan) gave me blessings to be a lawmaker for entire life. Since then Ive never lost an assembly election. In 2003, our chief minister candidate Uma Bharti wanted to deny me the party ticket from Govindpura. But her plans met the disapproval of the then Prime Minsiter Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other senior party leaders Sushma Swaraj and Pramod Mahajan. Im Ataljis disciple and will contest the poll from Govindpura again as a BJP candidate in 2018, said Gaur. At a time when other leaders of the party, including Bhopal mayor Alok Sharma (considered close to MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan) and MP Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) head Tapan Bhowmick have publicly staked claim as Gaurs successor from Govindpura, the veteran BJP politician made it clear, there is no concept of political successor in the BJP. Political successors exist only in the Congress, spanning from Motilal Nehru to Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi. With Gaurs daughter-in-law and former Bhopal mayor Krishna Gaur also said to be in the race for BJP candidature from Govindpura in 2018, the former CM said those leaders dubbing themselves as my political successor are committed party workers who have played crucial role in previous polls. But I dont have any political successor. Even my daughter-in-law can at best inherit my property only, said Gaur. The octogenarian who has embarrassed his own government by raising questions on various issues in the state assembly after being dropped from state cabinet in June 2016 said he will again perform his jan-dharma (duty as lawmaker) in the monsoon session of assembly starting on Monday. Im an MLA and hence, will raise questions pertaining to development, be it on delay in metro railway project in Bhopal or Indore or the smart city projects in the state. I dont intend to embarrass the government, but can't shun my responsibility of taking up issues of development in the assembly, said Gaur.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Sunday refused to allow Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Narottam Mishra -- disqualified by the EC for not disclosing money spent on paid news in 2008 assembly elections -- to participate in the July 17 Presidential poll.

A Division Bench of Justice Muralidhar and Justice Pratibha Singh rejected Mishra's application that challenged a single-judge bench's order to dismiss his plea to vote in the Presidential poll.

The single-judge bench had on Friday also dismissed his plea that challenged his disqualification by the Election Commission (EC) on June 23 for not disclosing expenses he incurred on paid news in his election expenditure returns and barred him from contesting elections for three years.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Mishra to move the Delhi High Court after he failed to get any interim relief from the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

The Minister had moved the apex court to seek an urgent hearing of his plea either by the High Court or the apex court itself, so that he could participate in the July 17 election.

The top court, in its order, said that the outcome of the case has an "important bearing" on whether Mishra would continue to be a member of the assembly and vote in the Presidential election.

Narottam Mishra is Legislative Affairs Minister and the Madhya Pradesh assembly session is starting from July 17, with voting in the Presidential election scheduled for the day.

The Election Commission, while disqualifying Mishra for not disclosing expenditure incurred on paid news in local media during the 2008 assembly elections, had said that it was concerned about the "menace of paid news" which has been assuming "alarming proportions" in the electoral landscape.

The EC order said that all the 42 news items that had appeared in five Hindi dailies were "extremely biased in favour of" Mishra.

This phenomenon, a manifestation of the "pernicious effect of money in elections", has been growing increasingly vicious and "spreading like cancer" in recent times, the EC observed.

The EC order disqualifying Mishra came on a complaint filed in 2009 by Congress legislator Rajender Bharti, who had unsuccessfully contested against Mishra from the Datia assembly constituency.

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Sunday refused to allow Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Narottam Mishra -- disqualified by the EC for not disclosing money spent on paid news in 2008 assembly elections -- to participate in the July 17 Presidential poll. A Division Bench of Justice Muralidhar and Justice Pratibha Singh rejected Mishra's application that challenged a single-judge bench's order to dismiss his plea to vote in the Presidential poll. The single-judge bench had on Friday also dismissed his plea that challenged his disqualification by the Election Commission (EC) on June 23 for not disclosing expenses he incurred on paid news in his election expenditure returns and barred him from contesting elections for three years. The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Mishra to move the Delhi High Court after he failed to get any interim relief from the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The Minister had moved the apex court to seek an urgent hearing of his plea either by the High Court or the apex court itself, so that he could participate in the July 17 election. The top court, in its order, said that the outcome of the case has an "important bearing" on whether Mishra would continue to be a member of the assembly and vote in the Presidential election. Narottam Mishra is Legislative Affairs Minister and the Madhya Pradesh assembly session is starting from July 17, with voting in the Presidential election scheduled for the day. The Election Commission, while disqualifying Mishra for not disclosing expenditure incurred on paid news in local media during the 2008 assembly elections, had said that it was concerned about the "menace of paid news" which has been assuming "alarming proportions" in the electoral landscape. The EC order said that all the 42 news items that had appeared in five Hindi dailies were "extremely biased in favour of" Mishra. This phenomenon, a manifestation of the "pernicious effect of money in elections", has been growing increasingly vicious and "spreading like cancer" in recent times, the EC observed. The EC order disqualifying Mishra came on a complaint filed in 2009 by Congress legislator Rajender Bharti, who had unsuccessfully contested against Mishra from the Datia assembly constituency.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday met Union home minister Rajnath Singh here and apprised him of the security situation in the state and measures taken to beef up security arrangements for the Amarnath pilgrims and counter-insurgency measures in the Valley even as she blamed external forces for trouble in the state.

The meeting comes a day after Singh held an all-party meeting on Friday evening on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir as also the scenario arising due to the standoff with China at Dokalam in Sikkim. Kashmir issue is not a law and order problem. It is happening because of external forces. The ongoing fight is a handiwork of external forces and now unfortunately China is also trying to meddle in it, Mehbooba told reporters after the meeting.

The Jammu and Kashmir CM also told Singh that after a thorough review of the law and order situation in the Valley following the attack on the Amarnath pilgrims, certain steps had been taken to strengthen vigil, especially in the vulnerable areas, and maintain peace in the Valley, official sources said. Mufti also told the home minister about the progress of the ongoing probe into the terror attack on the Amarnath pilgrims. She told the attack on Amarnath pilgrims was aimed to spark communal violence in the state. The state government has also directed the police to remain extra vigilant to check repeat of such an incident.

Mehbooba also said that the Jammu and Kashmir government had requested the central government for ensuring that Article 370 should not get diluted as it has an emotional connect with the people of the state. After the visit of the minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir and MoS (PMO) Jitendra Singh to Srinagar after the July 10 attack on the pilgrims, the Centre had advised the state government and the security forces to vigorously implement the existing security plans for the security of the Amarnath pilgrims.

The Centre has also directed the state government and the security forces to intensify targeted action against the terrorists in the Valley. The Union Home Ministry has separately directed the Border Security Force to step up vigil along the borders and thwart any possible infiltration of the ultras from Pakistan.

Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba is suspected to be behind the killing of seven Amarnath pilgrims and injuring 19 others on July 10 by firing on the moving bus carrying the devotees.

NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday met Union home minister Rajnath Singh here and apprised him of the security situation in the state and measures taken to beef up security arrangements for the Amarnath pilgrims and counter-insurgency measures in the Valley even as she blamed external forces for trouble in the state. The meeting comes a day after Singh held an all-party meeting on Friday evening on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir as also the scenario arising due to the standoff with China at Dokalam in Sikkim. Kashmir issue is not a law and order problem. It is happening because of external forces. The ongoing fight is a handiwork of external forces and now unfortunately China is also trying to meddle in it, Mehbooba told reporters after the meeting. The Jammu and Kashmir CM also told Singh that after a thorough review of the law and order situation in the Valley following the attack on the Amarnath pilgrims, certain steps had been taken to strengthen vigil, especially in the vulnerable areas, and maintain peace in the Valley, official sources said. Mufti also told the home minister about the progress of the ongoing probe into the terror attack on the Amarnath pilgrims. She told the attack on Amarnath pilgrims was aimed to spark communal violence in the state. The state government has also directed the police to remain extra vigilant to check repeat of such an incident. Mehbooba also said that the Jammu and Kashmir government had requested the central government for ensuring that Article 370 should not get diluted as it has an emotional connect with the people of the state. After the visit of the minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir and MoS (PMO) Jitendra Singh to Srinagar after the July 10 attack on the pilgrims, the Centre had advised the state government and the security forces to vigorously implement the existing security plans for the security of the Amarnath pilgrims. The Centre has also directed the state government and the security forces to intensify targeted action against the terrorists in the Valley. The Union Home Ministry has separately directed the Border Security Force to step up vigil along the borders and thwart any possible infiltration of the ultras from Pakistan. Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba is suspected to be behind the killing of seven Amarnath pilgrims and injuring 19 others on July 10 by firing on the moving bus carrying the devotees.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Recovery of Petnaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) from the UP Assembly exposed the terror threat to lawmakers life on one hand while pushing probe agencies to expand the ambit of investigation to sleeper cells allegedly active in the state, linked with various terror outfits like Indian Mujadhideen, LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen on the other.

It may be recalled that in March this year, UP ATS had eliminated an allegedly self-radicalised ISIS Khurasans sleeping module Saifullah in an 11-hour long encounter in old city area. His role was established in the low intensity blast in Bhopal bound Ujjain Express in Madhya Pradesh. The encounter was followed by a few arrests of other associated sleeper cells from Kanpur and Rae Bareli by ATS sleuths establishing the presence of such indoctrinated modules active in UP, of which intelligence agencies were clueless till then.

While the government is screaming a terror plot post the PETN recovery in the Assembly, investigators and intelligence personnel are tracing suspicious movements of modules already under the scanner.

The activity of sleeping modules in UP had surfaced in the Rampur CRPF camp attack in 2008 and the Bijnor blast in 2014. The links of the perpetrators of the attacks were later traced to banned terror outfits active in the country.

Recovery of PETN is a clear hint of the involvement of terror in the episode, claimed Inspector General (IG) Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) Aseem Arun, who is heading the probe.

As most terror attacks in the state, including explosions at the Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi court premises in 2007, blast in the Varanasi Sankatmochan temple in 2006 and Shramjeevi Express near Jaunpur in 2005, were linkedto different terror outfits, carried out by sleeping modules.

In 2008, the CRPF camp was attacked by three Lashkar sleeper cells  Suhail and Arshad Ali alias Baba, both residents of UP, and Fayheem, a Pakistani national claiming 8 jawans. All three were later arrested.

Apart from regular terror alerts, the central intelligence agencies are believed to have shared with UP cops intercepts of terror groups trying to activate sleeper cells in various cities .

According to sources, the intercepts also had details of possible attacks in communally-sensitive locations across the state, including Kashi Vishwanath temple and the disputed Ram temple in Ayodhya.

LUCKNOW: Recovery of Petnaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) from the UP Assembly exposed the terror threat to lawmakers life on one hand while pushing probe agencies to expand the ambit of investigation to sleeper cells allegedly active in the state, linked with various terror outfits like Indian Mujadhideen, LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen on the other. It may be recalled that in March this year, UP ATS had eliminated an allegedly self-radicalised ISIS Khurasans sleeping module Saifullah in an 11-hour long encounter in old city area. His role was established in the low intensity blast in Bhopal bound Ujjain Express in Madhya Pradesh. The encounter was followed by a few arrests of other associated sleeper cells from Kanpur and Rae Bareli by ATS sleuths establishing the presence of such indoctrinated modules active in UP, of which intelligence agencies were clueless till then. While the government is screaming a terror plot post the PETN recovery in the Assembly, investigators and intelligence personnel are tracing suspicious movements of modules already under the scanner. The activity of sleeping modules in UP had surfaced in the Rampur CRPF camp attack in 2008 and the Bijnor blast in 2014. The links of the perpetrators of the attacks were later traced to banned terror outfits active in the country. Recovery of PETN is a clear hint of the involvement of terror in the episode, claimed Inspector General (IG) Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) Aseem Arun, who is heading the probe. As most terror attacks in the state, including explosions at the Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi court premises in 2007, blast in the Varanasi Sankatmochan temple in 2006 and Shramjeevi Express near Jaunpur in 2005, were linkedto different terror outfits, carried out by sleeping modules. In 2008, the CRPF camp was attacked by three Lashkar sleeper cells  Suhail and Arshad Ali alias Baba, both residents of UP, and Fayheem, a Pakistani national claiming 8 jawans. All three were later arrested. Apart from regular terror alerts, the central intelligence agencies are believed to have shared with UP cops intercepts of terror groups trying to activate sleeper cells in various cities . According to sources, the intercepts also had details of possible attacks in communally-sensitive locations across the state, including Kashi Vishwanath temple and the disputed Ram temple in Ayodhya.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Central security agencies have raised concerns over the mega Rs 82,000 crore takeover of Essar Oil by a Russian consortium citing the proximity of its port to Pakistan and nearby defence assets, according to a government official.

The agencies have communicated to the home ministry about their security concerns over the deal, the official, who did not wish to be named, said.

A final decision on the issue will be taken by the Prime Minister's Office as the deal, considered to be one of the largest foreign investments in the country, was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit held in Goa last year, the official added.

When contacted, a home ministry spokesperson said a decision on granting security clearance to the proposed foreign takeover by Rosneft is yet to be taken.

"The matter is still under process," the spokesperson said when asked whether the port in Gujarat was coming in the way of the deal.

However, an Essar spokesperson said all requisite approvals from the union government for the Essar Oil transaction to proceed are available.

"The query pertaining to seeking MoH (Ministry of Home) approval for the port has nothing to do with the present Essar-Roseneft-Trafigura-UCP deal," the spokesperson said in response to a query from the PTI.

According to government rules, it is mandatory to take security clearance from the home ministry for any foreign investment in the country.

The deal covers Essar Oil's 20 million tonne refinery at Vadinar in Gujarat and its retail outlets for which the Russian consortium will pay USD 10.9 billion (around Rs 70,000 crore).

The consortium, comprising energy giant Rosneft Oil Company, commodities trader Trafigura and private investment group United Capital Partners, will pay another USD 2 billion (around Rs 12,000 crore) to buy Essar's port in Vadinar which has a capacity to handle 58 million tonnes of crude a year.

Strategically located at the southern tip of the Gulf of Kutch, Vadinar port consisting a marine terminal, crude, product and intermediate storage tankage of over 3 million cubic metre capacity, and rail and road gantries with 13 km of railway siding.

These facilities are critical for the successful operation of Essar's Vadinar refinery.

More than 3,000 vessels have been berthed at the Vadinar port since it started operations more than a decade ago, in September 2006.

NEW DELHI: Central security agencies have raised concerns over the mega Rs 82,000 crore takeover of Essar Oil by a Russian consortium citing the proximity of its port to Pakistan and nearby defence assets, according to a government official. The agencies have communicated to the home ministry about their security concerns over the deal, the official, who did not wish to be named, said. A final decision on the issue will be taken by the Prime Minister's Office as the deal, considered to be one of the largest foreign investments in the country, was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit held in Goa last year, the official added. When contacted, a home ministry spokesperson said a decision on granting security clearance to the proposed foreign takeover by Rosneft is yet to be taken. "The matter is still under process," the spokesperson said when asked whether the port in Gujarat was coming in the way of the deal. However, an Essar spokesperson said all requisite approvals from the union government for the Essar Oil transaction to proceed are available. "The query pertaining to seeking MoH (Ministry of Home) approval for the port has nothing to do with the present Essar-Roseneft-Trafigura-UCP deal," the spokesperson said in response to a query from the PTI. According to government rules, it is mandatory to take security clearance from the home ministry for any foreign investment in the country. The deal covers Essar Oil's 20 million tonne refinery at Vadinar in Gujarat and its retail outlets for which the Russian consortium will pay USD 10.9 billion (around Rs 70,000 crore). The consortium, comprising energy giant Rosneft Oil Company, commodities trader Trafigura and private investment group United Capital Partners, will pay another USD 2 billion (around Rs 12,000 crore) to buy Essar's port in Vadinar which has a capacity to handle 58 million tonnes of crude a year. Strategically located at the southern tip of the Gulf of Kutch, Vadinar port consisting a marine terminal, crude, product and intermediate storage tankage of over 3 million cubic metre capacity, and rail and road gantries with 13 km of railway siding. These facilities are critical for the successful operation of Essar's Vadinar refinery. More than 3,000 vessels have been berthed at the Vadinar port since it started operations more than a decade ago, in September 2006.
By IANS

LUCKNOW: A massive fire broke out at the trauma centre of the King George's Medical College here, police said. While no casualties have been reported yet, more than 150 critically ill and injured patients have been shifted to alternative places.

The fire broke out on the second floor housing the disaster management ward and soon leaped to the third floor as well. More than two dozen fire tenders have been rushed to the scene and senior officials led by District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma are camping there to oversee rescue and relief operations.

The possible reason of the fire is said to be a short circuit. Many inflammable items are present at the trauma centre, leading to the fire spreading very fast.

WATCH: Five people killed in fire at Trauma Center of King George Medical College in Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked officials to ensure the fire is doused at the earliest and oversee relief and rescue work.

Orders have been also issued to ensure that there was no chaos and that patients admitted at the centre are shifted to alternative place for treatment.

Terming the incident as sad and unfortunate, Adityanath instructed the Divisional Commissioner to probe the matter and present a report within three days so that accountability of the guilty can be fixed and action initiated against them.

LUCKNOW: A massive fire broke out at the trauma centre of the King George's Medical College here, police said. While no casualties have been reported yet, more than 150 critically ill and injured patients have been shifted to alternative places. The fire broke out on the second floor housing the disaster management ward and soon leaped to the third floor as well. More than two dozen fire tenders have been rushed to the scene and senior officials led by District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma are camping there to oversee rescue and relief operations. The possible reason of the fire is said to be a short circuit. Many inflammable items are present at the trauma centre, leading to the fire spreading very fast. WATCH: Five people killed in fire at Trauma Center of King George Medical College in Lucknow Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked officials to ensure the fire is doused at the earliest and oversee relief and rescue work. Orders have been also issued to ensure that there was no chaos and that patients admitted at the centre are shifted to alternative place for treatment. Terming the incident as sad and unfortunate, Adityanath instructed the Divisional Commissioner to probe the matter and present a report within three days so that accountability of the guilty can be fixed and action initiated against them.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: The Jabalpur district administration in Madhya Pradesh has banned clicking of selfies at tourist hotspots and water bodies in a bid to prevent accidental deaths during monsoon.

An order in this respect was issued by the Jabalpur district collector Mahendra Singh Chaudhary on Saturday. The ban was implemented by the collector under the powers vested to the district collector under Section 144 of CrPc.

Any violation of the order will invite action against the offenders under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code (IPC), says the order.

The Jabalpur superintendent of police MS Sikarwar who had a similar order implemented in the past during his stint as SP in Khandwa district told the New Indian Express on Sunday that display boards carrying the order banning selfies are being put at all tourist hotspots, particularly near water bodies.

Additional police personnel have also been deployed at the spots to ensure that the order is followed in letter and spirit, he added.

There has been a surge in visits by tourists, school and college goers at tourist hotspots and water bodies--Pariya and Khandari dam, Narmada river, Hiran river, Pariyat river Adhartal, Hanumantal, Supatal, Gokulpur pond and Sangram Sagar lake in Jabalpur this monsoon, according to Chaudhary.

With water level in all these water bodies on the rise during the monsoon and the crowds frequenting these spots, there is growing possibility of fatalities and accidents, particularly due to unchecked clicking of selfies with cell-phones by visitors, he added.

BHOPAL: The Jabalpur district administration in Madhya Pradesh has banned clicking of selfies at tourist hotspots and water bodies in a bid to prevent accidental deaths during monsoon. An order in this respect was issued by the Jabalpur district collector Mahendra Singh Chaudhary on Saturday. The ban was implemented by the collector under the powers vested to the district collector under Section 144 of CrPc. Any violation of the order will invite action against the offenders under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code (IPC), says the order. The Jabalpur superintendent of police MS Sikarwar who had a similar order implemented in the past during his stint as SP in Khandwa district told the New Indian Express on Sunday that display boards carrying the order banning selfies are being put at all tourist hotspots, particularly near water bodies. Additional police personnel have also been deployed at the spots to ensure that the order is followed in letter and spirit, he added. There has been a surge in visits by tourists, school and college goers at tourist hotspots and water bodies--Pariya and Khandari dam, Narmada river, Hiran river, Pariyat river Adhartal, Hanumantal, Supatal, Gokulpur pond and Sangram Sagar lake in Jabalpur this monsoon, according to Chaudhary. With water level in all these water bodies on the rise during the monsoon and the crowds frequenting these spots, there is growing possibility of fatalities and accidents, particularly due to unchecked clicking of selfies with cell-phones by visitors, he added.
By PTI

LUDHIANA: The pastor of a church was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants at Salem Tabri locality here late last night.

The victim was identified as pastor Sultan Masih. Two armed youths with their faces covered shot at the pastor from a close range, police said today.

At the time of the incident, Masih was standing outside the church and talking to someone on his mobile phone. He was rushed to DMC Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

His son Rahul Masih said his father, who was in-charge of the 'The Temple of God Church' in Slem Tabri locality, had been living here for the last 30 years and had no enmity with anybody.

Investigations were underway.

LUDHIANA: The pastor of a church was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants at Salem Tabri locality here late last night. The victim was identified as pastor Sultan Masih. Two armed youths with their faces covered shot at the pastor from a close range, police said today. At the time of the incident, Masih was standing outside the church and talking to someone on his mobile phone. He was rushed to DMC Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. His son Rahul Masih said his father, who was in-charge of the 'The Temple of God Church' in Slem Tabri locality, had been living here for the last 30 years and had no enmity with anybody. Investigations were underway.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: Former Sikkim Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari died on Sunday at a city hospital following cardiac arrest, a state government official said on Sunday.

He was 77. Bhandari is survived by his wife, a former parliamentarian, two daughters, and a son. He was the founder-leader of the Sikkim Sangram Parishad party.

Bhandari was in power in the tiny Himalayan state between 1979 and 1994 and the first Gorkha politician to lead an Indian state.

"Yes, our leader died today (Sunday) at the Primus hospital," a senior official posted at the Sikkim House said.

"He was admitted for a spinal problem. He underwent surgery a few days ago that was performed by Dr A.K. Jaishwar. However, he suffered cardiac arrest and died around 4.30 p.m.," the official said.

The body of Bhandari, one of the longest serving Chief Ministers in the country, will be taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for embalming and later to Sikkim House.

Bhandari was born on October 5, 1940, in Malbasey village, near Soreng, in west Sikkim.

Bhandari began his political career in Darjeeling in 1967 by joining Tarun Sangha.

Once appointed as the party General Secretary in 1967 in Darjeeling, Bhandari later returned to his native place in Soreng, joined government service and started teaching.

He resigned from his job and joined Sikkim's pro-democracy movement. In 1974, Bhandari formed the Sikkim United Independent Front Party.

Later, he formed the Sikkim Janata Parishad in October 1977. Under his leadership, the party won 16 seats in the 1979 General Elections. He became the second Chief Minister of Sikkim on October 18, 1979.

In 1984, he dissolved the Sikkim Janata Parishad and formed a new party called Sikkim Sangram Parishad, and won the elections again to become the Chief Minister.

In 1989, Bhandari's party won all seats in the assembly, again making him the Chief Minister for the third time.

He also briefly served as an Independent Member of Parliament from Sikkim in the 8th Lok Sabha.

NEW DELHI: Former Sikkim Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari died on Sunday at a city hospital following cardiac arrest, a state government official said on Sunday. He was 77. Bhandari is survived by his wife, a former parliamentarian, two daughters, and a son. He was the founder-leader of the Sikkim Sangram Parishad party. Bhandari was in power in the tiny Himalayan state between 1979 and 1994 and the first Gorkha politician to lead an Indian state. "Yes, our leader died today (Sunday) at the Primus hospital," a senior official posted at the Sikkim House said. "He was admitted for a spinal problem. He underwent surgery a few days ago that was performed by Dr A.K. Jaishwar. However, he suffered cardiac arrest and died around 4.30 p.m.," the official said. The body of Bhandari, one of the longest serving Chief Ministers in the country, will be taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for embalming and later to Sikkim House. Bhandari was born on October 5, 1940, in Malbasey village, near Soreng, in west Sikkim. Bhandari began his political career in Darjeeling in 1967 by joining Tarun Sangha. Once appointed as the party General Secretary in 1967 in Darjeeling, Bhandari later returned to his native place in Soreng, joined government service and started teaching. He resigned from his job and joined Sikkim's pro-democracy movement. In 1974, Bhandari formed the Sikkim United Independent Front Party. Later, he formed the Sikkim Janata Parishad in October 1977. Under his leadership, the party won 16 seats in the 1979 General Elections. He became the second Chief Minister of Sikkim on October 18, 1979. In 1984, he dissolved the Sikkim Janata Parishad and formed a new party called Sikkim Sangram Parishad, and won the elections again to become the Chief Minister. In 1989, Bhandari's party won all seats in the assembly, again making him the Chief Minister for the third time. He also briefly served as an Independent Member of Parliament from Sikkim in the 8th Lok Sabha.
Dr Satish Misra By

On journey to its tryst with destiny to be a major global player, India faces many hurdles, including challenging neighbours. One of the foremost imperatives for being a major player at the international stage is the domestic strength determined by economic and political power based in social cohesion and domestic peace. The other equally necessary requirement is a peaceful and friendly nighbourhood.

When the BJP-led NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power securing a huge popular mandate three years ago, there was a big hope that the countrys neighbourhood policy will be framed and executed in a manner that will create favourable conditions for Indias rise at the international stage.

Initial moves of the new government were very positive. Even before Modi had formally assumed charge on May 26, 2014, he had made it loud and clear that his governments foreign policy would focus on improving ties with neighbours. The BJP believes that political stability, progress, and peace in the region are essential for South Asias growth and development, the partys manifesto for 2014 Lok Sabha election had stated elaborating that the Congress-led UPA has failed to establish enduring friendly and cooperative relations with Indias neighbours.

Decrying the UPAs policy, the manifesto further pointed out: Indias relations with traditional allies have turned cold; India and its neighbours have drifted apart; the absence of statecraft has never been felt so acutely as today.

The policy was amply demonstrated when the heads of the state or chief executives of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) were invited to Modis swearing-in ceremony at the forecourts of Rashtrapati Bhavan.Scholars, seasoned experts and senior observers, including veteran diplomats, christened the new approach to the neighbours as Neighbourhood First. The initial steps by the new government were seen as giving due priority to countries of immediate neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood. The policy aimed at taking a wholesome integrated approach to South Asia. It was adopted in full knowledge that if India is able to strike friendly and cooperative relations in its geo-strategic region, then its international standing and reputation would rise.

Now that the Modi government has been in power for little over three years, a dispassionate look at the outcome of the stated policy is unfortunately not very encouraging if not totally disappointing as relations with majority of countries in the immediate and extended neighbourhood, barring a few exceptions such as Bangladesh and Bhutan, have not grown on expected lines.

To begin with, relations with China, Indias biggest neighbour sharing 3,488 km-long common border, have been on a downward slope since Modis first visit to Japan in August-September 2014 and his swipe at Beijing. Speaking to a gathering, he had said, Everywhere around us, we see an 18th century expansionist mind set: encroaching on another country, intruding others water, invading other countries and capturing territory.

Currently, India-China ties are at its lowest ebb. The longest standoff in recent years in the strategically important Dolam regionthe trijunction of India-Bhutan-Chinacontinues with the armies of the two biggest neighbours in South Asia confronting each other.

Notwithstanding New Delhis pronouncement that diplomatic channels are being used to diffuse the situation, prospects of an early breakthrough seems bleak because Chinas foray into the Dolam plateau is Beijings well-calculated move to destabilise the situation with an eye to weaken Indias traditionally strong ties with Bhutan.

China is testing waters whether it can succeed in decoupling Bhutan from India. Even Thimphu is keeping its fingers crossed waiting to see the outcome of the present standoff. Bhutan may decide to rebalance its traditional position vis-a-vis India if China gains an upper hand. Ties with Pakistan are in limbo with the prospects of the bilateral dialogue resuming in near future not very bright. Closer and constantly growing ties between Pakistan and China are making Indias task more complex and posing major challenge to New Delhi not only at global forums, but also in countries such as Afghanistan and central Asia.

Indo-Nepal relation, despite the two countries having open borders, has become a victim of confusion with New Delhi remaining indecisive about whether to remain neutral or play a hegemonic role. In an effort to back the Madhesi demand, New Delhi abandoned its policy of neutrality that had helped India to play the role of a mediator in the past.

Bilateral ties with Maldives are in pits as Indias policy is facing a serious challenge from China, Pakistan and Islamic forces. New Delhis policy of firmly standing with former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed had limited its policy options with very little room to manoeuvre out of the complex situation.Relations with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar have improved. The Modi government has further consolidated ties with Dhaka. The change of government in Sri Lanka provided an opening and India moved ahead. Colombo has been rebalancing its ties with India and decreasing its over-dependence on China.

Coming to power, the National League of Democracy led by Aung Suu Kyi in Myanmar had aroused the expectations of a total turn-around in bilateral ties. Ties are improving with Myanmar showing interest in Indian investments, but much would depend upon New Delhis ability to keep its promises and in implementing its projects on ground.Neighbourhood First policy has failed to deliver desired objectives possibly because it was not thoroughly thought-through resulting in knee jerk reactions from South Block in times of serious challenges.



Dr Satish Misra Senior Fellow at Delhi-based think-tank, Observer Research Foundation

drsatishmisra@gmail.com

On journey to its tryst with destiny to be a major global player, India faces many hurdles, including challenging neighbours. One of the foremost imperatives for being a major player at the international stage is the domestic strength determined by economic and political power based in social cohesion and domestic peace. The other equally necessary requirement is a peaceful and friendly nighbourhood. When the BJP-led NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power securing a huge popular mandate three years ago, there was a big hope that the countrys neighbourhood policy will be framed and executed in a manner that will create favourable conditions for Indias rise at the international stage. Initial moves of the new government were very positive. Even before Modi had formally assumed charge on May 26, 2014, he had made it loud and clear that his governments foreign policy would focus on improving ties with neighbours. The BJP believes that political stability, progress, and peace in the region are essential for South Asias growth and development, the partys manifesto for 2014 Lok Sabha election had stated elaborating that the Congress-led UPA has failed to establish enduring friendly and cooperative relations with Indias neighbours. Decrying the UPAs policy, the manifesto further pointed out: Indias relations with traditional allies have turned cold; India and its neighbours have drifted apart; the absence of statecraft has never been felt so acutely as today. The policy was amply demonstrated when the heads of the state or chief executives of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) were invited to Modis swearing-in ceremony at the forecourts of Rashtrapati Bhavan.Scholars, seasoned experts and senior observers, including veteran diplomats, christened the new approach to the neighbours as Neighbourhood First. The initial steps by the new government were seen as giving due priority to countries of immediate neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood. The policy aimed at taking a wholesome integrated approach to South Asia. It was adopted in full knowledge that if India is able to strike friendly and cooperative relations in its geo-strategic region, then its international standing and reputation would rise. Now that the Modi government has been in power for little over three years, a dispassionate look at the outcome of the stated policy is unfortunately not very encouraging if not totally disappointing as relations with majority of countries in the immediate and extended neighbourhood, barring a few exceptions such as Bangladesh and Bhutan, have not grown on expected lines. To begin with, relations with China, Indias biggest neighbour sharing 3,488 km-long common border, have been on a downward slope since Modis first visit to Japan in August-September 2014 and his swipe at Beijing. Speaking to a gathering, he had said, Everywhere around us, we see an 18th century expansionist mind set: encroaching on another country, intruding others water, invading other countries and capturing territory. Currently, India-China ties are at its lowest ebb. The longest standoff in recent years in the strategically important Dolam regionthe trijunction of India-Bhutan-Chinacontinues with the armies of the two biggest neighbours in South Asia confronting each other. Notwithstanding New Delhis pronouncement that diplomatic channels are being used to diffuse the situation, prospects of an early breakthrough seems bleak because Chinas foray into the Dolam plateau is Beijings well-calculated move to destabilise the situation with an eye to weaken Indias traditionally strong ties with Bhutan. China is testing waters whether it can succeed in decoupling Bhutan from India. Even Thimphu is keeping its fingers crossed waiting to see the outcome of the present standoff. Bhutan may decide to rebalance its traditional position vis-a-vis India if China gains an upper hand. Ties with Pakistan are in limbo with the prospects of the bilateral dialogue resuming in near future not very bright. Closer and constantly growing ties between Pakistan and China are making Indias task more complex and posing major challenge to New Delhi not only at global forums, but also in countries such as Afghanistan and central Asia. Indo-Nepal relation, despite the two countries having open borders, has become a victim of confusion with New Delhi remaining indecisive about whether to remain neutral or play a hegemonic role. In an effort to back the Madhesi demand, New Delhi abandoned its policy of neutrality that had helped India to play the role of a mediator in the past. Bilateral ties with Maldives are in pits as Indias policy is facing a serious challenge from China, Pakistan and Islamic forces. New Delhis policy of firmly standing with former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed had limited its policy options with very little room to manoeuvre out of the complex situation.Relations with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar have improved. The Modi government has further consolidated ties with Dhaka. The change of government in Sri Lanka provided an opening and India moved ahead. Colombo has been rebalancing its ties with India and decreasing its over-dependence on China. Coming to power, the National League of Democracy led by Aung Suu Kyi in Myanmar had aroused the expectations of a total turn-around in bilateral ties. Ties are improving with Myanmar showing interest in Indian investments, but much would depend upon New Delhis ability to keep its promises and in implementing its projects on ground.Neighbourhood First policy has failed to deliver desired objectives possibly because it was not thoroughly thought-through resulting in knee jerk reactions from South Block in times of serious challenges. Dr Satish Misra Senior Fellow at Delhi-based think-tank, Observer Research Foundation drsatishmisra@gmail.com
By Express News Service

KOCHI: The Indian diaspora, especially Keralites, hit by travel woes following the diplomatic row in Qatar have reasons to cheer as the Kochi-headquartered Air India Express (AIE) has decided to start four services from Kochi to Doha from August 15.

This is the first time AIE is operating direct flight services to Doha from Kochi.

In the first stage, the airline will launch three direct flight services to Doha from Kochi from August 15 and one more will be launched by September 15. The airline is operating additional flights between Doha, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram from June 24 to cater to the increased demand on these sectors in the light of the Qatar crisis.



Currently, AIE operates 14 flights per week between India and Doha, of which seven connect Kerala to Doha. With four more services being added, there will be 11 AIE flights to Doha from Kerala and a total of 18 flights from the country in a week.

KOCHI: The Indian diaspora, especially Keralites, hit by travel woes following the diplomatic row in Qatar have reasons to cheer as the Kochi-headquartered Air India Express (AIE) has decided to start four services from Kochi to Doha from August 15. This is the first time AIE is operating direct flight services to Doha from Kochi. In the first stage, the airline will launch three direct flight services to Doha from Kochi from August 15 and one more will be launched by September 15. The airline is operating additional flights between Doha, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram from June 24 to cater to the increased demand on these sectors in the light of the Qatar crisis. Currently, AIE operates 14 flights per week between India and Doha, of which seven connect Kerala to Doha. With four more services being added, there will be 11 AIE flights to Doha from Kerala and a total of 18 flights from the country in a week.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: Sri Lankas Deputy Tourism Minister, Arundika Fernando, who is on a visit to the state, said the Lankan Government is actively considering a tie-up with Kerala in the tourism sector. Fernando said Colombos rise as a tourist hotspot did not take a toll on the tourism potential of India or Kerala.

He said both Kerala and Sri Lanka have several common features and Colombo is keen on cooperating with the state in the fields of tourism and cultural exchange. We discussed bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector during talks with New Delhi . But we are also looking for a tie-up with the other Indian states. Besides tourism, we are here to extend an invite to investors to set up businesses in other sectors in Sri Lanka, he told reporters here.

Fernando said tourism is one of the major sources of revenue for the emerald nation, with the tourism sector witnessing rapid growth. Currently, Lankas annual revenue from the tourism sector is pegged at $3 billion and this is expected to jump up to $7 billion by 2020.

The Lankan Government also has plans to increase the tourist footfall by 2020. After the Eelam War with the Tamil Tiger rebels (LTTE), the tourism sector in Sri Lanka has witnessed rapid growth. The geographical features have ensured Lankas place as one of the most preferred tourist destinations, he said.

Fernando denied Sri Lanka had emerged as a rival to India on the tourism front. In fact, we are not promoting Sri Lanka tourism alone. People coming to Sri Lanka also prefer to visit India and Maldives. We are promoting tourism of multiple nations. India has always been a key player in Lankas development.

Ravindra Samaraweera, Colombos Minister of Labour and Trade Unions, spoke on Indias contributions in rebuilding his nation. He also dwelt on the cultural exchange between Kerala and Sri Lanka.

Ayurveda is a key attraction for tourists visiting Sri Lanka. However, ayurveda in Sri Lanka is not as well developed as it is in Kerala. Similarly, education is another sector where Lanka can stand to gain from Kerala, he said.

KOCHI: Sri Lankas Deputy Tourism Minister, Arundika Fernando, who is on a visit to the state, said the Lankan Government is actively considering a tie-up with Kerala in the tourism sector. Fernando said Colombos rise as a tourist hotspot did not take a toll on the tourism potential of India or Kerala. He said both Kerala and Sri Lanka have several common features and Colombo is keen on cooperating with the state in the fields of tourism and cultural exchange. We discussed bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector during talks with New Delhi . But we are also looking for a tie-up with the other Indian states. Besides tourism, we are here to extend an invite to investors to set up businesses in other sectors in Sri Lanka, he told reporters here. Fernando said tourism is one of the major sources of revenue for the emerald nation, with the tourism sector witnessing rapid growth. Currently, Lankas annual revenue from the tourism sector is pegged at $3 billion and this is expected to jump up to $7 billion by 2020. The Lankan Government also has plans to increase the tourist footfall by 2020. After the Eelam War with the Tamil Tiger rebels (LTTE), the tourism sector in Sri Lanka has witnessed rapid growth. The geographical features have ensured Lankas place as one of the most preferred tourist destinations, he said. Fernando denied Sri Lanka had emerged as a rival to India on the tourism front. In fact, we are not promoting Sri Lanka tourism alone. People coming to Sri Lanka also prefer to visit India and Maldives. We are promoting tourism of multiple nations. India has always been a key player in Lankas development. Ravindra Samaraweera, Colombos Minister of Labour and Trade Unions, spoke on Indias contributions in rebuilding his nation. He also dwelt on the cultural exchange between Kerala and Sri Lanka. Ayurveda is a key attraction for tourists visiting Sri Lanka. However, ayurveda in Sri Lanka is not as well developed as it is in Kerala. Similarly, education is another sector where Lanka can stand to gain from Kerala, he said.
I have learned the hard way not to put my personal life on the Internet. But suffice it to say that, God willing, things should be pretty much back to norm...

4 weeks ago
By Express News Service

RAYAGADA: A group of seven tourists, including three women, was assaulted by cattle smugglers near Kutruguda village in Rayagada district on Friday evening. One of the tourists, B Venketeswaran Kannan (35), sustained critical head injuries in the attack. Kannan of Hyderabad, who lodged an FIR in Chandili police station about the assault, said they had come to Rayagada to visit tourist places.

An injured Kannan with other

tourists |EXPRESS

On their way, they found some people herding more than 500 cows on a road. Some of them were caning the cows that were unable to walk. As animal-lovers, they opposed the caning of cows which led to a heated argument between them and the smugglers. Subsequently, some of the smugglers attacked the tourists with lathis. Kannan sustained multiple injuries.

He alleged that his wife Chandrani was molested when she tried to protest. One of the tourists, 54-year-old Natasha, tried to contact the police but there was no response. Kannan has been admitted to Kolnara Community Health Centre. On Saturday, other tourists met Collector Guha Punam Tapas Kumar seeking her intervention in the incident. Punam assured them of looking into the incident and directed a high level committee to inquire into cattle smuggling.

She also directed the police to arrest the attackers. ASP Patitapaban Choudhury said police will examine the mobile video footage which was recorded by the tourists during the attack to identify the accused. Cattle smuggling has been rampant in many areas of the district. Smugglers transport cattle from rural pockets of Rayagada to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh almost every day.

Last year, an animal welfare activist, Tirtha Kumar Sahu in Rayagada district, was arrested for protesting smuggling of cows to West Bengal, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Sahu, a volunteer of Gau Gyan Foundation, had filed more than 180 cases in the High Court against the civil and police administration in 2015. This incident had forced Union Minister Maneka Gandhi to seek intervention of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the case.

RAYAGADA: A group of seven tourists, including three women, was assaulted by cattle smugglers near Kutruguda village in Rayagada district on Friday evening. One of the tourists, B Venketeswaran Kannan (35), sustained critical head injuries in the attack. Kannan of Hyderabad, who lodged an FIR in Chandili police station about the assault, said they had come to Rayagada to visit tourist places. An injured Kannan with other tourists |EXPRESSOn their way, they found some people herding more than 500 cows on a road. Some of them were caning the cows that were unable to walk. As animal-lovers, they opposed the caning of cows which led to a heated argument between them and the smugglers. Subsequently, some of the smugglers attacked the tourists with lathis. Kannan sustained multiple injuries. He alleged that his wife Chandrani was molested when she tried to protest. One of the tourists, 54-year-old Natasha, tried to contact the police but there was no response. Kannan has been admitted to Kolnara Community Health Centre. On Saturday, other tourists met Collector Guha Punam Tapas Kumar seeking her intervention in the incident. Punam assured them of looking into the incident and directed a high level committee to inquire into cattle smuggling. She also directed the police to arrest the attackers. ASP Patitapaban Choudhury said police will examine the mobile video footage which was recorded by the tourists during the attack to identify the accused. Cattle smuggling has been rampant in many areas of the district. Smugglers transport cattle from rural pockets of Rayagada to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh almost every day. Last year, an animal welfare activist, Tirtha Kumar Sahu in Rayagada district, was arrested for protesting smuggling of cows to West Bengal, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Sahu, a volunteer of Gau Gyan Foundation, had filed more than 180 cases in the High Court against the civil and police administration in 2015. This incident had forced Union Minister Maneka Gandhi to seek intervention of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the case.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR/RAYAGADA: A low pressure off Odisha coast triggered huge rainfall in western and adjoining southern districts sending Nagaravali and Kalyani rivers in spate which snapped road communication in Rayagada and Kalahandi and left hundreds marooned on Sunday.

The Odisha government has sought four helicopters from Indian Air Force (IAF) for rescue and relief operations in

Kalyansinghpur and Rayagada, the two most affected blocks in the district. One of the choppers is expected to reach the district on Monday morning from Vizag for air-dropping food packets.

In the neighbouring Kalahandi districts Thuamul-Rampur block, cut off from the mainstream, a panchayat samiti members husband died in a land slide caused by the heavy rains and flood.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik who reviewed the situation said, Army has been asked for help while Government is making all efforts to mount a massive relief and rescue operation. He asked development commissioner R Balakrishnan to coordinate with all departments.

It was Rayagadas Kalyansinghpur which was the worst hit with 80 per cent of the block facing inundation. As many as 160 students were trapped after the flood water surrounded Buddaguda Ashram High. Later, the students were shifted to a hostel where they are safe. Two villagers who had climbed trees to escape the flood water were rescued by fire fighters.

Three bridges were washed away by the rivers which caused massive damage to road transportation in the district. Flood water overtopped the RayagadaAndhra Pradesh road while the railway bridge between Therubali and Singapur Road station was washed away leaving communication through Titilagarh-Rayagada section cut off.

With rains lashing, all the schools and colleges in Kalyansinghpur block will remain closed till July 19.

The state government also announced seven-day emergent food assistance to the affected people. Two free kitchens were opened at Majhihada High School and Kalyansinghpur ME School, while cooked food was serviced to affected areas in the eight gram panchayats of Rayagada block, special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi said.

Two units of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) reached Rayagada from Koraput while three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units are on their way.

Balakrishnan said, as soon as the weather conditions are suitable for choppers to land, the relief operations will start. We are hoping for intensity of the rains to reduce so that water level in the two rivers can recede, he said.

Special relief commissioner Sethi said, a team of senior officers including director, health Services, chief engineers of Works and Rural Development Departments are on their way to coordinate with restoration work.

Intense rainfall in the last 24 hours caused the flashfloods. Thuamul-Rampur recorded a whopping 260 mm rainfall while Rayagada districts averaged 85 mm rainfall with Kashipur registering 238 mm. Gunupur also recorded 110 mm.

State highways from Rayagada to neighbouring districts were hit while access to Thuamul-Rampur was cut off. Road communication to Bhawanipatna town was also closed.

As a result of the floods, dozen trains were cancelled while another ten were either diverted or short-terminated.

Chief public relations officers of East Coast Railway JP Mishra said, senior officers have been rushed to the areas to start restoration work once water level recedes. Control rooms have been opened at Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Khurda Road and Vishakhapatnam under the direction of GM Umesh Singh.

All neighbouring districts of Rayagada have been instructed to provide the required manpower and material support to Rayagada district.

BHUBANESWAR/RAYAGADA: A low pressure off Odisha coast triggered huge rainfall in western and adjoining southern districts sending Nagaravali and Kalyani rivers in spate which snapped road communication in Rayagada and Kalahandi and left hundreds marooned on Sunday. The Odisha government has sought four helicopters from Indian Air Force (IAF) for rescue and relief operations in Kalyansinghpur and Rayagada, the two most affected blocks in the district. One of the choppers is expected to reach the district on Monday morning from Vizag for air-dropping food packets. In the neighbouring Kalahandi districts Thuamul-Rampur block, cut off from the mainstream, a panchayat samiti members husband died in a land slide caused by the heavy rains and flood. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik who reviewed the situation said, Army has been asked for help while Government is making all efforts to mount a massive relief and rescue operation. He asked development commissioner R Balakrishnan to coordinate with all departments. It was Rayagadas Kalyansinghpur which was the worst hit with 80 per cent of the block facing inundation. As many as 160 students were trapped after the flood water surrounded Buddaguda Ashram High. Later, the students were shifted to a hostel where they are safe. Two villagers who had climbed trees to escape the flood water were rescued by fire fighters. Three bridges were washed away by the rivers which caused massive damage to road transportation in the district. Flood water overtopped the RayagadaAndhra Pradesh road while the railway bridge between Therubali and Singapur Road station was washed away leaving communication through Titilagarh-Rayagada section cut off. With rains lashing, all the schools and colleges in Kalyansinghpur block will remain closed till July 19. The state government also announced seven-day emergent food assistance to the affected people. Two free kitchens were opened at Majhihada High School and Kalyansinghpur ME School, while cooked food was serviced to affected areas in the eight gram panchayats of Rayagada block, special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi said. Two units of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) reached Rayagada from Koraput while three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units are on their way. Balakrishnan said, as soon as the weather conditions are suitable for choppers to land, the relief operations will start. We are hoping for intensity of the rains to reduce so that water level in the two rivers can recede, he said. Special relief commissioner Sethi said, a team of senior officers including director, health Services, chief engineers of Works and Rural Development Departments are on their way to coordinate with restoration work. Intense rainfall in the last 24 hours caused the flashfloods. Thuamul-Rampur recorded a whopping 260 mm rainfall while Rayagada districts averaged 85 mm rainfall with Kashipur registering 238 mm. Gunupur also recorded 110 mm. State highways from Rayagada to neighbouring districts were hit while access to Thuamul-Rampur was cut off. Road communication to Bhawanipatna town was also closed. As a result of the floods, dozen trains were cancelled while another ten were either diverted or short-terminated. Chief public relations officers of East Coast Railway JP Mishra said, senior officers have been rushed to the areas to start restoration work once water level recedes. Control rooms have been opened at Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Khurda Road and Vishakhapatnam under the direction of GM Umesh Singh. All neighbouring districts of Rayagada have been instructed to provide the required manpower and material support to Rayagada district.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Well-known activist Traffic K Ramaswamy on Saturday climbed on to the terrace of a building threatening to jump if villagers arrested in Thanjavur for protesting against oil exploration project are not immediately released.

All innocent people who got arrested for protesting against the ONGC in Kathiramangalam should be released immediately. Also, the ministers R Kamaraj and C Vijayabaskar should resign as they are corrupt. The Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami should also resign for failing to take action against those two ministers. If these are not happening, I will kill myself, he told reporters as he was lying on a loft in the building.

It all started around 4.30 pm when Ramaswamy climbed over the loft in the terrace of the building at NSC Bose Road, where his office is also located. Dressed in his lungi, he lied on the loft and threatened to jump off the building if his demands were not met. Soon, the police rushed to his office near George Town and tried to convince him. But Ramaswamy stayed stubborn on the loft. After the media arrived, Ramaswamy addressed even as he was lying on the loft. A few men from the fire and rescue services and a medical team were also brought to the spot.

Around 6.25 pm, the police decided to bring Traffic Ramaswamy down by force. He further threatened to go naked if he was manhandled. The police brought a ladder and a few people climbed over the loft. Ramaswamy was lifted and brought down forcefully as he wriggled. He was taken inside a room in his office. Reporters were asked to leave the place. When contacted around 8 pm over phone, Ramaswamy said the police had left the place and the gates were unlocked. I will resume the protest tomorrow again, he told Express.

CHENNAI: Well-known activist Traffic K Ramaswamy on Saturday climbed on to the terrace of a building threatening to jump if villagers arrested in Thanjavur for protesting against oil exploration project are not immediately released. All innocent people who got arrested for protesting against the ONGC in Kathiramangalam should be released immediately. Also, the ministers R Kamaraj and C Vijayabaskar should resign as they are corrupt. The Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami should also resign for failing to take action against those two ministers. If these are not happening, I will kill myself, he told reporters as he was lying on a loft in the building. It all started around 4.30 pm when Ramaswamy climbed over the loft in the terrace of the building at NSC Bose Road, where his office is also located. Dressed in his lungi, he lied on the loft and threatened to jump off the building if his demands were not met. Soon, the police rushed to his office near George Town and tried to convince him. But Ramaswamy stayed stubborn on the loft. After the media arrived, Ramaswamy addressed even as he was lying on the loft. A few men from the fire and rescue services and a medical team were also brought to the spot. Around 6.25 pm, the police decided to bring Traffic Ramaswamy down by force. He further threatened to go naked if he was manhandled. The police brought a ladder and a few people climbed over the loft. Ramaswamy was lifted and brought down forcefully as he wriggled. He was taken inside a room in his office. Reporters were asked to leave the place. When contacted around 8 pm over phone, Ramaswamy said the police had left the place and the gates were unlocked. I will resume the protest tomorrow again, he told Express.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Scores of Tamil Nadu farmers, who had grabbed eyeballs with their unique protest earlier this year, today landed in the national capital to resume their agitation for loan waiver and drought-relief package.

Around 70 cultivators were, however, detained when they tried to stage a demonstration near the prime minister's residence on Lok Kalyan Marg. They were later taken to Parliament Street police station.

"Our demands were not met as promised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan. So we have decided to resume our protest for another 100 days," farmers' leader P Ayyakannu said.

The farmers from the southern state have been demanding a drought relief package of Rs 40,000 crore, farm loan waiver and setting up of Cauvery Management Board by the Centre.

They will join an indefinite protest after their counterparts, taking part in 'Kisan Mukti Yatra', reach Jantar Mantar here on July 18.

The group led by Ayyakannu had in March staged novel protests by holding human skulls outside the prime minister's house, stripping naked outside the president's and drinking urine.

NEW DELHI: Scores of Tamil Nadu farmers, who had grabbed eyeballs with their unique protest earlier this year, today landed in the national capital to resume their agitation for loan waiver and drought-relief package. Around 70 cultivators were, however, detained when they tried to stage a demonstration near the prime minister's residence on Lok Kalyan Marg. They were later taken to Parliament Street police station. "Our demands were not met as promised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan. So we have decided to resume our protest for another 100 days," farmers' leader P Ayyakannu said. The farmers from the southern state have been demanding a drought relief package of Rs 40,000 crore, farm loan waiver and setting up of Cauvery Management Board by the Centre. They will join an indefinite protest after their counterparts, taking part in 'Kisan Mukti Yatra', reach Jantar Mantar here on July 18. The group led by Ayyakannu had in March staged novel protests by holding human skulls outside the prime minister's house, stripping naked outside the president's and drinking urine.
By Express News Service

COIMBATORE: State Minister of Municipal Administration, S P Velumani on Saturday threatened that an audit would be conducted to check whether actor Kamal Hassan has paid taxes for his films.

This was his response to Kamal Hassans comments that the Government was corrupt. Speaking to the reporters at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital after meeting victims of an accident, which happened on Friday night, Minister Velumani condemned actor Kamal Hassan for his speech.

Likewise, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, who arrived at the Coimbatore Airport on Saturday morning, also criticised Kamal for his comments on the system.

If Kamal wants to speak about the system, let him join the politics and then speak about the corrupt politics. If not, let him file a case in the court legally and prove the allegations instead of stating baseless allegations on the system and Government, Thambidurai said.

COIMBATORE: State Minister of Municipal Administration, S P Velumani on Saturday threatened that an audit would be conducted to check whether actor Kamal Hassan has paid taxes for his films. This was his response to Kamal Hassans comments that the Government was corrupt. Speaking to the reporters at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital after meeting victims of an accident, which happened on Friday night, Minister Velumani condemned actor Kamal Hassan for his speech. Likewise, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, who arrived at the Coimbatore Airport on Saturday morning, also criticised Kamal for his comments on the system. If Kamal wants to speak about the system, let him join the politics and then speak about the corrupt politics. If not, let him file a case in the court legally and prove the allegations instead of stating baseless allegations on the system and Government, Thambidurai said.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, ministers and leaders of various political parties on Saturday paid homage to late Congress leader and former chief minister K Kamaraj on his 114th birth anniversary.

The CM and ministers paid floral tributes to the late leader at his statue on Kamarajar Road, while DMK leader M K Stalin paid homage to Kamaraj at his statue at his memorial house in T Nagar.

TNCC president S Thirunavukkarasar, TMC president G K Vasan, BJP TN president Tamilisai Soundararajan, DK president K Veeramani, PMK founder S Ramadoss, AISMK president R Sarathkumar also paid respects to the late leader. Meanwhile, Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan announced Kamaraj Award for the students securing good marks in 10th and 12th board examinations.

CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, ministers and leaders of various political parties on Saturday paid homage to late Congress leader and former chief minister K Kamaraj on his 114th birth anniversary. The CM and ministers paid floral tributes to the late leader at his statue on Kamarajar Road, while DMK leader M K Stalin paid homage to Kamaraj at his statue at his memorial house in T Nagar. TNCC president S Thirunavukkarasar, TMC president G K Vasan, BJP TN president Tamilisai Soundararajan, DK president K Veeramani, PMK founder S Ramadoss, AISMK president R Sarathkumar also paid respects to the late leader. Meanwhile, Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan announced Kamaraj Award for the students securing good marks in 10th and 12th board examinations.
Richa Sharma By

NEW DELHI: For the first time since Adam bit into Eves apple, men will have to share the burden of family planning in India. The Centre is coming up with a policy document to push for males opting for sterilisation.

With women constituting 98 per cent of the sterilised population in India, the National Policy for Women approved by a Group of Ministers under Sushma Swaraj aims to bring out a scheme or guidelines to counsel and persuade men to contribute equally in family planning.

Once cleared, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will have the onus to reach out to men through lucrative incentives and publicity methods to increase vasectomy numbers. An equal share of men and women in family planning is also very close to the heart of Minister for Women & Child Development Maneka Gandhi.

Being a sensitive issue and not much talked about in the last three decades, the government has now decided to include it as part of a policy document. It will be the responsibility of primary health centres to involve men for family planning methods, said a senior official of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The number of men getting sterilised has been falling constantly in the last two decades. The National Family Health Survey 2015 puts the number of male sterilisation at only 1.9 per cent. This is despite the fact that male sterilisation is simpler compared to women, but the age old apathy of men becoming weak after surgery and losing sexual prowess continues.

The policy has been prepared after 15 years and an exhaustive exercise, including crowd sourcing of 15,000 ideas.

The policy also talks about providing Aadhar-linked women health cards to all women, which will ensure free annual health checkups, especially for cancer.

NEW DELHI: For the first time since Adam bit into Eves apple, men will have to share the burden of family planning in India. The Centre is coming up with a policy document to push for males opting for sterilisation. With women constituting 98 per cent of the sterilised population in India, the National Policy for Women approved by a Group of Ministers under Sushma Swaraj aims to bring out a scheme or guidelines to counsel and persuade men to contribute equally in family planning. Once cleared, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will have the onus to reach out to men through lucrative incentives and publicity methods to increase vasectomy numbers. An equal share of men and women in family planning is also very close to the heart of Minister for Women & Child Development Maneka Gandhi. Being a sensitive issue and not much talked about in the last three decades, the government has now decided to include it as part of a policy document. It will be the responsibility of primary health centres to involve men for family planning methods, said a senior official of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The number of men getting sterilised has been falling constantly in the last two decades. The National Family Health Survey 2015 puts the number of male sterilisation at only 1.9 per cent. This is despite the fact that male sterilisation is simpler compared to women, but the age old apathy of men becoming weak after surgery and losing sexual prowess continues. The policy has been prepared after 15 years and an exhaustive exercise, including crowd sourcing of 15,000 ideas. The policy also talks about providing Aadhar-linked women health cards to all women, which will ensure free annual health checkups, especially for cancer.
Aishik Chanda By

KOLKATA: With political parties in denial or passing the buck and police waiting for the right time to nab the culprits, it seems an invisible hand has torched over 50 government offices and public properties in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts since fresh fire for Gorkhaland statehood was stoked on June 8.

Public properties gutted include century-old libraries, heritage railway stations, sericulture offices and every important structures that could have been assets of the proposed Gorkhaland state. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) was embroiled in extensive corruption during the five years it ruled the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA).

Government offices contained documents that could have proved the graft. The burnings started after Mamata Banerjee ordered a special audit of Central funds allocated to GTA in the past five years. The offices were burnt down to avoid this special audit, says Trinamool Congress Darjeeling hills district president Rajen Mukhia.

Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Chaturvedi agrees. Our investigation found that GJM supporters are behind these burnings. Well take action at the right time, he says.

Gorkhaland activists say they are not the arsonists. GJM activists are not behind these burnings and we do not know who are doing this, said GJM general secretary Roshan Giri.

Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) spokesperson Neeraj Zimba smells a conspiracy behind the arson. These buildings are being burnt by unknown miscreants who want to deceive Gorkhaland supporters and derail the statehood movement, he says.

KOLKATA: With political parties in denial or passing the buck and police waiting for the right time to nab the culprits, it seems an invisible hand has torched over 50 government offices and public properties in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts since fresh fire for Gorkhaland statehood was stoked on June 8. Public properties gutted include century-old libraries, heritage railway stations, sericulture offices and every important structures that could have been assets of the proposed Gorkhaland state. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) was embroiled in extensive corruption during the five years it ruled the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA). Government offices contained documents that could have proved the graft. The burnings started after Mamata Banerjee ordered a special audit of Central funds allocated to GTA in the past five years. The offices were burnt down to avoid this special audit, says Trinamool Congress Darjeeling hills district president Rajen Mukhia. Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Chaturvedi agrees. Our investigation found that GJM supporters are behind these burnings. Well take action at the right time, he says. Gorkhaland activists say they are not the arsonists. GJM activists are not behind these burnings and we do not know who are doing this, said GJM general secretary Roshan Giri. Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) spokesperson Neeraj Zimba smells a conspiracy behind the arson. These buildings are being burnt by unknown miscreants who want to deceive Gorkhaland supporters and derail the statehood movement, he says.
Pradip R Sagar By

NEW DELHI: Infused by the recommendations on Thursday of a parliamentary panel headed by Bhartruhari Mahatab of BJD, the CBI is seeking legal opinion to revive the three-decade-old Bofors case.

Political implications are significant since the CBI had reopened the Babri Masjid case against BJP leader L K Advani in March. In 2010, the Allahabad High Court turned down the CBI case against BJP leaders, when UPA was in power. A year later, CBI moved the Supreme Court against the High Court order.

When the CBI had approached the government in 2005 to restart investigations into the Bofors case, it was denied permission. Though the main accused Ottavio Quattrocchi, an Italian businessman with ties to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, died in July 2013, the Hinduja brothersSrichand, Gopichand and Prakashchandwho are also accused, can still be tried. Quattrocchi had fled India in 1999 and died in 2013.

The CBIs move will give ammunition to the ruling NDA government to counter a united Opposition, which is gearing up to corner it on various issues such as cow vigilante and GST in the upcoming Monsoon Session.

The six-member Public Accounts Committees (PAC) subcommittee on defence is looking into non-compliance of certain aspects of the CAG report of 1986 on the Bofors deal. Now that the PAC has recommended reopening of the case, we are seeking a legal opinion, said a CBI official.

A PAC member told The Sunday Standard that during discussions, CBI chief Alok Verma had expressed his intention to proceed with the trial. CBI was denied permission by the UPA government in 2005, citing the agencys inability to extradite Quattrocchi. But many other accused are roaming freely. They need to be booked, said a PAC member. Another member, Nishikant Dubey, is believed to have told the panel that if the case against senior BJP leaders, including L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti, can be revived after judicial intervention, inquiry into other cases can also be restarted.

In 2005, then Attorney General Milon K Banerjee had red-flagged CBIs plea to proceed against the acquittal of the HIndujas. Now, Attorney General K K Venugopal will be handling the CBIs fresh plea, since the case has political implications.

The case was finally closed after a plea by the CBI on March 5, 2011, following a Delhi court ruling that hard-earned tax-payers money could not be spent on these type of proceedings which are not going to do any good to them. The CBIs probe into the alleged kickbacks was closed after almost 25 years of the scam-tainted gun deal with the Swedish company. However, re-investigation will happen only at the instance of the Supreme Court or the Centre.

NEW DELHI: Infused by the recommendations on Thursday of a parliamentary panel headed by Bhartruhari Mahatab of BJD, the CBI is seeking legal opinion to revive the three-decade-old Bofors case. Political implications are significant since the CBI had reopened the Babri Masjid case against BJP leader L K Advani in March. In 2010, the Allahabad High Court turned down the CBI case against BJP leaders, when UPA was in power. A year later, CBI moved the Supreme Court against the High Court order. When the CBI had approached the government in 2005 to restart investigations into the Bofors case, it was denied permission. Though the main accused Ottavio Quattrocchi, an Italian businessman with ties to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, died in July 2013, the Hinduja brothersSrichand, Gopichand and Prakashchandwho are also accused, can still be tried. Quattrocchi had fled India in 1999 and died in 2013. The CBIs move will give ammunition to the ruling NDA government to counter a united Opposition, which is gearing up to corner it on various issues such as cow vigilante and GST in the upcoming Monsoon Session. The six-member Public Accounts Committees (PAC) subcommittee on defence is looking into non-compliance of certain aspects of the CAG report of 1986 on the Bofors deal. Now that the PAC has recommended reopening of the case, we are seeking a legal opinion, said a CBI official. A PAC member told The Sunday Standard that during discussions, CBI chief Alok Verma had expressed his intention to proceed with the trial. CBI was denied permission by the UPA government in 2005, citing the agencys inability to extradite Quattrocchi. But many other accused are roaming freely. They need to be booked, said a PAC member. Another member, Nishikant Dubey, is believed to have told the panel that if the case against senior BJP leaders, including L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti, can be revived after judicial intervention, inquiry into other cases can also be restarted. In 2005, then Attorney General Milon K Banerjee had red-flagged CBIs plea to proceed against the acquittal of the HIndujas. Now, Attorney General K K Venugopal will be handling the CBIs fresh plea, since the case has political implications. The case was finally closed after a plea by the CBI on March 5, 2011, following a Delhi court ruling that hard-earned tax-payers money could not be spent on these type of proceedings which are not going to do any good to them. The CBIs probe into the alleged kickbacks was closed after almost 25 years of the scam-tainted gun deal with the Swedish company. However, re-investigation will happen only at the instance of the Supreme Court or the Centre.
Kanu Sarda By

NEW DELHI: In December 2012, Delhi saw one of the countrys most horrific gang-rapes which was followed with nationwide protests demanding change in rape laws. But after four-and-a-half years, victims of rape and sexual assault are still facing systemic insensitivity and slow pace of judicial system, finds a study.

The study, conducted by Partners for Law in Development, an NGO, at the behest of Delhi High Court, has revealed that fast-track courts still move at the same pace as earlier. The report has been submitted to the Ministry of Law and Justice, which is studying the recommendations made in it.

The NGO has analysed 16 rape cases from January 2014 to March 2015. Its report reveals that police personnel are still not sensitised to deal with rape survivors and it took several days for a victim to get an FIR registered in a few cases.

As per the amended law, Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) gives a stipulated period of two months for completion of trial of rape cases but on the contrary, the report reveals that it takes nearly eight months for a fast-track court in the National Capital to record the statement of a rape survivor.

However, the study has suggested that the timeline of two months is unrealistic, stating that day-to-day trial should be conducted so that the victims statement can be recorded without any flip-flop. This will also save her from undue pressure.

The report clarifies that delay in courts happen due to several factors such as delay in getting FSL reports, adjournments, increasing case load and vacancies at the judiciary level.

It has also recommended that questions on behalf of the lawyer for the accused should be mandatorily routed through the judges since defence questions are inevitably hostile, often sexually explicit and intended to insinuate lack of resistance to imply consent.

A study, conducted by NGO Partners for Law in Development, at the behest of Delhi High Court, has sought training for all the agencies involved in investigation and prosecution of rape cases. It has highlighted the need for a specialised agency such as a one-stop crisis centre to provide necessary response to help victims of sexual assault and enable the victim navigate the legal procedure.

It is imperative to shield and protect the victims and witnesses beyond deposition during the trial since accused persons and their families had access to the survivors outside court complexes, the report states.

The victims are often seen unguided by prosecution over the legal process and in some cases the lawyers do not even meet them before the case gets first hearing in the court, the report highlights.

The study, which highlighted absence of support services for the victims, said these are a must to help victims get compensation, pre-trial orientation, counselling and access to rehabilitation.

NEW DELHI: In December 2012, Delhi saw one of the countrys most horrific gang-rapes which was followed with nationwide protests demanding change in rape laws. But after four-and-a-half years, victims of rape and sexual assault are still facing systemic insensitivity and slow pace of judicial system, finds a study. The study, conducted by Partners for Law in Development, an NGO, at the behest of Delhi High Court, has revealed that fast-track courts still move at the same pace as earlier. The report has been submitted to the Ministry of Law and Justice, which is studying the recommendations made in it. The NGO has analysed 16 rape cases from January 2014 to March 2015. Its report reveals that police personnel are still not sensitised to deal with rape survivors and it took several days for a victim to get an FIR registered in a few cases. As per the amended law, Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) gives a stipulated period of two months for completion of trial of rape cases but on the contrary, the report reveals that it takes nearly eight months for a fast-track court in the National Capital to record the statement of a rape survivor. However, the study has suggested that the timeline of two months is unrealistic, stating that day-to-day trial should be conducted so that the victims statement can be recorded without any flip-flop. This will also save her from undue pressure. The report clarifies that delay in courts happen due to several factors such as delay in getting FSL reports, adjournments, increasing case load and vacancies at the judiciary level. It has also recommended that questions on behalf of the lawyer for the accused should be mandatorily routed through the judges since defence questions are inevitably hostile, often sexually explicit and intended to insinuate lack of resistance to imply consent. A study, conducted by NGO Partners for Law in Development, at the behest of Delhi High Court, has sought training for all the agencies involved in investigation and prosecution of rape cases. It has highlighted the need for a specialised agency such as a one-stop crisis centre to provide necessary response to help victims of sexual assault and enable the victim navigate the legal procedure. It is imperative to shield and protect the victims and witnesses beyond deposition during the trial since accused persons and their families had access to the survivors outside court complexes, the report states. The victims are often seen unguided by prosecution over the legal process and in some cases the lawyers do not even meet them before the case gets first hearing in the court, the report highlights. The study, which highlighted absence of support services for the victims, said these are a must to help victims get compensation, pre-trial orientation, counselling and access to rehabilitation.
By PTI

COLOMBO: A senior police officer in Sri Lanka was arrested today for allegedly aiding and abetting a man accused of raping and killing a girl from the minority Tamil community in the northern province, officials said. Deputy Inspector General of Police Lalith Jayasinghe, who was the in-charge of the Jaffna division, landed in the police net for helping the accused flee the police custody, police's Crime Investigation Department (CID) said.

The rape and murder of 18-year-old student Sivaloganathan Vithya in Jaffna in 2015 had triggered widespread public anger and protests with people demonstrating to bring the accused to justice. Protesters had accused the police of shielding the accused in the Tamil-dominated northern province. In June, a trial was initiated against the accused.

Sri Lanka's human rights record, particularly over the impunity enjoyed by law enforcement officers, has been the subject of international condemnation. The UN Human Rights Council has called for an international investigation into the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka during the military conflict with the LTTE that ended in 2009.

Sri Lanka is averse to setting up of an international hybrid court with local and foreign judges to investigate the alleged war crimes committed by the government troops and the LTTE in the last phase of the conflict. Relatives of the missing Tamil people allege that the Lankan state - particularly its army, navy and police - were behind most of the disappearances.

COLOMBO: A senior police officer in Sri Lanka was arrested today for allegedly aiding and abetting a man accused of raping and killing a girl from the minority Tamil community in the northern province, officials said. Deputy Inspector General of Police Lalith Jayasinghe, who was the in-charge of the Jaffna division, landed in the police net for helping the accused flee the police custody, police's Crime Investigation Department (CID) said. The rape and murder of 18-year-old student Sivaloganathan Vithya in Jaffna in 2015 had triggered widespread public anger and protests with people demonstrating to bring the accused to justice. Protesters had accused the police of shielding the accused in the Tamil-dominated northern province. In June, a trial was initiated against the accused. Sri Lanka's human rights record, particularly over the impunity enjoyed by law enforcement officers, has been the subject of international condemnation. The UN Human Rights Council has called for an international investigation into the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka during the military conflict with the LTTE that ended in 2009. Sri Lanka is averse to setting up of an international hybrid court with local and foreign judges to investigate the alleged war crimes committed by the government troops and the LTTE in the last phase of the conflict. Relatives of the missing Tamil people allege that the Lankan state - particularly its army, navy and police - were behind most of the disappearances.
By AFP

BERLIN: Germany should be legally bound to invest in infrastructure, the centre-left challenger to Chancellor Angela Merkel at September elections said Sunday.

Berlin "must use its money to improve public infrastructure according to binding rules," Social Democratic Party (SPD) candidate Martin Schulz said at a campaign event in the German capital.

Schulz did not call for the lifting of the "debt brake" built into the German constitution by Merkel's conservative government in 2009, which sets legal limits on deficits in federal and regional budgets.

Berlin has booked budget surpluses in recent years and reduced its debt levels under finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.

German public spending is a hot topic at home and abroad. Trading partners have called on the government to invest more as a way of reducing its massive trade surplus -- the amount its exports outweigh its imports.

Countries like France or the United States argue that while Germany is happy to rake in cash from selling its goods abroad, it fails to help other economies by spending at home to contribute to economic growth.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview published Thursday that Germany had to move on investment.

And The Economist magazine labelled trade surpluses "the German problem" on its latest cover. It accused the country of saving too much and spending too little alongside an image of the imposing German eagle -- its wings incorporating a graph of trade statistics.

"The state can't create any illegal deficits -- and that's right," Schulz said Sunday.

But the SPD argues that increasing investment is a matter of "intergenerational fairness", slotting it into a 10-point programme alongside improving social justice and a stronger European Union.

The plan would oblige the state to spend on high-speed internet connections, transport links, renewable energy and education, especially in the country's economically weakest regions.

It stands alongside other manifesto commitments including improved wages, fewer insecure jobs and free education up to masters degree level, as well as tax cuts for families.

Schulz, a former president of the European Parliament has a formidable opponent in Merkel.

She has regained a commanding lead in opinion polls after Schulz enjoyed a brief surge that took the SPD within touching distance of the Chancellor earlier this year.

BERLIN: Germany should be legally bound to invest in infrastructure, the centre-left challenger to Chancellor Angela Merkel at September elections said Sunday. Berlin "must use its money to improve public infrastructure according to binding rules," Social Democratic Party (SPD) candidate Martin Schulz said at a campaign event in the German capital. Schulz did not call for the lifting of the "debt brake" built into the German constitution by Merkel's conservative government in 2009, which sets legal limits on deficits in federal and regional budgets. Berlin has booked budget surpluses in recent years and reduced its debt levels under finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. German public spending is a hot topic at home and abroad. Trading partners have called on the government to invest more as a way of reducing its massive trade surplus -- the amount its exports outweigh its imports. Countries like France or the United States argue that while Germany is happy to rake in cash from selling its goods abroad, it fails to help other economies by spending at home to contribute to economic growth. French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview published Thursday that Germany had to move on investment. And The Economist magazine labelled trade surpluses "the German problem" on its latest cover. It accused the country of saving too much and spending too little alongside an image of the imposing German eagle -- its wings incorporating a graph of trade statistics. "The state can't create any illegal deficits -- and that's right," Schulz said Sunday. But the SPD argues that increasing investment is a matter of "intergenerational fairness", slotting it into a 10-point programme alongside improving social justice and a stronger European Union. The plan would oblige the state to spend on high-speed internet connections, transport links, renewable energy and education, especially in the country's economically weakest regions. It stands alongside other manifesto commitments including improved wages, fewer insecure jobs and free education up to masters degree level, as well as tax cuts for families. Schulz, a former president of the European Parliament has a formidable opponent in Merkel. She has regained a commanding lead in opinion polls after Schulz enjoyed a brief surge that took the SPD within touching distance of the Chancellor earlier this year.
By AFP

TEHRAN: Two Iranian civilians were killed in a cross-border attack by Pakistani insurgents, the Revolutionary Guards said.

"On Saturday evening, a terrorist team... fired (ammunition) from within Pakistani territory toward the Iranian border region of Saravan" in Sistan-Baluchistan province, the Guards said in a statement on their Sepahnews website.

"Two local workers in the region were martyred in this terrorist attack," it added.

Forces from the Quds force -- the Guards' foreign operations wing -- killed one of the attackers and wounded two, while others fled back into Pakistani territory, the statement said.

The insurgent group was not identified, but for years the region has been the site of frequent attacks by the Jaish al- Adl jihadist group, which Tehran says has links to Al-Qaeda and is based in the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan.

Jaish al-Adl was blamed for an attack in April that killed 10 Iranian border guards in the nearby Mirjaveh region.

President Hassan Rouhani wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif calling for greater efforts to prevent insurgent attacks along the border.

The Guards also said on June 19 that they had killed the leader and four members of another jihadist group called Ansar al-Furqan in the Iranian port city of Chabahar in Sistan- Baluchistan province

TEHRAN: Two Iranian civilians were killed in a cross-border attack by Pakistani insurgents, the Revolutionary Guards said. "On Saturday evening, a terrorist team... fired (ammunition) from within Pakistani territory toward the Iranian border region of Saravan" in Sistan-Baluchistan province, the Guards said in a statement on their Sepahnews website. "Two local workers in the region were martyred in this terrorist attack," it added. Forces from the Quds force -- the Guards' foreign operations wing -- killed one of the attackers and wounded two, while others fled back into Pakistani territory, the statement said. The insurgent group was not identified, but for years the region has been the site of frequent attacks by the Jaish al- Adl jihadist group, which Tehran says has links to Al-Qaeda and is based in the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan. Jaish al-Adl was blamed for an attack in April that killed 10 Iranian border guards in the nearby Mirjaveh region. President Hassan Rouhani wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif calling for greater efforts to prevent insurgent attacks along the border. The Guards also said on June 19 that they had killed the leader and four members of another jihadist group called Ansar al-Furqan in the Iranian port city of Chabahar in Sistan- Baluchistan province
By AFP

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday marked 75 years since the roundup of 13,000 Jews to be sent to Nazi death camps, calling France's responsibility a "stark truth" at a ceremony attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking near the former site of the Velodrome d'Hiver, the indoor cycle track from which the Jews were deported in 1942, Macron said: "It is indeed France that organised" the roundup. "Not a single German" took part.

Netanyahu's presence at the ceremony sparked controversy, with the Union of French Jews for Peace (UJFP) calling the invitation "shocking" and "unacceptable".

The UJFP accused the Israeli government of "usurping the memory of the victims of Nazism to make people believe that Israel represents all the world's Jews".

The ceremony recalled the day when officials of the Vichy regime in Nazi-occupied France began rounding up 13,152 Jews and taking them to the Velodrome d'Hiver, an indoor cycle track in Paris.

Fewer than 100 of those who were detained at the so-called Vel d'Hiv and then sent to the Nazi death camps survived.

Macron was the fourth French president to accept blame for France's role in the deportations -- which totalled more than 75,000 -- since Jacques Chirac first did so in 1995.

"Time does its work," Macron said. "Archives open (and) the truth comes out. It's stark, irrevocable. It imposes itself on us all," Macron said of one of the darkest chapters in France's wartime history.

In a clear reference to far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the rival he defeated in May, Macron denounced "politicians who are prepared to reverse the truth".

Le Pen had insisted during the campaign that today's France could not be accountable for the Vichy regime's actions.

- 'Special heroism' -

Netanyahu hailed the "special heroism" of the French resistance to the Nazis, praising the "noble French citizens who at great risk to their own lives" saved thousands more Jews from perishing in the death camps where at least six million would die overall between 1941 and 1945.

"For the sacred honour of those who perished... let us remember the past, let us secure tomorrow," he said.

"The strength of Israel is that it is the one certain guarantee that the Jewish people will never undergo a Holocaust again."

Among other critics of Netanyahu's presence was former Israeli ambassador to France, Elie Barnavi, who told AFP it made him "a little uneasy".

Barnavi, now a Peace Now activist advocating a two-state solution to end the Middle East conflict, added: "This story has nothing to do with Israel."

Netanyahu, the first Israeli prime minister to attend a Vel d'Hiv commemoration, said the invitation was a "very, very strong gesture" that underscored the longstanding friendship between France and Israel.

- Yellow badges -

Macron addressed Netanyahu as "dear Bibi" and called "anti-Zionism" a new form of anti-Semitism.

Among Sunday's other speakers were prominent French Nazi hunter Serge Klarsfeld and Pierre-Francois Veil, son of Holocaust survivor and rights icon Simone Veil, who died late last month aged 89.

Several members of the group Sons and Daughters of the Deported Jews of France attended, wearing yellow badges recalling the yellow stars that Jews were forced to wear on their lapels during the occupation.

Netanyahu's visit is the first since he joined a massive march attended by numerous world leaders in solidarity with the victims of the January 2015 terror attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish supermarket.

He was to hold talks later Sunday with Macron, their first official meeting.

Macron met Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday, when he reiterated both France's support for a two-state solution and its opposition to Israel's building of settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

Macron's predecessor Francois Hollande's efforts to mobilise the international community on the issue angered Israel.

Netanyahu arrived after a surge of violence in Jerusalem, where a gun attack by three Arab Israelis in the Old City Friday left two Israeli police officers and the attackers dead.

Talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been at a standstill since the failure of US mediation in the spring of 2014.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss Israel's arch-foe Iran, in particular Tehran's role in the Syrian conflict, where it is backing President Bashar al-Assad.

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday marked 75 years since the roundup of 13,000 Jews to be sent to Nazi death camps, calling France's responsibility a "stark truth" at a ceremony attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking near the former site of the Velodrome d'Hiver, the indoor cycle track from which the Jews were deported in 1942, Macron said: "It is indeed France that organised" the roundup. "Not a single German" took part. Netanyahu's presence at the ceremony sparked controversy, with the Union of French Jews for Peace (UJFP) calling the invitation "shocking" and "unacceptable". The UJFP accused the Israeli government of "usurping the memory of the victims of Nazism to make people believe that Israel represents all the world's Jews". The ceremony recalled the day when officials of the Vichy regime in Nazi-occupied France began rounding up 13,152 Jews and taking them to the Velodrome d'Hiver, an indoor cycle track in Paris. Fewer than 100 of those who were detained at the so-called Vel d'Hiv and then sent to the Nazi death camps survived. Macron was the fourth French president to accept blame for France's role in the deportations -- which totalled more than 75,000 -- since Jacques Chirac first did so in 1995. "Time does its work," Macron said. "Archives open (and) the truth comes out. It's stark, irrevocable. It imposes itself on us all," Macron said of one of the darkest chapters in France's wartime history. In a clear reference to far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the rival he defeated in May, Macron denounced "politicians who are prepared to reverse the truth". Le Pen had insisted during the campaign that today's France could not be accountable for the Vichy regime's actions. - 'Special heroism' - Netanyahu hailed the "special heroism" of the French resistance to the Nazis, praising the "noble French citizens who at great risk to their own lives" saved thousands more Jews from perishing in the death camps where at least six million would die overall between 1941 and 1945. "For the sacred honour of those who perished... let us remember the past, let us secure tomorrow," he said. "The strength of Israel is that it is the one certain guarantee that the Jewish people will never undergo a Holocaust again." Among other critics of Netanyahu's presence was former Israeli ambassador to France, Elie Barnavi, who told AFP it made him "a little uneasy". Barnavi, now a Peace Now activist advocating a two-state solution to end the Middle East conflict, added: "This story has nothing to do with Israel." Netanyahu, the first Israeli prime minister to attend a Vel d'Hiv commemoration, said the invitation was a "very, very strong gesture" that underscored the longstanding friendship between France and Israel. - Yellow badges - Macron addressed Netanyahu as "dear Bibi" and called "anti-Zionism" a new form of anti-Semitism. Among Sunday's other speakers were prominent French Nazi hunter Serge Klarsfeld and Pierre-Francois Veil, son of Holocaust survivor and rights icon Simone Veil, who died late last month aged 89. Several members of the group Sons and Daughters of the Deported Jews of France attended, wearing yellow badges recalling the yellow stars that Jews were forced to wear on their lapels during the occupation. Netanyahu's visit is the first since he joined a massive march attended by numerous world leaders in solidarity with the victims of the January 2015 terror attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish supermarket. He was to hold talks later Sunday with Macron, their first official meeting. Macron met Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday, when he reiterated both France's support for a two-state solution and its opposition to Israel's building of settlements in occupied Palestinian territory. Macron's predecessor Francois Hollande's efforts to mobilise the international community on the issue angered Israel. Netanyahu arrived after a surge of violence in Jerusalem, where a gun attack by three Arab Israelis in the Old City Friday left two Israeli police officers and the attackers dead. Talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been at a standstill since the failure of US mediation in the spring of 2014. The two leaders are also expected to discuss Israel's arch-foe Iran, in particular Tehran's role in the Syrian conflict, where it is backing President Bashar al-Assad.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is "analysing" the evidence against Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, sentenced to death by a military court, and will decide his appeal on merit, the Army said here today.

According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, issued on June 22, the 46-year-old former Indian Navy officer has already filed the mercy petiition before General Bajwa last month, after the country's Military Appellate Court rejected his appeal against the death sentence.

Pakistan Army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor today told reporters that Gen Bajwa was "analysing the evidence against Jadhav. The Army chief will decide Jadhav's appeal on merit."

Jadhav is eligible to appeal for clemency to the Army chief under Pakistan's law, and if his plea is rejected, he can subsequently appeal the Pakistan president for the same.

He was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in The Hague in May halted his execution on India's appeal.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav in violation of the Vienna Convention. It has also sat on a request for a visa to Jadhav's mother, Avantika Jadhav, so that she can travel to Pakistan and meet her son. On July 13, the foreign office said Pakistan was "considering" the request for visa.

Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.

At the briefing today, the Army spokesman also accused India of ceasefire violations and targeting civilians along the LoC. "There were 580 ceasefire violation on the LoC so far in 2017, which is the highest number of violations in recent years," he said, suggested that India was "compelled" by the "domestic pressure" to do so.

Asked about the "role" of the military in the joint investigation team (JIT) report against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and government allegations of a "conspiracy", the spokesman said that the Army was only focused on the "security of the country."

"JIT was formed by the Supreme Court which did its job honestly. Its report will be examined by the court. Army has no role in the process," he said.

Maj Gen Ghafoor said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a project of national development and the Army would provide complete security to it and will not let it fail.

On a bill passed by the US House of Representatives toughening up conditions for aid to Pakistan, the spokesman conceded the "conditions were coercive but it should not be interpreted as sanctions."

The spokesman also talked about the Army's operation against militants in Khyber tribal district near Afghanistan.

"It would help us to secure the border with Afghanistan which is used by militants to sneak into Pakistan."

The northwestern tribal region has witnessed increasing terrorist attacks of late, some claimed by the Islamic State.

Maj Gen Ghafoor rejected any "organised presence" of the terrorist group in Pakistan. He, however expressed fears that the group was getting stronger in Afghanistan.

He said Afghanistan should look at the security situation with its own "lens" and not through the "lens of any other country."

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is "analysing" the evidence against Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, sentenced to death by a military court, and will decide his appeal on merit, the Army said here today. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, issued on June 22, the 46-year-old former Indian Navy officer has already filed the mercy petiition before General Bajwa last month, after the country's Military Appellate Court rejected his appeal against the death sentence. Pakistan Army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor today told reporters that Gen Bajwa was "analysing the evidence against Jadhav. The Army chief will decide Jadhav's appeal on merit." Jadhav is eligible to appeal for clemency to the Army chief under Pakistan's law, and if his plea is rejected, he can subsequently appeal the Pakistan president for the same. He was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in The Hague in May halted his execution on India's appeal. Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav in violation of the Vienna Convention. It has also sat on a request for a visa to Jadhav's mother, Avantika Jadhav, so that she can travel to Pakistan and meet her son. On July 13, the foreign office said Pakistan was "considering" the request for visa. Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy. At the briefing today, the Army spokesman also accused India of ceasefire violations and targeting civilians along the LoC. "There were 580 ceasefire violation on the LoC so far in 2017, which is the highest number of violations in recent years," he said, suggested that India was "compelled" by the "domestic pressure" to do so. Asked about the "role" of the military in the joint investigation team (JIT) report against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and government allegations of a "conspiracy", the spokesman said that the Army was only focused on the "security of the country." "JIT was formed by the Supreme Court which did its job honestly. Its report will be examined by the court. Army has no role in the process," he said. Maj Gen Ghafoor said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a project of national development and the Army would provide complete security to it and will not let it fail. On a bill passed by the US House of Representatives toughening up conditions for aid to Pakistan, the spokesman conceded the "conditions were coercive but it should not be interpreted as sanctions." The spokesman also talked about the Army's operation against militants in Khyber tribal district near Afghanistan. "It would help us to secure the border with Afghanistan which is used by militants to sneak into Pakistan." The northwestern tribal region has witnessed increasing terrorist attacks of late, some claimed by the Islamic State. Maj Gen Ghafoor rejected any "organised presence" of the terrorist group in Pakistan. He, however expressed fears that the group was getting stronger in Afghanistan. He said Afghanistan should look at the security situation with its own "lens" and not through the "lens of any other country."
One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021
Reporter

Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey).
Global malaria elimination funding is declining at a time when it remains crucial to eliminating the disease worldwide, according to a study published in the open access Malaria Journal.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco Global Health Group suggest that while government funding for malaria elimination has been increasing in many affected countries since 2000, the increase in government financing does not fully bridge the gap from a decline in external funding that emerged in 2010. Lack of funding or inefficient use of funds may increase the risk of malaria resurgences.

Rima Shretta, the corresponding author said: "Our findings demonstrate growing uncertainty about the future availability of donor funding for malaria. The study highlights the need for sustainable financing solutions that bridge the gap between the amount of funding a government can provide based on its economy and the amount donated by external partners, which declines as the country moves closer to becoming malaria-free."

This is the first study that systematically tracks Development Assistance for Health (DAH) - donor funding - and Government Health Expenditure (GHE) - government funding - for 35 malaria eliminating countries from 1990 to 2013 with projections to 2017.

Between 2000 and 2010, DAH funding for the 35 malaria-eliminating countries included in this review increased from just over $5 million to $176 million. However, overall funding in these countries fell to $62 million in 2013. The largest source of DAH, the Global Fund, provided 96% of funds in 2013. Donor financing is expected to decline further as donors re-allocate funds to prioritize high burden countries and other health priorities. The authors suggest that with declining DAH, resources will need to be more effectively targeted to ensure value for money. While DAH has declined, government funding for the 35 malaria eliminating countries has steadily increased since 2000 from about $131 million per year to about $250 million in 2014.

Dr Shretta said: "Our study details the interventions on which funding was spent. We found that there was high growth in donor funding spend on vector control interventions - particularly on insecticide-treated nets - peaking in 2010. In some countries, such as Bhutan, 80% of total malaria donor funding was spent on vector control. By contrast, expenditure on surveillance, a key malaria elimination intervention and a pillar of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Technical Strategy, decreased between 2010 and 2012. Overall, less than 10% of malaria donor funding is spent on surveillance in the eliminating countries included in this study. Donors will need to assess whether a shift towards more support for operational improvements, surveillance, and program management will be required to support elimination goals."

Between 2000 and 2015, global malaria incidence and death rates fell by 41% and 62%, respectively, according to the WHO. In order to reach malaria elimination goals and to continue the significant global decline of malaria, key decision makers need to be made aware of the threat of undermining elimination if funding falls short, according to the authors.
Dementia researchers are to receive a 1.9 million investment to identify the earliest brain changes associated with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

The brain imaging project - known as the TriBEKa Consortium - involves research teams from three countries. It will paint the clearest picture yet of the first factors that determine risk of dementia.

Although the condition is associated with old age, changes in the brain that lead to dementia can occur decades before symptoms appear.

Experts say that understanding these changes are key to developing ways to intervene before irreversible damage has been done.

The initiative - the largest of its type to focus on this age group - brings together experts led by the University of Edinburgh in the UK, the BarcelonaBeta Brain Research Centre in Spain and Sweden's Karolinska Institute.

Researchers will use a brain scanning technique known as positron emission tomography (PET) to detect harmful build-up of chemicals associated with dementia. Brain structure will be measured using a tool known as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Participants in the study - aged between 40 and 65 - will also take part in memory tests, family history and lifestyle assessments and will be invited to take part in a three-year follow-up.

Data gathered from the project will be made available to the global science community using data-sharing platform known as the Global Alzheimer's Association Interactive Network (GAAIN).

The funding boost comes from the US-based Alzheimer's Association and donation from an anonymous international charitable foundation. The project will be launched on Friday in London at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference.

Dementia affects 47 million people worldwide, with Alzheimer's disease the most common cause. There are 9.9 million new cases diagnosed globally each year.

Professor Craig Ritchie, Director of the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Dementia Prevention, said: "Dementia is an urgent health issue and requires forward-thinking international collaboration to defeat it. As brain changes that cause dementia happen many years before symptoms, we have an opportunity to prevent progression before people are affected. TriBEKa puts us in a unique position to understand how we might do this."

Professor Jose Luis Molinuevo, Scientific Director of the BarcelonaBeta Brain Research Centre, said: "Modelling and understanding early changes in Alzheimer's disease is key for understanding the role of the different risk factors and designing prevention trials. The TriBEKa Consortium will become a key source of information to give those answers."

Dr Maria C. Carrillo, Chief Science Officer at the Alzheimer's Association, said: "We are proud to contribute the TriBEKa Consortium. We know that it is essential that we learn how to identify Alzheimer's brain changes at the earliest point, with the goal of understanding risk factors to ultimately intervening in the disease process before cognitive decline and dementia symptoms are present."
Deep in landlocked Africa, a miracle is unfolding. Less than a generation after a genocidal civil war left it in ruins, Rwanda is defying poverty traps that ensnare many other natural resource-dependent developing countries.

The "land of a thousand hills" today has one of the continent's strongest economies and healthiest populations. This success story is borne out by a newly developed method for modeling rural poverty that could inform interventions to improve economies, health, and ecosystems.

"The livelihoods of the rural poor are literally consumed by other organisms in complex ecological systems," said co-author Matthew Bonds, a visiting assistant professor of medicine at Stanford. "The environment's influence on poor rural economies makes them fundamentally different from the economies of more developed countries."

Rural economics 101

Of the 1 billion people living below the international poverty line, most live in rural communities where the natural resources around them present a double-edged sword. Ecological systems provide subsistence, but also spread high rates of infectious diseases through pathogens carried by agricultural pests, rodents, parasites and other vectors.

"These natural enemies compete with the rural poor for resources," said co-author Giulio De Leo, a professor of biology at Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station. "They consume biological capital in the form of human health or crops, livestock, forests, wildlife, soils and ?sheries, thus eroding people's livelihood and well-being."

The picture is further complicated by the need to balance nutrition and health care with investments in land, livestock, and crops. This complex web of interactions leads to grim statistics: More than 75 percent of rural poor people in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia die from infectious diseases. It also leads to a poverty trap - the inability to earn enough to save and invest in future earnings. If a farmer or their livestock become unhealthy, income suffers.

Understanding poverty traps

The study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, takes a significant step toward understanding persistent poverty and finding solutions for long-term sustainable development. It presents a first-of-its-kind general theoretical framework for modeling subsistence and health of the rural poor by analyzing ecological, economic and epidemiological factors.

For lead author Calistus Ngonghala, a mathematician at the University of Florida, the work hits close to home. "Growing up in rural Cameroon, my family and friends had subsistence lifestyles and my community suffered from a continuous burden of deadly diseases such as malaria and HIV," Ngonghala said.

The study's models show that disease transmission and recovery rates are the most consistently important determinants of long-term health and wealth dynamics. The framework also highlights feedbacks, processes, and parameters that are important to measure in future studies of rural poverty. They could help identify effective pathways to sustainable development and better predict countries' resilience to economic, health and environmental shocks.

Case in point: A major, one-time wave of support - such as an injection of capital or agricultural supplies - might be enough to disrupt the vicious cycle of feedback between poverty and disease and set a country on a path of healthy development. However, this widely adopted development approach would only provide temporary relief in some circumstances, the study shows. In those cases, only permanent and sustained system changes can create lasting economic development and public health improvement.

Rwanda is a shining example. It provided broad and robust access to health care for the poor through social insurance systems. Dramatic economic growth followed.
Since highly versatile human stem cells were discovered at the University of Wisconsin-Madison nearly 20 years ago, their path to the market and clinic has been slowed by a range of complications.

Both embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells are valued for their ability to form any cell in the body.

This week, a UW-Madison team reports in Nature Biomedical Engineering that they have jumped a major hurdle on the path toward wider use of stem cells. Using an automated screening test that they devised, William Murphy, a professor of biomedical engineering, and colleagues Eric Nguyen and William Daly have invented an all-chemical replacement for the confusing, even dangerous materials, now used to grow these delicate cells. "We set out to create a simple, completely synthetic material that would support stem cells without the issues of unintended effects and lack of reproducibility," Murphy says.

Stem cells respond to chemical signals that trigger their development into specialized cells in the brain, muscles and blood vessels. In the lab, researchers use a "substrate" material that anchors the cells in place and allows the necessary signaling. Matrigel, currently the most popular of these substrates, is a complex stew derived from mouse tumors. "Matrigel can be a very powerful material, as it includes more than 1,500 different proteins," says Murphy, "and these can influence cell behavior in a huge variety of ways. Matrigel has been used as a Swiss army knife for growing cells and assembling tissues, but there are substantial issues with reproducibility because it's such a complex material."

And given its biological origin, Matrigel can carry pathogens or other hazards.

In an advance that has already been granted two U.S. patents, Murphy's group has developed new substrates for:

Raising stem cells for a wide variety of uses in regenerative medicine. Because the substrate is produced entirely from chemicals, the danger and confusion caused by the mouse proteins in existing substrates are eliminated, and

Growing veins and arteries from stem cells, which can serve as a test-bed for evaluating drug toxicity or discovering drugs that influence blood vessel growth (such as drugs that "starve" tumors by blocking vessel growth). The widespread toxicity of drugs to developing blood vessels is one reason why so many drugs cannot be used by women who may become pregnant. Blood vessel cells derived from stem cells could also provide a new method to screen environmental chemicals for vascular toxicity, which explains why the Environmental Protection Agency has funded Murphy's work, alongside the National Institutes of Health.

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To find an improved chemistry that would hold and support stem cells as they change into specialized cells, Murphy used robotic instruments to squirt arrays of more than 100 materials on a glass slide. "We developed a process that allowed us to test an array of materials -- each one slightly different in terms of stiffness or ability to attach to stem cells -- on a single slide," he says. "It was automated, using a liquid-handling robot, and we could screen hundreds of materials in a month; which we can now do in a week."

In the "olden days," Murphy says, each experiment would only be able to screen about 10 materials, which means that their current weekly screen would have taken years.

A UW-Madison spinoff called Stem Pharm has licensed patents for the materials from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and is starting to sell the system to pharmaceutical companies and scientific institutes, says Murphy, who is Stem Pharm's co-founder and chief science officer. "Increasingly, pharmas are externalizing innovation, because internally they don't have as much capacity to innovate as before," Murphy says. "A number of companies have expressed a strong interest in moving away from Matrigel, and our vascular screening product has already been successfully beta tested at multiple locations."

Finding a better growth substrate for stem cells may seem less sexy than identifying the cells in the first place, but it's one of the roadblocks that must be cleared so these ultra-flexible cells can realize their potential, says Murphy, who is co-director of UW-Madison's Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center. "The next step in delivering on the promise of human stem cells involves more effectively manufacturing the cells themselves, and the tissues they create. We have shown that simple materials can serve as the chisels and hammers of stem cell manufacturing."
New Delhi: State-run Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) has made its first purchase of US oil, buying high sulphur crudes Mars and Poseidon in a tender, its head of refineries R. Ramachandran said.



BPCL is the second Indian refiner to buy US Gulf crude after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington last month when President Donald Trump said the United States looked forward to exporting more energy products to the world's third-biggest oil buyer.



BPCL has bought a cargo containing 500,000 barrels each of Mars and Poseidon for delivery from September 26 to October 10.



Ramachandran said the landed price of the American oil cargo would be "reasonably competitive" to the delivered price of the high sulphur oil from the Middle East.



Earlier this month Indian Oil Corp, the nation's top refiner, bought 1.6 million barrels of Mars.



A trade source said BPCL has bought the cargo from Shell.



Refiners in India, the world's third biggest oil consumer, are diversifying crude imports as cheaper alternatives have emerged due to a global supply glut despite OPEC and some non-OPEC producers cutting output to jack up prices.



Share of Middle Eastern crude in India's imports shrank in June to the smallest since October 2015, while that from south America, Africa and Central Asia including Russia rose.



Current market dynamics are also helping India's plan to deepen energy ties with the United States.



West Texas Intermediate oil prices are depressed relative to Middle East benchmark Dubai because of rising US shale oil production and as the OPEC cuts have reduced the amount of Middle East medium, sour crude.



Global oil output in June is 1.2 million barrels per day above a year ago, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday in its latest monthly report.



"We are also looking at buying low sulphur oil from America if priced competitively. Our refineries need both low sulphur and high sulphur oil," he said, adding the latest purchase was a trial cargo.



BPCL aims to operate its Kochi refinery in Southern India at expanded capacity of 310,000 barrels per day (bpd) from September, he added.



India is the latest Asian country to buy US crude after South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Australia and Taiwan after the OPEC cuts drove up prices of Middle East heavy-sour crude, or grades with a high sulphur content.
New Delhi: Exhaustive field trials are being carried out on two long-range ultra-light howitzers in Pokhran that the Indian Army received from the US after a gap of 30 years since the Bofors scandal broke out, an official said.



The test-firing of the guns is primarily aimed at collating and determining various critical data like trajectory, speed and frequency of fire of the M-777 A-2 ultra-light howitzers (ULH) which are expected to be mostly deployed along the border with China.



The trials will continue till September for formation of the "firing table," which is a major aspect of the overall induction process, said the Army official privy to the trials on the condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media. The 155 mm, 39-calibre guns will fire Indian ammunition.



Three more guns will be supplied to the Army in September, 2018, for training. Thereafter, induction will commence from March 2019 onwards with five guns per month till the complete consignment is received by mid-2021.



"The trials have been going on smoothly and various data are being collected for formation of the firing table," the official said, adding the aim was to ensure that there was no delay in the induction of the guns.



The Army badly needs the howitzers considering the evolving regional security scenario. India had last procured howitzers in the mid-1980s from Swedish defence major Bofors. The alleged pay-offs in the deal and its subsequent political ramifications had severely crippled the Indian Army's procurement of artillery guns.



The Army had received the howitzers in May as part of an order for 145 guns. India had struck a government-to-government deal with the US last November for supply of the 145 howitzers at a cost of nearly Rs 5,000 crore.



While 25 guns will come in a fly-away condition, the rest will be assembled in India by the BAE Systems in partnership with Mahindra Defence. The Army has been pressing the government to speed up its modernisation programme.



In a major decision, the government last week had empowered the Vice Chief of the Army to procure critical ammunition and spares for key weapons systems to maintain combat readiness for short duration "intense wars".



The move, aimed at filling the "voids" in the Army's combat readiness, came amid nearly a month-long standoff between the armies of India and China in the Dokalam area as well as heightened Indo-Pak tension along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has given the police and excise department a free hand to probe the high-profile drug racket that has created a sensation in Hyderabad after reports of the involvement of Telegu film actors and other celebrities.



KCR held a meeting with top officials on Sunday and instructed them to conduct a thorough investigation and take stringent measures against those supplying drugs and indulging in adulteration in the state. He assured them there will be no political interference.



In this shady business, dont leave any one. Any politician, even if it is a cabinet minister involved in this crime, book him. There is no place for any violation of law. Arrest the guilty even if they are rich and famous, the CM told officials.



He said that even if the culprits belong to his party, the TRS, they should not be spared. Register cases against them and send them to jail. The state government will not protect anyone. You have total liberty in catching the culprits, he said.



Among those whose names have cropped up in the drug racket are 12 Tollywood personalities. Notices have been sent to three prominent actors, two actresses, a producer, and two technicians, among others. They have been asked to appear before the department between July 19 and 27. According to sources, 15 more celebrities are on the radar of the police.



The Excise department has a list of over 1,000 people in the city who are believed to be regular consumers of drugs after their names figured in the frequently contacted list of 13 drug peddlers, who were arrested recently. The list includes people from all walks of life, be it school and college going children, software employees, people in the hospitality industry and Tollywood actors.



There is supply and use of drugs in Hyderabad for the several years now due to the indifferent attitude of the previous governments. Had they taken stringent measures, situation would have been different now. There is an urgent need to protect Hyderabads brand image, said KCR, adding that Hyderabad is Telangana states lifeline.



This anarchy should be eradicated from Hyderabad. Take such measures that people should get frightened to consume drugs or sell them in Hyderabad. Change Hyderabad into a drug-free city, the CM instructed. He proposed a special wing for monitoring such activities similar to a counter-intelligence wing.



Schools and parent associations in Hyderabad have also started campaigns and sensitisation programs to create more awareness about substance abuse. The Telugu Film Industry has also decided to fight against drug abuse and create awareness in the industry.
In the main auditorium of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, a life-size portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru stands witness to many a seminars and academic discussions.On Saturday evening, the stage was, interestingly, set to remember Jan Sangh founder and Nehru critic Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee.BJP president Amit Shah, who was chief guest at the launch of a book on Mookerjees vision of education, credited Mookerjee with stopping the Islamikaran of Bengal before Independence and said it was due to his efforts that India retained Bengal during Partition.Other speakers at the event included NITI Ayog member Professor Bibek Debroy, Indian Council for Social Science Research chairman BB Kumar and BJP national vice-president Shyam Jaju. (Eram Agha/News18.com)If you see the population of old Bengal, it was in no way a Hindu-dominated land. He (Mookerjee) stood against the rules that allowed the partition of Bengal, and as a result Bengal did not become part of then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, he said.In 1940, a bill was introduced in Bengal Vidhan Sabha, which aimed at Islamikaran of education. It was stopped due to Mookerjees intervention and protests, he added.Shah also took on the Congress, saying the Partition should not have been religion-based. When Labour Party came to power, the Congress accepted the partition of India. Why? questioned Shah, adding, "Partition should not have happened on the grounds of religion but still Congress went ahead with it."Calling Mookerjee a visionary, Shah said an organisation he had founded has crores of members today.Why did he lay down the foundation of Jan Sangh? At the time, there was no corruption and the Congress had not forgotten Gandhi. Still he started an organisation like Jana Sangh because he was a doordarshi (visionary). Mookerjee started this party with just 10 people and today there are 11 crore members in the BJP, said Shah.At the time, the political situation was such that Jana Sangh would have never got majority, Shah said. Forget at the national level, it wouldnt have been in power even in local bodies. The yes votes were deposited in Congress account and Nehrus popularity was at its peak, Shah said.The BJP chief said Mookerjees contribution to education had not been highlighted, calling it a grave injustice done by history as well as history writers. The Jan Sangh founder did not believe in compartmentalisation and commercialisation of education, Shah said.Other speakers at the event included NITI Ayog member Professor Bibek Debroy, Indian Council for Social Science Research chairman BB Kumar and BJP national vice-president Shyam Jaju. The book is a compilation of 29 speeches by Mookerjee and has been edited by Anirban Ganguly and Avadhesh Kumar Singh.Remembering Mookerjee, Debroy said that with him as Vice Chancellor, the University of Calcutta had invited Rabindranath Tagore for the convocation which was conducted in Bengali for the first time. BB Kumar lamented that the role of people like Moorkerjee in Indias history had been forgotten.
Nagpur: Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, whose film Indu Sarkar has put him in the crosshairs of the Congress party, tweeted to Rahul Gandhi on Sunday and asked him if he could have his freedom of expression back.



The director, who was forced to cancel a promotional event of the film that is based on Emergency due to fears of protest by Congress workers, put a poser before the Congress Vice-President, asking him whether he approved of this hooliganism.



Bhandarkar was forced to cancel the event after Congress workers gathered at his proposed press meet venue to lodge their protest against the alleged defamatory content of the movie.



Congress has objected to the film, saying that it may have portrayed Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi in a bad light. Bhandarkar had to face the ire of Congressmen in Pune too on Saturday, after which he had to cancel the promotional events there.



A senior police official said that Congress workers were waiting to meet Bhandarkar at the venue where he was supposed to brief media about the upcoming film.



However, after they came to know that the filmmaker is not going to come to the spot, they went to the hotel where Bhandarkar was staying, but by the time they reached there, he had already checked out of the hotel.



After cancelling the events in Nagpur, Bhandarkar tweeted to Rahul Gandhi's account saying, Dear @OfficeOfRG after Pune I have 2 cancel today's PressCon at Nagpur. Do you approve this hooliganism? Can I have my Freedom of Expression?"



Maharashtra congress spokesperson, Atul Londhe, said, The people of India will not accept any attempt to malign the image of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who laid down her life for the unity and integrity of the country.



"If the producers had nothing to hide about the movie, they should have first shown it to the Congress leaders and the members of the Gandhi family.



Nagpur city congress chief Vikas Thakre, said, We wanted to meet Bhandarkar and know as to why he was not showing the movie to the concerned Congress leaders. What is he hiding? However, he left the city before we could meet him.
: The race to Rashtrapati Bhawan will come to a close on Monday as legislators get set to cast their vote for Indias next President. Amidst a high-stakes battle for the erstwhile Viceregal Lodge, one thing is certain  Indias next President will be a Dalit. But how does the battle shape up? Will Ram Nath Kovind, the ruling partys nominee, cruise to a comfortable victory or is Meira Kumar, the joint opposition nominee, more than just a token candidate?India is a republic, in that the head of state  the President  is indirectly elected by the people. During the general elections, the people directly elect Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs). These elected legislators form what is known as the Electoral College.The Electoral College comprises of 543 Lok Sabha MPs, 233 Rajya Sabha MPs and 4,120 MLAs from 29 states and two Union Territories (Delhi and Puducherry).While the Electoral College has a total of 4,896 electors, the value of each vote is different. This is done on a state-wise basis to ensure that states with larger population get a higher weightage in terms of votes.The population of the state (as per the 1971 census) divided by the number of MLAs X 1000.For example, the population of Uttar Pradesh in 1971 was 83,849,905 and the number of MLAs in the state is 403. The value of 83,849,905 divided by 4,03,000 (403 X 1000) is 208.06. Rounded off to the nearest number, the value of each UP MLAs vote is 208 votes.Sikkim, on the other hand, had a population of 209,843 and has a total of 32 MLAs in the state assembly. 209,843 divided by 32,000 (32X 1000) is 6.5. Rounded off to the nearest number, the value of each Sikkim MLAs vote is 7 votes.The value of all he MLAs votes combined is 549,495.Calculating the value of an MPs vote, however, is much simpler. It is the value of the value of all MLAs votes (549,495) divided by the total number of MPs (776). By this method, the value of each MPs vote is 708.With 549,495 MLA votes and 549,408 MP votes, the total number of votes cast in the Presidential election is 1,098,903. The candidate who crosses the halfway mark (50%) with 549,542 votes from the Electoral College will become Indias next President.The way things stand; the numbers dont look too good for Meira Kumar. Given the parties that have announced their support for Ram Nath Kovind, the NDA nominee should not have much trouble sailing past the halfway mark. The BJP alone makes up for 40% of the Electoral College. With AIADMK (5.4%), BJD (3%), TDP (2.8%), Shiv Sena (2.3%), TRS (2%), JD (U) (1.9%), YSRC (1.5%), SAD (0.6%), PDP (0.4%), LJP (0.4%) and SP (2.4%), the number for Kovind stands at 62.7%.Kumar, on the other hand, has the explicit support of only 27.7% of the Electoral College. So far, the Congress (14.6%), TMC (5.8%) Left front (3%), RJD (1.7%), DMK (1.7%), BSP (0.7%) and NC (0.2%) have openly supported the joint opposition candidate. On Friday, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also threw in its hat for Kumar but with less than 1% of the vote in its kitty, the AAP will do little to help Meira Kumar past the halfway mark.
The stalemate between the Indian and Chinese militaries at the Doklam plateau has gained renewed interest after it was reported that National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval may be travelling to Beijing later this month.



The NSA will be meeting his counterparts from the BRICS countries on July 27 and 28, and will be hosted by Yang Jiechi, the Chinese State Councillor. Both serve as special representatives nominated by their governments to discuss border issues.



While any comprehensive dialogue on the Doklam standoff is unlikely, it is clear that the dispute will weigh heavy on Dovals mind who is widely considered a China hawk.



The two officials last met in November and had agreed to hold the 20th round of talks on the border question in 2017. It is unlikely, however, that Doval and Yang can come to any fruitful conclusion given that this is a tri-state dispute and Bhutan, a central actor in the conflict, will be absent from the gathering.



While India can and has provided security assistance to Bhutan, it may be imprudent for Indian officials to negotiate border disputes on behalf of Bhutan.



This, however, is not the only factor delaying the resolution of the Doklam standoff. Chinese claims over the territory are reliant on a 130-year-old treaty that is quickly being recognised as a result of poor survey work. It is, therefore, unlikely that any geographical resolution will be forthcoming.



This is not to say, however, that India has no dog in the race. As multiple commentators have pointed out, the Doklam Triborder region is of immense strategic importance for India, given its proximity to the narrow Siliguri corridor.



Often dubbed Chickens Neck the Corridor is Indias lifeline to its north eastern states. The possibility of an enemy state foraying into and choking the corridor (thus denying access to the north east) is a constant source of nightmares for New Delhis strategic thinkers.



All of these reasons combined, elevate the Doklam controversy to more than just a border issue. While many have tried to draw parallels with other historical events and the Chinese have gone so far as to run a full-page editorial reminding India of its defeat in 1962, pragmatic lessons can perhaps be found in poker.



Spurred on by visions of being a great power, China has been consistently raising the stakes not just in the unfolding conflict but in its militarisation of islands in the South China Sea.



The Indian government for its part, encouraged by the Modi administrations popular mandate, has begun playing it cool, matching Chinas raises while continuing to hold its cards to its chest. This is unlikely to change with Dovals visit.



Dovals approach  now famously referred to as the Doval Doctrine  places limited reliance on diplomacy only to the extent that Indias territorial interests are not compromised.



The NSA instead favours military approaches to acquire strategic objectives. Perhaps for the first time in a long time, Indias foreign policy posture seems aligned with the NSAs strategic vision. If he does visit Beijing, one of two things could happen: first, the meetings do not steer from the agenda of BRICS cooperation and Doklam does not get discussed; or second, the Doklam issue comes up but no significant advances are made. In either case, the deadlock on the ground is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

Even as India seems unwilling to rise to Chinas taunts and instead meets its aggressor with steadfastness, Bhutan remains the wild card in the conflict.



As a small Himalayan nation of one million people, the country has already carved out a unique position for itself as the only state in the region that lacks formal diplomatic ties with China. Bhutan also remains the only other country in the region, apart from India, that has not signed on to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative. As China continues to keep up the derisive diatribe, painting Bhutan as a country lacking sovereignty while acting as an Indian protectorate, the question that arises is  how long can Bhutan hold off?



If Bhutan relents to Chinese advances it must do so with the knowledge that it is opening the floodgates for Chinese expansion into its territory.



The Doklam plateau is one of the four contested regions between China and Bhutan, and one of relative insignificance. Yielding space now is only likely to intensify the PLA presence in these other regions.



As one commentator has pointed out, a prolonged conflict in the Himalayas does more reputational harm to Beijing than its less economically powerful neighbours.



For Thimpu, therefore, the most beneficial option is to go all in and wait out the stalemate. New Delhi on the other hand, can check and wait for Beijing to make its move.



(The author is a lawyer by training and works with the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi. He tweets as @darth_beda. Views are personal.)


Islamabad: Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is "analysing" the evidence against Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a military court, and will decide his appeal on merit, the Pakistan Army said on Sunday.



Jadhav had filed a mercy petition before Gen Bajwa last month, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on June 22. The statement said the former Indian Navy officer had filed the petition after the Military Appellate Court rejected his appeal.



Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told reporters on Sunday that Gen Bajwa was analysing the evidence against Jadhav. The Army chief will decide on Jadhav's appeal on merit.



Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in



The Hague in May halted his execution on India's appeal. Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.
Islamabad: Pakistan's army said four of its soldiers drowned in a river in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) after their vehicle was hit by shelling by Indian troops and plunged into the river Neelum.



An official statement released by Pakistan Army on Sunday said the military vehicle was hit near Athmuqam by unprovoked Indian fire from across the Line of Control (LoC). It said that the body of one of the drowned soldiers has been found and the search is on for the remaining three. Pakistan's military said it had responded to the ceasefire violation by firing at Indian soldiers.



While Indian Army has not officially confirmed the attack, sources said it was carried out to avenge the death of soldiers who have been killed in repeated ceasefire violations by the Pakistan army in the last one week.



Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned Indian forces' firing on Pakistan Army jeep at Neelum Valley. The Prime Minister has expressed deep grief and condolences with bereaved families of the martyred personnel. The Prime Minister has praised the prompt response by Pakistan Army in thwarting the attack, read tweets from the official account of Sharifs party PML(N).



On Saturday, an Indian Army jawan was killed in a ceasefire violation by the Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri sector. Lance Naik Mohammed Naseer was hit during the firing and shelling by the Pakistani troops on the Indian forward posts, an army spokesperson had said.



On July 12, two jawans were killed in sniper fire by the Pakistani Army in Keran sector of north Kashmir. Earlier on July 8, two civilians were killed and some others injured when Pakistani Army violated ceasefire violation and resorted to mortar shelling and firing of small and automatic weapons targeting forward posts and hamlets along the LoC in the Poonch district. The deceased were Sepoy Mohmmad Shaukat of Territorial Army, who was visiting home on leave, and his wife Safia Bi.



(With inputs from agencies)
Mumbai: NDA's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday met MLAs and MPs of the BJP and its allies in Maharashtra and called up Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to thank him for supporting his candidature in the July 17 poll.



Lawmakers of the BJP and its allies, the Shiv Sena, the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) and the RPI(A), were present at the meeting where Kovind outlined his priorities once he is elected to the country's top constitutional post.



Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP president Raosaheb Danve, Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A), Anant Geete (Shiv Sena), BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya and state minister Mahadev Jankar (RSP), and a few Independent MLAs were among those present.



Though Kovind did not visit Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' at suburban Bandra, he spoke with the Sena chief over phone and thanked him for his party's support to him.



Pranab Mukherjee and Pratibha Patil, as presidential candidates of the UPA, had visited 'Matoshree' and met then Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. The party had broken ranks with the BJP-led NDA in the past two presidential elections (2007, 2012) and voted for the Congress-backed nominees.



Addressing the MLAs and MPs, Kovind said he would uphold the sanctity of the Constitution and work towards ensuring justice for all after he became the president.



"We all have the duty to preserve the importance of the Constitution of India. I would ensure equal justice to all and avoid discrimination based on caste, religion, sect, gender and region," he said.



The former Bihar governor, who was in Mumbai for merely three hours after which he left for Goa, said there should be a comprehensive growth of all the states.



"My priority would be to address the aspirations of the youth and push for promotion and modernisation of education," he said.



According to a senior BJP leader, of the 239 elected NDA representatives from the state, where the BJP is in power in alliance with the Shiv Sena and some smaller parties, not even 150 attended the meeting.



"It was expected that all the representatives would attend the meet. We can understand Union ministers like Piyush Goyal (a Rajya Sabha member from the state) not attending the meet due to their busy schedule, but MLAs and MPs, who are comparatively free, could have attended the meeting," the BJP leader said.



The ruling BJP has 122 MLAs, while Shiv Sena has 63 legislators in the state. The NDA's total number of voters in the presidential polls from Maharashtra, with the MPs and Rajya Sabha members put together, is 239.



Gadkari described Kovind as an "outstanding person" who had "great dedication" for public service.



"The NDA has chosen the right candidate for the post of president. He will get overwhelming support from Maharashtra," the Union minister said.



Fadnavis said Kovind had organisational and administrative skills and was also a constitutional expert.



Danve spoke about Kovind's clean image, simplicity and modesty and asserted, "His victory is certain as there are 239 voters from Maharashtra who are with the NDA while the UPA has only 98 voters (from the state)."



Maharashtra minister and senior Sena leader Subhash Desai said Thackeray had asked the party legislators to ensure the victory of the NDA candidate.



Athawale said everyone was happy that Kovind, who is associated with the Dalit movement started by B R Ambedkar, would be the country's next president.



Senior Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde sought to downplay the issue of Kovind not visiting 'Matoshree'.



"We have already extended our support to Kovind. As per Uddhav Thackeray's orders, all the MLAs and MPs of Shiv Sena have decided to vote for him," he said.



"Kovind thanked Uddhav Thackeray today in his speech for extending support to his candidature. As Kovind had to visit a couple of more states after the Mumbai tour, we did not insist on him visiting 'Matoshree'," Shinde said.



A visit to Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' at suburban Bandra was not in Kovind's itinerary.



MP Raju Shetti of the Swabhimani Shetakari Sanghatana, who was present when Kovind filed his nomination, was absent on Saturday as he was busy with a farmers' rally.



Maharashtra is the second largest state in terms of Assembly and Parliamentary seats.



The voting for the presidential election is scheduled on Monday and the counting will take place on July 20.
Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party appears divided on the eve of the presidential election with camps led by its patron Mulayam Singh Yadav and party chief Akhilesh Yadav all set to vote for rival candidates, triggering possibility of cross-voting.



Though the division in the party may not have any bearing on the election result, it will certainly complicate the family feud further, said an SP insider, requesting anonymity.



The sharp differences in the SP on the issue of presidential nominee was clear right from the day Ram Nath Kovind was chosen as the NDA nominee.



Soon after the announcement of Kovind's name, Mulayam had attended a dinner hosted by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lucknow on June 20.



It was seen in political circles as a clear indication of Mulayam's support to the NDA candidate.



Significantly, the dinner was skipped by Akhilesh and Mayawati, who are supporting the oppositions candidate.



The SP patron's vote for Kovind became a foregone conclusion the very day he openly described him as a "strong candidate", said the SP insider.



"Ram Nath Kovind is a good candidate. I have a very old relation with him. BJP has selected a strong candidate. The most important thing is that the BJP has a majority," Mulayam had said on record.



On expected lines, Shivpal, the warring uncle of Akhilesh, said that whatever his elder brother Mulayam decided was the last word for him, indicating that he too would back Kovind.



Opposition's candidate Meira Kumar, on the other hand, met Akhilesh at the SP headquarters here on Friday before meeting BSP supremo Mayawati to seek votes.



Interestingly, Shivpal and another another senior party leader and MLA Azam Khan were conspicuous by their absence.



Akhilesh has instructed his MLAs to vote for opposition candidate Meira Kumar, who has "represented a secular ideology".



SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary told PTI that Akhilesh Yadav has given instruction to his MLAs to vote for Kumar.



Chaudhary said Akhilesh has asked SP MLAs to vote for Kumar.



Another senior SP leader, who is also Leader of the SP Legislature Party, Ram Govind Chaudhary said, "Everyone should support Kumar."



Ram Govind is also the Leader of the Opposition in the 403-member UP Lower House.



In a written appeal circulated to all SP MLAs, Kumar said that the presidential election has given one an opportunity to transcend petty politics and listen to inner conscience.



Shivpal, meanwhile, has announced in Varanasi that he along with "several" SP MLAs and MPs will vote for Kovind.



"Kovind has very good relations with netaji (Mulayam). He is a good man and the best candidate," Shivpal, an MLA, said.



"Netaji jo kahengey wahi hoga" (Whatever netaji says will happen)," he said.



Shivpal-loyalist Deepak Mishra, though not a voter, pledged "open support to Kovind" and thanked the prime minister for his selection.



The SP has five members in the Lok Sabha, including Muayam, and 19 members in the Rajya Sabha, including Amar Singh, who is now an unattached member after his expulsion from the party, besides 47 MLAs in UP.



Since members of the Legislative Council are not part of the electoral college, Akhilesh - an MLC - cannot vote, though his wife Dimple, a Lok Sabha member, is eligible to participate in the exercise.



Mulayam was removed from the party's national president post and made a patron by Akhilesh in January at the peak of dissidence in the erstwhile ruling party which led to one of the most humiliating drubbings the party suffered in the political history of Uttar Pradesh.
New Delhi: A day before the presidential election, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Sunday described the electoral contest as a fight against a "narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision".



Addressing opposition leaders in the presence of their presidential and vice presidential nominees - Meira Kumar and Gopalkrishna Gandhi respectively, she said, in these contests, the numbers may be against them but "the battle must be fought and fought hard".



"We cannot and must not let India be hostage to those who wish to impose upon it a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision," she said.



According to the text of her speech, she said, "We must stand more aware than ever of who we are, what we fought for in our independence struggle and what future we want for ourselves.



"We must have confidence in the values we believe in. This election represents a clash of ideas, a conflict of disparate values. The election demands a vote of conscience to preserve the India that the Mahatma and that illustrious generation of freedom fighters, joined by thousands upon thousands of ordinary men and women, fought for," she said.



She said the presence of representatives from different parties to support Kumar and Gopal Gandhi confirms that "the fight for an inclusive, tolerant and pluralistic India is being truly waged".



The vice presidential poll will be held on August 5.
New Delhi: A survey conducted by US-based news agencies ABC News and Washington Post has revealed that Donald Trump, who took oath as the 45th President of the United States six months ago, is the most unpopular President in the last 70 years.



According to the survey, only 36% of Americans polled by the ABC/WP survey say they "approve" of the way the US President has been doing his job. A staggering 58%, however, disapprove of Trump. The last President who came close to such poor approval ratings after six months was Gerald Ford, who took over as President in 1974 after Richard Nixon resigned amidst corruption allegations. Bill Clinton came closest to Trump in terms of disapproval ratings at six months with 51% Americans showing their displeasure at his work.



In sharp contrast to Trump, Barack Obama, who took office after the 2008 global financial meltdown, at six months had an approval rating of 59%. Even George W Bush, who won a controversial election against former Vice President Al Gore in 2000, had an approval rating of 59% at six months.



Since Trump took office in January 2017, he has had very few scandal-free days at the White House. On the one hand, his son Donald Trump Jr. has been accused of colluding with Russia to get damaging information on his Democratic Party rival Hillary Clinton during the 2016 Presidential Election. On the other hand, his efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, colloquially known as 'Obamacare', with a healthcare plan of his own, has hit roadblocks amidst fears that it will push millions of people off healthcare. According to 'Trumpcare critics, the Republican Partys healthcare plan will hurt his own voter base, the White working class, hardest.



According to the poll, a dismal 34% of Americans trust Trump to be able to negotiate with world leaders on behalf of the US. An even lower 32% trust him to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the healthcare front, 50% of Americans prefer Obamas healthcare plans while only 24% trust Trumps plan. Only 17% respondents said they preferred neither or wanted something better.
Islamabad: A typeface has sparked uproar in Pakistan after documents using the font were produced in a corruption case against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif -- despite being dated a year before the design was released.



Microsoft's Calibri font was used to type certified papers naming Sharif's daughter Maryam as a trustee for several of the family's high-end London properties.



The plush apartments are at the heart of the case against the Sharif family, with authorities and the opposition questioning the legitimacy of funds used to buy them via offshore companies.



The identity of the legal beneficiaries has formed part of the probe, and the documents were meant to show that Maryam, who is Sharif's presumptive political heir, was a trustee only.



But the papers were dated February 2006 -- a year before the font in which they are typed was in widespread commercial use, according to its creator.



The same conclusion was drawn by a joint investigative team (JIT) tasked by Pakistan's Supreme Court with examining the corruption claims, which had London's Radley Forensic Document Laboratory assess the documents.



Based on that assessment, the JIT rejected the papers as "falsified" in a report issued earlier this week, and seen by AFP.



The conclusion, dubbed #Fontgate, set Pakistani social media alight with jokes and memes, and was widely repeated in mainstream press, adding fuel to opposition calls for the prime minister to step down.



- 'More than porn' -



"Today #calibri was searched more than porn in Pakistan", wrote one Twitter user, Sherry.



Journalist Mubashir Zaidi said the PM should now write his resignation "in #Calibri font".



Supporters of Sharif's ruling PML-N party argued that Calibri has been publicly available since 2004. Microsoft did not immediately respond to AFP's requests for comment.



But the font's creator, a Dutch designer named Lucas De Groot, told AFP in a statement that it was "unlikely" Calibri had been used in any official documents in 2006.



"(I)n my opinion the document in question was produced much later," he said.



De Groot said he began designing Calibri in 2002 and sent the finalised version to Microsoft in 2004. After that, he said, it was used in beta versions that would have required "serious effort" to obtain.



The first Microsoft product to use Calibri on a large scale was Office 2007, he said, which was available to resellers by November 20, 2006 and for retail by January 30, 2007.



"So in theory it would have been possible to make a document with Calibri in 2006," he said.



"However ... It should have been taken from a beta operating system, from the hands of computer nerds. Why would anyone use a completely unknown font for an official document in 2006?



"If the person using Calibri was such a font lover that he or she HAD to use the new Calibri, then he or she should be able to prove that other documents were printed with Calibri in 2006, and these prints should be in the hands of other people as well."



Maryam Nawaz, herself a regular Twitter user, has not yet commented publicly on the Calibri claim, though she vowed the report itself would be "decimated" in court.



The corruption controversy which has engulfed her family erupted last year with the publication of 11.5 million secret documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, revealing the offshore dealings of many of the world's rich and powerful.



Along with Maryam, two more of Sharif's four children -- his sons Hasan and Hussein -- were also implicated in the papers.



Sharif's PML-N party insists the wealth used to purchase the properties was acquired legally, through family businesses in Pakistan and the Gulf.



But the JIT report, commissioned by the Supreme Court in April, said there was a "significant disparity" between the Sharifs' income and lifestyle.



The Sharif family has consistently denied the allegations against it and rejected the JIT report, with allies denouncing it as "trash".



The court is considering its next steps and will begin deciding what action to take next week.
Jerusalem: Israel reopened Jerusalem's Noble Sanctuary-Temple Mount compound on Sunday, drawing a protest by Muslim religious authorities over the installation of metal detectors at entrances two days after a deadly shooting.



On Friday, three Arab-Israeli gunmen shot dead two Israeli policemen on the outskirts of the holy site, holy to Muslims and Jews, and were then killed by security forces. It was one of the most serious attacks in the area in years.



Israeli authorities then closed the compound, citing security concerns, hours before Muslim Friday prayers.



That move prompted anger among Muslim worshippers and was condemned by Palestinian religious and political leaders, Jordan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.



Two of the nine gates to the site, known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, were back in operation in what Israel described as a gradual reopening.



Leaders of the Muslim religious trust that runs the site urged worshippers not to pass through the metal detectors, describing them as a violation of a delicate status quo with Israel and held a prayer service next to the devices.



Several Palestinians ignored the call, while at the second entrance more people headed into the compound, Reuters photographers said. Police said 200 people had entered some 90 minutes after the reopening.



Flashpoint



The area, in the eastern part of Jerusalem captured by Israel in a 1967 Middle East war, houses the Aqsa Mosque and the golden Dome of the Rock. It is adjacent to the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews are permitted to pray.



The site has proved a tinder-box in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the past. Under the status quo agreement, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged late on Saturday to continue to uphold, Jews are allowed to enter the compound under close supervision, but only Muslims are permitted to worship there.



Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a state they seek in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Israel views all of Jerusalem as its capital, a claim that has not won international recognition.



In a move promoted by an ultranationalist political party, an Israeli cabinet forum on Sunday approved a bill that would require any territorial handovers in East Jerusalem to be ratified by at least 80 of parliament's 120 members.



Legal analysts noted, however, that if the law is adopted by parliament - where it now goes for a series of votes - it can be overturned in the future by a majority of 61 legislators.
Washington: The US Supreme Court has asked the State of Hawaii to respond by Tuesday at noon to President Donald Trump's motion to block a judge's ruling that prevented his travel ban from being applied to grandparents of US citizens and refugees already being processed by resettlement agencies, the court's public information office said on Saturday.



In a court filing on Friday, the administration asked the justices to overturn Thursday's decision by a US district judge in Hawaii, which limited the scope of the administration's temporary ban on refugees and travelers from six Muslim-majority countries.



The latest round in the fight over Trump's March 6 executive order, which he says is needed to prevent terrorism attacks, began when the Supreme Court intervened last month to partially revive the two bans, which had been blocked by lower courts.



The Supreme Court said then that the ban could take effect, but that people with a "bona fide relationship" to a US person or entity could not be barred. The administration had narrowly interpreted that language, saying the ban would apply to grandparents and other family members, prompting the state of Hawaii to ask Hawaii-based US District Judge Derrick Watson to expand the definition of who could be admitted.



Trump banned travelers from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days, and refugees for 120 days.



The Supreme Court has agreed to hear oral arguments in the fall over whether the ban violates the US Constitution.
Washington: Donald Trump's campaign paid $50,000 to the law office now representing Donald Trump Jr. a little more than a week before news surfaced of an unreported meeting with a Russian attorney that has prompted new accusations of collusion.



The payment to the Law Offices of Alan S. Futerfas, dated June 27, was disclosed in a filing with the Federal Election Commission on Saturday. It was described as covering "legal consulting" fees.



Trump Jr. admitted to meeting with a Russian lawyer in New York City during the 2016 presidential campaign after he was told she might have damaging information about his father's rival, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.



The payment was made to Futerfas' firm days before the story about the meeting broke, which caused a scramble inside the White House and Trump Tower to contain it.



The disclosures do not say who Futerfas was hired to represent. Spokesmen for Trump's re-election campaign and Futerfas did not respond to requests for comment.



Futerfas was revealed as Trump Jr.'s lawyer on Monday after a New York Times report detailed meetings between the president's eldest son and the Russian lawyer. Futerfas has not said when he was hired.



Separately, the campaign also paid more than $538,000 to Jones Day, the law firm that represented Trump's campaign during the election. The campaign also paid $89,561 for "legal consulting" to The Trump Corporation, which is owned by the president. The payment was dated June 30th.



A federal special counsel and several congressional panels are investigating allegations by US intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as potential connections between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.



Moscow has denied any interference and the president and Trump Jr. have denied any collusion.



The Federal Election Commission has previously ruled that candidates and federal office holders may spend campaign funds on legal fees incurred because they were a candidate.



Trump has also hired a longtime legal adviser, Marc Kasowitz, as outside counsel. His campaign finance disclosure did not list any payments to Kasowitz.



The White House confirmed in a statement on Saturday that veteran Washington attorney Ty Cobb will serve as special counsel, and sources familiar with the hiring said Cobb would handle the White House's response to the Russia-related investigations.



Cobb, a partner at the law firm Hogan Lovells, is expected to be an intermediary between the White House and Congress, as well as outside attorneys as the probes continue.



In the second quarter of 2017, Trump's re-election campaign raised about $8 million and spent $4.4 million, according to Saturday's disclosures.



Much of the money raised from individuals came in the form of "small dollar" donations, classed as donations of less than $250. Trump and his campaign have frequently touted the number of small-dollar donors as proof of his widespread support.



Trump filed for re-election the day after taking office - allowing his campaign to continue to raise and spend money while he is in office.
When author Henry James said the two most beautiful words in the English language were summer afternoon, he surely wasnt thinking about a heat index over 100 degrees.

But not everybody can be like my neighbors who bought a house on a cove in Maine to escape Northern Virginias swampy summers.

See you in late September! they sang out happily as they drove away in May.

Nor should we hunker down with our news feeds. Many of us stuck in town need to remember that endlessly reading tweets by the Donalds  father and son  just makes us hotter under the collar.

Fall may not be in the air, but it is yapping at our consciousness. Ive spotted two Kaine 2018 bumper stickers in two days, a sure sign autumn and yet another election are coming. Back-to-school sales are in full swing, and Redskins training camp kicks off July 26.

So sit back, sip a cool drink and banish the vexing news from the nations capital. Just for a while.

Here are three ways to seize the (summer) day.

No. 1: Hit the road  and go slow.

Forget fighting traffic on Interstates. Take the back roads, and head to the mountains. The Department of the Interior named Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park one of the eight best drives in all of America.

The 105-mile road through the Blue Ridge Mountains has some of the most sublime views in the nation, the Interior Department says. The 35 mph speed limit is the perfect speed to roll down the windows and let the wind whip through your hair.

And, boomers 62 and older, now is the time to buy a lifetime Senior Pass for admission to national parks. The cost is just $10 until Aug. 28, when it rises to $80. Buy the Senior Pass at the park entrance to save time.

You could order online but demand is so heavy it takes nine weeks to get the passes, Interior warns.

No. 2: Go partway on the Great American Total Solar Eclipse.

This sounds harsh as the astronomical mega-event Aug. 21 will be the first coast-to-coast total eclipse since 1918. Unless youve already made arrangements, though, settle for the partial eclipse, which we should see in Virginia, weather permitting.

People in the know booked motels and campsites years ago in the so-called Path of Totality, including Nashville, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Columbia, S.C.

Plus, more than 200 million people live within a days drive of the path. Do you really want to risk viewing the eclipse bumper to bumper?

If you plan to watch the eclipse, get your viewing glasses ahead of time and dont bother with your camera. The event will be over before you know it. The moon will cover the sun for no more than 160 seconds in prime locations.

And plan ahead. The next total solar eclipse in North America is just seven years away, April 8, 2024. It will swing from Mexico through Texas to Maine and into Canada. Youve got this.

No. 3: Eat a peach.

Dire news reports last spring warned that a late March freeze had ruined the peach crop for 2017. Not to worry. It did  and it didnt.

Peaches are far less plentiful in the peachiest states, Georgia and South Carolina, but orchards farther north suffered no lasting deleterious effects of the cold snap.

Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania are enjoying an excellent crop, so buy local. Virginias more than 200 peach farms expect an abundant peach supply through early September.

Add peach pie or ice cream to your menu  and tuck into a taste of summer.

And remember  President Ronald Reagan declared July 1984 National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of July National Ice Cream Day.

Ice cream is a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over ninety percent of the people in the United States. It enjoys a reputation as the perfect dessert and snack food, Reagan said in his proclamation.

I call upon the people of the United States to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities, he wrote.

Now thats an executive order everybody can get behind. Happy summer!

Mercer writes from Washington. Email her at marsha.mercer@yahoo.com. 2017 Marsha Mercer. All rights reserved.
As'ad's Bio

As'ad AbuKhalil, born March 16, 1960. From Tyre, Lebanon, grew up in Beirut. Received his BA and MA from American University of Beirut in pol sc. Came to US in 1983 and received his PhD in comparative government from Georgetown University. Taught at Tufts University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Colorado College, and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Served as a Scholar-in-Residence at Middle East Institute in Washington DC. He served as free-lance Middle East consultant for NBC News and ABC News, an experience that only served to increase his disdain for maintream US media. He is now professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. His favorite food is fried eggplants.
WE BELIEVE SHE IS DEAD

When she went missing almost two years ago, her children believed she was a victim of a crime and they would never see her alive again.

The College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) department head was last seen on July 27, 2015 at about 5.30pm at an ATM machine at Tru Valu Supermarket, Diamond Vale, Diego Martin where she went to make a withdrawal.

And as the two year anniversary of her disappearance approaches, Sunday Newsday spoke to her sons about the life of their mother and the investigation into her disappearance.

Sven and Klas Charles-Harris were at her home in Blue Range, Diego Martin for the interview last week. In the garage is her champagne-coloured Nissan Almera which was found at Indian Walk, Princes Town one day after she went missing. Sven said he still thinks about his mother every day.

Not all the time. But in the quiet moments I reflect. I wonder still what happened to her. He believes a crime was perpetrated as his mother, very dedicated to her family and to her church, would never just leave the country.

He said her ambition was to be an educator and to have God in her life. Her main concern was young black youth who grow up with no guidance and in poverty.

She was the kind of person who had a big heart, could be very stern and strict, quick to laughter, loving and traditional.

FROM MORVANT TO SWEDEN

Ch a r l e s -Ha r r i s and her then future husband Dr Harold Charles-Harris grew up in Morvant. They left the country to study abroad - he, medicine and she, marine biology __ and were the first in their respective families to do so. They met while abroad, got married, honeymooned in Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway and Sweden) and decided to remain in Sweden.

The couple had four children: a girl Kari, then three boys Sven, Steen (who died four years ago from pancreatic cancer), Klas and another girl Helen.

They were the only black people wherever they went and people would try to rub their skin and touch their hair.

They also experienced instances of outright racism.

Sven said outside the home they experienced the Swedish culture, but at home their mother promoted the Trinidad culture. She would go to a butcher and ask for ox tail to cook for them, much to his confusion.

She would also cook stewed chicken and curry. Their mother was not into calypso but played classical music for them.

They moved back to Trinidad in 1977 and at that time their parents divorced. The children spent their teenage years and attended secondary school here but all left to pursue studies abroad. They would return to Trinidad occasionally to visit their mother who Sven recalled was alone in the big house. During their visits, she would pull out all the bells and whistles, cooking traditional foods and give them fresh sorrel - Klas favourite drink. He said his although his mother liked to cook food for herself, her favourite restaurant was Sails in Chaguaramas because she liked the serenity and the food.

His mother kept active, being involved with the local arm of the womens NGO Soroptimist International, singing in the St Augustine Girls alumni choir and attending church at Trinidad Christian Centre, Petit Valley.

Sven would return for an aquaculture project in Wallerfield and Klas to work in the tourist industry in Tobago. At the time of Charles-Harris disappearance Sven and Kari were in Trinidad and they spent the day before with her at home watching Formula One racing.

Two days later, Sven received a call that her car was found abandoned in Princes Town and he was asked to drive there to identify it. He then had the task of informing the rest of the family.

She held the post of head of the environmental studies department at COSTAATT at the time of her disappearance.

Sven said he knew immediately something was amiss as the furthest his mother would go driving alone would be to Valpark for choir practice or to do work with Soroptimists.

He said she would not normally drive at night.

Police investigated the possibility of her leaving the country but he knew she never would. He said they had encouraged her to leave the house and get an apartment but she was determined to leave the house for her children.

WE BELIEVE SHE IS DEAD

Sven described the police work as poor to non-existent. He said it has been a trial for the family as the police were not answering nor returning their calls.

Between West End (in Diego Martin), Princes Town and Anti- Kidnapping Squad, not a peep. They not telling us anything. No updates. Cold case. He also spoke of the difficulty in retrieving her vehicle which had been left open and exposed to the weather.

Sven said they believe their mother is dead but it would take seven years to legally declare her dead.

We cannot have a memorial service until the seven years is up.

It is hard when it concerns closure. We are still in limbo. We know she is not going to pop up. Without a doubt, she is gone. Klas said with the crime situation on a daily basis in the country, police quickly move on.

I imagine it is overwhelming.

They cannot stick with one case. He also said he does not believe the police have the technical equipment and forensic capability to pursue cases. He described Trinidad as a paradise on earth but crime was the proverbial fly in the ointment and a few individuals were making things bad for everyone.

The majority of people are generous, open-hearted, kind, like to lime and like Carnival. Klas dont miss a Carnival. After his mother disappeared, Klas went to Sweden for a year-and-a-half before returning to renovate his mothers house. He said it was hard being in the house and being reminded of her. He finds himself cursing at things that his mother never repaired.

He said COSTAATT and Bishop Anstey Junior School, where his mother was principal, were planning initiatives in her honour. His sister Helen was also looking at setting up a scholarship fund. On July 26, the anniversary of her disappearance, the children will come together and eat pelau.

Charles-Harris, born on February 1, 1937, would be 80 yearsold if she is still alive.

According to police sources, the case was moved from the Anti- Kidnapping Unit to the Homicide Bureau and remains open.
Kamla: Crime not on PMs agenda, but I go with an open mind

Campaign finance reform is a buzzword, all these words are buzzwords, said Persad-Bissessar in an interview with media after speaking to women at The Four Faces of Woman dialogue hosted by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organisation at the Raja Yoga Centre in San Fernando yesterday afternoon.We would only know what the substance of it is following up on the discussion. Persad-Bissessar was invited by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to a private meeting for preliminary discussion on selected matters of national interest. The agenda was delivered to her yesterday morning. Among the issues to be discussed, according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday, are internal self government for Tobago, campaign finance reform, anti-gang legislation, difficulty within the Judiciary  JLSC matter, the Integrity Commission, service commissions effectiveness and code of conduct for members of Parliament.

Persad-Bissessar had requested the topics of crime, jobs and the economy be included on the agenda, but Rowley responded saying the items on the agenda are those carded to go before the Parliament which require a special majority. It is in an effort to obtain Parliamentary collaboration as a way forward that the meeting is being held.
Prof Theodore: Help available for people who lose jobs

Theodore was speaking with Newsday on Wednesday after the launch of a programme Towards National Measurements of Multi-Dimensional Poverty in Trinidad and Tobago, at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, Port of Spain.

Theodore is leading the project which is aimed at measuring poverty in children. He says it is about measuring poverty in a different way. There are many measures of poverty but they do not tell us what we need to know in order to set up programmes to make a difference and that is the difference with this project, Theodore said.

We want to measure it in a way that we will be able to get a sense of what are the interventions that need to take place to make a difference. The latest statistics on poverty in this country comes from the Survey of Living Conditions which was conducted in 2005 and put the level of poverty at 16.7 per cent of the population.

However, Theodore said one cannot look at the 16 or 18 per cent and know the condition in which children live because What does that say about children? What percentage of our children are in that 18 per cent? At the end of this we should get a better sense of how different parts of the country experience poverty because, again, you have a national measure.

But poverty in Mayaro is different from poverty in Port of Spain and poverty in Charlotteville is different from in Chaguanas.

What is the nature of that difference? It is by understanding the nature of that difference you get a better sense of what kind of interventions will make a difference. Theodore said continuing layoffs in different sectors are a bad thing but they cannot be avoided now because the resources of the country have declined. However, he said there is sufficient support for those affected.

They should think of which one of these 200 or 300 programmes they should try and get attached to but, somehow, the way the assistance is organised, it is not easy for them to do that. He said the HEU did some work for the Ministry of Social Development where it hoped to show them how to make it easier for people who have needs to link up with one of these programmes.
Church welcomes Simon Peter

Ango, who is of mixed Nigerian and Trinidadian heritage, was ordained in a two-and-a-half hour long ceremony, celebrated by Archbishop Joseph Harris at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Independence Square, Port-of-Spain.

Ango took his vow before a large congregation which included priests, other members of the clergy and parishioners from as far away as Fishing Pond, Manzanilla, Biche and parts of south Trinidad.

Delivering the homily, Harris, alluding to the growing need for vocations to the priesthood, hailed the ordination as a welcomed reprieve for the Church.

It is a moment of thanksgiving because the God which never leaves his flock unattended, once again smiles on us and gives us help for work in the vineyard, he said.

Harris told Ango his main priority as a priest was to God, not worldly trappings.

Simon Peter, your first and primary allegiance must be to God, the living God, the God of the prophets. Do not follow the culture and let the false Gods of power and money and pleasure and popularity ensnare you. He also urged Ango to lead by example.

Teach what you believe and put into practice what you teach.

Let the example of your life attract the followers of Jesus the Christ. In other words, Brother Simon, be a man of prayer and action. The Archbishop told the newly- ordained priest the confessional must be seen as his second home rather than a place to reprimand sinners.

As Pope Francis says, Do not make the confessional a torture chamber, he said.

Harris also gave Ango some useful guidelines in executing his ministry.

Be an instrument of peace in the community where you work.

The church is meant to be an agent of that harmony for which Jesus Christ gave his life on the Cross.

And always with your people, devise strategies which will make your communities hospitable places __ places which will be attractive to others and welcome that care and concern of the Risen Lord for them. The priesthood, Harris told Ango, was not about power and status but a complete emptying of self by taking the form of a servant. Ango celebrates his first Mass at 10 am today at St Paul/St Peters RC Church, Mayaro.
$US shortage not affecting book suppliers

One manager at Nigel R Khan in Port of Spain explained because our education system is based on the British system, 95 per cent of secondary school textbooks came from the United Kingdom.

However, she said some US suppliers, especially the small ones, require prepayment rather than credit, and so the book store had not gotten some tertiary level and music books.

A manager at Ishmael M Khan & Sons Ltd said, Its a small problem with secondary school books but we cant just close the doors of the store.

We bought the books on credit and will worry about payment later.

Were doing our best. She said there was no problem acquiring primary school books because most were published locally.

Vivek Charran, managing director of Charrans book stores, agreed, saying very few books were imported from the US so the shortage of foreign exchange was not a problem.

About the few books that were from the US he said, We have been running smoothly, and things will run smoothly for those compliant with the banks. Charran said if there was any shortage, it would possibly be with the local books since some publishers arrange smaller print runs because they did not want any extra books left on their hands.
Crew constraints cause delays and cancellations on Tobago air bridge

It was reported in the media on Friday that Caribbean Airlines pilots had decided not to operate the companys ATR aircraft because of technical problems and that customers should expect delays.

CAL corporate communications manager Dionne Ligoure in a telephone interview with Sunday Newsday was asked about the threatened strike and responded that flights were cancelled due to crew constraints which led to delays and some cancellations.

She said their operations team responded in order to minimise disruption to their valued customers and one of the methods was by up gauging of aircraft whereby the flights on smaller craft were cancelled for the larger 737 jets. She said that she did not have confirmed numbers on the number of passengers affected by the situation.

She reported that they were managing confirmed passengers and trying to accommodate everyone within a particular time frame. She expressed hope that the crew constraints would be alleviated in the shortest possible time frame so they would be able to provide the kind of service needed by their valued customers.

Ligoure apologised on behalf of CAL due to any inconvenience caused due to the delays and thank customers and stakeholders for their support.

Sunday Newsday visited the Piarco International Airport yesterday and met a number of passengers who had been waiting on standby, some since the previous day.

Samantha Neverson from Long Circular said she had been on standby since 6am and every hour she was being told the flight would be the next hour. Neverson explained that she was scheduled to attend a wedding in Tobago at 2pm; it was after 3pm when Sunday Newsday spoke to her.

She said that has never experienced anything like this while traveling.

Whoever running this thing dont care about nobody. A Scarborough businessman, who asked not to be named, came to Trinidad for a two hour a meeting on Friday and was at the airport on standby. Unable to get a flight he had to get a rental car and stay at a hotel. He returned at 8am yesterday and still could not get a flight.

This situation cannot continue. No one seems to care. He said that he travels regularly and the issues with the air bridge had been getting progressively worse with this weekend being his worst experience yet.

He added that he had family visiting from the US who wanted to go Tobago for Heritage Festival but those plans had to be scrapped.

Rennie Ramoutar, a businessman from Cunupia, said that he had been at the airport since 7am and he had a van in Tobago with $30,000 worth perishable goods to be delivered.

I cannot go to deliver it, he lamented.

An elderly lady from Tobago said she had a ticket for Sunday but was on standby and was hoping to leave yesterday. She said she runs a hotel and restaurant in Tobago but they were suffering to get sales.

She said that both the airlift and ferry service between Trinidad and Tobago stinks.
No One Will

Ever Smash

Stuff Quite

Like He Did
A year ago, Mark Hughes' life was permanently changed when he attended a Black Lives Matter march in Dallas. He was legally carrying his AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, which he decided to do to protest the fatal police shooting of Philando Castile, who was also legally carrying a firearm when he was killed because of it. "Does the Second Amendment not apply to us, to bear arms?" Hughes muses. When someone started shooting police at the Dallas march, Hughes turned over his rifle to a police officer in order to safeguard himself against getting shot before the suspect had been caught. Instead, a picture of Hughes carrying his rifle down the street was quickly tweeted out by the Dallas Police Department, which labeled Hughes as a suspect. From there, it was picked up by the local news and CNN. Fusion talks to Hughes for an extensive look at that fateful day and what followed.

Hughes was handcuffed and interrogated for more than an hour; the tweet identifying him as a suspect was left up for most of the following day. Even after the real shooter was caught, people continued to view Hughes as a suspect, leading him to sell two of his businesses, hide out with his family for a while, and even consider selling their home. Yet the Dallas PD has yet to apologize to Hughes or even issue a statement clearing him of suspicion. Hughes ultimately became a leader in the Black Lives Matter movement, and he's often called by people in the Dallas area when they encounter trouble with police. When he went to rally recently for one of those incidents, he again brought his gun, and he was again treated like a criminal (nearly half a dozen police officers ended up with their guns pointed at him; he was cuffed again and police checked to make sure the guns weren't stolen). But he's willing to open carry again, so he can help others with his activism. Click for the full piece. (Read more Longform stories.)
The Columbia University student very publicly accused of rape by a fellow student who carried around a mattress for a year as part of a performance art project has reached a settlement in his lawsuit against the university, reports the New York Times. Paul Nungesser sued Columbia a month before his 2015 graduation, alleging that by allowing Emma Sulkowicz's senior thesis about her experience to go forward, the school "became a silent bystander and then turned into an active supporter of a fellow students harassment campaign by institutionalizing it and heralding it."

Nungesser was cleared in Columbia's investigation. Terms of the settlement weren't disclosed, but Columbia said in a statement that it recognizes "Pauls remaining time at Columbia became very difficult for him and not what Columbia would want any of its students to experience." (Read more Emma Sulkowicz stories.)
A Scottish brewer has lost its battle to give a bestselling beer the same first name as one of the most popular musicians in history. Last week, the UK Intellectual Property Office ruled that BrewDog must change the name of its grapefruit-infused Elvis Juice IPA after attorneys for Elvis Presley Enterprises objected to the brewer applying to register "Elvis Juice" and "Brewdog Elvis Juice" as trademarks, the Daily Record reports. The Scottish brewers launched the IPA in 2015 and it quickly became a bestseller. Not long after, however, attorneys for the Presley estate sent them a copyright infringement notice.

In response, BrewDog co-founders James Watt and Martin Dickie legally changed their first names to "Elvis" in October 2016. "There isn't just one single person in the world called Elvis, so we added two more to make a point," Watt told Munchies at the time. Despite those efforts, hearing officer Oliver Morris ruled last week against the brewers, saying, "On the basis that Elvis is a relatively uncommon name, and given that Mr. Presley is the most famous of Elvises, I consider that most average consumers, on seeing the name Elvis alone, are likely to conceptualize that on the basis of Elvis Presley." In addition to losing the name of one of its most popular products, BrewDog must also pay the Presley estate $1,934 in court costs. (Read: Priscilla Presley on why she left Elvis.)
Mehbooba Mufti with Rajnath Singh

New Delhi : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday to discuss the security situation in the valley in the wake of the Amarnath terror attack and said that "unfortunately China has also started interfering" in matters pertaining to the state.

After the 30-minute meeting at his residence here, she told the media that Monday night's attack on the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in which seven devotees were killed was aimed at "disturbing communal harmony".

She blamed the unrest on "external forces" and thanked Singh for "supporting us in tough times".

"External forces are involved in this fight, there is infiltration, militants are coming. Their attempt is to spoil the atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir," Mehbooba said, adding "Now, unfortunately, China has also started interfering."

"The way communal harmony was maintained in the whole country...The enemy wanted to cause communal riots in the whole country by this attack.

"I am thankful to the people of my country and the Home Minister that in this difficult situation they supported us, and in this situation, which involves external forces... I am happy that all our political parties are together," she said.

"We are not fighting for law and order situation in Kashmir... Until the whole nation and all political parties are united, we cannot win this fight," she said.

Asked if there was any discussion on Article 370, she said: "When the GST (Goods and Services Tax) was passed, the President reaffirmed that Article 370 will be taken in account... Article 370 is linked to the sentiments of people of Kashmir."

Seven pilgrims were killed and 14 others, including policemen, injured when a bus of Amarnath Yatris was attacked in Anantang district. The bus was carrying pilgrims back from Baltal after the yatra.

China on Wednesday said it was ready to play a "constructive role" in improving India- Pakistan ties over Kashmir, where the "situation has attracted the attention of the international community".

However, India rebuffed Beijing's offer, saying "We are ready to talk Kashmir with Pakistan, but no third party mediation."
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New Delhi:

Delhi Police on Sunday arrested a man who threatened to blow away Red Fort with a bomb.

Mehroop, who is the front desk officer at a hotel in Paharganj locality of Delhi, spoke over the phone with a person in Rohini and threatened that he would blow away Red Fort with a bomb. After this, the person from Rohini called the police and told them about the bomb threat.

Right now Mehroop is being questioned by officers of Intelligence Bureau and Special Cell in Paharganj police station.

ALSO READ: Bomb scare at Red Fort: Army says suspicious object a part of its unused armory
New Delhi:

India's civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered to reduce the height of 70 tall buildings that come in the flight path of aircrafts that enter and leave the Mumbai airport.

The DGCA order to reduce the heights of buildings is the biggest action against obstacles in the flight path. A notice issued by DGCA in June this year revealed that such obstacles are not just new buildings but they also include some 50-year old two-storey one.

However, most old buildings have the NoCs for heights issued by the then relevant authority. Government controlled Airports Authority of India started giving such certificates only in 1978.

The old buildings have been told to reduce the height by 1 to 6 meters while the new taller ones have to cut short a bigger portion.

The order of the DGCA came after the Bombay high court asked it to submit a list of the obstacles in the flight path of aircrafts. The orders were issued in June and the deadline of would be in august.

MORE NEWS: PM Modi asks states to take stern action against cow vigilantes
New Delhi:

Priyanka Chopra who is Hollywood's new favourite star from India is at present on cloud nine as the 'Baywatch' star is all set to go for a long family vacation on the occasion of her upcoming birthday on July 18.

The diva who was expected to rock the ongoing IIFA 2017 in New York, has broken a million of hearts as the actress skipped the gala event of Bollywood and has chosen to spend a family time on her special day.

Sharing some of the family moments of her life the 'Quantico' star took to photo-blogging site Instagram and wrote, "Happy family vacaaaaayyyyy.. #Chopra'sOut aiYYYYZYYY @siddharthchopra89 @madhuchopra"

Moreover, latest media report suggests that, considering herself as a 'Hollywood actress' the former Miss World now wants to stay away from the ongoing award ceremony of Bollywood. The actress said so in a recent press conference, arranged for her Marathi Production venture 'Kaay Re Rascalaa'.

"Does every actor attend every award every year? Has every actor gone to this award? Do you also ask them this question?", Priyanka was quoted while interacting with reporters.

Also Read: Priyanka shakes a leg on Galti Se Mistake, catch her DESI avatar here

Happy family vacaaaaayyyyy.. #Chopra'sOut aiYYYYZYYY @siddharthchopra89 @madhuchopra A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Jul 15, 2017 at 2:38pm PDT

"I always do the opposite. I never do normal. Normal is boring. Its my birthday and I am going out with my family and friends. For me, this year doing this was more important and IIFA is happening around that time. I wanted to spend time with my family because we dont get to be with each other much while juggling between Mumbai, Pune and the US. I think I deserve a five-six day break", the actress added.

Summer sun calling #mumbaibound #mumbaimerijaan aiYZYYYY #birthdaytime #familynfriends A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Jul 12, 2017 at 9:28am PDT

Hours back the beauty was hitting headlines after she ended up doing some desi steps when she heard the much famous song 'Galti Se Mistake' from Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif's recent release 'Jagga Jasoos' on the PC floor.

Also Read: Priyanka to be featured in Jim Parsons' new drama 'A Kid Like Jake'



On the workfront, Priyanka Chopra, who was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama 'Bajirao Mastani', will be next seen in Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Gustakhiyan'.

Also starring Sushant Shing Rajput the movie is expected to hit the screens in 2018.

Happy birthday to my baby brother. @siddharthchopra89 You will always be the apple. May you smile laugh and always spread ur joy. Love you lots. #throwback aiYYZYYY A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Jul 12, 2017 at 6:19am PDT

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New Delhi:

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday said that 39 missing Indian nationals, who have been reportedly held hostage in the Iraqi city of Mosul since 2014, are probably in a jail in Badush where fighting is still going on.

Swaraj also stated that in the effort to locate them, she had asked Minister of State for External Affairs, VK Singh, to go to Erbil on the very day Iraq PM Haider al-Abadi declared Mosul has been liberated from ISIS.

Visited Peshmarga frontline in Mosul area to seek information on Indians held by ISIS. Peshmerga still clearing ISiS held areas. pic.twitter.com/ND1Auczcz7  Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) July 12, 2017

Earlier in the day, Sushma Swaraj, MoS MEA MJ Akbar and MoS MEA VK Singh met families of 39 Indians in Delhi who are missing in Iraq since 2014.

ALSO READ: Iraq PM Haider Al-Abadi congratulates troops for liberating Mosul from Islamic State

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New Delhi:

Dismissing Rahul Gandhis suggestion that Uttar Pradesh should close down hospitals to save money after it reportedly cut the education budget, the state government on Sunday clarified budgetary allocation for education has been increased by 25 per cent.

The total budget for primary, secondary and higher education in the UP budget for 2017-18 is Rs 62,185.25 crore as compared to the previous budget of 2016-17 of Rs 49,607.93 crore, which is 25.4 per cent higher, an official spokesman said.

He said the budget for primary education is Rs 50,142 crore this time compared to Rs 38,066.06 crore last time, which is 31.7 per cent more.

Similarly, the budget for secondary education is 4.8 per cent higher than the previous fiscal. This year Rs 9,387.44 crore has been earmarked for the department, compared to Rs 8,956.86 crore last time.

For higher education, he said, the allocation this time is 2.7 per cent more than the last FY.

For 2017-18 Rs 2,655.81 crore has been earmarked against Rs 2,585.01 crore in the last fiscal.

The Yogi Adityanath government presented its first annual budget in the state Assembly on July 11.

The Congress vice president had mocked at the Uttar Pradesh government in a tweet on Saturday , saying great move CM Yogi - next you can save some more money by closing all the hospitals".

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New Delhi:

Profit-making Air India Express is preparing a 10-year vision document as it looks at expanding its fleet and flying to more foreign destinations, a senior airline official said.

The plan is being prepared amid the government working on a road map for disinvestment in Air India, the debt laden parent of the low-cost carrier which remains bullish on growth prospects.

While the national carrier has been in the red for long, AI Express remained in the black for the second consecutive year, posting Rs 296.7 crore net profit in 2016-17.

It is business as usual and the the airline would keep growing, Air India Express CEO K Shyam Sundar said in response to queries on whether there are business uncertainties in the wake of Air India disinvestment decision.

On future plans, he said the carrier would expand its aircraft fleet and fly to more overseas destinations. The airline is in the process of drawing up a long term plan that will focus on expanding the fleet as well as the overseas footprint.

The airline is also looking to consolidate the existing operations, Sundar told PTI. Air India Express has a fleet of 23 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, each having a seating capacity for 189 people. A ten-year vision document for Air India Express is being prepared. Consulting firms KPMG and ICF have been tasked with the job, Sundar said.

The airline would also be firming up its fleet strategy based on short term and long term priorities. It flies to 15 international destinations including Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, Salalah, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh and Dhaka.

On domestic routes, it has flights between Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode-Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi-Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi-Kozhikode. AI Express has 545 weekly departures and it flew 3.4 million passengers in 2016-17.

Boosted by higher revenues and reduction in costs, the airline posted a net profit of Rs 296.7 crore in the last financial year even though it had declined from Rs 361.68 crore recorded in 2015-16 period.

AI Express, which has been operationally profitable for the last four years, saw its revenue rise to Rs 3,335 crore in 2016-17.

Prudent commercial and management interventions including better utilisation of its assets gave rise to reduction of about 5-7 per cent in unit costs contributing to the positive financial outcome (in 2016-17), the airline had said while announcing the results last month.

On June 28, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, gave its in-principle approval for considering strategic disinvestment of Air India and five of its subsidiaries.

Air India Express is one of the subsidiaries. A group of ministers, headed by finance minister Arun Jaitley, would be deciding on the final contours of the disinvestment process. Among other issues, the panel would be looking at the de-merger and strategic disinvestment of three profit-making subsidiaries.

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New Delhi:

Bullet from the body of a woman was removed by the doctors at the J J Hospital in Mumbai. She survived the terrorist attack on the Amarnath pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this week. Eight pilgrims were killed in the attack.



Eknath Pawar, head of the orthopaedic department said, "The operation to remove the bullet from her right forearm was successful. She also had a bone fracture in the forearm which was also fixed. She will remain in the hospital till the time the bullet wound gets healed. She will have to be in the hospital for around 2-3 weeks more."

Victim Chhaya Meher's kin and other visitors were allowed by the doctors to meet her after signs of recovery. Maharashtra minister for medical education Girish Mahajan today met Meher.

ALSO READ: 16 pilgrims killed in Amarnath Yatra bus accident; PM Modi says pained by loss of lives



Meher's son Nilesh said, "She was earlier under a shock and we were worried because of her condition." He had lost his mother-in-law in the same attack.



A senior state government official said that Meher was airlifted and taken to Surat. She was taken to Dahanu and on Wednesday she was brought in Mumbai to carry out the operation.



On July 10, militants attacked a bus carrying pilgrims in which eight persons lost their lives.



With PTI inputs.

ALSO READ: UP CM Adityanath expresses grief over death of Amarnath pilgrims in bus accident

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New Delhi:

A woman devotee, injured in the deadly militant attack on Amarnath pilgrims, succumbed at a hospital early on Sunday, taking the death toll in the incident to eight.



Lalita, 47, succumbed to injuries at the SKIMS Hospital in Srinagar, a police official said.



With this, the death toll in the 10 July attack has climbed to 8.

The Amarnath Yatra attack has put the state and central governments in overdrive to ensure that the militancy in the Kashmir region is weeded out.

Meanwhile, the horrific terror attack has failed to dampen the spirit of devotees. Amid tight security, the sixteenth batch of 3,398 pilgrims on Saturday left Jammu for the 3,888-metre Amarnath cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

Escorted by CRPF and police, the batch consisting of 2,535 males, 758 females, 100 sadhus and sadhvis, and five transgenders left in a convoy of 191 vehicles for Baltal and Pahalgam base camps this morning, officials said.

With todays batch, a total of 50,028 pilgrims have left Jammu for Amarnath in 16 batches since the yatra began from Jammu on June 28.

Over 1,86,853 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine till last evening. The yatra will conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on August 7.

(With Inputs from PTI)

Suggested read: Mehbooba blames China for Kashmir unrest, questions why neighbouring country hasnt condemned Amarnath attack

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New Delhi:

Deputy inspector general (prisons) D Roopa, who recently exposed alleged corrupt activities in jail, paid a second visit to the central prison in Bangalore, where AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala is serving her sentence. She has reportedly submitted her second report to DGP (Prisons) HN Sathyanarayana Rao on Saturday.



In the report, she has highlighted the state of affairs pertaining to maintenance of the central prison, and alleged that crucial CCTV recordings of VIP treatment to AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala, who is serving a sentence, appear to have gone missing, a police source said.



"There are only two CCTV cameras in the visitors' gallery. Camera number 8 and 9 fitted near the admission room have no recording facility. Sasikala was given a separate room with chair and tables so she can conveniently talk to her visitors. We had recorded all these on camera but it looks like they are deleted now," reads the report, reports an English daily.

Read | AIADMK leader Sasikala paid bribe to get VIP treatment in Karnataka jail, claims DIG (Prisons)



Mayhem in Bangalore jail



According to Newsnation sources, when DIG reached the jail, Superident Krishna Kumar was not on the premises. When she sought to listen to grievances of the prisoners, all hell broke loose. At least 800 odd inmates tried to get her attention. Soon the Superident rushed back to prison, the prisoner who came back with him picked a fight with those sharing problems with DIG. The tension escalated to the extent that she had to leave the jail premises in a hurry.



Roopa has been in the spotlight after she pointed to speculation about jail officials, including her senior, DGP Sathyanarayana Rao, having received a bribe of Rs 2 crore to provide special treatment to Sasikala. She had exposed several lapses in the prison's administration, which were, however, denied by Rao and the jail officials.



Karnataka Govt notice to DIG

The Karnataka government on Friday served a notice on a top police officer for going to the media on her controversial report on alleged special treatment injail to AIADMK (Amma) leader V K Sasikala, even as she stood her ground, asserting she had not violated any conduct rules.



As the report by DIG (Prisons) D Roopa erupted into a major controversy, a red-faced government asked her to explain her conduct, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, saying it was "absolutely against the rule book."



"It is inappropriate on her part to share details with the media," Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mysuru, expressing open displeasure over the public comments by Roopa, whose report has also brought her superior and other prison officials under a cloud of bribery allegations.



Siddaramaiah said she could have approached any of her superiors about her charges against senior officials and that her allegations before the mainstream and social media has brought embarrassment to the police department.



Roopa has been asked to give a reply to the notice served on her, the chief minister said.

Suggested read | Sasikala bribe gate: D Roopa cries foul, says targeting me for doing my job is unfair

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New Delhi:

In an unfortunate incident, a bus carrying Amarnath Yatra Pilgrims falls into a gorge on Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district on Sunday. 16 people killed while 26 others were seriously injured in the fatal accident.

The deceased included two women and belonged to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Assam, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh, they said. Sixteen of the injured persons were critical, the officials added.

According to police officials, 16 persons were killed and around 31 were injured in the accident. Out of them, 21 were airlifted in a chopper to Jammu for specialised treatment and 10 were shifted to a Srinagar hospital.

The bus was going to Pahalgam from Jammu when it skidded off the road, turned turtle and rolled down into the nullah at Nachlana belt of Ramban district.

"PM announced ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs for next of kin of those killed & Rs. 50,000 for those seriously injured, in the bus accident in J&K," tweeted PMO India.

PM announced ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs for next of kin of those killed & Rs. 50,000 for those seriously injured, in the bus accident in J&K.  PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 16, 2017

Home Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his grief over the unfortunate bus accident. Singh also spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti seeking details of the accident. He was informed by the CM that rescue operations are on and all the injured are being airlifted for treatment in Jammu.

Among 16 killed, most people are from Bihar. 20 of injured pilgrims have been airlifted for treatment in Jammu.

List of dead and injured in #AmarnathYatra bus accident. Most people who lost their lives are from Bihar. https://t.co/Zio2p95qtu pic.twitter.com/rfjjS0fJaW  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) July 16, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to those who lost their lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of people injured in the bus accident.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased," Modi tweeted.

Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2017

I pray that those injured in the bus accident in J&K recover soon.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2017

#BREAKING! Bus carrying #Amarnath Pilgrims falls into gorge, 10 killed, 35 others injured pic.twitter.com/RMaHmhz6NE  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) July 16, 2017

Earlier on Monday, Terrorists killed 8 Amaranth pilgrims, mostly women, and injured 19 others as they struck a bus in Kashmir's Anantnag district, in the worst attack on the annual pilgrimage since the year 2001.

TOP TRENDING NOW: Kulbhushan Jadhav death sentence: Pakistan military court rejects mercy plea

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New Delhi:

The defamation case against comedy group All India Bakchod rocked the Twitter on Saturday after senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor started the #Dogfilter campaign to protest against the FIR.



The AIB group fell into legal trouble again, when an FIR was registered against them on Friday for sharing a controversial picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter.A



AIB had on Thursday tweeted a picture of a Modi look-alike peering into his mobile phone at a railway station alongside an actual photograph of the PM, with props superimposed with the help of Snapchatas dog filter, an app.To protest against the FIR, Tharoor shared his own picture with the Dog Filter and called out trolls for a challenge.A



The dog filter is a special effect application which allows users to add a dogas nose, ears and tongue over their faces while taking a selfie or on other photographs.

Tharooras campaign found several supporters, including Congress leader Sanjay Jha:A

Twitter followed suit

But I love the #DogFilter. It makes everyone look better! Y pic.twitter.com/BJHVdy20hz a Prateeka (@PrateekaKamath) July 15, 2017

While u get arrested for the #DogFilter .. If have the #CowFilter u are safe!!!! pic.twitter.com/UL3FuHNg3w a Tehseen Poonawalla (@tehseenp) July 15, 2017

The campaign also attracted several haters, who challenged Congress to share pictures of party icons, including Indiaas first prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and other members of his family with dog filter.

FIR against AIB



A Twitter user, Reetesh Maheshwari, drew the Mumbai Policeas attention towards it and demanded action.



The police forwarded his tweet to the Cyber Police Station, which registered an FIR.



aAfter legal consultations, an offence was registered against AIB and a further probe is on,a said Mumbai police spokesperson DCP Rashmi Karandikar.



DCP Cyber Crime Akbar Pathan said a case has been registered against AIB on charges of adefamationa and apublishing/transmitting obscene material in electronic forma.



Text messages and phone calls to AIB co-founder Tanmay Bhat and Rohan Joshi, who is a key member of the group, went unanswered.



After the post came under fire from Twiterrati, Bhat had yesterday posted a screenshot of what seemed to be an old tweet by Modi which said awe surely need more humour in public lifea.



AIB, known for its comedy sketches broadcast through online platforms, had in 2015 landed in trouble over a aroasta programme featuring some Bollywood celebrities, and over Snapchat filter pictures of Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar last year.

(With Inputs from PTI)

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Ahmedabad:

Heavy rains lashed several parts of Gujarat including Morbi, Rajkot and Surendranagar districts in which three deaths reported and hundreds rescued and relocated to safer places.

Rains threw normal life out of gear in these districts, and the Air Force and the National Disaster Response Force were pressed into service to rescue people.

At least three persons lost their lives due to accidents caused by heavy rains, officials of the state emergency operations centre said.

Surendranagar district administration carried out rescue operations for 20 persons stranded in Bharada village with the help NDRF personnels.

Indian Air Force helicopter MI-17V5 was pressed into service to air lift four people stranded amidst raging flood waters near Gamtal village of Dhanghdhara in Surendranagar district, a Defence spokesperson said.

Gujarat: MI-17V5 helicopter of IAF airlifted four people stuck amidst raging flood waters in Gamtal near Dhrangadhara,landed at a safe place pic.twitter.com/aUDYLGffFI  ANI (@ANI_news) July 15, 2017

Three people, who are stranded in gushing waters of Boghavo river, are likely to be rescued tomorrow morning, district administration said.

ALSO READ: Greatest monsoon rain flood risk on Gujarat in coming days

We have used drone to drop essentials for these three persons, including food items, mobile phones and warm clothes for their use before water level comes down, Collector Udit Agarwal said.

If water level does not come down by night, we will carry out rescue operation in the morning, he added.

He said 20 persons were rescued at Bharada village in Dhranghadra tehsil of the district.

A middle-aged man Navalbhai Khunt died after getting swept by water near Jeta Kuba village in Lodhika taluka of Rajkot district.

Hundreds of people in these three districts were shifted to safer places from low-lying areas near rivers and dams. In Rajkot, authorities have asked citizens not to venture out of houses.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani held an emergency meeting to review the situation and ordered NDRF teams to remain stationed in Tankara in Morbi district and Chotila in Surendranagar district.

Chotila received around 450 mm of rainfall, the highest in Gujarat. Other parts of Surendranagar district also got substantial amount of rain, officials of the state disaster response control room said.

Tankara in Morbi district received 340 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, they said.

Rajkot city received 400 mm of rainfall till 11 am, Rajkot Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said, adding they have alerted citizens not to venture out of houses.

Water-logging in low-lying areas has closed many roads in Rajkot, he said.

Around 2,000 people have been shifted to safer places in Rajkot district, while in Morbi district around 1,400 have been moved to other places, officials of the disaster control room said.

Following heavy rains, Aji and Macchu rivers in Rajkot and Surendranagar districts respectively, have swelled.

More than 10 dams in the district are on the verge of overflowing, water level in Nyari 1 and 2, and Aji 3 dams has risen to alert level, Rajkot collector Pandey said, adding the NDRF teams have been put on a standby mode and more number of people living in the low-lying areas are being taken to safer places.

During the review meeting, Rupani instructed the state administration to remain extra alert as the weather department has given a warning of heavy rains in Gujarat in the next 48 hours.

The NDRF teams have been stationed in Tankar, Chotila and Valsad, Surat of South Gujarat and Palanpur in north Gujarat, an official release said.

South Gujarat region also received heavy rainfall.

Other places which received heavy rainfall include Muli (160 mm) in Surendranagar district, Padadhari (159 mm) in Rajkot district, Kapadvanj (144 mm) in Kheda district, Kalol (133 mm) in Gandhinagar district, Vankaner (132 mm) in Morbi district, Jamnagar (124 mm), Deesa (117 mm) and Mahisagar (107 mm).

The state emergency operations centre said high-alert has been issued for seven out of 203 dams, and alert for four.

The high-alert has been issued for Fatehgadh in Kutch district, Kankavati in Jamnagar, Demi 3 and Machhu 3 in Morbi district, Khodapiper in Rajkot, and Marshal and Trivenisang in Surendranagar district.

Alert has been issued for Dholi in Bharuch district, Und-2 in Jamnagar, Aji 2 in Rajkot, Dholidhaja in Surendranagar.

Of the 15,770.39 million cubic metre water capacity of the dams across the state, 5,217.85 million cubic metre water has been received this season.

The water level in Sardar Sarovar dam has gone up to 117 metres, and the dam is 85.26 per cent full.

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New Delhi:

Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav on Saturday met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi amid the worsening ties between his party and Lalu Prasad-led RJD over the corruption charges against Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.



Sources in the Bihar grand alliance, which included all these three parties, said the two leaders discussed the prevailing political situation in the state during the near 40-minute-long meeting at her residence.



These sources were tight-lipped about the nature of deliberations between the two leaders over the grand alliance but added that they want the alliance government to continue.



They are believed to discussed various options to defuse the crisis after Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar made it clear that Tejashwi will have to come clean on the allegations against him.



Tejashwi, son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, has been named by the CBI as an accused in its probe into the land-for-hotels scam case.



Upping the ante, the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief had on Friday asserted that his son will not resign. The RJD has maintained that the charges against Prasad and his family are politically motivated.



The JD(U) has, however, insisted that Kumar has built an image for himself due to his honest governance and he will not let corruption charges against his deputy go unanswered.



They also discussed the ongoing farmers protests in different parts of the country and the need to take up the issue to corner the NDA government at the Centre.

Suggested read | Rift in RJD-JD(U): Tejashwi Yadavs nameplate removed from Nitish function



Political crisis deeps in Bihar as Tejashwi skips Nitish Govt event

The political crisis in Bihar deepened today with Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav, facing CBI charges, skipping a government function attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who swapped his chair with a JD (U) minister after being seated next to an RJD leader.



The organisers initially covered the nameplate of Tejaswi, the special guest at the function whose seat was next to the chief ministers, but later removed it. The function was held to mark the World Youth Skills Day.



Kumar, who was seated next to Labour Resources Minister and RJD leader Vijay Prakash, subsequently swapped his chair with JD(U) minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, who was on his right.



This was seen as an attempt by the chief minister to maintain a distance with the RJD minister.



The episode, which was captured in still as well as video cameras of the electronic media, gave an indication of how the acrimony between the two Grand Alliance partners was growing with every passing day in the wake of the CBI registering an FIR against Tejaswi and others in connection with a land-for hotels scam case.



The developments on the dais at the newly-built Gyan Bhawan here came a day after RJD chief Lalu Prasad rejected the possibility of his son Tejaswi putting in his papers, a move seen as being dismissive of the JD(U) putting pressure on the deputy chief minister to quit.



When the reporters bombarded the chief minister with questions on Tejaswi skipping the function, he only smiled and extended skill day greetings to the scribes.



Labour Minister Vijay Prakash, who is from the RJD, said, I do not know why Tejaswiji did not come to the function.



On Kumar distancing himself from Prakash, minister Jai Kumar Singh of the JD(U) claimed that the chief minister changed his seat to have a better view of the television screen.



With both the JD(U) and RJD hardening their stand, the rift within the alliance, in the wake of the CBI lodging an FIR against Tejaswi, Lalu, his wife Rabri Devi and five others, following raids in connection with the land-for-hotels case, has widened.



This has posed a question mark on the survival of the coalition, in which the Congress is the third party.



The RJD and the Congress have called a joint meeting of their MLAs tomorrow to discuss the July 17 presidential poll strategy, while the JD(U) has convened a separate meeting of its MLAs at the chief ministers official residence.



Lalu, on his return from Ranchi late last night after appearing in courts in connection with fodder scam cases, had categorically said that Tejaswi would not resign and claimed that the case against him was politically motivated.



On the JD(U) seeking a point-by-point explanation to the public on the charges against the deputy chief minister and the CBI lodging an FIR subsequently, Lalu had said they would let the people know everything in detail at an RJD rally on August 27.



He had also said he would like to see the ruling coalition to grow from strength to strength.



JD(U) Deputy Leader in the Assembly Shyam Rajak, however said, Everybody should maintain transparency in public life.... Otherwise, the people would show them the door.



On Lalu ruling out Tejaswis resignation, Rajak, who was earlier in the RJD, said, He (Lalu) is an elderly and experienced leader. I once again say that everybody in public life should maintain transparency.



JD(U) chief general secretary K C Tyagi told PTI that Kumar, at a party meeting on Tuesday, had dwelt on the importance of morality in politics and stressed on politics of principles.



The chief minister had cited the examples of L K Advani and Sharad Yadav quitting, following charge sheets against them in the Hawala case, to emphasise that in case of an FIR or a charge sheet, the accused must come clean, he added.Tyagi, however, said Kumar had not fixed any time-frame for Tejaswi to come clean.



On Tuesday, senior JD(U) leader Ramai Ram had said that a four-day time period, which expired today, was fixed for Tejaswi to give an explanation on the accusations.



RJD spokesman Manoj Jha alleged that the crisis in the alliance had been triggered by the media.



After creating political turbulence, now a nameplate has been made a hero.... I give 100 out of 100 to the media, he said on Tejaswi skipping the function.JD(U) leader Pavan Varma told PTI in Kolkata that Tejaswi and the other RJD leaders should come out with a substantive rejoinder for the sake of the coalitions image.



They (RJD) must come out with a rebuttal as part of the coalition dharma, so that the Mahagathbandhans (Grand Alliance) image in terms of public probity is not damaged, he said.



Varma said, An FIR has been registered. If Tejaswi or other members of Lalu Prasads family believe they have been targeted and the charges against them are false or politically motivated, they need to place a factual and point-by-point rebuttal in the public realm.



The JD(U) had yesterday asked the RJD to come clean on the allegations against Tejaswi with facts and not display arrogance of having 80 MLAs in the Bihar Assembly.



The JD(U) has 71 MLAs and the Congress 27 while the BJP, which is the main opposition in the House, has 53.



The Assembly has representation from the CPI(ML), the HAM (Secular), the LJP and the RLSP among others.

(With Inputs from PTI)

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Islamabad:

Pakistan Army said on Sunday that it's chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is "analysing" the evidence against Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, sentenced to death by a military court, and will decide his appeal on merit.

Jadhav, 46, filed a mercy petition before Gen Bajwa in June, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on June 22.

The statement said that the former Indian Navy officer had filed the petition after the military Appellate Court rejected his appeal. Pakistan Army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor today told reporters that Gen Bajwa was "analysing the evidence against Jadhav.

The Army chief will decide Jadhav's appeal on merit." Jadhav is eligible to appeal for clemency to the Army chief under Pakistan's law, and if his plea is rejected, he can subsequently appeal the Pakistan president for the same.

He was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in the Hague in May halted his execution on India's appeal. Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav in violation of the Vienna Convention.

It has also sat on a request for a visa to Jadhav's mother, Avantika Jadhav,so that she can travel to Pakistan and meet her son. On July 13, the foreign office said Pakistan was "considering" the request for visa. Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian navy. At the briefing today, the Army spokesman also accused India of ceasefire violations and targeting civilians along the LoC. "There were 580 ceasefire violation on the LoC so far in 2017, which is the highest number of violations in recent years," he said, suggested that India was "compelled" by the"domestic pressure" to do so.

Asked about the "role" of the military in the joint investigation team (JIT) report against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and government allegations of a "conspiracy", the spokesman said that the Army was only focused on the "security of the country."

"JIT was formed by the Supreme Court which did its job honestly. Its report will be examined by the court. Army has no role in the process," he said. Maj Gen Ghafoor said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) was a project of national development and the Army would provide complete security to it and will not let it fail.

On a bill passed by the US House of Representativestoughening up conditions for aid to Pakistan, the spokesman conceded the "conditions were coercive but it should not be interpreted as sanctions."

The spokesman also talked about the Army's operation against militants in Khyber tribal district near Afghanistan."It would help us to secure the border with Afghanistan which is used by militants to sneak into Pakistan."

The northwestern tribal region has witnessed increasing terrorist attacks of late, some claimed by the Islamic State. Maj Gen Ghafoor rejected any "organised presence" of the terrorist group in Pakistan.

He, however expressed fears that the group was getting stronger in Afghanistan. He said Afghanistan should look at the security situation with its own "lens" and not through the "lens of any other country."

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Nagpur:

The Nagpur Rural Police on Sunday arrested Salim Shaha, a BJP worker who was allegedly beaten up by cow vigilantes earlier this week, under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act for possession of beef.

Shaha was beaten up by some people on July 12 on the suspicion that he was carrying beef. Police had said on Saturday that as per the forensic laboratory report, the meat which he was carrying that day was beef.

Superintendent of police (Nagpur Rural) Shailesh Balkawde told that Shaha was arrested last night, and produced before Narkhed magistrates court in the district which sent him in police custody for one day.

Police will ask for extension of his custody tomorrow, the SP said, adding that a case has been registered at Jalalkheda Police Station.

Shaha (34), a resident of Katol town in Nagpur district, was returning home on his motorcycle when a group of five or six men accosted him at a bus stop in the Bharsingi village on July 12. They allegedly assaulted him on the suspicion that he was carrying beef. Shahas family, however, said he may not have known what he was carrying.

Also Read: No heed paid to PM Modis advice, another man lynched to death in Jharkhand

The family was initially reluctant to talk about the forensic report, stating that it was already in trouble.But Salim may not have been aware of what he was carrying, a relative said.

The Nagpur (rural) unit president of the BJP, Rajiv Potdar, had said Shaha would be dismissed from the party. After Shaha was beaten up and taken to a hospital, four menAshwin Uike (35), Rameshwar Taywade (42), Moreshwar Tandurkar (36) and Jagdish Chaudhari (25)--were arrested and booked under charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

Also Read | Junaid Khan lynching: Haryana Police arrests four including 50-year-old Delhi govt employee

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New Delhi:

The death of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has always remained a deep rooted mystery, but that did not stopped scholars from all around to look through this never ending quest.

Paris-based historian J B P More has now given a new shape to this enigma with a brief French secret service report dated December 11, 1947 at the National Archives of France, which states that Bose didn't die in an air crash and was still alive in 1947.

More, who teaches at the Institut des Hautes Etudes Economiques et Commerciales, Paris said, It is not stated in the document that Subhas Chandra Bose died in the air crash in Taiwan. Instead, it is reported that Bose's present whereabouts were unknown as late as December 1947, which again implies that the French did not buy the theory that Bose died in the air-crash on August 18, 1945."

Read more: Mahatma Gandhi's rare pencil portrait auctioned for 32,500

But he escaped from Indochina alive and his whereabouts were unknown as late as December 11, 1947, as reported in the secret document. This implies that he was alive somewhere but not dead in 1947, More added, quoting the report written for the Haut Commisariat de France for Indochina "SDECE Indochinese Base BCRI No. 41283 csah Ex No. 616, under the title: "Archival Information on Subhas Chandra Bose.

Earlier, the Indian government had appointed three commissions to solve this cliff-hanger. The Shah Nawaz Committee (1956) and Khosla Commission (1970) said that Bose died in an air crash on August 18, 1945 at Taihoku airport in Japanese-occupied Taipei, while the Mukherjee Commission (1999) concluded that he did not die in an air-crash. The government, however, rejected the findings of the Mukherjee Commission.

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New Delhi:

A Pakistan military court has rejected Kulbhushan Jadhavs mercy plea. The decision now rests with the Pakistan army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is analyzing the "evidence" against him, said ISPR, Pak army's media wing.

The mercy petition was filed before Gen Bajwa in June, said ISPR in a statement issued on June 22.

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that there has been no change in Pakistan's position on providing consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav and visa for his mother. The MEA said that there is no progress on that front.

ALSO READ: Jadhav case: India slams Pakistan over 'confessional video'

However, as per the reports in Pakistani media, the Pakistans Foreign Office said that they are considering issuing visa to Kulbhushan Jadhavs mother on Indias request.

COAS is looking each aspect of #KulbhushanJadhav 's appeal and will decide on merits: Pakistan Army  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

So far, Pakistan has dismissed India's consular access request to Jadhav more than 15 times. Moreover, India has accused Pakistan of repeatedly violating the Vienna Convention by doing so.

READ: Jadhav files mercy petition to Army chief, claims Pak army media wing

Till now, India has not received any information on the status of appeal or the petition given by the mother of Kulbhushan Jadhav. Earlier, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said it was up to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to decide the future course in the case.

Clemency appeal of #KulbhushanJadhav was rejected by Military Appellate Court. It is now with COAS who'll decide soon: Pakistan Army  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

Pakistan claims Mr Jadhav was arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year. India said the former Navy officer was kidnapped from Iran, where he was conducting a business.

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New Delhi:

Back from a successful series of foreign visits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resume hectic work of domestic politics from Sunday, a day ahead of Parliament's Monsoon Session, and Presidential and Vice Presidential elections on Monday.



The meetings to be presided by PM Modi on Sunday include:



#3 PM: BJP Parliamentary Party executive meeting



#4 PM: Meeting of the ruling NDA leaders



#5 PM: Meeting of all NDA MPs



PM Modi will also be present at the all party meeting called by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Sunday.



The NDA huddle a day ahead of Monsoon Session is crucial for the ruling alliance to decide on the strategy to handle Opposition's attack in the wake of escalated tension in Kashmir Valley and Dokalam dispute with China.



The meetings are also likely to yield NDA's vice presidential candidate. Vidyasagar Rao, Venkaiah Naidu and Najma Heptulla among NDA's vice-presidential probables.



Also, Sources in BJP said that NDA's Presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind will once again meet all the NDA MPs on Sunday.



Parliament's MOnsoon Session begins on Monday and will continue till August 11. The session will begin with elections for the post President of India and Vice President of India. The term of current President Pranab Mukherjee ends on July 24.

Suggested read: Vice-Presidential election 2017: RSS in favour of fielding candidate from upper caste, South India

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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court has said it will examine whether an IIT can withhold the results of a final-year student, who was terminated after being held guilty in a sexual harassment case.

A bench of justices S A Bobde and L Nageswara Rao issued notice to the Centre and IIT-Kanpur on the plea of the student, who challenged the Allahabad High Court order dismissing his plea.

Advocate Manu Shanker Mishra, appearing for the petitioner, said the results of the final semester should be given to the student as the delay is jeopardising his career.

The petitioner, before being terminated, was a final-year student of Department of Physics after being admitted to the institute in July 2012.

He was expelled from the institute in April 2016 after he was found guilty of sexually harassing a girl student.

The 23-year-old B.Sc Physics girl student had accused her senior of sexually harassing her for two years after which the college administration had forwarded the matter to the womens cell. The cell found the accused guilty and he was expelled later.

He claimed that the women cell never gave the copy of the complaint made by the girl to him and did not even consider his reply.

Also Read: US-based private body to help India curb child porn: Centre to SC

"The charges levelled against the petitioner were absolutely vague and were incapable of being replied properly. However, the petitioner gave replies to all the charges and he also tried to support his defence by introducing a large number of documents and a list of students who would appear as witnesses in the inquiry in support of his defence," he said.

The student claimed that the findings of the Internal Complaints Committee were also not made available to him by the Womens Cell.

He said that the report of the Womens Cell together with the minutes of the meeting of the Senate Students Affairs Committee of March 30, 2016 were placed before the Academic Senate for its consideration on April 5, 2016 and were ratified and he was terminated.

"The Academic Senate did not give a copy of the report to the petitioner and it also did not give him any show-cause notice asking him to appear before the Senate for hearing.

"No opportunity of hearing of any kind whatsoever was afforded to the petitioner either by the Senate Students Affairs Committee or by the

Academic Senate before the aforesaid decision of terminating the academic programme of the petitioner was taken by them," he said.

The student claimed that his defence was not considered at all by the authorities at any stage of the proceedings and "there was sufficient material supplied by the petitioner so as to demonstrate that the complaint that was made against him by the female student was malicious".

Also Read: SC refuses to nullify NEET exam 2017

He said that single judge bench of the Allahabad High Court had ordered that the petitioner will submit a written unconditional apology before the institution and had directed the IIT to declare the petitioners result, if he has passed the examination.

IIT-Kanpur, however, challenged the order of the single- judge bench which the division bench on February 3, set aside.





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New Delhi:

A pair of two-year-old twins has become the toughest challenge for a group of doctors at AIIMS after they got admitted to the hospital on Saturday. Jagannath and Balram, the Odisha twins are joined at the head.

A group of expert is at present busy doing several kind of medical examination and assesing the possibility to perform the first ever craniopagus surgery in India to seperate the twin.

According to Dr AK Mahapatra, chief of neuro sciences centre at AIIMS, Jagannath and Balram are at present undergoing a series of tests such as MRI, CT scan, to determine the feasibility of the surgery.

"They are craniopagus twins, that is who are connected at the head. This is a rare condition. It is very difficult at this stage to say if surgery is feasible to separate them. They will undergo several tests in the next 10-12 days after which we will decide," Dr. Mahapatra was quoted while interacting with reporters.

Also Read: Sex once a week ensures longevity in women: Study

Being asked about the same Dr Deepak Gupta, professor of neurosurgery said, "Also, there is less than a 20 per cent chance of survival among those who undergo this surgery. Such operations are extremely challenging and doctors from plastic surgery, paediatric surgery, anaesthetists and radiologists, among others, will be involved."

Both the children were accompanied by their parents who have expressed their hope over the matter and believe that the doctors will make the surgery successful.

"We have come all the way from Odisha with a hope that the lives of our children will be transformed after the surgery. The rest is up to god, we human beings can only hope for the best," Jagannath and Balram's mother stated.

The twins have also received special medical facilities from Railway Ministry and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has himself ensured the matter while the two were travelling on the Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani to Delhi.

Also Read: Britain man gives birth to girl child, found sperm donor via Facebook

Craniopagus is a very rare kind of surgery and only 59 such surgeries have been conducted in the world since 1973 while the most recent one taken place in New York in November, 2016.
New Delhi:

Women going through Menopause face many problems due to the internal body changes and also due to the hormonal changes that take place inside the body. But now no more. A latest study has found that fermented-red clover extract can be of great help in reducing the number and severity of hot flushes, hormonal swings and bone loss that women face during menopause.

Menopausal bone loss is a problem that affects one in three women that are over the age of 50. According to the study the extract also prevents this problem of bone loss during menopause which is at fast pace.

Researcher Max Norman Tandrup Lambert told that the fermentation of the red clover extract is the main thing that makes difference. The lactic acid fermentation increases the bioavailability of bioactive estrogen-like compounds.

The team led by professor Per Bendix Jeppesen, from the department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine under the department Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, investigated fermented red clover extract and found that it is a better and healthier alternative than estrogen therapy proscribed by doctors.

The red clover extract was fine-tuned to improve the gastro-intestinal uptake of the active isoflavone compounds.

60 women with menopause symptoms were analysed by the researchers on the basis of the criteria of minimum five severe hot flushes per day and blood tests (including FSH, that indicates the stage of menopause).

The participants were divided into two groups of 30 each. One group participants were given 150 ml red clover extract per day for a period of 12 weeks while in the other group participants drank a masked placebo product. They were tested again after 12 weeks.

In this study, hot flush symptoms of women were measured. This was done with the help of skin conductor, a device that checks the number of hot flushes and their severity based on the process of sweat secretion when applied to the underside of the wrist. Similarly, test of red clover extract on bone health was done with the help of DXA scans of the spine and hips.

According to the findings, results are promising and have no side-effects of traditionally proscribed hormone therapies that increase the risk of cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
New Delhi:

Nokia 6 release date in India is confirmed by marketing partner HMD Global, the smartphone will be available from August 23 and is priced at Rs 14,999. In a teaser on Amazon India, Nokia release date is confirmed and the window for registration is open.

Unveiled in June in the country, Nokia 6 is one of the Nokias offering in mid-segment Android smartphone.

Nokia 6 is powered by a Snapdragon 430 SoC coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The dual-SIM Nokia 6 smartphone comes with a 3000mAh non-removable battery with fast-charging support.

Nokia chose to launch itself with Windows Operating System and this led to ouster of the then leading phone making company. The main reason of Nokia's downfall was its ignorance of Android software.

Nokia smartphones enthusiasts will have the chance to purchase Nokia 5 and 6 models as the HMD Global said that company is very humbled by the Indian markets response to the Nokia 3, and that it will bring the Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 into the market by mid-August.

Also READ: Nokia 8 with Snapdragon 835 processor: Check specifications and price
Beirut:

More than 330,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict since it started six years ago, around one third of them are civilians, monitor said on Sunday. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it has documented the deaths of 331,765 people across Syria since the conflict erupted in mid-March 2011 with anti-government protests.

Included in the overall death toll are 99,617 civilians, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP, adding that the figures were for the period between March 15, 2011 and July15, 2017.

A total of 18,243 children and 11,427 women were among the civilians killed, the Observatory said. The figures were the latest provided by the Observatory since March when it said 320,000 people, including 96,000 civilians, had been killed.

In its latest report, the Observatory said a total of116,774 members of the regime forces or regime supporters have been killed in Syria since the conflict began.

Of those, it said 61,808 were soldiers and 1,408 were members of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, an Iran-backed regime ally. Also killed in Syria since the conflict erupted were 57,000 rebels, including from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an Arab-Kurdish alliance.

In addition, more than 58,000 jihadists, namely from the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate,were killed, said the Observatory, noting that the figure also includes foreign extremists.

The conflict broke out with peaceful anti-government protests but quickly turned into a fully fledged war involving a multitude of local, regional and foreign powers. The brutal conflict has destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and displaced millions of people, more than half of Syria's population.

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London:

The UK government on Sunday ordered the takeover of one of the country's first state-funded Islamic secondary school after its policies, including the rule to segregate boys and girls in classrooms, were found "inadequate" and not "sufficiently" safe for students.



Al-Hijrah School in Birmingham, one of the first state-funded Islamic schools in Britain, had offensive books in its library which said a husband can beat his wife. The school also has a rule to segregate girls and boys.



Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of the UK's schools regulator Ofsted, said Al-Hijrah would be taken over by an independent academy trust on the orders of the Department for Education (DfE). The department confirmed that the school's management would be handed to an outside trust, 'The Sunday Times' reported.



Birmingham City Council said both it and Al-Hijrah's interim executive board were "co-operating fully" with the DfE to find a suitable academy sponsor. The move follows a report by Ofsted inspectors who visited the school, which has about 750 pupils, after nine- year-old Mohammad Imaeel Ashraf collapsed there in March.

ALSO READ | London: British gay wins legal battle to secure equal pension rights



He was taken to hospital but died soon afterwards. His funeral was attended by more than 2,000 people. An inquest into the death, initially reportedly linked to an allergic reaction to fish and chips, will be held later this summer.



In a report published last month the inspectors gave the school an "inadequate" judgment, the lowest ranking. They found bullying, a chaotic playground, weak teaching, pupils who were not "sufficiently" safe and staff who did not know what to do in medical emergencies.



For more than a year, the co-educational Islamic school has fought through the UK courts to try to suppress an earlier critical Ofsted report that said its segregation of girls and boys for all lessons from the age of five to 16 was a breach of the UK Equality Act. Last week, appeal court judges were asked to make a definitive ruling in the case.



If Ofsted wins, up to 20 faith schools that teach boys and girls separately will be re-inspected and may have to change their arrangements. Spielman told the newspaper she found it "deeply frustrating" when legal challenges were "used to delay things that in our view urgently need to happen".



Spielman said: "I am deeply concerned about the idea that total segregation of children within a mixed school is acceptable. Segregating boys and girls in a mixed school feels as though it is depriving both boys and girls of a big part of the benefits of a school".

ALSO READ | London: 11-year-old Indian-origin secures 162 points on Mensa IQ test, higher than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking

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Participants at an international fisheries conference have failed to adopt a Japanese proposal to set catch quotas for Pacific saury.

Delegates from 7 countries and Taiwan on Saturday ended the 3-day meeting of the North Pacific Fisheries Commission in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo.

Japan proposed setting catch limits to better manage the fish stock in light of a surge in hauls by China and others.

Japanese officials proposed allocating 242,000 tons for Japan, 190,000 tons for Taiwan and 46,000 tons for China, based on their past catch levels.

But the proposal was rejected, with China, South Korea and Russia calling the move premature.

Jul 16 (ANNnewsCH) - ceaaaaaaaazaeaeaaaaesaseacaaaaaaaYYaaaceaaSeaeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacaaaaaaaaaaYa
A luxury sightseeing train to run near Tokyo has been unveiled at a ceremony with train operators, local officials and the media.

"THE ROYAL EXPRESS" will be jointly operated by the Tokyu Corporation and the Izukyu Corporation. It will travel between Yokohama and Shimoda, on the tip of the Izu Peninsula.

Eiji Mitooka, who designed the train, was also present at Saturday's ceremony.

He has designed various trains, including the luxury sightseeing train the "Seven Stars," based in Kyushu, the southern part of the country.

THE ROYAL EXPRESS can carry around 100 passengers in 8 cars.

The train will make its debut on July 21st.

Jul 16 () - aaaaacacYaaaaaaaaaeZaaaaaaaaaacaaSaaaaaa
Osaka Prefectural Police have arrested a 42-year-old male employee of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kinki Regional Development Bureau for taking a photo of a woman's underwear.

At around 8 p.m. on Friday, the suspect took an upskirt shot of a woman in her 40s while going up the escalator at a parking lot in Osaka's Kita Ward, Sankei Shimbun reported.

The woman noticed when the suspect's phone accidentally touched her leg, police said. The perpetrator ran away, but was restrained soon after by three men who were passing by, and notified the police.
Japan's Toshiba is planning to expedite a deal for its flash memory unit by adding a clause to the sales contract.

The struggling electronics firm has chosen a Japanese government-led consortium as its preferred bidder for the unit.

But Toshiba's US partner Western Digital says any deal without its consent is unacceptable.

Western Digital has filed a suit in the US seeking an injunction to block the sale. On Friday, the Superior Court of California held off on a decision.

Toshiba has little time, as it needs to complete the sale by the end of next March to rebuild its finances and avoid the delisting of its shares.

But a Japanese public-private fund that leads the consortium says its investment is conditional on Toshiba settling the dispute with its US partner.

Toshiba is now considering inserting a clause in the sales contract that would allow an extension of the deadline for a settlement until the end of the sale procedures.

Jul 16 (ANNnewsCH) - caaaaaeSaaaaaaaaaaaSaZaaascaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaeaaaaaYa
Cashless Policy: Nigerians Count Losses in Billions

Exactly five years after the much-hyped cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) became fully operational nationwide, there has been an upsurge in the wave of e-banking and other related crimes with over N2.19b lost in 2016 alone. Bukola Aroloye in this report examines the issues.What finance-related frauds have been on the increase should be a cause of worry to all concerned, especially because such frauds ride on the back of technology. This is particularly true of electronic banking transactions, which ironically the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was supposed to address frontally.The CBN launched the Cashless Nigeria Project in Lagos State, in January 2012, and extended the policy to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abia, Anambra, Ogun, Kano and Rivers States in June 2013.The policy was initiated against the backdrop of cash dominance in the payments system, a development which encouraged the circulation of huge sums of money outside the banking system and imposed huge currency management cost on the economy. The policy was meant to ensure price stability through effective monetary policy; sound financial system and efficient payments system.It was a critical part of the payment system modernisation, designed to promote the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Point of Sale (PoS) terminals, web payment, online transfers and even mobile money in banking transactions instead of relying on cash.Former CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Tunde Lemo, who oversaw the cashless policy for the first two years  after its introduction, admitted that there are challenges with the e-payment system but denied that most of the PoS terminals are not working effectively. He said there are challenges with bandwidth of the telecommunications service providers.We spoke to the service providers on the need to improve bandwidth which they did and we saw improvement in the Lagos area. We have started talking to NICOMSAT, and they did a test-run in Lagos area and we are satisfied about their proposition. So within the next few weeks, you will notice improvement in connectivity in Lagos area at least, he said.Lemo said some supermarket attendants sabotage the system and tell customers that the PoS is not working because paying through the machine denies them the access to tips or free left over cash of N20 or N40 from customers.In one of our meetings with the merchants, we told them to build-in some reward system that will still allow the attendants access to the free change they get from customers even as tips without compromising the standard of service. When we do that, you will discover that these things work, he said.Such concerns over banking security have put wide embrace of e-payment channels in abeyance. A recent survey by Visa International showed that high net worth account holders neither own nor use ATM cards. The study revealed that people that earn below N500, 000 per annum, who form 47 per cent of its respondents, own and are regular users of debit cards, including for online purchases. It showed that the higher people earn, the less they own and use their debit cards. Majority of the rich, it said, think that avoiding debit cards is the best way to stay protected from online frauds.Data obtained from the CBN result for 2012 showed the bank received and processed 6,274 complaints, via e-mail on various financial crimes, particularly advance fee fraud. There were 4,527 cases of fraud and forgery involving the sum of N14.8 billion and $1.6 million.The CBN also received and investigated four complaints against commercial banks even as the issues were promptly reported to law enforcement agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation. Globally, estimated credit card fraud stood at $11 billion in 2012, making it one of the most significant criminal developments in modern times.According to experts, Nigerian banks are using an outdated Microsoft Windows operating system, which is vulnerable to hacking, for their operations. This is partly responsible for the frauds associated with their operations. Microsoft Nigeria said 95 per cent of all ATMs which run on Windows XP operating system are vulnerable to hacking.The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said the Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBSS) recorded over 1,200 per cent increase in reported fraud cases in 2016, estimated at N2.19 billion when compared to 2014 cases.According to Dipo Fatokun, CBNs Director, Banking and Payments System Department and Chairman, Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), in its latest report, the industry processed transactions in 2016 that amounted to 278,744,529, while the value was over N64 trillion.While there was an increase of 71 per cent in volume of transactions, there was also an increase of 31 per cent in the value of transactions compared to 2015.He said the industry recorded about 82 per cent increase in reported fraud cases when compared to 2015 and over 1200 per cent when compared to 2014.Despite the 82 per cent increase in the reported fraud cases, with an estimated N2.19 billion loss to fraud, the industry was able to reduce fraud by 2.7 per cent when compared to the 2015 figure, he said.Comparing the attempted fraud against the actual loss, the industry was able to salvage 49.7 per cent of the total amount attempted by the fraudsters within the year. These figures informed us that there are more attempts on yearly basis with different innovation tricks or modus operandi to take advantage of the system, he said.Looking ahead into 2017, Fatokun said the financial industry as a whole must collaborate to ensure a wider gap exists between the attempted fraud and actual loss, adding the analysis in this report would allow us to benchmark and also understand where the vulnerabilities lie.Despite the attraction of digital banking, the threat of cybercrime remains a concern to banks and their customers. On daily basis, bank customers are inundated with scam mails by fraudsters, in their attempt to hack into the customers e-banking details. The Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) estimated that about N33 billion was lost to e-fraud in 2016 and beyond. NeFF therefore warned bankers and the banking public against responding to messages that fly into their phones and e-mails on daily basis claiming falsely to originate from banks.The forum also said it was looking critically at measures that will protect the industry as a whole from the menace of social engineering attacks.Fatokun said: Social engineering has become rife in cybercrime attacks in Nigeria. Almost on a daily basis, a plethora of messages are sent by these criminals with the express intent to con the unsuspecting recipient using techniques that appeal to vanity and greed. It is therefore important that we look critically at measures that will protect the industry as a whole from the menace of social engineering attacks.The foregoing clearly shows that despite the challenges of infrastructure and cybercrime, by leveraging digital payments, banks can potentially double their payments-related revenue, beating new entrants at their own game. This new thinking about the core value proposition of banking will, however, require an entirely new approach to operations and solutions innovation.Nevertheless, in order to be competitive in the digital space, banks must design hands-on education campaigns to change their customersfrom cash users to cheque writersto the advantages of digital banking. This means changing the way consumers shop, pay their bills, and manage their finances. Banks will need to undertake an aggressive drive to bring occasional users into the circle of loyal digital customers.Echoing similar sentiments, Jeremy Boorer, International Director, Easy Solutions, said of the 17 Nigerian banks recently surveyed majority deploy fake mobile apps.In 15 of them, we found the following: The firs t to 10th banks checked were found with 13, 10, 17, eight, 11, eight, nine, 13, seven and 20 fake mobile apps respectively. The 11th to 15th banks were also found with 11, 14, 13, 16 and 15 fake mobile apps.He warned bank customers that app stores were full of fake apps claiming to come from banks, saying once a customer downloads and enters financial information, including credit/debit cards details and personal identity numbers (PIN), his/her money is gone as the fraudster will clone the cards or transfer the money through online banking immediately.In the last four weeks, we discovered that hundreds of defacement attacks are going on Nigerian banks by hackers. It against highlights the fact that the websites are not totally secure. Email is still the primary attack channel. They pretend to be customers of the banks to contact the bank. E-fraud is initiated through account takeover, new account and true person/mule.Boorer said all channel fraud happens in one of the above fraud types through malware, phishing, social engineering, account opening process gaps (KYC/CIP).According to him, Social media seems to be a concern as banks create social media accounts and ask prospective customers to open bank ac-counts on social media.Fake banks are springing up on the social media and the data that are used to open such accounts, you dont know where it ends. There are financial motivations to trick people to create social media accounts to steal financial/credit information which are sold in the dark internet market for as low as $10 by competing dark internet hacker sites.But Fatokun, who was represented by Mrs Margaret Ogundana, head, Banking and Payment System, CBN at a seminar in Lagos recently said the apex bank was not just advocating e-payments but doing all it could to ensure that users funds are well protected as they embrace e-payment.CBN has, therefore, been a champion for the fight against e-fraud in Nigeria. Several initiatives, directives and fora of this nature had been at the forefront of our activities at CBN, he said, noting that the apex bank in 2010 introduced EMV cards policy which reduced the card fraud to the barest minimum.Director General of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Professor Akpan Ekpo, cautioned banks to be careful with the deployment of digital banking services.While Ekpo pointed out that electronic banking channels were not bad, he held the view that a large chunk of the countrys population resided in the rural areas and lack basic infrastructure required to access digital banking.Electronic banking is not bad. But we must be concerned about those in the rural areas. Most bank customers live in the rural areas where the basic infrastructure is lacking and we must understand that we have just a small segment of urban dwellers. Even the cashless policy is not effective in a lot of areas. There is also the concern of cybercrime, which is also a threat to digital banking, Ekpo stated.National Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr. Boniface Okezie, said Nigeria was not ripe for the digital banking revolution.He urged banks to continue to increase their brick and mortar branches, arguing that the cashless policy has not been successful.According to Okezie, the country must first address its major infrastructure issues before delving into the technology innovation.




The Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Muhammad Abubakar, has debunked reports that there were plans to islamize Nigeria or force Christian students to learn Islamic Religious Knowledge.Abubakar stated this while speaking at a national symposium and launching of 2025 Vision by Daawah Coordination Council of Nigeria.When Umar YarAdua was President, Christian and Muslim leaders wrote, asking him to make Islamic and Christian Religious Knowledge core and compulsory subjects in schools.When Goodluck Jonathan took over, we presented a paper making the same demand, which was approved, but the then minister of education refused to implement it for reasons best known to him.So, I wonder why a controversy suddenly surfaced over alleged attempts by Muslims to force Islam on Christians by compelling students to learn Islamic religion in schools, the Sultan said.
Parents of the six abducted pupils of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla Epe, have paid N31m ransom to the criminals who kidnapped their...

Parents of the six abducted pupils of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla Epe, have paid N31m ransom to the criminals who kidnapped their children.Investigation revealed that some parents were assigned to take the money to an undisclosed place, where they paid to some members of the gang in two tranches.The parents were, however, worried that their children had not been released since last week when their abductors promised to set them free.The kids were kidnapped exactly 53 days ago, three days after the gunmen notified the school management of their plans.They broke into a boys hostel around 6am on Thursday, May 25, picked 10 Senior Secondary School pupils and led them to a waterside.The pupils were screened based on their family background. While four were consequently released, the assailants whisked away the remaining six pupils identified as Peter Jonah, Isiaq Rahmon, Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Pelumi Philips and Farouq Yusuf in a speedboat.The kidnappers last Sunday promised to release the children.Sources, who spoke with newsmen, said many parents sold their property and borrowed from friends and relatives to pay the N31m ransom.A source said, We dont know what else these people want. The parents are stranded. The first time, three parents met with them somewhere and gave them N10m.They demanded another N21m ransom. The parents took the money to the place and gave it to some gang members. They told the parents that they had done all the necessary things and promised to release the children in the next two days. They have been expecting the children since last week.One of the parents said his quest to reunite with his child had increased tremendously in the last few days as a result of the assurance by the abductors.We gave them N31m cash. We didnt send it through a third party and they confirmed the money was complete. They promised to release our children soon.We were confused when we heard that they demanded another N1.5m before the children could be released, the parent added.The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole and the Force PRO, CSP Mashood Jimoh, had repeatedly assured the parents and members of the public that the pupils would be rescued soon.
Former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is being investigated for a series of multi-billion dollar fraud and money laund...

You and Jide [i.e., OMOKORE] had some of the most support that we could possibly give. At a time when were not doing anything else, we stuck our necks out regarding the SAA and we supported it. [INAUDIBLE] How the two of you have ruined it is incredulous and incredible to all of us, she said.



I spoke to you several times about your general behaviour, acquisition of assets, etc., asking you to be a bit more careful because [INAUDIBLE] will start following you. I remember we had this open discussion more than once. You kept telling me that there was no issue because you did it in a certain way, you did it in a certainand I kept telling you that it doesnt matter how you do it.



Once you start acquiring, acquiring, acquiring at a certain level, then youll bewhether you like it or not, whether it was done in the most transparentyou understand? manner or not, because they will want to trace where it came from. This is an age of terrorism,



If you want to hire a yacht, you lease it for two weeks or whatever. You dont go and sink funds into it at this time when Nigerian oil and gas sector is under all kinds of watch, as we have been for some time, and where Atlantic [i.e., AEDC and/or AEBD] itself has been the subject of all kinds of speculation, she said.



Apparently while the trio allegedly schemed to launder billions of naira that should have accrued to the Nigerian government all was not well with them. In the recorded conversation, Mrs Alison-Madueke, in response to speculations that Mr Aluko was going to blackmail her, threatened to spill the beans.



She said she was ready to reveal to Nigerians all that happened and was ready to follow Messrs Aluko and Omokore to jail.



I said tell him [i.e., ALUKO] to bring everything out, and then you know what will happen? No problem, I will be happy to escort all of you to jail along with myself. I said, in fact, youll be shocked by what I will do. Because when it comes to that, I will come out and tell the Nigerian people this is what happened.



Oh, yes, I will blame myself, but it [INAUDIBLE] place and everything. Anything they want to say, I am happy to go. But I will come out openly and say it so that they can judge me openly. And then all of us go and sit on the gate. Let us see who survived [INAUDIBLE], me or you, she said.

She said after opening up on everything that transpired in the controversial fraudulent transactions, she would be ready to be thrown in jail along with her co-conspirators.Mrs. Alison-Madueke explosive comment is contained in a recorded conversation recovered by investigators probing the corruption allegations against the former minister.Details of the conversations have now been filed as part of a civil complaint by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) seeking the forfeiture of over $144 million slush fund.The trio of Mrs Alison-Madueke, Mr. Aluko and Mr. Omokore were listed as persons of interest in the civil complaint filed at the US District Court, Houston, Texas.The complaint revealed how the three individuals laundered millions of dollars on behalf of Mrs Alison-Madueke, which was used in buying properties in the US and the UK for her family in return for oil contracts to Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Ltd (AEDC) and Atlantic Energy brass Development Ltd (AEBD), two shell companies owned by Mr Omokore.In the conversation with Mr Aluko recorded by herself on May 14, 2014, a clearly angry Mrs Alison-Madueke, admitted to helping his co-conspirators secure the multi-billion dollars Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) deals.In another conversation with another unknown recipient, the former minister dared Mr. Aluko to reveal details of their dealings, and then face the consequences.She was however furious at how the ostentatious acquisitions of Messrs Aluko and Omokore might have led law enforcement agencies across the world to their shady dealings.She was particularly mad at Mr Alukos acquisition of a the Galatical Star, a $80 million super yacht, warning that he could have rented a yacht for two weeks instead of buying one.Mrs Alison-Madueke also acknowledged that the furniture she was given by the duo of Messrs Aluko and Omokore was not worth more than $4million.The furniture they gave me didnt come to more than four million dollars, altogether. [INAUDIBLE] it is truth. I was with [INAUDIBLE], she admitted.Mrs Alison-Madueke, who is reported to be receiving treatment for cancer in the United Kingdom, is already facing a series of multi-billion dollar fraud-related investigations by Nigerian and UK authorities.Last February a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the forfeiture of N34 billion linked to her but stashed in several Nigerian banks.Mr Omokore, an oil businessman, alongside some top officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is facing a nine-count charge of criminal diversion of about $1.6 billion of proceeds of sales of petroleum products belonging to the Nigerian government.The Nigerian government is also seeking a world-wide freeze of multi-billion dollar assets owned by Messrs. Aluko and Omokore.The assets include a $80 million Super Yatch, the Galatica and three private jets.
Court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos Nigeria have revealed how oil businessmen, Kolawole Akanni Aluko and Jide Omoko...

Court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos Nigeria have revealed how oil businessmen, Kolawole Akanni Aluko and Jide Omokore laundered the $1.7 billion creamed off the questionable oil swap transactions between them and the NNPC, during the tenure of Diezani Alison-Madueke.Some of the money laundered through the United States and which have been used to acquire assets are now the subject of a forfeiture bid by the United States Justice Department. But the filings in a Lagos court have provided the most insightful details yet into how the entire money was laundered, while the Nigerian treasury was left dry and emasculated.According to an affidavit sworn at the Federal High Court by Isaac Kehinde Oginni, a lawyer in the Federal Ministry of Justice, both Aluko and Omokore lifted and sold allotted Nigerias crude oil. While they were paid for their service, they deliberately diverted to private use, what was due to the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, in the sum of $1,762,338,184.40.*They bought vehicles with a combined value of over N800million and donated them to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through its then National chairman Prince Secondus.*They also bought vehicles valued at over N130million and gave them as gifts to former minister of Petroleum, Mrs Dieziani Alison-Madueke and some other management staff of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).*Kolawole Aluko paid $18,548,619.99 and N1,070,000,000 to FBN Mortgages Limited as part payment for block A consisting of 26 Flats at 46 Gerrard Road Ikoyi Lagos. The block was bought for a total cost of N5,210,520,315.*Payment of a total sum of $25,839,606.77and N95,000,000 was made to Real Bank for the purpose of part financing the acquisition and renovation of properties by the Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Limited (AEDC) and Atlantic Energy Brass Development limited (AEBD). The Properties are: Mason apartments at 6 Gerrard Road Ikoyi Lagos comprising 60 units of 3 bedrooms apartment valued at $78,000,000, Marion apartments Block 8 located at 4&5, Onikoyi Estate, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos consisting of 43 units of apartments valued at $76,160,000, apartments at 33A Cooper Road Ikoyi, Lagos renovated at a total cost of $4,937,750, Admiralty Towers at 8 Gerrard Road Ikoyi, Lagos., which was also renovated.The two businessmen also transferred $69,912,981.15 to the following companies ;Mia Hotels Limited, First Motors Limited, V.I.Petrochemicals, Evergreen Reality &Management, WIz Trade limited, DE First Union Integrated Services and Amity Plus limited.Mr Ogini also averred that Kolawole Aluko literally took residence outside the shores of Nigeria, to embark on a spending spree and assets acquisition in Britain, Canada, United States and Switzerland.Among the assets acquired were houses at: Grove End Road, London NW; 755 Sarbone Road, Los Angeles;952 North Alpine drive Los Angeles;815 Cima Del Mundo. He also bought land at 807 Coma Del Mundo in Los Angeles.Aluko also bought houses or apartments at 1049 Fifth Avenue, New York, 1948&1952 Tolls Avenue, Santa Barbara, 157 West 57th St,New York , 4100 Let Revenge, Dubai. In Nigeria , he bought Avenue Towers in Lagos. He also bought a piece of land in Mont Tremblat, Canada and a property at Colina Doro Montagnola, Switzerland.After hiding his loot in many assets, he also bought the luxury $80million yacht, the Galactica Star, 58 exotic cars, expensive watches, private jets, Global Express S5-GMG and a Bombardier Global 6000 9H-OPE.Cash found in his bank accounts, according to documents before the court are: LDT Switzerland  $25million, Corner Bank, Lugano, Switzerland  $1million, Deutsche Bank, Geneva -$ 40million, HSBC London $175,000.He also had 75% shareholding in Atlantic Energy Drilling concepts Nigeria and Atlantic Energy Brass Development and 10% Shareholding in Seven Energy.The case came before Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos state last Friday, incidentally the same day the US Justice Department filed a forfeiture bid at a court in Houston.The Nigerian judge adjourned hearing till 29th of September, 2017 to decide whether to stay proceeding in tune with an application filed by the defendants or continue with the case.The Federal Republic of Nigerian and two of its agencies are the plaintiffs and they are ranged against Aluko and Jide Omokores Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Limited (AEDC) and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited (AEBD). The Nigerian government wants to recover $1.76 billion from the businessmen and their companies. Omokore is the chairman of the companies, while Kolawole Aluko is a Director.Apart from Aluko and Omokores application, a limited liability company Virtual Properties and Investment Limited, has also filed another application as an intervener.The company is urging the court to discharge or vary its order,as it relates to Marion Apartments, on the ground that the property located at Block 8 Plots 4&5 Onikoyi Estate, Banana Island, Ikoyi consists of 56 apartments owned and developed by the intervener.By virtue of two separate deeds of sublease, the intervener said it conveyed its interest in 43 out of the 56 apartments to Realblanc Energy Engineering limited, an affiliate of the defendants.The intervener contends that it still retains ownership of 13 out of the 56 apartments in Marion Apartments. It says that the order of the court is prejudicial to its interest and interferes with its right ownership over these flats.Last year, the Nigerian government had frozen the accounts of the defendants in 19 banks in Nigeria and eight offshore banks.This was sequel to the affidavit deposed by Oginni of the Federal ministry of Justice in Abuja and filed by a Lagos lawyer Oladipo Okpeseyi SAN.The court was urged as a matter of utmost urgency and public interest, in aid of administration of justice to issue a worldwide Mareva order restraining the defendants from dissipating all known assets directly or indirectly by the defendants including but not limited to assets listed on the face of the motion paper filed before the court.After hearing the submission of Okpeseyi, counsel to the Federal Government, Justice Oguntoyinbo restrained the defendants and their agents from demanding, receiving, transacting, mortgaging or whatsoever dealing in any manners with the assets of the defendants in banks, houses, land and shares in Nigeria and others located outside Nigeria, while the Nigerian banks listed in the motion papers were ordered to within 7 days to sequestrate all money and negotiable instruments standing to the credit of the defendants in the sum of $1,762,338,184.40 and keep same in an interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar of the court as trustee of same pending the determination of the motion on notice.The court also ordered that its ruling should be served on the affected parties by way of advertisement in newspapers circulating within and outside the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nollywood is known to have made several films of the life and times of celebrated criminals in the past. We have seen movies being ma...

Nollywood is known to have made several films of the life and times of celebrated criminals in the past.We have seen movies being made on historical felons like Anini, Oyenusi, Sina Rambo and many others. So, when a poster surfaced on social media promoting a yet-to-be released movie on the billionaire kidnapper, Evans, real names, Chukwudi Onuamadike, it was greeted with outrage, bewilderment and anxiety in varied quarters.The poster has acclaimed bad boy of Nollywood, Kevin Ikeduba, playing the role of the rich and apprehended crime lord, who made millions of dollars, from kidnapping. The poster features the actor, soaked in blood, toting an AK 47 rifle, and firing away in rage.It was a well crafted poster, meant to hug attention and surely, it did more than that. While Kevin is the only notable Nollywood figure on the poster, the name of the marketer was also boldly displayed. The production is said to be marketted by Priced Penny Productions Limited.The Instagram post of the poster was made by the actor himself with a comment that sounded more like a distress call.  Jesuuuuuu! Nollywood Abeg o. I cover myself with the blood of Jesus @Jamagold @Uncle P.If theres any actor in Nollywood that can pull off the character of a bad boy to perfection, it is Kevin Ikeduba.He has done baddie in so many movies that it is almost a letdown to see him playing any other character. So, when he materialised in the poster as Evans, many would have given a thump up of kudos to the producer for his choice of character.But when our source reached out to the University of Benin graduate, he was emphatic in his denial of the film, saying, he never shot and would never shoot any Evans movie. Im still in shock since I saw the poster on social media because I never shot any story related to Evans. What we shot was a pure ghetto story.I had to even put a call to the marketer and owner of the film that Im not in any way comfortable with the idea. He was just saying things I could not understand. I guess he is being selfish and wants to make money out of the Evans situation because it is not in any way related to Evans. I only acted a pure ghetto film and it was early last year, even before the Evanss issue came to light, he said.As a number one baddie, we asked him if he would consider taking up a role playing the billionaire kidnapper and he shot back at us, almost in hysteria. I wouldnt even play such a character for millions because he is still alive and his case is a national issue.I have my limit to everything. Playing the bad boy role has made me a very careful person and I dont overstep my bounds. Nigerians could be funny sometimes, they often relate you to what you play on screen. The film put out as Evans is a pure ghetto story,there was not even a kidnap scene in it. I have been getting calls from well wishers,colleagues, etc since last night because of the title of the movie and I am no longer comfortable with it. I have even called the Chairman of Electromart in Onitsha to formally lay a complaint, he added.However the marketer said it was just a mere co-incidence.It is not a new movie, it is a film we shot about March this year. It is just a coincidence, the film has nothing to do with Evans, the kidnapper. Any man that does any film that has to do with Evans right now must be a stupid man because the case is still on.Even if you want to do anything on Evans you must wait for the case to be concluded. The title of the movie Evans is only the name of a community in the movie from which the title is derived, he stated.The Chairman, Onitsha Marketers Association, Electromart, Mr Izu, to whom the actor, Kelvin Ikedugba laid his complaint. Mr Izu was emphatic in his assertion that the marketer was playing a foul game, not only toying with national issue but also soiling the reputation of a good actor. This movie he has titled Evans is a sequel to another film done last year.Why didnt he title the part one Evans and why is he titling the part two Evans? It is obvious he is trying to play a fast one on the market and the cast of the film. This is not good. We wont allow the movie into the market unless the title is changed, he declared.
Roger Federer won a record eighth Wimbledon title and became the tournaments oldest champion Sunday with a straight-sets victory over in...

Roger Federer won a record eighth Wimbledon title and became the tournaments oldest champion Sunday with a straight-sets victory over injury-hit Marin Cilic who dramatically broke down in tears midway through the final.Federer claimed his 19th Grand Slam title 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 and at 35 is Wimbledons oldest mens winner of the modern era, succeeding Arthur Ashe, who was almost 32 when he won in 1976. However, the Swiss superstars 11th Wimbledon final, and 29th at the majors, will also be remembered for the moving sight of the popular Cilic breaking down in tears after slipping 3-0 behind in the second set. The seventh seeded Croatian, the 2014 US Open champion, sobbed inconsolably and buried his head in his towel as his title dream slipped away.He then had his left foot taped at the end of the second set but it was in vain as Federer became the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1976 to win Wimbledon without dropping a set in the entire tournament. Beneath a star-studded Royal Box where Prince William and wife Kate rubbed shoulders with actors Hugh Grant and Bradley Cooper, Cilic had his first break point in the fourth game.It was saved by Federer and it was to be Cilics only glimmer of hope. Federer broke in the next game when his opponent suffered a nasty fall on the worn surface which was to ultimately undermine his challenge.Federer then served up two love service games before claiming the opener 6-3 off a Cilic double fault, the Croatians second of the final.The Swiss superstar swept into a 3-0 lead in the second set and at the changeover, Cilic slumped in his courtside chair in tears and in obvious pain. The trainer and doctor were summoned before Cilic hid his head in his towel in a desperate attempt to compose himself. The 28-year-old held serve on the resumption but the lethal barrage continued, Federer stretching his lead over his friend to 4-1.Cilic dropped the set 6-1 and called a medical timeout to have his left foot bandaged and take a painkiller. His discomfort was reflected in his statistics. By the end of the second set, he had served just two aces compared to the 130 he had fired past bamboozled opponents in his previous six rounds.Federer pounced again with a break for 4-3 and wrapped up the one-sided final with a second serve ace to complete his coronation after just 1hr 41 minutes. Fittingly, he too wept at the end.
The Lagos State Government has announced restriction of vehicular movement on Saturday July 22, in view of the local government election...

The Lagos State Government has announced restriction of vehicular movement on Saturday July 22, in view of the local government elections holding the state. The elections will hold across the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state.Mr Steve Ayorinde, the states Commissioner for Information and Strategy, in a statement on Sunday said that the restriction of movement would be enforced between 8a.m and 2pm. He said that the step was to allow for a smooth conduct of the polls and unhindered participation.Ayorinde urged residents to be peaceful and orderly on Saturday as they cast their votes in their respective wards for chairmen and councilors who were expected to drive development at the third tier of government.He said that the election would bring on board a new set of public officers for the next four years at the local government level. According to him, the restriction will allow the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and the security agencies to distribute electoral materials in good time and ensure the sanctity of free and fair electoral process.The police and other security agencies are ready to ensure that the electioneering campaign and the voting on Saturday are conducted smoothly without public disturbance. Every political party, candidates and their supporters, and the general public are hereby assured of safety throughout the period of voting and collation. However, the government solicits the cooperation of voters and the general public by obeying the restriction order and the general electoral rules in order to ensure a peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections, Ayorinde said.LASIEC had last week announced that 12 parties would participate in the July 22 election. It listed the parties as: All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Alliance (AA), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party, Kowa Party, National Action Council (NAC), Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), United Democratic Party (UDP) and United Progressive Party (UPP). The electoral body had also displayed the list of validated candidates for the election at its headquarters.
Drastic changes to the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly are on the way, with the federal government looking likely to be stripp...

Drastic changes to the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly are on the way, with the federal government looking likely to be stripped of some of the powers it currently wields.More power will devolve to the states under the proposed amendments, some of which were adopted at the annual joint retreat of the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution which ended yesterday in Lagos.The lawmakers believe strongly that the constitution now requires fundamental reforms in the interest of the nations development.Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu told reporters at the retreat yesterday that some of the contentious issues in the document would be reviewed to meet the yearning of the generality of Nigerians.One of the major reforms in the offing is the removal of railways from the exclusive list, he said.It will be transferred to the concurrent list to allow states with the means to provide rail services.He said: We have broken all the issues into specific bills. Between yesterday (Friday) and today (Saturday) we have looked at about 23 separate bills with separate issues.The idea is to ensure that by the time we vote, each of them succeeds or fails on its own. When we conclude the work, well send it to the house to approve.We will collate and ensure that the provisions of the constitution have been fulfilled regarding the alteration, and we will send it to the president for his assent. And the president will decide which one to assent to or not to assent to.The implication therefore is that if he assents to some, then those one become part of the constitution. And the one he refuses to assent to, then we might decide whether to override the veto.So, we want each of them to have a separate life of its own. And this is based on our own experience in the last exercise where everything was in one single bill and when the president withheld his assent, all of them collapsed.This is just an improvement on what we did last time. It is something we innovated based on our experience in the last exercise.The Constitution review committee, according to him, also considered the time frame within which the president or state governor has to assent to a bill and the issue of restructuring.His words: You know we have been talking about the restructuring of Nigeria. One of the components of restructuring is that they are saying that there is too much power in the hands of the federal government and we need to strip some of them from the federal government.What we have done is to look at the issue. Some items will be removed from the exclusive list to the concurrent list where the federal and the states can make laws regarding some of those items.And where there is a conflict, the laws of the National Assembly will prevail.So, things like railways will have to be moved to the concurrent list. The idea is that states can build railways within their territory and then a couple of states can even decide to build railways across their states.The federal government can also build railways across the country and make policy around it.There will continue to be a minimum wage applicable to the public and private sectors.There should be minimum wage for both the public sector and private sector, that is to say, that if it is N5000 dont pay any person less than N5000 but can be increasedIf Lagos has more money, it can pay beyond the minimum wage. All those who dont have money cannot pay below the minimum way no matter how poor they are.So, in that way we have a minimum standard for workers in Nigeria.The committee plans to hold more consultations on the possibility of scrapping the joint local government account.The challenge there has been how do you take care of the issue of teachers salaries because it is from the joint local governments/state account that primary school teachers salaries are paid, he said.So, we want to be sure that if we remove the joint local government- state account we will not jeopardize the payment of teacher salaries.That is a very contentious issue, so we said we have to do further consultations with the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and other stakeholders before we can take a decision on that to be sure that we dont create more problems when we are trying to solve and existing problem. So, that is not part of what we are going to present to the National Assembly when we get back.We believe we have done sufficient work. This is an incremental approach that we have adopted in the amendment of the constitution. So, what we are saying that after we have finished with this, if we still have more time before election, otherwise maybe the next assembly will decide what to do.
Even from his detention facility, incarcerated former National Security Adviser(NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has spoken highly of th...

Even from his detention facility, incarcerated former National Security Adviser(NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has spoken highly of the prompt intervention of the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan in tackling the Boko-Haram menace and recovering dozens of towns and villages which led to the smooth conduct of 2015 general elections in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.Dasuki stated this in his foreword to a 308-page new book titled: Boko Haram Media War- An Encounter with the Spymaster written by Yushau A. Shuaib. In the war-front are evident success stories which Shuaib has mentioned in some of the articles that featured in this book, especially on media relations, self-censorship, gallantry in recovering dozens of cities and towns among other declassified revelations, he said. Dasuki said: In fact, without our intervention in ensuring the defeat of Boko Haram, the electorates could not have had the opportunity to exercise their franchise.It is a fact that we provided peace and stability that afforded Nigerians, especially in the North-East in voting for their governors, legislators and others in the 2015 elections. He noted that apart from the Soft Approach Programme initiated for countering terrorism through de-radicalization without the use of force, the administration also introduced and implemented programmes for economic empowerment, education, communication, rehabilitation and counselling in the North-East. According to the former National Security Adviser, Crisis Communication, as one of the components of general campaigns, was initiated to win the heart of the citizens, boost the morale of the troops and weaken the fighting spirit of the terrorists.He said: On the media campaign, Yushau Shuaib who came highly recommended had been disengaged from the public service but was immediately re-engaged by the system to act as Chief Consultant on Crisis Communication. From the theories of Mass Communication, we deployed practical aspects of Crisis Communication throughout the Campaign period, especially between June 2013 to May 2015. He posited that Sensitive security issues were handled in a most professional manner, with strict adherence to confidentiality to avoid compromising national security.He further said that In strategic communication for crisis management, especially in confronting the Boko Haram, the media was a major tool in the campaign against the insurgency. There was thorough, timely and responsible reportage of the campaign. Some of the media played very strategic roles at great risk to their lives in the successes recorded, especially by our forces in the war against terrorism.He said as part of efforts in ensuring the mutual relationship with the media stakeholders, a 17member Forum of the Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA) was established with representatives from the military, security, intelligence and response agencies. He added that through the media component of the War on Terror, Yushau Shuaib and his team carried out various activities including issuance over 3000 media contents including newsworthy items and publications, exclusive News placements and Editorial control of sensitive reports, hosting of timely and regular Press Briefings, Social Media engagements and Production of specialized Publications amongst others.Dasuki stated that while Shuaibs narration covers only one of the great strides in the media campaigns, he appealed to media practitioners to embrace the challenge to examine other areas of the interventions such as the Soft-Approach Programmes, Strategic Alliances and Military Operations that the erstwhile regime carried out successfully. He commended the author for his courage and boldness in the face of the current situations in the country and for his principle and consistency in stating the obvious and indeed the facts in the book. Yushau Shuaib is an award-winning Public Relations professional whose stock-in-trade is nothing else, but writing. Meanwhile, in 2013 he ran into trouble over one of his writings and was compulsorily retired from the public service when a cabinet minister lodged a complaint.After his unceremonious exit from the public service, a presidential adviser hired him to serve as a consultant on strategic communication to security agencies in Nigeria. Four years in his compulsory retirement, Shuaib has published over 50 articles and assisted many organisations in crisis communication strategies. His professional initiatives and platforms have garnered recognitions and commendations.They include, but not limited to the African Excellence Award for the best PR Platform in Africa, SABRE Award on Public Affairs hosted by African Public Relations Association (APRA) and Golden World Award (GWA) on Crisis Management from International Public Relations Association (IPRA).The book provides a first-hand information on the politics behind the authors premature retirement from the Federal Public Service and his strategic re-engagement by the system in serving the same government as a consultant.
President Muhammadu Buhari is keen on returning home from London as early as possible to quell speculations about him, highly placed sou...

President Muhammadu Buhari is keen on returning home from London as early as possible to quell speculations about him, highly placed sources said last night.He is already weighing two options on his return from the United Kingdom where he is recuperating.One is: be back in two weeks time while the other is to apply for his accumulated annual leave to enable him complete his medicals before returning to his desk.But he has given Acting President Yemi Osinbajo full backing in respect of all the steps taken to keep the government on course.Osinbajo on Thursday engaged the leadership of the National Assembly in a fresh round of talks to mend the fence with the legislative arm.Investigation revealed that Buhari and some of his associates were worried by speculations about his medical trip and are now disposed to clearing the air on his well being.This development, sources said, largely accounted for the recent visit to the President in London by Osinbajo and some kitchen cabinet members or loyalists.The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami(SAN), the Director-General of the Department of State Security Service(DSS), Mallam Lawan Daura, and the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu are among those who have visited the President.One of the sources said that apart from checking on the health of the President, one of the issues which cropped up was his return.It was gathered that Buharis mindset was quick recovery and commitment to his pledges to the nation.The source said: There are two options being considered. One of it is the likely return of the President within the next two weeks to put all speculations on his health to rest, and for him to decide some outstanding issues.The alternative is to apply for his accumulated annual leave to complete his medicals and the last leg of his recuperation before coming back to his desk.In spite of the fact that the Presidents notice to the National Assembly is still subsisting, his return might douse tension in the country including intra-cabinet intrigues.Responding to a question, the source said: I think none of the options has been agreed on.Sources also confirmed that the Buhari and Osinbajo actually met for an hour on Tuesday.They had a robust audience and the President told Osinbajo, any decision you take, you have my backing. Make sure you keep the country united. The President has full confidence in his deputy, one of the sources said.And the Acting President has been loyal and sustaining the vision of the President.On the latest meeting between the Acting President and principal officers of the National Assembly, a source said: Osinbajo is trying to bridge the communication gap between the Executive and the Legislature. This was why he met with the leaders of the National Assembly.I can assure you that a truce is likely. The only outstanding matter is the fate of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu which only the President will decide.At the Thursday session, issues bordering on the budget, compliance with resolutions and summons and others were mutually discussed.
Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says his decision to retire 93 top military officers on his assumption of office in 1999 has ...

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says his decision to retire 93 top military officers on his assumption of office in 1999 has gone a long way in saving and stabilizing the nations democracy.Obasanjo branded the move as a kind of engineering in politics, pointing out that the mass retirement was inevitable on account of the lavish life style of some top military men in the corridor of power.He spoke at his 80th birthday celebration organized by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Abuja at the weekend.The former president also warned people from referring to him again as Matthew, a name he said he dropped a long time ago.He said: If anyone does not want to see my red eyes, dont call me Matthew again.He said that moving people from one position to another could be a blessing in disguise, citing the examples of former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Barnabas Gemade .Oyinlola was military administrator of Lagos during the Abacha regime and was one of those affected by the Obasanjo purge while Gemade lost his position as PDP chairman in a move believed to have been sanctioned by the ex-president.Obasanjo said the development has not affected his relationship with both men because to him, Nigeria comes first in everything.He said: Talking about engineering in politics, when I got into office as elected president, I got 93 officers of the armed forces out of the military because they were used to what is called the chummy chummy life in government house, and if I had left them in the military they would have been the ones that would have created more problems for us and our democratic dispensation would not have lasted as it has.Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola was one of the 93 officers, but in everything in life there may be a silver lining. If he hadnt been out at the time he may never have been governor. If Senator Gemade had not been kicked out as chairman he would never have become a senator, but Im happy that I was looking for perfection and what is best for Nigeria.Gemade is my friend and is still a friend and will remain a friend, but when it comes to Nigeria even with the best of my friends, Nigeria will come first. And for that I have no apology and I will have no apology for that.
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode has commended Elder Solomon Asemota SAN and Gen. T.Y. Danjuma-led Christian Elders F...

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode has commended Elder Solomon Asemota SAN and Gen. T.Y. Danjuma-led Christian Elders Forum, NCEF, which expressed sadness that Nigeria was drifting towards a needless conflict that could culminate in another war, if not well managed.Fani- Kayode in a statement on Sunday said:  those that kill Christians and practice stealth jihad will set Nigeria on fire and not Asemota, T.Y. Danjuma and the Christian elders. He went further to say that their concerns are legitimate, their observations are pertinent and their counsel is wise. They have spoken the minds of over 90 million Nigerian Christians.I commend the Elder Solomon Asemota SAN and Gen. T.Y. Danjuma-led Christian Elders Forum for warning the Buhari government to stop attempting to islamise Nigeria and I wholeheartedly endorse their position. It is those that kill Christians and practice stealth jihad that will set this country on fire and not Asemota, T.Y. Danjuma and the Christian elders. Their concerns are legitimate, their observations are pertinent and their counsel is wise.They have spoken the minds of over 90 million Nigerian Christians. Their are the voices of restraint and reason and it is in the interest of the Federal Government to listen to them carefully, to consider their concerns and to take their admonitions very seriously if they want peace and unity in our country.Anything short of that will be unacceptable, will lead to greater division and will have devastating and long-term consequences for the future of our country
MARGATE -- A federal court subpoena sent to this shore city reportedly has Mayor Mike Becker worried that some of his employees could be indicted for crimes related to their taxpayer-funded health insurance.

However, the U.S. District Court grand jury subpoena doesn't shed much light on what is being investigated and who might be in trouble, according to reports.

NBC10 reported Friday that the subpoenas seek information regarding employee' prescription drug plans. The news station also revealed that the employees' brand name prescription drug costs skyrocketed to over $3.3 million in 2015, an increase of 370 percent from 2014, when it was $713,935.

Becker told the Press of Atlantic City that he didn't want to speculate on the cause of the increase, adding he was "astounded" to see the subpoena.

If any employees are indicted as a result of the grand jury preceding, he wants them suspended without pay until the case is resolved in court.

Attorneys interviewed by NBC10 and the Press of Atlantic City said that while it's too early to say for sure, the spike in employees' drug costs could be a sign of health care fraud by staff or a doctor who is overbilling.

Federal officials have declined to confirm an investigation is ongoing or reveal any other details.

The subpeona asks for the names of all employees, including police and firefighters, who have health insurance plans from ExpressScripts, Medco and NJ Direct, according to NBC10.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
PARAMUS -- After months of searching, the county has secured a new operator for Bergen Regional Medical Center, NorthJersey.com reported.

Care Plus Bergen, a non-profit formed by Care Plus NJ and Integrity House, will reportedly take over the daily operations on October 1.

The county began publicly searching for a new operator in August 2016 to replace the current operator, Bergen Regional Medical Center LP, whose 19-year contract to run the hospital recently expired.

In June, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration dropped a citation against the hospital for workplace violence. In the settlement, the hospital agreed to improve its efforts to make the workplace safer for employees.

Care Plus Bergen will lease the facility from the Bergen County Improvement Authority, a county entity. The Legislature also formed a new committee to oversee the hospital, including representatives from multiple facets of the health community.

The Paramus hospital provides long-term behavioral health and acute term care. Care Plus is planning on renaming the hospital, according to the report.

Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.
UPDATE: Missing 8-year-old Newark girl found at Penn Station

NEWARK -- An 8-year-old girl who went missing Sunday morning has not been seen for at least six hours, city police said.

Nevaeh Blaine. (Photo provided by Newark police)

Nevaeh Blaine was playing outside with other children at 9:30 a.m. at the Bradley Court Housing Community at 78 S. Munn Ave. before she went missing, her mother told authorities.

About 15 minutes later, she was seen by friends leaving the playground to head toward a grocery store in the area of Maybaum and Tremont avenues, police said.

Nevaeh was described by authorities as a thin girl who stands at about 4-feet tall. She has dark brown eyes and hair, and was wearing a white T-shirt, blue jean shorts and purple sandals.

The girl's hair is styled in three ponytails, with two in front and one in back. She is of good mental and physical condition, police said.

During a press briefing near the housing community, Ambrose said officers from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the Essex County Sheriff's Office are assisting in the search.

Authorities on a city police helicopter were also looking for her from above in nearby parks, cemeteries and rooftops, he said.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance video from nearby cameras, Ambrose said. Nevaeh could be seen on the tapes in the area where her mother said she was playing Sunday morning, he said.

Police are asking anyone who sees her to call them at 973-733-6000 or 973-733-7273, or email Detective Maysa Washington at washingtonm@ci.newark.nj.us.

Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY -- A woman was struck by a car Saturday night while trying to cross Garfield Avenue to help her niece who was stabbed during a fight at Berry Lane Park, authorities said.

Two girls, ages 14 and 15, were stabbed during the assault and their injuries are not considered life threatening, according to a police report.

At about 9 p.m., police were called to the park on reports of a stabbing and "large group fighting." Officers found a 14-year-old girl on the sidewalk near the sprinklers with a stab wounds to her upper arm and wrist, the report states.

The victim's mother arrived at the scene and she was brought to Jersey City Medical Center for treatment.

Police were then flagged down near Garfield and Bramhall avenues where they found a 15-year-old with stab wound to her wrist. That victim's 34-year-old aunt was crossing the street to help her niece when she was struck by a car that fled the area, police said.

Both the 15-year-old and her aunt refused medical attention. They were "uncooperative and just wanted to go home," the report indicates.

The teens stabbed told police they were not sure who stabbed them.

No one was arrested and the investigation is ongoing.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
By Jonathan D. Salant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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The news that President Donald Trump's son Donald Jr. said "I love it " to an offer to get information from Russia that could damage Hillary Clinton was the latest revelation in an ongoing investigation into possible collusion between his campaign and Moscow.

No matter how many times the president calls reports of Russian ties "fake news" and describes the investigation as a "witch hunt," it doesn't stop the continued flow of allegations and reports of conversations and connections.

"The Watergate situation took 26 months," said Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-9th Dist.). "We're just in the infancy of this investigation."

Among the issues the special counsel is expected to look at is whether Trump obstructed justice by firing FBI Director James Comey in the middle of his investigation and whether Donald Trump Jr. committed treason by meeting with the Russians.

Here what you need about the probe that's been dominating the news:

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Special counsel Robert Mueller arrives at the U.S. Capitol for a closed meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. (Alex Wong | Getty Images)

The probe: Who is trying to get to the bottom of it all

A special counsel is investigating whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. That probe was begun by Comey, who the president later fired.

The special counsel, Robert Mueller, was Comey's predecessor as FBI director. The Senate and House Intelligence committees are also investigating Russian involvement in the U.S. elections.

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Remember, when you hear the words "sources say" from the Fake Media, often times those sources are made up and do not exist.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2017

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President Donald Trump

Yes, Russia did interfere in the election on behalf of Trump

"There should be no fuzz on this whatsoever," Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee last month. "The Russians interfered in our election during the 2016 cycle. They did with purpose. They did it with sophistication. They did it with overwhelming technical efforts. It was an active measures campaign driven from the top of that government."

At one point, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a campaign focused on "impugning the fairness" of an election that Clinton seemed likely to win while Trump warned of a rigged election, U.S. intelligence agencies said.

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Donald Trump Jr. is interviewed on the Fox News Channel. (AP Photo | Richard Drew)

Trump Jr. e-mails: The smoking gun?

Trump's son Donald was offered a meeting with a Russian government lawyer who was willing to provide negative information about Clinton. This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its governments support for Mr. Trump, the email said.

Trump Jr.'s response: "If it's what you say I love it especially later in the summer."

The meeting did take place with Trump Jr.; his brother-in-law, Jared Kushner; and Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Trump Jr. told the New York Times that nothing came from the meeting.

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President Donald Trump attends the traditional military parade as part of the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris. (EPA | Ian Langsdon)

Trump dismissed thoughts that the revelations involving his son were a game-changer.

"Nothing happened with the meeting. It was a short meeting as he told me  because I only heard about it two or three days ago," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "Honestly, in a world of politics, most people are going to take that meeting."

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Treason? Impeachment? How bad can it get for Trump?

The worst case scenario talk about Trump mentions things like obstruction of justice, impeachment and even treason.

Others, however, say such rhetoric is overheated at this point in the probe.

Clinton's 2016 running mate, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), said the younger Trump's actions were "moving into perjury, false statements and even potentially treason."

Whether or not Trump Jr. broke the law is an open question  and the talk of Washington.

Richard Painter, chief ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, told National Public Radio that while treason would include helping "a foreign adversary against one's own country," charges rarely are brought since the Constitution requires either a declaration of war or an attempt to overthrow the government by violence.

Trump's critics have asserted that firing Comey amounted to obstruction of justice.

Reps. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and Al Green (D-Texas) have introduced articles of impeachment against Trump, citing the email chain from Trump Jr.

"Recent disclosures by Donald Trump Jr. indicate that Trumps campaign was eager to receive assistance from Russia," Sherman said. "It now seems likely that the president had something to hide when he tried to curtail the investigation of national security advisor Michael Flynn and the wider Russian probe. I believe his conversations with, and subsequent firing of, FBI Director James Comey constitute obstruction of justice."

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"I don't see how anyone can deny that this brings the investigation to a whole other level." -Sen. @MarkWarner #CBSEveningNews pic.twitter.com/rzjSCIghyf  CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) July 11, 2017

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Others say there's nothing here

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.@AlanDersh: This is conduct that would be covered by the 1st Amendment. I can't believe the NYT had an op-ed in which treason was mentioned pic.twitter.com/ND9RT00omj  FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) July 12, 2017

.@LouDobbs: This is about a full on assault by the left, the Democratic Party, to carry out a coup d'etat against @POTUS. #Hannity pic.twitter.com/xpANhE2Vbc  Fox News (@FoxNews) July 14, 2017

Media Obsesses Over Emails https://t.co/Khd9PPF2GD  Jay Sekulow (@JaySekulow) July 12, 2017

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Rep. Frank LoBiondo Jr. in his Capitol Hill office. (Aristide Economopoulos | The Star-Ledger)

Lawmakers want to hear from Donald Trump Jr.

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In light of recent news & own email disclosure, Donald Trump Jr should appear & fully cooperate with House Intel Committee investigation.  Frank LoBiondo (@FrankLoBiondoNJ) July 11, 2017

Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd Dist.) is the only New Jersey lawmaker on the House Intelligence Committee.

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Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks at the Justice Department. (AP Photo | Jacquelyn Martin)

Others who met with Russians

Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from any involvement in the Russian investigation after it was reported that he met twice with Russian Ambassador Kislyak but did not mention the contacts when asked about them during his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings in January.

Trump's first national security adviser, retired Gen. Michael Flynn, resigned his post after misleading Vice President Mike Pence about the nature of his own conversations with Kislyak.

In testimony before the Senate Judiciary subcommittee, then-Acting Attorney General Sally Yates said he warned White House Counsel Donald McGahn about Flynn's "problematic" conduct and that he "could be blackmailed by the Russians" because of it. Still, Flynn remained in his post for more than two additional weeks before Trump asked him to resign.

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President Donald Trump, center, talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. right, during their May 15 meeting at the White House. (EPA | Russian Foreign Ministry handout)

What Trump said to Russian officials at the White House

Trump met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in May at the White House, and gave them information so highly classified that it wasn't even shared with U.S. allies and some government officials, and could jeopardize an important source of intelligence, according to the Washington Post.

Trump later said he had the "absolute right" to share information about terrorism with Russian officials.

No U.S. journalists were allowed to view any part of the meeting, but a Russian photographer's pictures were distributed by Russian state-owned media.

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President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with then-FBI Director James Comey at the White House in January. (EPA | Andrew Harrer/Pool)

At the meeting, Trump told the Russian visitors about his decision to dismiss Comey.

"I just fired the head of the FBI," Trump said, according to the New York Times. "He was crazy, a real nut job."

Trump linked his decision to the investigation into collusion.

"I faced great pressure because of Russia," Trump said, the Times reported. "That's taken off."

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Jared Kushner, right, and Ivanka Trump, sit in the front row in East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo | Carolyn Kaster)

Jared Kushner a "person of interest"

Kushner, who grew up in Livingston, was named a "person of interest" in the federal investigation into possible collusion with Russia, the Washington Post reported.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is looking at meetings Kushner had with Russian officials. He met with Ambassador Kislyak but never reported a different meeting, one with Sergey Gorkov, chief of a Russian bank whose board is controlled by members of the government, according to the New York Times.

Kushner also was at the aforementioned meeting with Donald Trump Jr.

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House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California is flanked by House members during a news conference on Capitol Hill. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12th Dist.) is to her far right and Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-9th Dist) is to her immediate left. (Mark Wilson | Getty Images)

Democrats plan to keep highlighting the issue

Several House Democrats have introduced privileged resolutions to call attention to Trump, using a procedure to force House Republican to debate the issues in committee or hold a vote on the floor.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12th Dist.) asked the House Homeland Security Committee, which she sits on, to require a report from the Department of Homeland Security on the taxpayer funds it has spent in connection with Trump Organization business, including the costs of protecting the first family on business trips.

"Approving this resolution would be the first step towards providing answers to the American people and preventing further misuse of taxpayer dollars to line the pocketbook of a President who has made clear that the nations best interest is not his first priority, Watson Coleman said at a press conference Friday.

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Still seeking those tax returns

Trump has broken with 40 years of precedent by refusing to release his income tax returns and Pascrell, the only New Jersey member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, has led the charge on Capitol Hill to force their disclosure.

Pascrell (D-9th Dist.) said that the returns could show whether Trump has any financial ties to Russia, and therefore will introduce another House resolution seeking to force him to release them.

"The more we get into 2017, the more we understand how the tax returns are critical," Pascrell said at Friday's press conference. "We have no way of knowing whether Mr. Trump or his firms have received Russian income or loans or entered into Russian-linked partnerships."

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What do Americans think of all this?

As Trump records the lowest job approval ratings of his presidency, Americans disapprove of any Russian connections.

In a CBS News poll last month, 65 percent of respondents said it was likely that Trump associates had improper contact with Russian government officials. Less than one-third, 32 percent, said such contacts were unlikely.

More than six in 10 Americans, 63 percent, disapproved of Trump's handling of the Russia investigation, while just 28 percent approved. And 66 percent said the Russia probe was important, with only 32 percent calling it a political distraction.

Sixty percent of U.S. voters polled by Quinnipiac University said Trump did something illegal or unethical in his relationship with Russia, while just 32 percent said he did nothing wrong. Even more, 65 percent, said Trump's campaign advisors did something illegal or unethical, while just 24 percent say they did nothing wrong.

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Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
WASHINGTON -- Donald Trump recorded the lowest six-month job approval ratings of any president in more than seven decades, according to a poll released Sunday that found Americans supporting the current health care law over Republican repeal efforts by better than 2 to 1.

Just 36 percent of U.S. adults in the ABC News/Washington Post poll approved of Trump's performance during his first six months in office. That was lower than any president going back to Harry S Truman in 1945.

The previous low was 39 percent by President Gerald Ford after he pardoned Richard Nixon, who resigned the presidency rather than face impeachment due to the Watergate scandal.

The 58 percent of adults who disapproved of Trump's job performance likewise was the highest in more than 70 years. Trump was only the second president with a disapproval rating higher than 50 percent in his first six months in office; the other was Bill Clinton in 1993.

Half of respondents, 50 percent, said Trump's performance in office has been worse than his predecessors, while just 23 percent it was better.

The ABC/Washington Post Poll, even though almost 40% is not bad at this time, was just about the most inaccurate poll around election time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2017

With all of its phony unnamed sources & highly slanted & even fraudulent reporting, #Fake News is DISTORTING DEMOCRACY in our country!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2017

Trump has championed Republican efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act with legislation that the Congressional Budget Office said would increase the ranks of the uninsured by more than 20 million people by 2026.

Half of respondents, 50 percent, said they preferred the current law, more than double the 24 percent who said they backed the GOP proposal.

In addition, 63 percent said it was more important for the federal government to provide health coverage to poorer Americans compared to 27 percent who chose tax cuts instead.

The Republican repeal bills would cut Medicaid by more than $770 billion over 10 years and use some of the savings to reduce taxes for corporations and wealthy Americans.

Also contributing to Trump's low approval ratings: 52 percent said they believed Trump, who fired FBI Director James Comey and declared the investigation a "witch hunt," was interfering with the probe, while 37 percent said he was cooperating.

A special counsel, former FBI Director Robert Mueller, is investigating whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russian officials during the campaign.

Six in 10 adults said they believed Russia tried to influence the U.S. election, as concluded by U.S. intelligence agencies, while less than one-third, 31 percent, said it did not. More than seven in 10 adults, 72 percent, said Trump was the beneficiary of such actions, while just 22 percent said he was not.

The ABC/Post poll of 1,001 U.S. adults was conducted July 10-13 and had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
I don't know how many young women come to this blog or how many are parents of teenage or young adult women, but here are some safety tips from Kelsey's Army:

T

I

P

S

1. Trust your instincts - If something feels wrong then something probably is wrong.2. Know your surroundings - know who and what is around you.3. Always have a plan for where you would go and what you would do if a situation arises.4. Be willing to make a scene in order to be noticed.5. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.Remember the acronym TIPS:ake Chargenform others of your whereaboutsrepare for any situationurvival Mentality (role play situations so you will respond should they happen)For more information, go to Kelsey's Army
Cathy Novotny was born and raised in Council Bluffs. After working in the financial industry for more than 38 years, she has found a home at Veridian Credit Union.

I love helping Veridian members explore their options for financing large purchases or refinancing existing loans at a lower rate. I am also getting better acquainted with the community by assisting with the credit unions local sponsorships, including Celebrate CB, Roosevelt Money Savers and the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, Novotny said.

Veridian Credit Union shares Cathys commitment to helping others, and is proud to sponsor the Jennie Edmundson Foundations Spirit of Courage Celebrity Weekend, Aug. 4-6. Proceeds provide financial assistance to cancer patients at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, easing the financial burden so patients and their loved ones can focus on their healing and care. For more information on the Spirit of Courage, contact the Jennie Edmundson Foundation at 712-396-6040 or visit jehfoundation.org.

Veridian Credit Union membership is open to anyone living or working in the credit unions 105-county field of membership, including Council Bluffs, Omaha and surrounding communities. Learn more about Veridian at veridiancu.org.
As the smoke clears on the first Independence Day season with legal fireworks in Iowa, area lawmakers received reviews from both sides of the debate.

They told The Nonpareil that they expect to examine tweaks to the legislation.

Sen. Dan Dawson, who represents the majority of Council Bluffs and all of Carter Lake, and Reps. Mary Ann Hanusa and Charlie McConkey, who together represent the majority of Council Bluffs, all voted for the bill that legalized the possession and sale of fireworks in the state.

Newly-elected Rep. Jon Jacobsen, who represents eastern Council Bluffs and the rest of Pottawattamie County, was not in office when the bill passed.

Dawson said the feedback hes received has been 9-to-1 positive vs. complaints.

I think it went overwhelmingly great, he said. The feedback I got was people enjoyed it, having the ability to shoot off fireworks. Its the Fourth of July; fireworks are kind of like apple pie a little bit.

Hanusa said shes heard concerns about fireworks, predominantly about the times people can use them, which would be a city issue. Jacobsen, who was sworn in early last week, said he hasnt heard much either way yet but hes willing to listen.

McConkey said hes received three complaints about fireworks, those being the only feedback hes received so far. He also checked with area hospitals on injury numbers, which were in line with years past when fireworks were illegal.

In the days after Independence Day, Council Bluffs Fire Chief Justin James said his department had no calls on the holiday. Council Bluffs Police Chief Tim Carmody said his department saw an increase in calls during the time fireworks were sold, with service calls for June shooting up from 22 in 2016 to 82 this year. There was an increase in July calls as well.

At last Mondays Council Bluffs City Council meeting, two residents voiced concerns about the law, while council members and Mayor Matt Walsh criticized the Legislature for passing the bill late in the session, leaving little time for cities to adapt.

Both Councilman Nate Watson and Councilwoman Sharon White said the legislature took away local control on the issue.

This bills been out there for five years. Its not like this is a new issue that got brought, Dawson said, noting he had hoped the legislation would be complete earlier in the session. Fireworks were going to get passed one way or another this year.

Hanusa and Jacobsen noted the bill allowed for local control when it came to fireworks use.

It gave cities the option to opt out or to restrict use, Hanusa said, noting she decided to vote for the bill when those measures were added.

There is still an ability for local municipalities to set out their regulations, Jacobsen said.

Council Bluffs restricted use to July 1 through July 4.

They did have local control in terms of setting the use or banning the use. As far as the sale, thats true  that was not able to be restricted, Hanusa said.

The council will hear a report from the Police Department on fireworks in the near future, and some members expressed their openness to re-examining city ordinances.

Across the state, some communities are considering new restrictions on fireworks. Davenport is looking to reinstate a ban on the use of fireworks within city limits.

We felt it was important that we give our citizens an opportunity to see if responsible use could happen under those guidelines, and I think we have all been concerned with some of the irresponsible use that we have experienced over the last few weeks, Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch said.

The Davenport fireworks ordinance is expected to go to Davenport City Council for approval in August, said City Administrator Corri Spiegel.

Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott is expected to propose restrictions for his city. He said he may support council action to cut down the number of days fireworks can be lit.

Nobody is respecting the laws and our rules, and thats our problem. Its common sense. Thats all we are asking  you cant be firing them off at a quarter to two in the morning, Councilwoman Rhonda Capron said.

Hanusa and McConkey said before the bill passed they heard from constituents who wanted to see fireworks legalized.

The majority of constituents I heard from wanted to be able to use fireworks, Hanusa said. I understand there are people very much on the other side of the spectrum, and I respect that.

Added McConkey: I was getting feedback from people in the district who wanted to use fireworks. But I had misgivings about it.

All four legislators said theyd be willing to revisit the legislation and make any necessary changes.

McConkey said hell again bring up three amendments he tried to add to the bill that were ultimately rejected.

The first would give local municipalities even more control, allowing cities and counties to ban the sale and possession of fireworks. The second would require a 1 percent sales tax on fireworks, with the proceeds going to a fund that would offer grants to fire, police and other emergency services departments.

The third would shorten the amount of time allowing the sale and possession. The law allows for the sale of fireworks in the state from June 1 to July 8 and Dec. 10 to Jan. 3.

The theme Ive gotten is they would prefer for the time frame to be shrunk, Hanusa said of her interactions with constituents. Im more than willing next session to look at the legislation, review it, talk to my colleagues in the House, talk with the mayor and city council members. If we need to revise the legislation, Im open to that. Im willing to look at the bill in its entirety.

Dawson said that, like any new legislation, there will be kinks to work out. He continued, There is a lot of feedback that will be taken forward here. Well look at it next session to provide clarity to questions out there, he said. I think a lot of it will be done in administrative rules.

The legislators noted that in this part of the state, fireworks have been a part of life for a long time because of the proximity to Nebraska and Missouri, two states that have had legal fireworks for years. Each noted that enforcement of restrictions has always been an issue.

The reality is, in Council Bluffs and Carter Lake, weve always had fireworks, Dawson said. Whether theyre legal or not. People have always shot them off when they want to and likely always will.

Dawson added: Some people just dont like fireworks. There will always be disagreement with those that like fireworks.

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Construction of a Public Safety Plaza in Council Bluffs, an effort that started with a casual coffee shop discussion nearly two years ago, is about to begin.

The plaza, which will honor law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency communications workers, will be built immediately south of West Broadway between Pearl and Main Streets.

A ground-breaking ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at the site of the plaza.

When completed later this year, the plaza will feature sculptures of a Council Bluffs police officer and his K-9, a Council Bluffs firefighter, a Pottawattamie County deputy sheriff and an Iowa State Patrol trooper. The Pottawattamie County Communication Center, which serves all of the law enforcement and fire protection agencies, will be represented by a stone path leading from a central point near West Broadway to each of the sculptures.

Representatives of the Council Bluffs Police Department, Council Bluffs Fire Department, Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Office, the Iowa State Patrol and the 911 call center will break ground for their respective sculptures. Speakers will include Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh and former mayor and current Pottawattamie County Supervisor Tom Hanafan.

Council Bluffs residents Ron and Suzanne Mahoney donated $350,000 to fund the project that was initially suggested by another Council Bluffs couple, Lloyd Marsh and his wife, Debbie, following the death of Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco, a native of Walnut who was living in Council Bluffs while serving with the Omaha Police Department.

I watched the Orozco funeral, Suzanne Mahoney said of the origins for the project. There was so much respect shown there. The citizens of Council Bluffs, people of all ages, lined the funeral route all the way from the west side of town. That sort of respect and caring should not be limited to times of tragedy. What Kerrie Orozco was doing  the dangers she faced  when she lost her life is, unfortunately, not uncommon.

Men and women in public safety know the dangers they could encounter at any time, and they do it willingly, she said. The pictures of all those people, all of the offices, standing at attention in the rain at the cemetery were heartbreaking.

There are so many in public safety who go unrecognized, Ron Mahoney said. Most people dont understand or appreciate how much they and their families sacrifice to be there for us.

The Mahoneys commissioned Omaha sculptor John Lajba to create the four sculptures that will be installed in the plaza. Lajba, who also created the sculptures at the Veterans Memorial on the east side of Bayliss Park, expects the sculptures will be completed and installed by the end of September.

A dedication of the plaza will be held following completion of the project.
Call me different. Call me weird if you wish, but Im the sort of person who appreciates the little insignificancies of life, such as when two events, which seem totally unrelated, end up being related.

Case in point: A couple of weeks ago, I had a conversation with someone I hadnt spoken with in 48 years. And it happened because Linda and I decided to go out for ice cream one evening, and I saw a T-shirt on a woman I didnt know.

But this story doesnt start with what happened two weeks ago. It begins with something that happened 53 years earlier.

In the spring of 1965, I was in the seventh grade at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in De Soto, Missouri.

My classmates and I were in music class one afternoon when our assistant pastor, a young priest by the name of Robert Jovanovic, (most folks called him Fr. J), came into the room and began singing along with us. He made that days class a lot of fun.

When class was over, out of nowhere I was struck with a thought that drove me to ask Fr. J a question.

I waited until my classmates had all left the music room. My question was one I didnt want others to hear, at least not at that moment.

When only Fr. J and I remained, I asked, Father, how does one become a priest?

Little did I know my question would be the start of a friendship that has lasted throughout the years.

Obviously, I never became a priest, although I did toil with the idea for a number of years. But, through the years, Fr. J, (now Monsignor J), and I have reconnected numerous times. He is not the person I hadnt talked to in 48 years, but he did, unknowingly, play a role in what happened recently.

In 2011, one of my brothers-in-law, who is the deacon at a church just south of St. Louis and a good friend of Msgr. Js, sent me a copy of a special section from the Catholic newspaper in St. Louis.

The section featured pictures and short stories of priests and nuns who were celebrating their 50th jubilee that year. Msgr. J was one of the priests featured. My brother-in-law mailed a copy of the section to me because he knew of my friendship with Msgr. J.

After reading about Msgr. J, I thumbed through the rest of the stories and discovered I knew another person celebrating a 50th jubilee: Sister Marlene Buese.

Sr. Marlene, a member of the School Sisters of Norte Dame, was my homeroom teacher for both my sophomore and junior years at St. Josephs Catholic High School in Farmington, Missouri.

Sr. Marlene, who was known back in my high school days as Sr. Michael de Deo, was also the science teacher at our small high school. Shortly before the end of my junior year, the School Sisters of Norte Dame were allowed to convert their religious-given names back to their birth-given names. So, Sr. Michael became Sr. Marlene.

Because St. Joe was such a small school, it closed at the end of my junior year, and I havent seen Sr. Marlene since. But, when I saw the write-up about her 50th jubilee, I thought I should try reach out to her to let her know how much I appreciated all she had done for me.

That was my thought at the time, but six years later I still hadnt followed up. That all changed a couple of weeks ago when I saw the wording on the back of the T-shirt the woman was wearing at the ice cream shop.

The message on the tee, I would later learn, was from John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism. Heres the message:

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as you ever can.

After reading the tee, I began to think about all the people who had, in so many different ways, at so many different times, done something good for me. As the faces from my past rolled before my minds eye, Sr. Marlene was one of images I saw; and I decided it was finally time to locate her.

But finding Sr. Marlene wasnt an easy task.

First, I couldnt remember Sr. Marlenes full name. All I could remember was Sr. Michael de Deo, and that wasnt going to get me anywhere.

Second, I had misplaced the special section my brother-in-law had sent me, which meant I had no easy way of retrieving her name.

So, being the ever-investigative reporter I like to think I am, I started making phone calls.

I first called my brother-in-law to see if he still had a copy of the 2011 special section. He did not.

Next I called my hometown parish in Farmington to see if anyone remembered Sr. Marlene or knew where she is today. No one did.

I then called the public library in Farmington and asked if they had a yearbook for St. Joe High from 1969. (I had also misplaced my yearbook).

The person I spoke with had no idea if the library had yearbooks back as far as 1969, but she promised to have someone older call me back.

To my surprise, a few minutes later, someone older did.

Yes, the library had a copy of the 1969 yearbook for St. Josephs High School. But, after she checked the pages listing my homeroom class for that year, she discovered that Sr. Marlene had still been identified in the yearbook as Sr. Michael. Another dead end!

Determined to not be defeated, I called the Catholic newspaper in St. Louis, which had published the special tribute in 2011. After getting a number of voicemail messages, I opted to call the heart of any newspaper  the circulation department.

While most folks in circulation dont know all the answers, they do generally know who to ask. The person I spoke with immediately knew who to ask, and a few minutes later she emailed me a copy of Sr. Marlenes jubilee writeup from 2011. I now had Sisters full, birth-given name.

Next, I Googled the School Sisters of Notre Dames motherhouse in St. Louis and got their email address. I sent a brief email asking if they could connect me with Sr. Marlene.

The motherhouse responded by telling me that they would forwarded my email to Sr. Marlene. (I guess they werent going to tell just anyone Sr. Marlenes whereabouts, particularly a student who had done poorly in science.)

The next morning, Sr. Marlene called me, and we had a nice, 20-minute conversation.

Im not certain Sr. Marlene actually remembered me. After all, she had taught a lot of students, in a number of places, over a considerable number of years. Remembering one science-challenged student from 48 years ago would have been difficult for anyone.

But I believe she did sincerely appreciate being thanked for the good she had done; and when the conversation ended, I was glad I had finally reached out to her.

So whats the moral of this story?

You might think its to be thankful. You might think its to do good. You might even think its to follow through with things.

Although all of those ideas are important, none of them is the real moral of this story.

The real moral is: Eat more ice cream!

After all, had Linda and I not gone out for ice cream, I would not have seen the T-shirt that motivated me to remember Sr. Marlene.

Funny, how unrelated things many times do indeed end up being quite related.

 Tom Schmitt is the publisher of The Daily Nonpareil. He can be reached at (712) 325-5660 or by email at tschmitt@nonpareilonline.com.
In the 2016 presidential election, 63 million Americans voted for the candidate who promised to faithfully enforce the immigration laws passed by Congress  in stark contrast to his predecessor. And now that action against illegal immigration has begun, the spotlight is on more than 650 cities, counties and municipalities that have their own statues that directly oppose federal and even state laws. These local governments uphold sanctuary laws that forbid local officials from assisting federal agents who are enforcing U.S. immigration law.

From 1990 to 2014, the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. tripled from 3.5 million to 11.7 million, meaning that illegal immigrants now account for about 3.5 percent of the nations population. Because these illegal immigrants arent vetted before entering the country, a number of violent criminals have infiltrated these otherwise hardworking individuals and families seeking a better life.

Between January 2014 and September 2015, sanctuary jurisdictions refused over 17,000 requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain an individual for 48 hours after their release date to give federal officials time to put them into the federal deportation system. Nearly 12,000  70 percent  of these rejected requests were issued for illegal aliens with a criminal record. Thus sanctuary jurisdictions are releasing nearly 600 illegal aliens with criminal backgrounds each month.

If local jurisdictions were able to nullify federal immigration law, then anyone could enter the U.S. That is why the Constitution vests the power to determine immigration policies with Congress, not states, municipalities or universities.

Meanwhile in the streets, a segment of American society is digging in and declaring itself to be ungovernable. When people are out of control, then the sense of personal responsibility and morality degenerates; freedom diminishes and people are forced to either live in a police state or anarchy.

Wendell E. Carr, Ottumwa
By PTI: By K J M Varma

Beijing, Jul 16 (PTI) Twenty two people were killed and three others injured today in a pre-dawn fire at a two-storey residential building in Chinas eastern Jiangsu Province, police said.

The fire broke out at around 4.30 am in the house in Yushan Town in Changshu City.

The three people wounded face no life-threatening injuries.

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A suspect, surnamed Jiang, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the arson, police said, without giving any further information, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. A total of 24 disaster-relief teams have been set up to offer legal and mental support to the families of the victims, the report said.

Further investigation into the case is going on. PTI KJV UZM

--- ENDS ---
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Nottingham Forest defender Eric Lichaj and the USA are through to the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup.

The United States saw off Nicaragua 3-0 to finish top of Group B and clinch their place in the last eight of the competition.

It was a watching brief for Reds right-back Lichaj in the final group game as he was an unused substitute for the match in Cleveland, which was played in front of a 27,900-strong crowd at FirstEnergy Stadium.

It is the 13 time in 14 Gold Cup tournaments that America have topped their group, and they now wait to learn who they will face in the quarter-finals in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Bruce Arena's side went into Saturday night's clash knowing they needed a three-goal victory to finish in pole position, having seen Panama beat Martinique 3-0 earlier in the day.

Goals from Joe Corona, Kelyn Rowe and Matt Miazga secured the result, with the US and Panama both finishing on seven points and with a goal difference of four  but the former benefitted from having scored seven goals to their rivals' six.
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Nottinghamshire Police says that honour-based abuse has risen in the city and that a small task force is in place to protect the victims of this crime.

Honour-based abuse refers to crimes or incidents committed to protect or defend the honour of a family or community and can include forced marriage, assault and sometimes murder.

In the last 12 months, Nottinghamshire Police has investigated 42 honour-based abuse crimes  three of which were incidents where women had been forced into marriage.

The police says that no particular community in Nottingham can be singled out as it happens in South Asian, African, Eastern European and Muslim communities.

Detective Inspector Clare Dean, who works in public protection at Nottinghamshire Police, says the victims tend to be women aged 16 to 25.

The abuse, which is usually carried out by family members, can stem from the victim's decision to wear more westernised clothing, having a proactive social media account, contacting men that the family disapprove of and a resistance to being forced into marriage

DI Dean says the most common crime committed is assault. Shocking cases in Nottingham include women that have had their hair cut off or have been attacked with an iron. DI Dean has also witnessed passports and outside contact being withheld, and even kidnap and imprisonment.

She told the Post: "It happens and it happens quite a lot. We have had kidnap and assaults, threats to kill and imprisonment such as a couple that are in a relationship where the family do not approve and it has resulted in false imprisonment, assault and threats to kill by the family. To be a victim at the hands of your own family is far worse than a stranger. These are the people that are supposed to love, care and protect you.

"There are a number of triggers that cause a family to react - It could be as minor as westernised in dress or phone calls discovered. The reaction to this is really extreme.

"Why would you want to do that to your own child? The concept of honour outweighs what they feel about their own family members. It's traditional and it is about control."

DI Dean says Nottingham has not had any honour-based killings, but there are around 12 a year across the UK.

The most high-profile was 17-year-old Shafilea Ahmed, from Warrington, who was murdered by her parents in 2003.

Police said her parents hated the fact she was mixing with local girls and had resisted a forced marriage to an older man in Pakistan.

'Honour-based abuse is not tied into any particular culture or religion'

Friday July 14 was a National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Honour Based Violence.

DI Dean said: "Honour-based abuse is not tied into any particular culture or religion. We are also not in the business of criminalising families, what we want to do is protect the victims."

Nottinghamshire Police says a large majority of calls come from schools, colleges, social care or from GPs who are trained to look out for signs of honour-based abuse.

DI Dean said: "We know that it is still massively under-reported. There has been an increase in the number of Forced Marriage Prevention Orders within the last seven to eight months. Before we hardly had one a year but now there are about five orders in place. There has also been an increase in honour-based abuse."

Forced Marriage Prevention Orders protect individuals who feel they have been threatened into a forced marriage or are actually in a forced marriage and can prevent someone taking the victim out of the UK.

The police are in the process of setting up a community engagement event this year to raise awareness and to "spread the message" among different Nottingham communities.

Dr Irfan Malik, who is a GP at Elmswood Surgery in Sherwood and member of the Nottingham Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, told the Post: "I do not think it is isolated to one type of community.

"I have come across cases (in my GP surgery) where women have reported things to me but they did not want to do anything at that stage. Women can be scared and reluctant to report it.

"I think it seems to affect females more. It is unacceptable  people are suffering in silence."

Dr Malik believes that support services should visit "hard to reach" communities so that women are aware of their rights and how to report these crimes.
I got a call recently from a gentleman named Buddy Seiner. Seiner is in the outdoor media profession and is always looking for a good story. He happened across one of my articles on the Internet and tracked me down.

Seiner is based out of Pierre, South Dakota. We talked for a while and found out we had some mutual friends in the business. Seiner then told me about a project he was working on called, Fish Stories. The idea was great and so simple that you palm yourself in the forehead and say, Why didnt I think of that?

Imagine being able to listen to fishing stories told by people all over the country and about all species of fish. Just think of the tips you could pick up about baits, lures and techniques. And as we all know, fishermen are pretty good storytellers, so Im sure you could be entertained as well.

The basic concept is that of a big audio archive that you can access via the internet, said Seiner when he visited North Platte recently. Of course, the best fishing discussions happen when youre fishing, so I was showing Seiner my technique for fishing for smallmouth bass with long gigging poles.

I used to love to talk with my grandfather about fishing, Seiner commented. I really miss those talks with him and thats where the idea came from. I asked myself what if there was a place you could go to hear those stories again.

I am a collector of thoughts and phrases. I have them all over my den where I do most of my writing. One particular quote that fits Seiners idea is, A mind stretched to a new idea never returns to its original dimensions.

Seiner kept rolling the idea around in his head and pondered how he could make technology work for him in this endeavor. Ultimately the concept of the Fish Stories website and podcasts came into focus.

Seiner is now in the process of collecting stories from anglers and getting them archived on his website. While he was here in North Platte he was able to get stories from several local fishermen I introduced him to. I think the trip from Pierre was worth it!

As we discussed the logistics of him getting to meet some of the anglers I had lined up for him, Seiner was following his bobber along the banks of the tailrace canal. He had a 16-foot jigging pole cantilevered out over the bank of the canal and just kept pace with the current as his bobber drifted along.

I had a hunch Seiner would like this type of fishing because the jigging poles are long, limber and have a very light action. Even a small fish feels like a tarpon when you hook up with one. His bobber disappeared and Seiner lifted up on his pole. The fight was on!

I can see why you like this type of fishing. This is great! Seiner said with a big grin.

Fish Stories is up and operational. You can find the website at fishstories.org. Log on and register to be a member of the Fish Stories family. Its free and not only can you listen to all the archived fish stories, but you are also eligible to win some free fishing stuff. Very cool. And by now, I bet you can even find and listen to some stories that came from North Platte.

Sweet and spicy jerky

I had a reader send me an email last week and ask if I had a good jerky recipe. Well, I do. Jerky is made in about as many different ways as there are camp cooks. This recipe is one of my favorites and is a very simple recipe that can be made with any type of red meat. You will need some type of jerky gun to squeeze out a flat jerky strip on to cookie sheet or pizza trays for use in an oven. The end result is very tasty. You be the judge 

Ingredients:

5 pounds of finely ground meat (beef, venison, elks, bear, antelope all work well)

1 large bottle (64 oz.) Hot Pace Picante Sauce

2 cups of brown sugar

Directions:

Grind the meat almost to a paste. Pour in the picante sauce. Add in the brown sugar and mix everything together thoroughly. Load mixture into your jerky gun and squeeze out ribbons the length of your pan.

Place in an oven at very low heat (about 160 degrees) for three hours. Cook until the moisture has evaporated. When you think you are done, hold a piece of the jerky out from one end with your hand. The jerky strip should stand out without bending very much when held when its ready to come out of the oven.

One suggestion: Make a lot of this because the first few batches are usually gone as fast as you can pull them out of the oven, especially if you have teenage boys around.
The 20th Century Veterans Memorial Association is placing seven bronze statues at the Prairie Arts Center at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

The quarter-size statues represent the five major branches of service, a nurse for all branches and a three-person bronze representing soldiers at rest during the Korean Conflict. The statues were created by Ted Long of North Platte and Sondra Johnson of Cambridge.

The Prairie Arts Center is already home to the Canteen Lady, a beautiful sculpture donated to PAC by Dean and Jean Nieden, said Holly Carlini, PAC executive director. We are so excited to have these miniature sculptures on permanent display here at the Prairie Arts Center. Bronze is a beautiful medium and were excited to share them with the many visitors who stop by here daily.

Also included will be a replica of the memorial showing the placement of the statues.

 The Army statue represents Major Hank Meisner of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, who came to Nebraska to fish and hunt. It was donated by family and friends.

 The Navy statue shows Lt. Walter Erickson of North Platte. It was also donated by family and friends.

 The United States Marine Corps statue is a facsimile of Robert Lowe of North Platte. Lowe donated his statue, a flag pole and a bench in the meditation area.

 The Army nurse is in honor of Tricia L. Jameson of Lincoln. She was killed in action after she volunteered for a tour of duty in place of another soldier. Funds for this statue were raised in part by the Medical Community of North Platte.

 The remaining statues were funded by generous donations to the 20th Century Veterans Memorial.

The memorial project was started in 1998 by a group of veterans in the North Platte area. Architects Gardner, Hinde and Davis, of North Platte, worked on the project, along with contractor Paulsen Inc. of Cozad.

Along with the statues, the memorial has more than 6,000 bricks honoring veterans from all branches of service from all time periods of United States history.

Bricks are still being sold to be placed in the Memorial, said Wilma Salisbury, spokesperson for the Memorial Association.

Cost for the bricks is $150, which is tax deductible and forms are available at the Lincoln County Visitors Bureau, 101 Halligan Drive, the North Platte Chamber at 502 S. Dewey St., and at the memorial site at 2811 S. Jeffers St.

The statues will be permanently on display at the Prairie Arts Center. PAC hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 16 (PTI) Thirty-nine Indians abducted in Iraq by the ISIS three years ago may be lodged in a jail in Badush in northwest Mosul, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said, and added that her Iraqi counterpart may bring fresh information about them when he visits India on July 24.

Swaraj today briefed family members of the abducted men, who are mostly from Punjab, about information gathered by the Minister of State for External Affairs, V K Singh, who was sent to the Gulf nation after its Prime Minister announced the liberation of Mosul from the dreaded terror group ISIS.

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Swaraj said an authoritative official quoting intelligence sources told Singh the Indians were deployed at a hospital construction site and then shifted to a farm. They were then taken to a jail in Badush in West Mosul, where fighting between the ISIS and Iraqi forces is carrying on.

Ministers of state Singh and M J Akbar and senior ministry officials were also present at the meeting with the family members.

She said Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari is scheduled to visit India on July 24 and may bring updated information about the missing men.

"East Mosul has been completely freed from ISIS and now buildings are being sanitised and authorities are not allowing civilians to go there as there may be bombs and other explosives," she said.

In West Mosul, fighting is still carrying on, she said.

"An official who quoted intelligence sources told Gen Singh that they were deployed for a hospital construction and then in a farm. From there, they were sent to a jail in Badush. There has been no information since then," Swaraj told reporters.

There would be fresh information once the fighting in Badush was over, she added.

Swaraj said she had spoken to foreign ministers of all the countries in the region which could help India in locating the men.

The external affairs minister had written a letter to her Iraqi counterpart and it was handed over to him in Baghdad by Singh. Singh returned from Iraq yesterday.

She said if required, Singh would again travel to Iraq.

?We called family members of all those who were abducted in Iraq. I had already met them 10 or 12 times, but this time the situation was different as the Iraqi prime minister had declared that Mosul had been freed from the ISIS. That very day I asked V K Singh to go to Iraq and collect details about the Indians,? Swaraj said.

The Indians were abducted by the ISIS in Mosul in June 2014. PTI MPB/PYK BDS

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SMEDEREVO, Serbia  A giant Chinese red flag flutters on a pole where an American flag used to fly at a steel mill in this dusty industrial Serbian town.

The company logos of U.S. Steel are faded on the huge chimneys stacks, replaced by those of a Chinese company.

When U.S. Steel sold its loss-making smelter in Serbia to the government for the symbolic sum of $1 in 2012, few here thought the ailing communist-era factory would ever be revived. Then came along a state-owned Chinese company.

Hebei Iron & Steel's 46 million-euro ($52 million) purchase of the Steelworks Smederevo last year is part of China's broader effort to project influence and gain an access point to the European market as other traditional powers, particularly the U.S. under President Donald Trump, retreat from the world stage.

The dynamic was laid bare at a world summit over the weekend, where Trump showed little interest in promoting free trade and was at odds with other countries on issues like climate change. China, meanwhile, was keen to promote itself as a champion of commerce and openness  even though in practice it falls far short of being one.

The Serbian plant is economically irrelevant in the short term to China, which abounds with steel production at home. But the deal saved 5,200 local jobs and gained Serbia's political favor.

"It seems to me that everything China has been doing in the past several years in the field of its investments abroad also has a political background and connotation," said Mijat Lakicevic, a Serbian political and economy analyst.

"China doesn't really need the Serbian plant that produces practically nothing compared to the steel production in China," he said. "So, I would describe this as placing a foot in the doorway in order to enter the market and the area where Russia and America are already present."

China eyes Europe

The longer-term strategy for China is to open markets for its businesses as its home economy slows. The most high-profile effort in this direction is the ambitious $900 billion Belt and Road project, often referred to as the New Silk Road  a transport and trade corridor running from China to Germany, via Greek ports, the Balkans and Central Europe.

Annual investment by Chinese companies in Europe reached an all-time high of $18 billion in 2014, with annual inflows averaging $10 billion over the past four years, according to the Rhodium Group, a China investment monitor.

Beijing is encouraging its industries to diversify abroad in hopes of reducing China's reliance on exports and its domestic market. That has also led to a string of acquisitions in chemicals, tourism, insurance, banking and other industries.

Steel producers have an extra incentive because Beijing is trying to shrink its bloated state-dominated industry at home. China's production glut has led to a flood of low-priced exports, which has depressed global markets and cost jobs in the U.S. and Europe, raising political tensions. As China negotiates the issue with the U.S. and EU, its acquisition of the Serbian plant gets it some rare good headlines in which it is credited with saving, not destroying, jobs.

Making friends

Chinese companies are also starting to make inroads into Eastern European construction and engineering markets, including plans to build a $2 billion high-speed rail line from the Serbian capital, Belgrade, to Budapest in neighboring Hungary.

And while the EU remains the Western Balkans' largest trading partner, local governments have sometimes looked with favor to countries like China that are willing to invest large amounts without raising concerns about the region's patchy record on human rights or media freedoms.

"Serbia has an important role in China's global Belt and Road project and we want to capitalize on all its potential," Serbian Construction Minister Zorana Mihajlovic said. "This project cannot be realized without developed infrastructure in the countries where it passes."

She said that China has so far loaned some 5.5 billion euros ($6.3 billion) in Serbia for the construction of bridges, highways and railroads that it plans to use as transport routes for its goods into the heart of Europe.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has often been criticized by Western European leaders as being authoritarian, has often expressed his admiration for the economic achievements of countries like China. He wants to make Hungary the main hub for Chinese business and investments in Central and Eastern Europe.

"The old model for globalization has become obsolete," Orban said in May in Beijing while taking part in a Belt and Road conference. "The engine room of the global economy is no longer in the West, but in the East."

In Smederevo, the town of some 100,000 people where thousands make a living from the steel plant, there was praise for China.

Though salaries are about 25 percent below what they were under the U.S. company  roughly 750 euros ($855) compared with 1,000 euros ($1,140), mayor Jasna Avramovic said it was important that the jobs had returned in the first place.

"It's been one year since the Chinese came to our town and a calmer atmosphere is visible," Avramovic said. "There is no more uncertainty over what will happen with the plant. The salaries come on time."
The Strack and Van Til families' successful bid to save Northwest Indiana's most iconic grocery store chain also will save more than 220 jobs at the Strack & Van Til corporate headquarters in Highland, and the Ultra Foods store in Merrillville, and possibly hundreds more at local vendors.

"The vendors, the people who take care of our stores, those jobs were at risk," said Jeff Strack, president and CEO. "A new owner has different business relationships, so there are probably a lot of ancillary jobs that were protected or saved because of this."

Micah Pollak, assistant professor of economics at Indiana University Northwest, described Indiana Grocery Group's successful bid as "a huge victory for the Region, one that should not be underestimated."

"In many ways, the story resembles the plot of a movie. A beloved regional chain faces store closings and the bankruptcy of their parent company," Pollak said. "Just when it appears certain they will be bought by a large corporate chain, the founding families come together, win the auction and return the chain to regional ownership. This is the story of a victory for underdogs and regional business owners, one in which jobs are saved and confidence and economic normality are restored."

Pollack said local ownership means money spent by shoppers at Strack stores will stay local and circulate through the community. There's also a psychological impact, he said.

"While we will never know what the regional economic impact might have been had Jewel-Osco won the auction, its hard to imagine any outside owner maintaining Strack & Van Tils long tradition of philanthropy and service to the community," Pollak said. "Strack & Van Til is more than just a household name in Northwest Indiana, it serves as an important regional anchor. In a time when retail and grocery chains are struggling and closing across the nation, its incredibly refreshing to see Strack & Van Til re-born with regional ownership as a badge of pride."

Staying local

On Tuesday, a bankruptcy court judge is slated to approve the sale of 20 of the 22 remaining Strack & Van Til, Town & Country Markets and Ultra Foods to the Jeff Strack-led Indiana Grocery Group.

The new owners include Strack, the founding Strack and Van Til families, former longtime Strack & Van Til CEO David Wilkinson and a few other investors. They outbid Jewel-Osco's offer of $100 million for 19 stores.

Crown Point resident Kathy Ponziano is happy the Strack stores will retain local ownership.

"I have shopped at Strack & Van Til for over 45 years and will continue to shop there," Ponziano said. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for pooling your monies and buying your stores back."

Jilted bidder Jewel had no interest in buying the Ultra Foods on Broadway in Merrillville, where 130 people work, or Strack & Van Til's corporate headquarters in Highland, which employs around 90 workers.

Strack & Van Til parent company Central Grocers, which is bankrupt, still is looking to sell off Ultra Foods locations in Highland and Kankakee, Illinois.

One of NWI's most visible brands

Founded in Highland in 1960, Strack & Van Til has been one of Northwest Indiana's most recognizable brands, with its logo plastered on Little League outfield fences, 5K T-shirts and signs for events including the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana's Soiree to End Hunger.

The supermarket chain is well known throughout the Region for its philanthropy. Co-founder Ernie Strack helped launch Franklin Park and Central Park in Griffith, while Nick Van Til established an annual scholarship for clergy of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

Strack & Van Til has supported a long list of charitable causes, including the American Heart Association, The Salvation Army, St. Jude Hospital, the South Shore Music Festival, the Boys and Girls Clubs of East Chicago, Munster High School, Taft Middle School, the Merrillville Rotary Club, the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Habitat for Humanity and the Lake County United Way.

The local grocer has provided free Thanksgiving meals to Indiana National Guardsmen at the Gary Armory, and recently donated 40,320 bottles of water to victims of the East Chicago lead crisis.

"Strack & Van Til and its employees have generously donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Lake Area United Way alone," said Lisa Daugherty, Lake County United Way president and CEO. "Across the county, I'm certain they've donated millions to various nonprofits and important causes. The impact they have on the community is enormous. We are thrilled for Jeff, his family, the employees and most importantly, the community."

Strack said, going forward, the company would continue to be generous to various community causes.

"The company culture that was started by my grandfather and Mr. Van Til was to help make the communities we serve a better place to live," Strack said. "That doesn't change. We're going to continue to support organizations and events that enhance the quality of life. Whether it's through time, treasure or talent, we'll continue to be a great corporate citizen, doing what we can to make it a better place to live for all the people."

'We know the Indiana market'

If Central Grocers' bankruptcy proceeds as expected, the new ownership group should close on the deal in August. Strack said they saw it as an opportunity.

"I was afraid of how I would have felt in 10 or 15 years if I didn't try," he said. "It shows what a lot of hard work and dedication can do. If you're passionate, you can find a way to make things work."

The company will now be smaller with 20 stores as compared to 38. The remaining stores are in Strack & Van Til's home base of Northwest Indiana, where it has a well-established brand and loyal customers who have shopped at its stores for decades.

"We know the Indiana market," Strack said. "These stores have performed much better than the Ultra stores in Illinois and we feel this gives us a better opportunity for a sustainable and successful business as we go forward... There's an emotional attachment to local businesses in Northwest Indiana. You look at the supermarkets, you look at the banking industry, the convenience store industry, Centier Bank, Peoples Bank, Family Express, Luke Oil. It's people who live and work in the area, and that makes us unique in the Chicagoland market."

The new ownership isn't looking to acquire or reopen any of the 14 stores that Central Grocers already closed, Strack said. That's not to say it won't open more stores in the future.

"At this point, we want to focus on our 20 stores and focus on making sure we're heading in the right direction and providing that shopping experience that customers have come to expect over the years," he said. "As time goes on, if opportunities present themselves, we'll evaluate them at the time and make a smart business decision."

'This company is a family'

Cathi Abramson, an assistant manager of the deli at Strack & Van Til on U.S. 30 in Valparaiso, said she was overjoyed Strack & Van Til would stay local. She said her employer has helped her in times of hardship, that she takes pride in what she does and feels a close connection to customers.

"This company is a family," she said. "We do what is best for the good the company. I was sick thinking of working for anyone else... In my heart of hearts I knew Jeff would have never bailed on us. I am thrilled to see what the future holds for this company."
CEDAR CREEK TOWNSHIP  Murder charges have been filed after a 27-year-old Lowell man was found shot to death early Saturday, authorities said.

Cody Klotz, of Lowell, was pronounced dead at 4 a.m. Saturday, the Lake County coroner's office stated in a news release.

Detectives swiftly filed murder charges after the incident against Charles E. Bayne, 21, also of Lowell, according to Mark Back, Lake County Sheriff's spokesman.

Back said police responded about 2:39 a.m. Saturday to the 17400 block of Mount Street in Cedar Creek Township to find Klotz dead at the scene. A firearm was recovered.

No other details were immediately available Saturday night.
By PTI: By Anisur Rahman

Dhaka, Jul 16 (PTI) Four militants of the banned Neo-JMB terror outfit today surrendered to Bangladeshs elite anti- terrorism force after a gunfight with security personnel on the outskirts of the capital city.

The team of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which draws personnel from military and police forces, surrounded the tin- shed house in suburban Savar around 1 AM last night after a tip-off that militants were holed up inside the building.

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The militants were ordered to surrender, but they started indiscriminate firing, triggering a heavy exchange of gunfire with security forces, operation chief RAB-4 Commanding Officer Additional DIG Lutful Kabir said.

"All the four militants who were inside finally gave up and none else are there inside... our bomb disposal unit are now examining the house," a spokesman of RAB told PTI.

The militants inside the house fired five rounds of shots when they became aware of the RAB presence, Kabir said.

"We asked the militants to surrender using our megaphones, but instead they hurled abuse at the law enforcers and started firing," he said.

One of the four terrorists first came out and surrendered after which three others followed suit an hour later.

"Their surrender came as using megaphones we told them if they do not surrender by 1 PM, we will launch the assault with all our force," the spokesperson said.

Witnesses said that officials had evacuated people in the neighbourhood to evade casualties as the militants responded with abusive language and opened fire and hurled homemade bombs on RAB personnel.

RAB officials earlier said that they had been searching for militants in the area for the last a few days on the basis of a secret tip-off and cordoned off the militants den.

Owner of the building Ibrahim was detained.

RAB officials said that a man named Azad, who identified himself as a garment worker, had rented the house two months ago.

The Neo-JMB is said to be inclined to the ISIS terror group.

The raid was part of an intensified crackdown on militants following the last year Dhaka cafe attack in which 22 people, mostly foreigners and an Indian girl, were killed. PTI AR PMS CPS

--- ENDS ---
INDIANAPOLIS  Secretary of State Connie Lawson has yet to submit Indiana's list of registered voters, along with their home addresses and congressional district assignments, in response to a controversial request by President Donald Trump's election commission.

But the panel's vice chairman, Republican Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, already has access to that information, as well as the birth dates, voting history and partial Social Security number or driver's license number of every registered Hoosier voter.

Since 2014, Indiana has participated in Kobach's "Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck" program that annually compares detailed voter records from 28 member states, including Illinois, to identify and eliminate potential duplicate registrations, and thereby prevent voters from casting multiple ballots.

The law requiring Indiana join Crosscheck was sponsored by the late state Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake, easily approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly and signed by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

Pence, now vice president of the United States, also is chairman of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, which will hold its first public meeting Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

Crosscheck program

Crosscheck has identified hundreds of thousands of potentially duplicate voter registrations in Indiana over the past four years, according to the secretary of state's office.

The program works by sorting its vast pool of registered voters and seeking identical names and birth dates.

It flags matches that come up more than once in Indiana, or appear in multiple states, and then sends those records back to their home states as potential duplicates.

Because it's not unusual for individuals with the same name to also share a birth date, the Indiana secretary of state's office uses a scored testing process to find likely duplicate registrations.

In addition to matching on exact first, middle and last name, as well as birth date, a likely duplicate also must match on street address including ZIP code, driver's license number or Social Security number to be suspect.

Lawson spokeswoman Valerie Warycha said even then, most of the duplicates aren't connected in any way to voter registration fraud, but simply are individuals who move between counties or to another state and don't remember to cancel their prior registration before signing up to vote from their new address.

In total, 203,173 registrations have been identified through Crosscheck as likely duplicates since Indiana joined the program four years ago.

Those likely duplicates were sent to Indiana's 92 counties for further scrutiny. About 85 percent were confirmed as actual duplicate registrations and ultimately removed from the voter roll.

Indiana has 4.4 million registered voters. There were zero confirmed instances of Hoosiers casting multiple ballots during the 2016 election.

The commission

Last month, Kobach set off protests and lawsuits across the country when he asked secretaries of state to provide the federal commission comprehensive voter records similar to those analyzed by Crosscheck, if publicly available.

At least 44 states, including Indiana, have said they will not or cannot comply with Kobach's request due to restrictions on how voter records may be distributed.

For example, even though Indiana shares voter birth dates and partial Social Security numbers with Crosscheck, that only is permitted due to a special statute that creates the Crosscheck exception to Indiana's otherwise limited public voter records.

"Indiana law allows me to release only certain data and it does not include date of birth and it does not include Social Security number," said Lawson, who is a member of the presidential commission.

The commission last week directed states to hold off on submitting any voter data until two lawsuits are resolved that question whether federal privacy requirements apply to the commission's work.

A separate lawsuit filed Tuesday in Lake County by the NAACP and the League of Women Voters of Indiana seeks to bar the sharing of any Hoosier voter data, since Kobach has indicated all records submitted to the commission will be made public  potentially in violation of Indiana law.

Lawson would not comment on the pending lawsuits.

She said it's unfortunate the commission "got off to a little bit of a rough start with the communications about what was needed and why."

"Of course there are concerns," she said. "But I'm hoping Indiana will be a great example as to the way states can run elections to increase participation and also to make elections fair."

"Indiana has the right processes in place. We have a photo ID requirement in place, we do voter list maintenance on a regular basis, we keep our list as clean as possible and our election officials are vigilant."

Muddled purpose

Much of the public skepticism about the commission's purpose is due to Trump's repeatedly claiming on Twitter and in interviews, without any evidence, that he would have won the popular vote in 2016 if not for 3 million to 5 million fraudulent ballots cast on behalf of his opponent.

Trump also was quick to condemn states that refused to share voter information with the commission, to be stored on a White House computer, by asking on Twitter, "What are they trying to hide?"

He raised more red flags last week when he suggested the United States and Russia might form a joint "Cyber Security" unit to aid the commission in ferreting out "election hacking."

Lawson said she was "shocked" to hear Trump suggest Russia should play a role in protecting future U.S. elections.

Multiple U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded the Russian government was behind several email and other electronic intrusions of top Democrats in the months leading up to the 2016 presidential contest.

"There is no reason to have questioned the results of the election," Lawson said. "We learned that there were maybe some outside forces, but the hacking was done on a campaign, not on our elections, and it's the diversity of our elections that protect our elections.

"That's why we all feel so strongly that we have a great system here in the United States, and we're going to continue to keep that system."

Pence insisted the commission's only goal, notwithstanding Trump's remarks, is to produce a set of recommendations to increase confidence in the integrity of America's election system.

"The integrity of the vote is a foundation of our democracy; this bipartisan commission will review ways to strengthen that integrity in order to protect and preserve the principle of one person, one vote," Pence said.

Polling shows roughly seven in 10 Americans already are "somewhat" or "very" confident that the country's elections are fair.
The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and music director/conductor Kirk Muspratt announce the 2017 South Shore Summer Music Festival. The festival, beginning July 22 and concluding Aug. 12, will feature free concerts by the Northwest Indiana Symphony in five communities across Northwest Indiana. Come early, bring your lawn chairs and blankets.

We are so excited to celebrate 11 years of our wonderful summer music festival. Thank you for supporting your orchestra, Muspratt said. Join us for fun, relaxing evenings filled with beautiful music in our own backyards.

The concerts will have something for everyone and will feature light classical, songs from movies and Broadway, and patriotic music.

The South Shore Summer Music Festival will be appearing at:

7:30 p.m. July 29 on the Lawn at Franciscan Communities; Rain location: Crown Point High School, 1500 S. Main St., Crown Point

7:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at Central Park, 600 N. Broad St., Griffith

7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at Wolf Lake Pavilion, Hammond

7:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at Redar Park, Schererville

Summer concert information is available by calling the symphony office at 219-836-0525 or visit www.NISOrchestra.org.
EAST CHICAGO  Residents on Saturday sought answers about whether their drinking water is safe and when EPA might test a black substance they're finding in toilets and sinks.

Officials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and East Chicago offered some answers, but deferred on others to experts not present.

Residents were hoping to hear from Miguel Del Toral, EPA Region 5 water division regulations manager, who recommended in January residents assume they have lead service lines and use a properly certified filter for drinking water.

Residents have been grappling with the discovery last fall by EPA of elevated lead levels in drinking water at some homes.

EPA has said the problem likely was caused by inadequate levels of orthophosphate, a chemical used to prevent lead in service lines. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the city have been working to increase orthophosphate levels since October, records show.

Christopher Korleski, director of EPA Region 5 Water Division, said Del Toral would attend a future meeting along with representatives from IDEM, which has primary regulatory authority over the city's drinking water.

'Is my water safe to drink?'

Korleski faced pushback from Natural Resources Defense Council senior attorney Meleah Geertsma as he answered the question, "Is my water safe to drink?"

Korleski suggested residents should weigh their health risks in deciding whether to drink tap water. Geertsma said she didn't want Korleski to turn the decision back on residents.

Del Toral initially recommended residents use filters, but the messaging has changed since IDEM released results of water testing it conducted last spring, Geertsma said.

IDEM recommendations that residents run water for several minutes before drinking are not realistic, she said. Children won't do that, and it will lead to higher water bills.

"They need clear guidance and should not tell residents they need to make their own choices," she said.

The NRDC and other groups in March filed an emergency petition with EPA asking the agency to use emergency powers to respond to lead in drinking water.

EPA has rescheduled several meetings with the council and has not provided any written acknowledgement that it received the petition, she said.

Carla Morgan, an attorney for the city, said there is no safe level of lead, and the city, IDEM and EPA are working to make the water safer. In the meantime, Superfund residents can go to the East Chicago Water Department to request a free filter, she said.

EPA to test black substance

EPA has agreed to test a black substance residents across the city are finding in sinks and toilets, but the process isn't as easy as scraping the substance up and testing it, Korleski said.

Timothy Drexler, an EPA project manager, said the agency is working on creating a sampling plan.

"I hope to get back to you in a couple of weeks. Right now, I have nothing definitive."

Maritza Lopez, a resident of the Superfund site, questioned whether the city's use of sodium hexametaphosphate for a period ending in fall 2016 might have damaged service lines and be the cause of a black substance.

Studies have shown hexametaphosphate can increase releases of lead and is not recommended for lead control in cities with lead pipes.

The city began using sodium hexametaphosphate with IDEM's approval, but later discontinued its use after EPA asked IDEM to work with the city to make the change, officials said.

Morgan said East Chicago is concerned about the black substance, but doesn't suspect use of hexametaphosphate as the cause.

Lead line replacement

East Chicago will soon be replacing lead service lines at approximately 400 homes in the USS Lead Superfund site. The city is working with EPA to replace lines at homes that have already had soil remediated, City Engineer William Allen said.

About half of the residents have signed and returned agreements allowing the city access to properties, Allen said. East Chicago will continue reaching out to residents to let them know about the program, he said.

EPA's next meeting is set for 10 a.m. Aug. 19 at the old Carrie Gosch Elementary School, 455 E. 148th St.
EAST CHICAGO  Cries of "why?" erupted Saturday after U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, told residents he would not write a letter demanding the U.S. EPA and Indiana Department of Environmental Management deny a permit allowing highly contaminated dredged material to be stored less than a half mile from several schools.

Visclosky attended a meeting organized by the East Chicago Community Strategy Group to showcase residents' concerns about a plan to store sediment containing greater quantities of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, than previously permitted at the confined disposal facility at 3500 Indianapolis Blvd.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors have dredged more than 1 million cubic yards of sediment from the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal since 2012 and stored it at the facility, which is less than a half mile away from East Chicago Central High School and the new Carrie Gosch Elementary School. Children from the now-vacant West Calumet Housing Complex were transferred to the new Carrie Gosch last year, after the School City of East Chicago voted to shutter their neighborhood school amid the city's lead crisis.

The Army Corps submitted a risk-based application in 2014 for disposal of sediment containing PCB concentrations of 50 parts per million or more. The Environmental Protection Agency and IDEM have not yet given final approval for the plan.

Exposure to PCBs can affect memory and learning in children, cause birth defects and miscarriage, and cancer, residents said. East Chicago has the highest infant mortality rate in the state.

Visclosky held a list of Superfund sites he's focused on over his decades-long career in Congress, including the USS Lead site in East Chicago; American Chemical Service in Griffith; Lake Sandy Jo, the Ninth Avenue Dump, Midco I and II, and the Gary Landfill in Gary; the Town of Pines; and a site in Westville.

"Never on one of these very serious Superfund sites, each one of these is a Superfund site, did I ever take a specific position as to what should be done or not done or what approach should be taken," Visclosky said. "I agree with a lot of what has been said."

Visclosky said a description of the canal as a "witch's brew" was correct.

"To do nothing is wrong, too. What I want is EPA and IDEM to decide what is the best and safest approach," Visclosky said, which was met with chants of "no permit, no permit."

Albert Kelly, a senior adviser to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt who chairs the agency's Superfund task force, said after the meeting he intended to gather information because he understood it was an important issue to the city's residents.

"If I were asking questions, I'm puzzled as to why there is an objection to the permit versus the ongoing disposal," Kelly said. "A lot of the damage that is done, that is allegedly done, is going to be there regardless based on what's going on here, it seems to me."

Kelly and Visclosky both raised the possibility that if the permit is rejected, one option might be to do nothing.

Thomas Frank, a member of the Community Strategy Group, said that's not what the community wants.

"We want the dredge," he said. "We're looking for detoxification or another solution."

The Army Corps is dredging the canal to 22 feet for navigational purposes. However, the canal has been dredged to 40 feet in the past, and contractors are now reaching a contamination hot spot, he said.

"The community has never wanted (the disposal facility). It was political and other powers that won out over the community," Frank said of past efforts to oppose the confined disposal facility. "But, now that it comes to the most toxic stuff, we're saying, 'No, that's a line in the ground.'"

Activist Larry Davis said an Army Corps representative admitted in 2013 before the East Chicago Waterway Management District board that the confined disposal facility already is leaking. PCBs can become airborne, and methods at the site likely exacerbate that process, Davis said.

Frank said the community wants EPA and IDEM to deny this permit and come back to the table to find a more permanent solution.

Dredging is necessary, but should be done to ensure a safe environment, not just to make the canal navigable for ships, he said. There are alternative solutions, but they would cost more and require federal agencies to listen to the community, Frank said.

Visclosky said he agreed with Frank that dredging for environmental purposes should be done.

"I wish we could. I wish there was federal authority to do it. I wish we had an administration that wasn't trying to cut the Environmental Protection Agency by $2.8 billion ... and we're going to try to turn that back next week in the Appropriations Committee, on which I serve," Visclosky said.

Visclosky said his job is to ensure "those who have the expertise to make these decision have the resources they need" and abide by the law.

"The congressman will share the concerns of the residents with the appropriate federal regulators, and he is committed to continue to work to support the health and safety of all the residents and the long-term repurposing of the site to benefit the community," a spokesman for Visclosky said after the meeting.

If the permit is approved, the 162-acre confined disposal facility will be a toxic waste dump and will never be used for anything, said the Rev. Cheryl Rivera, of the Community Strategy Group.*

* Editor's note: This story has been updated from a previous version to correct the size of the confined disposal facility.
HIGHLAND  Cecile Petro, Highland's longtime redevelopment director who retired in May, will return on a limited basis until her successor is found.

"Cecile was hired as a temporary contractor to assist us through this bridge between her departure and her successor coming on board," Town Council President Dan Vassar, D-3rd, said. "This is a very common practice in the corporate world."

He added that officials want to ensure the momentum is not lost on some of the ongoing  and potential  projects in town.

Until her retirement, Petro worked the past 12 years as Highland's first full-time redevelopment director.

Except for Councilman Konnie Kuiper, D-5th, the council also serves as the Redevelopment Commission along with Clerk-Treasurer Michael Griffin.

Griffin noted the councilmen, wearing their commission hats, still must make the rehiring official after Petro and town attorney Rhett Tauber hammer out an agreement. That could happen this week.

A rate of pay has not been formally agreed upon yet, but the anticipation is for $50 per hour in her limited role, Griffin said.

"There is preliminary language suggesting a limit of 10 hours per week," he added.

The council would like to keep the momentum going on a potential senior citizen housing facility that a developer is proposing for an undeveloped area behind Ultra Foods on Indianapolis Boulevard north of Ridge Road, said Councilman Mark Herak, I-2nd.

He said Petro also will also oversee the boutique hotel/office park that is close to being approved for the corner of Main Street and Prairie Avenue.

"Once a successor is hired, shell probably stay on a few weeks to train the new person," Herak said, adding that an executive session will take place on Monday to talk with a firm that is reviewing the applicants.

"I would hope within the next 60 days that a replacement is hired," Herak added.

In other business, the council added another sergeant's position to the police budget for around $10,000.

This action was passed with a 4-1 vote, with Herak voting no.
ST. JOHN  Changes are coming to the legendary intersection known as "Shoe Corner."

A traffic signal is going up at 109th and Calumet avenues in Hanover Township, a site that for decades has been a dumping ground for shoes that seem to appear without witnesses.

The signal is a joint project between the town of St. John, Lake County and the new Illiana Christian High School currently being built just south of the intersection. Lake County Highway Department engineer Duane Alverson said the new school is one of the reasons for the signal, but the volume of traffic also warrants it.

Improvements include a right turn lane on 109th for traffic turning north on Calumet and a left turn lane on Calumet for traffic turning east on 109th.

The intersection is becoming a major artery for residents of St. John, Cedar Lake and Crown Point who travel to Illinois or Chicago for work.

"It's a great thing for our residents and all the neighboring towns," St. John Town Councilman Christian Jorgensen said.

Jorgensen said major arteries in that corridor include 101st and Calumet avenues and 101st and Sheffield avenues.

The town is planning to install a traffic signal at 101st and Calumet, where the improvements have already been made as a result of the new Providence Bank located there. That traffic signal is tied into the town's reconstruction of 101st.

"Anyone who has been on 101st knows it's a mine field," Jorgensen said.

As for 101st and Sheffield, the county is currently reviewing to see if it warrants a signal.

Jorgensen said improvements at those arteries are important to manage traffic flow.

"It's important to make sure everyone is safe and moves through our area as efficiently as possible," he said.

Jorgensen said he has been pushing for these corridor improvements since he was elected in 2015.

"Nobody denied that needed to be improved, and we're almost there," he said. "It's really exciting."

Further east, the town is looking to do a significant intersection improvement at 101st and Parrish avenues. That work could include a roundabout.

As for the traffic signal at "Shoe Corner," work is expected to begin next year, and the signal should be installed prior to Illiana Christian opening in the fall of 2018.
MICHIGAN CITY  Barker Mansion is holding its second annual Summer History Camp from July 24-27 at Barker Mansion, 631 Washington St. The camp is for ages 8 and older, though all are welcome to attend. Mansion staff will facilitate hands-on activities throughout the week, including an off-limits tour, where kids venture behind the scenes of the historic building. A scavenger hunt and a field trip to explore the history of Washington Park and the Zoo are also on the agenda.
CHESTERTON  An extended family came together Friday evening to celebrate a barn raising  cowboy-style.

Friends of True North Training Stables  a nonprofit equine-assisted therapy program  dressed in their best boots, jeans and cowboy hats and gathered for a barn blessing and cowboy church at the stables.

In 2014, Colleen Gerber-Lee and Mendy Norman co-founded the faith-based therapy program, where at-risk youngsters ages 8 and up learn life skills by caring for the farms seven horses and four miniature horses with volunteer mentors and counselors.

Youths in the program struggle with depression, autism, ADHD, self-harm, bullying, eating disorders and sexual abuse, but find solace in work on the farm  grooming, watering and feeding the horses; cleaning stalls; and caring for the farms goats and chickens. Counselors and instructors work hand-in-hand with kids, who learn lessons in relationship building, leadership, respect, patience, focus, communication, problem solving and trust.

Horses have a great way of getting kids to relax and open up, Norman said. They are the perfect therapy animal because they are a prey animal and they better understand fear and anxiety.

When Lee and Norman started the organization, they had just a seven-stall horse barn.

A broke-down chicken coop was our office and welcome center, Lee joked.

Lee said after being forced to cancel sessions with the children and the horses because the old barns paddocks were flooded from rain, she sent a prayer up to the heavens.

I said, 'Lord, if you want me to build a barn, send me the money,' Lee said.

In two weeks, she got a raise and a promotion at her job at EDF Energy Service in Merrillville, Lee said.

It felt like God was telling us to build it, Lee said.

On Friday, the group rejoiced in the new 6,500-square-foot indoor riding barn  dubbed the Legacy Arena  donated by Lee and her husband, Randy; a refurbished welcome center; and the 400-square-foot McFarland Conference Center, a meeting place and arts and crafts center.

The conference center, named for volunteer Tom McFarland, who directed the design and building with a $7,500 grant from Unilever, in Whiting, where several of the organizations volunteers are employed.

Norman helped cut the ribbon to the new welcome center.

This used to be a chicken house, Norman said. You see how beautiful and renewed it can be, just like the childrens lives were going to touch.

Alan Stover, pastor of New Hope Missionary Church in Valparaiso, conducted cowboy church services after the ribbon-cutting. Stover moved to the area a year ago from Crawford, Texas, where he and his wife, Pamela, owned a horse ranch.

Stover met Lee and Norman soon after, and the women persuaded him to do a cowboy church at the event.

Stover, in a tan cowboy hat, fringed chaps, a snap-button shirt and boots, led the audience in song and prayer, and groomed Beso, the farms 11-year-old quarter horse, as part of the service.

Before saddling Beso and riding off into the sunset, Stover groomed Beso and explained Ephesians 2, the scripture he read during the service.

Stover picked up one of Besos feet and removed the dirt and stones from the bottom of his hoof with a hoof pick.

God wants to take care of us, Stover said, using Beso as an example. He wants to take out those stones in our lives.

Lee said the stables will host cowboy church, which is open to the public, once a month with Stover in the lead on the back of one of the farms seven horses.

The next cowboy church at True North Training Stables, 927 N. 150 W. in Chesterton, is August 11.
CV Shanmugam has called Kamal Haasan a third rate actor who has no roles in movies and claimed Haasan would do anything for money.

By Pramod Madhav: Attempting to get back at Kamal Haasan, AIADMK Ministers have made matters worse by indirectly threatening the actor with 'auditing' and talking about the actor's personal life.

This is not the first time that Kamal Haasan has spoken out against the AIADMK government. In fact, he was one of the few actors who spoke about the mismanagement during the 2015 rains which almost sank Chennai. He was also the first to talk about the 'system' to have collapsed, almost 2 years before Rajinikanth's comment on the 'system' being in a need of revamp.

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After grave allegations were brought against Kamal Haasan for hosting Big Boss Tamil, with a Hindu fringe group seeking for his arrest, believing that 'Padma Bhushan' Kamal had damaged Indian Culture', he held a press meet where he once again asked a series of strong questions, criticizing the State government.

As a reply, Minister for Municipal Administrations, SP Velumani, asked for evidence to Kamal Haasan's allegations. "If you have evidence, then prove it. Let's audit the amount of tax you've paid for the movies you've produced," he challenged Kamal Haasan . SP Velumani, also questioned Kamal Haasan as to why, he didn't speak openly about the irregularities Karunanidhi's rule.

But, the situation went worse with Prison and Law Affairs Minister, CV Shanmugam's repeated blows to Kamal Haasan's personal life. CV Shanmugam called Kamal Haasan a third rate actor who has no roles in movies and claimed Hassan would do anything for money.

But more importantly, CV Shanmugam has called Haasan caste-biased and asked for him to be arrested. "Whole Big Boss show is under his control and many criticism against the socially backward people are being said projecting the upper caste attitude. I urge that he be arrested under Prevention of Atrocities Act," he claimed.

CV Shanmugam went on to make personal jibes on the actor's lifestyle almost branding Kamal Haasan as someone who doesn't appreciate Shanmugam's beliefs of Indian values. "He had an affair with an actress, didn't marry her and chased her away which is against Tamil and Indian culture. He has not rights to speak about us or the people of this country", he stated.

Though, AIADMK has constantly targeted Kamal Haasan , they are unable to act against him as Kamal Haasan is still revered as a genius both on and off movie industry holding a ton of respect in the hearts of the people of Tamil Nadu. In fact many in the state, see the ministers' outburst as only depicting their insecurity.

ALSO READ

Kamal Haasan on heckling of CRPF jawans in Kashmir: Shame on those who dare touch my soldiers

Sasikala still controls AIADMK, will decide on support to BJP candidate in presidential election, says nephew

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--- ENDS ---
Crossing the line separating Indiana and Illinois sometimes means dealing with different laws and customs. Readers are asked to share ideas for this weekly feature. This week: State flower.

Every state has an official flower, but no state shares Indiana's state flower.

The Indiana General Assembly adopted the peony as the state flower in 1957. The bloom, usually red or pink though sometimes white, typically emerges in late spring and is especially popular in China and Japan, in addition to Indiana.

The peony actually is Indiana's second state flower. The zinnia represented Indiana from 1931 to 1957, according to the Indiana Historical Society.

Illinois, on the other hand, has kept the violet as its state flower since schoolchildren voted in 1907 to recommend lawmakers adopt the purple flower as an official state symbol.

The violet was selected over the wild rose and the goldenrod, according to the Illinois State Museum.

New Jersey, Rhode Island and Wisconsin also have designated the violet as their state flower.
Is the honeymoon over for Mike Pence and Donald Trump?

Its a fair question.

Given his recent actions, youve got to be wondering whats going through Vice President Pences head in terms of the long-term viability of this romance.

Is he getting in line to become president, or is he scared out of his mind when it comes to this Trump/Russia thing?

Pence pretty much has been President Trumps most visual and vocal supporter, even through the darkest of lies.

When Trump is at center stage, Pence is right behind him leading the cheers, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Frankly, it should be terribly unsettling for anyone who calls Indiana home.

What bothers me most is that Pence wont challenge any of Trumps lies or attacks on the media, women and minorities. Its a sad commentary if vice presidents are only allowed to be yes men, although you couldnt say that about Joe Biden.

Pence has been going with the flow  until now.

Pence has contended there was nothing to the allegations of collusion between Trump and the Russians. He called such a possibility outrageous.

But when ties between the Trump camp and Russia surfaced on a number of fronts, Pences contention that there was no such connection evaporated. And he hired a lawyer.

It doesnt appear Pence had any involvement in the Trump/Russia frivolity. But he hired a lawyer anyway, just to be sure it stayed that way.

What really told me the honeymoon was over came last week when the meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian lawyer surfaced.

Rather than defend the younger Trump  as many have  Pence had the opposite reaction.

Dont look at me, Pence said, adding that he wasnt even part of the Trump team when that happened.

There are two trains of thought given Pences reaction.

One is that he was simply stating a fact.

The other is he was trying to distance himself from the Trump camp if the situation presents itself for Pence to become president. In other words, dont drag me through your mud.

My, how the worm turns.

A little over a year ago, Pence was in the midst of a campaign for a second term as governor. It was a campaign that many  Republicans and Democrats alike  thought Pence would lose.

And now Pence is in a position to become president  sooner or maybe later. Who knows?

I never thought Id say it, but the idea of a President Pence isnt such a bad thought given what we now have to live with.
More than 2,000 impaired Nebraska lawyers, the State Bar Association says, have received help the past 21 years from its lawyer assistance program.

Not all were impaired by alcoholism, but studies have shown thats a particular problem in the legal profession.

There is a very high percentage of alcoholism among lawyers, said Rick Allan, an attorney and recovering alcoholic who knows the topic well.

Allan, 76, retired June 30 as full-time director of the assistance program.

Last year the New York Times reported that lawyers struggle with substance abuse, with one in three believed to be at least problem drinkers.

A study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, based on responses from about 13,000 lawyers out of more than 1 million practicing in the U.S., said 28 percent suffered from depression and 19 percent showed symptoms of anxiety.

Problem drinking by lawyers, the Times noted, was much higher than the estimated 15 percent for surgeons and 6.8 percent of Americans 18 and older with alcohol abuse disorders.

Lawyers working in law firms, the study reported, had the highest rates of alcohol abuse.

And it was worst among junior associates, who may have begun drinking in law school and graduated with large student debts while suddenly facing pressure to mount billable hours.

Any way you look at it, said Patrick R. Krill, the reports co-author, this data is very alarming and paints a picture of an unsustainable professional culture thats harming too many people.

Rick Allan recalls the day in 1990 when he hit bottom. Divorced after a 25-year marriage, he lay on the floor of the house where he was living in Seward, Nebraska.

His body, he said, screamed out for alcohol while he looked at the ceiling and screamed in desperation.

He recalls calling out, Oh God, where is this going to end?

When he awoke, he says, all the screaming had stopped, and he heard a voice calmly stating the obvious cause of his problem: Rick, do you suppose its the alcohol?

The voice, he said, was his own. He got to a treatment center and started a 12-step process that has kept him in recovery for 27 years.

Through a bar association committee, he began helping other lawyers. In 1996 he became the first director of the bars assistance program, while still practicing law part time.

He went full time in 2002.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon of Omaha, the state bar president, said Allan made the program one of the finest in the country for helping lawyers with addictions or other problems.

He recruited a cadre of lawyers who volunteered to help fellow attorneys, the judge said, and expanded the program to deal with other issues, such as depression and cognitive decline.

Bataillon said that from the start, it helped that Allan had been a good practicing lawyer who understood the deadlines, the pressure and the professional responsibilities to provide services to a client.

Of the professions alcohol problem, the judge said: I think its a lot more serious than people understand.

Allan and his successor, Chris Aupperle, estimate that about half of the more than 2,000 lawyers assisted since 1996 suffered from substance abuse problems, mainly alcohol.

Aupperle, 50, a former ConAgra in-house attorney who turned down a company offer to move to its new headquarters in Chicago, said the assistance program helps with a lot more than alcohol problems.

A lawyer with a small practice was struck by a car while jogging, and other attorneys took care of his clients while he recovered. Other lawyers have received help with medical issues or gambling problems.

The law profession is based on helping people, Aupperle said, so its natural that lawyers are willing to help other lawyers.

In spite of the public sentiment, there is compassion within the profession, he said. We want everybody to be able to perform at their highest level.

The assistance program makes presentations in law schools and around the state, hoping to head off problems.

The bar association also has a disciplinary process, but the hope is to meet problems before they reach that level. Everything is confidential.

Overarching it all is the need to protect not just lawyers, but also the public.

Attorneys get in contact with the assistance program in various ways. Some call on their own. Sometimes a family member of a colleague will call, or a judge will mention a lawyer appearing to have problems.

In perhaps 10 to 15 percent of cases, Allan said, there is a rehearsed intervention, in which a lawyer is confronted with his or her problem.

Alcoholism, he said, is a holistic disease that is parts physical, mental, emotional and spiritual  and it must be treated.

Many alcoholics, he said, are extremely sensitive, tend to be perfectionists and are of above-average intelligence. I always say Ive never met a dumb one.

Allan was born in Omaha but grew up in Florida before returning to Nebraska for schooling. Though not mainly a bar drinker, he said, he recalls the drink at 21 that set him down the wrong path.

He sat at an Omaha restaurant-bar with friends, including young Nick Nolte, who became an Oscar-nominated actor and today is in recovery from well-documented alcohol problems.

Allan is proud of his Scotch heritage, but it was a mere coincidence that night when he decided to try a scotch and soda.

That, he said, was the beginning.

He graduated from Creighton Law School in 1966 and later worked for big firms handling important cases. He usually drank at home after work.

As the disease worsened, he said, he would stop at different liquor stores so his drinking wouldnt be so obvious. Then came the bottom, literally  on the floor, flat on his back.

Since going into recovery 27 years ago, he has helped many other lawyers.

His retirement reception at the Lincoln Country Club was attended by current and former members of the Nebraska Supreme Court, by other lawyers and friends and by his adult children from out of state.

No, he wasnt toasted with Champagne and surely not with scotch and soda. Guests were served coffee and cake.
Born in a farmer's family, the Odisha two-year-old conjoint twins are striving for a normal life. AIIMS doctors though have accepted the challenge of this highly sensitive case, but say that it's a long road for the kids.

By Priyanka Sharma: Twins Jagga and Baliya, aged two years and three months, are striving for a normal life just like other kids. The toddlers are joined from their heads by birth. In medical term, kids with such sort of deformity are known as 'craniopagus conjoint twins' - an extremely rare condition found in 1 in 2.5 million births. The twins - Jagannath and Balram - hail from Kandhamal district in Odisha.

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They were born to a farmer's family that has disposed all faith in doctors, who they believe would surely separate the kids successfully. "We have come all the way from Odisha with a hope that the lives of our children will be transformed after a surgery. The rest is up to God," Puspa Kanhara, the mother of the little ones said.

This highly challenging case has been referred to All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) from Bhubaneshwar on Friday. Doctors at AIIMS are still not sure whether they would go for the surgery, as the procedure would put the lives of both the toddlers in risk.

THE CHALLENGE

AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria said, "It is one of the most challenging cases and also a first-of-its kind one that AIIMS has seen. We have accepted the challenge but till now we are not sure about the chances of survival of the kids. Only after detailed investigations, we will be able to comment whether surgery is feasible or not. Multiple surgeries are to be done. Their heads are completely fused and they face away from each other. We can only comment after brain mapping and angiograms."

Health experts say nearly 40 per cent of conjoined twins die during birth and an additional one-third die within 24 hours of birth, usually from congenital organ anomalies, leaving 25 per cent to be considered for surgical separation. Less than 50 cases have been reported globally in the last 75 years .

(Prof) Dr AK Mahaptra, chief of Neuroscience Centre at AIIMS said a multipspecialty team consisting of pediatirc neurosurgeons, cerebrovasular surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, neuroanesthetists, neurologists and child psychologists have discussing complexities in this case.

Doctors at AIIMS informed that both the toddlers are malnourished and that this could pose a threat during surgeries. Dr Deepak Gupta, a neurosurgery professor, added that only 25 per cent cases of this sort do succeed. "Surgical planning itself can take upto three months to get finalised. The entire procedure involves multiple stages that usually require quite a months to get over. As of now, we just need to keep the kids away from infection."

Also read: Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Adityanath saves Muslim youth's life, funds his cancer treatment at AIIMS

Also read: AIIMS study: 1 in 3 Delhi kids of top private schools obese, overeating to blame

--- ENDS ---

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A year ago, Noah Diaz decided it was time to study theater in graduate school.

The Council Bluffs native had amassed an impressive list of local credits: By the time he was 21, he had appeared in more than 80 productions at theaters including the Rose and the Omaha Community Playhouse, and had been nominated for numerous awards.

Hed been an actor, a director and a stagehand, but after some soul-searching, he decided to focus on playwriting. He already had written five scripts, and one  The Motherhood Almanac  was produced this year at the Shelterbelt Theatre.

Diaz, now 24, applied to 14 schools and received five offers.

He had no trouble deciding which one to accept. In about a month, Diaz will travel to what many consider a thespian mecca: the Yale School of Drama. Hes one of only three new students in the schools three-year playwriting program, chosen from hundreds  if not thousands  of applicants. His tuition is fully funded.

And they offer a monthly stipend so I will be able to be a human and exist, he said.

Yales theater program has launched some impressive careers. Acting alumni include Angela Bassett, Julie Harris, Holly Hunter, Ernie Hudson and Meryl Streep. Omaha alums include Matthew Gutschick, artistic director of the Rose Theater, who got his degree in theater management.

Diaz, who has a bachelors degree in special education, will have a masters in fine arts when hes finished. On the way, hell be among some of the theater worlds most accomplished people, including one of this years Academy Award winners.

He said local playwright Ellen Struve encouraged him to apply to various places. An encounter with a current Yale student at last years Seven Devils Playwrights Conference pushed him further.

He submitted The Motherhood Almanac with his Yale application last September, and then waited.

I didnt hear anything for a very long time, he said.

In the meantime, he worked with Shelterbelt on Almanac revisions and realized he had improved the play.

I figured Yale got a pretty terrible draft as opposed to what I have now, he said. He squelched his hopes and quit thinking about his application. I knew from the get-go that (Yale) was the longest shot.

In February, he got a call. He was a finalist at Yale. He was summoned to New Haven, Connecticut, for an interview  all expenses paid.

From there, it got more surreal. One of his interviewers was Tarell Alvin McCraney, the incoming chairman of Yales playwriting department, who won the best adapted screenplay Oscar for Moonlight this year. The film also won best picture. Diaz also met playwright Sarah Ruhl, whom he had admired since two of her plays had been produced in Omaha: Eurydice at UNO and In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play at the Blue Barn. Ruhl will be one of his professors.

When he starts classes on Aug. 18, he will have one assignment completed. Students are expected to bring a finished one-act play and a full-length piece to their first session. It has to be brand new  he couldnt use a script hed already written.

If thats any indication, I have a feeling Im going to be generating a healthy body of new work, he said, though he expects to get help developing his existing pieces.

Diaz isnt sure where this all will lead, but he knows he wants to combine his undergraduate focus on special education  especially on issues for the hearing-impaired  with his playwriting skills.

Its very important to me to continue working with access in theater, creating roles for the otherly-abled or those with exceptionalities, he said. One of the scripts Im walking in with has a role for a deaf actor.
Nebraska photographer Joel Sartore and his decades-long project, the Photo Ark, are the subject of a new three-part PBS series.

Rare: Creatures of the Photo Ark, which debuts at 8 Tuesday night, follows Sartore across five continents as he photographs some of the rarest and most vulnerable animals on Earth.

The goal (of the Photo Ark) is to get the public to be aware that we share the planet with other species and that some of them need our help, said Sartore, a conservationist and National Geographic photographer. To get people to start to care and be moved to save species while theres still time.

Sartore  who grew up in Ralston and lives with his family in Lincoln  got the idea for the project in 2005, after his wife, Kathy, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Kathy is OK now, but the experience gave Joel a fresh perspective on the fragility of life. Sartore was later haunted by another potential loss: the possibility that half of the worlds species will be extinct by 2100, as projected by various scientists, including Pulitzer Prize-winner Edward O. Wilson.

Sartore was then consumed by a question: What could he do to get people to care about (and perhaps prevent) the loss of so many species?

The answer was the ark. Sartore began building his Photo Ark more than a decade ago, taking portraits of every single species in human care  thats between 12,000 and 13,000 species. The first creature to board the ark was a naked mole rat at the Lincoln Childrens Zoo.

Sartore has since collected Photo Ark images of more than 6,500 species. He crossed the halfway mark sometime in the past six months.

For the last 11 years, pretty much all Ive worked on is the Photo Ark, Sartore said. And its all Ill do till the end of my life, Im pretty sure.

Sartore, 55, expects the project to take another 15 years. The back half of the ark is going to take longer, he said, because nearly all of the species will require traveling abroad.

PBSs Rare, which was filmed over 18 months, captures some of Sartores most far-flung assignments:

To Madagascar for the playful inhabitants of Lemur Island.

To China for the Yangtze giant softshell turtle (only three remain on the planet) and the South China tiger  not seen in the wild for more than 30 years.

To Spain for the Iberian lynx, the rarest of small cats.

To Cameroon for the rarest gorilla on Earth.

And to the Czech Republic for a northern white rhino, a very old female that was, at the time, one of only five left in the world. Today, just three remain.

Sartore knows the Photo Ark is a race against time, that species are rapidly disappearing. Its why he sometimes photographs as many as 30 to 40 species in just a few days.

Even as he continues to travel abroad, theres still work to do close to home.

I photographed 18 species of wolf spider in my living room the other day, he said. (A University of Nebraska-Lincoln researcher brought them over.) And on Friday he went to the Oklahoma City Zoo to photograph a hooded crane. Then to a nearby wildlife rehab center to take the picture of a plains pocket gopher.

Of the thousands of creatures hes photographed, Sartore said, his favorite is always the next one. Hes as excited to photograph that plains pocket gopher as he is a tiger, lion or bear.

We cherish them all, big or small, Sartore said. Were a voice for the voiceless, the smaller species that are not charismatic or celebrity-driven. Like sparrows, toads, salamanders. These are the animals that the Photo Ark really works well with (because they) show people that all creatures great and small are really vital.

The black-and-white backgrounds Sartore uses in the portraits are an equalizer. The images have no size comparisons, so a mouse is every bit as big as an elephant, Sartore said, and every bit as valuable. You can see that theres intelligence there. They have a basic right to exist. Not to mention the fact that if we lose half of all species to extinction, its folly to think that people will be just fine.

As the other animals go away, so will we.
Having the right person in charge is important when youre lending a business $1.5 billion and buying $300 million worth of its stock.

Last week Canadian mortgage lender Home Capital of Toronto picked Yousry Bissada to be its president and chief executive starting Aug. 3.

Ted Weschler, an investment manager for Berkshire Hathaway Inc., agreed with the choice.

He clearly knows the Canadian mortgage business well, has enormous respect for his regulators and understands that conservative underwriting is the key to long-term success in the lending business, Weschler said.

His endorsement follows an expression of confidence in Home Capital by Berkshire CEO Warren Buffett last month. Berkshire agreed to a $1.5 billion credit line for Home Capital and plans to buy about 40 percent of its stock.

Home Capitals strong assets, its ability to originate and underwrite well-performing mortgages, and its leading position in a growing market sector make this a very attractive investment, Buffett said.

Reporter James Bradshaw of the Toronto Globe and Mail reported that the company fired CEO Martin Reid in March after government regulators found unreported fraudulent documentation by some of its mortgage brokers. A director, Bonita Then, has been interim CEO.

The resulting crisis of confidence nearly caused the lender to collapse, but new members of the board of directors steadied the firm and won Berkshires financial help, Bradshaw wrote. Depositors have started to return cash to the companys investment products.

Bissada, 57, has worked in the financial services and mortgage industry for more than 30 years, most recently as CEO of Kanetix Ltd., a technology company that provides insurance and financial quotes and connections.

In exchange for its financial support, Berkshire stands to receive $135 million in annual interest payments, a 9 percent rate, if the full credit line is tapped, and will pay $10 per share for stock that is selling at about $15 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Charities get their shares

For the record, some detail on Buffetts contributions last week to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and four family foundations, according to Berkshires filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission:

He donated 14,220,001 Class B shares to the Gates Foundation; 1,422,000 shares to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, named after his late wife; and 995,396 shares each to the Sherwood Foundation, headed by his daughter, Susan; the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, headed by his older son; and the NoVo Foundation, headed by his younger son and his wife, Peter and Jennifer.

Buffett calculates how many shares to donate by applying a formula to number of shares he owns. For example, the donation to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation is 10 percent of the donation to the Gates Foundation.

After the donations, Buffett has 282,611 Class A shares, worth about $72.3 billion, and 194,858 Class B shares, worth about $33 million.

Buffetts shares give him 31.4 percent of Berkshire shareholder votes. Thats down from 38 percent in 2005, before he began giving away the shares.

Publicly traded companies are required to file a report when top executives buy, sell or donate shares of the business. Buffett has never reported any of his Berkshire shares in the sold column.

Plenty of promise in Oncor deal

Berkshires purchase of Oncor Electric Delivery Co., Texas largest government-regulated utility, would be especially beneficial, said Dallas Morning News columnist Mitchell Schnurman.

Berkshires $9 billion cash offer, plus assuming debt, is being challenged as too cheap by investment fund Elliott Management. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Texas Public Utility Commission are reviewing the sale of the debt-laden company.

Schnurman said groups representing the cities, industries and consumers that use Oncors electricity grid, as well as members of the utility commission, seem to favor the Berkshire offer. Schnurman said the Berkshire bid is special because:

 Oncor would be locally run, with strong managers operating freely.

 Berkshire wouldnt resell Oncor. That stability and permanence have real economic value, allowing managers to make long-term decisions without worrying about quarterly results.

 Berkshires deep pockets are a competitive advantage, especially because of Oncors debts.

 Berkshire plans to name just two of Oncors 10 directors, leaving control with local people.

 Berkshires energy division has no dividend requirement, so earnings can be used to improve the business.

Noting the failure of two earlier bids to buy Oncor and resolve its financial problems, Schnurman wrote of Berkshires offer: The prospects are so promising that its almost worth the years of struggle that led to this point.

The Omaha World-Herald is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Mike Johanns has a new role he said will help him bring economic opportunity to rural America.

The former U.S. secretary of agriculture, governor of Nebraska and U.S. senator from Nebraska is working with a Houston tax consultant firm that makes money connecting its clients with federal tax incentives and credits.

Johanns will help the firm, Alliantgroup, expand a practice focused on agribusiness tax credits.

As chairman of agriculture for Alliantgroup, Johanns will provide insight on the inner workings of Washington, and will evaluate the impact of policy changes on businesses, the firm said.

Johanns said he wants to help the agriculture industry grow and be competitive in the global market.

I look forward to helping Alliantgroup educate companies on the powerful business incentives available for their benefit, he said.

Johanns was Nebraskas governor from 1999 to 2005 and U.S. ag secretary from 2005 to 2007. He then served Nebraska as U.S. senator from 2009 to 2015.

Johanns currently serves on the boards of directors for equipment manufacturer Deere & Co. and food processor OSI Group, and on the board of managers for Omaha investment management firm Burlington Capital.
The Omaha woman at the center of an alleged love-triangle killing is nowhere to be found.

Former Douglas County jailer Doloma Curtis has been subpoenaed to testify in the murder trial of one boyfriend who is accused of killing her second boyfriend. However, she didnt show this week  and a judge issued a warrant for her arrest.

Her no-show didnt stop prosecutors from opening their case Friday against 27-year-old Rolander Brown in the slaying of a 40-year-old man who also was dating Curtis.

Prosecutor Chad Brown, a deputy Douglas County attorney, told a jury Friday in opening statements that several pieces of evidence will connect Rolander Brown to the May 28, 2016, slaying of Omahan Carlos Alonzo. Those include: surveillance and cruiser camera video, cellphone towers that place the defendants phone in the area of the killing and texts between Rolander Brown and Curtis, his former girlfriend.

Rolander Browns attorney, Douglas County Public Defender Tom Riley, emphasized what jurors wont see. Prosecutors dont have the murder weapon, nor do they have any witnesses to the slaying.

What they do have is a witness who disappeared  and the unreliable testimony of a jailhouse informant who said that Brown confessed to him, Riley said.

Rolander Brown did not shoot Carlos Alonzo, Riley told jurors. They have no witness to say that he did  and no weapon to corroborate it.

Riley pointed out that one of the critical witnesses in the case, Curtis, has not been located this week.

Curtis, a former Douglas County jailer, had been accused of using law enforcement databases to notify Brown that authorities were looking for him in connection with Alonzos death. And, prosecutors allege, she helped Brown flee to Georgia after the slaying.

Now, authorities allege, Curtis is on the lam after Douglas County District Judge James Gleason reduced her bail from $50,000 to $2,500 in December. Prosecutors did not object to the bail reduction because, at the time, Curtis was cooperating with prosecutors.

Her no-show this week is the latest twist in the tangled case.

According to opening statements:

Curtis, then 47, was the one-time girlfriend of both Brown, then 26, and Alonzo, 40.

On May 28, Alonzo was at Curtis house at 2019 Lake St.

At 2:23 a.m., a shot rang out.

Omaha polices ShotSpotter system  an audio system set up to detect gunfire  alerted officers to a shot at 20th and Lake Streets.

Police arrived quickly  so fast that, as an officer pulled up, his cruiser camera recorded a suspect car leaving the area.

That car, according to prosecutors, was a black Mazda regularly driven by Brown. The Mazda had a distinctive feature: It was missing a front hubcap.

And that isnt the only video evidence in the case, prosecutors say. A grainy surveillance video from a nearby convenience store will show the same Mazda pull up and the driver get out and start walking toward Curtis house, prosecutors say.

The arriving officers found Alonzo on his back in front of Curtis house. He had a bullet hole in his forehead and was pronounced dead at the scene, Chad Brown said.

Officers also found Curtis screaming.

Oh, Carlos, she wailed, over and over, according to a recording of officers arrival.

Curtis later told officers she had been in an upstairs bathroom when she heard Alonzo go downstairs and outside. She then heard a shot and rushed outside to find Alonzo dead.

Chad Brown said crime scene investigators found an unknown cellphone, with a cracked screen, in Curtis bedroom. On it was a user identification of BJ  and several texts to and from Curtis in the hours leading up to and after the slaying.

Investigators examined the phones contents, including a photo, and concluded that it belonged to Rolander Brown, Chad Brown said.

The phone contained something else: texts to another girlfriend of Rolander Brown.

Detectives sought out the young woman  and discovered that she owned a black 2009 Mazda with a missing front hubcap.

In an interview with police, she said that Brown often drove her car, sometimes with her permission, sometimes without.

That night, Brown and the young woman had gone out drinking. They then went to her apartment near 60th and Grover Streets, had sex, and the girlfriend passed out.

She said she woke up about 9 a.m. the next day to find Brown in her apartment.

Cellphone towers will trace Rolander Browns movements while the woman was sleeping, prosecutor Chad Brown told jurors.

An FBI analyst will show that, after midnight, signals from the cellphone allegedly used by Rolander Brown bounced off of towers near 60th and Grover Streets, 20th and Lake Streets and a third location where prosecutors believe Brown stopped before returning to 60th and Grover Streets.

At that third location, a witness, Parris Stamps, says Brown told him he had shot Alonzo.

Stamps alleges that Rolander Brown said I had to put him down  one shot, according to prosecutor Chad Brown.

Riley challenged jurors to scrutinize Stamps testimony  noting that hes a convicted felon who initially talked to police because he wanted out of jail. He also changed his story several times  even once recanting his account of Rolander Browns purported confession, Riley said.

The trial is expected to continue through much of next week.
It was the kind of gesture that uplifts police.

An anonymous Creighton graduate student donated coupons for 100 free meals to the Omaha Police Department. In a long note that accompanied the donation, the woman talked about how police had changed the trajectory of her life. The note, posted on Facebook by Omaha police, had earned 220 shares and more than 1,000 likes Saturday afternoon.

In her note, she shared a poem recounting an experience with the police as a child.

Growing up in Omaha, riding a crappy bike, she saw a neighbor boy with a brand new bike  a bike she dreamed of having.

She asked how he got the bike; he said by selling drugs. For a while, she considered doing the same.

But one day, police officers raided the boys home. He and his cousin were arrested.

I dont want to be dragged out of my house. I dont want to make my mom cry, she thought to herself and wrote to police. The next time you are dragging a suspect out of a house, and there are people gathered and watching that mess, know that within that crowd, there may be a kid...watching, absorbing...and making the decision to go the other way.

The donation was made in the form of 100 Chipotle Burrito Bucks, each good for one free meal at the restaurant.

I wish I had the resources to donate enough for all OPD active duty service members to indulge so that I could proclaim, No burrito left behind,  the woman wrote.

Omaha police spokesman Officer Gregory ONeil said gestures such as these mean a lot to officers and say a lot about the relationship between civilians and the police in Omaha. Knowing that this is an individual giving back, out of their own pocket, its a very cool thing, ONeil said.

With the increased tension between the public and the police nationally, ONeil said kind gestures take on a special meaning. But he said its hard to tell if moments like these have increased recently  in his ten years on the force, Omaha residents have been constant in their support of the police.

It makes you feel great. Wanted, appreciated, ONeil said. Especially if were at events, youve got kids bringing (water) up, giving you a hug. Its heartwarming. All those things, it makes the day definitely a little bit brighter.
John Norris, a Montgomery County native who worked in the administrations of Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and President Barack Obama, has entered the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

I just got fed up with this governor and the Republican Legislature doing everything for special interests and not the people of Iowa, Norris said of his decision to run.

Norris, 58, listed health care, water quality and education among the key issues facing the state. He called the 2017 Iowa legislative session destructive to our future.

We dont address serious concerns about access to health care in Iowa. Were not answering the call for improvements to water in the state, he said. Those are examples of where I think theyve taken the side of special interests.

Norris grew up on a farm outside of Red Oak and is a Red Oak High graduate. He went on to receive degrees from Simpson College and the University of Iowa College of Law.

Norris worked for then-U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, a Democrat, and ran the Rev. Jesse Jacksons Rainbow Coalition operation in Iowa during the 1988 presidential campaign. Norris opened a restaurant, the Old Hotel, in Greenfield, and worked with the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce. He served as chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party in the late 1990s.

Norris was head of the Iowa Utilities Board for five years before spending a year as chief of staff for Vilsack when Vilsack was the U.S. secretary of agriculture. Norris served on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for five years under Obama and was the U.S. representative to the United Nations on agriculture policy in 2014 and 2015.

Today Norris runs a small consulting firm that does public policy work, focusing on health care and education, with some energy work as well.

I bring a set of experiences that will enable me on day one to get this state back on track, Norris said.

One of the top issues facing the state is a budget shortfall in the hundreds of millions of dollars. A combination of a stagnant agriculture economy, a high amount of tax incentives and other factors have left the state with the budget crunch.

This administration has failed to get our budget back on track. We have to roll back these tax cuts to the wealthiest Iowans and corporations. Weve given away too much, which hurts health care, education and the environment, Norris said.

Norris said the 2017 legislative session was an assault on workers, as the Republican-controlled House and Senate put through a bill that stripped most public employees of the majority of collective bargaining rights.

We should be lifting people up, not pushing people down, he said.

Norris called the defunding of Planned Parenthood disrespectful to women and bad public policy.

For water quality, Norris said defunding Iowa State Universitys esteemed Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture was the wrong move.

We have to change the mindset of how were farming the land and how were treating the soil, he said, also noting that rules on the responsible application of animal waste on fields should be enforced at large animal confinement operations.

There is too little enforcement and too little observation of how a lot of the animal waste is being applied to the soil, he said. The wrong times, wrong surface areas. That leads to additional runoff of bacteria into our rivers and streams, which is affecting downstream water supplies. A bunch of our water problems are associated with poor soil use and poor enforcement of environmental regulations.

Water is a right for all Iowans to have  water they can drink. It needs to be protected for everyone, Norris said. I just worry about the future for our state. If you cant drink the water, if you cant swim in the rivers or lakes, what does that say to people thinking about moving here? Its bad for our future.

Norris is the sixth declared candidate in the Democratic primary. He joins Iowa State Sen. Nate Boulton, union head Cathy Glasson, former Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Andy Maguire, former Des Moines school board member and state auditor nominee Jon Neiderbach and State Rep. Todd Prichard.

On the Republican side, Gov. Kim Reynolds has launched a campaign, along with Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett and Boone Mayor Pro-Tem Steven Ray. Independent Brent Roske, a film director and producer, is also running. The Libertarian Party does not have a declared candidate.
On Saturday, 65-year-old Pat James threw a house party.

As in, she literally held a celebration for her home  and the many people who have spent time at 822 Forest Ave. in the Little Italy area of Omaha.

James and her husband, Jeffrey James, moved into the house in 1995 after he started work as a professor of music at Grace University. The home, where they raised their four children, is across the street from Grace.

When the school decided this year to move to the former Dana College campus in Blair, Pat James knew the family would need to move closer to the Washington County community. Jeffrey, 60, is visually impaired and prefers not to drive.

But Pat James couldnt leave her home without a send-off. So she whipped up old-fashioned cookies, shared the homes history on poster boards and crafted some games.

A bedsheet billowing from the two-story homes porch read Everyones welcome to my 104th birthday.

In the 22 years that the James family has lived there, dozens of international students and other tenants have called it their home, too.

Jeff and Pat have always managed to build communities, said Adrian Petrescu, a teacher at the Literacy Center and a former tenant.

Originally from Belgium, Petrescu had been teaching in the U.S. for several years and landed a position at Bellevue University in 2011.

Someone at the school told him that the James family could provide housing, and he jumped on it. He stayed there until 2013, and was even joined for a few months by his future wife, Marie Helene Andre. They married downtown while they stayed there.

Pat James, an educator herself, said she chose this weekend for the celebration because houses from a century ago often were built in the summer.

When Omahan Dave Sutton showed up, he took his trombone into the backyard to play Happy Birthday to the home that had been the base camp of the Trombone Troubadours.

The trombone quartet  or quintet, depending on who could show up  met at the house to practice with Jeff, a member, for their Christmas season shows until 2004.

Cindy Wu drove two days from Los Angeles County to visit the place where she lived while a student at Grace University in the early 2000s. Coming from China, she found a new family in the Jameses. When her family couldnt secure visas to attend her wedding, Jeff even walked her down the aisle.

They treat everyone so equally, she said. No one is less important.

Karen Lienemann, a longtime family friend, dated her now-husband while he was renting a room at the house. Shes always adored the home, she said, but the James family made it all the better.

They are the most giving, hospitable people, Lienemann said. I dont have any other friends like them.
Higher tax bills appear to be on the way for many Douglas County homeowners, given a hike this year in their property valuations.

When the Douglas County assessor proposed a major valuation increase earlier this year, some local government officials floated the idea of cutting tax rates to soften the blow on taxpayers. But after much debate about those preliminary valuations, local governments around Douglas County are seeing their property tax bases rise much more modestly  around 3 percent overall.

So instead of reaping a huge increase in property tax revenue, local governments are in line for a modest revenue increase that will help fund regular increases in expenses.

There really is no windfall, Douglas Countys fiscal director, Joe Lorenz, told the County Board last month.

Rather than cut property tax rates, local governments are mostly looking to keep their rates stable.

Last week the Douglas County Board approved a budget that would keep the tax rate the same as it has been the past two years. The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District and Metro Community College want to keep their rates the same. The Millard school district is looking at a very slight decrease.

A couple of important entities have yet to indicate where their tax rates are heading. Mayor Jean Stothert will release her proposed City of Omaha budget Tuesday. The Omaha school district is working on its budget and plans to share information before a school board workshop Aug. 5.

But heres the equation shaping up for Douglas County taxpayers:

If local governments across the board end up holding tax rates stable, your property tax bill will most likely rise or fall based on how your valuation changed.

A large share of property owners wont be pinched at all. About half of residential property owners saw a drop in their valuation, had no change or received an increase of $1,000 or less. So its entirely possible many of those property owners could see a lower tax bill, or a small increase at most.

But on the other end, more than 37,000 residential property owners had an increase of 10 percent or more. Even if tax rates dont change, that means those homeowners will pay hundreds of dollars more in property taxes.

(Also consider: A state-funded property tax credit will be calculated in September, and that could tweak the bottom line on your tax bill.)

Douglas County Assessor Diane Battiato, who took heat for proposing large valuation hikes earlier this year, has repeatedly made the point that her office is only half the factor in deciding someones property tax bill. She said local governments are the next step in the process.

The bottom line is they can level that playing field, Battiato said.

Across Douglas County, taxing entities are now discussing their spending budgets and tax levels.

With the relatively modest increase in the tax base overall, officials say the local governments they represent need the additional funding to help cover increased costs for basic items such as salaries and health care.

Lorenz said increased costs in the criminal justice system also are affecting Douglas County. By keeping its tax rate stable, Douglas County will generate nearly $2.5 million more in property tax revenue.

County Board member Mike Boyle, speaking at a county budget discussion, said the budget is fair and functions well for taxpayers. Its a tight budget, and one that is realistic, he said.

John Winkler, general manager of the Papio-Missouri River NRD, said the agency is facing astronomical increases in land acquisition costs for its dam site and flood control projects. The NRD will collect some $800,000 more in property taxes by keeping its tax levy flat.

Theres not a shortage of need, he said. Theres just not.

At Metro Community College, which like the NRD spans multiple counties, a flat tax rate will bring in about $2 million more for the college.

Dave Koebel, college business officer for Metro Community College, said one of Metros challenges is building and staffing three new buildings on its Fort Omaha campus as the college expands its construction education and student support programs.

Its really part of the urgency we had to build the buildings, Koebel said.

Stothert declined to provide details of her proposed 2018 budget before she releases it publicly Tuesday.

She said earlier this year that if the city received a windfall from valuation increases, she would move to reduce the citys property tax levy.

However, City Finance Director Steve Curtiss said the citys tax base is projected to increase by about 2.5 percent.

That increase would mean an increase in property tax revenue of less than $4 million, at the current tax rate.

In a nearly billion-dollar budget, that likely wouldnt be enough to fund a significant property tax cut of one cent or more.

Carol Ebdon, a professor at the University of Nebraska at Omahas School of Public Administration and former finance director for the City of Omaha, said local governments face an increased demand for services each year  which means they have to come up with more money.

Schools, in particular, face a challenge because they rely so heavily on property taxes, not funding from the State of Nebraska, Ebdon said. Compared with other states, Nebraska has ranked in the bottom few in the proportion of support coming from the state.

Just as people typically pay a higher cost of living every year, Ebdon said, government faces higher costs to do business.

To keep doing the same thing  it costs more money, she said. The same thing is true in government.

World-Herald staff writer Roseann Moring contributed to this report.
Seven people, including six women, were killed and 19 injured when terrorists attacked a bus full of Amarnath pilgrims in near Khanabal in Anantnag district on Monday (July 10) night.

The death toll in the 10 July attack has climbed to 8. (Picture for representation)

By India Today Web Desk: A woman devotee, injured in the deadly militant attack on Amarnath pilgrims, succumbed at a hospital early today, taking the death toll in the incident to eight.

Lalita, 47, succumbed to injuries at the SKIMS Hospital in Srinagar, a police official said. With this, the death toll in the 10 July attack has climbed to 8.

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Seven people, including six women, were killed and 19 injured when terrorists attacked a bus full of Amarnath pilgrims in near Khanabal in Anantnag district on Monday (July 10) night. Five of those killed were from Gujarat and two from Maharashtra.

Lalita succumbed to injuries at the SKIMS Hospital in Srinagar.

Describing the attack on Amarnath pilgrims as dastardly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said,"India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and the evil designs of hate".

The terror attack is being described as the worst on the annual Amarnath Yatra since 2000. The attack took place despite specific intelligence input on June 25 that terrorists may target Amarnath pilgrims.

The attack took place at around 8.20 pm near Khanabal Anantnag district where terrorists first attacked two police posts before fleeing and then opening fire at the bus that was carrying a group of pilgrims who had finished the Amarnath Yatra two days ago.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who spent the night in Anantnag among the survivors of the attack, decried the terrorist strike, saying Kashmiris' heads hang in shame.

The attack on the bus (GJ 09 Z 9976) was part of a series of strikes that first targeted security personnel. Terrorists first fired upon a bullet-proof police bunker in Botengoo. When they faced resistance, the militants fled and subsequently attacked a police picket near Khannabal.

(With inputs from PTI)

Also Read:

Amarnath attack: Protests in various parts of Gujarat, terrorists' effigies burnt

Amarnath terror attack: Police detain PDP MLA's driver for questioning

Also Watch:

Amarnath attack: 120 seconds of terror

--- ENDS ---
LINCOLN  An audit requested by State Treasurer Don Stenberg has turned up a couple of accounting issues but no major concerns at the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority.

In response, agency Executive Director Tim Kenny declared the quasi-governmental body to be one of the most transparent public entities in the state.

Stenberg did not respond to messages seeking comment about the audit, which was released Friday.

The two-term treasurer had asked for the audit during a months-long dispute with Kenny.

The disagreement began over whether the finance authority had to put information on a state spending website maintained by the Treasurers Office.

Kenny had refused, saying he was concerned about the security of information on the website.

The tone turned heated at a March legislative hearing when Stenberg accused Kenny of covering up financial information and refusing to obey a state transparency law.

Stenberg compared the situation to scandals involving poor financial management at other state agencies.

In my opinion, when a government bureaucrat fights this hard to prevent the disclosure of financial information, he is hiding something, he said.

Two days after the hearing he requested State Auditor Charlie Janssen to undertake a detailed audit of the agency, including a review of the salaries paid to staff members.

The resulting audit reported that staff had found nothing of a level that had to be reported under government accounting standards.

However, the audit did raise questions about some expense reimbursements for Kenny.

The questions concerned whether the travel expenses were properly documented and whether the amounts were all reasonable and necessary.

In one instance the audit found that Kenny had been reimbursed an incorrect amount for parking. In another, he had received a duplicate mileage reimbursement.

In its response, the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority said Kenny had paid back the $76.10 he received because of the two errors. The agency also said staff would strengthen policies and procedures where necessary to prevent other errors.

Among other findings, the audit noted that the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority had paid for alcohol and related service costs at its annual conference reception. The agency said funds for the alcohol came from a conference sponsor.

The audit also noted that Kennys salary had been miscalculated in 2016 and that he had been overpaid by $188. In response, the agency said the process had been fixed and the overpayment recovered.

Kennys base pay that year was $182,370. He also received $3,600 in deferred compensation, an $18,055 bonus, a YMCA membership and an automobile allowance.

On Friday, Kenny said his agency appreciated the auditors comments and recommendations. He said several suggestions had been implemented.

But he took issue with some suggestions, saying they did not apply to his agency, as a quasi-governmental entity.

The Legislature merged three earlier financing entities to create the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority in 1983.

The consolidated entity provides financing for low- to moderate-income home mortgages; affordable housing; hospitals and other health care facilities; first-time farmers; and other industries and enterprises.

Kenny said his agency is a regulated financial institution that reports to the federal Securities and Exchange Commission, the Internal Revenue Service and the Nebraska Legislature.

He said the agency is audited every year and an independent audit committee of the board oversees financial records.

Also, since April, Nebraska taxpayers and other members of the public have been able to look up the agencys expenses, budgets, contracts, bonds and other financial information at the website spending.nifa.org. The site includes a link to the StateSpending.Nebraska.gov website maintained by the Treasurers Office.

The agencys nine-member board includes representatives from banking, real estate, agriculture and the mortgage industry. It also includes three state agency directors, from the Departments of Economic Development and Agriculture and the Nebraska Investment Council.
Midwesterners on Sunday night have a slight, rare chance to see the northern lights.

A large eruption on the sun has sent enough energy Earthward that the northern lights may be visible across the northern half of North America, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In this part of the country, people hoping to see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, should keep their expectations in check, said Scott Dergan, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office that serves the Omaha metro area.

The odds of seeing it are pretty low, but the chances are much higher than they would be without (the solar eruption), he said.

The best viewing will be across Canada and Alaska. Forecasts indicate that the northern lights may be visible as far south as northern Nebraska and Iowa.

Dergan said tonights forecast calls for mostly clear skies. Anyone interested in getting a glimpse of the northern lights should head away from city lights and as far north as possible late tonight or early Monday morning.

The northern lights are the result of electrically charged particles from the sun colliding with gases in the Earths atmosphere.
A 47-year-old Cass County motorcyclist was killed in a crash with a semitrailer south of Eagle on Friday night.

Chris Badman of South Bend was heading north on Highway 43 about 9 p.m. when his motorcycle collided with a semitrailer truck turning left onto Shire Drive.

The driver of the semitrailer, 27-year-old Michael Bauman of Rock Rapids, Iowa, couldnt avoid the collision and attempted to provide aid to Badman, the Cass County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

An investigation is ongoing.
The writer is a practicing attorney and government liaison for the ACLU of Nebraska.

The Omaha World-Herald should be commended for its coverage of two disturbing reports about Nebraska State Patrol troopers use of force. Both incidents were captured by dash camera video and resulted in questionable internal affairs investigations with vastly different findings to the evidence depicted in the video.

Gov. Pete Ricketts should be commended for swift leadership. The governor fired Col. Brad Rice and placed six others on leave during an internal investigation.

He has referred the matter to the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office for independent review. He has named a diverse search committee to identify a new leader for the State Patrol.

Nebraska State Patrol troopers have a difficult and important job. Nebraskans should come together to welcome new leadership and institute robust reforms to prevent more incidents like this in the future and to regain the public trust. Reform solutions that have achieved public safety goals in other jurisdictions include updating citizen complaint procedures, adding civilian review authority and expanding the use of dash and body-worn cameras.

In 2014, the ACLU of Nebraska found that many local law enforcement agencies were not following U.S. Department of Justice best practices for handling complaints of police misconduct. In 2016, we updated this research and noted progress among many Nebraska law enforcement agencies.

At that time, Douglas County Sheriff Timothy Dunning stated, Public trust with the community we serve is vital to the success of every law enforcement agency. Unfortunately, between 2014 and 2016, the Nebraska State Patrol was one agency that showed no improvement and fared worse when it came to meeting best practices.

Since 2016, the State Patrol has made modest improvements by accepting feedback via telephone, email or regular mail in addition to an online form. Unfortunately, the online form does not allow for anonymous submissions and has little description regarding the complaint process.

At a minimum, the State Patrol should reform its civilian complaint process to meet best practices to ensure public trust in the agency by taking these steps: 1) make the complaint process welcoming and clear to civilians; 2) accept submission of complaints in various manners; and 3) eliminate intimidating or retaliatory responses.

Nebraska officials should also consider establishing a civilian review authority that is empowered to provide oversight of the State Patrol. Successful civilian review authorities, such as in Washington, D.C., and Newark, New Jersey, have investigatory powers.

These civilian review boards also have independent disciplinary authority to hold police accountable for their actions, while respecting the due process rights of employees and all parties.

Another key element is a membership that reflects diversity, expertise and connection to the community. The Newark Police Review Board has some of its members chosen by civic organizations such as the NAACP. Finally, effective review authorities are transparent and provide regular public reports of their findings.

Video evidence from dash and body-worn cameras was critical to our understanding of these most recent incidents. Dash and body-worn cameras can be a win-win: preventing police misconduct as well as false accusations against officers.

In 2016, the Nebraska Legislature rightly adopted a state law to ensure uniform policies for local law enforcement regarding the use of recording devices and related data retention policies.

Nebraska officials should consider extending the minimum retention policy from 90 days to six months, in line with emerging trends in other jurisdictions such as New York, Nevada and the cities of Tucson and Minneapolis.

When excessive force is utilized, its important that we all ask the hard questions, seize the opportunity to institute robust reforms and then move forward together to ensure improvements in Nebraskas public safety goals and safeguards to protect individual officers and individual Nebraskans civil rights and civil liberties.
Amarnath yatra attack: Probe focuses on insider role, PDP leader under scanner

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The investigations being conducted into the Amarnath yatra point towards an insider role. With the arrest of a policeman the security forces are convinced that that many insiders had played a role in Monday's attack in which 7 persons were killed.

The police meanwhile continued to question a PDP legislator in connection with the case. Official sources tell OneIndia that they suspect the role of an insider in the attack.

In a major breakthrough the Jammu and Kashmir Special Investigation Team arrested a policeman in connection with the Amarnath yatra terror attack. The SIT is also questioning a ruling PDP legislator in connection with the case.

Touseef Ahmed who is part of the security wing of the J&K police is being currently questioned for his alleged role in the case. He was picked up on Thursday.

The SIT picked up the cop following a phone intercept. He is alleged to have called a handler, sources say. The police are trying to ascertain as to who provided the details about the movement of the vehicle during the yatra. A bus in which yatris were traveling was attacked following which 7 persons were killed.

The policeman, a resident of Chakoura, Pulwama, found to have links with terrorists, is being questioned. He is cooperating with us and is spilling the beans, the Inspector General of Police, J&K Muneer Khan said. He also said that they were probing who provided the terrorists with logistic support.

The police have so far questioned 20 persons in connection with the case. Some have been released while others continue to be questioned.

Sources say that while it is clear that the Lashkar-e-Tayiba carried out this attack, it is being examined whether there was an insider job as well. The role of a PDP legislator too is under the scanner of the police. Security forces meanwhile continue to hunt for Abu Ismail, the Lashkar commander who carried out the attack and also masterminded it.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, July 16, 2017, 12:13 [IST]
The bus carrying Amarnath yatris met with an accident at Nach Nalla in Ramban area of Jammu, on the national highway.

By Ashwini Kumar: Sixteen Amarnath yatris were killed and several injured when a bus carrying them fell into a gorge in Jammu. At least 30 were injured in the accident. Among the injured yatris, 19 are being airlifted for treatment. 8 others have minor injuries.

The bus met with an accident at Nach Nalla in Ramban area of Jammu, on the national highway. The bus had gone deep into the gorge while going from Jammu to Pahalgam.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was "extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath yatris... My thoughts are with the families of the deceased".

Police said that in the afternoon one yatra bus bearing registration No. Jk02Y-0594 fell into Nashrana Nallah in which about 40-42 yatris were travelling.

According to the police, the bus carrying the pilgrims skidded off the road, turned turtle and rolled down into the nullah at Nachlana belt of Ramban late this afternoon. Traffic movement on Jammu-Srinagar national highway has been stopped temporarily due to landslides at Khuni Nallah and Ramsoo.

RESCUE OPERATION LAUNCHED

Rescue operation has been launched by police and the Ramban administration.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has expressed deep shock and grief over the death of Amarnath yatris in the tragic road accident on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

The accident comes just few days after eight Amarnath yatris were killed in a terrorist attack in Kashmir's Anantnag district. Seven people, including six women, were killed and 19 injured when terrorists attacked a bus full of Amarnath pilgrims in near Khanabal in Anantnag district on Monday (July 10) night. Another woman yatri succumbed to her injuries on July 16.

The attack on the bus (GJ 09 Z 9976) was part of a series of strikes that first targeted security personnel.

Also read: Amarnath Yatra attack: Death toll rises to 8 as another woman succumbs to injuries

Also read: Amarnath terror attack not due to intelligence failure: Government to Opposition

--- ENDS ---
Amarnath cloudburst: What we know so far

Amarnath Yatra may resume within a day or two

Amarnath yatra attack: Another devotee succumbs to injuries, death toll rises to 8

India

oi-Madhuri

A woman devotee, Lalitaben who was injured in the Amarnath terror attack passed away on Sunday morning taking the death toll in the incident to eight.

Lalita Ben who was from Gujarat, was operated upon for multiple gut perforations caused by firearm injury and underwent hemicolectomy. She was admitted at Intensive Care Unit of SKIMS where she succumbed to death on Sunday morning.

With this, the death toll in the 10 July attack has climbed to 8.

The terror attack took place at Batengoo about 8.20pm when 60-70 pilgrims were returning from Baltal, one of the base camps of the pilgrimage, to Jammu. Batengoo is 65 km south of Srinagar.

OneIndia News
Another targeted killing: Two non-locals killed in targeted attack in J&K

40 down and counting: Forces on the verge of wiping out Pakistani terrorists in Valley

Mubin did it in Coimbatore: Why do Islamist terrorists shave their body before a suicide mission

DGP Kerala orders FIR against The Kerala Story after TN journalist forwards complaint to CM

J-K: Three suspected terrorists arrested; Arms and ammunition recovered

India

oi-Madhuri

Three suspected terrorists were arrested on Sunday by security forces Jammu and Kashmir & busted a recruitment module of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Pattan which had been active in the area. Arms, ammunition and Rs 1 lakh in cash were recovered from the arrested persons.

J&K: #Visuals from site where terrorists took shelter during Tral Encounter yesterday pic.twitter.com/XuadAcOKvV  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

"This module was being led by Hizbul commander Parvez Wani, a resident of Handwara," a police officer said on Sunday.

"Three persons were arrested following the raid (on Saturday). The module had plans to send boys to Pakistan for training in terrorist camps," he said.

One of those arrested, Abdul Rashid Bhat, visited Pakistan in May and obtained training in the Khalid Bin Waleed camp run by the Hizb in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. "He got visa from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi on the recommendation of a separatist organisation."

Earlier, on Saturday, three terrorists of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit were killed in an encounter with security forces in a forest area of Tral in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.

While two of the terrorists were killed on Saturday morning, another took shelter inside a cave and was finally killed after several hours of gunbattle in Tral, about 36 km from Srinagar.

OneIndia News
Pakistan passes Bill to give right of appeal to Kulbhushan Jadhav

Pakistan gives Kulbhushan Jadhav right to appeal against death sentence

Jadhav's clemency appeal to be decided on merit, says Pakistan Army

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi: The clemency appeal of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is on death row in Pakistan on charges of espionage, will be decided on merit, the public relations department of the Pakistan Army said on Sunday.

A military court in Pakistan has rejected the mercy petition of Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian national who was sentenced to death in Pakistan.

Army chief General Qamar Javed is presently "analysing" the evidence against Kulbhushan Jadhav and will decide on his appeal on merit," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told reporters on Sunday that General Bajwa was "analysing the evidence against Jadhav."

Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in The Hague in May halted his execution on India's appeal.

Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied requests to provide New Delhi consular access to Jadhav.

OneIndia News (with PTI inputs)
Lucknow: Mock drill conducted in Uttar Pradesh assembly

India

oi-PTI

Lucknow, Jul 16: The UP Anti-Terrorism Squad conducted a mockdrill in the precincts of the Uttar Pradesh assembly to plug possible loopholes in security ahead of voting for the presidential poll tomorow.

"A mockdrill is being conducted to cater to any emergency-like situation and evacuate people during the crictical hour. Apart from this, the mockdrill will also enable us to plug possible loopholes in the security apparatus (if any)," SSP, ATS, Umesh Kumar Srivastava said.

Lucknow: Mock drill conducted in Uttar Pradesh assembly pic.twitter.com/rj48GddRRS  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 16, 2017

Apart from ATS commandoes, UP Police personnel and fire brigade staff were also spotted in the UP Legislature. The Uttar Pradesh Police had already put in place anti- sabotage measures apart from sounding a high alert as the ATS started recording statements of employees of the Assembly in connection with the recovery of PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) explosive.

On Saturday, officials of the ATS questioned and recorded statements of 15 people who were present or were on duty in the premises of the Assembly at the time of recovery of PETN onJuly 12.

Those who were questioned included the assistant marshals, technical staff and security personnel. Besides, the ATS also looked into the details of CCTV footage of 23 cameras of which 12 are in the Assembly and is also studying the Doordarshan recording, he said.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Anand Kumar had earlier told PTI that all the anti-sabotage measures have been put in place, apart from sounding a high alert.

"As immediate measures, Quick Response Teams, ATS and additional PAC personnel have been deployed in the UP Legislature. Apart from this, security audit of the entire Assembly complex is being done. An integrated security plan is being deliberated upon, which will ensure effective liasion with Sachivalaya Suraksha Dal," Kumar said.

Entry on old passes has been disallowed, and people with bonafide passes are only allowed to enter the precincts.

As many as 109 close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been made functional, so as to increase the vigil. ATS sources said three teams of ATS will remain posted in the UP Legislature Complex.

PTI

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, July 16, 2017, 15:09 [IST]
At monsoon's fag end, why is there so much rain in Delhi-NCR now?

Monsoon session: Govt calls all party meet; TMC to skip

India

oi-Madhuri

Ahead of the 12th session of 16th Lok Sabha, the National Democratic Alliance Government has called an all-party meeting on Sunday in a bid to seek the Opposition's support for the smooth conduct of proceedings in both the Houses. The meeting of the parties will deliberate on the issues that are likely to be discussed in the upcoming Monsoon session.

#Visuals All party meeting called by government ahead of monsoon session of Parliament, in Delhi pic.twitter.com/kinwJqvAb7  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

The meeting is considered crucial ahead of the Presidential Elections 2017 scheduled on the commencement of the session.

However, the Trinamool Congress Party, headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has reportedly decided to skip the meeting.

The TMC has been locking horns with the BJP in Bengal over the recent incidents of communal violence that shook the state's Basirhat area.

Meanwhile, the monsoon session of Parliament beginning from Monday is expected to be stormy with the Opposition parties all set to corner the government over a range of issues concerning national security, foreign policy and other domestic matters while the ruling alliance is gearing up to counter the onslaught on it.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Sunday, July 16, 2017, 12:22 [IST]
After two year of COVID-19 delay, China plans to issue visas for stranded Indian students

Now, IT dept going into 'new areas' to check tax evasion

Kartavya Path: Not just Indians, it struck a chord with French too

In regular touch, trying for consular access: MEA on detention of 8 Indians in Qatar

Delhi: Sushma Swaraj meets kin of 39 Indians missing in Iraq since 2014

India

oi-Madhuri

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar on Sunday met the family members of 39 Indian men missing in Iraq since June 2014 in Delhi.

Delhi: EAM Sushma Swaraj, MoS MEA MJ Akbar and MoS MEA VK Singh met families of 39 Indians who are missing in Iraq since 2014 pic.twitter.com/4gCXwtDBc6  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

Swaraj said,''The day Iraq PM declared Mosul is liberated from ISIS, I asked VK Singh ji to go to Erbil.'' ''Sources there told VK Singh ji that the missing Indians are most probably in a jail in Badush where fighting is still going on,'' Swaraj added.

Earlier, acknowledging the defeat of ISIS in the Iraqi city of Mosul as an important milestone in the global war against terror, the government said that it has 'activated various channels' for locating the missing 39 Indian construction workers abducted from the city.

Swaraj had also assured Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh that her ministry was making all efforts to trace the 39 missing Indians, who are mostly from Punjab.

The 39 Indians have been held hostage in Mosul since 2014.

OneIndia News
Mathematics genius Maryam Mirzakhani dies of breast cancer at 40

International

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, July 16: Maryam Mirzakhani of Iran, the first woman recipient of the Fields Medal for mathematics, died here at the age of 40. The Stanford University professor died on Saturday after a four-year battle with cancer, reports Efe news.

Mirzakhani's friend and compatriot, NASA scientist Firouz Naderi, mourned her death on Twitter. "A light was turned off today. It breaks my heart... gone far too soon," he wrote, while Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called Mirzakhani's death "very much heartrending".

Created in 1936, the Fields Medal, popularly known as the "Nobel Prize for Mathematics", is awarded every four years to a maximum of four mathematicians under the age of 40.

In 2014, Mirzakhani became both the first woman and the first Iranian to receive the honour, in recognition of "her outstanding contributions" in the area of complex geometry.

Born in 1977, Mirzakhani won two gold medals in the International Mathematical Olympiad during her teenage years and graduated from the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran in 1999 before going on to earn a doctorate from Harvard. Mirzakhani is survived by her husband and their daughter.

IANS
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Successive Australian governments have been asleep at the wheel when it comes to our nearest neighbour. Not only do they not want to know but have actively washed their hands of any possible help for those who do care and have been trying to make a difference over the last 42 years.

Rowan Callicks recent article effectively does cover why things have gone the way they have but leaves a gap as to why.

It's been mostly the fault of journalists who report on the dramatic and sensational and fail to do the Papua New Guinean people justice.

I DON'T think Australians think the worst about Papua New Guinea. I just think Australians don't think about PNG much at all.

What would be far more effective would be a number of hard hitting articles in the Australian media on two fronts.

Firstly, why the Australian government is so intransigent and stubbornly refuses to provide effective support to those who want to turn things around in PNG.

Second, an effective examination of all those who have corrupted and broken PNG laws and yet continue to prosper at the expense of the vast majority of PNG people.

I know that may not sell newspapers, but dig a little deeper and the media will hit a gold mine of juicy bits of information. Who knows what might be revealed?

The imagination boggles at what is just currently known and proven, yet for some reason is steadfastly refused to be openly accepted by the Australian government. It can't all be because of the stupidity in applying commonsense to the Manus problem.

No, it is attributable to only one thing: Australian leaders are unable to find solutions to what is developing as a catastrophe on our doorstep. The same politicians will depart and live well on their pensions while people on both sides of the Torres Strait will pay the price of their incompetency.

The information is readily available. Why is it the Australian and PNG media refuse to effectively report it?

That's the real story, don't you think?
At least 16 people have been killed in the accident which took place in the Ramban area of Jammu.

By India Today Web Desk: Nearly a week after eight Amarnath yatris were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, a bus carrying yatris met with an accident today.

The death toll in the bus accident has so far climbed to 16 while 19 are reported to be seriously injured.

HERE IS ALL THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE AMARNATH YATRA BUS ACCIDENT: The bus bearing the registration number JK02Y-0594 fell into Nashrana Nallah in Ramban area of Jammu on the national highway. About 40-42 pilgrims were travelling in the bus, the police said. Sixteen pilgrims were killed and around 27 were injured, 19 of them critically. The driver of the bus, Darshan Singh, was also injured. The deceased belonged to UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Assam, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh. The police said that the bus carrying the pilgrims skidded off the road, turned turtle and rolled down the gorge today afternoon. Inspector General (IG), Jammu SDS Jamwal said that initial reports have confirmed that the bus' tyre burst is the cause of the accident. Indian Air Force has pressed into service two MI-17 helicopters to airlift 19 Amarnath yatris from Ramban to government medical college in Jammu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his condolences to the affected families. "Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. I pray that those injured in the bus accident in J&K recover soon," he said. PM Modi announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the Amarnath pilgrims killed in the bus accident. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has expressed deep shock and grief over the death of the Amarnath yatris. Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he spoke to Mehbooba Mufti regarding the Amarnath Yatra bus accident. "Mehboobaji has apprised me of the ongoing rescue operations. The injured Amarnath yatris are being airlifted for treatment in Jammu," he said. Air Force Station Jammu and Udhampur was directed to launch medium lift helicopter (MLH) fleet helicopters for transporting the deceased and injured to Jammu. The first Mi-17V5, which was launched from Udhampur at 3.34 pm, carried 12 injured to Jammu. The second Mi-17 1V was launched around 5.00 pm from Air Force station, Jammu which carried eight injured. The third helicopter Mi-17V5 was launched from Udhampur at 5.30 pm and landed in Jammu with the 16 deceased, including 2 women.

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(Inputs from Ashwini Kumar and Manjeet Singh Negi)

ALSO READ:

Amarnath Yatra attack: Death toll rises to 8 as another woman succumbs to injuries

Amarnath terror attack: Police detain PDP MLA's driver for questioning

After attack on Amarnath Yatra, drones add to security apparatus in Jammu and Kashmir

ALSO WATCH: Sad tale of an Amarnath terror victim who had lost her father, grandfather in similar attacks

--- ENDS ---
autoevolution 07 Nov 2022

Ever since 1940, Batman has been in the hearts and minds of American children, and his first vehicle, the Batmobile, was penned in..
Gbenga Ogunbote has returned to Shooting Stars for a third spell as head coach of the Ibadan club, reports Completesports.com.

The Nigeria Professional Football League outfit unveiled the experienced tactician at an elaborate ceremony at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan on Monday afternoon.

The Oluyole Warriors barely escaped relegation last season which led to the dismissal of former handler of the side, Edith Olumide Agoye.

Read Also:Bundesliga: Mane Strikes Twice As Rampant Bayern Munich Thump Bochum 7-0

Ogunbote left another NPFL side, Remo Stars early this month after the expiration of his one-year contract.

He has also handled top clubs likes Sunshine Stars, Enyimba and Enugu Rangers in the NPFL.

Ogunbote has been mandated to help the club pick a continental ticket next season.

Copyright  2021 Completesports.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Completesports.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Completesports.com.
Jorgelina Cardoso, wife of former Paris Saint-Germain star, Angel Di Maria has opened up on how she kicked against her husbands decision to join Man United.

Recall that Di Maria joined Manchester United from Real Madrid in 2014, in a 60million deal and almost became a flop as the move became regrettable for everyone involved.

In an interview with Argentine TV show LAM, she said: Angel came to me one day and said, Look at this proposal from Manchester United.

I didnt want to go, I told him to go alone. Lets go both of us, he replied. It was a lot of money, more than the Spaniards had offered.

Read Also: Carabao Cup: Aribo, Onyeka In Action As Brentford, Southampton Zoom Into Next Round

So, we went. If you work in a company and someone offers you double the salary, you go running.

We were friends with Gianinna Maradona, Sergio Agueros wife, and we travelled to Manchester on vacation for a year.

It was always horrible! We came home and I said: If youre ever transferred, make sure its anywhere in the world but England.

Copyright  2021 Completesports.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Completesports.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Completesports.com.
The police has arrested Durg Singh Chauhan and Mahipal Singh Makrana, considered key Rajput leaders, on the charge of inciting people.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: Rajasthan Police has begun making arrests in connection with the violence and mayhem in Nagaur related to gangster Anandpal Singh's case.

The police has arrested Durg Singh Chauhan and Mahipal Singh Makrana, considered key Rajput leaders, on the charge of inciting people.

The accused Rajput leaders will be taken to Jaswantgarh police station in Nagaur.

Protestors demanding CBI inquiry into the encounter of gangster Anandpal Singh had resorted to widespread violence on Wednesday in Rajasthan's Nagaur district. Thousands of protestors indulged in beating police personnel, torching vehicles and vandalizing public property.

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At least 32 police personnel and 4 civilians were injured in the widespread clashes. One of the injured had succumbed. The protestors had uprooted the railway track and burnt houses meant for employees in the railway compound. The district administration had shut down internet services and Section 144 was imposed in the entire district.

Situation in Sanvrad remained peaceful as curfew was relaxed for some time.

ALSO READ:

Rajasthan: Gangster Anandpal's relative claims family consent was not taken for cremation

Rajasthan: Man killed, over 20 cops injured in protests over gangster Anandpal Singh's encounter

--- ENDS ---
Operatives of the Ogun police command have arrested a 49-year-old man, Amoda Bola for routinely sleeping with his underage daughter and impregnating her in the process

The suspect was arrested on August 17 after his 14-year-old pregnant daughter reported the steady incestuous act at Ode Remo divisional headquarters.The girl told the Police that she had been living with her father for some years and that he did not only make love to her often, but also pimped her to five different men at different times for money

According to a statement by the image maker of the command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the victim reported that her father was also inviting men to the house to have sex with her after which the men would pay him money. Following the report, the suspect was arrested.

Amodas confession led to the arrest of five others who had slept with the girl at different times.
Vanessa, the widow of Kobe Bryant has been awarded $16m in damages over leaked graphic photos of the helicopter crash that led to the death of the US basketball star and his daughter in 2020.

The 40-year-old said she had panic attacks after learning images taken by Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies and firefighters had been shared.

A federal jury now said the county must pay Mrs Bryant for emotional distress.

Co-plaintiff Christopher Chester will be paid $15m.

Mrs Bryants husband Kobe Bryant, 41, daughter Gianna, 13, and six family friends died when their helicopter crashed in California in January 2020. Mr Chester lost his wife Sarah and daughter Payton in the crash.

A report by the Los Angeles Times claiming county employees took photos at the crash site and shared them with others has enraged the victims families.

Last November, the county agreed to pay $2.5m over the emotional distress caused to two families who lost relatives in the crash  but Mrs Bryant refused to settle.

Sobbing on the witness stand last week, Mrs Bryant recalled being at home with her other children when she read the LA Times story.



I bolted out of the house and I ran to the side of the house so the girls couldnt see me. I wanted to run down the block and just scream, she said.

Mrs Bryant said she had felt blindsided, devastated, hurt and betrayed by news of the leak and [lives] in fear every day of having these images pop up on social media.



I dont ever want to see these photographs, she said. I want to remember my husband and my daughter the way they were.



Jurors at the trial heard how sheriffs deputies and firefighters took gruesome cell phone photos at the accident site and showed them to others, including at a bar and a gala event.

These employees poured salt in an open wound and rubbed it in with their actions, Mrs Bryants lawyer Luis Li said during opening statements last week.

A lawyer for the county unsuccessfully argued that site photography is essential and that the photos had not been posted anywhere publicly.

Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, played for the LA Lakers throughout his career and is considered one of the greatest players in the games history.
Indian student Asif Sheth was found hanging from the ceiling of his room, whereas his roommate Winson was found lying in a pool of blood on Friday night in their rented flat.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Investigation in the murder case of Indian student Asif Sheth has revealed that he might have entered in to an altercation wit his roommate Winson that might have triggered the violent quarrel.

Sheth's roommate Winson was also found lying in a pool of blood in the same room on Friday night.

According to initial findings, it is believed that the two roommates fought over liquor, that had a rather brutal end.

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Autopsy report of Sheth's reveals that he sustained 16 blunt injury marks all over his body apart from being strangulated to death. His parents are expected to arrive in Chittagong to collect his body.

WHAT HAPPENED ON FRIDAY NIGHT?

Asif Sheth, a student of USTC (University of Science and Technology, Chittagong) had along with his roommates organised a party on Friday, July 14 in their flat situated in Haji Yusuf Manson's Lakeview Society of Abdul Hamid Road.

Sheth shared his flat with Gurung Niraj, Josena Tamburam apart from Winson.

According to their testimonies and report, police found that Sheth and Winson got into a fight over party arrangements and liquor.

But who stabbed whom, is not yet clear.

Their fellow roommate, Niraz rushed them to hospital in critical condition around 1:00 am. Where, Sheth was declared dead and Winson was admitted.

Winson is believed to be recuperating in the hospital and is still in a state of shock. The police has not yet questioned him.

Also read: Indian student murdered by another in Bangladesh

--- ENDS ---
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The Managing Director, VON Automobile Nigeria Limited and Chairman, Nigeria Automobile Manufacturers Association, Tokunbo Aromolaran, recently interacted with the media on a number of issues relating to the nations fledgling auto manufacturing sector, the Nigeria Auto Policy, financing system and more. Gboyega Alaka reports.

NEED to support the Nigerian Auto Industry

The automobile industry is huge. Though the better part of it is outside of Nigeria, where we have more sophisticated production and they come up with state of the art items, we as a nation need to support our own industry, if we must develop our own industry. We must support our local assembly plants and local component manufacturers. Together, we (the two sectors) add local content to whatever it is that we are going to bring in. The industry cannot grow if we do not support it; and that is why I say we and the media need to be partners. You have lots of sources for materials. You may decide to be showcasing stuffs only on BMW, Toyota, etc and your pages would still be full, but you may also decide to support the development of the local industry, by focusing on what those of us who are investing in a real tough market are trying to do make us a producing nation.

I say this because we find that there is a big problem of communication gap between us and the general public. Most do not even know that we assemble anything here. And the fault lies with the two of us  we as manufacturers and you the media, because were not telling them. It gets very embarrassing that I still get questions like what do you do? after six or seven years of being in operation here. We would endeavour to do our bit, but we appeal that you let no week go by without focusing on what local producers are doing, because ultimately, if we develop this industry, the value added and the gains come to us.

The Auto Policy

The industry was redefined by the Auto Policy as most of you know. We have achieved partial success as envisaged when that policy was put together. Partial, in the sense that not all the requirements of the policy have been or is being implemented as it should. When we say it hasnt been implemented, it has to do with the fact that all the various tariff issues are not being applied. What some institutions fail to realise is that those steps were not taken for nothing. We gave the government instances of what other nations that have developed their auto industry have done to be able to develop it over time. And we indicated that there was need for some protection for the local industry. Various auto producers in their home countries get protection because their countries understand that they need it to grow. India for a long time shut its doors to any foreign cars. If you cannot drive any vehicle made in India, you walk. And what that did was that all those subsidised cars from China could not come in and displace their own local producers. South Africa did the same thing. They did not place an outright ban, but imposed a 112% duty on all fully built cars coming in. For about seven/eight years, they did not waver and the result was that all the notable OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) went and established in South Africa. Today, South Africa has a full auto industry. They can produce everything from ink to the final car, including engine blocks. BMW is there, Mercedes is there, Toyota is there, Volkswagen is there. South African blacks like you and I are on the floors of the factories, producing those vehicles. Nothing says that Nigerians could not do the same.

Discordant tunes within government

Nigeria had about five or six booming auto industries in the 70s; they all died because they couldnt compete against the imports from China and Southeast Asia. Were bringing them up again and were putting investments in place, but we still need that protection. And that is why the 70% tariff is there. Unfortunately, some section of government are getting very jittery about this. Though the federal government has a long-term view of developing this industry, but its finance system, largely the Ministry of Finance and the Customs dont see the same long-term vision. They see just a short term revenue scope, and that is why we get complaints like, Oh the budget of customs this year is not going to be achieved because you have given these guys lower tariffs. They are not seeing what we expect to add to the GDP of this country by local production, so they put everything possible in the way to hinder the growth of this industry. Our goods stay out in the port for two to three months and they wont allow them out because we are enjoying special rate of duties, as conferred by the Auto Policy. In the end, what we dont pay in duty, we pay in demurrage  because at the end of the day, they dont want to understand why your goods were delayed. All because one arm of the government cannot listen to the other or understand that all of this is about moving the nation forward.

Somebody needs to educate them that we are going to be slaves to Japanese industries forever and keep their industries running while our own people are looking for jobs. They need to understand that it is not the duties on second-hand cars that will liberate the poor man, but a nice public mass transport system. Second-hand cars only goes to make our own industries difficult to run, because, we in the end, would not be able to produce cars in large numbers, which would bring our prices down.

Smuggling, impeding industry growth, hindering lower prices

One other thing I cannot but mention, is the problem of competition. We are not afraid of competition, but the same customs that complains that the revenue is going down because less vehicles are coming through the ports, is the same customs that allows vehicles to be smuggled in unashamedly. I have said it several times that we are not aware of any auto assembly plants in any of the countries that surrounds us, and do not see why vehicles should come into this countries through our land borders. They made the excuses that our borders are porous, but what that means is that people could as well be coming in through our borders with AK47 every day.

We are all suffering because these smugglers bring in vehicles without paying any duties and put very ridiculous prices on them. And the government still want our cars to be cheap. We have said it several times that if we can double our production, we are in a position to produce cars whose prices would be able to compete with these second hand cars. And Ive given the analogy over and over. Whether I produce ten cars or I produce 1,000 units, my overheads are likely the same. NEPA will still come with its N4million bills, I will still pay all my security guards, I will still maintain all the infrastructure here. And thats why we have insisted that, shut the door against second-hand cars and challenge the auto companies to increase their production and drop their prices. These are issues we need the government to see and hopefully respond to.

We are working on an auto finance system for affordability

Motor vehicles by their nature are capital items. Youve got to plan for it because its in the lower millions, if not higher digits. And so customers need financing to help them spread the cost over an affordable period. Most countries have financial institutions to procure auto vehicles. And thats part of the problem we suffer. There is a lot of demands out there but the people dont have the means to procure financing. As such, that demand remains latent and not active. What weve been trying to get the government to do is to come up with a financial institution that will support vehicles that are locally assembled. If people can come up with maybe 20% of the cost of a car and spread the balance over three years; lets say a car costs N5m, you bring N1m; then we get you a credit financing for the balance over three years. A Nigerian of three or four years standing with a sustainable job should by this method be able to afford a brand new car. We can also link up with your employer to deduct from source. I saw it work in Liberia. You go into the house of an ordinary clerk and you think you are in the house of a minister. And when you ask him, he tells you, Oh, I got it on credit. And he didnt have to personally pay for the items. We want to do the same in the car industry and were looking at a cheaper interest rate of say 9 to 11 percent  not the usual 25 percent.

Stallion, ready to fuel economic growth

We have put together a set of commercial vehicles that we know will also support industries and individuals at large. We have a very broad range that ensures that whoever comes around that has a commercial orientation or wants to start a new enterprise, can always find a vehicle that meets their need. Being a commercial vehicle plant, what were trying to do is find a solution for small and medium scale, and possibly large scale businesses for their vehicular needs.

KY5/KY10 mini trucks to the rescue

This is why our commercial division of Stallion Motors recently unveiled the KY5 and KY10 light commercial trucks otherwise known as mini-trucks to cater to the growing demand for functional one-ton and two-ton payload vehicles. It is a fulfilment of our commitment to providing affordable cargo vehicles to the emerging small and medium scale sector.

Designed and manufactured in China by Chongqing Changan Kuayue Automobile Co. Limited, KYC trucks are being assembled locally by Nigerians at the Stallion franchise facility in Lagos.
By PTI: By Anisur Rahman

Dhaka, Jul 16 (PTI) Security forces in Bangladesh are carrying out an operation to flush out suspected Islamist militants from a house on the outskirts of the capital city.

A team of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which draws personnel from military and police forces, surrounded the tin-shed house in suburban Savar around 1 AM last night after a tip-off that militants are holed up inside the building.

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The militants were ordered to surrender, but they started firing, triggering heavy exchange of gunfire, operation chief RAB-4 Commanding Officer Additional DIG Lutful Kabir said.

The militants inside the house fired five rounds of shots when they became aware of the RAB presence, Kabir said.

"We asked the militants to surrender using our megaphones, but instead they hurled abuse at the law enforcers and started firing," he said.

RAB Media Wing Director Commander Mufti Mahmud Khan, said "We are trying to make them surrender. We are still not sure about which militant outfit they belong."

The owner of the building, Ibrahim, was detained and questioned. RAB officials say that a man named Azad, who identified himself as a garment worker, had rented the house two months ago.

The raid was part of an intensified crackdown on militants following the last years Dhaka cafe attack which claimed 22 lives. PTI AR PMS

--- ENDS ---
The commission in a statement issued on Friday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspects were arrested on August 25 in sting operations by the operatives in Benin and Abuja zonal commands.

21 suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They were arrested in separate operations in Abuja, Nigerias capital and Benin City, Edo State Capital.

The commission in a statement issued on Friday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspects were arrested on August 25 in sting operations by the operatives in Benin and Abuja zonal commands.

Uwujaren gave the names of some of the suspects as Kelvin Azuibuike, Andrew Otuokparwo, Miracle Eloze, Junior Oseyi, Okoye Godfrey, Oseiwa Oifoghe, Odia Sylvester, Ekhazor Evans, Collins Akpotu, Victor Okoh and Francis Agathor.

He said, The suspects were arrested at their hideouts in Kubwa, Gwarimpa and other locations in Benin City following intelligence on their alleged internet fraud-related activities.

Among items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest are mobile phones, laptop computers and three luxury cars- a Mercedes Benz CLA 250, Mercedes Benz GLK 350 and Toyota Venza.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded, the statement added.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) says it has suspended its 2022 recruitment of constables into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

In a statement on Tuesday by Ikechukwu Ani, head of press and public relations, the PSC said the suspension of the recruitment exercise was to resolve all contentious issues with the NPF.

The police service commission said the decision was in the best interest of the nation.

TheCable had reported how the NPF dismissed an advertisement by the PSC calling for applicants to apply as constables in the force.

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Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, had asked Nigerians to disregard the PSCs call for recruitment.

The police similarly states unequivocally that the advert has no connection with the Nigeria Police Force nor is it in tandem with the Police recruitment process, and should be disregarded in all its entirety, Adejobi said.

The website to which the publication refers the intending candidates to http://www.recruitment.psc.gov.ng  is not associated with the Nigeria Police Force.

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The PSC had on August 11 issued a publication in a national newspaper on the commencement of the 2022 recruitment of constables into the NPF.
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BUA Foods Plc, an indigenous foods company, has announced the resignation of Mr Isyaku Rabiu, as executive director of the company.

The resignation, which was effective August 17, was contained in a regulatory disclosure by the company to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX).

According to the disclosure, the development was in order for the company to meet the regulatory requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission Corporate Governance Guidelines (2020) and the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance.

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The guideline on family and interlocking directorship stipulates that not more than two members of the same family shall sit on the board of a public company at the same time.

Prior to his appointment as a member of the Board of BUA Foods in November 2021 (which later became publicly listed BUA Foods Plc in January 2022), Rabiu was a Director of IRS Pasta and Flour Limited.

The company later merged with other companies to form BUA Foods.

He, however, remains an executive of BUA Foods Plc with his portfolio remaining unchanged, the disclosure read.

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Demand for salary hike was coming from BMC corporators since 2010. This hike is on the basis of classification of corporations

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) employees will get Rs 25,000 as monthly remuneration which was Rs 10,000 earlier.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: Maharahstra government has given nod for salary hike proposal of corporations in the state.

With this decision the Mumbai corporators will get a 150 per cent hike.

According to the new government resolution (GR) now Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) employees will get Rs 25,000 as monthly remuneration which was Rs 10,000 earlier.

This hike is on the basis of classification of corporations. They have been classified as A+, A, B,C & D. This classification is done on the basis of population.

advertisement

The BMC falls under category of A+. Demand for salary hike was coming from BMC corporators since 2010.

Whereas corporators of Pune and Nagpur corporation which falls in A category will be getting Rs 20,000 which was earlier Rs 7,500.

Thane and Nasik corporators fall under B category- they will get Rs 15000 instead of Rs 7,500.

Similar with corporations like Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivali which fall under C & D category their corporators will get Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 7,500.

--- ENDS ---
Advertising BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Industry Guide 2017

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/report/advertising-bric-brazil-russia-india-china-industry-guide-2017

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/enquiry?report_id=36001

ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Advertising BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Industry Guide 2017 to its growing collection of premium market research reports.The BRIC Advertising industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market size (value 2012-16, and forecast to 2021). The profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market.Synopsis:Essential resource for top-line data and analysis covering the BRIC advertising market. Includes market size and segmentation data, textual and graphical analysis of market growth trends and leading companies.Scope of the Report:- Save time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the size, growth, major segments, and leading players in the BRIC advertising market- Use the Five Forces analysis to determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of the BRIC advertising market- Leading company profiles reveal details of key advertising market players BRIC operations and financial performance- Add weight to presentations and pitches by understanding the future growth prospects of the BRIC advertising market with five year forecasts- Compares data from Brazil, Russia, India, and China, alongside individual chapters on each country.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:Key Highlights- Brazil, Russian Federation, India and China (BRIC) are the emerging and fast growing countries within the advertising industry and had a total market value of $18,984.5 million in 2016. India was the fastest growing country with a CAGR of 9.7% over the 2012-16 period.- Within the advertising industry, China is the leading country among the BRIC nations with market revenues of $13,727.9 million in 2016. This was followed by India, Russia and Brazil with a value of $3,507.9, $1,640.0, and $108.6 million, respectively.- China is expected to lead the advertising industry in the BRIC nations with a value of $19,717.9 million in 2021, followed by India, Russia, Brazil with expected values of $5,066.0, $2,098.3 and $136.5 million, respectively.Reasons to buy- What was the size of the BRIC advertising market by value in 2016?- What will be the size of the BRIC advertising market in 2021?- What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the BRIC advertising market?- How has the market performed over the last five years?- What are the main segments that make up the BRIC advertising market?To Get Sample Copy of Report please visit @About ReportsWorldwide.comReportsWorldwide.com is a leading provider of global market intelligence reports and services. With research reports from top publishers, consulting and advisory firms, ReportsWorldwide.com offers instant online access to a growing database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, geographies and trends.Press Contact:Abigail CrastoSenior Vice President101, Arch StreetBoston, MA 02110USPhone +1 (617) 398-4994Fax +1 (617) 398-4995abigail@reportsworldwide.com
So two cartoonists are in a car, and one says of the dog she recently buried, "This dog is like the baby I had in high school." The other replies, "That would make a really good line in a graphic novel."

"And then everything just kind of clicked," recalled Nicole J. Georges, a Portland illustrator, writer and comic artist. The result of her conversation with cartoonist Chris Ware is her new graphic memoir "Fetch: How a Bad Dog Brought Me Home" (Mariner Books, 328 pages, $17.95), which recounts her life from high school through her early 30s with her Shar Pei-corgi mix, Beija. The book publishes Tuesday, July 18.

"Fetch" is a story for anyone who's ever loved a dog, especially a dog that others might have only tolerated. "Fetch" is also a coming-of-age story, as Georges and Beija navigate dysfunctional relationships, car accidents, a move to a new city (Portland), depression and much more. Through all the challenges Georges faces, Beija is always there, even if she's living up to her "Don't Pet Me" bandana.

Georges reads from "Fetch" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, at Powell's City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., accompanied by her 5-year-old Chihuahua mix, Ponyo. (A portion of book sales through Georges' website will go to the Oregon Humane Society, where Georges adopted Ponyo.) Georges discussed the book recently; here are seven takeaways from the conversation.

All the artwork is new. "Everything was drawn just for the book except for Beija's manifesto - I used the original, which was originally printed in a zine that I did called 'Invincible Summer' in early 2000," Georges said. "I redrew her adoption flier when I was trying to get rid of her; I still have the original flier." Georges also redrew letters she received when Beija needed medical care and Georges sent out a plea for help paying the bills. "I want people to know that I broke my hands doing this," she said, only half-jokingly.

She writes intimately about her family, but they haven't seen the book yet. "They are very familiar with being drawn in my work ... I think that they just feel validated," Georges said. She conceded that her mother reacted to her previous graphic memoir, "Calling Dr. Laura," by giving it a 1-star review on Amazon. But "she's always been supportive of my art. ... I'm sure some parts of 'Fetch' she will not love, but she's always been supportive and proud of me even when I was a teenager making zines. ... There was never any pressure to be anything different."

She's comfortable with laying her life bare. Georges spent years creating diary comics, which she described as highly edited, low-risk journal entries. When she got her first contract for a graphic memoir, she realized it would require a significant investment of her time and the publisher's resources. She decided, "If I'm going to do this thing, I'm going to take it to the wall and be as vulnerable as I can, say everything I need to say. I feel like being as vulnerable as I can is the thing that builds the bridge with readers."

She does weigh the ethics of autobiographical cartooning. "I'm not here to use my platform as a way to hurt other people. I'm just here to tell my story and my perspective." That was less of an issue with "Fetch," since it revolved around a dog. In general, Georges said, she tries to balance anything negative she might write or draw about someone with a page, image or story of that person doing something good.

She started "Fetch" at one of Beija's low points for a reason. In the opening pages of "Fetch," Beija attacks two children at her 15th birthday party. "People just needed to know (right away) that this was the kind of dog this was," Georges said. She cites the articles of punk songwriter George Tabb as an inspiration: "He always started them at the most exciting part in the story (then followed with) 'how did we get here.' That kind of thing would always draw me in."

Why she works in graphic memoir: "To me, the most holistic way to tell a story, the most all-encompassing way to tell a story, is through pictures and words. To me, it feels easier to draw a story than to try and describe everything in words."

What she hopes readers take away from "Fetch": "I hope that they have more empathy for animals. I hope they see animals as complex characters. ... Animals are not destroying the environment or creating large wars. Animals are not shooting unarmed people. Animals are just other beings on earth who just happen to run into us, a very arrogant species that thinks we are the best species. Just have some empathy and patience with them."
By Jeff Manning and Anna Marum

John Killin pressed the panic button in February amid a multibillion-dollar tsunami of real estate development.

The building frenzy that lit up the Portland-area economy and changed the city irrevocably has depleted the pool of skilled construction workers. In a letter to fellow contractors, Killin warned of a "new normal" of chronic labor shortages.

"There are probably 10,000 open jobs out there," said Killin, executive director of the Associated Wall and Ceiling Contractors of Oregon and Southwest Washington. "We need 800 carpenters, we need about the same number of electricians. And there are 20 more trades."

Nearly a decade after the Great Recession, the long and frustratingly slow recovery has morphed into a barrage of development that by some measures surpasses the mid-2000s housing bubble. The city issued nearly 12,000 buildings permits through the first 10 months of its current fiscal year for a record $2.5 billion in projects, easily eclipsing the previous high of $1.9 billion set the year before.

Interviews with dozens of developers, construction company executives and union officials reveal a boom that includes all real estate categories, from high-end apartments in Portland's urban core to enormous data centers in the eastern Oregon desert. Fueled by strong in-migration and job growth, Portland should remain red-hot in the near-term, they predict.

Twenty-one construction cranes currently dot the metro-area's skyline, the fifth most in the country and more than either San Francisco or New York. The development mania extends north to Seattle, where a nation-leading 64 construction cranes are in action.

"This boom is unprecedented; it's absolutely unlike anything else I've seen in 50 years," said Bob Walsh of Walsh Construction in Portland.

But it's not all roses for the real estate set. Demand has slowed for the thousands of pricey apartments recently developed in the city. But most industry players remain confident the industrial and commercial sectors will compensate for the multi-family lull. The deals come at a furious pace:

Developers continue to make inroads in Northwest Portland's industrial sanctuary. Cairn Pacific is pushing ahead with its Slabtown development, a $1.4 billion reboot of the former Con-Way Trucking property. Nearby, under the shadow of the Fremont Bridge, Portland developer Project^ is building two enormous office buildings totaling 300,000 square feet.

Mortenson Construction will break ground next month on a $220 million Convention Center hotel in Northeast Portland, one of 15 hotels in the works in the city.

E-commerce titan Amazon has agreed to lease more than 1.1 million square feet of warehouse space -- think 15 football fields -- in

Oregon Health & Science University, the University of Oregon and Portland State University are at work on or planning expansions worth more than $700 million.

Multnomah County is breaking ground on

LABOR SHORTAGE

The University of Oregon Foundation last fall embarked on a $70 million renovation of Hayward Field, the Eugene university's famed track and field venue. It was a plum job for a high-profile client -- worthy of any contractor's portfolio.

And then, nothing. Subcontractors weren't interested.

"We had difficulty finding any bids," said Paul Weinhold, chief executive officer of the foundation. "They were too busy. The bids we got were 10-15 percent higher than we'd anticipated. It's a little spooky."

The Great Recession that took hold in 2008 was particularly brutal on real estate and construction. The workforce plummeted from about 100,000 to 60,000 in Oregon, as workers retired or found other occupations.

When the slow recovery transformed into a storm of development, no one was prepared. Crews today are working six and seven days a week. Contractors have scoured other states looking for qualified labor. "The local union is recruiting from all over the country in an effort to meet demands, but their out-of-work list [of available workers] is essentially empty," Killin told contractors in his letter.

"Unfortunately, this spring, summer and likely fall will see a new normal of previously unconsidered workforce shortages."

Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian blames schools that eliminated vocational classes and a society enamored of all things digital.

"We were no longer teaching young people that this is a great career path," Avakian said. "We completely ignored that people can earn $60,000 to $150,000 with benefits in these trades. These are the people who built Oregon."

And though aggressive recruiting has landed 830 people in the local electricians' apprenticeship program, it's not enough to cover looming retirements, said Carl Redman, president of Bear Electric of Portland.

"I think it is fair to say that if you want to work, there is zero unemployment for electricians," he said.

Much the same is true for carpenters, excavators, plumbers and the other skilled trades. Steve Simms, who oversees the construction trade apprenticeship programs for Avakian, said he knows of 1,000 jobs that could be filled tomorrow.

The labor shortage has led to delays and helped feed rising construction costs. Some developers allege it's also contributed to lapses in quality.

Last month, Portland developer Tom Brenneke's company sued Andersen Construction, claiming it did shoddy work on his Oxbow 49 apartment building in Johns Landing. The problems stem, in part, from the pressure to work fast and move on to the next job, Brenneke alleged.

"I paid Andersen $28 million, and what I got was a bunch of quality-control problems," he said.

Andersen officials in a written statement said "there are different perspectives to every story and since this has moved into legal action we would prefer not to try and litigate this matter in the public nor through the media."

MULTI-FAMILY IS FINALLY SLOWING

The housing sector has garnered the most headlines in Portland due to skyrocketing prices for renters and buyers, and rock-bottom vacancy rates for apartment-seekers. But that growth is showing signs of slowing, especially at the high end.

More Portland apartment buildings are offering incentives to fill up expensive units.

Killian Pacific, developer of the high-profile Goat Blocks apartment complex in Portland's inner eastside, has leased 104 of the 247 units in five months. The company reluctantly began offering one month's free rent to lure tenants.

"It definitely was slower than we expected in April and May," said Jeremy McPherson, Killian Pacific's vice president of development.

The Goat Blocks could further propel the transformation of the inner eastside from light industrial hub to full-fledged residential neighborhood. Killian Pacific has leased most of the ground floor of the $85 million project to a large grocer and a hardware store, along with a restaurant and a cider house and other retailers.

But the project's high rents effectively price out many Portland residents and could make the Goat Blocks a lightning rod in the city's ongoing affordable housing debate.

A one-bedroom unit at Goat Blocks rents for $1,600 a month; two-bedrooms are available for $2,500.

Rent increases have outpaced wage growth, and Portland's homeless population has continued to rise. In its spring survey of its members, apartment industry association Multifamily NW found that the Portland area's average rent is now $1,116 for a one-bedroom apartment. According to data from real estate firm Axiometrics, Portland-area rents have increased nearly 60 percent since 2010.

To address the housing shortage, the Portland City Council in December approved an inclusionary zoning policy that required developers of housing projects with 20 or more units to set aside 20 percent of them for low-income residents.

But the effort also prompted a rush of building permit applications before the policy took effect Feb. 1. Since then, the flow of such applications has slowed significantly.

Greg Goodman, co-president of Portland parking lot owner Downtown Development Group, said the policy has thrown a wrench in the market.

"The idea that more supply will drive prices down is kind of a fallacy, because you can't build old apartments." He allowed, though, that existing apartments would ease off on rent increases once enough new buildings came online.

Developers typically try to make a 5.5 percent return on their investments, he said. If 20 percent of the units rent for cheap, they have to compensate for the lost revenue by raising prices on the remaining units, he explained.

So far, Goodman says, this hasn't penciled out for developers, especially given high construction costs.

"I think we would have slowed down anyway, but it's brought it to a standstill," he said.

With plenty of projects in the pipeline for the next few years, it's unclear whether Portland will see the effects of the slump in permit applications.

Kurt Creager, director of the Portland Housing Bureau, said the long-term negative effects of the policy will be few.

"The market will adjust to the new realities in due time," he wrote in an email, "just as it has elsewhere where similar policies have existed for thirty years (notably Maryland and Virginia) where thousands of affordable dwellings have been produced."

Plus, he said, the city will evaluate the policy by 2020 to ensure that the included property tax waivers and other incentives are sufficient to compel developers to add affordable units.

And yet, according to commercial real estate broker HFF, even at the current rate of construction, Portland will be severely under-housed after a decade.

"If you look at the last decade, we still haven't built enough housing to make up for population gains and household formation," said Josh Lehner, an Oregon state economist.

While multi-family has seen strong growth, the total number of units is close to what it was in the '90s, he said.

"We've certainly built a lot of really expensive studios," he said. "We've started to saturate the high-end market."

EXIT STRATEGY

Another powerful force could counteract the apparent residential slowdown and encourage even more development. Some of the world's most deep-pocketed Institutional investors have "discovered" Portland and are eager to buy in.

These investment bankers and pension fund managers have trillions of dollars to invest. Developers lucky enough to attract their attention are making small fortunes.

The Yard apartment building at the east end of the Burnside Bridge took all sorts of heat from critics who thought it was too big, too dark, too monolithic. But the developers had the last laugh. They had barely leased half the Yard's 284 units late last spring when a Thai investment trust swooped in with an offer to buy the building for an eye-popping $126 million.

The developers, who spent $84 million on the project, quickly accepted.

Seattle-based Urban Renaissance sold the former home of The Oregonian/OregonLive in April for $95 million, six times its purchase price for the downtown Portland building. Last week, Specht Development sold the sprawling Northeast Portland warehouse it built just two years ago for $56 million.

Both deals were record-high purchase prices in Portland, noted Chris Nelson, of Capstone Partners, testament to institutional investors' new regard for the region.

And yet, industry veterans who've lived through the collapse of other bullish cycles, can't help but be wary. "Everyone agrees the party has been going on a long time," said Jim Link, general manager and executive vice president of Skanska USA Building in Portland.

"I've been predicting that this cycle will end for two years."

Every time, the market has proved him wrong.

-- Jeff Manning

jmanning@oregonian.com

503-294-7606



-- Anna Marum

amarum@oregonian.com

503-294-5911
Beth Nakamura | The Oregonian/OregonLive

The state's biggest projects

Here is our admittedly arbitrary list of the biggest, most significant building developments in Oregon. We stipulate that it may not be complete, as some companies refuse to acknowledge a project even exists, let alone share details about size and cost (Intel, were looking at you).

Read our in-depth story about the state's construction boom here.

-- Jeff Manning and Anna Marum

jmanning@oregonian.com; amarum@oregonian.com

Don't Edit

AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File

Amazon

As traditional retailers like Macy's and Sears shutter stores across the country, e-commerce operations are opening warehouses right and left. Amazon is at the forefront of this movement, leasing about 1.2 million square feet of warehouse space in Hillsboro. The Seattle-based giant is also said to be eyeing nearly 2 million square feet of warehouse space in North Portland and Salem.

To run its mammoth operation, Amazon needs computing power. It is planning to build data centers in Boardman and Umatilla, and currently has one in progress in Umatilla. Estimated price: $1 billion-plus.

Don't Edit

Courtesy Nike

Nike headquarters

The sneaker giant is supersizing its Washington County campus, adding three buildings with a collective 1.3 million square feet of space and three parking garages with more than 3,300 stalls.

Multiple sources in the real estate and construction industry ballpark the price tag at more than $1 billion, though Nike declines to confirm or deny.

The new buildings, which wont be finished until late this year or early next, feature aggressive angles and colors, a dramatic departure from the college-campus aesthetic of existing structures.

The company has also snapped up entire business parks in the area to house its mushrooming staff. When the Oregon Department of Human Services balked at giving up its nearby space, Nike changed the agencys mind with a check for more than $2.6 million.

Don't Edit

Courtesy OHSU

Knight Cancer Institute and Center for Health & Healing South

Two massive Oregon Health & Science University projects underway in Portlands South Waterfront illustrate how health care has helped drive the current construction binge.

Andersen Construction and Hoffman Construction, two of Portlands dominant general contractors, are working within blocks of each other. Anderson crews are building the Knight Cancer Institute, a 330,000-square-foot project just north of the Tilikum Crossing with a projected cost of $190 million.

Hoffman is building OHSUs Center for Health & Healing South and an adjacent pavilion totaling 770,000 square feet. Estimated price tag: $400 million.

Don't Edit

Gramor Development

Vancouver waterfront

Few developments offer the potential to transform an entire city like the "Waterfront" in Vancouver. Veteran shopping center developer Gramor Development wants to build a $1.5 billion Pearl District-like mix of high-end residential and commercial buildings and greenspaces on 32 acres of Columbia River waterfront.

The site, which for years housed a paper mill, is stunning. But can Gramor pull it off? Absolutely, according to company president Barry Cain. More than 1,100 people have put their names on a waiting list for the first condos. Theres a big pent-up demand in this city, he said.

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Courtesy University of Oregon

UO campus expansion

Thanks to a promised $500 million donation from Nike's co-founder and his wife, the Eugene university is planning the $1 billion Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact.

Hoffman Construction, long a UO favorite, landed the $200 million construction contract. Three buildings will house labs, research facilities, prototyping tools, imaging facilities, human subject interaction space and an innovation hub.

Construction on the first phase  two new 75,000-square-foot buildings  is scheduled to start in the spring.

Don't Edit

Coutesy Zidell Yards

Zidell Yards

For decades, the 33 acres at the western base of the Ross Island Bridge harbored the Zidell family's scrap yard  and later, its bustling barge business. But on June 16, the family launched its last barge, clearing the way for a massive development that will fill a gaping hole in Portland's South Waterfront neighborhood.

The sweeping proposalcalls for 2,200 residential units, 1.5 million square feet of office space, a grocery store, a retail anchor, restaurants, parking, a 200-room hotel, three parks, a public plaza and a waterfront greenway that includes recreational access to the Willamette River. Prep work for the site will begin this fall, and the first phase is slated for completion in 2020.

Don't Edit

Courtesy Project^/Hacker Architects

Slabtown and Field Office

With much of the Pearl District built out, developers are looking to the northwest. What was once (and in some cases still is) a gritty stretch at the base of the Fremont Bridge is undergoing a spate of new development.

Cairn Pacific continues work on the Slabtown blocks, where Con-Way once operated its freight business. A 14-story residential tower is taking shape down the block from a New Seasons Market. A Besaw's restaurant and apartments opened earlier. Nearby, in what developers have dubbed the Frontside District, the $100 million Field Office is taking shape. Two six-story buildings will be complete by March.

Don't Edit

Courtesy Holst Architecture

Lloyd Center and surrounding blocks

Like many shopping centers throughout the country, Portland's oldest mall has struggled to stay relevant as more Americans shop online. In 2015, it lost anchor Nordstrom. While it's kept both Macy's and Sears, those chains have been announcing closures with alarming regularity.

But the Lloyd District, like much of Portland, has seen its share of high-end development  namely the Hassalo on Eighth project  in recent years. Seeing this, the mall's owners in 2014 announced plans for a multimillion-dollar remodel.

The mall hopes to attract shoppers by adding non-traditional tenants like a brewpub, yoga studio and a grocery store. And with additional development in the neighboring blocks  including the two six-story apartment buildings planned south of Sears  the mall could soon have a built-in customer base.

Don't Edit

ESG Architects

Oregon Convention Center hotel

Nearly three decades after the Convention Center opened, its finally getting a hotel. The 600-room Hyatt Regency in Northeast Portland is slated to break ground Aug. 4, and expected to open in 2019.

The $224 million project will be funded in part by bonds backed by lodging taxes levied on hotel guests, as well as state lottery funds and money from convention center operator Metro. Its one of 15 hotels in the works in Portland.

Don't Edit

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Anna Marum | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Goat Blocks

The cute, weed-gobbling goats are long gone, replaced by 347 apartments in four buildings. Killian Pacific of Vancouver spent $85 million building the complex in Portland's trendy inner eastside.

Given its proximity to downtown, new Market of Choice grocery store and killer roof-top patio, the project has a lot in its favor.

Except timing.

It started leasing in February, just as the market for high-end apartments entered a lull.

But Killian officials remain confident. We think the fear is overblown, said Jeremy McPherson, the companys vice president of development. Theres some hyper-sensitivity because of the severity of the last downturn.
PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric pitched new resource plans to regulators last week that include major investments in renewable energy.

PacifiCorp's $3.5 billion proposal entails building 1,100 megawatts of new wind farms in Wyoming, upgrading another 1,000 megawatts of existing windmills there to provide more power, and building a new transmission line to ease bottlenecks on the grid and bring all that green energy to market.

PGE touted a smaller but ambitious expansion that would have it build or buy power from the equivalent of a 525-megawatt wind farm in the Columbia River Gorge  the largest single addition to its renewable energy portfolio to date.

Both companies are trying to create a sense of urgency among regulators. They insist they need to act now to capture federal production tax credits that could cover 25 percent of the wind farm costs, but are set to expire in 2020. The additions would also put them on a faster compliance path with state renewable energy mandates, and move them toward decarbonizing the grid  ostensibly a big priority for Oregon leaders and customers.

PacifiCorp dubbed its plan the "Energy Vision 2020 project." PGE, meanwhile, called its strategy a "no-risk, no-regrets" way to move more quickly toward the state's mandate of 50 percent renewable energy by 2040.

Yet outside stakeholders, including environmental groups that are typically gung-ho about such investments, are balking. They don't have quite the same vision and believe there may be big regrets if the utilities move forward as planned.

The consternation highlights the sweeping changes and deep uncertainty that have overtaken an industry known for its boring predictability. A massive influx of renewable energy on the West Coast, particularly solar power in California, is fundamentally changing electricity markets and products in the region. Coupled with shifting customer preferences, a push toward more unified transmission markets, distributed generation, energy storage technologies, electric vehicles, energy efficiency efforts and global warming regulation, the industry is facing more change in a decade than it has seen in the last half-century.

Its traditional business model  building big, long-lived and centralized plants that run on fossil fuels to meet customers' needs  is fast disappearing. But the alternative still isn't clear, wreaking havoc on the "least-cost, least-risk" planning process on which utilities and regulators have relied.

"It's a mess," said Bob Jenks, executive director of the ratepayer advocacy group, Citizens' Utility Board of Oregon. "There is no consensus on energy policy."

In Oregon, all of this is playing out before a relatively new and untested set of commissioners at the Public Utility Commission.

A RADICALLY DIFFERENT VISION

PacifiCorp reviewed its plan Monday during a commission workshop in Salem. It faced a tough audience, as the regulatory staff, industry, environmental and ratepayer groups which commented on the plan say the utility had already pulled a bait and switch.

PacifiCorp held a series of public meeting from June 2016 to March 2017 to solicit input on the first draft of its resource plan before submitting it to regulators. That plan included no new resource acquisitions for more than a decade.

But after wrapping up those meetings, the company unveiled a radically different Energy Vision 2020 with major investments in wind. The last-minute swap gave outsiders little time to look under the hood. And now that they have, they're not sure they like what they see.

Though the Portland-based utility claims its early purchase of the renewables will save ratepayers money, PUC analysts point to a fairly basic issue: for the next decade, PacifiCorp doesn't need the energy, either to meet customer demand or comply with state renewable mandates.

Meanwhile, the industry continues to see rapid technological changes and price drops that make the savings uncertain.

It's an expensive plan, with a big chunk of the cost tied up in the 140-mile transmission line that will solve some congestion problems in Wyoming. But several stakeholders think it would be cheaper for PacifiCorp to close its Dave Johnston coal plant there, freeing up the same capacity at a lower cost.

Coal still makes up the heart of PacifiCorp's power plant fleet  a basic sticking point for Oregon, which passed a law last year banning the import of electricity from coal-fired power plants by 2030.

The company plans to retire some units in the next decade but plans to keep running the Dave Johnston plant until 2027, and others for two decades or more while gradually shifting to natural gas and renewables. The company says it makes economic sense to run the coal plants, even with a price on carbon. And it says it has learned to ramp them up and down  coal plants typically run flat out -- to integrate renewable power from both its own resources and from California. That flexibility, it says, allowed it to reduce emissions by 12 percent last year.

But that's not a popular plan in Oregon.

The Sierra Club maintains that 40 percent of PacifiCorp's coal fleet is already non-economic compared with other resources. It says the utility is becoming an outlier in the West  the one that believes it can continue to rely on coal while others move aggressively toward alternatives. PacifiCorp is suing the Environmental Protection Agency to overturn regional haze regulations that would require the installation of expensive pollution controls to keep many of its aging units running.

"They're doing some magical thinking around regional haze and assuming they won't have to comply with it," said Amy Hojnowski, who represents the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign. "Even without those rules, 40 percent of the coal units are non-economic. ...We support early action on renewables, but without a full assessment of their existing coal fleet, we can't really tell what's least-cost, least-risk way to move forward."

PacifiCorp doesn't require approval from state regulators to move forward with its plan, but runs the risk of having investments disallowed if it ignores their concerns. Still, it has to please regulators and customers in the six states where it operates, many of which have very different priorities than Oregon.

A SENSE OF URGENCY

PGE, on the other hand, does all its business here and wants regulators' blessing for its plan. Its resource needs are also more pressing, driven by the looming retirement of its coal plant in Boardman at the end of 2020. Regulators are set to deliver a decision on its plan within a month.

The company initially asked regulators to endorse a plan to acquire more than 800 megawatts of "generic capacity" resources through competitive bidding. PGE planned to join that process with a proposal to build two new gas plants at the Boardman site. The plan also included the new wind resources, energy efficiency and additional demand management programs.

It did not go well. Environmentalists, ratepayer advocates, independent power producers and PUC staff excoriated nearly every element in the plan and recommended that commissioners not acknowledge most of it.

PGE has since suspended its permitting efforts on the Boardman gas plants. It lowered its projections of demand growth. It said it had reached a tentative agreement with a hydroelectric supplier that would satisfy some of its capacity needs, and has a variety of solar contracts in the works.

But the utility is still trying to light a fire under commissioners, insisting it needs more than 500 megawatts of new capacity by 2021. It has started bilateral negotiations with a number of parties to meet those needs by purchasing power from existing resources  whether a gas plant, hydroelectric providers or other resources. But it needs a waiver from competitive bidding requirements to buy or contract for any of those resources, and there's no guarantee it will meet all of its needs. If the negotiations fall short, it wants permission to start a new competitive bidding process to fill the gap, which could revive its own proposal to build a gas plant at Boardman.

In the meantime, it wants to solicit bids for the new renewable resources.

There are concerns across the board. Critics says PGE's action plan is too vague for regulators to acknowledge at all. Environmentalists and ratepayer advocates are concerned that in the end, PGE will come back with a proposal to buy or build another gas plant.

"The gas plant they brought on last year has a 45-year life," Jenks said. "That's 2060. I don't know what the world looks like in 2060. I don't know why they're not doing deals that have a shorter lifetime, that give us more flexibility where we go in the future."

Megan Decker, who was appointed to the commission in April, asked PGE whether there was any risk to reliability if the commission decided to acknowledge only part of its capacity need.

PGE's response: It's not the only utility in the region looking for capacity. Some 3,000 megawatts of coal plants are scheduled to be shuttered in the near term.

"If you don't secure capacity in that window, you're exposing your customers to the spot market or power not being available," said Franco Albi, who manages the company's resource planning.

Commissioner Stephen Bloom, the longest serving of the three commissioners, had a fairly sharp response to that: "We're not in an emergency situation. We've known about Boardman for a long time."

PGE is facing similar blowback on its renewables plan. Like PacifiCorp, it doesn't need the power to meet state renewable energy mandates for another decade, and has a big bank of renewable energy credits that it can draw down for that purpose. And unfortunately, the output of a new wind farm isn't predictable enough to solve its capacity problem.

There was little indication last week what the commission would decide to do with PGE's plan, or whether the utility is prepared to move forward regardless.

Robert Kahn, executive director of the Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition, says regulators need an entirely new approach to resource planning. His organization represents independent power producers and backed a bill that passed this legislative session requiring the commission to explore potential changes to the regulatory system in light of the changes overtaking the industry.

The question, he said, is "how do you justify any of this when the entire world is changing."

- Ted Sickinger

503-221-8505; @tedsickinger
By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) The Shahi Imam of Delhis Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, has written to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urging him to persuade militant youth and Hurriyat leaders to agree for a ceasefire and resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue.

In a nearly one-month-old letter, Bukhari had said the Kashmir issue is becoming volatile day-by-day, resulting in an increase in tension between the two countries and the only practical way to ease tension on the border is initiation of dialogue between India and Pakistan.

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"Thousands of people are living under the shadow of AK- 47, a life besieged by bloodshed," he said.

This game of death and destruction is making the situation grave. Due to these circumstances, millions of Indian Muslims are also facing a trying situation. Whenever ties between the two countries are tense it directly affects the Muslims of India, Bukhari said.

"The Kashmir issue can neither be solved through guns and stones nor through military expeditions. We should create an environment conducive for the talks at the earliest.

"Through the exchange of views and dialogue on the larger issues, we all should formulate a strategy that is in the interest of both nations," he said in the letter.

Referring to what former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said that "one could change friends but not the neighbours", Bukhari said he perceived in the context of current situation positive measures aimed to ensure dialogue process is needed keeping in view the interest of the two countries and their people.

"I request you to kindly persuade the militant youth and Hurriyat leaders to agree for a ceasefire through your good offices and influence," the Shahi Imam said.

When contacted, Bukhari told PTI, "I had written the letter to Nawaz Sharif on June 22, in the month of Ramzan." PTI PLB DIP SMJ DIP

--- ENDS ---
A local womans lawsuit claiming sexual harassment and retaliation against a Midland gym where she encountered a transgender woman has been appealed to the states highest court, the Michigan Supreme Court.

In March Yvette Cormier filed the suit against Planet Fitness  Midland LLC, of Michigan, and Pla-Fit Franchise, LLC, of New Hampshire, after visiting the Midland Planet Fitness on Feb. 28, 2015, to exercise.

In an open common area of the womens locker room, Cormier came into contact with a transgender woman. She left the locker room and notified the front desk that a man was using the womens locker room, and was told the gyms policy is that people are allowed to use the corresponding facilities of whatever sex they identify with, court documents state.

According to the documents, there were no signs or posters warning that men would be allowed to use the womens locker room, and nothing on the topic in Cormiers membership agreement, so she contacted the Planet Fitness corporate office to inquire. Corporate staff referenced the gyms no judgment policy, and echoed the desk workers statement regarding using the corresponding facilities of whatever sex a person identifies with.

After Cormier complained to other Planet Fitness members about the policy, Planet Fitness canceled her membership.

At that point, Cormiers attorney, David A. Kallman, of Lansing, filed a lawsuit on multiple points: Invasion of privacy, hostile environment, retaliation, breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violations of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Michigan Consumer Protection Act.

Privacy rights of women and men should be upheld vs. somebodys own belief, Kallman stated by phone on Thursday.

On Jan. 4, 2016, Midland County Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Beale dismissed Cormiers suit. In his opinion, Beale pointed out more than once that his ruling had to with the legal issues of the case, rather than the side issues associated with the case  namely, rights for those identifying themselves as transgender. The opinion stated that Cormiers claims on numerous issues centered on the concept of what could have occurred, rather than stating sexual harassment actually occurred.

Kallman appealed Beales ruling to the states Court of Appeals on Jan. 26, 2016. Over a year later, on June 1, 2017, the Court of Appeals upheld Beales ruling.

The Yvette Cormiers of the world are being told you are going to accept our point of view and it is being crammed down their throats, Kallman said. It shouldnt be one side wins and the other side loses. There needs to be some middle ground here. The courts need to step in and provide some clarity.

Wednesday, Kallman filed for leave to appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court.

The decision by the appeals court was in error because a business policy itself could not be the basis for an Elliott-Larsen Act claim. The policy itself is enough to be a violation, Kallman said.
By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 16 (PTI) Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram today alleged that the Centre has taken a "maximalist" position on Kashmir and "aggravated" the problem in the Valley.

His remarks came two days after the Centre briefed opposition parties on the stand-off with China and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of an attack on Amarnath pilgrims.

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The former Union home minister said the Kashmir issue is "a festering wound" and the people of the Valley are caught between "two maximalist positions" taken by the central government and militants.

The casualties are the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the future of the state, he said in a series of tweets.

"Just as the militants have taken a maximalist position that has to be rejected out of hand, the Central government has taken a maximalist position that has aggravated the problem," he said.

The senior Congress spokesperson posted on Twitter that on many occasions in the past, he had "cautioned that the Kashmir issue or problem (or by whatever name it is called) was a festering wound".

The Opposition has been blaming the Centre and the PDP- BJP government in the state for the unrest and violence in the Kashmir Valley since the death of Hizbul leader Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces last year. PTI SKC GVS BDS GVS

--- ENDS ---
Like many observers, we see our country growing more and more divided for political reasons.

Republicans vs. Democrats. Right vs. Left. Abortion, gun ownership, health care, social issues. A lot of us don't see eye to eye on very many things.

We accept that as politics and the country leans left, it then swings right, and then left, and then right again. When one side goes too far one way, the other side tends to gain the upper hand and the pendulum swings the other way.

But that is politics. It's supposed to be that way in politics. But it's not supposed to be that way in the areas of justice.

So it's unfortunate to see every judicial appointment or the head of the FBI, for instance, seemingly get selected based on their political view. What ever happened to just plain law and order and the Constitution?

President Donald Trump has selected "low-key" and "even-handed" attorney Christopher Wray to lead the Federal Burea of Investigation. Wray told U.S. senators this week that he would not let politics interfere with justice. And he seems to have the support of both parties.

We're not sure how Wray would handle some of the delicate questions surrounding the Trump administration. But we certainly welcome the thought that Trump has indeed selected an independent leader for the FBI.

It's important that the United States remain a nation of laws, honesty and fairness. We often set an example that much of the world tries to follow.

Wray could make a big difference in restoring confidence to our ideal.
Mariners are used to seeing whales, dolphins and sharks far from shore, but an elephant?

The large gray creature Sri Lankan navy sailors saw bobbing Tuesday in the waves of the Indian Ocean nearly 10 miles from the coast was an indeed an pachyderm, a fully grown Asian elephant, according to reports from the Washington Post, NPR and other media outlets.
One afternoon this spring, in the middle of a day at Central Illinois Bank in Bloomington, a teller looked out the front door.

She saw a frantic mother standing at the door, in obvious need of help, and ran out to witness a scene of great peril.

So I came out quickly, says Chase Cavalera.

As everyone watched, Cavalera got into a position and lowered himself down.

Into a storm sewer.

Yes, it was a family of seven ducklings who'd fallen through the grate.

The mother ... says Cavalera, walked right up to the (banks) door, as if she knew there would be help there. It was amazing!

Wading in storm water, Cavalera handed up the seven ducklings, one-by-one, to the elated mom.

Then, having completed his rescue and readying to leave, he heard a faint peep from a nearby manhole. That's when Cavalera called out, a duckling's head popped up from a pipe down in the manhole and Cavalera dove in to get her out, too.

So I went to get out seven ducklings and I rescued eight, he says.

Youve heard of a horse whisperer, a sheep herder, a dog trainer.

Chase Cavalera is an animal rescuer.

He is a new-age Tarzan.

Last night, I got a call late that someone had two raccoons that needed to be trapped, he says. So I set up a cage and got them both, and I brought them home, and they had a late-night dinner at my place. Then I took them out (into rural McLean County) and released them back into nature.

That, too, is an aspect to Cavalera.

He doesnt kill anything unless it has to be done.

Age 44, personable, funny, offbeat, wildly enthused, by day a personal trainer/swim instructor at a Golds Gym in Bloomington, Cavalera might be the very Webster definition of a character, as in the noun that describes someone who is uh, OK, not typical."

A Facebook profile photo shows him shirtless, in a comic yet heroic Moses-like pose, along the blue sea in Maui, appearing to hoist a large boulder over his head, his flowing blonde locks swept by the crisp sea air.

"As my mother tells it, there were thunderstorms almost every day of her pregnancy with me," says Cavalera. "Im sure a psychoanalyst would say that may be why I enjoy a bit of chaos.

Besides daring duckling rescues, hes untangled geese caught in fishing line, extricated large snapping turtles in sewers, coddled a baby owl in a wicked thunderstorm, aided an injured hawk, helped a duck who laid her eggs in an atrium at Golds Gym, saved opossums, bunnies, birds, squirrels, frogs, a turtle in traffic, an iguana and undergone countless raccoon recovery missions. (See all the pictures on today's Flick online blog.) One rescue was in such cold that the set of baby raccoons was thought to be dead, of hypothermia, before being revived by Chase and girlfriend, Olivia Muniz, who used heat vents and massage on the way to rehab.

In an age when agencies don't have the time, staff or money to do such anymore, he does his rescuing, and next morning, posts on Facebook, in groups called Saving Our Wildlife in Bloomington-Normal and Surrounding Areas and Local Tarzans Compassionate Wildlife Solutions that in time have more than 1,000 followers and have made Cavalera highly known.

Perhaps the most unusual: Pushed by a passion, Cavalera does it for free.

I take donations and have a GoFundMe campaign, he says. But until the city, state or county recognizes me as a necessary entity, I do it `pro bono ... because I find there is really no one in our area committing to this cause.

Born in Jacksonville, Fla., "moving around a lot but raised predominantly in the Heritage Lake area near Mackinaw, it was there that his family built a log home and Cavalera ran through the woods with the dogs, swimming, fishing, climbing, swinging on vines, finding turtles, tadpoles, frogs, snakes.

I was the kid with ticks and fleas from time to time, he says.

And some 40 years later, nothing's changed.

"He's for real," says Matt Fraker, a Twin City veterinarian who, along with other area vets like Torry Steffen and Randy and Susan Brunswick, is oft on the receiving end of the animals Cavalera saves. "He has a great personality, a real passion and a quirky interest in rescuing animals. Through Facebook now, EVERYBODY knows how to reach out to Chase ... he's putting miles on his vehicle."

Says Cavalera: I am the investigator, the negotiator, the trapper, the ambulance, the short-term nurse ... and yes, that guy you see picking up road kill. I do that, too.

He then adds, Back in first grade, I remember the teacher asking what I wanted to do when I grow up, and I replied 'a cop, a doctor for animals ... or a superstar!' 

Yes, a wily, winsome answer from a downright whimsical guy.

And interestingly, hes also become all of those. Just ask those ducks.
BLOOMINGTON  When it comes to history, 9-year-old Laney Robinson isnt afraid to immerse herself in the past.

To fit in at the ninth annual Lincolns Festival on Route 66 in Bloomington, Laney wore a Civil War-era dress with matching bonnet, purse and parasol.

I like coming to this kind of event because it makes you realize how history is connected to today, like how horse carriages inspired cars, said Laney of Bloomington. Its cool to think that someday I might be a part of history.

She visited the festival with her sister Audrey, 4, and grandma Pat Walsh of Bloomington. The trio stopped to pat a towering Clydesdale horse at the Civil War encampment set up by the 10th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry on the lawn of the Illinois Wesleyan Ames Library.

Abe Lincoln was a lawyer to the girls great-great-great-grandfather Henry Mortimer Robinson of Goodfield, said Walsh. I hope the girls learn how they are a part of history. This event makes learning history in school easier for them and they feel more connected.

Lincolns Festival, which continues 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, spreads across several locations in Bloomington with free trolley rides chauffeuring visitors to each spot.

Live music, kids' activities and crafts were set up in the shade of Franklin Park as well as a car show hosted by Bloomington-Normal Jaycees. History buffs could ride around the square in a horse-pulled carriage.

At the McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St., visitors could dive deeper into the history of Lincoln and how the 16th president was connected to what became Route 66. Museum volunteers dished out prizes and facts while kids created Lincoln sun catchers.

A history of bicycles was presented at the David Davis Mansion with many old and new bikes on display. The Bloomington Public Library hosted a coloring contest, historic presentations, live music and a chance for a photo with Lincoln impersonator Kevin Wood.

Jim and Pat Carlson of Normal browsed the Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market and eyed antique cars in Franklin Park before exploring the Civil War encampment.

I enjoy the mystique of the Civil War, said Jim Carlson. When I think about Lincoln, I think about how he pulled the country together. Too bad he didnt live to see that happen, but I think if hed been alive the Reconstruction would have gone much better.

Pat Carlson said that if Lincoln were leading the country today, hopefully people would get along.

The amount of conflict in our country today is sad. I hope people who come to this event learn a lesson about what happened in the past, she said.

Lauren Lacy of Bloomington explored the camp with Scott Tongate of Downs and his daughter Sydney, 14.

I think this is a really fun way to engage in history, said Lacy. Its not just coming from dry, boring textbooks. It shows people how vibrant our community is. I dont think theres anything else like this along Route 66.

Sunday events include cavalry demonstrations and skirmishes at the IWU camp, crafts and trivia at Bloomington Public Library and discussions and activities at the history museum.

For a schedule of events, visit www.lincolnsfestival.net.
The concept of "executive function" was popularized by social science research showing that young children who can control their impulses, pay attention, remember details, manage their time and plan are more likely to be successful in school.

According to an article recently published in the journal Police Quarterly, executive function may also play a role in how likely police officers are to respond with deadly force to an altercation.

In "Quick on the Draw: Assessing the Relationship Between Low Self-Control and Officer-Involved Police Shootings," researchers from Loyola University in Chicago, the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of South Florida analyzed administrative records  background files, academy training records and personnel information that could represent possible predictors of negative police behavior  from the Philadelphia Police Department.

They found that officers who had problems with their finances and their interpersonal relationships, past brushes with the law and/or lower levels of education  situations linked to low executive functioning  exhibited a higher likelihood of discharging their firearms. The study's statistical regression found that a one-unit increase in low self-control was associated with a 21 percent increase in the odds of police officers discharging their firearms.

That these officers were likelier to be male will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever come into contact with a wriggly boy who didn't fare terribly well in early elementary school classrooms' culture of sitting quietly.

But another interesting detail about these officers who were prone to discharging their firearms is that  in this one, limited study  they were also likelier to be black.

"We found male and black officers were more likely than white officers or female officers to use deadly force," said Alex Piquero, a criminologist at the University of Texas at Dallas and a co-author of the study. "This can seem surprising because a lot of the narrative on use of force is driven by what we see on social media. Twenty years ago we didn't have phones on which to take video to share on social networks. The stories and images of white officers running rampant on black victims ... some of that is true, but we're not sure that's really reflective of the majority of officers. In fact, the majority of all officers never shoot their guns in their whole careers."

Importantly, this study of the Philadelphia police was unique because of its access to such a deep trove of information on officers, as most departments do not make such data available.

"There's not a lot of very good information on police officer use-of-force incidents from small to medium to most severe, such as discharging their firearms," Piquero told me. "We don't have a database of officer shootings and we simply don't have access to such data."

This speaks to why we cannot answer the million-dollar question: Why might black police officers discharge their firearms more often?

"We don't know," Piquero said. "It could be deployment issues. For instance, black police officers may be assigned to patrol certain parts of their communities in which the types of incidents that result in use of force are likelier to occur. We just don't know because police departments are hesitant to make their use-of-force statistics public  they're concerned with how it could look on the front page of the newspaper. However, I would argue that that level of transparency would build trust and credibility with the community."

If we are to take anything from one study's conclusion that police officers with lower executive function are likelier to use force and that they tend toward being male and black  and it is important to reiterate that it's never a good idea to generalize too broadly from the results of a single study  it is that we should reconsider the belief that simply hiring more police officers who reflect the ethnicity and racial composition of a community will improve matters.

As demonstrated by high-profile police shootings involving two minorities  like the recent acquittal of Dominique Heaggan-Brown, the Milwaukee police officer who had been charged with first-degree reckless homicide of Sylville K. Smith, both of whom were black  solving policing issues requires that we look beyond an officer's race.

Investigating a variety of factors including better training for how and when to engage in use of force, and an understanding of an officer's strengths or weaknesses in the area of self-control, may have far more impact on community safety.
Although it seems like a no-brainer, it was gratifying to see Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner act so quickly  and decisively  in denying a liquor license to a convenience store owner who wanted to add video gaming.

The request came last week from Huck's CEO Todd Jenney during a city Liquor Commission hearing. The chain wanted permission for liquor licenses for two stores  at 501 N. Hershey Road and 102 W. Oakland Ave.

Give Jenney credit. He was forthright with Renner, who heads the commission, about why he wanted the licenses.

"We don't even want to be in the bar business. We just need the liquor license to get the (video) gaming," he told the mayor. The proposal, if approved, would have allowed the consumption of wine and beer at the two stores that already, like most convenience stores, are allowed to sell packaged alcohol.

As we recently stated, the proliferation of video gaming in the Twin Cities is a concern.

Bloomington, in fact, remains among the Top 10 cities in Illinois in terms of dollars spent ($57.6 million) on video gaming at 55 establishments; $43 million was won back last year.

In a recent Pantagraph story, the mayor said, "I want to be in the top 10, but not with that type of distinction."

So, it probably shouldn't be a surprise that he rejected the license bids from Huck's.

That said, the issue raises another important point: Just where should video gaming be allowed?

Under the state law that allowed video gaming to expand beyond casinos, the language is pretty clear.

The state allows placement of up to five video gaming terminals per licensed, alcohol-serving establishment. Those permitted to have the machines include bars, restaurants, fraternal and veterans organizations, and truck stops.

A lot of people would say that list is too long.

We don't ncessarily agree with that, but to add convenience stores to the mix would be foolhardy.

Those businesses get all kinds of traffic  from motorists paying for gasoline to kids popping in for a fountain drink.

Huck's intended to put five gaming machines in glass-enclosed areas of both stores, an apparent attempt to separate the activity from patrons who come and go. The plan included having gaming customers order a single serving of beer or wine at the sales counter that a store associate would deliver to them while they gambled in the enclosed area.

Seriously, can you imagine going into a convenience store and seeing people drinking a beer and playing on the machines in the same general vicinity as the snack and candy aisle?

It's bad enough, some people would argue, that such businesses sell packaged liquor in the first place.

Then there is the related question of where does the list of eligible businesses stop? Are fast-food restaurants next?

In the end, this debate ended before it got started, but it's a clear reminder that video gaming is a money-maker in this community  and everywhere else.

Local leaders, as was done in this case, have to use common sense and consider community standards when deciding what to allow and what not to allow.

As Renner said at the hearing, he didn't know "how in the world" he "could possibly bring this to the City Council for a vote."

We couldn't agree more.
100 years ago

July 16, 1917: The War Department has begun naming its 32 training centers to honor earlier officers. At Rockford, the training center will be known as Camp Grant, for Gen. (and later president) Ulysses S. Grant of Galena. Illinois servicemen will train at Camp Grant.

75 years ago

July 16, 1942: George Ziller of Weston posted $19,000 bond after being indicted on charges stemming from an alleged wartime job selling scheme. Two others face similar charges. All three men declined to enter a plea at their arraignments.

50 years ago

July 16, 1967: Loren Weaver, principal of Jefferson School (now closed) in Bloomington, was killed in an auto accident on Route 122 east of Stanford. The other driver was seriously hurt. Weaver had taught in District 87 since 1954, and had been principal at Jefferson for three years.

25 years ago

July 16, 1992: The Conrail trash train that was parked outside Streator is on the move again after a judge ordered it out of Livingston County. A sheriffs squad car accompanied the train to the county line. But the trainload of New York City household trash still has no destination.
It's a fact that iPhones have gotten more expensive every year, now topping off at a whopping $969 for an iPhone 7 Plus with 256 GB of storage. So the 10th anniversary iPhone, the next model, expected to be massively re-designed and packed with state-of-the-art technology, could sell for as much as $1,200 to $1,400, according to some estimates. A new report published late Friday asked the question: "will people actually pay that kind of money for an iPhone?"

Tim Bajarin, an Apple analyst and president of Creative Strategies answered that question for USA Today by emphatically stating "Yes, and happily. It will fly off the shelves.'

First reason, the bragging rights: Bajarin expects the 10th anniversary edition to have an OLED screen (brighter, more colorful), a bigger, thinner body, the best (new and improved) smartphone camera and more graphics and computing power.

It's the extra cost of the bigger, OLED screen, plus expanded storage, that could push the top of the line iPhone to the $1,200 to $1,400 range, he says. Apple is also expected to update the current iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models with similar size bodies and new features.

Of course, many people opt for the smaller, lighter versions  the least storage, and the non-Plus model. For instance, the smaller, 4.7-inch iPhone 7, with 32 GB of storage, is $649  $320 less than the biggest, most fully loaded current iPhone.

USA Today's Jefferson Graham and team went out and asked consumers if they were ready to step up and pay the big bucks for the new anniversary iPhone and were surprised hear as many yeahs as they did nays.

Bajarin added that 'Early adopters are always willing to spend more, to be first. In Apple's defense, the costs of materials will be high, so this needs to be priced as a premium. And remember, whatever Apple does, regardless of price, they'll sell out every one they make, and be back-ordered.'"

And to be fair, the Galaxy S8 sells for $824 and a loaded Pixel XL comes in at $869. So the current iPhone 7 Plus with 256 GB of storage at $969 is in line. The anniversary iPhone will be a unique iPhone and warrant the extra price. Well, at least in the U.S.

Today an iPhone 7 Plus with 256 GB of storage in Canada with AppleCare + comes in at $1478. Asking Canadians to pay $1800 + for the high end Anniversary iPhone will only be taken up by professionals for which there are many. Though for students and regular consumers, it will definitely be out of reach. For them, Apple's regular iPhone 8 Plus model will be the way to go. Of course any country being hit with a high U.S. dollar exchange rate including Australia and elsewhere will be in the same shoes.

In the big picture, the anniversary iPhone is an added bonus for Apple over and above their standard offerings. So no matter if it's late to market or not, the anniversary iPhone or whatever it's called (iPhone X or iPhone Pro) will be a win for Apple's bottom line over a few quarters.

Yet perhaps more importantly, the new anniversary iPhone model marks a very special anniversary that pays tribute to Apple's late CEO Steve Jobs, one of the crazy ones who had the courage to take Apple to a new market and put the internet in our pockets forever changing the mobile world as we knew it. For many die hard fans around the world, the price will not be a deterrent for such a tribute.

Though for those who just can't fathom paying such a price, such as students and those on minimum wage, perhaps the carriers will offer special anniversary iPhone plans to help out  at least over the holiday season. T-Mobile loves to disrupt the market and they're likely to take this kind of bold move to shake things up for the holiday season.

As for outside the U.S., the standard iPhone 8 models will likely be the market driver with the anniversary iPhone being a real stretch for most beyond professionals who could write it off.

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palanisamy met the injured victims at a hospital where they have been admitted for treatment .

By India Today Web Desk: One fireman was killed and several people injured when fire broke out at a bakery in Chennai's Kodungaiyur area on Saturday night. According to ANI, fire broke out after a cylinder blast inside the bakery.

According to Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan, at least 48 people were injured during the fire.

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palanisamy met the injured victims at a hospital where they have been admitted for treatment . The CM announced relief for the fireman and a government job for his kin. He also said that the injured will also be given relief from the CM fund.

More details awaited.

Also read: West Bengal: 5 Indian Oil Corporation tankers catch fire in Siliguri

Also read: Saudi Arabia: 10 Indians among those killed in fire in Najran

--- ENDS ---
Patna: Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief and Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, talking to the media following a meeting of his party district presidents in Patna on Saturday, blamed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the current political standoff in Bihar saying the Janata Dal  U leader was only concerned with saving his chair and nothing else.

"Nitish Kumar has a history of drowning the boat he is riding on. He has been proven a power-hungry politician who would do anything to remain in power and to save his chair. This had been his entire political history. All this talk about how he is a man of principles is rubbish," he said.

Kushwaha also called out the Chief Minister on his prohibition policy saying the whole thing was a giant effort by Kumar to fool the people of Bihar.

"For 12 years, Nitish Kumar had been duping the people of Bihar. Health care and education had never been worse in the state than it is now. Voters now know who he really is and what he stands for. I have talked to many people and it is evident that they are not in a mood to be fooled by him anymore. Come next election, voters will teach him a lesson he will never forget," the RLSP leader said.

He also announced his party's upcoming rally, dubbed as 'Akrosh Dikhao, Shiksha Bachao', at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on October 15.

Others present on the occasion included Bhagwan Singh Kushwaha, Bhudeo Chaudhary, and Dashai Chaudhary.
Patna: Police in Patna under Pirbahore police station on Saturday arrested a man in his mid-20s and charged him for molesting half a dozen under-teen girls in Sabzi Bagh area.

Authorities identified the man as Mohammed Irshad, a resident of Sabzi Bagh, who worked part time as a plumber.

According to the police report, Irshad lured 8-10 years old girl by showing them toffees, then took them to some isolated area where he would molest the girls, show them dirty videos on his cell phone, and beat them up if they refused to obey his commands.

The man, as reported had molested half a dozen girls in the past month spreading a sense of fear in the area as parents kept their girls indoor preventing them from going outside and play with their friends.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj, talking to the reporters said that upon hearing multiple complaints from Sabzi Bagh residents, police came up with a plan to nab the serial molester.

Taking advantage of the surveillance cameras installed on many buildings in the area, police identified the perpetrator. After that, several plain-clothed policemen were deployed to keep an eye on any suspicious activity. The break came on Saturday morning when parents, with the help of police, let some children play outside their homes in the hope of catching the predator in action.

Soon enough, Irshad was seen walking towards a girl who was trying to climb a stairway to get to her home. He grabbed the girl and put his hand on her mouth to stop her from screaming and started to drag her downstairs.

At that point, police sprang into action and rescued the girl from Irshad's clutches. Angry parents, in spite of the presence of police, beat up the man before handing him over to the law enforcement officials.

The SSP said Irshad who has confessed of his crime would be tried in a Speedy Trial Court.
Patna: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and former movie star Shatrughan Sinha organized a function at Hotel Maurya in Patna in honor of the new Mayor of Patna Sita Sahu, Deputy Mayor Vinay Kumar Pappu and all the newly-elected ward councilors of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC).

On the occasion, Sinha, an MP from Patna Saheb, appealed to the new Mayor to work towards improving education and health care in the state capital. He, however, refrained from talking about chronic water-logging problem that plagues more than half of the city for the past several days.

"The ward councilors are discussing problems being faced by the city, I am told. Our goal should be to make Patna both green and clean," the MP said.

At the end of the function, Sinha donated two ambulances to the Jaya Prabha Hospital in Kankarbagh.

Some of Sinha's detractors called the function a 'political stunt' and a preemptive move by him to drum up support for his candidacy for 2019 Parliamentary elections.

"The BJP MP has a very poor track record when it comes to performance. He also has a long history of criticizing his own party and siding with our opponents in Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Janata Dal  U. Now that the Lok Sabha elections are getting closer, Mr. Sinha is once again hobnobbing with local BJP leaders to secure their support," said a leader of the opposition camp in the PMC.
Knife Attacker Shot Dead At Tehran Subway Station

07/16/17

Source: REF/RL

Police in Tehran have shot dead a man who attacked a cleric and other people with a knife at a subway station, Iran's state media reported.









Hadi Tamhidi, deputy governor of the Shar-e Rey district in south Tehran, said the unidentified man attacked the clergyman with a knife after a dispute and injured another man.



Reports said that the knife wielder had attacked several people who tried to rush to the cleric's aid.



Police shot and wounded the assailant, who later died of his injuries, Tamhidi said.



He said the assailant was mentally disturbed.



The Tehran metro station after the shooting.

A spokesman for the metro said traffic at the Shar-e Rey station had returned to normal after the incident.



Police said they are investigating the incident.



Based on reporting by Reuters, Fars, and ISNA
Mr Ernest Henry Norgbey, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman has called on the security agencies especially the Police to clamp down on contaminated fuel dealers in the area.



He said the activities of these fuel dealers was a threat to national security and the community in which they live.



Mr Norgbey made the call when he spoke to the media at Parliament on an incident in his constituency where two persons were killed when they tried putting a contaminated fuel into a motorbike.



He said the victims of the contaminated fuel fire who were okada riders dealing in adulterated fuel died from their burns and while a number of people were on admission receiving treatment.



The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) confirmed that the two companies alleged to have purchased the more than 5 million litres of contaminated fuel under suspicious circumstances from the BOST Company were not licensed.



The Ministry of Energy setup an eight-member ministerial Committee to investigate the case.



The MP said although the recent issue about contaminated fuel had died down the products were still in the system.



He said people had hoarded it and were now trying to sell them on table-top as far as in Wa, Bolgatanga and Tamale.



Mr Norgbey warned that if care was not taken the problem could escalate in Ashaiman and cause more difficulties in other parts of the country.



He called on the NPA and Environmental Protection Agency to collaborate to clamp down on the contaminated fuel dealers.



He said Ashaiman was a densely populated area and if people hoard such products in their rooms and selling them, it posed a great danger to their neighbours.



Some people in Ashaiman now cannot sleep because they are scared because of what their neighbours are dealing in could catch fire and they will be affected, he added.



Mr Norgbey said the adulterated fuel business that was going in Ashaiman was an illegality and must not be supported.

Source: GNA









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The Senior Minister of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Ing. Yaw Osafo-Maafo has commended the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE) for launching the first ever Ghana Infrastructure Report Card.



Hon. Ing. Yaw Osafo-Maafo made this commendation on Thursday, 13th July, 2017 when he delivered a brilliant extemporized speech as the Guest of Honour at the Launch of Ghana Infrastructure Report Card 2016 at the Engineers Centre, Roman Ridge, Accra.



The 2016 Infrastructure Report Card covers three sectors, namely, Roads & Bridges  which was rated D3; Potable Water also rated D3 and Electric Power was giving a rating of D2. The overall cumulative score for the three (3) infrastructure sectors was rated D3.



But, the Senior Minister, who is an Engineer in good standing, challenged the Engineers in the Power sector to address the issue of huge loses in power transmission.



The Senior Minister added that the huge amount spent on Infrastructure in the country does not commensurate with the poor state of Ghana's infrastructure. He therefore charged Engineers to think outside the box to come out with more innovative ways to ensure that the country gets value for money in our infrastructure development.



He urged them to extend the report card into other areas such as Sanitation in the next report card. He asked that every Minister be provided with copy of the Infrastructure Report Card to guide their work.



In her welcome address, the President of Ghana Institution of Engineers, Ing. Mrs. Carlien Bou-Chedid said, The objective of the Institution is to promote and advance the science and practice of engineering to the benefit of society in Ghana and globally.



To achieve this objective, the institution carries out various functions which includes ascertaining the views of engineering practitioners on matters of public interest which lie within the competence and advising government and the public on engineering matters. This is what we have done today with the launch of the Ghana Infrastructure Report Card 2016.



The Project Team Leader of the Infrastructure Report Card 2016, Ing. Rev. Dr. Charles Anum Adams, FGhIE, took the audience through flawless presentation of the Objectives, Methodology and Research Approach, Ratings, Analysis and appropriate Recommendations of the Ghana Infrastructure Report Card 2016. Other Project team members include Ing. Dr. Partrick Amoah Bekoe, MGhIE and Mr. Kwame Kwakwa Osei.



The launch was attended by the Deputy Minister of Energy, Hon. Joseph Cudjoe, Council Members of GhIE, Past Presidents of GhIE, Engineers, the media and the general public.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A 16-year-old year old boy has been charged in relation to a spate of acid attacks in London, in which one victim sustained what Metropolitan Police describe as life-changing injuries.

Five separate attacks took place in the span of 90 minutes on Thursday night.

Police allege an attacker, who was with another assailant, threw a corrosive substance into the face of a 32-year-old moped rider in Hackney. One of the two attackers then took off with the victims moped. The victim was hospitalised with non-life threatening injuries.

Video emerged on social media of witnesses pouring large bottles of water over the victim in an attempt to wash away the liquid.

Some 20 minutes later, another moped rider was sprayed with the liquid. He, too, was taken to hospital for his injuries. Just after 11pm, a third rider was attacked in the same manner, and also received medical treatment.

In the next fifteen minutes, a fourth moped rider was attacked and sustained the life-changing injuries. He was rushed to an east London hospital for treatment.

The fifth victim was doused with the liquid at around 11.37pm. After that attack, one of the assailants also stole his moped.

Rumours that each victim was working as a food delivery rider were later proven false, however each victim was riding a moped at the time of the attacks.

The accused 16-year-old has been hit with a litany of changes, including five counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of grievous bodily harm with intent, a number of robbery-related charges, and one count of possession of an item to discharge a noxious substance.

He was remanded in custody and will appear before Stratford Youth Court tomorrow.

A 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and robbery was released on bail, and hell face court some time in August.

Source: BBC / News.com.au / Metropolitan Police.

Photo: Sarah Cobbold / Twitter.
Foreign minister Julie Bishop has made the unexpectedly admirable move of succinctly shading US President Donald Trump while appearing on the ABCs Insiders today.

In case you missed it, Trump made headlines earlier this week for telling Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, Youre in such good shape, such great physical shape, beautiful.

When Bishop was asked by host Barrie Cassidy about Trumps behaviour  specifically whether she would be flattered or offended if hed said similarly thirsty comments to her  Julie had the best possible response:

Id be taken aback I think. Its a rather interesting comment to make. I wonder if she could say the same of him?

Putting her own (sometimes disgraceful) politics aside for a moment, that is an undeniably sharp and economical retort. Wonder if shed ask the same of him inDEED.

Not for the first time, the people of the internet are applauding an Australian for telling it exactly how it is re: the Big Orange Ballsack:

.@JulieBishopMP re Trump comment about French first ladys great shape: I wonder if she could say the same about him?#auspol pic.twitter.com/ZA9ULckgMC  Jamie McKinnell (@jamie86) July 15, 2017

Okay Julie Bishop, that little ?? on Trump may have just made me a fan! ?? #insiders  Ms Laurie (@laurie_ms) July 15, 2017

Quality trolling of the worlds most powerful person by @JulieBishopMP https://t.co/RSw4Dfa5aJ  Andrew Greene (@AndrewBGreene) July 15, 2017

Julie Bishop just said what the women of the world have been thinking. #auspol #trump  PatriciaKarvelas (@PatsKarvelas) July 15, 2017

Some are quite rightly expressing concern that one of our countrys top politicians appears to be making fat jokes at the expense of other world leaders  and lets not let a swift quip eclipse the fact that Bishop is staunchly anti-asylum seeker and anti-union.

Nevertheless, Donald Trumps external grotesqueness is mostly due to his thoroughly malformed personality, and Bishops point stands regardless of what he looks like: there is just no way in hell that any high-profile political woman would say such a thing about a mans physical appearance on first meeting.

NO WAY IN HELL.

Source: Twitter.

Image: Insiders.
We suppose there are only a finite number of ways to kick on with a relationship after one half of a couple spends a year behind bars. Of that number, re-proposing oughta be pretty close to the top.

Last night, Oliver Curtis  the Sydney investment banker recently freed after 15 months in jail for conspiring to commit some serious insider trading  reportedly asked PR maestro Roxy Jacenko to be his wife. Again.

An Instagram post from Jacenko demonstrates the scene, replete with some big-as balloons in a Four Seasons suite.

When you smell like a rotten egg from cleaning your building facade all day and open a door to .. A post shared by Roxy Jacenko (@roxyjacenko) on Jul 15, 2017 at 12:15am PDT

As the Sydney Morning Herald tells it, Curtis asked a coupla staff at her company to trick her into believing she was going to meet a mate in Woollahra. They took a detour to the hotel, handed her a letter with tips on where to go next, and turfed her out.

A post shared by Roxy Jacenko (@roxyjacenko) on Jul 14, 2017 at 11:45pm PDT

For the record, that Insta caption refers to the very recent paint-bombing of her firms new Paddington offices. It aint even the first time its happened, either.

As for whether she said yes to the proposal, The Daily Telegraphs gossip pages report old mate bestowed her with a huge new rock. However, a subsequent Insta post shows that Curtis aint wearing a wedding band whatsoever.

Some things never change. I work. He flexes ?????? A post shared by Roxy Jacenko (@roxyjacenko) on Jul 15, 2017 at 5:17pm PDT

The couple havent worn rings since Curtis release, and he may have just decided his digits feel significantly less encumbered without one. Well wait for further social media updates on that crucial info.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald / The Daily Telegraph.

Photo: Roxy Jacenko / Instagram.
PHILADELPHIA -- The cousins started small -- break-ins, jewelry heists and traffic violations -- but on Friday they were charged in a grisly crime spree that ended with police unearthing the bodies of four young men from two pits buried deep on a sprawling family-owned farm.

Police found the missing men after a grueling, five-day search in sweltering heat and pelting rain, but it's still not clear why the 20-year-old suspects' crimes escalated from petty offenses.

For Cosmo DiNardo, whose lawyer said he confessed to all four killings in exchange for being spared the death penalty, brushes with the law began in his early teenage years.

He was about 14 when the Bensalem Police Department first had contact with him. Over the next six years, he had more than 30 run-ins with its officers, department director Frederick Harran said, although court filings reflect only the minor infractions and traffic stops that came after age 18.

DiNardo enrolled at Arcadia University in Glenside in the fall of 2015 with hopes of studying biology and had an eye on international travel, according to a blog post announcing the incoming class.

"I'm going to go overseas, hopefully to Italy and the rest of Europe," he is quoted as saying.

However, his time at the school was short. After making comments that unnerved several people on campus, public safety officials contacted the local police department. The university sent a letter to DiNardo's parents saying said their son could face trespassing charges if he returned to the school, a person aware of the contents of the letter said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss it.

A year and a day before he admitted to killing the missing men, lighting three of them on fire and using a backhoe to load the charred bodies into an oil tank that he buried more than 12-feet (3.7-meters)-deep on his parent's farm, a family member had DiNardo involuntarily committed to a mental institution, Harran said.

Details of his institutionalization remain unclear, but he was barred by law from owning a firearm afterward. Nonetheless, when Bensalem police responded to a report of gunfire in February, an officer found DiNardo in his truck with a 20-gauge shotgun and extra ammunition. He acknowledged his history of mental illness, Harran said.

"A year later, here we are," Harran said Friday. "The system is broken."

Despite the mental health commitment and frequent interactions with police, DiNardo still managed to sell guns and marijuana in the area, according to a source familiar with DiNardo's confession who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

A police affidavit confirmed the source's story -- DiNardo lured each of the victims to his family's 90-acre (36-hectare) Solebury Township farm under the guise of marijuana deals.

His first victim was set to buy $8,000 worth of marijuana but arrived with only $800, DiNardo told police, so he brought the 19-year-old Loyola University student to a remote part of the farm and shot him with a .22 caliber rifle. He buried Jimi Taro Patrick in a hole he dug with a backhoe. Yellow ribbons now line the Newtown street where Patrick lived with his grandparents.

Monsignor Michael Picard watched Patrick grow up at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Newtown, where he attended school and regularly attended Mass with his grandparents. The priest described Patrick as a very shy, very bright boy who won an academic scholarship to Loyola.

"Jimi may well be an example to other young kids to stay careful and cautious," Picard said "I think the sad thing with our young people today is they get involved with other kids before they know much about them and they can get into trouble."

According to the police affidavit, DiNardo enlisted his cousin, Sean Kratz, to help him rob 19-year-old Dean Finocchiaro, 22-year-old Mark Sturgis and 21-year-old Tom Meo after Patrick's killing.

The three victims were shot, placed with a backhoe into an oil tank that had been converted into a cooker that DiNardo called a "pig roaster," and then lit on fire, according to the affidavit. He buried the drum deep under the ground on his family's farm.

Court records show Kratz was previously arrested on two separate burglary charges in Philadelphia for thefts in June and December of last year where he reportedly stole $1,000 in tools and $450 worth of jewelry.

A week before the second theft arrest, Kratz was picked up for shoplifting $200 worth of clothing at a Macy's near Philadelphia. Police say Kratz had been using pliers to cut off security tags. He pleaded guilty in June to retail theft after more serious charges were withdrawn.

With the Philadelphia cases still pending in January, court records show Kratz skipped bail and went to Illinois. That prompted a judge to issue a bench warrant for his arrest. Out on bail again, a prosecutor said Friday, Kratz became a killer.

Kratz, who said he works at a tiling company, did not have a lawyer with him at his arraignment. Clad in a blue jumpsuit and flanked by detectives, he told a judge that he has trouble walking because he'd been shot three months ago. Kratz's mother, Vanessa, declined to comment.

At a press conference Friday announcing that police had recovered all four previously missing bodies, a reporter asked Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub why DiNardo felt the need to kill the young men.

"I'm not really sure we could ever answer that question," he said.
All 15 people have been booked under the Delhi Gambling Act, said police. The families of the people held were unaware of their gambling addiction.

By Chayyanika Nigam: Utilising local inputs sourced from the 'Ears and Eyes' scheme, Delhi Police have busted a gambling racket that was being run in a residential area in Geeta Colony.

According to a senior police official, during a monthly meeting regarding the 'Ears and Eyes' scheme in the Shahdara district, Kushal Pal Singh, ACP, Geeta Colony, received information that a gambling racket was being run in a house in Geeta Colony. A team was constituted and a raid was conducted in which 15 people were caught operating and playing cards with jewellery and cash at stake.

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"The total cash recovered is worth Rs 2,37,920 and the weight of the recovered gold jewellery is 80.75 gm," said Nupur Prasad, DCP (Shahadara district). On interrogation, it was revealed that the arrested accused-Vikram, a resident of Geeta Colony -used to regularly organise gambling operations in the area. However, the premise is owned by Vikram's uncle Kishan Lal.

"Vikram would arrange gambling parties at his uncle's house and only his close friends could participate in these parties,"said the senior officer. "They never called outsiders for betting without proper verification. Vikram was running the racket from the past few months and had managed to earn a hefty amount through this racket," the officer added. Vikram allegedly lured the customers to earn upto 90 times the betted amount and these customers would then put money and jewellery at stake.

FAMILY UNAWARE OF GAMBLING ADDICTION

All 15 people have been booked under the Delhi Gambling Act, said police. The families of the people held were unaware of their gambling addiction. The sources close to the investigation said Vikram had bigger plans in mind and wanted to expand his gambling operations. "Vikram was planning to purchase a second-hand casino table to enlarge his gambling den and attract more customers."

In February this year, Shahdara district police had arrested 48 persons during raids in three places. During the course of investigation, it was revealed that all the accused were gambling through slips in Geeta Colony, Vivek Vihar and Seemapuri. In January, too, an illegal casino operating out of a house in Shahdara district was busted by the Delhi Police. One person was arrested and Rs 2,421 in cash, one casino stock used for gambling and 34 quarters of illicit liquor were recovered from the house.

Also read: Delhi: Foreigners on radar as terrorists plan to strike eateries in Hauz Khas Village

Also read: Usain Bolt runs faster than Delhi's traffic, study confirms what commuters always knew

--- ENDS ---
In this photo taken July 10, 2017, Cathy Cooper leaves her photo studio in Ocala, Fla. Cooper, a cancer survivor, is concerned that if the GOP health bill goes through, she may not have access to the kind of health insurance she needs to make sure she stays cancer free. President Donald Trump has often said he doesnAot want people Audying in the streetsAu for lack of health care. But in the U.S., people decline slowly from chronic health conditions. Preventive care and routine screening can make a big difference for those at risk of illnesses such as heart problems and cancer. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Angel Lazaro (left), 10, and his brother, Carlos (second from left), 12, walk through Gloucester Premium Outlets with Shawna Williams (second from right) and Juan Lazaro (right) Friday, June 30, 2017. ( MARGO REED / Staff Photographer ) Read more

BLACKWOOD, N.J.  Since its debut two years ago, Gloucester Premium Outlets has been a hit. It became a major draw for South Jersey and Philadelphia-area residents seeking name-brand items at discount prices, and has been a boon for local tax collectors.

Exit 7B, along Route 42 South, became synonymous with the outdoor shopping venue because taking that exit puts you almost in the outlets' parking lot.

But the venue also represents a rare bright spot in retail: Outdoor outlet malls are doing well nationally just as many indoor malls are dying. The outlet centers, which began in the 1980s, now number 200 in the United States, representing nearly $50 billion in market value, according to research firm Green Street Advisors L.L.C. Simon Property Group and Tanger control 75 percent of the market.

One factor helping outlet malls is that they typically lack department stores, which are bearing the brunt of retail's closures. The promise of discount prices (if not always the reality) and the open air locale at outlet malls are also drawing shoppers.

Gloucester's outlets fit the trend. "Sales at the center have shown a double-digit increase over the previous year, and this success has enabled us to add impact retailers such as Michael Kors and Brooks Brothers," said Peter Zekan, Gloucester outlets' general manager. "Customers are traveling greater distances to come shop with us because of our range of brands and the extraordinary savings we offer."

The mall's visitors are also fueling the local economy, said Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer.

"This is the largest economic development in the history of Gloucester Township and the township's largest ratable," said Mayer, who is running for his third term. "We've seen the economic ripple effects as the properties near the outlets have gone up and our ratable base has gone up, and it's driving thousands to spend money in our community to grow our economy."

Mayer said that, in 2014, the farmland where Gloucester Premium now sits was assessed at $49,700 and its owner paid $18,000 in property taxes to the county and township.

Last year, the same land was assessed at $11 million, and Simon, which owns the outlets as well as King of Prussia Mall, paid $112,500 in property taxes to Camden County and Gloucester Township.

Likewise, the mall buildings were assessed at $58.1 million in 2015 and generated $390,000 in property taxes, of which Gloucester Township received nearly a third, or $109, 245. Last year, the mall buildings were assessed at $69.2 million and paid $420,942 in property taxes, and the township received $117,864 of that. The county and township are expected to receive about the same amount this year, said Mayer.

But while Gloucester has gained, another South Jersey outdoor venue  Tanger Outlets the Walk in Atlantic City  has waned.

"Everyone is reporting sales down 10 percent or more," said a sales clerk at the Walk's Nine West shoe store who didn't have the authority to speak to reporters and asked not to be identified, as did other store associates interviewed. "My [sales] numbers are down, but I can just tell from the number of bodies. Traffic is down and my numbers confirm that."

Nine West is among a dozen stores clustered in what is known as the Courtyard at the Walk in A.C. which connects the beach with the A.C. Convention Center. The shops include H&M, Dress Barn, and Famous Footwear.

"Why would you come down here if you can shop down there?" the same clerk asked. "I mean, unless you come here for the beach or casinos, why would you come here" to shop?

Five of six stores randomly selected on a recent Friday reported a decline in sales and customers this summer. Tanger management declined comment.

Voorhees resident Jackie Dougherty, 38, hasn't shopped at the Walk since Gloucester Premium Outlets opened Aug. 13, 2015. Dougherty was among the people who came for the grand opening.

"It's more convenient," the elementary school teacher said while she was inside the Under Armour store to check out the 50-percent-off Fourth of July holiday sales. "It's super close. I save on gas, tolls, and time. And I don't have to deal with traffic."

When compared side-by-side: Gloucester Premium Outlets measures 376,000 square feet with 90 stores; Tanger Outlets the Walk,which opened in 2003 and has had multiple expansions, features 109 stores and encompasses three city blocks.

The average distance shoppers travel to get to Gloucester outlets is 48.3 miles, and one out of every three has a family, such as Shawna Williams, 33, of Sicklerville.

She shopped there for the first time recently with her boyfriend, Juan Lazaro, and his sons, Carlos, 12, and Angel, 10.

Williams said she typically goes to Cherry Hill Mall, or Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing, on her way home from Atlantic City. But something about Gloucester Premium Outlets made her to want to return.

"I like being at an outdoor mall because you get the fresh air and you don't feel closed in, and there are places to sit outside."

About 35 miles away, Atlantic City regular Richard Bijacsko, 52, who describes himself as "a gambler, shopper, and beach bum," said other factors were contributing to the thinned crowds at the seaside resort.

"Five casinos closed here," he said while strolling the Walk just before 8 p.m. on a recent Friday. Many gamblers come with a spouse or friends who prefer to do other things besides gamble, such as shopping. "I see more families and fewer gamblers from last year, but there is nothing for the kids [to do].

"I came down here for Fourth of July weekend and if you were the first customer to buy something, you were the only customer in line. I am not seeing the big crowds on a big weekend like I used to, and I've been coming here for 30 years."

Bijacsko said he shops at the Walk "because I can't gamble all the time."
The arrested accused is being questioned by the local police as well as officials of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Delhi Police's Special Cell at the Paharganj police station

The man made the threat during a phone conversation. Photo: PTI.

By Puneet Kumar Sharma: A man who allegedly threatened to blow up Red Fort was arrested by the police today.

The man has been identified as Mehroop and worked as a front-office manager at a hotel in Delhi's Paharganj area.

Officials of Delhi Police's Special Cell and other investigating agencies are questioning him.

During a telephone conversation with a resident of Delhi's Rohini area, the accused allegedly threatened to blow up Red Fort.

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Following the alleged threat, the Rohini resident dialled 100 and informed the police about the conversation.

As of now, the accused is being questioned by the local police as well as officials of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Special Cell at the Paharganj police station.

(Further details awaited)

ALSO READ:

Are Lashkar terrorists linked with Khalistan sleeper cells? J&K police to find out

2 suspicious ships caught off Gujarat coast, terror link suspected

Delhi: Foreigners on radar as terrorists plan to strike eateries in Hauz Khas Village

--- ENDS ---
Jodie Whittaker will assume the role as Dr. Who, the first female ever to play the part. Read more

The BBC has announced the identity of the new Doctor Who, and it's a shocker.

Jodie Whittaker, who most recently stared in the popular BBC drama Broadchurch will assume the role as the thirteenth Dr. Who, becoming the first female to ever to play the iconic sci-fi character.

"It's more than an honor to play the Doctor. It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope," Whittaker told the BBC. "I can't wait."

Whittaker will take over the role when the popular Time Lord during the show's Christmas special. She'll be reuniting with Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, who will be replacing current showrunner, Steven Moffat, who has overseen the show since 2010.

"I always knew I wanted the Thirteenth Doctor to be a woman and we're thrilled to have secured our number one choice. Her audition for The Doctor simply blew us all away," Chibnall told Variety. "Jodie is an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature and will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role. The Thirteenth Doctor is on her way."

Here's the official announcement, which aired following the Wimbledon men's singles final on Sunday:

Whittaker replaces Peter Capaldi, who became the twelfth doctor in 2013 and will give up his role in the show's Christmas special. Capaldi told BBC radio in January it was "time to move on." Capaldi lasted three seasons, as did Matt Smith, who played the 11th in

The Doctor Who Christmas special airs Dec. 25 on BBC America.
Dr. Alan Edwards enters the emergency room to tend to patients at Bucktail Medical Center in South Renovo, Pennsylvania. Edwards works in both the ER as a doctor on call, as well as in acute care. Read more

SOUTH RENOVO, Pa.  Up Route 120 in north-central Pennsylvania, in an old logging town amid a seemingly endless swath of state forests pocked with hunting camps and one-lane bridges, sits one of the most isolated hospitals in the state.

Bucktail Medical Center, a one-story building on the outskirts of town, doubles as the local nursing home. It has two emergency-room bays, 21 acute-care beds, one physician on hand at any given time, and an ever-precarious bottom line. At a larger hospital, the nursing director's list of duties would employ five people. Officials here are still saving up to buy their first CT scanner.

And as the GOPs health-care bill winds its way through Congress, the staff is watching with bated breath. Like many other rural hospitals known as critical-access hospitals, it relies heavily on federal funding from Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements  for Bucktail, which has a $6 million operating budget, its nearly 80 percent of its revenue.

"If changes are made to the way Medicaid is funded in the states  if critical-access hospitals are now back to serving higher numbers of uninsured patients, if they have to go back to providing uncompensated care  that is a death knell to their bottom line," said Lisa Davis, the director of the state Office of Rural Health.

In deeply red Clinton County, support for President Trump is unwavering. But in this community of 1,200 people on the Susquehanna River, patience with Congress is running thin. With 100 employees, Bucktail is the largest employer in the western end of the county and functions equally as a community center. It's where snakebites are treated, overdoses reversed, heart attacks, and strokes stabilized.

"There's nothing more important than the hospital," South Renovo Mayor Bob Cozzi said last week. "Nothing."

Bucktail is one of 15 hospitals in the state whose size and location designate them "critical-access hospitals." The next-closest hospital, in Lock Haven, is a 40-minute drive down winding Allegheny Mountain roads.

Bucktail had cycled through four CEOs in one year and defaulted on a bank loan by the time Tim Reeves took the job there in 2014, and declared bankruptcy shortly after. State officials say he's worked diligently to bring the hospital back from the brink, which is now close to breaking even.

"His leadership has been pretty remarkable," said Larry Baronner, the rural health systems manager at the state's Office of Rural Health.

But finances are still precarious. Last year, with Medicaid reimbursement funds frozen by the state budget impasse, the hospital nearly closed.

"With the remoteness of the community, any service we start to cut back has a larger effect on the population here," Reeves said in his office Tuesday, as the shift's doctor tended to the single patient in the emergency room and nursing-home residents wheeled through the hallways. "If we go to 12-hour days instead of 24, there are people who are either going to have a worse outcome, or they're not going to make that trip down the road [to the next-closest hospital]."

The Republican proposals to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act have at times seemed to change by the hour. Late last week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said he hoped to bring the latest plan to a vote this week, but it was unclear if it had support to pass. One controversial provision would roll back the expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare  a step that helped hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians get health-care coverage.

Nationwide, there are about 1,300 critical-access hospitals, Reeves said, but across the country, rural hospitals from Maine to Missouri are bracing for the impact of proposed cuts.

Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.), one of the critics of the GOP bills, said facilities like Bucktail would be "crushed" by the proposed changes.

"People who use critical-access hospitals don't have big-time lobbyists to make their case, but they are our neighbors, too, and their well-being should matter," Casey said in an email. "Would any of the Senators and Representatives voting for this bill endanger the only hospital in the community where their family lived?"

His Republican counterpart in the state, Sen. Pat Toomey, has been among the most vocal advocates for the changes. Toomey insists the plans, which he helped draft, would not cut Medicaid but just slow its growth.

"These are cuts in the rate of growth," he said in an appearance on Morning Joe last Monday. "The rural hospitals are going to be able to manage this."

Clinton County's poverty rate is 16.4 percent, above the state average, 13.5 percent. In Renovo, most residents drive out of town for work, to jobs in the gas industry, at the local prison, or a nearby bottled-water company.

About 90 minutes north in Tioga County is Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital. The Wellsboro facility, part of the larger University of Pittsburgh medical system, downsized last year to become a critical-access hospital.

The resulting boost in federal reimbursement dollars  Medicare spending is reimbursed at 101 percent for critical-access hospitals  has given the hospital more financial flexibility, officials there say.

Soldiers & Sailors' facilities are still a far cry from Bucktail  there's an oncology ward, an intensive-care unit, operating theaters, and a pulmonary clinic. But other specialists are still a longer drive away.

The Medicaid rolls in Tioga County swelled more than anywhere else in the state after Gov. Wolf accepted the expanded Medicaid funding in 2015. Doctors at Soldiers & Sailors say they now see people whose chronic conditions went untreated while they were uninsured.

In the cancer ward, said unit supervisor Sabrina Scharborough, some young patients without insurance will still show up worried less about their illness than about the medical bills they might leave behind.

County Commissioner Erick Coolidge, who sat on the local health system's board for years, said he's worried about cuts, but sympathetic to small business owners' concerns about paying for health-care, too.

"Toomey is saying [the Affordable Care Act] is unsustainable," said Coolidge, a fellow Republican. "Then let's start looking at what will make it sustainable. To the everyday citizen, they're expecting us to manage money and provide services in as uninterrupted a manner as possible."

For many patients in Clinton County, Bucktail serves as a stopping-over point: the emergency room where they're stabilized before they're taken by ambulance or airlift to better-equipped hospitals.

Cozzi, whose house on the Susquehanna is a 10-minute walk from the hospital, said doctors there brought him back to life twice after heart attacks, and treated him for anaphylactic shock caused by an adverse reaction to a medication.

Across the river, Frank Campbell, a retired Air Force veteran, recalled the morning he and his wife found their daughter, pregnant with her first child, writhing in pain on the bathroom floor. She had gone into labor prematurely, and gave birth a few minutes after arriving at Bucktail. Mother and child were stabilized, packed into an ambulance, and whisked to Lock Haven.

"Without that hospital, there'd be a lot of people who wouldn't be here. At least one of my grandchildren would not be alive," Campbell said. "And there are low-income people here, that without that hospital, there would be no place to go."

Campbell and his wife, Patty, who said she worked at Bucktail for 20 years, voted for Hillary Clinton. Most of their neighbors went for Trump.

"There's a lot of people who wanted things to be stirred up," Campbell said.

Some voted for Trump because of his campaign rhetoric on health care: Yes, he'd promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act. But he also said the replacement plan would ensure "insurance for everybody."

"I just felt he would be more fair and do a better job with health care  make it affordable for families so that everybody would be covered," said Charlene Clarey, 54, of South Renovo.

Born and raised in the community, Clarey has insurance through her husband, a welder. Her sister, she said, who has diabetes, had only just been approved for Medicaid; she had been paying for insulin out-of-pocket.

Clarey said she had been "somewhat" following the health-care debate in Congress. "I know it would be too hard to do," she said, but she hoped Congress would offer coverage to all, with payments based on income, "so they can afford it."

She, like Cozzi, was waiting to see what Congress would do.

"They're working on it," Cozzi said. He noted McConnell last week ordered his colleagues to skip their August recess "to come up with something."

On Tuesday, Reeves, Bucktail's CEO, walked through the hospital's hallways, greeting every nursing-home resident by name, talking about his hopes for Bucktail  installing that CT scanner, maybe getting a visiting oncologist to stop by, holding more health-care education classes for the community.

And he is waiting to see what makes it through Congress.

"We're sitting right at that zero mark," Reeves said. "And we can only lose so much money for so long."
On Sunday morning, July 16, 2017, a pedestrian walks by the sidewalk at 22nd and Fitzwater that is marked up with chalk circles indicating where police found shell casings, 34 in all, from a gun fight that happened around midnight Saturday night. Read more

A violent 24 hours in Philadelphia left four people dead and several others, including a 15-year-old boy, injured in at least seven separate shootings across the city.

As of Monday morning, no arrests had been reported in any of the shootings.

4 shot, 1 killed in southwest Center City

The gunfire began late Saturday night on the 2100 block of Fitzwater Street in southwest Center City.

Police said that just before midnight, they found four people shot, including a 28-year-old man who was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and later pronounced dead. Authorities on Monday identified that man as Kristian Hamilton-Arthur, who lived a few blocks away from the shooting scene.

The three other victims  ages 19, 36 and 24  who suffered various wounds to the leg and back, were transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in stable condition. All had been released from the hospital by Monday.

Police said a preliminary investigation indicated the four victims were near the intersection of 22nd and Fitzwater Streets when gunshots were fired from one or two vehicles, which then fled north on 22nd Street. All told, police found 34 shell casings scattered across the intersection from three weapons that were found at the scene. No motive for the shooting was known.

"I was on the phone and all of a sudden I hear pop-pop-pop-pop, like a lot of them," neighborhood resident Leigh Schemanski told CBS 3, adding that she had never heard gunfire outside her home before.

Homeowner shoots 2 suspected intruders in Frankford, 1 fatally

A little less than two hours later, two people were shot on the 4700 block of James Street in the city's Frankford section.

Police said the victims  a 45-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman  were both shot in the head by a 69-year-old homeowner who told police he fired because he thought the victims were trying to climb a fence to get onto his property. Police initially reported both victims were killed, but later said the female was critically injured.

The alleged shooter, whose identity was not released, was taken into custody but had not been charged.

No further information was available Monday morning.

Man found dead in Queen Village parking lot

The fourth death occurred around 7:20 a.m. Sunday, when, police said, they found a man shot and killed lying facedown in a parking lot on the 1000 block of South Fourth Street in Queen Village.

Benjamin Smith, 42, had been shot in his chest a few blocks from his home, police said.

No motive was known as of Monday.

4 others hurt in separate shootings

Police reported at least three additional nonfatal shootings from early Sunday through the night:
CNN and Sirius XM host Michael Smerconish only took calls from Trump supports. He said the results were eye and ear opening. Read more

During the 2016 president campaign, Donald Trump famously said that he could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and "shoot somebody," and he would not lose any voters.

He may have been right.

Earlier this week, Sirius XM radio host and Inquirer columnist Michael Smerconish began his show with last week's bombshell New York Times report, which detailed a now-famous meeting between top members of Trump's president campaign and a Russian lawyer promising dirt on Hillary Clinton.

Smerconish believed it was a significant story, which the former lawyer said on his Saturday CNN program "at a minimum" showed Donald Trump Jr., former campaign manager Paul Manafort and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were "game to collude with the Russians."

"Who could have imagined there would actually be an email to someone named Trump offering "very high level and sensitive information" able to "incriminate Hillary" as part of "Russia and its government's support" of Trump over Hillary?" Smerconish wrote in his weekly column for the Inquirer.

But many of his callers thought otherwise.

"I thought you were better than this," argued Brad from Minnesota. "Keep kicking that dead dog, Michael, maybe it'll wake up Who cares about dirt on that old hag Hillary."

Smerconish is certainly used to callers disagreeing with his opinions, considering his show generally features a wide-array of opinions coming in from across the country. But the veteran host was surprised when the very next caller echoed the comments of the first.

"With the media, the Justice Department, the DNC, and the Trump administration, the Trump administration is the least corrupt among all four entities," railed Raphael from Vermont.

After the call ended, Smerconish says he scanned his caller board to discover another caller from Vermont wanting to attack the media and support Trump.

"CNN, New York Post, New York Times  these guys they have zero ounce of credibility. I say zero negative zero. They're just horrible," said Chris from Vermont. "All they do is treat Trump as a punching back."

After speaking with the third caller, Smerconish said he decided to do something he'd never done in 27 years of hosting radio shows  he asked his producer to clear the board of all callers who wanted to criticize the president and his son, and only put through the calls of Trump supporters.

"The results were eye and ear opening," Smerconish said. "These voices were clearly a revelation to many who don't typically hear them on their go-to news outlets."

Smerconish was so taken aback by the opinions coming from his callers that he posted them in a Facebook video that has garnered more than 145,000 views (warning: NSFW language).

"I'm just tired of hearing about the bank robbery a year later," complained Brad from Illinois. "Some of the media outlets get so in the weeds with some of these stories that it just disinterests me after a little while."

"So at this point it just seems like a witch hunt after President Trump," said Doug from Ohio.

"The only thing I'm angry about Trump is that he hasn't arrested that witch yet. She should be in cuffs. " said Mark from Massachusetts, turning his comments towards Smerconish himself.

"You're an establishment ahole, that's all you are," Mark from Massachusetts said of Smerconish.

Smerconish said the callers, who were "really informative," offered some insight into Trump's relatively unshakeable support among a hardcore Republican base that pushed him through the primaries and ultimately helped elect him president.

"If you think the Donald Trump Jr. story is the one that changes Trump supporters' mind, you might want to think again," Smerconish said.
Rodney Muhammad, left, president of the NAACP Philadelphia Branch, and Rochelle Bilal, secretary of the Philadelphia NAACP, right, hold a news conference urging judges not to appoint Lynne Abraham as interim District Attorney. Read more

Former Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham is not fit to serve as interim DA because she is a "menace to society" for allegedly saying that 85 percent of the city's crime is committed by blacks and for unfairly attacking a black judge's judicial temperament, which helped derail that jurist's nomination to the federal bench, the leader of the NAACP Philadelphia Branch said Sunday.

"This is a public appeal to Lynne Abraham to withdraw her application from consideration to serve as an interim district attorney, and we will be making an appeal to this 88-member board of judges to reject her application and remove her from consideration completely," Minister Rodney Muhammad said during fiery remarks at the NAACP's new headquarters on Germantown Avenue.

Abraham, who was the city's first and only female district attorney, from 1991 to 2010, is one of 14 candidates who applied by Friday's deadline to complete the last 5 months of the unexpired term of former DA Seth Williams, who resigned in disgrace and has been jailed since pleading guilty in a federal corruption case last month.

Attempts to reach Abraham through her home and cell phones were not successful.

The Board of Judges, composed of 88 Common Pleas Court judges, is scheduled to hear presentations Wednesday from the 14 candidates. The board will then vote on Thursday, with the candidate securing a majority of the votes being declared the winner.

Despite the brevity of the interim post, Muhammad said, Abraham should not be allowed to serve, given her rocky track record with the city's black community, which accounts for about 46 percent of the total population. "Six months is enough time for Lynne Abraham to really do some damage. We don't want her in there 24 hours," he said.

Muhammad downplayed Abraham's pledge to serve for free, forgoing the $77,700 salary. "It will cost us. Believe me, it won't be for free. Somebody's going to pay a price."

Muhammad cited Abraham's opposition to "judges who have tried to be impartial," including Common Pleas Judge Frederica Massiah-Jackson, who was nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1997 to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Massiah-Jackson would have been the first black woman from Philadelphia to serve on the federal bench, Muhammad said, but withdrew her nomination in 1998 after heavy opposition from Abraham.

Massiah-Jackson's nomination also was opposed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, and conservative commentators, who, like Abraham, accused the judge of being soft on crime and hard on law enforcement agencies.

Massiah-Jackson, 66, is now the chairwoman of the three-judge panel appointed by the Common Pleas Court's president judge to review the interim district attorney applications and make recommendations to the full Board of Judges.

"She's not good for the City of Philadelphia," Muhammad said of Abraham, bristling at his memory of her allegedly saying that 85 percent of the city's crime is committed by blacks. He could not recall, however, when she allegedly said that.

"By her believing that 85 percent of the crime is caused by black people, she's been a menace to society for us," he said. "I don't have the exact date, but she definitely said it. She confirmed it when asked and questioned. It was made public when she was district attorney."

According to online news accounts, the incident occurred in 1996. After a reporter told Abraham that 85 percent of the inmates in city jails are black, and then asked her whether she believed that blacks committed 85 percent of the crime, she reportedly responded: "Yes. I do. I really do."

Said Muhammad: "She was successful at stopping what she wanted to stop. We hope to be successful at derailing her."

The 13 other candidates for interim DA are: Joe Khan, Kathleen Martin, John Delaney, Benjamin Lerner, William Manfredi, Paul Panepinto, D. Webster Keogh, Kelley Hodge, Robert A. Rovner, Curtis Douglas, Arlen Fisk, James Berardinelli, and Leon Williams.
Defense lawyers Paul Lang, left, and Michael Parlow walk from the Bucks County Courthouse in Doylestown. Lang, a defense attorney for Cosmo DiNardo, said Thursday that his client has admitted killing the four men who went missing last week and told authorities the location of the bodies. Lang says prosecutors agreed to take the death penalty off the table in return for DiNardos cooperation. Read more

The deal that spared Cosmo DiNardo the death penalty in exchange for a murder confession in a case that's captivated the region and drawn national attention was lauded Friday by legal experts, who said the agreement was a swift and shrewd way to bring the gruesome case nearer to a close.

Cosmo DiNardo, 20, confessed to participating in the killings of four men. DiNardo also agreed to tell investigators where to find the bodies and lead them to an accomplice. In exchange for the cooperation, his defense lawyer Paul Lang said, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.

DiNardo's four victims, young men from Bucks and Montgomery Counties, disappeared last week. Their families' fears were confirmed when human remains were discovered in a 12-foot grave on a farm owned by DiNardo's parents.

On Friday, DiNardo was charged with murder and related offenses. Authorities also arrested his cousin and alleged accomplice, Sean Kratz, 20, on the same charges. And also Friday, they discovered the body of one of the missing men, Jimi Taro Patrick, 19, on the farm. The remains of Dean A. Finocchiaro, 19; Thomas C. Meo, 21; and Mark R. Sturgis, 22, had been discovered elsewhere on the sprawling property Wednesday.

Bucks County District Attorney Matthew D. Weintraub on Friday credited DiNardo's confession with implicating Kratz and leading investigators to Patrick's body, which had been buried separately from the others. "I'd like to think he wanted to help us get these boys home," he said, describing the cooperation agreement with DiNardo as critical to solving the case.

In interviews Friday, several legal experts agreed.

"It was absolutely the right thing to do," Jack McMahon, a former prosecutor who is now a prominent defense lawyer, said of the deal. "I think both sides did the right thing."

With evidence mounting in a case this serious, McMahon said, "the defense probably realized that the evidence against his client was pretty overwhelming. He had only one chip to play, and he used it to leverage for a life sentence."

Marc Bookman, a former public defender who is director of the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation in Center City, said the agreement had clear benefits for DiNardo and for prosecutors.

"In a case like this, there's a give and take," he said.

For the defense, Bookman said, "you've got four bodies. Any defense lawyer is thinking, 'There's no real defense to the killing of four people.' There are defenses to a murder case, but it's difficult to conceive of a legitimate defense to four bodies buried 12 feet in the ground."

The severity of the crime made it a clear candidate for a death penalty prosecution, legal experts agreed, giving the prosecution leverage and the defense reason to seek a deal.

"The defense is giving the prosecutor something compelling," Bookman said. "He said he would direct them to where the bodies are. You've got four grieving families who desperately want closure, however sad that closure might be. And he's asking for something in exchange."

For prosecutors, the threat of life on death row  if not actual execution in a state with a moratorium on the death penalty  upon conviction proved persuasive.

"It's good to have the death penalty for cases like this  whether you agree with it or not," said former Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham, whose tenure was marked by an aggressive willingness to pursue the death penalty in murder cases. "The prosecutor had a bargaining chip, and the defense attorney used it to bargain away [the possibility of] being on death row for 25 to 40 years."

Living conditions on death row are "horrendous," said Bookman, who has worked for years to overturn death penalty cases.

The deal DiNardo's lawyers reached with prosecutors spares the families of the four victims a painful trial and saves taxpayers the expense. In addition, Abraham said, it saves "hundreds of thousands, if not millions" of dollars spent on the appeals offered to all defendants convicted in capital cases. Those often go on for decades.

Dennis J. Cogan, a former prosecutor and veteran defense lawyer, called the agreement a "win-win." Without the confession, he said, the crime might have proved a "tough case" for prosecutors. With the deal Weintraub struck with DiNardo's lawyers, Cogan said, "they get the guy, they get the accomplice, and hopefully they bring closure for the families."

Other prosecutors have struck similar deals in previous high-profile cases.

In 2003, Gary Ridgway, the so-called Green River Killer, who pleaded guilty in 2003 to murdering 48 young women in the Seattle area, also successfully traded information in a bid to save his life. Prosecutors in Washington state agreed to take the death penalty off the table in return for Ridgway's cooperation. The transaction meant that investigators were able to link Ridgway to scores of additional murders.

Norm Maleng, the prosecutor who made the deal, said it brought relief to the families of victims. "This agreement was the avenue to the truth," he said. "And in the end, the search for the truth is still why we have a criminal justice system."

In another heavily publicized case, however, prosecutors made different decisions regarding the fate of serial killer Robert Lee Yates. In Washington state in 2000, one county prosecutor spared Yates' life in return for cooperation in finding the locations of the bodies of victims after he pleaded guilty to 13 murders. But in 2002, another county prosecutor sought and obtained a death penalty for Yates for two other murders. He remains on death row.

Ted Bundy, put to death in the electric chair in 1989, is believed to be responsible for a murder spree that investigators said took the lives of at least 30 young women across the nation. In his final months, his appeals exhausted, Bundy began to provide additional details about unsolved murders in what some saw as a bid to win a delay in his death. It was the called "Ted's bones-for-time scheme." No stay was granted.
By PTI: Anaheim (California), Jul 16 (PTI) Disney today released the first official teaser trailer for Ava DuVernays adaptation of Madeleine LEngles 1963 fantasy book "A Wrinkle in Time" at D23 Expo.

"A Wrinkle in Time" follows Meg Murry, her brother and her best friend as they cross space in an attempt to find her missing father, a physicist with some extraordinary information.

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The movie features young actress Storm Reid as Meg Murray, Reese Witherspoon as Mrs Whatsit, Mindy Kaling as Mrs Who, Oprah Winfrey as Mrs Which and Chris Pine as Dr Alex Murray.

Cast of the film including Witherspoon, Winfrey, Kaling, Reid and Pine were all on stage alongside DuVernay to talk about the movie.

"The thing that attracted me to the project is that I saw myself in it. I saw so many different people in it," said DuVernay, best known for her Martin Luther King Jr drama "Selma".

Head of Production from Disneys live action studio Sean Bailey introduced the cast and launched the trailer.

Winfrey, who was inducted as a Disney Legend at the event yesterday, is reteaming with DuVernay after "Selma".

"I had not read the book, either. When Ava mentioned it to me and told me it was a character who is one of the wisest women in the universe and is an angelic celestial being who is going to get to wear amazing costumes and work with Reese and Mindy as a part of the Misses team, who wouldnt say yes to that?!" the 63-year-old star said.

Bailey congratulated Pine on the success of "Wonder Woman".

Pine, 36, said he was interested in the role because of DuVernay.

"This happens a lot. These things are about chemistry and alchemy. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt. Within five minutes of meting Ava, I knew I was going to have to do it," he said.

Indian-American Kaling, 38, whose character only speaks in riddles in the movie said her role is that of a chatterbox, but "its wonderful because this is a character who only speaks in the wisest sayings".

"Theres so much wisdom in the world and I think I quote Jay-Z in the movie, in addition to the traditional more classic scholars," she added.

Reid, 14, said working on the film was an amazing experience for her. The actress praised the 44-year-old filmmaker and all the cast members for being supportive.

"Ms Ava is so patient. Me and Mr Chris, we had some intense scenes, and just being able to see him work and see how focused he was, was amazing. Ms Reese and Mindy, you guys are amazing and you made me feel like you were my mom on set.

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"Seeing Ms Oprah work was magical because you can tell that she really loves what she does. She just made me feel comfortable and shes an amazing actress," she said.

"A Wrinkle In Time" which hits theatres on March 9, 2018, is written by Jennifer Lee, the writer and co-director of "Frozen".

The cast also features Deric McCabe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Levi Miller, Micheal Pena, Zach Galifinakas. PTI IAS SHD SHD

--- ENDS ---
The president of the Philadelphia branch of the NAACP said Saturday that he would seek to block former District Attorney Lynne Abraham from returning to office to serve out the last 5 months of disgraced ex-DA Seth Williams' term.

"We had a great deal of problems with Lynne Abraham when she reigned as DA," said Minister Rodney Muhammad. "I was shocked that she would even put in her name for consideration. We're putting out a public call to her to withdraw her name from consideration."

Abraham, 76, served as district attorney for almost two decades before she retired in 2010. She was succeeded by Williams, who abruptly resigned last month before pleading guilty to a federal bribery charge.

In her application for the interim job, Abraham said she would take no salary or benefits if chosen.

Muhammad's opposition to Abraham is rooted in a 20-year-old grudge, born when Abraham and a coalition of conservatives scuttled then-President Bill Clinton's nomination of Frederica Massiah-Jackson to become a federal judge.

"Massiah-Jackson would have been the first African American woman in the city to be appointed to the federal bench," Muhammad said. "It was Lynne Abraham who blocked the nomination because she thought Massiah-Jackson was partial to criminals and not friendly to prosecutors and police."

Fourteen candidates have applied for the position of interim district attorney, which would pay about $77,700. A panel of 88 Common Pleas Court judges is set to decide Thursday on Williams' replacement. That panel, coincidentally, happens to be chaired by Massiah-Jackson.

Abraham could not be reached for comment.

Muhammad has scheduled a news conference to discuss his opposition to Abraham at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the new headquarters of the NAACP's Philadelphia branch, 4458-B Germantown Ave.
Elizabeth R. Bodine, 96, formerly of Wyndmoor, an English teacher, world traveler, and civic volunteer, died Friday, July 7, of heart failure in her home at Foulkeways at Gwynedd, where she had lived for the last 27 years.

Born at Lankenau Hospital, Mrs. Bodine was known to friends as "Betty." She grew up in Germantown. the daughter of pathologist Stanley P. Reimann and homemaker Elsie B. Reimann, who accompanied her to and from Germantown Friends School each weekday on the Walnut Lane trolley until the family purchased a car.

While at Germantown Friends, she was praised on an early report card for "good development and fertile individuality," but warned that she "is not good about cleaning up, but improving."

After graduating as class valedictorian in 1937, she received a bachelor's degree from Smith College in Northampton, Mass., and a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania, both in English. In the 1980s, she taught the subject to eighth graders at Germantown Friends, and to young adults at the Ambler campus of Temple University.

Mrs. Bodine was a voracious reader. She read the New York Times daily and belonged to a book club at Foulkeways, a senior community in Montgomery County.

"Her children learned early on that reading was not just a gift, but a responsibility in English, and occasionally French and Latin," the family said in an appreciation. "She also read and spoke some German, a requirement in [her childhood] household."

Mrs. Bodine also loved music. Her father, a skilled amateur pianist, taught Mrs. Bodine to sight-read, and she, too, became an accomplished pianist. She played with other instrumentalists in a chamber music group at the family home. Her children said they had "fond memories of Schubert's 'Trout Quintet' wafting up the stairs where they sat, out of the musicians' way."

"When we heard them playing the quintet, we knew we didn't have to go to bed," said daughter Susie Holahan. "Nobody was there to supervise us."

Mrs. Bodine studied with pianist Rudolf Serkin. She accompanied the Smith College Orchestra on piano, and until a year ago, played for religious services at Foulkeways.

Mrs. Bodine also sang at some of the musical evenings hosted by Dr. Henry S. Drinker at his home in Wynnewood. At one of the musicales, Mrs. Bodine had a first date with her future husband, John W. Bodine. A lawyer and Rhodes scholar, he advocated for reform during the Joseph S. Clark-Richardson Dilworth era of the late 1940s.

The couple married in 1943, and reared four daughters in Wyndmoor. Bodine, the president of the Penjerdel Council, an early attempt at regional cooperation, died in 1991 at age 79.

Mrs. Bodine supported the Settlement Music School, American Friends Services Committee, Planned Parenthood, and International House. She served as an alumnae trustee with an interest in Smith College's School for Social Work.

She had friends everywhere.

"We heard stories about various boyfriends and were amazed and delighted when Dr. Allan J. Erslev, a friend from her past, resurfaced and was Betty's devoted companion for eight wonderful years following the deaths of their respective spouses," her children wrote. Erslev, a Haverford resident, died in 2003 at age 84.

The Bodines traveled widely  to England, Russia, Iran, Peru, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Germany, Scandinavia, and a ranch in Wyoming.

Summers were for camping, monthlong visits to a compound outside Freeport, Maine, and time spent at the family vacation house in the Poconos.

After her husband's death, Mrs. Bodine traveled with granddaughters to Chile and China. She went on safari to Africa, visited Australia, New Zealand, and France, and toured Seattle and Victoria, British Columbia, with an Elderhostel group.

A lifelong Democrat, Mrs. Bodine closely followed current events, and held strong opinions.

"There was a huge amount of discussion around our dinner table. There was a map of the world on the dining-room wall," said her daughter. If a place came up in conversation, the children would be asked to locate it on the map.

Besides her daughter, Mrs. Bodine was survived by daughters Amelia Bergmann, Lucy Nattrass, and Cornelia McCann; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A sister died earlier.

A memorial service will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 16, in the auditorium at Foulkeways at Gwynedd, 1120 Meetinghouse Rd. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Settlement Music School via www.settlemusic.org, or to Planned Parenthood of Southeastern PA via www.ppsp.org.
Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump at the Quicken Loans Arena, during the fourth day of the RNC, Thursday, July 23rd, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. Read more

Perhaps the most memorable scene from the film Bridge Over the River Kwai depicts a British colonel played by Alec Guinness suddenly realizing the depth of his collaboration with the Japanese captors he helped build the bridge. "What have I done?" he gasps after defending the bridge from Allied saboteurs he should be helping.

Many wonder when President Trump's defenders, in particular Republican senators following his lead by trying to pass a toxic replacement for the Affordable Care Act, will have a similar moment of clarity and realize his administration is not only different from what they envisioned, but dangerous to the republic if it continues its present course.

With his poll numbers sinking among all but the president's die-hard fans, Trump at some point must accept that confronting truth, rather than dismissing it as "fake news," is the best way to instill public confidence.

Trump's long years in the business world have obviously taught him to address situations differently. That's a world where company secrets are kept and confidentiality agreements signed to coerce employee loyalty under threat of termination. "You're fired." Trump isn't used to having his motives questioned and actions criticized before a vast audience.

Holding public office is foreign to him. But it is no excuse.

When Trump took an oath to "preserve, protect and defend" this country, he was vowing to put its interests above his own. Most Americans, whether they voted for him or not, wanted to believe Trump was sincere. But his actions since that January day have given his harshest critics ammunition and his most ardent supporters reason to doubt.

Trump's knee-jerk reaction to adversity is to circle the wagons and show no sign of weakness. Like the philandering husband caught in the act, Trump seems determined to deny the truth, no matter how clear it may be.

He continues to dismiss credible evidence of Russian interference in last year's presidential election, tweeting Wednesday that an ongoing federal investigation was the "greatest Witch Hunt in political history. Sad!"

What's sad is his refusal to accept facts, including that his son, Donald Trump Jr., has admitted to participating in a meeting in which he hoped to obtain information from Russian contacts that could be used to hurt the presidential campaign of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. "If it's what you say I love it," said Trump Jr. in a reply to an email that suggested the meeting.

At the very least, the president should admit that his son showed poor judgment. He wouldn't be less of a father for doing that. He would be acting like a president, putting the well-being of his country before family.

Trump's inability to act presidential has made other Republicans leery of going too far on a limb for a man whose political coattails grow shorter by the minute.

In desperation to regain some semblance of unity, Republicans appear on the verge of passing an Obamacare substitute that will leave millions of Americans without coverage while protecting the profits of insurance companies. That must not happen. Members of Congress took an oath too. And it was not to Donald Trump.
With Donald Trump in White House, India has better chances of pinning down China economically and thus also geostrategically over next few years.

By Prabhash K Dutta: India and China are not only neighbours but also rivals. They jostle with one another along the borders in three sectors, over support to Pakistan and terror outfits, in taking global leadership roles on critical issues, over NSG membership, as military powers, as regional leaders, over Nepal and of course, Doklam plateau of Bhutan.

India and China together are home to little less than 37 per cent population of the world and thus are centres of future. They are the biggest emerging powers of the world.

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China has achieved more progress and prosperity over the last two-three decades by increasing public investment in its manufacturing industries. India is in catching up game right now, but there are indications that the tide is turning against China and in favour of India.

CHINA'S GROWTH STORY NEARING END

For better part of the last three decades, China has grown at the fastest rate among big economies. India's growth rates were dwarfed by the Chinese. The economy of China is about five times bigger than that of India.

China achieved this growth riding on the back of massive investment in urban based manufacturing and infrastructure. The manufacturing infrastructure of China has now reached a point of diminishing returns. There are several reports about crisis in manufacturing sector in China.

On the other hand, India has picked up in the last few years. Its average growth rate of about 5 per cent in the last decade was low in terms of number but solid on fundamentals. Since 2015, India has emerged as the fastest growing nation among the big economies.

There are several estimates suggesting that in 2020s, India will emerge ahead of China on several counts in economy. The recent reforms by the Narendra Modi government are only expected to give boost to Indian economy whose fundamentals are more balanced than those of China. A democratic India has more scope for fast and balanced growth than communist China.

MOUNTING DEBT OF CHINA

Economists say that debt is essential for economic growth of a country. But, in China's case, debt is fast turning into a liability in literal terms. Very high debt-GDP ratio has been found to slow down the growth rates.

In 2015, China's total debt stood at 282 per cent of its GDP. China is practically awash in debt. Though, the debt-GDP ratio for the US was 331 per cent. But, then the two economies have certain basic differences in the nature.

India's total debt in 2015 was 135 per cent of the GDP. The fact that India's debt-GDP ratio is around only half of China's and that it is maintaining its level over the last decade is a strong indication that the faster growth rates are to stay here. India is likely to witness many years of fast growth rate which does not seem to be the case with China.

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AND, THE TRUMP FACTOR

While China and the US have looked as adversaries on aspects of geostrategy, Chinese economy is modeled in such a way that makes it overtly dependent on the policy mood of the White House. And, the White House has a new occupant, who blames China and Mexico for slowdown in the US economy.

Incidentally, US President Donald Trump has expressed on more than one occasion that India can be an economic and strategic partner of America.

Chinese economy is export driven. Its manufacturing units are designed to produce goods for export. This feature alone has given China a huge advantage over Indian economy but, it also makes Beijing vulnerable. Any change in the trade dynamics of the world will severely impact Chinese economy.

According to one estimate, export contributes about 21 per cent of China's GDP. Of all the exports about 18 per cent goes to the US, which translates into about 4 per cent of China's GDP. Donald Trump may change the way the business has been going on between the US and China.

Trump has indicated that his administration will not hesitate from creating walls to block or put a curb on the entry of Chinese goods into the US. This is in sync with Trump's America First policy. Trump wants to give a boost to America's slowing manufacturing industry to generate more local jobs. If Trump succeeds, China is bound to fail.

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On the other hand, India's manufacturing is not export-oriented. Reforms in India have focused on increasing domestic competition. India's services sector is export oriented and is bound to grow further. The US is likely to favour India's services sector, which provides jobs to local youth there more than the Chinese manufacturers.

Donald Trump's policies could be a game-changer for both India and China.

ALSO READ |

Doklam standoff: Why China wants India to stop defending Bhutan

Doklam faceoff: Why China wants to grab Bhutan's land and blame India

India taking diplomatic route to solve border crisis with China in Doklam

ALSO WATCH | Is China trying to bully India?

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Plymouth-born spy Guy Burgess sparked an international man-hunt when he disappeared in 1951.

Over half a century later, we reveal his tragic journey from Devonport gent to traitor.

When Guy Burgess hurriedly left England on a midnight ferry crossing and made his way to the USSR in 1951 he sparked a global scandal.

With a dark complexion and dark curly hair he could have easily passed as just another passenger, but this seemingly unassuming man had turned British Intelligence on its head.

He was a Soviet spy and he had just betrayed his country for the last time.

As one of five men all recruited out of Cambridge University, Burgess had become a spy for the Soviet Union in the early 1930s.

Now widely branded in history as a traitor to his country, Burgess remained largely undiscovered during his near-20 year career in espionage, communicating with the KGB as Britain braced itself first against the roaring horror of Nazi-occupied Europe and then the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Burgess was born on April 16, 1911 at 2 Albemarle Villas, Devonport - a property which still stands to this day.

He came from a Naval background as the the elder son of Commander Malcolm Kingsford de Moncy Burgess RN and his wife, Evelyn Mary.

Signing up to Cambridge in 1930, he joined the Communist Party while there and quickly developed a reputation as a bombastic character, openly gay and a heavy drinker.

In 1934, Burgess was introduced to Arnold Deutsch - a Soviet spy. He went to Moscow that same year and began suggesting other men from Cambridge who could also be recruited.

Together with Anthony Blunt, Donald Maclean, Kim Philby and John Cairncross they would go down in history as the spy ring the Cambridge Five.

Incredibly, Burgess was able to find work in MI6, the BBC, the Foreign Office, and the Washington Embassy without arousing suspicion.

When World War Two began to rear its head, Burgess was recruited as a propaganda specialist for MI6 before returning to the BBC for whom he had produced a wide variety of programmes.

He would become the producer for the company's parliamentary programme The Week in Westminster and gained connections with high-ranking politicians.

After 1944, Burgess secured two positions in the Foreign Office that played right into his hands as an informant. Firstly in the News Department which provided him with access to all communications.

Then two years later he would become an assistant to Hector McNeil, Minister of State in the Foreign Office.

By the late 1940s, Burgess had begun to slip - facing disciplinary action for drunkenness he was sent to work in the Washington Embassy as punishment.

In 1951, everything changed for Burgess. Counterintelligence in America had found evidence against Cambridge ring member Maclean and cryptographers unwittingly informed fellow spy Philby - the head of MI6 station in Washington.

Meanwhile Burgess was sent back to the UK after being caught speeding three times through the state of Virginia.

The net had finally begun to close around the ring. Against Philby's advice, Burgess left England suddenly with Maclean on May 25, 1951, bound for the USSR. His disappearance exposed Philby, who resigned from MI6 and defected to Russia in 1963.

Burgess remained hidden to the world until 1956 when he appeared at a press conference, announcing he had left Britain to work for peace in Russia.

Confined to the USSR, Burgess suffered with loneliness and began desperately recreating England in his Moscow flat - ordering suits from Savile Row and hanging pictures of English hunting scenes on his walls.

Often he made efforts to return home, but was advised not to and made ignorant of the lack of evidence needed to prosecute him.

He went to lengths to meet English-speaking people who were visiting Moscow, including actor Michael Redgrave, Coral Browne, Stephen Spender, and Graham Greene.

Author Andrew Lownie writes in his book Stalin's Englishman: The Lives of Guy Burgess that a Canadian journalist who met him in 1959 drew a vivid picture of 'a tired-looking man, run-down like the building he lived in. He was not what I had imagined a super-spy to look like'.

'On hunched shoulders he carried a worn-out tweed jacket over a white shirt, which had endured too many washings with Russian detergent. A bow tie, baggy trousers and a pair of Church's brogues, worn down on the heels, completed his outfit.

'But in his eyes there was such deep sadness. Pools of despair. A man who had given up hope.'

Burgess increasingly suffered poor health, made worse by excessive drinking and smoking. He was the first of the Cambridge Five to die, suffering from acute liver failure in 1963 at the age of 52.
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The Republican Party owes a debt to the public which it serves, however, nothing is owed to the Republican president who has proven that he is intent on serving only himself and his financial interests.

The latest revelation of an attempt of collusion with Russia, fostered by Donald Trump Jr is not the reason the GOP should pull the plug on POTUS; its merely the latest. The administration is wracked by incompetence, lack of original thought, racist agendas, dishonesty and yes possible treason.

Legislatively, Donald Trump has no agenda or strategy of his own to speak of. His course of action is dictated by what Barack Obama achieved before him. Advised by admitted White Nationalist, Steve Bannon, who shutters at the thought of a diverse America, Trump is led by and governs through bigotry and divisiveness.

Systematically Donald Trump has gone down a list, torn from the pages of Presidential Policy for Dummies and enacted reversals of Barack Obama executive decisions. Trump pulled America from the Paris Climate Change Agreement at the behest of voluminous scientific evidence that he undoubtedly has minimal understanding of. This decision alone may endanger the survival chances of not only America but planet Earth as a whole.

Trump has also reversed Obama era policies involving the EPA, drinking water, fuel emissions, fracking, planned parenthood, internet privacy, personal investments and national landmark protections. Trump has stripped industries of regulatory rules paving the way for industrial disaster to affect the environment and public at large. Another head scratching decision has seen POTUS abolish the right of the public to sue big business CEOs for any form of company malfeasance including harming the environment, sexual harassment, gender and racial discrimination. These decisions enrich and protect Trump and his elite friends, who hes placed in key positions in Washington after promising to clean the swamp of cronyism. This is another straight forward instance of shameless dishonesty.

Healthcare continues to be a hot button issue which is driven not by an achievable goal of medical care for everyone but rather as another way to erase the legacy of Obama.

What legislation has the brilliant mind of Donald J Trump produced? Banning Muslims from entering the country and re-dedicating America to the coal industry. Clean and beautiful coal.

Donald Trumps stupidity knows no boundaries and has no cure. His neophyte status as a politician propelled him to surround himself with an administration and staff that couldnt handle running a lemonade stand let alone a country. Take a moment and consider this. At the recent G20 Summit, Donald Trump was forced to reside at the Senate guesthouse in Hamburg, when his clueless staff bungled his hotel reservations. Thats not a misprint or fake news. The staff appointed to the President of the United States were too incompetent to secure hotel reservations! Its also not the first time. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson faced the same conundrum on an earlier trip overseas. How can you possibly place any faith or trust in an administration that cant handle the menial task of hotel reservations?

Through the torturous tenure of the failing president, Republicans have defended the indefensible and turned a blind eye and an open pocket in respect to his blatant malevolent profiteering. The GOP has repeatedly squashed Democrats request for Trumps taxes, that will undoubtedly connect the dots and lead investigators to where the bodies are buried figuratively and quite possibly, literally.

The GOP can no longer hold the party line or appear as if they are complicit in the daily revelations of possible treason charges leveled against Donald Trump and his crooked cohorts. Republicans cannot afford to stand idly by as Trump takes an entire political party and the country down with him. The Clinton and Obama blame game inspired by a pathological liar and propelled by State TV Fox News cant be a part of Republican strategy. Its time for Senate and Congress to take a page right out of the flawed Trump playbook.

Members of the GOP must look at what are obvious felonious infractions by Trump, his family and staff and do what POTUS has talked about but clearly hasnt done. Republicans must put America first and swiftly put an end to a political nightmare the likes of which weve never seen before.
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A White House spokesperson was touting Trumps upcoming Made In America week, but when a reporter asked about Ivanka Trumps made overseas clothing line, the White House clammed up and said, Well get back to you on that.

The report from the White House Press Pool as provided to PoliticusUSA:

Spokeswoman Helen Aguirre Ferre was asked whether the president would use Made in America week to push Ivanka Trumps clothing line to produce products in America, rather than overseas. Well get back to you on that, she said.

It impossible for a president who makes his own products overseas, and whose family businesses also make their products overseas to be taken seriously as he is supposedly promoting made in America week, unless they mean made in America for everybody but the Trumps.

Trump is setting himself up for ridicule on a daily basis. This president lacks any sense of decency and self-awareness. Made In America week is already a total disaster because Donald Trump doesnt expect people to point out that he and his kids dont actually make their products in America.
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Things are so bad for Donald Trump that he has set the record for having the lowest approval rating of any president during their first six months in office in US history.

Here is the chart of first six months of presidential approval ratings:

Not only is Trump stunningly unpopular, but his support has already been reduced to base levels, and the bad news for this White House is that there is plenty of room for him to drop. Trump is less popular than Gerald Ford, who pardoned Richard Nixon after he took office due to Nixons resignation. Bill Clinton struggled out the gate during his first six months in office, but unlike Trump, he didnt take office under a cloud of scandal, and his approval ratings were higher than Trumps.

The Republican base is somewhere between 34%-37% of polls; this means that if Trumps numbers continue to drop, it will suggest that Republicans are leaving him. Trump is currently in the middle of the Republican base average, so if he drops, it will signal to Congressional Republicans that his president has lost his grip on his partys base, and they are free to break with him.

Donald Trump is a president who is in the midst of the worst political scandal since Watergate, who has no political capital, and few loyalists in Congress. Trump also has no agenda and no voice or vision for the country.

There is no visible upside to Trumps presidency. It is only a matter how low this president will sink before he is either booted or thrown out of office.
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New financial disclosure forms reveal that the Trump campaign used donor money to pay the retainer for Trump Jr.s lawyer before The New York Times published their big story.

HuffPost reported, According to the disclosure forms, Trumps presidential campaign made a $50,000 payment to Futerfas law firm on June 27, 2017. The first story about Trump Jr.s meeting with lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya went up on the New York Times website on July 8, 2017, 11 days after the payment was made. On July 12, in an exchange with reporters on Air Force One en route to Paris, Trump said, I only heard about it [Trump Jrs meeting with the Russian lawyer] two or three days ago.

Trump claims to be worth billions of dollars, so why is his presidential campaign paying for his sons legal fees? When a Trump supporter bought their Make America Great Again hats, they didnt think that they were making America great by paying Don Jr.s legal bills because he tried to collude with the Russians.

Donald Trump sold himself to his supporters as an independent self-funded billionaire who would work for them. The reality has been that Trump has forced taxpayers and supporters to foot the bill for everything from his travel to his sons legal bills, while he has used the presidency for personal financial gain.

It was all a big con. Only a sucker would give money to Donald Trump and expect it to go for its stated purpose. The old proverb that a fool and his money are soon parted has never been truer than when looking at the financial relationship between Donald Trump and his supporters.
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The following post, written by The Rev. Robert A. Franek, is a part of Politicus Policy Discussion, in which writers draw connections between real lives and public policy.

Remember when Congressional Republicans were adamant about claiming that all lives matter? Remember when they championed that phrase in a way to claim the moral high ground on cable and network news on a daily basis? Remember why this phrase was at the same time both true and yet terribly problematic?

The phrase was coined not to champion a universal care for all people, but in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. The superficial claim was that all lives not just black lives mattered. However, all lives were not and are not facing the intense racial injustice and violence perpetrated against black lives. So it needs to be said that black lives matter.

No one would argue that all lives matter to Jesus. And yet he came proclaiming the particularity of lives that mattered especially to him and thus to God and the community that would become the church.

Jesus said widows and orphans lives matter.

Jesus said the lepers lives matter.

Jesus said the Samaritans lives matter.

Jesus said the tax collectors lives matter.

Jesus said womens lives matter.

Jesus said childrens lives matter.

Jesus said the lives of the blind and the lame matter.

Jesus said the lives of the sick and the dead matter.

Jesus said the lives of the hungry and poor matter.

Jesus said the lives of the persecuted and oppressed matter.

Jesus said a Centurions sons life mattered.

Jesus said a Syrophoenician womans life mattered.

All these lives and more mattered to Jesus in their particularity and he would be no less decisive in naming them today saying: black lives matter, brown lives matter, refugee lives matter, immigrant lives matter, native lives matter, LGBTQ lives matter, womens lives matter, people experiencing homelessness lives matter, veterans lives matter, the elderly lives matter, people with preexisting conditions lives matter, people who are disabled lives matter, childrens lives matter, and Muslim lives matter.

To declare in specificity and demonstrate in action that all these lives matter is part of the mission of the church as it exists to be Christs body and presence in the world today. However, caring for all these lives in all their particularity is not the sole purview of the church, but is the responsibility of we the people of this great country that guarantees the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to all people.

This is our countrys way of saying all lives matter and really meaning it, because even though the all of then was more limited than it ought to have been, throughout history this has been continually corrected and broadened to include more and more people as particular lives became at issue from black lives and womens lives to LGBTQ peoples lives. However, there is still much work to be done for all these and more in order that they experience the fullness of life and liberty promised.

Trumpcare 3.0 or the latest version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) still looms on the verge of defeat in the Senate, but it is not lost yet. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is still hard at work trying to secure the necessary 50 votes and is planning to keep the Senate in session for two additional weeks delaying the August recess in an effort to push this unconscionable and immoral bill through to a passing vote.

If many of the Republicans in Congress truly believed their all lives matter rhetoric we would not be in this mess fighting for the lives of millions of people across the country who depend on the provisions of the Affordable Care Act for their life. Instead we would at least have bipartisan discussion on how to improve upon the Affordable Care Act or better begin a conversation on moving to a single-payer system that ensures heath care coverage as a fundamental right for all people like the rest of the industrialized world.

The repeal of Obamacare is not about the philosophy of the policy which is built on conservative ideology, but is a racist rejection of Obama and his legacy. Trumpcare takes conservative ideology to extremes as it boils down not to a health care plan but a tax gift to the billionaires. Meanwhile 20 plus million people will lose their health care coverage and everyone will pay more for less care. So all lives matter, right?

If Republicans in Congress wanted to demonstrate that indeed all lives mattered to them they would not be making drastic cuts to Medicaid, the largest insurance provider in the country. Taking funds ways from this program inherently says that poor peoples lives, elderly peoples lives, veterans lives, disabled peoples lives, childrens lives, students lives, unemployed peoples lives, and more dont matter. Or if they do, they matter a whole lot less than billionaires lives who are receiving the money being cut from Medicaid in the form of a tax cut.

A similar analysis could be made throughout this entire disgrace of a bill, but there is yet another important point that is at the heart of the struggle for bipartisan health care reform. Currently Republicans and Democrats are at an impasse because they are not, as our democratic system is designed, discussing appropriate though different means to a common goal, but rather the goal itself is beyond compromise. One group wants to ensure that all Americans have health insurance as a basic right, while the other despite their rhetoric wants to give unnecessary tax cuts to the wealthy under the lie of trickle-down economics.

The deepest moral values of our country, our conscience, our faith, and our common striving for the common good of people, society, and our environment demand that we say not simply all peoples lives matter but that people with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and depression lives matter, disabled peoples lives matter, people with mental illness and addiction lives matter, children and elderly peoples lives matter, veterans lives matter, and people without health insurance lives matter.

Our country promises that all lives matter, but we live in a society broken by racism, misogyny, patriarchy, rape culture, classism, ableism, xenophobia, and so many other political and socio-economic structures that enshrine systemic oppression and injustice that we must lift up the particularity of these lives bearing the brunt of the brokenness in our society. We name them so that this awareness leads to positive change in not only in our hearts and minds but also in public policy and cultural shifts that move us to an ever more inclusive and diverse all. This is the beauty and strength of America.
In Georgetown County's closest race, the board of elections and voter registration certified Scott DuBose's election to the county school board with a margin of victory of just three votes out of 4,343 cast. Read moreGeorgetown Co. elections: DuBose's election to District 2 school board seat certified
By PTI: Chandigarh, Jul 16 (PTI) Families of 39 Indians abducted in Iraq by the ISIS are hopeful that their loved ones would be re-united with them.

The families, mostly from Punjab, were hoping to receive some "good news" about their kin after the defeat of the terror group in Mosul.

They today met Union Minister Sushma Swaraj in Delhi who informed them that those abducted might be lodged in a jail in Badush in northwest Mosul.

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"We have kept our hopes alive about our family members who went missing in Iraq three years ago," Davinder, whose elder brother Gobinder (45) is missing in Iraq, told PTI.

"We still have hope...we have not got any bad news yet from the government side," he said.

"Badush is still under the control of the ISIS. It will take at least 2-3 months to get the area freed from its control and then the government will be in a position to say something more," said Davinder, a resident of Murar village in Punjabs Kapurthala district.

He said it was the 12th meeting of family members of missing men with the Union minister since their disappearance.

Gurpinder Kaur, whose brother Manjinder Singh (26), has been missing, said she was today hoping to hear "good news" after the Iraqi government announced the liberation of Mosul from the ISIS.

"We thought that we will get to hear some good news about our family members during todays meeting but we were told they have been kept in a jail. The government does not have any information whether they are safe or not," said Gurpinder, a resident of Bhoewal village in Amritsar district.

Sarwan, a resident of Amritsar district whose brother Nishan (30) is missing, said his family was hoping that the missing persons were safe and sound wherever they were in Iraq.

Swaraj today said her Iraqi counterpart might bring fresh information about them when he visits India on July 24.

She had earlier assured Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh that her ministry was making all-out efforts to trace the Indians.

Amarinder had called up Swaraj recently to seek her intervention, saying that the families were keenly awaiting the return of their kin following the defeat of the ISIS and needed the central governments support in bringing them back. PTI CHS/SUN VJ AAR SK AAR

--- ENDS ---
In his column last week, former Mayor Joe Riley commented that Charlestons continuous growth requires careful and deliberate planning. As conservation leaders, we are mindful of the balance between preserving our community and its natural resources while acknowledging that growth will happe Read moreCommentary: Massive Cainhoy development fails to balance growth, environmental protections
In the guise of a news story, the New York Times presents a screed against what it calls junk insurance. The occasion for the screed is Senator Ted Cruzs proposal that insurers be allowed to sell plans that that dont meet Obamacare standards, if they also sell policies that meet these standards. The idea is to give consumers choices.

The Times Reed Abelson complains that under this proposal, insurance companies will sell bare bones policies, as they have done in the past. These policies may strike the Times as junk insurance, but for some consumers they are precisely the insurance they desire.

Years ago, I heard an off-duty insurance salesman say that people should only buy insurance to cover risks they cannot bear financially. In other words, buy auto and homeowners insurance, but dont insure your television or computer.

In the health insurance context, this philosophy militates, for many, in favor of buying insurance that protects against health catastrophes, but doesnt cover, say, routine visits to the doctor. In other words, insurance with a very high deductible.

I wrote here about my attempt to purchase such insurance for my wife to cover a hole in her French insurance policy. Pre-Obamacare, is was able to do so. Post-Obamcare, Im not.

To President Obama and the New York Times the insurance we sought is junk. To us, it is the insurance we need to buy.

Obamacare doesnt just bar insurance companies from selling catastrophic plans. It bars them from selling my wife insurance that doesnt cover childbearing, even though shes more than 60 years old. It bars them from selling insurance that doesnt cover substance abuse treatment, even though shes never abused drugs. And so forth.

The New York Times article glosses over this this matter, focusing instead on a few cases where consumers purchased insurance that didnt live up to their expectations. In the most extreme case, a man bought a policy that limited payments toward chemotherapy to $1,000 a day, just a small fraction of what that treatment ended up costing him. As result, he was left with nearly $500,000 in unpaid medical bills. The man claimed his insurance agent assured him that the coverage for cancer was adequate.

Should Americans be barred from buying insurance policies they want because other Americans dont take the time to figure out what their policies say? I dont think so.

In any event, theres a middle ground between not permitting the sale of health insurance that doesnt meet Obamacare ridiculous (for many people) standards and permitting the sale of any conceivable policy. One could regulate against a policy that is grossly inadequate when it comes to treating cancer without requiring policies that cover childbearing costs for 60 year-old women. The Times makes it sound like the only options are Obamacare or scam insurance.

In reality, extreme cases like the ones the Times describes arent arent the reason the left wants to make people pay for insurance features they dont need. Scam insurance is not the concern. The real reason is that paying for these features provides the funds used to subsidize insurance for people who arent poor but arent well off either (the poor are covered by Medicaid and were pre-Obamacare).

Thats the essence of Obamacare: get random people to pay for more health insurance than they need in order to subsidize health insurance for other people. Any Obamacare legislation that doesnt overturn this regime should not be considered true repeal.
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Inne oferty, ktore mogy byc w kregu Twoich zainteresowan:
By Akshaya Nath: Gautami Tadimalla gets candid in a conversation with India Today's Akshaya Nath. From the Malayalam actress abduction case to her speculated entry into politics, the actress opens up like never before.Q: The film fraternity is facing a lot of turmoil right now. An actress had been abducted, raped and now, another actor's name has cropped in the case...

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A: These are very turbulent and painful times, not just for the film industry and fraternity, as you call it. I think for the society, as a whole, what has been highlighted through all this is the most important need to address the issue of violence against women. Every act of violence, no matter how high-profile or how unnoticed it goes, is equally important and painful. It impacts not just one life, but damages and devastates the lives of everyone around that one person. So the repercussions of one act of violence doesn't stop with that one person. It has a ripple effect through society that is truly devastating. The only thing that I would hope for and work towards is that something positive, as in, really strong decisive action is taken up in this issue of violence against women.Q: When we are talking about sexual assault or violence against women, there is always a lack of sensitivity towards the subject. In one of the scenarios that we have recently seen, actor Kamal Hassan is naming the victim. We have also seen in an earlier instance, when we are talking about Nirbhaya, her mother came out and said my daughter has a name. So there are two scenarios where a family is ready to name the victim and on the other side, when an actor is criticized for naming the victim...

A: I think they are two very distinct issues which you have mentioned. One is of the girl's mother who has come forward and said, 'Name my child because I want her fight and her struggle and her heroism to be recognized by name.' I think the perspective of that is different from an onlooker naming a victim and it is my understanding and I might be inadequately informed, but it's my understanding that there are rules, regulations and laws that govern this. They are two situations entirely.

Q: So do you think that naming the victim is a wrong stand and the actor should have apologized?

A: No, no, it is not about apologizing. The basic stance is there is a law against it. I hesitate to use the word 'victim' but the reason I hesitate is because, for somebody to go through an experience like this and stand up and fight it, she's a hero. To me, she's a hero. You know to face society, face the people around her, to face her attacker, she needs tremendous courage. So I hesitate to use the word victim, but that definitely holds true.

Q: Taking a cue from the kind of scenario that has happened in the Kerala film industry, where the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA)'s support was initially for the accused and later, they changed their stand and expelled him... We have also seen few actresses like Manju Warrier starting a board for the safety of women. Do you think this is a subject that should have been there in place long back?

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A: Always, wherever there is violence and exploitation of anybody in society, there should be a collective strength that stands up to and fights that violence. That being said, there's always a time and place for a new effort to come up. Anything which comes up like this is always a reaction to a need that exists. I think the Women in Cinema Collective is a wonderful initiative that they have taken, and from all that I have seen, I do know that they are very dynamic, proactive both in terms of standing up for women and even creatively. I think it's a wonderful thing to do.

Q: A few months ago, we had seen actress Varalakshmi coming out and sharing her experience about the casting couch in the film fraternity. Do you think that women are always pushed aside or treated as second class citizens inside the film fraternity?

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A: It's not about first or second class citizens but it is a fact that in a society, whether film industry or otherwise, those that perceive themselves to be stronger will try to prey on those that they think are weaker, if they have that kind of a moral make up. There are enough people who respect those that are probably not as strong as they are, who reach out, help and support. There are also people who exploit. So this is not something which is confined to the film industry, but it is highlighted in the film industry because, by its very nature, our industry is so high-profile.

Q: Tollywood is going through a setback as well with a few of the actors being named in the drug racket...

A: As I said, in society there is going to be good and bad, strong and weak, people upholding the law, people cutting corners to break the law. This happens everywhere, not just in the film industry. The only good which is going to come out from this is the film industry or celebrities are always held up in a positive way, and even from incidents like these, we should learn some sort of a good outcome. I think there's a lesson to be learnt in everything. I would like this to be taken in a positive manner and then when you figure out what is not right, how do you deal with situations or what are your personal obligations to yourself and the society. It's a vast field. But from this, learn how to take things that should not be done. How this will affect one's career. Like how we learn from their positives, we should learn from their negatives as well.

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Q: Politically you had made a statement in December just three days after former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's demise. You had written a letter to the Prime Minister seeking justice for the people to know what really happened. Have you got any answers to those questions?

A: There was nothing political about that. I wrote as an Indian in the democratic society to know what is happening at every stage of governance and also every stage of government that is dictating day-to-day life. It is my duty, when I have that ability, when that thought occurs to me and I feel strongly about it, to voice that question. No, there has not been a response. I had followed it up a few months later and I am still waiting.

Q: You are a person who is travelling vastly across the state. Activities that your team is working on include the farmers' issue and the women and children's issue. Do you feel at this time that the present government is not doing what it has to do or has there been a political vacuum that has been created after demise of J Jayalalithaa?

A: Political vacuum is different from governance vacuum. If you are talking about governance, welfare of the people, progress, having an empowered life, that is our right. Every citizen has a right to have the most proactive government that works for our welfare or ensuring our safe future. In that respect, where our state was in November of last year and where it is today, the facts will speak for themselves. There's a lot that needs to be done and many pressing issues that need to be addressed, both on a policy-framing level as well as executing steps to implement that policy. There is a lot that needs to be done very urgently.

Q: In March, just before the RK Nagar elections, there was a talk that you might be coming into active politics and there were rumours that you are going to be the BJP's candidate. Are you actually looking forward to come into politics?

A: That question I have faced many times for the last few months and I was so taken aback when I heard that news. I was travelling though interior Tamil Nadu and there was no signal where I was. It is a conjecture and facts will speak for themselves. Let me focus on what I really need to be doing at this time.

Q: Politics has been an integral part of cinema and we have seen that from MGR, Jayalalithaa and not just in Tamil Nadu, but across the country, a lot of actors are turning politicians. Now, a pressing topic is whether Rajinikanth will be plunging into politics. Do you think that more actors will enter politics? Or Rajinikanth's political venture, if it happens, how do you think it will be?

A: It's not about a celebrity aspiring to become a politician. It's about the individual to have the capacity and ability to do what it takes to govern a state with the magnitude of Tamil Nadu. Being a celebrity gives you a connection with the people. There's a difference between someone who's already known and someone who's a new person trying to make a name. In that case, it is the recognisability and the identification factor, but over and over, it is about whether you have what it takes to be an able administrator who will take our state forward in a dynamic and a progressive path that we need to be.

Q: You have been interacting with the people right from the grassroot level. Do you think that in the future you might take a decision of coming into politics?

A: I have no idea. Nothing in my life has ever been done according to anything that would be a logical or a next step. I was doing engineering and then came into the film industry. After that, everyone knows what my life has been like. My life over the last 15-20 years has been tumultuous. When I faced cancer, that is the point at which I really looked at what I want the rest of my life to be. I made certain decisions to live a certain kind of a life. I'm with the world around me and the society around me; there are no demarcations. You don't draw a line between a mother and a child and say this is where it stops. That seamlessness exists around us in the society. We are all one. The sooner we take it positively and proactively, the sooner we start working, I think we will grow faster.

Q: You have been a television host before and it seems that right now, a lot of reality shows are facing a lot of criticism, starting from children's reality shows to actor Kamal Haasan's Bigg Boss. What is your take on these reality shows? Should they be banned?

A: It's not about banning or allowing any type of content, it's about being responsible with what you are putting out there on a public platform for people to consume. You must protect freedom of expression but inherent in that is also respect that must be there in both, how you express yourselves and how you are reacted to. Along with it, you have to acknowledge media, people on a public platform like television, film, whatever, a celebrity has an incredible ability to impact people around them. You have to recognise and acknowledge what we are putting out there on a public platform has a very strong power to influence people. You have to make a choice to make that influence positive. Where does shock value start and where does offensiveness begin? Where does helping hands stop and dependency begin? There are very fine lines that divide this.

Q: The language debate has spurred a lot of debate between the ones South of the Vindhyas and the ones North of the Vindhyas, and it is seen that the latest target is AR Rahman. His Wembley concert had a lot of people walking out and asking for reimbursements.

A: There are two separate issues in what you have asked. The language debate is not something that the people are doing. A person in a Hindi-speaking state will not want his culture imposed on someone else from another language state. These are decisions taken on an administrative and policy level and it's not about South India and North India. It has to be identified and looked at differently.

Coming to AR Rahman, when you are selling tickets to a show and you are promising a particular kind of experience, people might have come expecting something but when they get something else, that might have disappointed them and they are showing their disappointment. I don't think it's about language. I think it's a matter of expectations fulfilled or not fulfilled, and they are two different issues.

Q: Any parting remark?

A: As a society, we are highly in a fluid state. This is the time where we have to step forward as individuals because at no time in recent history, as I remember, has the power to make our future what we want been so much in our hands. In no time in the recent past, I remember the common man with such an ability to bring his voice to the forefront and raise his concerns. This is a power that we must use very responsibly with the far-reaching consequences in mind. We need to be sure about where we need to head, therefore, what we do now and what we do next. It's a beautiful time, it's a process of growth and it is something so wonderful. We should recognize the potential and look up to the people that inspire us for the right reasons. We should look within ourselves and be honest about what we want and who we need to be and also need to realise what our place is in society.

ALSO READ: Gautami Tadimalla slams Modi on his silence on Tamil Nadu's concerns, Amma's death

ALSO WATCH: Kamal Haasan and Gautami split after living together for 13 years

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By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) For the second consecutive day, two senior ministers today briefed political parties about the standoff along the Sino-Indian border and situation in Jammu and Kashmir at a meeting where opposition leaders urged the government to deescalate the tension with China.

Leaders of 11 political parties, including JD-S leader and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, and CPIs D Raja, were briefed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Home Secretary-designate Rajiv Gauba, on the two issues.

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Opposition leaders were told about the prevailing situation along the Sino-Indian border and Jammu and Kashmir and the governments action, an official spokesperson said.

Yesterday, Swaraj, Jaitely and Home Minister Rajnath Singh had briefed leaders of 14 opposition parties.

"Those who were absent in yesterdays meeting were invited for todays meeting," an official spokesperson said.

Representatives of JD-S, CPI, RSP, JMM, Sikkim Democratic Front, partner of ruling NDA Akali Dal, besides others, were present in the meeting.

Congress, TMC, CPI-M, JD-U, DMK, BSP, NCP and others had attended yesterdays meeting.

CPI national secretary Raja said the government told them there are differences on Dokalam area in the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan.

"The government said there is no tension and it is negotiating. I also said the standoff should be brought to an end as early as possible through the already existing mechanism," he told PTI.

Raja said India-China bilateral trade has gone up and New Delhi is part of the SCO and BRICS, adding "For China also the standoff is a continuing concern and they will also understand this".

"The government gave details about the attack on Amarnath pilgrims. We did not discuss the Kashmir issue as a whole, but only the Amarnath attack issue," he said.

Gauba briefed the leaders of the 11 parties on the Amarnath pilgrimage this year and said till yesterday l.86 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the cave shrine.

Last year, 2.21 lakh pilgrims had visited the shrine during the entire yatra period.

On the security side, Gauba said more than 200 additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces and three additional army battalions were provided for the pilgrimage this year.

The security arrangements have been reviewed regularly at the Centre and the state level, he said.

New Delhi has expressed concern over Beijing trying to change the status quo at the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction in the Dokalam area.

China and India have been engaged in a standoff in the Dokalam area for the past three weeks after a Chinese military construction party attempted to build a road.

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Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.

In Jammu and Kashmir, seven pilgrims were killed by militants in Anantnag district while returning from the Amarnath cave shrine on Monday.

Four districts of the state -- Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag -- have been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in July, 2016.

The unrest has resumed since the April 9 bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.

Opposition leaders have been criticising the government for the way it has handled China and Kashmir. PTI ACB ENM KUN

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One of the accused got a visa from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi on the recommendation of Hurriyat Geelani faction, sources said.

Three persons have been arrested by police - Ansarullah Tantaray, Abdul Rashid Bhat and Mehrajuddin Kak.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: A Hizbul Mujahideen recruitment module has been busted in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district. Three persons have been arrested by police - Ansarullah Tantaray, Abdul Rashid Bhat and Mehrajuddin Kak.

One of those arrested, Abdul Rashid Bhat, visited Pakistan in May and obtained training in the Khalid Bin Waleed camp run by the Hizbul in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

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He got a visa from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi on the recommendation of Hurriyat Geelani faction, sources said.

Bhat came back to the valley to actively lure and recruit young boys into terrorism.

IG Muneer Khan told India today, " This is at least the fifth instance in a year and a half where the terrorists are using official documents like passports and visas instead of crossing over from the Line of Control."

Jammu and Kashmir Police will be submitting it's report on separatist organisations supporting anti-national elements.

A senior officer said, "It is upto the Centre to decide whether they will take it up with Pakistan, but it signals of active support of separatists and possible role of Pakistan High Commission."

TERROR TRAINING VIA LEGAL BORDER ROUTES

Earlier as well, on February 4, two terrorists Azhar Khan of Kupwara and Sajad Lone from Bomai Sopore were neutralised in joint operations by security forces in Amargarh Sopore.

Investigation by Jammu and Kashmir Police led them to unraveling of a legal route via Wagah to cross the border which was being used by militants get terror training.

Both the slain terrorists had gone to Pakistan via Wagah border in 2015-2016 to get terror training.

Sources said they were active for quite some time before they got eliminated in an encounter. The duo remained active for around a year before they got killed.

Irshad Khwaja, a Hizbul commander from Seelu Sopore who was arrested in a murder case in March confirmed the modus operandi.

THE PLANS OF THE BUSTED MODULE

The module sources said that the module was being spearheaded by Hizbul Mujahideen commander Parvez Wani alias Mubashir, a resident of Gagloora Handwara in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

The module had plans to send many boys to Pakistan on valid visa to get them trained in militant camps of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

SSP Baramulla Imtiyaz Hussain told India today that, "The masterminds of terror groups are looking at new ways to lure boys to swell their cadres. We have a constant endeavor to stop this recruitment. We have been able to save 10 boys from joining militancy and nip in bud new modes of recruitment and training."

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Arms, ammunition and Rs 1 lakh in cash were recovered from the arrested persons.

The module has not only been luring young boys to militancy, but providing all logistic support to other militants of the outfit as well.

This is a big success as recently Baramulla Police saved around 10 boys meant to be inducted in militant ranks and handed them over over to their parents.

Also Read:

'Thank you' note from Hizbul, Lashkar puts separatist Naeem Khan, Mirwaiz aide in dock: NIA

Jammu and Kashmir: Three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists killed in encounter in Budgam

Also Watch:

Jammu and Kashmir: Two Hizbul terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Sopore

--- ENDS ---
During his stay to France, the Chief of the Air Staff is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with the senior military officials of the French Armed Forces.

By Manjeet Negi: Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff, is going on a 4-day official visit to France on Monday. The visit is intended to further strengthen the existing defence cooperation between the air forces of the two countries.

The areas of cooperation presently include exchanges in military training courses, mutual visits by subject matter experts and joint air exercises. The Air Chief is also planned to fly a sortie in Rafale fighter.

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During his stay in France, the Chief of the Air Staff is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with the senior military officials of the French Armed Forces.

CHALLENGES FACED BY COUNTRIES

The challenges faced by the Armed Forces of both the countries in the current geo-political scenario are expected to be discussed during these meetings. The main focus of the visit will be on improving bilateral relations, promote defence ties, and outline further areas of defence cooperation between the two countries.

The CAS will visit headquarters of French Air Force and a few operational air bases. The CAS would interact with representatives of Military Aviation Industry in France and visit Indian Rafale PMT Infrastructure.

This visit of the Air Chief would provide further impetus towards increasing defence cooperation between the two Air Forces and pave the way for greater interaction and cooperation in the future.

Also read: Directed by PM Modi, defence heads talk integration

Also read: Obama-fame IAF officer Pooja Thakur gets wings back after reinstatement order

--- ENDS ---
Girls rule with power tools! Freshening up our powder room should have been a simple task of scraping off the wallpaper and adding a coat of paint. So simple even a girl could do it! However, when the top layer of drywall came off with the wallpaper, I learned to use a miter saw, perfected my hammering skills and solved the problem by adding wainscot, new trim and paint. With the electrical and plumbing help of my stepson, Bob, and fashion sense of my sister, Peg, the job was completed with a new sink, light fixture and designer curtains.

 Karen McCool, Lower Township

SHARE YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENT STORY

Did you recently build a new deck? Refurbish your bathroom? Finish your basement? Build a treehouse for your kids? Tell us about it in no more than 100 words, with before and after photos and, if you have it, video.

Well feature your story in our real estate coverage online and in print.

Email dgrote@pressofac.com with the subject line My home improvement success story.
ATLANTIC CITY  Last weeks move to protect the citys water system from being sold against the publics wishes was a victory for activists and residents  but it isnt the end of the fight.

Following a petition that got more than 2,400 signatures, City Council adopted an ordinance Tuesday that gives residents the right to vote in a referendum if officials decide to sell or dissolve the Municipal Utilities Authority.

The state previously urged the city to dissolve the MUA to make money, but the city either pulled or voted down measures to do so before the state took over in November.

City residents and activists have expressed concern about what could happen if the water system is privatized, the main concern being that water rates could go up, said Lena Smith of Food and Water Watch.

Charles Goodman, a member of the Atlantic City NAACP who helped lead the petition drive, said now they will wait to see what the state or city decides to do.

We cant jump up and cheer yet, he said. Were just in the third quarter.

There is a possibility the ordinance will not have an effect. The Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act, or state takeover law, says initiatives and referendums are advisory only and may be followed, or disregarded by state officials.

The law gave until late May before the state could take any action on the MUA, but the state has not taken action and does not have a plan to do so, Lisa Ryan, spokeswoman for the state Department of Community Affairs, wrote in an email Thursday.

After months of more than 100 people from civic associations, the local chapter of the NAACP, Food and Water Watch and a group called AC Citizens Against the State Takeover knocking on doors and collecting signatures, they continued to persuade council until the moment of Tuesdays vote.

And while the ordinance adoption is another step in the right direction, advocates say, the fight against the sale of the MUA isnt over.

This is a rare event, Carol Ruffu, who helped collect the signatures, told council ahead of the vote. In Atlantic City, we always react to something that happens. We decided to take a proactive movement on this initiative.

Ruffu, who also is interim president of the Chelsea Civic Association, was one of five people who approached the podium to reiterate her position before council voted to pass the measure 8-0, with one abstention.

Ryan said the states designee in Atlantic City, former U.S. Sen. Jeffrey Chiesa, and the Department of Community Affairs recognize that because the MUA is an issue of great importance to the residents in the city, it deserves a thoughtful conversation with people about anything we may do with the MUA.

Following the meeting, a letter sent by Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, D-Atlantic, to Chiesa, MUA Executive Director Bruce Ward and Rick Dovey, president of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, proposed bringing back a discussion about bringing together the ACUA and the MUA.

Dovey released a statement saying the ACUA is ready to discuss various scenarios that would allow the ACMUA to remain under public operation and is prepared to discuss possible solutions.

Goodman said hes upset and wary of the idea of the county getting involved.

Ward, who was at the meeting Tuesday, referenced an article from The Washington Post that explained how some other municipalities that have privatized water systems have ended up paying higher rates.

He passed out copies of the story to council members with the headline, Towns sell their public water systems  and come to regret it.
By PTI: By K J M Varma

Beijing, Jul 16 (PTI) An India-China-Myanmar trilateral interaction will be an interesting topic in the future as it will be of "great geopolitical and economic significance" to the region, an article in the Chinese state media said today.

The article - India pursues Act East policy via Myanmar - in the Global Times online said, "For Myanmar, which is nestled between China and India, the policy of no enemies is the best strategic choice. And, at least for now, it has benefited from Beijing-New Delhi contention in the Indochina region."

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The article suggested Myanmar was enhancing ties with India to "minimise its over reliance" on China, diversify its economic portfolio, and out of its "urgent need to engage neighbouring countries after prolonged isolation."

"Considering all these factors, the trilateral interaction among Beijing, New Delhi and Nay Pyi Taw will be an interesting topic for some time in the future because it will be of great geopolitical and economic significance to the region," it said.

The article came as Myanmars military chief concluded his eight-day visit to India from July 7. During the visit, Gen U Min Aung Hlaing called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley separately. He also held discussions with Army chief General Bipin Rawat and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on defence and security cooperation.

It said the visit has added "a tinge of sensitivity to India-Myanmar military interaction" amid the standoff between the Indian and the Chinese armies in Doklam area. "Their cooperation has brought subtle changes to the region." PTI KJV ABH AKJ ABH

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MONTREAL, July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

ALGOLD RESOURCES LTD. (TSXV: ALG - "Algold" or the "Corporation") today announced the signature of a strategic partnership agreement with its Mauritanian-based business partner, Wafa Mining & Petroleum SA ("Wafa"). The agreement underscores Wafa's continued confidence in the Corporation by providing a locally recognized partnership for Algold to pursue its exploration and development efforts in Mauritania.

"Wafa is a well-known and skilled Mauritanian-based industrial firm and has been a valued Algold partner since 2013," commented Algold Chairman, Benoit La Salle. "Through this new strategic agreement, Wafa not only further validates its long-term support, but provides Algold with the opportunity to significantly accelerate the development of the Corporation's Mauritanian exploration projects. We are privileged to have Wafa as a strategic partner and look forward to our ongoing collaboration, as Algold continues its quest to unlock the true potential of its Tijirit gold project including the high-grade Eleonore structures."

Wafa has agreed to complete a private placement (the "Offering") of units of Algold, under which it will subscribe for a number of Algold's common shares (each a "Common Share") equal to 10% of the outstanding total, at a price of $0.20 per unit. Based on the current total of 167,250,275 outstanding Common Shares, Wafa would subscribe for 18,583,364 units, for total gross proceeds of $3,716,673. Each unit will be composed of one Common Share and 0.5538 of one Common Share purchase warrant, for a total of 10,291,682 such warrants. Each whole warrant (a "Warrant") will entitle Wafa to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.30, for a period of 18 months from the closing of the Offering. Upon closing of the offering, Wafa will have the right to nominate one member to Algold's board of directors and would be granted the right to participate in any future offerings to allow Wafa to maintain its ownership stake.

"We are extremely pleased to further strengthen our collaboration with Wafa, which has a significant mining presence in Mauritania and is active across many sectors through its various subsidiary businesses," said Algold CEO, Francois Auclair. "Wafa is a much-valued strategic shareholder that will ensure, in collaboration with Algold, that the Corporation takes full advantage of advancement opportunities to ultimately create shareholder value."

The Offering, which remains subject to receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, is expected to close no later than July 28, 2017.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to carry out exploration drilling on Algold Mauritanian properties and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.

In addition, Algold has agreed that, no later than July 31, 2018, it will make the cash payment of US$200,000 due to Wafa under their agreement previously announced on January 29, 2013. Wafa had previously deferred that payment, as previously announced on November 25, 2015. Wafa's non-participating ownership stake in Societe Mauritanienne d'Exploration (or a successor entity), which holds the existing Kneivissat permit, will also be increased from 10% to 12%.

ABOUT WAFA

WAFA Mining & Petroleum is part of Groupe WAFA SA. Groupe WAFA SA is an important family enterprise in Mauritania. The Ghadda family business established itself in the import and distribution of food products. Since then, the business has diversified into construction, industrial fisheries, real estate, public works, distribution of petroleum products and banking. Its mining business, WAFA Mining and Petroleum, was established in 2010 as WAFA Mining SA then extended in 2012 its scope to the petroleum sector. It holds several tenements of mineral substance in Tasiast, Amsaga and the Mauritanides.

ABOUT ALGOLD

Algold Resources Ltd. is focused on the exploration and development of gold deposits in West Africa. The board of directors and management team are seasoned resource industry professionals with extensive experience in the exploration and development of world-class gold projects in Africa.

CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements in this press release may be forward-looking. Such statements include those with respect to Corporation's ability to raise funds under the Offering, the use of the proceeds raised thereunder and the rights to be granted to Wafa post-closing. Although the Corporation believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be achieved. Such assumptions, which may prove incorrect, include the following: (i) Algold will be successful in its efforts to pursue the exploration activities referred to in this news release, (ii) Algold's management will not identify and pursue other business objectives using the proceeds of the Offering, (iii) Wafa and Algold will not negotiate terms for the Offering (including Wafa's post-closing rights) different from those described above and (iv) the price of gold will remain sufficiently high and the costs of advancing the Corporation's gold projects sufficiently low so as to permit Algold to implement its business plans in a profitable manner. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include (i) the Corporation's failure to make effective use of the proceeds of the Offering, (ii) Wafa and Algold agreeing to terms that are different from those described above for any reason, (iii) the failure of the Corporation's projects, for technical, logistical, labour-relations or other reasons, (iv) the Corporation's inability to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for the Offering, (v) a decrease in the price of gold below what is necessary to sustain the Corporation's operations, (vi) an increase in the Corporation's operating costs above what is necessary to sustain its operations, (vii) accidents, labour disputes or the materialization of similar risks, (viii) a deterioration in capital market conditions that prevents the Corporation from raising the funds it requires on a timely basis and (ix) generally, the Corporation's inability to develop and implement a successful business plan for any reason. A description of other risks affecting Algold's business and activities appears under the heading "Risk Factors" on pages 19 to 21 of Algold's 2016 annual management's discussion and analysis, which is available on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this press release will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that Algold will derive therefrom. In particular, no assurance can be given as to the future financial performance of Algold. Algold disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in order to account for any new information or any other event, except as required under applicable law. The reader is warned against undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

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.



Algold Resources Limited.

1320, Graham Blvd., Suite 132

Town of Mont-Royal, Quebec, H3P 3C8

http://www.algold.com

Francois Auclair M.Sc.

PGeo, President & CEO

f.auclair@algold.com

+1(514)889-5089

Alex Ball

Executive VP

Finance & Corporate Development

a.ball@algold.com

+1(647)919-2227


"We're thrilled to announce plans for a new Disney Vacation Club property called Disney Riviera Resort coming to Walt Disney World Resort," Chapek said. "Our Vacation Club Members are among our most loyal fans, and we think that they will love what we have planned, especially the rooftop restaurant that will offer unbelievable views of nighttime spectaculars at both Epcot and Hollywood Studios."

In addition, Chapek announced that a whole new transportation system of gondolas is planned, called the Disney Skyliner, to give guests a never-before-seen birds-eye view of Walt Disney World and connect the new Disney Vacation Club property, Disney's Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts with Disney's Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.

Estimated to open in fall 2019, this new resort experience is slated to be the 15th Disney Vacation Club property with approximately 300 units spread across a variety of accommodation types.

On July 17, Disney Vacation Club will welcome its 14th resort with the opening of Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, featuring 184 rustically elegant vacation accommodations including Deluxe Studios, one- and two-bedroom Villas, three-bedroom Grand Villas and unique waterfront cabins.

Ken Potrock, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Disney Vacation Club, said, "The opening of Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge in just a few days and the announcement of our next planned development, Disney Riviera Resort, demonstrate the incredible momentum underway at Disney Vacation Club. Our members tell us over and over again how much they love the outstanding accommodations and the value and flexibility of a Disney Vacation Club Membership, as well as the unique location to our growing and evolving theme parks and the exclusive member experiences and benefits they get from our Membership Extras program."

ABOUT DISNEY VACATION CLUB

Disney Vacation Club, a leader in vacation ownership, debuted in 1991 with a flexible, vacation points-based system rather than the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Today, Disney Vacation Club has more than 220,000 member families, from all 50 states and approximately 100 countries, who have discovered the joys of membership.

Disney Vacation Club Members are able to choose from among a variety of exciting vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club Resort or one of thousands of other vacation options in destinations around the world. Plus, when purchasing directly from Disney, members can also enjoy the Disney Collection, which includes select Disney Resort hotels, Disney Cruise Line and guided vacations with Adventures by Disney, as well as the Concierge Collection, a portfolio of extraordinary hotels in sought-after destinations. Vacations at a Disney Vacation Club Resort can last anywhere from one night to several weeks.

With Disney Vacation Club properties located near the Disney theme parks in Florida and California, Members have easy access to new and innovative attractions on both coasts for years to come. For more information, visit www.disneyvacationclub.com.

SOURCE Disney Vacation Club

Related Links

http://www.disneyvacationclub.com


If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
New Delhi, July 11 : An unruly passenger on board AirAsia India's New Delhi-Ranchi flight, who tried to open the emergency door of the aircraft midair, has been booked under relevant sections of the IPC (Indian Penal Code), sources said.

According to official sources, the incident occurred on July 10, when an unruly passenger tried to open the emergency door of the aircraft midair and also managed to injure crew members who tried to stop him.

On its part, budget passenger carrier AirAsia India on Tuesday said that an unruly passenger was handed over to the CISF in Ranchi for further investigation and has subsequently been booked under relevant sections of the IPC.

"AirAsia India would like to confirm that the airline encountered an unruly passenger on board flight number i5 546 from New Delhi to Ranchi on July 10th that led to inconvenience to guests and crew on board," the airline said.

"The flight, however, landed and departed Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi on time as per schedule. Upon landing at Ranchi, the unruly passenger was handed over to the CISF for further investigation. We understand that the unruly passenger was booked under relevant sections of IPC."
One of the four crew members, who were being rescued, had suffered a serious injury on his hand while three others were suffering from acute sea sickness.

By Divyesh Singh: The Indian Coast Guard carried out medical evacuation of four patients from a vessel off Panjim coast in Goa on Sunday morning.

The Coast Guard headquarters in Goa received a call from the Deputy Captain of Ports requesting for medical evacuation of four crew members of MV Lucky Seven which was anchored off Aguada light house in Goa in the mid sea. The call received was around 9pm on July 15 after which CG officials launched the medical evacuation at the first light on Sunday morning.

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One of the four crew members, who were being rescued, had suffered a serious injury on his hand while three others were suffering from acute sea sickness.

Commandant Amit Koragaonkar of CG launched a helicopter and rescued the four crew members and handed them over to medical team who were on standby at the Miramar beach. The four were then taken to the MANIPAL hospital for further treatment and their condition is said to be stable.

The vessel from which the four crew members were rescued, MV lucky Seven, reportedly belongs to a company owned by former Haryana Minister Gopal Kanda and is currently awaiting license and permits to enter the Mandovi river. MV Lucky Seven would be a casino along with six other casinos in the Mandovi river.

--- ENDS ---
San Francisco, July 12 : In the following weeks, you may see ads in your Facebook Messenger as the company is extending beta test of home screen Messenger ads worldwide.

A report in the VentureBeat on Tuesday quoted Messenger's head of product Stan Chudnovsky as saying that the update would be rolled out slowly, but the targeted promos would be widely visible by the end of 2017.

"Advertising is not necessarily everything, but it's definitely how we're going to be making money right now. And going forward, there are some other business models we are exploring as well, but they're all around ads one way or another," the report quoted Chudnovsky as saying.

The beta version of Messenger home screen ads started in January in Australia and Thailand.

These ads on Messenger home screen fits the company's vision of facilitating connection between its 1.2 billion users and the 60 million businesses on Facebook.

"Ads in the Home tab will follow an auction-based model and will feature the same sort of user-targeting capabilities found on Facebook or Instagram," Chudnovsky noted.

Currently, Messenger ads include sponsored messages and ads in Facebook News Feeds that redirect to Messenger conversations with a bot or human.
Srinagar, July 12 : Three Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed on Wednesday after a gunfight with security forces in a Jammu and Kashmir village that began the previous day, officials said.

The battle started on Tuesday evening after security forces, following inputs about the presence of some militants, laid a cordon around Radbug village of Budgam district, some 30 km from here.

The militants opened fire at the security forces when the cordon around the house in which they were hiding was tightened, a police officer said.

The operation, carried out jointly by the police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Army, was halted after it got dark. The exchange of fire resumed on Wednesday morning.

The officer said the holed up militants rushed out from their hideout firing indiscriminately in a bid to break the cordon.

The security forces returned the fire and killed all the three militants, he said.

The slain militants were identified as Javed Sheikh, Dawood and Aquib. Sheikh was the Hizbul district commander, the police officer said.

Sheikh and Dawood were residents of Budgam district, CRPF DIG M. Dinakaran said.

He said an AK-56 assault rifle, an SLR, a pistol and seven magazines were recovered from the shootout site.

Dinakaran said security forces suffered no injuries.

"Villagers resorted to heavy stone pelting at the security forces to disrupt our operation. However, they were chased away," he told IANS.
Mumbai, July 13 : A team of over 20 women parliamentarians from different parties visited the Byculla Jail here on Thursday in the wake of death of a woman inmate and subsequent violence last month.

Led by Assam MP Bijoya Chakravorty, who is head of the Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women, the women MPs interacted with the jail inmates and staff.

The details of their visit and observations would form part of a national report on the status of women's jails across the country, which the panel has been touring for the past nearly two years, said team member and Nationalist Congress Party Rajya Sabha MP Vandana Chavan.

"The report, with our suggestions and recommendations, will be submitted to Parliament and thereafter it will go to the ministry concerned for further action," Chavan told IANS, while declining to divulge details of their visit to the Byculla Jail.

Other team members included NCP's Supriya Sule, Bharatiya Janata Party's Raksha Khadse and DMK's M.K. Kanimozhi.

The decision to visit Byculla Jail was taken after the death of a warder and convict Manjula Shetye, who was allegedly assaulted by women jail staff on June 23 and died shortly afterwards.

The following morning, riots were reported from inside the jail in which several women inmates were injured in battle with jail security. High profile undertrial and former media baron Indrani Mukerjea is one of the inmates at the jail.

Six jail staff, including Jailor Manisha Pokharkar, were suspended and later arrested by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.

The Byculla Jail and the Maharashtra State Women's Commission, which visited the prison last week, launched their independent inquiries into the incidents.

In between, one of the senior jail officers, Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) Swati Sathe abruptly withdrew from the probe after some social media messages sent by her expressing sympathy for the arrested women sparked a major controversy.
New Delhi : Even though six of India's least developed states -- among eight high-focus states in government jargon -- spent more on education per elementary school student in 2014-2015 when compared to 2011-2012, learning outcomes of students did not improve, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of expenditure data and learning outcomes.

The six states are Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Education expenditure per student includes both students in government schools and in government-aided schools.

By 2030, India will have the world's largest working age population -- 1.03 billion. More than half (55.8 per cent) of its child population between the ages of six and 13 years lives in nine of the least developed states -- Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand -- according to data from Ministry of Human Resource Development, and will make up the majority of the workforce.

In 2014-2015, over 77 million students were enrolled in school in nine high focus states.

Less than 18 per cent of Grade III students in Bihar, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, less than 30 per cent in Assam, less than 25 per cent in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, and less than 21 per cent in Odisha could read words, according the 2016 Annual Status of Education Report (ASER). Poor education could hold these children back from being productive and efficient, negatively impacting India's growth and development of its population.

Rajasthan increased per student expenditure by 40 per cent between 2011-12 and 2014-2015, but less than 20 per cent of students of Grade III could read words in 2016, compared to 34 per cent students in 2012. In Uttar Pradesh, where per student expenditure increased 25 per cent, the proportion of students who could read words decreased from 27.1 in 2012 to 15.7 per cent in 2016.

Two high focus states -- Bihar and Odisha -- reduced spending per student by 10 per cent and three per cent, respectively, between 2014-2015 and 2011-2012.

Until now, the government's emphasis in the education sector appears to have been on physical infrastructure such as availability of drinking water and the use of toilets, and on measures to increase student enrollment.

For instance, Bihar's gross enrollment ratio (GER) in primary school increased from 59.8 per cent in 2011-12 to 98.07 per cent in 2014-15, according to data from the Unified District Information System on Education (U-DISE).

In Bihar, physical infrastructure such as the proportion of schools with toilets increased from 51.2 per cent in 2012 to 70.6 per cent in 2016. In Chhattisgarh, schools with drinking water facilities increased from 79.2 per cent in 2012 to 85 per cent of schools in 2016.

Other than in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, dropouts reduced in all high focus states between 2012 and 2016.

An excessive focus on outputs has resulted in assessing physical infrastructure creation, provision of teaching and learning materials, appointment of teachers, etc., rather than monitoring the learning process to see how many children have learned what.

"We have looked at the education sector and we believe that we have been able to get the child to the school. The effort now would be to impart quality education to the child," Anil Swarup, , Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, told Indiaspend in a recent interview.

Niti Aayog, the government think tank, is in the process of formulating a School Education Quality Index, the aim of which is to "shift the focus of States from inputs towards outcomes, provide objective benchmarks for continuous annual improvements, encourage state-led innovations to improve quality and facilitate sharing of best practices," according to a 2016 press release.

Surveys find that absenteeism in school is high, which could impact learning. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh, where spending per student increased 40 per cent between 2011 and 2014, about 55.8 per cent students were present on the day of a survey in 2016, little change from the 56.7 per cent present in school in 2012.

Further, only 51.2 per cent government teachers were professionally trained in Assam in 2014-2015, data show, even though the state spent the highest proportion of its social sector budget (24.7 per cent) of all high focus states on education.

In contrast, 88.2 per cent government school teachers were professionally trained in Mizoram, a neighbouring state which spent 17.4 per cent of total expenditure on education in 2014-15.

High focus states receive a greater share of resources under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the government's flagship scheme for elementary education which aims to provide universal education to children between the ages of 6 to 14 years.

SSA funds might not be utilised optimally, according to an analysis by Accountability Initiative, a New Delhi-based advocacy. For instance, Bihar has allocated 80 per cent of its SSA funds to "teachers" in 2016-17, up from 70 per cent in 2015-16 but 57 per cent of government teachers were professionally trained in that year, while 34 per cent teacher posts were vacant in 2016, according to government data.

"High focus states allocate large amount to social sector to improve their indicators, but in reality they spend a small amount as compared to what is allocated," Avani Kapur, a senior researcher at Accountability Initiative told IndiaSpend. "Hence it is necessary to consider actual accounts in order to know the proper outcomes."

For instance, though Bihar allocated 21.4 per cent of its total social sector budget on education, it spent 17.5 per cent in 2014-2015.

Though Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh increased money spent on education as a proportion of the total social sector budget, learning continued to lag behind more developed states such as Maharashtra and Kerala.

Further, even though the quality of education hasn't improved, some of these states have shifted their focus from education. Spending on education as a proportion of total social sector spending fell in five of these states -- Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand -- even as learning outcomes declined between 2010 and 2016, according to an analysis of Reserve Bank of India's study of state budgets 2017.

Increasing public spending on primary education is likely to be more effective in raising primary education attainment in countries with good governance, according to a 2007 paper by researchers from World Bank, which looked at 91 countries.

(In arrangement with IndiaSpend.org, a data-driven, non-profit, public interest journalism platform, with whom Ojaswi Rao is an intern. The views expressed are those of IndiaSpend. Feedback at respond@indiaspend.org)
London, July 14 : Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, who hails from Tamil Nadu, got slammed on social media for performing Tamil songs at the Wembley Stadium. While some were left disappointed, others stood by his songs selection as they believe music has no language barrier.

Rahman's "Netru, Indru, Naalai" (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow) gig at the London event on July 8 didn't hit the right chord with all his fans, especially his Bollywood-song admirers.

According to reports, some left the concert after Rahman started singing Tamil songs.

"A.R. Rahman concert: Never seen so much disappointment and mass walkouts. Approximately one per cent of songs in Hindi," one fan posted on Twitter.

Another tweeted: "A.R. Rahman... very disappointed with the concert tonight (July 8) at Wembley. Waited for a very long time to be disappointed? Not expected from a legend."

"Lovely to see A.R. Rahman, but all the songs are in Tamil! What about your Hindi/Bollywood fans?"

After the reported walkout, a statement was later issued on a Facebook page - A R Rahman Live - UK on July 10, saying: "Hi London. Thanks for the tremendous support and response. However, we have been getting a few complaints on language bias which is rather unfortunate as this was an Indian show and music doesn't have any barriers."

The Facebook statement, which could not be verified immediately, also sought to put the controversy in perspective. "We have posted the track list performed at The SSE Arena, Wembley to prove that there were 16 full tracks in Hindi, 12 full Tamil tracks and one medley with a mix of Tamil and Hindi."

There were some who supported him.

One wrote: "Everyone in the world knew that music doesn't have a language but Hindi wala guys say music in Hindi language. AR Rahman."

Another tweeted: "I think some of these Bollywood kiss a**es forget A.R. Rahman is Tamil and Bollywood did not make him famous, many great Bollywood movies."Another wrote: "This is how we feel when Hindi is imposed or Hindi songs are in list in Yuva Dasara Mysuru or Hindi is heard in flight announcement."

Rahman is currently in New York for the 18th edition of the IIFA Weekend and Awards and is yet to directly address the incident.
Paris, July 15 : French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Saturday called on Arab countries to make efforts to reduce tension in the region, noting that the current diplomatic crisis with Qatar benefited nobody.

Le Drian made his remarks in a press conference with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Efe news reported.

The French minister expressed his country's concern about the deterioration of relations between Qatar and its neighbours.

Le Drian urged the countries boycotting Qatar to lift measures affecting civilians, particularly dual-nationality families and students, as soon as possible.

He supported the mediation efforts of Kuwait and other countries, including the US, stressing that terrorism should be countered.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain cut ties with Qatar in June, accusing the Gulf state of supporting terrorist groups.

The Qatari minister said these Arab countries' decision to break ties with Doha slowed down the fight against terrorism and hindered international efforts in this regard.
Riyadh, July 16 : French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in Saudi Arabia to help address the ongoing Qatar diplomatic crisis.

"France calls for the lifting, as soon as possible, of the measures that affect the populations in particular, bi-national families that have been separated and students," Le Drian said at a joint press conference with his Saudi counterpart Adel Al-Jubeir on Sunday.

Le Drian urged the four countries that severed diplomatic ties with Qatar -- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt -- to resolve the ongoing crisis through dialogues.

After his visit to Riyadh, Le Drian will go to Kuwait and the UAE to attempt mediation.

Al-Jubeir claimed he could provide evidence that Qatar violated the 2013 Riyadh Agreement and the 2014 Riyadh Supplementary Agreement, both of which aim to enhance cooperation between Gulf nations and avoid interference in each other's internal affairs.

He also stressed that Qatar must implement relevant anti-terrorism agreements.

The four Arab countries cut ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting "extremism and terrorism", an allegation which Qatar has denied.

On June 23, the four Arab states issued a list of 13 demands to end the rift with Doha, including closing of the Al-Jazeera television and cutting diplomatic ties with Iran.

Since Qatar's response seemed unsatisfactory to them, the four have decided to maintain their sanctions.
Islamabad, July 16 : The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) which probed the Panama Papers case against Nawaz Sharif's family assets has recommended reopening 15 cases against the Pakistani Prime Minister, the media reported on Sunday.

Of these 15 cases, three were registered during the 1994 and 2011 tenures of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and 12 during President Pervez Musharraf regime, soon after he toppled the Sharif government in the October 1999 military coup, reports Dawn News.

The case regarding the Sharif family's four London apartments was also among the investigations started by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December 1999.

In its April 20 verdict, the Supreme Court asked the JIT to investigate the money trail for the London flats, Dawn News reported.

The JIT noted "that these (15) cases have also been quashed without conducting a proper trial and without giving evidence a chance to come on record".

The probe team also recommended the NAB be complete its investigation into the London properties.

On July 10, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court began examining a report submitted by the JIT over the money laundering allegations.

The bench, after examination of the report, asked for transcripts of all speeches made in the last 60 days by Sharif's party leaders, presumably to examine them for contemptuous content.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 17.
Singapore, July 16 : India's growing economy and digital push have caught the attention of hackers and an increasing wave of cyber attacks could soon badly impact the country, experts from Russian cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab have warned.

India and other South Asian countries are now on the radar of cyber attackers, said experts, adding that the government and corporates need to procure state-of-the-art, New Age security solutions to thwart their plans.

The impact of recent global cyber attacks were clearly visible in India as "WannaCrypt" -- that affected 150 countries globally -- and the recent "Petya" malware attack hit computers in the country.

"India's growing economy and digitalisation are really a big concern as cyber attackers have now begun focusing on developing countries with big populations and average incomes," Eugene Kaspersky, Chairman and Chief Executive of Kaspersky Lab, told IANS on the sidelines of the recently-concluded "Interpol World 2017" conference in Singapore's Suntec City.

His comments came as the Moscow-based cyber security firm found that the "Petya" attack hit Gateway Terminal India operated by AP Moller-Maersk at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), a facility near Mumbai which is India's biggest container port.

The terminal was unable to load or unload because of the attack as it failed to identify which shipment belongs to whom.

According to Vitaly Kamluk, Director of Global Research and Analysis Team for APAC at Kaspersky Labs, there was no cyber security threat till 2010 and India was quite safe till then.

But now, India and other "developing countries are most vulnerable, especially the financial sector. We perceive that banks are most vulnerable in India", Kamluk told IANS.

Stephan Neumeier, Managing Director of Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific, stressed the need to educate people to save them from becoming victims of cyber attacks.

"As India's economy is growing fast, more and more people are now getting access to Internet. They have 4G access and Android devices are becoming popular. They need to be educated about anti-virus solutions as mandatory for devices and be made aware about not falling for phishing attacks," Neumeier emphasised.

He suggested that malicious emails or links should also be part of the awareness process.

"Countries like India are developing very fast which opens doors for more cyber attacks," Neumeier added.

The experts also recalled how over 200,000 users were affected in 150 countries after the "WannaCrypt" virus attack which paralysed computers -- with a demand being made for a payment of $300 in bitcoins (crypto-currency or virtual currency) for a system to be unblocked.

Citing reports, Kaspersky Lab said that cyber crime costs the world $450 billion per year, which is almost the annual budget of Russia, China and Japan.

The experts said the hackers target government ministries, banks, utilities, other key infrastructure and companies nationwide, demanding ransom in crypto-currency.

Giving the example of Bangladesh, the experts said the hackers recently made a bank heist in the country and made away with $1 billion in one attack, since the security was vulnerable.

(Rajnish Singh attended the conference at Kaspersky Lab's invitation. He can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in)
Kolkata, July 16 : The British Library, which is leading an international partnership to digitise rare material from its South Asian printed book collection, has scanned 1,000 old and rare printed Bengali books of the 19th century, according to project co-ordinators.

As part of the 'Two Centuries of Indian Print' (TCIP) project, in total, 4,000 early printed Bengali books, amounting to more than 800,000 pages, will be digitised and made freely available online.

"So far we scanned 1,000 books. There are books literally from every discipline you could think of. There are treatises on sciences, education, religion, missionaries coming to India and translation of the Bible," Tom Derrick, Digital Curator, TCIP told IANS here at the Jadavpur University on the sidelines of a symposium exploring the history of print in South Asia.

The TCIP pilot project is a partnership between the British Library, the School of Cultural Texts and Records (SCTR) of Jadavpur University, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and the Library at SOAS University of London, involving collaborations with the National Library of India.

It marks the start of a major programme to share the wealth of Indian printed books held by the British Library dating from 1713 to 1914.

Another aspect to the project is applying OCR (optical character recognition) to transcribe the Bengali script. OCR is the recognition of printed or written text characters by a computer.

"We are dealing with historical Bangla and the changes in the language, so the typography is unique. It is underserved by commercial OCR whose focus is more on Western patterns," explained Derrick.

To overcome these challenges, the library is running a competition to find an optimal solution for automatically transcribing the Bengali books that have been digitised as part of the project.

"So over 20 institutes worldwide have signed up," he said.

According to Layli Uddin, project curator (Bengali) at the British Library, the approach is three-pronged: cataloguing, digitising and contextualising.

"We want to reach out to a wider audience, make the materials open and free to all, make it accessible to non-Bengali speaking audiences as well. Also to contextualise and that is where the Jadavpur University experts come in. They are helping identify what is unique and rare in BL's collectionsa printed materials which are not available elsewhere in the world," Uddin told IANS.

Abhijit Gupta, joint director, SCTR, says the the thinner the book, the rarer they are.

"The British Library used a unique mechanisma they used to bind together thin books to preserve them. One of the rare books that is part of the project is 'Advice for Railway Travellers' which gives information on railway schedule after the advent of railways. The point of digitising is to access part of the landscape which we know exists but we can't seea they are in libraries across the world." added Gupta.
The Indian side has taken up the matter with the Russians who have already sent their technical teams to look into the problems and find a solution for it.

By Ajit Kumar Dubey: The Indian Navy's only fighter aircraft MiG-29K continues to face problems as the maritime force feels that the fighter jet needs to be further ruggedised for carrying out operations from aircraft carriers which is supposed to be its main role.

"The plane needs to be ruggedised further as very frequently after landings, the settings of the plane change and they have to be re-set," sources in the Navy told Mail Today.

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The Navy operates the MiG-29Ks from its Goa air base as well as the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and after the phasing out of the Sea Harrier planes, it is now the only fighter aircraft left with the Navy.

The Indian side has taken up the matter with the Russians who have already sent their technical teams to look into the problems and find a solution for it, as the aircraft are still in warranty period.

"The issue has been taken up with the Russians at the senior level as India and Russia discuss their military ties and issues at multiple forums including the level of the heads of states," the source said.

ABOUT THE MIG-29K

Naval fighter aircraft need to be very tough as they virtually crash on the aircraft carrier's deck and have to maintain high speeds to be ready to take off in case they fail to hook to the arrester wire on the warship. The fighter plane, which is operated only by India has faced operational deficiencies for a long time due to defects in engines, airframe and fly-by-wire system leading to very low availability for operations as this was pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General (GAG) in its report last year.

"The MiG-29K, which is a carrier-borne multi-role aircraft and the mainstay of integral fleet air defence, is riddled with problems relating to airframe, RD MK-33 engine and fly-bywire system," the CAG said.

Serviceability of the warplanes was low, ranging from 15.93 per cent to 37.63 per cent and that of MiG-29KUB ranging from 21.30 per cent to 47.14 per cent. Serviceability refers to the total number aircraft available for operation at a time from the overall capacity. The auditor had also noted that the service life of the aircraft is 6000 hours or 25 years (whichever is earlier) and with issues facing the MiG-29K/KUB, the operational life of the aircraft already delivered would be reduced. India ordered 45 MiG-29K aircraft and equipment worth `10,000 crore in two separate orders - in 2004 and 2010 - from Russia.

It is the primary combat platform on INS Viramaditya - country's only operational aircraft carrier inducted in 2014. The MiG-29K aircraft are also expected to serve on the homemade aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which is still under construction and not expected to be inducted into service before the year 2023.

Also read: Sailor's widow suspect's foul play in his death, demands board of inquiry; Navy says not possible

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Also read: Will throw out terrorists, they kill Shias and Hindus: Watch PoK leader warn Pakistan Army

Also read: Martyr's widow set to become Army officer, says want to help misled youth of Kashmir

--- ENDS ---
Jammu, July 16 : Sixteen Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 26 seriously injured when the bus in which they were travelling plunged into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district on Sunday, authorities said.

The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corp bus was on its way from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley when the driver reportedly lost control over the vehicle at Nichnala near Banihal town on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

"Sixteen pilgrims were killed on the spot while 26 others have been injured," a police officer said. The deceased comprised 14 men and two women.

Of the injured, five were taken to Srinagar, 19 others airlifted to the Government Medical College Super Speciality Hospital in Jammu, and two were being treated in Banihal hospital.

The spokesman said the bus carried 43 persons including the driver.

Army, police and paramilitary forces launched a rescue operation which was joined by locals, who helped to take out the injured pilgrims from the wreckage site.

Army helicopters flew the injured to Jammu city.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the accident.

Modi said: "Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath yatris... My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. I pray that those injured recover soon."

Rajnath Singh said he spoke to Mehbooba Mufti regarding the accident. She apprised him about the rescue operations.

"My heart goes out to the families of the Amarnath yatris who lost their loved ones in the bus accident. My prayers are with the injured," he added.

This is the second tragedy to hit the Amarnath pilgrimage since militants ambushed a bus on July 10, killing eight people.

The Amarnath hill shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located more than 3,800 meters above sea level in Anantnag district.
Mumbai, July 16 : Upcoming quarterly results and Parliament's monsoon session, as also the direction of foreign funds flow will set the course for the equity indices in the coming week, market observers opine.

With markets already at dizzying heights, potential triggers like news on monsoon's progress and global trends like monetary policy review by major international central banks could unleash "volatility", analysts feared.

"The markets will focus on earnings this week though the expectations remain muted for the last quarter. Markets are trying to analyse the earnings impact due to GST disruption," Devendra Nevgi, Chief Executive of Zyfin Advisors, told IANS.

"The worry on rising PE (price-earning) ratio of benchmark indices ... is being overwhelmed by larger domestic fund flows and a buoyant global economy."

Companies like Reliance Industries, Ultratech Cement, ACC, Wipro, Bajaj Auto, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Jubilant FoodWorks and Ashok Leyland are expected to announce their quarterly results in the coming trade week.

"In the near term, corporate margin and profitability is expected to be under pressure due to GST roll-out," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.

"The Q1FY18 earnings may not match the current premium valuation due to a tepid start of result season. Investors are giving more weight to the prevailing positive macros which will help to maintain a positive vibe in the market."

Apart from quarterly results, market participants are expected to track several events like the commencement of Parliament's monsoon session on Monday, July 17, respective meetings of ECB (European Central Bank), BoJ (Bank of Japan) and China's Q2 GDP figures.

According to D.K. Aggarwal, Chairman and Managing Director, SMC Investments and Advisors, progress of monsoon rains and rupee's movement against the US dollar will dictate the near-term trend of the equity markets.

Figures from last week showed that the Indian rupee strengthened by 14 paise to close at 64.45 against the US dollar from its last week's close.

"We could see USD/INR testing 64:00 levels over the next week on spot. We had turned bullish on INR against USD way back in early February and continue to see structural uptrend continue," said Anindya Banerjee, AVP, currency derivatives at Kotak Securities.

Investment-wise, previous week's provisional figures from the stock exchanges showed that foreign institutional investors (FIIs) purchased stocks worth Rs 1,259.98 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought scrip worth Rs 2,361.61 crore during July 10-14.

The National Securities Depository's (NSDL) figures revealed that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) invested in a total of equities worth Rs 366.44 crore, or $57.01 million, during the week ended July 14.

On technical levels, the NSE Nifty is expected to touch new highs after crossing the immediate resistance level of 9,915 points.

"Technically, the underlying trend remains firmly up and the coming week could see the Nifty attempting to move to new life highs," Deepak Jasani, Head - Retail Research, HDFC Securities, told IANS.

"Immediate resistances are at 9,915 points while crucial supports to watch for any weakness are at 9,845 points."

Last week, key equity indices gained over 2.00 per cent on hopes of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), fresh inflows of foreign funds and the onset of the quarterly earnings season.

Consequently, the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE closed at 32,020.75 points -- up 660.12 points or 2.10 per cent from its previous week's close.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty rose by 220.55 points or 2.28 per cent to close the week's trade at 9,886.35 points.

(Rohit Vaid can be contacted at rohit.v@ians.in)
Kolkata, July 16 : A woman was allegedly strangulated to death at her in-laws' house over a dowry demand in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said on Sunday.

"The woman, married to Habibur Sahaji, a resident of Ashok Nagar, was taken to Barasat Hospital on Saturday evening where doctors declared her dead," said an officer from Ashok Nagar police station.

"The woman's family members complained that she was killed by her husband and in-laws in a dispute over dowry," he said.

Police said there were no external injury marks on the woman's body apart from some strangulation marks on her throat.

Following the complaint, police have filed a case of murder against the husband and three of his family members.

"Habibur, the prime accused in the case has gone missing since incident. We are interrogating the other accused," the officer added.
New Delhi, July 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked all political parties for a very dignified campaign for the July 17 presidential election.

"It would have been better if there was a consensus for the President's election. But, the election campaign for this election was very dignified. There was no instance of use of harsh words or feelings. I thank everyone for this," Modi was quoted by a Union Minister as saying at an all-party meeting in Parliament House Complex here, ahead of Parliament's monsoon session from Monday.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar said Modi later appealed to all the members of parliament and state assemblies to vote in the President's election.

He thanked all political parties for their support in the passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill and related legislations and sought their assistance for the smooth implementation of the legislation.

Modi said the programme for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Quit India movement -- launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, to demand an end to British rule in India -- will be discussed in both houses by the government.

The Prime Minister expressed concern over the flood situation in north-eastern states, and said "the government is taking all steps to provide help".

Those who attended the all-party meeting included Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jyotiraditya Scindia from the Congress, Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, D. Raja of the CPI, Sharad Pawar and Tariq Anwar from the Nationalist Congress Party, H.D. Deve Gowda from Janata Dal-Secular, Farooq Abdullah from National Conference, Mulayam Singh Yadav from Samajwadi Party, Jaiprakash Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, M. Rajamohan Reddy from YSR Congress Party and A.P. Jithender Reddy from TRS.

Trinamool Congress boycotted the meeting while no representative of Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United was seen.
Ranchi, July 16 : A couple was hacked to death on Sunday on charge of practising black magic in Jharkhand's Khuti district, police said.

Gram Pradhan Panda Munda, 45, and his wife Anima Soya, 40, were fatally attacked with an axe by Kharia Munda at Rumudukel village in Murhu police station area.

Accused Kharia's buffalo had died and he suspected the couple for the animal's death.

Police is looking for the absconding accused.
New Delhi, July 16 : Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United on Sunday did not attend the meeting of opposition parties on the presidential and vice-presidential elections, which was addressed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The meeting, attended by opposition candidates for presidential and vice-presidential elections - Meira Kumar and Gopalkrishna Gandhi, took place on the eve of presidential election.

JD-U is supporting the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's candidate Ram Nath Kovind in the presidential elections. In vice-presidential polls, however, it is supporting Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

Asked about the party not being present at the meeting, JD-U leader K.C. Tyagi told IANS that it was not a boycott and party leader Sharad Yadav had earlier met Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Patna, July 16 : RJD leaders have requested Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and coalition partner Lalu Prasad to sit together to solve the crisis in the ruling coalition, but the ruling JD-U on Sunday said "everything is all right".

"Coalitions may see tensions and pressures but everything is all right in the Grand Alliance," said Janata Dal-United spokesperson Neeraj Kumar.

Without naming Nitish Kumar, who is also JD-U president, he said that the able leadership manage to get out of the crisis that erupted after the CBI filed a corruption case against Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav - the younger son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad - and solve it.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Union Minister Ragunath Jha said: "Lalu and Nitish Kumar should sit together,talk to each other to end the crisis."

Another senior RJD leader and former MP Shivanand Tiwari has appealed to Nitish Kumar to end the crisis. "I appeal to Nitish Kumar with folded hands to solve the crisis and save Mahagathbandhan from split," he said, adding that the BJP has been trying to split the Grand Alliance.

According to the sources in JD-U and RJD, leaders from both parties will now attack the BJP rather than each other.

Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar on Sunday evening did not say a word about Tejashwi Yadav, while addressing his party legislators and senior party leaders at his official residence here, said party state president Vashisht Narain Singh.

"Nitish Kumar hardly spoken about Tejashwi Yadav and ongoing crisis in the ruling alliance... he only discussed issues related to the presidential polls on July 17," a JD-U legislator said.

Similarly, Lalu Prasad also did not say anything over the crisis while addressing his party legislators and senior party leaders at his official residence here on Sunday evening.
Chennai, July 16 : DMK leader M.K.Stalin on Sunday came to the support of actor Kamal Haasan, condemning Tamil Nadu ministers for their utterances against him.

In a statement issued here, Stalin said that Kamal Haasan, like any other citizen, has only reflected what the people of Tamil Nadu feels about the AIADMK government in the state.

In a democracy the rulers have to correct their mistakes and also explain their position when criticisms are levelled against them, he added.

The actor had earlier reportedly said there is corruption in Tamil Nadu government departments.

In response, Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani challenged Kamal Haasan to prove existence of corruption in the government, and also asked the actor if he was ready to share the details of taxes paid by him for his films.
YOLT50 Guide to Japan front cover A very impressive read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

In 1966, Eon Productions decided to film the fifth James Bond adventure in Japan: You Only Live Twice, based on the novel by Ian Fleming which was published two years before. The film that resulted from these efforts came out in 1967 and was an unsurpassed visual spectacle. The exciting Tokyo neon signs, the beautiful countryside temples and the rural villages and volcanoes gave the film a very exotic background. Today, Japan is still a very attractive travel destination and this book will encourage you to follow the tracks of her majestys best known secret agent.

Written by Martijn Mulder (author of On the Tracks of 007), with an introduction by Oscar winning sound editor Norman Wanstall, this guide contains 170 pages filled with info, behind the scenes photos, film location photos and maps. It is the ultimate field guide dedicated to the 50th anniversary of You Only Live Twice.

Travel like 007 from Tokyo to Kagoshima, revisiting all the filming locations used in You Only Live Twice. From Osato Chemicals HQ to Tiger Tanakas countryside house, from Blofelds volcano base to the remote shrine where Bond married Kissy. It's an action packed adventure for movie buffs, Bond fans and film location hunters. Includes a bonus trip to Hashima (Gunkanjima or Battleship Island) in Nagasaki Bay, which served as the model for Silvas hideout in Skyfall (2012).

ON THE TRACKS OF OO7: GUIDE to JAPAN (ISBN: 9789081329408)

Written by Martijn Mulder

Published by DMD DIGITAL

Pages: 170

Size: A5 (148 x 210mm / 5.8 x 8.3 inch)

Cover: Full colour  illustration by Jeffrey Marshall

Interior: Full colour

Illustrations: 250

Publication date: 07 / 07 / 2017

Price: EUR 21.95 / USD 24.95 / GBP 19.95

The book is available at Onthetracksof007.com and all the major online bookstores. Distributed by INGRAM, the book is also available for ordering at any international bookstore around the globe.

Book links:

https://www.onthetracksof007.com/you-only-live-twice-guide-to-japan

https://www.amazon.com/Only-Twice-Anniversary-Guide-Japan/dp/9081329405/

---------------------------------------

About the author:

Martijn Mulder ('71) is a freelance writer who lives in the Netherlands. His website about the 007 filming locations is one of the longest running James Bond related sites, being online since 1995. Together with Dirk Kloosterboer, Mulder wrote the travel guide On the tracks of 007, which was published in 2008. He frequently organises trips and guided tours to the filming locations around the world.

About On the Tracks of 007:

Originally a long list of filming locations on a one-page website called The James Bond Locations Page in 1995, On the tracks of 007 steadily attracted a growing audience and even started a hobby now globally known as location hunting. The website also published its unique location info on CDROMs (from 2001 to 2006) and in 2008 in print. "On the tracks of 007, a field guide to the exotic James Bond filming locations around the world" (ISBN 9789081329415) is still a firm favorite among everyone who likes to travel and live the James Bond lifestyle.

-----------------------------------------

For more info, or to obtain sample pages & a selection of images for inclusion in an article or review, contact the author at info(at)onthetracksof007.com
Tree Love by Louis Boyang There's something magical about summer camp, and we're excited to host the Boyang Twins; I know our campers will be excited to meet real artists who are the same age. It's a great message, that you can find a natural talent, and do something extraordinary

Dr. Hongbing Wang is a scientist and professor in the Department of Physiology at Michigan State University and attended the University of Washington for his post-doctoral training. His lab focuses on understanding how neuronal signaling regulates brain plasticity and learning. His research identified pathological factors involved in neurological disorders such as Fragile X syndrome and Autism. The Boyang Twins (identical) know about Father's research on autism which directed the decision the boys were given to make on where to go on vacation. They want to give back to UW through supporting the UW Autism Center. On July 19th, the 11-year-old twins will be teaching an art class at Apex Summer Camp, followed by a fundraiser: Art for Autism July 20th.

"There's something magical about summer camp, and we're excited to host the Boyang Twins. I know our campers will be excited to meet real artists who are the same age. It's a great message, that you can find a natural talent, and do something extraordinary," says director Ben Aaronson of the Apex Summer Camp.

The Boyang Twins have won national awards in adult competitions and exhibitions. The artwork has been exhibited in fine art galleries across the country. The boy's artwork inspires fascination. Louis draws and paints flowers, trees, and landscapes, while Max draws and paints insects and other forms of wildlife, mostly from memory. The identical twins merge nature through art, and are second-degree black belts in Taekwondo! Art for Autism

The fundraiser will feature art pieces in a silent auction, created by the Boyang Twins and two pieces created by an autistic young adult named Taylor Mars. All proceeds will go to the UW Autism Center. The boys will also give a small workshop designed to teach people of all ages how these art prodigies approach their work. Supplies will be provided, complete with mats to take home. Those in attendance will learn how nature is brought to life through pen ink, and watercolor, and have the opportunity to learn technique. Works in progress will be used to show attendees how creation starts and ends. Please see the Eventbrite here, to receive more information and to RSVP with your ticket purchase. Percentage of proceeds from tickets will go to the UW Autism Center.

About UW Autism Center

The UW Autism Center is a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders through exceptional clinical services, innovative scientific research and high-quality training.
On March 27, Anne Messenger received a phone call. The 70-year-old Manlius resident and longtime central New York businesswoman was asked to run for Congress.

Two months later, she made a decision: She would seek the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. John Katko in the 24th Congressional District.

It was a decision she made in private. It wasn't until last week she publicly announced her congressional bid.

There was a reason for that. From the time Messenger received the phone call until she made her decision, she was busy. She called people close to her  family members, friends, acquaintances and colleagues. The purpose of these calls, she said in an interview with The Citizen Tuesday, wasn't to ask for their support. It was to get their feedback.

"I lost count of how many people stepped up to say, 'Please, let me help you,'" Messenger recalled.

After she decided to run for Congress, she didn't want to make a public announcement right away. She had to build her campaign's infrastructure  an imposing task for any candidate, especially one who has never run for political office before.

Two people sent her a checklist outlining what she should do before officially launching her campaign. The list included filing the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, setting up a bank account for the campaign committee and getting her staff in place.

"I look at this checklist and I'm thinking, 'Oh my gosh. This is just like setting up a business.' I did that! I did that before," she said.

Messenger operated her own career development firm, Messenger Associates, for nearly two decades. She's held her other positions in the private and public sectors. And she's served on numerous boards, including chair of the Onondaga Community College Board of Trustees and the Central New York Community Foundation's board.

Her business experience aided her as she built her campaign. She has some of her staff in place and is in the process of adding more.

"That's the most important thing in setting up a business or a campaign," she said. "You gotta get the right people on the bus. We're doing it."

Messenger is aware of what she's up against. Katko, R-Camillus, was elected to Congress in 2014. He won that race by 20 points over U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei, a Democrat. He defeated Democratic challenger Colleen Deacon by 22 points in 2016.

For now, political prognosticators rate the race as "likely Republican." Katko's electoral track record in this district, which has a slight Democratic enrollment advantage, is difficult to overlook.

But that Democratic enrollment edge and other factors are why Messenger decided to run for Congress.

"I never would've got into this race if I thought I would lose," she said. "If it had been out of the question, I would've said no. But I looked at the numbers and I thought, 'This is a swing district. We can do this.'"

She didn't mention Katko by name during her 10-minute speech Tuesday at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown. But there was no mistaking who she was referring to when she cited an analysis conducted by FiveThirtyEight that found the GOP congressman has voted with the Trump administration 92 percent of the time.

That record, Messenger said, "does not work" for her or the central New Yorkers she knows.

"It's not working," she added. "We need somebody who's going to speak up."

She offered another critique of Katko's time in office. She said he hasn't held open town hall meetings.

Katko has been criticized by activists and residents of the district for not holding general public forums since taking office in 2015. He held listening sessions and town hall meetings prior to the 2014 election. But since entering Congress, he's preferred to hold issue-based discussions. He's held several forums on the region's drug epidemic. One of his first listening sessions, which was held in Auburn, focused on agriculture.

This year, he held another forum on the drug problem plaguing the region and he participated in a televised town hall meeting.

But Messenger doesn't believe that's enough.

"One of the most important parts of leadership is showing up," she said. "You gotta show up and you gotta listen to people."

Messenger may not be the only Democrat who seeks the party's nomination to face Katko.

Other names have been floated, including Steve Williams, an attorney from Baldwinsville who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination in 2016. The most notable name in the pool of potential candidates is Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, who is in her final year leading central New York's largest city.

Messenger, though, believes she can use her connections to build a strong campaign and defeat Katko in 2018. After it was revealed that she would officially announced her candidacy last week, she said she received so many calls her phone died.

"I've got a very deep rolodex of family certainly, friends certainly, but colleagues and acquaintances I've met over the years who are stepping up," she said.

The 24th Congressional District includes all of Cayuga, Onondaga and Wayne counties. The western portion of Oswego County is also in the district.

The midterm election will be held on Nov. 6, 2018.
By PTI: By Aditi Gupta

New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Utsav Bhasin, the son of a Haryana-based industrialist, was today sentenced to two years in jail for mowing down a motorcyclist with his overspeeding BMW car in 2008 by a Delhi court which rued that cow killers get more stringent punishment than errant drivers.

"Sentence for killing cow is five or seven or 14 years in different states but in case of death of a human being caused by rash or negligent driving, sentence prescribed in law is only 2 years," Additional Sessions Judge Sanjeev Kumar said.

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After pronouncing the sentence, the court granted a statutory bail to Bhasin for enabling him to file an appeal in the high court and asked him to furnish a bail bond of Rs 50,000 with a surety of like amount.

Expressing shock over the statistics of road accidents in India, the judge said, "I am compelled to observe that India has a disreputable record of road accidents" while noting that according to National Crime Record Bureau during 2015, a total of 4.64 lakh cases of road accidents were reported which rendered 4.82 lakh persons injured and 1.48 lakh deaths.

"One is shocked to know the statistics about road accidents in our country. Every minute one accident takes place and every four minutes one person dies in road accidents.

"Human life is precious. Road users have a fundamental right to life and liberty which includes the right to safety under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. It is the duty of the state to ensure safety on roads of the people and it cannot shy away from its duty in any circumstance," the judge said.

The court directed the convict to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the deceased victims kin and Rs 2 lakh to the other injured man, a journalist, who was riding pillion on the two-wheeler.

It also termed as "unfortunate" the fact that even in Delhi, capital of India, there are no exclusive non-motorised vehicle lanes in most of its roads/part.

Referring to the speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 on "Mann ki Baat" where he expressed concern about road safety stating that he was shocked to see the visuals of a recent road accident in Delhi in which the victim lay in a pool of blood for 10 minutes but nobody came for his help.

The judge further said that a copy of the judgement be sent to the Prime Minister for looking into the aspect of inadequate punishment for offence causing death by negligence under section 304 A of the IPC.

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Referring to slogan, "Sabka saath sabka vikas", the judgement said that this goal can only be achieved when people do not die in accidents.

The verdict also quotes Union minister Nitin Gadkari, to highlight the fact that road accidents kill more people than terrorism or natural disasters.

Referring to the death of Union minister Gopinath Munde in an accident in 2014 here, the judgement rued this fact that the inadequate punishment provided for the offence in 1861 is still being persisted with.

The court had on May 5 held Bhasin guilty of offences under sections 304A (causing death by negligence), 279 (driving rashly which could endanger human life) and 338 (causing grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code.

The court had while convicting him dropped the charges of 304(II)(culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC.

Bhasin was driving his BMW car when he had hit the two- wheeler on Moolchand flyover in South Delhi, killing Anuj Singh on September 11, 2008. The TV channel journalist was also injured in the incident.

The brother of the deceased, who was present in the court room, said that he would file an appeal in the high court against the dropping of a stringent charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 304 (II) of the IPC. PTI AG RRT SJK RKS ZMN

--- ENDS ---

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After capturing the leopard, the villagers paraded the animal across the village.

By Rohini Swamy: A leopard that had been causing ruckus in the village of Arabi Kothanur in Kolar district has been finally caught by villagers. But what was shocking was that the villagers paraded the animal across the village.

The leopard was captured at 4 am. The leopard had been terrorising the villagers and eating their live stock.

The police officials reached the spot as people had begun to gather to take a look at the ferocious cat. The leopard was finally handed over to the forest officials by the villagers.

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The crowd was finally dispersed with the help of the police officials.

Also read: Telangana: Leopard climbs electric pole, dies of electrocution

Also read: Tamil Nadu: How a leopard caused a man to hold up rail traffic between Coonoor and Ooty

--- ENDS ---
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On healthcare, McConnell's had his work cut out for him: The House bill to replace the Affordable Care Act was widely panned by Republican senators and the public, he could afford to lose only two votes on the Senate's version of the bill, and he had to get it passed with a relatively short window.

Given those pressures, it's no surprise that the Senate GOP's bill, called Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), is on its third iteration and still facing an uphill battle to pass.

Despite the tough road ahead, strategists say that McConnell's penchant for cutting deals may be enough to save the BCRA.

Start moderate

Since the start of deliberations on the Senate, leaders have promised to craft a more moderate bill than the House's American Health Care Act.

Given the parts of Obamacare that the BCRA kept  including its tax credit structure, slower phase out of Medicaid expansion, and funding to offset insurer costs  conservative groups took issue with the bill as too far to the center.

A former Senate GOP leadership aide told Business Insider that it was clear that McConnell was trying to ensure moderates were on board from the start.

"I think there is a very credible case to be made that this bill was center right to begin with and is still a center right bill," the former aide said.

Despite this, many moderate members are still cold on the bill due to the fact that it'll cut $772 billion cut out of the Medicaid budget through 2026.

Kickbacks

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine immediately jumped out against the bill, saying that it did not address her concerns and she would vote against a key procedural vote, called a motion to proceed.

Other moderates like Rob Portman of Ohio, Dean Heller of Nevada, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, and Alaska's Murkowski would not commit either way on a motion to proceed.

A Portman aide told Business Insider on Thursday that the senator

Conservative concerns

Given the relative starting point of the bill compared to the House version, conservatives immediately took issue with the BCRA.

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mike Lee of Utah, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin immediately came out against the bill because it kept intact too much of Obamacare's regulatory structure and taxes.

This necessitated a concession to this group by McConnell, which came in the form of a consumer freedom amendment from Cruz.

Still not enough

Even after tweaking the bill and trying to goose individual members, McConnell is still facing a simple math problem.

With Paul and Collins firmly against the motion to proceed, McConnell can only lose a single vote to even bring the BCRA to the floor for debate. Senators don't like to be the one person that killed a bill, but as of now even bringing the bill to the floor is not a slam dunk.

According to a Republican strategist familiar with leadership, however, the thin margin does not mean McConnell should be counted out.
The payment was made more than a week before revelations that Trump Jr. had met with Natalia Veselnitskaya, a Russian lawyer with strong ties to the Kremlin, during the campaign last year.

The payment to Futerfas, dated June 27, was disclosed in a filing with the Federal Election Commission on Saturday. It was described as covering "legal consulting" fees.

Separately, the campaign also paid Jones Day, the law firm that represented Trump's campaign during the election.

The campaign also paid $89,561 to The Trump Corporation for "legal consulting." The company, owned by the president, is not a law firm. The payment was dated June 30th.

In the second quarter of 2017, Trump's re-election campaign raised about $8 million and spent $4.4 million.

Trump filed for re-election the day after taking office  allowing his campaign to continue to raise and spend money while he is in office.

The Federal Election Commission has previously ruled that candidates and federal office holders may spend campaign funds on legal fees that are part of legal actions that would not have been necessary if they were not a candidate.
In an interview on ABC's "This Week," Jay Sekulow argued that Trump Jr.'s meeting with the lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and Russian-American lobbyist Rinat Akhmetshin was innocent because if it weren't, the Secret Service would not have let the guests meet with top members of the Trump campaign.

"I wonder why the Secret Service  if this was nefarious  why the Secret Service allowed these people in?" Sekulow said. "The president had Secret Service protection at that point, and that raised a question with me."

Sekulow's comments quickly sparked criticism, as many people noted that it was not normally the secret service's duty to bar individuals from meeting with campaign officials, particularly if those officials do not pose an immediate, obvious threat.

said later on Sunday that Trump. Jr. was not under Secret Service protection at the time of the meeting.

"Donald Trump, Jr. was not a protectee of the USSS in June, 2016. Thus we would not have screened anyone he was meeting with at that time," a spokesman told Reuters.

Though he is not Donald Trump Jr.'s lawyer, Sekulow has become one of the most high-profile defenders of both Trumps' conduct, appearing regularly for television interviews multiple times a week from Nashville, where he is located.
The protest movement that emerged at the end of April is not the first to appear. Venezuelans took to the streets for several weeks in spring 2014 in protests that left more than 40 people dead.

Protracted discontent in Venezuelan has also spurred another kind of movement: the migration of Venezuelans to other countries in search food, medicine, work, and security.

Emigration has moved in waves over the past 20 years. Many elites left in the early 2000s, dismayed at political changes made during the early days of Hugo Chavez's socialist revolution. Educated people and skilled workers left during the latter half of the 2000s. Since 2010, the country's youth and middle classes have departed.

A 2015 survey found 10% of Venezuelans were working on paperwork to leave. A September 2016 poll showed that 57% of registered voters  some 12 million Venezuelans  wanted to leave. That sentiment has only intensified.

Polling done over the last half of 2016 and the first half of 2017 found that 35.3% of respondents wanted to leave Venezuela to live and work elsewhere in the next three years  nearly triple the 12% who said the same in 2014.

However, among Venezuelans 18 to 29 years old, the desire to leave was even stronger  53% said they wanted to leave the country to live or work in the next three years. Among 30- to 39-year-olds, nearly 40% said they wanted to leave, while just under 31% of Venezuelans between 40 and 49 years old said the same.

"The country has broken down because of what we have lost," Emilio Osorio Alvarez, a professor and president of the Venezuelan Population Studies Association, said in an interview earlier this year. Many Venezuelans in their prime working years have left or want to leave, "leaving a population of older adults," he said. "That has an impact on the social reality."

have already leftAnd the growing number looking to leave means that the outflux now draws from a broader segment of Venezuelan society.

"Barrio Rising: Urban Popular Politics and the Making of Modern Venezuela," told Business Insider.

Venezuela's neighbors have received more and more people who are in increasingly desperate situations.

Colombia has taken in more Venezuelans than any other country, thought to be more than a million over the last 20 years.

So many wealthy Venezuelans arrived in Colombia during the initial years of Hugo Chavez's socialist revolution that they drove up property values and packed elite private schools. Now Venezuelans often arrive with little more than their clothes  many using unpaved roads to cross the two countries' largely porous border.

Jungmann said the Brazilian government was developing plans to deal with a possible wave of Venezuelan migrants. "Our biggest concern is the humanitarian situation," he said. "We need to have a contingency plan in place to handle this if things get worse."

Peru has become a magnet for Venezuelans since offering temporary visas allowing them to work and study there earlier this year.
By India Today Web Desk: In her Bollywood career that spans almost a decade and a half, Katrina Kaif has come a long way. Once written off for her poor Hindi diction, Katrina is now one of the most sought after and commercially successfully heroines in B-Town. The actor has upcoming releases with all three Khans - Tiger Zinda Hai opposite Salman Khan, Thugs Of Hindostan opposite Aamir Khan and Aanand L Rai's as-yet untitled film opposite Shah Rukh Khan.

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Katrina has a number of chartbusters under her belt, and is known to be the undisputed queen of dance numbers, be it Sheila Ki Jawani from Tees Maar Khan or the more recent Kala Chashma from Baar Baar Dekho. As Katrina turns a year older, here's a look at some of her best songs.

ALSO SEE: This photo of Katrina Kaif posing with Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi is going viral

ALSO SEE: Let Katrina Kaif's beautiful look take away your mid-week blues

ALSO WATCH: Katrina Kaif talks about her experience being a superstar

--- ENDS ---
The Roman poet Ovid once quipped that "dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence."

When it comes to buckling ancient, thousand-foot-thick ice shelves  and perhaps the 1.1-trillion-ton, Delaware-size piece of ice that Antarctica just shed into the sea  Ovid may have been wise beyond his years.

The iceberg, dubbed A68 by the US National Ice Center, took years to form as the result of a crack in the Larsen C ice shelf. The crack formed around 2010 but grew rapidly starting in 2016.

A68 is already starting to fall apart, though its journey toward melting could take years.

While the world watches it slowly disintegrate, many are left wondering: What caused the iceberg to break off?

"There are lots of reasons," Martin O'Leary, a glaciologist with Swansea University and the Antarctic research program Project Midas, wrote in a Reddit ask-me-anything session on July 14. "[E]ither something is pulling the ice apart, or something has got into a gap and is pushing it open."

A liquid wedge

One driving, Ovid-like force may be similar to what doomed Larsen B, a nearby ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula. Over the past 50 years, this region has experienced warming that is three times greater than the global average.

In 2002, scientists looked on as nearly the entire Larsen B ice shelf fell into the sea after a large piece calved into the Southern Ocean.

"For events like the breakup of Larsen B, it was melt water filling all the surface cracks and [slowly] pushing them open," he said. (Melt water that appears primarily in the summer can sink into and weaken ice shelves over several seasons.)

"In places like Alaska you often get ocean water undercutting a glacier," he added, "which destabilizes the ice at the front, and it gets pulled apart by gravity."

The animation bellow, by NASA's Earth Observatory, shows the collapse of Larsen B over the course of a few months.

O'Leary said no one can be certain what caused iceberg A68 to break off, or at least yet; it's far too cold in the Antarctic winter to fly in a crack research team. We may have to wait until November, when the southern hemisphere waxes toward summer and it becomes safe to fly airplanes over Antarctica again.

For now all we can rely on for now are satellite images and aerial photos taken by NASA in late 2016.

"We've got some theories, but nothing that we've got good evidence for," he said. "Icebergs like this are so rare that it's hard to develop any kind of comprehensive theory  you end up focusing on the details of each individual berg."

How much are humans to blame?

Scientists say this particular calving won't raise sea levels, since the ice was already floating in the water. (The effect is similar to why melting ice cubes in a drink don't overflow a glass.)

O'Leary and his colleague Adrian Luckman, who's also with Swansea University and Project Midas, previously suggested that A68's calving was "a natural event". After all, ice shelves have been cracking off huge icebergs for eons.

Yet other scientists say this perspective is akin looking at the situation "through a microscope" instead of acknowledging the bigger, inevitable picture of human-driven global warming and climate change.

"To me, it's an unequivocal signature of the impact of climate change on Larsen C," Eric Rignot, a glaciologist at NASA JPL, told writer John D. Sutter for a July 15 column at CNN. "This is not a natural cycle. This is the response of the system to a warmer climate from the top and from the bottom. Nothing else can cause this."

While the debate over A68 continues, so does the seemingly uninterruptible march of climate change and its disruptive and potentially disastrous effects.
But Google Search doesn't just show websites in its results these days. Now it includes an increasing variety of content from websites and tweets to videos and images. The aim is ultimately to provide the user with the most relevant information in the most accessible way.

Hector Ouilhet, Google's head of design for Search and Assistant, told Business Insider this week that accommodating all of these new types of content in Search requires some careful consideration.

"The whole goal is to try to organise information and deliver it to you," he said during an interview at the Tech Open Air conference in Berlin. "That's the problem we're trying to solve. The design has to accommodate multiple people, multiple expectations, and multiple situations.

"When you're looking for whatever answer you want, how do we give you the right answer in a way that you're like 'oh yeah, that thing?" said Ouillet, whose team is responsible for the user experience across all of Google's platforms and products. Today that includes watches and cars, as well as smartphones and computers.

Sometimes the answer to a Google Search is very precise, because the user's intention is very specific, Ouillet said. For example: "What is 25 Celsius in Fahrenheit?". But other times the question is more ambiguous and there's no obvious answer. For example: "How often should I change the tyres on my car?"

Ouillet said Google often shows results to harder, more ambiguous questions with multiple "blocks", which can include a range of different content types. "As technology starts producing much more rich content, so video, images, they're all coming into this stream of results. So some results are more simple, others are more thorough."

Ouilhet admitted that Googlers don't always agree on how best to present information to the billions of people that use Google's search engine, stressing that he doesn't want to make it feel cluttered.

"There's always this internal debate about how much functionality should we add to something," he said. "Ideally we try to keep it focused and simple."
It has been 53 days since their disappearance from the school and their family are yet to learn any traces of their whereabouts.

Punch News reported that the money remitted for their release was paid in two separate batches, but this has yielded no positive result.

The kidnappers had initially promised to release the pupils a week ago but haven't come through on their words, a news source told the newspaper company.

We dont know what else these people want. The parents are stranded.

"The first time, three parents met with them somewhere and gave them N10m.

They demanded another N21m ransom. The parents took the money to the place and gave it to some gang members.

"They told the parents that they had done all the necessary things and promised to release the children in the next two days. They have been expecting the children since last week.
The ex-leader said this in an event organized by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in celebration of his 80th birthday, Vanguard News reports.

He suggested in a speech that he removed Matthew from his name because the original bible character was a tax collector.

When I was born, my mother and father decided to name me Matthew.

"I grew up being called and addressed Matthew. What is the meaning of Matthew in the Bible? He was a tax collector.

So, when I grew up, I dropped Matthew from my name. If anyone does not want to see my eyes red, no one should call me Matthew again.

"People ask, what is in a name? For me, there is so much in a name he said.

Obasanjo is best remembered for his assertive style of leadership which saw him handle with competence most of the problems prominent in his era as a democratic leader.
The Tema steel works will begin the pilot of the concrete roads similar to the Tema Motorway.

READ MORE: Bawumia says government to consider building roads with concrete

The Vice President made this known at a dedication ceremony at the Tehilla Temple in Accra

He said: "Why is it that we are not building our roads with concrete and rather doing all this asphalt, bitumen stuff which the roads get washed away after two seasons.

"You look at Tema Motorway which was built with concrete and it is lasting almost 50 years. Since 2014, in India, they have a policy to only build concrete roads because it works out much cheaper.

"So I said let me bring this to my bosses and we have been discussing this as recently as last week and Bishop Dag, I will let you into it, cabinet did decide last week that we should move towards concrete roads as a country.
Speaking at this years Ohum Festival in Kyebi on Saturday, the president said: There are people saying Im against mining that is not true. Mining has been in the country for a long time.

"What I will not allow is illegal means of mining. Laws have been in existence to protect these resources that we have, and we will continue in that stead.

"A few people have purposed to destroy our lands and natural bodies, we will not allow that to happen."

READ MORE: Kwesi Pratt commends Nana Addo for his fight against galamsey

At a recent meeting with chiefs and queen mothers, president Akufo-Addo vowed to put his presidency on the line in the fight against galamsey.
Speaking at Kyebi as Okyeman marked this years Ohum Festival, Okyenhene said countries have developed not because of the resources that they have but because of the knowledge they applied to the resources that they have.

He said: "We congratulate you for your free SHS policy, it is a great initiative to ensure that poverty does not hinder anyone who wants to go to school.

We also know that across the world, countries have developed not because of the resources that they have, but the knowledge they have applied to the resources that they have.

If the success of a country was determined by their resources, Africa would have been the most powerful. We have everything but we are still poor.

I believe that in your tenure things will change if you add knowledge to the resources that we have, we will really go far.

Okyenhene also appealed to the president fix the roads in the Eastern region.

He said bad nature of the roads in the region is affecting domestic and economic activities.
This was after Mr Asigiri accused him of bugging his office and the official vehicle he handed over to him.

Mr Asigiri said on Joy's Newsfle Saturday that upon assuming office, he discovered the bugging device in his official vehicle- the same vehicle Mr Mubarak was using when he was the Chief Excutive.

He said: It is not only Inusah Fuseini who did this type of thing.

"I have suffered the same personally. My official SUV had a tracking in it and nobody in the authority knew until it created a problem for the vehicle.

The vehicle wont start. We tried all the things we needed to do, the vehicle wont start.

"We brought experts from Toyota Ghana, they tried everything the vehicle wont start."

He said it was after a critical study of the vehicle by the dealers that the device was found.

Reacting to the news, Mr Mubarak confessed to planting the recording device but said it was not meant to spy on the current boss.

I had a tracking device in my official vehicle. I also had a security camera in my office, he said.

"I had directed my driver to ensure that [the tracking device] was removed from the car, he said.
Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a military court, had filed a mercy petition in June.

By India Today Web Desk: A Pakistani military court rejected the mercy petition of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death in April. According to the Pakistani Army, its chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is "analysing" the evidence against Jadhav after which he will decide the appeal on merit.

Jadhav had filed a mercy petition before General Bajwa in June, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on June 22. The statement said the former Indian Navy officer had filed the petition after the Military Appellate Court rejected his appeal.

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Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told reporters today that General Bajwa was "analysing the evidence against Jadhav. The Army chief will decide on Jadhav's appeal on merit."

Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in The Hague in May halted his execution on India's appeal.

Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on March 3, 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.

-With inputs from PTI

ALSO READ | Kulbhushan Jadhav death sentence: Pakistan may overrule International Court of Justice's order

ICJ says Kulbhushan Jadhav will not hang: What happened inside World Court at Hague

ALSO WATCH | Pakistan considering to grant visa to Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother

--- ENDS ---
If the opinion of the country is that it should be done then it has to be done, Mr Brew told the Daily Guide newspaper.

We wont mind if the new government probes what actually caused the death of our brother, the president. We dont mind if they do that so that everything will be clarified, he said.

Prof. Mills passed away on July 24, 2012, five months before the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections.

READ MORE: NPP wins Atta Mills hometown Ekumfi
He has also been accused of planting a secret camera in his former office without notification.

He said: It is not only Inusah Fuseini who did this type of thing. I have suffered the same personally. My official SUV had a tracking in it and nobody in the authority knew until it created a problem for the vehicle.

READ MORE: Inusah Fuseini under investigation over spying device

The vehicle wont start. We tried all the things we needed to do, the vehicle wont start. We brought experts from Toyota Ghana, they tried everything the vehicle wont start."
The pact was sealed at the banks Headquarter, weekend, which saw the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, represented by Mr. Jude Monye, Executive Director, Business Banking and; Mrs. Adaeze Udensi, Executive Director, Retail & SME Bank signing on behalf of the bank while Mr. Ahmad Mustaffa Goh, General Manager with BPL signed on behalf of his company.

Speaking at the occasion, Sekibo, MD/CEO, Heritage Bank, said the need for the partnership became imperative in view of the importance of agriculture to the sustainable development of Nigeria.

Sekibo said that the initiative was taken to support the effort by the government towards diversifying the aggregate economy.

He assured the management of Biase Plantations Limited that Heritage Bank would not relent in giving the necessary financial and investment advisory support the latter required for the success of the agricultural scheme in different parts of the country, adding that the policy thrust of the present Federal Government is about economic development and diversification.

On Behalf Biase Plantations Limited, Mr. Goh said, Today marks a milestone in the actualization of a long dream by Biase Plantations Limited.

It has always been our priority to improve the socio-economic status of our landlord communities by developing an out-growers scheme that will build the resilience of local farmers to changing agricultural trend."

He added that the agreement between BPL and Heritage Bank Plc was first of its kind in Nigeria, remarking that they see this as readiness on the part of the bank to partner and grow with the vision of the Company.

According to him, the out growers scheme is targeted at developing a sustainable small holders scheme which will eventually increase the product supply.

Group Head, Agric Finance & Export of Heritage Bank, Olugbenga Awe explained that the pilot scheme covers 45 farmers grouped into 4 co-operatives Society with a land mass of 150 hectares and the funds to be administered is from BPL.

Specifically, he stated that Heritage Bank will leverage its expertise in agribusiness to organise the outgrowers and administer the fund bearing in mind the peculiarity of Oil Palm as a cash crop with long gestation period.

He also mentioned that the programme will ensure financial inclusion and empower the farmers, create market access for the farmers and increase their yield through trainings on sustainability and good agricultural practices.

PZ Wilmar Ltd is a joint venture between PZ Cussons International, UK and Wilmar International Ltd, Singapore.

In Nigeria, Wilmar is involved in oil palm cultivation with a total land hectare of 26,500 located in Akamkpa, Biase, Odukpani and Akpabuyo local government areas of Cross River State.
Sokunle, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, gave the commendation in a statement issued in Lagos by his Media Assistant, Mr Adekunle Okunade.

The lawmaker, representing APC-Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I, spoke against the background of the annual observance of Tree Planting by the state government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state observed its annual Tree Planting across the 57 local government areas on July 14.

The tremendous performance of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode in all sectors, most especially, in the areas of healthy and clean environment, worth commendations.

The environmental cleaning template which the governor is executing remains the best in the country.

With all the Ministry of Environment is doing, it is an indication that Gov. Ambode means well for Lagosians.

The last tree planting exercise was a testimony to the goodness of the governor in ensuring a healthy environment for all of us, he said.

The lawmaker urged the citizens to continue to collaborate with the state government by observing environmental laws and policies made for the betterment of the citizens.

According to him, the assembly will continue to support the efforts of the state Ministry of the Environment in all ways possible.
The prophet said that the President may not be stable till the end of his term.

According to Daily Post, he said he saw the Nigerian flag flying at half-mast.

According to him, He [Buhari] may not be stable till the end of his term.

Honestly, Buhari needs prayers. His family needs to pray very well for him.

I am not saying the medical treatment he is receiving will not work, but it is not the lasting solution. It is only God that can sustain his life. Buhari must not die because if he dies, it will affect a lot of things in the North.

But I see the national flag being flown at half mast, but I dont know where that is coming from.

Oyeguns seat is shaking. His position will be in crisis if Buhari fails to continue.
According to the former Petroleum Minister, who is currently facing multi-billion dollar fraud and money laundering charges both home and abroad, she no longer cares about protecting co-conspirators, Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore, Premium Times reports.

In fact, she says that she is ready to go to jail because she knows where she and her partners will be kept once she reveals the truth.

This is all revealed by Mrs. Alison-Madueke in a recorded conversation with Mr Aluko recorded by herself on May 14, 2014.

In the conversation, recently recovered by investigators, the former minister appears to be very angry.

In her anger, she admits to helping out co-conspirators in multi-billion dollars Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) deals.

She also had another conversation with another unknown recipient.

In this second conversation, Mrs Alison-Madueke dares Mr Aluko to expose the details of their dealings, adding that he should get ready to face the consequences.

Here she adds, that she is ready to tell Nigerians everything, even if it takes her, along with Aluko and Omokore to jail.

She also chastens Mr Aluko for buying the Galatical Star, a $80 million super yacht, instead of simply renting it for two weeks instead of buying one.

You and Jide [i.e., OMOKORE] had some of the most support that we could possibly give. At a time when were not doing anything else, we stuck our necks out regarding the SAA and we supported it. [INAUDIBLE] How the two of you have ruined it is incredulous and incredible to all of us.

I spoke to you several times about your general behaviour, acquisition of assets, etc., asking you to be a bit more careful because [INAUDIBLE] will start following you. I remember we had this open discussion more than once. You kept telling me that there was no issue because you did it in a certain way, you did it in a certainand I kept telling you that it doesnt matter how you do it.

Once you start acquiring, acquiring, acquiring at a certain level, then youll bewhether you like it or not, whether it was done in the most transparentyou understand? the manner or not, because they will want to trace where it came from. This is an age of terrorism.

If you want to hire a yacht, you lease it for two weeks or whatever. You dont go and sink funds into it at this time when Nigerian oil and gas sector is under all kinds of watch, as we have been for some time, and where Atlantic [i.e., AEDC and/or AEBD] itself has been the subject of all kinds of speculation.

I said tell him [i.e., ALUKO] to bring everything out, and then you know what will happen? No problem, I will be happy to escort all of you to jail along with myself. I said, in fact, youll be shocked by what I will do. Because when it comes to that, I will come out and tell the Nigerian people this is what happened.

Oh, yes, I will blame myself, but it [INAUDIBLE] place and everything. Anything they want to say, I am happy to go. But I will come out openly and say it so that they can judge me openly. And then all of us go and sit on the gate. Let us see who survived [INAUDIBLE], me or you."

The furniture they gave me didnt come to more than four million dollars, altogether. [INAUDIBLE] it is the truth. I was with [INAUDIBLE].

These conversations are now part of a civil complaint by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) seeking the forfeiture of over $144 million slush fund.

Mrs Alison-Madueke, Mr Aluko and Mr. Omokore have been listed as persons of interest in the civil complaint filed in the US District Court, Houston, Texas.

In Nigeria, a Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered for the forfeiture of N34 billion linked to her that is in several Nigerian banks.

Her accomplice, Mr Omokore, has been slammed with a nine-count charge of criminal diversion of about $1.6 billion of proceeds from sales of petroleum products belonging to the Nigerian government.
Dogara, who said God did not create Nigeria by mistake, added that the secessionists do not understand purpose.

The Speaker said this during a thanksgiving service on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at His Elect Christian Assembly Church, Nyanya, Abuja.

According to Daily Post, Dogara said Those who think Nigeria is a mistake, it may be because they dont know the purpose.

But if you want to know the purpose of a thing, you have to go back to the manual, and who puts the manual together?

Its the manufacturer, so I would challenge them to go back to the manufacturer of Nigeria, who is God, so that we can get the manual for Nigeria.

If we were a mistake, maybe during the first civil war, this country would have disintegrated but God decided to keep this country one and God has never made a mistake.

He also called on Nigerians to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

The Speaker said For our country, we will never cease to ask that prayers be made, especially collective prayers.

We all know the benefits of collective prayers; it is said that whenever two or three of you come together and ask of anything, God will do it.

ALSO READ: Prophet Ayodele says Nnamdi Kanu will not actualise Biafra

We know the challenges we face, they are quite enormous challenges, they are very difficult, but they are not insurmountable.

With God on our side, we will surmount them, and the only way we can do that is when we have the benefit of the wisdom of God; wisdom means application of knowledge.
The States Deputy Governor, Mr Silas Agara, made the call at a Town Hall meeting organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Lafia.

Agara, represented by Mr Mohammed Wada, the Commissioner for Works and Transports, said that customers were short-changed through overbilling, estimated billing, among others.

The only way the customers will be satisfied is when they have pre-paid meters and sure that they only pay for electricity consumed.

The state government has donated land and offered to facilitate the installation of a 3000 KVA transformer in Lafia.

If the transformer is installed, it will go a long way in addressing the poor electricity supply in the state, he said.

Also, Moses Arigu, the NERC Commissioner in charge of Consumers Affairs, assured electricity consumers of the commissions determination to ensure that distribution companies adhere to the operational guidelines.

The commission has concluded plans to open an office in Lafia for the consumers to channel their complaints for redress, he said.

In his remarks, Christian Chime, the Acting Regional Manager of AEDC, apologised to electricity customers, for the problems they were going through due to poor electricity supply.

Chime said that the company had taken their complaints and would soon address them to ensure improved electricity supply.

He said that the company would embark on a massive installation of prepaid meters in the state, urging the customers not to pay for its installation.
Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, National Commissioner and acting Chairman of INEC said in a statement he issued on Saturday in Abuja that the attention of the commission had been drawn to some media reports about its decision to obey the court order.

He said some of the reports were claiming that INEC was being blackmailed into abandoning the process as a result of the decision of Senate to probe the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TEFUND).

He said relating INECs decision to the Senates intention to probe TETFUND, where the present INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, previously served as Executive Secretary, was false and misleading.

He also described it as a deliberate attempt to portray the commission in a bad light and cast aspersions on it.

The Commission wishes to state unequivocally and categorically that these reports are totally incorrect and mischievous, he said.

Ibeanu said that while the commission formally acknowledged the receipt of the petition submitted to it by some registered voters from Kogi West, it also notified Melaye about the development in writing.

He added that in line with the powers conferred on it by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, the Commission on July 3, formally announced the timetable and schedule of activities for the recall of the Senator.

He stated that the commission, in line with its issued timetable for the recall, posted the Notice of Verification at the Kogi West Constituency (INEC Office in Lokoja) on July 10.

However, on the same July 10, INEC received an order given by the Federal High Court, Abuja, and dated July 6.

He said that the order in respect to suit filed by Melaye directed the parties to maintain the status quo till the determination of the plaintiffs motion on notice.

Ibeanu added that the Judge, in granting the relief sought by the Senator, also fixed Sept. 29 as the date to hear the Motion on Notice.

He said that by this date, the 90-day timeframe established by the Constitution for the entire recall process to be completed would have lapsed.

He said that deeply concerned by this situation, INEC considered the court order and its implication for the Commissions ability to carry out its constitutional function regarding the petition to recall the Senator.

He stated that after weighing all the options, the Commission, as a responsible organisation, decided that it should not be seen to be disobeying a court order, however inappropriate it may consider the order.

However, in this particular case, the Commission also decided to take immediate steps to vacate the court order and for the matter to be heard and determined expeditiously.

This, he said, was to ensure that the case was determined within a limit of 90 days from the date of the presentation of the petition that the exercise must be completed.

Ibeanu added that INEC also decided to draw the attention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to the order, in view of its effect on the performance of its constitutional duty to conduct the referendum for the recall.

Besides, the Commission considered it important to draw the Chief Justices attention to the matter for immediate judicial intervention.

This, according to him, is to avoid a situation where, if a similar case arises in the future, the Commissions work will be imperilled, as any individual could rush to court to stop what is clearly a constitutional process.

In fact, contrary to the impression given by the misleading reports, the INEC Chairman, Yakubu, was not even at the meeting where the Commission took the decision to obey the court order.

Yakubu is currently leading a team of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) on an official fact-finding mission to some West African countries, in his capacity as the bodys President, he explained.
Villagers of Lakshmipuram, Theni protested against O Panneerselvam' s family, claiming that a giant well dug by OPS in his farm was the reason for the extreme water shortage.

By Pramod Madhav: Former chief minister of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam who became a rebellious hope after his iconic meditation at Jayalalitha memorial lost his star stature at his home town after villagers protested against his giant well for sucking the water from across the area.

For nearly 10 days, villagers of Lakshmipuram, Theni protested against O Panneerselvam' s family, sometime even blocking the roads to the village claiming that a giant well dug by OPS in his farm was the reason for the extreme water shortage.

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The disputed well stands on a 18 per cent land belonging to OPS' wife Vijayalakshmi and the villagers claim that they were not allowed to take water from the well. As the matter began to go out of control, peace committees were formed and OPS had agreed to gift the well to villagers provided they agree to buy his 40 acre coconut farm and surprisingly, they agreed to do so.

OPS stated that the coconut farm can't be irrigated without the well from the water and that is why he placed that condition.

But the crucial fact remains, that the a political force is allegedly to be the mastermind behind the negotiations, arm twisting OPS to sell his well profiting coconut farm.

TTV Dhinakaran's alleged supporter and Andipatti MLA Thangathamiz Selvan and Periyakulam MLA Kathirkamu hold a major stake in Theni district while OPS as MLA of Bodinayakanur got dwarfed by the negotiation committee.

OPS' family has agreed to allow villagers to use water from the well for 90 days within which they can come up with a sale deal for the land.

ALSO READ:

Have Panneerselvam and Sasikala patched up? Decision on merger of AIADMK factions likely today

If need arises, will consider an alliance with Rajinikanth, O Panneerselvam tells India Today

--- ENDS ---
The governor said that most universities had deviated from their primary aim of promoting research and development and concentrated on having too many non-academic staff.

The university needs all levels of supportive staff, but the current practice where the number of non-academic staff outweighed the numbers of academic staff and researchers is not acceptable, not tenable and unsustainable.

Universities should through investment, efficient management of funds, a partnership with the private and government sectors, grants from international bodies and Alumni association, thrive to be self-sustaining, he said.

Obaseki said that with the current recession, universities should not shy away from getting rid of their redundant and unproductive staff in the various faculties.

Universities should be able to check waste and corruption and stop relying on the government for subvention because the government is almost broke, he advised.

The governor tasked the nations university authorities to engage in the publication of journals, innovations and technology advancement of students to make them relevant in the present world of ICT.

The university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, said that the institution had achieved numerous successes in the areas of fibre optic technology, infrastructural development, internally generated revenue and accreditation of 64 programmes.

Onimawo listed areas of need to include a partnership in investment ventures such as in agriculture going by the vast arable land and dam to boost the institutions revenue.

Others were perimeter fencing of the school, construction and tarring of roads within the campus, building of the vice-chancellors lodge, completion of the administrative building and provision of more students accommodation.

The Chancellor, His Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe of Bida, attributed the universitys giant strides to the enabling environment provided by the state governor, saying that available resources would be judiciously utilised.

The chancellor also commended the governor for mobilising the contractors working on the administrative building back to the site, saying that completion of the project would solve the problems of office accommodation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor was installed as the 15th visitor of the institution by the state Chief Judge, Justice Eseohe Ikponmwan.

There was also a presentation of honorary degrees on Chief Tony Elumelu (Business Administration), Dr Mathew Okpebholo (Engineering) and Dr Robson Momoh (Literature).
According to the cleric, some people want to dethrone the Acting President by all means.

According to Daily Post, he said The vice presidents life is in danger but God will see him through.

Many things will still be exposed about the plots against him.

There are so many things we dont see now; the vice president is struggling against the cabal. As it is now, the villa is vacant.

We have just started. With Makarfi back in the saddle, PDP will be on its way to gradual recovery if they take the right steps.

As it is PDP needs proper cleansing. Makarfi can still bring the party back but if the party brings the wrong person for the presidential election in 2019, the party may not win.

The APC will now have crisis with Makarfi returning except they are able to put their house in order and re-strategise if the party is to retain power.

ALSO READ: How Osinbajo defied Boko Haram to make Borno trip

At end of the day, it may neither be APC nor PDP that will get the centre if they fail to present sellable candidates. I dont want to talk about candidates now; at the appropriate time I will reveal that.

What I am saying is that Makarfi can still stabilize PDP. What happens in Osun does not mean that PDP is back.

They should reorganize the party properly and do the right in the party. At the same time APC is cracking.

If APC wishes to retain the Presidency, they should also ensure they put their house in order.
Receiving the award, the producer of the movie Adonaijah, thanked the director of the movie Izu Ojukwu, for keeping the dream alive.

"Izu, you know this is about you, right? Thank you so very much for keeping this vision alive," Adonaijah said.

"Life doesn't reward you because of your potential or mental ability, life only rewards those who are ready to take action on what they know.

To succeed, You don't only need to be at the right place at the right time, you also need to be the right person, at the right place, at the right time, he added.

He also thanked the executive producer of the movie, Tonye Princewill for making sure the funds were available.

76 synopsis:

Six years after the civil war, a young officer from the middle belt gets entangled in a romantic relationship with a beautiful O-Level student from the Southeastern part of Nigeria.

Their budding romance was almost ruptured by endless military postings. Now heavily pregnant her walls came crumbling when the news of her husband's involvement in a botched coup attempt hits the headlines.
The award, which was given to Pete Edochie last year, was presented to Owoh by a member of the AMAA jury, Shaibu Husseini.

Accepting his statuette, Owoh dedicated his award to peacemakers all over the world.

Recalling his attempt at starting an award platform, the actor commended the founder of AMAA, Peace Anyiam Osigwe for her consistency and dedication.

Owoh, who won his first AMAA in 2008, is popular for his roles in movies like "Osuofia in London," "Things Fall Apart," "Onye Eze," "Ukwa" among others.
Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe's independence from British colonial rule in 1980, is his party's presidential candidate for next year's elections despite concerns over his age and fitness to rule.

ZBC later reported that Mugabe's wife Grace was injured in a "freak car accident" involving her motorcade at Harare airport as she returned with the president.

"(She) suffered some soft tissue bruising on the right ankle as a result," ZBC said, adding that she did not suffer any major injury and was discharged from hospital shortly after the incident. It is unclear exactly how Grace's ankle was injured.

This week's trip there is Mugabe's third there this year.

Public hospitals in Zimbabwe often suffer from chronic shortages of drugs and staff as the economy has struggled to rebound following years of mismanagement.

Mugabe's ZANU-PF party was forced to postpone a rally on Friday at which he was due to address supporters, triggering speculation about his whereabouts.

Early in 2015, he tripped and fell as he left a podium after addressing supporters who had gathered at Harare airport to welcome him back from a foreign trip.

The same year he also read a speech to parliament apparently unaware that he had delivered the same speech before.

Mugabe's party is sharply divided over his succession. Vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa and Mugabe's wife Grace are seen as likely contenders to take over in the event of his death or retirement.
According to a report in The Guardian, foreign telcos have threatened to disconnect local telcos over an alleged breach of agreement. Apparently, some Nigerian telcos are not honoring their obligations to these foreign telcos in forex.

The report says Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), discolsed this information, saying that some of the foreign vendors have issued a notice of disconnection of service to their Nigerian partners.

AT&T, T-Mobile, Orange Telecom, and equipment vendors like Sony, Comat and Metracom, are just some of the companies who have issued this disconnection notice, says a report from The Guardian.

One reason why telcos a failing to meet their obligations to these foreign counterparts, according to ALTON chairman Adebayo, is that telecommunication equipment is not on the list of on the list of items given priority for forex by the CBN.

This, in turn, leads to an increase in operating costs, unfavorable credit terms, and delay in the implementation of network enhancement and improvement initiatives.

ALSO READ: Nigeria is taking its broadband Internet campaign to ITU conference

The report says NCC spokesperson Tony Ojobo said he did not have any knowledge of these threats, saying if they do exist, there is nothing the NCC can do if it is not notified officially.

We cant respond to third partys letter that was not written officially to the Commission. When they are sending letters like that, they should write to the NCC officially; they can even extend it by petitioning the government directly, because allocation is a national issue, said Ojobo, according to the report.

All of this means if the situation is not resolved soon, subscribers (including you and I) will be unable to make business or personal calls to foreign lines. Parents with children in foreign schools, businessmen who need to interact with their foreign partners and so on.

This represents yet another instance in which the Nigerian government (and the Nigerian business environment) has failed companies and organisations trying to make money and improve their services for their customers sake.
She is teaching her young charges how to best show off the "anaco," a traditional Andean skirt, on the catwalks.

A former beauty queen with long dark hair, Chicaiza -- a member of the Puruha indigenous group -- was mocked at a pageant because of her traditional garb.

The experience inspired the 32-year-old to open her agency in 2013 and "strengthen the identity" of the Puruha on the runways, where models now sashay in outfits that mix "the Western and the ancestral."

Latin American agencies generally seek models with hourglass figures and fine features, the designer told AFP.

"We're not looking for that," Chicaiza said. "We're looking for women with character."

In Ecuador, indigenous peoples make up 30 percent of the population of 16.5 million, according to organizations representing them.

But many inhabitants do not recognize themselves as such: official census records say the country's indigenous population is just seven percent of the total.

Like Chicaiza, fashion designers are also working to help people renew their pride in their heritage.

A hint of edge

Lucia Guillin and Franklin Janeta, who are also members of the Puruha ethnic group, have launched their own indigenous fashion labels -- respectively, Churandy and Vispu.

"Our Puruha clothes have disappeared and young people have started dressing in the Western style," says Guillin, donning one of her own shoulder-baring creations.

Pieces from their lines, including tops and skirts embellished with hand-embroidered flowers, range in price from $150-800.

The most expensive items, often embellished with stones and embroidery, are aimed at brides and beauty queens.

The designers use traditional ornaments and symbols, like flowers or the sun, but are making updates more in line with contemporary styles, such as with more daring cuts.

"There were no low-cut necklines, no short sleeves," Janeta said. "I asked myself, 'What if we changed it?' Because young girls like things a little more modern."

Guillin, for her part, has succeeded in convincing women to wear the anaco skirt proudly once more by giving the garment a hint of edge, playing with styles including mermaid cuts, trains, flaring and side-slits, she said.

"We must put a stop to the idea that Indians are closed off," she said. "If we continue with this, we also risk losing our culture."

According to Janeta, who said he makes some $12,000 a month in sales, customers are beginning to understand the value of the handmade attire.

"We taught people how to distinguish different qualities," he said. "Before it was difficult to sell a blouse for more than 60 dollars -- not anymore. They'll pay up to 400 dollars for a corset."

This new generation of indigenous entrepreneurs also includes Esther Miranda, Jose Mullo and Jacqueline Tuquinga -- who launched the perfume brand Yuyary (Memory, in Quechua) -- designers who also see Westerners as potential target consumers.
"The Radiochemical Laboratory operated intermittently and there have apparently been at least two unreported reprocessing campaigns to produce an undetermined amount of plutonium that can further increase North Korea's nuclear weapons stockpile," it said.

North Korea deactivated the Yongbyon reactor in 2007 under an aid-for-disarmament accord, but began renovating it after Pyongyang's third nuclear test in 2013.

Increased thermal activity was also noted at Yongbyon's uranium enrichment facility but it was unclear whether this indicated a push to increase supplies, possibly for weapons, or if it was part of maintenance operations, the website said.

The researchers also said that analysis of thermal patterns from a probable isotope/tritium production facility at the site suggested that the plant was likely not producing tritium.

Tritium is a key component used for making sophisticated thermonuclear weapons with far greater yields than those made only of plutonium and uranium.

North Korea has conducted five underground nuclear tests since 2006, and carried out its first successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile last week.

North Korea's foreign ministry spokesman said Friday "the resounding success" of the test demonstrated Pyongyang's ability to "annihilate the US by a single blow to the very heart of its mainland in case it fails to act with discretion".

The United States is inviting its "ultimate doom" by pushing for ramped up UN sanctions against the North, the spokesman was quoted as saying by Pyongyang's state media.

North Korea, which says it needs nuclear weapons to defend itself against the threat of invasion, is subject to multiple sets of United Nations sanctions over its weapons programmes.
Officials released photos showing his wife, the poet Liu Xia, with her brother, Liu Xiaobo's brother and friends in front of the body surrounded by white flowers at a funeral home.

"Since she had just lost her husband, she was in very low spirits," Zhang said.

China's government has come under international criticism over its treatment of the democracy advocate and his wife, who has been under house arrest since 2010.

Western governments have called on Beijing to release Liu Xia and let her travel abroad.
Australia called upon the Chinese government to lift travel restrictions on deceased Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo's widow and release her from detention.

By Reuters: Australia today called for China to lift curbs on the widow of Nobel Peace Prize-winning dissident Liu Xiaobo, who died of liver cancer in custody last week.

Liu Xiaobo, 61, was jailed for 11 years in 2009 for "inciting subversion of state power" after he helped write a petition known as "Charter 08" calling for sweeping political reforms in China.

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His wife, Liu Xia, was at the hospital as his health deteriorated over the past couple of weeks, but has been under effective house arrest since her husband won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010.

"We call upon the Chinese government to lift any travel restrictions on his wife and to release her from house detention," Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

On Saturday, Zhang Qingyang, a Chinese official in the northeastern city of Shenyang, said Liu's widow was "currently free", adding that, as a Chinese citizen, her rights would be protected, but he did not reveal her whereabouts.

The comments are likely to irk China, which has lodged "stern representations" with Western countries that made remarks about Liu Xiaobo, and add fuel to its testy relationship with Australia.

Australia depends on China as its largest trading partner, but Beijing is suspicious of Canberra's close military relationship with Washington.

Suspicion of China has been growing in Australia of late, fed by concerns that Beijing is using its growing influence to shift public opinion on sensitive policy issues and stifle criticism.

ALSO READ:

China says Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo cremated and his wife is 'free'

China says awarding Nobel Prize to Liu Xiaobo amounted to blasphemy

Liu's death is testament to 'brutal' China - dissident Ai Weiwei

--- ENDS ---
Castro criticized Trump's partial rollback of his predecessor Barack Obama's rapprochement with the communist island in comments made less than a week before the second anniversary of Havana embassy's reopening in Washington on July 20.

The remarks came after Trump in June -- standing before a crowd of anti-Castro activists in Miami's Little Havana -- announced tightened rules for Americans traveling to Cuba, banned ties with a military-run tourism firm and reaffirmed the existing US trade embargo.

The US president framed his measures as a move against a "cruel and brutal" regime, saying progress on bilateral relations would be hinged on concessions related to human rights.

Castro, 86, called the new measures a toughening of the US embargo against the island, imposed since 1962, saying they evoked "an old and hostile rhetoric that characterized the Cold War."

He also denounced "the manipulation" of Cuba over human rights issues.

"Cuba has much to be proud of, and it does not have to receive lessons from the United States or anyone else," he said during the session, which international press does not have access to.

"Any strategy that seeks to destroy the revolution, whether through coercion or pressure or through subtle methods, will fail," he said.

Castro -- who will leave the Cuban presidency in February 2018 -- reiterated his willingness to continue "respectful dialogue" and negotiate bilateral issues "on the basis of equality" and recognition of "the sovereignty and independence of our country."
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)  Disney Parks isn't letting Han Solo or Luke Skywalker save the day at their new Star Wars-themed lands.

"When you step in to the world, you're the hero," Chris Beatty, Disney Imagineer and executive director of the new expansions said.

Beatty was just one of many Disney representatives who spoke Saturday on the new Star Wars-themed lands at the Disney fan expo D23 in Anaheim, Calif.

Bob Chapek, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, led a joyous panel where he unveiled many new projects for both domestic and international parks. New "Ratatouille," ''Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Tron" attractions are headed to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Discussion of the Star Wars land came early in Chapek's presentation, pleasing an eager audience. A video detailed a model on display at the expo's "A Galaxy of Stories." Then, Chapek revealed the name for the expansions.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will first open at Disneyland, followed shortly by a second, identical location at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. Chapek said both are expected to open in 2019.

He introduced the lead designer of the project, Scott Trowbridge, who said Galaxy's Edge focuses on two major rides allowing guests to lead their own adventures. The first is a battle between the Resistance and the First Order. The second allows riders to take control of the Millennium Falcon.

Trowbridge echoed Beatty's sentiment that Galaxy's Edge is all about the guest experience. Beatty said developers quickly ruled out focusing on any specific film or character arc in the franchise.

Instead, they're building a brand new, unnamed planet.

The new planet is set on the outer rim of the galaxy, hence the name Galaxy's Edge. Beatty said they created a place where both beloved characters from the franchise could mix with new, unknown members of the galaxy. He called it "a smuggler's planet," something quintessential "Star Wars."

"It's kind of forgotten about. People in the know like Han and Chewie, they knew of this place," he said, referencing beloved franchise characters Han Solo and Chewbacca.

Beatty didn't rule out the possibility of Galaxy's Edge appearing in an upcoming "Star Wars" film, though he didn't reveal any current plans. Lucasfilm's developers and writers worked closely with Disney's Imagineers on the expansion.

During his presentation, Chapek also announced many characters from the films will be featured in Galaxy's Edge, including BB-8, Chewbacca and Kylo Ren. But it was the droid Rex that received the biggest applause from the audience. Rex may serve as a DJ at a cantina in Galaxy's Edge, Chapek said.

The chairman also announced a Star Wars-themed luxury resort at Walt Disney World, which he says is "100% immersive." Chapek did not announce an opening date or if construction is ongoing.

The Star Wars-themed lands were first announced at the 2015 expo. During the 2015 expo, Disney announced the themed lands among a slew of "Star Wars" park expansions, including the interactive Star Wars Launch Bay and a seasonal event, Season of the Force. They also updated the Star Tours ride, Disney's first Star Wars-themed ride installed in 1987.

At 14 acres, Galaxy's Edge is Disney Park's largest single-themed land expansion.

"It's got to be big. Go big or go home with 'Star Wars,'" Beatty said.
PALO ALTO, Calif.  Palo Alto tech companies and startups are known for giving employees perks such as free food, valet parking, laundry service and bring your dog to work days.

Lately, employee benefits have extended to pet insurance for dogs and cats as businesses look for more ways to attract and retain workers, and such policies have been the fastest-growing employee benefit, typically provided at no cost to employers, said Adam Fell, a spokesman for Nationwide.

Rich Lang, senior vice president of human resources at VMware in Palo Alto, said offering pet insurance as an employee benefit aligns with the companys core value of building community.

Part of having a supportive work community means helping employees, whenever possible, not feel as if they have to segment their lives between work and family, Lang said.

And for a lot of people, family includes their pets, Lang said.

VMware even is considering offering bereavement days for employees who lose pets, Lang added.

Not all VMware locations allow employees to bring dogs to work, such as the Palo Alto site, because it depends on the owner of the building. But VMware offers all its employees discounted pet insurance through the My Pet Protection plan by Nationwide.

Monthly premiums start at $40 for Palo Alto residents and go up to $66 for the most robust plan, according to Nationwide.

The price covers accidents, illnesses and preventive care such as vaccinations, flea medicine and wellness exams  but not preexisting conditions.

Rachel Simon, who works at Pivotal in Palo Alto, said she got her mini goldendoodle, Brady, a year after she started working at the company. Having a pet-friendly office and the pet insurance benefit made it easier for Simon to decide to get a pet, and such policies will affect where Simon works in the future.

I was so thrilled to learn about our pet policies, Simon said. We wanted our dog to have a good quality of life and not just be left at home all the time.

The cost of insurance almost pays for itself because of the coverage for monthly heartworm and flea medicine and tests or shots, Simon said. Some of Simons colleagues have signed up for insurance after pet accidents that required thousands of dollars out of pocket, such as a dog eating a kitchen towel or breaking a leg after jumping in the shower.

Its always better to have insurance so you never have to make that hard decision when the time comes whether you can afford to treat your pet, Simon said.
CHICAGO (AP)  Chicago police say a community activist who worked to fight violence was fatally shot less than a block from the offices of his nonprofit.

Police and relatives say 58-year-old William "Willie" Cooper was shot Saturday afternoon near the offices of Lilydale Outreach Workers for a Better Community.

He was the principal officer of the anti-violence group, which provides jobs to teenagers on Chicago's South Side.

Cooper's wife, Sherry Clark, tells the Chicago Tribune that her late husband "did a lot for the community."

Police say Cooper was walking near a liquor store when he was shot in the back and mouth by someone in a dark-colored vehicle driving by.

Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Sunday that no suspects are in custody and the investigation is ongoing.
COAL VALLEY -- Arrowhead Ranch -- the rural, residential facility charged with taking broken youths and making them whole -- has happened on hard times.

In 1981, Arrowhead had 72 resident youths. A dormitory adding more capacity was built after that. But the resident trajectory has gradually slid downward; last year, the population averaged just 22 youths.

We know the need for court-placed youth has decreased over the years for various reasons, said Chester Lien, chief executive officer at Arrowhead.

One of those reasons is a philosophy change by judges and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, leading to an effort to keep more youths in their homes.

State finances also may have played a role. Although Arrowhead is private, the youths living there maintain residency in their home school districts, with Arrowhead forwarding their grades to those schools.

DCFS and the Illinois State Board of Education limit how much Arrowhead can charge for its services. Dr. Lien said that he is unaware how much of that money might be coming from the state when it's a school district that pays for a student to attend Arrowhead.

Arrowhead is not alone in its financial difficulties, according to Dr. Lien. As he walked past the facility's trophy case in the gym, he said much of the competition has gone out of the youth-services business in the last 18 months.

Hired in April 2016, Dr. Lien said he was directed by the Arrowhead Ranch board to find a way to keep the facility open since the numbers had dropped so much that it was losing money.

"We knew we wanted to keep that service to the community. We knew we wanted to keep that the core of what Arrowhead is," he said. "In talking to probation officers locally, we became confident that if we could go to some type of national advertising campaign, we could easily fill our empty spaces.

He said the Arrowhead board discussed several possibilities.

We shut the doors; that was the first option. Do nothing," he said. "We were looking at closing in 10 years. Financial projections were, if we did nothing, we would be out of business in approximately 10 years.

"People have been very generous to Arrowhead over the years," Dr. Lien said. "We have a very nice contingency fund, but we were going through it very rapidly. We're private, and at some point, if you run out of money, you close your doors."

In January, Arrowhead's administration went to the board with a different plan. By April, the board had approved a business plan focusing on Arrowhead's tradition of serving youths with mild to moderate behavior problems.

Reaching education consultants will be key, Dr. Lien said, because parents often have no idea where to turn and contact those people for help. The facility plans to develop specs for a national campaign and put it out for bids in August or early September.

Arrowhead also is planning a multimillion remodeling project involving work on walls, ceilings, floors, doors, roofs, windows, heating and air-conditioning units, and more. The work would start in October and be completed by August 2018.

At that point, the goal is to be at full capacity by 2022," Dr. Lien said. "I'm confident we'll get there sooner."

He admitted the approach is a risk, but it's one he termed a calculated risk -- "with full confidence we can meet our goals and take Arrowhead into the next 50 to 80 years.

"And in 2105, there will be someone in my seat saying, 'Where do we go now?' he said.

He noted that in 1968, former head Gary Brown had a big vision and oversaw many additions to the facility.

People have always stepped up and understood that there's a risk here, he said. We've been very successful at what we do. We've been here for a long time.

"The treatment staff and education staff are very good," he said. "We're not starting from scratch.

He said Arrowhead also plans to do a better job of gathering information from its former residents. Chief operating officer Reina Reyes said she hears from former residents who say, "My time at Arrowhead touched me," or, "I think about Arrowhead a lot," or, "I'm struggling with my child and I would like them to learn what I learned as a kid."

A resident from my first day at work -- 22 years later, he still contacts me and says how things are going, she said.

Dr. Lien said Arrowhead knows counties are pleased with its services because they keep sending clients. An outreach campaign, if only to Chicago, could help raise enrollment numbers, he said.

It's possible we might not have to get out of the Midwest very far," he said. "But we're prepared to advertise nationally."

Two youths currently living at Arrowhead spoke positively of its help. Matt said he entered the program because of probation violations, aware the Illinois Department of Corrections was an option. He said everyone at Arrowhead is supportive, and he has received help in addressing his feeling that he needed power, even if it meant taking it from others.

I had a lot of challenges. ... I overcame them because I had a lot of help from staff, he said.

Ja-Ont said he is about to advance to the second of three stages at Arrowhead. He said he got into trouble with drugs and burglarizing cars, but at Arrowhead, he saw people he knew from his previous life who were doing better than he was.

I'm trying to change my values, he said. Arrowhead helps you with your challenges.

Dr. Lien said all students must "buy in" to the program Arrowhead offers.

They have to express an interest in making change to their lives, Dr. Lien said. If it's, 'You're not going to change me,' they're probably not going to come.

HISTORY OF ARROWHEAD RANCH

Arrowhead Ranch is in its 70th year of assisting troubled youths.

1946: The Rock Island County Youth Home and Farm opens north of the present Arrowhead location

1958: The facility becomes an independent not-for-profit institution named Arrowhead Ranch, and continues its farming operation.

1968: A fund drive begins, leading to the construction of dormitories, a school, a gymnasium and a chapel.

1973: The Nabar Vo-ag Building opens, followed two years later by a swimming pool.

1992: The Joe England Gymnasium opens. Two years later, the original gym is remodeled into the Gary Brown Education Center.

2002: The William E. Nelson Automotive Center is completed.
The ongoing high speed rail project in Illinois is expected to reduce travel time between Chicago and St. Louis at a cost of $1.95 billion. Its a long way from the first railroad in the state, some 175 years ago.

In 1838, work began on the Northern Cross, a line intended to run from Quincy through Springfield to Danville that was, in hindsight, a pipe dream. The railroad was part of the Internal Improvements Era in Illinois, a bold plan to build canals, roads and railroads that collapsed amid poor planning, little manpower and a glaring lack of money.

Though these impediments were evident from the outset, the Illinois legislature, including such luminaries as Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, voted in favor, and heavy borrowing followed. The first rail in state history was laid at Meredosia, northwest of Jacksonville, on May 9, 1838, with what one account described as imposing ceremonies.

That Sept. 6, Meredosia residents also welcomed the first locomotive, which was built in New Jersey and transported in pieces, arriving by steamboat on the Illinois River. Incredibly, local residents were instructed on how to operate the engine.

The locomotive, dubbed the Rogers, was only the fourth steam engine in American history. Miniscule by later steam standards, the Rogers was a 4-2-0 with no cab, pilot, whistle or bell. A pair of engineers drove the machine, which came with a small, four-wheeled tender.

The Rogers made its first run on Nov. 8, 1838, much to the delight of the Meredosia townspeople. Unfortunately, there would be little to celebrate from there. The Panic of 1837 decimated the states finances, and work on internal improvements slowed to a halt. As a result, the Northern Cross never reached its potential.

Still, the railroad was bolstered in July 1839 by the arrival of two or three pleasure cars. By then, the Northern Cross was arriving and departing daily at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. from Meredosia, running a 12-mile route to Morgan City. Advertisements blared the excursion was an accommodation train and would stop at anywhere along the route to accept passengers or freight shipments.

Northern Cross passengers rode on cars described by a contemporary source as the size of buses, with a row of seats down either side.

Riders hardly enjoyed the experience. The trip was tortuous over poorly laid strap-iron rails, which were a mere five-eighths of an inch thick and mitered together. The rails tended to curl up as the train passed over and resulted in points known as snake heads that could rip through the floorboards of the cars.

One man recalled a snake head (that) entered a car and shot up between a womans knees, making a ridiculous mess of her skirts. Another reported that a fellow passenger suffered a gruesome fate when a snake head came up through the floor, struck his friend under the chin and pushed to his brain, carrying him up bodily, a quivering horror.

Passengers also had to contend with constant bouncing, due in part to the old link-and-pin system that was formerly used to join cars. The above said contemporary source noted that even though the trains ran at a comparatively slow speed, passengers slid down the seats because the link-and-pin caused jerks on starting and stopping. Sometimes the riders were thrown half the length of the car.

When the train approached a station, weary passengers were sometimes enlisted to carry water or chop wood. Mechanical issues also caused frequent delays, sometimes hours in length.

Spirited debates to have the line routed through various communities erupted. After a considerable fight, Jacksonville won the right to have the line constructed down State Street, and the railroad finally reached town in the fall of 1839. One account reported the public square was filled with teams, and when the engine steamed into the square making all the noise possible, there was such a stampede of horses as was never before heard of.

Finally, on Feb. 15, 1842, the line stretched the 59 miles from Meredosia to Springfield. As in Jacksonville, hundreds of people from the surrounding country gathered along the tracks to see this marvel, but horses were so terrified that they backed buggies, carryalls, and wagons this way and that, broke their traces and galloped madly through the town and across fields.

The Northern Cross eventually ran three times a week between Springfield and Meredosia. Some capital city residents, including Mary Todd Lincoln, made the trek to Jacksonville, paying the $2.50 fare for the two hour, 10-minute trip one way at 15 mph.

But by 1843, the track and stock were in such dilapidated condition that trains were down to a mere 6 mph. A myriad of other problems continued to plague the Northern Cross. In 1839, a Galena paper reprinted a Jacksonville account that some villains lately undertook to blow up the bridge over the slough on the railroad near Meredosia. A keg of powder was placed under each end of the bridge and exploded at the same time. Though the damage did not exceed $200, (it) is more than the state can afford to lose at the present time.

In April 1842, it also was reported that four lengths of rail had been stripped from the ground near Morgan City in a possible sabotage effort. However, it was also noted that farmers had numerous uses for the rails and iron was both scarce and costly.

In another instance, a train encountered a head of cattle, including an angry bull that dropped his head, waved his tail and challenged the engine. After several attempts to run the bull off, the engineer choose to make a run at the animal, which succeeded despite substantial damage to the engine. Word of the health of the bull was unclear.

After several years of hanging on by a thread, the Northern Cross was leased to private ownership in 1843. Four years later, the state sold the line to private investors for $21,000  one-fortieth of the original cost. Historians point to the Northern Cross as a prime example of the catastrophic failure of the internal improvements system.

No other railroads would exist in Illinois until 1849, but by 1898 some 10,851 miles of track crisscrossed the state, carrying 87.7 million passengers and 75.5 million tons of freight.
ROCK ISLAND -- It's hard to miss Janet Moline's house -- just look for milkweed.

Mrs. Moline, of Rock Island, has been raising monarch butterflies seriously for about three or four years, and her yard is a dream for monarchs looking to lay their eggs. Milkweed grows in patches across the front lawn and fills a large portion of the backyard. Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed, so the butterflies must lay their eggs on those plants.

Bumblebees buzzed from flower to flower as Mrs. Moline wandered her backyard Thursday to spot-check the milkweed for little specks of white -- monarch eggs -- on the leaves. In her search, she found two newly hatched caterpillars, barely the length of a pencil eraser.

"We'll increase their chance of survival inside," Mrs. Moline said.

She normally tries to find the eggs before they hatch to avoid the risk of parasites or other dangers coming to the young caterpillars. Still, her finds were brought inside to join nearly 30 caterpillars in the safety of Mrs. Moline's home.

Inside, plastic containers house eggs and the tiniest caterpillars. The larger caterpillars, which are almost ready to form their chrysalises, reside in a lidded mesh laundry hamper.

"This is the best thing I ever got," Mrs. Moline said of the hamper. "Some people can make them out of netting wood and have them hanging, and that's super cool that people can do that. I prefer to buy, and so this is just a laundry carry bag from Ikea."

Mrs. Moline usually devotes about two hours a day to caring for the monarchs and milkweed plants.

"If I'm going out looking -- removing Japanese beetles and looking for eggs and stuff like that -- I could probably spend an hour doing that outside," she said. "I probably spend an hour (inside), too."

"There's a time commitment, but it's sure fun to release them," Mrs. Moline said.

Releasing the monarchs after they emerge from their chrysalises is one of the highlights of raising them, she said. Last year was a bad year for monarchs, and Mrs. Moline said she only released about 80, but she released about 400 the year before.

"I don't band them or anything," she said. "I just let them go."

So far this year, Mrs. Moline has raised about 50 monarchs. She released some of them and gave the others to the Quad City Botanical Center.

A few years ago, when her grandkids were visiting, Mrs. Moline recalled releasing monarchs with them from her screened porch.

"They were here Labor Day weekend, and this happened to be a day when there were 12 or 13 (monarchs) that came out of their chrysalises," Mrs. Moline said. "We said we're just going to release them, but the kids, they wanted to give them a name, so for every one we released it was like, 'Goodbye, Bob!'"

Though Mrs. Moline has only been raising monarchs seriously for three of four years, she has been searching for eggs much longer.

"I taught in the science department at Rock Island High School, and back in the day, that was one of the projects," she said. "My colleagues would collect the eggs and would give kids their own caterpillar, and the high school kids would raise the monarchs."

When she joined the department, her colleagues taught her how to find monarch eggs on milkweed plants along the sides of roads, Mrs. Moline said. That experience helped her get started raising them, and so did the appearance of milkweed in her yard.

"I don't know that I planted milkweed seed here," she said. "I just think I must have. I don't recall, but in any case, the milkweed just kept multiplying out there."

Generally, Mrs. Moline lets the milkweed grow wherever it ends up. Her husband, Norm Moline, mows around the individual stalks that make their way into the middle of the lawn. Any plants growing in a place she really doesn't want them, however, become first pick for caterpillar food.

"You grew where I didn't want you, and so that's good because now you're going to get cut off and be used as food," Mrs. Moline said.

She said she enjoys raising monarchs as a hobby, and it's also her way of making a difference.

"In life, you can't do stuff often about the big picture," Mrs. Moline said. "But you can do something about where you live, and that's where helping monarchs seems worthwhile, because it's something where you can make a difference."

She said when it comes to making a difference, people have different niches. For example, while she enjoys raising monarchs, another person may prefer making clothes for children in Africa.

"Find the good that you like and that you enjoy doing, and do what you can," Mrs. Moline said. "You know that silly phrase -- 'bloom where you're planted.' Do what you can do where you are."
CHICAGO -- The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has ruled in favor of the states Future Energy Jobs Act and zero-emissions credit program.

In February, competitors of Chicago-based Exelon Corp. filed a lawsuit opposing the act, which will keep the Quad Cities Generating Station near Cordova open for the next 10 years.

The legislation, approved in December, provides $235 million per year to Exelon to keep nuclear plants running in Cordova and Clinton, Ill. It also caps rate increases for Commonwealth Edison and Ameren customers at 25 cents per month for average residential customers over the 13-year life of the bill, with the commercial-use rate increase capped at 1.3 percent, based on 2015 billings.

The legislation protects about 900 jobs at the nuclear power plant near Cordova and $7.99 million in property tax revenue for Rock Island County.

On Friday, Judge Manish Shah dismissed complaints against the state in Electric Power Supply Association v. Star, rejecting claims that the Future Energy Jobs Act was unconstitutional and preempted under the Federal Power Act.

The District Courts decision today supports Illinoiss efforts to reduce climate pollution, expand clean energy, and create jobs," said Michael Panfil, Environmental Defense Fund senior attorney . "It will have profound benefits for the health, safety and prosperity of families in Illinois.

The lawsuit alleged the subsidies undermined wholesale power markets that are the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government. The Environmental Defense Fund -- together with Elevate Energy, Citizens Utility Board and the Respiratory Health Association -- filed a friend of the court brief in support of the state.
HONOLULU (AP)  A Hawaiian Airlines in-flight manager called his brother as smoke filled his 26th-floor apartment in Honolulu before he and his mother lost their lives in the blaze, the man's brother said.

Pearl City Community Church Pastor Phil Reller told The Honolulu Star-Advertiser that police confirmed that two of the three victims killed in the blaze Friday are his mother and brother.

Reller told the newspaper he received a call from his brother, Britt Reller, 54, saying he had been taking a shower when he smelled the smoke. He rushed out but was unable to get to their 85-year-old mother, Melba Jeannine Dilley. He had crawled under a bed and wasn't heard from again, his brother told the newspaper.

Britt Reller had worked as an in-flight manager for Hawaiian Airlines for two years. In an emailed statement to The Associated Press on Saturday, Robin Sparling, vice president of in-flight services at the airline, said Reller "was a talented manager and caring co-worker and we will miss him terribly. Our hearts are with Britt's brother, Phil, and his entire family."

The fire broke out in a unit on the 26th floor, where all three of the dead were found, Fire Chief Manuel Neves said.

The building known as the Marco Polo residences is not required to have fire sprinklers, which would have confined the blaze to the unit where it started, Neves said. The 36-floor building near the tourist mecca of Waikiki was built in 1971, before sprinklers were mandatory in high-rises. It has over 500 units.

Late into the night as embers smoldered, firefighters were searching the damaged areas to make sure no additional people perished. The names of the victims haven't been released.

Photos taken Saturday by a KITV (http://www.kitv.com ) reporter show the charred remains on the 26th floor. The images show a hallway leading to the unit where the deceased were found, KITV told The Associated Press. There are puddles of water on the floor, black and grey soot covering the walls and ceilings, and burnt debris scattered across the floor.

One photo shows the burnt entranceway to an apartment where a three-tiered table stands among the ashes and charred debris. Support beams can be seen sticking out through sunken, burnt-out walls in the entranceway. What appears to be a fire hose is shown on the floor in a large puddle of water. Another photo from a nearby apartment shows a sooty door with a large hole above the doorknob.

Karen Hastings was in her 31st floor Honolulu apartment when she smelled smoke. She ran out to her balcony, looked down, and saw flames five floors below her.

"The fire just blew up and went flying right out the windows," the 71-year-old Hastings said of the first moments of the high-rise blaze. "And that was like a horror movie. Except it wasn't a horror movie, it was for real."

Hastings said the fearsome flames drove her and a neighbor to run down 14 floors until they found a safe stairwell to get some air.

The building is vast and wave-shaped, and has several sections. The blaze was mostly confined to a single section, and only the units immediately above it and to the side of it were evacuated, while many residents stayed inside.

The blaze was still burning about four hours after it broke out as the sun set, but it was down to mostly embers by then, official said. A shelter was set up at a nearby school where about 50 residents had gathered late in the evening.

Most evacuations went calmly and smoothly, security guard Leonard Rosa said. The fire department said Saturday morning most residents will be allowed to return home, but the 26th-28th floors will remain closed because of extensive fire, water and smoke damage to about a dozen apartment units.

Cory La Roe, who is from Florida and stationed in Hawaii with the Air Force, works night shifts and was asleep when sirens woke him at about 2:15 p.m. "First thing, I was kind of disoriented and confused about what was going on, so I looked out my window and saw people running away from the building, looking back toward it."

La Roe said he didn't hear any verbal announcements, and there were no flashing fire alarm lights in the building. But "after I saw people running out and went out to the hallway, I knew it was a fire alarm," he said.

He didn't realize that the building didn't have a sprinkler system and was surprised that was the case.

"That's one thing that I wasn't aware of prior to moving in," La Roe said. "It was definitely shocking for me to know that there weren't any sprinklers installed in the building."

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said the city needs to look at passing a law requiring older buildings be retrofitted with sprinklers.

No one from the building said they remembered recent fire drills, but Anna Viggiano, who lives on the 6th floor, said there were some after a 2013 fire that broke out two floors above her. She said since then she doesn't hesitate to evacuate when she hears the alarm.

"It was scary," she said. "It was terrifying."
Summertime is vacation time. Those including northwestern Montana on their itineraries would do well to stop at the Jesuit mission at St. Ignatius, located at 300 Bear Track Avenue in the town of St. Ignatius 40 miles north of Missoula.

The Jesuit story began, not in Montana, not in North America, not in Rome, but rather in 17th century Spain. The Society of Jesus, as the religious order is officially known, was founded by Ignatius of Loyola, a Spanish nobleman who was recovering from wounds suffered in battle. The opening line of the founding document states that the society is for whoever desires to serve as a soldier of God. Pope Paul III approved Ignatiuss plan of organization in 1540, making it an official part of the Roman Catholic Church. Prominent Jesuits today include Pope Francis, the first Jesuit to serve as pope.

From the outset, Jesuits have placed strong emphasis on education and missionary work. Today, there are 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, among them Boston College, Fordham University, Georgetown University, Loyola University Chicago, Marquette University, and many other highly respected colleges and universities.

In the years following the founding of the order, Jesuit missionaries traveled throughout the world, including to North America, which brings us to the Jesuit link with Montana. In the early 19th century, members of the tribes that were part of the Iroquois federation of upstate New York and Canada were among the fur trappers who traveled to the Rocky Mountains to trap beaver. Many had converted to Christianity as the result of Jesuit missionary activity in their tribal areas.

The Iroquois trappers who had converted told the Salish and other tribes indigenous to the area about their newfound faith. Among them was Ignace, who told the Salish they must seek the black robes (as he called the Jesuits) themselves.

In 1831, two Salish and two Nez Perce journeyed to St. Louis in search of black robes. They met with Capt. William Clark (of the Lewis and Clark expedition), but he was unable to help them.

After another futile attempt failed, Ignace, three Salish and one Nez Perce set off for St. Louis in 1839 hoping for greater success. But before they could reach St. Louis, they were surrounded by a group of Sioux warriors, who killed them.

Finally, in 1839, a delegation reached the St. Joseph Mission at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where they met with Fr. Pierre-Jean De Smet, a Belgian-born Jesuit they implored to return with them. He promised to do so the following year. He made good on his promise.

In May 1840, a group of Salish met up with him at the last American Fur Company rendezvous in what is now Wyoming. They took him to a location in what is now Montana, where 1,500 Salish and Nez Perce had gathered to meet him. There he talked about Christianity and, according to some reports, baptized 600 Salish and Nez Perce.

Fr. De Smet spent much of his time establishing new missions and raising money to support them. In 1845, he and Fr. Adrian Hoecken established the first St. Ignatius mission near the present-day Washington-Idaho border. For various reasons, this site proved not to be favorable, and at the suggestion of tribal members, the mission was moved nine years later to its current location in the Mission Valley. The log cabin in which members of the Jesuit community lived still exists and now serves as a museum.

Largely as a result of the efforts of Fr. DeSmet, the mission grew to include a flour mill and a saw mill, in addition to the chapel, a carpenter shop and a blacksmith shop. As many as 1,000 Native Americans from various tribes lived in the vicinity of the mission.

Construction of the current church began in 1891, using bricks made of local clay and lumber sawed in the mission saw mill from trees cut in the foothills. The project took two years to complete.

The interior of the church contains 58 murals painted in the early 20th century by Brother Joseph Carignano, who worked as a cook and handyman at the mission but had no formal training in art.

Most tourists today drive by St. Ignatius without stopping. They are making a huge mistake.
By PTI: Houston, Jul 16 (PTI) Scientists, using a combination of fossils and chemical markers, have found that a period of low ocean-oxygen globally caused the Early Jurassic marine ecosystem to collapse, shrinking diversity to just a few species.

The study, led by Rowan Martindale from the University of Texas at Austin in the US, zeroes in on a recently discovered fossil site in Canada located at Ya Ha Tinda Ranch near Banff National Park in southwest Alberta.

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The site records fossils of organisms that lived about 183 million years ago during the Early Jurassic in a shallow sea that once covered the region.

The fossil site broadens the scientific record of the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event, a period of low oxygen in shallow ocean waters which is hypothesised to be triggered by massive volcanic eruptions.

The Oceanic Anoxic Event was identified at this site by the geochemical record preserved in the rocks.

The oxygen level of the surrounding environment during the Early Jurassic influences the type and amount of carbon preserved in rocks, making the geochemical record an important method for tracking an anoxic event.

"We have this beautiful geochemical record that gives us a backbone for the timing of the Oceanic Anoxic Event," said Martindale.

With that framework the researchers looked at the benthic community, the organisms that are living on the bottom of the ocean, and found how did this community respond to the anoxic event.

The fossils show that before the anoxic event, the Ya Ha Tinda marine community was diverse, and included fish, ichthyosaurs (extinct marine reptiles that looked like dolphins), sea lilies, lobsters, clams and oysters, ammonites, and coleoids (squid-like octopods).

During the anoxic event the community collapsed, restructured, and the organisms living in it shrunk.

The clams that were most abundant in the community before the anoxic event were completely wiped out and replaced by different species.

The clams that survived during and after the event were much smaller than the clams from before the event, suggesting that low oxygen levels limited their growth.

The sea life recorded at Ya Ha Tinda before and during the anoxic event is similar to fossils found at European sites.

The fossils suggest that the environment was undergoing local stresses that kept oxygen low, Martindale said.

More research is needed to untangle why life at Ya Ha Tinda did not recover at the same rate as other places.

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Since the oceanic anoxic event was a side-effect of climate change, looking back at ancient marine communities could be a window into the potential impacts of ongoing and future climate change, researchers said.

The research was published in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoeconology. PTI MHN MHN

--- ENDS ---
The more you age, the less company you have.

By this, I dont mean that you necessarily lack for companionship, but rather that the people you grew up with, those with whom you have established long-standing bonds of friendship or familiarity, vanish, one by one.

Their numbers dwindle even as you are diminished by the creaks and complaints of a body overused, and stores of energy which seem to be slowly and steadily depleting.

I had time to think such thoughts this week while attending a wake for Charles O. Austin, the third of that name; one familiar to anyone who has lived in this community during the past several decades.

I have witnessed the loss of many such community icons and not a few close friends, but I seldom use this space to write about them. If I did, this column would become a weekly recital of loss; a rather pale shadow of the famous last page of The Economist.

Yet, each deserves to be remembered; and celebrated. One of the fundamental discoveries you make in journalism is that every person has a story. In decades of conversing with people (I never interview) I have yet to find any without some experience, interest, or turn of mind that isnt unique.

True, the American population clock stands at over 325 million, so there have to be lives that follow the same trajectory. But, I have never found that to be true in the thousands I have encountered in my lifetime. And people change in surprising ways as they grow.

At the wake, Ann Austin told me Chucks interests were continuing to expand since his retirement. After a career as math teacher and his lifetime preoccupation with sports, he had been delving into many community activities, among which were two which gave me closer contact with him: WVIK and the Genesius Guild.

Reading his obit gives you a broader look at how his life had been spent in service to others in so many different ways. His was one of the ordinary" extraordinary lives that flourish all about us, but which we seldom comprehend until they are summed up for us in obituaries. And even then, we get just the highlights, not the intimate, sometimes quirky things that make each person truly special.

The Wednesday wake gave me a chance to speak briefly to Ann and her children. I was at the tag end of a daylong crowd which kept them on their feet for well over five hours. Friends and admirers of all walks and persuasions exchanged hugs and condolences, as I sat and stood, awaiting my turn.

As the line moved almost imperceptibly, I thought of other wakes and funerals I had attended; some, like this one, crowded with well-wishers and others that brought together just a few sympathetic friends. I also recalled those I had missed through ignorance (always read the obituaries), illness, or being out of town.

And I wondered, not for the first time, why we dont pay attention to each other before the end. When we do deal with people, its often by assumed category. Those are real people we pass by at the grocery store; they deserve notice.

Of course, if we started accosting everyone we met, wed soon have a conversation with a concerned policeman. Besides which, wed never get the shopping done. Then, too, there is the matter of everyones right to privacy, something I guard a bit too jealously, both for myself and others.

Still, I envy and marvel at outgoing friends and relatives (mostly women) who speak easily and directly to folks they encounter. They seem to create an atmosphere of ease wherever they go. How much better to recognize another life now than in retrospect.

There was no one else quite like Chuck Austin and we will miss him. But I could say that of many people who have left us and many more who are still with us. In these divisive times, its good to remember that the differences and distinctions which are said to divide us are the very qualities which make us uniquely human, and worth attention, love, and celebration.
Id like to address the elephant in the room. That elephant being the Republican Party and their refusal to represent the majority of their constituents. Lets begin with stricter gun control (something that would help lessen the fears parents have when sending their children off to school), 53% of Americans favor this (Pew Research) yet the elephant in the room refuses to consider any such thing. Over 70% of Americans want stricter background checks yet again; the elephant in the room refuses to represent them. 61% of Americans say abortion should be legal. Again, the elephant in the room pushes laws that do the opposite. 74% of Americans do not want social security reduced in any way. But the elephant in the room pushes to do just the opposite, cut social security. 63% of Americans now prefer Medicare for all, but the elephant in the room fights it with all its might. 67% of Americans feel more needs to be done to reduce climate change, but not the elephant in the room. The elephant sides with the fossil fuel industry claiming its not a big concern. Given these few statistics (there are more like them) its obvious that the Republican Party is the party of minority rule, quite the opposite of what our founding fathers envisioned. The Republican Party has become a power cult, not a party that represents the majority of Americans. Remember this while you mark your ballot in this midterm election. Save Democracy! Vote Democratic!
WASHINGTON (AP)  A prominent Russian-American lobbyist and former Soviet military officer said he was at a meeting between a Russian lawyer and President Donald Trump's son, son-in-law and campaign chairman last year, adding a new wrinkle to the Trump team's evolving explanations about the June 2016 session.

Rinat Akhmetshin confirmed his involvement to The Associated Press in a Friday interview. He had not been previously identified as a participant in the meeting at Trump Tower in New York, which was billed as part of a Russian government effort to help the Republican's White House campaign.

The meeting has heightened questions about whether Trump's associates coordinated with Russia to meddle in the presidential election  to help him and thwart Hillary Clinton  and whether they've been forthcoming about their foreign contacts. Federal and congressional investigators are probing possible connections between the campaign and Moscow.

While Trump Jr. has confirmed that Russian attorney Natalia Veselnitskaya was in the meeting, he has not disclosed Akhmetshin's presence.

Akhmetshin has been reported to have ties to Russian intelligence, a characterization he dismisses as a "smear campaign." He's a well-known Washington presence, lobbying for Russian interests trying to undermine the allegations of a lawyer who died in a Russian prison and is the namesake of a U.S. sanctions law.

Akhmetshin told the AP he served in the Soviet military in a unit that was part of counterintelligence but he was never formally trained as a spy.

In emails posted by Donald Trump Jr. earlier this week, a music publicist said he arranged the meeting because a Russian lawyer wanted to pass on negative information about Democrat Clinton. The go-between stated that the discussion was part of a Russian government effort to help the GOP candidate.

The president's son has publicly discounted the meeting, saying he did not receive the information he was promised.

In a statement Sunday, Trump Jr. said the attorney had said she had information that people tied to Russia were funding the Democratic National Committee and supporting Clinton, a description that Akhmetshin backed up in his interview with the AP.

In his first public interview about the meeting, Akhmetshin said he accompanied Veselnitskaya to Trump Tower where they met an interpreter. He said he had learned about the meeting only that day when Veselnitskaya asked him to attend. He said he showed up in jeans and a T-shirt.

Veselnitskaya brought with her a plastic folder with printed-out documents that detailed what she believed was the flow of illicit funds to the Democrats, Akhmetshin said. Veselnitskaya presented the contents of the documents to the Trump associates and suggested that making the information public could help the campaign, he said.

"This could be a good issue to expose how the DNC is accepting bad money," Akhmetshin recalled her saying.

Trump Jr. asked the attorney if she had sufficient evidence to back up her claims, including whether she could demonstrate the flow of the money. But Veselnitskaya said the Trump campaign would need to research it more. After that, Trump Jr. lost interest, according to Akhmetshin.

"They couldn't wait for the meeting to end," he said.

Akhmetshin said he does not know if Veselnitskaya's documents were provided by the Russian government. He said he thinks she left the materials with the Trump associates. It was unclear if she handed the documents to anyone in the room or simply left them behind, he said.

Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and current White House senior adviser, and then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort also attended the meeting. Akhmetshin said he recognized Kushner and Trump Jr. He also said he recognized Manafort because they worked in "adjacent political circles" but never together.

He said there were others in the room but he didn't know them. Publicist Rob Goldstone, who brokered the meeting via email with Trump Jr., has told the AP that he was there.

Asked about Akhmetshin's participation, Manafort spokesman Jason Maloni declined comment. Trump Jr.'s attorney did not respond to inquiries, nor did a spokesman for Kushner. Veselnitskaya has denied having any ties to the Russian government. When reached by the AP this week, she declined comment. She did not respond to additional attempts to contact her Friday.

The confirmation of Akhmetshin's participation in the meeting drew swift reaction from the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, Rep. Adam Schiff of California, who said he wanted Akhmetshin to appear before the committee and provide "any relevant documents and information."

Schiff said whether Akhmetshin is connected to Russian intelligence or not "it is clear the Kremlin got the message that Donald Trump welcomed the help of the Russian government in providing dirt on Hillary Clinton." Schiff said Trump Jr.'s omission of Akhmetshin's role in his public account of the meeting and the president's son's shifting explanations "paint a portrait of consistent dissembling and deceit."

Kushner disclosed the meeting on his security clearance paperwork, but Schiff said the Akhmetshin revelation raises questions about how much Kushner disclosed about it. He said he believes Kushner's clearance should be reviewed, and "if he was not perfectly candid," the clearance should be revoked.

Akhmetshin, who spoke to the AP while on vacation in France where he said he has been surfing, said the meeting was "not substantive" and he "actually expected more serious" discussion.

"I never thought this would be such a big deal, to be honest," he said.

The Russian government has denied any involvement or knowledge of the June 2016 meeting. Asked Friday about Akhmetshin, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters: "We don't know anything about this person."

Akhmetshin has been identified in media reports as a former officer in Russia's military intelligence service known as the GRU. He has denied that, saying he served in the Soviet Army from 1986 to 1988 after he was drafted but was not trained in spy tradecraft. He said his unit operated in the Baltics and was "loosely part of counterintelligence."

Akhmetshin said he has not been contacted by the U.S. special counsel's office or the FBI about the meeting with Trump Jr. He said he's willing to talk with the Senate Judiciary Committee, whose chairman has pressed the Justice Department about why Akhmetshin has not registered as a foreign agent.

The chairman, Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa, said in a March letter that Akhmetshin has "reportedly admitted to being a 'Soviet counterintelligence officer' and has a long history of lobbying the U.S. government for pro-Russia matters."

Akhmetshin said that the Justice Department's Foreign Agents Registration Act unit sent him a letter in April and told him, "it has come to our attention you should have filed for FARA." He said he didn't believe he needed to file. He has previously registered with Congress for the lobbying work, and he plans to raise this issue before Grassley's committee.

"I think I have a legal right to tell my story," he said.

Separately on Friday, the data and digital director for Trump's presidential campaign said he will speak with the House Intelligence committee later this month as part of its own Russia probe.

Brad Parscale said in a statement that he is "unaware of any Russian involvement" in the data and digital operations but will voluntarily appear before the panel.
Sweeping management changes continue at WSP USA, the Montreal-based company that acquired Parsons Brinckerhoff and in May dropped the iconic PB name. Three key positions have been filled in the firms Northwest Pacific, West and Northern California areas.

Mel Sears has been named Northwest Pacific district manager and Seattle office area manager. Sears is responsible for oversight of WSPs operations in Washington, Oregon, Hawaii and the South Pacific.

A senior vice president, Sears most recently served as business development director for the firms West region. He worked with 10 offices in the West to enhance relationships with key clients, expand business development opportunities, and invigorate marketing and pursuit efforts.

Sears has more than 30 years leading architecture and engineering organizations, managing major infrastructure projects, shaping transportation funding initiatives, and serving in leadership roles in numerous professional and business organizations. He joined Parsons Brinckerhoff in 2010 from a Northwest-based consulting engineering and environmental sciences firm where he served as principal. He also worked for Tri-Met of Portland, Ore., managing light rail transit projects as part of the West Side-Hillsboro light rail extension.

Sears is a registered professional engineer in several states, and a certified Project Management Professional. He is a past president of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Oregon, past president of the Oregon Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and serves on the boards of numerous professional and business organizations.

Luis Porrello has been named senior vice president and business development director for WSPs West region. He will be responsible for identifying growth opportunities in new and existing markets and clients in the region.

Porrello has more than 20 years of experience of civil engineering and transportation infrastructure development. Through his project assignments he has provided technical direction to some of the nations largest transportation infrastructure programs. Through his management experience he has provided leadership to business development and operational effectiveness associated with local, regional, and national geographies for premier transportation design firms.

Prior to joining WSP, Porrello was senior vice president and national transportation director for global consulting engineering organization CDM Smith, responsible for development and delivery of transportation projects across North America.

A licensed professional engineer in Maryland and Missouri, Porrello received doctor of science and master of science degrees in transportation and urban systems engineering and a master of science in international project finance from Washington University, as well as a bachelor of science in civil engineering from West Virginia Institute of Technology.

John Fisher has been named Northern California district manager at WSP. He is responsible for oversight of the firms operations in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento. He will continue to serve as San Francisco area manager as well, directly managing the operations of WSPs transportation and infrastructure office in San Francisco.

Fisher has 20 years of public policy, legislative, project management and community and inter-governmental relations experience on the local, state and federal levels. Since joining Parsons Brinckerhoff in 2008, he has led efforts within the firm to develop managed lanes and alternative procurement practices in the Bay Area and California, working to analyze alternative procurement opportunities under state legislation SB 4, including public-private partnerships (P3), design-build and design-build-operate maintain methods of delivery on projects in the Bay Area, including the Presidio Parkway, which he continues to serve as WSPs project manager.

Prior to joining PB, Fisher spent more than four years as manager of government and community relations for the Bay Area Rapid Transit District. He previously served in Washington, D.C. for four years as legislative director to a U.S. congresswoman from the Bay Area, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Fisher received a B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin and is a graduate of the Eno Center for Transit Leadership Executive Development Program. He serves on the board of directors of the International Partnering Institute and is a member of the San Francisco chapter of the Womens Transportation Seminar.
There was nothing normal about the July 7 meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin during the G20 summit in Hamburg. The mere scheduling of this friendly chat handed Putin a PR victory, which the Kremlin-controlled media exploited gleefully. Not only was the Russian dictator not isolated or under pressure for invading Ukraine, enabling Bashar al-Assad's genocide in Syria, and interfering in the U.S. presidential election, but the American president announced that it was an honor to meet with him.Putin hardly needs encouragement to pursue further hostile acts. As fashionable as it may be to blame everything to do with Russia on Trump, the above-listed crimes all took place during the presidency of Barack Obama. Putin likely would not recognize deterrence if he saw it. Yet replacing Obama's worthless red lines with Trump's red carpet only fuels the Russian threat to the world order.
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Chief minister's orders came after 20 hours when Sultan Masih was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants at Salem Tabri locality of Ludhiana.

By Manjeet Sehgal: Having failed to trace Ludhiana pastor Sultan Masih's killers, the Punjab Police on Sunday got 'crackdown' orders from the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

Chief minister's orders came after 20 hours when Sultan Masih was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants at Salem Tabri locality of Ludhiana. The police is clueless about the armed killers who were wearing masks when they shot the pastor from a close range. The incident took place outside a church when the pastor was talking to someone on his mobile phone.

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"Taking a serious view of the killing, Captain Amarinder Singh has directed the DGP Suresh Arora to order a police crackdown on elements trying to whip up communal passions in the state by indulging in such attacks and to remain on high alert against such forces," a Punjab government spokesperson said on Sunday.

The chief minister has also directed DGP to ensure that the various departments of the police and intelligence in the state liaison and coordinate with one another to gather advance intelligence to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, the spokesperson said.

Given the sensitivity of the condemnable incident in which pastor Sultan Masih was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants, the Chief Minister has asked the police department to keep close tabs on the situation to prevent any negative fallout. He has also directed the DGP to ask the field officers to coordinate with the local Christian leaders for support in defusing the situation resulting from the killing.

Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered the DGP to take all possible steps to ensure that necessary preventive and precautionary steps are taken to maintain law and order, as well as peace and harmony in the state. Attempts to vitiate the state's environment would not be tolerated at any cost, Captain Amarinder said, warning of strict action against any police officer found guilty of dereliction of duty in this regard.

Captain Amarinder Singh has already taken up with the Prime Minister the matter of expediting CBI probe into cases of other targeted killings, including of RSS, Hindu and Shiv Sena leaders, that had been taking place in Punjab since January 2016. During his meeting with the prime minister in Delhi on July 11, Captain Amarinder noted that despite their best efforts, the central and state police and intelligence agencies had failed to make a breakthrough.

Captain had requested the Prime Minister that central intelligence and investigation agencies be instructed to augment their efforts to trace these cases.

ALSO READ:

Punjab Police bust inter-state terror module

--- ENDS ---
The 14-year-old's mother says she received a ransom call for Rs 10,000 and was also made to hear her son, Yogesh's frightened wails on phone.

By Priyanka Sharma: A mysterious case of the murder of a 14-year-old boy has surfaced in the national Capital, with his mother alleging that he was held hostage and lynched by some Muslim friends.

The victim, identified as Yogesh Kumar, was found dead under mysterious circumstances near New Delhi Railway Station last month. Multiple injury marks were found all over his face and the body indicated that he was battered to death, doctors said. However, police remain tight-lipped over the cause of death considering it a communally sensitive matter.

Yogesh (14) was found in a pool of blood near the New Delhi Railway Station with blunt injuries on his face, back and neck.

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Yogesh's body was brought to the Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) by police for the postmortem examination on June 23. Doctors who conducted autopsy said the injuries on his body were clear signs of his being attacked with a sharp object. Victim's mother, Seema alleged it was case of lynching by his Muslim friends, who had demanded money from her while keeping Yogesh hostage. She even claimed that they made her hear Yogesh's voice for once who was trembling with fear.

HIS MUSLIMS FRIENDS LYNCHED HIM

Recalling the horrifying incident to Mail Today, she said, "On June 23, Yogesh left home after he got a call from his friend Arif. He, along with other friends, including a girl Fatima, first kidnapped my son, later demanding Rs 10,000 from me. I was told that if money was not given on time, they will kill my son." "The very next morning, I was told that my son was killed and thrown somewhere along the railway track near New Delhi station," Seema said. Yogesh's family lives in Shahadra's Meet Nagar. Despite being very young, he had been working to fetch money for his mother's treatment.

His mother works as a domestic help. Doctors, on the condition of anonymity told Mail Today, "The body was hit brutally and had severe injuries on face, skull and back. It seemed that deceased was beaten up repeatedly with some objects like stone or a bottle. We could smell a case of lynching." An FIR was lodged in the case the next day which stated that the body was lying in a pool of blood. Broken pieces of glass bottles, a stone and few bricks were also reportedly found with traces of blood on it.

Also read: Ayub Pandith lynching: Jammu and Kashmir cop was stripped, dragged and beaten with rod

Also read: Jharkhand: Man accused of raping, killing 8-year-old lynched by mob

Also read: Jharkhand: Third lynching in fortnight, mob kills man for murdering wife

Also watch: Are we vigilant enough to save tenets of country? Asks President Mukherjee over lynching fever

--- ENDS ---
In response to the increasing awareness of local homelessness, Athens-Clarke County employees will be collecting toiletries to make personal care kits for those in need. This idea, referred to as Project TAKEcare, has been taking place since July 7 and will continue through August 7.
Waldo has been hiding from readers around the world for 32 years in the famous Wheres Waldo? childrens book series, but this is only his eighth year coming to Athens. Avid Bookshop, a locally-owned indie bookstore, has been hosting Waldos annual July visit since 2012 when Candlewick Press, Waldos publisher, started the Find Waldo Local campaign, according to Avids operations director Rachel Watkins.
Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is analysing the evidence against Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, sentenced to death by a military court, and will decide his appeal on merit, the army said on Sunday.

Jadhav, 46, filed a mercy petition before Gen Bajwa last month, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations statement issued on June 22. The statement said that the former Indian Navy officer had filed the petition after the Military Appellate Court rejected his appeal.

Pakistan army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor on Sunday told reporters that Gen Bajwa was analysing the evidence against Jadhav. The army chief will decide Jadhavs appeal on merit.

Jadhav is eligible to appeal for clemency to the army chief under Pakistans law, and if his plea is rejected, he can subsequently appeal the Pakistan president for the same.

He was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in

The Hague in May halted his execution on Indias appeal.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav in violation of the Vienna Convention. It has also sat on a request for a visa to Jadhavs mother, Avantika Jadhav, so that she can travel to Pakistan and meet her son. On July 13, the foreign office said Pakistan was considering the request for visa.

Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.

At the briefing on Sunday, the army spokesman also accused India of ceasefire violations and targeting civilians along the Line of Control. There were 580 ceasefire violation on the LoC so far in 2017, which is the highest number of violations in recent years, he said, suggested that India was compelled by the domestic pressure to do so.

Asked about the role of the military in the joint investigation team report against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and government allegations of a conspiracy, the spokesman said that the army was only focused on the security of the country.

JIT was formed by the Supreme Court which did its job honestly. Its report will be examined by the court. Army has no role in the process, he said.

Maj Gen Ghafoor said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was a project of national development and the army would provide complete security to it and will not let it fail.

On a bill passed by the US House of Representatives toughening up conditions for aid to Pakistan, the spokesman conceded the conditions were coercive but it should not be interpreted as sanctions.

The spokesman also talked about the armys operation against militants in Khyber tribal district near Afghanistan.

It would help us to secure the border with Afghanistan which is used by militants to sneak into Pakistan.

The northwestern tribal region has witnessed increasing terrorist attacks of late, some claimed by the Islamic State. Maj Gen Ghafoor rejected any organised presence of the terrorist group in Pakistan. He, however expressed fears that the group was getting stronger in Afghanistan.

He said Afghanistan should look at the security situation with its own lens and not through the lens of any other country.
Seeking to blunt the Opposition attack over cow vigilantism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sought to put the onus for checking such hooliganism on state governments, insisting that they take stringent action against them.

The prime minister also sought the support of opposition parties in tackling communal violence in the name of cow protection, and deprecated attempts at giving political or communal colour to the issue.

All political parties should collectively denounce hooliganism in the name of cow protection. The state governments should take stringent action against such anti-social elements, Modi said in a series of tweets.

Earlier in the day, he told an all-party meeting on the eve of the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Monday that maintaining law and order was the responsibility of state governments, which should take strict action against perpetrators of such incidents.

Cow is treated as a mother and it is an emotive issue. But we have to understand that there are laws governing cow protection and breaking it is not an alternative, Modi tweeted after the meeting.

He said some anti-social elements were using cow protection as a tool to spread anarchy. Some people who want to damage the social fabric of the country are also taking advantage of it.

Modi said such incidents sullied the image of the country.

State governments must ensure the maintenance of law and order and strict action must be taken against those who break the law, an official statement quoted Modi having told the meeting.

The statements assume significance in context of the recent incidents of violence in different parts of the country in the name of cow protection.

Opposition parties have attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party over the cases of cow vigilantism in which Muslims and Dalits have often been targeted. These parties have also planned to raise the issue during the Parliament session starting Monday.

The prime minister also urged all parties to extend their support to the government in fighting corruption.

Apparently hinting at Trinamool Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal on the issue of corruption, the prime minister said the political class should join hands against those who seek an escape route by dubbing action against them in graft cases as a political conspiracy.

When law takes its course against those who loot the nation, we have to unite against those who seek an escape route by dubbing such an action as a political conspiracy,the prime minister tweeted.

In his speech, Modi also referred to the presidential poll to be held on Monday and said it would have been better had there been a consensus on the candidate.

He, however, said high level of dignity has been maintained by both sides during the campaign and there was no ill will and foul language was not used. He also called upon all political parties to ensure that everyone votes and no vote is wasted.

While the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has named Ram Nath Kovind its candidate, the Congress-led group of opposition parties has fielded former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar. Kovind has a big numerical advantage over his rival.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters after the meeting that Modi also noted that 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement falls on August 9 and all parties should celebrate it.

He also thanked everyone for the implementation of the GST, calling it a shining example of co-operative federalism.

On the issue of Kashmir and tensions with China, Kumar said the government had a meeting with opposition leaders who said they were with the government on matters of national security.

To preserve institutions of democracy, Modi said, it was important that all political parties support the government in conducting the business in Parliament without disruption so constructive discussion can take place on issues of national importance.

The prime minister in one voice with the leaders of all parties also asserted that all political parties stand united to ensure the nations safety and security, after such concerns were raised by many leaders on recent developments, he said.

There was a consensus on ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament and that deadlocks should be resolved through constructive discussion, he said.

Among opposition leaders who attended the meeting were Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party, Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference and D Raja of the CPI.

However, no one from the Janata Dal-United or the Trinamool Congress was present. TMC had announced it would boycott the meeting amid recriminations between it and the BJP over the recent violence in West Bengal.

Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with NCP chief Sharad Pawar, President of National Conference Farooq Abdullah and CPI's D Raja after an all-party meeting ahead of monsoon session of Parliament. Phptograph: Subhav Shukla/PTI Photo
The toilets on the third floor of Congress headquarters in Bhopal are the reason why there has been no Congress government in MP in the last 14 years.

By India Today Web Desk: The mystery behind Congress not winning the state elections in Madhya Pradesh is finally out. No no, it is not because Congress leaders in MP have not been able to live upto the public's expectations - that probably doesn't even exist in India anymore as far as we are concerned.

The 'real' reason why Congress has not been able to secure a majority in Madhya Pradesh in the past 14 years is because all the toilets on the third floor of the party headquarters in Bhopal are facing the wrong direction.

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Yes, you heard it right. A vastu expert has informed the Congress authorities in MP that the toilets on the third floor of the Congress headquarters in Bhopal should not be facing east.

KK Mishra, spokesperson of Congress' MP unit has told the news channel NDTV in an interview that the party seeks "divine intervention" to win the 2018 state elections. BJP has surprisingly come to Congress' defense saying that these are not "superstitions but deep-rooted Vedic sciences".

Dr. Hitesh Bajpai, BJP's spokesperson told the NDTV that vastu will not help the Congress in Madhya Pradesh as they need to come clean first.

--- ENDS ---
What does the word missionary bring to mind? Perhaps the naive, culturally insensitive young evangelists from "The Book of Mormon"? Or the severe, paternalistic ministers with tales of converting heathens in Java? Well, modern missionaries are nothing like that. In fact, in many Christian traditions, theyre not even called missionaries anymore.

The denomination to which I belong, the Presbyterian Church (USA), has mission co-workers who carry out Gods call for faithful and effective mission. The title reflects a significant difference in how we perceive world mission. Presbyterians believe we are called to mission through the discipline of partnership. World mission addresses the root causes of some of the most pervasive problems in the world  poverty alleviation and reconciliation in cultures of violence  by working alongside people in their own communities. It also feeds spiritual, as well as physical hunger in the sharing of Gods love.

This month, we have a unique opportunity to meet two mission co-workers who are visiting central New York to give a firsthand account of their work in Zambia. Charles and Melissa Johnson are Presbyterian elders from San Antonio, Texas. They are serving in Zambia at the invitation of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian's Zambia Synod.

Charles and Melissas devotion to world mission was shaped from their personal experiences, struggles and joys. Most significant was the life and death of their son Holden, who had a severe disability. Following Holdens death, they were compelled to answer a call to serve God by helping others, having felt Gods presence through the most difficult of times, largely through the hearts and hands of others. They began their mission work with several short-term trips to Vietnam, Peru and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, after which they felt drawn to full-time mission service in Africa.

Their professional background includes Charles work for 21 years as the president of an agribusiness in Texas and Melissas work as an advocate for children with special needs in the health care and educational arenas. They bring this experience to their work in Zambia, where Charles is focused on two agricultural-related activities. The first consists of efforts to develop an agricultural income-generating activity (farming for profit). Funds generated are used to reinvest in the AIGA, to help sustain Chasefu Theological College and to support the work of Chasefu Model Farm. Charles other focus is teaching courses in sustainable agriculture at Chasefu Theological College, providing education to help the students feed their own families, and training the future pastors to teach others new agricultural techniques. In addition, Charles is working to develop Chasefu Model Farm, a training center for smallholder farmers, using appropriate technology in a Zambian context.

Melissa is working with the CCAP Zambia Health Department coordinator and other church leaders, local stakeholders, the Ministry of Health and the community to identify important needs and gaps in general health education. Along with the health department coordinator, Melissa works to develop and implement health education programs to improve maternal and child health, to address hygiene issues of girls and women and to raise awareness about nutritional needs of children and adults.

Zambia has a population of 15 million people, which includes some 70 ethnic groups. An estimated 50 to 75 percent of the population identify themselves as Christian. Most other Zambians are either Muslim or Hindu. Presbyterianism was introduced into Zambia by Scottish missionaries in the 1860s. The Church of Central Africa Presbyterians Zambia Synod is growing rapidly and is committed to a holistic approach to outreach. The synod serves a population struggling with massive poverty and the rapid spread of infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS.

Charles and Melissa are back in the United States for a few months, travelling throughout the country and visiting churches. They are in central New York in July, and have been invited to share their stories in Auburn next Saturday, July 22, beginning with a potluck picnic at 5 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 112 South St., Auburn. A talk and presentation, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will follow the picnic. Westminster and First Presbyterian churches are co-sponsoring the event, and welcome everyone who would like to meet Charles and Melissa and hear about their work.
By AP: Maryam Mirzakhani, a Stanford University professor who was the first and only woman to win the prestigious Fields Medal in mathematics, has died. She was 40.

Mirzakhani, who battled breast cancer, died on Saturday, the university announced. It did not indicate where she died.

In 2014 Mirzakhani was one of four winners of the Fields Medal, which is presented every four years and is considered the mathematics equivalent of the Nobel Prize. She was named for her work on complex geometry and dynamic systems.

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"Mirzakhani specialized in theoretical mathematics that read like a foreign language by those outside of mathematics: moduli spaces, Teichmuller theory, hyperbolic geometry, Ergodic theory and symplectic geometry," according to the Stanford press announcement. "Mastering these approaches allowed Mirzakhani to pursue her fascination for describing the geometric and dynamic complexities of curved surfaces_spheres, doughnut shapes and even amoebas - in as great detail as possible."

The work had implications in fields ranging from cryptography to "the theoretical physics of how the universe came to exist," the university said.

Mirzakhani was born in Tehran, Iran, and studied there and at Harvard University. She joined Stanford as a mathematics professor in 2008.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani issued a statement Saturday praising Mirzakhani. "The grievous passing of Maryam Mirzakhani, the eminent Iranian and world-renowned mathematician, is very much heartrending," Rouhani said in a message that was reported by the Tehran Times.

Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said her death pained all Iranians, the Tehran Times reported.

"The news of young Iranian genius and math professor Maryam Mirzakhani's passing has brought a deep pang of sorrow to me and all Iranians who are proud of their eminent and distinguished scientists," Zarif posted in Farsi on his Instagram account. "I do offer my heartfelt condolences upon the passing of this lady scientist to all Iranians worldwide, her grieving family and the scientific community."

Mirzakhani originally dreamed of becoming a writer but then shifted to mathematics.

When she was working, Mirzakhani would doodle on sheets of paper and scribble formulas on the edges of her drawings, leading her daughter to describe the work as painting, according to the Stanford statement.

Mirzakhani once described her work as "like being lost in a jungle and trying to use all the knowledge that you can gather to come up with some new tricks, and with some luck you might find a way out."

Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne called Mirzakhani a brilliant theorist who made enduring contributions and inspired thousands of women to pursue math and science.

Mirzakhani is survived by her husband, Jan Vondrak, and daughter, Anahita.

--- ENDS ---

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Body cameras for the Mooresville Police Department have arrived. Find out when they will be used.
Police have said that the man who was thrashed by cow vigilantes in Nagpur on July 12 was carrying beef when he was attacked.

By India Today Web Desk: Four days after a man was thrashed by alleged cow vigilantes in Maharashtra's Nagpur district, the police have said that the meat seized from him was beef.

The victim of the cow vigilantism is a BJP member, identified as Salim Shaha, who was brutally beaten up by a group of alleged cow vigilantes.

The police said the meat had been sent to a forensic laboratory to be tested. The lab report identified it as beef, Superintendent of Police (Nagpur rural) Shailesh Balkawde told PTI.

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The police said it would initiate action against 34- year-old Salim Shaha, a member of the BJPs Katol unit, in accordance with the law.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Shaha, a resident of Katol town, was returning home on his motorcycle when a group of five or six men accosted him at a bus stop in the Bharsingi village on July 12. They allegedly assaulted him on the suspicion that he was carrying beef.

Shahas family, however, said he may not have known what he was carrying. The family was initially reluctant to talk about the forensic report, stating that the family was already "in trouble".

But "Salim may not have been aware of what he was carrying," a relative said. The Nagpur (rural) unit president of the BJP, Rajiv Potdar, said Shaha would be dismissed from the party.

After Shaha was beaten up and taken to a hospital, four men - Ashwin Uike (35), Rameshwar Taywade (42), Moreshwar Tandurkar (36) and Jagdish Chaudhari (25) - were arrested and booked under IPC section 326, pertaining to voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ |

Nagpur: Man beaten for carrying beef, attackers' link with local MLA suspected

ALSO WATCH | Man beaten up in Nagpur for carrying beef, 4 detained

--- ENDS ---
A Petersburg man was fatally injured in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 1 in Dinwiddie County, state police said.

Police said a Honda Civic driven by Roger L. Nida, 71, of Petersburg turned into the path of a Ford F-350 pickup truck about 2 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of U.S. Route 1 and state Route 1320, or Ritchie Avenue.

The truck struck the Honda on the passenger side, critically injuring Paul R. Day, 58. He was taken to Southside Regional Medical Center, where he died. Police said Day was not wearing his seat belt.

Nida, who was wearing a seat belt, and the driver of the pickup truck, whose identity was not released, were not injured.
A Belle Isle visitor was pulled from the James River after being submerged for more than an hour Saturday afternoon.

The man was transported to a hospital, but authorities said they could not confirm late Saturday evening whether he had been revived.

The call for help came at about 3:45 p.m. and rescue workers discovered the man at about 5:14, according to a fire official.

Richmond fire spokesman Lt. Chris Armstrong said the man didnt have a heartbeat at 6:15 p.m.

The man was with friends on the island when he went under. The friends told authorities they werent sure if the man could swim.
MONDAY

The Richmond School Board will meet at 6 p.m. in the 17th-floor meeting room of City Hall, 901 E. Broad St.

TUESDAY

The Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors will meet at 3 p.m., 14016 Boydton Plank Road.

The Colonial Heights City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m., 201 James Ave.

The Chesterfield County Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m., 10001 Iron Bridge Road.

The Petersburg City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Union Train Station, 103 River St.

The Ashland Town Council will meet at 7 p.m., 101 Thompson St.

THURSDAY
Editors note: August Wallmeyer, author of The Extremes of Virginia, recently interviewed Jodi Manz, policy adviser in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources of the Commonwealth of Virginia. They discussed the current drug epidemic in Virginia.

***

August Wallmeyer: How would you describe the current opioid situation in Virginia?

Jodi Manz: We call it an epidemic, we call it a public health crisis. Our commissioner of health, Dr. Marissa Levine, officially declared it a public health crisis last November. Were not just looking at prescription drugs, were also looking at heroin and a drug called fentanyl and fentanyl analogs. The thing that all of those drugs have in common is that they are all morphine derivatives, derived from the same plant and synthesized in different ways to become different drugs.

In certain parts of the state like Southwest and Southside Virginia, were looking more at a prescription opioid issue. The overdoses there tend to be from prescription opioids, but oftentimes in conjunction with things like benzodiazepines, drugs like Xanax, which are often prescribed for significant anxiety  or in combination with alcohol, other depressants, the kinds of things that will just slow your system down.

In the more urban parts of the state, were seeing more heroin and fentanyl, and in all the in-between parts were seeing both. For example, if you look at the data in Hopewell, theyre split down the middle. Theres heroin and fentanyl, but there are also prescription overdoses. At the end of the day, though, the problems all originate with the same kind of drug, and its the social indicators around those communities that push you in one direction or another.

Some recent research (indicates) that poverty is a driver of social despair. Were now seeing a decline in life expectancy that we havent seen before, particularly among white women in America. And it goes back to the idea of despair around economics, around job prospects, the kind of things that might exist in parts of the state that dont have the robust economies that they used to.

And we also see theres a connection, especially among prescription opioids, to physical labor. Thats been a huge issue in Appalachia, with jobs connected to coal mining, in particular. Theres a pretty high rate of injury, and oftentimes this kind of addiction starts with a legitimate prescription for pain, and thats a different type of driver that you might see in urban areas.

But sometimes this is just an epidemic that exists because the drugs proliferate socially. For a long time, the opioid that people would begin on was heroin, throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s. In the 1990s, when Oxycontin, which is the brand name of oxycodone, really started being marketed, you see the crossover where people began to use drugs starting with prescription opioids.

It has now become almost an acceptance that once someone has moved from opioids to heroin, which can happen very easily, heroin becomes almost more socially acceptable, particularly among young and adolescent users. So were seeing now that people are starting on both, and thats a really scary thing.

***

Wallmeyer: And heroin is now less expensive than a prescription opioid?

Manz: Yeah. The numbers vary based on the area, because its a market and there is a cost-of-living issue. But in the city of Richmond, you can get high for about $15. That wont get you high all day, but it will get you high once if you buy some heroin.

Whereas Oxycontin usually goes for about a dollar a milligram. So if Im a person who has developed an addiction to any of these opioids, and it becomes harder for me to get them from my doctor, its a lot easier and cheaper for me to go to the street and find heroin. And we see that happening, that if I can spend $15 as opposed to $80, Im going to choose that.

Wallmeyer: And now if you choose heroin, isnt it a much greater chance that your heroin will be cut with fentanyl or something else, and be much stronger and therefore even more deadly?

Manz: Yes! That a really scary thing thats happening right now. Like I said, this is a market, and drug dealers have caught on to the fact that the more attractive they make their product, the more likely you are to purchase it from them.

One of the things that can make the product more attractive is if it is more potent, and fentanyl, which is essentially just like heroin but exponentially stronger, is so strong that even a little bit of it in its dry granular form on your skin can kill you. That has been an issue for law enforcement. And once heroin dealers began putting fentanyl in their product, thats when we started to see the overdoses increase. Thats a major driver of the increases in overdoses in the last year.

The even scarier thing is a drug called carfentanil, which is even exponentially stronger than fentanyl. And the more of these substances we see added to the heroin supply, the more dangerous it becomes for people with addictions.

***

Wallmeyer: Just how bad is this problem in Virginia today?

Manz: We got the 2016 overdose data recently, and we had 1,460 drug overdose deaths total. Of those, 1,133 were related to opioids or heroin. So, about 80 percent of our overdose deaths are related to opioids or heroin in some way.

Thats a number that has steadily risen for the past seven years. Were not seeing these numbers go down, and thats the scariest piece, that with all the awareness and work thats gone into this, our overdose numbers are still going up. And thats happening in other states as well. Nobody has found the magic bullet to make this go away.

Wallmeyer: Are drug overdoses now the leading cause of accidental death in Virginia?

Manz: Yes. Drug overdoses now kill more people than motor vehicle accidents and gun deaths in Virginia.

Wallmeyer: And as of today, no end in sight?

Manz: No end in sight. Its not just as public health problem. Its not just a public safety problem. Its not just a community problem. Virginia has taken an all hands on deck approach. In 2014, Gov. (Terry) McAuliffe created his Governors Task Force on Prescription Drug and Heroin Abuse, about 35 people that came together from various professions and experiences to talk about what we could do from a bureaucratic standpoint.

We have tried to do everything we can do. (Among other things), we have created an opportunity for local health departments to have syringe exchanges through comprehensive harm-reduction programs. That empowers our local health directors to collect dirty syringes, which are a danger to communities and to law enforcement in particular, and to give out clean syringes and to do testing for hepatitis C and HIV.

We have also mandated continuing medical education for providers. And the prescription monitoring program has changed, both through regulation and legislation, to mandate that all prescribers and pharmacists have to be registered, and weve lowered the amount of time for mandated reporting.

Weve also mandated that any opioid prescription for more than seven days has to be checked through the prescription monitoring program. The goal of these regulation changes is for doctors to not go to opioids first, to not start with the highest level of treatment. Our goal is to make sure that patients get the right care, and the right amount of care, so were not overprescribing.
Slavery couldve ended

without war

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

George Blakes letter, Slavery wouldve ended on its own, makes a number of assertions which are open to debate. However, his statement that as England had done in 1833, America would have abolished slavery with compensation to owners came tantalizingly close to fruition.

Author, diplomat, and social activist Elihu Burritt (1810-1879), an ardent abolitionist, drafted a mathematically feasible plan to abolish slavery while providing education, job training, and other resources for newly freed slaves (to efficiently integrate them into society and ensure their self-sufficiency) and compensation for former slaveholders.

Although the concept of compensation paid to former slaveholders seems offensive based on our politically correct sensibilities, Burritt felt a financial price had to be paid to atone for the blight of slavery on the imprint of American history. He also foresaw the inherent dangers in subjecting an entire region of the nation to decades of financial ruin.

Burritt contributed much to the abolition of slavery. His exchange of Friendly Addresses between cities and individuals of England and the United States contributed mightily to Britains neutrality in Americas Civil War. This is significant in light of British industrys heavy reliance on cotton from the American South. The power of the Royal Navy would certainly have been more than sufficient to end the Union blockade of Southern ports, thus allowing the Confederate government to properly equip its already highly spirited and well-led army. This could readily have led to Confederate victory.

Sadly, the failure of Burritts peaceful proposal was all but certain, given the American inclination to apply a Band-Aid to problems requiring major surgery. Such stalling tactics, characterized by decades of legislative compromises dancing around the issue of slavery, virtually assured armed conflict would be the answer to the problem.

Kenneth C. Decker.
Who is served by Blue Ridge Literacy?

We are in our 32nd year. Thirty-two years ago when this literacy effort began, the principal focus  because it was the greatest need  was American-born native English speakers who, for a variety of reasons, had not developed the ability to read and write. In some cases, they dropped out of school in second grade to help granddad in the field. In some cases, they had special education challenges that a rural school system could not meet. Since that time, the demographics have changed. The laws regarding how long you stay in school have changed. The school systems have become far more efficient in providing basic literacy skills. So 32 years ago, 95 percent [of our client base] was American-born native English speakers, but today 95 percent of what we do is foreign-born persons who are learning English as a second or third or fourth language.

In our region, how much of an issue is a lack of English skills?

We work with the figures weve been given from several sources that about 11 to 12 percent of the city of Roanoke is foreign-born. Thats 10,000 to 12,000 people. Add to that the folks in the county, Salem, Botetourt, Franklin and so forth and there are 20,000 to 25,000 foreign-born folks in our region. Those persons are excited about opportunities here. As a community, we can be excited about what they bring to us. These are folks who, in the first generation, can fill a lot of employment needs. In the second generation, their children and grandchildren and beyond that are going to be with the rest of us running a business or becoming professionals or teaching school and doing all those things that make society effective.  One of the continual experiences weve had with immigrants and refugees that have come to us, is being touched by how much they sacrifice for their children. In many cases, what they do, they do for the next generation. It is the next generation that will be going to college, that will be developing engineering and technical skills that continue to make America great.

What are some challenges for the organization?

We are a typical small nonprofit. Ive been doing nonprofit work for 45 years in one form or another. Every nonprofit, especially a small nonprofit, if its honest is going to say the first need is resources. Resources mean both donations and volunteers. We always have places for volunteers, whether as one-on-one tutors or in the classroom as instructors. Our one-on-one tutors serve not just educationally, but as life mentors. The immigrant and refugee population that comes to us still needs some assistance in understanding the health care system or all the paperwork that is required of life in America. Understanding the legal system or law enforcement. Americas institutions are well established and generally work very well, but its a new experience to folks who are coming to these shores. And [we are] helping them understand that the institutions are good and are there to serve them. ...

We have been fortunate in the last five or six years in that weve been able to build a varying portfolio of income streams, where if one goes dry we are still in pretty good shape. However, any time that a small nonprofit is missing some of the work support weve had, it can be a bit of a challenge. As an example, our AmeriCorps teachers. It looks as if the federal budget is going to eliminate much of the AmeriCorps work, which makes it hard for us to fill some of those positions. So we are looking even more for strong volunteer teachers.

Have you faced backlash from the anti-refugee sentiment, or has it brought more people to the organization?

Yes to both. There has been a little bit of backlash, not as much as might be expected, simply because Roanoke is a very welcoming community. Roanoke is the first State Department-designated welcoming community in the state. The people of Roanoke, the culture of Roanoke, is one of glad to have you, do your part, be a productive citizen and we are glad you are here kind of thing. Every now and then we might have someone who operates from a position of misinformation, but mostly the community has been very accepting. We have found that because of the national political climate and conversation that some of our supporters are even more passionate in the support they provided and weve added new supporters to our literacy family.

What should people know about Blue Ridge Literacy?

The folks with whom we work are wonderful people. They, in many cases, have been treated badly by life and yet their spirits are not broken. And they couldnt be any more excited about being in a new world with new opportunities. They are grateful. They are hardworking. They are eager to become a productive part of our community.

The people who volunteer to work with them are equally wonderful people. When I came, the volunteers were mostly over 60. Now we have a wide range of folks because one of the things I intentionally did was look for a younger staff and attract younger volunteers. If you look around, most of my staff is under 40. If you are here during the day you will see just a lot of younger volunteers coming in, partly because that generation likes to see something happen when they put their efforts in an activity. And in this kind of work you see progress. But we have both older and younger and retired folks and new college graduates. And all of them are doing it because they want to see something good happen for our learners.

The most important thing that has happened since Ive been here is that we changed our understanding of the organization. The organization had a sense of being educational. We have changed that to more of an understanding of being a human service agency. We arent just teaching people as an end of itself. We teach people English as a greater end to meeting their life goals. They arent just learning English. They are learning English so that they can have a good job. So that they can help their children with homework. They are learning English so that they can become good American citizens.
Several residents said their concerns with the park began worsening a few months ago following the sale of the property to a firm with ties to a hedge fund that has gained notoriety in recent years over its purchase  and attempted purchases  of a number of newspapers across the country.
By Sangeeth Sebastian: Huzaifa Ahmad was neither a friend nor a relative of the 30-year-old victim of domestic abuse from west Delhi. Yet, for days afterwards at work, the 32-year-old would imagine the brutalised face of the victim and hear her screams. At night she would stay awake unable to sleep, her mind drunk with images of violence which she had never witnessed.

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Ahmad is a clinical psychologist with Umeed Ki Kiran, a unit of the international humanitarian NGO Medicins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) in Jahangirpuri. Providing relief to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse is her job.

Many a time she would wait till her clients leave so that she can run to the bathroom and cry her heart out. But what she failed to notice, as the condition of her clients improved with each passing session, was how her own was deteriorating.

The stories she listened to was affecting her health and changing her attitudes. She became jittery, depressed and started disliking men. Then in 2012, unable to take it anymore she quit her first job. Exposed to the distress of others, day in and day out, the frontline foot soldiers of trauma care- counsellors and social workers-can often develop stress disorders that mimic their clients.

WHAT IS SECONDARY TRAUMA?

"Secondary trauma is an occupational hazard. You are all the time absorbing other people's anguish and pain without even knowing it," said Anuja Gupta, founder and executive director, Rahi Foundation, a CR Park-based NGO working with women survivors of child sexual abuse and incest.

Trauma after tragedy is nothing new. Emperor Ashoka who fought one of the bloodiest battles in Indian history, the Kalinga War, was so traumatised by the bloodshed that he devoted the rest of his life to non-violence. However, the understanding that trauma can be contagious is much newer.

Psychoanalysts since Sigmund Freud have noted how listening to tragic stories of other people can lead to countertransferance, a phenomenon that leads to a therapists emotional entanglement with a client. Though India specific studies on secondary trauma are hard to come by, Gupta who had been practising as a counsellor for over two decades says that a therapist too can show the same symptoms experienced by an abuse survivor such as helplessness, anger, nausea, tiredness, body ache, anxiety, sleeplessness and headache.

'YOU FEEL LIKE TAKING A BATH IMMEDIATELY'

"We are listening to stories that are extremely filthy and sexual," said Gupta whose team of counsellors collaborated with actor Amir Khan for an episode on child sexual abuse and incest for his television show Satyamev Jayate.

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According to her most of the abuses takes place within the confines of a family. "Indian families are not the best place for women and children. We have listened to cases of abuse from victims as young as two-years-old," she said. In a majority of the cases fathers are the main culprits. They abuse their daughters over prolonged periods of time. The survivors, unable to speak out or move out, get trapped in an eco-system of abuse until they are financially independent. "At times it (what you hear) gets overwhelming. You feel like going and taking a bath," said Gupta.

For trauma care workers, one way to buffer their mind is through peer-to-peer sharing.

Amrit Kaur, the 64-year-old grizzly haired senior counsellor at the Special Police Unit for Women and Children in Malaviya Nagar began to experience heaviness in her head after constantly listening to tales of domestic violence. Her work station, which consists of a mica-topped table, two chairs and a sofa, is one among the four enclosed cubicles for counselling which the centre has. Every now and then a conversation flares up from within one of the cubicles, as couples angrily assert their arguments even as their kids, oblivious to the drama, blissfully wander or stroll here and there. "Most of the couples who come here are on an emotional high. So we keep them apart during counselling," said Kaur pointing to the two chairs on either side of the table.

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She recalled a young couple who came to meet her from South Delhi a few years ago. The source of dispute was the wife's insistence to move out of her in-laws house, which the husband refused saying that he is the only son. Then one day the husband came along with his wife saying that he was ready to move out. Unlike other couples they didn't have any conflict between them. They sat together on the sofa, chatted with each other happily and even shared biscuits. Then a week-later the girl came alone with her father. She was looking gaunt and her hair wild. Her father told me that the husband committed suicide and she had gone into depression. I talked to her at length and tried to lift her mood. Two days later, the father called again and said the girl too has committed suicide.

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PRESSED BUT PROUD

Kaur went silent. "I have faced extreme tragedies in my personal life, so I don't get affected easily. But this was overwhelming," she said. Both Kaur and her colleagues started experiencing headaches after sitting through back to back sessions, often up to six in a day. "That's when we decided we have to compartmentalise our work from personal lives. Now we share jokes during lunch time to lighten the mood. We also greet our colleagues and smile at each other more." To avoid burnout, the team at Rahi Foundation and Medecins Sans Frontieres go through regular decompression exercises that include yoga, meditation, drawing, breathing exercises and talk therapy under the supervision of experts.

Yet, despite the concomitant hazards of their job, none of the trauma care workers regret their career choice. "The work is so rewarding. We can see right in front of our eyes how the victims are changing, taking steps and moving forward," said Gupta. Even someone like Ahmad of Medicines Sans Frontieres who quit her job after a breakdown came back to counseling within a month. "I don't want my labour to make some corporate house rich," she said, explaining why she didn't look for other jobs. I want to use it to make a positive difference in other people's lives." But trusting men continues to be a challenge for her. "It's very tough to date men after doing this job. So these days, while I am out in public I take make efforts to see their (men's) positive traits," said Ahmad.

Also read: 'Where was the blood coming from': Bihar MLA asks girl whose friend was raped, murdered

Also read: Bengaluru: A murder and a suicide, all for love

Also read: Sex, money and jealousy: Tattoos unlock mystery of spa murders in Delhi

--- ENDS ---
Jim Gilmore called me the other day, and he was not a happy camper. The former governor was displeased about my July 6 column on Firecracker Ed Gillespie and his odd campaign pledge to bring fireworks freedom to the Old Dominion.

Buried in there was a brief aside that compared that signature issue to those from other Virginia gubernatorial candidates. Recall, Gilmores was no car tax. In 1997, he romped to the governors mansion with that simple and highly deceptive slogan.

The column called it largely fraudulent. And thats what Gilmore, who since 2010 has headed a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., wanted to pick a bone about.

Why largely fraudulent? That ones easy  Virginians are still paying car taxes. On top of that, in recent years, the tax has been slowly and almost imperceptibly climbing.

More about that in a minute. First, lets give Gilmore his say.

When you wrote that, you needled me, he said. I kept my promise.

We had a five-year phase-out, and the governor only gets four years, Gilmore said. The phase-out was stripped when I left [office]. ... Im very unhappy about it. The bad guys did this to you, but they dont have the guts to take responsibility.

The bad guys, Gilmore added, were state senators of the mid-2000s era.

I didnt stop my program. They stopped my program. Give me a second term and Ill finish that up.

Before we go any further, lets consider some background on the issue.

First, the formal name of the levy is the personal property tax, and its assessed not only on cars, trucks motorcycles and boats but also on business equipment, mobile homes and airplanes.

Localities set the rates, which vary by jurisdiction and by the category of property. For example, in Roanoke the current rate on vehicles is $3.45 per $100 of valuation. In Salem its $3.25; in Franklin County its $2.36. And in Fairfax County, its a whopping $4.57.

The localities also set different rates depending on the type of property. In Roanoke, the rate on light airplanes (10 tons and under) is $1.06 per $100 of value; on bigger planes its 45 cents. On mobile homes its $1.22. Localities annually bill taxpayers based on the value of the property being taxed.

Like the tax on real estate, personal property revenue goes directly to a localitys general fund, where its spent on essential services such as education, fire departments and police protection.

Anyway, in the late 1990s, the car tax was widely reviled, which is understandable. Cars are the most universal category of taxable personal property. The owner of a $20,000 vehicle back then, assuming a $3.45 tax rate, would have had to cut a $690 check to a local government each spring.

Gilmore exploited that widespread disenchantment with his ultra-simple no car tax campaign pledge, and in 1997 he ended up winning 56 percent of the vote to Democrat Don Beyers 43 percent. (There was also a Reform Party candidate in the race.)

Killing the car tax, however, proved to be anything but simple. Thats because it wasnt a state tax but a local one. Outlawing the levy would starve localities of revenue they depended on. So the solons of Richmond decided they would replace the car tax revenue localities stood to lose.

But they didnt replace all of it. Essentially, they passed a law eliminating car taxes on vehicles worth less than $1,000  the state would pay all of that tax to the localities.

For vehicles worth more, they phased in reductions over five years. In 1998, the state replaced 12.5 percent of the localities lost car-tax revenues. The relief climbed to 25 percent in 1999; 47.5 percent 2000 and 70 percent in 2001. It was supposed to go to 100 percent (of the first $20,000) in 2002.

That never happened because of the 2001 economic downturn following 9/11. Instead, over Gilmores objections, the legislature capped the tax relief at 70 percent. But even if it had gone to 100 percent, costlier cars still would have been taxed. Thats because relief applied only to the first $20,000 of a vehicles value.

The result was, if you owned a $20,000 car and the rate was $3.45, in 2001 you would have paid $207 rather than $690. But if you owned a $30,000 car, you would have paid $552.

And because the local personal property tax rates were a lot higher in Northern Virginia, the savings were a lot bigger for car owners there. For that reason, many critics slammed the car tax plan as a giant transfer of wealth from people in poorer localities to car owners in richer ones.

Meanwhile, the state payments to localities combined with the economic downturn caused a series of state budget crises. Mark Warner, who succeeded Gilmore in 2002, spent the next four years dealing with those. The states rainy day fund nearly got emptied. The transportation trust fund, which is supposed to be earmarked for roads, got raided, too.

So in 2005, the General Assembly permanently capped what it was willing to pay in car tax relief to localities at $950 million annually. And in the interim, car prices  and values  have climbed. And that means the car tax relief rate has steadily dropped.

For example, take Roanoke. The state is still paying the city the same $8.076 million in car-tax relief reimbursements that it was paying in 2005. Today, that translates into 48.4 percent car-tax relief, compared to 70 percent 12 years ago, said city Finance Director Barbara Dameron. And its going to continue declining.

This means that if you own a $30,000 car in Roanoke next year, youre going to be paying $701 in personal property tax on it. Thats 27 percent more than you would have paid in 2001.

Quietly, by the bad guys, its being re-imposed, Gilmore told me.

Gilmores correct that he bears no responsibility for what happened after he left office. But as governor, he didnt eliminate car taxes. That was his promise. Reality interfered.

He reduced car taxes, but they never went away. The key part of his pledge  no  was never fulfilled.
Many in the region have followed the drama surrounding the recent sale of the old Blacksburg High School property to a developer and the recent assertions by the Blacksburg council that they have been mistreated. Many Blacksburg citizens have a much different perspective: the Blacksburg Town Council simply blew it.

Montgomery County valued the 36-acre high school property at $3 million while Blacksburg valued it at only $2.3 million. When the two sides could not agree on the price, Board of Supervisors and council members met in November 2016. At that time the Blacksburg council encouraged the county to place the property on the market. Two developers quickly made offers and the county accepted the second offer. Since then the Blacksburg council has publicly made the case that the county should have accepted the towns lower offer.

Given the current market prices for residential lots, a 36-acre site, located one mile from the center of town should support a price of $3 million. It only took a few weeks for the market to validate this. Post sale of the property, the council published its logic as to why the county should have taken a price less than market value. One flawed tenant of their logic was that the towns offer of $2.3 million cash was of greater value than $3 million paid over three years.

This tango between the Blacksburg council and the county supervisors has been ongoing for more than a decade. Over this time the Blacksburg council has essentially prevented the sale and redevelopment of the Old Middle School site near the center of town, frustrating the county supervisors. Twice the county has optioned the land to developers, with the sale conditional on the property being rezoned to allow mixed-use development. Six years ago a local developer proposed a mixed-use plan that included an office complex for Modea and Rackspace along with retail and a variety of residential options. This project would have created a live-work-play development, employing more than 200 young professionals thus contributing to the vitality of the downtown. The developer worked with the town and proposed three versions before finally abandoning the project. Bottom line  the council had neither the desire nor intent to rezone. This frustrated the county, as the proceeds of the sale of the property would be allocated back into the county school system.

The councils decade of stonewalling has ultimately limited resources for all county students, including students in Blacksburg. Citizens should be paying attention and participating in the democratic process of electing future council members. Sadly, this has not been the case over the years. Over the past decade, siting council members have run unopposed or with limited competition.

Further, candidates needed to receive less than 4,000 votes to be elected. These numbers represent only a small fraction of the towns registered voters. As a result, candidates are elected by a small, but energized group of voters motivated by special interests. These voters seem to be interested in keeping Blacksburg the way it was 30 years ago. This ignores the fact that Virginia Tech is growing; local technology businesses are expanding and many baby boomers that graduated from Virginia Tech are returning to Blacksburg to retire. It is no longer a matter of if we are going to grow; it is a matter of how we will grow. Our current town council has had a head in the sand mentality regarding growth and development. Blacksburg, as a result, is known regionally and increasingly around the state as a difficult place to do business. This falls squarely on the shoulders of the council.

The composition of the current Blacksburg council has a lack of experiential diversity. Lacking are members with in-depth business, banking, real estate, law or development experience. Individuals with strong negotiating skills and business acumen on the council will benefit the entire town. Perhaps if our council included members with these skills we would not find ourselves where we are today- unable to work with the county, local developers and business.

As they say, it takes two to tango. However, from my vantage point the Blacksburg council is leading this dance.

Fortunately, during the next election cycle it appears that there is a chance to diversify the composition of the council. This is good news. Its time for the citizens of Blacksburg to make their voices heard by voting in November.

Its time for our community to move forward.
This is the twelfth meeting over the last three years for these families who hope that they get concrete news from the MEA.

By Shalini Lobo: Families of 39 missing Indians in Iraq met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj along with MJ Akbar and (Retd) General VK Singh. The families were briefed that the missing Indians were currently detained in a prison in Badush.

This is the twelfth meeting over the last three years for these families who hope that they get concrete news from the MEA.

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"We have been coming here for the past three years in hope of good news. VK Singh went to Iraq but came back with information that they have been shifted from one place to another. But, he does not know if they are safe or not," said Gurinder Kaur, whose younger brother is one of the missing Indians in Iraq.

"We were hoping that we would get good news since Mosul was liberated from the ISIS, but what we were told is that it isn't completely liberated and that combing operations are still going on. Our relatives are still held captive," said Jiten Ram.

Many of these families last spoke to their loved ones on June 15th 2014 and since then the only information they have about them is through the MEA. The families have been waiting for three years now and they were expecting good news, but they are disappointed once again.

"We will all sit together and take a collective decision on how to take this forward. The only hope we have is the government, but even they aren't doing anything at this point in time," said Manjeet.

ALSO READ:

Iraq has assured cooperation in locating 39 missing Indians: MEA

--- ENDS ---
Gold weighted bullion bars are a traditional symbol of welfare and one of the most popular investment tools. Many lines of profession  starting from a geologist to a smelter furnace-operator - are engaged in making a bullion bar, and its manufacture crowns a long production process and logistics. While many gold mining companies prefer to show 999-gold bullion bars in their presentations, more often their end-products are Dore bars. As a rule, it is a gold-silver alloy containing 70% to 85% of gold and up to 5% of byproduct non-precious metals. Dore bars are unsmooth, dark, each weighing about 23 kg, so they do not at all look like the gold the majority of people dream about. These are sent to the refineries where they undergo melting-down, are decontaminated and finally become traditional bank fine gold bars. It is the refinery hallmark that is an integral part of a marking used for a 999 gold bar.



And there are reasons for that. First, Dore bars are supplied to the refineries by many gold miners and the metal melts in a common pot, to put it literally. Second, often this is not about tolling refining but about buying and selling of the gold-containing raw material, in other words, the refineries hold full rights for their end-products. This peculiar feature of the interaction between producers and refineries serves a purpose of collection of indirect taxes to the budget and is an obstacle for the increase in the refineries production, whose capacities are far from optimum utilization under the conditions of stagnating gold mining.

Russia that ranks third in the gold mining output after China and Australia accounts for 4% of the global gold refinery market. Four Swiss refineries that do not mine a single ounce of this precious metal process up to 80% of the world gold volume (about 1 000 tonnes, both mined and secondary gold). These are Valcambi, Metalor Technologies, Argor-Heraeus, and Pamp. Their capacities are utilized over 85%. Taking into account two more Swiss refineries, the Swiss companies account for 90% of the turnover of the companies that are in the list of suppliers of gold bullion bars made to the most established Good Delivery standard that was approved by the London Bullion Market Association, LBMA. The remaining 20% of the world gold are distributed among other 125 refineries. The Swiss refineries attract the gold miners thanks to their low prices, flawless banking services, safety and logistics; more importantly, taxes are low for the business in this country. The gold producers of almost all the gold mining countries use the services of the Swiss refineries, except Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan that mainly refine the precious metals on their own.

The Russias gold production in 2016 was 298 tonnes. Practically all the Russian gold is refined in the country, except 8 tonnes last year that were sold by subsoil users (first of all, Polymetal and Polyus) to China and South Korea in the form of the float concentrate made using the refractory ores. Some Russian gold producers like Nordgold and Polymetal, also mine the metal abroad: Nordgold mines in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Kazakhstan, and Polymetal mines in Kazakhstan, but they bring the Dore bars to Switzerland to be refined. Or  in case with Kazakhstan  the metal is refined locally. According to the industry participants, the refining cost in Switzerland is much lower than in Russia. What is the reason?

Five enterprises in Russia are engaged in gold refining, and the largest among them are Kraszvetmet and the Prioksky Nonferrous Metals Plant, their average process utilization is about 28%. Kraszvetmet, a former refinery of the Norilsky Nikel that was handed over to the administration of the Krasnoyarsk Territiry in late 1990s within the framework of restructuring the debts of the mining-metallurgical company, now controls 62% of the Russian gold refining. The Prioksky Nonferrous Metals Plant located in Kasimov, the Ryazan Region, accounts for 22%, but only this refinery alone has enough capacity (260 000 tonnes per year) to refine practically all the Russian gold production. It is the most up-to-date refinery in Russia, its construction started in the mid-1970s, when the decision was taken to move the main production site from the Novosibirsk plant that was located within the city. Novosibirsk plant that before 1990s was the only one to do gold and silver refining in the USSR is still operating. Now, it accounts for 7% of the Russian refining. One more enterprise, the Kolymsky Refinery, turned bankrupt in 2015, officially due to the cash shortage caused by the Director General. After the Kolymsky Refinery shutdown, the only private refinery operating is the Ekaterinburg Nonferrous Metals Plant (accounting for about 7% of Russian gold refining) belonging to Viktor Vekselbergs Renova.

Low profitability of the business is one of the explanations of this lack of demand. The margin in the metal refining and trading is under 1%, says Sergey Belov, Deputy Director General of Kraszvetmet on refining. However, the import of the gold-containing raw material until recently was liable to 6% - 20% import duty. In this situation, we cannot speak of the economic effect of the raw material import, said S. Belov. This year, the duty for mineral raw materials was slashed to zero till December 31, 2017, and the duty for secondary raw materials  till December 31, 2019. The Industry Association of Refineries is making documents for the extension of the preferential taxation period for the imported raw materials, says S. Belov.

However, according to the representatives of the Russian refining business, so far we cannot speak of a full-fledge competition on the world market. They think that the Russian refineries cannot offer attractive cooperation terms and conditions for foreign producers until the VAT is slashed to zero when importing the gold-containing raw material to be refined, so called insurance fee. When importing the raw material from abroad to be refined, it is necessary to pay 18% of its value. After refining, this sum of money should be returned to the company within 3 months. Taking into account a high price for gold, these sums are big and freezing of the working capital for this period is not a pleasant thing. Moreover, this sum is returned by the taxation authorities based on the results of a desk audit, that could show some discrepancies in making the documents, and it could result in the refuse to refund the VAT, says Vladimir Sonkin, Director General of the Prioksky Nonferrous Metals Plant.

The main problem is to convince the customs authorities that this [VAT abolishment] will not harm the federal budget. The same revenues will come but due to processing. And the increase in the capacities will provide additional tax revenues, he said. There is no economic sense in this [actual ban on the export of the gold-containing raw material to the RF], said Dmitry Zamyshlyaev, Deputy Head of the Chamber of Assay of the RF, adding that this issue is under discussion at the Expert Council under the Ministry of Finance for several years.

The security considerations act as a brake on taking the decision. The customs authorities insist that in case of import, the refinery should ensure the refining of the imported raw material exactly. And the bullion bars that will go back abroad should be made using exactly this raw material and not any other one. Technically, it is not feasible, explains V. Sonkin of the Prioksky Nonferrous Metals Plant, because all the raw materials melt in a common pot, to put it literally. Opponents of [the liberalization of the gold-containing raw material import regime] are concerned that the refineries would import the raw material and then it would disappear. However, refineries are not fly-by-night companies. They are state-owned companies. The risk that they would disappear with the raw material is small, says D. Zamyshlyaev of the Chamber of Assay of the RF.

Nowadays, all the refineries are upgraded and [advanced] from the point of view of the competitiveness in the world market. It is necessary to open foreign markets as soon as possible so that we could attract [foreign producers], says V. Sonkin. The competition for market share will be very tough as today there are no uncommitted [gold-containing] resources. However, we are ready to work hard and within three years have 5%-7% of the global volume. Redistribution is possible from the Latin America and Africa, from small- and medium-scale subsoil users  all the large-scale ones have already been engaged, says S. Belov of Kraszvetmet. According to him, in case of the liberalization of gold-containing imports from other countries, the Russian refineries could increase the use of their production capacities by 25 percent minimum. Kraszvetmet has already preliminary contracts with foreign contractors, but they are not under implementation due to existing obstacles.

Those supporting the liberalization of imports give as an example the change in the law on the precious metals issued in 2015 that made the refining of the scrapped precious metals obligatory. This measure brought the huge market out of the gray zone and boost the operating rate of the company. For example, 13 tonnes were refined at the Prioksky Nonferrous Metals Plant last year, and before the changes in the law - about 150 kg were refined. A certain layer of organizations appeared that legally process the scrapped metal and sell it to the refineries as a semi-product. It is a win-win situation. The volumes increased as well as the tax revenues, and plenty of gold came out of the shadow. Adopting these amendments required the colossal efforts made by, first of all, the Ministry of Finance, Chamber of Assay, Association of Refineries. There were strong doubts because things might get worse. Now when the law started working, everyone understood that it had brought positive results, says V. Sonkin of the Prioksky Nonferrous Metals Plant.

Mainly jewelers opposed the adoption of this regulation. This measure was not to their benefit as it did not allow the jewelers to melt the jewellery scrap or buy the scrap of unknown origin at their own discretion, explains D. Zamyshlyaev of the Chamber of Assay. Only the equipment of the refineries can ensure the compliance with the stringent requirements regarding the metal refining and bringing it to the required conditions  as the precious metal could also be radioactive. Otherwise, the metal could not be of required fineness, he says. Finally, the jewellers were allowed to melt only the metal of their in-house products and the state monopoly ensured the transparent turnover and accounting of the precious metal volumes. The refineries cooperate with a limited number of suppliers who guarantee the non-criminal origin of the metal.

So far, the abolishment of the VAT for investment bullion bars (of 999 fineness that cannot be used for the manufacture of jewellery due to the pure gold fragility) is under consideration at the State Duma. According to the Ministry of Finance, this move will contribute to the development of the financial market through the higher demand for the investment gold because the people can buy the gold from the banks without a VAT.

The issue of the abolishment of the VAT for the exported gold-containing raw material is a political one, says S. Belov of Kraszvetmet. The industry does not expect it to be abolished soon. The representatives of the law-enforcement authorities probably find the term liberalization in the context of the operations with gold too frightening to expect such changes to be adopted in the near future.

There exist such a notion as refinery discrepancy. This is the discrepancy between a supplier and a refinery as for the quantity of the chemically pure precious metal in a raw material batch. Unfortunately, until the restraints we outlined here are not abolished in Russia, this term can be used to describe the situation when a major mining country does not create a significant value addition in refining, and a country that does not mine is the global largest intermediate stopping place for gold thanks to both the historical reputational factors and the favourable tax regulations.

Igor Leikin for Rough&Polished




WMATA

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is expanding the investigation into the East Falls Church derailment to include Metro Transit Police.

The investigation into the July 29 derailment began as an administration review by WMATAs Safety Department, but Metro Transit Police will now run a parallel investigation. WMATAs General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said the expanded investigation came as a result of a briefing in which investigators advised him of concerns arising from employee interviews, inspection reports, rail defect tracking and video recordings.

The administrative review uncovered information that warrants further investigation by Metro Transit Police, Wiedefeld said. While Safety Department investigations determine cause and accountability, it is even more important to understand if other issues must be addressed with the way track inspections and maintenance have been conducted.

WMATAs General Counsel Patricia Lee has engaged two former Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSA) as special investigators to support the internal administrative review. Adam Hoffinger, a former AUSA for the Southern District of New York and Peter White, a former AUSA for the Eastern District of Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia, will work closely with Lee on this matter. Both have extensive prosecutorial experience with complex cases.

The public has a right to know that the tracks on which their trains run are being properly inspected, said Wiedefeld. The information uncovered to date raises potentially serious concerns, and we will take all actions necessary to get answers and hold people accountable.

Wiedefeld assured riders that the SafeTrack program underway (in which WMATA tracks are being inspected and repaired) has been and will continue to be subject to quality controls from multiple internal and external groups to ensure all track work meets WMATAs high standards. At the time of the derailment, East Falls Church interlocking had not yet been addressed as part of SafeTrack. Deteriorated crossties, which allowed widening of track gauge, have been pointed to as the preliminary reason for the derailment.

WMATA is engaging an outside engineering firm to conduct a comprehensive review of its track inspection program.

While we continue the due diligence to identify the cause of any conditions that may have contributed to this incident, [WMATA] is simultaneously repairing the system and providing better rules, training, quality control and line management, said Wiedefeld.
Maryland Democrats are proposing a restructuring of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) that would also include dedicated funding for the transit operator.

The proposal, released June 19 by suburban representatives and reported in local media, would shrink the WMATA board from 16 to three members, namely, the secretaries of transportation of Maryland and Virginia, and Washington, D.C.s transportation director.

The current board is composed of appointees from the three jurisdictions and the federal government.

The plan would have to be approved by lawmakers in the city and both states and ratified by Congress.

Sufficient dedicated funding, which the agency has pegged at $500 million annually, would likely be raised through taxes. WMATA is not tax-supported, and relies on subsidies from the three jurisdictions and the federal government.
By PTI: Mumbai, Jul 15 (PTI) In good news for Mumbai, Modak Sagar, one of the seven reservoirs which supply water to the megapolis, started overflowing today morning.

"Modak Sagar, which supplies 440 million litres of water to Mumbai every day, started overflowing at 6.32 am," said a statement by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).

The capacity of Modak Sagar is 1,28,925 million litres.

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An official from MCGMs hydraulic department attributed overflowing to the good rains in the last week of June in the catchment areas.

"We are quite confident that remaining six reservoirs too would get filled upto their optimum capacity," the official said, as the monsoon is still in an early stage.

Seven reservoirs supply water to the city. These are: Modak Sagar (built in 1957), Tansa (built in 1925), Vehar (built in 1860), Tulsi (built in 1879), Upper Vaitarna (built in 1973), Bhatsa (built in 1983) and Middle Vaitarna (built in 2012).

Bhatsa is the largest among these, followed by Upper Vaitarna. Both come under the state government while the others are maintained by the civic body. Modak Sagar is the fifth-largest one.

The MCGM supplies 3,750 million litres of water every day to the island city and suburbs, which still falls short of the actual demand of 4,200 million litres.

Two years ago, insufficient rains had forced the MCGM to impose water cuts in the city.

The total water stock in seven reservoirs needs to be 14.47 lakh million litres by the end of monsoon so that it suffices for Mumbais needs for the rest of the year. PTI APM KRK

--- ENDS ---
New York State Department of Transportation

Demolition of the Schenectady Station is underway. The new, fully accessible rail station, which will connect travelers to places like New York City and Niagara Falls, has a projected cost of $23 million.

The project is in addition to $181 million in rail improvement projects recently completed along the Empire Corridor in the Capital Region.

The new Schenectady Station will provide modern conveniences to rail travelers, support the continuing renaissance of the citys downtown and create a new entryway to the community, helping connect it to the rest of the state, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. This station, combined with other significant rail improvements in the area, will improve efficiency and reliability, enhancing the rail passenger experience throughout New York, and supporting our historic infrastructure investments statewide.

Work began to construct the new station platform and concourse this spring. New York State Department of Transportation will advertise this fall for a company to construct the new station building, which is expected to open by late next year. The new station will be slightly larger than the old station; the design has been improved to be more passenger friendly and improves accessibility for people with disabilities.

Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY-20) said, The ongoing transformation of the Schenectady rail station adds to the investments in this community that will pay dividends for decades to come. Rebuilding this station not only adds to the safety and reliability of rail transportation in our region, it also supports our local economy including businesses and residents alike. I look forward to working with Gov. Cuomo and other state and local leaders to expand on efforts like this to rebuild our infrastructure and lay the groundwork for strong economic growth in Schenectady County and beyond.

Additionally, New York State was awarded more than $33 million in Federal Railroad Administration grant funds to further enhance rail safety by installing Positive Train Control (PTC) technology on the Hudson Line Section of the Empire Corridor between Poughkeepsie and Schenectady.
By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 16 (PTI) Seeking to blunt the opposition attack over cow vigilantism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today sought to put the onus for checking such "hooliganism" on state governments, insisting that they take "stringent action" against them.

The prime minister also sought the support of opposition parties in tackling "communal violence" in the name of cow protection, and deprecated attempts at giving political or communal colour to the issue.

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"All political parties should collectively denounce hooliganism in the name of cow protection. The state governments should take stringent action against such anti- social elements," Modi said in a series of tweets.

Earlier in the day, he told an all-party meeting on the eve of the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament tomorrow that maintaining law and order was the responsibility of state governments, which should take strict action against perpetrators of such incidents.

"Cow is treated as a mother and it is an emotive issue. But we have to understand that there are laws governing cow protection and breaking it is not an alternative," Modi tweeted after the meeting.

He said some anti-social elements were using cow protection as "a tool to spread anarchy. Some people who want to damage the social fabric of the country are also taking advantage of it.

Modi said such incidents sullied the image of the country.

"State governments must ensure the maintenance of law and order and strict action must be taken against those who break the law," an official statement quoted Modi having told the meeting.

The statements assume significance in context of the recent incidents of violence in different parts of the country in the name of cow protection.

Opposition parties have attacked the BJP over the cases of cow vigilantism in which Muslims and Dalits have often been targeted. These parties have also planned to raise the issue during the Parliament session starting tomorrow.

The prime minister also urged all parties to extend their support to the government in fighting corruption.

Apparently hinting at Trinamool Congress and RJD on the issue of corruption, the prime minister said the political class should join hands against those who seek an escape route by dubbing action against them in graft cases as a political conspiracy. "When law takes its course against those who loot the nation, we have to unite against those who seek an escape route by dubbing such an action as a political conspiracy," the Prime Minister tweeted.

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In his speech, Modi also referred to the presidential poll to be held tomorrow and said it would have been better had there been a consensus on the candidate.

He, however, said "high level of dignity" has been maintained by both sides during the campaign and there was no ill will and foul language was not used. He also called upon all political parties to ensure that everyone votes and no vote is wasted.

While the ruling BJP-led NDA has named Ram Nath Kovind its candidate, the Congress-led group of opposition parties has fielded former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar. Kovind has a big numerical advantage over his rival.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters after the meeting that Modi also noted that 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement falls on August 9 and all parties should celebrate it.

He also thanked everyone for the implementation of the GST, calling it a "shining example of co-operative federalism".

On the issue of Kashmir and tensions with China, Kumar said the government had a meeting with opposition leaders who said they were with the government on matters of national security.

To preserve institutions of democracy, Modi said, it was important that all political parties support the government in conducting the business in Parliament without disruption so constructive discussion can take place on issues of national importance.

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"The Prime Minister in one voice with the leaders of all parties also asserted that all political parties stand united to ensure the nations safety and security, after such concerns were raised by many leaders on recent developments," he said.

There was a consensus on ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament and that deadlocks should be resolved through constructive discussion, he said.

Among opposition leaders who attended the meeting were Ghulam Nabi Azad (Congress), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M), Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP), Farooq Abdullah (NC) and D Raja (CPI).

However, no one from the JD(U) or the Trinamool Congress was present. TMC had announced it would boycott the meeting amid recriminations between it and the BJP over the recent violence in West Bengal. PTI JTR SLB KR NAB ARC SK SK

--- ENDS ---
M.P.M.C. - A team of eye specialists from the Guangdong Province in the Peoples Republic of China are in the country to donate equipment for the National Health services and conducting free eye surgery for the people of Samoa.

More than 20 eye specialists have provided surgery for local residents and so far 31 patients have completed successful operations with more scheduled for Monday.

This is on top of new medical equipment donated to the National Health Services Eye Clinic.

The visit is part of the city sisterhood agreement inked in 2015 between the Samoa Government and the Huizhou Municipal Government, Guandong Province in the Peoples Republic.

In 2015, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi signed the sisterhood pact with Huizhou Citys Mayor Mai Jianomeng to formalise the sisterhood pact between Huizhou from the Peoples Republic of China and Apia, Samoa.

The six Memorandum of Understandings (M.O.U.) inked includes a multi-functional park with a Cultural & Art Center that will serve as a library, opera house, artistic exhibition hall and recreational zone.

The other five other Memorandums of Understanding were signed and sealed this week between the two sister cities.

They include scholarships and medical equipment for the Ministries of Education and Health respectively.

Within the next three to five years, Huizhou will provide and install an electronic platform for each of the 23 public colleges in the country. That project has started.

Three computer labs are included.

Huizhou will also fund scholarships for Samoan students for the next three years to the tune of $200,000 tala a year.

During the three year period, 30 students with excellent academic performance and another 30 from economically disadvantaged families will be awarded scholarships.

Last but not least, the Huizhou Hualuogeng Secondary School has established a sister-school pact with Samoa with Samoa College.

Tentative plans include a students and teacher exchange programme between the two schools.

As for Health, Huizhou is also committed to gift the National Hospital at Motootua with a portable x-ray machine, a color full digital ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The equipment is valued at over $1 million tala.
M.P.M.C. - The intention by Virgin Australia to continue flights to Samoa after its Virgin Samoa joint-venture with the Samoan government concludes in November, comes as no great surprise to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.

Virgin Australia has applied to Australias International Air Services Commission (IASC) for 880 seats of capacity a week between Australia and Samoa after the Virgin Samoa Joint Venture concludes.

The airline intends to commence five services per week between Australia and Samoa from 13 November 2017.

The flights will be operated using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured with 176 seats.

From the start, we had made it crystal clear that there is huge potential in our tourism industry to accommodate more flights, said the Prime Minister.

And Virgins application also reaffirms what we have insisted that they were deliberately scaling down flights to Samoa to increase airfares.

In his weekly radio programme with Radio 2AP, Tuilaepa recalled that when the PolyBlue joint venture between Virgin Airlines and Polynesian Airlines was in place, flights between Australia and Samoa were limited to two flights a week.

And since then government have been trying time and again to add more flights but were rejected by Virgin Australia on the grounds that there was not enough demand to justify more

After crunching the numbers, we had justification for added flights but not according to Virgin Airlines, recalled the Prime Minister.

And its fair to note that even Air New Zealand is looking at adding more flights to Samoa using their bigger 777 aircraft, he continued.

To me, it shows that both Virgin and Air New Zealand are scrambling and it could have a lot to do with our intention to re-launch our national carrier.

As for Virgins application, the Prime Minister indicated that it wont be easy for the Australians to return, reiterating that Samoa will play a deciding role in Virgins application.

I am waiting to see what they bring to the negotiating table but it would be stupid for Government to say yes again and again.
Since Teen Challenge has been launched, it has counseled a number of young people referred to the programme by the Ministry of Justice, Courts and Administration.

This is a programme that was initiated to help young people to make a difference in their lives despite the broken situations they have experienced at home or elsewhere.

Director, Eric Poe has had about 30 cases that have been referred to by the M.J.C.A.

In a previous article in the Samoa Observer, Eric said Teen Challenge Samoa are trying their best to help shape their students into people they should become.

The progress of change; well Id be lying if I said theres a bit of change, it shouldnt be something that comes from us, it comes from the kids themselves.

And he was right; people can change their feelings towards a certain issue or someone no matter how bad the situation is.

Samoa Observer had the opportunity to interview two young women named Julie Wright and Fuatai Tiumalu; who were a part of the Teen Challenge Samoa and how it has transformed their lives.

These young women were brought in for cases regarding problems at home between relatives.

In an inclusive interview with Julie Wright, a 22 year old from Vaiusu uta, she

spoke about how this programme changed her life.

I got into the Teen Challenge Samoa because of what happened between me and my auntie.

I was never involved because it was some issues between her and my mother until one day when I went to the store and I came back home to find my mother and auntie arguing.

But I think it was something that my auntie said that made me very angry, and also she was younger than my mother, in fact we are the same age.

I didnt want anyone to disrespect my mother and we got into a fight because of that.

So thats why I got put into this programme.

When I went to court for what I did, I felt so ashamed and scared because I didnt know what was going to happen to me.

I was really scared because I thought I was going to go to jail but thankfully they referred me to the Teen Challenge Samoa programme.

Julie has been attending every class and lesson for the Teen Challenge Samoa.

So how has this programme helped her?

Well first of all, it has helped me to get rid of anger and turn away from it because I realized that anger will always get me in trouble.

Secondly, Ive learned to go to church and listen to the words being preached have helped in understanding the right kind of behaviour .

Being here, has made me learn about boundaries between family members such as my aunties and sisters because honestly where I came from, I didnt understand any of that.

Teen Challenge has been a huge support to me and all of us here and Im thankful for being a part of a programme that has changed my life.

Another young woman of the Teen Challenge Samoa, 22 year old Fuatai Tiumalu from Mulifanua, Satui also spoke of how it has changed her life.

When my dad had a new wife, my life was going backwards and I still felt there was nothing wrong with whatever I was doing.

I stopped going to church and I wasnt part of our youth anymore.

My family is not really a Christian family, I mean they do go to church but to me they never used any of the words from the Bible, We never followed any of it; we just always thought that we were always right.

But it was the time I had a fight with my fathers wife that I ended up standing in court and found my way here to this programme.

I was always getting angry so my first lesson here was never to let my anger cause me to sin.

My second was I try to live by these words every time I get angry and it works.

Since Teen Challenge became a part of my life, Ive changed.

Being in court, that was my first time and I was scared.

Ive never faced different people before and at the same time I felt sorry for my dad and regretted what I have done.

I know it was his wifes fault but I should have thought of my dad first.

So now everything is okay again and my dad even told me if I need anything, then let him know.

Since I came to this programme, this issue has never been heavy on my mind again, it has slowly encouraged my spirit to be far away from it.

It changed me, and I always turn to Gods words if I get angry.

And Eric told me if I love my dad then I should apologize but the thing was my dad apologized to me first and I told him its not right, its not right for him to apologize to me.

I learned that parents dont have to apologize to their children, its always the other way around no matter what they do. They are our parents.

The only person we should all be asking for forgiveness from is God himself.

Im back to church life and Im in the youth again and that makes me happy.

So Ive learned that when people argue, instead of helping light the fire, help to put it out.

Thats the right way to go.
A 12-member Habitat for Humanity Group from New Zealand and the United States of America are in the country to assist the people of Samoa most vunlrable to natural disasters, through housing projects.

However, the humanitarians have included a visit to the children at the Campus of Hope in their schedule.

This has been a normal practice by the Habitat for Humanity groups who have previously attended similar projects in Samoa.

According to leader Mr. Peter Robertson, we have initiated a visit to the Campus of Hope to present the children with small gifts to show them that we care.

Following the presentation of stationery and $445.00 donated for the children, the visitors entertained the children through the Siva Samoa.

This is humanity at work, and this is Habitats hopeful visit.

SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang thanked Valelia Ausage, the contact person for the Habitat for Humanity for coordinating such an entertaining visit.

Thank you to each and everyone of you for your contribution in bringing joy to the Campus of Hope. Said Siliniu Lina Chang.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament is all set to be stormy with Opposition ready with issues to corner the Modi government.

By Supriya Bhardwaj: Parliament's Monsoon Session is all set to be a stormy affair as a united Opposition is keen to open five different fronts against the NDA government.

Officially the Opposition led by Congress will meet tomorrow morning to discuss their strategy for Monsoon Session but sources say the agenda has already been set on the lone theme: All out attack on government.

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Opposition led by Congress has filed various adjournment notices seeking debates and discussions on five main issues.

FARMERS' DISTRESS

Farmers' suicides and protests that have erupted across country is the main weapon which the Opposition plans to launch at government.

Opposition will raise farm loan waiver, Minimum Support Price and Mandsaur killings in both houses of Parliament. Opposition plans to raise hue and cry about agrarian crisis not just in Parliament but also outside it.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will be addressing a Kisan rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on July 19.

KASHMIR

Both the houses are likely to witness heated discussions on Kashmir issue. The Opposition will ask government to spell out its Kashmir policy. The Opposition will also demand a statement from government on Amarnath attack.

The Opposition will demand from the government to put on record their strategy vis-a-vis Pakistan.

INDIA-CHINA STANDOFF

Though the government reached out to the Opposition, and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as well as Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh tried to set the record straight on China standoff, the Opposition is in no mood to buy government side of story.

The matter will be raised in both houses and demand will be raised that NDA government should make a statement on the entire episode. Opposition will also ask as to what was discussed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The matter will be raised in the Parliament's standing committee on external affairs.

STATE OF ECONOMY

Job cuts in IT sector, impact of demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the state of economy are the issues that the Opposition has planned to rake up in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session.

A discussion on the fallout of demonetisation and impact of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on investment and employment will be sought.

MOB LYNCHING, ATROCITIES ON DALITS, BEEF BAN

The issues of mob lynching, atrocities on Dalits and government's notification for ban on sale of cattle for slaughter are also set to see some heated exchanges between the Opposition and the ruling parties during the Monsoon Session.

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These issues will be raised not just inside but outside Parliament too. Congress has planned a three-day international conference in Bangalore, where Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will speak. Other Opposition leaders and some international dignitaries are also likely to attend the conference from July 21-23.

OTHER ISSUES

Apart from the five hot issues, the flood situation in Assam and other parts of country, Gorkhaland agitation, disinvestment of PSUs and Air India sell out, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Israel visit and the fall out of it and some Bills will be the attraction of the Parliament session.

Government has zeroed in on various important bills. The following legislations will be introduced in the Lok Sabha:

The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership) Bill, 2017

'The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Footwear Design and Development Institute Bill, 2017

The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015

The Labour Code Bill

The Constitution amendment bill on national backward commission

The Banking Resolution bill

The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2017

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ALSO READ |Monsoon session begins tomorrow: What to expect over 19 sittings of Parliament

ALSO WATCH | UPA picks former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar as presidential nominee

--- ENDS ---
The Supernatural Fellowship Ministry met up with the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi at the end of this week to present him with a brief summary of their mandate.

The Ministrys delegation will soon head to Israel for the Feast of Tabernacles.

The group will be led by Pastor Cruise Westerlund, the Director of Supernatural Fellowship Ministry.

I love being an International Christian Embassy Jerusalem representative leader for our country Samoa, Pastor Cruise said.

I.C.E.J. represents millions of Christians, churches, and denominations to the nation and people of Israel.

God said through scripture in Genesis 12:3 - In you (Abraham) all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

He has set a blessing over Abrahams offspring and the Lord has ordered His divine blessing to return to anyone that blesses him.

I.C.E.J. has established a solid mandate in helping and aiding the Jewish people for over a period of 30 years.

They have received incredible favour with the Jewish people and many people in Israel are now recognizing Yeshua (Jesus) as the true Messiah through I.C.E.J.s acts of love and kindness.

How can we today as heathen nations be entitled to the blessing of God?

That is simple, we need to bless His descendants...they are the Jewish people and they are in Israel.

Ps. Cruise added that Our Samoan Pilgrims act as a voice and a true friend to the Jewish people

We will be going to The Feast Of Tabernacles this year to honour them and to give thanks to the Lord of Hosts who has chosen them first to make His name known in ancient times.

Before our nation (Samoa) was ever founded on this same God, He was first known as The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

We have a great spiritual debt that we owe to the Israelites for carrying out and preserving the bible where scriptures originated from.

We will be attending The Feast which will affirm our support to the Israelites, honouring them, for without their rich inheritance, I believe the world we are living in today wouldve already been covered in darkness.

I want to be entitled to the blessings that God commanded over Abraham and his descendants?

That is why I am unashamed to ask people to donate because this is scripturally true for whoever decides to partner and support Gods Word.

He or she shall be immensely blessed and will have access to the Great One of Israel as their defender of justice.

Let your support be known today and dare to stand for this incredible cause.

He acknowledged those who have decided to come on board in helping this great cause.

Thanks to those who have financially donated to our trip. God himself has your specific name written in his book so that he himself will personally meet and supply all your needs according to His riches.

May Adonai bless you as you obey His voice to reach out to His chosen people and may He shower you with his favour everyday as long as you live to honour His name.
The Book Fair event is an initiative by Samoa Stationery and Books C.E.O. and President Fiti Leung Wai who has a passion for books.

In an interview with Marketing Manager, Asia Stanley, she told the Sunday Samoan that the focus of the event is for the children of Samoa to be able to read.

Literacy has always been our banner and we have been very active setting up related events such as this Book Fair to open up opportunities for the children of Samoa, she said.

SSABs objective is to bring to light the importance of literacy for the future of our children so the Book Fair is our presidents initiative.

It is from her passion and love of books that the idea originated hence why she set up Samoa Stationery and Books or S.S.A.B.

Asia also said this is not the first time S.S.A.B. has hosted a Book Fair.

Our President believes is that if we continue to have Book Fairs, it will give the children of Samoa the idea that reading is the key and will make everything easier for them in the future, Asia said.

The event benefits the people of Samoa through the children understanding outstanding that a nation that has smart people is a nation that can be sustained economically and politically.

S.S.A.Bs major goal in having these educational activities such as Literacy Projects and Book Fairs is to provide a platform and open opportunities for the children of Samoa to build, develop and sustain their education which is the key to success.

Asia also acknowledged the support of local organizations as well as a family from Australia.

We would like to thank Melinda and the crew at Bluesky for providing 20 student sim cards for the children, the Rotary Club for giving away free books during the Book fair, United Pacific Freight from New Zealand and the Lithgow family from Australia.
The Womens Fellowship from the Seventh Day Adventist Church for the Faleono District, took time out from their normal motherly duties to pay the children at the Campus of Hope a visit.

The leader of the Womens Fellowship Mrs. Fitimauta was accompanied by members from Maagiagi, Vailele, Laulii,Vailoa Saoluafata and Fusi Saoluafata, that make up the Faleono District.

Bearing gifts of food supplies such as bags of rice, boxes of noodles, cartons of chicken, bags of taro and banana, and a donation of $500.00, the mothers from the Fellowship encouraged the children to be strong and that through the power of prayer, they will rise up.

For the children, they were blessed by the knowledge that they have the love of the community as expressed by the mothers from the Fellowship during their visit.

SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang was at the Campus to acknowledge the support from the Womens Fellowship of the SDA Faleono District.

The Seventh Day Adventist is one of the church partners for SVSGs work with the children, and your being here reminded the children that they are special, because they have the love of the community. Faafetai, Faafetai, Faafetai tele lava.
Sapatu Pili, from the village of Vaovai Falealii, is sure about one thing.

Although living in the village brings many challenges, the peace and calmness enjoyed by all is without doubt.

One issue the villagers face are the many different expenses and not having enough money to cover them all.

Aged 54, Sapatu say these are issues that the Apia area doesnt have that we have.

There are many changes these days in Samoa, he told the Village Voice.

Life is moving so fast and it makes life a bit tougher for many families living in the villages. One of the issues we face as I said has got to do with money; families dont generate enough income to cover all the needs they have.

But thank goodness we still have ways to make money to deal with all the expenses going on in villages."

Sapatu says the only thing that falls heavy on all parents minds is how to get money to deal with the schooling expenses and still have enough to put food on the table."

Its the same every year for families living out here, he said.

We try our best to work as hard as possible to find money to deal with the childrens schooling. Thats how it is for us. The only thing on our minds is how we are going to take care of our families.

All the extra expenses add on to the expenses of putting food on the table.

Despite the fact that life is all about the money Sapatu is determined about one thing which is peace.

That is the simple explanation of life here, he said.

Every village member is working together to maintain and develop families. The only place you find curfews and traditions is back here in the village."

You dont find it anywhere but in the societies in rural areas."

He says he would not want to live anywhere else but his village.

On the bright side, life here is great, he said.

Growing up in these rural villages, you become accustomed to the lifestyle here and we are just not used to the urban, western type living."

The way I see it, there is so much we have that the town area doesnt have."

Thats why I prefer living out here to living in the urban areas."

Not only we have pawpaw and other crops growing around our house so we dont need to go buy anything from the market but the way people live is free and easy..

Its also very peaceful out here.
Sacredness is about doing whats right and following the law.

Thats Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaois response to claims that Samoa has lost the sacredness over the selection of the countrys Head of State.

The most sacred thing to do is to follow the law.... our laws, Tuilaepa said.

He was responding to comments from Member of Parliament, Olo Fiti Vaai, who said the election of the Head of State, should be put to a public vote.

Last week, Olo told the Samoa Observer the matter should not be the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Protection Party alone.

He believes the matter should be decided by Parliament, not an individual party.

But Tuilaepa said the comments reflect how stupid he is.

The decision on the Head of States position is the decision by Parliament, Tuilaepa fired back.

This goes to show that he does not read the law nor understand the application of the law.

Members of Parliament are respective representatives of the constituencies, he pointed out.

According to Tuilaepa, Olos lack of understanding reflects poorly on his judgment. He pointed out that H.R.P.P. are Members of Parliament, so therefore the decision was a Parliamentary decision.

Why did they run for office, when they are unable to make hard decisions? Because his comments clearly indicate that he is unable to make a decision.

Yet they are respective representatives of the constituencies who voice concerns on behalf of the constituents.

His comments are very childish.

Another important aspect is that the decision is in accordance with the Constitution. What other sacredness is talking about. The most sacred thing is to do is to follow the law, our laws.

According to Olo, the nation should be allowed to vote for their Head of State.

In 2015, there was an amendment approved by Parliament that the Head of State would be appointed by the Legislative Assembly acting on the recommendation of the winning Parliament party.

Within 60 days before the expiry of the term of appointment of the Head of State or as soon as practicable when there is a vacancy in the office of Head of State. The party or parties in Government shall submit to the Speaker, a written Notice recommending the name of only one person to be appointed as Head of State.

The problem was, when this amendment was approved by Parliament, three members were missing.

And so three constituencies have not had a say in this amendment, including me, said Olo Fiti.

I feel for the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi. This is the Head of State, Samoas most sacred and respected leader, yet its being chosen by only the winning Party.

What about our constituencies? I mean all of the H.R.P.P. constituencies have had their voices heard in the selection, but what about my constituency?"

Where do we stand in all of this... this is why I think its time for a better change.
IDEA1, a six-story, residential-office-retail project nearing completion in East Village, may represent the ultimate in mixed-use development that San Diego planners have been pining for over the past 40 years.

It will have 295 apartments, office and retail uses, a ground floor fitness center, top-floor clubhouse and a 13,000-square-foot open-air atrium, The Hub. Open to the public, its where visitors can attend concerts, TED talks and movie screenings and bump into each other  out of which encounters may come the next big thing.

It really fits, said Wil Reynolds, founder and CEO of Philadelphia-based Seer Interactive, which is moving its West Coast office from Little Italy to IDEA1 by the end of the year. It almost fell into our laps.

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IDEA stands for innovation, design, education and the arts  the four pillars of a 35-block, 93-acre district conceived by developers Pete Garcia and David Malmuth in 2011  bounded by City College, Park Boulevard, Interstate 5 and Market Street. And IDEA1 is their first concrete example of what they hope the district will produce.

So far, progress has occurred on all four counts:

More innovative, startup companies moving to East Village, as well as some one-of-a-kind temporary installations, such as the Quartyard eating and drinking center housed in recycled shipping containers, the Silo event space and Smarts Farm community garden;

Several architectural and graphic design firms have opened their doors;

The Urban Discovery Academy opened as have the Fab Lab for custom product fabrication and new buildings for City College; and,

Art and entertainment venues, plus many restaurants, have arrived along with new housing projects.

IDEA1 is the first step in establishing the districts vision of becoming San Diegos design + technology innovation hub, their website states. We will achieve this goal by mixing all of the critical uses  office, residential and retail  in a way that encourages interaction between inhabitants of this block and the larger community.

The southern portion of IDEA1 is designed to permit conversion of the upper-floor housing units to office space. (Roger Showley/U-T)

Located on the block bounded by Park and E, F and 13th streets, IDEA1 looks like a pre-World War II glass and concrete warehouse converted to create office space at the F Street entrance. And that was the original plan.

But financing could not be had for speculative office space, even in the face of growing office demand by urban-living millennials, because there was no major anchor tenant.

So Garcia and Malmuth signed a 99-year lease with the San Diego Community College District and brought in Lowe Enterprises and LaSalle Investment Management to back a mostly residential building, part of which can be converted to office use in the future.

We think we have something unique, not just another podium project, Garcia said, a reference to six-story residential developments of wood frame construction on a concrete podium and offering minimal public space and commercial amenities.

A live-work loft unit at IDEA1 is meant to serve startup entrepreneurs who can test out a concept, either a retail or business service, without making a long-term lease commitment. (Roger Showley/U-T)

The apartments, ranging from 550 to 1,200 square feet and averaging $2,700 per month, have just become available for leasing with occupancy by Sept. 30. They range from penthouses to one-bedrooms with some laid out as expandable live-work lofts.

Residents will have access to a rooftop clubhouse with a spa overlooking downtown at the corner of Park and F (and sheathed in metal to resemble a water tower).

A rooftop clubhouse will feature an outdoor spa designed to resemble a water tower. (Roger Showley/U-T)

The commercial space on the ground floor will include Seer Interactives 7,700-square-foot office space, moving in by December; 3,200-square-foot gourmet taco Lola 55 restaurant, due to open in January; and a coffee and beer joint, bike cafe, overseen by a bike repair expert, a live-in barber and other small businesses if current leasing negotiations come to fruition. The average 10-year lease is going for $2.75 per square foot and the live-work units are available on a year-to-year lease.

Lola 55 restaurant will occupy the southeast corner of IDEA1. (Roger Showley/U-T)

They love it, Malmuth said, because, as Garcia explained, It addresses the need for startups. Someone with a great idea could experiment without making a long-term commitment in such a space and expand into IDEA1 spaces or relocate elsewhere.

Designed by the Miller Hull architectural firm, IDEA1 is nothing like the typical warehouse converted to office or retail use. Its center opens to the sky, and The Hub can be accessed from all four streets surrounding the building via four distinctly designed paseos.

The Hub, to be managed by Pinnacle Living along with the rest of the property, will include the IDEA Box on the second level  an all glass enclosure for conferences, meetings and outdoor movies rear-projected onto smart glass that becomes a 10-by-17-foot video screen.

Mixed-use developments have been talked up in planning and architectural circles for decades as an antidote to the downside of traditional zoning practices that separated housing from shopping from work spaces and led to unwalkable communities and long-distance commutes.

The Urban Land Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank, has typically said such projects should include three distinct uses in one building that interact with each other and enhance the experience of visitors, workers and residents.

But bankers have largely turned down loans for such projects, saying multiuse poses conflicts and higher risks for return on investment.

The idea of mixed-use in San Diego normally isnt really mixed use, said local economist and developer consultant Gary London.

Instead, a building might be primarily residential with a token amount of ground floor office. Or a development might include separate uses in side-by-side buildings. Uptown District in Hillcrest, Westfield Horton Plaza downtown and master-planned communities, such as Civita, Liberty Station, Otay Ranch and 4S Ranch, offer examples of mixed-use planning.

What makes IDEA1 more interesting is theyre making a real effort to activate the ground floor on every side with different commercial (uses), London said.

The Hub will be open to the public, not just residents and commercial tenants, and thats a unique feature not seen elsewhere, London said.

Unlike many office tenants, Seer Internationals Reynolds said he was attracted to IDEA1, not by panoramic views from the top of the building, but by the ground-floor access to The Hub. He predicted his 27 local employees (expected to grow to 70 in the next few years) will interact with the public and get inspired in their digital marketing and advertising pursuits. He also likes the idea that he and his fellow executives and managers from Philadelphia will be able stay in a company-rented apartment upstairs when they visit the San Diego office.

I like the idea that my team will have a bunch of amenities around them that are going to be used by all kinds of people, he said. I cannot wait.

LaSalle executives Dan Witte, head of strategic investments, and Kyle Dupree, senior vice president for multifamily management and based in San Diego, agreed that investors have not embraced mixed-use projects other than in high-density locations, particularly around transit hubs.

Capital providers, owners, do have a tendency to bucket their investments, Witte said, and underwriters likewise specialize in particular building types. Were all trying to respond to changes in demand in the market place.

Dupree said IDEA1s Hub, open to the public while also outfitted with necessary security features, has not been tried to such a degree anywhere that he knows of.

Everyone seems to be interested in that concept and to see how well it works, he said. Real estate is all local, so it has to be the right project in the right location and often at the right time, too.

LaSalles $58 billion worldwide portfolio includes 13,000 apartments in 53 projects in the U.S., including 1,778 units in four San Diego projects, said spokesman Matt Schuler. Eighteen of the properties have a mixed-use component.

Mike McNerney, senior vice president of Lowe Enterprises, said until large employers commission a major office tower downtown, IDEA1 will help fill the demand for startup office users.

What weve really got to do is create different places for a new generation of companies to grow, McNerney said.

In the next economic cycle, he said big tech firms in San Francisco, Seattle and other cities may decide to expand to San Diego where office rents are lower and young talent wants to live and work without having to own a car and commute to Torrey Pines and Sorrento Mesa tech centers. The theory will face its first test when a handful of small office projects get built in the next few years.

Cushman & Wakefield office broker Derek Hulse said it took a progressive, young company like Seer Interactive to take a ground-floor office location in East Villages still evolving street scene  a mix of brand-new developments and homeless campouts.

Were finding that office tenants do want to be in what was previously reserved for retail tenants, Hulse said. Those spots are becoming premium spots for office tenants.

The CBRE brokerage is handling the restaurant and retail spaces.

Even as the ribbon cutting nears on IDEA1, Garcia and Malmuth are mapping plans for IDEA2. They want to develop below-market housing that they call attainable housing  conventionally financed without a subsidy and designed with the essentials of shelter at a price below current market.

They also said that the IDEA Districts goals will need further public and private support to carry out  a redevelopment plan for the MTS bus yard and Tailgate Park; and marketing plan to attract more companies downtown; success in reducing homelessness; and a robust program to take advantage of UC San Diegos coming urban campus.

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roger.showley@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-1286; Twitter: @rogershowley
There were two rare sightings during my short visit with my daughter here in Montana. The first was a moose. I had never seen one in the wild before, and it was truly an extraordinary spectacle. But even more unusual than that moose was a very rare glimpse of an actual car.

I mean a car as opposed to a truck.

I wish I would have taken a picture of that car because no one seems to believe I spotted one. They all trust, however, Id seen a moose.

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Everyone has a truck because you cant transport a dead elk in a sedan. This area could be the hunting capital of the nation. Im not suggesting the only purpose of a truck is to carry dead game. Thats also where the groceries go after a visit to Walmart.

I hope Im not giving the impression that my daughter has become some sort of backwoods redneck. Shes actually a sophisticated accounting executive who makes sure to hose the blood off the truck bed before setting out to do the grocery shopping.

That moose I spotted wandered very close to my daughters property, but there was no way she was going to shoot it. Its debatable whether she felt such an action would be inhumane, or because moose hunting season doesnt start until September.

Here in Montana, in the interest of preserving a more humane and compassionate approach to hunting, specific seasons are observed. For a certain period, its all right to use a rifle, then, during another part of the year you can only hunt with a bow and arrow, and then theres a small window when its OK to fire missiles off an aircraft carrier.

As further proof of the compassionate nature of the hunt, Montanans use the term harvesting in place of killing. This way, the act of putting a bullet through an animals brain becomes the equivalent of picking corn.

The term implies that you will consume what you hunt. And that means I have no doubt the 700-pound elk my grandson harvested last year will be totally devoured by the turn of the century.

Im thinking of returning in the spring when black bear hunting season begins, but first Ill be checking with my daughter to see if she has any good bear recipes.

Since theres no apparent hunting allowed during the month of July, Montanans have been turning to a more refined and civilized activity. I am referring, of course, to fireworks.

Theyre legal here. And I dont mean firecrackers. At roadside stands throughout the area, you could buy anything from cherry bombs to an ICBM.

So on the evening of the 4th, we were treated to a pyrotechnics display the likes of which were only seen in the nations capital. The only difference being we didnt have a live orchestra playing The 1812 Overture.

But then its doubtful the D.C. audience was treated to a banquet of elk burgers.

Contact humor columnist

Irv Erdos at IrvErdos@aol.com.
Twenty-five years ago, Dana Gioia wrote a book called Can Poetry Matter? that spurred an ongoing debate about the role of the art form in American life.

He went on to head the National Endowment for the Arts for six years and is now Californias poet laureate, where hes on a mission to visit all 58 counties and nurture an appreciation for what he calls the conversation of the spirit.

A much-anthologized poet himself, his newest book is 99 Poems, a career retrospective that also includes a dozen new pieces.

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Gioia (pronounced joy-uh) splits his time between Sonoma County and Los Angeles, where he is a professor of poetry and popular culture at the University of Southern California.

Hell be at the San Diego Central Library for a reading and public discussion on Monday at 6 p.m. We caught up with him by phone at his physical therapists office, where he was having a finger taped.

Q: Is it a typing injury?

A: At my age (hes 66), you have to be held together by tape. Its pretty sad. You spend your whole life writing and keyboarding and it catches up with you.

Q: What do you remember about the first poem you ever loved?

A: Thats a fairly early memory for me because my mother used to recite poems. She was a working-class Mexican woman, not a lot of education, but she had gone to a school where they had to memorize poems. As a kid, my earliest memory of poetry is her reciting Edgar Allan Poes Annabel Lee.

I think that experience was really quite average for most people in a working-class household. It wasnt like a literary life where people are saturated into it, but it was one of the things, like playing cards and cooking, that we did. Reciting or reading the occasional poem was part of the ordinary pleasures of life.

Q: How did that upbringing influence you?

A: I think its one of the reasons why Ive always resisted the elitism that one so commonly finds in the poetry world. I was the first person in my family to ever go to college. I went to Stanford and then went to Harvard, which are very fine schools, but very elitist, and there was an assumption at both places that poetry was something only the intellectual could do. It was just too difficult for ordinary people. That never made any sense to me.

Q: How old were you when you first started writing poetry?

A: My first poem was written in fourth grade because the teacher asked us to write one. Mine I think was really quite terrible. But thats how one begins.

In high school I wrote a lot of bad, self-pitying poetry. Woe is me, nobody appreciates me. I did not think I would be a poet. When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to do something intellectual and artsy, but I thought I was going to be a musician. Poetry kind of snuck up on me and I was surprised when the muse grabbed me at the age of 20.

Q: What keeps you writing it these days?

A: Thats a good question because when youre young youre full of all kinds of dreams and passions. I think at this point I see poetry as a sort of conversation of the spirit thats existed for all of human history. It goes all the way back to the time of Homer and before. The conversation of poetry predates writing and that itself has become fascinating to me.

My first decent poem was probably in my early 20s. Im 66 now. I have a number of poems that have become well-known and every week I get strangers writing me because they are responding to an essay or a poem Ive written. And it gives you a different perspective because you realize you are part of this conversation thats greater than you are.

So the reason I continue is that having spent my entire adult life writing and reading poetry, Ive grown fascinated by the human possibilities of the art. I hope to make an enduring contribution but I also find a sort of spiritual alertness by practicing poetry. It keeps me aware of my own life and the language which I share with other people.

Q: Tell me about the project to visit all the counties in the state.

A: Im a native Californian but I still havent seen half the state. Im going to all of these places Ive either never seen or simply driven through. And in each case Im meeting people.

Now, San Diego is different. My brother used to live there. My college girlfriend was from San Diego. But everywhere I go in California, I have a different series of conversations about poetry and about the state and it has transformed and enlarged my whole sense of the place where I live. Im not sure Ive had any impact on the audiences, but for me its been an enlightenment.

An interesting thing about giving a well-attended poetry reading is that you have an audience thats not used to being together and they are surprised to see how many other people share their interests and they are engaged to listen to what people are saying. So one of the most important things I do is gather an audience together and have it hear itself talk.

Q: How has the conversation shifted in the years since Can Poetry Matter? was published?

A: Most of the trends that I talked about 25 years ago are still present. Poetry is even more isolated in the university. Its even more absent in the mass media. Poetry criticism is even more remote from the needs of ordinary readers. The one significant change has been that outside the university and the mass media, theres been an enormous amount of local organizing to create poetry events, presses, instruction and a kind of participatory culture.

It comes down to something really simple. People dont necessarily like to read poetry, but most people love to hear a good poem well-recited. So the major trend thats happened is that the energy of poetry now happens when its taken off the page and spoken. This trend originated and continues almost entirely outside English departments. So its a kind of populist energy in poetry versus an elitist trend. The whole culture is moving from the book to the screen or the speaker.

Q: Let me lob one into your wheelhouse: Why is poetry important and worth saving?

A: Poetry is the most ancient art. It goes back to a time before writing when we made art with our human bodies. We danced, we sang, we recited. And poetry survives from that ancient time because it is the most concise, memorable and powerful way we have of using words.

99 Poems: New & Selected, by Dana Gioia, Graywolf Press, 208 pages

john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-2236
Steve Poltz likes to aim high, even when his subject matter doesnt.

Its funny. When I write a song, I always think: This is going to be the hugest hit, ever! said the former San Diego troubadour, who now lives in Nashville.

I constantly have delusions. I think Im swinging for the fences, which I love to do. Im always excited about some song I just wrote.

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Poltz, who was a mentor to Jewel and co-wrote her 1996 smash, You Were Meant for Me, has made 16 albums as a solo artist and as the leader of the San Diego rock band The Rugburns. He will perform new songs and old favorites Friday at Ramona Mainstage and Wednesday at the Green Flash concert series at Birch Aquarium at Scripps.

If the mood is right  and if audience members request it  hell sing Hitchhiker Joe and Me and Eddie Vedder, two choice numbers from Morning Wood, The Rugburns 1994 debut album.

We asked him to tell us the story behind each. He was happy to comply.

Me and Eddie Vedder

Songwriters: Steve Poltz and Michael Addis

Sample verse: I wanna die wasted / In a room with Eddie Vedder / We could both die together / But hell go first / Yeah, Eddiell go first / Cause hes more famous / More famous than The Rugburns.

Poltz: I remember writing that on a napkin with Michael in the outdoor area at Harrys coffee shop in La Jolla. We were talking about Led Zeppelins Houses of the Holy album and laughing so hard, we doubled over. Then I put chords to it and played it that night, probably at Kellys Pub in Old Town, I was so excited! Mike had never written a song before. And, sometimes, those are the funnest people to write with.

We were over-explaining everything in the lyrics: I bought it on eight-track / Not on CD / Fades out in the middle / The way an eight-tracks supposed to. Because we both grew up with eight-track tapes, and they would fade out in the middle. And I will never forget going to a swap meet in Palm Springs, when I was a kid, and seeing a guy with the number 13 tattooed on his bicep. I asked him: What does that mean? He said: Its the 13th letter of the alphabet  M. It stands for marijuana.

So I wrote that in the song. Then, we rhymed marijuana with the way that it oughta. Its just so dumb. And I love dumb.

Q: Didnt Michael Addis go on to direct the video for Hitchhiker Joe?

Poltz: He did. He also made a documentary, Heckler  about comedians and musicians being heckled  that Jewel is in. Mike made another movie, Poor White Trash, and he used to make films for Price Club, before they became Costco. He would make safety videos on 35 mm film. Price Club gave him budgets and hed have me and Rob Driscoll from The Rugburns write all the music. In one of them, I played a guy who stole from Price Club and bit some guys arm  for a safety video!

Mike would make these full-on productions, like he was Francis Ford Coppola. In the one I mentioned, I came into a Price Club and tried to steal a 12-pack of beer, and this guy tackled me and I bit his arm. Mike said: Bite his arm off in slow motion. And I ad-libbed the line: You taste like elk.

This executive at Price Club watched it, and asked: Does he have to bite off the guys arm, and say that it tastes like elk? And Mike said: Yes, yes, absolutely! And he got paid!

Q: Do you know if Eddie Vedder has ever heard Me and Eddie Vedder?

Poltz: People have told me he has. A friend of mine, Jerry Hannan, co-wrote The Rugburns Killkenny Man. Years later, as luck would have it, he became good friends with Sean Penn, who liked his music. Jerry wrote Society, the main song for Penns movie, Into the Wild, which Vedder sings on the soundtrack. Penn was hanging out with Vedder. Jerry joined them one night and told me he started to sing Me and Eddie Vedder. And Eddie said: Yeah, yeah, Ive heard it. I think he was nonplussed.

Hitchhiker Joe

Songwriters: Steve Poltz and Steve Foth (who died in 1999)

Sample verse: My girlfriend Lois called from Tallahassee / She picked up that dude at the spam factory / That was the last time that I saw her smile / My best advice is / Dont eat spam for a while.

Poltz: Its basically a song about cannibalism. Steve Foth, who was in the band C.L.A., and I wrote it driving to San Diego from Off The Record in Encinitas. We saw this hitchhiker, and Steve said: I have writers block. I said: What are you talking about? We could pick up that hitchhiker and he might hit us and eat us. I wrote down the chords. We did it that night at Kellys Pub. Michael Addis was in the audience, and said: This is amazing! We gotta film it.

We played it for Mike Halloran at 91X, and he loved it. Hitchhiker Joe became one of the two most popular songs on 91X  us and Green Day. Then, our record company said theyd pay for us to make a video of it. And I said: I know this guy! That was Mike Addis, of course.

A guy at Kellys Pub said: If you ever need a helicopter, call me. And Grace Ko, who had some clout at Hilltop High in Chula Vista, let us use the whole school for filming, including an overhead shot from a helicopter with all the kids running out of the gym, because they were afraid of Hitchhiker Joe!

There are a lot of local luminaries in it. We got Jose Sinatra to be the principal. Gregory Page was in the band, Jeff Berkley played bongos, Stinky was on drums and John (Hogan) From Rust. Mighty Joe Longa, rest in peace, was Hitchhiker Joe. And Jewel plays my girlfriend, Lois, from Tallahassee. We were all so young.

I think theres a scene in the video where Ray Brandes vomits and wets his pants. I remember fighting for that scene, but the record label said wed gone too far and cut it out.

Q: Do you ever play Me and Eddie Vedder live?

Poltz: I do, every once in a while. Basically, no song is off limits with me. If I play a show and somebody wants to hear a song, Ill play it.

You know whats funny? I was playing the other night and this guy from Africa was there who only knows really popular culture from America. He came up to me afterward and hugged me. He said: I love your energy and your smile! Its so infectious. When you play guitar and jump up and down, you remind me of (the movie) Back to the Future.

I said: Oh, Michael J. Fox! And he said: No, no  Doc, the professor! (laughs) I think I look young. And in reality, Im Jim (Christopher Lloyd) from Taxi!

Steve Poltz

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Ramona Mainstage, 626 Main St., Ramona

Tickets: $25 (must be 21 or older).

Phone: (760) 789-7008

Online: ramonamainstage.com

Steve Poltz, Berkley Hart

When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Green Flash Concert Series, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla

Tickets: $35.95-$41.95 (must be 21 or older)

Phone: (858) 534-4109

Online: aquarium.ucsd.edu/experiences/events/green-flash

Twitter @georgevarga

george.varga@sduniontribune.com
There will be fights. There will be tights. (After a fashion.)

Robin Hood!, the world-premiere comedy that Ken Ludwig is about to unveil at the Old Globe, may be a fresh reconception of the centuries-old legend about a brave heros adventures in economic redistribution.

But Ludwig  the prolific playwright whose works have hit Broadway six times  says his take on the story will stay true to much of what audiences know and love about Robin Hood.

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And more than that, he says, the play is meant to honor the qualities that he believes help explain the sagas endurance.

I want to portray the myth in what I think is its greatest form, which is its optimism and its real sense of working together to accomplish something, and to do the right thing, Ludwig says. (Robin Hood) is a real hero in that sense  hes not a neurotic hero, and hes not doing it for any personal gain.

That may be deeply out of fashion in an age of flawed antiheroes, Ludwig acknowledges.

But thats something I cant worry about. Ive gotta write what I believe. Ive gotta write whats in my heart. Whats in my heart is that we can emulate these people.

And that by emulating people who really have goals and a true heart, you can take a step forward, and push the ball forward in terms of our lives and our civilization.

This being Robin Hood, of course, there will be swordfights.

There will be some real one-on-one confrontations, Ludwig says of the eight-actor production, directed by the Broadway veteran and Globe returnee Jessica Stone (of Arms and the Man, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike).

Theres going to be a lot of physicality to this. But also a lot of moments when you dig into the personal stories of these people.

The overall vibe, he adds, is hyper-real, on the level of myth. That, says Ludwig, explains the titles exclamation point.

Globe return

Having Ludwig back in San Diego is its own kind of exclamation point for the Globe, which commissioned Robin Hood!

Globe artistic director Barry Edelstein calls the two-time Tony Award nominee (for the hit farce Lend Me a Tenor and the musical Crazy For You) arguably the leading comic dramatist in the American theater.

Ludwig was last here two years ago with another Globe world premiere, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, his comic spin on the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle classic.

That show set a sales record for the Globes arena-style second space that dated back to when it was still the Cassius Carter Centre Stage. (The venue was rebuilt as the White Theatre about seven years ago.)

It takes nothing away from Ludwigs achievement that the record was subsequently eclipsed by 2016s Meteor Shower, a play by another writer of some comic renown  Steve Martin.

(Damn him!, Ludwig says with a laugh. I never even heard of the guy, and he steals my record.)

Director Stone, who had a distinguished Broadway and film acting career before shifting into directing, has cast relative newcomer (and Yale School of Drama grad) Daniel Reece in the title role of the gallant outlaw who steals from the rich to give to the poor.

Reece is joined by Michael Boatman (of Broadways Master Harold  and the Boys) as Prince John, Kevin Cahoon (the Globes Loves Labors Lost) as the Sheriff of Nottingham; Manoel Felciano (the Globes Twelfth Night, Broadways Amelie) as Sir Guy of Gisbourne; Meredith Garretson (Signature Theatres Private Policy) as Robin Hoods romantic interest, Maid Marian; Andy Grotelueschen (just seen at the Globe in Fiasco Theatres The Imaginary Invalid) as Friar Tuck; Suzelle Palacios (of the Old Globe/University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program) as Doerwynn; and Paul Whitty (Amelie and Once on Broadway) as Little John.

The production represents a welcome return for another top theater artist: Costume designer Gregg Barnes, a San Diego native and two-time Tony winner (for The Drowsy Chaperone and Follies).

His drawings are spectacular, says Ludwig, chatting before hed had a chance to see Barnes finished costumes. They reflect really the way I was hoping Robin Hood would be portrayed.

And yes, there probably will be a few pairs of tights running around, Ludwig adds. (That common stylistic trope in retellings of the story was spoofed in the 1993 movie Robin Hood: Men in Tights.)

Ludwig, a Harvard Law School grad who worked as an associate in a law firm before deciding to devote his life to the theater, says he started thinking about the Robin Hood legend as a play some 10 years ago.

I love the adventure, I love the story, I love that hes a real hero, says Ludwig, who was just announced as the winner of a Sustained Excellence in American Theatre award from the Samuel French publishing and licensing organization.

And as I started taking notes on all my books  and I have a pretty big Robin Hood library  I started seeing that its got to be more than that. That would be fine if it were a childrens story. But there had to be more.

That more developed into a sincere focus on the kind of person who shows compassion for those who are less fortunate than he is, and where theres a society that is overtaxed and cant make ends meet. And is facing certain political realities that they have trouble dealing with.

They live a rough life of abuse. Theyre dismissed as an underclass. And somebody comes along and in his own personal journey transforms himself, and comes to face to face with this, and says, This cant be. This is just not right. On a personal, moral level, this has got to stop.

I dont want to be overly political about it. Its there in the history of our country, in terms of race relations, in terms of prejudice, in terms of lots of things. The fact that right now were going through another turbulent time that reflects the same kinds of problems is no coincidence.

But Im not out to preach. This is not an anti-Trump polemic. This is quite seriously about an individual who undergoes a moral crisis and starts to see the world differently, and (see) that the world is only going to survive if we show real compassion.

And start realizing that we all have to take care of each other.

Robin Hood!

When: Previews begin Saturday. Opens July 30. 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 3.

Where: Old Globes Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Balboa Park.

Tickets: $39 and up

Phone: (619) 234-5623

Online: theoldglobe.org

jim.hebert@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @jimhebert
Nine of the listed Bills have already been passed by the Lok Sabha and are awaiting the nod from the Rajya Sabha. Among these legislations are, the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017.

The Whistle Blowers Bill specifies grounds under which disclosures related to corruption may not be made public while the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 proposes to annul the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.

Bills like the Indian Institute of Management Bill, 2017 the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 have been listed for passage by both the Houses.

Of the 16 Bills listed for introduction, consideration and passing, are the National Sports University Bill, 2017, the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FDRI) Bill, 2017.

The two Bills listed for withdrawal are the Participatory of Workers in Management Bill, 1990 and The Northeast Council (Amendment) Bill, 2013.

Meanwhile, a women's collective, comprising more than 1,600 organisations, has pitched for the passage of the "long pending" Women's Reservation Bill in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

With the slogan "Ab 33 per cent nahi 50 per cent", the National Alliance for Women's Reservation Bill has demanded 50 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies instead of 33 per cent.

"The Prime Minister had congratulated African countries for women's majority in their parliament. But when it came to his country, he never said a single word about this Bill," general secretary of the National Federation of Indian Women, Annie Raja, said.

In India, women hold a mere 12 per cent of the seats in Parliament and nine per cent in state assemblies, Director of Centre for Social Research, Ranjana Kumari, said, adding, "Unless there are more women in politics, their concerns cannot be addressed effectively."

Director of the Joint Women's Programme, Jyotsna Chatterjee, said that the BJP had "committed" support to the women's reservation bill in its 2014 election manifesto, and now it was time for the party to stand by it. "It is high time to prove what they had declared in their election manifesto. The government says 'beti bachao beti padhao', but what about her political rights," she said.

Eyes will also be on the Code on Wages Bill during the Monsoon session of Parliament. Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya yesterday said his department is working hard to lay the Code on Wages Bill in the Parliament in the upcoming Monsoon Session.

The labour ministry had earlier sought a Cabinet approval for the new labour code on wages, a move which is seen as a first step towards labour reforms. "If the new bill is passed in the Parliament and becomes an Act, it will significantly improve the ease of doing business as well as ensure minimum wages to all workers," the minister said.

The Code on Wages Bill, which will ensure universal minimum wage for all industries and workers, has already been approved by the union finance minister Arun Jaitley-led inter-ministerial panel on labour. The Code on Wages Bill also seeks to empower the Centre to set a minimum wage across sectors, which the states will have to follow.

The minimum wage will be applicable to all classes of workers, which at present, is applicable to scheduled industries or establishments in the law. Under the Code on Wages, the labour ministry has chalked out plans to streamline the definition of wages by amalgamating four wage-related statutes. Employees now grapple with nearly half a dozen definitions of wages in various Acts across the Centre and states, Dattatreya said.
At least two people were arrested Saturday afternoon during dueling rallies staged in Hollywood by supporters and detractors of President Trump.

The arrests stemmed from a scuffle among competing demonstrators outside the busy Hollywood and Highland shopping complex, police said. An anti-Trump protester who received a minor laceration during the skirmish was given medical aid from a rival demonstrator.

A counter protester is injured. A LA proud boy member swoops in for the medical rescue. pic.twitter.com/PSqd4H013Y  Marcus Yam  (@yamphoto) July 15, 2017

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A shouting match on Hollywood and highland has begun. pic.twitter.com/IniNB5Gd6X  Marcus Yam  (@yamphoto) July 15, 2017

Despite a lot of shouting and name calling, the demonstrations remained mostly peaceful and without incident.

Trump supporter Anna King, 38, a medical assistant from Cerritos, and her friends brought along a large American flag. I think we should all come together as a country and support our president, she said.

This was the second time that Trump supporters and detractors have faced off along Hollywood Boulevard. In March, dozens of activists on both sides rallied. Tensions were high, but the demonstrations were relatively peaceful, ending with at least two arrests.

On Saturday, Trump supporters began gathering about 1 p.m. near Trumps Hollywood Walk of Fame star in front of the shopping center. Nearly two hours later, an anti-Trump rally and march started at the same location. Police officers on bicycles and horses were forced to shut down a portion of Hollywood Boulevard.

The groups were separated after the skirmish, with the officers standing between the two sides. Tourists watched as Trump supporters waved American flags and chanted America first! while counter demonstrators carried signs that said No! The Trump/Pence Regime Must Go!

Los Angeles police Sgt. Neil Wank said that one man was arrested on suspicion of battery. The victim, who identified himself only as Graywolf, 72, said he was punched in the face by a disgruntled Trump supporter.

He shoved a bullhorn in my face, he said. I pushed him back and he decided that was enough provocation to hit me in the face. He was promptly arrested, and I will be filing charges on this guy.

At one point, about 100 anti-Trump protesters marched down Hollywood Boulevard to Vine Street, then onto Sunset Boulevard, up Cahuenga Boulevard and finally back onto Hollywood Boulevard. They were trailed by about two dozen Trump supporters.

Last October a man took a sledgehammer and vandalized Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

In October, a man damaged Trumps star with a sledgehammer. In June, the star was covered with stickers during the LA Pride Resist March.

The anti-Trump protest, one of several taking place around the country Saturday, is being organized by RefuseFascism. Dozens of people were expected to participate in the rally, according to organizers.

The Trump/Pence Regime daily escalates its fascist attacks on immigrants and Muslims, on healthcare and the poor, on Black and Brown people, on women and LGBTQ folks, on the media, on the environment, on the right to protest, on the truth, the organizers stated on their Facebook account.

Similar protests were scheduled in at least 15 other U.S. cities, according to organizers.

ruben.vives@latimes.com

For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter.

christine.maiduc@latimes.com

Twitter: @cmaiduc

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UPDATES:

5:50 p.m.: This article has been updated with comments from demonstrators.

3:20 p.m.: This article was updated with new information about crowd size.

3 p.m.: This post was updated with the arrests of two protesters and information from the rallies.

2:05 p.m.: This post was updated with a revised estimate of the number of people who will participate in the anti-Trump protest.

This article was originally published 10:45 a.m.
A car crash along the 118 Freeway in Simi Valley sparked a brush fire Saturday night on a hillside near the Los Angeles County line, authorities said.

The vehicle appears to have veered off the freeway and plummeted about 200 feet in rocky, steep terrain, said Capt. Stain Ziegler of the Ventura County Fire Department.

Firefighters responded to reports of a brush fire around 8:50 p.m., Ziegler said. They arrived to find one person trapped inside the car near the bottom of the hill near the Rocky Peak Road exit.

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Rescuers managed to free the driver, who was taken to a hospital, officials said. No other details were immediately available about the driver or the individuals condition.

About 50 firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Ventura County Fire Department were battling the flames late Saturday night, including half a dozen fire engines, a hand crew and two helicopters that were preparing to make water drops on the hill.

As of 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Ziegler said, the fire had consumed about a quarter of an acre and was showing a slow rate of spread. Slight winds of about 10 miles per hour didnt appear to be hampering firefighters efforts, he added.

Shaunt Berberian, 35, said he was driving westbound on the 118 to his home in Simi Valley when he saw an orange glow out of the corner of his eye. Video he posted showed flames shooting up from the hillside.

Brush fire  in Simi Valley off the 118 W just past Rocky Peak. pic.twitter.com/03Swlnitip  Shaunt B (@sn0monkey) July 16, 2017

It seemed like it had just started and that fire and police had just gotten there, Berberian said in a phone interview. The flames were at least ten feet and it just smelled like a big old campfire. Even with the windows rolled up, you could feel the heat.

christine.mai-duc@latimes.com
Ramona Unified School District trustees approved a $58.1 million 2017-18 budget that includes deficit spending, does not include one-time money of $700,000 to $800,000 expected from the state, and likely will not be a sure thing until September.

With deficit spending projected for the next three years, Superintendent Anne Staffieri, Ed.D., recommended that trustees hold a budget workshop after all the financial facts are in, to talk about options before us for considering reducing that deficit.

The budget includes $55.7 million in revenue and $58.1 million in expenses. It estimates revenue and expenses, but many factors may change, said Staffieri. What she called our decision-making budget will come after trustees know actual expenses and income from the 2016-17 year that ended June 30 and thus the actual beginning balance for 2017-18.

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Gary Hamels, a retired business manager working as the districts budget consultant in the absence of an assistant superintendent of administrative services, said the anticipated one-time money from the state and a loss of about $82,000 from SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area) will go into the revised budget. David Ostermann, who as the districts assistant superintendent of administrative services for the past 12 years worked on district budgets, resigned in June after reportedly being on administrative leave since mid-May and accepting a job in El Centro, where he lives.

Of course well review everything all the way up through when we give you your first interim report, said Hamels.

Noting that he works with other school districts, Hamels said, You are in much better shape. Everybody has a problem  You just have a longer time to work on it than others, but you dont want to wait until the last minute to do it because, regardless of how much it is, its painful, and we dont see that the states going to produce more money for schools.

The budget includes six new employees  three counselors for the elementary schools, an elementary school music teacher, and an Assessment & Categorical Support person and Technology Integration & Curriculum Support person in the district office  at a cost of about $413,000. It adds an Intensive Outpatient Program at Hanson Elementary. Having the outpatient program for students needing therapeutic services in Ramona will save the district about $250,000 a year, Staffieri reported.

Increases in employee pension contributions, health benefits, and automatic Step and Column salary increases based on years of employment and additional education are projected to total $1.26 million this fiscal year. On the plus side, the district will receive $202 more per student from the state for a net gain of $948,600 after subtracting the projected enrollment decline of 14, a report from Staffieri showed.

Among other business at the June 29 meeting, trustees approved its second state-required three-year Local Control Accountability Plan. The 2017-20 plan is 97 pages shorter than the previous three-year plan, will be updated annually, and is on the home page of the districts website at ramonausd.net.

The plan has four goals:

1. Students will be prepared for college and career as they experience high quality, locally-controlled, standards-based teaching and learning.

2. Students will benefit from positive and supportive learning environments.

3. Students will benefit from school environments where meaningful family collaboration and community engagement are encouraged.

4. Students will be educated in school facilities that are safe, clean, well-maintained, and supportive of healthy learning environments.

In addition, the plan details actions and services to meet the goals, how the district will measure progress on the goals, and how much money the district will spend on each goal.

After conducting a community survey that had nearly 4,000 respondents, the district held meetings of its Stakeholder Committee of about 70 people who included parents, students, community members, teachers, support staff, and administrators, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Theresa Grace said at an earlier school board meeting. Grace reviewed the plan with trustees several times; presented drafts to the county office of education in April and in May; reviewed the plan with the District Advisory Committee, District English Learner Advisory Committee, and employee unions; and held a community forum before holding a public hearing at the June 15 school board meeting. No member of the public spoke and the hearing lasted 5 seconds.

Id like to thank all the people who worked on it, trustee Daryn Drum said. It was definitely a community effort to put it together.
California is poised for a swift transformation of its electricity landscape  and that could bring tumult if preparations arent made soon to maintain quality and avoid reliability problems like rolling blackouts, the states leading energy regulator is warning.

After decades of dominance by investor-owned utilities, electricity markets in the state are becoming more competitive. Ratepayers today have a growing number of choices for powering their lights, laptops and electric cars  from installing rooftop solar panels and consumer-scale batteries to joining increasingly popular government-run electricity programs known as community choice aggregation, or CCA.

Currently, investor-owned utilities such as San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric together buy and sell more than 75 percent of the states electricity. Their collective share could plunge to 10 percent within the next five years, with CCA programs causing most of the change, according to the states most aggressive forecast. More conservative estimates still show major shifts away from the utilities.

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Innovation is actually starting this process of hollowing out the investor-owned utilities, Michael Picker, president of the California Public Utilities Commission, said during a public meeting last month. The confluence of these disruptive business models  (is) to some extent dramatic.

SDG&E, SCE and PG&E agree that the states electricity markets are undergoing adjustments, but declined to weigh in on specific forecasts.

As Californias energy landscape continues to rapidly change, all market participants must take immediate steps to help keep energy affordable and (environmentally) clean for all customers, said Ari Vanrenen, spokeswoman for Pacific Gas & Electric.

In recent years, traditional utilities, CCA backers and others advocating an end to electricity generated from coal or natural gas have been locked in an expanding struggle for customers. Generally speaking, the states push for ever-greater use of solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable energy sources is upending the electricity market.

Traditional utility companies have met  or exceeded, in the case of SDG&E  the Legislatures minimum thresholds for boosting green energy in their portfolios.

Environmentalists and other backers of CCA programs want a quicker and more emphatic pursuit of what they see as the end goal: Using 100 percent renewable power and eventually producing much, if not all, of that zero-emissions energy within each geographic markets territory. That would mean, for instance, having a community install solar arrays on virtually every rooftop and harness wave energy from the nearby coastline.

For decade after decade, the typical system has involved a utility purchasing electricity generated farther away and then transmitting it across long, large power lines into customers homes and businesses.

Under the CCA model, a utility continues to operate and maintain the poles and wires needed to deliver energy, but elected officials for a city, county or consortium of municipal governments control the buying and selling of that power for their jurisdiction. With no shareholders and an emphasis on fighting climate change, community choice programs in California have been investing their revenues in renewable-energy projects in or around their service territory.

Since the states first CCA was launched in Marin County in 2010, community choice has grown to account for 5 percent of the electricity bought and sold in California. By 2020, the utilities commission said the state should be prepared for CCA to control 67 percent of the total electric load if the agencys forecasting proves correct.

There are eight community choice programs in the state, such as Redwood Coast Energy Authority, CleanPowerSF and Lancaster Choice Energy. That number is expected to roughly double by the end of next year, with San Jose and Los Angeles County gearing up to create what would be the states two largest CCAs.

In San Diego County, 15 of the regions 18 cities are in various stages of looking at community choice, with Solana Beach being the furthest along. The city of San Diego could decide by early next year on whether to proceed toward a CCA, while the county of San Diego has put off the idea for now.

Under the utilities commissions most dramatic predictions, investor-owned utilities would make up just 10 percent of the market by 2020. Rooftop solar would comprise 10 percent, up from 6 percent today. The remaining 13 percent would be direct-access sales, an arrangement where nonresidential customers buy directly from a specific power generator instead of from a traditional utility.

Commission officials said the shift away from utility companies could play out more slowly. Still, they urged lawmakers and regulators to prepare for a transformation, especially to ensure that CCAs and other new entities are properly regulated so they dont fall short when demand for electricity spikes.

The transition could be messy, said Edward Randolph, energy division director for the commission. The point is to make sure that we have enough electricity under contract during a peak day in the summertime, so you dont have rolling blackouts or the wholesale price of electricity goes higher and gets passed on to ratepayers.

Regulators said they have begun such measures, but stressed that revising the oversight process could take years and might require legislative action to expand the commissions authority over CCAs.

When the idea of community choice emerged in California, the states three largest utilities used their dollars to oppose it. After bitter battle between Marin County and Pacific Gas & Electric over creation of the states inaugural CCA, the Legislature decided in 2011 to bar investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer money to speak out on community choice.

Those companies must apply with the utilities commission to create a separate lobbying division thats funded entirely by shareholders. In the case of SDG&E, the commission last year permitted establishment of a lobbying arm  Sempra Services Corporation  thats housed under the utilitys parent company.

Last week, Frank Urtasun of Sempra Services Corp. said consideration of CCA programs should be postponed until regulators give more clarity on some key issues.

Two of the most critical elements of a feasibility analysis are the costs and benefits. Unfortunately, there is tremendous uncertainty about both of these components right now, he said.

Californias major utilities largely make profits from building infrastructure like transmission lines, while energy procurement and sales are largely pass-through costs. When a CCA is formed, a utility company continues to issue bills to that programs customers  but breaks out transmission expenses collected by the utility versus generation charges paid to the CCA.

SDG&E, SCE and PG&E have said CCAs wouldnt dramatically impact their bottom line as long as theyre made whole for long-term energy contracts they have signed on behalf of customers who later chose a community choice program.

The state charges CCA customers a fee to address this concern.

Both the utility companies and CCA leaders have criticized the formula for determining this fee, which is called the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment, or PCIA.

Community choice groups said the process of determining the PICA amount isnt transparent because free-market rules restrict them from understanding the pricing data that utilities submit to state regulators.

Utilities said theyre not receiving full compensation for expensive, long-term purchases of green power that theyve made to fulfill the states renewable-energy requirements. The cost of solar power has come down significantly in recent years, benefiting community choice programs that have sprung up during this pricing drop.

Revamping (the commissions) policies to deal with this emerging situation is going to be a huge job, said Dan Farber, co-director of the Center for Law, Energy and the Environment at UC Berkeley. Because some customers will still need or desire the utilities for power, and everyone will be using their distribution systems, it has to be managed in a way thats fair to them. ...

A revision of the PICA formula is expected within the next 18 months. Over time, regulators said, the issue could become much less of a concern as the utilities long-term contracts expire.

Twitter: @jemersmith

Phone: (619) 293-2234

Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com
When it comes to sharing the most intimate details of your health, confiding in a physician who shares the same language and culture can sometimes make a critical difference.

In San Diego County and many areas of the nation, that kind of doctor-patient relationship can be hard to come by for immigrants or non-English speakers. For example, in San Diego County, Hispanics make up about a third of the population, according to census data. But only about four percent of the countys physicians are Hispanic, according to 2013 data from the Medical Board of California.

At the same time, the U.S. is facing a doctor shortage that could grow to a shortfall of up to 95,000 physicians by 2025, a report from the Association of American Medical Colleges found.

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To help curb that disparity, Dr. Patrick Dowling of the University of California Los Angeles helped found a program that trains Spanish-speaking immigrants who went to medical school in other countries under the condition that they work in California for several years in areas with doctor shortages, particularly those that have communities of Spanish-speaking patients.

When people immigrate to the U.S. with medical training from their home countries, they have to sit for three board exams in order to practice in their new country. Many end up switching to lower-skilled fields because their English is not strong enough for the exams.

We have all these immigrant doctors up here doing construction, said Dowling, co-founder of the International Medical Graduate Program. Its a brain waste in many ways.

About 14 percent of San Diego County residents live in a federally designated health professional shortage area, according to data from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. Those areas include City Heights, Logan Heights, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, Jacumba and several neighborhoods in southeast San Diego.

Dr. Brenda Green, 33, an immigrant from Mexico who first studied to be a doctor in Tijuana, is one of the UCLA programs graduates who cares for underserved patients in San Diego. She worked for almost two years in City Heights for Family Health Centers of San Diego before transferring to the organizations Chula Vista clinic.

Spanish-speaking patients sometimes confide in her important details that they havent told their other doctors, Green said.

She recalled a recent patient who came to see her for the first time. The woman told her that shed been experiencing rectal bleeding for months, which can indicate colon cancer, Green said. The woman had been too embarrassed to tell her previous doctor, but she felt more comfortable talking to Green because they shared the same language and culture, Green said.

That happens all the time, Green said.

Jorge Preval, a 57-year-old Cuban-American truck driver and one of Greens patients, said he followed her when she switched to the Chula Vista clinic, even though it is much farther from his house.

She knows how to communicate. She knows how you think, how you operate, Preval said in Spanish in a phone interview. I dont know how she does it, but when I go to see her, she always figures out the problem. For me, shes the best doctor Ive had in my entire life.

Green was born in Monterrey and grew up in Tijuana, she said. She immigrated to San Diego when she was about 20 years old. Though she mostly grew up in Mexico, her mother is a U.S. citizen and was able to petition for Greens visa after the family began to worry about growing violence and crime where they lived.

Once she finished medical school in Tijuana, which is a seven-year program that begins right after high school, she decided to study for the U.S. board exams. UCLAs program, founded in 2006, made the process much easier for her, she said.

Its difficult, she said. You have to start learning the culture and the day-to-day language that doctors would speak.

She recalled meeting asylees from Cuba, Mexico and Honduras in her classes for UCLAs program.

She completed a residency with UCLA before coming back to San Diego to fulfill her obligation to care for underserved patients. Though the program only requires a few years of that work, Green intends to keep working in that community as long as she can.

Once you are interested in this type of thing, its hard to move to other medical systems, Green said. Im hoping Im staying here for the long run.

Greens understanding of Mexican culture helps her educate patients about health issues that other physicians might not think of, she said.

She knows to tell grandmothers not to give their grandchildren herbal tea for colic and not to overfeed them as the abuelas often want to do. She knows when she has a dying patient, the whole family will want to be involved and that is expected in their culture.

Because of San Diegos diversity, particularly in City Heights, she has also seen patients who emigrated from other parts of the world. Green thinks even in those situations, shes able to help them because of her bicultural experiences, she said.

When a Cambodian refugee and new mother first came to her, Green found out the woman hadnt gotten any prenatal care for her recent pregnancy because she didnt trust doctors. Over about a year, Green earned the womans trust, she said, and now she cares for the entire family. She is proud that she convinced the woman to get a Pap smear, a screening for cervical cancer, for the first time.

Some of Greens relatives in Mexico criticized her for choosing to practice medicine in the U.S., she said, because they didnt want trained people leaving the country.

With the way people migrate, Green said, her patient population is very similar to the one she saw at a free clinic where she worked in Tijuana. She cared for migrant field workers there who traveled up to San Francisco for work, she said.

I think they need me more here because over there everyone is on the same page, Green said.

Staff writer Sandra Dibble contributed to this report.

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A nasty feud has erupted at the normally genteel Salk Institute in La Jolla over whether the elite science center discriminates against its female professors in funding, promotions and leadership opportunities.

The fight became public this past week when acclaimed and veteran Salk biologists Vicki Lundblad and Katherine Jones separately sued the institute, claiming that the nonprofit is an old boys club that systemically devalues female scientists.

Lundblads lawsuit also alleges that numerous senior male faculty members have gone as far as making disparaging remarks about Elizabeth Blackburn, the Nobel laureate who became the institutes president in January 2016.

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In response, the institute said it treats all of its scientists equitably. It also claimed that Lundblad and Jones have consistently trailed their peers in producing high-quality work and attracting grants. Its rare for such criticism, warranted or not, to be made publicly in science  a field where people are highly sensitive about their reputations.

The disharmony comes about a month before the Salk holds its big annual community celebration, Symphony at Salk, which is meant to raise money for the faculty.

Both sides in the dispute expressed exasperation with each other on Friday.

We have great colleagues at the Salk, but we do not compete on a level playing field (when it comes to internal money). We do poorly largely because we dont get a chance to apply, Lundblad, who was elected to the venerable National Academy of Sciences in 2015, said during an interview with Jones on Friday.

The Salk released data that it said proves how Jones and Lundblad have been treated fairly, especially when it comes to funding.

Female scientists at Salk have conducted acclaimed research programs since the institutes founding, and in the past 10 years, Salk has appointed an additional six women scientists  Salk denies that Dr. Jones or Dr. Lundblad have suffered any harm or adverse employment action based on their gender, the institute said in a statement.

The claims and counter-claims have yet to be examined in court for their veracity.

Whats clear, though, is how the issue of gender equity has long been a source of tension across the United States as lawmakers, education leaders and conflicting advocates wrestle with proposals for increasing the presence of women in all levels of the sciences.

Numbers and trends

Women earn about half of all the doctoral degrees awarded in scientific fields, but represent only 21 percent of full professors (the highest designation for a scientist) on the faculty of research institutions, according to a 2012 report from the National Science Foundation. The numbers are similar for the life sciences.

A 2017 study in Harvard Business Review found that on average, female scientists published 11 percent less often in the most prestigious journals, such as Science and the New England Journal of Medicine, than male scientists.

Its not clear why we see this difference, but it could place women at a real disadvantage if hiring and promotion committees focus on publications in the most visible journals, the study said.

The authors of that report also found that women were 20 percent less likely to get whats known as an R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health. This kind of grant is given to more senior scientists who lead their own research, as opposed to junior scientists who assist.

Being awarded an R01 grant has essentially become a precursor for a faculty career at a research-oriented university, said the authors, who are two male researchers at Yale University.

About two-thirds of this gender gap appeared due to differences in publication records, such as women publishing less frequently than men and receiving somewhat fewer citations on their papers, they continued. The rest of the gap, though, appeared to result from women systematically receiving less credit for their work.

The issue of under-representation is more complicated than overt gender bias, said microbiologist Jo Handelsman of the University of Wisconsin  Madison, who has conducted extensive research on this topic.

Gender discrimination is often unintentional  and practiced by men and women alike, said Handelsman, who served as associate director for science in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for the Obama administration.

This is an unconscious bias. Its not a cognitive process, she added.

For example, a 2012 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences examined hiring decisions among science faculty. The randomized, double-blinded study presented identical resumes to 127 faculty members. Resumes with male names were more likely to get selected than those with female names. This disparity in selection was found among both male and female faculty members.

The only way to really reverse the impact of the bias is to consciously hold yourself accountable and ask, Are we really being fair to all the candidates? Are we holding them all up to the same standards? Or do I spend more time with my men or my women graduate students inadvertently? said Handelsman, who co-authored the 2012 study.

Gender disparities differ among the various disciplines of science, Handelsman said. For example, her own specialty of microbiology has had more women than other fields of biology.

The American Society for Microbiology had its first woman president in 1929, which I find astounding given that women got the vote in 1920, she said.

On the whole, Handelsman said, she has seen significantly better treatment for women in the sciences in recent years.

There have been interventions that have made a difference, like lengthening the tenure clock so that you can accommodate a family better and giving more mentoring for junior faculty, she said. I think this issue requires concerted effort and really hard work.  But I think the good news is we are making progress and we know an awful lot more about the mechanisms underlying the differences today than we did, say, 15 years ago.

Strife at the Salk

In their lawsuits, Lundblad, 64, and Jones, 62, accuse the Salk Institute of unfairly limiting the ability of female professors to gain access to sources of money needed to sustain robust laboratories.

Each woman has four workers in her lab. Its more common for scientists at their level to have 10 to 15, and some labs have a staff or 30 or more employees.

Lundblad and Jones allege that women have not had as much opportunity as men to seek support from the institutes fundraising team, or to directly apply for grants from private foundations. They also note that none of Salks four tenured female professors received any money from a $42 million gift the institute received in 2013 from the Helmsley Charitable Trust. Much of the money is earmarked for the study of cancer and other diseases that Lundblad and Jones have focused on during their careers, they said.

In addition, the lawsuits allege that prominent Salk scientist Inder Verma has historically denied support to Salk-employed women faculty (and) controlled the distribution of Helmsley funds, with the full backing of senior Salk administration.

In an email sent Saturday from Amsterdam, Verma said without elaboration: I did not know about this lawsuit.

Lundblad and Jones further claim that the Salk has discriminated against women in the awarding of endowed chairs, which can be used to cover a substantial portion of a professors salary. Their lawsuits said 21 endowed chairs were awarded to Salk professors in recent years, and that only two went to women. Lundblad got one of those positions in 2014.

Lundblad said she was astonished to be told by a member of the Research Accounting department that she was the worst faculty member at Salk . Another administrator in the same department described senior women faculty as babies in response to their complaints about severe gender-specific skewed distribution of resources at Salk.

On Friday, the institute released statements from two Salk scientists who disagreed with Lundblad and Jones about gender relations there.

This marks my 29th year at the Salk Institute, and I feel fortunate to have spent most of my scientific career here. While there are always opportunities to increase access for women scientists, Ive always thought that the Salk has provided me with the facilities and resources that I needed to flourish as a scientist. I have enjoyed collaborations and made discoveries that would not have been possible anywhere else, said Joanne Chory, who heads the institutes Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory.

Edward Callaway, a neurobiologist, said in his statement: I have tremendous respect for Dr. Lundblad and Dr. Jones for their efforts to promote gender equality in the sciences and their commitment to science. It is thus particularly disappointing that they have chosen to pursue this suit against the Institute, a nonprofit that works for the betterment of humanity. I am not aware of any factual basis for their claims. The Salk Institute goes to great lengths to ensure all faculty, regardless of gender, are treated fairly and have equal opportunity to pursue their research.

Also on Friday, the institutes administration contended that Lundblad and Jones have received high salaries and gotten millions in financial support for their labs during the past decade  despite poor performance as defined by internal Salk metrics such as the number and placement of studies published in scientific journals.

Deborah Dixon, the attorney representing Jones and Lundblad, said on Saturday that the claims made in her clients lawsuits are accurate.

Science Playlist  On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds

Twitter: @grobbins

gary.robbins@sduniontribune.com
Somewhere in California, one childs medical expenses in 2014 totaled $21 million  a bill covered entirely by Medi-Cal, the states version of Medicaid.

The childs condition is not known. But the cost of care was mentioned in recent Twitter and Facebook posts by Jennifer Kent, head of the state Department of Health Care Services, which runs Medi-Cal.

Kent declined to provide additional details. But she said that in recent years, Medi-Cal has had at least one patient whose annual medical expenses have reached between $15 million and $21 million.

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The massive bills speak to the breadth of services Medi-Cal provides, as well as the staggering costs of some of those services.

They also underscore the challenges policymakers are facing with possible cuts in the federal governments contribution to Medicaid proposed in the House and Senate Obamacare repeal bills. For patients like these, there often isnt anywhere to reduce costs, experts say.

They are very expensive people with really expensive needs, Kent said in an interview. Your disease defines the treatment you require, and the costs are joined to that diagnosis.... Thats just the nature of the beast.

Nearly $2 million a month in healthcare costs?

Medi-Cal, which is jointly funded by the federal and state governments, provides health coverage to 13.5 million Californians, or a third of state residents.

State data show that the most expensive 1% of patients in Medi-Cal account for 23% of the programs spending. Ten percent of patients create 63% of total costs.

Some of those people may be addicted to drugs or have a mental health condition that contributes to their high healthcare expenses. They may overuse the emergency room because they dont know how to navigate the healthcare system or find a primary care doctor.

Kent said the department does rewarding work trying to help the so-called high utilizers. The department might direct them to recovery programs or connect them with behavioral health treatment.

But those sorts of fixes cant reduce healthcare costs for everyone, she said.

Medi-Cal patients incurring the absolute highest costs tend to have severe genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and sickle cell disease, Kent said.

Patients with hemophilia, a disease in which the blood doesnt clot, can require costly infusions of blood clotting factors multiple times a day. A drug was recently approved for Duchenne muscular dystrophy that costs $89,000 a year.

If someone requires $5 million worth of blood factor because of their hemophilia, then ... we cant manage that cost. Theres nothing that can be done, because thats medically necessary, Kent said.

This year, an insurer in Iowa disclosed that a child there with hemophilia had healthcare costs totaling $12 million.

Katie Verb, director of policy and government relations for the Hemophilia Federation of America, said that treatment for patients with severe hemophilia could reach $1 million annually but that $12 million  let alone $21 million  is unheard of. Mary Dwight, senior vice president of policy for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, said she was not aware of any cystic fibrosis patients whose yearly bills were in the tens of millions.

Katherine Hempstead, a health policy expert with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said some sick patients could require teams of doctors, around-the-clock care or experimental drugs that could drive up costs further.

Im sure its just some unfortunate person that has a lot of medical needs and is very expensive to take care of, she said.

She said people who have insurance through their jobs and become sick may have to stop working and spend their savings on medical care, and they could end up relying on safety net programs that support low-income Americans.

Medicaid probably has more than their fair share of stuff like that, she said.

The Senate Obamacare repeal bill

Thats why state officials say theyre concerned about the Senate healthcare bill.

GOP legislators unveiled a proposal last month that would dramatically scale back Medicaid, making funding 35% lower in two decades than under current law, according to an independent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. A revised version of the bill released Thursday includes the same changes to Medicaid.

California officials estimate that the bill would leave Medi-Cal with $115 billion less through 2027 than it would receive otherwise.

Geoffrey Joyce, director of health policy at the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, said the Medicaid cuts would likely mean pushing people out of the program or limiting their benefits. Provider rates are already low, and states are already barely making ends meet with the funding they currently have, he said.

What do they have to do? They have to slash and burn, he said.

The Senate bill would change the way Medicaid is funded, switching it from the current model in which the federal government reimburses states for its expenses, regardless of how large they are, to a fixed amount of money for each state.

Ed Haislmaier, healthcare policy expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said the change would give states an incentive to run their programs better and cut down on fraud and abuse that could be driving up costs. The bill would also give states flexibility to allow them to charge enrollees co-pays, which could discourage wasteful medical care such as frequent emergency room visits, he said.

If you do a better job managing how people utilize services, you can certainly provide better care at a lower cost, he said.

The half of Medi-Cal patients with the lowest annual expenses account for just 7% of Medi-Cal spending, state officials said.

Experts, however, said the changes to Medicaid in the Senate bill are so drastic they would likely put a squeeze on everyone in Medi-Cal, including the child whose costs totaled $21 million.

Theres obviously room for improvement, but theres still going to be just genuinely complex patients that are expensive, Hempstead said.

soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com

Twitter: @skarlamangla

ALSO

Divided Senate Republicans unveil new version of Obamacare repeal bill

Medi-Cal patients sue state, claiming widespread discrimination

She watched her ex-husband end his life under Californias new right-to-die law. I felt proud
With a timely theme of Pride Unites the World, San Diegos annual celebration of the LGBT community returns Friday through Sunday. Highlights of Prides 2016 festivities include the parade, which winds through Hillcrest along University and Sixth avenues, and a two-day music festival in Balboa Park.

This year, event organizers are thrilled to have a modern-day pop star among the hundreds of musicians who will perform live on multiple stages at the Saturday/Sunday festival.

Were excited to headline Kesha, says San Diego Prides executive director, Stephen Whitburn.

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Kesha has 31 million Facebook fans, 2 million Instagram followers and a roster of chart-topping hits.

New to the Pride this year is the Rainbow Zone, an exhibit area where nonprofit organizations providing services to the LGBT community can showcase their initiatives for free. The public also can check out the Art of Pride gallery, featuring works by LGBT artists. DJs, food trucks and vendor booths round out the weekends offerings.

Attendance at the July 16 parade, which is expected to draw more than 100,000 spectators, is free. General admission to the musical festival costs $20 per day in advance. A $120 VIP pass grants access to food/drinks, comfortable seating and upgraded amenities.

Heres a peek at what else promises to help make Pride fabulous.

Pride of Hillcrest Block Party

Fabulous Hillcrest will host its fifth annual Pride of Hillcrest Block Party, a high-energy celebration near the Pride Flag on Normal Street. 6 to 11 p.m. Friday. Tickets start at $20; 21 and up. fabuloushillcrest.com

Unite! Music Festival

The Unite! Music Festival paints a diverse sonic and visual tapestry designed to bring together the entire LGBT community and its allies. Five events  to be held at Fluxx and House of Blues in the Gaslamp Quarter, Quartyard in East Village, and Spin nightclub near Mission Hills  will stretch over whats being billed as three days that will rock your world. 10 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Monday. Tickets start at $40. umfest.com

Pride 5K Run/Walk

Front Runners and Walkers San Diego presents its annual Pride 5K, which follows the parade route before the parade begins. Warm-up begins at 9 a.m. at University Avenue and Centre Street. 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Race participation starts at $35. frwsd.org

Pride Parade

A free community event, the 1.1-mile parade begins at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue and Normal Street, proceeds west along University Avenue, and then turns south at Sixth Avenue toward Balboa Park. 11 a.m. sdpride.org

San Diego Pride Music Festival

Pop star Kesha headlines the two-day festival, which showcases hundreds of live performances on multiple stages around Marston Point in Balboa Park. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $20 per day. sdpride.org

Pride on the Pier

Broadway Pier comes to (night)life with DJs, a laser show and sexy go-gos. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $69.

Flawles Pride Pool Party

Organizers of this pool party at Rooftop600 at Andaz San Diego believe in a community of amazing women that want more. Expect DJs, music, magic  and a few men, too. Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $40. flawles.com

The Zoo Party

Go wild as Pride takes over the San Diego Zoo with DJs, dancing and other delights. 4 to 11 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $110 and include zoo admission. billhardtpresents.com

2016 Pride highlights

 U.S. Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning  the first-ever LGBT leader of a U.S. military service branch  will be the keynote speaker at the Spirit of Stonewall Rally at 6 p.m. Friday and will lead the military contingent in the parade as an honorary grand marshal.

 The San Diego Padres will have a contingent in the parade for the first time, and Padres CEO Mike Dee will speak at the Spirit of Stonewall Rally.

 California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom will be an honorary grand marshal in the parade.

 The Pride Youth Marching Band will perform in the parade and at the rally.

 In addition to the main ticketed area, the San Diego Pride Music Festival will have a free area for the first time. It will have 80s and 90s music, the Art of Pride gallery, a family picnic area, community information booths, food trucks and more.
They sat opposite each other in the Southwestern College Sun newsroom, just a half dozen or so miles from where their worlds collided 32 summers ago.

The first thing Adriana Wright wanted to know was: What took so long? How could a deranged killer keep shooting people at the McDonalds restaurant in San Ysidro for an hour and 17 minutes after police were first alerted?

 Charlie Minn is making a documentary called 77 Minutes exploring the response time of San Diego police in 1984, when a gunman killed 21 people in a McDonalds in San Ysidro.

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Wrights teenage sister and 8-month-old nephew were among the 21 fatalities. An additional 19 people survived the fusillade of bullets unleashed by James Oliver Huberty that afternoon.

They didnt die because of the gunshots, their wounds. They died because they bled to death, Wright told retired Capt. Paul Ybarrondo, then a lieutenant in charge of homicides and one of more than 150 police officers who responded to the emergency call July 18, 1984.

The unusual question-and-answer session unfolded Saturday per the arrangement of New York filmmaker Charlie Minn, who wanted the interview as one of the final pieces of his latest project, 77 Minutes.

The documentary is a wrenching revisitation of what was then the worst mass killing in U.S. history. It features rare footage from the frantic scene and interviews with survivors, police and witnesses. It never mentions the killers name.

Minn was drawn to the story of the massacre practically from the day it happened. He remembers hearing it on the news when he was a teenager, about the same age as Wrights sister, Jackie Reyes.

He hopes that by sharing reflections of those involved in the tragedy, the movie will serve as a testament to survivors and to friends and loved ones of victims who did not.

Though the film isnt quite completed, Minn already has organized a premiere screening for next month at a local multiplex.

For the Saturday interview between Wright and Ybarrondo, Minn chose the campus newsroom because a friend who teaches at Southwestern College encouraged him to pursue the project. And its close to the crime scene.

The answers to Wrights questions werent easy.

Ybarrondo talked about the lack of information officers had when they arrived  basics such as the number of shooters, weapons and potential victims. He said reflections off of so many shards of broken glass prevented police snipers from getting a clear shot.

The first officer arrived two minutes after the radio call, said Ybarrondo, who spent 36 years with the San Diego Police Department before retiring in 1995. And he was immediately shot at.

The McDonalds massacre came at a time before mass shootings were as common as they are today. The events of that afternoon helped define how police respond to such threats even decades later.

Huberty was a disaffected and unemployed security guard who had moved to the San Diego region only a few months before the attack. His wife told authorities he was suffering from a severe mental illness, and that his call to county psychiatrists the day before had not been returned.

Hours before the killings, Huberty took his wife and children to another McDonalds in Clairemont for lunch. Later, inside their San Ysidro apartment, he kissed his daughter goodbye and told his wife he was off to hunt humans.

He had an Uzi submachine gun, a Winchester 12-gauge shotgun, a Browning 9mm pistol and a duffel stocked with hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Huberty entered the restaurant and began shooting people at random within seconds.

None of the officers could get an immediate handle on what was unfolding, beyond the hysteria. Communication errors and a lack of armored vehicles, air support and other specialized equipment inhibited their ability to respond more quickly.

Under the circumstances they had to operate under, they did the best they could, Ybarrondo said. It was mass confusion down there.

The siege finally ended by way of a single bullet fired by a police sharpshooter atop the nearby post office.

The ambush made news around the globe. Investigations turned up anecdotes and details about every victim, their personal circumstances and aspirations, what they were doing in the minutes before they stopped for what they expected would a quick bite to eat.

The experts parsed Hubertys trail from Ohio to Tijuana to San Ysidro. They interviewed relatives, friends, former coworkers and anyone who might help decode why he acted.

Decades later, there remains little understanding beyond the facts of what happened.

Wright, now a sales manager who still lives in the same nearby home, accepted much of what Ybarrondo recounted during their hour-plus discussion. But she remains convinced that police could have acted faster.

I hope this helps you guys get better training and get better prepared,she told the retired captain.

Minn, whose previous works include examinations of mass killings in the United States and criminality south of the U.S.-Mexico border, has booked the Ultra Star cinema complex in Mission Valley for at least a week of screenings of 77 Minutes beginning Sept. 23.

The film also is scheduled to be available on DVD and over the Internet at www.77Minutesfilm.com.
Grove Pastry Shop, a mainstay in the heart of Lemon Grove for more than 60 years, closed its doors Nov. 30.

Teresa Johnson, who has owned the bakery at 3308 Main St., for 10 years, says her lease was up at the end of this year. Johnson said a 30 percent increase in rent equaling another $1,000 per month forced her to leave.

The bakery, set in a historic Mission-style building near the giant lemon downtown, is well-known in and out of Lemon Grove for its fancy whipped cream cakes, cupcakes, danishes, pies and cutout cookies.

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On Monday morning, several customers walked up to the store and were visibly disheartened after reading a note taped on the front door of the bakery written by Johnson.

Our valued customers, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your patronage, Johnson wrote. Myself and my team have worked so hard to make the most delicious and beautiful cakes that we could. We are so saddened to leave.

Johnson also asked for help with leads in finding work for the employees who will be left without a job.

Twila Johnson (no relation to Teresa Johnson) who grew up in nearby East San Diego was almost in shock. This makes me tremendously sad, after reading the note. She had planned on buying some sweets for her boyfriend.

She said she remembers going to the bakery as a child with her grandmother, who would get her a treat after buying items for the familys chickens at a feed store that was across the street.

We also came here for cakes for fancy parties like baby showers, said Twila Johnson, 42. I remember it always being here.

Lemon Grove City Councilman George Gastil said he recalled fondly his 50th birthday cake created by the bakery a few years ago.

Teresa Johnson said she is disappointed but is moving on. She said she will continue the busiest part of her business, designing and baking personalized wedding cakes, and sell them through her website artisticweddingcakesbythegrove.com.

She said she was heartbroken that she had to let her 12 employees go. Johnson said that she is still in the store every day answering the phone. She said calls are coming in from people all over the country with stories and anecdotes about their memories of the bakery.

Many of the bakerys fans call her and are in utter shock and just devastated, she said through tears. She said she has heard from three generations of brides who have used the bakery for their wedding cakes.

I just go home at night and collapse, Johnson said, her voice cracking. Im so sad. People are in shock and upset. Its a heartbreak after 66 years. All the business, the family tradition of loving service from the staff and really good products. This place is tied to the community and customers. Its really sad.

The Grove Pastry Shop opened in 1947 on Broadway. Current building owner Lennart Ohlund told the Union-Tribune in 2005 it probably didnt make two cakes a week before his family, immigrants from Sweden, bought it in 1955.

The Ohlund family owned and operated the Grove Pastry Shop from 1955 to 2002. In 1980, they moved the bakery into the citys former 1912-built General Store at Main and Pacific streets, where it has remained since.

The Ohlunds sold the bakery to Rick Rehan in 2002; Johnson bought it in 2005.

Lennart Ohlund, who lives in Lemon Grove, declined comment on the closing of the bakery, other than to confirm that the building is for sale or for lease.

When I bought the shop, I was so happy to be able to buy a business that already had a history, an emotional bond with the community, Johnson said. I tried to keep it going with the same thing and make it better. And we did that, very successfully. It was a lot of work to make a great place rather than a place that just gets by.

It breaks my heart to be the one that has to end this, to break the tradition, she said.

A 65-feet wide by 18-feet tall, five-panel mural depicting scenes from the past in Lemon Grove is on the south side of the building.

What will happen to those remains to be seen, but Lemon Grove Historical Society President Helen Ofield said the murals are removable and will be preserved. The society commissioned the panels, which have won several awards.

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com
By India Today Web Desk: A day before monsoon session, government calls all-party meeting

Before the session, both the BJP and Congress will hold their separate meetings to interact with their respective candidates.

Trump may reverse decision on Paris climate accord, France's Macron says

Trump on Friday appeared to hold the door open to a change of position on the 2015 Paris climate change agreement.

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Saif on hosting IIFA 2017: It's going to be a lot of fun

Saif Ali Khan is going to host the IIFA Awards 2017 with Karan Johar in New York

Wimbledon 2017: Federer seeks historic eighth title but faces test from Marin Cilic

Roger Federer will become the most successful man in Wimbledon history if he beats Marin Cilic on Sunday.

--- ENDS ---
My friend is visiting Belize! Its been a few years and yesterday, we went to two of her favorite places for lunch. Two of my favorites. Wild Mangos on the beach and the Chocolate Company.

Its been too long! Both are located at the south end of Front Street in San Pedro town. Right on the beach.

They make SUCH good wraps and SUCH good salad. Amys Chef Saladwith chicken and cashews and fruit. So delicious

Mongo Burrito.

Youd think that the burrito was enoughbut you NEED to try the chocolate cheesecake.

Its the perfect size.

Pretty well stuffed we headed back north  right in the middle of THE HUGE BUTTERFLY MIGRATION. Thousands and thousands of yellow sulphur morpho butterflies heading south. I mean millions

And here is what happens when you try to take a photo of this epic journey. (Apparently north to south from Southern Canada to South America.)
The ECI found Mishra guilty on charges of misreporting election expenditure and paying news channels to broadcast biased news ahead of the 2008 Assembly election in Datia constituency.

By Rahul Noronha: A Delhi High Court Division Bench on Sunday dismissed the petition of Madhya Pradesh Minister for Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Narottam Mishra that challenged his disqualification demanded by ECI.

On June 23, the bench of the Election Commission of India ruled to disqualify Mishra as an MLA and also to bar him from contesting public office for the next three years.

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The ECI found Mishra guilty on charges of misreporting election expenditure and paying news channels to broadcast biased news ahead of the 2008 Assembly election in Datia constituency.

The disqualification has been categorised under Section 10A of the Representation of People's Act 1951 along with Sections 77 and 78.

The complaint in this regard was filed by Rajendra Bharti who had contested the election against Mishra in 2008 and then again in 2013.

MISHRA CONTINUES TO 'ACT' LIKE A MINISTER

On Sunday, Justice S Muralidhar and Justice Pratibha M Singh heard the arguments by Mishra's counsel Mukul Rohatgi who said that the Congress leader held the post of Minister for Parliamentary Affairs in MP and was needed to vote in the Presidential election today.

After hearing from the counsels of the ECI and complainant Bharti, the bench dismissed the petition.

Initially, Narottam Mishra had filed the petition with the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and then at the Jabalpur bench.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court moved the matter to the Supreme Court which asked the Delhi High Court to hear it and decide before July 17 (today).

Meanwhile, Mishra continues to discharge his functions as a minister even though he is not a member of the House since after June 23.

The Congress has said that it will raise the matter in the Assembly's Monsoon session that starts today.

--- ENDS ---
The industrial revolution emerged in the 18th century and altered life for mankind. The computer age that came along in the 20th century did likewise. Now, artificial intelligence, an advanced technology that utilizes algorithms  a sequence of actions that combines calculations, data processing and automated reasoning  will allow computers to read, understand and analyze as the human mind does. Thus, America is poised to embark on an innovative boom of historic proportions that will transform our everyday life and make some alert investors very wealthy.

Ninety percent of all data produced and collected since the beginning of our time has been done in the last two years, and will be doubled (at the present rate) in the next five years. This incredible statement of facts is difficult to absorb even for the highly intelligent mind. The human brain has astonishing capability. Once our technologists are freed from the monotonous task of sorting out the billions of pages of data now published daily by computer software, our minds can focus on creative research such as medical science, financial analysis and robotics (to name only a few). Just recently, an automobile drove itself and four passengers through the Albany area for 6.1 miles in the first ever test of an autonomous vehicle in New York state.

Artificial intelligence will also enhance human productivity growth. The McKinsey Global Institute recently reported that almost half of all paid technology research work can be automated by AI. This would increase human productivity by .8 percent to 1.4 percent, compounded every year. This will give our country a substantial manpower economic boost.

Unfortunately, artificial intelligence has also empowered a cast of twisted minds, criminals and terrorists who are building a worldwide audience to promote their views. However, AI technologists are already busy creating algorithms that can sweep digital networks and automatically purge incorrect and extremist content.

Amy Hirsh Guarino, an expatriate from upstate New York (who happens to be my niece) has been living and working in Silicon Valley for many years now. Recently, she was recruited by Kyndi (kyndi.com), one of the leading companies in the growing field of artificial intelligence technologists. She is now chief operating officer and considered to be one of the top 100 women technologists in Silicon Valley.

The time is coming when humans can no longer keep up with the volume of reading in our modern age. We foresee a time when every technologist worker must be partnered with an artificial intelligence assistant, she told me during my interview with her. Next, Guarino explained digital forensics as understanding how and why something happens (the TV series "Forensic Files" is a dramatized example of digital forensics).

AI will be able to utilize all the current medical journal information plus medical reports and patient reports to tailor the diagnosis and treatment plans based on individual symptoms, genetics and patient history, Guarino said.

The key of artificial intelligence is being able to process lots of combinations of systems in real time, plus being aware of the latest research. AI will never replace doctors, but it will help them make the right decisions since the systems will be able to recall all known diseases, and, in theory, they dont have bias. With that said, doctors know their patients, and AI will help them provide a filter based on that knowledge.

America is entering a new age  call it the information technology age  where there will be wonderful opportunities among technologists, innovators and businessmen alike. The key to it all is education.
By PTI: Geneva, Jul 16 (PTI) Scientists have developed a 3D- printed soft silicone heart that closely resembles and functions like the human organ, and could help save lives of people who suffer from cardiac failure.

The well-functioning artificial heart is a real necessity, researchers said.

About 26 million people worldwide suffer from heart failure while there is a shortage of donor hearts.

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Artificial blood pumps help to bridge the waiting time until a patient receives a donor heart or their own heart recovers.

The soft artificial heart weighs 390 grammes and has a volume of 679 cubic centimetres.

"It is a silicone monoblock with complex inner structure," said Nicholas Cohrs, a doctoral student ETH Zurich in Switzerland.

The artificial heart has a right and a left ventricle, just like a real human heart, though they are not separated by a septum but by an additional chamber.

This chamber is inflated and deflated by pressurised air and is required to pump fluid from the blood chambers, thus replacing the muscle contraction of the human heart.

Researchers showed that the soft artificial heart fundamentally works and moves in a similar way to a human heart.

However, it currently lasts for about only 3,000 beats, which corresponds to a lifetime of half to three quarters of an hour. After that, the material can no longer withstand the strain.

"This was simply a feasibility test. Our goal was not to present a heart ready for implantation, but to think about a new direction for the development of artificial hearts," said Cohrs.

The tensile strength of the material and the performance would have to be enhanced significantly.

The research was published in journal Artificial Organs. PTI MHN MHN

--- ENDS ---
WASHINGTON -- Predictably and sensibly, a three-judge panel of the nation's second-most important court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, recently dismissed, unanimously, a lawsuit brought by a Yemeni man, two of whose relatives were collateral fatalities in a 2012 U.S. drone attack that killed three terrorists. The suit asked the court to declare the attacks illegal under several U.S. statutes.

The court, however, invoked the "political question" doctrine: Some politically charged and technical matters are not "justiciable" because courts are inappropriate forums for answering them. They include the wisdom of military actions. What was sensible but not predictable was that Judge Janice Rogers Brown, in addition to writing the opinion for the court, added a blistering opinion in which she upbraided the other branches for dereliction of duties regarding unfettered presidential warmaking, particularly with precision-strike weapons.

"There is pitifully little oversight within the executive. ... [C]ongressional oversight is a joke  and a bad one at that. ... The spread of drones cannot be stopped, but the U.S. can still influence how they are used in the global community  including, someday, seeking recourse should our enemies turn these powerful weapons 180 degrees to target our homeland. The executive and Congress must establish a clear policy for drone strikes and precise avenues for accountability." Brown asked: If judges will not check "this outsized [executive] power, then who will?"

Unfortunately, in this, as in so many other areas, Congress is in perpetual flight from responsibility. It should begin by revisiting the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, which was enacted while the World Trade Center and Pentagon still smoldered.

The AUMF authorized the president to "use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations, or persons."

As Rosa Brooks, a former Pentagon official and now Georgetown law professor, crisply notes, five and three of those words especially matter.

In her simultaneously witty and disturbing book "How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything" (2016), she notes that the AUMF does not authorize force "against anyone, anywhere, anytime" but only against those who "planned, authorized, committed or aided" 9/11. And it authorizes force for a specific purpose  to "prevent any future attacks" against this nation by such entities, "not to prevent all future bad acts committed by anyone, anywhere."

Last October, believed to be for the first time, a U.S. Navy vessel fired SM2 interceptor missiles to defend itself against a missile attack. The attack came from Yemen, where U.S. forces are involved  they have made more than 80 airstrikes this year, and 150 others since 2012  in that country's civil war. Most, but not all, of those strikes have targeted Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

In June, a U.S. F/A-18E shot down a Syrian government fighter aircraft that was threatening rebel forces attempting to overthrow the Syrian regime. In May, U.S. forces repeatedly attacked government forces, or the government's proxy forces, in Syria. U.S. forces are occupying Syrian territory. Hundreds of Marines are manning fire bases in northern Syria. This intervention resembles a slow-motion invasion.

Now, some, most or all current U.S. military activities might be sensible. Few, however, are clearly authorized.

Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., have introduced legislation to authorize the use of force against al-Qaeda, the Taliban and the Islamic State for five years. It would create a process by which presidents can designate other radical Islamic groups as "associated forces" and Congress can reject such an expansion of force.

Last month, the House Appropriations Committee voted  by voice, perhaps unanimously  to include in a defense measure a provision repealing the 16-year-old AUMF, for the purpose of forcing the writing of one responsive to 2017 realities. Speaker Paul Ryan opposed using an appropriations bill for this purpose (although nowadays the House appropriations process is rarely used for its intended purpose  timely passage of appropriations bills). But Rep. Tom Cole, an eight-term Oklahoma Republican on the committee, said, "I don't know any other way to get [the congressional leadership's and the administration's] attention, because we've been talking about it for years."

Congress is permanently in "Annie" mode. It will deal with its war responsibilities, like its myriad other forfeited powers, tomorrow, which is always a day away.

George Will's email address is georgewill@washpost.com.
Are congressional Republicans in Washington reaching a tipping point over the continuing political theater and water-tortured presidency of Donald Trump?

If recent public comments by prominent South Carolina Republicans are any indication of the diminishing stature and respect in which Trump is held in Washington, then the president should be worried. Despite his partys control of Congress, the hyper-sensitive, Twitter-impaired Trump cant seem to climb out of a Washington swamp of his own making to be a player in promoting his agenda. For the first time in my lifetime, the president seems like a B-team sideline player watching a game being played on a muddy field in the rain. None of it is pretty.

U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy of Spartanburg, a Trump loyalist once mentioned as possible director of the FBI, complained this week about the ever-changing stories from the Trump campaign about Russias meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Someone close to the president needs to get everyone connected with that campaign in a room and say, From the time you saw Doctor Zhivago until the moment you drank vodka with a guy named Boris, you list every single one of those, and we are going to turn them over to the special counsel.

Gowdy, the new chairman of the House Oversight Committee, is frustrated that media outlets continue to break news on the Russia scandal.

This drip, drip, drip is undermining the credibility of this administration, he said, adding later, If you had a contact with Russia, tell the special counsel about it. Don't wait until The New York Times figures it out!"

In political circles, theres an old quote attributed to President Lyndon Johnson. After a chilling 1968 CBS News report on the Tet offensive in Vietnam, Johnson reportedly said, If Ive lost [anchorman Walter] Cronkite, Ive lost middle America.

While theres some doubt that Johnson actually muttered the words, the sentiment is illustrative for whats going on in Washington these days. Members of Congress of both parties are increasingly concerned about whats happening in the office of the president. And if Trump loses congressional Republicans, his presidency might be doomed.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, wasnt happy about emails last year involving the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr., and how he loved it to hear how a Russian government lawyer might have sensitive information that could hurt his fathers Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.

"Anytime you're in a campaign and you get an offer from a foreign government to help your campaign, the answer is no, a feisty Graham said. "So, I don't know what Mr. Trump Jr.'s version of the facts are. Definitely  he has to testify. That email is disturbing.

Members of Congress, political creatures all, dont want to go down with a sinking ship. They are looking at the numbers  and Trumps arent great.

Polling averages during the past month show 54.3 percent of Americans disapprove of the job being done by Trump, who had a 41 percent approval rating, according to Real Clear Politics aggregation of recent polling. In June, CBS News reported that Republican support of the president dropped 11 percent  from 83 percent to 72 percent  between April and June.

The most recent Winthrop Poll in April showed that among South Carolina voters, 79 percent of Republicans supported Trump. But overall, he had a 43 percent approval rating, with his disapproval rating being 4 points higher.

Trumps poll numbers, however, remain far higher than voters views of Congress. South Carolinians, according the Winthrop Poll, have a 19 percent approval rating for how Congress is handling its job.

With all of Washingtons turbulence, now might be a good time to remind Beltway Bandits of some basic communications rules:

>> Dont lie. Ever.

>> Think and have a clear goal before you answer anything.

>> Dont lose your cool. If you do, the media wont forget and will show a video clip over and over.

>> If youre wrong, admit it. If youre happy, be it. If youre hurt, show it.

>> Assume everything is on the record.

>> Stick to your story. Dont improvise.

>> Dont run your mouth. Be concise and to-the-point.

>> Dont burn your bridges, even with reporters.

Follow these and maybe things will start improving.
David Rogerson Williams of Society Hill was one of the leading early residents of the Pee Dee and became the states first governor from an inland county. All previous governors had come from the Charleston area or other spots along the coast.

My favorite story about Williams is from one of his campaigns for Congress. Before this campaign, he began building dikes along the Pee Dee River to prevent flooding of many of his crops. His opponent charged that anybody who would try the impossible (control the Pee Dee) is too big a damn fool to serve in Congress. His dikes must have had some success, because the voters of his district sent him back for another term.

Williams lived his early years in Society Hill and had his early schooling at St. David Academy. Then with his mother he moved to Charleston and finished his basic schooling before going to Rhode Island College, now Brown University, an Ivy League school. He also met his future wife while a student there.

He left Rhode Island College to return to Society Hill, where debt endangered his familys property, and either from his efficiency or good fortune or a combination, the debt danger vanished in a couple of years. When financial good fortune returned, Williams returned to Rhode Island, where he married Sarah Power.

In 1801 Williams became co-editor of the Charleston City Gazette and Weekly Carolina Gazette. After his co-editor, Evander McIver, died, Williams returned to Society Hill. At the age of 30, he was elected to Congress and served three terms with an interruption of one term when he returned to Society Hill to attend to his businesses.

When he returned to Congress, war fever was erupting as the U.S. and British navies and merchant ships were clashing. In the War of 1812, Williams was a brigadier general on the northern frontier, serving on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border.

Upon leaving the service, he returned to Society Hill. Then, governors of South Carolina were chosen by the legislature. That launched another story about Williams. Cell phones not yet available, the lawmakers sent a messenger to Society Hill to tell Williams that he had been elected governor. The messenger, according to the story, encountered a stocky man driving an ox team and asked the ox driver how to get to Gen. Williams house. The messenger followed directions, reached the house and was admitted to find the ox driver (Williams) dressed in a generals finery. Williams returned word that he would show up, recite the oath and take up duties.

His outspokenness in Washington earned him the nickname of Thunder and Lightning Williams, and he also became known as the Cincinnatus of Society Hill. He apparently was really a smart guy.

Finding shipping lanes for cotton congested by the war and other causes, Williams thought it a good idea to just manufacture cloth from his own cotton. Before that, cloth was made only in the North. He supervised building of a structure on one of his plantations that became known as The Factory. Farm workers became textile workers. He also claimed to have brought the first mule to the state to work in his fields.

He remained a hard-working guy around his farms and community even after having served as governor of South Carolina. He worked on public projects as well as his own, and he was a leader in trying to improve transportation opportunities. Making movement between inland areas and the coast easier was one of his priorities.

In 1830 he was leading a project building a bridge over the Lynches River near Johnsonville to avoid having to use a ferry there and to save time for travelers to the coast. One day on that project, Williams was under the new bridge directing workers when a big beam from the structure fell on him.

One of the slaves from his home was present and was sent to inform his wife of what had happened. It turned out that the night before she had dreamed it had happened and that the same slave had come to inform her. It was an early loss of one of the Pee Dees leading citizens and the states first governor from an inland community.

Thom Anderson is a former editor of the Morning News. Email him at thidbit@aol.com.
As part of the plan, traffic signals will be repaired, recruiting will increase, intensive penalising will be done and all expressways will be closely monitored.

By Chayyanika Nigam, Harish V Nair: If Uttar Pradesh top cop Sulkhan Singh is to be believed, traffic in Noida and adjoining Ghaziabad will cease to be the daily torture travellers go through by the end of the year. The traffic police have identified the road problems faced by the twin cities bordering Delhi and are all set to take steps to fix the situation.

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A Mail Today investigation published on April 18, titled "Why traffic nightmare is now normal in Noida", found that staff crunch, defective signals, nuisance by public transport, lack of lane discipline, illegal parking and encroachment onto roads were the biggest reasons behind the routine chaos.

"We plan to roll out the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) by this year-end. Automatic signaling at all crossings will be part of it. Two crossings will be synchronised with each other. For example, if one crossing is open, by the time the vehicle reaches the other crossing, it will be open. Now we have only standalone signals and they are not synchronised at all", the UP DGP said in an interview to Mail Today.

About 8.5 million vehicles ply the traffic-choked roads of Delhi and its surrounding areas every day as the congestion adds to the toxic air in the city that is one of the most polluted in the world, according to international agencies. As part of Singh's plan, traffic along expressways will be closely monitored. There will also be a mechanism to alert commuters of vehicular movements and ensure swift response to them. It will provide real-time advisory to motorists through electronic display boards. Nine other cities in which the systems are likely to be implemented are Kanpur, Agra, Allahabad, Varanasi, Meerut, Aligarh, Bareilly, Gorakhpur and Moradabad, said the officer.

WHAT NEXT

Increasing the number of traffic policemen at crossings and junctions is high on the list of priorities, the DGP added. According to Noida Police, there are only 140 traffic cops along with 100 home guards to manage traffic in the area. However, out of these 240 personnel, only 40 are allowed to challan violators.

"Recently, a letter has been written to the authority concerned to provide at least 500 traffic cops to manage Noida traffic better," an official said. According to the department, there are 315 traffic junctions in Noida but only 240 personnel to keep vigil at these points.

Even cops who have been deployed are not equipped to track down violators. The traffic department in the city has only four cars and around 25 motorcycles.

Many cops use their personal vehicles. The state police chief said there is need to crack down on illegal parking near junctions and crossings and more intensive challaning (penalising).

"There is also a need to remove encroachments on roads. These need to be done before any major measure is initiated to decongest roads. Local authorities will be advised to remove encroachments on roads as police has no role in it," he said.

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"Noida and Ghaziabad developed so suddenly that we could not increase the number of traffic personnel on roads commensurate to requirement. We could not keep pace with the development. Urgent corrective measures are called for." Roads are too cramped to handle the present volume of traffic, the DGP said. "I too travel often between Ghaziabad and Noida and I find the roads are so narrow. These aspects should have been taken care of during town planning. However, we will see what can be done within the available road width."

Also read: Delhi: Car with college students on way to exam falls off Punjabi Bagh flyover; 2 dead, 5 injured in accident

Also read: Over 75 per cent traffic signs across Delhi-NCR wrongfully installed: Study

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Press Release

July 15, 2017 ANGARA: DISTRIBUTE 'DIGNITY KITS" TO MARAWI WOMEN REFUGEES With majority of refugees from Marawi women and children, Senator Sonny Angara today called for the implementation of a government rule requiring the mandatory distribution of "women's dignity kits" in evacuation centers. The vice chair of the Senate finance committee said Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order (AO) 2016-05 has enumerated the Minimum Initial Service Package, or MISP, that shall be given to women during emergencies and disasters. Included in the package is a "dignity kit" containing 22 items of women's personal care, including, bath soap, laundry soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, panties, brassiere, sanitary napkins, shampoo, face towel, bath towel, slippers, tissue roll, cotton balls. Under the AO 2016-15, the kit includes a malong, the unisex wrap-around colorful cloth that is traditional wear in Muslim communities. The order, issued by then Health Secretary Janette Garin on February 2016, implements provisions in Republic Act (RA) 9170, or the Magna Carta for Women, and in RA 10354, or the Responsible and Reproductive Health Law, which require the provision of health services to women during emergencies. RA 10354, which was authored by Angara when he was a congressman, requires that emergency MISPs must include the distribution of maternal, neonatal and reproductive health care kits. Tasked to stock and distribute women dignity kits is DOH's Emergency Management Bureau. Angara issued the call after a United Nations agency pegged at 18,000 the number of women gravely affected by the ongoing armed skirmishes in the capital of Lanao del Sur. A count by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) puts at 11,500 the number of pregnant women on top of "over 7,000" mothers who have recently given birth." This, the senator said, should prompt the government to "customize assistance" for the "most vulnerable "of the displaced, the "bata and the buntis." "Even during normal times, nursing mothers, babies, pregnant women must have the best of care. In wartime, their plight is exacerbated when they're uprooted from their homes. The worse the situation is, the more responsive the government's help must become," Angara stressed. He said disaster aid must adopt a "women and children first policy, and this is best manifested through the distribution of women and baby kits. "Being born in evacuation centers sets back a child's development during the crucial first 1,000 days," the lawmaker said. The experience of women and children of Marawi, and in other areas hit by emergencies, man-made or natural, in this disaster-prone country, should be an input in the "First 1,000 Days Program Bill" being hammered out by the Senate. Authored by Angara, the bill mandates programs for pregnant mothers, improved breastfeeding practices, complementary feeding practices, as well as protection against undernutrition and disease for children.
Chidambaram's tweets came a day after J&k Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday to discuss the security situation in the valley in the wake of the Amarnath terror attack.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Blaming the Centre for the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said the people of the valley are caught between the two maximalist positions.

"The people of the Kashmir Valley are caught between the two maximalist positions. The Central government has taken a maximalist position that has aggravated the problem. Just as the militants have taken a maximalist position that has to be rejected out of hand," Chidambaram tweeted.

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"The casualties are the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the future of the state."

"On many occasions in the past, I had cautioned that the Kashmir issue or problem (or by whatever name it is called) was a festering wound," he added.

Chidambaram's tweets came a day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday to discuss the security situation in the valley in the wake of the Amarnath terror attack and said that "unfortunately China has also started interfering" in matters pertaining to the state.

ALSO READ:

Demonetisation the biggest scam of 2016: Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram

CBI raids former finance minister P Chidambaram, son Karti's house in Chennai

ALSO WATCH:

P Chidambaram to India Today: GST imperfect bill, but it's a beach-head

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Press Release

July 15, 2017 Gatchalian to DICT: Take the Lead on SIM Card Registration The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) should drum up executive support for proposed legislation seeking the mandatory registration of prepaid subscriber identity module (SIM) cards, Senator Win Gatchalian has said. Gatchalian is the author of Senate Bill No. 203, otherwise known as the "SIM Card Registration Act", which will require all prospective buyers of prepaid SIM cards to present a valid photo ID before they can complete their purchase. Old SIM cards, on the other hand, should be registered within 180 days from the effectivity of the proposed measure. "We're calling on DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima to push for the approval of this proposal," Gatchalian, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, said as he drew attention to Salalima's background and his connections in the telecommunications industry. "I remember that during his confirmation hearings, Secretary Salalima assured members of the Commission on Appointments that he would support this bill. Tingnan natin ang magiging aksyon niya," he said. Prior to his appointment to the DICT, Salalima served as Chief Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs of Globe Telecom. He also formerly worked as Vice President and head of Legal and Human Relations at the International Communications Corporation, later renamed as Bayantel; and as a Board Director and Corporate and Chief Counsel of Radio Communications of the Philippines (RCPI). He was also a former president of the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO). Gatchalian expressed hope that Salalima would faithfully exercise his duties as DICT secretary despite his close ties to telecom insiders. The senator recalled that as Globe's legal counsel, Salalima objected to the mandatory registration of prepaid SIM cards and cited how this would greatly reduce the sales of prepaid SIM cards and affect the income of telcos. Due to intense lobbying by telecom players against its approval, lawmakers have experience difficulty in marshaling majority support for the proposed measure's enactment into law. "Telecom industry players have been the biggest stumbling block to the approval of this proposed scheme. With Secretary Salalima now at the helm of the DICT, I hope he would succeed where legislators have so far failed - to change the minds of telecoms honchos and make them agree with the proposal," Gatchalian said.
Press Release

July 15, 2017 POE LAUDS KASIMANWA ENTREPS, BEAUTY QUEEN BAR 4TH PLACER ILOILO CITY --- Sen. Grace Poe commended the business community of Iloilo for their significant contribution to the local economy during the Philippine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Panay Chapter Induction of Officers held in Mandurriao. "We are grateful to all of you who have decided to invest and locate your businesses here in Iloilo and in the region. The income that you earn, the taxes that you pay government, and the employment that your businesses generate for our people have placed Iloilo as a main hub for our country's inclusive, sustained growth," she said. As the sixth largest contributor to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), the Western Visayas region contributed four percent GDP from 2014 to 2016. "By setting up your businesses here in Panay island, you create economic opportunities outside Manila, which can provide jobs to those who would otherwise not have access to new forms of employment," Poe said. Poe also took the time to exemplify her kasimanwa, Allana Mae Babayen-on, a beauty queen who placed fourth in the recent Bar exams, elevating her hometown and school, the University of San Agustin. Schools from the regions edged out Metro Manila universities in the last Bar. "Bilib talaga tayo sa galing ng ating mga kasimanwa na tulad ni Allana Mae Babayen-on na nagpamalas ng sipag at talinong nagmumula sa pusong Ilongga," Poe said on the sidelines of the event, "We look forward to many more Allanas making a difference in our lives." Iloilo City has the lowest poverty rate among all cities and municipalities in the Western Visayas region, according to latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority At the same time, Poe sought the support of her fellow Ilonggos and representatives in Congress in pushing for the passage of key measures: the emergency powers bill to address traffic, the Freedom of Information, and anti-hunger initiatives consisting of the school-based feeding program for public school students enrolled in K-12, and the First 1,000 Days Act that provides children full support beginning conception up to two years of age. In the last Congress, Poe successfully stirred the passage of the measure extending the validity of driver's license from three years to five years or ten years if renewing with no infractions.
Press Release

July 16, 2017 EO on Energy Projects a "Big Step Forward" - Gatchalian Senator Win Gatchalian over the weekend expressed optimism that prospective players will be encouraged to invest in the Philippine energy market as the government jumpstarts the implementation of vital reforms to eliminate red tape in the energy sector. Gatchalian said the government has taken a big step forward in addressing energy sector red tape with the issuance of Executive Order No. 30, which streamlines the permitting processes for big-ticket energy projects and mandates strict timeframes for government agencies to act on applications forwarded to their offices. "EO 30 is a signal to investors that the Philippines is serious about addressing red tape in the energy sector. The executive order will help address immediate red tape concerns in the permitting process of energy projects while the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act of 2017, which I have already sponsored on the Senate floor, makes its way through the legislative process," Gatchalian, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, said. The senator also applauded President Duterte and the Department of Energy, led by Secretary Cusi, for their "forward-looking approach to addressing the bureaucratic inefficiencies which have hampered investments in the Philippine energy sector for a long time." The proposed EVOSS Act, an integral part of Gatchalian's legislative agenda for the energy sector, seeks to cut red tape in the permitting process of new power generation projects through the establishment of an online system that would allow for single submission and synchronous processing of documentary requirements, assessment and payment of charges and fees, status updates and progress monitoring, and a synchronized permitting approval process. "EO 30 and the EVOSS Act are complementary reforms which will facilitate the entry of more players into the Philippine energy sector. This in turn will boost competition, resulting in a more stable power supply and cheaper power costs for consumers." Gatchalian said. The senator said the comprehensive EVOSS Act will widen the scope of the reforms under EO 30 in several ways, including the appropriation of P50 million annually for the adoption of new technologies and operationalization of the streamlined permitting process; the setting of specific processing procedures and time frames for local government units and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; and the imposition of administrative penalties for failure to comply with the procedural guidelines and time frames, among others. "The Duterte administration and the Senate are working hand in hand to provide sufficient and affordable electricity to the Filipino people. Addressing bureaucratic inefficiencies by eliminating red tape will help us achieve this goal. There is much work left to do, but it is clear that we are heading in the right direction," Gatchalian said.
A man was struck and killed by an Amtrak train Friday was identified Saturday as an 18-year-old Hayward resident, authorities said.

Isaac Andino was out jogging when he was struck just after 1 p.m. by a train chugging along Union Pacific railroad tracks near Winton Avenue and Amador Street in Hayward. The train was held up for almost three hours en route to Oakland. None of the 58 passengers or crew members were injured, said Amtrak spokesman Mike Tolbert.
By PTI: forces

Chandigarh, Jul 16 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today took a strong note of the killing of a pastor in Ludhiana and ordered the police to act against those trying to incite communal passions in the state.

He asked Punjab DGP Suresh Arora that the police and intelligence in the state to co-ordinate with each other to ensure prevention of recurrence of such incidents in the future, an official spokesperson said.

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The DGP has been directed take all possible steps to ensure law and order is maintained in the state and the communal harmony is not disrupted.

Attempts to vitiate the states environment would not be tolerated at any cost, Amarinder said today, warning of strict action against any police officer found guilty of dereliction of duty in this connection.

Given the sensitivity of the incident in which pastor Sultan Masih was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle- borne assailants, the chief minister has asked the police to closely monitor the situation to prevent any fallout, the spokesman said.

He also asked the police to coordinate with local Christian leaders for support in defusing the situation resulting from the killing.

Masih was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants at Salem Tabri locality in Ludhiana late last night.

Amarinder pointed out that he had already taken up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the matter of expediting CBI probes into cases of other targeted killings, including of RSS, Hindu and Shiv Sena leaders in the past.

During the meeting with Modi in Delhi last on July 11, Amarinder had requested central intelligence and investigation agencies assistance in solving these cases.

In August last year, senior RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja was shot at in Jalandhar by unidentified assailants, he died at a hospital a month later.

In April this year, Punjab RSS chief Brij Bhushan Singh Bedi had demanded that the state government ask the CBI to expedite its probe into Gagnejas killing.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) condemned the killing and lashed out at the Congress-led state government for the alleged breakdown of law and order, saying "no one was safe" in Punjab. PTI SUN ASV ADS ASV

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Oaklands attempt to fix racial inequality in the cannabis industry by giving permits to ex-convicts to sell, grow or transport the drug for which they were once criminalized is off to a surprisingly good start by most accounts.

The city has received 72 applications for pot business permits since May, and nearly half are seeking equity permits under a city program meant to provide reparations for the war on drugs, a U.S. government campaign that researchers say disproportionately affected African Americans. The numbers are putting to rest fears that few would apply for the program.

But proving who qualifies for the equity program is turning out to be harder than city lawmakers thought when they passed a complex set of ordinances in March.

Other roadblocks are cropping up in the budding industry, too, including a lack of available space in Oakland for new businesses  a problem that at least one City Council member wants to address by selling city-owned properties to marijuana operators.

One could almost say its a miracle. There was so much fear it wouldnt work, said Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan, who has proposed selling vacant city buildings and a number of zoning changes to ease pathways for new cannabis business owners. This whole strategy was built from scratch in Oakland, and it appears to be going beautifully well.

The ordinances require the city to give at least half of all available cannabis permits to individuals who were convicted of a marijuana-related offense in Oakland and earn an income less than 80 percent of the city average. Equity applicants can also qualify if they lived in an Oakland neighborhood for 10 of the last 20 years that saw a disproportionately high number of cannabis arrests.

Someone who doesnt qualify under either definition  a general applicant  can move up in line by giving an equity applicant at least 1,000 square feet of free rent through an incubator relationship.

The paperwork-heavy permitting process could be discouraging people from applying, said Matt Hummell, chairman of the citys Cannabis Regulatory Commission. City officials know of more than 130 cannabis businesses operating under the radar.

Of the 72 applications completed, there were 31 equity applicants and 41 general applicants, meaning there wont be a severe bottleneck some anticipated for the latter group to get permits, and theres a big opportunity for incubator partnerships, said Greg Minor, who oversees the special activity permits division of the city that regulates cannabis businesses.

Its a challenge bringing people into the light and into compliance, Minor said. Were going to learn and adjust as we go and as we try to level the playing field.

The city permit is only the first step in legally operating a pot business in California. Starting next year, pot businesses that have local permits must apply annually for state licensing. Its unclear whether equity applicants with criminal backgrounds will be approved for state licenses. State law authorizes agencies to deny licenses to some applicants with criminal backgrounds.

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Lanese Martin, co-founder of the Hood Incubator in Oakland, which helps African Americans and minorities enter the cannabis industry, said the documentation needed to prove equity status in Oakland is impossible for some people who clearly qualify.

Federal tax returns are documents you have when youre part of the system, she said. The list needs to be amended to be realistic and aligned with the community.

Young people may not have residency records stretching back two decades, and those who have been unemployed have difficulty proving the income requirement, Martin said. She suggested that school records and Supplemental Security Income documents be among those accepted by the city.

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.

Robert Selna, a land use and real estate attorney at the Wendel Rosen law firm in Oakland, said that despite the citys new labyrinth of regulations, the town remains an appealing cannabis destination because its one of the few places in California that allow every type of operation  from laboratory testing and cultivation to delivery and dispensary.

Oaklands regulations are complex and onerous, he said. They likely give cannabis businesses some pause, but theres a counterbalancing effect by the range of permits available and the citys history in cannabis legalization efforts.

The demand to do business in Oakland is making access to brick-and-mortar spots nearly impossible, Hummell said, adding that the number of hoops people have to jump through to get a permit are discouraging for would-be cannabis operators  equity or otherwise.

Especially if youre not in the industry right now ... when you get into the nitty-gritty, theres so many steps to be successful, he said. If the city from the start had treated cannabis like tomatoes or any other crop, itd be easier to just do something and start from scratch.

Kaplan has put forward several proposals, to be discussed at a City Council meeting Tuesday, that are designed to ease some of the regulations around opening a cannabis business. In addition to selling unused city buildings, she suggested loosening requirements on where edibles can be produced. Under current rules, such a business would need to be in a building authorized for manufacturing, rather than one suited for a standard industrial kitchen.

People still have barriers to entry, Kaplan said. Where you can bake brownies, you should be able to bake pot brownies.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
Baby Don, also known as Donald Trump Jr., is getting the political education he should have had last year before he decided he was a player on the national stage.

Its clear the presidents eldest son was in far over his head when he took that meeting with a well-connected Russian attorney who supposedly had dirt to spread about Hillary Clinton. Presidential politics is the big leagues  it takes years and years of experience at dishing the dirt before youre capable of assessing whether you should accept an invitation to sit down with someone advertising dirt for sale.

The danger of making the wrong decision: Youve been looking at it, on every news website in the U.S., all week.

Of course, Im not sure what Paul Manaforts excuse is. Hes been working on presidential campaigns since Gerald Ford was president, and yet he tagged along with Baby Don. Youd think he would have known better.

One possibility is that Father Don knew exactly was going on  thats why his campaign manager, his son and son-in-law/consigliere, Jared Kushner, took the meeting.

If theres anything that could cause Trump to move back to New York sooner than January 2021 after a re-election defeat, its strong evidence that he knew the Russian government was actively working to elect him.

As Americans, we would then be in a dark moment. And of course, as Democrats, we should remember we have a better chance of defeating Trump than Mike Pence in 2020. So all you rooting for impeachment, look before you leap.

President Trump and his wife were back in Europe last week, this time for a Bastille Day celebration in Paris.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who is everything Trump isnt  gracious, well spoken, presentable  paraded Trump around the display hall as if he were at a dog show. He was directing, giving orders and maneuvering our president as you would your well-groomed, properly hair-styled French poodle.

Trump actually seemed relieved at the whole scene. It probably beat being back in Washington, watching the walls close in.

I wandered into the Hotel Nikko on Saturday night to hear Paula Wests performance. More than satisfying.

So join me for a drink in the Feinstein Room on Sunday night  it will probably be the last time we can catch her for a halfway reasonable price. Next time shes in town, the cost of a ticket will probably be in Warriors country. Thats how good she has become.

Movie time: Spider-Man: Homecoming. One of the few times Ive ever wanted my money back. I sprang for a $20 ticket at the Imax theater, and every last dollar was wasted.

Spider-Man stories are clearly exhausted. Unless somebody can come up with a logical explanation for how a 15-year-old, 140-pound kid transforms into a superhero, maybe the franchise should be redubbed Spider-Boy.

Only Michael Keaton as the villain made sense in this movie. And Robert Downey Jr., keep the Iron Man suit on. You dont work wearing Wilkes Bashford.

I, for one, cant wait for the day when all private automobiles will be self-driving. It could be the best thing thats happened to downtown San Francisco since the Embarcadero Freeway was torn down.

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.

My guess is that self-driving cars will behave themselves to a degree that their current human operators dont always achieve  theyll know how to share the road. If that happens, San Franciscos transit-first policy will actually be viable  buses and streetcars wont get caught in gridlock as often, and more people will be lured out of their (self-driving) cars.

What happens then? A whole lot less demand for the misused space known as public parking lots. Maybe we could build affordable housing on some of them.

Pay attention to this, housing advocates, because Im just getting started.

Woe is me, said the Republican Party leadership when it discovered that it had virtually no chance of winning any statewide office in California.

Unlike in much of the rest of the country, Democrats in California have perfected the art of getting elected at every level. School boards, the starter set for politicians, are replete with indigenous, well-trained, well-qualified candidates for higher office, and theyre mostly registered Democrats.

Which comes first  a good 49ers team or a viable California Republican Party? For once, Im putting my money on the Yorks.

Want to sound off? Email wbrown@sfchronicle.com
Bill Hutchinson / The Chronicle

A man died Saturday following a shooting in San Franciscos Bayview district, police said.

Officers arrived to the crime scene at Keith Street and Palou Avenue at 3:38 p.m. and found a man lying in the street, suffering from gunshot wounds. Paramedics immediately took the man to a local hospital where he died, said San Francisco Police spokesman Robert Rueca.
When organizers of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival were putting together the lineup for this years event, they found inspiration in an unusual object: the Post-it note.

Last fall, after the election of President Trump, an artist installed sticky notes on the subway wall of the 14th Street-Union Square station in New York, inspiring tens of thousands of bystanders to express in writing their feelings about what had just happened.

A potent symbol of positivity and community, the Subway Therapy project struck a national nerve.

We were inspired by the outpouring of hope and inclusivity of this artistic endeavor that is so in line with the Jewish Film Institutes own values, said Lexi Leban, executive director of the festival, which runs Thursday, July 20, through Aug. 6.

Attendees should find comfort in the fact that these values will be on full display at the 37th annual festival. This year, women directed 41 percent of the films, including the opening- and closing-night features. The festival will continue to shine a light on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and how the horrors of the Holocaust continue to have relevance. And the festival will embrace globalism, showcasing filmmakers who have delved into the populist and nationalist movements that are breeding anti-immigrant and antirefugee sentiment in Europe and America.

Our biggest surprise in putting together this program was the fact that we were able to get so many important and groundbreaking works into the lineup, said Leban. The landscape for festivals is getting more challenging, and it is amazing that year after year we continue to bring the best works to the Bay Area.

One of the best and most high-profile works of the festival will be An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, a follow-up to the seminal film An Inconvenient Truth, which changed the way many Americans think about global warming. Former Vice President Al Gore is back for the sequel, and hes scheduled to attend the July 24 screening at the Castro.

The festival will open July 20 with Keep the Change, a romantic comedy about two people on the autism spectrum. The narrative centerpiece will be 1945, a searing drama about a Hungarian village that gets turned upside down when two Jewish visitors arrive shortly after the end of the war. The closing night film will be Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, a documentary that reveals the life story  and genius  of the legendary pinup sensation of the 1930s.

We have a large number of award-winning films that premiered at some of the best festivals in the world, including Sundance, Berlin, Tribeca, Toronto and Cannes, said Leban, who made sure that Post-it notes were prominent in the cover design of the festival guide.

This lineup will appeal to diverse audiences across the Bay Area.

David Lewis is a Bay Area freelance writer.

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival

What: A showcase of the worlds finest Jewish cinema

When: Thursday, July 20-Aug. 6.

Where: Castro Theatre, San Francisco; Albany Twin; Palo Alto Cinearts; and the Smith Rafael Film Center, San Rafael.

Opening-night film: Keep the Change, a romantic comedy about two people on the autism spectrum, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Castro. Followed by a gala at 9 p.m., Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F.

Centerpiece narrative: 1945, about a Hungarian village that is turned upside down when two Jewish visitors arrive after the war, 6:20 p.m. July 26, Castro. (There will be later showings in Albany, Palo Alto and San Rafael.)

Closing-night film: Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, a profile of the legendary pinup of the 1930s, 8 p.m. July 30, Castro. (There will be showings on other nights in Albany, Palo Alto and San Rafael.) After the Castro screening July 30, there will be a closing-night reception in the theaters mezzanine.

For more info: www.sfjff.org
By PTI: passions, Amarinder to police

(Eds: Updating with Amarinder announcing job for pastors son and other details)

Chandigarh, Jul 16 (PTI) Taking a strong note of a pastors killing in Ludhiana last night, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today directed the police to crack down on elements trying to whip up communal passions in the state and announced a government job to the deceaseds son.

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He directed Punjab DGP Suresh Arora to ensure that various departments of police and the intelligence agencies in the state coordinate with each other to prevent recurrence of such incidents, an official spokesperson said.

The Chief Minister asked Arora to ensure that necessary steps are taken to maintain law and order and peace and harmony in the state.

Attempts to vitiate the states environment would not be tolerated at any cost, Amarinder said, while warning of strict action against any police officer found guilty of dereliction of duty.

Following the murder of pastor Sultan Masih by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants outside a chruch in Ludhiana, the Chief Minister asked the police department to keep a close tab on the situation to prevent any negative fallout.

He also directed the DGP to ask field officers to coordinate with the local Christian leaders for support in defusing the situation resulting from the killing.

Earlier in the day, a large number of people belonging to the Christian community took out a protest march against the killing of the pastor and blocked the GT road in Slem Tabri area here for over three hours.

Later, Amarinder called up the family of Masih to convey his condolences and promised strong action against the culprits.

He assured Masihs widow Sarabjit Kaur of all possible help. He told her that her 18-year-old son Alisha would be provided a job in the police department, the spokesperson said.

Amarinder also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for Kaur.

The Chief Minister assured her that the killers of her husband would be tracked down by the police and brought to book.

Earlier today, Amarinder said that he had taken up with the prime minister the matter of expediting CBI probe into cases of other targeted killings, including those of RSS and Shiv Sena leaders which had been taking place in Punjab since January 2016.

At his meeting with the prime minister in Delhi on July 11, he had said that despite their best efforts, the central and the state police and intelligence agencies had failed to make a breakthrough in these cases.

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In August last year, senior RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja (65) was shot at in Jalandhar by unidentified assailants. He later died at a hospital in September.

In April this year, Punjab RSS chief Brij Bhushan Singh Bedi had demanded that the state government ask the CBI to expedite its probe into Gagnejas killing. PTI SUN GS AQS SK AQS

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: (Eds: With additional quotes of PM)

New Delhi, Jul 16 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked all political parties to collectively fight "hooliganism" in the name of cow protection and said the state governments should take stringent action against anti-social elements indulging in violence on the issue.

Addressing an all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament beginning tomorrow, Modi said maintenance of law and order was the responsibility of the state governments and they should take stringent action wherever such incidents take place.

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"Cow is treated as a mother and it is an emotive issue. But we have to understand that there are laws governing cow protection and breaking it is not an alternative," Modi said in a series of tweets after the meeting.

"All political parties should collectively castigate hooliganism in the name of cow protection," he said, adding that such incidents were also affecting the image of the country.

"The state governments should take stringent action against such anti-social elements," the Prime Minister said, adding they should also check whether some people are settling personal scores in the name of cow vigilantism.

He said some anti-social elements were using cow protection as "a tool to spread anarchy. Some people who want to damage the social fabric of the country are also taking advantage of it."

Seeking the support of the opposition parties in tackling "communal violence" in the name of cow protection, Modi also warned against giving a political or communal colour to the issue.

Modi said "state governments must ensure the maintenance of law and order and strict action must be taken against those who break the law," an official statement quoted Modi having said in the meeting.

The statements assume significance in context of the recent cases of violence in different parts of the country in the name of cow protection.

Opposition parties have attacked the BJP over the cases of cow vigilantism in which Muslims and Dalits have often been targeted. These parties have also planned to raise the issue during the Parliament session starting tomorrow.

The Prime Minister also urged all parties to extend their support to the government in fighting corruption.

Apparently hinting at Trinamool Congress and RJD on the issue of corruption, the Prime Minister said the political class should join hands against those who seek an escape route by dubbing action against graft as a political conspiracy. "When law takes its course against those who loot the nation, then we have to unite against those who seek an escape route by dubbing such an action as a political conspiracy," the Prime Minister tweeted.

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In his speech, Modi also referred to the presidential poll to be held tomorrow and said it would have been very good had a consensus been arrived on the candidate.

He, however, said "high level of dignity" has been maintained by both sides during the campaign and no "ill will or bad language" has been used. He also called upon all political parties to ensure that everyone votes and no vote is wasted.

While the ruling BJP-led NDA has named Ram Nath Kovind as its candidate, the Congress-led group of opposition parties has pitted Meira Kumar against Kovind, who has a big numerical advantage over his rival.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters after the meeting that Modi also noted that the 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement falls on August 9 and all parties should celebrate it.

He also thanked everyone for the implementation of the GST, calling it a "shining example of co-operative federalism".

On the issue of Kashmir and tensions with China, Kumar said the government had a meeting with opposition leaders and every party has said they were with the government on matters of national security.

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To preserve institutions of democracy, Modi said it was important that all political parties support the government in conducting the business in Parliament without disruption so that constructive discussion can take place on issues of national importance.

"The Prime Minister in one voice with the leaders of all parties also asserted that all political parties stand united to ensure the nations safety and security, after such concerns were raised by many leaders on recent developments," he said.

There was a consensus across party lines on ensuring smooth functioning of Parliament and that deadlocks should be resolved through constructive discussions in both the Houses, he said.

Among those opposition leaders who attended the meeting were Ghulam Nabi Azad (Congress), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M), Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP), Farooq Abdullah (NC) and D Raja (CPI).

However, no one from the JD(U) or the Trinamool Congress were present. TMC has already announced it would boycott this meeting amidst recriminations between it and the BJP over the recent violence in West Bengal. PTI JTR SLB KR NAB ARC

--- ENDS ---

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U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently revised the federal criminal charging policy. When federal prosecutors exercise their discretion to prosecute a case, they generally should charge and pursue the most serious, readily provable offense established by the evidence, he wrote in a May 10 memo. Prosecutors must use good judgment in determining whether an exception may be justified by the particular facts of the case.

The Sessions memo reinstitutes a policy that existed for more than three decades. It was first implemented by President Jimmy Carters attorney general, Benjamin Civiletti.

From 2013 to 2017, however, the U.S. Department of Justice protected some criminals from mandatory minimum sentence laws enacted by Congress. During that time, unless cases satisfied criteria set by the attorney general, prosecutors were required to understate the quantity of drugs distributed by dealers and refrain from seeking sentence enhancements for repeat offenders. Beneficiaries of that policy were not obligated to accept responsibility or cooperate with authorities.

After that policy was adopted, the total number of drug dealers charged annually by federal prosecutors fell from nearly 30,000  where it had stood for many years  to just 22,000.

Meanwhile, drug-related violence has surged. There has been a significant spike in murders, including an 11 percent increase in 2015 alone.

Drug overdose deaths also have accelerated at a frightening and unprecedented pace. The annual toll of Americans killed by drug overdoses stood near 36,450 in 2008, with some 20,000 overdose deaths involving prescription drugs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Estimates show that the 2016 total was on the order of 60,000, making drug overdose the leading cause of death of Americans under age 50.

Officials in many cities are calling on federal prosecutors for help, and tough sentences are one of federal law enforcements most important tools. Used wisely, federal charges with stiff penalties enable U.S. attorneys to secure the cooperation of gang members, remove repeat offenders from the community and deter other criminals from taking their places.

In order to dismantle drug gangs that foment violence, federal authorities often pursue readily provable charges of drug distribution and conspiracy that carry stiff penalties. Lengthy sentences also yield collateral benefits. Many drug defendants have information about other criminals responsible for shootings and killings. The prospect of a substantial sentence reduction persuades many criminals to disregard the no snitching culture and help police catch other violent offenders.

Minor drug offenders rarely face federal prosecution, and offenders without serious criminal records usually can avoid mandatory penalties by truthfully identifying their co-conspirators.

The Sessions policy is serious about crime. It does not aim to fill prisons with low-level drug offenders. It empowers prosecutors to help save lives.

Rod Rosenstein is the U.S. deputy attorney general. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at http://bit.ly/SFChronicleletters.
California voters approved Proposition 56, a whopping $2-a-pack tax hike on cigarettes, in November 2016. An early analysis from the nonpartisan state Legislative Analysts Office shows that the tax increase may be dramatically reducing cigarette smoking in the state.

The new excise tax, which increased state taxes on cigarettes from 87 cents a pack to $2.87 per pack, went into effect on April 1. Therefore, the reports findings are very preliminary.

Yet the data for the past several months of cigarette tax revenue in California are fascinating.

Revenue spiked earlier this year  they were up 24 percent in March 2017 and 37 percent in April 2017 over those same months in 2016.

In May 2017, the state saw a dramatic decline in tax revenue from cigarettes: they were 64 percent lower than revenues in May 2016.

There are several possible explanations for the dramatic increase, followed by the decline.

Some customers, perhaps, were unaware of the tax until they went to buy cigarettes in April.

The savvier consumers could have bought many more cigarettes than they usually did in the months before the tax increase, planning to hoard them.

Finally, some smokers could have used the tax increase as an impetus to cut back on their consumption or to quit altogether.

The last possibility is the most intriguing and encouraging possibility of all.

Without a doubt, the data reveal that cigarette smokers are price-sensitive. It follows, then, that a large tax increase on cigarettes will tamp down consumption.

The flip side, of course, is that California wont be able to rely on the revenue from cigarette taxes as it now does. State legislators should begin planning for declines in this revenue right now.

But in the long run, reduced cigarette revenue is a small price to pay for better public health. This is a tax increase that merits celebration  because its going to save lives.
Just three years ago, Jake and Shauna Des Voignes were names that San Francisco food-watchers knew well: Jake as the chef of Local Mission Eatery, Shauna as the chef-owner of Knead Patisserie . In 2015, though, Shauna Des Voignes grandfather offered to sell the couple his 20-acre farm outside Lodi in San Joaquin County. The couple gave up steady wages for the less-secure income from wine grape contracts  and the hope of opening a bakery-restaurant featuring pastries made from fruit from their own farm.

One of the deciding factors: the birth of their son Henry, now 2. We had the opportunity as kids to run around and play, and we wanted the same thing for our children, Jake Des Voignes said.

San Francisco has become notoriously light on kids like Henry; its the major U.S. city with the lowest percentage of households with children. The cost of living in the Bay Area means that many cooks ambitious enough to want both a restaurant career and a family must move on. More and more, the city is serving as a finishing school, sending chefs trained in its best restaurants to Sacramento and Portland, Ore., Massachusetts and Arizona.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

Rural Northern California is seeing the culinary effects of this outmigration, too. Bay Area chefs are opening restaurants in small towns where food of the caliber they make has long been rare.

In Philo (Mendocino County), for instance, Gary Danko alumnus Patrick Meany bakes Neapolitan-style pizzas at Stone & Embers. In Arroyo Grande (San Luis Obispo County), Chez Panisse veteran Brian Collins practices wood-fire cooking at Ember. At Park Winters Inn in Winters (Yolo County), Scott Ostrander, who spent several years at Alinea in Chicago, oversees seven-course tasting menus.

Like the Des Voignes, the appeal of raising a son in a smaller town lured Jim and Michele Wimborough away from their positions as chef and pastry chef at Zut! On Fourth in Berkeley to Occidental (Sonoma County), where they opened Hazel almost two years ago. We still work 15 hours a day, but our kid goes to school down the street, Jim Wimborough said.

A different kind of family appeal brought Zach Sterner, a sous-chef at the Michelin-starred Solbar in Calistoga, up to Penn Valley (Nevada County) last year. In his case, it was his parents, who had been mulling the idea of opening a restaurant for years. When the Sterners opened Twelve 28 Kitchen at the end of December, the 32-year-old saw it as his big professional break.

We could have opened up someplace in Sonoma, but our rent would be at least three times more than what were paying here, he said. Weve got a nice spot and are doing everything we want to do.

At Twelve 28 Kitchen, Sterners father runs the front of the house, his mother bakes the breads and pastries, one sister waits tables, and another comes up from Rohnert Park to help out. Zach Sterner, finally in charge of his own kitchen, turns out dishes like spring allium risotto with salted egg yolk grated on top and pan-roasted white bass with baby artichokes, potatoes and barigoule sauce.

Living in rural Mendocino County brought one burned-out San Francisco chef back into the restaurant industry. By his mid-20s, Aaron Peters had run the kitchens at PlumpJack Cafe and Arams. But he and his then-wife gave up restaurants to farm organically near the coastal city of Point Arena (population under 500).

A divorce left Peters without a farm after a decade of selling produce at Mendocino County farmers markets. In April 2016, he scraped together his savings and opened Bird Cafe and Supper Club, connected to a bar on the towns main street. He opens four nights a week, cooking almost everything himself. He buys octopus and crab from a guy who fishes at the coast, and cheese from a dairy farmer friend. His lettuces are picked each morning on nearby farms.

Peters takes a break in the afternoon to walk his 6-year-old daughter home from school, and sometimes brings her into the kitchen with him.

I used to work 16-hour days, 6 days a week, and then sleep all day on the seventh, he said. I could never imagine doing that and having a kid and feel like I was involved.

Yet small towns are not necessarily idyllic for restaurateurs. A big advantage of moving far from any major city, of course, is the cost of rent. The disadvantages, though, are many.

The shipping routes for San Francisco produce companies do not extend as far as Point Arena or Penn Valley. The fish truck may come around only one day a week. Instead of 10 imported-goods companies, the chefs are limited to big restaurant-supply companies.

Finding experienced cooks is hard. Same with servers who have dined at high-end restaurants, let alone ones who know how to sell $70 bottles of Pinot Noir. The Des Voignes have struggled to find the right space in Lodi, one that is not located in a strip mall and doesnt require hundreds of thousands dollars in renovations.

As the couple sells their baked goods at farmers markets, they ponder how to make their food financially sustainable. What people are willing to pay in the Bay Area is different, Jake said. We dont want to isolate ourselves.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

It takes a steady stream of people with ready money to support restaurants. And wages are lower outside the big cities. According to the California Employment Development Department, the average per capita income in San Francisco as of 2013 (the latest year available) was $84,356. In Mendocino County, it was $40,721; in Nevada County, $50,148.

Smaller populations and lower average income may also mean that dining rooms dont fill quite as full, and that locals dont go out as much. For Bay Area-trained chefs, it means creating menus that welcome everyone in the community, be it a San Francisco expat who misses kimchi, mole and tweezer food or a farmer who just wants a bite after a long day.

In the summertime youre really counting on tourists to show up. Lots of people have vacation homes, and they come from San Francisco on the weekend. You have Airbnb, said Jim Wimborough. Yet youre not going to make it if youre not consistent with your locals. Theyre the ones who keep you open.

Experimental dishes are run as specials instead of permanent menu items. Steak, which has largely disappeared from many higher-end Bay Area restaurants, is a necessity.

Ive never had a sandwich on my menu before, but I keep one, because its what the guys at the bar want, said Peters. Ive found ways that work for me so Im able to make it interesting and still totally approachable.

Peters says that running a restaurant in Point Arena has been a challenge, yet his long hours are offset by other benefits. Its about the lifestyle  its more mellow, nicer, he said. When you leave the restaurant its incredibly gorgeous. You can walk to the beach, the hills, the river. That makes a big difference.

Jonathan Kauffman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jkauffman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jonkauffman
Eight people  including a 72-year-old woman and a 1-year-old  were hospitalized after a stolen car crashed head-on into a van while driving the wrong way on Highway 4 in Brentwood, the California Highway Patrol said.

The crash was reported shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday at Sand Creek Road in Brentwood, according to the CHP.

The 1994 gold Honda Accord, which was reported stolen in Concord earlier in the day, was traveling the wrong way, speeding east in the Highway 4 westbound lanes, the CHP said in a statement Sunday.

The car passed multiple vehicles before crashing into a westbound 2015 Honda Odyssey van carrying seven people at Sand Creek Road, the CHP said.

Nine people were transported to the hospital. The vans occupants, all from San Francisco, were taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, officials said.

A 61-year-old woman sustained major injuries but was stable. The 30-year-old driver suffered moderate injuries. Four passengers had minor injuries: two women, ages 34 and 72, and two girls, ages 2 and 10. A 1-year-old baby appeared uninjured but was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

A 22-year-old passenger in the Accord sustained major injuries and was taken to Eden Hospital in Dublin but has since stabilized, the CHP reported.

The driver of the Accord, identified as 24-year-old Rafael Duarte of Oakley, was treated for minor injuries at John Muir Medical Center before he was booked into Martinez Detention Facility on suspicion of felony drunken driving, possession of a stolen vehicle, driving without a license, driving without insurance, and driving the wrong way on the highway, causing injury.

Filipa Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi
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More than 10,000 people turned out at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park on Sunday for the annual AIDS Walk San Francisco, where organizers implored the crowd to fight for health care for all Americans, not just those living with HIV and AIDS.

Before the event began, many participants were handed fill-in-the-blank signs distributed by organizers that read, My Pre-Existing Condition Is ______.

Some walkers filled in the blank with medical issues such as degenerative disk disease and sickle cell anemia. Others interpreted the sign more abstractly, writing in words like love, prayer and happiness.

Craig Miller, the founder of the event, told the crowd that considering the looming possibility of rollbacks in the Affordable Care Act that took effect under former President Barack Obama, health care for all Americans, not just those living with HIV/AIDS, was a goal of the day.

Were taking an important stand for those with heart disease, with diabetes, with cancer, Miller said. We care about the health of everyone, and were determined to bring everyone along to a future of good health care.

We have a nice opportunity to send a message to Washington, D.C., that that is unacceptable, Dana Van Gorder, executive director of Project Inform, said of efforts to repeal and replace the health care law with one critics say will hurt low-income people and others. Id like to ask you: Please take one of these signs. Think about what your preexisting condition is.

Evan Wolfson, a lawyer who played a prominent role in the fight for marriage equality, encouraged participants to fight for an AIDS cure like they fought for marriage equality.

We must be political, Wolfson said. We must make this fight personal.

Since its inception in 1987, the AIDS Walk has raised more than $88 million for Bay Area HIV programs and services. Last year, the events raised $2.1 million in pledges and sponsorships. Organizers estimated that roughly $2 million was raised in 2017 as well, according to Ben Fordham, an event spokesman.

Three of the main beneficiaries this year were Project Open Hand, which provides meals to people in San Francisco and Alameda counties battling serious illness; Positive Resource Center, which offers comprehensive benefits counseling and employment services to people living with HIV/AIDS; and the Golden Compass Program at Ward 86, which focuses on the needs of HIV patients older than 50.

Project Open Hand CEO Mark Ryle told the crowd that the current political climate reminded him of living under the presidency of Ronald Reagan, who did not acknowledge the AIDS crisis until it had raged for several years.

In 1985, I was sitting with my best friend at a clinic in Austin, Texas, waiting for his test to come back positive. And we had a Republican president who scared us a little bit, Ryle said. Now we have a guy in the White House that feels a little like 32 years ago, maybe scarier.

Ryle drew cheers, saying, At Project Open Hand, we stand up to bullies. Were not going anywhere no matter whos in the White House.

Despite the somber political message, the day was sunny and the mood was upbeat. People smiled and chatted as they made their way along the course to the tune of songs like Queens Fat Bottomed Girls played by bands stationed along the way. People swing-danced on a bridge, and a group of women belly-danced in elaborate costumes outside the Conservatory of Flowers.

Larry Wexler, 63, of Alameda and Mark McClelland, 56, of Oakland were representing Positive Being, which offers massage therapy to HIV/AIDS patients. Wexler has done the walk dozens of times, he said.

A lot of the group are long-term survivors, McClelland said of Positive Being. Its a day of remembrance and celebration.

McClelland said that years ago, as a member of a support group for people with a T-cell count under 50  a mark of advanced HIV  he never imagined he and others would still be surviving with the infection, and even improving.

Were still holding out for the cure  but the drugs are a gift, he said. Were really amazingly grateful.

Filipa Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi
The Trump administration is weighing a new policy to dramatically expand the Department of Homeland Securitys powers to expedite the deportations of some unauthorized immigrants.

Since 2004, the agency has been authorized to bypass immigration courts only for immigrants who had been living in the country illegally for less than two weeks and were apprehended within 100 miles of the border.
WASHINGTON  An unexpected delay in plans to hold a vote on the Senate health care bill will strengthen the position of conservative critics by giving them more time to mobilize, according to one of the measures most outspoken opponents.

The longer the bill is out there, the more conservative Republicans are going to discover it is not repeal, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Sunday in an interview with CBS.

I think its absolutely wrong, Paul said of the bill. We promised repeal.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., put off plans to hold a vote on the bill this week, after Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he would be in Arizona recovering from surgery to remove a blood clot from above his left eye. McCains absence will leave Republicans without the votes necessary to advance the legislation.

For different reasons, Paul and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, have said they will not vote even to move the legislation to the Senate floor. Along with all 48 senators in the Democratic Caucus  and without McCain  their opposition would be enough to block the bill from advancing.

Leading officials with the Trump administration have spent the past several days trying to convince Republican governors, including those in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, to support the Senate bill.

Yet the effort led by Vice President Mike Pence at the summer meeting of the National Governors Association seemed not to change minds, and might have hardened some opposition to the legislation.

Collins disagreed with Pences comment to governors that the bill strengthens and secures Medicaid for the neediest in our society.

You cant take more than $700 billion out of the Medicaid program and not think that its going to have some kind of effect, Collins said in an interview Sunday on CNN.

This bill imposes fundamental, sweeping changes in the Medicaid program and those include very deep cuts that would affect some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including disabled children and poor seniors, she said.

Elise Viebeck and Sean Sullivan are Washington Post writers.
A day before the election to the top constitutional post, PM Modi today congratulated Kovind "in advance" and assured him of his government's support.

By India Today Web Desk: The stage is all set for the election of the 14th President of India on Monday and it is almost certain that NDA's candidate for the Presidential Election 2017 Ram Nath Kovind will succeed Pranab Mukherjee as the President of India.

A day before the election to the top constitutional post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated Kovind "in advance" and assured him of his government's support.

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At a meeting of the NDA MPs which was also attended by Kovind, Modi recalled that the former Bihar governor had worked as a sahyogi (aide) of Morarji Desai when he was the prime minister and said this government will offer all sahyog (cooperation) to him.

Kovind's win against Opposition candidate Meira Kumar is a foregone conclusion as the ruling coalition has secured the support of nearly two-thirds of the electoral college, with some political parties even outside the NDA fold throwing their weight behind him.

Quoting Modi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the prime minister also offered his congratulations in advance to the Dalit leader.

Kumar also made light of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's call to MPs and MLAs for "vote of conscience", saying 40 political parties have supported Kovind's presidential bid and non-NDA chief ministers of states like Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Odisha have also announced their support for him.

"The way ahead is very clear," he said, underlining the clear majority enjoyed by the NDA candidate.

On the occasion, BJP MP Bhupender Yadav made a presentation to the MPs about the voting process to ensure that they vote correctly.

Modi said the campaigns by the two presidential candidates and parties supporting them had been very dignified and showed the maturity of the Indian democracy.

He had earlier posted a tweet saying, "The presidential poll this time is historic. Probably for the first time no party made any undignified or unwarranted comment on the rival candidate."

During the meeting, he also noted that 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement falls on August 9 and told the MPs that country-wide events to mark the occasion should be held between August 9 and 15.

He pitched for discussions and programmes for five years till 15 August 2022, the 75th Independence Day, aimed at pro-poor programmes and a good governance agenda.

The prime minister, Kumar told reporters, also noted that the advent of the year 2018 will mark the enrollment of "new millennial voters", those born in 2000 and after, and said they should be welcomed and made aware of their responsibilities.

Besides Kumar, BJP chief Amit Shah and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley addressed the MPs.

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-With PTI inputs

ALSO READ | Advantage Ram Nath Kovind vs Meira Kumar tomorrow: All you need to know about Presidential Election

Why only Ram Nath Kovind, Meira Kumar are in race to Raisina Hill: The story of Presidential Elections since 1952

Presidential election voters: 71 per cent crorepati, a third with criminal cases, 451 women

ALSO WATCH | Presidential election 2017: Bihar's ex-Governor Ram Nath Kovind versus Bihar ki beti Meira Kumar

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Greeting visitors to the Budweiser brewery and tasting room in Fairfield as they stagger from their cars in the searing heat of a Solano County summer is a hulking statue of a draft horse. Neither horses nor statues can talk, but if this one could, it would have tales to tell. Unsubtly mounted near the creatures hooves is a plaque  not a sign, a plaque  stating PLEASE DO NOT GET ON THE CLYDESDALE.

Budweiser, now the flagship label of multinational conglomerate AB-InBev, hasnt relied upon a Clydesdale-centered distribution system for quite some time. The Fairfield brewery, one of 12 Budweiser plants nationwide, was erected in 1976. Big rigs and train cars on a spur line that rumbles right through the brewery depart at all hours. If youre cracking a Bud or Bud Light in Northern California, northern Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska or Hawaii, it all but certainly came from here. So, its clear the Budweiser people long ago devised how to bring products from the brewery to the masses. But, as the put-upon Clydesdale indicates, bringing the masses to the brewery comes with different challenges.

Yes, the notion of traveling to experience Budweiser et al. in a tasting-room environment comes off as absurd  one could argue that all of America has become a de facto AB-InBev tasting room. Perhaps the only place you cant drink AB-InBev products, however, is on the Highway Transportation System. Accordingly, your humble narrator was thrilled to take Exit 56 and trade Interstate 80 traffic for the tasting room on Busch Drive.

Ads on display here, tracing back to 1913  the year Adolphus Busch lifted his last pint  boast the ever-increasing demand for Budweiser is largely thanks to its uniform flavor. The company has long been famed for its punctiliousness; through fanatical devotion to consistency, the Budweiser you drink in San Francisco will taste nearly identical to the Budweiser you drink in Homer, Alaska, or Bangor, Maine.

Anheuser-Buschs quality  if quality is consistency  is second to none, Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione told the New Yorker in 2008. But, he continued, Im frustrated that one beer has been hammered down peoples throats. In the years since then, the worlds major brewers have grown ever more massive via consolidation while also engaging in an arms race of craft brewery acquisitions. Beers from Elysian, 10 Barrel, Golden Road and Four Peaks now slosh about in the dirigible-size tanks of the Fairfield brewery.

The marriage between craft beers and AB-InBev has been a delicate, often tumultuous one, and thats reflected in the Fairfield tasting room, which was in 2014 treated to a massive renovation. The resultant 6,000-square-foot space gamely attempts to balance disparate tastes: The wall-size televisions show NASCAR, but the sound system plays light rock. The decor would seem apropos in a bar, but the space is relaxed and well-lit and airy, and the tables are so fastidiously clean you could eat off of them. It almost feels as if the designers were handed photos of the dingy Paddys Pub from Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia and told to make it the exact opposite.

Paul Chinn/The Chronicle

Its no secret that the Millennial generation has not cottoned to the King of Beers with the alacrity its parents did. This, in part, explains the binge of craft brew acquisitions. That may be a winning business strategy, but it has led to odd situations within the Budweiser tasting room.

As such: You can, for $10, buy flights of beers and receive tutorials from a flight instructor. Selections include Fields and Orchards (Bud Light Lime, Stella Cidre, Cherry-Ahh-Rita and Wild Blue, a syrupy blueberry lager packing an 8 percent alcohol-by-volume kick); Around the World (Budweiser, Stella Artois, Leffe and Bass); and Fairfield Brewed (Bud Light, Budweiser, Rolling Rock and Shock Top Belgian White).

Yes, food pairings are involved: The suggested meal to accompany Goose Island Pilsner is tri-tip; Rolling Rock complements citrus-grilled chicken or smoked salmon; and Budweiser goes with any burger or  why not?  filet mignon. Most jarringly, the suggestions for Bud Light were light pastas or a triple-creme brie. On cue, at the moment that advice was proffered, a pair of stock cars on the TV over the flight instructors shoulder careened into a wall. It was all too neat a metaphorical collision.

It is unclear whether anybody has ever deeply pondered what to pair with Bud Light, which has traditionally been paired with more Bud Light (and then wearing the 12-pack box like a hat, and then getting on the Clydesdale).

But Jennivive Soriano, the tasting-room supervisor and a 20-year tour guide at the brewery, says the idea is to emphasize that the products crafted here in Fairfield are not just party beers. Now, for $30, you can take a Beermaster Tour and sip Budweiser directly from the finishing tank while standing in a vast room chilled to 36 degrees.

Or, for a fraction of that money, you could buy a pail of Bud at the tasting room. Thats the route Jimmy Antuna went. By July, hed driven up here from Orange County four times; hell visit the nearby Jelly Belly factory, fill a gallon-size growler at the brewery and then hit Six Flags in Vallejo. This is a conversation starter, said the 25-year-old hospital worker. I tell people this is beer fresh from the Budweiser brewery.

It did not elude Antuna or any of the rooms patrons that they had traveled, in some cases many miles, to taste a beer painstakingly crafted to taste the same when it traveled many miles to them. But nobody seemed disappointed. Several tables over, Lori Lowell of Woodside claimed her favorite, Bud Light, tastes better when you know how its made. Her companion, Jesie Flores, began to protest that hes a Coors guy. He touted its Rocky Mountain water, but she cut him off. That water, she assured, is in his brain. This tastes much better.

Soriano hopes, in the near future, to hold food-and-beer pairing banquets here, and have meals available on-site. In the meantime, the brewery is amenable to patrons packing in their own lunch. When asked what would pair well with a pastrami sandwich and pretzels, the bartender paused. But only for a nanosecond; through the window behind her, the name of the worlds most ubiquitous beer is spelled out in building-size red letters on the side of the brewery. I think, she said, you should get a Budweiser.

Joe Eskenazi was born in San Francisco and has covered it journalistically since circa 2000. Twitter: @EskSF Email: food@sfchronicle.com

The Budweiser Tasting Room: 3101 Busch Dr., Fairfield, CA 94534. Summer hours: Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.budweisertours.com
President Pranab Mukherjee's son Abhijit Mukherjee too travelled on the same flight to accompany his father on this memorable trip on Saturday evening.

By Manogya Loiwal : President Pranab Mukherjee took the last presidential flight of his tenure from Bengal to New Delhi on Saturday. He has no more events lined up out of New Delhi and hence no more scheduled flights too as his tenure ends this week.

It was a nostalgic moment for him, his family as well as the entire entourage that has been travelling across the latitude and longitude for the past five years.

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The IAF - 1 or the India Air Force 1 is the official aircraft of the President of India for all his travel purposes and engagements.

This however was different from all other travels of his life. President Pranab Mukherjee's son Abhijit Mukherjee too travelled on the same flight to accompany his father on this memorable trip on Saturday evening.

Speaking Exclusively to India Today Group, Abhijit said,"It was a nostalgic moment specially because we travelled from our native state to New Delhi. Everyone on board the aircraft was nostalgic. Babuji (as he addresses President Pranab Mukherjee) too was very emotional on this flight. Many clicked photographs and many shared some anecdotes of there memories on this two hour flight. Even the pilot, co- pilot, navigator, entire attache of Rashtrapati Bhawan was emotional on this trip."

Pranab Mukherjee was on a two day trip to Bengal where he attended several programmes. He was a oart of the distribution of gas connections worth Rs 2.5 crore to BPL card holders of all communities under Ujjwala schemes of Government of India in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

He also attended ex-servicemen rally in the presence of the GoC of Eastern Command.

President boarded IAF 1 from Panagarh in Burdwan district after travelling from Jangipur in Murshidabad in a chopper.

Interestingly, Jangipur has been the Lok Sabha Constituency for two terms after which he handed the a baton to his son to take the winning streak forward in all General Elections.

During his five year tenure, Pranab Mukherjee has taken several flights but this one was extremely special and different from all others... rightly pointed out by a close associate..."it is from his home to his residence!"

Also Read:

Pranab Mukherjee: When mob lynchings become uncontrollable, we must ask are we vigilant enough

Central ministers skip President Pranab Mukherjee's iftar party

Also Watch:

Person of Interest: Pranab Mukherjee's days in the Rashtrapati Bhawan

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This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 John Blanchard / The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press Show More Show Less 3 of 3





SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones says he was a passenger on an Air Canada jet that nearly landed on a taxiway where four other planes were sitting rather than the designated runway at San Francisco International Airport.

More for you Disaster averted at SFO after jet lines up to land on taxiway...

Federal officials are investigating why the pilot mistakenly made his approach toward the taxiway Friday night instead of the runway next to it.
Presidential Election in India has not always been a direct contest between two candidates from the ruling and Opposition camps. In 1967, there were 17 candidates in Presidential Election while their number was 15 in 1969 before rules were amended.

By Prabhash K Dutta: It is almost certain that NDA's candidate for the Presidential Election 2017 Ram Nath Kovind will succeed Pranab Mukherjee as the President of India.

His opponent Meira Kumar might have had more illustrious career as politician but Kovind is all set to defeat her in the Presidential Election when little less than 5,000 legislators cast their votes tomorrow.

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The Presidential Elections in the past two decades have more or less seen direct fight between the candidates of the ruling party or coalition and the contestant from the Opposition block. But, this was not the scene always in India.

HOW INDIA CHOSE ITS PRESIDENTS

The Presidential Election 2017 is the fifteenth of such elections to the office of the President. The earlier elections to this office were held in 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1969, 1974, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012.

The experience of the first five Presidential Elections till 1969 showed that some contenders stood as candidates for the office of the President without even a remote chance of getting elected. Another matter of concern was the manner in which some persons approached courts challenging the election to the office of the President.

Miffed with certain people taking advantage of the constitutional provision to make election to the highest office an occasion to gain easy popularity, the Election Commission proposed certain changes, which the government and Parliament approved.

THE FIRST FIVE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

There were five candidates in 1952 Presidential Election. The number reduced to three in 1957 and 1962. But, the number of contestants increased surprisingly to 17 in the fourth Presidential Election in 1967.

Dr Zakir Hussain had defeated K Subbarao by a margin of over 1 lakh votes to succeed Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan in as the President of India.

Nine of the contestants in the Presidential Election 1967 polled no votes at all. Another two secured 125 votes each while two more got 232 votes each. Contestants coming third and fourth in terms of votes polled secured 1,369 and 750 votes.

President Zakir Hussain died in office and Presidential Election was held in 1969. There were 15 candidates in the fray. Barring three, none appeared a serious contestant. As many as five contenders in the Presidential Election 1969 polled zero votes while another got 94. It was clear that these contestants were not serious contenders.

CHANGE OF RULES IN 1974

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On the basis of the recommendations of the Election Commission, Parliament enacted the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections (Amendment) Act, 1974.

The central government issued a new set of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974 replacing the Rules of 1952 in consultation with the Election Commission.

According to new rules of the Presidential Election, the nomination paper of a Presidential candidate were to subscribed by at least 10 electors as proposers and 10 electors as seconders.

The provision for a security deposit of Rs 2,500 (then a big amount) was made. Now, the election could be challenged only before the Supreme Court and that too by any contesting candidate or by minimum 20 electors joined together as petitioners.

The schedule for elections to the office of the President and Vice-President was made statutory. It was provided that the last date for making nominations "shall be the 14th day after the publication of the notification calling the election."

POST-1974 PRESIDENTIAL POLLS

After the rules of the Presidential Election were changed in 1974, the number of contestants declined from 15 to just two.

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad comprehensively defeated Tridip Chowdhary by over 5.75 lakh votes. In the next Presidential Election in 1977, when Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad died in office, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was elected unopposed.

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There were 37 candidates, who had filed nominations for the Presidential Election 1977. But, after the scrutiny of the nomination papers, the candidatures of 36 were rejected. Reddy was announced winner uncontested. Again in 1982, only two candidates contested Presidential Election.

There were only three candidates in the next Presidential Election, which is remembered for the Supreme Court order allowing the disqualified MLAs. R Venkataraman beat V Krishna Iyer to become the President of India in 1987. The third candidate was Mithilesh Kumar, who later challenged the election in the Supreme Court.

The 1987 and 1992 Presidential Election again warranted some changes in rules in election to the office of the President of India. In 1992, there was direct contest between Shankar Dayal Sharma and GG Swell. But, along with Ram Jethmalani there was another candidate called Kaka Joginder Singh Urf Dharti-Pakad (he wrote his name like this in the nomination papers).

Dharti-Pakad was said to have contested elections from Panchayat level to the office of the President. His case popped up as an obvious case of misuse of constitutional provisions and rules of election to the office of the President.

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Another change of rules was in the offing.

NEW RULES OF 1997

An Ordinance was promulgated on June 5, 1997 to amend the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952. It was later converted into an Act.

The central government further amended these rules by a Ministry of Law and Justice notification in June, 1997. Some of the critical amendments in the law are:

A prospective presidential candidate was now required to get his nomination paper signed by at least 50 electors as proposers and at least 50 other electors as seconders.

In the case of prospective Vice-Presidential candidate, the nomination paper should be signed by at least 20 electors as proposers and at least 20 other electors as seconders.

No elector shall sign whether as proposers or as seconder more than one set of nomination papers at the same election and if he does so, his signature shall be inoperative on any nomination paper other than the one first delivered.

Not more than four nomination papers can be filed by or on behalf of a candidate or received by the Returning Officer.

A prospective candidate was now required to deposit a sum of Rs 15,000 as security.

The election can be challenged in the Supreme Court by a candidate or at least 20 electors within 30 days of declaration of election results. In the case of the election to the office of the Vice-President, it can be challenged by a candidate or at least 10 electors.

Since the new rules of the Presidential Election were notified, all such polls have been direct contest between candidates of the ruling and Opposition camps.

(Source for data and rules: the Election Commission of India)

ALSO READ |

Advantage Ram Nath Kovind vs Meira Kumar tomorrow: All you need to know about Presidential Election

Presidential election voters: 71 per cent crorepati, a third with criminal cases, 451 women

ALSO WATCH: Presidential election 2017: Bihar's ex-Governor Ram Nath Kovind versus Bihar ki beti Meira Kumar

--- ENDS ---
Before the session, both the BJP and Congress will hold their separate meetings to interact with their respective candidates.

By India Today Web Desk: Ahead of the Parliament session, the government has called an all-party meeting today at 11am. The meeting will take place at the Parliament library building.

Before the monsoon session, both the BJP and Congress will hold their separate meetings to interact with their respective candidates. While the BJP parliamentary party executive committee will meet at 3pm at the Parliament library building, senior leaders of the Congress will be holding their own meeting at party leader Sonia Gandhi's residence.

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However, the TMC has said that they won't attend the all-party meet but will attend Lok Sabha Speaker's meet.

PM Modi is likely to address all NDA MPs. NDA's Presidential candidate Ramnath Kovind may also attend the meeting.

Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also called an all party meeting at 7pm at the Parliament library building.

Earlier on Friday, the government had called a meeting with opposition leaders to brief them on the Indo-China stand off and Jammu and Kashmir issue, especially in the aftermath of attack on Amarnath yatris.

As many as 19 MPs from different political parties had attended the meeting chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Home Minister Rajnath Singh. While the Home Secretary gave a presentation on the Amarnath Yatra attack, the Foreign Secretary gave the entire background on 'Doklam' crisis and the border 'face-off' between India and China. It is said that the purpose of this exercise was to engage the Opposition on two sensitive matters ahead of the Monsoon session.

ALSO READ

India-China face-off: After all-party meet, Congress calls for lowering tension through diplomacy, to raise issue in Parliament

Monsoon session of Parliament to begin from July 17

ALSO WATCH:

UPA picks former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar as presidential nominee

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UNION SPRINGS  Elana Polloni, a teacher from Brazil, spent the last two weeks in the small Cayuga County village of Union Springs helping renovate the dormitories at Union Springs Academy, a private, coed Seventh-day Adventist prep school.

She and 84 other volunteers from around the world and the United States made the trip with Maranatha Volunteers International, a mission organization that works with the Seventh-day Adventist church building schools, churches and water wells around the world.

The volunteers, led by Maranatha Director of North American Projects David Wood, renovated over 40 dorm rooms. They replaced the old carpet and tile floors with vinyl flooring, repainted the walls and ceilings, changed the outlet and light switch covers, hung new light fixtures and refinished old furniture that has been in the dorm rooms since the 1940s. The volunteers also replaced the church roof and updated the landscaping.

Jere Clayburn, the principal at Union Springs Academy, said the renovated dorm rooms will be "a much nicer living experience" for the students when they return in the fall.

Some people use the words 'tired,' 'dated,'" Clayburn said of the old dorm rooms. "The fact is, they just looked bad. But I think the students are going to be pretty happy."

Clayburn said working with Maranatha has been a learning experience for him. He has never been part of a mission project, but said Woods and the other Maranatha workers were "very experienced" coordinating the projects.

The volunteers expect to come, be kept busy and feel like they are making a difference, and I think we've been successful in helping that happen, Clayburn said.

Woods said that more than half of the project volunteers have never worked on a Maranatha mission trip before. It was Polloni's first, too, as well as her first trip to the United States.

For me, it has been a really, really great experience," Polloni said. "We can see how things are different from the beginning. We get to talk to different people from different places and we can listen to different stories and we can see how God takes care of all of us.

Roxanne Sanders, a volunteer from Maryland, also never participated in a mission trip. Sanders said she "wanted to do something different and help out people I don't know."

Other volunteers, such as Betty Beatie from Wisconsin, are experienced missionaries.

"I love helping people," Beatie said. "I love working with people.

Beatie has been a volunteer with Marantha since 2007 and has traveled all over the United States and internationally to Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

Every project you go to is different," Beatie said. "You get to meet new people and learn new skills.

Woods said the Union Springs Academy project is unique because not many volunteers come from other countries to the United States to do mission work. In addition to volunteers from Brazil, people also came from Trinidad and Tobago and Canada to help.

"Having the [international] volunteers here has really been a great experience," Woods said. "Many of our North American volunteers have never had the experience of people from another country coming to help us. A lot of Americans are used to going to other places to assist where needs are.

The renovations were not in connection with a December 2016 fire that damaged the school's administrative building.

Currently, work to get that building ready for the 2017-2018 school year is in a "lull," Clayburn said, because the school is waiting on the insurance adjusters to determine how much the rest of the repairs are going to cost.

"It's not going to be finished for a while," Clayburn said. "Hopefully we'll get enough finished so we can start out the school year in the building.

The school's administrative building houses offices, classrooms and the gymnasium.
By India Today Web Desk: Raghu Ram of MTV Roadies fame and Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na actress Sugandha Garg parted ways in 2016 after a decade-long marriage. It was a mutual decision of the couple to go separate ways, ending their more than nine years of marriage.

Raghu along with his twin Rajiv Lakshman are coming up with their first reality show India's Best Judwaah on Zee TV. Recently the show was launched in Mumbai. At the launch of the show, Raghu talked about his impending divorce to indianexpress.com. He said, "Well Sugandha is currently studying in Madrid and once she is back, we will get back with the formalities. There is nothing much to say now, I will make an announcement once the proceedings are over, and will also throw a divorce party."

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Set to be aired on Zee TV, India's Best Judwaah will celebrate the special bond shared by identical twins. Raghu and Rajiv are producing the show under their banner Monozygotic Solutions Pvt Ltd. The show will bring together 11 identical twins, showcasing their connection, their fondness for each other, their striking similarities and fascinating aspects of their lives together.

The show will be hosted by Naagin 2 actor Karanvir Bohra and will premiere on July 22 on Zee TV.

Also read: Raghu Ram and wife Sugandha Garg parted ways in 2016.

Also read: MTV Roadies' Raghu Ram says he's still friends with estranged wife Sugandha

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MOSUL, Iraq  The streets of Mosuls Old City are littered with bodies, tangled between shattered stones and remnants of the lives they left behind.

In the baking summer heat, exhausted rescue crews are now sifting through the debris of the toughest battle against the Islamic State group in what became its final redoubt in the city.

As Iraqi ground troops, U.S.-led coalition jets and Islamic State militants pulverized the Old Citys winding maze of streets, thousands of civilians were caught in the crossfire.

But the area is now deserted. Its inhabitants evacuated to houses, camps or prison cells across the province in recent months.

A week after Iraqi officials declared victory in Mosul, all that remains in the Old City is rubble and unknown hundreds of bodies.

Aid groups say that thousands of civilians were killed in the nine-month offensive. A final death toll is unlikely to ever be known, robbing families of answers and a grave for their grief.

Across western Mosul, hundreds of families are still waiting for news. Others know exactly where their loved ones were killed but are still unable to reach them.

On Friday, Sumaya Sarhan, 48, waited in the rescue workers sun-parched yard for her brothers remains, three months after the air strike that killed him.

We lived opposite and tried so many times to get him out. But it was too dangerous, there was too much fighting. Today, I finally saw him pulled from the rubble.

The task of cutting bodies from their homes in this, the most devastated swath of the city, has fallen to a 25-man civil defense unit with one bulldozer, a forklift truck and a single vehicle to carry the corpses.

They have found hundreds of people suffocated under the ruins of their homes. Then, there are those the Islamic State shot as they tried to flee, their bodies left to rot as a message to anyone else who might attempt to escape.

Mosuls Old City had more than 5,000 buildings, many of them high-ceilinged houses built around courtyards. Almost a third were damaged or destroyed during the final three weeks of fighting, according to the United Nations.

Across the entire city, which had a population of almost 2 million before the Islamic State arrived, satellite imagery shows battle scars or total destruction across more than 10,000 buildings. Although life has returned to the relatively less damaged eastern districts, the infrastructure in the west has been devastated.

Louisa Loveluck is a Washington Post writer.
TEHRAN  Irans judiciary said Sunday that the brother of President Hassan Rouhani has been detained and an American citizen has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars for infiltrating the country.

The Chinese American was identified as Xiyue Wang, 37, a researcher at Princeton University, according to Mizan Online, a site affiliated with the judiciary.
Sadanand Dhume took to Twitter to send out a message to people who question him every time he speaks about the curtailment of free speech in India.

By India Today Web Desk: Curtailment of free speech is a widely debated topic on social media nowadays. Everyone has their opinions and everyone is entitled to them, but more often than not one comes across people on social media having a counter question ready.

Whether its gender rights (What about harassment faced by men?) or condemning terror attacks (Why didn't you condemn the attacks in Syria?) or just anything else in the world there is always someone who wants an answer as to how we missed out on certain issue. Although the questions and comments sound fairly reasonable, they slowly take the form of online abuse and harassment.

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Journalist Sadhanandh Dhume, in a series of 10 tweets, schooled Twitter users on how to ensure free speech.

"If you really believe in American-style free speech, then you ought to tolerate criticism of all religions-not just Islam", tweeted Dhume.

Below are Dhume's tweets:

Each time I point out a curtailment of free speech in India, a certain kind of person on Twitter has a stock response: What about Islam? 1/n- Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) July 15, 2017

On the face of it, this is reasonable. Personally, I believe that free speech includes the freedom to criticize religion-all religions. 2/n- Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) July 15, 2017

But most of those who make the what about Islam?? argument are not free speech advocates. They are merely Muslim baiters. 3/n- Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) July 15, 2017

For instance, they rightly protest when someone is arrested for caricaturing the prophet Mohammed or disfiguring the Kaaba. 4/n- Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) July 15, 2017

But the same people are curiously silent when someone is arrested for criticizing Durga or Lakshmi or Ram. 5/n- Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) July 15, 2017

If you really believe in American-style free speech, then you ought to tolerate criticism of all religions-not just Islam. 6/n- Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) July 15, 2017

So if youre reluctant to share a cartoon of a Hindu God, I respect your personal choice. Thats perfectly okay. 7/n- Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) July 15, 2017

But then please dont badger me to share the Danish Mohammed cartoons because it satisfies some itch you have. 8/n- Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) July 15, 2017

And above all, dont cloak your bigotry in the principle of free speech. Genuine free speech advocates are equal opportunity offenders. 9/n- Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) July 15, 2017

This doesnt mean they share every offensive cartoon in the world, but that they defend the RIGHT of others to draw those cartoons. 10/10- Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) July 15, 2017

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CAIRO  Egyptian police on Sunday fired tear gas to disperse a rock-throwing crowd of residents on a Nile River island in Cairo, clashes that left one person dead and 50 others injured, according to authorities.

The Health Ministry said a resident was killed and 19 others were wounded in the clashes on al-Waraq island on the northern fringes of the Egyptian capital. It did not say how the man was killed.

An Interior Ministry statement said an additional 31 people  officers as well as contractors who arrived with them on the island  were injured in the clashes. The injured police officers included two generals, it said.

Ten residents were arrested, it added.

The violence broke out when police attempted to evict residents using state land without permission, part of a nationwide campaign begun by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to retake state property illegally controlled or run for profit by individuals or commercial enterprises.

The local media have for weeks been showing images of police and army troops demolishing buildings or commercial facilities illegally built or operating without a license.

In its statement, the Interior Ministry, which is in charge of the police, said the residents attacked officers with firearms, bird-shot guns and rocks and that they responded with tear gas. It said up to 700 building and land violations were recorded on the island. It acknowledged the death of one islander and that 19 others were injured.

Illegal use of state land is common in Egypt, as well as building on agricultural land in violation of the law.

In a separate development, Egypts military said its jet fighters destroyed 15 all-terrain vehicles carrying weapons and explosives along with criminal elements after they were detected getting ready to cross the border with Libya into Egypt.

A military statement Sunday said the warplanes monitored and dealt with the vehicles over the past 24 hours, but it did not say whether the air strikes targeted them while on Egyptian soil. It also did not mention Libya by name, making only a thinly veiled reference to the North African nation.

Egypts porous desert border with Libya has been the source of serious concern to authorities, who contend Islamic militants and smugglers use it as their route into Egypt.

Hamza Hendawi is an Associated Press writer.
PARIS  French President Emmanuel Macron appealed Sunday to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for renewed Israeli-Palestinian peace talks to create two independent states.

Macron warned, however, that continued Jewish settlement construction could threaten negotiations and eventual peace prospects.

I call for a resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in the framework of the search for a solution of two states, Israel and Palestine, living in recognized, secure borders with Jerusalem as the capital, Macron told reporters.

At his side, Netanyahu said, We share the same desire for a peaceful Middle East, but didnt elaborate on eventual peace talks.

Macron condemned an attack last week that killed two Israeli police officers at a Jerusalem shrine revered by Jews and Muslims. Macrons office said he is concerned about Israels security but also worried that Netanyahu is backing away from commitment to a two-state solution.

Macron said France is ready to apply diplomatic pressure toward renewed negotiations but gave no specifics. He didnt indicate any eagerness for France to spearhead such negotiations, after a fruitless French diplomatic effort early this year.

Earlier Sunday, Macron denounced his countrys collaboration in the Holocaust, lashing out at those who still downplay the French role in sending tens of thousands of Jews to their deaths.

Commemorating 75 years since a mass roundup of French Jews, Macron insisted that it was indeed France that organized this. He dismissed arguments by French far right leaders that the collaborationist Vichy regime didnt represent the French state, saying that is convenient, but it is false.
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JERUSALEM  Muslim worshipers visited a Jerusalem holy site Sunday after Israel reopened the compound following a rare closure in response to a deadly shooting last week that raised concerns about wider unrest.

For the first time in decades, Israel closed the site  known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount  on Friday after three Arab citizens of Israel opened fire from the sacred site with automatic weapons, killing two police officers. The three were later shot dead inside the compound.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that after consultations with security officials the site would be reopened with increased security measures that included metal detectors at the entrance gates and additional security cameras.

At midday, Israeli police opened two of the gates to the compound to allow worshipers to enter through the newly erected detectors. Police said some worshipers refused to go through them and knelt to pray outside. But despite concerns that the new measures could slow movement and spark renewed tensions, police said they appeared to be working fine.

Israel did not coordinate the changes with Jordan, which serves as the custodian of the Muslim-administered site, according to a Jordanian government official.

Jordans stance is that anything installed at the site must be approved by the Waqf, or Muslim administration, and cannot change the status quo, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Adnan Husseini called for the security arrangements to return to how they were before the deadly attack, saying it shouldnt be an excuse for making changes.

The attack spurred a rare phone conversation between Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who condemned the attack and called for the site to be reopened. But Gazas Hamas rulers urged Palestinians to carry out more attacks.

Aron Heller is an Associated Press writer.
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JOLO, Philippines  Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen abducted four workers at a school in a southern Philippine province where President Rodrigo Duterte visited troops waging an offensive against the militants, officials said Sunday.

About 20 militants barged into the school compound in Sulu provinces Patikul town shortly early Sunday and seized six painters and carpenters, one of whom managed to escape and alerted the police. Army troops later rescued another worker.
By Utpal Kumar/Mail Today: It's difficult to write a book on Indira Gandhi. So many shades, so many colours, and so many ideologies! In fact, sometimes her contradictions were so glaring that she was accused of being bereft of any ideological moorings! And this made her both a challenge as well as delight for biographers.

Sagarika Ghose is the latest to joining the long list of biographers. Though the book is getting polarising reviews, with the vast majority in the social media trashing it outright, the fact is it's a decent primer for anyone wanting to know Indira. The author has drawn from the work of several historians and biographers, and seamlessly brought together different narratives. It's a job well done given the fact that Sagarika herself intended to do just that when the publisher wanted her "to bring Indira alive for a new generation".

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Paradoxical

The book attempts to paint a comprehensive picture of the otherwise enigmatic, often paradoxical, Indira. She was, after all, the living epitome of Goddess Durga, but privately she was meek, insecure and submissive. She fought for the freedom of press in Uttar Pradesh as a young politician, but as PM she put in place the worst form of nationwide censorship on the media. She took pride in secular, rational values and yet depended too much on godmen and astrologers, especially towards the end of her life. She was convinced for a long, long time, as Katherine Frank reveals in her biography, about being "ugly and stupid", as the young Indira was called by her aunt Vijayalakshmi Pandit. And yet during her US visit in the late 1960s, President Lyndon Johnson was so enamoured by her that he stayed on tossing glass after glass of bourbon on the rocks while talking to her.

So, who was Indira? Was she strong and audacious as she had been projected, or was she submissive and meek as her relationship with the family, especially the younger son Sanjay, showed? Indira's Dr-Jekyll-and-Mr-Hyde personality, when analysed dispassionately, appears to be interlinked, as Sagarika hints through the book. Indira the "tough dictator", as the author calls her, was mostly the result of Indira the "insecure daughter". The genesis of it all can be found in her troubled, and often ignored, childhood in Anand Bhawan - the palatial abode of the Nehrus in Allahabad.

Also Read:Journalist Manjula Lal's book traces the history of politics in Uttar Pradesh

Frank mentions an interesting anecdote when BK Nehru, Indira's cousin and India's ambassador to the US, asked why he had no recollection of her during the childhood. "I was right there," Indira answered, "but no one ever noticed me."

The only person Indira could relate to - and empathise with - was her mother, Kamala Nehru, who was elegant and beautiful, but treated scornfully by her 'Anglicised' and 'sophisticated' in-laws, especially her aunts, for not being accustomed to 'high-society' life. Nayantara Sahgal writes, in her book, how at the time of Kamala Gandhi's death, Indira "saw her (Kamala) being hurt" and "was determined not to be hurt." Feroze Gandhi came to her life around Kamala Nehru's death, as a pillar of support. As Indira confessed several years later that Feroze "was always there for me", she couldn't have let him go away. The marriage, however, didn't work and she blamed herself for her two kids, especially Sanjay, growing up without a father. Indira could see her own plight in Sanjay's. Coomi Kapoor writes in her book, The Emergency, that Sanjay adored Feroze Gandhi and "believed that his father had been abandoned and that the neglect of his well-being had led to his early death from a heart attack." This sense of guilt seemed to have made Indira gloss over Sanjay's excesses. One suspects the book also aimed at reminding the readers of the perils of a strong, decisive leadership gone wrong, especially when the contemporary India has a powerful Prime Minister. Thankfully, Sagarika resists the temptation of blatantly bringing in Narendra Modi into the narrative, something which her critics often accuse her of doing in the past. Also, her 'letters to Indira' seem self-indulgent. But, on the whole, especially in a country where history is learnt only in passing, the book has its relevance. Read it as a primer on Indira, but if you expect any scholarly revelations or in-depth analysis, you would be in for a disappointment.

--- ENDS ---

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The prisoners transferred to the Bellary Jail were believed to be helping Sasikala, said sources.

By India Today Web Desk: After DIG Prisons D Roopa alleged that AIADMK chief Sasikala paid Rs 2 crore bribe to Bengaluru jail officials in return for special treatment, nearly 40 prisoners from the Bengaluru Central Jail have been transferred to Bellary jail.

According to sources, these prisoners were believed to be helping Sasikala.

Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered a probe into the report filed by D Roopa in which she alleged that Sasikala gave Rs 1 crore bribe to Karnataka Director General of Prisons (DGP) Satyanarayana Rao for an exclusive kitchen inside her prison.

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The Home Department also set up a one-man inquiry committee after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered a probe into the report.

The DIG Prison's report alleged that another Rs 1 crore bribe was distributed among officials, including the warden of the Bengaluru Central Jail.

Sasikala, 59, is in the Parpanna Agrahara Central Jail since February 15 to serve a four-year sentence after she was found guilty and convicted by a trial court in Bengaluru in September 2014 in the two decade-old illegal wealth case of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Though the Karnataka High Court had acquitted her, the Supreme Court on February 14, 2017 upheld the conviction and sentencing.

DGP Rao, however, called the charges baseless and said the DIG who levelled the allegations was "unaware" of the rules.

D Roopa alleged that Sasikala had an exclusive kitchen inside the Bengaluru prison and her food was cooked by special chefs.

The Karnataka government has also issued a notice to DIG D Roopa for allegedly sharing her report with the media.

"I have submitted the report to Director General of Police R K Dutta and have not shared or shown it to anyone. You have to find out how and from where the report reached the media," D Roopa said when asked about her response to the notice.

(With inputs from Nolan Pinto in Bengaluru)

ALSO READ:

Cop vs cop in Karnataka over special treatment to Sasikala in Bengaluru jail

Meet the firebrand top cop who exposed Sasikala's VVIP treatment in Bengaluru jail

Why Sasikala's VIP treatment in jail smacks of favouritism for rich and powerful

ALSO WATCH: DIG Prisons stands firm on her allegations on Sasikala, demands inquiry

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A group of around 50 farmers from Tamil Nadu today held a march from Nizamuddin railway station to the Prime Minister's on the Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi today.

By Shalini Lobo: Having attracted attention with their innovative ways to stage protest in New Delhi during March and April, the Tamil Nadu farmers are back in the national capital with their demands.

Around 50 farmers from Tamil Nadu today staged protest in New Delhi holding a march from Nizamuddin railway station to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence on the Lok Kalyan Marg. The protesters held demonstration outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence raising their demands.

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The police detained the protesters and took them to the Parliament Street police station. The protesters have been demanding relief package from the Centre and waiver of farm loans. During their last phase of agitation, they unsuccessfully sought a meeting with Prime Minister Modi.

Tamil Nadu farmers at Parliament Street police station in New Delhi. (Photo: India Today)

Last time around the same bunch of farmers had grabbed national headlines with their ways of protests. They protested with human skulls at the Jantar Mantar. On some other day, they shaved half their heads and beards, flogged themselves, stripped themselves outside the Prime Minister's Office and ate off the roads.

Suspending their agitation in April after 40 days of protest, the farmers had said that they would be back in New Delhi on May 25. They are here now on July 16 holding demonstrations ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament scheduled to begin tomorrow.

Among the demands of the farmers are pension for farmers, higher profit margins and setting up of a Cauvery water management board.

ALSO READ |

After 41 days, Tamil Nadu farmers suspend their agitation in Delhi till May 25

Why PM Narendra Modi did not meet protesting Tamil Nadu farmers

ALSO WATCH | Tamil Nadu farmers cut Mangalsutras to get PM's attention

--- ENDS ---
According to sources in the JD(U), Nitish camp has decided not to take any call on Tejashwi's future till the Presidential elections get over on July 17.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: The political crisis in Bihar is deepening over continuation of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav's younger son and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in the Nitish Kumar cabinet after an FIR was lodged against him in a corruption case. The high voltage drama is likely to end on July 18 when Nitish is expected to take a final call on whether Tejashwi will continue in his cabinet or will he have to resign from his post.

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According to sources in the JD(U), Nitish camp has decided not to take any call on Tejashwi's future till the Presidential elections get over on July 17. The party has convened a meeting of its 71 legislators today at 4 pm at 1, Anne Marg, Nitish's official residence to discuss the party strategy during Presidential elections.

JD(U) will also be formulating strategy to ensure that no cross voting takes place during Presidential polls. Sources say that any decision on Tejashwi at this point of time would prove to be fatal as far as Presidential elections are concerned. Sources maintain that Nitish has assured Congress President Sonia Gandhi of not taking any decision on Tejashwi till Presidential elections are over.

Tejashwi has been named by the CBI as an accused in its probe into the land-for-hotels scam case. However, RJD supremo has made it amply clear that his Deputy Chief Minister son will not be tendering his resignation at any cost and therefore the ball is now in the Bihar Chief Minister's court to decide on Tejashwi Yadav's future.

On the other hand JD(U) has also asserted that at no point of time will Nitish compromise on the issue of corruption. JD(U) is adamant on Tejashwi's ouster from state cabinet. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has made it almost clear. He does not want his deputy Tejashwi Yadav to continue in office without clearing his name in the corruption case or clarifying the matter publicly.

Therefore, it is expected that Nitish will take any decision on Tejashwi Yadav on July 18, a day after the Presidential elections are over.

ALSO READ:

RJD's Plan B if Nitish Kumar sacks Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav

Ceasefire for now: JDU softens stand on Lalu's son Tejashwi after Sonia rings Nitish

ALSO WATCH:

Journalists assaulted by Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav's bodyguards outside Bihar Secretariat in Patna

--- ENDS ---
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Three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) terrorists were gunned down in a natural cave in Satora area of Tral in south Kashmir yesterday.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: A red alert has been sounded in areas around South Kashmir after 3 hardcore Jaish terrorists were gunned down by security forces in Wataban in Tral, Pulwama, late on Saturday night. Sources in security forces told India today that the group was part of a bigger group of terrorists. At least 5 of them continue to be at large.

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Inspector General of Police for Kashmir Muneer Khan said, "We will hunt down the rest of the group, there may be 3-5 more led by a Pakistani."

Three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) terrorists were gunned down in a natural cave in in Satora area of Tral in south Kashmir yesterday. This comes after Zakir Musa, former Hizbul Mujahideen commander's recent audio tape suggesting that terrorist should move away from crowd to the mountains and forests surfaced.

Hassan Bhai a commander of Pakistani origin was killed with two local cadres, Mukhtiyar Ahmed and Parvej Ahmed.

A joint operation was launched in the area after human intelligence reports. The troops of 180 Battalion CRPF, 42 Rashtriya Rifles and JK Police, launched an offensive, killing two outside the cave, while one terrorist held on till late but was eventually neutralised.

Troops recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition. Huge quantity of ration and blankets were recovered from cave site which indicates that the terrorist had been using the natural cavity in the mountain as a shelter for at least a month.

ALSO READ:

Firing between security forces and militants continues in Tral, Kashmir; 3 terrorists killed

Jammu and Kashmir: Three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists killed in encounter in Budgam

ALSO WATCH: Terrorists targets security forces in Kashmir: Can Modi, Trump corner Pakistan?

--- ENDS ---
After running almost 720 kilometres between them in The Canberra Times Fun Run since 1978, 65-year-old local couple Jim and Maria White will be looking to rewrite their way into the history books at this year's event.

Mr White will be preparing to run his 40th consecutive fun run, which is the second most in the event's history while his wife will be preparing to run her 34th, which is the most run by any female competitor.

Maria and Jim White with their Canberra Times fun run medals, along with Jims kermit the frog fun run costume. Maria and Jim have been participating in the Canberra Times fun run for 40 years. Credit:Jamila Toderas

It all started with a bet between two mates and work colleagues and which developed into the couple's passion for running.

Mr White was working as a plumber when one of his work colleagues made a bet with him that he would not be able to run up Wanniassa Hill in 20 minutes.
Eloise Fisher and Edward Neeman in Concert. Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest, Saturday Saturday, July 22, 7.30pm. Tickets at trybooking.com or at the door: Adults $35, concessions $30, fulltime students $15, children under 12 $10.

Two Canberra musicians who pursued international studies will reunite to perform together for the first time in many years - including a world premiere.

Edward Neeman, left and Eloise Fisher

Eloise Fisher and Edward Neeman both grew up in the national capital and studied at the ANU School of Music - she focusing on clarinet, he on piano - before eventually completing doctoral studies at the Julliard School in New York. They were friends who played "bits and pieces" together at university, Fisher says, but never a full concert, and never got together at Julliard for a performance, but have made time while both visiting family in Canberra now for their first full concert and their first performance together in over a decade.

The world premiere piece is by American composer Bretton Brown, a contemporary of theirs who also received his doctorate from Julliard. What Ensor Saw was written for Fisher and Neeman and was inspired by three works by the Belgian artist James Ensor, with the movements being named after them: Strange Insects; The Ornamental Cabbage; and The Astonishment of the Mask Wouse.
Canberra Centre's new beauty and wellness precinct opened this week, and while Mecca Maxima is undoubtedly the biggest drawcard judging from the queues on opening day, there's lots of goodies to find. Here are some that caught our eye.

1. Snail mucus skincare

Canberra Times journalist Jil Hogan tries the snail mucus facial treatment at the Seoul Flower Korean beauty bar in the Canberra centre. Credit:Karleen Minney

Ever been keen to put snail mucus on your face? Neither have we. But turns out the secretion is actually very good for your skin. A range of products from Korea has tapped into this slightly unusual ingredient, and you can buy a whole range of it at Seoul Flower, a kiosk dedicated to Korean skincare. Unfortunately they don't do the facials at the store, but you can buy the products to take home (and they can share a few secrets on how to get the most out of it too). We tested out the full range of snail skincare products and can confirm they're actually quite pleasant.
Rupert Murdoch may have to wait until at least March 2018 before finding out whether the UK government will allow his 21st Century Fox to buy the rest of Sky Plc.

UK Culture Secretary Karen Bradley does not plan to make a decision on whether to send the 11.7 billion ($19.6 billion) deal for a deeper regulatory review before Parliament goes on recess this week, according to a spokesman. That would likely push the start of the six-month process to September, when Parliament returns. Bradley needs time to evaluate public feedback on the deal before making a decision, the spokesman said. A separate spokesman said the department hasn't yet made a final decision.

UK regulators are evaluating the Murdochs' fitness as media owners as part of a review of Fox's $US15 billion takeover of Sky Plc. Credit:AP

Opponents of the deal have flooded Bradley with criticism of Murdoch's plans to unite his media empire across the Atlantic, and demanded a wider review that would pore over corporate-governance failings at Fox News and voice-mail hacking at his UK newspapers. Bradley said on June 29 that she expected to seek a Competition & Markets Authority investigation but on narrower grounds, assessing only whether the deal gives the Murdoch family too much influence over U.K. media.

Should her ruling be challenged, the UK government could be forced to defend its decision in court. That possibility puts pressure on Bradley to carefully weigh the feedback she will receive through a comment period that ends Friday, leaving her only four working days before Parliament goes on summer break July 20.
The monochromatic cast of Young Talent Time reflected the monochromatic make-up of Australia in the 1970s. But the conclusion that 1974 was the high point in Australian history is one that could only be made by a white man. Or three of them, as was the case in a recent  and, one must presume, deliberately provocative  piece for The Conversation titled "Why a population of, say, 15 million makes sense for Australia". After relying on just one measure of wellbeing  the Genuine Progress Indicator  to pinpoint a high point for Australian wellbeing, the three academics went on to observe that Australia's population in 1974 was just 15 million. From there it's just a hop skip and a giant jump to conclude that Australia would be happier today, if only we could close our borders and cull 10 million living Australians.

OK, OK. Clearly, the authors weren't suggesting mass genocide. Indeed, despite their headline-grabbing assertions, the general thrust of their piece was to argue for better planning to deal with the stresses of a growing population on housing prices and traffic congestion. No one can disagree with that. But to isolate population growth as the source of all society's ill is a logical step too far. Indeed, many countries around the world would like to have the population problem we have, as the demographic timebomb that is ageing populations begins its slow detonation. Japan is its most visible casualty, shrinking by 1.3 million people over the past six years. Australia may still be growing, but we're ageing rapidly too. Between the 1996 census and last year's, the percentage of the population aged 14 and under shrank from 21.4 per cent to 18.9 per cent. Meanwhile, the share of the population aged 65-plus has risen from 12 per cent to 15.2 per cent.

As a result, the median age of Australians has risen from 34 years to 37.3 years. As this population ageing continues, the federal budget is about to take a body blow, as fewer working aged people are available to do the work to pay the taxes to fund the growing bills of the elderly. Migrants, tending to be younger, are like a fresh inflow of water into a stagnant tributary. They help rejuvenate us as a nation. And they also bring valuable skills. Of course, there is always the attendant fear that migrants will take our jobs, and hurt our wages.

In simplistic theory, an influx of new workers should reduce the bargaining power of existing workers, making labour less scarce and making it harder for them to push for pay rises. But in the latest issue of the Australian Economic Society's Economic Record journal, three academics from the Crawford School of Public Policy, Robert Breunig, Nathan Deutscher and Hang Thi To look at the impact of migration and the labour market outcomes of Australian-born workers, and those who have lived here for more than five years. The evidence confirms Australia's migrant intake  unlike that of the US or Britain  is highly targeted to fill skills gaps or to perform work that Australians seem reluctant to do, like fruit picking, nursing or mining. They find no evidence that migrant workers result in negative outcomes for Australian-born workers, either in terms of unemployment or wages growth. Of course, we should always do as much as possible to lift the skills of existing workers. And alternative measures of Australia's progress suggest we are doing just that.

The Herald/Age Lateral Economics index of wellbeing is another alternative approach to measuring wellbeing. It also adjusts GDP to capture the negative impact of environmental degradation, growing inequality and deteriorating health. But by far the biggest positive contributor to wellbeing has been the huge advances in the education and skill levels of Australians. More high school students are staying to the end of year 12, there are more young kids in early learning and a growing proportion of adult Australians has a tertiary education. It concludes that life in Australia is getting steadily better all the time as we become smarter and more skilled. Australia in 2017 ranks highly in almost all international measures of wellbeing, including the OECD's Better Life Index where we rank second only to Norway. In truth, we are a beacon of the good life, attracting young, skilled and enthusiastic migrants to our shores who aspire to share in all that we enjoy.
Twitter is at it yet again.

By India Today Web Desk: A Twitter user on Saturday tweeted to United Hub about putting her dog on the wrong flight and asked for an explanation.

You guys r idiots @united HOW U PUT MY DOG ON THE WRONG FLIGHT???? I need answers- ScHoolboy Q (@ScHoolboyQ) July 14, 2017

While there was no official reply from the United Hub given that the tweet could very well be a joke, other twitter users jumped in and offered assistance by recruiting their own 'pets' on different fronts.

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Read below some of the hilarious responses:

My dog on the look out pic.twitter.com/hGxv136QWw- Marco (@ActuallyCryBaby) July 14, 2017

My cat will keep a look out on the south side pic.twitter.com/19bbNCYcep- pedro?? (@BadVibesPedro) July 15, 2017

My monkey taking the Northside pic.twitter.com/bQbFtXcESE- i Am GrOoT (@J_rod14LA) July 15, 2017

My seal will take the shores pic.twitter.com/vhSXCUNlK8- Alessandro Flores (@WhosABitch) July 15, 2017

My squirrels got the Middle East boys don't worry pic.twitter.com/qfQK7irSGu- Andrew Mendes???? (@SurfingMendes) July 15, 2017

My chicks got the west side pic.twitter.com/NXl933Cqx0- young LAITH god (@Super_laith44) July 15, 2017

My rhino has Africa on lockdown. pic.twitter.com/lYpZoPn375- Ian Bazley (@IBazleyEPH) July 15, 2017

My shark will take the seas... pic.twitter.com/oAYjbfRDSw- Ross Parker (@rparker209) July 15, 2017

Nothing like a thread full of animal memes to cheer you up at work, ain't it?

Read the entire thread here.

--- ENDS ---
If you are reading this on your computer, phone or tablet, chances are it was made in China by a worker like 18-year-old Xiao Ya.

Xiao left her home town in rural China to find work to help support her ageing parents. She got a job cleaning tablet screens in Guangzhou, in one of the big factories which produce 90 per cent of the world's electronics.

Workers assemble monitors at a TCL factory in Guangdong province, China. Credit:Qilai Shen

She worked 15-hour days, seven days a week. After several weeks, she started to feel numb and weak. Then her legs stopped working properly.

It was only after she was hospitalised with partial paralysis that Xiao discovered she had been poisoned by n-Hexane, a solvent used to clean tablet and phone screens because it evaporates quickly. It also causes severe damage to the central nervous system. N-hexane is officially banned in China, but is nonetheless widely used because it is significantly cheaper than safer alternatives.
There may be empty chairs set aside behind closed doors in Chinese households this week as tribute to Liu Xiaobo, the dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner who has died of liver cancer. But we may never know, because in President Xi Jinping's China, drawing attention to an empty chair is a dangerous political act which could get you arrested.

Dr Liu could not attend the award ceremony for his Nobel prize in Stockholm in 2010 because he was in jail in China, so the award was bestowed on an empty chair set on the stage. The phrase "empty chair" was then banned from the Chinese internet. Such was the authorities' fear of this man and the power of his words. The statement he prepared for his 2009 trial  but was not allowed to read out  was read in Stockholm instead: "I have no enemies and no hatred ... Hatred can rot away at a person's intelligence and conscience. Enemy mentality will poison the spirit of a nation, incite cruel mortal struggles, destroy a society's tolerance and humanity, and hinder a nation's progress toward freedom and democracy."

Protesters wear masks of Chinese Nobel Peace laureate Liu Xiaobo during a demonstration demanding his release outside the Chinese liaison office in Hong Kong in June 2017. Credit:AP

It's a tiny fraction of the academic and author's brave and brilliant output over the years challenging contemporary Chinese political and cultural orthodoxy. He was jailed for his role in the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations, and jailed again for three years in 1996. He continued writing on democracy, rationality, freedom from hate and the need for civility and due process. He endured the constant surveillance of the authorities with resignation and good humour while resisting all entreaties from his friends and supporters that he move to safety overseas. The day before he was arrested the last time in December 2008 for "inciting subversion of state power" Dr Liu had been collecting signatures for Charter 08, a blueprint for constitutional reform and democratic change in China he co-wrote.

The mighty Chinese state feared Liu Xiaobo  why else would it lock him away and silence him?  while countries seeking to benefit from China's rise fear the mighty Chinese state. Australia did not join the handful of countries such as Canada, France, Germany, Taiwan and the US which called for Dr Liu's release so he could travel overseas for treatment. Instead the Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop has released a short statement asking that his wife Liu Xia, under house arrest without charge since 2008, be allowed to move about freely.
The NSW government stands to lose more than $10 billion in mining royalties between 2023 and 2035 if the proposed Adani mine and other coal projects in Queensland's Galilee Basin go ahead, new research shows.

Economic modelling by the well-known resource analytics firm Wood Mackenzie found new coal supply from new mines in the Galilee Basin would reduce the price of coal by 25 per cent and cut NSW coal exports by about 80 million tonnes a year.

A separate report by the Australia Institute think tank has used that modelling to estimate the impact on the NSW budget from lost mining royalties.

"Based on Wood Mackenzie's analysis, the development of the Galilee Basin will reduce the value of NSW coal royalties by $10.2 billion to 2035," it concludes.
The Turnbull government insists its refugee deal with the United States is going ahead as planned but has signalled it may be some months more before transfers begin.

US officials interviewing refugees at the Nauru detention centre left the facility abruptly at the weekend, casting fresh doubt over whether the plan to resettle detainees in America would proceed.

"A cruel game", refugee Behrouz Boochani says of the ongoing uncertainty about the US people swap deal. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The Reuters news agency said the officials had halted their screening interviews two weeks early - and just a day after the United States reached its annual refugee intake cap of 50,000.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has taken a not-so-diplomatic swipe at US President Donald Trump for praising the French first lady's body shape, questioning whether she would pay him the same sort of compliment.

During his official visit to France last week Mr Trump was heard telling Brigitte Macron she was in "such great shape".

In a video posted on social media by the French government, Mr Trump then looks at Emmanuel Macron and repeats his comments - "she's in such good physical shape" - before turning back to Mrs Macron and saying "beautiful".

The exchange has led to more accusations of sexism against the 71-year-old president, who is often criticised for his remarks about women's appearances.
LNP members voted down a move to call on the Turnbull Government to pull out of the Paris Climate Accord at the LNP state convention in Brisbane on Sunday.

Two past Queensland LNP presidents strongly urged delegates from across the state to vote against the resolution.

The resolution, brought by party members from Toowoomba, wanted to call on the federal government to pull out of the accord, believing it to weaken Australia's sovereignty and economy.

However past president Con Galtos said the motion was "embarrassing".
State governments would reclaim their constitutional powers over income tax and introduce public hospital co-payments to free themselves from the "financial blight" of Medicare, under a think tank's radical plan for federation reform.

Researchers at the libertarian Centre for Independent Studies say that only through sweeping changes to the federation can state governments prevent the cost of public hospitals swamping their budgets in an ageing Australia.

Dr Jeremy Sammut and David Gadiel argue in their new report that the funding gaps around the Gonski school reforms and the National Disability Insurance Scheme pale in comparison to the looming costs of Medicare but states seem to be in denial.
For Nina Kovach, it begins with a wheeze accompanying every breath. Persistent coughing soon follows as her asthma symptoms flare and it becomes difficult to climb stairs or even walk a short distance.

"Once you have laboured breathing you know that's not ideal, and you need to get to your puffer pretty quickly to help relieve that because you just feel very breathless," Ms Kovach said.

Nina Kovach said her son Finn suffered his first asthma attack before his second birthday: "I was running up the Pacific Highway with this baby in my arms, trying to get to the local medical centre, not knowing how serious the issue was." Credit:James Alcock

Asthma affects an estimated 2.5 million Australians, and for sufferers such as Ms Kovach and her 12-year-old son Finn Trekofski, reliever or rescue medications provide quick, short-term relief of asthma symptoms by relaxing tightened airways.

Those symptoms can be frightening, she said. "It's like drowning. You begin gasping and feeling like you've not got enough air. It's terrifying, especially for little kids."
Former Queensland prisoners went to the doctor twice as regularly as the rest of the state's population, a report has found.

The researchers said their discovery showed prisoners needed not only better access to primary healthcare but also quality healthcare that was culturally appropriate.

A study has found prisoners in Queensland are twice as likely to visit the GP than their general population counterparts. Credit:Kate Geraghty

"This is the first study to systematically examine rates and predictors of GP contact for people recently released from prison," the researchers say in their report, published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday.

One-thousand-one-hundred-and-ninety prisoners were interviewed up to six weeks before their expected release from custody and their Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data was tracked for two years following their release.
A letter to the future buried in a wall and untouched in a Rozelle home for more than 20 years has been discovered by tradesmen.

"Hello whoever you are," the letter reads. "This letter was put into this stud wall on Easter Saturday, 15th April, 1995. It is pissing down and so a good day to be renovating."

The Rozelle house. Credit:Google maps

Typed using Word for Windows V5.0 on a 486 laptop by a 39-year-old Greg Wilkinson, who was building his home in the hope it would be a time capsule and 'not re-opened for 50-80 years unless developers get hold of the street of homes and demolish the lot before then'.

The letter was uncovered by a group of tradesmen this month, 22 years after being sealed into the wall.
The lenses, which resembled a "blueish mass" in the patient's eye, were causing her discomfort that she simply attributed to old age.

By Press Trust of India: Doctors in the UK have found 27 contact lenses stuck in a 67-year-old woman's eye while they were preparing her for a cataract surgery.

The lenses, which resembled a "blueish mass" in the patient's eye, were causing her discomfort that she simply attributed to dry eye and old age.

The case happened in November last year but has just been reported in the British Medical Journal, according to metro.co.uk.

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"None of us have ever seen this before. It was such a large mass. All the 17 contact lenses were stuck together. We were really surprised that the patient did not notice it because it would cause quite a lot of irritation while it was sitting there," Rupal Morjaria, a specialist trainee ophthalmologist who dealt with the case at Solihull Hospital near Birmingham, said.

Initially, eye specialists discovered 17 lenses, before a further examination disclosed that another 10 lenses were stuck in the eye.

The patient said she had been wearing monthly disposable contact lenses for 35 years but did not attend regular appointments.

As a result of the findings, the woman, who said she was unaware that the lenses were missing, had her operation postponed as the risk of developing endophthalmitis, inflammation of the interior of the eye, was increased.

"She was quite shocked. When she was seen two weeks after I removed the lenses she said her eyes felt a lot more comfortable," Morjaria said.

The woman did not report any symptoms in an assessment prior to surgery.

ALSO READ | Meet 56-year-old Badrilal who gulped more than 150 pins and needles

Iron stomach: Man eats metal plates, blades, tubelights as part of yoga; items removed 9 years later

--- ENDS ---
Two men killed during a tandem skydiving lesson in Wilton on Saturday have been named as investigators try to determine the cause of the fatal accident.

The 60-year-old instructor was Adrian Lloyd, an experienced skydiver with more than 10,000 jumps in his 30-year career.

His pupil, 29-year-old Singaporean national Low Ke Wei, also known as Mario, had just moved to Sydney for work in early June.

Mr Low's sister, Angeline, told Fairfax Media she would remember Mario for "his love for deep sea fishing".
Hostilities have broken out over a meeting to debate an overhaul of NSW Liberal Party preselection rules, with supporters of a reform backed by former prime minister Tony Abbott accused of attempting to "stack" the event.

But those pushing the reforms, which would deliver every local party member a preselection vote, have hit back by accusing opponents of "trying to scuttle" the so-called Party Futures Convention.

The meeting, to be held this weekend at Rosehill Racecourse, is being seen as the next potential flashpoint between Mr Abbott and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over the Liberal Party's direction.

It is understood NSW Liberal state director Chris Stone has been asked by senior party officials to investigate the claims.
Four men who were reported missing on Saturday after their dinghy failed to return, have been found safe and well.

The boat left Wujal Wujal, 350 kilometres north of Cairns, about 11am on Saturday and was believed to be headed towards the nearby Hope Islands or Pickersgill Reef.

Water police along with two rescue helicopters searched for a missing dinghy off the far north Queensland coast. Credit:Queensland Police Service

It was expected to return by late afternoon but failed to do so, triggering an air and marine search by the evening.

However, about 9.20am on Sunday the vessel was spotted after it had run aground on a reef. All four men on board were airlifted to Cooktown Hospital for assessment.
A man has died after crashing his four-wheel-drive on the central Queensland coast during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Just before 4am a white Toyota Landcruiser left the Bruce Highway and crashed in Ogmore, about 155 kilometres north of Rockhampton.

The driver, a 29-year-old man from nearby St Lawrence, was declared dead at the scene and anyone who witnessed the crash was being urged to come forward.

Meanwhile, a pedestrian has been seriously injured after being hit by a car on the Gold Coast.

A 32-year-old man was hit on the Gold Coast Highway in Miami about 1.30am and was left in the Gold Coast University Hospital with serious head injuries.
The latest report into Queensland's economy was a truly mixed bag, featuring plenty of serious numbers and graphs as well as descriptions likening the state's growth to twerking, Candy Crush Saga and the State of Origin team.

The national quarterly Deloitte Access Economics' Business Outlook report, which was released on Monday, showed Cyclone Debbie and housing construction had slowed Queensland's economic growth but positive signs came from population growth, small business confidence, exports and tourism.

The report wryly says, like Candy Crush Saga, Queensland engineering construction peaked in 2013. Credit:Andrew Harrer

One of the main aspects putting the brakes on the state's economic growth during recent years has been the falls in engineering work, which have slipped down to relatively "normal" levels after the mining boom.

"Much like Candy Crush Saga and twerking, Queensland engineering construction peaked back in 2013," the report says.
But Pratt had spotted a gap in the fashion market. Katie Pratt and Amy Li are targeting China's emerging middle-class with the country making up 20 per cent of Elliatt's business. Credit:Daniel Pockett "I really saw an opportunity for a dressier product that felt and looked more designer but still at an accessible price point," she says. "I thought that was missing in our market. I was going into the stores and speaking to the boutiques and that was what they wanted." Pratt started off designing small collections which she manufactured in Bali but increased demand meant she had to look further afield. Elliatt's first store has just opened in China.

"I was suddenly looking at quantities that couldn't be done in Bali and I knew the next stage was to manufacture out of China," she says. "I had to take a leap of faith. I basically just did some research online and connected with a few factories. I knew most production happened out of Guangzhou and knew it was the city to go to." Pratt sent emails to people she found on AliBaba before flying to China and going around using interpreters to visit factories. Katie Pratt met Amy Li on an overnight flight from China to Australia before going into business together. Credit:Daniel Pockett The rents at these shopping centres are really high. It's more expensive than renting in Chadstone. "I spent a week there and left deflated thinking I'm not going anywhere," she says. "I had hundreds of thousands of dollars in forward orders and I didn't know how I would fulfil them."

Deal sealed on an overnight flight Fortuitously on the overnight flight back to Australia Pratt and Li were sitting next to each other and "got talking". The pair started helping each other out in their businesses before taking the next step after six months. "Then we decided maybe we just merge our businesses together," Li says. "At the beginning we started doing the jewellery and fashion businesses together but after a while we realised the jewellery was too complex and we should focus on fashion." Li invested $300,000 in Elliatt which helped the label launch in the United States and the next target for Pratt and Li was China with Elliatt launching there 18 months ago.

"We had a distributor contact us by email after seeing us at fashion week and that's how we formed a partnership with them," Pratt says. "Amy has been able to work really closely with them and we've seen that as our fastest growing market in the past two years in terms of revenue. It's very profitable as we're manufacturing there so save on shipping." Pratt and Li say Elliatt is well placed to target a shift in the Chinese market where there is increasing appetite for more than just high end luxury brands. "They still see us as luxury as we are international and exclusively designed but it's just a little bit more accessible," Pratt says. Elliatt is now stocked in more than 200 stores in China with the country already making up 20 per cent of the label's sales and Pratt and Li hope opening Chinese stores will boost these sales. "We want to be the Zara of China," says Li.

The pair have attracted investment of $1.5 million from Yen Wong to fund the push into China and are targeting luxury shopping malls with the first store opening in CITIC Square Mall, Shanghai. "The rents at these shopping centres are really high," Pratt says. "It's more expensive than renting in Chadstone." Pratt and Li say they want to capitalise on an increasing appetite for mid-market product sourced from traditional bricks and mortar stores alongside ecommerce. The rise of the Chinese middle-class The rise of the Chinese middle-class is something economists have been noting in sectors such as construction and appliances, but fashion is now catching up.

Figures published earlier this month by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show China is now the third biggest export market for Australia's 53,350 exporters of good and services. China attracts 7078 exporters and has overtaken Hong Kong on 6686, Singapore on 6511 and Britain on 6218. "To see China's dominance, just think it's more than double its north-east Asian neighbours Japan on 3329 and South Korea on 2526, even though all have a free trade agreement with Australia," says Professor Tim Harcourt of UNSW Sydney. "There will be 850 million middle-class in China by 2030 and 80 per cent of that middle income group will be in the second and third-tier cities." It's exactly this emerging middle-class Elliatt is targeting.
Australia's librarians are pushing back against plans to make the State Records Office part of the State Library of WA - a move they believe could compromise the integrity of WA's public records.

Labor Premier Mark McGowan swept into office promising to create a more efficient and cost-effective public service, launching a review he said would "get in there with a machete" to save more than $750 million from the sector and ease the burden on the state's debt-addled finances.

The ASA fears merging the State Records Office with the State Library will compromise the office's independence. Credit:Australian Society of Archivists

The number of state departments increased to 41 under the Liberal Barnett government, but under Mr McGowan that's now been reduced to 25 through amalgamations, with scores of senior public servants let go in the shake-up.

"We want to bring together more agencies, more digital delivery and ensure that across government things the government doesn't need to be doing that cost money are no longer done," Mr McGowan said earlier this year.
Providence, Rhode Island: Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has warned a bipartisan gathering of US governors that government regulation of artificial intelligence is needed because it poses a "fundamental risk to the existence of human civilisation".

But first, he asked for some governors to lift a different kind of regulation: state franchise dealership laws that ban the direct sale of his company's electric cars to consumers.

Musk spoke broadly about solar energy, space travel, self-driving cars and other emerging technology during a question-and-answer session at the summer conference of the National Governors Association in Rhode Island on Saturday.

He also met privately with some governors, including Louisiana Democrat John Bel Edwards, who recently signed a law that Musk's Palo Alto, California-based company says blocks it from selling cars there.
Istanbul: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has used the first anniversary of a coup attempt against his government to accuse an erstwhile ally of treason and portray civilian resistance to the plot as a triumph of the Muslim faithful.

Erdogan's fiery speech before a massive crowd in Istanbul highlighted the lingering trauma of the failed coup, which killed 250 people over the course of a terrifying night and day of violence. The speech also showed how the events have become an increasingly important political cudgel for the president and his supporters, with the victory over the coup plotters seen as a critical part of the government's popular mandate.

"Those traitors will always be remembered with hatred," Erdogan said, adding that Turkey "never hesitates to crush the heads of those who betray".

The speech on the Bosporus Bridge, which was renamed Martyrs Bridge last year and was one of the main battlegrounds of the 2016 coup, took place in front of thousands of people waving Turkish flags.
The M-777 A-2 ultra-light howitzers (ULH) are expected to be mostly deployed along the border with China.

By Press Trust of India: Exhaustive field trials are being carried out on two long-range ultra-light howitzers in Pokhran which the Indian Army received from the US after a gap of 30 years since the Bofors scandal broke out, an official said.

The test-firing of the guns is primarily aimed at collating and determining various critical data like trajectory, speed and frequency of fire of the M-777 A-2 ultra-light howitzers (ULH) which are expected to be mostly deployed along the border with China.

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The trials will continue till September for formation of the "firing table" which is a major aspect of the overall induction process, said the Army official privy to the trials on the condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

The 155 mm, 39-calibre guns will fire Indian ammunition. Three more guns will be supplied to the Army in September, 2018 for training. Thereafter, induction will commence from March 2019 onwards with five guns per month till the complete consignment is received by mid-2021.

"The trials have been going on smoothly and various data are being collected for formation of the firing table," the official said, adding the aim was to ensure that there was no delay in the induction of the guns.

REGIONAL SECURITY

The Army badly needs the howitzers considering the evolving regional security scenario.

India had last procured howitzers in the mid-1980s from Swedish defence major Bofors. The alleged pay-offs in the deal and its subsequent political ramifications had severely crippled the Indian Armys procurement of artillery guns.

The Army had received the howitzers in May as part of an order for 145 guns.

India had struck a government-to-government deal with the US last November for supply of the 145 howitzers at a cost of nearly Rs 5,000 crore. While 25 guns will come in a fly-away condition, the rest will be assembled in India by the BAE Systems in partnership with Mahindra Defence.

SPEEDING UP MODERNISATION PROGRAMME

The Army has been pressing the government to speed up its modernisation programme.

In a major decision, the government last week had empowered the Vice Chief of the Army to procure critical ammunition and spares for key weapons systems to maintain combat readiness for short duration "intense wars".

The move, aimed at filling the "voids" in the Armys combat readiness, came amid nearly a month-long standoff between the armies of India and China in the Dokalam area as well as heightened Indo-Pak tension along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Also read: Narendra Modi government to fire M777 howitzer guns to celebrate Pokhran-I today

Also read: Ground report from Pokhran: M777 Ultralight Howitzers field tested by Indian Army

--- ENDS ---
Brussels: Authorities have arrested at least 66 people in a European food scam which sold horse meat unfit for human consumption.

European Union police coordinating organisation Europol announced on Sunday that eight nations co-operated in the operation. In Spain, 65 people face a series of charges relating to public health, money laundering and animal abuse.

Eight nations co-operated in the operation.

The operation took several months and the chief suspect, a Dutch businessman, was arrested in Belgium in April.

Spain's Civil Guard said that the criminal ring acquired horses in Spain and Portugal that were "in poor shape, old, or had been designated 'not apt for consumption".
New York: France is seeking an end to the isolation of Qatar that has separated families across the region amid a spat between a Saudi-led group of nations and their gas-rich neighbour.

France is calling to "lift the siege" and end "the efforts that have led to the interruption of relations between different members of families that have been harmed as a result", Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said at a joint press conference in Doha with his Qatari counterpart. "We are looking forward to concrete measures that are going to lead to the de-escalation of the situation, because this crisis isn't going to benefit any of the parties."

The French minister is the third senior Western official to visit Doha over the past week. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson met with his counterpart and the emir, and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson came twice as part of a shuttle diplomacy that included meetings in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in an effort to resolve the crisis.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade links with Qatar over a month ago. They accuse the gas-rich state of supporting terrorism and meddling in the region's internal affairs - charges it has denied.
The threatening email indicated the sender "didn't care about living or anybody else," according to the superintendent.
Not this time. New Prairie extracts its revenge against Northridge
For many years, Republican state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Democratic state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver battled over New York policy, and their inability to find common ground created consistently late state budgets and massive legislative gridlock.

As much as they disagreed, though, they also shared a bond: An affection for unchecked power that they could use to personally enrich themselves.

Sadly, it seems such behavior has become increasingly acceptable and legal, thanks for federal court rulings that are hindering the ability to prosecute clear cases of public corruption.

That point was hammered home last week with the federal appeals court ruling overturning Silver's 2015 conviction. The decision said the trial judge's jury instructions did not adhere to the extremely limited definition of an "official act" that was crafted in a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court decision clearing former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell in a corruption case.

Conviction of ex-NY Assembly speaker tossed; retrial sought NEW YORK  The corruption conviction of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was overturne

A tossed conviction is likely the same fate that will be enjoyed by Bruno's successor, former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, whose also appealing a federal corruption conviction. Bruno also has had a conviction tossed and he scored an acquittal in a retrial.

All of these cases and a handful of others all have a similar pattern. They involve powerful elected state officials using their clout to shape state policy and spending decisions, with the beneficiaries of this influence providing lucrative financial returns for the lawmakers or the lawmakers' family members.

Sadly, the court rulings seem to be saying all of that's OK as long as there was an attempt to cover up the arrangement.

Hampton Dellinger, a former deputy attorney general from North Carolina, gave Politico a scary but spot-on observation about the current corruption landscape after the Silver decision came out last week:

Before McDonnell, citizens could assume that their elected representatives werent being paid extra to perform any act as an officeholder whether it was casting a vote or taking a meeting. After McDonnell, politicians can argue that there is a category of money and gifts that can be received as quids because the quos dont fall into certain core categories such as supporting specific legislation or issuing an executive order. But elected officials exercise all kinds of soft power."

So what can be done? Even as corruption indictments and convictions have piled up in Albany, major ethics reforms such as drastically limiting the ability of lawmakers to collect outside money have failed to advance.

There had been some hope in recent years that federal prosecutors could deter corruption by going after bad actors, but in today's legal landscape, that hope is fading.

But as troubling as the Supreme Court ruling that laid the foundation for Silver's victory is, it's important to remember that the court was merely interpreting the law. The people who make federal laws, members of the U.S. Congress, have the ability to fix what is broken.

We urge our federal representatives, U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as U.S. Rep. John Katko (who as a member of the Republican majority probably has the most influence of the three currently), to do their part in helping to clean up our dirty state government by working on this issue at the federal level.

The Citizen Editorial Board includes publisher Rob Forcey, managing editor Mike Dowd and executive editor Jeremy Boyer.
By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Jul 15 (PTI) The US today strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Jerusalems Old City in which two Israeli police officers were killed and called for the "defeat" and eradication of terrorism.

"The people of the United States are heartbroken that terrorists brutally gunned down two Israeli police officers, and we extend our prayers and sympathies to the families of the victims. The United States strongly condemns the terror attack," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.

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Asserting that there must be zero tolerance for terrorism, Spicer said it was incompatible with achieving peace.

"We must condemn it in the strongest terms, defeat it, and eradicate it," he said.

"The attack forced the government of Israel to temporarily close the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif to conduct its investigation. Israel has assured the world that it has no intention to alter the status of this holy site, a decision which the United States applauds and welcomes," he said.

"We urge all leaders and people of good faith to be understanding as this process proceeds and reaches its conclusion," Spicer said.

Israeli policemen came under attack from three Arabs in Jerusalem yesterday, killing two before fleeing to an ultra- sensitive holy site where they were also killed.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone later in the day as tensions heightened over the attack. PTI LKJ MRJ

--- ENDS ---
Georgetown, SC (29440)

Today

Sun and a few passing clouds. High 76F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early followed by increasing clouds with showers developing later at night. Low near 55F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Brussels, July 15, 2017 (SPS) - The Intergroup on Western Sahara in the European Parliament on Saturday expressed its solidarity with Saharawi students held in Oudaya, sentenced to heavy prison terms, urging the head of European diplomacy Federica Mogherini to take action to ensure that their rights are respected and the sentences pronounced against them "annulled".

"As members of the European Parliament, we express our solidarity with the group of students of Oudaya and ask for your intervention," wrote MEPs Jytte Guteland, Paloma Lopez, Ivo Vajgl, Bodil Valero and Fabio Massimo Castaldo in a letter to the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the Intergroup on Western Sahara.

These MEPs called on Ms Mogherini to intervene so that the sentences pronounced on 6 July, against the 14 Saharawi political prisoners known as the group of "Oudaya students" were annulled because they considered that "the right to a fair trial has not been respected".

The Intergroup on Western Sahara demanded Mogherini to take steps to investigate allegations of torture so that perpetrators could be held responsible.

MEPs also called for respect for the fundamental rights of all Saharawi political prisoners, calling on the EU delegation in Rabat to meet these prisoners and monitor any future judicial proceedings. (SPS)

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Algiers, 16 July 2017 (SPS) - Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmajid Tebboune has reaffirmed the firm position of the Algerian government in support of the just cause of the Saharawi people.

The Algerian Prime Minister expressed in a letter to his Sahrawi counterpart, Abdelkader Taleb-Omar, his gratitude for the congratulatory message he received from the latter following his appointment.

In the same letter, Mr. Tebboune reiterated Algeria's firm support for the legitimate and inalienable right of the Saharawi people to self-determination and independence. (SPS)

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On the surface, it looks as if Connecticut children fare pretty well. According to the annual Kids Count report from The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the state ranks fourth in education, third in health, and sixth in overall well-being for children. The foundation pointed to nearly universal health insurance  97 percent  for Connecticuts children as a major contributor to the states high ranking.

Of all the states, Connecticut also had the lowest rate of deaths among children ages 1 to 19: 15 deaths per 100,000 children.

But thats not the entire story, not by half.

As with any time Connecticuts wealth, well-being, or the price of its real estate is measured, the wealth along Connecticuts Gold Coast  where commuters bring home big paychecks from the New York City metropolitan area  skews the results.

In fact, the Nutmeg State has one of the countrys largest gaps between the haves and the have-nots. Connecticut is one of the countrys two most unequal states (New York is the other one). Nationwide, the top 1 percent of income earners makes 25.3 times more than the bottom 99 percent, according to a 2016 Economic Policy Institute report. In Connecticut, incomes of the top 1 percent wage-earners are 42.6 times greater than the bottom 99 percent.

From the same data, the top-to-bottom ratio for Fairfield residents is 73.7 percent. In fact, there are five Connecticuts: wealthy, urban core, rural, suburban, and urban periphery  and which one is home very much determines a childs well-being, according to a report from the Connecticut Association of Human Services, a non-profit that since 1910 has worked to end poverty in the state.

Thats no small challenge, given the disparities here.

Wealthy Connecticut  Fairfield, Easton, Weston, Wilton, and New Canaan  has a median household income of $140,262. Home ownership is at 85 percent, and almost 90 percent white. There, schools offer more opportunities such as field trips and college preparation for its older students.

Compare that with Hartford, with a median household income of $37,426, where neighborhood schools remain remarkably segregated, and thousands of students attend schools that The Atlantic Monthly magazine said are among the worst in the country.

But even Greenwich has poverty, said Heather Petit, policy analyst at the states Commission on Women, Children and Seniors. We have pockets of poverty, and then a really wealthy neighborhood right over there. So separating data rather than looking at the state as a whole is just one way to understand Connecticuts poverty.

Predictably, the state also has a stark achievement gap among its students. (If you want to explore your own school districts gap, go here. The data is from 2015.) The state has an achievement gap task force with a goal of closing the gap in three years, by 2020.

Thats no small challenge, either. Last September, Superior Court Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher called the states school funding system unconstitutional, and ordered a review. Moukawsher reiterated a legal point thats been lost over the years, that the state  not municipalities  is responsible for the education of its children. Town-centric funding leads to the kind of disparity where Greenwich spends $6,000 more per pupil per year than does Bridgeport. (The case is before the state Supreme Court.)

News accounts of the ruling called it divisive, as well it should be. One national report says that poor students in states such as Mississippi and Arkansas do better in school than poor students in Connecticut. But as Petit says, despite a challenging budget, Connecticut legislators support the states families. Theyre willing to be innovative.

We arent going to solve our achievement gap with Band-Aids. It will take  as always  significant systemic change. Only then can the strong showing on national reports from organizations like the Casey Foundation reflect the lives of Connecticuts children  all of them.

Susan Campbell is a distinguished lecturer at the University of New Haven. She can be reached at slcampbell417@gmail.com. This column was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team (www.c-hit.org).
C ampaigners have spoken out against the worrying trend of so-called safe stabbings in which teens are knifing each other in parts of the body they believe will not cause death.

Patrick Green, manager of the Ben Kinsella Trust, a youth education charity founded after the 2008 murder of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella, today issued a fresh warning over the disturbing trend among London gangs.

He said he believed the problem is becoming worse across the capital.

The warning comes as the Met Police launched the latest phase of its knife crackdown Operation Sceptre, carrying out weapon sweeps, confiscating knives and targeting hundreds of known blade carriers.

Mr Green said: What we are doing is showing young people that you can cause lasting harm. We show them diagrams of the nerve endings, arteries.

We want to show that even the smallest penetration can cause death or serious harm.

"Kids in the age bracket of 12 to 15 share myths with each other about knife use."

He pointed to recent comments by Duncan Bew, the clinical lead for trauma and emergency surgery at Kings College Hospital, who said his team now sees more people with stab wounds than it does people with appendicitis.

Top surgeon Duncan Bew has previously warned his team now sees more people with stab wounds than appendicitis

Mr Greens warning comes days after a community safety meeting in Islington where Michelle McPhillips, mother of murdered 28-year-old Jonathan McPhillips, called for greater police efforts to halt a recent spate of knife crime in the capital.

People are actually doing safe stabbings  using a knife in a way they know wont kill, she was quoted in the Islington Gazette as saying.

She said: A lot of people in this borough dont know about the murder of my son.

I am handing out leaflets myself, doing the polices job. You understand? Theres no support for us out there. Its like we are doing all the work ourselves.

I am approaching young people on the Marquess Estate, a hotspot where a couple of months ago there were three stabbings in the space of 24 hours.

More than 750 people, including some as young as 13, have been identified by the Met as prolific knife carriers, in a stark illustration of the threat posed by blade offenders in London.

New Scotland Yard figures obtained by the Evening Standard show that 555 adults and 203 juveniles have been suspects in knife crimes on at least two occasions over the past year.

They include 16 children aged 13 or 14, another 39 who are 15, and 64 who are aged 16. Most have been arrested but 43 adults and eight of the juveniles have yet to be detained.
A 16-year-old boy who was riding a stolen moped with three teenagers on it is fighting for life after it crashed into a police car in south west London.

Three teenagers were injured in the crash in Wimbledon in the early hours of Sunday morning, which happened while the moped was being monitored by a police helicopter.

Officers believe the moped was involved in an earlier attempted robbery.

It crashed into the marked police car in South Park Road near the junction with Trinity Road at about 2.15am.

The 16-year-old boy was taken to a south London hospital, where his condition is described as critical.

Another 16-year-old boy suffered serious injuries to his leg and a 15-year-old boy sustained minor injuries.

All three of the teenagers were arrested at the scene and two large knives were also recovered, police said.

A Met Police spokesman added: The moped was being monitored by the National Police Air Service helicopter at the time of the collision as it was believed to have been involved in an earlier attempted robbery.

The moped had been reported lost or stolen to police on July 12.

Three males who had been riding the moped were taken to a south London hospital for treatment to their injuries.

The Directorate of Professionals Standards has been informed and the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

It comes after the Standard obtained worrying figures showing that children as young as 10 are involved in moped crime across London.

Moped-enabled crime has reached epidemic levels in London, with a rise of 1,600 per cent in the past five years.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Merton on 020 8543 5157.
By India Today Web Desk: CID's popular cop Daya aka Dayanand Shetty, who's known for breaking doors will be seen shaking a leg at Zee Gold Awards 2017.

Dressed in white, the actor performed on Vande Mataram. He had to start the act by stomping his feet on the stage, but as soon he did that his pyjama tore.

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The actor spoke about the incident and said, "When we came for fittings a day before the show, we gave them certain specifications so that the clothes on the day of the event are comfortable and well fitted. On the day of the event when I wore the clothes, they were all either an inch or two tight or loose at some places. Since nothing could be done at the last minute right before the performance, I wore the same pyjamas and prepped myself for the act. As soon as the act started and I performed my first step, my pyjama tore and I didn't have an option but to continue the act."

Daya completed the act with full confidence and didn't let the incident affect his performance.

Also read: Varun Dhawan's pants get torn on Indian Idol 9; see pics

--- ENDS ---
A baby boy is in a critical condition after falling from the window of a fourth floor flat in south London.

Police were called to the scene on St Jamess Road in Croydon at 2.45pm, along with paramedics and an Air Ambulance.

The child, 11 months old, was found suffering from a serious head injury after apparently falling from the fourth floor window.

He was rushed to hospital where he remained in a critical condition on Sunday evening, police said.

Enquiries have now been launched into the circumstances of the incident, although it is currently being treated as non-suspicious.

A nearby resident told the Croydon Advertiser: "I was walking into town when I saw all the ambulances and police cars parked up.

I asked what had happened and they said a young kid was badly hurt but they couldn't tell me more. Loads of people were standing about on the pavement, some of them crying and others on their phones."

Another witness told the paper he saw a lot of pavement standing together in the aftermath of the incident, with some crying and some on their phones.

A Met Police spokesman said: Police were called at 14:44hrs on 16 July to reports baby having fallen out of a window of a block of flats on St James's Road, Croydon.

The child - and 11-month old boy - is understood to have fallen from a fourth floor window. He was taken to a south London hospital suffering a head injury. The child's condition is described as critical.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: We sent a number of resources to the scene including an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic and London's Air Ambulance to the scene, with our first medics arriving within eight minutes of the call.

"We treated a patient at the scene and took them as a priority to a major trauma centre."
T he number of nights booked in London with Airbnb shot up by 130 per cent last year despite concerns over the companys lack of regulation.

The growing popularity of Airbnb - which sees people rent out lodgings such as homes and holiday apartments via the website - has helped the companys market share of London's overnight visitors more than double to nearly nine per cent in 2016.

It is up from less than 4 per cent of overnight visitors in 2015.

Research from global real estate adviser Colliers International and Hotelschool The Hague shows that nights booked in London with Airbnb rose to 4.62 million in 2016, from just over two million in 2015.

It works out an average of more than 12,900 bookings in the capital a day.

And in the first four months of 2017, there was an additional 55 per cent uplift in the number of nights booked through Airbnb compared to the same period in 2016.

Airbnb has proved extremely popular with travellers across the world. / AFP/Getty Images

The most popular London boroughs for bookings were Westminster, Tower Hamlets, Camden, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hackney, which accounted for nearly 50 per cent of all Airbnb overnight stays, a trend also seen in 2015.

But some have expressed concerns about the impact of Airbnb on neighbourhoods, and it has been suggested that a "lack of regulation" is a worry.

The research found that by the end of 2016, the number of properties listed on Airbnb had grown by 57 per cent - from 88,162 in 2015 to more than 138,000 properties.

It added that of the 2016 listings, almost 54 per cent were offered by hosts with more than one listing, up from 48 per cent.

Jeroen Oskam, director of research at Hotelschool The Hague, said: "The lack of regulation is a concern, not just for traditional accommodation providers, but especially for cities and residents.

"In addition, consumers' rights and safety should be protected by regulation but if Airbnb guests encounter a problem, they have to rely on improvised measures by the platform."

Dirk Bakker, head of EMEA Hotels at Colliers International, said: "Airbnb is no longer just an accommodation site for individuals letting out their own homes.

The strangest places to stay on Airbnb 1 /28 The strangest places to stay on Airbnb Tree Sparrow House Branching out: Take to the trees in Cornwall for a unique experience Lake District Shepherd's Hut Sleep like a lamb: Stay in a hut for two with views of the Lakes and a campfire to cook on Airbnb English castle Live like a king: This castle near the North Pennines has 15 rooms to choose from Airbnb Dragon House Pure fire: This award-winning Westhall building includes a raw tree trunk the staircase winds around Shoreditch 'Paradise' Bohemian: It's described as "part beach hut, part bohemian den and uniquely awesome." Airbnb Jessie the narrowboat Tight squeeze: The 57ft boat is moored in Little Venice Wooden cabin by the river The Leicestershire cabin is a hand built insulated wooden home with a woodburner, near the River Wreake Garden annexe Bizarre: This rustic cabin is in a large Winchester garden Old coaching inn and cinema Picturesque: An old Georgian coaching inn on the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, incorporating one of England's smallest cinemas Flat in a church Holy cow: This flat is in a converted Highbury church Airbnb Central London designer canal oasis Unique: This brightly-coloured boat on the Grand Union Canal has appeared on TV Airbnb Camden garden cabin Stylish: The small but perfectly formed wood-panelled cabin has a decked garden Airbnb Yurt near the Tube Unusual: Visitors are offered a country and London break all in one at this strange Highgate offering Airbnb Vintage showman's caravan Getaway: The van has a double bed, dining area, kitchen and its own gardens Grand Designs water tower Star: Featured on the TV show's 100th episode, the 10-storey London tower has a four-sided glass tank to stay in. Airbnb Victorian shop Time travel: This Grade II listed former Victorian shop has room for two near Crouch End Airbnb Stargazer Good heavens: A rustic stargazer in Somerset where you can fall asleep watching the stars and wake up to the sound of birdsong Great Western Railway Carriage Off the rails: The Siphon in Saint Austell, Cornwall, has its original doors and catches Converted railway carriage by the sea Sleeper: This train carriage in Cardigan Bay has room for five and has Europe's largest colony of dolphins swimming nearby The Steam Rocket Silver machine: This retro aluminium caravan overlooks the West Somerset Steam Railway Magical shepherd's hut Secret: These little wagons are in a hidden location close to St Ives

"People are now buying residential properties specifically for Airbnb, which has the potential to dilute neighbourhoods and become a social issue for residential areas, creating transient zones.

"This is already evidence in Amsterdam and Barcelona, for example, and local councils are taking great steps to navigate these issues."

An Airbnb spokeswoman said: "Airbnb is growing because it reflects the way people live, work, and travel in the 21st century. More than 200 million people have travelled on Airbnb and there are more than three million Airbnb listings around the world.

"As with any innovation, new rules are needed to keep pace with changes in consumer habits. Airbnb has so far worked with more than 300 governments around the world on progressive home sharing rules, and we have introduced automated hosting limits in London to help ensure home sharing grows responsibly and sustainably.

"Airbnb is an economic boost for regular families who share their homes. We want to be good partners to governments and continue to work closely with policymakers across the world."

Additional reporting by Press Association.
P eople who carry out horrific acid attacks could be jailed for life as part of plans for a massive Government crackdown.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced a review will be undertaken into punishments for the brutal attacks after six moped riders were doused with corrosive liquid on Londons streets in just 24 hours.

Ms Rudd said she wanted attackers who use noxious liquids as a weapon to feel the full force of the law in the proposed overhaul of current sentence guidelines.

"I am clear that life sentences must not be reserved for acid attack survivors," she wrote in the Sunday Times.

Proposals to ensure acid and other corrosive substances can be classed as dangerous weapons are among the changes suggested.

East London has been rocked by a series of horrific acid attacks in recent weeks, with five people targeted during a rampage on Thursday / Twitter/@sarah_cobbold

The Government will also aim to put in place measures which restrict the sale of such substances by retailers, Ms Rudd said.

A string of five assaults were allegedly carried out in east and north London on Thursday and have since been linked by Scotland Yard. On Friday another acid attack was reported in Dagenham, east London.

The Home Office said it will work with police and the Ministry of Justice to assess whether powers available to the courts, including sentencing, are sufficient.

Mrs Rudd wrote: "Today I am announcing an action plan to tackle acid attacks. It will include a wide-ranging review of the law enforcement and criminal justice response, of existing legislation, of access to harmful products and of the support offered to victims."

"We will also make sure that those who commit these terrible crimes feel the full force of the law," she added.

"We will seek to ensure that everyone working within the criminal justice system, from police officers to prosecutors, has the powers they need to punish severely those who commit these appalling crimes."

Possession of acid or other corrosive substances with the intention to do harm can already be treated as possession of an offensive weapon under the Prevention of Crime Act, which carries a four-year maximum penalty.

The Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) guidance to prosecutors will now be reviewed to ensure it makes clear that acid and other corrosive substances can be classed as dangerous weapons, and what is required to prove intent.

New guidance will also be issued to police officers on preventing attacks, searching potential attackers for harmful substances and responding to victims at the scene.

More than 400 acid or corrosive substance attacks were carried out in the six months up to April 2017, according to figures from 39 forces in England and Wales.

Bleach, ammonia and acid were the most commonly used substances, the Home Office said.

Sarah Newton, minister for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability, will outline the Government's strategy on combating acid attacks in the Commons on Monday.

In an earlier statement, Ms Rudd said: "Acid attacks are horrific crimes which have a devastating effect on victims, both physically and emotionally.

"It is vital that we do everything we can to prevent these sickening attacks happening in the first place.

"We must also ensure that the police and other emergency services are able to respond as effectively as possible, that sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences and victims are given the immediate support they need."
J ohn McDonnell has repeated his claims the victims of the Grenfell Tower inferno were killed by social murder and called for the people responsible to be held to account.

The shadow chancellor insisted he has no regrets for saying the victims of the disaster were murdered by political decisions.

He reiterated the claim while appearing on BBC 1's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday.

At least 80 people are believed to have died when a huge fire broke out at Grenfell Tower on June 14.

Chanceller Philip Hammond branded the comments disgraceful and said there was not a "shred of evidence" to support the claims.

Mr McDonnell was asked if he regretted saying people were murdered by political decisions.

He replied: "No I don't regret that. I was extremely angry with what went on. I'm a west London MP, this site is not far from me.

Philip Hammond is quizzed on Andrew Marr about his public sector pay comments

"Political decisions were made which resulted in the deaths of these people. That's a scandal."

Pressed on the use of the word "murder", Mr McDonnell replied: "There's a long history in this country of the concept of social murder where decisions are made with no regard to consequences of that, and as a result of that people have suffered.

"That's what's happened here, and I'm angry."

He added: "I believe social murder has occurred in this incidence and I believe people should be accountable."

John McDonnell has blasted Conservative politicians' handling of the fire / PA

Mr McDonnell, asked to explain who are the murderers, said: "I think there's been a consequence of political decisions over years that have not addressed the housing crisis that we've had, that have cut back on local government so proper inspections have not been made, 11,000 firefighter jobs have been cut as well - even the investment in aerial ladders, and things like that in our country."

Presenter Andrew Marr asked if the Labour MP was suggesting the politicians who sanctioned the cuts are murderers.

Mr McDonnell replied: "I believe politicians have to be held to account. I remain angry at how many people have lost their lives as a result of political decisions made over years."

He added: "I remain angry at the loss of life that has taken place not far away from my constituency."

Mr McDonnell made his original comments - that people at Grenfell Tower were "murdered by political decisions that were taken over recent decades" - during a debate at Glastonbury Festival's Left Field tent, which asked whether democracy is broken.

His claim that the fire was "social murder" was roundly condemned by Chancellor Philip Hammond.

"It is a disgraceful suggestion in line with many other things John McDonnell has said over the years. There is absolutely not a shred of evidence to support that," he told The Andrew Marr Show.
F irefighters were battling a blaze above a pub on Tottenham Court Road on Sunday afternoon, forcing the road to be closed.

The Court pub near Warren Street Tube station was apparently evacuated as fire crews battled to bring the fire above under control.

Smoke could be seen billowing above buildings soon after 4pm, while Tottenham Court Road was cordoned off in both directions.

Footage from the scene showed bystanders gathering to watch firefighters being lifted up to the building's roof in a cherry-picker.

Tottenham Court Road was closed while firefighters tackled the blaze on Sunday afternoon / @cjk2011

A London Fire Brigade spokesman told the Standard that they were called to the fire at 4.16pm, adding that it was a "four pump fire".

Four air conditioning units at the top of the building are believed to have been damaged in the fire.

The road was re-opened at around 5pm.
A fashion executive who was targeted by a gang of moped thugs as she walked her dog has told of how she fought off eight robbers.

Alexandra Meyers, 41, said she kicked one of the attackers so hard she shattered her ankle during the terrifying attack in London.

Her ordeal comes in the midst of a moped-enabled crime epidemic in the capital.

On Thursday, five people were injured when moped drivers went on an acid attack rampage across north and east London.

A man was also stabbed to death by moped drivers after an altercation in Greenwich less than 24 hours later.

A teenager is also fighting for his life after a stolen moped crashed into a police car in Wimbledon in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Ms Meyers, a fashion and luxury creative consultant and former UK communications director for jewellers Tiffany & Co, said she was attacked in broad daylight by eight moped drivers.

Alexandra Meyers broke her ankle as she fought off the attackers / Alexandra Meyers (Instagram)

She was walking her dog in west London when the attackers struck.

Ms Meyers told the Mail on Sunday: I was chatting to a friend on the phone when a powerful-looking moped with two men aboard came up on to the pavement, quite slowly.

They stopped abruptly in front of me and just grabbed my left hand with the phone in it and tried to get it. I instinctively did not let go.

Then they saw I had a watch on and tried to put it off but the metal bracelet had a security clasp preventing it coming off my wrist.

At that moment another moped came up next to me and I heard a sound behind me when another pair appeared on a third bike. I was cornered with my back to the wall.

She said mopeds mounted the pavement, each carrying two leather-clad riders in helmets.

Police have recorded a spike in moped-enabled crime across London

The attackers let go of Ms Meyers when she began kicking and punching the moped drivers.

She said a car then mounted the pavement and knocked one of the mopeds over, giving her the chance to grab her dog and flee.

Ms Meyers added: At that point I remember seeing a car mounting the kerb and knocking the bike behind me over with the two people on it. That is what gave me a chance to pick up the dog and start running.

I could feel that Id broken my ankle but the adrenaline just took over and pushed me on. Then I saw the gang was coming back for me again and I noticed a black cab approaching.

I threw myself into the road, pleading with the driver to stop.

Ms Meyers added she said she feel lucky to escape the ordeal without life changing injuries.

She was taken to hospital and treated for a broken ankle.
F rance is plotting to exploit Brexit in a bid to weaken Londons booming financial sector, a senior City of London spokesman has claimed in a leaked memo.

Former Home Office minister Jeremy Browne, who acts as the City of London's envoy on Brexit, said the French see the British as "adversaries" in the forthcoming negotiations over quitting the EU.

In the memo, which was seen to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Browne said the French are open about their desire to disrupt and degrade the UKs financial sector.

He said his talks in Paris have been the worst I have had anywhere in the EU.

Mr Browne, who met banking chiefs, senior politicians and diplomats, wrote: "They are crystal clear about their underlying objective: the weakening of Britain, the ongoing degradation of the City of London.

French President Emmanuel Macron met British PM Theresa May in June. / Getty Images

"The meeting with the French Central Bank was the worst I have had anywhere in the EU. They are in favour of the hardest Brexit. They want disruption. They actively seek disaggregation of financial services provision.

"Every country, not unreasonably, is alive to the opportunities that Brexit provides, but the French go further, making a virtue of rejecting a partnership model with Britain and seemingly happy to see outcomes detrimental to the City of London even if Paris is not the beneficiary."

Following a visit to the French capital earlier this month, Mr Browne said the mood had been made "more giddy and more assertive" by the election of pro-EU President Emmanuel Macron.

His comments will reinforce fears among Brexit critics that other EU countries will exploit the UK's withdrawal to take away lucrative business.

Mr Browne, who was a Liberal Democrat minister in the coalition under David Cameron and Nick Clegg, said hostility to the UK is not confined to a few officials but represents a "whole-of -France collective endeavour".

"The clear messages emanating from Paris are not just the musings of a rogue senior official in the French government or central bank. France could not be clearer about their intentions. They see Britain and the City of London as adversaries, not partners," he wrote.

"What we are witnessing is a whole-of-France collective endeavour, made both more giddy and more assertive by the election of Macron.

"It is entirely in line with the tone set by French representatives currently crashing conspicuously around London, making heroic relocation promises and pouring cold water on the propositions of alternative EU financial centres."

He said the French assertiveness is even beginning to alarm other EU member states who fear they could find themselves isolated if they seek to maintain good relations with the City and the UK.

"There is plenty of anxiety elsewhere in the EU about the French throwing their weight around so aggressively, but their destructive impulses are not being confined, and other EU countries that want a friendly relationship with Britain and the City of London are being marginalised," he wrote.

Key Brexit Players - In pictures 1 /8 Key Brexit Players - In pictures David Davis Reuters Michel Barnier AP Tim Barrow AFP/Getty Images Oliver Robbins Sabine Weyand Didier Seeuws AFP/Getty Images

Meanwhile, former cabinet secretary Lord O'Donnell said ministers need to end their squabbling over Brexit and come to an agreed position if they want a successful negotiation.

Writing in The Observer, he said: "The EU has clear negotiating guidelines, while it appears that Cabinet members haven't yet finished negotiating with each other, never mind the EU."

He said the Government should be "honest" about the scale of the challenge and the need for an extended period of transitional arrangements after the UK leaves in 2019 while a final settlement is agreed.

"There is no chance all the details will be hammered out in 20 months," he said.

"We will need a long transition phase and the time needed does not diminish by pretending that this phase is just about 'implementing' agreed policies as they will not all be agreed."

Additional reporting by Press Association.
D onald Trump has reportedly told the Prime Minister he will only come to Britain when he is sure of getting a better reception.

The US President was said to have told Theresa May he had not had great coverage in the UK and told her: Fix it for me.

The Sun on Sunday newspaper reported it had got hold of a transcript of a telephone conversation between the two world leaders.

President Trump reportedly said: I haven't had great coverage out there lately, Theresa."

Sadiq Khan says Trump's state visit should be scrapped

The UK PM replied: Well, you know what the British press are like."

Hand of friendship: Donald Trump and Theresa May meeting for the first time in January. / EPA

He said: "I still want to come, but I'm in no rush. So, if you can fix it for me, it would make things a lot easier.

"When I know I'm going to get a better reception, I'll come and not before."

Last month it was reported that the US leader wanted to postpone the visit because of the British publics response, but the White House later denied these reports.

Bastille Day visit: President Donald Trump visited France with First Lady Melania Trump to meet President Emmanuel Macron his wife Brigitte Macron at the Eiffel Tower / AP

Prime Minister Theresa May invited President Trump to visit Britain in January, sparking a backlash which saw nearly two million people sign an online petition against the state welcome.

Watch: Theresa May and Donald Trump holding hands

The following month, thousands of protesters marched to Westminster against the invitation.

Last week, speculation mounted that President Trump could make a surprise visit to the UK ahead of the G20 leaders summit in Germany and a weekend trip to Paris to celebrate Bastille Day. The rumours were fuelled after a large swathe of roads in central London were cordoned off, but it later emerged this was for a visit from Spains royals.

Anti-Trump protests 1 /25 Anti-Trump protests Protesters burn trash on the road at K Street Northwest outside the offices of The Washington Post REUTERS Seattle Police officers dressed in protective gear stand outside Kane Hall on the University of Washington campus AP A group of demonstrators protest against the inauguration of US President Donald J. Trump in Mexico City, Mexico EPA A protester is treated after being pepper sprayed by police at the University of Washington REUTERS Protesters outside the offices of The Washington Post REUTERS Police deploy a chemical irritant and flash bang grenades at the intersection of Southwest Morrison and 5th Avenue as a crowd marches through the streets of Portland AP Protesters march through downtown Athens, Georgia AP Police fire smoke grenades to disperse protesters in Washington DC AP A police officer holds zipties to restrain people during the protest AFP/Getty Images A line of protesters confronts police AP Smoke bombs were hurled at police officers during protests on the parade route AP Police prepare to launch concussion and pepper grenades during clashes with protesters in downtown Washington AP Lines of police officers fill Pennsylvania Avenue in preparation for the inaugural parade EPA Police officers provide security as they wait for the Presidential Inauguration Parade AFP/Getty Images A demonstrator is arrested by police AFP/Getty Images Police officers pepper spray a group of protesters AFP/Getty Images A police officer carrying pepper spray is pictured during a protest before the parade AFP/Getty Images Heavily armoured police officers stand guard on the parade route AFP/Getty Images Police officers fire pepper spray at protesters AP

Anti-Trump campaigners even urged protesters to be on standby for street demonstrations as it was suggested the President could try and sneak into the country, only warning the Government 24 hours in advance.

But Downing Street has since confirmed that officials are looking at Donald Trumps state visit to Britain for 2018.

However no date has yet been set for the visit - which had originally been expected to take place this year.

President Trump confirmed that he still intended to come to London when he met Mrs May last week at the G20 summit in Hamburg.
Dario Palmas

EU denominative trademark "Hunting for truffles" and EU figurative trademark, both in class no. 30 of Nice Classification; the image of "Hunting for truffles" as Community design registration and subject to copyright protection; the recipe as protected by copyright; the gustatory form as protected by copyright.

"Vamos a buscar trufas"

the jurisdiction is limited to the Spanish market, since (i) there was no request otherwise from any of the parties and (ii) the EU rights are ... unified, but their way of protection is different in the Member States; the decision is limited to the advertisement made by the defendant on its website, because the parties failed to provide proof of how the actual contested dish is or look (or taste?) like; the denominative trade mark is valid (it is not descriptive because truffle in this case does not refer to the subterranean fungus) and it is infringed by the defendants advertisement; in fact said ad (using identical trade mark) creates confusion with the plaintiffs dish; the figurative trade mark is not valid, because it is not represented by the real shape of the dish (for example the trade mark shows the truffles, whilst the very idea of the dish is to hunt for them, i.e. that they are hidden), but it represents only a still image of the consumption moment; the copyright on the recipe/dish is confirmed and deemed valid, since the classical concept of artistic work belongs to the 19th or even 20th century, but not to the current century where the concept of work of art encompasses any form and shape; and Jubany's dish is without doubts original and creative. However, since no proof of the actual dish offered by the defendant was provided by the parties (especially the plaintiffs, we might add, even if we can imagine that, being the defendant form Texas, USA, probably the plaintiff had no chance to see the actual dessert...) the relevant infringement claim must be rejected, even if there is the suspicion that the defendants dish is likely reproducing in some (probably infringing) way the chefs dessert; but, in theory, the defendants dish might also be completely different; the defendant is enjoined from using said ad in Spain with reference to dishes/food.

During the 2017 INTA Annual Meeting held in Barcelona this year, on May 23 a culinary Mock Trial took place. Dario Palmas from Franzosi Dal Negro Setti has kindly sent in this summary of the proceedings.Here's what Dario writes:"In the context of the magnificent University of Barcelona two parties battled over a famous dish of a famous chef.The (real) Spanish chef is Nandu Jubany, owner of the one-Michelin-star holder restaurant Can Jubany. The dish is the dessert called "Hunting for truffles" ("Vamos a buscar trufas").The concept of this dessert is spectacular: the client has to hunt for truffles (with the real dedicated instrument) through leaves, grass and soil. But of course nothing is what it seems, because pine leaves are made of chocolate, soil is made of streusels and the truffles themselves are made of ice-cream.The plaintiff was Jubany, represented by Mr Vincenzo Jandoli (of Milan-based law firm Franzosi Dal Negro Setti) and Mr. Ramon Oriol (of local law firm Amat & Vidal-Quadras).The defendant was the fictional company Creative Catering LLC, of Houston, TX, represented by Mr.Miguel Vidal-Quadras (Amat & Vidal-Quadras) and Ms Anna Maria Stein (Franzosi Dal Negro Setti), in both cases separated by strict Chinese walls accepted by the clients of both parties.The Panel of Judges was composed of Ms Marta Cervera, Director of the Commercial Courts of Barcelona and Judge of Commercial Court Num. 8 of Barcelona; Mr Raul Garcia Orejudo, Judge of Commercial Court Num. 7 of Barcelona and Mr Luis Torrents Fernandez-Mayoralas (Amat & Vidal-Quadras).The plaintiff enforced the following alleged rights:The contested activity was the defendants dessert, advertised on the defendants website as "Truffle hunters, A creative concept inspired by the secret and exquisite recipe best Spanish chefs of our time". The advertisement showed a photograph of Jubanys dish, which also is the EU figurative trade mark.The plaintiff claimed the infringement by the defendants dish of the above mentioned rights and also unfair competition, asking for an injunction prohibiting the reproduction, offering and sale of the contested dessert.The defendant claimed first and foremost that the alleged rights enforced by the plaintiff were not existent or valid. And secondly that they were in any case not infringed.Succulent surprise: before the parties started discussing the case (one statement each, followed by one reply), chef Jubany himself, together with his assistant, on a large table placed between the audience and the Panel of Judges, prepared his famous dessert from scratch.We will never know for sure whether the audience appreciated the parties' discussion or the chefs show more. But we can imagine.However, the dessert delivered by the Panel of Judges was the following:In addition the lawyers representing the parties also referred to the decision that surprisingly was held the same day by the Arnhem-Leeuwarden Court of Appeal which referred questions for a preliminary ruling to the CJEU relating to the extent to which a specific taste may qualify for protection under copyright law [see here ].We think that this unusual culinary Mock Trial among all the issues dealt with shows at least one important element: an original and creative dish can enjoy copyright protection, probably regardless of the fact whether it tastes good! (For the record: chef Jubanys dessert tastes like heaven)."
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The number of state tax-incentive deals signed last year fell to a five-year low.

According to the Nebraska Tax Incentives 2016 Annual Report to the Nebraska Legislature, which was released Friday, there were 50 deals signed under the Nebraska Advantage Act, the state's main tax-incentive program.

That was down from 59 in 2015 and the lowest number since 2011, when only 15 deals were signed.

Twelve of the deals involved projects that were either wholly or partially in Lincoln. The largest of those was with Lincoln-based tech company Hudl, which signed a deal for a $12 million investment and 300 jobs to be spread between Lincoln and Omaha.

Hudl, which plans to move into a new headquarters building this fall in the West Haymarket, announced a $30 million investment last week and said it plans to ramp up hiring to support new ventures.

Three other Lincoln-based companies, manufacturers Kawasaki and PCE Inc, and e-commerce company Spreetail, all signed deals proposing $12 million investments and 100 jobs.

Overall, there were eight projects with Lincoln as the sole location, down from 11 last year. The 12 projects involving Lincoln at least partially is down from 18 last year.

Mutual of Omaha signed the deal with the largest proposed number of jobs in the state, 361, which would be spread out between the Omaha area and Lincoln.

Mutual of Omaha also had the third-largest proposed monetary investment, with $289.3 million in proposed spending.

The biggest financial incentive deals were $594 million for the Grand Prairie Wind farm in O'Neill and $350 million by BNSF Railway, which listed the investment as being made statewide.

As has been the trend over the past few years, most of the incentive deals were small -- either Tier 1 or Tier 2, meaning they propose no more than $3 million in investment and 30 jobs. Of the 50 deals signed, 28 fell into that category.
GERING  Fighting the spread of noxious weeds can be difficult, especially if landowners dont want to take care of it.

This year it seems like the thistle has just been rampant, Scotts Bluff County Weed Superintendent Jeff Schledewitz said. A lot of the landowners dont take care of it properly, and its just about impossible to cover everything and get it all controlled.

Under Nebraska state statutes, the county weed departments can issue a 10-day notice to a landowner informing them of a noxious weed problem. If after 10 days a landowner doesnt comply and remedy it, the county can go in and do a forced control spray application, then assess the charges on the owners property tax bill.

I have never done that, Schledewitz said. Usually if push comes to shove, I know a lot of these people  Ive lived here all my life, and a lot of the times if you just give them a telephone call and most of the time they will comply.

They just need a little kick in the rump.

Schledewitz said when he contacts out-of-state landowners who are unaware of the problems, they will usually ask the county to control it through a commercial sprayer, or pass it down to their renter to manage. The county has specialized in hard-to-reach areas and has a contract with a private sprayer.

In past years, Canada thistle was the main issue, but Schledewitz said it has moved more to musk thistle. In 2014, Scotch thistle was added to the county noxious weed list, and has become more of a problem as of late.

I like to spray stuff in the spring if we can, to keep stuff from seeding out, but its starting to blow around now, he said. In the fall is when youre going to get the best bang for the buck.

The plant is starting to take up nutrients for the winter time to come back next spring, so even after a light frost thats the ideal time for control.

Schledewitz said landowners in Scotts Bluff County who are unsure of how to handle a noxious weed problem should not hesitate to reach out to his office at 308-436-6709 or 308-436-6716, or weeds@scottsbluffcounty.org

For more on noxious weed control in the Panhandle, see next weeks Farm & Ranch.
A massive and intense heat dome has spread over the northern Plains and mountain West, sucking moisture out of the soil, and may persist for weeks. The scorching heat and absence of rain have spurred a rapidly intensifying drought that is decimating the regions wheat crop.

Temperatures in Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas surged into the 90s and 100s on Wednesday, about 15 to 20 degrees above normal. Forecast models predict the same general weather pattern that supported this heat to persist up to two more weeks.

The pattern is characterized by a sprawling heat dome or area of high pressure at high altitudes over the western third of the nation  resulting in simmering conditions not just in the Dakotas but all over the West. On Wednesday, Salt Lake City hit 105 degrees, its seventh-hottest reading recorded. It is expanding into the desert Southwest, resulting in searing 120-plus-degree heat in Death Valley and prolonging a 21-day streak of temperatures of at least 105 degrees in Las Vegas.

The sinking air underneath this heat dome has suppressed the formation of rain storms and rapidly dried out the land surface in the northern Plains and mountain West.

The dry pattern commenced in the spring but intensified in recent weeks as the western heat dome settled in. Glasgow, Montana, had its record-driest April-through-June period.

The suddenness of the droughts onset and expansion has been remarkable.

In early May, the U.S. Drought Monitor classified neither the Dakotas nor Montana in a drought. Eight weeks later, drought covered 47 percent of North Dakota, 34 percent of South Dakota and much of the eastern third of Montana  and its intensity is severe to extreme in many areas.

In northwestern South Dakota, South Dakota State University Extension staff reported poor pasture and range conditions as well as deteriorating crop conditions (corn), the Drought Monitor said. In eastern Montana, hot and dry weather continued to deteriorate pasture, rangeland, and crop conditions as temperatures soared above 90 degrees.

In late June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared 15 North Dakota counties as agricultural disaster areas.

This week it rated two-thirds of the wheat crop in South Dakota as poor or very poor.

Wheat conditions are at some of the lowest ratings in over a decade, James Cordier, president and head trader at Optionsellers.com in Tampa, told CNBC.

Spring wheat crop conditions have dropped about 40 percent in the last four weeks, added Ted Seifried, chief marketing strategist with the Zaner Group in Chicago. The crop is burning up, and its not going to produce anywhere near what we were expecting.

This hit on the wheat crop means higher prices for high-protein breads, bagels and pizza crusts according to Bloomberg News.

Although prospects for rain in the region are grim in the next two weeks, the Climate Prediction Center does predict drought improvement as the summer wears on.
LINCOLN,  The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has funding available to help Nebraskas farmers control erosion on their cropland. This funding is available through a special Ephemeral Gully Control Initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Eligible producers have until July 21 to apply.

According to NRCS, recipients of USDA program benefits  like federal crop insurance subsidies and conservation program payments  are required to control erosion on all cropland determined to be highly erodible. The funding available through this special initiative can help farmers meet that requirement.

Nebraska State Conservationist Craig Derickson said, Conservation practices such as cover crops and grassed waterways are good solutions for controlling ephemeral gullies, which is required by conservation compliance provisions. Conservation buffers are effective in controlling erosion from both water and wind and help protect the soil, improve air and water quality, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, and beautify the landscape.

According to NRCS, over the last couple of decades, there has been a continual decrease in grassed waterways due largely to the adoption of large-scale farming equipment and conservation cropping systems that rely heavily on herbicides to control weeds. On some fields, this has led to increased erosion and ephemeral gullies.

Derickson said, Ephemeral gullies are those rough spots where water concentrates and causes soil to wash away, creating small ditches. While the damage to cropland appears to be small, if not controlled, the negative impacts like loss of inputs, decreased soil health and yields can be significant. Plus, it can cause farmers to be out of compliance with USDAs Food Security Act requirements.

I want to encourage producers who have ephemeral erosion on their cropland to take this opportunity to address this issue. Our conservationists are available to work with farmers one-on-one to develop a custom conservation plan to help keep farmers in compliance with USDA Farm Bill requirements and keep their farm ground healthy and productive.

For more information, and to apply for funding through this special initiative, visit NRCS in your local USDA Service Center before July 21.
President Donald Trump has promised to expand broadband service to rural areas as part of his $1 trillion nationwide infrastructure plan. That may be easier said than done.

It would take an estimated $80 billion to extend broadband to all U.S. areas that lack it, but the White House has initially proposed spending just $25 billion over 10 years on rural infrastructure needs. At the same time, policy experts disagree about how best to expand rural broadband  and what responsibility government has to subsidize it.

Our suspicion is the presidents plan wont be sufficient, said Johnathan Hladik, policy director for the Center for Rural Affairs, a Nebraska-based non-profit that advocates for small farms. Were happy hes saying it. You also have to do it, and thats where it gets tough.

Only 55 percent of rural U.S. residents have access to download speeds faster than 25 megabits per second, the governments standard for adequate service. That compares with 94 percent in urban areas, according to a 2016 Congressional Research Service report. Advocates say high-speed internet is an increasing necessity for everyday residential and business activity, and for economic growth.

For example, farm equipment now comes with the option of remotely troubleshooting a problem with a tractor or combine  but only if youve got the bandwidth. Farmers who lack broadband must haul their equipment to a repair shop and potentially lose days of planting or harvesting. They also cant get real-time data on soil or moisture conditions, which can lead to over-applying seeds and fertilizers, raising costs, creating environmental damage and making their farms less profitable and efficient.

Without it, youre asking farmers and ranchers to operate a viable business without modern technology, said R.J. Karney, director of congressional relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation in Washington.

Trump pledged during a trip to Iowa in June that his infrastructure plan will include a provision to promote and foster, enhance broadband access for rural America. Overall, the administration will call for $200 billion in federal spending over 10 years on public works of all types  and seek to leverage at least $800 billion in spending by states, localities and the private sector.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told reporters the White House hasnt calculated how much it may invest in broadband. The administration will seek partnerships with state and local governments and the private sector, he said, but it wont be a one-size-fits-all plan.

Its a big price tag, but who shares what part of that will probably differ from place to place, Perdue said. The goal is to make rural broadband as ubiquitous as we can.

Approaches suggested by political officials and advocates include making grants and loans to towns or rural cooperatives, extending tax credits to lure for-profit companies into under-served areas, and holding reverse auctions in which providers bid on public money thats offered to bring service to specified areas for the lowest cost.

The $80 billion price-tag for reaching all residential and business locations that lack access to fiber or cable broadband can be slashed by being slightly less ambitious, according to a paper released in January by Paul de Sa, former chief of the Federal Communications Commissions Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis.

Spending about $40 billion, for example, would extend broadband service to 98 percent of the places that lack it, while spending $10 billion would reach about 92 percent, the analysis showed. Investment in broadband is probably more beneficial than funding other areas of infrastructure because the U.S. is just beginning to realize the potential innovation and productivity gains it offers, de Sa said in the paper.

Youre only getting left further and further behind as time goes on and internet-based stuff becomes even more important to every aspect of peoples lives, de Sa said in a telephone interview.

Its not just farms that present challenges. In Niles, Michigan, a city of 11,000 thats only nine miles (14 kilometers) from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, the Midwest Energy Cooperative is supplying the local industrial park with broadband after the local cable company declined to offer it, said Ric Huff, Niles city administrator.

French Paper Co., a family-owned paper mill thats operated in Niles since 1871, was on the brink of moving the warehouse that supplied its online business until it got broadband in 2016, said sales manager Brian French. Customers were growing impatient with the companys inability to handle more complex orders at a time French Paper was still filling some orders by fax, he said.

The city stepped in, allocating $110,000 from its $7 million annual budget to connect the rural cooperative to the office park early last year. Now, 25-megabit plans start at $49.95 a month, said Dave Allen, a vice president with the cooperative. And the warehouses 15 jobs stayed at the park, a win for the city, Huff said.

Still, for costlier projects, theres no agreement on the role taxpayers should play. Brian Whitacre, an agricultural economist at Oklahoma State University who has studied the economic impact of rural broadband, equates it to the drive for rural electrification in the 1930s  a necessity for daily life.

But Mark Jamison, director of the Public Utility Research Center at the University of Florida and a member of Trumps FCC transition team, said the benefit of direct funding hasnt been proven to outweigh spending for other purposes. He prefers a low-interest loan approach.

Another skeptic is Ryan Bourne, an economist at the Cato Institute in Washington. Clearly, broadband access is very important for the economy and very important for individuals, he said. But we shouldnt entirely throw out economic considerations here.

Previous spending has drawn criticism. Some of the $7.2 billion spent on rural broadband in President Barack Obamas 2009 stimulus bill was wasted, said Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. Aid went to more prosperous areas that may be more profitable for providers but did little to expand access, he said.

If they keep doing things the way theyve been doing things, I wont support it, Peterson said of Trumps initiative.

To maximize impact and minimize waste, direct funding for broadband infrastructure under Trumps plan should be administered through the FCCs Universal Service Fund and targeted to areas that lack access, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said during a March 15 speech in Pittsburgh.

The fund, which is supported by provider assessments, allocated $20.6 billion from 2011 to 2015 for telephone and broadband networks in high-cost areas, as well as $20.8 billion for three other programs that help pay for services for low-income residents, rural hospitals, schools and libraries, according to FCC reports.

Shirley Bloomfield, chief executive of NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association, which represents independent telecommunications companies in rural areas and small towns, said the timing to expand rural broadband is good, with advocates pushing for it and exit polls showing that 62 percent of voters in small cities or rural areas voted for Trump in 2016.

Were in this really interesting sweet spot where people are focused on it, she said.
Andy Zhu and Ojus Jain graduated in May as the top two scholars at Lincoln East High School  best friends who flip-flopped between first and second in a class rank system Lincoln Public Schools officials are considering abandoning.

Both young men  headed to the prestigious Brown and Georgetown universities  say they ended up putting little emphasis on class rank and don't think the colleges to which they applied did either, though all of them asked for it if it was available.

It was a non-issue for us, Jain said. It was nice it worked out the way it did, but it wasnt our goal.

Still, they saw the negatives: the push to take only weighted classes to bump your rank higher, and pressure from some parents for their child to be first.

Those negatives are among the factors that convinced an LPS committee that studied the issue for a year to recommend doing away with class rank.

Instead, the committee recommends a recognition system of academic achievement based on different ranges of grade-point averages  similar to colleges that recognize students for graduating with distinction.

Jane Stavem, LPS associate superintendent of instruction, said the recommendation was based on several factors: A national trend away from using class rank, the inability to compare one school's rank to another's, and an unhealthy competition it fosters among students.

Theres just an undue level of anxiety and concern around that ranking issue, she said. Its not that we want to do away with competition or recognition of achievement, but ranking is something thats done differently in every district. ... Its something you need to look at: Does it do what we think it does?

For one thing, districts compute class rank differently, making it impossible to compare students' standings, Stavem said. The size of a class and overall academic achievement of the class makes comparisons difficult.

The Lincoln Board of Education will consider the issue at its July 25 meeting, and LPS plans to survey a group of parents.

If the board decides to follow the recommendation, LPS officials would still have to decide how that would happen, though its likely theyd begin with incoming freshmen and leave the system in place for upperclassmen.

In 2008, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling found that nearly 40 percent of high schools had either stopped ranking students or refused to share those numbers with colleges.

Melissa Clinedinst, the organizations associate director of research, said its unlikely the trend has reversed since then, especially since current surveys show that colleges give class rank considerably less weight.

In 2014, just 14 percent of colleges assigned considerable importance to class rank. Sixteen percent said it was of no importance and about 70 percent fell somewhere in the middle.

Stavem said at least 10 Nebraska districts have done away with class rank, including Millard and Papillion-La Vista public schools, and three Omaha-area private schools.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln requires students be in the top half of their high school class or have an ACT score of at least 20 to be admitted, but an academic committee will consider transcripts of students who dont meet either of those criteria, according to Amber Williams, assistant vice chancellor for academic services and enrollment management.

"We've been doing that for years, because not every school district is the same," she said.

About five years ago, the university also shifted from awarding merit-based scholarships on class rank and ACT scores alone, she said.

What we found is sometimes using that as our primary academic measure was not always reflective of the students record, she said.

While some scholarships still require minimum ACT scores, theyve gone to a more holistic review of a students academic record, she said. They'll consider class rank, but it's not required.

Clinedinst said more private schools have done away with class rank because they tend to have more high-achieving students, which means the differences between the top students is so small that it has little meaning.

That mathematical minutiae is among the reasons LPS officials want to do away with ranking students, especially when it creates a cut-throat competition between students for such tiny differences in achievement.

Class rank can push high-achieving students to game the system to try to raise their rank or demoralize students who think they dont have a chance, said LPS math curriculum specialist Josh Males, who served on the class rank committee.

Lincoln East's Zhu said too much emphasis on class rank plagued the first part of his high school career.

I ended up taking seven (advanced-placement) courses during my junior year, said Zhu, who responded to questions via e-mail because hes out of the country. I was in at least half those classes not because I had a genuine interest in the topics being studied but because it gave me more points toward my rank.

Then, he said, he began to realize there was more to high school. He took an unweighted woods course and a calculus course at UNL, even though his counselor warned him it would hurt his class rank because of the way LPS calculates college credits.

I really did not care, he said. The class was one of the best I have ever taken and I was exploring advanced math, which I actually have an interest in.

Jain said he took orchestra all four years of high school  even though it wasnt a weighted class  because he loved playing the violin. But he knew students who wouldnt do that because of the effect it would have on their rank.

Neither Zhu or Jain felt class rank created a negative atmosphere, though. They remained good friends, and their peer group  more than half of which are in the top 3 percent of their class  became friends because of similar interests.

Our group was much more about collaboration as opposed to competition, which ended up helping everybody in the long run, Zhu said.

And they're not sure changing the system will make that much difference.

Students who are driven by competition are unlikely to change just because the ranking system is gone, Zhu said.

In many cases, he said, the problem lies less with students and more with parents who overemphasize the importance of class rank.

If anything, Zhu said, there needs to be more education to parents.
Disability Rights Nebraska is holding free classes to help youth with disabilities become better self-advocates in their own lives.

Its All About the Plan is a summer self-advocacy course for students with disabilities. Students who attend the four-day course will learn about and practice self-advocacy skills through hands-on activities, community speakers and e-learning tools.

The free training sessions are for youth with disabilities, ages 14-21. Mindy Baird, community outreach disability advocate said the sessions will help students with disabilities learn how to advocate effectively for themselves while having fun doing it.

They will learn how to recognize their skills and strengths while developing a sense of what their future holds for them, Baird said. We have fun, interactive activities to keep the youth engaged and learning.

A parent group will also be held to educate about area service providers who can assist in learning how to navigate government systems. Parents will learn what they will need to do in order to access services in the community to make transition much easier for them and their youth.

They will have the opportunity to learn self-advocacy skills as well as meet a variety of (representatives from) different agencies from the community, she said.

Representatives from Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Labor, Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, ESU #13, Department of Health and Human Services and more will be available.

We are passionate about educating the youth and parents in our community about transitioning youth to adult services, how to access necessary services at the time you need them, and teaching both youth and parents how to effectively advocate for themselves, she said.

Youth with disabilities will not always live with their parents or caregivers. They need to learn how to advocate for their wants and needs in an effective manner independently, she said.

Self-advocacy is a skill everyone needs in order to speak up for what they need and want in life. For students with disabilities, it is also important for them to have their voices heard.

Many teenagers without a disability struggle with this same skill once entering transition age, Baird said. For a person with a disability, it is increasingly important to have strong self-advocacy skills, reducing their chances of being abused, neglected or exploited by others.

The course runs July 24-27 from 1-3:30 p.m., each day at the Harms Advanced Technology Center, room 189.

The parent session will be July 18, from 6-8 p.m., and will provide information about Nebraska services and support.

The event is free, but space in the course is limited. To register, visit https://panhandlepartnership.com/event/self-advocacy/. For more information, contact Mindy Baird at mindy@drne.org or call 308-631-5367 or 1-800-422-6691.
Each year, ice cream is celebrated throughout the month of July and the third Sunday of the month ice cream gets its own day. Senator Walter Dee Huddleston of Kentucky sponsored joint resolution 298 on May 17, 1984 for ice cream to be elevated to such recognition. President Ronald Reagan signed the resolution on July 9, 1984. Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream month and July 15, 1984 National Ice Cream day. Although the resolution only names a specific month and day, celebrations have adopted the third Sunday of July as ice creams special day.
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Chesterfield Malls lender finalized foreclosure on the shopping center, and the struggling property that remains open will soon be placed up for sale.

City officials met with an executive of mall owner C-III Capital Partners at the end of June to discuss plans to place the mall up for sale after 90 days and a likely conversion to a mixed-use property after its sold, said Libbey Malberg-Tucker, Chesterfields economic development director.

Chesterfield Mall was placed in receivership in August after C-III sued the malls prior owner CBL & Associates Properties, alleging CBL defaulted on repayment of a $140 million loan. The foreclosure became final on June 27, making C-III its owner until the real estate investment company with principal offices in New York and Texas can sell the property.

They will ultimately sell it, Tucker told the Post-Dispatch. They plan to put it out to market for one month with a call for offers. A spokesman for C-III declined to comment.

While its uncertain what the malls future holds, Tucker said its unlikely to remain an enclosed shopping center. We know it cant remain all retail, and were open to it becoming a mixed-use development. Whether thats office, hotel, living space, all of those things wed embrace, Tucker said.

Tucker said Chesterfield would consider some incentives for a redevelopment of the property, including a Transportation Development District, but no requests have yet been submitted to city officials.

A sale of the mall would be the latest in a string of ownership changes at malls in the region. Several other malls have closed as shoppers turned to online retailers or bypassed malls for strip centers. Northwest Plaza closed in 2010, Crestwood Court closed in 2013 and Jamestown Mall closed in 2014.

Outlets impact

CBL & Associates Properties, which also owns South County Center, West County Center, Mid Rivers Mall and St. Clair Square locally, acquired the 1.3 million-square-foot Chesterfield Mall in 2007.

One of the largest mall owners in the United States, CBL holds interests in or manages 80 regional malls or open-air shopping centers, and St. Louis is the Chattanooga, Tenn.-based companys largest market.

But after two nearby outlet malls opened in Chesterfield in 2013, revenue at Chesterfield Mall declined and many retailers closed their doors, including recent exits by Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma.

The mall had experienced declining cash flows as competition from several new outlet shopping centers in the area impacted its sales, CBL said in a regulatory filing early last year.

Like many malls across the country, a growing list of retail bankruptcies also has plagued the mall, with new store closures announced last week. Gymboree Corp., which filed for bankruptcy in June, said Wednesday Gymboree and Crazy 8 stores at Chesterfield Mall are among 350 stores its closing nationwide.

Chesterfield Mall suffered another setback in September when a water main ruptured, flooding one of its anchor department stores, Dillards. The store remains closed and the retailer hasnt yet announced reopening plans. Tucker said the retailer has expressed interest in keeping a Chesterfield location but said Dillards likely wont return to its prior space at the mall. I dont expect that it will be in the same format as it was, Tucker said. Its a really big space.

C-III lists dozens of shopping centers, office buildings and apartments for sale on its website. C-IIIs only Missouri property listed for sale is a 96,699-square-foot retail strip center in Chillicothe, about 90 miles northeast of Kansas City.

Chesterfield Malls value was estimated at about $63 million last year by U.S. Bank, which served as a trustee representing C-III in its lawsuit, down from $286 million in 2006. Chesterfield Malls 2017 appraised value is $55.1 million this year, according to St. Louis County real estate records, down from $60.8 million in 2012.

Built in 1976, Chesterfield Mall still has dozens of stores, including an American Girl store that opened in 2012, AMC Theatres and a Cheesecake Factory restaurant.

Until the mall is sold, its business as usual at the shopping center, which remains open.

Washington, D.C.-based Madison Marquette Retail Services, which was hired to manage Chesterfield Mall while in receivership, continues to oversee the malls leasing and operations. The mall recently renewed its lease with retailer H&M and has strong, ongoing relationships with anchor tenants Macys, Sears and AMC and it is evaluating enhancements to its landscaping, infrastructure and communications vehicles, Robyn Marano, Madison Marquettes vice president of marketing, said in an email to the Post-Dispatch.

Marano said Chesterfield Mall is still actively pursuing new relationships with local boutiques and specialty retailers as well as national brand-name retailers.

Shoppers walking the aisles at the mall last week had to walk past dozens of vacant stores to visit more than 100 retail tenants that remain open. On a day when temperatures reached 100 degrees outside, the air conditioning inside the mall didnt feel as cold as usual, some shoppers complained.

Stephanie Thompson, 50, who was picking up a pair of new eyeglasses Wednesday afternoon, has shopped at Chesterfield Mall since she was a teenager. She said shed welcome a redevelopment that would bring more activities or specialty retail to the area but still felt wistful about the malls past.

Id hate to see it stop being a mall, she said as stood in front of the shuttered Dillards store. It totally makes me sad.
COLUMBIA, Mo.  Traditional Indian music fills a two-room yoga studio. Dozens of colored mats rest on the floor, facing a shrine. On the wall is a framed picture of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, the father of modern yoga, near a statue of the Hindu god Ganesh.

The teacher at AlleyCat Yoga calls out positions  tree pose, child pose, warrior pose  as students bend their bodies in rhythmic motions to quiet their frazzled minds. Class ends with a final unison, Namaste.

More than 8,000 miles away, a handful of men and women roll out mats inside the Mystic Yoga Cafe in Kolkata, India. Here, the room resembles a dance studio, with simple decor and full-length mirrors covering the front wall. There is no music, no special chanting. Stifling temperatures above 100 degrees dont deter participants, who attend mostly for fitness or weight loss.

These disparate scenes may be the opposite of what many expect. While yogis in the United States are increasingly reconnecting with yogas spiritual roots, many in India are influenced by Americas commercialized approach to the practice and are becoming more consumer-focused themselves. Yoga reflects a reality of globalization  the exchange of ideas that shape cultures across our connected world, now more than ever.

Such exchanges help drive a booming yoga industry. More than 36 million U.S. practitioners spent $2.5 billion on yoga classes in 2016, according to the Yoga in America Study conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance. In the St. Louis area alone, there are nearly 50 yoga studios offering classes of all kinds.

In India, the number of yoga practitioners soared 30 percent last year, prompting a 35 percent increase in demand for yoga trainers catering to Westernized natives and international tourists, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India.

East meets West

The historical origins of yoga are steeped in ancient Indian philosophy designed to cultivate greater self-awareness, higher levels of consciousness and inner peace.

Yoga gained popularity in America in the 1960s, when the Beatles used traditional Indian instruments on their album Help! and stoked interest in Eastern culture among Westerners.

Over the next several decades, yoga spread across the United States, gaining an American flavor along the way. By the 1980s and 90s, the practice was more consumer-focused than traditional Indian yoga. Americans increasingly used it as an exercise to stay healthy and active, according to the Yoga in America Study.

In 2016, the study reported that Americans spent $16 billion on yoga classes, clothing and accessories. Businesses profited from consumers interest in yoga  perhaps none more so than yoga retail giant Lululemon, which charges up to $128 for a pair of yoga pants.

Some yoga instructors say this consumerism can be a good thing.

Do I like looking cute in my yoga pants? You bet. Do we capitalize on that? Yes, we live in America, said Kathy Kessler, a yoga teacher at Halcyon Spa & Salon in Augusta. But because its become commercialized, so many people were exposed to it that werent before.

If someone comes to the mat, theyre going to evolve and understand the therapeutic benefits of it.

Yearning for meaning

Yet many U.S. yoga practitioners are looking to the past to recapture that centuries-old spirituality at the core of the practice.

One huge aspect of yoga is breathing and meditating, and I do that as much as possible throughout my week, said Lucille Sherman, a recent University of Missouri graduate who has been practicing yoga since childhood. Yoga helps me center myself. Im a better person when I practice.

It reminds me to sit still and take in life as it is, just for a moment, she said.

Types of yoga that reconnect Americans with the deeper side of the practice are gaining momentum. These include Kundalini, which blends physical and spiritual practices such as dynamic breathing and mantra chanting to awaken the conscious. Kessler offers Kundalini, as well as gong healing and other more spiritual classes.

(Kundalini) is much more spiritual than what has happened to yoga as its been mainstreamed, said SiriAtma Kaur, a Kundalini teacher at Urban Breath Yoga in St. Louis. Its 16 times as powerful as other forms of yoga in getting into upper states of consciousness and achieving balance. The formulas are so powerful, you radiate. You look different.

Instead of trendy yoga pants embellished with bright colors and bold patterns, Kaur said Kundalini practitioners opt for plain white clothing made of cotton, wool or silk to brighten their aura and prevent static electricity from altering their personal electric charges. The attire is topped with a headscarf to keep the Kundalini energy, awakened during yoga, from escaping through the top of the head.

Thanks to pop star practitioners such as Katy Perrys ex-husband, Russell Brand, Kundalini communities are active on the U.S. coasts. Recruiting members in St. Louis is tougher, but any American looking to reconnect with yogas traditional roots can find several tools in Kundalini practice, Kaur said.

One such tool is the ringing of the disharmonious gong, which helps students reset and balance their minds. Another is the Japji, or Song of the Soul, recited by the ancient sikhs that allows yogis to explore the depths of their souls.

The poses themselves are tools to explore the inner self.

You can just do the yoga, but most of the time, people catch Kundalini, and they want to go all the way because it makes such a difference, Kaur said. Its not a religion, but a lifestyle, a technology, a sacred science.

West meets East

While spirituality takes hold in the United States, Indias yoga scene is shifting to accommodate American consumer needs.

More stressed-out Americans are traveling to India on yoga retreats, helping the Asian giant become one of the fastest-growing wellness tourism destinations in the booming $439 billion worldwide industry, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

Missouri resident Dustin Thomas, who suffers from a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, made the pilgrimage to Pune, India, for rest, relaxation and a chance to learn how to become a yoga trainer at his business, Yoga Studio 72, in Springfield.

I live basically pain free now, Thomas said. Yoga is the only thing Ive found that can manage the pain or get rid of it.

The Indian government is capitalizing on yogas popularity by supporting global events such as the United Nations International Day of Yoga that make the practice even more susceptible to global and commercial forces. Such events boost Indias international profile and help the country export other parts of its culture, such as films, food and fashion.

I am in touch with a friend in France, and I must say, she does yoga way better than any Indian trainer, said Gaurav Pandey, 40, who attends classes at Mystic Yoga Cafe in Kolkata. I practice yoga as it is a great way to keep myself healthy and fit without using any equipment. It is more of an exercise for me.

But not everyone is happy with yogas changing profile in India. Pandering to commercial interests has caused tension among traditional yoga teachers, who believe globalization has inadvertently corrupted yogas original purpose.

Indians have more knowledge about yoga as it originated in India, so it is our duty to see that yoga is practiced in its purest form, said Sudhir Maheshwari, a yoga trainer at Mystic Yoga Cafe. In India, the practice of yoga must be kept traditional. Once the Western influences creep in, the original form of yoga is not practiced in its sacred form.

Though globalization has produced profound changes in yoga, some practitioners say its spiritual essence is its greatest gift to the world  and the reason its spreading, as Maheshwari said, like wildfire.

I feel if anything is mystical, it will be practiced and adopted by people, the trainer said. When people feel and see the change, they will automatically adopt it.

As part of a University of Missouri journalism class last semester, six teams of students worked on story projects, including this one, that connected India and Missouri. They worked under the direction of Laura Ungar, investigative and enterprise reporter for USA Today and The Courier-Journal, and journalist Sujoy Dhar, a former Reuters correspondent and founder of the Indian news agency India Blooms, based in Kolkata, India. Students reported and wrote material from their home countries, communicating and collaborating through Skype and email.
COATZACOALCOS, Mexico  The bullet-riddled bodies of the Martinez children were found on a bloody floor, huddled next to the corpses of their parents in a rented shack.

The family of six was massacred, authorities believe, because the Zetas cartel suspected the father, an unemployed taxi driver, had played some part in a rival gangs attack that killed a Zeta gunman.

The response underlines the no-holds-barred tactics of drug gangs that are splintering and battling one another for control in much of Mexico, which recently recorded its highest monthly murder total in at least 20 years.

Despite President Enrique Pena Nietos promises of a safer nation when he came to office five years ago, the violence is outpacing even the darkest days of the drug war launched by his predecessor.

It has taken on the proportions of a ring of hell that would be described in Dantes Inferno, said Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and author of the book Deal.

Their strategy was strictly going after the kingpin. ... That was pretty much not the way to go because, you know, you cut off a head and others take its place, Vigil added. You have weak institutions, weak rule of law, weak judiciary, massive corruption, particularly within the state and municipal police forces, and all of that contributes to the escalating violence.

In the first five months of 2017, there were 9,916 killings nationwide  an increase of about 30 percent over the 7,638 slain during the same period last year. In 2011, the bloodiest year of the drug war, the figure for the same January-May period was 9,466.

In some places, the bloodshed has accompanied the rise of the upstart Jalisco New Generation cartel and the breakup of the once-dominant Sinaloa cartel into warring factions after the arrest of drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, who was extradited to the United States in January.

At least 19 people died in turf battles pitting Guzmans son, brother and former allies against each other late last month in the western state of Sinaloa, according to investigators.

In the northern border state of Chihuahua, shootouts last week between Sinaloa gunmen and the gang known as La Linea killed at least 14.

In the Gulf Coast oil city of Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz Gov. Miguel Angel Yunes said the slaying of a top gunman in late June prompted the Zetas to kill the entire Martinez family: Clemente; his wife, Martimana; Jocelin, 10; Victor Daniel, 8; Angel, 6; and Nahomi, 5.

All died in the house where they washed cars for $1 each.

They didnt have anything, not even furniture. They slept on the floor, grandmother Flora Martinez said, sobbing. I dont understand why they did this, why they did this to my little ones. They were innocent, they didnt know anything.

For years it was understood that the Zetas were untouchable in this part of the state. Just ask Sonia Cruz, whose son was killed in Coatzacoalcos in July 2016 in a case that remains unsolved.

They (police) told me that when la mana (drug cartels) are involved, thats where they stop investigating, Cruz said.

But last years election of Yunes, the first opposition candidate to win the governorship from the long-ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, may have broken old alliances between criminals and corrupt officials.

The new governor has shown some willingness to go after the Zetas: The local cartel leader who allegedly ordered the Martinez killings, known as Comandante H, was arrested a few days afterward.

Yunes said the man had operated with absolute freedom in Coatzacoalcos since 2006 and accused businesspeople in the city of acting as fronts for ill-gotten properties that actually belonged to the gangster.

Raul Ojeda Banda, a local anti-crime activist, said that some were forced to go along with the scheme: Some were pressured, threatened.

Violence in the area has also been exacerbated by Jalisco cartel incursions and other pressures that have threatened key sources of income for the Zetas.

Part of Comandante Hs business model involved large-scale kidnapping for quick ransom, with targets ranging from locals to oil workers to Central American migrants whom gang members tortured to extort payments from relatives in the United States.

But the Zetas abducted so many locals that those who were able moved out of the city, and those who remained began blocking off their neighborhoods at night to keep kidnappers out.

An oil industry slump amid low crude prices resulted in fewer energy workers around to prey upon. And suddenly there were fewer migrants as well. Donald Trumps election discouraged some from trying to reach the U.S. and others avoided southern Veracruz for fear of being attacked.

The vast majority of them are robbed. It is a lucky one who isnt, said priest Joel Ireta Munguia, the head of a Coatzacoalcos migrant shelter run by the Roman Catholic Church. He estimated the number of Central Americans passing though the city has declined by almost two-thirds.

The wave of violence has also touched regions that were long seen as peaceful.

The Jalisco cartel is believed to have allied with a faction of the Sinaloa gang in a war for the Baja California Sur state cities of Los Cabos and the nearby port of La Paz.

Dismembered bodies, severed heads and clandestine graves have now become almost routine in the once-placid resorts.

Dwight Zahringer, a Michigan native who lives in an upscale neighborhood in Los Cabos, said one victim was found at the entrance to his neighborhood recently.

That was more of a message that the narco-traffickers wanted to deliver, sort of to say, We can come right up into your Beverly Hills and dump dismembered bodies on your doorstep, Zahringer said. Im from Detroit. Were used to seeing crime. But heads being left in coolers  thats a little extreme.
The path leading to the future of fraternities and sororities on university campuses has diverged within the Big Ten Conference.

One path originates from Penn State University, where President Eric Barron issued an ultimatum to the roughly one in six students who count themselves as Greek following the death of Timothy Piazza at a Beta Theta Pi pledge event on Feb. 2 after taking part in a hazing ritual.

Where Greek life once had a powerful positive impact at Penn State, representing values like brotherhood and sisterhood worth saving, the rules instituted by the university to rein in bad behavior had been largely ignored and a toxic culture persisted, Barron said.

If new rules can just be ignored, or behavior just goes underground, and there is no willingness to recognize the adverse impact of excessive drinking, hazing, and sexual assault, then is there any hope? he wrote in an April 10 open letter.

Nebraska is not immune to similar high-profile events Barron warned could lead to the end of the Greek system at Penn State  the death of Clayton Real at the FarmHouse fraternity following a 2014 party and an altercation between members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and attendees of a Women's March in January among them  but Donde Plowman, the executive vice chancellor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, sees a different path forward.

UNL should aim for the ideal rather than follow Penn State's lead and threaten to disband the Greek system, Plowman said.

We really would like our campus to be known for having the most healthy, vital Greek life in the country, she said. We could be that.

An ongoing partnership between fraternities, sororities, their alumni advisers and the university staff that work with them called #GreekVitality also launched in April to find the path toward Plowman's vision of a national model of Greek life.

The idea began within a small focus group earlier this year, Plowman said, amid a wave of fraternity suspensions resulting from high-profile violations of the UNL student code of conduct.

The punishments created unease among alumni that UNL was squeezing Greek houses off campus, according to two advisers who described the situation at an NU Board of Regents meeting in March.

Their testimony before regents meeting helped inject a much-needed urgency into the project, Plowman said, culminating in the April meeting of more than 90 people with a stake in the future of UNLs Greek system.

The kickoff meeting hosted by Plowman and Chancellor Ronnie Green was designed with a singular purpose in mind.

The main thing the chancellor and I wanted to communicate to them was Hey, were partners with you here,'" Plowman said.

The Greeks agreed, many wholeheartedly.

Here, we have an administration receptive to improving the livelihood of the Greek community, and I think thats despite us sometimes being our own worst enemy, said Robert Lannin, an alumni adviser for the Delta Upsilon fraternity. We need to do all we can to partner with them to make this succeed.

Banding individual Greek houses together and pointing them to a shared goal will also help refocus the system on its original mission, said Benjamin Hintz, the president of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity.

We share all these similarities and these common values, but were not focused on whats best for the campus as a whole, said Hintz, a senior agronomy major from Hebron.

At the end of the April conference, more than 10 working groups were assigned different facets of Greek life ranging from improving the first-year experience to developing better relationships between Greeks and the campus as a whole.

Each group had two months to size up the strengths and weaknesses of the system as a whole and recommend both short- and long-term solutions to the internal and external challenges the Greek system faces.

Common ground was located between many of the working groups' area of concern, participants said, regarding honest communication and transparency  even among the chapters themselves.

If youre going to start addressing relationships, lets look at how we treat each other, said Lannin, who was tasked with exploring the relationships the Greek community has among its members as well as the university at large.

If were going to call ourselves an organization with values, does our behavior reflect our values?

Mike Wortman, a former Lincoln High School principal and board member of the national Beta Theta Pi fraternity, said turning a critical eye inward was the first step in adopting a positive change  particularly in reducing the prevalence of risky behaviors among members.

"As an institution, the Greek system needs to be open and honest about where we are right now and where we want to go," he said. "We can't just put our heads in the sand and say we've always been this way and this is how we want to do it."

Wortman said fraternities need to be more deliberate in their recruiting, while upperclassmen and alumni need to be aware of how they model appropriate behavior to the new members.

Anytime you gather 18 to 22-year-olds, no matter the grouping, Wortman added, "they are going to make mistakes."

"First, how do you help reduce the chances that's going to happen?" he said. "And second, how do you deal with the consequences?"

Current chapter presidents said their working groups want to better engage with the administration on those topics from start to finish.

Berkley Fierro, president of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, said her working group recommended ongoing dialogues between local chapters, national organizations and university officials  all of which impose different rules and implement different sanctions  to help defuse issues before they arise.

"When you're working with all these different groups with different rules and regulations, if the communication isn't crystal clear, you're going to run into problems," she said.

Tom Waldo, the president of Alpha Gamma Rho, said consensus was given to a plan to create a new system of due process for discipline, replacing an existing process members said is not very transparent or consistent.

"I think that's where a lot of the tension may have been," said Waldo, a senior ag economics major from DeWitt, referring to a lack of trust that had festered between the Greek houses and administration.

That same working group also suggested involving more students in policy making decisions regarding the Greek system and appointing a point person for Greeks to go to university police with questions or concerns.

Administrators are receptive to exploring ways to allow the Greeks to better police themselves, Plowman said.

It wont work if the university stipulates what student behavior should be, she said. We dont want to be in the policing business, we want to be in the business of helping people grow and develop and have a good quality of life here.

Other working groups advocated the creation of a committee to oversee pledge activities in an effort to reduce hazing on campus, or to update the housing policies governing first-year students and inconsistencies between fraternities and sororities, or how UNL could offer support to students in their academics, mental health, and leadership development.

As #GreekVitality moves forward with its eye on UNL becoming the best atmosphere for Greek-letter fraternities in the country, Hintz said it was also important to reflect on what is working within the Greek system at UNL  and why it matters to members and nonmembers alike.

"If we're going to be a Greek system trying to elevate campus and challenge people to be better, why wouldn't we want it to be the best Greek system in the country?" Hintz said.

He pointed to the traditionally high GPAs reported by Greek houses  a point of pride and competition  as well as the retention rates above the campus average (85.6 percent in 2015, compared to 82.2 percent for UNL as a whole).

According to Waldo, there are also tangible benefits the Greek system brings to Lincoln, including the philanthropic endeavors the individual houses support each year, and the volunteerism of its membership.

Ensuring those beneficial factors remain, while driving out the less desirable behaviors, will produce a "rising tide that raises all boats," Wortman said.

"I think the University of Nebraska system believes we do add value and we want to continue doing that," Wortman said. "But we are only as good as the other houses on campus, too."
The diplomatic machinations that have enveloped Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar may seem like a membership feud in a Persian Gulf club for the wealthy. But their quarrel highlights battles that have been roiling the Middle East since the Arab Spring began nearly seven years ago.

The boycott against Qatar announced last month by the Saudis, Emiratis, Bahrainis and Egyptians took the Trump administration by surprise  and triggered a mediation effort last week by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. He is said to view the conflict as counterproductive  damaging all the feuding countries and helping their common rival, Iran.

Tillerson is right to see this as a fratricidal dispute that should be resolved through negotiation. The allegation that Qatar supports terrorism is weak, especially after it signed a memo with Tillerson on Tuesday pledging to a joint counter-terrorism battle with the U.S. The demand that Qatar close Al Jazeera is outrageous; the region needs freer media, not more censorship.

The Saudis and Emiratis basic problem is that they find Qatar a meddlesome and untrustworthy neighbor. But by escalating the family quarrel so radically, they have hurt themselves. The longer this battle goes, the more damage it will do to Gulf relations with Washington, stability in the region and, perhaps most important, to hopes for modernization and reform in Saudi Arabia.

If Tillerson wants to resolve this dispute, he needs to reckon with the intensity of the anger that triggered it. The fuse was lit in 2013, but its roots go back to 1996 when the current Qatari ruling family took power against Saudi wishes. For Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Qatar feels like a thorn in the side, much as Cuba did for the United States for more than 50 years.

This secret history emerges in documents published last week by CNN. The network obtained a copy of a handwritten accord signed Nov. 23, 2013, by the ruling monarchs of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait. Its basically a mutual non-interference pact, with the additional stipulation that no signatory will destabilize Yemen or support the Muslim Brotherhood.

Its the Muslim Brotherhood issue that has caused the most bitterness. Qatar has argued that the Brotherhoods involvement in politics will defuse extremism, rather than augment it. The Obama administration took a similar view in its outreach to the Brotherhood in Egypt after the fall of President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011, and in its support for Recep Tayyip Erdogans government in Turkey. Both Obama policies are now widely judged to have been failures.

Obamas pro-Muslim Brotherhood actions were poisonous to the Saudis and Emiratis, and help explain the deep split that developed after Mubaraks departure in 2011. Rage at Obama deepened as he negotiated the nuclear deal with Iran, another bitter enemy of the Gulf Arabs.

The Gulf Arabs responded by squeezing Qatar to protect their flanks. The secret November 2013 agreement came just five months after a coup ousting the Brotherhoods Mohammed Morsi in Egypt, and after Iran signed a framework nuclear agreement.

Hoping to compel Qatar to cease its regional activism, the Gulf states signed a second pact on Nov. 16, 2014, which was described as a rescue of the first agreement. It was broadened to include the rulers of Bahrain and the UAE. And it added a joint commitment to protect Egypts stability (meaning, help suppress the Brotherhood).

Qatari officials argue that they have abided by the non-interference terms of the agreement, and that Al Jazeera and other media outlets operate independently. They protest that any complaints regarding the 2014 pact should have been referred to the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Saudis privately concede that they acted unilaterally because they didnt have GCC consensus.

What complicates this feud is that nearly everyone has been playing both sides of the street. The Qataris do maintain contact with the Taliban and Al-Qaidas affiliate in Syria, but they coordinate some of their activities with the CIA. The Qataris do broadcast some extremist Islamic rhetoric, but they also host the biggest U.S. air base in the region. The Saudis and Emiratis want to be Americas best friends, except when they decide their interests compel unilateral action.

The Qatar quarrel may seem like a tempest in an Arabian teapot. But at its heart is the question that has vexed the world for a decade: Is there a role for political Islam in the modern world? Qatar says yes. The UAE counters that Islamist agitators are the enemy of tolerance and modernity. It falls to Tillerson to see if theres a middle ground.

David Ignatius

Copyright The Washington Post
A century ago last month, America came close to formally empowering government censorship of the modern news media. That might seem like ancient history, but the censorship monster rises anew whenever a president finds himself under intense scrutiny and seeks to stifle coverage he doesnt like.

Donald Trump is waging a particularly angry campaign to harness press freedoms, including implied advocacy of violence against the fake news media, threats to yank reporters credentials and increasing bans on live TV coverage of White House press briefings.

The 1917 Espionage Act was an effort by Congress, supported by President Woodrow Wilson, to block any accidental or deliberate revelation of national security secrets as the United States fought the First World War. The original version explicitly outlined executive powers to censor newspapers prior to publication. Luckily, more reasonable minds prevailed and press censorship provision was withdrawn before the bill passed.

Even so, Wilson insisted, Authority to exercise censorship over the press  is absolutely necessary to the public safety. This newspaper had solidly backed Wilson on other national issues, but our editorials then match our position today: The president was as wrong as he could be.

The Supreme Court has consistently viewed prior restraint of the press as unconstitutional, a position most notably affirmed when President Richard Nixons administration sought to prevent The New York Times and Washington Post from publishing the Pentagon Papers in 1971, citing the 1917 Espionage Act.

The concern in 1917 was that reporters covering the war might come across secret information about troop movements, intelligence and strategies that could make it into print. Those were all valid concerns.

But several months into World War I, this newspaper noted, there had not been a single case of secret information being divulged, either accidentally or deliberately. Reporters and editors were capable of performing their jobs and being patriots at the same time, a June 1917 Post-Dispatch editorial said. Autocracies thrive when the press is muzzled, it added.

These issues have arisen anew in recent years as government leakers like Edward Snowden and Bradley (now Chelsea) Manning stole top secret electronic files and dumped them on reporters. News organizations awkwardly had to self-censor, deciding which items were too sensitive for publication.

Trump seems less concerned about publication of classified information than about being embarrassed by reports of his own actions and words. Prior restraint is banned because such extraordinary powers cannot be entrusted to presidents under news media scrutiny.

The public might not always like what the news media reports, but the freedoms we enjoy in this country would be a shell of what they are today if the original Espionage Act, as embraced by Wilson, had become law.
A successful federal higher-education program enjoys bipartisan support, isnt a government handout and requires recipients to work for the money they receive. What is there for a Republican president not to like? The decades-old federal work-study program speaks to the Republican principle that hard work is the path to prosperity, but the program faces major cuts in President Donald Trumps proposed education budget.

Higher-education advocates and students in the program are scratching their heads, trying to figure out why work-study is on Trumps chopping block. Tamara Hiler, a senior policy adviser at the centrist public-policy think tank Third Way, calls it one of the most Republican-friendly higher-ed spending programs we have, because youre basically asking folks to work their way through college.

Even Missouris Trump-friendly Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, chair of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on education spending, said funding reductions would be hard to accept, if not impossible. Trumps proposal doesnt list specifics but calls for reducing the approximately $1 billion program significantly and reforming it to spend the money on undergraduate students who would benefit most.

The program is a life-changer for some students, opening them up to opportunities and educational benefits they wouldnt have otherwise. Federal work-study jobs are supposed to be related to students majors or to help them build workforce skills. Studies show that students who participate are more competitive for jobs after graduation and are more likely to graduate than other working students.

Low-income students at public universities get more of a boost to their futures from the program than recipients with higher incomes and those at private institutions. The jobs also provide experience for students on campuses located far from areas with high numbers of entry-level jobs.

Supporters agree the program, started in 1964, could use some tweaking, specifically by awarding more money to students from lower-income families. Only 46 percent of dependent undergraduate recipients in 2013-14 came from families with incomes under $46,000, and more than a third of the money went to those with family incomes of $60,000 or more. Only 8.2 percent of the aid went to students whose family incomes were below $6,000.

Much of that is due to the way the program operates. Money goes to the colleges and universities, which have broad discretion over how to break up the funding and award it to students. Also, a bigger chunk of money in recent years is being sent to schools as a way to protect them from year-to-year funding shocks. These tend to be more established institutions that attract wealthier students.

Fine-tuning the program makes sense. It should be aimed at low-income students who value the experience and are willing to work for money to attain an education. Something this extensively road-tested and worthwhile shouldnt be reformed out of existence.
The old-fashioned way of getting your political message across  canvassing door-to-door armed with questionnaires and pamphlets  is synonymous with election season.

But in an effort to appeal to a broader electorate and hear about issues that people are talking about, Nebraska democrats canvassed northeast Lincoln on a sweltering summer afternoon Saturday as part of the Resistance Summer National Day of Action.

Jacob Denniston, the grass-roots organizing director for the Nebraska Democratic Party, said the National Day of Action was about changing the perception of the party while reaching out to voters to discuss key issues.

"We can't be a party that only shows up a month before the election," Denniston said. "We're a year-round party, building up our community and talking to constituents of every party."

Canvasses were also planned in North Platte and Omaha in the state's other two congressional districts.

According to a press release, the Resistance Summer is a nationwide Democratic movement, aimed at rebuilding the party by recruiting volunteers and protesting Republican policy.

Volunteers are trained in the Knock Every Door program, in which canvassers are encouraged to engage with voters across party lines and get their feedback.

Denniston believes the political climate following President Donald Trump's inauguration has sparked this new wave of activism.

"We've seen this incredible amount of energy since January," Denniston said. "We're trying to shift that energy into actual electoral action."

That means gauging voter opinions about elections down the road, such as the 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial race, which has already started heating up.

Volunteers Michael Funk and Adrienne Tyrrell walked through the neighborhood near 93rd Street and Leighton Avenue on what Funk called a "listening canvas," checking off houses they'd visited.

But the pair had questions of their own to ask residents.

"Some people will say they're busy ... some are surprised how quick it takes us to ask our questions," Tyrrell said.

The questions included what issues people care about and if residents planned on voting for Democrats in upcoming elections.

A lot of the answers centered on one person, Funk said.

"People say they're not fans of Pete Ricketts," he said.

If residents weren't home, the pair left information about the party and upcoming events.

Denniston said canvassers also heard peoples' concerns on a vast number of issues, ranging from health care and education to women's and LGBT rights.

"It really is a culmination of what the Republican party has been doing for a decade," Funk said.

Additional canvasses and phone sessions are planned for the remainder of the summer.

Democratic National Committee vice-chair and congressman Keith Ellison urged Democrats across the country to take to the streets as part of the summer-long initiative that aims to rebuild the party following the 2016 election.

Funk said a lot of the work is meant to reconnect the party to non-partisan voters and the issues they care about. Like cuts to women's services and Medicaid, he said, and concerns about work-place protection for the LGBT community.

"People are very upset," Funk said, "and when people are upset they get active."
1877: A bountiful wheat crop was being harvested in Nebraska. Although the corn crop was a little late, prospects for it were good.

The wage for railroad firefighters in Nebraska was $1.50 per day.

1887: Lancaster County commissioners were studying plans for the new county courthouse.

Construction started on the dome of the state Capitol.

1897: John Jenkins of Nebraska was appointed to a consul position in the diplomatic corps.

1907: Personal property values in Lancaster County were raised one-fifth.

Crop conditions were generally good in Nebraska, although much damage had been done by floods along railroad lines.

1917: The Army draft lottery began in Washington, and Nebraska's first quota of men for World War I military service was set at 4,548.

1927: A group of Nebraska farmers told President Calvin Coolidge that farm costs far exceeded receipts and unsuccessfully urged the president not to veto the McNary-Haugen farm relief bill.

1937: Heavy winds, rain and hail struck with varying force over most of eastern Nebraska.

Violence flared in Omaha over a taxicab strike.

1947: Lancaster County's wheat harvest was about 40 percent complete. A survey showed no boxcar shortage in that county.

Sen. Kenneth Wherry, R.-Neb., said $1 million in Missouri River Basin funds were earmarked for flood control in the Frenchman-Cambridge areas, which had been hard hit by floods.

1957: Wausa banker Norbert Tiemann said in a letter that farmers in that area opposed a petition campaign to repeal the state gas tax increase.

Directors of the Salt-Wahoo Watershed Association voted to accept a request to serve as the coordinating agency for flood control plans in Lincoln and the 1,600-square-mile drainage area surrounding it.

1967: The Legislature passed LB446, authorizing state financial aid to local public school districts.

Two convicted murderers, William Arnold, 24, and James Harding, 32, both from Omaha, escaped from the State Penitentiary.

The Lancaster County Board agreed to buy 145 acres of land south of Lincoln as a step toward developing a wilderness park in the area.

1977: Lincoln was proclaimed the most livable of 100 major American cities by a study done at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Center for Applied Urban Research. Omaha ranked fourth.

A majority of registered Nebraska cattle owners voted for a checkoff program to finance beef promotion, but, as in most other states, the required two-thirds margin was not achieved.

1987: At least 35,000 of 68,519 tickets available for the Sept. 19 Farm Aid benefit concert at Memorial Stadium were bought in the first two days of sales.

Waverly Manor Inc. sought approval to build a $1.12 million, 50-bed nursing home in Waverly. The one-story, 17,800-square-foot home would be called Waverly Manor Care Center.

1997: The city of Lincoln went to court to defend an ordinance that prohibited off-sale liquor on Sundays. Voters decided in 1982 to allow beer and wine by the drink from 6 to 11 p.m. on Sundays.

A fire destroyed a two-story apartment building under construction near North First and Fairfield streets. Authorities began an investigation to determine whether its similarity to an April blaze pointed to vandalism or arson.

2007: Ashland junkyard owner Arlo Remmen was fined $106,250 for violating solid waste and environmental laws. Judge Mary Gilbride gave Remmen 90 days to pay the fine. A lawsuit, filed by the state Department of Environmental Quality and city of Ashland, alleged hundreds of violations of environmental regulations since 2003. The $106,250 will go to public schools in Saunders County, as required by state law.
New Zealand First has made a binding referendum on retaining or abolishing the Maori seats part of their election campaign.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters made the announcement at the partys convention in Auckland this afternoon.

In 1986 the Royal Commission on the electoral system recommended the Maori seats should be abolished should MMP be adopted, says Winston.

Today I see a numberof Maori in Parliament who are the match for anyone else there.

He says Maori want what all other New Zealanders want: a safe, affordable home; an easily accessible health system; an education system with escalators onto which any child can step, and go as far as they wish; and First World jobs and incomes.

However, he blames the Treaty industry for enriching an elite group of Maori at the expense of the rest.

He adds Maori are voting with their feet and leaving the Maori roll in droves.

Today a majority of those entitled to be on the Maori roll are not, they are on the general roll.

The fact is Maori dont need to be told they are not good enough to be equal, or that somehow they should be handicapped, that somehow they should be pigeon-holed.

Thats a terrible message to send young Maori.

In the future that is coming, and it is here already: Maori dont need the Maori seats. They dont need tokenism.

In addition to the referendum on Maori seats, New Zealand First is also promising a second referendum on maintaining or reducing the size of parliament to 100 MPs.
More than a hundred teachers and parents from British school St Georges, located in the Malaga district of Cerrado de Calderon, gathered outside the school on Friday morning, a day after seven members of staff were dismissed for reasons they believe are unconvincing.

The six teachers and one psychologist, who are among the longest serving staff members, were informed of their dismissal the day before the end of term.

In an email sent to parents and staff, the school management explained that they were restructuring in order to improve the quality of teaching we provide.

Angered by this loss of, in the words of one parent, nearly sixty years of teaching experience, the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) signed a letter expressing concern over the schools practices, demanding that an urgent meeting be held with the schools directors within a week, otherwise fees for the first month of the next academic year would not be paid. A statement from the PTA read: These staff members have been dismissed on very questionable grounds. We are certain the school will not be the same without them and that their absence will lead to a lower educational standard.

The seven dismissed employees are Jim Riley, Head of History and KS4 coordinator; Alex Mitchell, Head of Science; Maria de la Cruz, A-level teacher; Araceli Gormati, reception teacher; Kirsty Ridyard, science teacher, Sixth Form and UCAS coordinator; Wendy Woods, support staff; and Remedios Aranda, psychologist. Gormati, Ridyard, Aranda and Woods were at the gathering and explained that they were informed of the news by email.

Since the news broke, a petition calling for their immediate readmission on Change.org has gathered more than 1,300 signatures, while a Facebook group called Support for St Georges Teachers has been gathering messages of support and testimonies that they hope can be used to support any legal case for overturning the decisions.

Former student Shona Allerton, who set up the group, said: Im not surprised by the amount of support as they are truly great teachers. We will be with them every step of the way.

SUR was finally able to contact the school's owner, Noelia Espinedo, on Thursday, after the week's deadline from the Parents and Teachers Association had passed. However, she refused to comment on the dismissals nor whether the staff would be replaced. She said she would meet with the association, but refused to say when.

The PTA, for their part, say that they will are looking into reporting the school to the Junta de Andalucia regional government's Education council.
Regarding the July 9 editorial Our view: Owasco Flats work must start soon, one thing is certainly clear: The Auburn Citizen Editorial Board should have reached out to the Department of Environmental Conservation prior to penning this editorial. If they had done so, they would have learned that DEC has, in fact, made considerable progress with the Owasco Flats Wetland Restoration and Riparian Buffers Initiative.

The project already has strong support from the state, including a $712,500 grant from the Environmental Facilities Corp. that is catalyzing the best available engineering to design a series retention basins that will trap sediment and nutrients before water is returned to the lake. The project will also require water intake structures connecting the stream to the basins, maintenance roads and an upland observation area all in an effort to improve water quality.

With any project of this size and scope, its critical to get it right from the start. That is why DEC is continuing to work with state and local experts to ensure the project design and approach to construction does no harm to the critical natural resources within the Owasco Flats. This careful balance is protecting the ecological integrity of the area while boosting the natural sediment retention during storm events.

DEC continues to be very transparent on the progress underway and the path forward. Most recently, DEC hosted a workshop in April 2017 to bring together all partners to resolve outstanding technical issues and advance the project towards implementation. We also encouraged public input in this process, and recently concluded a comment period that ran from May to June.

Prior to the editorial running, DEC was in the process of finalizing the permit for the county, which was issued Friday. The construction schedule moving forward is dependent on dry weather to enable work within the stream and wetlands, and the county is expecting to begin construction this fall.

Make no mistake, New York state is committed to working with all parties and the public, to ensure projects like this one  as well as many others  are implemented for the benefit of the Owasco Lake Watershed and all waters of our great state. Whether reviewing projects, committing funding, advancing new water treatment technology, or monitoring lake dynamics to improve water quality, New York is all-in on behalf of the Owasco Lake community.

Basil Seggos

Albany

Seggos is commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation
If you closed your eyes and listened to the words emanating from President Trumps meetings in Europe last week -- instead of, say, reading his tweets -- it sounded as if American foreign policy had suddenly been hijacked by adults. Most of the time, at least.

At the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Trump returned U.S. policy on Russia toward something resembling normalcy. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson described Trumps meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as the very model of a pragmatic, well-briefed president at work.

Theres a lot of things in the past that both of us are unhappy about, Tillerson said. The perspective of both of them was: This is a really important relationship. Two largest nuclear powers in the world. Its a really important relationship. How do we start making this work?

Its hard to quarrel with that kind of practicality. Of course we want a productive relationship with Russia, even though our interests still collide much of the time.

The one exception to my normalcy thesis is that while Trump pressed Putin on election hacking, in Tillersons retelling, the pressure was evidently a little soft. The president didnt threaten consequences if Russia were to continue its subversion. (He warned that Congress might pass new sanctions, but thats only semi-tough.)

Nor did he get a clear commitment from Putin to stop interfering. Instead, Putin denied ever doing anything of the sort -- and whatever Trump said in response was mild enough that Russias foreign minister described it as U.S. acceptance of Putins denial.

Months after the election, Trump still wont state plainly and publicly, without absurd hedges, that Russia meddled on his behalf. For Trump, thats not foreign policy, its personal: a shadow on his legitimacy as president.

Trump and Tillerson sounded a bit soft on Syria too. They tacitly confirmed that their policy now is to allow Russias client, Bashar Assad, to remain in power if thats the only way to end the countrys dreadful civil war. Assad shouldnt be allowed to stay for the long run, Tillerson added, but that was well short of the Obama administrations demands for regime change -- a demand, it must be noted, that Obama never managed to enforce.

By and large, our objectives (in Syria) are exactly the same, Tillerson said optimistically, unconsciously echoing his predecessor, John Kerry, who pursued Russian cooperation fruitlessly for years.

The two countries announced an agreement on a ceasefire in southwest Syria, a sensible deal designed to show that the two countries can work together. And it will be a useful test of Russias intentions. (If its anything like the ceasefire deals Kerry negotiated, it wont last a month.)

The real surprise was how tough Trump came across on some issues -- particularly NATO.

In Warsaw, Trump finally reaffirmed the U.S. treaty commitment to defend NATO countries against Russia. Trump also charged -- in harsher language than hes used before -- that Moscow is threatening Europes security through propaganda, financial crimes and cyberwarfare as well as old-fashioned military pressure.

We urge Russia to cease its destabilizing activities in Ukraine and elsewhere and its support for hostile regimes including Syria and Iran, and to instead join the community of responsible nations, he said.

Not much promise of bromance in that. Score one for the foreign policy aides known in Washington as Trumps grownups, especially his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. In May, McMaster tried to get Trump to embrace NATO at a summit in Brussels; when Trump balked, U.S. allies were frantic. The Warsaw speech was the presidents do-over.

Of course the president is still capable of derailing carefully plotted policies by tweeting -- and by the time you read this, he may have done just that. (He tweeted from the G-20 Summit that everybody there was talking about Hillary Clinton adviser John Podestas emails, an assertion that must have puzzled the 19 leaders who were all talking about other things.)

Still, Trump made it through his first face-to-face meeting with Putin without any gaffes. There was no bear hug, no Trump-style bombast. Trump did not claim, as he once did, that his special bond with Putin would make great deals easy. Most important, Trump finally made it clear that he accepts the 68-year-old obligation to defend NATO countries from Russian pressure.

His critics will say thats a low bar, and theyre right. But its a start.
The revised version of health care reform legislation, reintroduced Thursday in the U.S. Senate, faces yet another difficult road to passage.

One hallmark of the American Health Care Act that remains in the new iteration, though, is deep cuts to Medicaid. An estimated 23 million Americans would lose their current health insurance plans if the measure were to pass.

Given the reach of Medicaid  which covers nearly 240,000 Nebraskans, some 13 percent of the state population, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation  the significant cuts still present in the legislation would wound far too many in Nebraska to be prudent.

Medicaid was never designed to serve the number of Americans it does today. A variety of factors are to blame, including slow wage growth, runaway costs for health care and cuts to other services at the state and federal levels. The most productive way to turn the tide is to reverse increasing demand that far exceeds the intended goal.

In Nebraska, Medicaid accounts for one-fifth of Nebraskas general fund spending and one-third of its federal funding, Kaiser reports. Yet the state would see tax credits for marketplace consumers fall by an average of more than $4,200  fifth-most in the nation, per the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Those dollars serve an important purpose, and agencies that continue to try doing more with declining financial resources say the state has done an excellent job controlling costs. But it would be much more productive long term for that money to instead be invested in programs that serve the target populations now while decreasing the future demand.

Today, one in three Nebraska children is on Medicaid, accounting for 67.1 percent of its clients in the state at the end of 2016, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Thats more than 50 percent higher than the national average of 43 percent reported by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Children arent alone, either. AARP Nebraska noted the bill would come down particularly hard on those nearing retirement. One estimate placed the annual out-of-pocket hike at more than $13,000 for a 60-year-old resident of western Nebraska, where there are fewer providers, who earns $20,000 a year without employer-subsidized health insurance if this legislation were to pass.

This social safety net was originally created to serve only the most vulnerable families. Now, the American Academy of Pediatrics notes nearly two-thirds of children on Medicaid come from households with at least one full-time worker. The status quo isnt sustainable.

Without question, the American health care system is in dire need of reform and increased efficiencies. But, in this bills current form, Nebraskans would undoubtedly be hurt worse than nearly any other state  an outcome we cant endorse.
A whole barn of hogs that were scheduled to compete in the Clinton County Fair on July 13, has been quarantined before the show even started after a state veterinarian confirmed one case of swine flu.

According to officials, the whole barn had been emptied by the morning of July 14, and all 280 hogs were scheduled for slaughter that night. The barn was disinfected but public health officials urge anyone visiting state fairs, especially those who plan to see livestock, to practice good hygiene in order to avoid contracting disease.

Quick Actions Taken

According to fair officials, one of the hogs in the show exhibited signs of fever so they quarantined the barn during the show and deemed it off-limits to the public. Only the Fair officials, breeders, and exhibitors were allowed in the affected barn.

"I noticed the sheriff all around it and I knew something wasn't right," Larry Satterphwaite recounted.

The feverish hog was tested for the disease. The following day, officials received confirmation that it was positive for swine flu. Fair officials also believe that the disease had affected a few of the other pigs in the barn and decided to make all 280 hogs "Terminal," a term which means the hog will be scheduled for slaughter after the show.

At least two other hogs have also exhibited symptoms of swine flu after further testing.

Impact On Hog Breeding Community

Usually, only the winning hog is deemed terminal and other pigs could either be sold  terminal or live  or brought back to the owner's farm for other purposes such as breeding, so to kill off such a huge number of hogs really shook Clinton's hog-raising community.

"It's been a hard day. Got a lot of kids that have gilts or barrows or whatever that we were going to retain and now they've got to be slaughtered. It's very unfortunate," hog breeder Joey Johnson expressed.

Clinton County Agricultural Society President Scot Gerber, however, assured that the incident will not make a huge financial impact on the affected hog breeders.

"Those kids are not going to be hurt financially ... They will go through our sale as normal," Gerber said.

Gerber is likely referring to the hogs which tested negative for H3N2 virus.

Public Advised To Practice Good Hygiene

The Ohio Departments of Agriculture and Health have urged the public to always wash their hands properly whenever they visit livestock in fairs, especially if they touch the animals. They also ask that visitors refrain from eating, drinking, or placing anything in their mouths while around livestock. That said, it is best to keep children from getting too close to the animals as a precautionary measure.

Pregnant women, older people, and anyone with weak immune systems should also stay away from livestock exhibits since swine flu can be contracted by direct contact with an affected pig.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Americans' trust in banks to safeguard their hard earned money and help make large purchases. This trust was severely shaken during the financial meltdown, which forced millions of Americans into devastating financial hardship.

The Consumer Bureau was created in reaction to this wreckage and is the top cop on the beat working to hold financial bad actors accountable and provide the American people with the resources they need to stand up to predatory and unfair banking practices.

Since it was founded five years ago, the Consumer Bureau has returned nearly $12 billion to 29 million Americans  and it shows no sign of slowing down.

We cannot forget recent history and stand idly by while the financial services industry attempts to roll back essential consumer-protection regulations and allow the big Wall Street banks the kind of freedom that directly resulted in the financial crisis.

As you read this letter, many congressional Republicans are working to restructure and even disband the Consumer Bureau, which would make it extremely difficult to take action against predatory lending and other unfair banking practices.

We cannot stand for this, and the time has come to take action by letting our senators in Washington know that we support the Consumer Bureau under the leadership of Director Richard Cordray.

Phoenix Trent, Lincoln
This list is not comprehensive. Municipalities are listed as they appear on the criminal complaint. Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To see mugshots of the accused, visit www.journaltimes.com/gallery. Additional information about the complaints can be found at: journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts.

William J. Armstrong, 1100 block of Wisconsin Ave., Racine, fraud against financial institution.

Sarkis Azarian, 300 block of Rodaza Drive, Rochester, retail theft.

Anne M. Bieneman, 200 block of Madison St., Burlington, criminal damage to ATM/other machines, and attempt entry into a locked coin box.

Jennifer L. Bixby, 5500 block of 32nd Ave., Kenosha, recklessly endangering safety, and theft.

Cory D. Borchart, 400 block of 16th St., Racine, delivery of schedule I or II narcotics, manufacture/deliver heroin, first degree reckless homicide, possession with intent to deliver heroin, and maintaining a drug trafficking place.

Anthony M. Bowles, 9100 block of Kentucky Ave., Louisville, Ky., obstructing an officer.

Isaias Brito, 1500 block of Geneva St., Racine, obstructing an officer.

Macnesha N. Broadnax, 9500 block of W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee, fraud against a financial institution.

Ayana D. Brown, 1300 block of Pine Grove, Round Lake Beach, Ill., obstructing an officer.

Perry Carothers Sr., 9000 block of Forest Drive, Plymouth, knowingly violate a domestic abuse temporary restraining order, domestic abuse assessments.

Larry D. Davis, 1300 block of Buchanan St., Racine, retail theft, obstructing an officer, and operate motor vehicle while revoked.

Revelle C. Duling Jr., 1400 block of S. Memorial Drive, Racine, disorderly conduct.

Darryl L. Foreman, 1200 block of S. 55th St., Cicero, Ill., obstructing an officer.

Austin R. Grunewald, 6400 block of Candlewood Lane, Elkhorn, attempting to flee or elude a traffic officer.

Lavonte L. Johnson, 1600 block of Deane Blvd., Racine, possession of narcotic drugs, and possession of illegally obtained prescription.

Amanda E. Kaprelian, 400 block of 16th St., Racine, delivery of schedule I or II narcotics, manufacture/deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin, and maintaining a drug trafficking place.

Alaya D. King, 3200 block of Victory Ave., Racine, burglary  person lawfully present in the enclosure, and criminal damage to property.

Jonathan A. Matsuda, 2800 block of Summit Ave., Highland Park, Ill., possession of marijuana.

Joseph P. Maziarka, 200 block of Madison St., Racine, criminal damage to ATM/other machines, and attempt entry into a locked coin box.

Jose A. Meraz, Boscobel, deliver illegal articles to inmate.

Mack A. Miller Jr., 1800 block of Roe Ave., Racine, personal identity theft, and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Frances A. Mirro, 2300 block of S. Pine St., Burlington, retail theft, and possession of narcotic drugs.

Zerek M. Morrow, 1500 block of Shoreland Drive, Racine, resisting an officer.

Trashawn J. Oliver-Thomas, 3300 block of Kearney Ave., Racine, assault by prisoners, and battery by prisoners.

Sonja L. Rachpaul, 6100 block of W. Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee, operate motor vehicle while revoked.

Joe Rangel Jr., 1300 block of S. 15th St., Milwaukee, delivery of schedule I or II narcotics, and possession with intent to deliver/distribute a controlled substance on or near a school.

Amanda J. Richie, 1800 block of Green St., Racine, physical abuse of a child, intentionally cause bodily harm.

Richard L. Roberts, 5400 block of 18th St., Kenosha, retail theft.

Jon E. Robbins, 2900 block of 90th St., Sturtevant, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments, and resisting an officer.

David D. Sanders, 1100 block of N. Summerset Drive, Racine, bail jumping, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments, and use of a dangerous weapon.

Carlos C. Santiago Jr., 1300 block of Geneva St., Racine, possession of marijuana, criminal damage to property, domestic abuse assessments, and disorderly conduct.

Brianna K. Segura, 1100 block of S. Memorial Drive, Racine, obstructing an officer, resisting an officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert J. Shirah, 1000 block of Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee, bail jumping, and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Anthony W. Smith, Skyline Ave., Waukesha, uttering a forgery.

Deandra J. Sparks, 2200 block of Layard Ave., Racine, possession with intent to deliver or manufacture marijuana, possession with intent to deliver/distribute a controlled substance on or near a school, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brandon M. Stewart, 1400 block of Willow Road, Sturtevant, telephone harassment, and disorderly conduct.

Huaying Sun, 5800 block of Margery Drive, Mount Pleasant, third degree sexual assault.

Lexus A. Turluck, 5600 block of S. 13th St., Milwaukee, operate motor vehicle while revoked.

Robert J. Verwey, 1700 block of Willow Road, Mount Pleasant, operating while intoxicated.

Jarvis T. Walker, 1500 block of May St., Racine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, and attempt robbery with use of force.

Kurt A. Willick, 1600 block of Rookery Glen, Burlington, sexual assault of a child under 13 years of age.

Wilbert Wilson, 1200 block of Villa St., Racine, battery, domestic abuse assessments, and disorderly conduct.

Brandon R. Wolfe, 6700 block of Sheridan Road, Kenosha, theft of movable property.

Tabitha A. Wren, 4100 block of N. 16th St., Milwaukee, personal identity theft, bail jumping, and obstructing an officer.

Dustin R. York, 2900 block of 94th St., Sturtevant, burglary of a building or dwelling, and theft.

Justin W. Young, 500 block of S. Lafayette St., Argyle, theft.
"Dialogue and negotiation in Venezuela, found at the Paris Forum for Peace, three friends: the governments of France, Argentina and the Republic of Colombia," said the president... | Read More
RACINE  John Dickert believes that Racine chose change when it elected him mayor in 2009 and in the eight years since his election, he believes in the strength of the changes hes made.

Dickerts last day as Racines mayor is today, as he steps down to become the President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, a Chicago-based water advocacy group. Dickert will be immediately succeeded by 10th District Alderman Dennis Wiser and a special election to determine Dickerts successor through April 2019 will be held sometime between September and April 2018.

Looking back Friday in an interview with The Journal Times, Dickert said he is proud of the work he and his administration did to fight unemployment, decaying housing, budget shortfalls, and most crucially, a citywide loss of confidence.

We brought together our team at City Hall and set out with a plan to change our direction, Dickert said. The 10-year plan focused on rebuilding our departments, our budget and our infrastructure. Together we worked our plan and built new partnerships that allowed us to do more with less.

Dickert felt the largest challenge facing his administration when he took office in May 2009 was unemployment. The results of the economic downturn affected the entire country but hit Racine particularly hard, as city unemployment ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin at around 17 percent.

Earlier this year, Racines unemployment finally fell out of the top spot in the state and is hovering just above 4 percent, an accomplishment Dickert views with immense pride.

We had been so high in unemployment for so long, he said. People were just tired of the high unemployment rate and wanted to try something new. A lot of that credit has to go to everyone who came together to make that happen.

Still, Dickert feels employing unskilled workers is a major challenge the city still faces. He believes the proposed event center project, if approved, will provide a major opportunity for that demographic.

Other accomplishments

The city has seen consistent reductions in crime rates in Dickerts tenure, including recent drops to new historic lows in Part One crime, which includes theft-related and violent infractions. Dickert credits that to the Racine Police Department, the citys integrated task force and a number of community organizations that have contributed to crime-reducing efforts.

Thank you to our police officers, the front line, Dickert said. These are the the unsung heroes. (Theyre) not in headlines, but they do the work.

Similarly, Dickert is proud of the work done to improve problem areas throughout the city, including Jacato Drive  now Anthony Lane  and Layard Avenue. He also credited those who assisted in housing improvement programs like the Pastors Housing Alliance and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

In the area of homelessness, he thanked all members of the Continuum of Care, the citys alliance against homelessness, and particularly singled out the recent tiny home project led by Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, which has received national acclaim.

Thanks to Jeff Gustin and his entire team who dedicated their lives to a vulnerable population of heroes, he said.

Dickert expressed gratitude to his entire staff during his tenure at City Hall.

Weve built a very, very strong team at City Hall, he said. We hired very talented people who are dedicated to the city. They deserve more credit than theyll ever get.

He particularly mentioned Dave Brown, Kathleen Fischer and the citys Finance Department for helping to bring the citys budget back into balance and plan for long-term expenses. In that same financial vein, he thanked state legislators from both parties for helping bring tax credits to the city to aid with city development.

Dickert touted the awards the city received in his tenure, which included national recognition for beaches, the strength of the citys local businesses and for affordable living.

Never has the city received so many awards in such a short time, he said. Thank all of you visionaries, who helped build a better Racine.

Looking Ahead

Dickert expressed confidence in the leadership of Wiser, who is set to be confirmed as mayor by the City Council next week.

Dennis and I have been strong partners in the six years hes been on the council, Dickert said. Im complete comfortable turning over the reins because he not only does his homework, he thinks about things as a leader would.

Dickert admitted that he wished he accomplished more with development during his tenure as mayor, but added that his administration has laid the groundwork for future success.

I was hoping that development would move faster than it did, he said. I think weve set the stage for a strong future in development.

Dickert will spend the foreseeable future traveling around the Great Lakes to help protect them on an international level. Hell also spend more time with family, with significantly more nights and weekends to dedicate to his wife Teresa and his children Riley and Eleanor.

And hell always have pride and gratitude for the last eight years.

We chose in 2009 to commit ourselves to a bright future for our children, and together we have done just that, Dickert said. Thank all of you who have worked so hard to accomplish so much over the last eight years.
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Since travel is supposed to bring a change of pace, we thought about going someplace new this summer  maybe the Texas prairie, the caves of N
KENOSHA  WGTD (91.1 FM) is owned and operated as a public service of Gateway Technical College and is an affiliate of Wisconsin Public Radio. For an updated schedule, visit its website at www.wgtd.org.

The Morning Show airs every weekday between 8:10 and 9 a.m. Following is a schedule of show topics for the coming week:

Monday  A preview of Carthage Colleges Disneys Peter Pan Jr., which is a collaboration between Carthages musical theater workshop and students from iMusical Shanghai.

Tuesday  Carol Sabbar, director of Carthages library and instructional technology services, discusses the issue of net neutrality.

Wednesday  Bryan Albrecht, president of Gateway Technical College.

Thursday  Nan Calvert, Seno Nature Center.

Friday  Preview of point of view documentary Shalom Italia, which follows three elderly brothers from Israel who journey back to Italy in search of the cave in which they hid from the troops of Mussolini during World War II.

Saturday  Programming includes Financial Overview at 9 a.m., Breakfast Bytes at 9:45 a.m., Education Matters at 10:30 a.m. and Community Matters at 11:15 a.m.
Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission
A 52-year-old man is wanted by Baton Rouge Police in the fatal shooting of his 41-year-old ex-girlfriend, who died late Saturday after he ran up behind her as she exited her vehicle and opened fire, a police spokesman said.

Robert Antoine, of 4665 Shelley St., is accused of killing Monique Maxie about 1:30 a.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Blount Road, said Baton Rouge Police spokesman Sgt. Don Coppola. A warrant is out for Antoine's arrest and he is considered armed and dangerous, Coppola said.

The couple had recently broken up after dating for about a year riddled with incidents of domestic abuse, said Maxie's mother, Wanda Young. Maxie would often come to Young's house after an incident where Antoine had gotten out of hand.

"She just chose the wrong person," said Ashiya Gross, one of Maxie's sisters. "I never liked him from the start."

Gross said their family  and other people  had tried to convince Maxie that Antoine was bad news.

"People she didn't know who knew him, they tried to tell her that he was a bad person," said Niette Maxie, another sister of the victim. "We couldn't choose for her, she had to find out."

Niette Maxie said she had worried for her sister because Antoine had been incarcerated and arrested in the killing one of her classmates in 1998.

Antoine was accused of fatally shooting a 22-year-old man after a game of dice, according to stories published in The Advocate. Antoine was neither indicted nor cleared on that second-degree murder charge after a grand jury hearing. However, a month later he was convicted of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine and sentenced to 15 years, newspaper records show.

"We've been hearing that he's saying he's not done yet, he's still riding around," Gross said. The family hopes police can arrest Antoine soon.

Monique Maxie was a mother of two sons, ages 18 and 8, and worked as a direct care professional for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in group homes, the family said. In her spare time, she loved to ride dirt bikes and especially horses. Maxie owned her own horse and loved to go riding on trails and at rodeos, the family said.

"She just had to have that cowgirl look, that diva cowgirl look," said Niette Maxie, laughing.

Niette Maxie and Gross were at a party with their sister Friday night, and both were concerned when Antoine showed up. Monique Maxie left the party early Saturday with a friend, Gross said.

According to police, when Monique Maxie and the friend exited the vehicle, Antoine fired multiple shots at them, but only hit his ex-girlfriend, mortally wounding her.

Monique Maxie spent almost 20 hours fighting for her life in the hospital from the bullet wounds before she died late Saturday, her family said as they gathered outside of their mother's house Sunday afternoon.

"She just liked to enjoy life," Young said, tearing up as she remembered her daughter. "She was a good person, she had friends that loved her, she had beautiful smile, she was just beautiful."

Antoine is wanted on counts of second-degree murder, aggravated battery and illegal use of a weapon. Coppola asked that anyone with information on Antoines whereabouts to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at 225-389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was modified on Monday, July 17. The original version incorrectly reported Monique Maxie died 8 hours after the shooting. In fact, she died 20 hours later. The Advocate regrets the error.
They traded insults. They fought over turf. They sued each other.

All of it prompted political chatter that Gov. John Bel Edwards  the only Democrat holding statewide office  and Attorney General Jeff Landry  a Republican widely believed to be lusting after his job  were in the early rounds of a political fight that would culminate in a head-to-head campaign for the governors office in 2019.

But peace has broken out between Edwards and Landry. At least temporarily.

Each man has yielded in recent weeks on an issue important to the other. Edwards agreed to release money that Landry was seeking. The attorney general dropped a lawsuit his office filed against the governor.

Louisiana attorney general Jeff Landry drops lawsuit against Gov. John Bel Edwards Louisiana's attorney general moved Thursday to drop his lawsuit against Gov. John Bel Edward

Landry also approved a contract sought by Edwards that allows the governor to hire private attorneys preparing lawsuits against oil and gas companies. Landry had publicly criticized the deal as a potential bonanza for the governors allies.

In the meantime, they are no longer flinging sharp words back and forth.

Landry has no desire to discuss the recent detente. His spokeswoman, Ruth Wisher, did not answer any questions, instead issuing only a bland statement.

The government has to function irrespective of the relationship between elected officials, and our focus remains on serving the people of Louisiana and working to find common ground with our fellow public servants, it read.

The governors office was more forthcoming.

I would say theres more peace than there had been during the first year in office, said Richard Carbo, the governors spokesman.

But Carbo also showed a willingness to continue to jab at Landry.

Some of the battles that break out from the AGs Office are just not necessary, Carbo said. He has a history of overstepping, and the governor is not going to allow that to happen. But for the moment, they appear to be agreeing on some things.

Agreeing on some things hasnt necessarily warmed the personal chill between the two men. They have not met or spoken since September, according to Carbo.

Intermediaries for the two men  businessman Shane Guidry for the attorney general, lobbyist Dan Robin Sr. for the governor  helped smooth the friction by meeting for lunch and speaking over the phone several weeks ago.

Guidry told The Advocate that Landry initially was skittish about his effort, but he said Go try. 

Guidry, who serves as a special assistant to the attorney general in addition to running a major oilfield-services firm, described the thinking behind his efforts as: Now is not the time for fireworks. Now is the time to make the best decisions we can for the state of Louisiana and the taxpayers.

Robin, a major fundraiser for Edwards, said his role was not to speak for the governor but to carry messages back and forth.

Its important for the state that these two work together, Robin said. Thats the bottom line.

How long they will work together is an open question.

The Edwards camp believes that Landry has been deliberately picking fights with the governor in order to position himself as the Republican standard-bearer when Edwards seeks re-election in 2019. Landrys camp says that the attorney general is simply challenging the governor when he oversteps state law.

Almost since the two men assumed their jobs in January 2016, the attorney general has tried to claim the upper hand in battles over protections for LGBT workers, financing for his office and how the outside lawyers representing the state in potential coastal lawsuits would get paid.

Edwards has pushed back each time.

Each dust-up has raised Landrys profile as a potential conservative challenger in 2019.

The highest-profile dispute began in April 2016 when Landry blocked dozens of legal services contracts sought by Edwards that contained language forbidding discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexual and transgender workers. Landry said his office could not agree to the contracts because the anti-discrimination language violated state law.

Edwards sued Landry in September 2016 to force him to sign the contracts. "I believe he is on the wrong side of the law and the wrong side of history," Edwards told reporters.

Holding his own separate confab, Landry smiled when asked about the governors comment and said the courts would decide.

A state district judge ruled in the attorney generals favor. Edwards is appealing the ruling; a court is expected to hear the appeal in August. In the meantime, the contracts do not contain the anti-discrimination language.

In April, it was Landrys turn to sue Edwards. His lawsuit accused the governor of blocking the transfer of money meant for the AG's Office.

Landry publicly accused Edwards of being an "emperor" and a "predictable and vindictive Washington-style politician more concerned with political points than the peoples business."

By playing petty partisan politics, the governor is jeopardizing the operations of the Louisiana Department of Justice," Landry said.

In turn, Edwards accused the attorney general of playing to his partisan base. He groused that the media got word of the latest lawsuit before his office did and called the lawsuit "nothing more than another dog and pony show from the Department of Justice."

With the help of state Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, the Legislature agreed to resolve the financial dispute on June 6 by transferring $2.7 million from an escrow account to the Attorney Generals Office. A week ago, Landry dropped the suit, saying the issue was now moot.

Also on June 6, Landry dropped his longstanding objections to a contract sought by Edwards to hire Taylor Townsend, a Natchitoches criminal defense and civil trial lawyer who has raised money for Edwards.

That cleared the way for Townsend to lead a team of attorneys who are readying lawsuits on behalf of the state that claim that drilling by oil and gas companies has caused coastal land to disappear. Landry had refused in September to approve the contract.

The attorney general said at the time that the proposed contract appeared to be in direct violation of statutory law, which Landry said requires that lawyers be paid hourly rather than on a contingency or percentage basis.

The contract accepted by Landry specifies that the state will pay the lawyers on an hourly basis, at up to $385 per hour, with a current overall limit of $150,000. (The private lawyers are doing the background research to file the lawsuits, said Donald Price, an Edwards administration attorney overseeing the legal team.)

Bernie Pinsonat, a veteran pollster and political consultant, said Edwards and Landry are doing well by patching things up.

The public doesnt really care about it and probably doesnt like it, Pinsonat said of the squabbling.
Amazon.com's expansion plans, including its agreement to buy Whole Foods Market for $US13.7 billion ($17.7 billion), are raising hackles in Washington, and Wall Street is taking notice.

A US politician has called for hearings on the proposed deal to consider its ramifications for shoppers and workers.

Hedge-fund manager Doug Kass has taken a short position on the fast-growing online retailer, saying government antitrust concerns will erode its value. In June, Goldman Sachs issued a note questioning if tech stocks were overpriced and if investors had overlooked the risks associated with potential government regulatory issues.

Still, Amazon's shares have gained 34 per cent this year, rising to $US1003.21 on Friday in New York. Experts and analysts have largely dismissed antitrust threats for the world's largest online retailer because the company doesn't have large market concentration in any one product category and it has a track record of helping keep prices low for shoppers. A key legal question is if Seattle-based Amazon has grown to the point of discouraging innovation from competitors.
Smoking tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of death and illness in Australia, killing an estimated 15,000 people annually. Overall population growth has kept the raw toll so tragically high, but it would be far worse were it not for the internationally feted success of the long-running Quit campaign and other measures, including tax-driven price hikes, in reducing the adult smoking rate to about 10 per cent from around 30 per cent in the 1980s and more than 50 per cent in the 1970s.

Research shows that two out of three lifetime smokers will die as a result of their addiction. The deaths and illnesses are caused by the delivery method  smoking  rather than directly by nicotine, the highly addictive drug tobacco contains. So, anything that can relatively safely help people quit using tobacco merits consideration; harm minimisation is the goal.

Health experts say the potential risks of vaping are yet to be fully assessed. Credit:iStock

Having lost its vexatious case (plus costs) against the Australian government over groundbreaking plain-packaging laws, which have been adopted elsewhere, and with its current products literally killing its client base, tobacco giant Philip Morris has launched a new lobbying onslaught. It wants the government to legalise nicotine e-cigarettes, which deliver the drug in a cloud of vapour, rather than in a cloud of smoke. Those who use this product, legal in a growing numbers of countries, are called vapers, and many of them testify that e-cigarettes have helped them stop smoking and have greatly improved their health and fitness.

The counter-argument is that health experts here and overseas believe the potential risks of frequently drawing particle-carrying vapour into one's lungs are yet to be fully assessed. The situation is being examined by a parliamentary committee, which is being bombarded with pro forma submissions from vapers encouraged by Philip Morris. In Australia, e-cigarettes are legal, but using nicotine refills in them is not. The health authorities are concerned e-cigarettes might prolong an addiction to smoking, or be a gateway to tobacco, particularly for young people.
The military will be given sweeping powers to deploy forces and even take charge during terrorist attacks under changes to Australia's national security laws.

The new system, which has been approved by cabinet and the national security committee, will be announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Defence Minister Marise Payne during a visit to Sydney's Holsworthy Barracks on Monday.

State police will remain the first responders to a domestic terror incident, but will no longer retain sole command of an attack or hostage situation. The military will also be allowed on the streets to support the wider police response, including blocking potential suspects from leaving the scene. Elite special forces would have full legal authority to shoot and kill terrorists.
The Liberal National Party Queensland convention has rejected a motion to suspend immigration from Islamic nations, but called for headscarves to be banned for girls under the age of 10 in schools.

The last day of the conference in Brisbane also saw heated debate on the Paris Climate Accord and traffic light symbols, with party members condemning the spending of public money on altering traffic lights for "ideological purposes".

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls at the LNP convention in Brisbane on Sunday. Credit:Darren England/AAP

Delegate David van Gend moved the resolution on foreign policy, calling on the federal government to suspend immigration from nations that "enforce sharia doctrines of death for blasphemy, apostasy, homosexuality or adultery".

"Sharia is incompatible with the fundamental values of a liberal democracy," Mr van Gend said.
The Wenona School in North Sydney, the Anzac Park Primary School in Cammeray and the Seaforth Public School are each within 200 metres of the sites chosen for smokestacks to release exhaust fumes from tunnels for the proposed Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link.

The proposed locations, in a cabinet in confidence document seen by Fairfax Media and the ABC, are on residential streets, parkland and the existing Warringah Freeway and Wakehurst Parkway.

The proposed toll road would tunnel from WestConnex at Rozelle to the Warringah Freeway at North Sydney, then tunnel under Middle Harbour to join the Wakehurst Parkway at Allambie Heights.

It is expected to deliver time savings of up to 40 minutes between Brookvale and the city, 45 minutes between Dee Why to the airport and 35 minutes between Seaforth and North Sydney.
Two men who led police on a dangerous car chase tried to flee on foot even after a high-speed, head-on crash in Brisbane.

Police said the innocent driver they hit at speed was extremely lucky to have escaped serious injury.

It was alleged the men were in a stolen Lexus when they drove onto the wrong side of the Centenary Highway at Sinnamon Park and hit the motorist on Sunday night. Credit:Marina Neil/Fairfax Media

It was alleged the men were in a stolen Lexus when they drove onto the wrong side of the Centenary Highway at Sinnamon Park and hit the motorist on Sunday night.

They had earlier refused to stop when police tried to pull them over in the Ipswich suburb of Goodna.
Panasonic EZ1000 series OLEDs have a soundbar built into the base. Panasonic's OLED doesn't disappoint, revealing the finest details in the Martian landscape which are lost in harsh black shadows on lesser screens. Switch to a standard Blu-ray movie like Gravity and that phenomenal contrast still shines through. The scene where Sandra Bullock spins off into space, growing smaller and smaller against the star-filled cosmos, looks absolutely stunning. You can see the faintest of stars which are typically lost on screens with a backlight, just as you see more stars in the night sky when you get away from the bright city lights. Peering into the inky blackness of space, pierced by starlight, I'd say Panasonic's new televisions are the equal of LG's OLEDs. Admittedly it's a bold statement when I'm yet to see them in a side-by-side showdown, but it's safe to say that Panasonic has done itself proud. The Dolby difference

It's worth mentioning that, while Panasonic OLEDs support HDR10 and earn Ultra HD Premium certification, they lack LG's support for dynamic Dolby Vision HDR which optimises the picture for every scene in a movie. If you're fussy about picture quality you'll appreciate the difference. To be fair we're still waiting on Dolby Vision compatible Ultra HD Blu-ray discs and players, right now we're limited to a handful of Netflix titles. It remains to be seen whether movie makers will be as quick to embrace Dolby Vision as they were HDR10. Like LG, Panasonic's OLEDs also support the Hybrid Log-Gamma HDR standard for broadcast television, but don't expect Australian broadcasters to get onboard any time soon. LG's OLEDs also support Dolby Atmos surround sound, although the improvement over standard Dolby Digital is obviously limited when you're listening via a television rather than a full surround sound system. Panasonic's flagship EZ1000 series OLEDs don't support Dolby Atmos but they do come with a soundbar built into the stand, which can be used on a bench top or when the television is wall-mounted. While it delivers full bodied sound I'd say it falls short of the soundbar built into LG's flagship W7 wallpaper television. The W7's soundbar has the advantage of upwards-firing speakers to work with Atmos content, which might seem gimmicky but does make a difference. Even with a non-Atmos soundtrack you get a subtle sense of height  such as when Deadpool drops off the bridge into the speeding car  which is missing on the Panasonic.

To be fair you'll pay a hefty $13499 for LG's paper-thin 65-inch W7, but there are cheaper LG OLEDs. When you compare roughly equivalent Panasonic and LG models, little separates them in terms of price. Check out the highlights Picture quality isn't just about what lurks in the shadows, it's also about fine detail in the brightest highlights  such as brilliant sunsets which can blow out and become a white blob on some televisions. Here it helps to have a bright screen, so there's plenty of headroom at the top end. Brightness has always been OLED's Achilles' Heel but Panasonic offers a respectable "up to 1000 nits" which puts it about on par with LG's claims. Panasonic's brightness pays off in the scene in The Martian where the camera pans around Matt Damon as the sun sets behind him. Not only can you see the disc of the sun amid the glare, you can also see a halo around the sun which is lost on most televisions. Television brightness ratings are theoretical maximums which vary depending on what's happening on the screen. To my eyes I'd say that LG still comes out ever so slightly ahead when revealing the very brightest details rather than blowing out, but you need to be extremely fussy to see the difference. The Panasonic is no slouch and it would take a side-by-side comparison to settle the argument.

Colour and movement Vivid yet natural colours are Panasonic's strength, which means that blockbuster movies can occasionally look a tad underdone but skin tones look fantastic and nature documentaries like Planet Earth II sees the screen really sing. It's also true of Panasonic's LED-backlit televisions such as the new EX780  while the overall picture quality obviously falls short of OLED the natural colours are striking. If you're fussy about picture quality you'll obviously want to dip into the advanced settings and here Panasonic's OLEDs offer plenty of flexibility. You'll find a wide range of HDR picture modes, including THX certification, and the ability to tweak them to taste. As with most televisions you'll need to mess around with motion interpolation, as OLED's lack of motion blur can create issues when you're dealing with 24 fps content. Panasonic calls it Intelligent Frame Creation and it's set to Minimum by default, but you might need to bump it up to Mid to eliminate the jitter in some panning shots. So what's the verdict?
Commuters won't be given a free travel day after Melbourne's rail network meltdown, even though a previous major incident led to such compensation.

An estimated 175,000 people were left stranded or delayed when the city's train system was brought to a standstill on Thursday afternoon.

It's understood an investigation into the cause of the failure remains focused on whether a back-up computer system may have triggered the glitch. Metro has sent its data overseas for further analysis.

Passengers who touched on between 3pm and 7pm will be reimbursed on their myki account, but anyone who didn't touch on will have to fill out a form to claim compensation to be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Two men attending a Melbourne buck's party where a woman was found dead have told Fairfax Media they were "stitched up".

Police were called after the body was found on the 10th floor of the Oaks on Market building, between Collins Street and Flinders Lane in the CBD, about 8am.

The apartment was being rented out by 11 men, in town from Canberra for a buck's party.

It's believed the woman returned to the hotel room with the men on Saturday night.
Miami: Venezuelan migrants, many of whom fled economic crisis and rampant crime in their homeland, voted in droves in hundreds of cities around the world on Sunday in an unofficial plebiscite that aims to challenge leftist President Nicolas Maduro.

With improvised polling stations in more than 80 countries, the Venezuelan diaspora was seeking to delegitimise Maduro's plans to rewrite the constitution after three months of anti-government protests that have led to nearly 100 deaths and more than 1500 injuries.

Lines snaked around blocks at some polling stations in expatriate hubs like Miami, Madrid, and Bogota, where Venezuelans draped themselves in flags and shouted, "We want freedom!"

"With this vote we want to say to Maduro that Venezuela can't wait. We want elections now. The people want him out," said Audrey Lopez, 49, who was among volunteers staffing a polling station in the Spanish capital.
In December, The Journal Times reported about local municipal officials trying to remain competitive to attract and retain good employees.

Burlington had hired Middleton-based Carlson Dettman Consulting. Racine followed suit, and at a recent Committee of the Whole meeting, Racine city staff and aldermen were presented with options on compensating employees.

At the meeting, Carlson Dettman recommended that the city implement a step-based system, whereby salaries increase as employees accrue time.

Patrick Glynn, a senior consultant at the company, said he recommended a year-based salary instead of a performance-based model, because the comfort level hes gauged for the city about a performance model was in question.

That doesnt seem like a good enough reason to not factor in performance.

Its good that the city and other municipalities want to hire the best employees and retain them. Hiring good employees, and retaining them, can save money down the road by avoiding costly mistakes.

Also in December, City Attorney Scott Letteney said the city had been struggling to keep Racines employee compensation competitive with comparable municipalities in Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

Employees that have left us over the past couple of years have often reported that one of the reasons that theyre leaving is for higher pay, Letteney said.

That being said, receiving a raise should be something that people earn not just for staying, but for a job well done.

The Committee of the Whole is scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss the Carlson Dettman recommendation. At that meeting, aldermen should discuss ways to implement incentive programs, so that people can receive raises based on performance.

It can be demoralizing for someone to receive the same annual raise as the person working next to them, knowing the other person only did half the work but receives the same $100 or $1,000 raise.

It doesnt make sense.

Perhaps each department could be allocated a certain amount of money for raises and when that is distributed, more goes to those who did exceptional work over the past year.

The City or Racine and other municipalities are right to want to retain workers. But municipalities should concentrate on retaining their best employees, and letting on employees know they will have opportunities to be rewarded financially for exceptional work.

Whether Racine really had to pay $52,500 to learn about step increases is another matter. It does seem that $52,500 could have just gone straight to raises and everyone would have been happy.

But that money is gone. The city needs to focus on how best to compensate employees now and in the future.

The focus for aldermen and Racines next mayor should be on ensuring city taxpayers are receiving the best service that can be provided, and that city departments are staffed by high-performing employees to make that happen.
The Texas A&M University Police Department welcomed three new officers this month. Clayton Bower, Kelly Hiett and William Pike were sworn in June 9 by Chief J. Michael Ragan. All three graduated from the Central Texas Police Academy. The officers will spend 20 weeks paired with field training officers to learn the daily duties of a police officer at Texas A&M University.
About 40 people -- some searching for hope for themselves or loved ones, others just curious -- attended a presentation Saturday by author Nishi Whiteley on the benefits of medical marijuana.

Whiteley, who is a Texas A&M graduate and author of Chronic Relief: A Guide to Cannabis for the Terminally & Chronically Ill, addressed the group at First United Methodist Church in Bryan and shared content from her book. First, she explained the neurology behind cannabis use and how it affects brain function. Like other fatty acids, cannabidiol (CBD) stimulates the endocannabinoid system. Whiteley said CBD has a significant effect on chronic pain and stress and enhances parts of the brain that fight oxidation and forms of inflammation, which can help with such issues as nausea, lack of focus, memory retention and anxiety.

Whiteley noted that the use of cannabis or CBD is not a "cure-all" or "magic pill," but that the substance's many medicinal properties were once used effectively in about 2,000 common pharmaceutical drugs in the United States before its taxation in the 1930s made possession illegal. In 1970, the marijuana tax was found to be unconstitutional, and marijuana was reclassified as part of the Controlled Substances Act.

"What is it that greed, racism and ignorance have in common?" she asked her audience. "They are the foundation of our national cannabis policy, not science."

Whiteley received the support of Brazos County Judge John Delaney, who has spoken out against the prohibition of medical marijuana use in Texas.

"I have been on this mission pursuing this cause for about eight years now," Delaney told Whitley's audience during a break in the seminar. "It's a complex story involving friends and family members whose lives were ruined in part by the ingestion of drugs and also the legal system."

Michael Kennedy, a Bryan ISD employee, is a member of First United Methodist Church and heard about the seminar through his pastor. Kennedy said he does not have a specific personal need for cannabis to treat an ailment, but he wants to know more about it. He's unsure whether he thinks the drug should be legalized in Texas but said he feels it is a topic worthy of exploration.

"Hearing more about it, there seems be place for it when it's used as medication," he said.

Though many in attendance were local residents, one woman traveled to Bryan from Houston to meet Whiteley and learn from her book. Laura Ratliff is a former federal officer and has become involved in a society of mothers who support marijuana use to treat autism. Ratliff has a grandson who suffers from autism, and for years he has been treated with various medications carrying what Ratliff calls frightening side effects. She recently turned to CBD to help him, saying she doesn't care that it's illegal for her to do so in this state. Her grandson wants to join the Marine Corps when he grows up, and Ratliff and her husband want to do all they can to get him closer to achieving his dreams.

"After seeing all his medicines' side effects, including seizures, I felt the time would come in life that he would say 'I don't want to take any more because these side effects are horrendous,'" she explained. "... I went to Colorado to buy CBD oil. I started him on it and weaned him off of Thorazine successfully."

Ratliff said her grandson has improved vastly since being given cannabis oil and hasn't needed to take such a large quantity of standard pharmaceuticals to remain healthy.

"I think anyone with a sick loved one, who has no quality of life taking 10 pills at morning and eight pills at night, would do anything to help that person," she said. "We saw his quality of life go up and his autistic meltdowns stopped. He became more of a happy child, not a constantly upset child."

According to The Texas Tribune, the Texas Legislature this year had a bill known as HB 2107 that would have expanded the "Compassionate Use Act" -- a measure that was signed into law in 2015 -- and allow the use of medical marijuana for qualifying patients with debilitating medical conditions such as terminal cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Despite bipartisan support in the lower chamber, the measure did not make it out of committee.

Whiteley told the audience that it's important for them to educate themselves not only on the benefits of cannabis, but also the best sources and means of ingestion, the means to advocate for the legalization of medical cannabis in Texas, and the potential risks involved in taking the drug, which she considered minor and paling in comparison to the benefits. Whiteley encouraged those in attendance to speak out against prohibition, to contact their representatives and pay attention to legislation.

"I want you all to leave here mad so you will do something about it," she urged.

To learn more about cannabis and cannabidiol usage, visit the website www.projectcbd.org.
The College Station City Council has approved about $1.5 million in grants for affordable housing that will be used for an expected 14 units.

Debbie Eller, the city's community development director, said the units will make an impact locally because "every little bit counts" with the current lack of affordable housing.

"Every one that we can add to the availability for our working families and our elderly population is very needed," Eller said. "We're creating jobs; we need places for people to live. So we need to build affordable housing for our working population."

The council on Thursday approved $794,000 in Community Development Partnership Grant (CDBG) funds to Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity for acquisition, development and infrastructure costs to construct at least eight affordable single-family homes on Renee Lane.

Those homes will be available for sale to income-eligible households. Habitat for Humanity's plan to acquire a plot of land on Renee Lane for the housing development was a response to a request for proposals from the city. Construction on Habitat for Humanity homes also is set to begin on three lots on Carolina Street in the next year, Eller said.

College Station receives CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address the growing need for affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents.

The council also granted CDBG funds to Twin City Mission for acquisition and rehabilitation costs related to creating four affordable housing units on Blanco Drive. Twin City Mission already owns and manages The Haven Apartments, which provide transitional housing. The $471,500 grant will go toward expanding its current rental program to include a four-plex on Blanco Drive.

Eller said the two contracts help expend funds from the sale of a tract of land on Holleman Drive that the city purchased in 2008 and once planned to use for a mixed-use development with affordable housing and commercial opportunities.

"It took us a while to sell it for what it worth, but it gave us the unique opportunity to have a pool of funds that we did not normally have," Eller said.

Another $220,000 was approved for the federal HOME Investment Partnership Grant program for Elder-Aid, which plans to acquire and rehabilitate two existing units on Normand Street for affordable rental housing for income-eligible elderly households.

The city is required by HUD to make at least 15 percent of each year's HOME grant allocation available for nonprofit agencies that meet the definition of a Community Housing Development Organization, which have the provision of affordable housing as one of their goals. Elder-Aid has been certified as an eligible CHDO since May 2015.

Additionally, Eller said another contract will be brought to the council July 27 for the Brazos Valley Community Action program, which plans to build a four-bedroom single-family home.

"It's a huge need in our community for low- and moderate-income families to have a four-bedroom household at an affordable rent, because they're typically very expensive," Eller said.
Downtown Bryan is about to get a whole lot artsier, thanks to five new murals on the side of the Conlee-Garrett Moving and Storage building that faces West 31st Street.

Sarah Norman and Katie Neason first started thinking about murals in Bryan in December 2014 after their real estate agency, Renovation Wranglers, purchased property and built townhomes on West 31st Street, a few blocks from downtown. Norman said the part of the building facing the property was a big, blank wall that presented the city with an opportunity to have a public art gallery.

Partnering with the Downtown Bryan Association, Norman and Neason started West 31st Street Murals, putting out a call for submissions of possible murals that would represent the city's past or present. Norman said they sorted through 15 applications, choosing five muralists -- Cliff Collard, Mick Burson, Sarah Blackmon, Calina Mishay Johnson and Tyler Kay Reichert -- to represent Bryan's commerce, culture and community. There will be five murals in total, several of which are already completed. The finished works will be formally unveiled during the September First Friday in Downtown Bryan.

Norman said the murals will be a "good drive-by art gallery" that could "bring people downtown who otherwise wouldn't be."

"We just thought it would be so great if people would drive by and stop to take their picture [by the murals]," Norman said. "Our goal is first and foremost to get more people down here."

In addition to bringing people downtown, Neason said the new art will "give people in the townhomes something to look at," and that they are "definitely better to look at than having to look at a concrete wall."

Sandy Farris, executive director of the Downtown Bryan Association, said the new art will act as a cultural magnet that could attract more people to the area.

"I always refer to Downtown Bryan as 'the community's living room,'" Farris said of the culturally eclectic local hub, whose "geographical area is getting bigger."

"I think these murals are going to be a destination in and of themselves," Farris added.

Farris said Downtown Bryan is a cultural district, as designated by the state's Commission on the Arts, and that the collection of art displayed inside local businesses in addition to the outdoor murals "ties together and creates a really great atmosphere."

There are already several outdoor displays throughout downtown, Farris said, "but nothing on this scale," referring to the 31st Street murals.

Reichert, one of the five muralists, said her piece will feature two pictures of Bryan side-by-side, separated by a ribbon: a representation of the city "then" -- in black and white -- and "now" -- depicted in color.

Reichert started painting this past week, and plans on being done in two weeks total. She paints from sunrise until 11:30 a.m., then takes a break to avoid the sun until about 3:30 p.m., then paints until dark. Reichert spent a year at Blinn College pursuing an economics degree, but switched her major and left town after deciding on a different career path. That formative year made a big mark on her life, and now she's returning the favor by leaving a literal mark in Downtown Bryan.

"It's cool to come back here," Reichert said. "I never thought I'd be muraling Bryan when I was an economics major here."

Blackmon, who lives in North Bryan and also is finishing up a mural downtown, said her piece will be in the shape of a boot, within which will be iconic downtown fixtures such as the La Salle Hotel and the Queen Theater.

"I included all the things that have meaning to the people who live in Bryan," Blackmon said.

Johnson, another muralist, is already done with her piece, a black and white drawing of a small boy, flowers, a horse and the saying, "Wherever you go, go with all your heart."

Johnson is a professional street artist who travels across the state with her husband, Kevin, to create art that's representative of the community in which she works. She said she'd been creating projects in the western part of the state, and though she has no local connection to Bryan, she was excited to make her way east to complete another project in a place smaller than major cities such as Austin or Houston.

Street art is one many cultural signifiers of large urban areas. Faraway cities like Philadelphia, Cleveland and Pittsburgh -- as well as Texas cities such as Austin, Dallas and San Antonio -- are filled with murals and street artistry, artistic tattoos that dot the cultural landscapes. But Johnson said that in those big cities, people can drive by and not give the art much more than a passing glance, "but in a small town, everyone takes part in it, and it inspires them."

Johnson grew up in a small Texas town -- Rule, population 623 -- that contained a mural painted by a local artist.

"He was the artist, the one, I knew growing up. For a small-town person, you don't get to see as much, so what you do see can have a big impact," Johnson said.
After nearly half a century of serving the community, Victor's Shoe and Boot Repair has closed.

However, owner Albert Caudillo -- son of founder Victor Caudillo -- said even if struggles with his health had not prevented him from continuing the business, he had only planned to continue operations for another five to 10 years.

"Unfortunately, when you break down the profits by the hours of work, it just really wasn't working out," Caudillo said.

Additionally, Caudillo said as he looked toward the future, the business was not something he wanted his son to inherit.

"I didn't really want my son to go into this, even when things were better," Caudillo said. "The profits just aren't there like they used to be."

The craft of shoemaking and shoe repair is a trade Caudillo said has long been in his family.

He said his father brought the trade with him from Mexico and, after starting and selling several shoe repair businesses in Houston, decided to try his luck in College Station, drawn by the potential business of Texas A&M University's Corps of Cadets.

In a January 1973 article printed in The Eagle, Victor Caudillo was interviewed about his business, specifically focusing on his work for the Corps of Cadets. There, the elder Caudillo said he had replaced 50,000 taps -- for a quarter each -- on the soles of the students' shoes per year.

Eventually, Caudillo said his father's business grew beyond its Northgate location and was expanded to the second location -- dubbed Victor's II Just Boots -- on Texas Avenue.

Caudillo said his father left the business in the early 1980s, leaving his sons to run the shops.

Despite the closing of the Northgate location shortly after, Caudillo said he had kept the business going steadily ever since at the second location.

Over the years, however, Caudillo said he has noticed a decline in the interest of maintaining shoes, with most people preferring to "just go out and buy a new pair instead."

"People aren't fixing their shoes and boots as much as they used to," Caudillo said.

For those who do still subscribe to an interest in the value of maintaining and caring for their footwear, the close of Victor's -- and the trend it represents -- is a loss.

Jordan Camerino, who said he has been a customer of Victor's since moving to the area six years ago, said he was saddened to hear of the shop's closing.

"If ever I had a problem with any pair of boots I always went into Victor's," he said. "Being a daily wearer, and owning a few pairs, I'd be in the shop every six months or so and I knew I'd be treated well, fairly charged and my boots repaired."

With Victor's no longer in business, Camerino said has taken his business to Gomez Shoe Repair, another small shop in town.

Owners Tomas and Eva Gomez said while it is "not easy to be self-employed," they enjoy doing what they can to keep the business running and their customers happy.

Eva Gomez said she and her husband -- the only employees of the shoe repair shop -- have been thankful for the support of longtime customers who stuck with them after they took over the business from its previous owner in 2011.

Although their son had previously worked alongside them in the business, Gomez said he has since left, pursuing a college degree and a different profession.

She said while they had tried in the past to bring on another employee to help with the work, there just weren't many people interested who had the skills necessary for the job.

Gomez said as her husband nears retirement himself in the next six years, he hopes to find others interested in the trade who he may be able to train to replace him.

"We want to spend some time just teaching students so they can continue the work," Gomez said. "Right now, if we need somebody to help, there's nobody there. It's hard."

Gomez and Caudillo both agreed that interest in the craft of shoe repair has seen a decline in recent years.

Caudillo said he even sees a scenario where the trade may all but disappear over the next few decades.

"I hate to say it, but I don't see there being a shoe repair open in this town in 15 to 20 years if someone [young] doesn't come in to take over," Caudillo said. "Unfortunately it's a dying trade. There are more people getting out of it than in."

Even after the shop's official closing, Caudillo said it continued to receive help from those it had served over the years.

Caudillo's uncle, Houston native Raymond Medina, said he has recently been making trips to Bryan to help assist with the physical labor involved with clearing out the shop.

While working to disassemble some of the shelving a few weeks ago, some members of the community stopped in to see if he needed any help -- ultimately spending "several hours" in the shop until the job was done.

Although he didn't get their names, Medina said he was moved by their willingness to lend a hand.

"They made it a lot easier for me," Medina said. "What was amazing was I didn't even have to ask them."

Caudillo said it is the spirit of this kind of community support he will miss most now that the shop is closed.

He said he is thankful for the decades of friendship, business and good memories those who supported the shop have provided.

"I'm just so grateful for the customers we had over the years," he said. "I'm really thankful for all those who have come through and helped keep us in business as long as we were."
The BryanCollege Station community largely operates as two separate spheres: Texas A&M along with Blinn and their students act as fuel for growth, while long-term residents ensure civic machinery functions effectively.

Neither sphere could operate without the other, yet they rarely interact. During my time at Texas A&M I was privileged enough to meet many local leaders, volunteers, civil servants, and engaged residents. Unfortunately, many students rarely discover how their community operates. Likewise, through many interactions, I realized many long-term residents rarely conversed with students.

This chasm between two symbiotic, divided spheres creates misconceptions and harsh rhetoric such as stealth dorms and the like. While I may no longer reside in the Bryan-College Station area, I remain apprised of local news and developments.

One leaves Aggieland only in presence, but never in spirit. In that vein, recent stories regarding neighborhood degradation and student takeovers increasingly have caught my attention. I am disappointed deeply in how the presence of folks unlike oneself sparks derision instead of proactive relationship building, and how feelings somehow have eclipsed facts.

Creating value

Long-term BryanCollege Station residents obviously create a great deal of value by investing their capital, time, and energy into improving their own property, along with the community as a whole. I have worked and volunteered alongside many dedicated folks whose only aim is to protect the wonderful lives they have built locally. Everyone, from young professionals to seasoned retirees, adds invaluable resources and perspectives to a rapidly growing area, which absolutely benefits from such diverse input.

For one reason or another, however, long-term residents have begun to view students as issues to be dealt with rather than equal neighbors.

As Texas A&M grows and students expand their living footprint, long-term residents naturally will be skeptical. The perception of stereotypical college students residing next door while hosting loud parties, staying up late, driving too fast, and not maintaining their yards is pervasive. Truthfully, however, for every student exhibiting bad behavior, there are likely myriad more quietly being good neighbors.

Similarly, for each long-term resident constantly directing anger toward students, there are likely countless others who silently appreciate their contributions. Neither students nor residents must tolerate extremist commandeering of community discourse by obscuring facts with their feelings.

The BryanCollege Station community is full of both well-established and new neighborhoods that residents demonstrably desire keep safe and appealing. Yet, somewhere along the way, the idea of students being nearby became synonymous with neighborhood degradation. Without maligned students and their stealth dorms, however, the cites of Bryan and College Station largely would be stagnate in terms of development.

Acknowledgment

If one enjoys new restaurants, retail outlets, and associated jobs, then students at least partially must be thanked for such contributions.

I realize, nonetheless, that many BryanCollege Station residents are concerned about growth in general. More students mean more housing, more stores, more traffic, and other challenges of development. As someone who was reared in a log cabin near Washington on the Brazos, the need to preserve and honor history is not lost on me; yet, time and economic reality cannot be paused. Texas A&M will continue to grow exponentially, young professionals will continue to start careers and families, and older Aggies will continue to return to where their fondest memories occurred. Developers understand needs of the aforementioned groups, and build for such demand.

One can debate housing regulations, zoning, and growth strategy until oblivion, but a simple truth remains: Facts, not feelings, always win.

The real estate developer whose market research prioritizes Bryan-College Station does not care how particular residents feel about their projects impact. The investor who realizes returns from students does not care how their behavior makes neighbors feel. Homes, stealth dorms, apartments, and retail properties are inanimate capital and one can fight where and how they are deployed, but ultimately projects will unfold.

Engagement

One council may not vote for a re-zoning request or grant other developer desires, but future councils and leaders will; potential for profit will outlast any opposition. The key is to engage with those who occupy these investments and build mutually beneficial relationships.

Imagine, if crude oil was situated beneath your land and selling mineral rights would earn large profits, would you cease attempts to sell just because your neighbors were upset? If you owned a rental home, would you turn away prompt-paying tenants because of their age or station just to appease neighbors? Money speaks louder than even the angriest mob.

A great deal of energy is expended inefficiently on fighting projects. Hearings for re-zoning requests will attract dozens of emotionally charged residents, which is a rightful expression of civic involvement, but rarely does a meaningful follow-up response occur. If one is not willing to walk next door or down the street to confront a neighbor with concerns, then one should rethink demonizing them in a public forum. Large groups with fiery rhetoric make a great deal of noise and attract attention, but one-on-one conversations actually solve problems.

Responsibility

Students bear significant responsibility as BryanCollege Station residents as well. Every time a party gets too loud and lasts too late, or following basic city ordinances becomes inconvenient, the perception of students as a whole is degraded. Students have a great deal to prove in order to overcome assumptions made about their character and habits, and they must take that task seriously. Classes, organizations, and social activities should not prevent students from engaging with the folks across the street. If students can vote, serve the country, pass classes, and chart paths forward, they must be capable of learning to build relationships with older residents and investing in their community.

This community, like all others, is guided by markets. Government, involved citizens, and external factors can impede how markets function temporarily, but such exercises frankly amount to little more than delaying the inevitable.

Building relations

Instead of launching crusades against specific developments that will come to fruition in one way or another, residents and students should consider re-focusing such energy on dealing with the consequences. For example, if stealth dorm students simply invited their neighbors over for a barbecue, they may find common ground. Similarly, if residents ask students to help with yard work, they may find willing volunteers with an unexpected work ethic. At this point, residents and students are fighting perceptions of one other instead of reality.

Residents and students can fight progress, fight each other, and accumulate a host of hollow victories that delay the inevitable. Alternatively, both can come together, accept that markets will guide BryanCollege Station development instead of their respective feelings, and dedicate real time to building productive relationships.

Wayne R. Beckermann, 15, is graduate of the Bush School of Government, and will be attending The University of Texas Law School in the fall. He is a former representative of the Texas A&M student body to the cities of College Station and Bryan, as well as Brazos County.
While the U.S. economy continues to recover from the Great Recession, there are things to celebrate, most notably the drop in unemployment. Unfortunately, the kind of gains seen by some groups in certain parts of the country are not experienced equitably by everyone. While the nation moves forward, a large percentage of the U.S. population continues to be left behind, including here in Racine County.

In 2015, the black unemployment rate in the City of Racine was 16 percent, twice the white unemployment rate of eight percent and the Hispanic unemployment rate was just over 13 percent. While unemployment rates declined in 2016, racial disparities have persisted over time. The infant mortality rate for all women in the City of Racine, regardless of race, is consistently higher than county, state and national rates. Though it has improved, the rate for black mothers still outpaces that of Hispanic and white mothers. Locally, graduation rates for black and Hispanic students attending Racine Unified schools have improved over time, but more work needs to be done.

This reality has consequences. It negatively impacts the education, health and financial stability of our community. Research tells us that inclusive communities  where prosperity is shared equitably across racial and socioeconomic lines  are more successful communities.

At United Way of Racine County, we determine everything we do  from our initiative work to our funding decisions  on available data, including what we hear from the community during our community conversations. What the data clearly demonstrates, and what we have heard, is that more often than not blacks and Hispanics experience some of our biggest economic and social challenges.

United Way works with an incredible group of community partners to build an educated workforce. We do this by focusing on what we consider to be the building blocks of a good life: education, income and health. Too often, quality access to these resources is out of reach for the black and Hispanic communities.

This is why United Way of Racine County, along with other United Ways throughout the nation, chose to focus much needed attention on the issues of race, equity and inclusion. United Ways have never shied away from tough issues. This is why we have held a number of community conversations with diverse groups of people during the past several months in order to hear the communitys thoughts on race and equity. These conversations are intentional, kitchen table-style discussions focused on capturing the concerns, aspirations and solutions related to these difficult issues.

Were also engaging another group of community partners  including Higher Expectations for Racine County, the Johnson Foundation at Wingspread, the Racine Police Department and the Racine Unified School District, among others  to help address the issues that arise from systemic racial disparities in our community.

Higher Expectations for Racine County was founded on a simple idea: those who care about our communitys future  from parents and educators to civic leaders and local employers  can accomplish more by working together, aligning efforts and sharing data.

Higher Expectations is working to build a fully capable and employed workforce here in Racine County. In order to accomplish that vision, we work from early childhood through post-secondary education and employment, with the goal of ensuring that every student  regardless of race, zip code, age or family income  can succeed.

This year, Higher Expectations in partnership with United Way of Racine County, the Racine Police Department, the Racine Unified School District and the Johnson Foundation, organized a local effort  Race, Equity and Inclusion: A Leadership Program to Accelerate Results in Racine  that brought 30 community leaders together to explore the complex challenges of race, equity and inclusion and develop action plans targeting the elimination of racial disparities from employment back through early childhood.

Together, United Way and Higher Expectations are learning more about how the community views these issues. People want to live in a community thats inclusive, safe and has a positive relationship between its citizens and law enforcement. They believe equal opportunity should exist for all races in the areas of education, jobs and housing, and participants would like to learn more about and work to directly and effectively address the racial and ethnic disparities in our community.

Later this month, Tiffany Jana will be the keynote speaker at United Ways Community Conversations Report Out event on July 25, where a report will be released sharing results from the most recent round of Community Conversations. Jana, co-author of Overcoming Bias: Building Authentic Relationships across Differences, will discuss her work in the area of diversity and inclusion management.

United Way of Racine County fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community by forging partnerships with groups like Higher Expectations to mobilize the best resources, find new solutions to old problems and inspire individuals to join the fight against a common foe: our communitys most daunting social crises. To live better, we must Live United.
NORWALK  As the Norwalk River Valley Trail winds alongside its namesake, it is the physical embodiment of the intersection between development and nature.

Dozens of bikers, joggers, bird-watchers, fishermen and more, share the trail, the river banks and the body of water itself every day.

Charlie Taney, executive director of the NRVT, said this is why development of the trail has received so much support from the community.

A handful of groups, including NRVT, have dedicated decades to helping restore and preserve the shores and natural habitat along the trail and in the river itself, something Taney attributes in part to increased awareness generated by use of the trail.

The main thing the trail does is get people out to enjoy and build a relationship with the habitat, Taney said. Were giving people access to the natural habitat and were encouraging people to get outside and connect with their natural environment, and usually they enjoy it and understand we need to preserve it for the next generation and generations beyond.

The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited, a national conservation organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring coldwater fisheries, has been working in and around the river since 1995 when the group completed its first big restoration project. The Mianus Chapter has over 500 members living in the Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, New Canaan, Ridgefield and Wilton communities.

Jeff Yates, conservation chair and former president of the Mianus Chapter, said the group completes two to three projects per year along the Norwalk River, making it one of the most active environmental groups working to protect the waterway.

Over the course of time weve been able to restore eroding banks and habitats, Yates said. Stormwater runoff has created the biggest issue for the river. The reason the banks are so degraded is from the impact of development and climate change.

The Norwalk River is considered an urban river, meaning its constantly surrounded by the development of the city and increasing stormwater runoff, which erodes the banks and washes things into the river that arent mean to be there.

What weve seen here in Norwalk are more frequent, more severe rain events eroding the banks, Yates said. There are 7,000 different ways to fix that but they all take a lot of work.

Yates said the group starts by selecting the locations along the river where their restoration work can have the greatest impact, like the springs that feed the river.

One of the largest projects being carried out on the river is the removal of the Flock Process Dam by the city of Norwalk, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Save the Sound with the Connecticut Fund for the Environment.

The 22-foot dam was built in the 1850s to generate power, but DEEP considers the dam to be an impediment to the runs of migratory fish along the river.

The project has been in the works for some time and is expected to be completed by the end of 2017 or in early 2018.

My interest in this project is that the Norwalk River is an urban river, said Gwen Macdonald, director of habitat restoration for Save the Sound. Weve been operating on habitat restoration projects on a lot of more rural rivers, but later as were thinking about resilience and climate change, its important to connect people to these restoration projects.

John Moeling, president of the Norwalk Land Trust, said the NLT doesnt do a ton of work on the Norwalk River specifically, save for the areas where land trust property abuts the river, but he emphasized the connection between all of the natural habitats in Norwalk.

The habitat restoration and preservation the land trust does on its properties can have a great impact on the habitats along the river, and vice versa. He also echoed the concerns about climate change and increasing issues with stormwater runoff.

Even though its the Norwalk River, we have a new concern, Moeling said. We in Norwalk and everybody on the Connecticut coast has a new concern and its called sustainability and resilience. With the onset of climate change, which has really been quite recent in terms of its impact  sustainability and resilience are important not just on the Sound but along the rivers. We have to be looking at habitat restoration with an eye to protecting against rising sea levels, and the new plan of conservation and development is very very specific about what we think we should be doing with our harbor, with our waterfronts, with all of the areas where the water connects.

kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt
Donna Andresen, member of the Betsey Hager Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, received a first-place award on her outstanding, commemorative report on the 100th anniversary of Americas National Park Service.

This award was presented June 28 at the 126th Continental Congress in Washington, D.C., by National Commemorative Chairman Carole Levering. The award was received on Donnas behalf by Betsey Hager Chapter Regent Bev Schuele, who attended Congress.

Schuele, regent from Cedar Rapids, also received first place for outstanding service for literacy promotion at the Congress.
U.S. pork and beef exports posted a strong May performance, increasing significantly from the previous month and from year-ago levels, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Pork exports reached 222,015 metric tons (mt) in May, up 11 percent year-over-year and the fourth largest monthly volume on record. Pork export value was $583.2 million, up 16 percent.

For January through May, exports increased 14 percent from a year ago in volume (1.05 million mt, a record pace) and 18 percent in value ($2.68 billion).

Even with the growth in U.S. pork production, exports account for a larger share in 2017. May exports equated to 29.4 percent of total production and just under 25 percent for muscle cuts only  up from 28.4 percent and 24.3 percent, respectively, last year.

Through the first five months of 2017, exports accounted for 27.9 percent of total production and 23.2 percent for muscle cuts (up from 25.2 percent and 21.3 percent).

Exports are also commanding higher prices, indicative of strong demand across a wide range of international markets. Export value per head slaughtered averaged $58.61 in May, up 7 percent from a year ago. The January-May average was $54.23, up 14 percent.

May beef exports totaled 105,321 mt, up 6 percent from a year ago, valued at $582.6 million, up 9 percent. For January through May, beef exports were up 12 percent in volume (497,322 mt) and 16 percent in value ($2.75 billion) compared to the same period last year.

Exports accounted for 13 percent of total U.S. beef production in May and 10 percent for muscle cuts only  each down one percentage point from a year ago. Through May, these ratios were steady with last years pace  12.8 percent for total production and 10 percent for muscle cuts.

Export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $265.55 in May, matching the average from a year ago. Through May, per-head export value averaged $270.27, up 8 percent. Beef export prices are also increasing, especially in key Asian markets, with double-digit increases in Japan and Korea in May illustrating the strong demand for U.S. beef.

May was a particularly strong month for variety meat exports, with pork variety meat volume climbing 16 percent to 47,766 mt (a record high) and value up 33 percent to $102.7 million. Beef variety meat exports reached 2017 highs in both volume (30,173 mt, up 12 percent) and value ($77.7 million, up 10 percent).

2017 is shaping up as a very solid year for U.S. pork and beef exports, but we remain in an extremely competitive situation in each of our key markets, said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. Thats why it is so important to capitalize on every opportunity to increase carcass value, and this is where variety meat plays an important role. USMEF has been working with our industry partners to expand the range of variety meat product offerings and diversify their destinations, and those efforts are paying important dividends for producers.

According to the USMEF:

n Pork exports to leading volume market Mexico showed no signs of slowing from their torrid pace, as May volume climbed 21 percent from a year ago to 68,763 mt and export value jumped 24 percent to $130 million. Through May, exports to Mexico were up 23 percent from a year ago in volume and 32 percent in value.

n Fueled by exceptional growth in Colombia and Chile, pork exports to Central and South America were up 66 percent in volume in May and climbed 78 percent in value. Through the first five months of the year, exports to this region were up 49 percent in volume and 53 percent in value. Chiles imports are running 49 percent ahead of last years record pace, with the U.S. as its largest supplier.

n Turning to the Asian markets, pork exports to leading value destination Japan were significantly higher in May, climbing 11 percent in volume and 20 percent in value. Through May, exports to Japan increased 6 percent in volume and 12 percent in value.

n South Korea is a top performer for U.S. pork, with January-May exports increasing 31 percent from a year ago in volume and 40 percent in value. Although South Koreas pork production is running slightly higher than last year, demand for pork is very strong and U.S. pork is an increasingly attractive option, Seng said. With online shopping especially popular in Korea and home meal replacement products and other convenience items offered both online and in stores, USMEF continues to introduce new U.S. processed pork items, he added.
In light of a request from the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity for states voter information, Hall County Election Commissioner Dale Baker wants to assure Hall County voters their voting information is as secure and private as possible.

Last month, Kris Kobach, vice chair of the commission, sent a letter to all 50 secretaries of state requesting they provide the commission with the following information if publicly available under state laws:

-- Full first and last names of all registered voters.

-- Voter addresses.

-- Voters political parties.

-- Last four digits of voters Social Security numbers.

-- Voter history.

-- Information regarding felony convictions.

-- Information regarding voter registration in another state.

The commission is tasked with investigating alleged voter fraud during the 2016 presidential election.

In a statement released last week in response to the commissions request, Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale said he will comply with the request if it complies with Nebraska law and is within the public record. He did, however, have concerns about data privacy.

The commission will need to assure my office of a high level of security, Gale said in the statement. Knowing how the data will be used, how it will be secured and how it might be publicly shared by the commission is vitally important. With assurance that this request meets compliance with Nebraska law and that these additional concerns are addressed, I will comply with the commissions request for publicly available information.

According to an Associated Press report, the commission sent a letter last week telling secretaries of state to wait to share voter records until a judge rules on a lawsuit filed by the Washington, D.C.-based Electronic Privacy Information Center. The lawsuit alleges the commissions request violates Americans constitutional right to privacy.

Baker said she is confident the information Gale is willing to give the commission is within the comfort level of constituents of Nebraska because this information is a public record. According to Baker, public voter records in Nebraska include name, address, political affiliation, date of birth, available phone number and voting record.

When I say voting record, I mean whether you voted or not. That is all, she said. It does not say how you voted, because there is no way for us to track that.

Baker emphasized it is her offices goal to keep voter records as secure and private as possible. She said the public voter record in Nebraska does not include the last four digits of a voters Social Security number, as has been requested by the commission. However, her office does have this information and it is for office use only.

We have that information because we interface with other states, Baker said. Thats how we feel comfortable that you are only voting once here in the state of Nebraska. We can check by date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number to make sure you are not registered to vote somewhere else. That is part of the voter fraud process here.

She added she feels voter fraud is not a huge issue in Nebraska, despite what the commission may want to believe. In fact, she has not seen a single case of voter fraud in Hall County during her 16 years as Hall County election commissioner.

When it comes to these public voter records, Baker said her office usually limits distribution of voter information to political candidates and entities.

So, for instance, if you were looking to send a mailing and were not a political party or not a candidate, you are not allowed access to those records other than on an individual basis, she said.

However, interested individuals can call her office to get individual voter information, such as whether a person is a registered voter and/or if that person voted in past elections. But as far as a mass mailing information sheet, you have to come into our office and sign an oath that says you are not using this (information) for commercial purposes, Baker said.

She feels the voter information Gale is willing to give the commission will not have any implications on Hall County voters. But if people have concerns, Baker added, they can call her office at (308) 385-5085.

Well try to put their mind at ease and give them any information that we can, Baker said.
By Kelli Rollin

Its raining felines at the Central Nebraska Humane Society. Actually, its more like a flood.

As of Thursday, Executive Director Laurie Dethloff said, the shelter had nearly 200 cats and kittens. She said especially since its past kitten season, its unusual to have so many at the shelter during this time.

Due to the abundance, the shelter is having a special sale, Raining Cats & Kittens. The sale started late last week. For the next 80 cats and kittens to be adopted, since the beginning of the sale, the cost will only be $10 plus tax. Adopters must have an approved adoption application.

The Humane Society, located on Sky Park Road, has 22 kennels on the floor for people looking to adopt. Were way past 22 kennels, Dethloff said.

When visitors walk in the shelter doors, they immediately see a cat playroom to the right. That room usually holds about 10 cats, she said. A similar, smaller room down the hall toward the dog kennels holds about six cats. Twenty-two cats are in the kennels with glass panels so visitors can view them.

In all, about 40 adoptable cats can be seen on the floor. It may seem, to visitors, that thats all the shelter has.

However, a whole new world of felines is housed behind multiple doors, and the shelter has a hard time keeping enough room for those brought to the Humane Society. Behind the glass-paneled kennels is a room filled with kennels.

A meet-and-greet room has been transformed into a room to hold more cats and kennels. Another room is full of kennels and dedicated to strays that animal control brings in. Another room is dedicated to kitten kennels.

Each employee bathroom has three large kennels. Offices also hold kennels. The shelter also houses a few cats at Petco and about 50 in foster homes, as of Thursday.

Dethloff said she knows its bad when they lose the employee bathrooms to cats.

Though space is limited, she said the shelter does whatever it can to help the animals.

We never euthanize for space. We just make it work, she said.

Dethloff said spaying and neutering cats is important in general, but it also helps control the number of cats coming in to the shelter.

She said its sometimes hard for the public to understand if the shelter cant take a cat right away when they bring it in. The shelter is strapped for space.

With the abundance comes the need for more care. Lucy Stauffer, who has worked with cats at the shelter for nearly 10 years, and other staff are on their feet all day in order to give the cats the proper food and exercise. Every morning, Stauffer said, she tells every single feline good morning as a way to check in on them. She said talking calmly to the cats makes them comfortable and less stressed.

If youre scared, they can sense that youre scared, Stauffer said.

Dethloff said there hasnt been any medical issues so far with the cat abundance. But cats can become very stressed, and the kittens are more fragile, compared to dogs and puppies. That makes them harder to care for at times.

Though the volume of felines is huge, Stauffer said she doesnt rush feeding or any of the other tasks. She said some of the cats need special food, so caring for the felines cannot be hurried.

The shelter has several litters of kittens, including a litter that was just born. Kittens are adoptable at about 8 weeks old. In 2016, Dethloff said, 525 cats were adopted, setting a new shelter record. To date in 2017, 262 cats have been adopted.

Were no different than whats going on everywhere, she said. Other shelters have similar needs when it comes to felines.

Dethloff said the shelter posts its available cats and kittens on its website and on PetFinder. If someone comes in and doesnt see the cat theyre looking for, he or she should ask about the plethora of other cats in the back. They have most breeds, except hairless cats.

If people arent able to adopt but want to help, the shelter is in need of soft cat food, such as Friskies Pate. The fish flavor is the most popular among the felines, Dethloff said.

Fostering cats is also an option if not able to adopt, as well as spreading the word about the felines to friends and family.

Dethloff said people are also encouraged to come into the shelter and play with the cats so theyre more socialized when they are adopted.

For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, visit www.centralnebraskahumanesociety.com, call (308) 385-5305 or visit the shelter at 1312 Sky Park Road.
Eldon Gunderson may be 84 years old, but he has a fast car.

Gunderson, who lives in Goodyear, Ariz., stopped at Bosselman Travel Center on Friday to charge his Tesla Model S. He gave the electric vehicle a dose of energy at the Tesla Supercharger near Bosselmans.

Gunderson and his wife, Barbara, had begun the day in Pukwana, S.D. They planned to spend the night in Cheyenne, Wyo., before resuming their electric journey back to Arizona.

Gunderson, who spent 27 years in the Air Force, said he loves everything about his Tesla, which he bought in March. Before that, he had another Tesla, which he got in 2013.

Grand Islands Tesla charging station opened in February of this year. Known as a Supercharger station, it can serve eight Tesla owners at a time. Customers who present their Tesla fob at the nearby Thunder Road Grill can receive a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree.

The Bosselman facility is one of two electric car charging stations open to the public in Grand Island. Tom Dinsdale Automotive has two chargers, which are available 24 hours a day and offered at no charge.

Rich Johnson of Dinsdale Automotive said the chargers are used by people from other states, such as Texas.

Its kind of cool. You get to see some different types of cars, he said.

One of the charging pods is on the south side of the business. The other is on the west side  right in front of the store. Each station is a Bosch Power Xpress.

Grand Island, though, hasnt yet had any municipal involvement in setting up a charging station. In terms of serving electric cars, Grand Island lags behind many Nebraska cities, including a number of communities in Central Nebraska.

Charging stations can be found in Hastings, Kearney, Lexington, Gothenburg, Holdrege and Central City.

The likelihood of a charging station coming to Grand Island increased in March, when the city joined the Nebraska Community Energy Alliance. The six cities mentioned above are all members of the Alliance, as are 20 other cities.

The alliance uses grant funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust, which receives 44.5 percent of the profits of the Nebraska Lottery.

The Nebraska Community Energy Alliance (NCEA) was founded in 2014 as an inter-local cooperative agency. The alliances mission is to build and promote advanced technologies for housing and transportation that save energy, reduce carbon dioxide pollution and cut costs.

One way Grand Island might get a charging station is through Volkswagens settlement with the federal government over the car manufacturers misleading use of diesel engines.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed a complaint against Volkswagen, alleging the car company violated the Clean Air Act with its diesel engines between 2009 and 2016.

Volkswagen agreed to spend $14.7 billion to settle the allegations. Of that amount, $2.7 billion was placed in an environmental mitigation trust. That money will be given to states, tribes and territories. One way the money will be used will be to build charging stations for electric cars.

Anne McCollister, executive director of the NCEA, submitted a request on behalf of Grand Island and eight other communities along Interstate 80 for VW settlement money.

She doesnt know when that money might become available. If it does, shes not sure if the money will get as far west as Grand Island. It might be centered in the Omaha and Lincoln areas, she said.

Aside from the Volkswagen application, an entity in Grand Island is interested in bringing a charging station to the city. But no final decisions have been made.

Grand Island, North Platte and Fremont joined the Nebraska Community Energy Alliance this year. Becoming a member cost Grand Island $1,000.

Benefits of participation include applying for grants to purchase electric cars for a city to use in its operations.

Some cities were reluctant to join the organization because they were being fiscally prudent. It also hasnt been entirely clear whether electric cars were going to catch on.

Seeing cities coming aboard has a lot do with the market being proven now, McCollister said.

Electric vehicles are at least turning a corner. Volvo recently announced that it will go all-electric in 2019.

Gunderson, meanwhile, loves the technology of his Tesla Model S 90D, the pricetag for which was $115,000 to $118,000. The car, he said, requires almost no maintenance, and the company offers very personal service.

He also likes the cars acceleration. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

On the highway, the Tesla virtually drives itself as long as you touch the steering wheel from time to time, Gunderson said. From up to 200 feet away, you can summon the car and it will come to you, he said. The vehicle can also search for and find a parking spot, he said.

He likes the looks of the car, which is not unlike a Maserati, he said.

Gunderson also cares about the environment. He has solar cells atop his home, which is in a retirement resort. He also recycles.

The facility at Bosselman Travel Center is one of 900 Tesla Supercharger stations around the country. Those stops include more than 6,000 individual Superchargers.

It takes 30 to 45 minutes for a Supercharger to recharge a Tesla. That charge will allow the car to travel 170 miles.

Tax benefits are very much available for environmental projects.

Car manufacturers can claim a $7,500 tax credit for environmentally friendly vehicles, McCollister said. The Nebraska Environmental Trust also provides assistance as a funding partner. Because of the arrangement, a city will initially lease and then purchase the vehicle.

Hastings electric vehicle charging station, which opened in October, is in the parking lot of the Hastings Museum. At the same time it built the dual-pump ChargePoint station, Hastings added a 2016 Ford Fusion hybrid vehicle to its municipal fleet.
The decision to move the Grand Island Veterans Home to Kearney was an anguishing time for Grand Island, a community that has cared for and honored veterans for many generations.

What has been done cannot be undone. The community must now look to the future and the possibilities for redevelopment that the roughly 640-acre site will enable.

It is rare for a community to acquire that much land in proximity to city services for development, and certainly for outstate Nebraska the Veterans Home site could become a model for thoughtful, forward-looking, multipurpose planning.

To that end, the city of Grand Island is leading a master planning process referred to as the Veterans Legacy Project that will be guided by input from project stakeholders, city staff and the residents of Grand Island. The city has contracted with local engineering firm Olsson Associates and its design studio, Ochsner Hare & Hare, to manage the actual planning process.

The scoping will focus on four primary goals: market-based development and redevelopment opportunities, future land use and historic preservation solutions, transportation and infrastructure improvements, and aesthetic enhancements.

The city is urging input from the public for the Veterans Legacy Project via a 10-question survey found at www.GrandIslandVetsPlan.com. Paper copies are also available by download on the project website or can be picked up at City Hall (100 E. First St.), Olsson Associates (201 E. 2nd St.), and the Grand Island Public Library (211 N. Washington St.). Respondents are asked to return completed paper surveys to Olsson Associates or submit the online survey by this Friday.

Residents can also participate in person at an open public meeting from 5 to 7:30 p.m. July 27 at the Bosselman Conference Center at Fonner Park. At this event, preliminary redevelopment concepts will be reviewed and the public can offer feedback.

Another component of the process will engage a design charrette. A charrette is a meeting at which stakeholders in a project attempt to resolve conflicts and map solutions. Key decision makers will meet from July 26 to July 28 to collaborate with the planning team to review the information gathered through the surveys and public comments and refine design concepts to advance the master plan.

The goal is to present a final plan at a city council meeting sometime this fall. Public involvement and input are critical to the success of the scoping process. Residents are encouraged to learn more about the Veterans Legacy Project by regularly visiting www.GrandIslandVetsPlan.com.

For 130 years the Grand Island Veterans Home has brought out the best of our community. Its legacy and that of all the veterans who have lived there will carry on in a regeneration that represents the best of Grand Island and a source of pride for their grandchildren and the generations that follow.
Flagstaff police officers from the regional Metro Narcotics Task Force received the Meritorious Service Award as well as Officer of the Year for their efforts in Flagstaffs biggest drug sting at the annual Flagstaff Police Awards.

The Metro officers, who will not be named due to their undercover duties, earned their individual and team awards for their work in Operation Nightfall, a 2016 multi-agency operation that ended in 50 criminal charges as well as the seizure of 5 pounds of methamphetamine and 90 grams of heroin.

Flagstaff Police Chief Kevin Treadway said that Metro clocked in over 2,000 hours of overtime and were instrumental in ending a large-scale criminal operation located in Page, Flagstaff and Glendale.

The Metro officer who received Officer of the Year was described by Treadway as a tenacious worker and an instrumental reason that the number of drugs taken off the street have doubled.

Police werent the only individuals honored at the award ceremony.

Flagstaff High School Principal Tony Cullen was given the Community Champion Award for managing the high school during multiple bomb threats.

Darlene Ryan received the Volunteer of the Year award for her work in the police departments records section.

Ryan is responsible for purging the departments jail bookings, where there is only enough space for four years of booking records.

Treadway said Ryan was quite a superstar.

Often the quiet individuals with exceptional skills are overlooked for our various Department Awards, Treadway said. These same individuals do not seek the spotlight, but are superstars. We believe a little light should be shown on Darlene Ryan.

The Civilian of the Year award went to Allison Hughes for her excellent work ethic as the Police Chiefs Administrative Assistant.

She is all things professional and never hesitates to take on a difficult task, Treadway said. She strives to make the area a positive and productive environment.
31 injured in bus-truck collision

At least 31 people were injured in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a truck at Jogimara along the Prithvi Highway in Dhading on Saturday morning.
Behind closed doors

EPG should hold public consultation on how to review all bilateral treaties and agreements
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Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia  Mon, July 17, 2017

The Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort will conduct a promotional event using virtual and augmented reality at the Plaza Indonesia shopping center in Jakarta from July 14 to Aug. 13.

The exhibition at Plaza Indonesias East Point will showcase the resorts award-winning facilities, like the Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience and its opulent wedding options.

During the exhibition, visitors will be able to picture what it feels like to stay at the resort thanks to a 360-degree video using virtual reality technology, which will transport them to the Bali resort. Visitors will then be able to visualize of the resorts stunning modern Balinese interior, lavish amenities the infinite view of the Indian Ocean.

Here, the Jakarta audience can picture an unforgettable stay in the award-winning resort. Furthermore, the exhibition could help future brides and grooms explore venue choices for their wedding ceremonies by taking a look at the resorts wedding coffee book through augmented reality technology.

By hovering the application over the photobook, couples get a comprehensive picture of different options available for their wedding at the five-star resort, which includes the 700-square-meter Sahid ballroom, the lush North Courtyard or the Bene Rooftop with Kuta Beachs magical sunset as the backdrop. You can visualize for yourself what it might feel like to conduct your wedding ceremony at the resort without even having to go there.

If a picture tells a thousand words, then virtual reality tells a whole book. A virtual tour adds value by making hotel features transparent for guests. It moves from the traditional two-dimensional images of look before you book to a fully immersive experience. It is definitely changing how people make travel decisions, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort general manager Dario Orsini said.

To complement the promotional campaign through the virtual and augmented reality experiences, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is currently conducting an Instagram contest called Sheraton Snap and Share with the coveted prize of a free holiday at the resort. The resort offers up to USD5000 worth of holiday stays for the contest.

Are you curious to try? The contest is open for everybody. You can share your holiday photo in Bali and tag us. Heres the mechanism:

Post photos of your favorite holiday memories in Bali on Instagram with hashtag #SheratonKutainJKT and tag us @SheratonKuta. Tell us in the caption, why do you want to win a free holiday in Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort? Let us know how we can contact you by filling in your details here: sher.at/2tnNWzg

To claim their prizes, winners will need to log your details at the contest minipage by accessing sher.at/2tnNWzg. For further information on the contest, follow the resorts social media handles: @sheratonkuta for Instagram and Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort for Facebook.

During the exhibition, you could also benefit from a number of promotional offerings to mark the resorts fifth anniversary. For example, only during the exhibition you could book a stay at the resort for only Rp 2,200,000 (including tax) per room per night in a package including breakfast for two.

Romantic couples could also seal the deal and receive a 10 percent discount on any of the wedding packages on offer during the exhibition. Furthermore, members of the Starwood Preferred Guest program are in for a special treat, whereby for every wedding confirmed, they could redeem their Starpoints token for future stays, guaranteeing a free honeymoon at the resort.

Guests are of utmost importance to us and we are always on the lookout for various ways to appreciate our loyal customers. Through this exhibition we have a chance to reward our loyal patrons, both online and offline, through this contest and the offline promotions, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort hotel manager Kristanti Tannady said.

Standing on a plot spanning 5.2 hectares at the heart of the bustling Kuta, the resort aims to transform the Kuta experience and present an all-new contemporary vision of paradise for travelers. The award-winning resort boasts 203 guest rooms and suites ranging from 46 to 265 square meters, each featuring the Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience with spacious private balconies with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean or the resorts signature social courtyard.

The resort located in proximity to the luxurious shopping destination of Beachwalk, presenting more than 200 retail outlets in an open-air style and architecture inspired by the design of Balis rice paddy field. For further information and reservations, visit sheratonbalikuta.com.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 16, 2017 08:42 1945 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a8fa1e8 1 Art & Culture Yogyakarta,yogyakarta-tourism,music,Kampung-Musikanan Free

In its effort to revive the musical traditions of Kampung Musikanan ("musicians' kampong"), a neighborhood where the Yogyakarta Royal Palace musicians live, the Yogyakarta government is again hosting the Kampung Musikanan cultural festival this year, on July 16.

Yogyakarta Tourism Agency secretary Ruse Sutikno said Thursday that the festival would involve artists and cultural experts, with events taking place along Jl. Kampung Musikanan in the palace district.

"Our goal is to introduce and to revive the musical tradition in the kampong where the keraton [palace] musicians live," Ruse said, as quoted by tempo.co.

Ruse added that the festival could also turn the area into a new tourist destination.

Read also: Yogyakarta: One day, eight destinations

Festival committee chairman Prijo Mustiko said the event, themed "Celebrating the diversity of the music of the archipelago", would include three concerts, a culinary bazaar, photo exhibitions, a display of ancient musical instruments and discussions.

The kampong's neighborhood unit (RT) head, Sigit Wicaksono, said the festival could inspire the return of the tradition of nurturing music in the area, adding that several Indonesian musicians began their career there, such as the late, great musicians violinist Idris Sardi and jazz saxophonist Embong Rahardjo.

"Many move to Jakarta for financial reasons. But many successors still remain in the kamong," Sigit said. (liz/kes)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, July 15 2017

The Jakarta Police arrested on Thursday two more suspects who allegedly attacked Hermansyah, an IT expert who defended notorious Islamist cleric Rizieq Shihab and a steamy WhatsApp conversation Rizieq has been accused of engaging in.

We arrested two more suspects in Bandung, Jakarta Police violent crimes unit head Hendy F Kurniawan said as quoted by kompas.com on Thursday.

He further said the police had confiscated a Toyota Yaris car driven by the perpetrators during the attack on Sunday.

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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 16, 2017 10:27 1945 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a9022b0 1 City CrystalMethamphetamine,shabu-shabu,Jakarta-police,one-ton-meth-smuggling,anyer-meth-smuggling Free

Jakarta Police have questioned several Indonesians as witnesses in a maritime drug-smuggling case involving four Taiwanese nationals who allegedly attempted to distribute 1 ton of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as sabu-sabu, in Greater Jakarta.

The suspects, who have been identified as Lin Ming Hui, Chen Wei Cyuan, Liao Guan Yu and Hsu Yung Li, were arrested at a seaport in Anyer, Serang, Banten, on Thursday.

The supposed leader of the group, Lin Ming Hui, was shot dead while resisting arrest.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said an Indonesian national had helped the smugglers rent cars, buy food and find accommodation during their stay of one-and-a-half months in Greater Jakarta.

"We are still investigating whether this guide knew about the activity of the suspects, about the drug distribution," Argo said on Saturday.

Argo added that police were also questioning ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers who transported the suspects for their activities in Anyer and Jakarta, in a bid to learn about the places visited by the suspects.

Police would also summon the manager of the Mandalika Hotel in Anyer, the place chosen by the smugglers to bring the drugs ashore, he said.

The sea-smuggling operation is deemed to be the largest ever foiled in the country, with the meth valued at almost Rp 2 trillion (US$150 million).

"The lives of 2 million people may have been saved because we foiled the drug smuggling, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochammad Iriawan said on Thursday. (wit)
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Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Pati, Central Java  Sun, July 16, 2017 18:35 1944 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a908a2e 2 National cantrang,trawls-seine-nets,Central-Java,fishing,fire-accidents,Pati Free

Fourteen trawlers caught fire in Selogonggo River in Pati, Central Java, on Saturday, wounding three fishermen, according to preliminary findings from the Pati Police.

Two victims, Edi Siswanto, 28, and Karbani, 45, were dispatched to Karyadi Hospital in Semarang, while Supardi, 48, is undergoing a medical treatment at Budi Agung Hospital in Juwana.

Firefighters and medical personnel faced obstacles reaching the site due to poor road conditions, which could not accommodate fire trucks and ambulances.

The blaze was believed to have started by welding activities on one of the vessels, according to Pati Police. (bbs)
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Linkedin Carlos Hamann (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States  Sun, July 16, 2017 18:08 1944 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a9073d4 2 World Iran,stanford-university,mathematics,cancer Free

Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian-born mathematician who was the first woman to win the coveted Fields Medal, died Saturday in a US hospital after a battle with cancer. She was 40.

Mirzakhani's friend Firouz Naderi, a former director of Solar Systems Exploration at NASA, announced her death on Instagram.

"A light was turned off today. It breaks my heart ..... gone far too soon," he wrote, later adding: "A genius? Yes. But also a daughter, a mother and a wife."

Mirzakhani, a professor at Stanford University in California, died after the cancer she had been battling for four years spread to her bone marrow, Iranian media said.

In 2014 Mirzakhani won the Fields Medal, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Mathematics, which is awarded by the International Congress of Mathematicians.

The award recognized her sophisticated and original contributions to the fields of geometry and dynamical systems, particularly in understanding the symmetry of curved surfaces such as spheres.

Born in 1977 and raised in Tehran, Mirzakhani initially dreamed of becoming a writer, but by the time she started high school and showed an affinity for solving math problems she shifted her sights.

"It is fun - it's like solving a puzzle or connecting the dots in a detective case," she said when she won the Fields Medal.

"I felt that this was something I could do, and I wanted to pursue this path."

Mirzakhani said she enjoyed pure mathematics because of the elegance and longevity of the questions she studies.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 16, 2017 19:50 1944 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a9092db 1 Politics PPP,Djan-Faridz,Romahurmuziy,power-struggle,political-party Free

Dozens of people have stormed the headquarters of the United Development Party (PPP) in Menteng, Central Jakarta, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Around 80 people [came to the building] using cars and motorbikes, PPP deputy chairman Humprey Djemat said on Sunday, as quoted by news agency Antara.

The Islamic party has been crippled for years by a power struggle between two factions.

Humprey is of the faction led by self-proclaimed chairman Djan Farid, which occupies the headquarters.

The other faction is led by Romahurmuziy, who also claims to be the legitimate party chairman.

Humprey added that party officials had reported the attack to the Central Jakarta Police.

The unidentified assailants were seen intimidating people inside the building, as recorded by a security camera. The attackers also pushed against the locked gate and threw rocks into the building.

Djan was elected party leader at the partys congress in Jakarta, while Romahurmuziy was elected at a party congress in Bandung, West Java.

On June 14, the Jakarta State Administrative High Court (PTTUN) ruled on the dispute in favor of Romahurmuziy, overturning an earlier ruling by the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) that favored Djan. (kuk/bbs)
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Linkedin News Desk (AFP) Singapore  Sun, July 16, 2017 11:17 1945 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a9033c9 2 World #singapore,#demonstration,#LeeHsienLoong,#family Free

Hundreds of Singaporeans staged a rare protest Saturday calling for an independent inquiry into a bitter family feud between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his siblings.

The rally at a designated free-speech corner in the strictly controlled city-state was the first public protest since the feud burst into the open on June 14.

The prime minister's younger siblings, Hsien Yang, 60, and Wei Ling, 62, have accused him of nepotism and abuse of power in a row that has prompted outrage on social media.

The spat is centred on a dispute about plans for their late father's home, a century-old bungalow.

Lee Kuan Yew, who is widely credited with transforming Singapore from a British colony to one of Asia's wealthiest countries, stated in his will that he wants the house torn down to avoid the building of a personality cult around him.

But the prime minister's siblings say their brother is attempting to block the house's demolition to capitalise on their father's legacy for his own political agenda, including grooming his own son as a future leader.

Lee, 65, has denied the allegations but said he would not sue his siblings.

Organisers estimated the number of protesters at 600, but an AFP reporter counted around 300.

Protest leader Gilbert Goh said he and his fellow supporters were calling for a more transparent government and for an independent inquiry to be set up to look into the allegations against the prime minister.

A banner hanging on a stage read: "Singapore belongs to Singaporeans and not to the Familee", referring to the Lee family, which has provided two out of three of Singapore's premiers in the five decades since independence.
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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam, Riau Islands  Sun, July 16, 2017 17:06 1944 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a90653e 1 News Museum,#museum,Batam Free

A modern museum focusing on Batam's history from the Melayu perspective is slated to open in Batam, Riau Islands, in 2018.

Nestled in a 1,700-square meter building adorned in a mixture of Melayu and Middle Eastern designs with four towers on each corner, the place will be easily reached as it is right in front of the Batam Center International Ferry Terminal and Mega Mall shopping center.

"The museum is modern because it will utilize new media, such as infographics and digital monitor screens to tell a story that will easily grasp visitors' attention," said Riau Islands historian Aswandi Syahri who is also a member of the museum's concept team.

Read also: Explore a different side of Indonesia in these museums

More than 100 items, consisting of ancient manuscripts and historical items, have reportedly been collected by the city administration to be showcased at the museum.

Regarding the museum collections, Aswandi said, "The items will reveal the story of Batam starting from the Bukit Siguntang era in the 7th century until present. It will [basically] describe the importance of Batam from the Melayu perspective."

The Museum Kota Batam will be the fifth museum in the Riau Islands province, but the first to offers such a modern and digital concept.

"This museum must have a modern concept to attract public attention. We have to learn from museums in Singapore that are able to become educational tourist destinations thanks to their interesting features," he said. (kes)
Complex forms of injustice

We continue to victimise others when we have the upper hand
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, July 16, 2017 14:07 1945 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a90417f 1 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Tourism-Ministry,Palembang,angkasa-pura,hospitality-industry Free

The Tourism Ministry has recently hosted a training for the employees of state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II Palembang and several front-line staff of Fave Hotel Palembang in South Sumatra.

Conducted on Thursday, the event aimed to improve the quality of human resources in tourism and managed to attract 200 participants.

Read also: Palembang develops colorful kampong for Asian Games 2018

The world of tourism is always associated with to serve and be served motto. For instance, the staffs of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport have to always be friendly and at their prime when serving visitors, said the ministrys Tourism Development deputy Ahman Sya.

To give the best service, the 3S of senyum sapa salam [smile, greet and regards] needs to be implemented, he added.

According to the ministry, 75 percent of foreign tourists entered the archipelago through airports. (kes)
DIG impersonator held in Ramechhap

A former police man has been arrested for issuing directive to police chief at District Police Office, Ramechhap, pretending to be a Deputy Inspector of Police General (DIG).
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DoTM readies new measures to ease city traffic

The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has said it will introduce new initiatives starting Sunday to ease the Capitals city traffic woes.
Governing alliance in bid to address RJP-Ns other demands

After concluding that they will not be able to ensure the required numbers in Parliament to amend the constitution, the governing parties now have expedited consultations with the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) to address the agitating partys other demands.
Watertown landowners will be involved in new Corps flood-control study
Large cardamom farming in Parbat gets govt boost

The gov.ernment is all set to expand large cardamom farming in Parbat after conducting successful tests in different villages. Around one hundred hectares have been earmarked for large cardamom farming and is expected to start within a year.
Dharma is Hiltebeitels ambitious thesis that Ashvaghosha drew upon the Ramayana and the Mahabharatain his portraiture of Buddha. He places in the first century BCE the writing of the epics by Brahmins of Haryana and the Buddhacharita. Hiltebeitel lists 12 dharma texts between the Mauryas and the Kushans in Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit and Tamil by propagators of both Brahminical and Shramanic soteriology. Ashvaghosha uses dharma in ways not found before the dharmasutras and the epics, employing it as a term of civil discourse with his Brahmanical counterparts.

Hiltebeitel builds on BK Matilals treatment of the Mahabharata as the locus of a paradigm shift on dharma. While the Ramayanais founded on formal ethical norms exemplified by Ram, the Mahabharata is far more complex, depicting it in Yudhishthiras dilemmas as Dharmas son. Curiously, what Krishna says in the Gita is not cited as the ultimate pronouncement on dharma in the Mahabharata. Krishnas premise that saving life is superior even to truth and to keeping an oath is not reconciled with the Kurukshetra holocaust he encourages and the Prabhasa carnage he participates in. The Buddhacharita has no such complications. When Krishna rebukes Yudhishthira for countenancing Bhima kicking the prone Duryodhanas head, Yudhishthira justifies Bhima and Krishna has to accept this. Hiltebeitel says such relaxation of dharma is absent in Ramas case, overlooking Balis and Taras reproaches. Both Rama and Yudhishthira favour traitors by making them ruler/regent of the conquered kingdom.

Ashoka uses dhamma, the Prakrit for dharma, 111 times. Basically this meant respecting and being generous to Brahmins, Shramanas (monks), parents, teachers, elders, servants, slaves, the weak and the poor. He dismissed Brahmanical rites and womens rituals as meaningless and insisted on not killing animals. Progress in dhamma occurs by following its rules and, most important, meditating. The new imperial ideology was a major threat to Vedic religion. Chandragupta and Bindusara had already favoured Jainism and Ajivika-ism. This would have spurred the composition of new dharma texts by Brahmins (the Apastamba, Gautama and Baudhayana Dharmasutras).

Six of Buddhas most profound discourses were delivered to the Kurus in a town named Kammasa-dhamma or Kammasa-pada (ogre with spotted feet, the Mahabharatas Kalmashapada). In the Kurudhamma, Jataka Bodhisatta is king of the Kurus after his father Dhananjayas death. He and his subjects follow five principles strictly. Hence the kingdom is prosperous. Buddha moves from Magadha to bring his dhamma to the Vedic heartland. In the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, despite the Vajji republic following the seven Vinaya precepts, Ajatashatru destroys them. In the Pali Vinaya people criticise Buddha for causing extinction of families as they become monks, as does his own royal Shakya line. Hence the Puranas depict him as the avatar destroying Asuras by deluding them into practising nonVedic dharma. The early dharmasutras (Gautama, Baudhayana) claim that the householdersashrama is the only one since it alone produces progeny. Later, Vasishtha Dharmasutra, Manava Dharmashastra (Manu) and both epics uphold the householdersashrama as the best of the four, being their support. Buddha counters this in the Agganna Sutta.

Hiltebeitel holds Manu to be the earliest, an early Sunga or late Kushana text. It creates a dharmaspecifying standards coordinating the differing traditions of Vedic schools to set up a common Brahmanical order. It assigns greatest importance to five mahayagyas with five rituals, simplifying the Vedic Soma sacrifice, adding the concept of four debts to rishis, devas, ancestors and guests. Only after discharging these, following the ashramas in sequence, is the pursuit of moksha through renunciation permissible. Buddha did not limit monkhood to any stage of life. Manu introduces non-violence by naming the householders slaughterhouses as  fireplace, grindstone, broom, mortar-and-pestle, water pot, all of which can be performed by meditative means. In the Mahabharata Nakula recommends domestic life to Yudhishthira after the war where maha-yagyas are performed just with the mind. In Shuka the Mahabharata shows that without living the four ashramas in sequence one can directly attain moksha. Yet it also speaks of pursuing four stages of life sequentially like Manu.

For Hiltebeitel, Manu and the Ramayana overlap with the Mahabharata composed by a committee under Vyasa within two generations from 150 BCE. He suggests that Valmiki and Manu could be names taken by contemporary poets from the MB and both texts could have begun before the Mahabharata was finished. In each case the poet is present to listen to his work recited: Valmiki by Ramas sons, Vyasa by Vaishampayana, Manu by Bhrigu. They focus on the dharmaof Brahmanical kings, providing a counterpoint to the term being appropriated by Shramanas and made into an imperial ideology by Ashoka.

Apastamba and the Mahabharata state that dharma can be learned from women and Shudras. But Baudhayana, Vasishtha and Gautama like Manu deny women any independence. This might be a reaction to the independent and heterodox Jain and Buddhist nuns. In the Mahabharata, with Gangas entry, the law of the mother prevails as crisis mounts among the Kuru males, unlike the Ramayana, which upholds the fathers pledge. Shantanus marriages are the result of restrictive samayas (compact, arrangement) introducing a supervening Law of the Mother into a dynasty whose continuity is disrupted by curses. Both queens make crucial decisions to ensure the continuance of the dynasty. In a brilliant insight Hiltebeitel links the two mothers, bright Ganga and dark SatyavatiKali, to Dhatri and Vidhatri in Uttankas story.Very significant is the forcible induction and impregnation of the Kashi princesses named after the three mothers specific to the horse-sacrifice. Hiltebeitel endorses Jamiesons flippant translation of the names as Mama, Mamita and Mamacita or Mummy, Mummikins, little Mummy and the horsikins is sleeping (p 374-75). He suggests that the malodorous and terrifying Vyasa is taking on the role of the sacrificial horse to impregnate the queens. The Ashvamedha identifies the king with dharma. In both epics progeny are the result of the horse-sacrifice (Parikshit, Lava-Kusha). Hiltebeitel states that Mahabhisha picks Devapi to be his father (p 346), and refers to Bhishmas paternal grandmother, the wife of Devapi, (p 365). This should be Pratipa, whose eldest son is Devapi. Vasishtha cursed not Mahabhisha but the Vasus (p 353). Bhishma does not bring in the three new queens, having nothing to do with Kunti choosing Pandu. Sita does not call upon the four mothers plus her own mother as well (p 499, 505). She mentions only three Sumitra, Ramas mother and her own mother.

The two epics are dharmabiographies whose approach differs from the Buddhacharita, which is the first close and critical reading of the Sanskrit epics. Hiltebeitel shows that the way Ramas and Yudhishthiras lives are organised follows a common blueprint through the first five books in both epics. The poet of Ramayanawas familiar with the design of the Mahabharata and refined it. Sitas birth like a crest of fire on a vedi suggests that Valmiki is making her resemble Draupadi. Hiltebeitel argues that in Draupadis debate with Yudhishthira about karma, Jain doctrines discounting a Creator are being voiced under a Vedic cover (Brihaspatis materialistic shastra) in a womans voice. Yudhishthiras dharma biography comes from within. Unlike Ramas and like the Buddhas, it is one of ongoing reflection.

Manu refers to the place of the Kurus as sacred and Buddhist texts mention it as a place of Kurudhamma where Buddha imparted special teachings. Kurudharma occurs six times in the Mahabharata. Buddha in the Samyutta Nikaya contradicts Krishnas assurance to Arjuna about those falling in battle being assured of Swarga by stating that a warrior goes to hell, his mind being depraved by violence. The Nikayas condemn kshattavijja(Kshatriya science). The Gita (14) speaks of attaining brahma nirvana, becoming Brahman, a term used in early Buddhist texts to describe nibbana, but Krishna means something quite different.

There is less of a riposte in the Ramayanathan in the Mahabharata to Buddhism but there is the same condemnation of Shudras seeking to move up as in Manu. Biardeau holds that the danger from Buddhists has been displaced on to the Rakshasas of distant Lanka. To fulfil the heavenly plan of relieving the Earth of being overburdened and urbanised, Brahma directs the devasto be embodied without passing through wombs. Hiltebeitel overlooks Kripa and Kripi while listing those not-of-womanborn. There is an error on page 599 in the quotation from the Shanti Parva (53.23.25), where instead of Bhishma we find Bhima in line four. Hiltebeitel asserts that Krishnas display of friendship for Draupadi comes in only two scenes where her problem occurs because of Vedic ritual injunctions  the stripping and the horse-sacrifice (p 605). The Critical Edition, which he swears by, has no Krishna in either case. There is no indication of his saving her from the humiliation of simulating intercourse with the slain horse, or from being stripped (if he had provided clothes, why is she wearing the blood-stained cloth when leaving on exile?).

Hiltebeitel is one of the rare scholars to discuss the Harivansha as completing the Mahabharata and not composed much later. Vyasa forecasts that Janemejayas horse-sacrifice will impact all Kali Yuga ashvamedhas. Janamejaya abolishes it for Kshatriyas. The first to be celebrated after Yudhishthiras is by a Brahmin, Pushyamitra Sunga (185 BCE) who performs it twice. Is he Harivanshasarmy-leader, a Kashyapa Brahmin who will again restore the Ashvamedha in the Kali yuga (115.40)?

This valuable and extensive study would have been enriched by an examination of Bankimchandra Chattopdhyayas Dharmatattva(1888) and his commentary on the Gitaavailable in translation since 2001.

The reviewer is former additional chief secretary, West Bengal, and specialises in mythology
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 July expressed happiness at the number of beneficiaries of Ujjwala Yojana crossing 2.5 crore and also thanked President Pranab Mukherjee for handing over LPG connections to beneficiaries in West Bengal.

"Ujjwala Yojana continues to expand its reach! Extremely delighted that today the number of beneficiaries crossed 2.5 crore," he said in a series of tweets.

"I thank Rashtrapatiji (Mukherjee) for the special gesture of handing over LPG connections to beneficiaries in Jangipur, West Bengal."

He also congratulate Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan "and his entire team that has been working round the clock for the success of Ujjwala Yojana".
A fire and rescue services personnel was killed and 48 were injured when an LPG cylinder exploded during a fire that broke out in a bakery near here, police said today.

Fifty three-year-old Egaraj along with other firefighters was attempting to douse a fire at the bakery at Kodungaiyur, when the tragedy took place late last night, they said.

When they opened the shutter, the cylinder exploded and the fire spread, injuring the firemen and those standing in the vicinity, they added.

Police suspect that the initial cause of the fire was an electric short circuit.

The injured were admitted to government and private hospitals here.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister K Palaniswami visited the injured at one hospital here.

Later, speaking to reporters, he said, "When the personnel opened the shutter, the cylinder exploded and the blaze spread."

"Proper treatment is being provided to the injured," he said.

The Chief Minister replied in the negative, when asked if lack of safety gear led to the death of Egaraj.

Egaraj succumbed to injuries at the hospital, without responding to treatment, police said.

Palaniswami announced that a relief of Rs 3 lakh, from the Chief Minister's public relief fund and Rs 10 lakh as ex-gratia would be provided to the family of the deceased.

Besides, a government job will be offered to a member of the deceased's family, he said.

The Chief Minister also ordered payment of Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured and Rs 25,000 to others.
The voting for electing the 14th President of India will take place on 17 July (Monday). In the fray are ruling NDAs Ram Nath Kovind and oppositions Meira Kumar. The winner will be sworn in to office by the Chief Justice of India on 25 July.

The electoral college (a body of electors chosen by a larger group) for the presidential polls consists of all MPs (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, excluding nominated members) and MLAs of all 31 state legislatures.

Counting of votes will take place on 20 July in room 62 of Parliament and legislatures of the states. On 23 July, outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee will be accorded a farewell at the Central Hall of Parliament by members of both Houses of Parliament.

Once the result is out, the president elect will be escorted to the Parliament House on the 25 July where the oath of office will be administered to him/her by the Chief Justice of India.

President Pranab Mukherjee will leave for his newly allotted bungalow, 10 Rajaji Marg, after the ceremony.

In the ballot paper for the presidential poll, UPA candidate Meira Kumars name appears first. However, chances of NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind winning the polls look brighter.

The ballot paper for MPs will be green in colour while MLAs will be given pink coloured ballot papers. A pen with violet coloured ink will be provided to voters to mark their preference, any other mark, by any other coloured pen will be invalidated, said a senior official in the Lok Sabha.

MLAs wishing to vote in New Delhi will have to take special permission for doing so from the Election Commission.

There are 784 Members of Parliament and 4,114 members of state assemblies. The value of each MPs vote is 708, the value of each MLAs vote differ according to the size of the respective state assemblies and population. So, each Uttar Pradesh MLA commands highest vote value of 208, while each Sikkim MLA has the lowest vote value of 7.
Missing daughters

At the root of sex-selective abortion lies the culture of preferring sons
India's growing economy and digital push have caught the attention of hackers and an increasing wave of cyber attacks could soon badly impact the country, experts from Russian cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab have warned.

India and other South Asian countries are now on the radar of cyber attackers, said experts, adding that the government and corporates need to procure state-of-the-art, New Age security solutions to thwart their plans.

The impact of recent global cyber attacks were clearly visible in India as "WannaCrypt"  that affected 150 countries globally  and the recent "Petya" malware attack hit computers in the country.

"India's growing economy and digitalisation are really a big concern as cyber attackers have now begun focusing on developing countries with big populations and average incomes," Eugene Kaspersky, Chairman and Chief Executive of Kaspersky Lab, told IANS on the sidelines of the recently-concluded "Interpol World 2017" conference in Singapore's Suntec City.

His comments came as the Moscow-based cyber security firm found that the "Petya" attack hit Gateway Terminal India operated by AP Moller-Maersk at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), a facility near Mumbai which is India's biggest container port.

The terminal was unable to load or unload because of the attack as it failed to identify which shipment belongs to whom.

According to Vitaly Kamluk, Director of Global Research and Analysis Team for APAC at Kaspersky Labs, there was no cyber security threat till 2010 and India was quite safe till then.

But now, India and other "developing countries are most vulnerable, especially the financial sector. We perceive that banks are most vulnerable in India", Kamluk told IANS.

Stephan Neumeier, Managing Director of Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific, stressed the need to educate people to save them from becoming victims of cyber attacks.

"As India's economy is growing fast, more and more people are now getting access to Internet. They have 4G access and Android devices are becoming popular. They need to be educated about anti-virus solutions as mandatory for devices and be made aware about not falling for phishing attacks," Neumeier emphasised.

He suggested that malicious emails or links should also be part of the awareness process.

"Countries like India are developing very fast which opens doors for more cyber attacks," Neumeier added.

The experts also recalled how over 200,000 users were affected in 150 countries after the "WannaCrypt" virus attack which paralysed computers  with a demand being made for a payment of $300 in bitcoins (crypto-currency or virtual currency) for a system to be unblocked.

Citing reports, Kaspersky Lab said that cyber crime costs the world $450 billion per year, which is almost the annual budget of Russia, China and Japan.

The experts said the hackers target government ministries, banks, utilities, other key infrastructure and companies nationwide, demanding ransom in crypto-currency.

Giving the example of Bangladesh, the experts said the hackers recently made a bank heist in the country and made away with $1 billion in one attack, since the security was vulnerable.
Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, the Indian Air Force chief, will begin a four-day official visit to France on Monday in an attempt to further strengthen the existing defence corporation between the two countries.

During his visit, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with senior military officials of the French armed forces.

"The challenges faced by the armed forces of both the countries in the current geo-political scenario are expected to be discussed during these meetings. The main focus of the visit will be on improving bilateral relations, promote defence ties, and outline further areas of defence cooperation between the two countries," a Defence Ministry statement said.

Dhanoa will visit headquarters of the French Air Force and a few operational air bases, it said.

He would also interact with representatives of the French military aviation industry and visit Indian Rafale PMT infrastructure, the statement said, adding the Chief of Air Staff is also planned to fly a sortie in a Rafale fighter, which India has contracted to buy.

According to the statement, Dhanoa's visit would provide impetus to increasing defence cooperation between the two air forces and pave the way for greater interaction and cooperation in the future.
Irrespective of the outcome of the Presidential election in which former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is pitted against NDA's candidate Ram Nath Kovind, Kanpur may get its moment of glory.

While Kovind hails from Kalyanpur in Kanpur, Kumar's close relatives are also based in the district.

During her recent visit to Lucknow, Kumar had said she always felt happy, whenever she came to UP.

Kovind, the 71-year-old BJP veteran, rose from a modest background to become the Governor of Bihar, and is now, in all likelihood, set to occupy the country s highest constitutional office.

Associates and neighbours in Maharishi Dayanand Vihar (in Kalyanpur) remember Kovind as a simple, soft-spoken person.

"He comes from a modest background and has achieved heights by his sheer hard work and dedicationHe did LLB and had also appeared for the civil services exam but had to opt out due to medical reasons," Ashok Trivedi, who served as the two-time MP's PRO from 1996 to 2008, said.

According to Trivedi, Kovind is a man of simple taste.

"He likes simple food and is not very fond of sweets. He has stayed in touch with all of us. He last visited my home in 2012 after coming to know of my wife s death," Trivedi recalled.

The presidential nominee along with his wife Savita visited this colony almost one-and-a-half month back. Kusuma Rathore, in her sixties, has been the caretaker of Kovind s modest mini-HIG house for the past 15 years.

As per Rathore, till only a few years back, the house was a bit secluded. So much so that it was burgled thrice, the caretaker said. Next door neighbour Devendra Juneja is a long time associate who went to the RSS shakha with Kovind.

Prior to Kovind and Meira Kumar, another resident of Kanpur  Lakshmi Sahgal (once associated with the Azad Hind Fauj of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose) also contested the presidential election.

In 2002, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Revolutionary Socialist Party, and All India Forward Bloc nominated Sahgal as a candidate against APJ Abdul Kalam.
Myanmars military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on increased military cooperation in security and defence.

Min Aung Hlaing said: There is ongoing trust between Myanmar and India. Tasks are being carried out to stabilise the border area. The leaders and military heads closely cooperate and have good relations. Myanmar feels sorry for the deaths of innocent people in the terrorist attacks that recently occurred in Jammu and Kashmir.

During our visit, we will tour industrial and military sites in India. We will also meet the heads of the Indian army. Bilateral trade must be enhanced.

Modi said: We must work together in prevention against terrorist acts in various forms. Negotiations must be conducted to combat armed conflict on the Myanmar-India border area. Assistance will be provided in military affairs"

They exchanged emblems and gifts.
Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa will take a decision on the mercy appeal of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav at the earliest, it was announced on Sunday.

Replying to a question on Jadhav's case, a military spokesman said the Army chief was reviewing the proceedings of the case and would take a decision on the mercy appeal on merit, GeoNews reported.

Radio Pakistan quoted the spokesman as saying that Gen Bajwa's decision would come "at the earliest".

The official said the decision "will be based on justice", the state-run radio reported.

Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court, which later rejected his mercy appeal, on charges of spying and fomenting terrorism in Balochistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied requests to provide New Delhi consular access to Jadhav.
The Congress seems to be moving back to the old guard, which had been sidelined after Rahul Gandhis elevation as vice-president of the party in 2013. With a new communications team in place this week, it is clear that both Sonia Gandhi and the old guard are firmly controlling the party. Leaders who had been apprehensive about their future under Rahul are now heaving sighs of relief after they got clear signals from Sonia that she still depends on them.

The new strategy team includes senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, P Chidambaram, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Jairam Ramesh, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sushmita Dev. For the first time the leader and deputy leader of both houses of Parliament have been given a say in the partys communications strategy and its day-to-day functioning. A team of 20 young leaders has been appointed as secretaries.

While there has been speculation about the elevation of Rahul as Congress president, the fact that a new team has taken over now suggests that even if he becomes the party chief, he will be stuck with the old guard.

The new team signals that Sonia is once again falling back on loyalists with whom she had been comfortable. This might be the team that strategises for the Assembly polls to eight states next year and also take it forward to the Lok Sabha polls. This will be the team to decide the strategy in Parliament and how to be an effective opposition.

It is clear that Rahuls flop shows on several fronts must have ensured the return of the old guard. The party was stunned when Rahul was missing at the peak of the farmers agitation last month in Madhya Pradesh when it had planned a nationwide agitation on the issue before the monsoon session of Parliament.

The announcement of the new team comes on the heels of some embarrassing statements made by the Congress in recent times. Rahuls style of functioning was like the left hand not knowing what the right hand had done. Only last week the Congress denied news that Rahul met the Chinese and Bhutanese envoys at a time when there is confrontation at the India-ChinaBhutan borders. It was left to Rahul to say through a tweet that he had indeed met the envoys as well as former National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon. Sonia Gandhi was said to have expressed her displeasure at the party leaders trying to hide news of the meetings. Even on Jammu and Kashmir there has been some confusion about the party's stand.

Sonia, who had taken a back seat leaving the floor open for her son, has been active in the past few months, trying to do some damage control realising that he was not up to the mark. It was she who took the lead in calling other opposition leaders and also arriving at a consensus presidential candidate in Meira Kumar and also vice presidential candidate Gopal Krishna Gandhi despite knowing that it is only a token contest as the NDA has adequate numbers to get its candidates elected.

Secondly, the party (read the old guard) still prefers Sonia Gandhi, as Rahul has not shown his leadership qualities nor has his team delivered. Sonia had brought the party to power twice  in 2004 and 2009. More importantly, her clout with opposition leaders is intact and they are willing to accept her leadership. Senior opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar and Lalu Prasad Yadav were not willing to acceptRahuls leadership. Sharad Pawar has gone on record to say he wont be able to do business with Rahul. Neither Mayawati (BSP) nor Mulayam Singh Yadav(SP) nor Mamata Banerjee ( Trinamool Congress) would respond to Rahuls overtures. It is Sonia who has been trying to save the Grand Alliance in Bihar. She is still the uniting face of the opposition.

Thirdly, the party is not sure whether Rahul could give a fight to Prime Minister Modi in the 2019 polls as he is no match in terms of communication skills or leadership qualities. In comparison, Sonia is a much better bet to take on Modi.

Fourthly, the Congress needs Sonia to enthuse cadres and leaders at the state level. It was she who stepped in recently to persuade senior Gujarat leader Shankar Sinh Vaghela not to join the BJP when there were rumours that he was on the point of leaving the Congress. It was she who stopped the war between the two Maharashtra leaders Gurudas Kamat and Sanjay Nirupam and persuaded Kamat not to leave. With elections to eight states, most of which will see a direct fight between the BJP and the Congress, on the cards it is indeed necessary for the Congress to remain united.

The question is whether the old guard will be able to succeed in persuading Sonia Gandhi to be the face of the Congress in the next Lok Sabha polls. There are many in the party who believe that the return of the old guard signals this. However, her failing health is a matter of concern. In politics one week is said to be long and two years are indeed really long. The truth is that at least for the time being the old guard is back. But the ding-dong battle is not over.
Even amidst strained ties between India and Pakistan certain linkages have remained intact. One such link is religious pilgrimages of the Sikh community. Groups of Sikh pilgrims  Jathas  coordinated by Sikh bodies from India, visit Pakistan on four occasions, Gurpurabof Guru Nanak Devji ( birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev), Baisakhi, Shaheedi Purab of Guru Arjan Dev (martyrdom day of Guru Arjun Dev) and the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Shimla Agreement has a provision for the visits of Sikh Jathas on these four occasions. In 1974, both countries signed a visa agreement for providing each others citizens access to certain places of religious worship. Indian pilgrims are allowed to visit a total of 18 shrines.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his speech at the inaugural service of the AmritsarNankana Sahib bus in March 2006 very rightly stated: Ever since the Independence of our country in 1947, every morning, every devout Sikh prays to let us have free access to the Gurudwaras left behind in Pakistan.

Amidst the endless bickering between two nation states, two books have sought to highlight the strong connection of the Sikh faith with Pakistan; Amardeep Singhs Lost Heritage: The Sikh Legacy in Pakistan, and Walking with Nanak by Haroon Khalid a Pakistani scholar.

Between 2005-2007, a number of initiatives were taken by both governments to strengthen people-to-people ties between both Punjabs (the Amritsar-Nankana Sahib bus service being one of them). Religious tourism (not just by Sikhs, but Hindus) was thought of as an important component of people-to-people linkages.

Apart from easing visa procedures, and making religious pilgrimages to Nankana Sahib and Panja Saheb less tedious, the Sikh community has also been pitching for a religious corridor between Dera Baba Nanak and Darbar Sahib Narowal, which will help Sikhs in getting visafree access to Kartarpur Sahib, where Guru Nanak Dev spent the last fourteen years of his life. This demand, which had gathered momentum, has been turned down by New Delhi, with the Government of India stating that the current security situation does not permit it.

It would be pertinent to point out here that a number of studies published in Pakistan have argued that Pakistan would benefit economically from visits by Hindu and Sikh pilgrims.

Given recent tensions between both countries, there have been repeated calls for snapping people-topeople linkages between the two countries. Sikh Jathas have been largely unaffected until recently. Of late however, there has been more than one instance where Sikh Jathas have been inconvenienced, and inspite of having valid visas were unable to travel. While in May 2017, SGPC cancelled a Jatha, since it received a communication from MEA, saying that the former would be responsible for the security of the group (normally MEA takes responsibility). The SGPC cancelled the Jatha at the last minute.

On June 8, a group of Sikh pilgrims who had been issued visas for observing the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev could not travel to Pakistan from Attari, since the Sikh Pilgrim Special train did not arrive at Attari. Since the visa was issued for travel on the Pilgrim train, they could not travel by the Samjhauta Express or cross over by land. On June 28, 300 pilgrims were to board a special train leaving for commemorating the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The special train was not allowed to enter Attari.

Sikh pilgrims who were not just from Punjab, but New Delhi and Haryana were infuriated, and sections of the Pakistani media as well as sections of the Pakistan government did not miss the opportunity of raising this issue, and were quick to come up with conspiracy theories.

The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) as well as the Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board (PETPB) raised anti-India slogans on 7 July 2017 blaming India for not allowing Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan.

Whatever the reasons for Sikh Jatha, there must be greater clarity on people-to-people exchanges, and religious pilgrimages must be given priority by the Government of India. It is not just a question of religious sensitivities of the Sikhs, but also the fact that pilgrims make preparations for these religious trips months in advance. If the reason for cancelling these jathas is security, pilgrims should be warned in advance, so that they do not have to face humiliation at the last minute. China has denied Hindu pilgrims access to Kailash Mansarovar through Nathu La Pass, and New Delhi has rightly and understandably taken up the issue. The Centre also needs to clarify the reasons for Sikh Jathas encountering challenges.

The Punjab government, and religious bodies of the Sikhs instead of fighting with each other, should work jointly, and take up the issue of Sikh Jathas being inconvenienced with the Central Governments of both India and Pakistan on priority so that pilgrims do not have to face such inconvenience. Politicians keep on speaking about the cultural commonalities between both countries  especially the Punjabs  yet even religious pilgrims have to encounter such problems!

The well heeled do not have any problems in travelling back and forth  peace or no peace. It is only religious pilgrims bereft of any clout who are left high and dry. While newspapers have covered the issue, one has seen few opinion or edit pieces which highlighted the instances of Sikh pilgrims with valid visas not being able to travel. Perhaps, such linkages are a mere tick in the box and not thought of as an important component of people-topeople contact.

The writer is a New Delhi-based foreign policy analyst associated with the Jindal School of International Affairs, OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat
China quite amazingly is able to deny even the most undeniable facts. Geng Shuang , spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was recently asked by an Indian correspondent about the details of the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi on the sideline of the G-20 Summit in Hamburg. Geng replied: According to my information, the two leaders did not hold any bilateral meetings.

When asked by another correspondent, Are you saying this did not happen?, he replied: The two leaders of China and India did not hold any meetings on the sidelines of any meeting in Hamburg.

He thrice repeated his contention.

This was an event which took place only a few days earlier, with a photograph tweeted all over the world. One can imagine the scenario when something occurred several decades or centuries earlier; historical events can never be in Chinas disfavour.

Moving to the Doklam plateau, the same spokesman quoted a letter written by Nehru on 26 September 1959 in which he would have acknowledged the 1890 Convention between Great Britain and China. The fact that this agreement was never implemented simply because the main stakeholders ~ Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim ~ were not signatories or even represented, has been forgotten. Here too Geng has selective memory.

The same para (No. 17) of Nehrus quoted letter speaks about the Tibet-Bhutan border, the object of the present standoff. The Indian Prime Minister tells the Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai: It is not clear to us what exactly is the implication of your statement that the boundaries of Sikkim and Bhutan do not fall within the scope of the present discussion. In fact, Chinese maps show sizeable areas of Bhutan as part of Tibet.

This relates in particular to the Doklam plateau. Nehru continues: Under treaty relationships with Bhutan, the Government of India are the only competent authority to take up with other Governments matters concerning Bhutans external relations. The rectification of errors in Chinese maps regarding the boundary of Bhutan with Tibet is therefore a matter which has to be discussed along with the boundary of India.

Not only was the boundary line never rectified, but China has recently tried to change the status quo. A year later (1960), the Prime Ministers of India and China agreed to participate in a conference with Officials of the two sides to sort out the boundary issue. China conveniently refused to discuss the TibetSikkim and the Tibet-Bhutan borders.

The Indian officials nevertheless filed a separate statement about Bhutan; at that time, the main issue was the eastern part of Bhutan, adjacent to Kameng Frontier Division (todays Tawang district). The report of the officials stated: As far as India and Bhutan are concerned the valid boundary in this sector is known and recognised.

But more interestingly, the report mentions several Bhutanese enclaves in Tibet. It notes: Chinese officials have illegally dispossessed the designated authorities of the Government of Bhutan in the following eight villages situated in western Tibet over which Bhutan has been exercising administrative jurisdiction for more than 300 years: Khangri, Tarchen, Tsekhor, Diraphu, Dzung Tuphu, Jangehe, Chakip and Kocha. Minsar, the Indian enclave in Tibet is better known, but these villages too did not belong to Tibet, they were part of Bhutans territory.

The report continues: Bhutan has for centuries appointed the officers who governed these villages, collected taxes from them and administered justice. Tibetan authorities consistently recognised that these villages belonged to the Bhutan Government. The villages were not subject to Tibetan officers and laws; nor did they pay any Tibetan taxes. There has thus been a violation of Bhutans legitimate authority over these villages.

On August 19 and 20, 1959, at the request of Bhutan, official notes were sent by Delhi to Beijing, in which the Chinese Government was requested to restore the rightful authority of the Bhutan Government over their enclaves.

The scholar, John Bray, who is the president of the International Association of Ladakh Studies, wrote a fascinating research paper on the Bhutanese enclaves in Tibet. He explained that until the 1950s both Ladakh and Bhutan governed small enclaves of territory in Western Tibet. Ladakhs enclave consisted of the village of Minsar, near lake Manasarovar, and its surrounding land, while Bhutan governed the Darchen Labrang and several smaller monasteries and villages near Mount Kailash. Bhutan continued to raise revenue there for some 300 years..

For centuries, the inhabitants of Minsar, although surrounded by Tibetan territories, paid their taxes to the kingdom of Ladakh. During in the 19th century, when Ladakh was incorporated into Maharaja Gulab Singhs State, Minsar de facto became a part of the Jammu & Kashmir State.

In October 1947, after Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, Minsar became Indian territory. This lasted till the mid-1950s. Bray remarked: Both sets of enclaves share a common origin in that they date back to the period when the Kings of Ladakh controlled the whole of Western Tibet. The link with Bhutan arises because of the Ladakhi royal familys association with the Drukpa Kagyupa sect.

This school of Buddhism, different from the Dalai Lamas Gelukpa, has been influential in Ladakh and Bhutan for centuries. Regarding Minsar, the Indian principality in Tibet, the rights to this small town were inherited from the peace treaty between Ladakh and Tibet signed in Tingmosgang in 1684. Apart from the confirmation of the delimitation of the border between Western Tibet and Ladakh, the treaty affirmed: The king of Ladakh reserves to himself the village of Minsar in Ngari-khor-sum (Western Tibet). For centuries, Minsar has been a home for Ladakhi and Kashmiri traders and pilgrims visiting the holy mountain.

In 1953, when Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to sign his Panchsheel Agreement with China, he decided to abandon all Indian colonial rights inherited from the British. Though he knew that the small principality was part of the Indian territory, he felt uneasy about this Indian possession near Mt. Kailash in Tibet. Nehru was aware that Minsar had been providing revenue to maintain the temples around the sacred mountain and the holy Manasarovar lake, but believed that India should unilaterally renounce her rights as a gesture of goodwill towards Communist China.

He instructed the diplomats negotiating the Panchsheel accord in Beijing: Regarding the village of Minsar in Western Tibet, which has belonged to the Kashmir State, it is clear that we shall have to give it up, if this question is raised. We need not raise it. If it is raised, we should say that we recognize the strength of the Chinese contention and we are prepared to consider it and recommend it.

Eventually, Minsar was not discussed in 1954 during the talks for the Tibet (also known as Panchsheel) Agreement and, the Bhutanese enclaves could not be brought up during the IndiaChina talks in 1960, as China refused to deal with Sikkim and Bhutan. This means that the fate of these enclaves has never been negotiated or settled. It remains so today. On 31 December 1953, while opening the Tibet talks (without the participation of the Dalai Lamas government), Premier Zhou Enlai affirmed: All outstanding problems between China and other countries could be solved on the basis of mutual respect for territorial integrity, non-aggression and non-interference in internal affairs so as to enable peaceful co-existence. I know Prime Minister Nehrus Government and the people of India also feel the same way. On basis of this principle all outstanding questions between us which are ripe for settlement can be resolved smoothly.

Are the forgotten Bhutanese enclaves ripe for settlement now? Mr Geng has probably forgotten their existence.
The ruthlessness inherent in the passing of the Chinese Nobel peace laureate, Liu Xiaobo, is reminiscent of Nazi Germany. For not since that tumultous phase in European history has a Nobel prize-winner died in custody. Having participated in the Tianenmen Square movement of 1989, he was arrested nine years ago for his peaceful call for democratic reform in a country that remains authoritarian even after relegating Maos political philosophy to the footnotes. For all the perceived liberal winds blowing, it is hard to imagine a more shameful travesty of human rights ~ 61-year-old Liu, who was battling cancer, languished in custody till his final hours. Not that his predicament never stirred the conscience of the world. But save Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, who made a personal, public call for his freedom, there isnt another leader who ventured to meet him personally. It does redound to the credit of Germany that it worked hard for his release; but the withers of the Xi Jinping dispensation remained unwrung till the end. The appeals of the US, Canada, and the European Union were confined to a suggestion that he should be allowed to leave China for treatment. Small wonder that the Norwegian Nobel committee has very pertinently regretted what it calls the belated, hesitant reactions to news of his terminal illness. While Chinese citizens pressed his case at considerable personal risk, trade opportunities with China appear to have been accorded precedence by world governments. In death, Liu exemplifies the almost total nonchalance of the democratic world to his signal contribution to the certitudes of democracy, let alone the scourge that had afflicted him. The international response ~ as he withered away ~ was sluggish, when not muted. Death has been a relief.

Liu has left the chair empty at the Nobel ceremony, verily a seat that shall never be occupied. This must tank as one of the saddest thoughts on his passing. In life, he personified exceptional intelligence, courage and humanity despite the forbidding odds in Communist China, notably the attempts by the authorities to clamp down on his activities. Liu remained an inspiration to those who have fought for their rights in China. Fearless expression of free thought and democratic activism earned him the Nobel as he emerged as the rallying point of lawyers, dissidents, and campaigners. It has been a cruel irony that the punitive sentence in 2008 for inciting subversion marked a turningpoint in his life. His dedication to the cause was mirrored in his final statement in course of his trial, when he insisted he had no enemies and no hatred. With the comity of nations raising minimal protest, Beijing has driven a distinguished political prisoner quicker to death than to a scintilla of medical treatment abroad. Liu and his family deserved better.
That no specifics emerged from the much-trumpeted all-party meeting on Friday confirms suspicions that the intention was less on building national consensus on two critical issues facing the nation ~ the Sino-Indian stand-off at Doklam and the crumbling situation in the Kashmir Valley ~ and more on forestalling trouble on either front during the monsoon session of Parliament that commences on Monday. That neither the Prime Minister nor the president of the Congress party (not even its vice-president) attended, points to a lack of genuine effort at consensus-seeking or building. Both the potential for a flare-up at Doklam and the continuing violence in the Valley ought to have merited detailed discussions across the aisle, their being clubbed together for a single session points to the routine nature of the meeting. It is conceded that the track-record does not testify to fruitful multi-party action, yet it is the responsibility of the government to try and bring the collective wisdom of the political leadership to bear, and to evolve a united approach that goes beyond diplomatic mouthing of political sweet-nothings.

The impasse at the Trijunction with Bhutan has been evident for weeks. The governments bid to keep the rhetoric muted has not been matched by Beijing, which seems to favour drawing belligerent parallels with 1962. Surely a national response (alas, that term now conjures up skewed images) required formulation much earlier? The Chinese did not respond to Indian hopes of an ice-breaker at Hamburg, so no great hopes should be entertained for the upcoming meeting of the National Security Advisers of the BRICS countries. It might pass by, just as have visits of Indian ministers to China even as the troops are on alert at the Trijunction. It is also true that no discordant voices were heard at the all-party meet (at least not loud enough for media ears), but neither were there any positive signals or advice sent out. External relations do not get much attention from Opposition parties except when seeking to embarrass the government ~ as Rahul Gandhi recently attempted in customary childish fashion. Nor for that matter has the Opposition offered anything positive on J&K. After seeking to hit the headlines during a trip to the Valley last year and some rumblings over the continuing use of pellet-guns the Opposition leaders have lapsed into customary indifference: Sitaram Yechury flattered to deceive, possibly now more concerned with his parliamentary future. The nation is thus condemned to keep muddling along, any likely breakthrough will not be the result of all-party deliberations. And Parliament has been subjected to so many storms that another will not prove overly upsetting. Regretfully, neither the government nor the Opposition appears capable of, or interested in, rising to the occasion: the people are condemned to living with petty and politics remaining hyphenated.
Nepal and Djibouti set up diplomatic ties

Nepal and Djibouti have established diplomatic relations. Nepals Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations Durga Prasad Bhattarai and Mohamed Siad Doualeh,
China's late Nobel Peace laureate and dissident Liu Xiaobo was cremated in a private, muted ceremony in Shenyang city under official watch on 15 July.

The government allowed only his widow Liu Xia and a few other mourners to bid farewell to the man who was also the country's only Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Liu Xiaobo's ashes were later scattered into the sea in a simple ceremony, ensuring that there would be no grave on land to serve as a magnet for protest against the Communist Party, the Guardian reported.

The dissident, who had been serving a 11-year prison term for "subversion", died of liver cancer earlier this week. His wife had been under house arrest since 2010. However, the Chinese authorities said that she was "free".

The couple's close friends and relatives said Liu Xia was under surveillance and that they were unable to contact her.

At 6.30 a.m. on 15 July, Liu Xia was the first to bid farewell to her husband to the rhythm of Mozart's Requiem, then the activist's relatives and friends bowed three times in front of his body during the ceremony.

The Communist regime and the late dissident's brother Liu Xiaoguang claimed that the family decided to cremate Liu Xiaobo and hold a simple funeral for him.

Later, at a government organised press conference, the activist's brother also thanked the ruling Communist Party for its "humanity".

This was in sharp contrast to the activist's friends and his wife, who said relations between the brothers had been severed years ago, and claimed the government had made the decision to hold the private funeral and cremation.

Regarding Liu Xiaobo's widow, Shenyang Information Office spokesperson Zhang Qingyang said that "the Chinese government will protect her legitimate rights in accordance with the law."

Asked if Liu Xia could travel overseas as she previously requested, Zhang said she was free but as she was "in great sorrow" over the death of her husband, the authorities respected her wish not to be disturbed, Efe news quoted Zhang as saying.

Many close friends of Liu Xia warned she is in deteriorating health, having spent almost seven years under house arrest despite not being charged with any crime.

The late dissident's lawyer Jared Genser said Liu Xia had been held "incommunicado" since her husband's death, BBC reported.

On 15 July, the committee that awards the Nobel Peace Prize said it was "deeply worried" about her and urged China to free her.

The activist's friends voiced their rage and disgust over the "hastily arranged" funeral. "This is too evil, too evil," the exiled author Liao Yiwu told the Guardian. "They are a bunch of gangsters."

Artist Ai Weiwei said he suspected the authorities had decided to bury Liu at sea to deny his supporters "a physical memorial site". "It is a play," he said.

Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 for his non-violent struggle for human rights in China.


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But the tribe has a long way to go
In the wake of the recent ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC), defence experts said it is time for India to take proactive action against Pakistan rather than resort to retaliatory firing.

"There has been continuous firing along the LoC. Rather than resorting to retaliatory action, it is time to get offensive and take proactive action. At this point, the enemies are motivated to attack us, and this needs to be well countered," defence expert Praful Bakshi said.

Stressing on the importance of improving the country's intelligence forces, Bakshi said the attack must be initiated from the forefront by gathering information regarding the exact location or base camps of these operations. "We must try to occupy important positions along the border," he added.

Adding to the flurry of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC, a soldier succumbed to his injuries on Saturday in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.

35-year old Lance Naik Mohammed Naseer, a native of Poonch, was caught in the round of unprovoked firing and shelling by the Pakistani troops on the Indian forward posts. The braveheart, who was taken to a hospital in the vicinity, succumbed to his injuries.

Defence expert P.K. Sehgal, while condemning the incident, assured that India will give a befitting reply to the same. "My condolences are with the kin of the braveheart. The nation stands by them," he added.

Ceasefire violations along the LoC have been an everyday occurrence in the last few months. Prior to the aforementioned firing, Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing in Poonch and Nowgam as well, in the previous week.

Reportedly, 23 cease fire violations have occurred so far in June alone.

On June 29, two Indian Army jawans were injured when the Pakistani troops initiated firing along the LOC in Poonch.

On June 26, the Pakistani army fired small arms and shelled mortars along the LoC in the Bhimbher Gali sector of Rajouri.
The DMK on Sunday asserted that a thorough probe is necessary on the alleged VIP treatment being offered to former AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala, who is currently lodged in Parappana Agrahara central prison in Bengaluru, over a corruption case.

"The report that has been presented by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (Prisons) D. Roopa is indeed shocking. Like Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, a probe is necessary into the matter, after which necessary action needs to be taken," DMK spokesperson Saravanan told ANI.

Lashing out at his rival party, Saravanan alleged that this is not the first time such an incident has come to light, adding that the AIADMK believes money can get them out of any situation.

"This is not the first time such an incident is happening. Sasikala previously has faked illness and avoided prison term. In this sense, it is not at all surprising. The AIADMK's attitude is such that money can be used to bail them out of any crisis, this attitude is of extreme concern," he said.

A recent report by DIG (Prisons) D. Roopa had asserted that a bribe worth Rs. 2 crore was given to the prison officials by Sasikala in order to avail special facilities in the jail.

Roopa, in a report to Director General (Prisons) H.N. Satyanarayana Rao, had said there are speculations that Sasikala paid bribe to prison officials to get special facilities for herself with rumours also of the DG being a beneficiary himself.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured that strict action would be taken against the guilty, while taking cognizance of allegations of irregularities in the Bengaluru central prison.

Siddaramaiah said he has ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter. "Request all to await the outcome of this inquiry. Strict action will be taken against any person found guilty of wrongdoing," he said.

On one hand, where Rao has categorically denied all the charges, Roopa, on the other, has maintained her stand, saying that she has no issue with an inquiry taking place.

The letter, apart from the information about Sasikala, also talks about many other illegal instances inside the prison:

A special kitchen has been set up for Sasikala, which is against the rule of the jail.

Roopa has also mentioned about stamp paper scam accused Abdul Kareem too getting special facilities. "Earlier, he was on wheelchair and court allowed people for his assistance. But now, when he is fine, why is this continuing? In fact, three or four undertrials are there to serve him, who even gave him hands and feet massage," the letter stated.

She also mentioned that she got medical check-up of jail inmates done and in the drug test it has come to light that many convict prisoners are using various types of drug kits in the jail.

She even exposed that a prisoner in the jail had tried to sexually assault a nurse in the hospital while he was bought for check-up, but no action taken over it.

Roopa even pointed out that prisoners are harassing doctors to prepare fake report stating they be shifted to hospital citing health reasons.
Iran on Saturday blamed what it called Donald Trump's "arbitrary and conflicting policies" for global security threats, rejecting the US president's description of Tehran as a rogue state.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have heightened since the election of Trump, who has often singled out Tehran as a key backer of militant groups.

"(Trump) ought to seek the reason for subversion and rebellion in his own arbitrary and conflicting policies and actions, as well as those of his arrogant, aggressive and occupying allies in the region," said foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi, quoted by Iran's state news agency IRNA.

Trump said on Thursday that new threats were emerging from "rogue regimes like North Korea, Iran and Syria and the governments that finance and support them".

Senior Iranian officials have blamed US-allied Saudi Arabia, Iran's Sunni Muslim regional rival, for instability and attacks in the Middle East, including last month's assaults that killed 18 people in Tehran.

Saudi Arabia has denied involvement in the attacks which were claimed by Islamic state.

While Trump has kept up his criticism of Tehran, a senior US official said on Thursday that the president was "very likely" to state that Iran is adhering to its nuclear agreement with world powers although he continues to have reservations about it.
There is an idiom in Hindiuske daant pet mein hain [his teeth are in his stomach], quipped a senior BJP leader when asked about what Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars next move might be. Nitish, he said, likes to keep people guessing and, in the maze-like House of Cards that Indian politics is, almost never reveals his hand, till it is time.

In a week when charges of corruptionfinancial irregularities in the awarding of contracts for Railways hotels as well as accusations of benami properties have besieged Lalu Prasad and his son, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadavthere was anticipation that the famous Bihar mahagatbandhan that brought the two friends-turned-foes-turned-friends-again together in 2015 might collapse. Especially after Lalu Prasads party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, defiantly declared that Tejashwi would not resign.

The unlikely alliance has already been cracked and fractured by growing differences, and the FIR that the CBI filed against the Yadav family for corruption has dragged it to break point. Like always, Nitish Kumars first responseto the dismay of his ally who may have been looking for public supportwas a deliberate and measured silence. When he finally spoke his mind, it was only at a closed meeting of legislators and workers of the Janata Dal (United). Sources said he made it clear that Tejashwi would have to come clean or quit. The charges made him very uncomfortable, said one party source. That he would much prefer a resignation was obvious in the examples he invoked, according to party sourceshis own resignation from the Vajpayee government in 1999 on moral grounds after a train accident or L.K. Advanis resignation from the Lok Sabha in 1996 during the Jain Hawala case.

Aware that his political brand has been built on a reputation for personal probity, Nitish cannot risk being dragged down by the mounting corruption scandals around the Yadav family. On record, Nitishs close aide, diplomat-turned-politician Pavan Varma, said, It would be in the best interests of both the standards that Nitish Kumar has set for himself and the coalition that the RJD take all necessary steps to clear its name with a point-by-point rebuttal placed in the court of public opinion.

The Lalu camp is sullen and angry with Nitish placing the onus squarely on them. An aide to Tejashwi Yadav retorted, Nitish won the assembly election because of us. If he goes it alone, he will meet the same fate he did in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 [the JD(U) managed to win just two of the 40 Lok Sabha seats]. Claiming political vendetta in the investigations by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI, Tejashwis lawyers said he was a juvenile when his father was the railway minister at the Centre and the hotels contracts (now the subject of the investigation) were awarded. Or is Nitish planning to return to the BJP? his aide asked angrily.

Tejashwis (with Lalu Prasad) lawyers said he was a juvenile when his father was the Union railway minister and the hotels contracts (now the subject of the investigation) were awarded | PTI

The Bihar chief minister has always scoffed at the suggestion of a ghar wapsi to the National Democratic Alliance. But, from time to time, on key issues, he has broken ranks with other opposition parties, leaving them in a perennial state of anxiety and double-guessing. His support for Ram Nath Kovind, formerly the governor of Bihar and now the presidential candidate of the BJP, drove a sharp wedge through opposition unity. But, he backed the oppositions choice for vice president, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, in a seeming contradiction that is vintage Nitish. His party has called the backing of the NDA candidate a one-off decision and flatly rejected the suggestion that he is hedging his bets or considering any sort of return to the Modi flank.

He has publicly said that the project of opposition unity needs a far greater investment of energy than it has seen, said Pavan Varma. We need to build a credible narrative that offers an alternative vision of India. This is what he believes. This needs an organisational framework. You cannot take on the BJP or build a new narrative through ad hoc, sporadic, casual and reactive responses. There have been mistakes in the past, be it in Assam, Jharkhand, Maharashtra or Uttar Pradesh, where the opposition could have organised itself better. That is the biggest challenge. Another opposition leader was less polite: There is an election coming in Gujarat. Is everyone in the Congress asleep?

Nitish Kumar is not given to flamboyant outbursts, but his exasperation with the Congress is now becoming evident. That the Congress needs him more than the other way around in the run-up to the next elections in 2019 is clear from the fact that veteran Congressman Ghulam Nabi Azad was made to dial back his criticism of Kumar after he announced his support for Kovind. And it was Rahul Gandhi who had to make a personal effort to reach out to the chief minister. Many believe that if a Bihar-style mahagatbandhan were to emerge on the national level, Nitish Kumar is best poised to lead it. Historian Ramachandra Guha, who once called Nitish Kumar Indias Barack Obama, told me that Kumar is a leader without a party and the Congress is a party without a leader. The Gandhi family should exit; Sonia Gandhi should ask Nitish Kumar to become Congress president and lead the party, he proclaimed, admitting that this might well be his personal fantasy.

Officially, the Bihar chief minister has repeatedly denied ambitions to move from Patna to Delhi, calling himself the leader of a small party. But the self-deprecation only bolsters the public image, and a party insider said, As Indian elections become more and more presidential, he is seen as the most credible face, across different parties, to take on Narendra Modi. Would he pitch himself to lead an opposition alliance in 2019? Pavan Varma said the question of who may lead an opposition gatbandhan is in the womb of the future. The conundrum of who the leader is will be automatically solved once a coherent opposition unity is built. That should be the priority.

Despite the alliance with Lalu Prasad on shaky ground, Nitish Kumars party has dismissed the offer of outside support from the Bihar BJP unit if he were to split with the RJD. A senior politician in Bihar said, Nitish has a brand. He is an independent man. Returning to the BJP fold in these circumstances or running a state government with outside supportthat is not the sort of government he wants to run. Recounting the bitter fallout between Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi, this aide said, Nitish knows that Amit Shah and Narendra Modi will never forgive or forget. They will always remember how Kumar humiliated them in Bihar [when he cancelled a scheduled dinner for them in 2010]. Nitish Kumar is too astute; he is not going to run from one party to the other.

In the choppy waters of political chaos, Nitish Kumar may look like he is trying to sail simultaneously in two boats. In fact, he may quietly be charting his own course for the remaining two-year journey to the 2019 milestone. The importance of being Nitish is that no one, neither the BJP nor the opposition, is able to forecast what Nitish will do next. Still waters, they say, run deep.
Nepal, Australian sign MoU on consultation mechanism

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia on the establishment of bilateral consultation mechanism.
(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

On Tuesday, July 4, several hundred men filled the lunchroom at Yeshiva Bais Hillel (YBH) in Passaic to hear a shiur in Hilchos Nachalah (Inheritance) from renowned Poseik HaRav Moshe Heinemann shlita, morah dasrah, Agudath Israel of Baltimore. Mr. Robert Teichman Esq., a specialist in estate law, joined in the presentation. The shiur was sponsored by the Daf Yomi Commission of Agudath Israel of America, in conjunction with the Passaic Clifton Community Kollel.

This was a synergistic partnership between two organizations who share the goal of spreading Torah knowledge amongst the Jewish people. Daf Yomi recently completed learning the sugyos or topics related to Jewish inheritance. Since Hilchos Nachalah are generally not well known, the time seemed ripe for the Daf Yomi Commission of Agudath Israel to sponsor the shiur. Passaic, New Jersey, a large frum community with a strong contingent of Daf Yomi learners, was an ideal location for the event. The Passaic Clifton Community Kollel, under the indefatigable leadership of Rabbi Chaim Krause, was an excellent local partner. And who was more fitting to present the topic than HaRav Moshe Heinemann, talmid muvhak of HaRav Ahron Kotler ZTL and HaRav Moshe Feinstein ZTL, HaRav Heinemann is one of the senior poskim in this country and possesses a unique ability to explain complex halacha issues in a clear fashion.

Rav Heinemann started out by discussing inyanim (aspects) of inheritance based on the pesukim in the Torah. The Torah teaches that the sons inherit from the father, not the daughters. This is in contradistinction to the yichus, the childs Jewishness, which is inherited from the mother. He discussed many points about a mans obligation to his daughters, such as what he must spend to marry them off, what happens if he dies and they are unmarried, and the prevalent minhag.

When one writes a will, he should bear in mind what showing favoritism to Yosef did to the Bnai Yaakov. Therefore it would seem that all sons should receive an equal amount. However, if the children can understand the logic of favoring one son over the others, i.e. a son with special needs or extra medical expenses, then the father can give one son extra.

If one son behaves properly and the other does not, the father should still give them equal amounts. Maybe the lesser son will have a son who is a tzaddik. Rav Moshe Feinstein paskens in the Igros Moshe that this only applies if both sons are Shomrei Mitzvos; if one son went off the derech, then the father is not required to give him anything. Nevertheless, when Rav Heinemann was once asked such a Shayla, he responded with a story from a Chassidishe Rebbe. This Rebbe had a son who acted improperly, yet the Rebbe was still mekareiv him. The other children asked the Rebbe why he does that. The Rebbe answered that, after 120, when he gets up to Shomayim and faces his Final Judgement, he will be able to proclaim Im not worthy of your rachmonus, but, neither was my son. Yet, I had rachmonus on him anyway.

Rav Heinemann, in his trademark fashion, eloquently discussed complicated halachos about what the almanah should receive, how yerusha works with an LLC, and many scenarios in which a bechor (firstborn son) does not get double, etc. He mesmerized the audience with stories about his interactions with gedolim dealing with these issues. Most importantly, he emphasized the need to do everything bsholom and not to use Torah law as a spade to dig money out of the hands of relatives.

The program concluded with Mr Robert Teichman, Esq. explaining how to set up an inheritance according to halachic standards. He especially emphasized the need for everyone to set up a will and not leave it up to the state to decide. Then certainly, halacha will not be followed.

Rabbi Eliyahu Simcha Bamberger, Coordinator of the Daf Yomi Commission observed, It was magnificent to experience the Cheshek to hear the Dvar Hashem from Rav Heinemann that was exhibited by hundreds of Passaic Baalei batim.

(YWN Headquarters  NYC)
The White House released a statement condemning Fridays terror attack on Har Habayis that claimed the lives of two Israeli policemen, leaving a third wounded. The statement was released on Shabbos.

Yesterday, the Holy City of Jerusalem, which means City of Peace became a scene of terror. The people of the United States are heartbroken that terrorists brutally gunned down two Israeli police officers, and we extend our prayers and sympathies to the families of the victims. The United States strongly condemns the terror attack.

There must be zero tolerance for terrorism. It is incompatible with achieving peace and we must condemn it in the strongest terms, defeat it, and eradicate it.

The attack forced the government of Israel to temporarily close the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif to conduct its investigation. Israel has assured the world that it has no intention to alter the status of this holy site, a decision which the United States applauds and welcomes.

We urge all leaders and people of good faith to be understanding as this process proceeds and reaches its conclusion.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
This week, the Madar family of Jerusalem, will fly to China in search of a new hope. Their mother, Louisa, was diagnosed with ALS 6 months ago. In the half a year that has passed, her mind and body have disintegrated. The infamously painful disease has racked her body and she is now wheelchair-bound, and unable to speak.

The Madars researched and found what so many before them have discovered: Thousands of ALS sufferers have flocked to China for stem cell treatments, and seen miraculous results. The possibility of being treated in China has provided a new life for many who were otherwise told there was no hope.

The Madar familys flight leaves this week. However they are still unable to pay for the treatments they so desperately need to save Louisas life. Heartbreaking video footage shows son Elazar on the verge of tears. We just want to speak with our mother again, he says.
The King and Queen of Spain have just finished the first Spanish royal state visit to Britain in more than 30 years.

Amid all the pomp, there are serious issues to discuss, not least the social and commercial ties that bind our two countries.

In its own small way, Berkeley Energia is one of those ties  an AIM-traded company developing a uranium mine in Salamanca, just a couple of hours from the King and Queen's royal residence in Madrid.

Pomp: Spain's royals have just finished a UK state visit

Midas tipped the stock in October 2016 at 47p. Since then, the group has raised $30 million (24 million) by placing 54 million new shares with investors at 45p.

Chief executive Paul Hatherley has beefed up the board, adding Nigel Jones, the highly experienced former director of mining giant Rio Tinto, and veteran fund manager Adam Parker, co-founder of investment firm Majedie Asset Management.

Berkeley revealed this month that construction costs at Salamanca would be lower than expected, and last week a 45ft-high crushing unit arrived  proof that the mine is on track.

Yet the shares have barely moved, ending the week at 45p as investors wait to hear how the firm will raise enough money to bring the mine into production. About $60 million is needed and it is likely that it will come from three sources.

First, Berkeley wants a strategic investor  a company or investment firm with deep pockets and a long-term time horizon. There are names in the hat but nothing has been confirmed.

Then the group is keen to sign 'offtake' agreements, receiving money upfront for future uranium delivery. One has been signed but talks are ongoing with other potential clients.

Berkeley is still likely to be short of cash, so a limited fundraising is anticipated via the issue of more shares.

The uncertainty places constraints on the stock price and the uranium price is stubbornly low, at about $20 a pound, down from nearly $50 four years ago. But this is not a stock for the short-term investor.

The uranium price is widely expected to rise over the next few years. Production costs at Salamanca will also be among the world's lowest, at around $15 a pound.

Midas verdict: Uranium is crucial in the creation of nuclear energy.

Three-quarters of the world's uranium is produced by poorer countries such as Niger and Kazakhstan but two-thirds of demand comes from developed nations, including most of Europe.

Berkeley Energia, based in Spain, should therefore see strong demand once it moves into production.

Investing in early-stage mining projects is always risky but Hatherley is determined to pull it off and is an investor.

Existing shareholders should hold. New ones should keep an eye on the financing arrangements  expected within weeks  and buy on any weakness.

Traded on: AIM Ticker: BKY Contact: berkeleyenergia.com or 020 3903 1930
The Grand Canyon National Park will host an event Friday, July 21 to celebrate Latino Conservation Week, which is dedicated to creating opportunities for Latino families and youth to engage in the outdoors and raise awareness of conservation issues. The week was created as an initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation.
NPC recommends formulation of Act to define natl pride projects

The National Planning Commission (NPC), the apex body that frames the governments development policies and programmes, has recommended that an Act be formulated to define projects of national pride, as it would legally bind authorities to accord certain concessions to such projects and ease their selection process.
Harvard, one of the world's most prestigious universities, will offer a course to prepare British business leaders for Brexit.

The Ivy League institution, based in Massachusetts, has educated the likes of John F Kennedy, Barack Obama, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

It will launch its 'Program on Negotiation' in September with management consultancy Ivo Solutions 'to help business leaders with the challenges Brexit brings to the boardroom'.

Hallowed: John F Kennedy studied at Harvard University

It has said the course, to be run from The Clubhouse business club in St James's, Central London, will teach 'all the skills you need to get the most from a negotiation'.

It will cover 'negotiating in uncertain environments, finalising important deals, improving your working relationships, claiming (and creating) more value, and resolving seemingly intractable disputes'.

Samuel Dinnar, a teacher of negotiating skills, said: 'Our faculty members have negotiated peace treaties, brokered multi-billion dollar deals and hammered out high-stakes agreements around the globe.'
Unilever is believed to be battling with the US owner of Spam to take over Reckitt Benckisers 2.2 billion food division.

The Anglo-Dutch giant could make a binding offer within weeks but faces tough opposition from Hormel Foods, The Sunday Times claimed yesterday.

Reckitts food arm, which includes the Frenchs mustard brand, had sales of 411 milion last year, but the company is increasingly focused on consumer health.

Up for grabs: Reckitt Benckisers food arm, which includes the Frenchs mustard brand, had sales of 411 milion last year, but the company is increasingly focused on consumer health

The Slough-based firm announced a review of its food business in April to focus on portfolio optimisation, and cut group-wide sales forecasts earlier this month, saying the global cyber attack in June had disrupted its manufacturing and distribution.

In February, Reckitt, whose brands include Lysol cleaning products and Durex condoms, agreed to buy US baby food firm Mead Johnson for 13 billion, in a bid to take its business in a new direction and boost work in Asia.

But investors warned the move would leave Reckitt with high debt, while it also had limited expertise in Meads products.

Boss Rakesh Kapoor, 58, saw his 2016 pay package fall by more than a third from 23 million to 14.4 million following a safety scandal in South Korea that killed about 100 people.

The firms did not comment.
Sir,



Hlubi wakitsi, Langeni, Gwalagwala, this is in response to your articles.



Thank you for your contribution in our Sunday newspaper. You are a very analytical writer who touches the very core of our existence.

I would personally advise you to write a book because your articles are very inspirational.



That said, Im observing and have been observing.

They say the older you grow, the wiser you become and upon becoming wise you learn to talk less, listen more and observe before making assumptions.

Theres a story I once read on the internet about Albert the owl. Albert was advanced in years; you can call him a senior citizen if you want.

Albert would always sit on a tree during rush hours and OBSERVE as people went about their day to day business.



He would quietly sit on the tree and watch. Each time he watched, he was learning something about life. As he watched, he was learning a skill. Do you know what that skill was? He was learning to listen.

On other days he would see kindergarteners clinging comfortably in the hands of their mothers, who were taking them to school.



Among those children, there were those who would wail, throw tantrums in a bid to get away from the grasp of their loving parents.

Sometimes he would watch loving couples cuddling and giggling all the way to their different destinations.



On other days he would spot a homeless man scavenging in a nearby dustbin.

In all his observations, he was learning to talk less and listen more.

It takes wisdom to be a good listener. Psychologists have observed through experiments that it is one thing to hear and its yet another to listen.

Many people hear but do not listen.



For example, if you hear people talking about someone; saying a lot of unfounded allegations and accusations; as a senior citizen you would call those allegations rumours or hearsay.

That is called hearing and I call those allegations unfounded because there is no proof of their existence.

You have heard people talking and you were not wise enough to listen.



You heard and jumped to conclusions. After jumping to conclusions, one would puff like an excited chiwawa thinking they know someone yet they dont.

Some would even go to the extent of publishing such foolish allegations in the media.

What Ive learnt from Albert is that he observed and kept quiet.



My implication here is No sound person can observe and talk at the same time. It is impossible to draw out a sound conclusion from that. An observer always shuts all the noise from his exterior and then concludes.

As I said I dont like hearsays and I dont like people who publish hearsays (imvabetsi). It does not show maturity to draw conclusions based on something you are not sure of. That is why we have courts (law enforcers).

Thats where we take people who have not developed their listening skills, who only hear and draw an unsound conclusion in the process making dirty someone elses image  defamation of character.

In response to my wisdom above, please send to the above address so we can talk like matured adults.



From Senior Citizen

(The Observer)
MBABANE  The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the governments of Swaziland and South Africa is all that now stands in the way of a project that will bring about 30 000 jobs.



The much-awaited project is the construction of a 500 Mega Watts thermal plant at Mpaka in the Lubombo region.

About 90 per cent of the power will be exported while the 10 per cent will be supplied to the national grid.



CANHAM Mining International, which has promised to inject about E120 billion into the countrys economy through construction of the thermal plant, has been pushing for the project since 2004.

Chairman of CANHAM Mining International, Phillip Canham, has informed the Times SUNDAY that they now have all the necessary papers, including a licence and a lease agreement for the land at Mpaka, save for the MoU.

He said the land at Mpaka has been leased from His Majesty the King because it is his farm and the attorney general has approved it.



What we are waiting for now is an MoU between South Africa and Swaziland that will allow us to export electricity from Swaziland to South Africa, Canham said.

He dismissed reports that CANHAM International was asking the Swaziland government to negotiate with South Africa on their behalf as he said this was entirely their responsibility.

He likened the process to applying for a visa to enter the United States of America, which he said you have to apply for at the USA embassy but the embassy will not then pay for the booking of flights, accommodation and meals as you have to do that yourself.



That is exactly the same here. The political MoU is the visa we need for us to export electricity to South Africa. Everything else is our responsibility. We negotiate with South Africa. We do not need Swaziland to negotiate anything for us and that is important. We just need the visa. We negotiate the quantity (of electricity) we are going to sell and the price we are going to sell for, that is our obligation, Canham explained.

For the thermal plant, he said CANHAM International was looking at sourcing coal from both South Africa and Swaziland, with each country supplying them with 10 million tonnes per month.

He said if Swaziland, however, failed to meet its quota, they already have a standing MoU with South African company Coal Power Africa to supply them with the 20 million tonnes a month.

Canham also disclosed that they had exchanged letters with Transnet to use the under-construction South Africa-Swaziland railway link for the importation of the coal.






The Swaziland Energy Regulatory Authority (SERA) offices. This is the body tasked with regulating the energy sector in the country.

MBABANE  Electricity consumers are unwittingly contributing to the establishment of an unknown multimillion Emalangeni Electrification Access Fund (EAF).



The Times SUNDAY has learnt that electricity users in the country, when purchasing units, pay an extra charge that is referred to as the electricity levy of E0.0129 cents (less than two cents) for every unit of electricity bought.

The Times SUNDAY has established that SEC has over 164 000 customers, according to its 2016 Annual Report.



The companys customers are categorised to Domestic (S1), General Purpose (S2), Small Commercial (S3), Life Line (S10), Small Holder Irrigation (K4), Large Commercial and Industrial (K5) and Large Irrigation (K6).

If one assumes that all the customers purchase electricity units worth E200 per month, calculations indicate that each customer contributes about E2 to the fund per month.

Therefore this means the 164 231 customers contribute about E328 462 per month.



Since it is now three months since the unknown collection of the levy started, further calculations indicate that a sum of over E985 000 has been collected so far if each customer spends the minimum of E200 per month. Still using the same minimum, in a years time, at least over E11.8 million would be collected.



Swaziland Energy Regulatory Authority (SERA) Consumer and Stakeholder Management Manager Sikhumbuzo Nkambule told the Times SUNDAY that this is a new initiative in the country which is in line with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energys, as well as one of the then Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) now known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that of ensuring access to electricity for all.

We should also recall that, in the State of the Nation Address early this year, targets or efforts to increase access to electricity for all through enforcement of the Rural Electrification Programme were emphasised, said Nkambule.

Information reaching the Times SUNDAY is that this levy is aimed at ensuring that, in the foreseeable future, the country has a fund that can be made available to help consumers who would need electricity connection.

One could add that it is important for electricity buyers to look at this levy from a social responsibility point of view. This is because this levy provides an opportunity for every electricity buyer in the country to contribute towards the economic development of the country, whereby Swazis who are not able to afford new connections to the grid will be able to have access to electricity, thereby improving their quality of life, reads part of the emailed reponses from the energy sector regulatory body - SERA.
PHSC endorses Parajuli as Chief Justice

The Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee on Sunday unanimously endorsed the name of Justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli for the vacant post of Chief Justice at the Supreme Court.
Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams

By Philip Newman

A 63-year-old fugitive, who pleaded guilty in 1990 to seriously injuring a woman in a Queens car crash, was rearrested last week and sent to jail to begin his sentence, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.

Brown said Jaipaul Maharaj was driving in an intoxicated state on Dec. 3, 1989, when he struck the passenger side of a 1986 Toyota in which Grace Schachnu was a passenger. She suffered fractured ribs, a fractured cervical, collapsed lungs and hemorrhaging of the brain. She died in 1994.

It took 26 years, but the victims family finally has achieved justice in knowing that the individual responsible for causing serious physical injury to their loved one is now being held accountable for his actions, said Brown. If not for a casual inquiry made by a family member of the victim fortuitously making its way to the the Queens district attorneys office, the defendant might very well have escaped punishment for his crime.

Maharaj was operating a 1984 Chevrolet van without a drivers license when he ran a red light at the intersection of 73rd Avenue and Francis Lewis Boulevard and injured Schachnu, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Queens DAs office.

He was arrested and pleaded guilty to the top count of first-degree assault on Oct. 29, 1990. He failed to appear for his sentencing that December and was sentenced in absentia Dec. 12, 1990, to four to 12 years in prison, Brown said.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Robert Kohm reimposed the original sentence for Maharaj on July 6.

Maharajah was living in Monticello, N.Y., and using two names, Abdool Persaud and Ronald Davidson, at the time of this latest arrest.
Bridgewater looks to become a regional nightlife hub in western PA

Bridgewater bars offer patrons a nightlife experience that is unique from any other in western Pennsylvania
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Saratoga Springs

Jay Harrington will celebrate her 55th birthday Sunday feeling  and looking  cleaner than she has in years.

She barely made it to 54.

After leaving the Air Force in 1989, the Brooklyn native struggled to cope with post traumatic stress disorder, eventually leaning on drugs and alcohol to quell the memories.

By 2015 she was "doing everything."

By the first day of 2016, she was flatlining from a heroin overdose. Jail followed. Then mandatory drug courts and state supervision. Now, the Guardian House, a Ballston Spa home that helps struggling female veterans find jobs, homes and, on Saturday, haircuts.

Friday marks 1 1/2 years sober for Harrington, and she had big plans to celebrate.

"I'm gonna get my groove on," she joked. She looked good. She felt good.

Jesse White smiled. He pushed the clippers up her neck slowly, fading the hair on the sides of her head into the mohawk on the top. He carved swirling lines above her ear, then with precision pushed a straight razor toward her temple. The Bee Gees blared in the background.

Saratoga barbers Jesse White and Rasi Harper spent Saturday giving free haircuts to the homeless.



This man left looking especially dapper. pic.twitter.com/KFr3uNSQwr  Robert Downen (@RobertDownenTU) July 15, 2017

Unlike Harrington, White knows little about life on a Saudi Arabian military base. But like her, he knows the anguish of homelessness.

As a teenager in Saratoga, he'd fight with his adopted parents about his biological family. He spent many nights away from home, sleeping in laundromats or any place that'd have him. He was angry, confused and unappreciative, he said.

A decade later, that's changed. He sees where his parents were coming from. They are "the best people in the world," he said. They've made amends.

But White struggles with other things. He feels like he owes something to the people and town that kept him afloat through those tumultuous years.

As a kid, "sometimes it feels like you don't have nobody to look to for help," he said Saturday.

"But I feel like I took a lot from Saratoga growing up. I was so angry and upset. And I feel like I took a lot."

"I figured there had to be a way for me to give back," he said.

And so White did what he knows: he cut hair.

On Saturday he and another local barber, Rasai Harper, gave free haircuts to about 40 people who are currently or were recently homeless in the area.

It was an idea White said he'd had since last year, but which he'd never figured out how to set in motion.

Rasi Harper cuts Don Petersimes' hair. Don spent most of the last 6 years as a homeless alcoholic. He's one year sober now. pic.twitter.com/zdOLKO0y4Q  Robert Downen (@RobertDownenTU) July 15, 2017

"What am I gonna do?" he asked Saturday. "Just cut hair on Broadway and hope that homeless people show up?"

Then came a call from Harper last week. The conversation was short: "Why don't we just get this done?" Harper asked.

Using their resources within the community, the two quickly found sponsors, and through groups like Guardian House and the Giving Circle spread word of their mission.

For Harper, who also gives free haircuts each summer to kids in Troy, the quickness with which the event came together was especially surprising.

"Nobody gives back anymore," Harper said. "We live in a me-me-me society. ... It's hard to get people to donate their time. But everybody was so appreciative."

"There's no words to describe it," White said of the outpouring of support.

Throughout the day, a steady flow of those in need poured through the patio of the Ice House, in downtown Saratoga Springs.

Among them was Don Petersimes, a native Texan who spent most of the last six years homeless, struggling with alcoholism. It's been years since he had his last drink, he said, and he was excited to show off his new, dapper haircut to his daughter.

Others were less inclined to talk  they were just happy to enjoy a small but dignifying gesture from a total stranger.

The experience, Harper said, confirmed that there are enough people  and just as importantly, groups working to help them  to continue holding such events. He has plans to open his own barbershop on Henry Street next month, and plans to give away haircuts to the homeless one Sunday a month.

Hours after the last cut was finished, White said he was still "in awe" by how many people came both to help, and to get a haircut.

But given his own experiences, he said, it shouldn't have been surprising.

"It's just so much easier to spread love than it is hate," he said. "And that's what we're here for."
Pokhara implements no horn rule

After a successful implementation of no-horn rule in Kathmandu, tourist city Pokhara has also implemented the rule from Sunday.
Phoenix

Sen. John McCain's absence from the Senate as he recovers from surgery for a blood clot has led the GOP leadership to postpone consideration of health care legislation already on the brink.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Saturday night he was deferring action on the measure as McCain recovers at his home in Arizona. Surgeons in Phoenix removed a blood clot from above McCain's left eye on Friday. The 80-year-old Senate veteran was advised by doctors to remain in Arizona next week, his office said.

"While John is recovering, the Senate will continue our work on legislative items and nominations, and will defer consideration of the Better Care Act," McConnell said in a statement.

A close vote had already been predicted for the GOP health care bill, with all Democrats and independents coming out against it and some Republicans opposed or undecided. With the GOP holding a 52-48 majority, they can afford to lose only two Republicans. Vice President Mike Pence would break a tie for final passage.

Two Republicans, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine, have already said they'll vote against the measure.

A procedural vote expected in the coming days had been cast as a showdown over the measure designed to replace President Barack Obama's health care law, commonly called Obamacare.

McConnell and other GOP leaders have been urging senators to at least vote in favor of opening debate, which would allow senators to offer amendments.

In recent days GOP leaders have expressed optimism that they were getting closer to a version that could pass the Senate.
The following appeared as an editorial in amNewYork:

For weeks, the newest plans for MTA capital projects, including $3 billion in funding for key improvements to subways, bridges, tunnels and commuter railroads, sat in wait.

Now, after plenty of typical Albany political posturing, those proposals are on track. State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan finally gave the last pieces of the capital plan the go-ahead on Tuesday night.

The move couldn't have come at a better time. NYC residents have faced extensive subway delays, power and signal problems, a dangerous derailment and a host of other issues in recent months. And this summer, as Amtrak makes extensive repairs at Penn Station, the MTA is depending on its strained subway system even more, making the need for improvements all the more apparent.

So, expanding and upgrading the system are essential. The MTA's plans include $700 million to fund part of the important next phase of the Second Avenue Subway, which will extend the line into East Harlem but could ultimately cost $6 billion.

And the plan adds more funds for cashless electronic tolling at bridges and tunnels.

On top of that, the MTA's amended plan creates a new span of track on the Long Island Rail Road that will help ease reverse train commutes for NYC residents who work in Nassau or Suffolk counties.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter.

Together, the improvements will ripple through the region, boost the economy and create the opportunity for new and better-paying jobs in the city and beyond.

And all of it is part of the MTA's larger $32.5 billion overall capital plan, which extends through 2019 and includes money for signals, subway cars and buses, along with repairs and improvements to bus depots, subway station accessibility, and more.

None of it, of course, will get done quickly enough. But it could be the start of a broader effort by state and MTA officials to think and act bigger, to recognize the extensive needs of our subways and commuter rails, and to start modernizing the public transportation system to meet the needs of its riders.
[July 15, 2017] ARCONIC SHAREHOLDER ALERT by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Reminds Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Arconic, Inc. - (ARNC)

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until September 11, 2017 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Arconic, Inc. (NYSE:ARNC), if they purchased the Company's securities between the expanded period of November 4, 2013 and June 26, 2017, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. What You May Do If you purchased securities of Arconic and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit http://ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-arnc/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by September 11, 2017.



About the Lawsuit Arconic, Inc. and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) Arconic knowingly manufactured and/or sold highly flammable polyethylene cladding panels for use in construction; (ii) the foregoing actions greatly increased the risk of personal injury/death and property damage in buildings constructed with the panels, as occurred in the June 14, 2017 Grenfell Tower fire catastrophe in London; and (iii) as a result of the foregoing, Arconic's financial statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include the former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170715005015/en/

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[July 15, 2017] UnionPay promotes EMVCo to issue the EMVCo QR code specifications

UnionPay makes a new breakthrough in promoting international application of China's payment standard SHANGHAI, July 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Promoted by UnionPay, EMVCo officially releases the EMVCo QR Code Specification for Payment Systems: Consumer-Presented Mode Version 1.0 on its website on July 15, 2017, providing one of the first globally interoperable technical solution for QR code payment. The issuing of this specification also marks a new breakthrough in UnionPay's promotion of the international application of China's payment standard. UnionPay has taken the lead in promoting the issuing of the Specification. Back in June, 2016, UnionPay proposed to EMVCo to establish a safe, interoperable and open QR code payment system. EMVCo formed a working group for evolving the QR Code Specification and appointed UnionPay as the group leader in the next month. Drawing upon China's experience in developing QR code payment solutions, and based on the UnionPay QR Code Payment Specification, UnionPay led the group in drawing up the final technical solution. It merely took 12 months from the forming of the working group to the ssuing of the Specification. It demonstrates UnionPay's strength and influence in developing international payment standards.



The QR Code Payment Specification that UnionPay issued to its members early this July is compatible with this EMVCo Specification. UnionPay has also promoted its internationally interoperable chip card standard in markets outside mainland China. The UnionPay chip card standard is not only the recommended standard for the payment industry of Thailand and Myanmar, but also the cross-border chip card standard for the Asian Payment Network. The adoption of the UnionPay standard helps the chip migration of the bankcard industry of these countries and regions as well as the integration with international standards. Next, UnionPay will accelerate to promote its QR code products and services in markets outside mainland China. On the one hand, it will promote more partners to adopt the safer and internationally interoperable UnionPay standard in the acceptance and issuance of QR code payment. In fact, UnionPay, together with Visa and Mastercard, has made the EMVCo QR code specification the specification recommended by the Bank of Thailand to the local financial institutions and merchants. On the other, UnionPay will collaborate with financial institutions and merchant groups in expanding the acceptance of its QR code payment in fields of transport, hospital, social security and education, while offering digital wallet products to meet overseas customers' diverse demands for mobile payments. Now, some merchants in Hong Kong and Singapore have accepted the UnionPay QR code payment, which will be accepted in Southeast, Northeast and Central Asia soon.

Since joining in EMVCo in May 2013, UnionPay has actively taken part in evolving and implementing the EMV Specifications, ensuring the compatibility of the UnionPay standards with the EMV Specifications. From July 2015 to June 2016, UnionPay acted as Chair of EMVCo's Management Committee and it has been Chair of EMVCo's Executive Committee since July 5, 2017. SOURCE UnionPay International

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[July 16, 2017] General Cable Announces Review of Strategic Alternatives to Maximize Shareholder Value

General Cable (News - Alert) Corporation (NYSE: BGC), a leader in the development, design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products for the energy, industrial, and communications markets, announced today that its Board of Directors has initiated a review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, including a potential sale of the Company. The Company has engaged J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as financial advisor and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as legal advisor to assist in the process. John E. Welsh, III, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, said, "After careful consideration, our Board has determined to undertake a review of strategic alternatives with the goal of maximizing shareholder value. While the management team has made excellent progress in the execution of our strategic roadmap to transform the Company into a more focused, efficient and innovative organization, we expect the industry to consolidate over time and believe the review at this time is in the best interests of shareholders." Michael T. McDonnell, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "I am proud of the efforts of our people to transform our business over the last two years, including rationalizing the asset base and refocusing on core businesses, streamlining our supply chain, and accelerating profitable growth in key segments. While we are benefiting from these significant operational and financial performance improvements, current dynamics in our industry are masking those accomplishments, and we expect that trend to continue through the second half of 2017 and into 2018. As the Board conducts its review, we remain committed to executing our plan, to competing and to continuing to deliver innovative wire and cable solutions that exceed customer expectations." There can be no assurance that the Board's strategic review will result in any transaction, or any assurance as to its outcome or timing. The Company does not intend to disclose or comment on developments related to its review unless and until the Board has approved a specific transaction or otherwise determined that further disclosure is appropriate. The Company also announced today preliminary financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017. The Company expects to report revenues of approximately $923 million for North America, Europe and Latin America. The Company also expects to report reported operating loss and adjusted operating income for the second quarter of approximately ($23) million and $32 million, respectively. The expected reported operating loss primarily reflects a one-time non-cash charge of approximately $36 million related to the sale of the Company's investment in Algeria, which was divested consistent with the Company's previously announced divestiture program. A reconciliation of the reported operating loss to adjusted operating income is set out below. Additionally, as of June 30, the Company maintained availability of approximately $360 million under its $700 million asset-based revolving credit facility. The Company's interim financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2017 are not yet available. The preliminary, unaudited financial information for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 presented herein is based solely on management's estimates reflecting currently available preliminary information and remains subject to the Company's customary closing and review processes. Final adjustments and other material developments may arise between the date of this press release and the date the Company announces second quarter 2017 results and files its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company plans to report second quarter 2017 results in a press release on August 2, 2017. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Adjusted operating income (defined as operating income before extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual charges and other certain items) is a "non-GAAP financial measure" as defined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This Company-defined non-GAAP financial measure excludes from reported results those items that management believes are not indicative of our ongoing performance and are being provided herein because management believes they are useful in analyzing the operating performance of the business and are consistent with how management reviews our operating results and the underlying business trends. Use of this non-GAAP measure may be inconsistent with similar measures presented by other companies and should only be used in conjunction with the Company's results reported according to GAAP. The following reconciliation of preliminary estimated reported operating income to adjusted operating income for the second quarter of 2017 contains forward-looking information. All forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking information as a result of factors, risks and uncertainties over many of which we have no control. See "Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" at the end of this press release.







Second Quarter 2017 Outlook In millions Operating Income (Loss) Preliminary estimated reported $ (23.0 ) Adjustments to reconcile operating income Restructuring and divestiture costs (1) 13.0 Asia Pacific and Africa (income)/loss (2) 42.0 Total adjustments 55.0 Preliminary estimated adjusted $ 32.0

(1) Reflected preliminary estimated restructuring and divestiture costs which represent costs associated with the Company's announced restructuring and divestiture programs. Examples consist of, but are not limited to, employee separation costs, asset write-downs, accelerated depreciation, working capital write-downs, equipment relocation, contract terminations, consulting fees and legal costs incurred as a result of the programs. The Company adjusts for these charges as management believes these costs will not continue at the conclusion of both the restructuring and divestiture programs. (2) The expected Asia-Pacific and Africa loss of approximately $42 million principally consists of approximately $36 million of non-cash charges in connection with the Company's sale of its investment in Algeria and approximately $5 million of other one-time non-cash charges associated with the Company's remaining investments in Africa and Asia Pacific. About General Cable General Cable (NYSE:BGC) is a global leader in the development, design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products for the energy, industrial, and communications markets. For more information about General Cable visit our website at www.generalcable.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, predict or describe future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical facts within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's process to review strategic alternatives and its ability to maximize shareholder value through such a process. Words such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "project," "plan," "assume," "seek to" or other similar expressions or the negative of these expressions, although not all forward-looking statements, are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements as a result of factors, risks and uncertainties over many of which we have no control. With respect to the Company's review of strategic alternatives, there is no assurance that the process will result in any transaction or other action by the Company, that any transaction or other action will be consummated, or that any transaction or other action will maximize stockholder value. These factors, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the economic strength and competitive nature of the geographic markets that the Company serves; the Company's ability to increase manufacturing capacity and productivity; the Company's ability to increase the Company's selling prices during periods of increasing raw material costs; the Company's ability to service, and meet all requirements under, the Company's debt, and to maintain adequate domestic and international credit facilities and credit lines; the Company's ability to establish and maintain internal controls; the impact of unexpected future judgments or settlements of claims and litigation; the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of future impairment charges; compliance with U.S. and foreign laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; the Company's ability to achieve the anticipated cost savings, efficiencies and other benefits related to the Company's restructuring program and other strategic initiatives, including the Company's plan to exit all of the Company's Asia Pacific and African operations; the impact of the announcement of the review of strategic alternatives on the Company's business, its financial and operating results and its employees and customers; factors affecting the feasibility and timing of any transaction or other action; the ability to identify and close any transaction; risks related to realization of the expected benefits of any transaction or other action to the Company and its stockholders; and the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC (News - Alert)"), including but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2017, and subsequent SEC filings. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made, and the Company does not undertake, and hereby disclaims, any obligation, unless required to do so by applicable securities laws, to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or other factors. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170716005030/en/

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Ramechhap flood victims receiving treatment at Trauma Centre

People injured in flooding at Likhu Village Council of Ramechhap district have been airlifted via helicopter to Trauma Centre in Kathmandu for treatment on Sunday.
Mega Millions numbers for Friday, Nov. 11, 2022

Here are the winning Mega Millions numbers and results for the lottery jackpot drawing on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years.
Two Kansas City Residents Plead Guilty to K2 Conspiracy Kansas City, MO - infoZine - Derek A. Williams, 35, and Ashli Adkins, 31, both of Laguna Beach, Calif., but formerly of Kansas City, each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R.
Letter To The Editor: KCI Airport

For one third the cost, ($335 million) Terminal A could become state of the art with all the upgrades on the wish list. Yes, theres another plan to vote on.

One of the many Listening Sessions on the new single terminal airport at KCI was held Monday, July 10. The assembled citizens assumed that the City Council would be listening to us. Instead, it was a lecture. We were told about all the benefits we would get from a NEW One-box single terminal.Burns&McDonnell assured us they had everything under control and that we taxpayers would not be paying for it.The Director of Marketing and Air Service named his powerpoint, Listening Session.We listened. He presented a One-box single terminal.Two members of the business community (Chamber of Commerce and A Better KC) tried to make the case that with a new state of the art terminal, new businesses would come to Kansas City. I regret to say this, but people dont bring a business to an area because of its airport. How about creating an environment tax wise that would invite new business.Attendees were given an index card for a question, cards were collected at random, and the moderator decided due to time constraints, that no one could speak to his question.Five members from the City Council were up next. Four of them stated:The only dissenting voice from Council was that of Teresa Loar, Second District,sidelined by being asked to go first. Her plain and simple comment: We have put the cart before the horse. First should come the vote of the people, and then the plans to develop.To their credit, the five Council members in attendance stated that voters would be able to see all the proposals before they vote on the one chosen by the Selection Committee.Lets make sure the voters agree to having a new airport first. At a previous meeting, 80% of citizens stated preference for the current configuration.Residents and visitors alike appreciate the convenience. Law enforcement would continue to have ease of access since they are close to any call for assistance. Amenities for travelers would be provided by doubling the current width to include shopping, restaurants, and bathrooms.Although the City Council and Burns&McDonnell are moving ahead with a One-box single terminal, it is not their decision. It is our decision.Vote NO. Theres a NO in November.##########
Documenta 14s 100 days in Athens come to an end on Sunday, ekathimerini.com reports in the following artice entitled "Documentas gift to Greece":

The international art event, which is based in Kassel and crossed German borders for the first time in its lengthy history to be cohosted by another European city, provoked waves of antipathy, despair from ideologically diverse camps and ridiculous amounts of criticism, but also praise and acceptance  albeit to a lesser extent.

The event was inaugurated in Athens on April 8 and in Kassel on June 10 in the presence of the two countries presidents  Greeces Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Germanys Frank-Walter Steinmeier  as well as the cities mayors  Giorgos Kaminis and Bertram Hilgen. They all delivered speeches full of messages about European unity and about the exhibitions title, Learning from Athens.

The Athens leg of the show attracted some 300,000 visitors (more than 50 percent of whom were not Greek) pass through the 40 venues that hosted shows and the Greek capital became a topic of conversation in the discussion about contemporary art rather than because of the debt crisis and poverty for a change.

We could put a full stop here, but if we do, there is so much we wont have tackled. Such as the mutual hang-ups, both of documenta 14 and the Greek public, as expressed in relation to the crisis, in the stereotypes about incomprehensible art and also in the tirades against globalization and bailouts, which inspired a number of works and events.

We would also have neglected to mention the most important thing: that Kassels documenta and its artistic director, Adam Szymczyk, gave us a very important gift. They put Athens and the contemporary art it produces in the center of global cultural interest and allowed Greek art to travel outside the countrys borders to Kassel. The operative word here is contemporary, with all the power, drive, breadth, shortages and weaknesses it entails.

In Kassel, people are talking about Greece in a different way now, due to documenta 14. In Athens, however, we remain sour and bitter, trapped in our complex of how others see us instead of questioning how (or even whether) we see others.

The opportunity to effect change, to do something radical, is being spent on denial that has its roots in an inate conservatism and mentality to reject everything as a matter of course. Even if we failed to understand it or if it bothered is, documenta 14 was an opportunity to make us more open-minded, more inquisitive, more generous and more tolerant. The question is, did it?

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Source: ekathimerini.com
SOUTHAMPTON, NY  The Art Works for Diaspora exhibit by renowned artist Philip Tsiaras was launched in the Muses/Nicolas S. Zoulas Hellenic Center of the Kimisis of the Mother of God parish in Southampton, NY. Among those attending were John Catsimatidis and his wife, Margo, Dr. George Korkos, and Greta Kamateros.

Tsiaras art is exhibited in many galleries and also at New York Citys Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Rev. Alex Karloutsos, presiding priest of the Kimisis parish, told TNH that we are trying to show the art of the Hellenes of the Diaspora projecting our Hellenic roots and give the opportunity not only to the Greeks of America but members of the broader Hamptons community to come and see.

The exhibit will run through September. Fr. Karloutsos said that on August 26 we are going to have the Blue Dream event, during which we are going to honor the Lonely Whale Foundation and the Navy Seals who protect us; it is going to be nice. We are going to donate $100 to each.

Karloutsos praised artist Philip Tsiaras. He said that he comes from New Hampshire, he is famous; his works are at Metropolitan Museum. Very few can reach those heights that Philip has reached.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Michael W. Pendergrass License: CC-BY-SA

Photo Source:pixabay.com

Source: ANA-MPA

Source: thenationalherald.com
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) Bahrain has new regulation on critical telecommunications infrastructure risk management.



TRA conducted a preliminary study back in 2015 where it assessed the security risks posed on critical telecoms infrastructure (CTI) in Bahrain, highlighting the extent of the potential negative effect these security risks could possibly have on the prosperity and economic well-being of the kingdom.

CTI is essential to the maintenance of vital societal functions related to health, safety, national security, economic or social well-being of people, and the disruption or destruction of which would have a significant impact, TRA said.

The study also highlighted the importance of conducting security risk assessments on such infrastructures to ensure the continued operation of telecommunication services, it said.

This is a major step forward for Bahrain as no such legislation existed previously in the kingdom, or even the region, said TRA director of cyber security, Dr Khalid bin Duaij Al Khalifa. With this regulatory measure, we can evaluate and determine how key telecoms infrastructure measures up against international cybersecurity best practices and address any gaps, in addition to ensuring that service providers of public telecommunications networks take reasonable steps to mitigate the rising cyber-risks associated with the use of telecommunications devices and services. Its vital to Bahrains continuity that all participants in the sector remain prepared to detect and respond to cyber incidents and breaches swiftly and effectively, and this regulation will enable us to facilitate cooperation between and amongst licensees with all relevant authorities, he further added.

The TRA intends to work with licensees to make certain telecom infrastructure is safeguarded and that business continuity and disaster recovery plans are put into place. TRA also aims to maintain the essential telecommunications services in the face of threats, by imposing a minimum set of obligations on key telecommunications infrastructure owners and service providers. These obligations will introduce the necessary resilience and emergency planning measures required to mitigate the risks posed by the rising cyber threats critical telecommunications networks face on a daily basis, it said.

In addition, TRA will establish procedures for the reporting of data breaches to the authority. This regulation and the work involved will assist in the implementation of the Fourth National Telecommunications Plan (NTP4) as part of the TRAs preparedness to manage the Security of National Electronic Communications Networks and Services in Bahrain to insure that its critical telecommunication infrastructures are as secure and resilient as possible, the statement said.  TradeArabia News Service
About

Marigot Bay Resort & Marina is a Caribbean resort in Saint Lucia that overlooks the beautiful Marigot Bay. This luxury resort offers stunning views and outstanding accommodations. Marigot Bay Resort & Marina is designed to provide visitors with the highest standard of personalized, detail-oriented service. Arguably the most beautiful Bay in the Caribbean, Marigot Bay is the vacation of your dreams. So book your stay today and come experience pure bliss in paradise.
SCD screening: Bheri Zone Hospital refuses free blood test

Patients of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) have been affected after the Bheri Zonal Hospital in Nepalgunj refused free testing of blood samples.
Two dead, three feared dead as flash floods wreak havoc in Ramechhap

Two persons were killed and three are reported missing after a flood swept through a settlement located at the border of Khimti and Pharpu villages of Ramechhap district on Saturday.
Amritsar: The police have arrested three alleged drug peddlers in two cases. The CIA staff nabbed Gaurav Kumar at a naka and recovered 41 gm heroin from his possession. He was coming from Gujjapura area on a bike when the police intercepted his vehicle. His interrogation led to the arrest of two more alleged drug peddlers identified Sitara Singh of Maqboolpura and Resham Singh. Gaurav told the police that he bought the contraband from Sitara Singh. The Maqboolpura police later arrested Sitara Singh and Resham Singh and recovered 52 gm heroin from their possession. The police said the accused had already served a sentence of five years and again took to illegal activities. TNS

One booked on rape charge

Amritsar: A married woman was allegedly raped by a resident of Kamaska village, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Lopoke police station. The woman also belongs to the same village. The incident occurred on the intervening night of July 13-14 though a case was registered on Saturday. She has stated that she could not raise an alarm as she got scared. The police have registered a case under Section 376 and 506 of the IPC while the accused identified as Dalwej Singh is yet to be arrested. She said the accused entered her house by scaling the boundary wall. As the accused had covered his face, she could not identify him at that time. The woman has stated that the accused covered her face with a piece of cloth and raped her. The accused left his mobile phone at the spot of crime. It is with the help of the mobile phone that the accused was identified, she added. The woman said she could not tell about the incident to anyone as she was scared at that time. She used to work at the house of the accused. She said the next day, the accused came to her house and asked for his cell phone. When she refused, the accused abused her and threatened of dire consequences, the woman has stated. Police officials said a case had been registered and raids were on to arrest the accused. TNS
Dera Bassi, July 16

Traffic was thrown out of gear on the Ambala-Chandigarh highway this afternoon following an accident involving two cars near Bhankarpur. Commuters heading towards Chandigarh were a harried lot as they got stuck in traffic snarls for nearly an hour. A Honda City car (DL 8C DP 1111) and a Duster (DL 8C AF 7672) were heading in the same direction towards Delhi around 2 pm when the Honda car driver lost control over the vehicle and hit the Duster. Eyewitnesses said the Honda car hit the median and veered on to the other side of the highway. Nobody was injured in the accident.  OC
Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 16

Illegal mining continues unabated without any fear of law in Mohali district, particularly in the forest area near Khizrabad and Kubbaheri villages here.

If villagers are to be believed, over 100 sand and gravel-laden tippers move from the area every night.

A number of hillocks, covered by wild growth, have already been levelled by unauthorised miners. You can see huge deep pits all around, including on shamlat (common) land, in the villages. This is the result of illegal excavation, which is being patronised by several leaders, mainly of the Congress and the Akali Dal, alleged Sher Mohammad, Sukhdev Singh and Gurwinder Singh while talking to Mohali Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Kaur Sapra at the site. The Deputy Commissioner, along with ADC CS Mann, today conducted a surprise check at four different locations to check illegal mining near both villages.

A number of pits, most of which were over 100-foot deep, are proof of the district administrations inaction against the unauthorised miners in the area.

Such work is not possible without the involvement of the government staff concerned. They (the officials concerned) must be hand in glove with these illegal miners, said the Deputy Commissioner, claiming that she did not get even a single report regarding this.

Besides, at least 40 crushers are functioning, which villagers claim, are also unauthorised. At the unauthorised mining sites, nearly 10 functional stone crushers were found. Five JCB machines and a number of tippers were also found parked there.

Many of these crushers are owned by politicians. We have reported the matter a number of times to the Mining Department, the local police and senior administrative officials, but to no avail. Mining has been continuing here for the past 10 years, said one of the villagers.

At one such site, several trees were found axed and their trunks were lying all around. Now, the miners are all set to dig this hillock, the villager said.

Asked about what action would be taken, Sapra said she would initiate a high-level inquiry into the matter. I will prepare a detailed report in this connection and send it to the state government. The Punjab Pollution Control Board authorities will be asked to submit a report on the crushers in the area. Senior officials of the police and other departments concerned, including Mining, will also be directed to initiate action in this regard, the Deputy Commissioner said.

Sapra said strict action would be taken against the officers and persons found guilty.
Vivek Katju

Vivek Katju

ON July 10, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider-al-Abadi travelled to the countrys second largest city, Mosul, to announce its recapture by the Iraqi army after a nine-month bloody campaign. Three years earlier, in June 2014, the ISIS had penetrated the citys defences and the Iraqi army, far superior in numbers and firepower, had simply collapsed and fled. Three weeks after taking Mosul, the ISIS declared its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as caliph and asked Muslims all over the world to swear allegiance to him.

The ISIS astonishing success attracted international attention, especially as it moved swiftly to increase its territories in Iraq and Syria. Muslims from many countries, including European states, went to ISIS-controlled areas which developed the characteristics of a proto-state. Here, the ISIS established an undiluted Islamic system based on its extreme interpretation of the sharia. Well established pan-Islamic groups such as Egypts Muslim Brotherhood and the Al-Qaeda that follow Islamic doctrines similar to the ISIS conceptually aspire to do the same. However, while they are willing to do so gradually and in the case of the Brotherhood willing to work through a democratic political process (though the Al-Qaeda indulges in violence and the Brotherhood does not entirely turn its back to it), the ISIS rejects the modern world entirely and is committed to destroying it violently. Hence in its proto-state it has put in place all elements as it understands existed in the earliest Islamic state of which all Muslims were a part. Hence also, following its rules of war, the beheadings which caused revulsion.

As the ISIS expanded in Iraq and Syria, many jihadist groups in other countries pledged allegiance. In early 2016, the then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted, The recent expansion of the ISIS sphere of influence across west and north Africa, the Middle East and South and South East Asia demonstrates the speed and scale at which the gravity of the threat has evolved in just 18 months. Among the groups that went with the ISIS were breakaway sub-groups of the Tehreek-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban which established control over some districts in the eastern Afghanistan province of Nangarhar. A few Indians attracted by the ISIS went to that area. On its part, the ISIS set up provinces where these groups operate.

Over the past year in Iraq, the army as well as the Kurdish Peshmerga forces as well as some Shia militia groups began successful counter-ISIS operations that reduced its territories. In Syria also, government forces and anti-government rebel groups managed to roll back the ISIS from many areas. According to one estimate, the ISIS now controls only half the area it did at its height and, with the loss of Mosul, no urban centre in Iraq. In Syria it is expected to be soon driven out of Raqqa which is its main city. The ground action has been supported by massive aerial bombing by the US and its allies in Iraq and the Russians in Syria.

The establishment of the caliphate with its pure governance structures over a vast territory is what distinguished the ISIS from other jihadist groups. It is this precisely that resonated among many of the faithful, though most Muslims and certainly the clerical and political Muslim elites rejected it outright. As ISIS territorial control, which is the foundation of the caliphate, contracts, one of its principal attractions will diminish. In a perceptive study of the ISIS in March 2015, Graeme Wood wrote, The Islamic State... requires territory to remain legitimate, and a top down structure to rule it. Thus the key to the future lies in the ability of the Iraqi army to clear all areas of ISIS control and establish a non-sectarian polity. This task will not be easy. It will be more difficult in Syria where there is no agreement in sight to end the civil war.

As the ISIS suffers blows and the caliphate loses physical ground will the groups in the provinces seek, if possible, to relocate the caliphate? That is doubtful. More likely they will continue to maintain it in some fictional form, perhaps retaining its outward symbols such as the flag, and continue with their particular terrorist agendas. Certainly, they will not abandon the pursuit of jihad. For India, it will be important to follow ISIS groups in Afghanistan where the Americans are determined to finish their presence this year. This will be welcomed by the Russians and Pakistan. The former is worried that many Chechen and Central Asian jihadis with the ISIS may relocate to Afghanistan.The latter because the ISIS and the Afghan Taliban are at odds. Besides, the ISIS will never be under Pakistani influence.

The ISIS is responsible for great suffering, but it is no longer the main issue confronting West Asia. The Iran-Saudi contradictions with their sectarian ramifications are now the main source of turbulence and conflict. In a major way, the ongoing ruptures between Qatar and the Saudis and its allies is a sub-set of the Iran-Saudi situation. Interestingly, the ISIS is the implacable foe of the Shia, but the caliphate while deadly opposed to Iran is now not obviously tolerated by the Sunni Arab ruling elites.

What is the impact of Mosul on India? The immediate fallout of the recapture of Mosul was sending Minister of State for External Affairs Gen. VK Singh to Iraq to find out more about the fate of the 39 Indian workers from Punjab who were trapped there when the city fell to the ISIS. It is unlikely that anything definite will emerge from his enquiries. It is now upto External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to decide if the government should hold out any hope to the families. It is not an easy decision to take.

The ISIS flag has been raised by some Kashmiri agitationists on some occasions. For those few whom the ISIS is an inspiration will be deeply unhappy at the fall of Mosul. The real issue in Kashmir are the violent activities of those youth who have become the victims of Islamist ideologies that are far removed from the version of the faith their forbears followed. That is an issue not confined to the Kashmir valley alone. Over the past five decades, the mazhabs of the Arabian peninsula have sought to displace the traditional patterns of the faith more suited to pluralistic societies. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclamation of being the caliph did not excite the majority of Indian Muslims and no tears will be shed as the ISIS wanes.

The global struggle against Islamist jihadists will be long drawn. Success against the ISIS is an important milestone, but jihadi violence across the world will not end any time soon. That struggle has to be waged physically as well as in the minds and hearts especially of Muslim youth.

The writer is a former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs
New Delhi, July 15

The Special Cell of the Delhi Police has arrested a person, Ishwar Pradhan Singh (26), a resident of MP, who is involved in manufacturing of sophisticated firearms which were being supplied to various parts of Delhi. A reward of Rs 1 lakh was declared on his arrest by the Delhi Police, said a police official.

Yesterday, acting on information Singh was spotted near a bus stand in Indore and was arrested.  TNS
Himachal Pradesh is relatively a less crime-prone state. The intensity of mob anger, stone-throwing and vandalism witnessed at Kotkhai and Theog after the rape and murder of a minor Class X girl is rare for the generally cool-headed Himachalis. The gory pictures of the crime that went viral on social media provoked a Nirbhaya-type outrage. Initially the protest was peaceful. As the crowds of mourners and sympathisers swelled, the air was thick with grief and shock. As is normal in serious cases, a special investigation team (SIT) was formed. But the situation turned volatile after the DGP announced the names of the six arrested persons.

Rightly or wrongly, an impression had gained ground that the police was trying to shield the real culprits who, according to media reports, belong to influential families. Those picked up were poor workers, including two Nepalese and two residents of Uttarakhand. What appealed to the crowd logic was the argument that why would the suspects from outside the state stay put after committing the heinous crime. If the allegation turns out to be true during the CBI investigation, the state police has a lot of explaining to do. Trust in police functioning is already low. A mere allegation of a cover-up of a crime is enough to work up a crowd and inflame passions.

Himachal Pradesh is heading for an assembly election later this year. It is natural for the political opponents of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to take advantage of the evolving situation in Shimla district. Given the gravity of the crime, emotions should be kept under control. A peaceful protest within the democratic norms is valid and an exercise of restraint is the need of the hour. However, mob violence or the blocking of roads inconveniencing citizens cannot be justified, no matter how grave the provocation. Members of the civil society should take care not to allow themselves to become tools for cheap politicians. The Chief Minister has to restore public faith in the system which has been badly shaken by an apparently partisan role of the state police.
Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Bahadurgarh, July 16

All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) chief Yashpal Malik today said Jats might get reservation in government jobs and educational institutes before the general election in 2019.

He was addressing members of the Jat community at a mahasammelan here. He said the Rajya Sabha would pass the Bill for setting up the National Commission for Backward Classes in the coming session.

The commission is likely to submit its report in connection with reservation for Jats in 2018. Jats will be given reservation constitutionally on the basis of the commissions report, he said.

The AIJASS chief added that the matter pertaining to reservation for Jats in Haryana was sub judice and was being handled in court.

Asked about the row over donations received during the Jat reservation stir, he said some political conspiracy was on to create differences between Jat leaders, but they were united across the state and would fight to get reservation.

He threatened to relaunch the quota stir if the demands were not met. He said the Jat Seva Sangh was being formed for the betterment of the community.

Deepak Rathi, convener of the All-India Adarsh Jat Mahasabha, accused Malik of misguiding members of the Jat community in the name of reservation. He said Malik had nothing to do with the interests of Jats and was here only to serve his personal interests.
Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, July 16

HPCC president Ashok Tanwar today refuted the rumour of the possibility of change of guard in the state Congress.

He said there was no race among party leaders for the post of state Congress president. I am the president of the HPCC and shall remain in future too, he said Tanwar while talking to mediapersons after inaugurating a health check up camp for Kanwariyas at the Shiv Temple here.

He blamed the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state for the deteriorating condition of farmers. He said the BJP has betrayed farmers by not implementing the Swaminathan commissions recommendations.

Tanwar said the Congress always stood by farmers in the time of crisis and would continue to fight for their rights. We are building pressure on the BJP government by holding rallies and protest march across the state, he added.

Besides farmers, other sections of society are unhappy with the BJP government, he said, adding that the BJP has also failed to maintain law and order in Haryana.
KV Prasad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 16

Thirty-nine Indians who went missing after Islamic State captured Mosul in 2014 are currently believed to be held in a prison in the Iraqi town of Badush, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj is said to have told their families on Sunday.

Delhi Gurdwara Sikh Management Committee president Manjit Singh GK, who accompanied the families to meet the minister on Sunday, said quoting her that latest reports from Iraq said that Indians were not in Mosul, but were being held captive in a prison in Badush  a town 16 km northwest of Mosul  where Iraqi forces are battling Islamic State militants.

READ

The Indians, who were until now believed to be Mosul, were not found during sweeping search operations Iraqi forces conducted after its recapture, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari was quoted as telling Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (Retd) VK Singh when he visited Iraq soon after the city's recapture.

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Most of the missing are from Punjab.

"Gen Singh returned from the outskirts of Badush since the battle is still going on," he said, adding Swaraj promised to keep the families informed.

Swaraj has said she would meet the families after al-Jaafaris visit to India on July 24.

Iraqi forces retook Mosul from the Islamic State last week after an eight-month campaign against the Islamist militants.

VK Singh went on a five-day tour to Iraq after Mosul was freed to find out about the Indians who have been untraceable since the Islamic State captured the city and established a so-called caliphate in 2014.




President Pranab Mukherjee had five stints in the Rajya Sabha and two in the Lok Sabha. His last stint in the Lok Sabha was cut short as he became the President in 2012. Pranabs son Abhijit won the byelection from Jangipur by a mere 2,500 votes despite the hype about his father being the first Bengali President. He won the seat again in 2014, this time the margin rose to 8,000 votes.

Pranab is spending his last working days in his old constituency with son Abhijit by his side. Locals have been approaching Pranab with their problems. Evidently, before he formally retires from public life, he is trying to make Jangipur a secure constituency for Abhijit.

Presidents daughter Sharmistha, it is rumoured, may be fielded by the Congress for a Rajya Sabha seat from West Bengal and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will help her win the seat. Pranab has been praising Mamata at various public events lately and the latter will return the favour by coming to Sharmisthas aid.

Political switch

Speculation is rife that Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Lok Sabha member and president of the West Bengal unit of Congress, is planning to switch over to the BJP.

Political circles are also intrigued by a letter written by Adhir to PM Narendra Modi recently asking the latter to intervene in Darjeeling where the Gorkhaland agitation has thrown life completely out of gear. BJP leaders of West Bengal are pleased with what he has done.

If Adhir leaves the Congress, he will not be first Congress leader in the state to do so. Manas Bhuyan, CLP leader, also left the Congress to join the ruling Trinamool Congress. Bhuyan is now set to become a TMC member in the Rajya Sabha.

Karnans loyalist

Karna, the tragic character from the Mahabharata epic, translates into Karnan in Tamil. Like Karna was abandoned by his mother, his namesake CS Karnan has been abandoned by the judiciary, despite he being one of them. The controversial Calcutta High Court judge is now doing time at the gaol here after being sentenced by the Supreme Court for contempt of court.

However, everyone has not deserted Karnan. Nazrul, who helped Karnan with his domestic chores here, continues to serve his master.

When Karnan was on the run, Nazrul stayed put at Karnans official residence and looked after his belongings. Nazrul now visits the Presidency Jail frequently to meet Karnan.

Sahebdoes have some medical issues, but he does not want to get admitted to the prison hospital without sufficient reason. He has started liking the prison, Nazrul told this reporter.

Honey trap

Young Ananda Mandal of Kakinara, near Barrackpore, in West Bengal is an expert motorcycle thief. A four-member gang specialised in stealing motorbikes. The police were unable to nab them. Perhaps, gang leader Mandal had a sixth sense about arrival of the police and would always give them the slip.

After many botched attempts, Sanjib Chakraverti, inspector at the Jagaddal police station, set a trap to net Mandal. He had Anandas mobile number. A woman constable was asked to assume a fake identity and call up the number and befriend Ananda. The plan worked. After couple of phone conversations, Ananda turned up at a mutually agreed spot to meet the girl. All four gang members came on two stolen motorcycles and were caught by police. Mandal was carrying a red rose and chocolate bar to make a present to his ladylove.
BIjay Sankar Bora

Elected peoples representatives in Nagaland have virtually turned the Assembly into a circus with legislators of the Naga Peoples Front (NPF), the major constituent of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), playing musical chairs with the CMs seat. The music, played by invisible conductors, have been omnipresent in Naga life for decades.

It was only in February this year that TR Zeliang of the NPF was forced to quit as CM with his decision to give 33 per cent representation to women in urban local bodies elections vehemently opposed by NGOs. The latter maintained that it was against the customary laws of the Naga tribal society to have women representatives in elected bodies.

In that crisis, octogenarian NPF president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu emerged as the consensus candidate for the CMs post after the NGOs forced Zeliang out. Not a member of the Legislative Assembly, it was decided that Dr Shurhozelies son would vacate the seat to facilitate his fathers election. But even before the byelection could be held, an impatient CM Zeliang has staked claim to the CMs post again, claiming the support of 41 MLAs in a House with an effective strength of 59 MLAs. He claims the support of a majority of NPF MLAs.

The ruling DAN comprises 47 NPF legislators, four BJP MLAs and eight Independents. The eight Independents were elected as Congress MLAs but later left the party to be part of the ruling DAN.

With the Governor drawn into the picture, the matter is now under the consideration of the High Court, that has stayed the Governors directive asking Surhozelie to conduct a floor test on July 15.

The Naga Peoples Fronts youth wing has called upon the party legislators not to play with peoples mandate and stop the power game for the sake of development.

Naga rebellion

Interlocutor for Naga peace talks and Joint Intelligence Committee chairman RN Ravi, who was on a visit to Nagaland last week, commented that they were close to a solution to the protracted Naga problem. Close to a solution, we are bringing the framework agreement to a conclusion, Ravi was quoted to have said. He said he was in Nagaland to hold one more round of consultations with civil society. He however, refused to give any time frame for the solution. It is well known that rivalry among rebel groups and tribes runs too deep to be gauged from the surface.

Rail, road blockade

People in the tiny, landlocked state of Tripura is staring at an imminent crisis of essentials, food-items, medicines and fuels because of the road and railway blockade resorted to by Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) to press for its demand for a separate state for tribals in the state. They have blocked the arterial National Highway 8 and the only railway link to the state for several days.

The IPFT has been agitating on and off since 2009 for a separate state carved out by upgrading the existing Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas. The IPFT has sought the Governors intervention to facilitate a tri-partite meeting between them, the Centre and state government.

The politically important TTAADC constitutes two-thirds of Tripuras 10,491 sq. km area, housing 12,16,465 (mostly tribals) of the states 37 lakh population.

The Left Front Government in Tripura blames the BJP for instigating the IPFT to take recourse to agitation to create turmoil in the state before the Assembly elections next year. The BJP, of course, says the charge is baseless.
Lucknow, July 16

In the wake of the fire that broke out at King George Medical University's Trauma Centre late on Saturday evening, District Magistrate Kaushalraj Sharma has said over 150 patients have been admitted to eight other hospitals.

The fire was set only in one room of a godown, and was contained within that room itself. As of now, it is believed that the cause of the fire is the breaking of an Air-Conditioner duct. All the patients have been safely admitted to eight other hospitals, and the water from the AC ducts is being cleaned, he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the patients who were shifted to Shatabdi Hospital in Lucknow from KGMU.

Sharma added that a team of fire and electrical safety are looking into the cause of the fire in detail, and are expected to present a report on the same.

Meanwhile, chief secretary, health and education, Anita Bhatnagar confirmed that no casualties were reported, and the fire was doused on time.

A massive fire broke out on the second floor of the Medicine Department of King George Medical College Trauma Centre late on Saturday evening.

The centre was evacuated by the hospital staff and the patients taken out.

"The fire is massive. It is a medicine ward. Property has been destroyed. The complete ward has been evacuated. The patients of the OT have been shifted to the Shatabdi Hospital," one of the doctors of the hospital had said earlier.

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Brajesh Pathak said the Trauma Centre caught fire due to short circuit.

"Nearly 150 patients have been shifted to another hospital and all of them are safe. The fire tenders have been able to douse the fire," he said.

Pathak assured to probe into the matter and said an action will be taken against the responsible persons for this carelessness.

"If the fire broke out, that simply means that there were some lapses on the part of the administration, but it is difficult to point out a specific person at this time. We will first probe the matter," he assured.
New Delhi/Jalandhar, July 16

The Union Government today said the 39 Indians held captive by Islamic State in Iraq since 2014, were believed to be in a prison in Badush, a town witnessing a battle between Iraqi forces and the militia.This information comes following the visit of Minister of State for External Affairs Gen VK Singh (retd) to Iraq last week.

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh GK, who accompanied the kin of the missing Indians to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, quoted her as saying the youths were being held captive in Badush, a town 16 km northwest of Mosul.

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Manjit Singh said during combing operations in Mosul, the 39 Indians, understood to have taken shelter at a place of worship, could not be located. During VK Singhs interaction with the Iraqi authorities, he was told that they could be in Badush. He had to return from the outskirts of Badush where a battle is on, he said.

The DSGMC chief said Sushma Swaraj told the families they would be kept in the loop and promised to brief them after her meeting with Iraqi Foreign Affairs Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari during his visit to India on July 24.

Davinder Singh, brother of kidnapped youth Gobinder Singh, said: We had expected we would be provided proof, such as photos, to show our kin are alive. But nothing of the sort happened. Raman, whose brother Aman is among those kidnapped, described the meeting as disappointing.  TNS
New Delhi, July 16

A day before the presidential election, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Sunday described the electoral contest as a fight against a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision.

Addressing opposition leaders in the presence of their presidential and vice presidential nominees  Meira Kumar and Gopal Krishna Gandhi respectively, she said, in these contests, the numbers may be against them but the battle must be fought and fought hard.

We cannot and must not let India be hostage to those who wish to impose upon it a narrow-minded, divisive and communal vision, she said.

According to the text of her speech, she said, We must stand more aware than ever of who we are, what we fought for in our independence struggle and what future we want for ourselves.

We must have confidence in the values we believe in.

This election represents a clash of ideas, a conflict of disparate values. The election demands a vote of conscience to preserve the India that the Mahatma and that illustrious generation of freedom fighters, joined by thousands upon thousands of ordinary men and women, fought for, she said.

She said the presence of representatives from different parties to support Kumar and Gopal Gandhi confirms that the fight for an inclusive, tolerant and pluralistic India is being truly waged.

The vice presidential poll will be held on August 5.  PTI
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 16

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the widow and a government job in the police department for the son of the Ludhiana pastor who was killed by unidentified men outside a local church on Saturday night.

The chief minister called up the family of Sultan Masih, who was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants, to convey his condolences over the tragedy and promised strong action against the culprits.

Capt Amarinder, who had earlier in the day directed the police to launch a crackdown against communal forces in the state through such incidents, assured Masihs widow Sarabjit Kaur of all possible government help following the loss of her husband.

He told Sarabjit that her 18-year-old son Alisha would be provided a job in the police department to sustain the family, according to an official spokesperson.

The chief minister also assured her that the killers of her husband would be tracked by the police and brought to book.
Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 16

Family members of eight Hemkund Sahib pilgrims, who went missing on their way back from the shrine in Uttarakhand, are reluctant to accept that they got perished in the strong current of Alaknanda river. Members of Mehta Taxi Union, who had gone to trace the missing pilgrims, believe otherwise.

Members of the union returned from Uttarakhand last night after overseeing search operation jointly conducted by the ITBP, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Uttarakhand Police.

Three members of Sahib Singhs family, including Kirpal, 52, his nephews Jasbir Singh, 28 and Kulbir Singh, 17, are missing. He said no convincing evidence of his relatives having been killed in an accident was found, adding that they would not consider them dead till the Uttarakhand police confirm it.

Another relative Kirpal Singh, who accompanied the search team, said they would soon travel to Chamoli again.

Taxi union member Jasbir Singh said he saw the footage of CCTV cameras at police posts and bank branches. He added that he did not spot the Innova (PB- 06AB 5472) at Joshimath between 12 noon and 4 pm on July 6.

He said two roadside lights were found smashed and marks of tyres skidding were found at least six km off Gobind Ghat. He added that the vehicle could have fallen hundreds of feet down into Alaknanda river and swept away in its strong current.

He said they found the identity card of driver Mehnga Singh at Rishikesh, about 250 km from the possible accident spot.

Another family member Bachitar Singh appreciated the cooperation extended by the police and district administration of Chamoli and Haridwar districts. He added that even locals extended cooperation.
Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, July 16

Three Pakistani SIMs were seized from Sajjan Singh, a farmer in Gajniwala village, by BSF sleuths few days back.

These were purportedly to be used for cross-border drug peddling.

Two days ago, counter-intelligence sleuths had arrested another smuggler Jagtar Singh. He admitted to using a Pakistani mobile phone for cross-border drug trade.

Seizures like these are a routine affair all across the 553-km-long international India-Pakistan border in Punjab.

During the past five years, 134 Pakistani SIMs and 69 mobile phones have been seized along the Zero Line. However if sources are to be believed, this is just the tip of the iceberg as it is estimated that at any given point of time, 100-150 Pakistani numbers remain active in the border belt.

Drug peddlers  in order not to be intercepted by intelligence agencies  continue to use these SIMs to pursue their sinister designs, posing a serious threat to national security.

While expressing helplessness to deal with this issue, BSF officials admitted that Pakistani SIMs were being used inside Indian territory. However, no solution has been devised yet to combat this challenge.

Sources said that Pakistani mobile signals have presence in more than 20 pockets along the border in Punjab. Their range varies from 500m or more depending upon the location.

Pakistani service provider Mobilink, which leads the market share with nearly 40 million subscribers, has connectivity up to 1 km in Mamdot, Khemkaran and Ferozepur areas while U-Fones signals reach Mamdot and Amarkot areas across the fencing.

Even SIM cards of Telenor (Norwegian), Zong (Chinese) and UAEs Wahid that enjoy a large subscriber base in Pakistan are also being used in this belt.

Kaustubh Sharma, Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, said that in the absence of any stringent telecom regulatory laws in Pakistan, large number of unregistered SIM cards are in circulation. More often than not, these make their way into India through legal interface or grey channels as it is extremely difficult to check such a tiny item.

Cross-border smugglers use these SIMs to avoid interception, he said, adding that the smugglers also keep changing their numbers to ensure that their communication is not tracked by agencies.

Earlier, drug smugglers had been using satellite phones but the agencies were able to intercept the wireless link between the phone and the satellite. But intercepting these SIMs is an uphill task.

Sources said that the state agencies in Pakistan also encourage mobile service providers to make their signals available across the border deep inside Indian territory. We have raised the issue during various meetings with BSNL and other technical agencies. But a permanent solution is yet to be worked out, said a BSF official.
Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana July 16

Demanding the arrest of the culprits who shot pastor Sultan Masih outside a local church last night, his relatives, accompanied by hundreds of members of the Christian community, today blocked the Ludhiana-Jalandhar NH-1.

Also read: Pastor shot dead outside Ludhiana church

Pastors murder: Family refuses to hold funeral, demands killers arrest

Residents sweat buckets as protesters block city roads

The blockade lasted for over three hours. It was lifted after the police assured the protesters that the culprits would be nabbed soon.

Police Commissioner RN Dhoke said they had formed a SIT, headed by DCP (Crime) Gaganajit Singh and comprising ADCP RS Brar, ACP (Crime) Maninder Bedi and SHO Salem Tabri Amandeep Brar.

Video by Nikhil Bhardwaj



He said the police had been working on various theories and it would be too early to say anything. We cannot rule out the terror angle. Further investigations are underway, Dhoke said.

We have collected CCTV footage from the area. There are some leads on the bike-borne assailants. We are trying to identify their entry and exit routes, he said.

Meanwhile, Dhoke held a meeting with Christian leaders, including Munawar Masih, chairman, Minority Commission, Albert Dua, president, Christian United Federation, and several church priests, who assured the authorities that peace would be maintained. Four local MLAs, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Surinder Dawar, Sanjay Talwar and Kuldeep Vaid, too, attended the meeting.

Dhoke said the family had agreed to perform the last rites of the pastor on Monday.

Sources said the police had increased the security of churches across the state as a preventive measure. Unconfirmed reports stated that the pastor was under threat, although the police had refuted it.

Abraham Irshad, PPCC general secretary, in a statement, condemned the killing, saying that disturbing peace in the state seemed to be the motive behind the crime. He appealed to the Christian community to maintain peace.

Rs 5-lakh relief, job for family

Chandigarh: Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced ex gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh for the widow and a police job for the son of the deceased pastor. The CM called up the family of Sultan Masih to convey his condolences over the tragedy and promised strong action against the culprits. Amarinder assured Masih's widow Sarabjit Kaur of all possible government help. He told Sarabjit that her 18-year-old son Alisha would be provided a job in the police department to sustain the family, said an official spokesperson. TNS

CM for crackdown on communal forces

Chandigarh: Taking a serious note of the killing of a Christian priest in Ludhiana, Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday directed the DGP to order a crackdown on elements trying to stir communal passions in the state by indulging in such attacks and to remain on high alert against such forces. Attempts to vitiate the states environment would not be tolerated at any cost, Amarinder said. TNS
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 16

The Vigilance Bureau nabbed 38 officials accepting bribes during the months of May and June, an official press release said here today.

As part of a special drive, at least 11 employees of the revenue department, five of police, six of power and 16 of other departments were caught red-handed seeking illegal gratification.

The VB has submitted 20 challans of vigilance cases in various special courts during this period and registered eight criminal cases against the accused officials. As many as 17 vigilance inquiries have also been initiated to probe corruption cases. Besides, various special courts awarded sentences to nine accused officials.

In May, Hans Raj, a patwari, Sukhdeep Singh, GM, Punjab Roadways, and Rajiv Verma, a PSPCL employee, were sentenced to four-year imprisonment separately by special courts of Bathinda, Moga and Patiala.

Balwinder Singh, an ASI posted in Rajpura, was awarded five-year jail term along with a fine of Rs 40,000 by the special court in Patiala. Amit Anand, a clerk at the SDM office in Jalandhar, has been sentenced to four years of imprisonment by the special court in Jalandhar.

In June, Ranjodh Singh, functional manager, Department of Industries, was awarded four-year jail term by the special court in Moga. Rakesh Kumar, a motor vehicle inspector at Ludhiana was sentenced to four-year imprisonment and Ram Chander, his agent, got two-year jail term by the special court in Ludhiana.

Tarlochan Singh, JE, PSPCL, Rajpura, was awarded three-year imprisonment by the special court in Patiala.

16 of Revenue Dept
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 16

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat today appealed to the people of the state to at least plant one sapling during the month-long Harela festivities.

The CM was addressing a gathering at Doiwala in Dehradun after kickstarting the Harela festival in the state. Trivendra Singh Rawat, who was accompanied by his ministers and party legislators, said a target of planting 50 lakh saplings had been given to the state forest department this monsoon season. He said another 50 lakh saplings would be planted in the state through various departments and social welfare organisations.

The Chief Minister said trees always had close links with Hindu religion. In our Shastras, it has been said that a tree is equivalent to ten sons. Such is importance of trees in Hindu religion, he pointed out.

He said revival of rivers and streams was the theme of Harela. It is important that we plant as many saplings as possible in the catchment areas of rivers and streams in order to maintain their water flow. Large-scale plantation of saplings is already being undertaken along the Suswa river in Dehradun, Trivendra Rawat pointed out.

State Assembly Speaker Premchand Agarwal, Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat and Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj were present. Saplings were distributed to children to mark the occasion.

Meanwhile, the Congress also celebrated Harela. A special function was organised at state the Congress headquarters in Dehradun, which was attended by party leaders. On the other hand, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat, who revived the Harela festival in the state during his tenure as Chief Minister, celebrated the festival at his native village Mohnari in Almora where he planted a sapling. He appealed to Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat to continue patronising Harela as the festival was closely linked to the people of the state and conservation.

The state Disaster Management Department also celebrated Harela by planting saplings near the Sahastradhara road, Dehradun. Disaster Management Department Secretary Amit Singh Negi congratulated the team members of the project for their initiative. He encouraged the department to promote such environment conservation-related activities in future. Several other social welfare organisations celebrated Harela in the state today.
Jerusalem, July 16

Israel reopened an ultra-sensitive holy site today closed after an attack that killed two policemen, but Muslim worshippers were refusing to enter due to new security measures, including metal detectors and cameras.

Crowds chanted Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest) as a number of initial visitors entered Jerusalems Haram al-Sharif compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. The flashpoint holy site includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

But midday Muslim prayers were held outside the site due to the new security measures. We reject the changes imposed by the Israeli government, Sheikh Omar Kiswani, Al-Aqsa director, told reporters outside.

We will not enter through these metal detectors. Three Arab Israeli assailants opened fire on Israeli police Friday in Jerusalems Old City before fleeing to the compound. Israeli authorities said they had come from the flashpoint holy site to commit the attack. Israel took the highly unusual decision to close the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for Friday prayers, triggering anger from Muslims and Jordan, the holy sites custodian.

The site remained closed on Saturday, while parts of Jerusalems Old City were also under lockdown. Authorities said the closure was necessary to carry out security checks and announced it would reopen the compound today. The police said so far two gates leading to the holy site had been opened, equipped with metal detectors.  AFP
London, July 16

Senior members of the government are becoming convinced of the need for a phased British departure from the European Union to help protect the economy, finance minister Philip Hammond said on Sunday.

Brexit minister David Davis heads to Brussels on Monday for a first full round of talks, with EU officials hoping the British government, yet to set out detailed proposals on several major issues, begins to show more urgency about doing a deal before Britain leaves the bloc in 2019.

Hammond, who supported remaining in the EU at last years referendum, is seen as the voice of a so-called soft Brexit within Prime Minister Theresa Mays cabinet, favouring prioritising trade ties with the EU over curbing immigration.

With May weakened by a failed election gamble last month which saw her Conservatives lose their parliamentary majority, Britains weekend papers were full of stories of infighting as cabinet colleagues reportedly vie for her job.

Hammond, regarded as one potential successor to May, has repeatedly talked about the need for a transitional deal, saying such an arrangement would see Britain replicate as much as possible the existing arrangements in order to minimise the impact on business.

Hammond said the majority of his colleagues now recognised this was the right and sensible way to go.

Trade minister Liam Fox, who favours making a cleaner break with the bloc, said he did not have a problem with a transition period as long as it was for a limited duration and gave Britain the freedom to negotiate its own trade deals.

Hammond said the government needed to provide as much clarity as possible, as soon as possible, to restore business and consumer confidence and keep the economy moving.

It is absolutely clear that businesses, where they have discretion over investment, where they can hold off, are doing so ... they are waiting for more clarity about what the future relationship with Europe will look like, he said.

The length of any transition would depend on how long is needed to get new systems in place in areas such as customs and immigration, but it should be a defined period and was likely to need to be a couple of years, Hammond added.

Hammond himself was the subject of a number of damaging newspaper stories over the weekend, including one which said he had called public sector workers overpaid. The finance minister said he was being attacked for his Brexit views.

Some of the noise is generated by people who are not happy with the agenda that I have ... tried to advance of ensuring that we achieve a Brexit which is focused on protecting our economy, protecting our jobs and making sure that we can have continued rising living standards in the future, he said.  Reuters
Caracas, July 16

Thousands of Venezuelans cast ballots today in a symbolic vote seen likely to reject plans by President Nicolas Maduro to rewrite the constitution, upping pressure on the beleaguered leader after months of violent street protests.

The call to polls  described as a plebiscite by the Opposition, but illegal by the government  is over Maduros intention to have a citizensbody elected to redraft the country's basic law.

To detract from the Opposition vote, his government was today holding a dry-run simulation of that election, which is to be held on July 30.

Several Latin American countries and the Catholic Church have criticised the move to draw up a new constitution, while the Opposition has slammed it as bid by Maduro to concentrate dictatorial powers to stay in power.

Many voters, wearing white or the colours of the Venezuelan flag, turned up early to the 14,000 makeshift voting tables set up under tents across the country. Liberty! yelled some.

Voters are being asked if they reject Maduro's plan to create a Constituent Assembly to redo the constitution, and if they approve of early poll.  AFP
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

View Results
Senator Kim David, R-Porter, is among 80 legislators to be named to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau 100 Percent Club for a 100-percent voting record with the organization during the 2017 legislative session.

Among the measures David and her colleagues were graded on were Senate Bills 147, 326 and 593.

SB 147 allows a municipalitys governing body to waive the three-mile setback requirement for concentrated animal feeding operations.

SB 326 makes it unlawful to import or possess exotic swine and authorizes the State Veterinarian to grant exceptions to zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

SB 593 encourages wind energy development by removing a loophole allowing individuals to register for construction of a private airport to prevent the development of wind turbines.

The agriculture, farming and ranching industries are the backbone of our economy, David said. Its important that we support measures like these to strengthen rural Oklahoma and help families and businesses in these smaller communities.

OKFB President Tom Buchanan said Oklahoma Farm Bureau is thankful to have excellent representation as the organization continues to fight for its members at the state Capitol.

We applaud these lawmakers for their effort to protect agriculture and rural Oklahoma.
With the midterm resignation of then-Ward 4 councilmember Shane North in May, the City of Wagoner faced a vacancy on its council for a little over a month.

By statute, remaining councilmembers had 60 days from the day of resignation  May 8  to fill the vacancy with an appointment by majority vote. At the regular July meeting, they unanimously approved Mayor Albert Joness appointment of Roger Schilling to the Ward 4 post.

Schilling is a former employee of the City of Wagoners Emergency Medical Services department, and was chosen after interviews were conducted with him and several other candidates.

I think hes an excellent choice, Councilwoman Mary Jane Whisnant said. Ive known him since back when he was with EMS here.

(The mayor) went out and interviewed several individuals, and I think he brought the council a good pick. I look forward to working with him, she continued. I think he will give careful consideration to the choices we have to make as a council.

Schilling made his pitch for the seat before councilman Max Sanders motioned to approve the appointment. The motion passed unanimously.

The new councilman said he has always had a desire to run for public office, and this was a great opportunity to start.

City attorney Ken Hicks administered the oath of office to Schilling, and he took his seat to begin his first meeting as a voting councilmember.

Schilling will serve the remaining term left by North, which will expire in 2019. He will then be required seek election for the seat if he wishes to continue serving in the upcoming municipal general election.

In his resignation letter, which he hand delivered to City Hall and the American-Tribune office on Monday, May 8, North stated, in part, While I regret that I am no longer able to represent my constituents, I am sure that whoever is appointed will do an honorable job.
Popularity contest: Morning Consults quarterly survey of U.S. senators quarterly approval ratings show surprisingly large declines for both of Oklahomas.

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofes approval rating fell 11 points, to 50 percent, and U.S. Sen. James Lankfords dropped 7 points, to 52 percent.

Despite that, only 31 percent disapproved of Inhofes performance and only 26 percent disapproved of Lankfords. The rest were undecided.

More than half of the Senate lost ground from the surveys previous release in April. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont continued to be the member most popular in his home state, while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was still the least popular.

Saving Big Bird: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which the Trump administration proposed eliminating, receives $445 million in the appropriations bill cleared last week by a subcommittee chaired by 4th District Congressman Tom Cole.

It is the same funding the CPB receives now.

If you look over a 50-year (CPB) history, Cole said, according to Broadcasting & Cable, it is a pretty impressive record of enriching the content of public dialog, opening doors to communities that dont often have these kind of opportunities and living within what is by any measure at the federal level a comparatively modest budget, which you manage to leverage and multiply many times over.

Dots and dashes: In an email to constituents, Lankford said he hasnt decided whether to support the latest Senate health care bill, but that he can assure you that a single vote will not resolve the many complex healthcare issues we face. Separately, Lankford told a radio audience the new bill was an improvement on its predecessor and he would like to see it brought to the floor for debate and possible amendment. ... Inhofe used a Senate Armed Services Committee meeting to praise U.S. liquefied natural gas shipments to central and eastern European. Inhofe said the LNG will help deter Russian aggression in the region. ... Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt raised the possibility of EPA-sponsored television debates on climate science.
The path a person takes to getting a protective order after being beaten by a spouse in Tulsa County isnt a straight line.

Often, there are curves, yields, hills and certainly a rabbit hole or two. Its a complicated process for even the most educated of people.

Almost a year ago, an assessment of the civil protective order process in Tulsa County District Court was released but didnt get much attention. It deserves another read.

A group involving law enforcement officers, judges, attorneys and advocates invested a year looking at the different parts of the system. They used an evidence-based model published by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and pulled in some national experts.

The results were wide-ranging recommendations from opening up better parking and changing the courtroom configuration to enhancing judicial training and advocating for statutory changes.

Some have been done. Some not.

It takes a village to address a problem. Its going to take a huge village to address domestic violence in this state, said District Judge Mary Fitzgerald, who is chief of the family division. We need to learn to all work together.

Huge problem: Fitzgerald convened the group in 2015 after Tulsa police saw a bump in the number of domestic violence-related homicides the previous year, with 12 victims murdered by an intimate partner out of 54 total homicides.

But Oklahoma has never fared well in this area. Currently, the states ranks No. 4 in the annual Violence Policy Center report in the homicide rate of women killed by men. And, while the statistics arent as readily available, this issue impacts same-sex couples as well.

Family Safety Center Executive Director Suzann Stewart said several advocates visited Tarrant County in Texas  home to Fort Worth. Its court represents a population of about 1.9 million in 42 municipalities. Fort Worth police said they handle about 30,000 domestic violence 911 calls a year. Tulsa police answer about 25,000 such calls annually, she said.

What does that tell you about the level of family violence in this community? Its huge, Stewart said. While getting people into the Family Safety Center is helping keep people safe, there are all these people being killed and none are accessing services, still.

The whole point is to make sure both the alleged offenders and the plaintiffs alleging abuse have an opportunity for both to be safe and secure from each other. ... We have to be able to provide safety for these families within a legal context or we are continuing to put those families at risk.

Its why the effort to shore up the protective order system shouldnt be collecting dust on a shelf.

Domestic violence is a huge problem in this state, Fitzgerald said. Tulsa has always been known as a front-runner as a community in trying to do best practices. I dont want us to fail that due to budget shortages and other problems in this state that sometimes overwhelm us, and we forget the progress we have made.

First steps: Some recommendations dont require money, such as standardizing forms among law enforcement. Also District Judge Sarah Day Smith changed the seating arrangement in the courtroom for better safety before District Judge Martha Rupp Carter took over the docket, and those have remained.

That might seem insignificant, but intimidation isnt just with words. It can be with a glance or a look. Body language holds power.

Courts have to have a fair and impartial system. We are not in the business of picking either side. But we do have an obligation, I believe, to provide a safe environment for everybody, Fitzgerald said.

Inconsistent decisions from the courthouse also emerged.

Judges regularly hearing the domestic violence docket get to know the safety and psychological issues going on in these cases. But, judges unfamiliar with these types of cases may use different standards or not be aware of other guidelines required in this civil proceeding.

A red flag was raised when the protective orders sought by the Family Safety Center on behalf of victims had about a 92 percent approval rate from the court with a regular judge but the number plummeted to 40 percent with a substitute judge, who may be filling in.

A solution was to create bench cards to serve as a guide in what needs to be address, including getting firearms out of the hands of alleged abusers.

Tulsa Police have five officers and two supervisors in its domestic violence unit handling more than 150 cases a week, and prosecutors face a backlog in deciding on criminal charges. The assessment recommended hiring more officers and assistant district attorneys.

Other gaps found: The courtroom doesnt always have a bailiff or security officer, court reporters and audio recordings have limited availability, translators are not available and fewer victims have attorneys.

Fitzgerald said Tulsa is fortunate to have nonprofit resources and other organizations working together to bridge the budget concerns.

My fear is that after 20 years of making these steps well forget it all. I dont want that to happen, Fitzgerald said.

Ongoing process: How protective orders are addressed in family court  where child custody is decided  became a glaring issue.

Fitzgerald convened the quality assurance panel overseeing that court to start its own assessment.

Its ongoing, but she expects a report to be complete by the time she ends her role as chief of the division in December.

Before I step down as chief, I want to see this process done, Fitzgerald said. We know we have family court issues. Lets see if we are doing the best things. We have spent the last 25 years  since 1998  reforming family court; statewide we are looked upon as progressive. I want to see if we are doing the best we can and what do we need to do going forward.
OKLAHOMA CITY  Oklahomas criminal justice reform efforts bear similarities to policies Texas has implemented, with some legislators using that comparison to oppose new laws here.

As the 2017 legislative session drew to a close, state Rep. Scott Biggs blocked several measures from a hearing because he opposed the changes. Supporters of criminal justice reform, he said, are trying to finish in one year what Texas took six years to accomplish.

The reform package that the governor and everyone is touting is the reform package from Texas that took six years for the Texas Legislature to pass, said Biggs, R-Chickasha.

Jerry Madden, a former Texas lawmaker who pioneered criminal justice reform in the state, said hes not sure where the six years comes from.
Peoples budget: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Drew Edmondson said he will send a budget plan to a vote of the people if the Legislature doesnt stand up to their corporate donors and their corporate lobbyists and do whats right.

Edmondson said he would attempt to pass a budget plan that supports the peoples priorities through the initiative petition process unless the Legislature grows a backbone over the summer and comes back to the Capitol with a realistic plan to fund the priorities that will best serve our seniors, kids, grandkids and our Oklahoma.

No sympathy: House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, slammed the Department of Human Services announced $30 million in cuts to services late Friday, and threatened an audit of the agency.

McCall said DHS was one of the few state agencies to receive additional funding  $53 million  and said the cuts were surprising to say the least.

But DHS Director Ed Lake had warned lawmakers the FY 2018 budget would result in service reductions. Most of the apparent increase was because of an artificially low baseline created by an FY 2017 appropriation that covered only 10 months of operations. A supplemental appropriation this spring was required to get the agency through the fiscal year ending June 30.

At the same time, DHS and the state are under pressure to improve child welfare services.

McCall said Tuesdays announcement, which was made the same day the majority Republicans lost House and Senate seats in special elections, demonstrates the need for regular audits of state agencies by the Legislative Service Bureau, which is controlled by the House and Senate leadership.

DHS is an important agency that does a lot of good for the citizens of Oklahoma, but we should never be complacent, and our priority as public servants should always be to try to find ways to make government more cost effective and efficient, and to ensure the tax dollars entrusted to us by the people of Oklahoma are used wisely, McCall said in a press release.

Loopy loophole: The next legislative session doesnt start for seven months, but two Creek County lawmakers have already filed legislation to close a hole in state law that allowed a Bristow sex offender to move in next door to his victim.

Harold English recently moved next door to Danyelle Dyer, who was 7 when English molested her. English is the step-brother of Dyers father, and is living with his mother after finishing his prison term.

State Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, and Sen. James Leewright, R-Sapulpa, said their bill will add victims residences to the list of places sex offenders must stay away from.

Candidates and elections: Teacher John Waldron became the second Democrat to announce his candidacy for state House District 77, which is term-limited in 2018. Waldron lost to Republican Dave Rader last year in a hard-fought battle for state Senate District 39.

Licensed Mental Health Provider Shay White previously announced her candidacy.

Former state Rep. Dan Fisher of Yukon has registered a gubernatorial candidate committee with the state Ethics Commission. Fisher, who left the Legislature last year, is the 11th person to register a gubernatorial campaign and the fifth Republican.

First District Congressman Jim Bridenstine and current Insurance Commissioner John Doak have endorsed state Rep. Glen Mulready for insurance commissioner in 2018.

State Rep. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, said he will seek the Senate District 32 seat now held by Democrat Randy Bass. Bass is term-limited.

Formal filing for state offices is in April 2018.

Meetings and events: Evan Stair, president of Passenger Rail Oklahoma, will make two presentations on Tuesday entitled Wheres Tulsas Train?

Stair will speak at 4:45 p.m. at Hurts Donut, 111 S. Detroit Ave., at 6:30 p.m. at the Tulsa County Democratic Party monthly dinner at Oklahoma Joes, 6175 E. 61st St.

State Chairwoman Anna Langthorn will speak to the Creek County Democratic Party at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Freddys in Sapulpa, 1425 New Sapulpa Road.

Former state Sen. Mike Mazzei will discuss state finances at the Tulsa Republican Club meeting at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Summit Club, 15 W. Sixth St.

One-liners: In a somewhat unusual move, McCall named Rep. Terry ODonnell, R-Catoosa, to head an interim study of criminal justice reform, rather than any of the relevant committee chairmen. ... Gov. Mary Fallin is keynote speaker Tuesday for a national forum in New York on female incarceration. ... Joey Magana, a former aide to 5th District Congressman Steve Russell, is now deputy state director of Americans for Prosperity-Oklahoma, a conservative political organization. ... Lankford was fill-in pastor at the Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City this month, preaching three services on two successive Sundays, according to the Religion News Service. ... The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs downplayed last weeks downgrade of the states bond rating, saying it should be taken with a healthy grain of skepticism and that the rating agencies were being used as weapons to raise taxes.
Two people who were critically injured in crashes on Oklahoma roads in May and June have died, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.

Erika Solle, 81, of Lebanon, Tennessee, was driving a 1997 Chevrolet van on May 15 on a stretch of the Will Rogers Turnpike about 3 miles west of Miami about 2:25 a.m., when a tractor-trailer rig hit her from behind, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol report.

The impact caused both vehicles to leave the roadway before re-entering and coming to a stop against a barrier wall on the inside shoulder, the report said.

Truck driver Darnell Frazier, 47, of Battlefield, Missouri, was not injured in the collision.

Solle was taken from the scene to Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, in critical condition. She was pronounced dead Sunday morning, according to a report.

Troopers are still investigating the cause of the collision, but noted Solle was apparently sleepy when it occurred.

Cecil Summer, 73, of Vinita, was injured and died Saturday following a two-vehicle crash about noon about 2 miles east of Adair on a county road in Mayes County on June 22.

Summer was driving 2002 Ford F-150 pickup that collided with a westbound 1996 Ford F-250 pickup that had failed to yield at a stop sign, troopers said.

The driver of the F-250, a 17-year-old from Big Cabin, was not identified by the OHP.

Following the collision, the F-250 struck a utility pole and the F-150 caught fire, troopers said.

Neither driver was wearing a seat belt, the OHP said.

Paighten Harkins, Tulsa World
Correction

This story originally had the incorrect age for decedent Michael Daniels. The story has been corrected.

A police detective from north Tulsa is calling for more community engagement and cooperation after two people were killed during a shootout at a softball game.

Sgt. Marcus Harper, who heads the police departments Major Crimes unit, said he became exasperated when he learned of last weeks deadly gunfight. Chantel Mack, 20, and Michael Daniels, 49, died in a still-unsolved shooting that occurred during a community softball game July 9 at Crawford Park, 2425 N. Hartford Ave.

A majority of the people at the park when this happened were just out there playing softball having a good time, Harper said. But then you have people who show up from the outside, and probably a good term for them would be community terrorists. They are terrorizing the community.

He said cases such as this can be especially difficult to solve due to a lack of participation from witnesses. Investigators have grown increasingly frustrated as they struggle to locate the numerous residents who saw the shooting but left without talking to police.

Harper took to Facebook the following morning to express his frustration with non-cooperative witnesses. He urged anyone with information on the shooters to contact him, writing that I want this to sit on your gut all day, all that young lady did was turn around.

From what he has seen during his time with the police department and living in the community, Harper said, the issue with people refusing to talk to authorities is more complex than whats known as the no-snitch culture. He believes apathy also plays a significant factor.

I think it runs a little bit deeper than just not snitching, he said. I think a lot of people have the attitude that, Well it wasnt my loved one. I didnt get shot, so Im going to stay out of it. 

Harper said the community meetings that have been held to address high violence rates arent enough to make a difference. While local leaders take part in the meetings, the residents who need to be there dont show up.

Instead, he believes community members need to take to the streets and engage with troubled youths who are on the borderline of making bad decisions.

Whenever we have youth programs, the kids who show up are pretty much not the kids we have to worry about, he said. Its the ones who are not showing up to these events that we have to get out there and reach. Those are the ones that are being left behind.

Searching for leads

Homicide detectives now are investigating claims that one of the victims, Daniels, may have been involved with the shooters.

Although initial police reports stated both victims appeared to be innocent bystanders, Sgt. Dave Walker said information is coming out that could suggest otherwise.

Walker said the deaths of Mack and Daniels are being investigated as separate cases. Detectives have received a handful of conflicting stories from witnesses about the shooting, making it difficult to piece together what happened.

Much of the past week was spent tracking down witnesses. Some of the stories given appear credible and could have happened, Walker said, but there hasnt been enough reliable information for detectives to identify the gunmen.

The thing is, the people who saw the shooting and the shooters, theyre not coming forward, he said. Everybody out here knows what were trying to do and who were trying to find, and for whatever reason, its just the typical cops-and-robbers game.

Walker said a prevailing rumor in the community is that Daniels was involved in an altercation with somebody a week earlier, and that somebody is why the shooting happened.

While Walker doesnt believe Daniels took a gun to the softball game, he said he could have brought the shooters to the park. More information from the public is needed to determine his involvement.

What has become clear during the investigation is that Mack was not an intended victim.

We cant find any real reason why Chantel Mack is dead, Walker said. That would lead us to believe she was standing next to or in the middle of a gun battle between two opposing sides.
Oklahoma is preparing to unveil a $350 million plan designed to reduce health insurance premiums and avert a scenario where the state is left with no provider offering plans on the federally run marketplace.

But the effort comes with a catch: The more than 1.7 million Oklahomans who receive health insurance outside of the marketplace, including from employers, would pay more  a per-person fee of up to $60 a year.

The fee is part of a federal waiver the state is seeking to begin a reinsurance program through the Affordable Care Act or the GOPs proposed replacement plan.

The request, which the state is finalizing, would essentially offer government-backed insurance to health insurance companies to cover their costs when they face unexpectedly high claims on the Obamacare exchange, which now covers 124,000 individuals. If the plan passes an expedited federal approval process, it could take effect on Jan. 1.

A state-commissioned report projects the reinsurance program could reduce premiums on the exchange by up to 35 percent. That could entice an extra 5,000 to 15,000 Oklahomans to enroll in the marketplace and get health care they otherwise would go without. Many of them qualify for few or no tax-credit premium subsidies because their income is too high.

Buffy Heater, strategy officer for the Oklahoma health commissioner, said accomplishing this would be a critical first step in stabilizing the individual marketplace, which has seen average monthly premiums rise from $277 in 2015 to $571 this year.

Insurers have pulled out of the state exchange in recent years, citing high costs. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma now is the only remaining insurer on the exchange.

There is a strong belief this will bring other competitors into the marketplace, said Mike Rhoads, deputy commissioner of life and health insurance for the Oklahoma Insurance Department. It may not be for 2018, but were taking a long-term look at this thing.

Oklahoma is one of a handful of states exploring the reinsurance program through what is called a 1332 waiver  a provision of the ACA that, starting this year, allows states to seek flexibility in federal health-care rules. The state plans to submit its waiver application after a 30-day public comment period that will begin later this summer and expects the federal government to expedite its decision.

Championed by both sides

Reinsurance is one of the few health-care cost-control strategies championed by both liberals and conservatives.

The Democratic-crafted Affordable Care Act included reinsurance assessment fees on most insurers across the county from 2014 to 2016. Similar to Oklahomas waiver request, this was designed to create a pool of money to reimburse insurers for high costs on the exchange.

Under the Trump administration, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price has encouraged states to seek 1332 waivers to start their own reinsurance programs. Even if the GOPs repeal-and-replace efforts are successful, the latest House and Senate proposals both include provisions to allow states to continue to seek reinsurance programs through waivers.

One of the reasons reinsurance has gained support in Congress is because the federal governments portion of the funding  $244 million with Oklahomas proposal  would be recouped through savings. The federal government would have to pay out less in subsidies as premiums decrease. Still, some state funding would also be required.

Oklahomas plan differs from approaches in some other states, such as Minnesota, that are using some general revenue funds to pay their shares.

Because of Oklahomas budget problems, this wasnt a viable option here, Heater said. Instead, lawmakers passed a bill on the final day of this years session allowing for the creation of a nonprofit board to collect assessments from insurers and determine the amount.

That board has yet to be created. But Heater said the state determined it would need to raise $112 million to pay for the states share if it wanted to achieve a 25 percent to 35 percent decrease in premiums on the individual market.

Absorb or pass on cost?

In order to raise that amount, a $5-per-member monthly reinsurance fee would have to be assessed on the nearly 1.9 million insured Oklahomans, excluding those on Medicare or Medicaid. This includes the 1.7 million Oklahomans who receive coverage from employer-sponsored group or self-funded plans.

Laura Brookins Fleet, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Health Plans, said it would be up to each off-exchange insurer to decide whether they would eat that cost or pass it along to consumers.

However, there is a likelihood that group plans  both self-funded and fully funded  will see higher premiums in order to offset the assessment placed on each health plan to stabilize the individual market, she said.

This has prompted murmurs of disapproval among many in the states business community. This includes Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy, whose self-funded plan requires it to assume the financial risk for providing health-care benefits to employees.

Devon spokesman Tim Hartley noted that Devon insures thousands of employees, retirees and their families. Because of this, well be concerned about reinsurance fees or any proposal that would increase the costs borne by companies providing health insurance to employees and the premiums those employees pay, he said.

Some health advocates have said the reinsurance proposal could have unintended consequences.

Pam Cross-Cupit is the executive director of the Health Alliance for the Uninsured, which works with 13 charitable clinics for the uninsured across the state.

She said finding reasonably priced plans is difficult for many in the so-called coverage gap  those who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but make too little to qualify for premium assistance tax credits.

Reinsurance could be wonderful for this population if premiums decrease, she said. But for small employers like her nonprofit, the new fee might lead to higher deductibles and lower-quality plans.

As an employer who has a small group plan, (Health Alliance for the Uninsured) is very close to being priced out of the market, she said, adding, Each cost passed on to the employer may end up being passed on to the insured.

Jonathan Small, head of the right-leaning Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, said he supports the waiver program as a way for states to gain flexibility and relief from the federal law.

But he said he also has issues about how the state wants to fund the reinsurance program.

I think it is concerning anytime there is a proposal that is based on further requiring people who are not part of the problem to pay more, he said.

Rhoads, the insurance commissioner, said any extra costs that consumers might see could be offset over the long run. He said if reinsurance helps Blue Cross Blue Shield or any other insurer that joins the exchange become more financially sound, they might not have to pass along the reinsurance fee to consumers.

He added that having a stable individual market that attracts a larger and more diverse pool of consumers could strengthen the insurance industry and lower prices for everyone in the long run. Many Oklahomans health would also improve, he said.

I think its kind of a win-win for the consumer, Rhoads said. And it also provides all the things we want in having a marketplace: affordability and accessibility.
Sometimes, it can be hard to determine the time in Fredonia, Arizona.

Go to the lumber mill and the clock reads 4 p.m.  Utah time. But down the street at town hall, its an hour earlier  Arizona time.

The confusion was obviously enough to prompt the local natural foods store to put a sign above its clock, clarifying that its hands reflect Arizona time.

In this Coconino County town of 1,300 just three miles south of the Utah state line and a few hundred yards from Mohave County, the clocks reflect a broader sense of being in between. In between states and in between counties, not belonging to either and forgotten by many.

We dont belong to Utah, but Arizona doesnt want us, said Eric McCormick a lifelong resident whose family has deep ties to the area.

Duke Reidhead, a longtime logger in the area, had a similar perspective.

"If you're above the Grand Canyon you don't exist, Reidhead said. We're like the red-headed stepchild.

With an economy limping along after the near-shutdown of local timber and mining industries more than two decades ago, Fredonia is struggling to find its future. Perhaps the most obvious path forward lies seven miles north, in Kanab, Utah where about 20 hotels and an abundance of restaurants cater to a growing flow of tourists exploring the region's natural wonders.

But making Fredonia into a tourism community comes with its own set of barriers, from a growing drug problem to water infrastructure challenges.

Whats clear is the town needs to do something.

Its on the verge of being a dying town, McCormick said.

INDUSTRY LOST

Until the early 1990s, Fredonias economy was largely based on uranium mining, a booming sawmill, and an oil refinery, residents said. Then, a combination of economics and environmental regulatory changes caused those businesses to scale back operations or close their doors entirely, putting a major hurt on the community.

Mayor Randy Griffiths, who grew up in Fredonia, estimated that at least three quarters of Fredonias residents were employed by those industries. Now, job opportunities are limited and many people have to commute to Kanab for work.

Just a few businesses line Fredonias main street  a dollar store, a natural foods store, a restaurant, a motel, a few gas stations and a service station-turned-pottery studio where Olin Powers makes clay mugs and bowls and sells rocks collected from across the area.

Enrollment in the local school district has dropped from nearly 400 in 2001 to 215 this year. About 20 percent of individuals live below the poverty level.

Basically if you work around Fredonia you pay for it and that's by not getting paid, said McCormick, who makes a living working for Energy Fuels at its Canyon uranium mine four hours away on the Grand Canyons South Rim. He and his wife also recently bought and revamped a mobile home and trailer park in hopes of capitalizing on the traffic from RV-ers passing through the area.

The one logging company that still exists in Fredonia is Canyon Country Mill and Resource, but hanging on has taken a lot of creativity, said Duke Reidhead, the plant manager. The company was once a contractor for Kaibab Industries, which ran the major sawmill in town before it shut down in 1995, laying off 200 workers according to news reports.

Since then, Canyon Country has survived by diversifying its operation to use everything from dead trees cleared from fire scars to smaller trees from forest thinning projects, Reidhead said. With about 34 employees, the family-owned company makes cabinets, lumber, log home components, playground chips and more. His family is building the business year after year, but its slow going, Reidhead said.

Hindrances to growth

There is absolutely potential to build up a tourism economy in Fredonia, said Colette Cox, a Fredonia resident who is the vice president of the Kanab Area Chamber of Commerce. The town is at a prime crossroads for tourists heading to the Grand Canyons North Rim or Bryce and Zion national parks, Cox said.

But at this point Fredonia seems far from Kanabs tourism successes, she said.

If you have traveled to Kanab and Fredonia there's an invisible line as soon as you go over the border into Arizona, she said. Fredonia is missing the boat, we're seeing success all the way around us.

According to residents, there are many reasons why.

Fredonia doesnt see the same support from the state of Arizona and Coconino County that helped elevate Kanabs tourism industry, Cox said. With a declining tax base, Fredonia doesnt have the type of money that Kane County and Kanab have put into marketing efforts and a tourism office to increase visitation, she said. That and the towns staff sees such high turnover that its hard to organize any coordinated efforts, she said.

Some residents are also lukewarm about what a tourism economy could mean for Fredonia. Jobs like hotel maids or restaurant servers dont pay well and tend to be seasonal, McCormick said.

Then there is the towns water supply, which has a "weird" taste and smell from storage ponds that could be a turnoff to businesses, Mayor Griffiths said. Water supply is another struggle, even forcing water restrictions during some summers, Griffiths said.

A limited supply of available land is also a barrier to growth and development, and has made it difficult for even town employees to find a home, Griffiths said. Though there is undeveloped or underdeveloped land, in many cases people dont want to give it up because it has been in their family for generations, he said. At the same time, they dont have the money to build on it, or fix up whatever buildings are on the property, said Traci Heaton, who manages the Fredonia Short Stop convenience store and gas station. Another issue is vacant homes owned by landlords in Kanab who dont have time to fix them up and rent them, so they have just locked the doors, Griffiths said.

Griffiths is also concerned that Arizonas new minimum wage, which increased to $10 an hour in January, will force Fredonia businesses to move across the state line or cause new businesses considering Fredonia to switch their sights to Kanab instead.

Ask residents about the biggest issues in town and illegal drug use is high on the list.

Heaton said the drug problem was one of the reasons her oldest daughter left town for Texas. In a small community, everyone knows who is using, Heaton said, and the problem has gotten worse.

Town Marshal Bayden Grover confirmed that methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin and prescription medication use is on the rise, but he said that for Fredonias population, drug abuse doesnt seem to be any higher or lower than places like Flagstaff or Kanab.

With two police officers, though, the town doesnt have the resources to organize undercover operations or other strategies that could better address illegal drug use and dealing, Grover said. Over the past year, search warrants have forced 10 major players to leave the area, but Grover said he knows others have moved in to take their place because the demand still exists.

The town works with Kane Countys sheriff and drug task force but those entities dont have enforcement powers in Arizona. Grover has also requested help from Coconino Countys drug task force, but Steve Van Ooteghem, a task force memeber said it hasnt been able to provide assistance, in part because Fredonia is so far away.

STILL HERE

Despite the challenges, Fredonia residents ticked off a variety of reasons for what has kept them rooted in the farthest reaches of northern Arizona. For some it is family ties, for others affordability. Heaton said she has been able to support herself as a single mother much better in Fredonia than in a city.

Duke Reidhead had his own assessment, saying people are here because theyre stubborn, not because it makes sense.

With the number of jobs that were lost in Fredonia when major industries pulled out, its surprising the town is still here, Reidhead said. The community needs more attention from the state, he said.

There are some good people up here but they have been set aside, he said.

Recently though, residents report some positive changes, however small. Family Dollar opened a new store, the Fredonia Short Stop has seen sales climb thanks to tourism traffic and the school district has a new superintendent the community seems to be rallying behind.

I see pride starting to creep back into this town, maybe a light at the end of the tunnel, Reidhead said.
A few years ago, Frank Arnold's retro burger joint began bridging the well-established divide between west Tulsa and everything lying on the other side of the river.

The opening of Arnold's Hamburgers 31 years ago offered a welcome relief to families on the city's west side, where dining options are scarce. The 50s-themed restaurant  somewhat modeled after the dine-in from television's "Happy Days"  quickly became a community staple.

Locals frequently stop by for a burger and shake while listening to oldies blasting from a vintage jukebox. Many customers know Arnold by name.

The diner's quaint charm and occasional car show even lures outsiders across the Arkansas River, a feat residents admit isn't easy. Arnold said he saw a real boost after renting billboards along city highways four years ago.

Now the new faces seem to outnumber the old. While Arnold appreciates the new-found popularity, he said introducing folks to the area also benefits those who live there.

"We have drawn a lot of people over here who normally wouldn't come to the west side," he said.

But despite increased efforts in the past decade to revitalize a community surrounded by a modernizing suburbia, west Tulsa remains in danger of being left behind.

Since the heyday of thriving neighborhoods and booming schools, the area has experienced a slow exodus of families, especially those with young children. Longtime and new residents have differing opinions about what led to the demographic shift.

Some blame urban renewal and a lack of higher-paying jobs for middle-class families. Others point to the housing stock, which tends to be smaller and older than what today's families seek. Some say the isolation caused by the separation of the river and a history of belittlement from other Tulsans stigmatize the area.

Most agree that west Tulsa has been on the decline. Perhaps the most obvious sign is the turbulent state of the neighborhood schools, which are undergoing consolidation and grade reconfigurations after years of shrinking student populations.

'They called us the River Rats'

At the time Donna Savage graduated from Webster High School in 1966, her class consisted of about 300 students. She estimates about 700 made up the sophomore to senior classes, which composed the high school. Last year, about 450 students attended Webster, from freshmen to seniors.

Savage, president of Webster's alumni association, said the schools once played an essential community role, and most students walked the same halls as their parents and grandparents.

She recalls when the high school marching band was massive, drawing attention at local parades. Students worked diligently on writing scripts and rehearsing for the annual cavalcade, a west Tulsa event until the 60s.

What Savage and so many others love about west Tulsa is the small-town feel, even though it's part of the second-largest city in Oklahoma. Residents harbor an extraordinary amount of loyalty for the west side, sharing a close bond with those who grew up here.

Savage said the negative perception comes from "outsiders"  Tulsans living on the east side of the river.

"We were always referred to as being a rough area of town when I was growing up," Savage said. "There was always that mindset that we were rough because of the refineries. They called us the River Rats."

Years of animosity, she said, led some of her neighbors to believe Webster has always been unfairly targeted by the city. While cleaning out a closet at the high school recently, Savage found a notebook with news clippings about a 1979 attempt to close Webster. Westsiders responded, flooding the community with T-shirts and bumper stickers emblazoned "Save Webster."

Webster remained.

Although it's difficult to pinpoint what sparked the falling enrollment, Laura Undernehr said there are plenty of contributing factors.

"The community just kept getting older and older," said Undernehr, former principal at Clinton Middle School. "That's my wrap on it. At the time I was in school, in a one-block area, there were nine kids. Now, there's not one child on that block, but the people still live there. They don't move out."

Undernehr and others say there is a lack of homes for sale in west Tulsa. Instead of putting their houses on the market, aging residents often stay put until death and then give properties to their families.

The available houses are usually considered too small and old to attract younger families, being traditionally equipped with a single bathroom, a one-car garage and three bedrooms.

"I know some people who tried to buy a house, and they ended up in Berryhill because they had two restrooms and four bedrooms," Undernehr said.

John Autry, a longtime west Tulsa educator who is now retired, said urban renewal drove out natives who weren't happy with the influx of newcomers. Some of the area's oldest neighborhoods were replaced with new development in the 60s and 70s to bring in residents. The community lost its sense of tradition and loyalty that thrived for generations, he said.

"With urban renewal came people who were used to moving a lot and didn't really set up roots," Autry said. "As a result of that, we didn't have the pride in our community or our schools that we had here for so many years. I think a lot of people just wanted to find a smaller community, which they found in Jenks and they found in Berryhill, much like what they grew up with."

Commercial turmoil

As schools underwent changes, retail stores throughout west Tulsa closed, including an abandoned Crystal City shopping center. With developable land limited in west Tulsa, neighboring towns grew as developers moved out of the city.

Gary Percefull, a school board member who has represented the westside schools since 2003, said data indicates the area's population has been dwindling since the 60s. Census data also shows an aging community with a shrinking number of school-aged children.

"The area became victim to proximity to the suburbs," Percefull said. "Almost all your new construction is outside the city limits of Tulsa. It's going on in Owasso or Broken Arrow or Jenks or Bixby or Sand Springs. I think a lot of younger families, if they can afford it, are moving to suburban areas where they can buy a new house."

Percefull said west Tulsa families started opting for suburban districts over neighborhood schools. For example, more than 100 children who could have attended Park Elementary School last year went elsewhere.

"We don't know where they are," Percefull said. "If we don't have records on them, it means they're going out of district or they're home-schooled."

Efforts to revitalize schools included renovating Clinton Middle School into a sleeker, more modern building in 2009. Webster implemented a broadcasting and digital media magnet program to draw students interested in journalism and communications careers.

Those innovations weren't enough, and enrollment numbers continue to wane.

After the district announced earlier this year that school patterns would be changing on the west side, the center of controversy  or the 900-pound gorilla in the room, as Percefull calls it  is Webster being under-utilized. The building is serving less than half of its 930-student capacity.

"That was very obvious," Percefull said. "It's an expensive high school to run because the population was so low. The last thing the district wanted to do, and certainly the last thing I wanted to do, was talk about consolidating a high school like Webster that is a big part of the whole community's identity on the west side of the river. So we didn't talk about Webster. That never did come up."

The district's final plan closes Park Elementary, Remington Elementary and Early Childhood Development Center-Porter. Students will move to the Clinton Middle School building, and the middle-schoolers will be located at Webster. Some parents were furious.

After living in the Mountain Manor neighborhood for more than a decade, Andrea Cheatham uprooted her family because she didn't want her 12-year-old daughter attending school with juniors and seniors. She didn't want her twin boys, who attended Remington Elementary and were recently diagnosed with autism, to go to Webster in a year.

In June she moved to Collinsville, where she has a choice of two school systems. The decision wasn't easy. Her daughter loved her first year at Clinton, and Cheatham was active in her neighborhood association.

"I'm really emotional about it," she said. "I raised my kids here. They grew up here, and they're sad about it. I'm going to miss my neighbors. This is a close-knit neighborhood. We feel safe here. I'm just a little resentful that it's because of the consolidation that I decided to pick up and move. Things could have been different. I'm just really disheartened to see what happened."

The Mountain Manor neighborhood association's current president, Nicole Nixon, was on the fence about sending her children elsewhere but is reluctantly giving the newly named Clinton West Elementary a trial run.

The 31-year-old mother of two  one of the biggest critics during the consolidation meetings  says she felt betrayed by the district.

"It seemed like their decision was already made up, and they decided to have these community meetings to pretty much just pacify the community," Nixon said. "Nobody, not one person at any of the meetings, stood up and said this was a good idea. We fought hard to keep our schools."

Revitalizing west Tulsa

The formation 10 years ago of the nonprofit organization Route 66 Main Street brought a considerable amount of commercial regrowth, such as the revival of the Crystal City shopping center on Southwest Boulevard near 33rd West Avenue. There's also been the creation of the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Services and a litany of events held at River West Festival Park.

Main Street Director Jessica Brent said west Tulsa could be one savory attraction away from establishing the area as a smart place to move for business owners.

"That's kind of what we're looking for  a brewery or a cafe, something that is going to bring people together, draw people over here and signal that this is a place to be," Brent said.

Percefull believes west Tulsa is primed for a population resurgence, though he's not quite sure how to get there.

"I'm a bit mystified and frustrated as to why we haven't had the same kind of residential growth or population of people living in the area," Percefull said. "I think it's a great area. It's the land of opportunity within the city of Tulsa because there's a lot of great infrastructure, but you have to cross the bridge to get over here.

"For some reason, that's kind of like the Great Wall of China or something. People just feel like they're leaving the state if they have to drive across the bridge to get to the other side of the river."

Related content links:

West Tulsa changes

 The overall population has fallen by 5 percent between 1980 to 2015, according to the census of the tracts defining the city's west side.

 The number of people older than 60 has increased by 22 percent between 2000 and 2015.

 Home ownership fell by 10 percent between 2000 and 2015.

 Rental properties increased by 25 percent between 2000 and 2015.

Source: U.S. Census

Enrollment numbers

 Webster High School had 716 students enrolled in 1996 and 507 in 2007. There were 476 students enrolled last year.

 Clinton Middle School had 687 students rolled in 1996 and 442 in 2007. There were 401 students enrolled in 2016.

 The number of school-age students, from kindergarten to 12th grade, living in the area has fallen by 17 percent between 2000 and 2015.
Nowata County is grappling with the loss of $400,000 to $500,000 in annual money from a terminated contract to hold state prisoners; filling that hole would swallow about half of the countys typical general fund appropriations.

Two consecutive revenue failures have crumpled the states bottom line, which in some instances has bled over to local governments. Criminal justice is one such area, with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections in March abruptly canceling 10 contracts it held with county jails to house overflow prisoners.

The DOCs move was expected to save $775,000, and an agency spokesman on Thursday stated the actual savings came out better than expected at $891,670.

But the cost to the rural counties that saw a fairly steady revenue source suddenly evaporate is burdensome, particularly in the case of Nowata County.

Nowata County typically has a general fund balance each year of $950,000 to appropriate among all of its offices, so the Sheriffs Office has relied heavily on the $400,000 to $500,000 in DOC contract funds.

The loss of that DOC money hurt, said Nowata County Commissioner Doug Sonenberg. It didnt just hurt the Sheriffs Office; it hurt everybody. It hurt the whole county.

Okmulgee County is another casualty of the canceled DOC contracts. The Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority has identified an alternative funding stream  a federal agreement to hold Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees.

The Craig County Sheriffs Office trimmed its budget and terminated the contract with its jail medical provider to save money by instead using the offices own trained staff for medical needs.

Other counties now without a DOC contract are Choctaw, Comanche, Cotton, Jefferson, Le Flore, Roger Mills and Tillman. Two counties still have DOC contracts  Greer and Marshall.

Nowata County

Nowata Countys Excise Board is scheduled to meet Tuesday. The body has approved a temporary budget for each office while its members and the heads of offices work out how to absorb the $400,000 to $500,000 loss.

District Attorney Kevin Buchanan said the Sheriffs Office has only been nominally funded for years by the countys general fund because of the DOC contract money.

The other (county) officers, or most, want the Sheriff to suffer the loss of revenue on her own and figure out how to run a 24/7 operation with 5.5 employees, Buchanan wrote in an email. DOC was paying $35,000 to $40,000 monthly.

The County does not have that much to give, but I have been insistent that the loss of revenue must be sustained by all not just the Sheriff.

The Sheriffs Office typically has had a staff of about 20 employees, with the countys general fund covering 5.5 positions.

Sonenberg called the DOC money a considerable loss and perhaps about half of the Sheriffs Offices usual overall budget.

He said properly funding the Sheriffs Office is important to him and residents because of an expectation to have the best law enforcement services possible. He has concerns about what may happen to public safety but also noted that all the other offices required to run county government must receive appropriate funding to operate.

Sonenberg doesnt foresee the county government becoming insolvent because of the dire financial circumstances.

Were going to work with everybody involved, all the county officers, and figure out a way to get through this, Sonenberg said. Something Nowata County has always done is find a way to get there.

I absolutely believe well get there this time. I dont know what it will take to get there.

Board Chairman Bud Frost said the county doesnt have many options. Some sales-tax money can be moved into the general fund, he said, and layoffs may be on the table.

Its too early to tell ya a whole lot, Frost said of potential cost-cutting maneuvers.

Commissioner Curtis Barnes deferred comment to the other two commissioners. The three members of the Excise Board couldnt be reached for comment.

Sheriff Sandy Hadley, when contacted Thursday, said she would be in a conference most of Friday but would try to speak with a Tulsa World reporter. She didnt respond to written questions Friday.

Okmulgee County

Okmulgee Countys new $7.1 million jail has remained empty since its completion in January. Its finally set to open in the coming weeks  but only because a federal jail contract will replace the lost DOC one.

The new jail was built across the street about a half block from the current one to remedy overpopulation at the facility and avoid state sanctions, said Sam McCoy, director of the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority.

The lost DOC money kept the facility from being able to open, he said.

Weve had to struggle and lay off staff, McCoy said.

Still, McCoy said the county is a bit more fortunate than others who were stripped of DOC money. He said it had enough cash reserves to sustain operations until those dried up in mid-May.

He estimated that the DOC agreement brought in $260,000 a year, or about one-sixth of his budget for jail operations.

Once cash reserves vanished, McCoy said, the OCCJA began to purchase items on credit for the first time in its 16 years of its existence. And recently the OCCJA had to borrow $50,000 from the countys general fund to pay liability insurance.

The OCCJA is hammering out a contract to hold Immigration and Customs Enforcement prisoners for the federal government, with the first ones likely arriving in mid-August.

What would happen without an ICE contract to replace the DOC agreement?

Wed have a fancy new vacant building and the current facility we built 16 years ago would continue to be massively overcrowded, and wed be under threat of administrative sanctions, McCoy said.

Craig County

The newly elected Heath Winfrey is learning his role as Craig Countys sheriff. Austere financial conditions arent coddling him.

Winfrey said he terminated the $70,000 annual contract the county had with a third party to provide medical care at the jail. He said his own trained staff members now are providing those services at a yearly cost of $38,000.

Winfrey also has trimmed his budget in other areas. He estimated the net gain of its DOC contract was $115,000 yearly  or about a third of the jails maintenance and operational costs the past fiscal year. The gross figure was about $350,000.

Its difficult to come up with that money, Winfrey said. We werent dependent on it; we werent set up to run on it. But it was still a significant part of the budget.

He said he employs 12 jailers and one jail administrator. Jail standards dictate the sheriff must have at least three employees in the jail at all times based on his inmate population, so Winfrey said he cant impose detention layoffs without running afoul of that.

Budgets for all of Craig Countys offices havent been finalized for the current fiscal year. But Winfrey said the Sheriffs Office  and by extension primarily the jail  will be what eats the monetary shortfall from DOC removing its prisoners.

That money offsets costs  maintenance and operations, he said. When you start taking that money out its real harmful.
On Foreign Correspondent, Eric Campbell is in Jamaica for his report, One Love.

Jamaicas rich music heritage got hijacked by a vicious and violent brand of homophobia. But along came a new generation of artists who, with a little help from the Internet, are wresting it back. Eric Campbell reports.



Bob Marley and his homeland Jamaica were synonymous with reggae and its message of peace, justice and equal rights.

How then, after Marley died, did Jamaica earn such a poisonous reputation that Time magazine once ran a headline, The Most Homophobic Place on Earth?

It grew from dancehall, a raw musical sub-culture that exploded onto the scene in the 1990s, exposing a deep homophobia among some of its exponents.

This small core of murder music artists thrived in a country where Christian churches and strict Rastafarians rail against gays, where murder and illiteracy rates are epic and where a so-called Buggery Law, providing jail terms with hard labour of up to 10 years, is still on the books.

Jamaicas proudest brand, its music, had been tarnished.

Bit by bit though, the tide began turning. Homophobic artists were shunned by international promoters and their online sales took a hit. So they began cleaning up their acts. They had little choice.

They either have to say Im taking this hard line fundamentalist Christian position or they say Hell no, I want to live, I want to eat, so Im going to forget about that  reggae historian Dr Carolyn Cooper

Now a new generation of reggae artists is seizing the stage  and channelling Marley  with songs of tolerance.

Why cant you accept me as I am?  lyric from Do You Still Care by Tanya Stephens.

The people who spread homophobic messages dont represent all of Jamaica. They dont represent half of Jamaica  Tanya Stephens

Artists like Stephens and rising star Etana are finally giving young gay people a licence to be themselves.

Anything that creates divide and separation, Im not part of it. If you look back at Bob Marley festivals, it was everyone  black, white, gay straight  Etana

Tuesday July 18 at 9.20 pm on ABC.
Season 5 of The Bachelor Australia, featuring Matty J begins on Wednesday July 26.

Osher Gunsberg returns as host as 22 single ladies vie for his attentions an hoping for a final red rose.

Aged between 23 and 34, these remarkable women include a police officer, a body painter, a midwife and a criminal lawyer, and host Osher Gunsberg is on hand as Matty J meets them for the very first time.

Later, the Bachelorettes have their chance to make the best first impression at a drama-filled cocktail party. Chemistry will form and connections will develop, before the dazzling first rose ceremony, where Matty J will present single red roses to the Bachelorettes with whom he would like to spend more time.

Drama, rivalries, adventures and romance reach new heights this season, as Matty J invites the Bachelorettes on lavish single and group dates, to help him determine with whom he will spend the rest of his life.

The new season of The Bachelor Australia delivers more funny and unexpected moments, more drama and more surprises than ever before.

Will Matty J find his one true love? Let the fireworks begin.

7:30pm Wednesday July 26 on TEN.
In the first of our official UEFA Women's EURO 2017 podcasts from the Netherlands, host Chris Parrott and reporters Laure James and Paul Saffer assess all 16 teams and hear from the likes of Vivianne Miedema, Anja Mittag, Jill Scott and Lotta Schelin.



DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST NOW


One of Las Vegas most acclaimed Chinese restaurants  Ping Pang Pong  has premiered its redesigned and expanded space at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino (Pictured: PPP Sushi Plate).

With seating for more than 300 guests (50 percent larger than its original space), and a private banquet room, more patrons than ever before can now enjoy Ping Pang Pongs legendary and authentic Chinese dishes.

During the last 17 years, Karrie Hung, Kevin Wu and the Ping Pang Pong team have created one of southern Nevadas most celebrated culinary destinations, said Tony Taeubel, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Gold Coast. Now, Ping Pang Pong has a beautiful new space befitting its legendary reputation  and its delicious and authentic Chinese dishes.

Guests visiting the new restaurant are greeted by elaborate dark walnut screenwork and a modern version of a Chinese pergola, juxtaposed with clean modern wood paneling to create a stunning facade. The entry portal is flanked by two authentic foo dog sculptures acquired direct from China. Stepping inside, the reception area showcases a host station designed to resemble a Chinese apothecary cabinet and overhead are a gorgeous array of silk lanterns festooned with red tassels. An impressive tea servery visually anchors the front quarter of the seating area, while at the back, a large framed opening offers a glimpse of the culinary artistry in the bustling kitchen. The all-new Ping Pang Pong also features a private banquet room capable of hosting nearly 100 guests for private events, receptions and parties.

Though the space is all-new, the flavors that made Ping Pang Pong famous remain unchanged. Dim sum service is available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, with classic pushcarts offering a selection of more than 80 authentic dishes from provinces throughout China. Dim sum standards are joined by a rotating selection of seasonal favorites like the Mango Lobster Scallop Roll, combining fresh diced mango, lobster and scallop in crisply fried thin panko tossed rice paper; or the Aromatic Duck Bun, featuring southern Canton five-spice roasted pulled duck with Mandarin cucumber, served in a steamed lotus bun.

From 5 p.m. to 3 a.m., diners can enjoy a selection of authentic dinner entrees, including Smoked Orange Ribeye Cubes, seared over a high-flame wok with peppercorn and toasted garlic; and the Macanese Crustacean Claypot, featuring live-tank seafood served in a ginger laksa curry broth with saffron and chopped herbs.

Since its debut in 2001, Ping Pang Pong has earned numerous dining awards. Travel + Leisure magazine recognized Ping Pang Pong as one of the top 10 Chinese restaurants in America, and the restaurant has received the Best Chinese Restaurant award six times from Las Vegas Review-Journals annual Best of Las Vegas readers poll.
Workers at Sunny Group in Linh Trung Export Processing Zone in HCM Citys Thu uc District.  VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vu

Foreign direct investment (FDI) was worth more than $159 million, a year-on-year increase of 24 per cent, said Tran Viet Ha, head of the investment management department.

Investment by domestic enterprises rose by 52.7 per cent to $224.34 million.

Most of the new projects are in food processing, services, mechanical engineering and textiles.

South Korea was the largest investor, accounting for 55 per cent of the investment, followed by Taiwan and Japan.

In May, CJ Cau Tre Food JSC received an investment registration certificate to develop a 7.1-hectare complex at Hiep Phuoc Industrial Zone in Nha Be District.

The project, with investment of VN1.2 trillion ($53.33 million), to process meat and seafood and produce tea and confectionery products contributed to the FDI surge in IPs and EPZs over the first half of the year, Ha said at a press meeting held on July 14.

CJ CheilJedang Corporation, a subsidiary of South Korean conglomerate CJ Group, raised its stake to 71.6 per cent in the former Cau Tre Export Processing JSC late last year.

Nguyen Tan Phuoc, deputy head of Hepza, attributed the increase in investment to an upgrade of infrastructure in IPs and EPZs.

During the period, the area of leased land was 68 hectares, a 1.7-fold increase compared to the same period last year.

Around 5.9 hectares of factory were leased, a 2.5-fold year-on-year rise, Phuoc said.

Hepza continues to encourage investment in high-tech and supporting industries as well as the four key industries of mechanical engineering, electronics and IT, chemicals, and food processing.

Labour-intensive projects and those with high risk of pollution were rejected despite large investment capital, he said.

Exports by enterprises in the IPs and EPZs rose by 27.24 per cent to $2.75 billion.

The target of $6 billion for this years exports is feasible as exports by enterprises in IPs and EPZs will increase for the remaining six months.

A total of 1,461 projects with combined investment of $9.71 billion, including 551 FDI projects worth a total of $5.55 billion, are operating in IPs and EPZs.

The number of labourers working in IPs and EPZs rose by 1,450 people to reach more than 285,900, including 2,660 foreign workers.
Jababeka Group meets with Quang Tri leaders

At meetings with local authorities, the visit focused on the possibilities of investing in urban areas, industrial parks (IPs), and modern services in these localities, which are the pioneers of IP development.

At a meeting with Quang Tri leaders, Budianto Liman, CEO of Jababeka Group, expressed interest in investing in Dong Nam Economic Zone (EZ), which is offering high incentives.

At present, many projects in Dong Nam EZ are awaiting the outcome of the My Thuy International Seaport project, which is still seeking government approval. About 10 projects have been registered in the EZ with a total investment capital sum of VND62.3 trillion ($2.83 billion), focusing on seaport services, thermo-power, energy, and infrastructure.

In Thua Thien-Hue, the Indonesian group is keen on investing in an urban, industrial and service complex project in Chan May-Lang Co EZ and IPs.

At present, incentives on offer at EZs are considered the highest of their kind in Vietnam. The incentives include a CIT exemption for the first four years after generating taxable income, a 50 per cent reduction in CIT for the next nine years, and a 10 per cent CIT for the first 15 years of operation.

As the first publicly listed industrial estate developer in Indonesia, Jababeka is a leading industrial estate developer in Southeast Asia. Its famous projects include Kota Jababeka, Kendal Industrial Park, Park by the Bay, and Tanjung Lesung.
The tiny landmass of Okinoshima, where women are banned and male visitors must bathe naked in the sea before visiting its shrine, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site last week AFP/STR

TOKYO: Visitors will not be allowed to set foot on a men-only UNESCO World Heritage island in Japan from next year, an official said Saturday (Jul 15).

The tiny landmass of Okinoshima, where women are banned and male visitors must bathe naked in the sea before visiting its shrine, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site last week.

Limited numbers are currently permitted to land on the island in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) -- this year it was 200 -- for a yearly festival that lasts just two hours, but they must adhere to strict rules.

But Munakata Taisha, the shrine which owns Okinoshima, has decided to ban travel for anyone apart from priests from next year to protect the island from being damaged, a spokesman told AFP.

"A strict preservation is required now that the island has got the UNESCO listing," he said.

"It will be risky if 200 visitors continue to come to the island," he said, adding that Okinoshima is "the island protected by Shinto priests".

The island is permanently manned by a Shinto priest who prays to the island's goddess, in a tradition that has been kept up for centuries.

However, academics will be allowed to land on the island for research and preservation purposes, he added.

The island, which sits off the northwest coast of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands, was an important window for foreign trade in Japan since ancient times, forming part of a route that linked the archipelago to the Korean peninsula and China.
Production of Walking Dead has been temporarily shut down after stuntman John Bernecker (pictured) was killed in a fall on set. (Photo: Facebook/John Bernecker)

Bernecker died in hospital Wednesday after falling 22 feet (6.70 meters) from a balcony headfirst onto concrete, according to The Hollywood Reporter, citing a county sheriff's report.

An assistant director told police the stuntman tried to break his fall by grabbing a railing after he slipped, but fell instead, missing a safety cushion "by inches", celebrity news website TMZ reported.

AMC said in statement circulated among US media outlets that it was temporarily shutting down production of the hit show, which is filmed in Georgia.

The actors' union SAG-AFTRA issued its own statement describing Bernecker as an "accomplished stunt performer."

"This tragic and untimely loss of a member of the SAG-AFTRA family is heartbreaking, and our thoughts are with his loved ones and his friends and colleagues in the Georgia production community," it said.

"The safety of our members is paramount. We will work with the authorities and closely monitor their investigations into this tragic incident."

Bernecker's resume included stunt performances in several recent films, including Get Out, Logan and The Fate of the Furious.

His family said they would donate his organs, according to a statement posted on the website of the LifeLink Foundation, an organ donor network based in Florida.

"The family of John Bernecker is heartbroken to confirm that John has passed away from injuries sustained earlier this week," the statement said.

"Although devastated by their loss, John's loved ones have ensured his legacy will live on, not only through the personal and professional contributions he made during his life, but also by their generous decision to allow John to save lives as an organ donor."
Bill Maher. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

Its been more than a month since Bill Maher said the N-word live on-air, and in a recent New York Times Table for Three interview with Fran Lebowitz and Philip Galanes, the Real Time host reflected on the controversy and what he sees as the ultimate public consensus. I think most people understood that it was a comedians mistake, not a racist mistake, Maher said, after Galanes asked if he was worried about losing his job. The Times conversation then shifted in focus to Ice Cube, who Maher claims had tried to get him to admit things that arent true. Ice Cube argued on the June 9 episode of Real Time that Mahers use of the N-word was a natural consequence of his toeing the line on matters of race and comedy for years. When Ice Cube said something about my telling black jokes  Ive never made black jokes, Maher said. Ive made jokes about racists. But my fan base knows that, so it never went anywhere. Leaving aside Mahers history of making racially objectionable comments  and whether that discussion really never went anywhere  it appears that at least a portion of Ice Cubes powerful response didnt stick to the Real Time host. Indeed, Ice Cube made a very strong case for why the incident was a racist mistake, to borrow Mahers term, but its clear that at least one person wasnt quite convinced by it.
The new Doctor Who, Jodie Whittaker. Photo: Colin Hutton/BBC/Colin Hutton

I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender. Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything thats exciting about change. The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one.  Jodie Whittaker

Its the groundbreaking casting decision thats caused aftershocks to ripple across the internet: 35-year-old Jodie Whittaker, best known to U.S. TV viewers as Broadchurchs Beth Latimer, will be the thirteenth actor to portray the central character in the long-running BBC series Doctor Who, marking the first time in the shows 54-year history that the part will be played by a woman. Some will call it political correctness run amok, and theyll be entirely wrong.

This development is something Doctor Who desperately needs  not even counting the 27 years of it that ran from 63 to 89, its an old series at this point. In its latest iteration, its been on for ten seasons across 12 years, amid a sci-fi/fantasy/superhero TV marketplace that gets more crowded every season. In order to stay relevant, Doctor Who must continue to reach for the stars and do things that make it stand out from the pack. Its no longer enough just to be the oldest sci-fi series on TV. Making the Doctor a woman wasnt just necessary, it was inevitable.

Ever since the episode The Doctors Wife in 2011, in which it was first confirmed onscreen that Time Lords have the ability to change sex, the series has pushed the notion forward, culminating in a three-season-long arc featuring the traditionally male character of the Master regenerated into a woman, Missy, played by Michelle Gomez. It was a resounding success, with Gomez quite possibly delivering the greatest portrayal of the character since he was first introduced in 1971. If you can buy the Master as a woman, you can believe that the Doctor is, too.

Of course, there will be pushback. Of course, people will say theyre going to stop watching the series. Truth be told? As someone whos been a fan since I was a teenager, I used to be one of those people. But over the years, I evolved, and Missy and Michelle made me realize that not only can the Doctor be a woman, but that he should be. One of my old rationalizations was, But how can she go back into the past without being discriminated against? How would she stride into the Kings Court in the 15th century and not be hauled away for insulting male royalty simply because shes an outspoken woman? Now I realize these are precisely the reasons to do it.

A smart series about a time-traveling Doctor in a womans body suddenly takes on a significance the series never had before. The Doctor will have to work to be taken seriously in ways that shed previously taken for granted, in both the past and the present. Today, right now, a woman still has to work twice as hard as a man to get the same job. Indeed, if science fiction and fantasy in any way mirror reality, Doctor Who is set to be in better shape than ever. Women have led the past two Star Wars movies (with more to come). When Star Trek returns later this year, a woman will be its central figure. This is the summer of Wonder Woman. Now is unquestionably the right time to make the Doctor a woman. This is a series thats at its best when its about something  when its reflecting real-world issues  and a series about the Doctor dealing with being in a womans body for the very first time has the potential to breathe a whole new life into it at a time when its been generally acknowledged that mainstream audiences have been losing interest in the program. Writing a program about a figure thats lived for 2,000 years as a man suddenly becoming a woman also opens up the series to dabble into transgender issues. Were on the cusp of Doctor Who potentially becoming important, closely watched television.

And what about Jodie Whittaker herself? Shes a serious, accomplished actor with nearly 50 credits on her IMDb resume. In the cult favorite, Attack the Block, she played a nurse with a very Doctorish role  she was tasked with being the adult in the room during an alien invasion of London, giving a group of teenagers the courage to defeat the menace. In the standout episode of Black Mirrors first season, The Entire History of You, she played a cheating spouse in a world where video-recording technology had gone crazy  a role so unlikable, it was all the more stunning to side with her halfway through the episode.

And of course, theres Broadchurch, the series conceived and written by incoming Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall  the series without which she would have been unlikely to win the role of the Doctor. The shattered Beth Latimer kicked off the procedural when her murdered son is found lying on the beach. Heres a woman who found the strength to keep it together while her husband fell apart. In the most recent and final third season, Beth takes her pain and uses it to help another person heal  a person whose life has also been shattered by an unspeakable criminal act. If ever there were an ideal audition for the role of the Doctor, thats it right there.

When Peter Capaldi was cast as the Doctor four years ago, it was a terribly exciting development. He was the oldest actor ever cast in the role, at a time when the Doctors were becoming increasingly younger (his predecessor, Matt Smith, was the youngest ever to play the part). But this particular piece of casting is the most exciting yet, and it will allow the show to delve into brave new directions. Well get our first glimpse of Whittaker as the Doctor at the close of this years Christmas special  in which the two oldest Doctors join together for one last hurrah  after which, well have to wait until autumn of 2018 to see her in action during her first full season. Until then, heres your first sneak peek:
Mark Ruffalo wants you to get those dreams of a standalone Hulk movie out of your head  for good. In a red-carpet interview with Variety that followed the D23 trailer debut of Avengers: Infinity War, the actor strongly rejected even the possibility of Bruce Banner getting his own film. I want to just make one thing perfectly clear today: A standalone Hulk movie will never happen, Ruffalo said. Universal has the rights, and for some reason, they dont know how to play well with Marvel. And they dont want to make money. Yes, thats Ruffalo taking a pretty clear shot at Universal Pictures there, too. Hes expressed frustration with the studios inability to strike a deal with Marvel for years, and his latest comments arent likely to improve the tenuous situation, to say the least. So we might have to take him at his word. At least well always have Edward Norton?
Next time you get fired from your job and plan a Florida vacation with your best friend to blow off some corporate steam  maybe dont? Because if The Layover is any indication, both of you will want to bang the same guy, youll never actually make it to Florida, and youll brutally sabotage each other until you finally get to hop into bed with that sexy man in a random St. Louis motel. And with Kate Upton and Alexandra Daddario as the leading ladies, we cant even be too sure wholl turn out on top. Literally. The film  which is directed by the William H. Macy!  will be released on August 3.
Waco High School, 2020 N. 42nd St., will host Fish Camp for incoming freshmen Monday through Thursday.

Breakfast will be served each day at 7:30 a.m., followed by camp from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch also will be provided.

The camp will feature games, competitions and insider information about how to get off on the right foot in high school.

For more information, email jody.flowers@wacoisd.org.

GriefShare orientation

GriefShare, a 13-week program and support group for people experiencing grief and loss, will start with an orientation meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the First Methodist Church of Waco Chapel, 4901 Cobbs Drive.

For more information about the free program, call Anne Kinslow at 772-5630 or email stephenministry@fumcwaco.org.

Homespun Quilters

Waco Homespun Quilters Guild will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Lakewood Christian Church, 6509 Bosque Blvd.

M.J. Fielek will present Bucket List Quilts.

Guild members share a love of quilting, and the guild provides opportunities for education and community service.

Visitors are welcome.

UW director to speak

Barbara Mosacchio with United Way of Waco-McLennan County will be the guest speaker at the Waco Rotary Clubs weekly meeting Monday at the Waco Lions Den, 1716 N. 42nd St. The meeting runs from noon to 1 p.m.

Cost is $10. Call 776-2115 for more information.

Free musical series

BaGar Productions will present a free musical performance based on classic literature, including fairy tales, fables and more, at the following times, dates and locations:

10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the East Waco Library, 901 Elm Ave.

10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the West Waco Library, 5301 Bosque Blvd.

10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Central Library, 1717 Austin Ave.

10:30 a.m. Friday at the South Waco Library, 2737 S. 18th St.

The program is being held in conjunction with the McLennan County Librarys Summer Reading Club.

For more information, visit www.waco-texas.com/cms-library.

Voter registration

A voter registration event will take place Tuesday at the East Waco Library, 901 Elm St., from 10:15 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Registrants must be U.S. citizens and at least 17 years, 10 months old at the time of registration. Call 644-3267 for more information.

Hewitt magic shows







Hewitt Public Library, 200 Patriot Court in Hewitt, will host two magic shows by Cody Fisher at 10:30 and 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

For more information about the free performances, call 666-2442.

Senior benefits luncheon

Darrell Connally will discuss senior and retirement benefits at a free luncheon Wednesday at Lakeshore United Methodist Church, 3311 Park Lake Drive.

Space is limited, so please notify the church office at 754-7333 or 772-2506 by noon Tuesday to reserve a seat.
Destroy a school, destroy a neighborhood. Destroy a neighborhood, destroy a town. Thats what local educators, civic activists, political party representatives and other local leaders worry could happen if state lawmakers dont take a hard look at public education funding in the special session legislative session starting Tuesday.

Community members joined in a public town hall meeting organized by the McLennan County Democratic Party on Saturday at the West Waco Library to discuss how to save the states education system.

Representatives from Waco ISD, the State Board of Education and other educational organizations touched on everything from state funding, teacher retirement insurance premiums and unfunded mandates to school vouchers and accountability rating systems.

They urged anyone who supports public education to become active in rallies Monday in Austin or to make phone calls or write to lawmakers.

One of the things thats happened in Texas particularly is that the Legislature has begun to micromanage everything teachers, everything principals do, everything superintendents do, and there are so many rules about what you must do for accountabilitys sake to prepare for the expletive-deleted tests, said Bonnie Lesley, a former educator and founder of the political organization Texas Kids Cant Wait.

Lesley said lawmakers have attacked teacher benefits and pay raises, and called Gov. Abbotts proposed unfunded mandate to give teachers a $1,000 raise next year a sham.

Divide $1,000 by 12, take out taxes and retirement and everything else, and you havent got enough for a hamburger or a pizza, she said. In a months time, its nothing. And then they dont fund it? They say to the school board, You guys are just wasting money right and left, you all fund it. 

Waco ISD Superintendent A. Marcus Nelson and school board member Norman Manning both brought up school finances and the states new A-F plan for academic accountability.

Running a school district is like running a household. When your income decreases, you have to start making certain cuts or you may not be able to take that vacation that year or whatever, Manning said as he looked back to six years ago to when the district closed several schools. And I dont know how many of you are familiar with the state funding (we get) per student. Midway (ISD) gets paid more per student than we get paid per student. It would be nice if it was comparable all the way across the state, but that does not happen.

With the state set to start an accountability system next year that will rate campuses and districts with letter grades A through F, Nelson said school officials worry how the general public will react to the ratings.

Parents may try to remove children from a district based on the ratings, ultimately cutting into the state funding that district gets, he said.

Waco ISD has seven campuses rated as improvement required by the state, and the new rating system is Waco ISDs highest priority listed in a 17-page summary of legislation the district is monitoring during the special session, Nelson said.

He has testified before the Legislature twice on the matter and said the district is working intimately with state officials on the new system.

When you really understand the political structure, theres this focused attempt to end public schools, Nelson said. In a place like Waco, that could never happen for so many reasons. It would undermine everything this community was built on.

The idea or concept of competition is welcoming. We want to know how our kids are doing, but as a city and as a community, we really have to ultimately be judged by what we do for our neediest children. If we leave them to some type of system that leaves them at a disadvantage, it should eat at our conscience.

School districts have options to raise money independent of state formula funding, including voter-approved property tax bumps like the measure Waco ISD voters approved almost two years ago. But the state limits local control, Manning said. The $8 million that initiative brings in can only be used for specific purposes outlined at the time of the vote, and the state caps local tax rates, he said.

During the regular legislative session, lawmakers debated school funding reform but failed to pass a bill that would have directed $1.5 billion to public schools and simplified outdated funding formulas.

The special session is expected to include the creation of a special commission on school finance.
Catherine Breton

Sept. 12, 1919 - July 14, 2017

Catherine Breton, 97, passed away on Friday, July 14, 2017, after a short stay in a local nursing home.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 18, at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation with family will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, July 17, at Bellmead Funeral Home.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Breton; two sons, Frankie and John Breton; and daughter, Janice Capodilupo.

She is survived by her son, Mike Breton and wife, Ruth Ann, of Mart; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and their families, who were all the love of her life.

Please sign the online guest book at www.bellmeadfuneralhome.com.
James D. Combs

June 9, 1937 - July 12, 2017

James D. Combs, 80, of Waco, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, surrounded by his family. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 18, at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 S. 5th St., in Waco, with Dr. Craig Klempnauer officiating. The family welcomes friends to join them for lunch following the service at Timbercrest Baptist Church, 1625 Crow Dr., in Waco. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, July 17, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Dr., in Waco.

James was born June 9, 1937 in Kerens, Texas to James Perry and Ila Fay (Fletcher) Combs. He graduated from LaVega High School. James worked at General Tire for 35 years and then Neel Associates. He married Virginia Moore in February 1957 and together they had two daughters. James loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

James is survived by his wife, Virginia; two daughters, Corby Combs and Lori Hill; one grandson, Joshua Hill; and one adopted daughter, Charleece Wheeler; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Texas Home Health Hospice and Chaplain Craig Klempnauer.

Honorary Pallbearers will be John Nichols, Shane Kirk, Clay Lednickey, Johnny Tindell, Ernest Pickens, James "Butch" Moeller, and Johnny Davis.

Online guestbook at www.pecangrovefuneral.com.
Modesto was born May 29, 1930, in Lobitos, Peru, the fourth son of 11 children. After high school he joined the Peruvian Navy and following his tour he moved to New York in 1954 where he worked in Manhattan. In 1964 he returned to Peru to marry Consuelo Shelton Vilela of Talara, Peru. They made their lives in Brooklyn and Queens in New York where he worked as a supervisor at Sher Plastics, a textile button company, retiring in 1992. He then relocated to La Porte, Texas, in 1995 and became a proud Texan. In 2012 he moved to Waco to be close to his son's family of five. Modesto had many close friends along with his extended family that reside in many states. He was a great father, husband and grandfather.
Mary Ann (Laubert) Miller, age 101, of West, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2017, at her residence. A Rosary will be recited 6 p.m., Sunday, July 16, at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, with visitation to follow until 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m., Monday, July 17, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.
Youve heard me say this before: Waco is a great place to be  our economy is booming and our population continues to increase each year. With that growth comes the need to improve and expand core services, such as water, roads and waste management.

The city is already hard at work upgrading our sidewalks, streets and water and wastewater infrastructure. Now the time has come to begin the decision-making process about our solid-waste disposal needs. These decisions will not be easy, especially because the residents who live nearest to the landfill may experience real and perceived impacts. It is our responsibility as the City Council to make a decision that is best for our entire community and to endeavor to mitigate any negative impacts on nearby residents. As we approach these decisions, it is important to understand the history and the facts related to our landfill planning.

The City of Waco has operated the Type 1 Municipal Solid Waste landfill near Lehigh Cement for many years. The landfill receives more than 288,000 tons of waste  thats approximately 26,182 filled trash trucks  per year. While the landfill serves an 11-county region, it is important to note that more than 60 percent of the trash coming into the landfill is from Waco households and businesses, and more than 95 percent of the trash coming into the landfill is from households and businesses inside McLennan County.

Waco has historically taken a regional leadership role in providing critical core services to its surrounding communities. These services include water, public health, emergency preparedness, wastewater processing and solid-waste disposal. Taking this leadership role is a responsibility that carries with it significant challenges. We heavily depend on support and cooperation from area leaders and entities to accomplish these efforts. These regional partnerships are tremendously beneficial to Waco residents and to the residents of Wacos surrounding communities. They provide the structure that sustains the growth in our area and they directly impact economic development. Without them, we would not grow, because we would have inadequate capacity and limited ability to control costs.

It should be clear that we ALL need adequate landfill space to support our present needs as well as growth in Waco and surrounding cities in the future.

Running out of room

Several years ago, the citys Solid Waste Services Department began planning for a new landfill because the current landfills capacity is limited. Now, it is estimated that the Waco landfill has only about seven years of life remaining (if the current amount of tonnage hauled into it remains consistent). Due to the length of time needed for landfill site selection, design, engineering and construction, we must make important decisions now.

Once a new landfill site opens, the current landfill will be closed and will become available as a site for a future public park and trail system or another amenity for the community. This has been successfully accomplished in many other cities.

For the last several years, the citys landfill planning efforts have been focused on a parcel of land along FM 2837 (Old Lorena Road) adjacent to the current landfill, land presently owned by the city. If selected, the proposed 290-acre site  slightly larger than the current 237-acre landfill  will have a large buffer separating it from our current landfill site. It would also have a generously landscaped buffer separating it from Old Lorena Road and from neighboring tracts.

At our June 20 council meeting, at the request of the City Council, city staff and our engineering consultants presented some alternate site options. In selecting a potential landfill site there are many variables and state regulations that must be considered. The geology of the site is a key determining factor, as well as many others.

The sites discussed at the meeting were all more than 15 miles away from the center of our city, and we learned that siting a landfill at a distance greater than 15 miles from the city center would cause us to need a transfer station in addition to a new landfill. This is because, beyond that distance, it becomes more efficient to transfer the waste to large vehicles for hauling than to haul the waste directly in the trash trucks. However, a transfer station would require a substantial capital investment and would add significant costs to ongoing operations over locating the landfill within a 15-mile radius of Waco.

City Council heard that distant options would have a drastic impact on garbage fees by increasing residential rates from approximately $14.20 a month to an estimated $26.13  an 84 percent increase. Commercial rates could increase by an estimated 38 percent. Other municipalities and businesses serviced by private waste companies also would experience significant cost increases if we were to select a distant site for our landfill.

The search continues

At the conclusion of the presentation at our June 20 council meeting, City Council asked staff and our engineering consultants to look for alternate sites that would be close enough to the city center that they would not require a transfer station. The City Council will receive a presentation on those potential alternate sites Tuesday afternoon at our council meeting work session.

Regardless of where a new landfill is built, the City of Waco will meet all requirements set forth by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The city also will take steps to address the concerns we have heard from the community such as odor, protection of water quality, protection of wildlife and potential impacts on air and ground transportation  all of which are a required part of the regulatory review.

Additionally, we will make efforts to ensure properties in areas surrounding the new landfill will be minimally affected. Texas strictly requires a minimum 125-foot buffer zone around permitted landfill boundaries. We plan to establish more generous buffers than those that are required, and the design will minimize the view of the landfill from the street and adjacent properties. With these considerations in mind, the city continues to work diligently toward a solution that will best serve the entire Waco community.

As mayor of Waco, I want to be sure you are informed of the decision-making process and I and the other members of the City Council want to hear your feedback. We will make every effort to inform you of public meetings regarding this project and we encourage you to be involved in learning the facts, getting involved and maintaining an open dialogue with us in order to determine a new landfill location that meets the needs and interests of the Greater Waco area.

Without a new landfill, the City of Waco would have extreme operational challenges and uncontrolled costs. Planning ahead is imperative in order for the city to have an adequate site in full operation before the life of the current landfill runs out.
WAHOO  Howard Hansons trek toward the Nebraska Hall of Fame continues, as public hearings begin this week for potential inductees.

The first of three public hearing is scheduled for July 12 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Winfields in David City.

The hearings are open to the public and sponsors will speak for up to 10 minutes, testifying on behalf of their respective nominees.

Hanson was nominated Feb. 3, when several sponsors spoke in Lincoln on his behalf to the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission.

The contingent in support of Hanson for the upcoming hearings will consist of local and professional sponsors.

Mary Bergan, Saunders County Historical Society board member and museum volunteer, said she plans to attend multiple hearings with Saunders County Museum Curator Erin Hauser and other supporters.

Bergan said Dr. Larry Erickson, Wahoo native and professor of chemical engineering at Kansas State Uni-versity, will also join them at hearings and provide testimony.

Eric Bachenberg of Lincoln will also attend, Bergan said. Bachenberg wrote an article on Hanson that is published on the state historical societys website.

Wahoo resident and former District 23 Sen. Jerry Johnson said he plans to attend all three hearings, including the July 19 hearing in his home town of Holdrege.

The third hearing is held July 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters in Omaha.

The hearings are held in each congressional district for the convenience of the sponsors whos nominees resided in those districts, said Executive Assistant Membership Administrator Lana Hatcher.

Attendance at all three hearings is not necessary, Hatcher said. Priority for testimony will be given to individuals from the district in which the hearing is held.

Hatcher said each speaker will be asked to hold their testimony to 10 minutes to ensure each speaker is heard.

Some sponsors may choose to give short power point presentations, but they must provide their own equipment and must stay within the 10-minute time-frame, Hatcher said.

Hansons competition for the hall of fame includes 11 other Nebraska natives.

No more than one person can be added to the Nebraska Hall of Fame every five years.

This is not the first year that Hanson has been nominated. He was nominated 10 years after his death in 1981.

This was allowed at the time. But Johnson said legislative action in 1998 now states that no more than one person can be added every five years and only 35 years after that persons death.

The Commission will meet to determine the selection on Aug. 2 at the State Capitol.

A bust commemorating the person chosen for the Nebraska Hall of Fame will be placed in the State Capitol in 2019 after a sculptor is appointed in 2018.

It has been 35 years since Hansons death and this is the first year he would be eligible for induction into the state hall of fame by the new law, Bergan said

Hansons boyhood home is located on the corner of 12th and Linden streets in Wahoo. The historical house is maintained by the Saunders County Historical Society.

Hanson was born on Oct. 28, 1896. He attended Wahoo Public Schools and then enrolled at Luther College. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1944 for one of symphonies and was the director of the famed Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.

For more information about the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commissions hearings, contact the Saunders County Museum at 402-443-3090.
WAHOO  Two years in Nebraska Leadership Education Action Developments (LEAD) program and seminars has Wahoo Resident and Frontier Cooperative Marketing Manager Jon Brabec thinking perspective.

Brabec was one of 30 Nebraskans to participate in the Nebraska LEAD Group from 2015 to 2017. His group traveled the state, country and globe, focusing on agricultural leadership development.

After LEAD, I realize that Scottsbluff is as important as anywhere on the eastern side of the state, Brabec said.

The LEAD 35 Fellow spent the first year learning about Nebraska and the U.S.

The groups seminars included on-site learning in Kansas City, Washington D.C. and Chicago, learning about the political aspects of agriculture and leadership.

The first year was spent immersed in topics regarding government, natural resources, cultural issues and the economy, he said.

The highlight of the first year was learning how important places like Scottsbluff are to business and the entire states economy, he said.

With the scope of the program covering state and national stages, Brabec said the program was very time consuming.

It was very intense. Its a huge commitment, he said.

Getting into the program was no simple task for just such a reason.

It not only requires good references, but a commitment from the individual, workplace and spouse.

Brabec said his employer, Frontier Cooperative, suggested he apply.

Brabecs group of 30 fellows was chosen from a pool of over 250 applicants.

Those 30 spent year two in the program learning about the global impacts of Nebraska agriculture.

Year two seminars took place not only in the U.S., but in China, Thailand and Laos.

Those seminars were to take our minds and broaden them, Brabec said.

The seminar taught the LEAD group all aspects of culture, economics and communication with world businesses, he said.

Those peoples are consumers of U.S. Goods, he said.

Its important for them to know what theyre getting when they buy a U.S. product, Brabec said.

The leadership aspects of year two are more than just textbooks, but put into practice with the seminars abroad, he said.

Brabec said he learned a great deal about the cultural aspects of leadership abroad and how important those elements are in business.

The group learned how diverse the three countries are and how they bring social, religious and political elements of culture into their business systems.

Brabec said his highlight in China was a trip to a mountain range in Longji, where he learned what it takes to grow rice on the side of a mountain.

Other aspects in leadership Brabec learned abroad are how important it is to be involved locally on a political level.

Brabec said the trip empowered him to consider a potential future in politics.

Many LEAD fellows have made an impact in politics, as he pointed to State Sen. Bruce Bostelman and U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer.

You can really make a difference by being involved. Thats something I never would have said a few years ago, but people that believe in it (local government), can make a difference, he said.

On this side of the LEAD experience, Brabec said his job now is to do a better job of telling the story of Nebraska and agriculture to consumers.

Im going to talk to grade schools and high schools about agriculture and show them the bigger picture  how important consumers in China are to the U. S. and future of our economy, he said.
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Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Cloudy early with periods of light rain and snow later in the day. High 38F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 50%..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with snow showers. Low 28F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
In their 44 years of marriage, Peter Low often handed his wife documents to sign.

Like many in a marriage, Jennifer Low never bothered much with the fine print and, trusting her husband, always signed the dotted line.

Rien Low with his sister Brooke and mother Jenny, who is in an uphill battle with Suncorp Bank. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

But her decision to disengage with their financial dealings would be one she would regret, when Mr Low died unexpectedly and five outstanding bank loans in excess of $1 million were revealed.

"Mum had no idea. There were five loans of over $1 million, and her name was all over the paperwork," said their son Rien Low, who spoke to Fairfax Media on Mrs Low's behalf.
Australian schools are tracking what students do on their mobile phones using technology that can also disable their cameras.

In a bid to protect students from pornography, predators and other online dangers, some schools are turning to technology that notifies teachers, parents and welfare staff when students access concerning material on their mobile phones.

Australian schools are monitoring what students do on their mobile phones using technology that can also disable their cameras.

But students and privacy experts have raised concerns about the initiative, which they say erodes trust and puts children under unnecessary surveillance.

The surveillance tool, which has been developed by Australian company Family Zone and is being rolled out at 40 schools, can also block students' access to inappropriate internet sites and "distracting" phone apps.
Its an inevitable topic of conversation in most gatherings. As the saying goes, Government has to do something.

I agree. Parliament needs to redefine governments role.

Back in 2009, referencing a Cato Policy Report by Reuven Brenner (The Causes of Economic Growth pdf) these observations bear repeating:

"Options seem limited for The Bahamian economy in a slowing world economy, but there are initiatives that can be taken by the government that would not increase its size in relation to a declining Gross Domestic Product.

"Through most of the eighties there was little growth in the Bahamian economy. By 1992 it had become negative. The new administration after 1992 introduced policies to encourage private investment. Those policies reversed the downward trend the country had been in for 10 years or longer.

"The anticipated decline due to changes in the world economy should be met with a scaling back of government expenditure and controls and encouraging investment through laissez-faire principles, at the same time shoring up the rule of law, protection of property and enforcement of contracts.

"Even though this strategy has proven effective over the years, immigration promoted by the government invites political retaliation. But that should not deter initiatives to expand immigration if only in targeted areas at first.

"A multifaceted approach would be to encourage investment by locals and expatriates by reducing import taxes on all products for development and cessation of all other business taxes for the next five years.

"The Financial Services Consultative Forum, Immigration Sub Committee offered a reasonable approach to immigration as it relates to the Financial Services Sector in 2003. ( See here and here ). The recommendations outlined then are no less relevant today or to other industries.

The central idea is government must let entrepreneurship and business flourish.

"But, for this to happen the political directorate must be mature enough to accept and promote their role as little more than facilitators for growth and not be directly involved in business activity.

"As Brenner noted in 1998:

We can be confident that the idea that governments can frequently do more than that (create institutions that make it possible for entrepreneurship and financial markets to flourish) is a consequence of government subsidized myth creation.

It will be a grave mistake to think government can continue taxing and spending like drunken sailors and expect economic growth. The reverse is usually the case as history confirms.

In other words, bad policies lead to more bad policies that ultimately wreak havoc on the economy and well being.

It's looking more and more like The Bahamas is a case study confirming the effects of government intervention.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 15, 2017 | 07:07 PM | WESTERN KENTUCKY





In Kentucky alone it is estimated that 70,000 individuals have Alzheimers disease and 271,000 people are their caregivers, many of whom are dealing with strange behaviors that they may not know how to deal with.Wandering, hallucinations, paranoia, aggression, shadowing, the exaggerated use of curse words - these are a few of the many behaviors that can accompany a diagnosis of Alzheimers disease or a related dementia. What causes them? What can we do about them?According to the Alzheimer's Association, caregivers don't always understand that these behaviors are attempts by loved ones to communicate because of their inability to verbalize their wants, needs, and feelings. Plus, the person with the disease now has a reality all their own.Many caregivers think their loved one is being difficult on purpose, but in reality, their loved one is having a very difficult time. Rather than being defensive when blamed for something a their loved one, it is much better to apologize, even if the caregiver did nothing wrong. It can quickly ease the situation.Wandering may often communicate boredom, hunger or thirst or even a need to go to the bathroom. Sudden changes in behaviors may be linked to changes in the persons routine or an infection.What should caregivers do when their loved ones experience these behaviors? Put on your detective hat. Detect and connect. Join their reality.What might be causing the behavior? Look at the physical needs of the person. Are they hungry, thirsty, or need to go to the restroom? Is the person sick?Once these needs have been ruled out, look at the environment. Has the persons routine changed? Is the person overstimulated? Not stimulated enough? What are their emotional needs? How does the situation feel to them? Try to identify the feelings behind your loved one's behavior.This is just a sample of the information that is available about behaviors of Alzheimer's patients. To learn even more, join in on a Telehealth program called "Management of Behavioral Symptoms in Dementia." It will be offered from 4:30 - 6:00 pm on Thursday, July 27th at the following western Kentucky locations:Pennyrile Area Development District in HopkinsvilleBaptist Health MadisonvilleMurray Calloway County HospitalBaptist Health PaducahThis program is offered through an interactive telemedicine system to connect with persons who are impacted by Alzheimers disease and related memory disorders, providing education and supportive services across the state of Kentucky. A panel of experts from the University of Kentucky Sanders Brown Center on Aging and the Alzheimers Association will answer audience questions.This event is free and open to the public. To register, please contact Hardin Stevens at 859-323-2997 or hardin.stevens@uky.edu by July 20th.
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New Ross mourns tragic death of Anthony Rochford (47): We will remember him for all the great times
FALL CREEK, Wis. (AP)  With both hands gripping his butterfly net, Jim Schwiebert peered into the foliage tracing a paved pathway just outside the Butterfly House at Beaver Creek Reserve.

Here we go; come on out, Schwiebert said, trying to coax a large red-spotted purple butterfly whose black frame occasionally eluded his view.

Fluttering beyond his reach, the red-spotted purple reappeared on the periphery of one of the outdoor Nature Nooks, catching the attention of a nearby family who alerted Schwiebert, the Leader-Telegram reported.

He jogged over and eyed the butterflys movements before casting the net with a quick flick of his wrist.

You got it? Rebecca Franklin, 9, of Altoona asked excitedly.

Of course! Im a professional, Schwiebert said with a smile as he took the net and his prized catch to the Butterfly House.

The red-spotted purple is one of about 18 species residing in the Butterfly House, which opened to the public last week.

(That) is really very good for this time of the year, for early in the year like this, said Schwiebert, a naturalist at Beaver Creek and curator of the Butterfly House.

Schwiebert said its hard to say how many butterflies are in the house because the number is constantly changing. But its clear visitors appreciate the close-up opportunities.

I think its pretty cool, Zane McHugh, 11, said of the Butterfly House. You dont get to see them a lot (in the wild) because sometimes theyre too fast and you dont get a chance to look at them.

Schwiebert explained while there are about 125 species that call Wisconsin home, they dont all fly at the same time, making it impossible for the house to showcase all at once.

Thats also because the house specializes in native butterflies, something Schwiebert said is a unique offering of Beaver Creek.

What you see in here is what you see outside your window, he said.

Butterflies wont fly until they can warm up their wing muscles to about 80 degrees, Schwiebert said, meaning the best time to visit the house is when temperatures are high.

Dont come on a cold, rainy day because youll be disappointed, he said. They hang upside-down, especially under a plants leaves, to shed the water.

In the houses two-month season, 4,000 to 5,000 people are expected to visit, Schwiebert said.

But the chance of a butterfly landing on a visitors finger isnt likely, unless its one of the houses friendlier red admirals, which are attracted to the salt on fingers.

Schwiebert cautioned that visitors to the Butterfly House shouldnt wear insect repellent because its chemicals can harm or kill the butterflies. The houses net exterior does its job of keeping bugs and butterfly prey at bay.

The average life span of a butterfly is about two weeks, though it varies based on species. Monarchs only live for a month after mating, Schwiebert explained.

The first and second generations of monarchs mate throughout the summer, and the third generation that hatches in August makes its way to Mexico for winter.

Because its sexually immature, it can live seven months before mating and spreading out across the southern region. The third generation lays its eggs on blooming milkweed before dying.

Then that generation develops, and theyre the ones to move north, Schwiebert said. The ones that go to Mexico have never been to Mexico. The ones that come back to Wisconsin have never been to Wisconsin.

Butterflies will only lay their eggs on host plants. For example, monarchs will only lay eggs on milkweed plants. Tasting with her feet, the female will seek out the healthiest plants on which to lay her egg.

Then she leaves, and the egg is on its own.

Schwiebert pointed to a female on a plant who dropped her abdomen and told a gathering crowd to watch for the egg left behind on the leaf.

Do you see it, Zane? The white dot? Tamra McHugh asked of her nephew.

Eggs are laid generally on the upper side of the leaf, meaning theyre visible to those who know what theyre looking for.

In addition to the Butterfly House, Beaver Creeks butterfly lab is where eggs collected from the wild are taken and cared for until they hatch from their chrysalises (not cocoons  thats what moths emerge from) and are ready for introduction to the house.

Eggs collected and brought into the lab have a 98 percent chance of survival. In the wild the percentage averages between 2 and 4 percent.

Monarchs need all the help they can get, Schwiebert said, because about a third of the total summer breeding acreage of about 900,000 square miles has been lost, in part because of the widespread use of herbicide and natural disasters.

For their part, Beaver Creek releases females from the lab into the wild to help the population.

We want them to be able to mate, lay eggs and bolster the population, he said.

The easiest way for butterfly enthusiasts to set up their own butterfly paradise is to introduce healthy host plants, such as milkweed for monarchs.

We want to encourage people to not only appreciate butterflies but help raise them, Schwiebert said.
For much of the month of June, Kendrick Mountain was a beehive of activity as hundreds of firefighters streamed in from across the country to dig fire lines, fly aerial ignition missions, light backburns and protect private property around the Boundary Fire.

At its height, nearly 500 people were working on the managed fire within a planned containment area that covered 28 square miles. Most forest roads and trails around the mountain were closed more than a month, smoke forced the closure of a portion of U.S. Highway 180, and it worsened air quality for days in surrounding areas.

The tally for the fire is now at $9.4 million, or $522 an acre.

Forest Service officials acknowledge that its a hefty price tag, and recognize that the blaze came at a time of year when northern Arizona generally sees its driest, most wildfire-prone conditions. But they staunchly defend their strategy on the fire, saying it was necessary to ensure firefighter safety and made the most of an opportunity to clear out forest fuels and reduce the risk of severe fire in the future.

We have set up Kendrick (Mountain) to be in a much more resilient state, much more resistant to high severity fire. It will be in good shape for a number of years in the future, said Jackie Banks, the public information officer with the Kaibab National Forest.

Even so, its a challenge to defend a multimillion-dollar bill like the Boundary Fires, Banks said.

Were struggling with how do we let the public know that this cost was worth it to them?" she said.

Lightning strike

The Boundary Fire started June 1 with a lightning strike in the Kendrick Mountain Wilderness on steep slopes where dead and downed trees lay scattered after being burned in the Pumpkin Fire 17 years ago.

Immediate suppression of the fire, though it would have made the incident much less costly, wasnt an option in that area because it was too risky to put firefighters there, said Art Gonzales, the fire staff officer on the Kaibab National Forest who is currently serving as an acting district ranger.

No air tankers to drop retardant were called in, and the fire grew in the first days to about 300 acres before flaring up a week later amid Red Flag conditions to several thousand acres, forcing the highway closure and the transition from a Type III to a Type II emergency management team.

In the end, fire managers decided to establish containment lines along a series of roads that ring the mountain, which meant the fire would eventually burn a much bigger area -- about 18,000 acres. But the management team decided that was the smallest area possible to both suppress the fire and ensure the safety of firefighters, said Robert Sanchez, who was the agency administrator for the Boundary Fire and is the deputy forest supervisor on the Coconino National Forest.

While the fire was burning during a streak of near-record heat and many days of Red Flag Warnings, Gonzales said those conditions were actually needed to get the fire to burn low and slow through the higher elevation mixed conifer forest that blankets Kendrick Mountain. That way, the flames burned up fuels on the ground but didnt climb into tree canopies.

Planned aerial and ground ignitions, while increasing the area burned by the fire, were needed to slow down the fires intensity and reinforce containment, Gonzales and other fire managers said.

As far as costs, they were always part of the Boundary Fire management discussion, Gonzales said. The fire management team constantly expanded and contracted the number of personnel assigned to the fire to ensure money and resources werent wasted but assets like private land were protected, he said. A regional fire coordination center also plays a key role in tracking and assigning resources to each fire depending on the status of other incidents around the country.

WORTH IT?

The reality of the Forest Services budget is the more money that is spent on firefighting, the less thats available for non-fire programs, including restoration projects aimed at reducing wildfire threats.

For the Boundary Fire, though, Forest Service officials said firefighting dollars accomplished suppression as well as restoration goals, a fact that was applauded by organizations focused on forest restoration.

The fire burned through much of the dead and downed fuel on Kendrick Mountain, reducing future risk of high severity fire and helping spur regeneration while also leaving the overstory in tact, Gonzales said. It was also notable that just 1 percent of the burn area saw more damaging high severity fire, while minimal resources have been needed to help the area recover, he said.

Ecologically, forests in northern Arizona need periodic fire to thrive, and in reintroducing fire to the Kendrick Mountain area since the Pumpkin Fire of 2000, the Boundary Fire aligned with what is an extremely high priority for the broader forest restoration community, said Todd Schulke, who oversees forest restoration and protection at the Center for Biological Diversity.

I think the Forest Service deserves a pat on the back. This is how the future ought to look, Schulke said.

At least in the Flagstaff area, the choice between accomplishing restoration or spending on fire suppression doesnt have to be an either-or, Schulke said.

I think its a false dichotomy in the sense that (the Forest Service) is doing both and doing pretty well at it, he said.

From a cost perspective, wildfire is a more efficient way of accomplishing restoration goals than mechanical thinning and prescribed burning, said Diane Vosick, with the Ecological Restoration Institute at Northern Arizona University. The $522 an acre it took to manage and direct the Boundary Fire across 18,000 acres is still significantly cheaper than the $700 to $1,000 per acre it costs to mechanically thin trees in high-risk wildland urban interfaces, Vosick said.

In an example like the Boundary Fire, I would say people were happy to see management with fire, Vosick said.
The man, and lone occupant of the vehicle, was driving on Hwy. 54, attempted to turn onto the Interstate 94 ramp, traveled sideways, went air born over the eastbound lanes of I-94, landed on the guardrail in the median, traveled across the westbound lanes and rolled into the gore area, according to an investigation.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/07/2017 (1945 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Its been two agonizing years for the family of Thelma Krull, as they spend every day desperately searching for answers, while also greatly fearing what those answers may be.

Not knowing what has happened keeps this nightmare alive, said Lisa Besser of the disappearance of her mother, the grandmother to her son.

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES A missing-person poster is taped to a pole near Kildonan East High School in the area where Thelma Krull was last seen on July 11, 2015.

Tuesday marked the two-year anniversary of the disappearance of 57-year-old Winnipeg woman Krull, who went missing while out for a power walk on the morning of July 11, 2015.

Two years is a long time and with every day Im sure the chances of her coming home are less and less, but there is no evidence found to tell me she is not coming home, so there is no moving on, Besser said.

There is no packing up her stuff, and there is always fear of what she could be going through if she is still somewhere.

Its very hard to have those ideas always in your mind.

For Besser, the nightmare is relived every time she passes the spot in Winnipeg where police believe Krull was that July morning.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Im brought back to that worst time of my life every time I drive past the hill where her stuff was found, or the ditches and fields we searched, or the buildings we looked in, says Lisa Besser.

Im brought back to that worst time of my life every time I drive past the hill where her stuff was found, or the ditches and fields we searched, or the buildings we looked in.

Adding to the turmoil has been moments of hope, followed by moments of great despair.

Its the hope of finding her, and the dread of how we would find her, she said. So many times we got our hopes up, and obviously they havent led to finding her yet.

Krull went missing as she was training for a hike on Vancouver Island with her older brother, Bill Therriault, later that summer.

The married 57-year-old Winnipeg woman left her home in Harbourview South and headed out for her walk while her husband Bob was asleep.

At 7:23 a.m., Krull was captured on a neighbours surveillance camera for 14 seconds; that footage is the last confirmed sighting of her.

We need to know what has happened to my mom. It makes no sense why this had to happen to such a good person, to the best person I know, and why it needs to still be going on  Lisa Besser

Winnipeg police have said they believe Krull walked from her home to Winnipegs Civic Park, which sits near Kildonan East Collegiate, arriving there around 8 a.m.

With her grandsons birthday occurring the next day, Krull planned to meet her husband later that morning at Canadian Tire, and then pick up a birthday cake for her grandson.

Krull never made it to Canadian Tire, and her husband, daughter, son, grandson, and countless other loved ones have not seen or heard from her since.

On Tuesday Winnipeg police held a press conference on the two-year anniversary of Krulls disappearance and said they have made significant, critical progress in the investigation.

SUPPLIED Thelma Krull on a cruise with family members.

Const. Jay Murray said police are focused on reports that came on the one-year anniversary of Krulls disappearance about a heavy-set male who was reportedly seen with Krull the morning she went missing. They consider that male a potential suspect.

Since the one-year point, investigators have come to the conclusion she was the victim of foul play, Murray said.

The man in questions is described as heavy-set and Indigenous in appearance, with a bowl-style haircut, and approximately 5-8 and 270 pounds.

He was reportedly seen with a woman matching Krulls description in the area of Kimberly Avenue east of Gateway Road on the morning she disappeared.

Searches of the area in 2015 eventually led to the discovery of Krulls cellphone and her glasses.

Police say theyve received hundreds of tips in connection with the case.

Murray added investigators might have further information to release in coming weeks, but have to be careful with what they release to the public.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Robert Krull (right), the son of Thelma Krull, distributes posters to members of a volunteer search party shortly after his mother went missing in 2015.

The last thing wed want to do is release any information that could compromise that investigation, he said.

He added currently the investigation into the disappearance of Krull is far from a cold case.

Besser said she did not want to comment specifically on Tuesdays press conference and the newly released information, but did say she appreciates the way police have worked with her and her family over the last two years, while also appreciating their honestly and candor.

They have kept us abreast of different investigations, but tell us each time there is no certainty that path will find us that final answer, and that it may be a very long process, she said.

The investigators who work the case tell me they pray that one day they can put an end to all of this, and be able to provide us the answers we need.

The two-year anniversary may have brought the story of the Krull investigation back into the public eye, but for Besser she is forced to live it every day.

SUPPLIED Thelma Krull and her daughter, Lisa, when Lisa was a youngster.

For everyone reading this article being reminded of what happened two years ago and thinking Wow its been two years and shes still missing, I dont need this anniversary to be reminded, she said.

I think of and miss my mom all the time. Holidays, birthdays, milestones, family gatherings, school concerts, there is so much that she has missed over two years.

Along with hoping the public has knowledge about the high-profile investigation, Besser also wants people to understand the kind of person her mother was.

My mom was all about family and friends, and has so many people wondering, worrying, not forgetting, she said.

While we try to live our days to the fullest because that is what she would have wanted, shes always on our minds and in our hearts, and we do our best to be strong for our families and for her.

Krulls older brother, Bill Therriault, never got to go on the 75-kilometre hike on Vancouver Island he and his sister had planned for the summer of 2015, as she went missing just weeks before it was scheduled to begin.

SUPPLIED Thelma Krull with her sisters, Charlotte and Jean, and her sister-in-law Lillia, while on a family cruise in 2015.

Therriault now lives trying to balance living his life, while wondering what happened to his little sister.

We live every day in limbo for so many reasons, and yet we have no sense of what actually happened, 72-year-old Therriault said.

If it is something bad that happened we dont want to know what it is, yet we need to know.

Therriault who lives in Penticton, B.C., with his wife of 52 years, got a phone call on the afternoon of July 11, 2015, telling him his sister had gone missing.

He was on a plane to Winnipeg the next day.

Its something you read about in newspapers and see on TV, but until youve experienced it you have no sense of what it really is, he said.

Its a truly horrific thing.

In the two years she has been gone, late at night, when he is trying to avoid the constant thoughts of his sister, is often the hardest time for him.

For me the worst times are when you wake up in the middle of the night and your guard is down, and thats always been hard for me because you wake up and your mind gets roaming he said.

Along with those thoughts comes the pain of not having an opportunity to properly say goodbye to the little sister who 52 years ago was the flower girl in his wedding.

Theres been no funeral, so theres no opportunity to grieve, Therriault said.

As a way to remember his sister and enjoy the fond memories Therriault and his wife embarked on a project that eventually turned into a 75-page book filled with stories and pictures telling the story of the life of Krull from the day she was born, to the day she went missing.

SUPPLIED Thelma Krull and her brother, Bill Therriault.

The book was eventually made into a hard-copy version and given to all of Krulls family members as a way to honour and remember her.

We did it at the one-year mark as a way of remembering her, and members of the family all have it now, he said.

With no opportunity to grieve, this was our way to capture those memories and make sure we dont ever lose the memories.

A passage from the book talks about how Krulls husband Bob wanted to ask Thelma to marry him years ago when they were living in Saskatchewan, but wouldnt pop the question until the woman he loved gave up one bad habit.

Bob hated that Thelma was smoking and upon settling in Regina, made her an offer she couldnt refuse, a passage from the book reads.

When she quit smoking, they would get married. In spite of this great challenge, Thelma drew on her inborn determination and spirit, gave up smoking and they set a date in June of 1986 for their wedding.

With family surrounding them, including little Lisa, they were married in Cambridge, Ont., then returned to married life in Regina.

Therriault talks regularly to Bob, and knows how difficult the last two years have been on him.

Its been just horrible for Bob, he said. Hes a very quiet guy anyways and hes not always comfortable in social situations, but those two had a great marriage.

Besser is the person who has held the family together since Krulls disappearance, Therriault added.

Lisa has been a rock, he said. Shes been the rock in all of this. She has looked out for her dad and her brother, and been the one communicating mostly with the police.

And shes been able to hold herself together and keep on going. Shes a strong girl and she takes after her mother who was very strong.

For Besser every day still brings hope answers will come, but she believes she needs others to help lead her and her family to those answers.

People just dont disappear, Besser said. We need to know what has happened to my mom. It makes no sense why this had to happen to such a good person, to the best person I know, and why it needs to still be going on.

There has to be someone out there that can help towards ending this nightmare. We need someone to help end this nightmare for us.

Anyone with information about the disappearance of Thelma Krull is asked to call the Winnipeg Police homicide unit at 204-986-6508, or Winnipeg Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477)

 with files from Ryan Thorpe

Dave Baxter is a freelance reporter, photographer and editor who writes about Manitoba crimes for the Sunday Special.

crimefilesmanitoba@gmail.com

Twitter:@davebbbaxter
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/07/2017 (1945 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

wfpslideshow:434704303:wfpslideshow

STEINBACH  One year after the citys historic first Pride march for equality, more than 1,000 people returned to Steinbach Saturday for the citys second.

Before last year, If someone had told Charlotte Nolin, a Metis trans woman, there would be a Pride in her former hometown in the heart of Manitobas Bible Belt region, she wouldnt have believed her ears.

I didnt know it would go over so well, she said, marching along Main Street wearing a wide grin.

Nolin missed 2016s Pride while undergoing medical treatment, and it broke her heart to not participate. Shes been beaten and abused, ridiculed and mocked, and denied the ability to be herself for decades. For trans women such as Nolin and other members of the 2STLGBQ* (Two-spirited, transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer) community, these struggles are all-too common and can often create depression, tragedy  personal and communal  and intense isolation.

On Saturday afternoon, however, Nolin wasnt walking by herself.

Nearby, amid the throngs, Lee Fehr, a non-binary person with a Mennonite father and a Metis mother, marched proudly. Lee  who uses the non-gender-conforming pronoun they  lives in the Winkler-Osterwick region, where they say gender roles and opinions on sexuality are firmly tied to residents strong commitment to religion. When Lee, 25, came out, they felt both a sense of relief and responsibility.

I have to do this. I have to be the one gay cousin, Lee said. I am the only one, but today I dont feel like it.

Steinbach Prides organizers intended this years iteration to represent all 2STLGBQ* community members, with acknowledgement of the intersectionality of their respective experiences and with close attention paid to accessibility.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Michelle McHale and Chris Plett organizers for Steinbach Pride walk at the front of the line with hundreds of parade goers following along them down Main Street in Steinbach in the 2nd annual Steinbach Pride Parade Saturday.

Michelle McHale, Steinbach Prides founder and chairwoman, said the organizing committee wanted to create an environment reflective of the diversity of the attendees, and applied that principle when deciding on who spoke. Speakers included Uzoma Chioma, the founder of Queer People of Colour Winnipeg, Brielle Beardy, a transgender woman and member of Nisichawayasihk First Nation, Andra MaCauley, a bisexual queer polyamorous person, and Chris Plett, a gay man from nearby Kleefeld who will take over McHales duties as Pride chair. All speeches were also interpreted in American Sign Language.

By virtue of the people we have on stage, we hope to shed light on their stories and devote ourselves to making space for these incredible people who havent always had those kinds of spaces in Pride, McHale said.

To accomplish that goal, Pride organizers chose to not have politicians speak, aside from St. Boniface-St. Vital MP Dan Vandals address on behalf of the federal government.

Notably, Steinbachs elected officials were absent from the march.

Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen, Manitobas Minister of Health, said in February that hed be out of town during Pride, and even if he werent, he wouldnt attend. Goertzen said speakers at last years event, which he also didnt go to, shamed him for his absence. On Friday, a representative for Goertzens office confirmed the ministers stance hadnt changed.

Ted Falk, the MP for Provencher, didnt go to 2016 or 2017s Pride events due to personal beliefs, and did not respond to a request for comment from the Free Press. Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen (no relation to Kelvin Goertzen) wasnt present either, but did make a statement supporting acceptance and inclusivity of the citys 2STLGBQ* residents.

One element ever-present at Saturdays event was an awareness and respect for Indigenous people and their histories. Before anything else happened, Pride organizers acknowledged the land they stood, sat and marched on belonged to Indigenous people before colonization.

Kelly Houle, the grand marshall of Winnipeg Pride, participated in a smudging ceremony before the march began.

Houle, a two-spirited trans woman, then performed a healing dance as several people drummed and sang Ombay, a welcoming song acknowledging both elders and the creator. As Houle danced around the perimeter of K.R. Barkman Park, attendees were transfixed.

For Houle, it was an opportunity to spread an idea of acceptance and to open peoples eyes to issues close to her heart.

We were hidden a long time ago, when settlers came in and destroyed us two-spirit people, Houle said.

In the crowd, Kira Gehrer, Sydney Butler and Brylin Shuttleworth, all 15 years old, took the day as an opportunity to take a stand for what they believe in.

I think its just important for people to understand that no matter who youre sexually attracted to, its the same. Love is love, Butler said.

Shuttleworth, who lives in Winnipeg, identifies as bisexual, and Butler and Gehrer, both from Steinbach, wanted to show their support, despite their local governments absence.

I feel like this is a community, and (Mayor Goertzen) runs it, and he should be here to support it, Gehrer added.

Though Saturdays Pride went off without a hitch, McHale and Plett both said support from the citys political leaders could change the citys climate, which has driven some 2STLGBQ* people from Steinbach entirely.

Mason Godwaldt, 19, said he left Steinbach for Winnipeg in May after his boss fired him due to his trans identity. That was the final push that told me it was time to leave, he said after the march concluded.

It felt strange for him to come back to the community, but he feels fortunate he was able to leave and that hes had his familys support since coming out at 17; he knows not every trans person is so lucky.

Seeing all the support from local people today did feel really good, Godwaldt said.

Godwaldt spoke at last years march, but says he hasnt noticed any significant shift in attitude toward transgender people in Steinbach. He believes before the government can make any changes, average Steinbach residents must first be open and accepting.

Plett said the next year will be dedicated to Steinbach Pride building bridges and being more visible within the community.

We have a lot of planning to do yet, he said.

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/07/2017 (1945 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MADISON, W. Va.  Boone County claims to be the birthplace of Americas coal industry, the rich and abundant black rock discovered in these verdant hills almost three centuries ago. Coal gives name to nearly everything in these parts  the Big and Little Coal rivers, the weekly Coal Valley News, the wondrous Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation Museum and the West Virginia Coal Festival, celebrating, as we arrive in town, its 24th year.

The festival is more state fair than true celebration of coal. Theres a carnival, a talent competition, seven beauty queens (from Little Miss Coal Festival to Forever West Virginia Coal Queen).

Late in the afternoon of the second day, high on a hill graced with the statue of a miner, theres a small memorial service for the West Virginia men who died on the job over the previous year. The most recent was 32-year-old Rodney Osbourne, pinned by mining equipment on June 14. The total deaths are five, fewer than the number of Miss Coal Festivals queens who wilt in the heat on the steps of the neoclassical courthouse, draped in charcoal-black sashes. No coal executives bother to show up, nor any reps from the once-robust union.

The Mount Storm, W. Va., coal-fired power station sits on a lake created as a cooling pond.

Coal mining, celebrated with rhinestones and pageantry, is an enduring legacy rather than a thriving enterprise. Which is coal countrys problem, and the challenge for its boosters. Were stuck on the idea of coal, its potent history and Walker Evans imagery, though much of the world has moved on.

Not Boone County. Not yet.

Were keeping our heritage alive. We dont want it to be a dying industry, says Delores W. Cook, titularly the festivals vice-president/treasurer/assistant director but in fact its true sovereign. This has been a way of life for people in West Virginia, keeping the lights on for all of the United States, for many, many years.

Cook adjusts her meringue of hair. Shes a coal miners daughter, a distinction residents declare in introductions, akin to being the child of a veteran with a proud chest of medals.

Her late husband, Dennis (De) Cook  every miner seems to sport a diminutive  worked coal 42 and a half years, she says, making sure every last month is honoured. Des hard hat, plastered with union and company stickers, adorns a cross at the courthouse event, removed from its customary place atop a museum mannequin.

Boones fortunes rose and subsequently plummeted along with the industry. Coals grip holds hard, a source of revenue the state has been slow to replace. Fewer than 700 county residents worked the mines last year. The school district is Boones largest employer, but it was forced to lay off 150 workers when income from the severance tax on coal extraction last year dropped to a fifth of what it was less than a decade ago.

Decades past its heyday, and despite the availability of cleaner and more widely used energy resources, coal is enjoying its moment in politics, culture and the environmental debate. It has assumed a prominence in our national conversation far greater than its current consumption: 15 per cent of Americas energy resources, producing about a third of all electricity. Its as though wed revived a discussion about locomotives. Fracking, recently a constant in the news, has been relegated to the back burner. Oil, too.

Coal dominated the energy debate during the presidential campaign, embraced by Donald Trump and dismissed as obsolete by Hillary Clinton.

Weve got to move away from coal and all the other fossil fuels, the Democratic candidate said, promptly rendering her a pariah here.

Coal is an idea some Americans cant quit, though it employed fewer than 66,000 miners in 2014. Kohls department store has more than twice as many workers.

Retail doesnt play as powerfully in the American imagination, launching stories, inspiring music, forging identity. Entire communities were formed to mine coal, says Barbara Freese, author of Coal: A Human History. Coal created its own geographical area and culture.

The mountainous sweep of Appalachia seized the spotlight, mined for gold by journalists who had miscalculated Trumps ascendancy and the regions pivotal role in his election. J.D. Vances memoir Hillbilly Elegy, viewed as a decoder of Appalachian culture, has spent nearly a year crowning the bestseller list.

I happen to love the coal miners, U.S. President Donald Trump declared in announcing the countrys withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord. Trump welcomed coal miners and executives to the White House for a photo op, the first in ages, and declared an end to the war on coal  a conflict minted by an industry association  at a time when even the Kentucky Coal Museum was switching to solar energy.

I liked the camaraderie with my fellow miners. I liked the money. It was tough But it put your kids through college. Rickey Woodrum

  

Southern West Virginia is a place of both startling beauty and hardship, a juxtaposition that became all the more pronounced when companies started blowing off mountaintops to harvest fuel using fewer men, wrecking the states grand scenery in the quest for coal.

Were learning we cant have all our eggs in one basket. We need to grow and diversify, state Sen. Ron Stollings says at the festival opening, reading from Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin IIIs address.

But in this region, coal is a tradition that continues to haunt.

Its not only an industry thats lost, but a way of life, one filled with terrible hardships, says composer Julia Wolfe, whose Pulitzer Prize-winning oratorio, Anthracite Fields, commemorates Pennsylvanias miners. The trick is not to romanticize the life. There are very beautiful things about the communitys dependence on each other, but theres also terrible abuse and negligence.

The industry was long marked by excessive volatility: all-in during boom times, then neglect, companies decamping under the cloak of bankruptcy, threatening pensions, wrecking the security of proud men. Jobs evaporated. But the mountains remained.

Theres still a lot of coal in these hills, says Cook, a former state representative and the steward of perpetual optimism. The fuel never dried up, only its viability, which profoundly affected the community.

The companies often cared less about the men than the commodity, a story the museum subtly reveals through its artifacts, without rancor or editorializing.

Miners were required to purchase work tools from company stores. Security was an afterthought. We didnt have reflective gear when I worked in the mines, says former miner (fourth generation) Tim Spratt, visiting the museum with his grandson, gesturing toward a vitrine. That was only for supervisors. Spratt, who sang at the memorial service, once worked low coal in a hole less than on metre high. Which is a hard job for a fat man, he says.

I liked the camaraderie with my fellow miners, adds resident Rickey Woodrum, who spent a decade underground before he turned to operating auto-body shops. I liked the money. It was tough. It will make you tough. But it put your kids through college.

So they wouldnt ever have to work the mines.

Mining is, or was, the rare job where a man  invariably, a man  could provide for his family, making US$80,000 or US$90,000 in a good year with just a high school degree, often less, rising up by working below.

The industrys declining fortunes contributed to the death of opportunity for many men to be their families top wage earner, another conversation of our times.

Jayla Cottrell (left), 14, the festivals Forever Queen, and Miah Brown, 16, the Teen Queen.

Coals been going downhill since (the Second) World War, former miner Jim Chaney says. In Boone County, it used to be you mined the coal or you moved the coal.

Now, he believes, It will come back, but never the way that it was. Its a coda you hear constantly in coal country.

  

West Virginia, seceding from Confederate Virginia in 1863, is the only state created by the Civil War. (Yet plenty of Confederate flags are on display, including several affixed to a carnival stand.) Instead of battlefields, the state produced a landscape of mining conflicts and disasters: Matewan, the Battle of Blair Mountain (the town is now little more than a commemorative plaque), Upper Big Branch.

The industrys dirty, dramatic and violent history was dominated by outsize union leaders and predatory companies that removed the coal and the wealth and left behind towns that resemble Depression-era movie sets and became visual catnip for documentary filmmakers and photographers.

Six decades ago, McDowell was a county of 100,000. Today, its a fifth the size, and West Virginias poorest county. In 2015, it garnered national attention for all the wrong reasons: as home to the nations highest rate of opioid-induced deaths.

Outside Welch, one of McDowells many poor towns, Johnny Bishop, 65, his skin tanned oak, is folded inside a white van on an empty road selling apparel, including mining gear with bands of reflective tape.

Bishop laboured 16 years in the mines, two years picking on his knees in holes 28 inches high. On his worst day, he was shocked by 480 volts from a live wire. Fourth generation in the mines, he returned to work two days later.

If youre a miner, your crew is like your brothers in the mines, he says.

Business got bad and Bishops health got worse. Prescribed opioids for the pain, he took them but says he never got hooked, then quit them cold.

He left the holler, worked construction in Virginia, urged his five children not to become fifth generation, and ultimately moved back to where the living was less taxing.

The coal companies and the nations leaders didnt pay attention to us, he says. We used to have so much here. We got coal. We got natural gas. We got timber. There used to be no poor people in McDowell County.

Now, thats almost all McDowell has.

Photos by Michael S. Williamson / Washington Post Pro-coal signage is found all over West Virginia, where the coal industry has been a way of life for more than a century.

How much for the miners shirt? Two dollars. We tip him three.



Wednesday is mariachi night at the Hacienda restaurant, where three employees were detained by ICE in May for having improper papers. Everyone was thrilled when two of them came back.

While the six beauty queens hold court at the festival memorial service, miners coming off their most recent shift choose to relax here with fajitas and beer.

Trains used to pass through Boone County eight times a day, sometimes more. Residents in housing yards from the tracks cursed the constant racket, others the frustration of driving behind a slow coal truck on two-lane roads over the hills.

No more. Those trains and trucks are now like Christmas.

At 7 p.m., as the carnival lights brighten narrow Main Street, a train plows through Madison, scores of cars loaded with peaks of coal.

Yoo-hoo! Hear that? Cook gasps. The coal train! She almost breaks into a jig.

 Washington Post
Americans generally dont learn much about slavery beyond the fact that we had slavery, a civil war was fought about it, racism still persists, and view it from a 21st century perspective that insists that any older historical viewpoints were just plain wrong and inexcusable.

When exactly, did the world decide that slavery was wrong? Up until the end of the 18th century it had been and was considered to be the normal state of affairs. Since civilization began and even earlier. When the United States broke away from England, fully three-quarters of earths humanity was in bondage. Either directly as slaves, or as serfs who were, for all practical purposes, slaves. Most people of those days, could not imagine a world without slavery and bondage or how work could possibly be done without it.

When he was moved to the North, Fredrick Douglas, for example, was very surprised to find that things actually functioned quite well without slaves doing the work. He couldnt have imagined it.

Given this reality, it is all the more remarkable that our founding fathers wrote a Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in the way they did. History certainly wasnt on their side. Neither were the customs and beliefs of the time.

The constitution contains no defense of slavery. Remarkably, it is written in a manner that was amenable and adaptable to a transition to and for a time when there would be no slavery. A document for the ages, it provided and still provides the basis for a society and country like no other. A country founded on the natural rights of man and ideas rather than on race or some other construct. It was however, British in nature, very, very British.

Who gets the credit for ending slavery first? Actually, the French. They made it illegal during their revolution at the end of the 18th century. They also get credit for later reinstating slavery. Or at least trying to.

Who/what should get the credit for permanently ending slavery and the slave trade? We fought a war over it but that end ultimately stems from three basic movements/events that occurred prior to our civil war. One, credit Christianity. Second, the slaves themselves. And third, is the British Navy, both directly and indirectly.

Britains Quakers were most active in the early stages of the work to eliminate the slave trade and then slavery altogether. Over time they joined forces with other Christians to end it. These included of a small group of remarkable men who devoted their entire lives to ending slavery.

Slaves themselves also provided stimulus for the world to rid itself of this awful practice. The French colony of Dominica, now known a Haiti, was the richest sugar producing area in the world. At that time the French and the British were fighting a war with each other, Dominicas slaves revolted causing enormous bloodshed.

With its powerful navy and Dominica in revolt, the British decided that they would take over Dominica themselves. Lots of money to be made they thought. They failed miserably, in part because of the resistance former slaves put up and, in part, because of deadly tropical diseases British soldiers could not resist. They died in abundance.

Later, after the British failed, the French tried to reestablish control. They too failed miserably for the same reasons the British had. The rest of the Caribbean also had plantations producing sugar and wealth and most were controlled by the British. Even the Church of England owned a plantation. But on every island, slaves significantly outnumbered Europeans. Consequently, plantation owners and Europeans constantly worried about the possibility of revolt.

The revolt in Haiti caused even greater concern. Later, other revolts, on a scale not as significant or large, also occurred. Those in Jamaica for example, brutally suppressed, heightened anxieties of Europeans.

And, indirectly the British Navy. Although slavery itself had been illegal in Britain itself, the British Navy actually practiced a form of it. They didnt have the draft so, in large measure, they used impressment gangs to man their ships. One could be sitting in a pub minding ones own business. An impressment gang would show up and drag you off for service in His Majestys Navy. Someday, you might make it back home. On the other hand, maybe not.

As you might imagine, the British population didnt much care for this approach. Over time, it also helped to foment and cement public opinion against slavery.

When the British finally outlawed slavery, it was the British Navy itself that directly put an end to international slave trade. Between 1808 and 1860 the British Navy seized 1600 slave ships and freed at least 150,000 people. Sometimes, fully a third of the Royal Navy was tasked with anti-slave ship patrols. Some of their imperialist outposts around the world were established solely to provide bases from which their ships could operate.

In terms of reducing the numbers of enslaved people however, ending the international slave trade didnt do all that much. While the African/Muslim slave-traders no longer had a Caribbean/American market, Europeans began trading for African products and resources. Rather than selling slaves in the Americas, Africans enslaved more of their own to meet the new demand for European trade. By the way, between the 7th and 19th centuries Muslims enslaved somewhere between 11-17 million people. Huge numbers were European.

As for what would become the United States, there was little early demand for slaves. The hot slave markets were for the sugar plantations in the Caribbean and South America. Demand for slaves in the United States would increase later but it would never match the volume and demand of the sugar plantations. Nor would American slavery ever be as brutal or life-consuming as that involving the sugar trade. By the way, at one time there were at least 3,000 black Americans who owned slaves themselves.

Unfortunately, there are places where slavery still exists. Although most of the slaves in the Americas were black, worldwide slavery for eons had little or nothing to do with skin color. It was, and is, an equal opportunity evil.
They say that capturing lightning in a bottle is a task nigh near impossible ... unless youre a country kid armed with a canning jar and a mission on a summers night.

We called them lightning bugs, commonly known as fireflies. They were natures fireworks and a harbinger of summer. The best place for catching them was at my aunt and uncles house. They lived on the edge of our farm across from a large marsh  the perfect habitat for hatching. There was a family gathering or two there every summer.

During the day we tossed horseshoes or played lawn darts  yes the authentic darts with the spear points.

I was never happy when our family needed to leave the party for the evening milking, but wed come back and the fun was still going strong. Uncle Dick Mattson made the best grilled chicken; he apparently had a secret basting sauce that involved vermouth. He had a stone barbecue pit that was close enough to the horseshoe pit that he could both grill and engage in witty repartee with the competitors.

When dusk settled the firefly display began. Wed grab jars and dash after the flashing bugs. My pants and shoes would be soaked with dew. I didnt care a bit. It was family, fun and summer.

Actually, the flying flashers are neither flies nor bugs but beetles. There are more than 2,000 species in the world but only a few produce light. While there are other critters capable of producing their own light, none has the ability to turn it on and off at will.

The show is also about sex. Some male fireflies flash patterns of light that look like the letter J. Others flash with a rapid succession. The females hang out near the ground and respond back. Its date night at natures bar. The bugs draw closer as they signal to each other. A male generally does not respond to a female that sends the wrong species signal  natures cold shoulder.

But there are some devious firefly femme fatales that have evolved to mimic the response of other species. Theyre not hungry for sex but are simply hungry. When a male flies down looking for a good time, its eaten. Oh nature  all cruelty springs from weakness.

Firefly eggs are laid in moist soil a few days after mating and hatch as larvae about a month later. In about 20 days they emerge as adults, if its still summer, or will burrow underground for the winter if its too cold.

The ability of fireflies to get lit comes from the presence of luciferin and luciferase in their taillights. Luciferin is the source of the light when it reacts with oxygen and luciferase. Even larvae have a glow  hence the term glowworm.

Firefly light can be yellow, green or orange. One species in the Smoky Mountains is capable of synchronizing its flashing. Those southern Rockettes also have sequined bodies for additional shimmer.

Firefly research is a serious subject. Luciferase is used in scientific research, food-safety testing and in forensic tests.

A good tip for catching fireflies in a jar is to include a moist paper towel and be sure to provide air vents. There is concern that firefly populations may be diminishing due to a loss of habitat, so be sure to release them. The website www.firefly.org and others collect information about sightings, so even if you dont want to capture them in a jar, you can still gather useful data.

Its been years since Ive captured a firefly, but it brings back fine memories of summers and relatives who are long gone.

I think its time to catch a few fireflies with my grandsons.




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Vice President Mike Pence touts the Senate healthcare bill and its long-term sustainability for Americans and the importance of Medicaid reform during his address at the National Governors Association in Providence Friday.
Oceania consists of three main sub regions, namely Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and the broader region between Southeast Asia and the Americas. Air transport is vital to the region of Oceania due to the vast distance to and from the region. The geographical location of Oceania makes air transport a necessity in the region. Oceania is also a preferred tourist destination with many popular activities and places to visit. The demand for air transport in the region has led to an increased number of domestic and international airlines servicing the region. The network of air transport in the region comprises of alliances, feeder routes, and hubs, with the level of development varying from country to country.

Largest Airlines by Passenger Count

Qantas Airways

Qantas is the largest airline in Australia and the Oceania region by fleet size and by number of domestic and international passengers. Established in 1935, the airline is among the three oldest airlines in the world. Qantas serves 41 domestic and international destinations which cover about 14 countries across five continents. With a passenger flight size of 272, the airline served 48.3 million domestic and international passengers in 2013, up from 46.7 million in 2012.

Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia is the second largest airline in Australia by fleet size and passenger count. It is also one of the newest airlines in the Oceania region, having been established in 1999. The success of the Virgin Australia has coincided with the collapse of Ansett Australia. Virgin Australia serves 29 cities in Australia and together with Virgin Australia Holdings, the airline serves 50 domestic and international destinations. In 2013, Virgin Australia served 16.7 million domestic and international passengers.

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand operates scheduled passenger flights to 52 destinations including 31 international destinations. The airline serves mainly the Pacific Rim and the UK as part of its international destinations. Air New Zealand has a passenger fleet size of 103, consisting mainly of Boeing and Airbus aircrafts for both domestic and international flights. The airline served about 13.4 million passengers in 2013, up from 13.1 million in 2012.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaiis largest airline and one of the largest commercial airlines in the United States. With a passenger fleet size of 51 aircrafts, the airline served 9.9 million domestic and international passengers in 2013, up from 9.5 million in 2012. It operates flights to over 28 destinations including Asia and the Oceania region.

Air Niugini Limited

Air Niugini Limited is Papua New Guineas national carrier operating a domestic network and international services in Oceania and Asia. It was established in 1973 exclusively as a domestic carrier but expanded rapidly to offer international services. Air Niugini operates to 39 destinations, including 14 international destinations in over 10 countries. With a passenger fleet size of 31 aircraft, the airline served 1.5 million domestic and international passengers in 2013.

Other Major Airlines in Oceania

Apart from the five airlines discussed above, the Oceania region is also served by some of the largest airlines and national carriers of countries within the Oceania region. These airlines include Regional Express Holding, Fiji Airways, Air Tahiti, and Aircalin. Of these four airlines, only Regional Express Holding served more than one million domestic and international passengers in 2013. The four airlines have a combined total fleet of fewer than 80 aircrafts. Air Tahiti service has more international destinations (47) compared to the rest of the airlines.
According to the 19th edition of Ethnologue, an online language-based publication, there are 35 languages and dialects spoken in Israel. The most common of these languages is Hebrew with over 5 million speakers, and Arabic is a distant second. The increased globalization has also caused the rise of the use of foreign languages, especially English and Russian.

Official Languages of Israel

Modern Hebrew

Modern Hebrew, which is a dialect of ancient Hebrew, is one of the two official languages used in Israel. Also known as New Hebrew, Modern Hebrew is the most popular language used in Israel with over 5 million native speakers and more than 9 million overall speakers. Modern Hebrew is one of the best examples of the revival of an extinct language, as it vanished between 200 BCE and 400 BCE but was revived in the late 19th century. The earliest form of Hebrew is Biblical Hebrew, which morphed into Mishnaic Hebrew, and later into Medieval Hebrew. The wide-spread use of Hebrew in Israel is traced back to 1200 BCE, with several linguists believing that the language was used during the period of Babylonian captivity. After the decline of Hebrew in the 2nd century CE, the language only existed as a literary language as well as a sacred language in Judaism. The standardized version of Hebrew was a product of the languages revival in the 19th century, which was championed by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda. Modern Hebrew borrows heavily from the Bible with over 8,000 words being derived from the Bible and has numerous loanwords from German, Russian, English, Aramaic, Polish, and Arabic. Modern Hebrew was officially adopted in Israel as one of the provisions of the Palestine Order in Council in 1922. The use of the language in Israel is regulated by the state-sponsored Academy of the Hebrew Language.

Literary Arabic

Literary Arabic is the second official language in Israel and has 20% of Israeli citizens as native speakers. Also known as modern standard Arabic, the language was established as an official language in 1922 among the provisions of the Palestine Order in Council. Most native Literary Arabic speakers are descendants of the 156,000 Palestinian Arabs who did not flee Israel during the 1949 war. Despite the official status allocated to Literary Arabic, Israeli authorities rarely use it except in cases strictly provided for by the law. However, a supreme court ruling enforced the use of Literary Arabic, particularly in public signage, food labels and in all government communication. The law also provides for the use of Arabic during parliamentary proceedings, but this is rarely practiced as few members of the Knesset are conversant in Literary Arabic. The use of Literary Arabic in Israel is regulated by the Arabic Language Academy, established by the Israeli government in 2008.

Foreign Language Spoken in Israel

The two most important foreign languages used in Israel are English and Russian. English was established as an official language in the 1922 Palestinian Order in Council but 1948 legislation stated, Any provision in the law requiring the use of the English language is repealed." Therefore, while English is used as the primary language in international relations, the language is not used in domestic government communication, particularly in the Knesset. The education curriculum in Israel has adopted English, and it is used as a second language in learning institutions. Russian is the other major foreign language in Israel and is the most popular non-official language in the country, with over 20% of all Israeli citizens being fluent in Russian.
South Sudan is one of the Eastern Africas landlocked countries. It is the newest state in Africa, gaining its independence from Sudan in 2011 following a referendum that was overwhelmingly supported. The Government of South Sudan came into place on January 9, 2005, following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. John Garang, leader of SPLM, became the countrys first president. South Sudan adopted a new constitution in December 2005. The transitional constitution was ratified by the now defunct Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly and was signed by the president on the Independence Day becoming the supreme law and superseding the 2005 interim constitution.

Government of South Sudan

The transitional constitution of South Sudan establishes a mixed presidential system of government, with the president heading both the state and the government, and is also head of the military forces. The power of the government of South Sudan originates from the will of the people and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The cabinet headed by the president is the executive arm of government. The cabinet is made up of the president, two vice presidents, and a number of cabinet ministers. Currently, the cabinet of South Sudan is made up of 29 ministers. The president has the power to appoint and dismiss cabinet ministers and the two vice-presidents. The president also has powers to make other state appointments including ambassadors, parastatal heads, and judges. The president of South Sudan is responsible for fostering foreign relations with other nations. The current struggle for powers between President Kiir and his former vice president, Riek Machar, has affected the stability of the country

National Legislature

The legislative power is exercised by the national legislature of South Sudan. The bicameral parliament is composed of the national legislative assembly and the Council of State. The Council of State consists of 50 members drawn from 50 constituencies while the national legislative assembly is made up of 400 members, with 170 members elected in 2010. The national legislature has its seat in the capital, Juba, and is responsible for supervising the performance of the national government institutions, approving executive policies and budget, ratifying international treaties and agreements, enacting legislations, and casting a vote of no confidence against the vice presidents and any cabinet ministers. South Sudan is expected to hold an election for the next legislative assembly in 2018, following the extension of the term of the assembly.

Judiciary of South Sudan

The constitution of South Sudan provides for the establishment of the state judiciary as may be necessary. The judiciary is independent of the other two arms of government with its budget charged on consolidated funds. State courts have both civil and criminal mandate in respect of the national law. The structure and the power of the court are outlined in the constitution. The chief justice is accountable to the president and heads the judiciary. The supreme court is the highest court in South Sudan. The court of appeal and the high court are categorized as second-tier courts. Other courts, including county courts and tribunals, are created only when necessary.
Celebrate Everything Wrexhams Country Parks Have to Offer During Love Parks Week!

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jul 16th, 2017

Summer has finally arrived! With the warm weather and lighter evenings, why not pay a visit to one of Wrexhams country parks and take in their natural beauty.

Between the 14th and 23rd of July is Love Parks Week  Britains biggest annual celebration of parks.

Over the next seven days Wrexham Council are inviting people across the county borough to make the effort to visit one of these treasures during Love Parks week.

Wrexham has 11 country parks spread all over the county borough and each offers something different.

From the animals and spectacular Cefn Viaduct at Ty Mawr to the cycle tracks and sculpture trail at Alyn Waters, there is plenty to see and do in Wrexhams country parks. There is even one within two minutes walk of the town centre at Bellevue, so you can take a lunchtime stroll if you work in town.

Six of Wrexhams parks fly the coveted Green Flags. And thanks to their friends and volunteers groups, all are kept in tip-top condition and offer events and activities for all ages.

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead member for Environment and Transport, said: In Wrexham we have some of the most spectacular and breathtaking scenery in Wales, and indeed the UK. Please dont stay at home, please make the effort to get to know your local park or explore one you havent visited before.

Wrexhams Country Parks are: Ty Mawr Country Park, Nant Mill Visitor Centre and Park, Ponciau Banks, Moss Valley Country Park, Alyn Waters Country Park, Acton Park, Bellevue Park, Bonc yr Hafod Country Park, Stryt Las Park, Bryn Kinalt Park and Minera Lead Mines Country Park.
Community Scheme Launched to Tackle Speeding

This article is old - Published: Thursday, Jul 13th, 2017

A major improvement to road safety in Pentre Broughton, Lodge, Moss and Brynteg is being planned.

Under the new Community Speed Watch Scheme (CSW), which is a partnership between the local community and North Wales Police, local volunteers will monitor traffic  with motorists seen breaking the speed limit receiving warning letters from the police.

If speeding hot-spots are identified the police will take further action.

The scheme is being introduced at the request of local member for the Bryn Cefn ward, Cllr Beverley Parry-Jones.

Welcoming the introduction of the CSW, Cllr Parry-Jones said: The aim of the scheme is to reduce the risk of serious accidents and improve the safety and quality of life for people living in Pentre Broughton.

Speeding drivers will receive a warning letter but they are never prosecuted as a result of the scheme. That is a job for the police. However the scheme should show roads where there are dangerously high levels of speeding and the data gathered will help the police to combat the problem.

The volunteers operating the scheme will be fully trained to use indicator devices which record the speed and details of vehicles breaking the speed limits. They will use the information gathered to create a database showing the scale of the problem and revealing any hotspots.

Cllr Parry-Jones added: I hope that people who are worried about speeding will let us know about any roads that they think are particularly dangerous so that we can watch these, and, of course, anyone who would like to take part in the scheme will be very welcome.

Those interested in taking part or finding out more about the scheme should contact Cllr Parry-Jones on 07826711048 or email Beverley.Parry-Jones@wrexham.gov.uk
Early Morning Cooking Fire in Wrexham Sparks Safety Warning From Fire Service

This article is old - Published: Thursday, Jul 13th, 2017

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service have issued a warning about the dangers of leaving cooking unattended following a fire at a property in Wrexham in the early hours of this morning.



Crews from Wrexham were called to the kitchen fire at a flat on Ffordd Gwilym, Acton at 4:21am.

The fire service say the blaze was caused by cooking left unattended  with one casualty given a precautionary check up at the scene for smoke inhalation.

A warning has now been issued by the fire service reminding people of the dangers and potential risks of leaving cooking unattended.

Jami Jennings, Community Safety Manager, said: Time and time again we attend house fires which have started in the kitchen  it is so easy to forget your cooking, especially if you are tired, distracted or have been drinking. However, the consequences can be devastating.

Our message is clear  never turn your back on your cooking, even for a minute. Leaving any cooking, but especially a chip pan, unattended for any length of time can have disastrous results. The oil in the chip pan can easily overheat and ignite  even the smallest distraction could lead to a fire in a matter of moments.

Oven chips are safer as well as being healthier, but if you do choose to deep fat fry please dont leave the pan unattended. If your chip pan does ignite, dont throw water over it. Get out, stay out and call 999.

Never tackle a fire yourself. Better still  throw away your old style chip pan altogether and use a thermostatically controlled deep fat fryer.

Smoke alarms save lives. The early warning provided by a smoke alarm can provide vital minutes to help them escape unharmed. Ensure that you maintain your smoke alarm by testing it once a week.

The following top tips for safety in the kitchen has been issued by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service:

 If you leave the room take the cooking off the heat

 Dont use matches or lighters to light gas cookers. Spark devices are safer

 Always make sure that any handles are turned away from the edge of the cooker

 Keep the over, hob and grill clean  a build up of fat and grease can easily catch fire

 Never hang anything to dry above the cooker

 Take care if you are wearing loose clothing as it can easily catch fire

 When youve finished cooking make sure everything is turned off

 Turn off electrical appliances when they are not being used

 Never use a chip pan  use a thermostatically controlled deep far fryer

 Never cook after drinking- get a takeaway instead

 Get fitted with smoke alarms  they are free of charge and could save your life.
Wrexham Primary School Evacuated Following Small Fire

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jul 12th, 2017

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service was called to a minor fire at a primary school in Wrexham this afternoon.

Two appliances from Wrexham were called to the fire at Bryn Tabor School, Coedpoeth at 1:42pm.

The fire alarm sounded and an evacuation of the school was successfully carried out with all persons safely accounted for.

Two female members of school staff received precautionary checks for minor smoke inhalation at the scene.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service say it is too early to say what caused the fire as officers are gathering details.

Weve been told the fire was confined to a small kitchen area in one of the classrooms.

Everyone at the school has now been allowed back into the building.

*Picture  Google Maps
WASHINGTON  Americans, you need to start paying attention. Like, really paying attention  to the issues that actually matter.

Stop getting distracted!

Take this Russian collusion nonsense. Lots of Americans are obsessed with it, but its just a shiny distraction.

Yeah, sure, it looks as though members of the Trump campaign lied repeatedly, including on live TV and in Senate testimony and on security clearance forms, about their contacts with Russians. It looks as though they may have been eager to get their hands on possibly illegally obtained information from a hostile nation. I love it, Donald Trump Jr. wrote when offered dirt on Hillary Clinton explicitly offered as part of Russia and its governments support for Mr. Trump.

But thats merely what the nine-dimensional-chess players in the White House want you to be obsessing over.

Focusing on the terrible things Team Trump did during the campaign and transition conveniently distracts you from all the terrible things Team Trump is doing during the presidency.

The administration is repealing consumer and environmental protections left and right. The Education Department is making it easier for for-profit colleges to defraud students. The Environmental Protection Agency has delayed an air pollution rule that the agency had determined would likely prevent the poisoning of children.

The Trump deregulatory team is rife with former lobbyists and others who have conflicts of interest. President Trump and his family members likewise appear to be financially benefiting from his role in the White House.

Yet fussing over regulatory decisions and vaguely sleazy behavior is itself a distraction from an even more important issue: the fact that Republicans are trying to remake one-sixth of the U.S. economy, largely in secret, while ripping health insurance away from 22 million Americans.

Theyre laying out changes opposed by insurers, providers and patient advocacy groups. They are doing so with no hearings and no expert input, and reportedly with a scheme to sideline the one neutral referee of the laws potential impact, the Congressional Budget Office. Attention must be paid!

However, all the noise over health care reform is itself a ruse intended to distract voters from Republicans real policy agenda: tax cuts for the rich.

The entire point of the Obamacare repeal, at least for House Speaker Paul Ryan, is to pave the way for tax cuts. Slashing Medicaid and tax subsidies for people on the individual insurance market would help offset the costs of repealing taxes on rich people imposed by the Affordable Care Act.

The latest Senate health care bill has complicated that plan somewhat, but plans for major tax cuts for rich people and corporations are still advancing behind the scenes and garnering precious little news coverage.

What scant awareness is being given to tax cuts, however, is diverting the publics deficient attention from a far more insidious scheme: efforts to systematically undermine democratic values and institutions.

Theres the Election Integrity Commissions fishing expedition for state voter data  which may have been deliberately bungled in an attempt to distract voters from Republicans real, secret goal of dismantling the National Voter Registration Act, or Motor Voter law.

There are also the unending attacks on freedom of the press and other First Amendment rights. This includes a fight picked with MSNBC hosts, which White House aides lamented as a distraction from the far more important fight with CNN.

But wait. All of this silliness is really a form of misdirection so that Americans will forget North Korea recently fired an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting Alaska. And that no one is even nominated for critical diplomatic and national security posts, such as ambassador to South Korea and assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation.

But worry about such personnel vacancies is of course a distraction from the fact that the man at the top of the food chain is impulsively tweeting out provocations to both enemies and allies.

And Trumps tasteless Twitter feed is also cleverly designed to distract you from noticing that an iceberg nearly the size of Delaware just broke off Antarctica.

Getting drawn into a debate about whether climate change is to blame, and whether American global leadership could make a difference either way, would surely sidetrack us from the vital question of whether our president is in hock to Russia.

And second verse, same as the first.

Welcome to 2017, the ouroboros of distractions, where every terrible thing is a head-fake for a ruse for a diversion for a misdirection from something else much, much worse.
PERRY, Fla. (WTXL) - The Perry Police Department is investigating a hit and run crash that killed a local man right outside the hospital.

It happened around 1:00 a.m. near the Highway 19 entrance of Doctor's Memorial Hospital. Police say a driver hit 50-year-old Perry resident Tony Cameron and then left the scene.

Investigators are now looking for a dark colored vehicle, possibly a Ford pickup truck. If you have any information that could help find the person responsible, contact the Perry Police Department at 850-584-5121.
It was a rough week for the White House, so reportedly  yet again  Reince Priebus might get fired.

Surely, no high-level government official in American history has been on the verge of ouster so early and so often. Being the subject of shake-up rumors is practically Reince Priebus job description. If hed been fired every time the possibility had been raised in the press, hed be the Billy Martin  the legendary oft-fired and rehired Yankees manager  of the Trump administration.

Priebus isnt the only one. You dont truly qualify as part of the Trump team unless the president has vented about how woefully you are failing him.

Donald Trump may imagine himself surrounded by incompetents and wreckers, but the sabotage of his White House is an inside job that reaches to the very top.

Consider the Russia bombshell. Itd be nice if Trump could distance himself from the instantly infamous meeting with the Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya by ruthlessly throwing his erstwhile campaign staff under the bus. But two of three Trump officials at the meeting were family, including his son, who brokered the confab, and his son-in-law, whom Trump has put in charge of a swath of the American government.

Short of that, perhaps Trump could punish the White House spinners who crafted a witlessly misleading statement upon the publication of the initial New York Times story about the meeting. Except the president himself was involved in its drafting.

This is why, as always, the finger-pointing at Reince Priebus  and the rest of the staff  is a misdirection. No one will mistake Priebus for, say, James Baker, Ronald Reagans supremely effective chief of staff. But Trump doesnt want a James Baker, who would unduly constrain him. And everyone knows that its not Priebus coming up with the cracked ideas that keep Trump from finding his footing.

These are things that Trumps chief of staff definitely hasnt said:

Sir, we had a successful trip to Europe for the G-20 summit, but I have just the idea to cap it off: a U.S.-Russia cybersecurity unit  an impenetrable one. People will love it!

Hey, you really want to yank that nutjob Comeys chain? Tell him hed better hope there arent tapes of your conversations with him. That will drive him crazy, and I mean, what could he possibly do to retaliate?

Mr. President, Ive noticed that your coverage on Morning Joe hasnt been so great. I recommend a couple of tweets and strongly believe, sir, that you should make them as repugnant as possible. Lets take it to the next level.

President Trump could parachute into a White House staffed by literally the best and the brightest, abiding by a crisp organization chart and armed with a carefully considered policy agenda. And immediately the place would be swamped by needless controversies, tangled lines of authority and policy confusion. All these things dont emanate from below, but from the top.

The past week or so shows the opportunity that Trump is missing. The unhinged reaction to Trumps Warsaw speech spoke to how far left the Democrats have gone and how Trump could occupy the political center  if only he could exercise some self-control.

Not a lot, only a little. Enough, to put it bluntly, to show up and read his lines and otherwise shut up. Reince Priebus never would have been elected president, but he could do a better job at this elementary task than the president himself. He could be forgiven for occasionally musing about firing Trump rather than the other way around.

Regardless, Trump will continue to step on his teams message, advertise his worst instincts on Twitter and make whatever might still lurking out there on Russia worse with robustly counterproductive counterpunching. And hell do it no matter who is, in Trumps mind, the manifestly unsuited and failing White House chief of staff.
YAKIMA, Wash.  Candidates for Yakima City Council will once again face off at a public forum, this time at the Seasons Performance Hall.
ISTANBUL -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the country's top security advisory body will discuss on Monday whether to further extend a state of emergency that was declared after last year's failed coup.

Erdogan also said he would approve "without any hesitation" any legislation that would be passed in parliament to reinstate the death penalty.
Guns N' Roses played a sold-out show Saturday night in Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park, which was attended by over 60,000 fans. The concert was met with widespread acclaim and for good reason.

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After the band's 2014 tour, guitarists DJ Ashba and Ron Thal, bassist Tommy Stinson and keyboardist Chris Pitman left Guns N' Roses. The vacancies paved the way for the classic lineup to return featuring lead vocalist Axl Rose, along with guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan.

Axl Rose and Slash back together (Photo: Yaron Berner)

Welcome to the Jungle (:  )

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The reunion of Rose, Slash and McKagan marked the first time the trio have played together in 23 years, since the infamous Use Your Illusion Tour in 1993. The reunion is especially noteworthy due to the fact that Slash and Rose had a public falling out with one another after Slash left the band in 1996.

Photo: Yaron Berner

Knockin' on Heaven's Door

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With many fans worried the band couldn't match their previous gusto, there was some obvious skepticism. However, that feeling soon subsided.

The impact of the moment was not lost on fans as the band was warmly welcomed and gave the crowd an extended show of such quality that it harkened back to the band's glory days.

Photo: Yaron Berner

Photo: Yaron Berner

The band's set included "Mr. Brownstone," "Welcome to the Jungle," "It's So Easy," "Patience," "Don't Cry," "Sweet Child of Mine," "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," "November Rain," "Civil War," "You Could Be Mine," "Double Talkin' Jive," "Rocket Queen," "Coma," "Used to Love Her," "My Michelle," "Paradise City," "Pretty Tied Up," and more.

The current tour, dubbed "Not in This Lifetime," has been met with great financial success and it has grossed over $230 million to date.

Photo: Yaron Berner

Photo: Yaron Berner
When a terror attack takes place, the immediate response is carried out in three stages: First, there is an attempt to minimize the damage and, most importantly, to prevent more casualties and damage to property; second, there is an evacuation of the wounded so they can receive life-saving medical treatment at the scene or at the hospital; and third, after the wounded have been evacuated, a situation assessment is held, followed by prevention and deterrence measures against copycat attacks.

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A thorough investigation is carried out only after these three stages are completed, in a bid to draw conclusions and be better prepared for the prevention of future attacks.

Security forces at the Temple Mount (Photo: Israel Police)

Fridays attack in Jerusalem , which left Staff Sgt. Maj. Ha'il Satawi and Staff Sgt. Maj. Kamil Shnaan dead , had a religious motive and was carried out in the most religiously explosive place in the Middle East right nowthe Temple Mount. It was therefore important to act quickly, not just to stop and neutralize the terrorists so they would not cause further deaths and damage, but also to prevent a major flare-up in the territories, in Israel and in the Muslim world in general.

Command Sergeant Major Ha'il Satawi and Command Sergeant Major Kamil Shnaan, who were murdered in the attack

And that was done, properly, by the security forces and the Israeli government. Closing the Temple Mount for Muslim prayers prevented incitement and violent rioting, which could have developed had the prayers been held as usual. Stopping the prayer at the Temple Mount was also necessary in order to conduct a thorough search in the compound and ensure there are no more weapons there or stockpiles of Molotov cocktails and stones, which Muslim worshipers sometimes use to target the Jews praying in the Western Wall beneath them.

Photo: Israel Police

The Shin Bet and Israel Police know very well that stopping the prayer at the Temple Mount could in itself spark violent riots among Muslims and inflame the situation, but they estimated that because the attack was carried out by Muslims who violated the Temple Mounts sanctity, the response to the compounds closure for prayer would not be so strong. This estimate was fully verifiedfor now, at least. The Palestinian and Israeli Arabs have been exercising restraint, which is likely the result of considerable feelings of guilt over the fact that the terrorists who operated in the holy site came from their ranks.

Photo: AFP

Closing Jerusalems Old City to traffic was necessary as well, to prevent friction between Muslims and Jews in the narrow alleys. This friction, after a Temple Mount attack and the killing of terrorists which was reported all over social media, would have almost certainly led to murder attempts and violent clashes. The solution was to neutralize the danger by turning the Old City into an almost sterile zone.

International damage largely averted

It's also important to keep in mind that if the Old City hadnt been closed on Friday, the tourists who were planning to visit it would have been in serious danger. The Palestinians are arguing, of course, that the closure of the Old City and the Temple Mount were in fact punitive measures taken by the Israeli government, as east Jerusalem merchants suffered from the Old Citys closure. From personal knowledge, I can say this claim is false.

Photo: AFP

The third step taken by the Israeli government in commendable speed was to prevent an escalation of the situation in the Muslim world, which would have harmed Israels international standing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus declaration, following an evaluation of the situation, that the status quo at the Temple Mount would be preserved and that the prayers there would be resumed on Sunday, as well as the interview given by Major-General Yoav Mordechai, the coordinator of the governments activities in the territories, were the right move at the right time. The comments made by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan at the Temple Mount were also restrained and to the point, helping to ward off claims made by Arab elements, led by Jordan

Minister Erdan at the Temple Mount following the attack

We shouldn't be surprised by Jordan and Qatars reactions to the events, as well as by the response of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which condemned the Israeli raid of the Temple Mount. When it comes to the State of Israel, Arab politicians have always favored alternative facts over the truth. It serves them as a defense mechanism against the rage of their countries citizens. In Jordan, for example, the majority of the population is Palestinian and the Islamist movements are very strong.

The terrorists from Umm al-Fahm

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on the other hand, condemned the terror attack upon realizing an outburst of Palestinian violence as a result of incitement would harm him just as it would harm Israel. An escalation in the Middle East is in no ones interest right now, and that was evident in the statement released by Turkey and Egypt, likely following Netanyahus calming message that the status quo would be maintained.

Israeli flags burned in Istanbul following the attack (Photo: AFP)

There are still some tensions in the Silwan neighborhood, and there were two attempted terror attacks near Atarot which were likely inspired by the Temple Mount events, but the Arab street in Israel and in east Jerusalem is quiet. The international damage has likely been largely averted as well, and Israel can keep claiming it is defending the holy sites better than all its predecessors and maintaining freedom of worship for all religions in that sensitive place.

Next stage: Long-term prevention and deterrence

In the 1990s, there was a massive terrorist attack in Islams holiest placethe Kaaba of Mecca. The Saudi security forces didnt hesitate before shooting the terrorists, and even detonating explosive devices which destroyed part of the holy sire. The incident lasted several days, but the Muslim world kept quiet. The Arab League, and other Islamist elements that are attacking Israel right now, should be reminded of that incident.

Rescue services at Jerusalems Old City, Friday (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

The prevention and damage minimization stage of the Temple Mount attack is drawing to an end. On Sunday, Israels defense establishment will have to move to the next stage, which is a long-term prevention of additional attacks in this sensitive place. The measures that should be taken include scattering camera and metal detectors around the Temple Mount and at its entrances, as well as deterrence.

Security forces at the Old City (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

We should remember that Israels security forcesthe IDF, the Shin Bet and the Israel Policehave been highly efficient in handling the wave of terrorism that began in September 2015. One of the causes of that wave of terrorism was the call on Jews to visit the Temple Mount.

Photo: Reuters

The wave of lone-wolf terrorism was suppressed thanks to a proper policy led by the defense establishment, which aimed to distinguish between the terrorists and the population trying to live its life. Another reason was a creative and technological intelligence collection which made it possible to thwart these kinds of terror attacks. A third reason was the Palestinian security apparatus determination.

But even when the situation calmed down in late 2016, the Temple Mount kept producing terror attacks, mostly by local cells of Palestinians. Israel should consider not only better defense and screening measures at the Temple Mount gates, but also wider moves that would deter people from repeatedly trying to target the site.

In this context, its quite surprising that the leading inciter when it comes to the Temple Mount, Sheikh Raed Salah of the Islamic Movements northern branch, is still free to incite without any restrictions. Its very possible that this sheikh holds imputed liability for Fridays murderous attack at the Temple Mount.
Its time to use accurate terms. Terrorism is terrorism is terrorism. It's equally important to clarify who and what is an "Israeli.

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So who is an Israeli? Not the three terrorists from Umm al-Fahm. They are brainwashed Muslim fanatics, and so is anyone who agrees or identifies with them.

An Israeli is former Knesset Member Shachiv Shnaan, whose beloved son was killed while defending the Temple Mount, the most explosive site in the Middle East. A man who thought about security and coexistence of fanatics from both sides, who are fighting over a temple that doesnt exist and a holy mosque. A man who taught his son that Israel is his state, the state he sacrificed his life for in the Jerusalem attack.

Police officer Roken Halabi mourning his friend's death at the Temple Mount

Unfortunately, the term Israeli is losing its civilian strength. It becomes Jewish when it is fed by Jewish messianic perceptions, and it becomes Muslim when it is driven crazy by Islamic fanaticism. And so each of us has shut ourselves off in our own shell and abandoned our common ground. What we meticulously created, with a lot of sensitivity and tenderness, has been eaten up by a terrifying fanatic madness.

And now its the leaderships timeand my question is: Where is it? The Arab leaders are stuttering and trying to please everyone with double meanings, allowing the majority to lead, deafened by the noise of the street. The Jewish leaders are inflaming the situation as if a destructive battle would earn them more supporters.

No, gentlemen! Its time for a brave, sane, quiet leadership, which will reflect the pain of the masses and lead them forward to peace. Its time to calm everyone down and try to save the state. And Im not exaggerating when I write that its time to save the state.

Im no pessimist, but I see the processes and they begin with the Nationality Bill, with the nationalistic narrative that has taken over us on the one hand, and the spirit of the Islamic State and fanaticism on the other hand.

We are all Israelis, and if we wish to live and achieve peace, we must rise and cry out in the name of sanity, because this is the moment of truth and its a very troubling moment.

One of the most heart-rending images over the weekend was the picture of my relative, police officer Roken Halabi, mourning the death of his friend, Kamil Shnaan, who was murdered in the attack. And I say to him, Roken, be proud, lift your head up high, because youre defending your home. Dont be discouraged. I know how brave you are. Your tears are mixed with the blood of your friend Kamil, and they symbolize your massive power and strength.

And to the leaders I say, dont let the masses dictate the discourse on social media. Its time to stand up and express remorse for the sin of arrogance and refine the discourseeven if after 70 years, the State of Israel has yet to internalize the laws of citizenship in a democratic state. I feel betrayed in my own country, but I will always defend it and fight in it for a sane, egalitarian and just society, for my sake and for the sake of all citizens of the state, regardless of religion, race and gender.
As Israeli security forces reopen the Temple Mount complex Sunday, Waqf officials still refuse to acknowledge the deadly terror attack that had taken place there, while Arab MKs continue to assert Israel should have never closed the complex.

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In an interview with Ynet, Raed Daana, a senior Waqf official, refused to label Friday's shooting attack as terrorism, referring to it only as an "event."

Despite the publication of the names of the terrorists and their home town, Daana insisted he did not know who was responsible.

Photo: Gil Yohanan

"We don't have any details at the moment. We don't know who is behind this. We are against the killing of people. We just want to live in peace. I don't know who carried out this event," Daana insisted.

Gradual reopening of the Temple Mount (:  )

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Daana did, however, refer to the decision to temporarily close the complex, saying, "The situation inside the Al Aqsa Mosque is unknown. We don't know what Israel is doing there. We know they brought six police vehicles and a large amount of officers. They have broken into all the offices, office after office, and broke the locked doors because they didn't have keys.

"We want to pray in our mosques, and we want to live in peace and security, but break-ins by settlers into Al Aqsa and their (police) operations do not give any Muslim rest. Take your hands off Al Aqsa and Jerusalem will live in peace. We don't want anything to happen in Al Aqsa that can harm this holy place and lead to its closure."

Metal detectors installed in the compound (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

In addition to Daana, MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi (Joint List) also spoke to Ynet Sunday morning. However, as opposed to the Waqf official, the Israeli Arab lawmaker condemned the terror attack.

"Myself and MK Osama Saadi issued a clear and unequivocal statement that categorically rejected this act, as did MK Ayman Odeh and several other Arab MKs. I want to say clearly, directly and without stuttering that we strongly oppose this act.

"We have always said, for years, that the use of weapons by Arab youths from Israel is absolutely forbidden, our struggle is political and social."

MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi

Tibi did claim however, that there is a concerted effort to inflame tensions against Arab MKs.

"Its the national sport of the right and left to come down against Arab MKs, but we are the discriminated victim. I am aware of the pain of a father who loses a son. It is especially real at a time when officials on the right are trying to incite to violence. We are all supposed to be united in this difficult time," said Tibi.

Eventually however, Tibi did toe the line other Arab officials have, lambasting the government for closing the site.

"The root of the problem is the occupation and foreign rule over the Al-Aqsa Mosque. East Jerusalem and the Al Aqsa Mosque are under occupation. We don't want anyone to get hurt. Not civilians and not police. In order for people not to be harmed, the root problem must be solved."

Border Police standing guard at Temple Mount area (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Meanwwhile, the director of the Al Aqsa Association said, "It is unacceptable that after every terror attack, all the Palestinians who live in the State of Israel will be accused of incitement. This is unacceptable to us. A holy place should be kept for prayer.

"This is a holy place. It is unacceptable for us that someone come into the mosque with a weapon. A holy place needs to be clean of blood and weapons. You want condemnation, you'll get condemnation. As long as there is provocation and chaos, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is sitting on a barrel of explosives."
PARIS  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday honored the victims of a mass deportation of French Jews to Nazi camps 75 years ago.

French Jewish leaders spoke at an emotional ceremony at the Vel d'Hiv stadium outside Paris, where French police rounded up some 13,000 people on July 16-17, 1942, before they were sent on to camps. Fewer than 100 survived.

Pro-Palestinian and other activists protested Netanyahu's appearance, criticizing Jewish settlement policy and the blockade of Gaza.

Macron called it a "natural gesture" to invite Netanyahu but insisted in an interview Sunday in the Journal du dimanche newspaper he is "not trying to confuse the subject of the commemoration and Franco-Israeli relations."

Macron will hold separate talks with Netanyahu later Sunday.
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said Sunday the government should consider demolishing the homes of Israeli Arab terrorists in the wake of a deadly terror attack carried out by three residents of Umm al-Fahm.

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"The decision on whether to demolish has to do with the question of whether this phenomenon plays a central part in that sector," Erdan told Ynet in an interview.

"This is why the High Court of Justice decided against demolishing the homes of Jewish terrorists, because it's not a phenomenon that gets backing (in their sector). If we see more support for these (Israeli Arab) terrorists, and the chances others follow their example increase, we'll have to consider the demolition of their homes too," he explained.

Erdan at the Temple Mount after the attack

Erdan clarified he believes "the majority of the Arab public in Israel is law-abiding and wants the police to be active in (their) communities and protect their children from the violence that plagues Arab society."

At the same time, "there are extremist, violent, inciting elements in that societysuch as Sheikh Raed Salah and othersand we're doing everything we can to outlaw them," he said.

Two Israeli police officers were killed in the attack, which was carried out by the three terrorists who had no prior security offenses. The Temple Mount was closed for two days following the attack and a gradual reopening of the holy site began Sunday.

Police opened two of the entry gates, setting up metal detectors and security cameras at the entrance to increase security.

"The police will do whatever it can to reopen all of the gates as soon as possible and put metal detectors in all of them," Erdan said.

"We said our intention was to search the area and protect against threats that could develop on the Temple Mount, certainly after we saw that firearms were brought into the complex and the shooting was done from within the compound," he explained.

The minister said additional weapons were found in searches in the complex, but they were mostly knives. "There are also all kinds of dual-use materials that could be used in attacks, but they're legitimate materials. The police will have to address the different activities taking place on the Temple Mount that don't necessarily have to do with religious activity," he noted.
Hebron's Mufti Muhammad Maher Maswadah is wanted by police for questioning on suspicion he praised the terrorists who carried out the deadly attack Friday on the Temple Mount.

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"The police officers murdered three people who came to pray while innocent of any crime," the mufti allegedly said during his sermon. "The real terrorism is the one done by the settlers. Let us see what our people will do following the closing of the mosque."

He also incited against Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, saying the Israeli minister "walks around the mosque freely, while the Waqf is not allowed. This is the slaughter of our people's history."

Hebron's mufti Muhammad Maher Maswadah

Police barred the mufti's entry to the Cave of the Patriarchs and he will be summoned for questioning.

The Temple Mount complex, which was temporarily closed following the attack, was reopened Sunday afternoon with Muslim worshipers being allowed in through two of the gates. Metal detectors were set up at the entrance to thwart any attempts of smuggling weapons into the holy site.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday called anti-Zionism a new form of anti-Semitism on Sunday during a ceremony marking 75 years since the roundup of 13,000 Jews to be sent to Nazi death camps attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Speaking near the former site of the Velodrome d'Hiver, the indoor cycle track from which the Jews were deported on July 16-17, 1942, Macron said: "It is indeed France that organized" the roundup. "Not a single German" took part.

Macron welcomes Netanyahu as he arrives in Paris (Photo: EPA)

The ceremony recalled the day when officials of the Vichy regime in Nazi-occupied France began rounding up 13,152 Jews and taking them to the Velodrome d'Hiver, an indoor cycle track in Paris.

Fewer than 100 of those who were detained at the so-called Vel d'Hiv and then sent to the Nazi death camps survived.

Macron welcomes Netanyahu as he arrives in Paris (Photo: Haim Tzah, GPO)

Macron was the fourth French president to accept blame for France's role in the deportationswhich totalled more than 75,000since Jacques Chirac first did so in 1995.

"Time does its work," Macron said. "Archives open (and) the truth comes out. It's stark, irrevocable. It imposes itself on us all," Macron said of one of the darkest chapters in France's wartime history.

Photo: AP

In a clear reference to far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the rival he defeated in May, Macron denounced "politicians who are prepared to reverse the truth."

Le Pen had insisted during the campaign that today's France could not be accountable for the Vichy regime's actions.

'Special heroism'

Netanyahu hailed the "special heroism" of the French resistance to the Nazis, praising the "noble French citizens who at great risk to their own lives" saved thousands more Jews from perishing in the death camps where at least six million would die overall between 1941 and 1945.

"For the sacred honor of those who perished... let us remember the past, let us secure tomorrow," he said.

Photo: Haim Tzah, GPO

"The strength of Israel is that it is the one certain guarantee that the Jewish people will never undergo a Holocaust again."

Netanyahu's presence at the ceremony sparked controversy, with the Union of French Jews for Peace (UJFP) calling the invitation "shocking" and "unacceptable."

Protests against Netanyahu in Paris (Photo: AP)

The UJFP accused the Israeli government of "usurping the memory of the victims of Nazism to make people believe that Israel represents all the world's Jews."

Netanyahu was also greeted upon his arrival in Paris by pro-Palestinian protesters who criticized Israel's settlement construction and the blockade of Gaza.

Protests against Netanyahu in Paris (Photo: AP)

Macron called it a "natural gesture" to invite Netanyahu but insisted in an interview Sunday in the Journal du dimanche newspaper he is "not trying to confuse the subject of the commemoration and Franco-Israeli relations."

Protests against Netanyahu in Paris (Photo: AP)

Among other critics of Netanyahu's presence was former Israeli ambassador to France, Elie Barnavi, who told AFP it made him "a little uneasy".

Barnavi, now a Peace Now activist advocating a two-state solution to end the Middle East conflict, added: "This story has nothing to do with Israel."

Macron welcomes Netanyahu as he arrives in Paris (Photo: Haim Tzah, GPO)

Netanyahu, the first Israeli prime minister to attend a Vel d'Hiv commemoration, said the invitation was a "very, very strong gesture" that underscored the longstanding friendship between France and Israel.

Yellow badges

Among Sunday's other speakers were prominent French Nazi hunter Serge Klarsfeld and Pierre-Francois Veil, son of Holocaust survivor and rights icon Simone Veil, who died late last month aged 89.

Several members of the group Sons and Daughters of the Deported Jews of France attended, wearing yellow badges recalling the yellow stars that Jews were forced to wear on their lapels during the occupation.

Photo: Haim Tzah, GPO

Netanyahu's visit is the first since he joined a massive march attended by numerous world leaders in solidarity with the victims of the January 2015 terror attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish supermarket.

Netanyahu laying a wreath during the ceremony (Photo: Haim Tzah, GPO)

He was to hold talks later Sunday with Macron, their first official meeting.

Macron met Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday, when he reiterated both France's support for a two-state solution and its opposition to Israel's building of settlements in disputed territory.

Macron's predecessor Francois Hollande's efforts to mobilize the international community on the issue angered Israel.

Macron welcomes Netanyahu as he arrives in Paris (Photo: AP)

Talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been at a standstill since the failure of US mediation in the spring of 2014.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss Israel's arch-foe Iran, in particular Tehran's role in the Syrian conflict, where it is backing President Bashar Assad.
For the first time since Sgt. Elor Azaria shot dead neutralized terrorist Abed al Fatah al-Sharif in Hebron in March 2016, the soldier will be released on house arrest.

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Deputy Chief of the IDF Military Court of Appeals, Brig. Gen. Orly Markman, will deliberate on the terms of his house arrest ahead of Azaria's expected release from the IDF on Thursday.

Azariawho was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prisonwill serve his house arrest at his parents' house in Ramla for no more than a week or two until a decision is reached on the appeals in the case.

Sgt. Elor Azaria and his parents (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Azaria has spent the last year in open detention at the Kfir Brigade's Nachshonim Base near Rosh HaAyin. In that time, Azaria periodically left the base for short furloughs home and many trips to court. Additionally, his family was granted frequent visitation rights to his base.

Military Prosecution is not expected to demand his transfer to full imprisonment as a civilian while there is still an appeal pending.

Azaria appealed the original verdict and demanded a full acquittal, while the prosecution appealed the leniency of the sentence and demanded that the court increase the punishment from 18 months to 24 months.

The judicial panel in the court of appeals originally asked the two sides to come to a compromise on their own. However, Azaria's attorney, Yoram Sheftel, and Prosecutor Lt. Col. Nadav Weissman could not reach an agreement.
Israel's decision to temporarily close the Temple Mount following the deadly terror attack there on Friday led to a series of condemnations across the Arab world, with caricaturists weighing in as well.

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In Saudi Arabia, where the government has yet to issue an official statement on the topic, the newspaper Al Watan printed a caricature of a Star of David with Satan's horns, which is eating the Dome of the Rock.

In Jordan, where both the king and the government have harshly criticized the move, the newspaper Al Ghad featured a caricature showing an Israeli soldier closing the gates of the Temple Mount to the Arab world.

The caricature in the London-based pan-Arab newspaper Al Quds Al Arabi criticized what they deemed as a weak response by the Muslim world, which is portrayed as an ostrich burying its head in the sand while the Al-Aqsa Mosque bleeds.

A caricature on social media shows what appears to be a Palestinian youth trying to tell the Arab world that the Al-Aqsa Mosque was in danger. The Arab world, portrayed as a fat man sitting in an armchair and drinking wine, asks his friend, "What's with him?" The friend, also holding a bottle of wine, answers: "He says Al-Aqsa is in Qatar."

The website Arabi 21, which is affiliated with Qatar, published a caricature showing a boy pointing to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and saying "Al-Aqsa is in danger," while a man who represents the Arab states currently boycotting Qatar, standing with his back to him carrying a weapon, says "Terrorism in Qatar?!"

Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, also affiliated with Qatar, showed the mosques on the Temple Mount closed off with yellow crime scene tape marked with the Star of David and a sign that says "No entry."
Syrian state media say shells have hit the Russian embassy in Damascus causing material damage.

State news agency SANA said two shells were fired at the Russian embassy Sunday, one hitting the compound while the other fell nearby.

Syrian rebels in the suburbs of the capital have previously struck the Russian embassy.

Moscow is a strong supporter of President Bashar Assad and has been involved in the six-year war since September 2015.

The attack in Damascus came hours after a bomb exploded near a hospital in the rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib wounding five people.

The Syrian Civil Defense group, more popularly known as the White Helmets, said the wounded included two children.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said five were wounded including children.
Iran's judiciary said Sunday that the brother of President Hassan Rouhani has been detained and an American citizen has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars for "infiltrating" the country.

The identity of the US citizen was not immediately clear and did not directly match the background of anyone known to be held in the Islamic Republic.

Judiciary spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi announced both developments during a regular press briefing with local journalists.

He said Rouhani's brother, Hossein Fereidoun, was taken into custody over allegations of financial impropriety and is eligible for bail, but has not paid it yet.
The Jordanian parliament lauded the actions of the three terrorists Sunday evening who carried out a deadly shooting attack on Friday at the Lions Gate in Jerusalems Old City, describing them as martyrs.

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The parliamentary session in Jordan was held less than 24 hours after the countrys King Abdullah II spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and condemned the terror attack on Temple Mount.

Jordanian parliament

Condemning Israels decision to temporarily close the Al-Aqsa mosque to worshippers in the aftermath of the attack, the MPs glorified the three terrorists who murdered the two Druze policemen, Staff Sgt. Maj. Ha'il Satawi, 30, and Staff Sgt. Maj. Kamil Shnaan, 22, of Maghar and Hurfeish respectively

May God have mercy on our martyrs who watered our pure soil, said the chairman of parliament, Atef Tarawneh.

Two of the three terrorists

We will raise our heads through the sacrifice of the young Palestinians who still fight in the name of the nation, he added.

Members of parliament also requested to pray for the souls of the three terroristsAhmed Muhammad Jabarin (29), Muhammad Hamed Abed al-Latif Jabarin (19) and Muhammad Ahmed Mafdel Jabarin (19)from Umm al-Fahm, all of them without a prior links to acts of terrorism .

May Allah have mercy on our youths, the members of the Jabarin family who deserve honor and fame, Tarawneh declared.

Protests at closure of Al-Aqsa (Photo: Reuters)

The damage by the Israeli occupation in the holiest sites of Jerusalem and in Al-Aqsa are grounds for continuing the resistance, not to surrender in the face of oppression or tyranny. The Israeli persistence and the severity of its crimes it is committing are the reasons for the setting of fire of revenge in their hearts among the generations who inherit the hatred of the occupation.

Tarawneh also credited King Abdullah for the reopening of the Al Aqsa Mosque, saying that his position forced the Israeli government to allow worshippers to enter once again. He added that Abdullahs position obligates the government to act continuously to protect the rights of the Palestinian people.

Photo: AFP

The heroization of the terrorists comes on the heels of a statement made on Sunday night by President Reuven Rivlin, who said that the attack was the crossing of a red line before lauding King Abdullah for unequivocally condemning the incident.

I want to praise the responsible leadership in the entire region, including the enlistment of the King of Jordan and the head of the Palestinian Authority, who well understood the danger and acted with us to calm tensions.
Washington: One of President Donald Trump`s personal lawyers defended a meeting that the president`s son had with Russian nationals during the 2016 campaign, suggesting that the meeting involving Donald Trump Jr. had been screened by the Secret Service.

"Well, I wonder why the Secret Service, if this was nefarious, why the Secret Service allowed these people in. The president had Secret Service protection at that point, and that raised a question with me," Jay Sekulow, a member of Trump`s legal team, said on Sunday on the ABC news program "This Week."

In an emailed response to questions about Sekulow`s comments, Secret Service spokesman Mason Brayman said that the younger Trump was not under Secret Service protection at the time of the June 2016 meeting that included Trump`s son and two senior campaign officials.

"Donald Trump, Jr. was not a protectee of the USSS in June, 2016. Thus we would not have screened anyone he was meeting with at that time," the emailed statement said.

Donald Trump Jr. acknowledged meeting with a Russian lawyer in New York City during the 2016 presidential campaign after he was told she might have damaging information about his father`s rival, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

According to emails released by Trump Jr. last week, he eagerly agreed to meet the woman, who he was told was a Russian government lawyer. The woman, Natalia Veselnitskaya, has said she is a private lawyer and denies having Kremlin ties.

On Friday, NBC News reported that a lobbyist who was once a Soviet counter-intelligence officer participated in the meeting, which was also attended by Trump`s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and the president`s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort.

Trump himself has said he was unaware of the meeting until a few days ago.

Sekulow`s comments drew quick criticism, including from Frances Townsend, who advised Republican former president George W. Bush on homeland security.

"Ok let`s try to deflect blame & throw those in @SecretService who protect @POTUS @realDonaldTrump @FLOTUS & family under the bus," she said on Twitter.

The Secret Service`s mission is to provide physical protection for the U.S. president. The agency also protects major presidential candidates. But its role in vetting people who meet with a U.S. president or a candidates is limited to ensuring physical safety.

A federal special counsel and several congressional panels are investigating allegations by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to hurt Clinton and help Trump. They are also investigating potential connections between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.

Moscow has denied any interference and the president and Trump Jr. have denied any collusion.

Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on one of the panels investigating the matter, the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he wanted to hear from everyone involved and questioned the credibility of Trump Jr. and others close to the president.

"The level of credibility from the senior level of this administration really is suspect," Warner told CNN, saying he wanted to hear from everyone who attended the June 2016 meeting though he acknowledged the Russians might not agree to speak.

"Whether we will be able to get the Russian nationals to come over and testify is an open question (but) those people that our committee has jurisdiction over, the Americans, I sure as heck want to talk to all of them," Warner said.
New York: Maryam Mirzakhani, 40, who became the only woman to receive the highest honor in mathematics, died on Saturday after battling with cancer.

In 2014, the Iran native and a Stanford University professor became the first woman to receive the highest honor Fields Medal, in mathematics and equal in reputation to a Nobel Prize.

In 1936, the International Mathematical Union established the award and has presented it to at least two people every four years since 1950.

However, all 52 recipients before Mirazkhani were men, CNN reported.

"Maryam is gone far too soon, but her impact will live on for the thousands of women she inspired to pursue math and science," Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani saluted Mirzakhani in a message in Farsi, posted on Twitter.

"Maryam Mirzakhani was a creative scientist and a gracious human being who lifted Iran's name in the global scientific community," Rouhani's account reads. "May she Rest in Peace."
Washington: The Senate will delay a vote on the Republican healthcare bill as Senator John McCain is still recovering from a surgery, the media reported.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed the move on Saturday night, reports CNN.

McConnell tweeted that the Senate will work on other legislative issues and nominations next week and "will defer consideration of the Better Care Act" while McCain is recovering from his surgery.

McCain's absence would have imperiled the bill, which needs the support of 50 of 52 Republican senators to advance.

McCain, 80, is in Arizona after having a blood clot removed from above his left eye, CNN reported.

His office said the clot was discovered during an annual physical and removed Friday at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix.

Senate Republicans unveiled a revised version of their health care bill on Thursday, and party leaders had planned a vote, or at least to take the procedural steps toward a vote which could have taken place as early as Tuesday.

It was unclear how long the delay will be, reports The New York Times.

"The leader has not announced a date" for the Senate to take up the legislation, said an aide to McConnell.

Meanwhile, two Republican senators -- Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky -- have already said they will not support a motion to proceed to floor debate on the legislation.

A number of other Republicans including Senators Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Dean Heller of Nevada, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rob Portman of Ohio, have also expressed serious reservations about the bill in its current form.
New York: The government needs to incentivise buying electric vehicles in order to bring down the cost and thus push their sales in the country, according to leading industrialist Anand Mahindra.

In an interview with PTI here, Mahindra said that due to very high battery cost, there is still reluctance on the part of consumers to go for electric cars.

"And therefore, the government in order to create the push, does need to create incentives whether they come through Central or the state governments, in order to provide a lower sticker price for cars," the Mahindra Group chairman said.

The incentive could be in the form of reduction in road taxes or subsidies in insurance, he added.

"It could be by lowering taxes of other kinds, but you do need some incentive to lower the upfront price. This can be transitioned down. Because what is happening simultaneously is that battery prices are also coming down dramatically," he said.

With battery prices coming down, at some point in future there would be a break-even between the conventional engine powered car and the electric car, he added.

"So all that the government needs to have (is) some kind of view on creating incentives that taper down over time. As the visibility of battery prices becomes greater they can start eliminating these subsidies. That is what the government should do," Mahindra said.

Besides, the government needs to come up with charging infrastructure to deal with range issues, he added.

In order to make electric mobility popular, the government can also mandate charging infrastructure in every building going ahead, Mahindra said.

"Just like you have fire regulations, they should have regulations that no building would be made without charging points for electric vehicles," Mahindra said.

He also stressed on having a public private partnership involving government and companies which provide charging points.

Mahindra also asked the government to make proper regulations in the ride aggregation business as these entities were likely to adopt electric mobility at a faster clip.

"Government should find regulation to encourage ride sharing companies. Rather than find impediments for them, regulate them by all means...Create a framework by which ride sharing companies can survive... Ride sharing is inevitably going to be 100 percent electric, inevitably," he said.

When asked about his company's strategy in terms of electric vehicles, Mahindra said that they have committed to the government that they are ready to raise capacity dramatically.

"We are going up to 2,000 (units) a month from where we were, roughly just about 200. We have an ability to go up to even 5,000 a month. We will just raise, so we are making investments. We have already invested Rs 250 crore and raising capacity. We are ready for any revolution that comes," he said.

The Mumbai-headquartered firm currently has four electric products in its portfolio.

Asked about the possibility of Mahindra tying up with American e-car major Tesla, Mahindra said: "No, I think Tesla doesn't sound like it has a very collaborative culture. They are very maverick so I think we need more individual initiatives other than partnerships right now. We are going our own way and we welcome players like them."
New Delhi: The upcoming film 'Indu Sarkar' has been the talk of the town since the time its trailer got released and now, after the Congress' recent protest against it, Bappi Lahiri has come out in support of director Madhur Bhandarkar.

Talking on the same, the 64-year-old music composer told ANI that Bhandarkar is his favorite filmmaker and one of the good directors in the film fraternity.

He further said, "Indu Sarkar is a controversy because of the period it is based in."

The 'Disco Dancer' hit-maker didn't comment further, but expressed his clear support for the film and its director.

Earlier today, the press conference of Bhandarkar's upcoming directorial was cancelled after few Congress workers took to protest against the movie.Thereafter, Bhandarkar took to twitter to share the news, citing the team of the movie was left stranded "like hostages in the hotel room."

"Congress workers hv barged in the Hotel lobby & created ruckus, me & team are stranded like hostages in hotel room. #pune activity cancelled," he tweeted.

Earlier, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar had censured the controversy surrounding his upcoming directorial venture and had asserted that the movie is not a documentary, but a work of fiction.

"This is completely wrong, and controvery like this should not happen because I made a film as a filmmaker and I'm saying that 70 percent of film is fiction and 30 percent is reality. The reality is based on the books and the documentaries made on them. I don't understand the demand that they (the Congress) want to watch the movie before its release. Let my film get censor board clearance and the moment it is released in the theaters, you can go and watch the film," Bhandarkar said.

Citing that he has been known for making movies, which are hard-hitting, real and topical, Bhandarkar has appealed other filmmakers and the public to side with him over the issue as this reeks of suppression of freedom of expression.

"My movie is based on the story of a husband and a wife, who have contradictory opinion about the Emergency. It's about the clash of points of view and the backdrop of the movie is the Emergency. My film is an emotional journey. I am concentrating on that thing and they are simply bullying a filmmaker by asking him to change something or the other," he added.

'Indu Sarkar' is based on a 21-month long period, from 1975 to 1977, when the then prime minister Indira Gandhi unilaterally had a state of emergency declared across the country.

The trailer of the movie led the Congress party to ask the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for a review before it comes under the scanner.

In this regard, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam wrote to CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani, expressing the grand old party's wish to watch the movie before it is 'censored'.

"The trailer of the film says it's a film on Emergency and hence, we can see the likes of our beloved leaders like Indira Gandhi ji, Sanjay Gandhi ji and other senior leaders of the India National Congress. We, therefore, want to be certain that our leaders are not shown in bad light and hence, would like to see the film before it's censored," Nirupam mentioned, in a letter addressed to Nihalani.

Furthermore, reiterating Nirupam's request, Maharashtra Leader of Opposition (LoP) Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil wrote to state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene in the matter revolving around the controversial movie ' Indu Sarkar' based on the Emergency imposed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Patil expressed the Congress' apprehension that the movie might have distorted the historical facts which may hurt the sentiments of the Congressmen and the public at large and so the movie must be exhibited to the Congress first and then be released.

Patil further said the Chief Minister should assure this so that law and order situation post the release of the movie is maintained.

Few other political outfits have also expressed dismay over the movie, while some have taken to Twitter to threaten Bhandarkar against the movie's release.The movie is slated to release on July 28.
Mumbai: Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan said she is confident that Sara, her husband Saif Ali Khan's daughter, will impress everyone with her Bollywood debut.

Sara, who is Saif and his former wife Amrita Singh's daughter, is set to step into the film industry with director Abhishek Kapoor's "Kedarnath".

"I am sure she is going to be supremely talented. She has it in her genes, she is looking gorgeous. I truly believe that with her beauty and her talent, she is going to rock the industry for sure," Kareena told reporters.

Sara will star opposite actor Sushant Singh Rajput in the film.

Kareena was speaking at the launch of Rujuta Diwekar's book "Pregnancy Notes".

The "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" star's sister-in-law, Soha Ali Khan, is pregnant with her first child and when asked what tips she would like to give her, Kareena replied, "I am going to gift her this book so that it helps her. But she's so fit. She's carrying her pregnancy so well and looking so cute."
New Delhi: Delhi court has awarded life term to a man for murdering a five-year-old boy whom he had abducted for ransom.

Additional Sessions Judge Virender Kumar Bansal awarded the sentence to 22-year-old Bihar resident Vikas who had kidnapped his neighbour's son for ransom of a mere Rs 5,000 and then killed the child without even waiting for the money.

"He was smothered by the accused according to the evidence. It was he who called for ransom and also got recovered the dead body and he also got recovered the toy of the deceased," the court said, adding that the recovery of body at the instance of accused clearly shows his guilt.

"Keeping in view the submissions and the facts of the case that he kidnapped the boy for ransom, he is sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment for the offence under section 302 (Punishment for murder) of IPC with a fine of Rs 10,000. He is further sentenced to life imprisonment for the offence under section 364 A (Kidnapping for ransom) of IPC with a fine of Rs 10,000," the court said.

According to the complaint filed by Rajbir, his son went missing on June 14, 2012 and a complaint was filed against unknown persons initially.

The complaint claimed that next day the family got a call asking for a ransom of Rs 5,000 and and the caller threatened to kill the child if the money was not paid.

The police identified the phone number used to make the ransom call and nabbed Vikas.

The police also recovered a toy, which the child used to carry everywhere, from his house.

The prosecution claimed Vikas himself led the police to a drain near his house from where the child's decomposed body was recovered.

Vikas had claimed that he was having a relationship with the elder sister of the child which was opposed by her father, and hence, he has been falsely implicated in the case.

However, the court refused to show any leniency to the convict.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Sunday refused to allow Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Narottam Mishra -- disqualified by the EC for not disclosing money spent on paid news in 2008 assembly elections -- to participate in the July 17 Presidential poll.



A Division Bench of Justice Muralidhar and Justice Pratibha Singh rejected Mishra`s application that challenged a single-judge bench`s order to dismiss his plea to vote in the Presidential poll.



The single-judge bench had on Friday also dismissed his plea that challenged his disqualification by the Election Commission (EC) on June 23 for not disclosing expenses he incurred on paid news in his election expenditure returns and barred him from contesting elections for three years.



The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Mishra to move the Delhi High Court after he failed to get any interim relief from the Madhya Pradesh High Court.



The Minister had moved the apex court to seek an urgent hearing of his plea either by the High Court or the apex court itself, so that he could participate in the July 17 election.



The top court, in its order, said that the outcome of the case has an "important bearing" on whether Mishra would continue to be a member of the assembly and vote in the Presidential election.



Narottam Mishra is Legislative Affairs Minister and the Madhya Pradesh assembly session is starting from July 17, with voting in the Presidential election scheduled for the day.



The Election Commission, while disqualifying Mishra for not disclosing expenditure incurred on paid news in local media during the 2008 assembly elections, had said that it was concerned about the "menace of paid news" which has been assuming "alarming proportions" in the electoral landscape.



The EC order said that all the 42 news items that had appeared in five Hindi dailies were "extremely biased in favour of" Mishra.



This phenomenon, a manifestation of the "pernicious effect of money in elections", has been growing increasingly vicious and "spreading like cancer" in recent times, the EC observed.



The EC order disqualifying Mishra came on a complaint filed in 2009 by Congress legislator Rajender Bharti, who had unsuccessfully contested against Mishra from the Datia assembly constituency.
New Delhi: Two persons were arrested on Sunday for allegedly stabbing to death a 52-year-old woman in the east Delhi's Shakarpur area, police said.

The duo had gone to the woman's house to rob her and had fled with jewellery and some cash, they said.

Two gold bangles and Rs 28,000, that were stolen from the victim's house, have been recovered from them, police said.

Sangeeta Bansal was found dead in her apartment with stab injuries on her neck and abdomen on Saturday.

They duo has been identified as Rakesh and Mukesh.

During interrogation, they said they had taken a loan of Rs 50,000 from the woman and could not pay it back.

They had also kept some jewellery with her as a security which she had refused to return until they paid her the money, police said.

Yesterday, they had gone to Bansal's house to "settle the matter once and for all" and had carried the knife along with them to threaten the victim.

When Bansal refused to entertain their threats, they stabbed her to death.

Police said when they entered the house, Bansal was talking to a relative over the phone and had told them to wait.

However, they insisted that she disconnect the call and speak to them.

Bansal had left her phone on the call mode with the relative, on the table when the two got into an argument with her.

The relative, on the other end of the phone, heard their names several times, before they killed Bansal.

The victim's sister-in-law Lalita, who stays on the ground floor, had also seen the two men leaving the house after the incident, following which she contacted the police.
Srinagar: A woman devotee, injured in the deadly militant attack on Amarnath pilgrims, succumbed at a hospital early today, taking the death toll in the incident to eight. 47-year-old Lalita succumbed to injuries at the SKIMS Hospital here, a police official said.

Terrorists on Monday night killed seven Amarnath pilgrims from Gujarat as they struck at a bus in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, in the worst attack on the annual pilgrimage since the year 2000.

The bus bearing the registration number GJ09Z 9976 was attacked at around 8.20 pm near Khanabal when it was on its way to Jammu, police said.

Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 3,603 pilgrims left Jammu for the Kashmir Valley on Sunday to perform the annual Amarnath Yatra. "A fresh batch of 3,603 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in an escorted convoy of 153 vehicles at 3.25 a.m.," officials said.

Nearly 9,000 pilgrims reached the shrine located at 3,888 metres above sea-level on Saturday which marked the 17th day of the ongoing 40-day yatra.

So far this year, over 2 lakh pilgrims have performed the yatra which is slated to end on August 7 on Shravan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan festival.

The cave houses an ice stalagmite structure that waxes and wanes with the size of the moon.

Devotees believe the ice stalagmite structure symbolises mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

The pilgrims reach the shrine either from the traditional 46 km long mountain track from the Pahalgam base camp or through the 14 km track from the Baltal base camp.

Over 35,000 security personnel drawn from the Army, Central Reserve Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo Tibetan Border Police and the state police have been deployed to provide security to the pilgrims.

The security heightened after terrorists attacked a yatra bus on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway. The 40-day yatra had began on June 28. The pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on the Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on August 7.

(With inputs from agencies)
New Delhi: In yet another tragic incident, 16 Amarnath pilgrims killed and 35 others were left injured as vehicle carrying 46 people falls into gorge on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district. Police sources said the bus bearing registration No. Jk02Y-0594 spun out of the driver's control at Nachnala and rolled into the gorge.The accident occurred at around 1.45 PM.

Rescue operation by the police and the Ramban administration is underway. The 90th and 40th battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed at the spot to prevent further untoward incidents thereafter. Apart from these, an Air Force chopper has also been deployed to airlift seriously injured pilgrims.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on twitter confirmed the casualties. Taking to Twitter it posted, "16 dead; 19 injured being airlifted for treatment. 8 minor injuries."

Ramban accident update. 16 dead; 19 injured being airlifted for treatment. 8 minor injuries. July 16, 2017

#WATCH: Rescue operation by Army underway as bus carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims fell off road on Jammu-Srinagar highway in Ramban, 11 dead pic.twitter.com/f1anBmdtdd  ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017

The accident comes just few days after terrorists killed seven Amarnath pilgrims from Gujarat as they struck at a bus in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, in the worst attack on the annual pilgrimage since the year 2000.

This morning a woman devotee, injured in the deadly militant attack on Amarnath pilgrims, succumbed at a hospital early today, taking the death toll in the incident to eight. 47-year-old Lalita succumbed to injuries at the SKIMS Hospital, a police official had said.

Earlier in the day, a fresh batch of 3,603 pilgrims left Jammu for the Kashmir Valley to perform the annual Amarnath Yatra. Nearly 9,000 pilgrims reached the shrine located at 3,888 metres above sea-level on Saturday which marked the 17th day of the ongoing 40-day yatra. So far this year, over 2 lakh pilgrims have performed the yatra which is slated to end on August 7.
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing political turmoil in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav have called separate meetings of their legislators in Patna on Sunday.

According to the reports, the meeting which is believed to be very crucial has been called in to discuss the presidential poll scheduled for Monday. Reportedly, the duo are also expected to express their opinion on the ongoing tussle over demands that Tejashwi Yadav should quit as Deputy Chief Minister.

Earlier on Friday, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav had that his son Tejashwi Yadav will not resign as the deputy chief minister of Bihar. However, the JD(U) demanded deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadavs resignation if his family could not come clean on the source of funds used for acquiring allegedly illegal properties.

Meanwhile, yesterday the political crisis in Bihar deepened with Tejaswi Yadav skipping a government function attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who swapped his chair with a JD (U) minister after being seated next to an RJD leader.

The organisers initially covered the nameplate of Tejaswi, the special guest at the function whose seat was next to the chief minister's, but later removed it. The function was held to mark the World Youth Skills Day.
New Delhi: A meeting of BJP parliamentary board will be held here on Monday to decide the name of vice-presidential candidate, party sources said.



The meeting of the board will be held a day before the end of nominations for the vice-presidential elections.



The meeting will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah and other members of the board.



Congress and several other major opposition parties have already declared former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi as their vice-presidential candidate.



Polling in the vice-presidential election will be held in August 5 and counting will take place the same day.


New Delhi: Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, the Indian Air Force chief, will begin a four-day official visit to France on Monday in an attempt to further strengthen the existing defence corporation between the two countries.

During his visit, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with senior military officials of the French armed forces.

"The challenges faced by the armed forces of both the countries in the current geo-political scenario are expected to be discussed during these meetings. The main focus of the visit will be on improving bilateral relations, promote defence ties, and outline further areas of defence cooperation between the two countries," a Defence Ministry statement said.

Dhanoa will visit headquarters of the French Air Force and a few operational air bases, it said.

He would also interact with representatives of the French military aviation industry and visit Indian Rafale PMT infrastructure, the statement said, adding the Chief of Air Staff is also planned to fly a sortie in a Rafale fighter, which India has contracted to buy.

According to the statement, Dhanoa's visit would provide impetus to increasing defence cooperation between the two air forces and pave the way for greater interaction and cooperation in the future.
New Delhi: The clemency appeal of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is on death row in Pakistan on charges of espionage, will be decided on merit, the public relations department of the Pakistan Army said on Sunday.

Army chief General Qamar Javed is presently analysing the evidence against Kulbhushan Jadhav and will decide on his appeal on merit, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Jadhav had filed a mercy petition before General Bajwa last month, PTI reported citing ISPR.

The statement said the former Indian Navy officer had filed the petition after the Military Appellate Court rejected his appeal.

Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told reporters on Sunday that General Bajwa was "analysing the evidence against Jadhav."

Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April for his alleged involvement in espionage and terrorist activities. The International Court of Justice in The Hague in May halted his execution on India's appeal.

On Saturday, a leading Pakistani daily voiced its support in favour of Jadhav`s mother, saying that she should be granted Visa to visit Pakistan on humanitarian grounds.

The Dawn, in an editorial, said that a Visa application by the mother of convicted Jadhav is the latest opportunity for India and Pakistan to back away from an increasingly confrontational stance against each other.

"The reasons for Jadhav`s conviction and incarceration suggest that Pakistan may not be legally required to allow his mother to visit him or indeed grant her a Visa at all, but it ought to be considered on humanitarian grounds," the editorial read.

The Visa application of Jadhav`s mother to visit Pakistan to see her son is pending with the authorities for approval.

"A meeting between mother and son is very different to granting consular access, which is any case being litigated by India in the International Court of Justice," it said.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, earlier on Monday, castigated Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif`s advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz for not entertaining the request for visa to the mother of former naval officer Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for alleged espionage.

Following this, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said they were considering granting a Visa to Jadhav`s mother on Sushma Swaraj`s request.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: The government`s agenda for the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, beginning on Monday, includes a total of 34 bills.

Among the 16 new ones that are to be introduced are the Consumer Protection Bill and two bills to implement the GST in Jammu and Kashmir.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that apart from 16 new bills, 21 bills are pending in Lok Sabha while 42 bills are pending in Rajya Sabha, many of which would be considered for passing during the session.

A list of items of government business identified for being taken up in both the Houses of Parliament is as follows:

New bills for Introduction:

1. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017;



2. The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, 2017;



3. The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2017



4. The State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017



5. The Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension To Chandigarh) Amendment Bill, 2017;



6. The Central Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017;



7. The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017;



8. The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) Bill, 2017;



9. The Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property Amendment Bill, 2017;



10. The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill, 2017;



11. The Consumer Protection Bill, 2017;



12. The National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2017;

13. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017;

14. The Right of Children Free and Compulsory Education (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017;

15. Labour Code on wages; and

16. The National Sports University Bill, 2017

Bills already pending in Lok Sabha:

1. The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2016;

2. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Amendment) Bill, 2017;

3. The Indian Institute of Management Bill 2017;

4. The Right of Children Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017;

5. The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2017;

6. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016;

7. The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017 ;and

8. The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership) Bill, 2017

Bills already pending in Rajya Sabha:

1. The Footwear Design and Development Institute Bill, 2017 as passed by Lok Sabha;

2. The National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha;

3. The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha;

4. The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 as passed by Lok Sabha;

5. The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013;

6. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha;

7. The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha;

8. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Third Amendment) Bill, 2017as passed by Lok Sabha;

9. The National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 as passed by Lok Sabha; and

10. The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, 2017 as passed by Lok Sabha.

Financial Business:

1. Supplementary Demands for Grants (including Railways) for 2017-18

Bills for withdrawal in Lok Sabha

1. The Consumer Protection Bill, 2015

Bills for withdrawal in Rajya Sabha

1. The North-Eastern Council (Amendment) Bill, 2013;and

2. The Participation of Workers in Management Bill, 1990.


New Delhi: Ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament and the Presidential polls on Monday, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government has convened for an all-party meeting on Sunday to seek the Opposition's support for the smooth conduct of proceedings in both the Houses. However, Trinamool Congress (TMC) is likely to give it a miss, claim reports.

Leaders of the NDA government will meet in the evening to chalk out their strategy to counter the Opposition in Parliament. It is also expected that the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) will discuss the name of its Vice-Presidential nominee during their Parliamentary party executive meeting in the evening.

Delhi: CPI National Secy D Raja & Mulayam Singh Yadav arrive for an all-party meeting called by govt ahead of monsoon session of Parliament pic.twitter.com/BDxBW8qOWw July 16, 2017

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also called for a meeting of leaders of political parties at the Parliament later in the evening to ensure a smooth transaction of business in the House.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament will start from Monday and will continue till August 11.

The Opposition is expected to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in both the Houses, including the implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) and the ongoing clashes in West Bengal.

(With inputs from ANI)
Nagpur: The Muslim man with links to the BJP who was thrashed by alleged cow vigilantes in Maharashtra's Nagpur district four days ago was carrying beef, police have said. The police had arrested four persons for brutally thrashing Salim Shaha (34), a member of the BJP's Katol unit, on July 12 and sent the meat he was carrying to a forensic laboratory.

The lab report was "positive", i.E. It was beef, Superintendent of Police (Nagpur rural) Shailesh Balkawde told PTI yesterday. Police will initiate further action against Shaha in accordance with the law, he said.

Meanwhile, the Nagpur (rural) unit president of the BJP, Rajiv Potdar, expressed shock at the findings. It was shocking that Shaha has been found to be carrying beef that day, Potdar said, adding he would be dismissed from the party.

Stern action should be taken against him according to the law, but people must not take law in their own hands and resort to violence in such cases, Potdar said.

Shaha's mother had claimed that he was the head of the BJP's Katol tehsil minority morcha, while local BJP leaders said he was a party member.

The incident of thrashing had drawn strong condemnation from the ruling BJP's coalition partner Shiv Sena, besides the opposition Congress and NCP.

However, the BJP had sought to play it down, calling it a "stray" incident.

Shaha, the resident of Katol town in Nagpur district, was returning home on his motorcycle when five-six men accosted him at a bus stop on July 12 in Bharsingi village on suspicion that he was carrying beef and assaulted him.

Four men - Ashwin Uike (35), Rameshwar Taywade (42), Moreshwar Tandurkar (36) and Jagdish Chaudhari (25) - were subsequently arrested and booked under IPC section 326, pertaining to voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed pain at the loss of lives of Amarnath pilgrims in a bus accident in Jammu and Kashmir.



At least 16 pilgrims were killed and several others injured when their vehicle fell into a gorge on the Jammu- Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased," Modi tweeted.



"I pray that those injured in the bus accident in J&K recover soon," the prime minister added.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged states to take strict action against those who are indulging in violence the name of cow vigilantism.

Addressing media after all party meet today, Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Anant Kumar said that the PM has assured investigation against those who resort to violence in the name of 'gau raksha'. Voicing his concern on the spate of incidents of lynching and violence over cows' protection, PM appealed leaders of various political parties to not give cow vigilantism a political or communal colour and said the nation does not benefit from it.

However, this was not the first time PM has raised the issue of mob lynching. Earlier also, in a tough message against cow vigilantism and mob lynching, he had said that killing people on pretext of protecting cows is not acceptable and had warned that no one has the right to take law into his hands.

In the wake of CBI raids of RJD chief Lalu and his family, PM also urged all political leaders to stay away from corrupt leaders and refrain from protecting them. "Due to the corrupt practices going on, there is a question mark on the people engaged in public service. All political leaders will have to take the lead to set this right," he told a meeting of political parties ahead of Parliament session beginning on Monday.

"I urge all the political leaders to stay away from corrupt politicians and refrain themselves from protecting them from the investigation against them," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananthkumar quoted Modi as saying. The Prime Minister also urged the political leaders to help carry forward the investigation against corrupt politicians.

Modi appealed all parties to extend their support to the Government in fighting corruption and the issue of communal violence in the name of cow protection. He also expressed gratitude towards all parties for supporting the Government in bringing historic economic reforms like preponing of Budget Session of the Parliament and bringing in the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

PM Modi also expressed concern over the flood situation in north-east.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government had convened for an all-party meeting to seek the Opposition's support for the smooth conduct of proceedings in both the Houses. However, the meeting was skipped by JD(U) and TMC.
Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party appears divided on the eve of the presidential election with camps led by its patron Mulayam Singh Yadav and party chief Akhilesh Yadav all set to vote for rival candidates, triggering possibility of cross-voting.

Though the division in the party may not have any bearing on the election result, it will certainly complicate the family feud further, said an SP insider, requesting anonymity.

The sharp differences in the SP on the issue of presidential nominee was clear right from the day Ram Nath Kovind was chosen as the NDA nominee.

Soon after the announcement of Kovinds name, Mulayam had attended a dinner hosted by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on June 20.

It was seen in political circles as a clear indication of Mulayam?s support to the NDA candidate.

Significantly, the dinner was skipped by Akhilesh and Mayawati, who are supporting the oppositions candidate.

The SP patron's vote for Kovind became a foregone conclusion the very day he openly described him as a "strong candidate", said the SP insider.

"Ram Nath Kovind is a good candidate. I have a very old relation with him. BJP has selected a strong candidate. The most important thing is that the BJP has a majority," Mulayam had said on record. On expected lines, Shivpal, the warring uncle of Akhilesh, said that whatever his elder brother Mulayam decided was the last word for him, indicating that he too would back Kovind.

Opposition's candidate Meira Kumar, on the other hand, met Akhilesh at the SP headquarters here on Friday before meeting BSP supremo Mayawati to seek votes.

Interestingly, Shivpal and another another senior party leader and MLA Azam Khan were conspicuous by their absence.

Akhilesh has instructed his MLAs to vote for opposition candidate Meira Kumar, who has "represented a secular ideology'', SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary told PTI that Akhilesh Yadav has given instruction to his MLAs to vote for Kumar.

Chaudhary said Akhilesh has asked SP MLAs to vote for Kumar. Another senior SP leader, who is also Leader of the SP Legislature Party, Ram Govind Chaudhary said, "Everyone should support Kumar."

Ram Govind is also the Leader of the Opposition in the 403-member UP Lower House. In a written appeal circulated to all SP MLAs, Kumar said that the presidential election has given one an opportunity to transcend petty politics and listen to inner conscience.

Shivpal, meanwhile, has announced in Varanasi that he along with "several" SP MLAs and MPs will vote for Kovind. "Kovind has very good relations with netaji (Mulayam). He is a good man and the best candidate," Shivpal, an MLA, said.

"Netaji jo kahengey wahi hoga" (Whatever netaji says will happen)," he said. Shivpal-loyalist Deepak Mishra, though not a voter, pledged "open support to Kovind" and thanked the prime minister for his selection.

The SP has five members in the Lok Sabha, including Muayam, and 19 members in the Rajya Sabha, including Amar Singh, who is now an unattached member after his expulsion from the party, besides 47 MLAs in UP.

Since members of the Legislative Council are not part of the electoral college, Akhilesh, an MLC, cannot vote, though his wife Dimple, a Lok Sabha member, is eligible to participate in the exercise. Mulayam was removed from the party's national president post and made a patron by Akhilesh in January at the peak of dissidence in the erstwhile ruling party which led to one of the most humiliating drubbings the party suffered in the political history of Uttar Pradesh.

(With inputs from PTI)
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, along with Minister of State (MoS) for Ministry of External Aaffairs (MEA) MJ Akbar and MoS MEA Gen. (Retd.) V.K. Singh, met families of 39 Indians who are missing in Iraq since 2014.

She said that the fighting is still going on in West Mosul and Indian authorities have been informed that the missing Indians were last located in a prison in Badush, so as soon as the area is cleared, further developments would be reported

"I have already met them several times, but this time the situation was different as Iraqi Prime Minister recently announced that Mosul has been liberated from the ISIS. The very same day I asked V.K. Singh ji to go to Erbil and personally oversee where are the missing Indians and how can they be rescued," Swaraj told reporters.

"Sources there told V.K. Singh ji that the missing Indians are most probably in a jail in Badush where the fighting is still going on," she added.

The minister assured, "Once fighting stops in Badush and the area is cleared, we can probably find out about the whereabouts of the missing nationals."

Swaraj added that the Iraqi Foreign Minister would be visiting India on July 24 and will provide further information.
Srinagar: A Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) recruitment module was busted by the state police on Saturday in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, officials said.

"This module was being led by Hizbul Mujahideen commander Parvez Wani, resident of Handwara area in Kupwara district," a police officer said.

"Three persons were arrested following the raid. The module had plans to send boys to Pakistan to get them trained in terrorist camp," he said.

According to the police, one of the detainees, Abdul Rashid Bhat, had visited Pakistan in May and obtained training in the Khalid Bin Waleed camp run by the terror outfit located in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

"He got the visa from Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi on the recommendation of one separatist organisation."

Arms, ammunition and Rs 1 lakh in cash were recovered from the possession of the arrested persons.

"The module was also providing logistics support to the terror group," the police officer added.
New Delhi: Former finance minister P Chidambaram on Sunday took to Twitter to stress on the prevailing instability in the Kashmir Valley and blamed the Centre for aggravating the problem by taking 'a maximalist position.'

"On many occasions in the past I had cautioned that the Kashmir issue or problem (or by whatever name it is called) was a festering wound. The people of the Kashmir Valley are caught between the two maximalist positions. Just as the militants have taken a maximalist position that has to be rejected out of hand. The Central government has taken a maximalist position that has aggravated the problem. The casualties are the people of J&K (especially those in the Valley) and the future of the state," Chidambaram said in a series of tweets.

The Congress leader's tweets come a day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti pointed out that the instability in the Valley is not due to a lack of law and order, but due to few external dimensions, while also urging the entire nation to come together to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The instability in J&K is due to external dimensions, where our neighbouring country is also involved. There are internal dimensions too and they have been there for the past 70 years. I think these issues will only get resolved if all the parties come together and the entire nation stands together as they are doing in the matter of China," she said.

A meeting with the Opposition parties was held earlier last week by the Centre to apprise them with the veracity of the Amarnath terror attack, following which Director General Press Information Bureau (PIB) Frank Noronha said that all parties condemned the attack and assured support to the government in the regard.

The terrorist attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on July 10 in which seven pilgrims lost their lives and 15 others were injured.

Apart from this, there have been constant reports of stone-pelting and infiltration from across the border in the state, which have aggravated the situation there.

The Opposition has been blaming the Centre over their "inaction" towards resolving the issues of the Valley, which encourages the separatists to resort to their ways to infuse chaos in the state.
Thane: Two fire brigade personnels rescued a boy stranded in a swollen Ulhas river in the district amid heavy rain last night.



The boy, hailing from Mohapada-Erandel village near Badlapur, fell into the water and was swept away.

He managed to catch a branch of a tree which was half-submerged in water, and clung to it for over three hours, shouting for help, said R B Patil, chief fire officer of Kulgaon-Badlapur municipal council.

Some people living along the river banks heard his cries at around 11 pm and alerted the police.

Two fire brigade personnel located him in the darkness and tried to reach him in a boat, but it kept drifting because of a strong current.

Firemen Ajit V Gurav (39) and Suryakant Khade (50) however didn't give up and kept rowing and managed to reach the boy after one-and-a-half hours.

The boy was finally rescued at around 2 am today, Patil said.

The two firemen would be recommended for a suitable reward, he said.
New Delhi: In yet another sexual assault case, a girl was allegedly molested by a teenaged boy at the church gate railway station in Mumbai on Saturday.

The incident was caught on the CCTV cameras installed at the railway platform. The footage revealed that the man was trying to touch the girl inappropriately.

The accused who is 15-year-old was nabbed immediately after the girl cried out for help.

"The accused in a minor and has been arrested by the Police. He has been sent to the juvenile court," India.com quoted a police official as saying.

Watch the video here:
New Delhi: Foreign investors have pumped in nearly Rs 11,000 crore in the capital markets in the first two weeks of this month, enthused by the trouble-free rollout of GST and stimulating Indian economy.

The latest inflow comes following a net infusion of over Rs 1.62 lakh crore in the previous five months (February-June) on several factors.

Prior to that, such investors had pulled out over Rs 3,496 crore from debt markets in January.

Dinesh Rohira, Founder and CEO, 5nance.Com has attributed the latest inflow to stimulating Indian economy.

Besides, he said, investor sentiments remained due to the trouble-free rollout of the Goods and Services Tax on July 1.

He said however that the recent development on incoming global macro data indicates a sign of revival in some developed countries which is expected to poise hurdle for Indian market as FPI may shift their investment avenue.

Further, the inflow from FPI is expected to remain subdued with depreciating US currency against the Indian rupee, Rohira said.

"There is a growing concern among foreign investors that an economic recovery in the USA and other major economies could necessitate central bankers to unwind the highly accommodative monetary policy," Sharekhan Head of Research Gaurav Dua said.

According to latest depository data, FPIs invested a net Rs 498 crore in equities during July 3-14, while they poured Rs 10,405 crore in the debt markets during the period under review, translating into a net inflow of Rs 10,903 crore (USD 1.7 billion).

With the latest inflow, total investment in capital markets (equity and debt) has reached Rs 1.6 lakh crore (over USD 24 billion) this year.
I am a retired teacher and community volunteer, with a great love for the outdoors. I read, with interest, your article dated June 30, which shared information about the newly released draft plan for wolf recovery in our area. Thank you for publishing it.

The Mexican Gray Wolf is native to this area but was hunted to near extinction by the mid 1900s. Wolves are predators that are needed in forested terrain, where elk and deer roam, to keep the ecosystem healthy. They not only cull the old and the sick in these ungulate populations, but create habitat for birds, fish, and many other animals by keeping deer and elk moving, so that they do not destroy vegetation and muddy streams.

The Grand Canyon region is prime habitat for these wolves, yet the proposed plan calls for restricting wolf territory to south of I-40 in Arizona and New Mexico. The report acknowledges that a minimum population of at least 320 wolves would have to survive over a period of several years in order to be recovered. This number is almost three times the number of wolves currently living in the wild. In order to be sustainable, wolves need more territory, not less, and more captive wolves need to be released into the wild to improve genetic diversity and increase their numbers.

I live in Hart Prairie and would be thrilled to hear the howl of wolves in my backyard. They will bring health to our forests and restore the balance.

GRETCHEN MARKIEWICZ

Flagstaff
Three Tomah residents face multiple drug charges after police were called to the parking lot of Gordys Supermarket July 2.

Dispatch reported that a female, later identified as Becky Lee Clark, 33, was waving her arms and appeared to be intoxicated. Police made contact with Clark, who was talking extremely fast with jerky and exaggerated motions, according to the report. A search of the vehicle allegedly located a wallet with a green, leafy substance inside that police believed was marijuana.

The report says Clark acknowledged there were needles in her purse, and police allegedly found a 100-pack of syringes. Police also reportedly found two marijuana roaches, a snorting straw, a pill container with several yellow pills and a glass pipe that appears to have been used for methamphetamine.

While being interviewed by police, Clark said she has been involved in a fight with Troy Fowler, 30, and police noted that Clark had a bruise under her right eye and several bruises on her arm. She described three violent encounters with Fowler and said he strangled her during two of them. She said Fowler was staying at the Super 8 Motel.

Police obtained a warrant to search the motel room and were told that Stuart Gabriel Beverly, 32, had entered the room shortly after checkout time. Beverly was inside the room when police entered, and Fowler was identified and arrested outside the motel. Fowler and Beverly both had active warrants.

A search of the room allegedly recovered a small glass jar with marijuana, four syringes, several syringe caps, and two roach clips.

Clark was referred to the Monroe County District Attorney for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a Schedule IV drug and possession of a prescription drug without a prescription.

Fowler was referred for strangulation/suffocation, battery, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Beverly was referred for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In other Tomah Police Department news:

Shantal Lynn Eastman, 22, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for obstructing an officer. She is accused of lying to police officers about an incident that involved her and Joshua Perrigo. She told police that a statement she gave police about Perrigo putting his hand over her mouth and suffocating her was false. She said Perrigo was attempting to calm her down and put two fingers over her mouth because it was 1 a.m. and he didnt want her to wake the neighbors.

Police had used Eastmans account to refer Perrigo to the district attorney for suffocation/strangulation.

Brecken Rose Allan, 29, DeSoto, was referred to the district attorney for writing stolen checks.

A person told police that he discovered his bank account was empty and was advised that a number of checks were written without his knowledge in different parts of the state. The victim believes his checkbook was stolen from inside his residence, and police later obtained surveillance video from several different retailers to identify Allan. She is accused of writing 14 checks totaling $1,500 before the victims account was closed.

Jeremy John Cory, 35, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for alleged multiple incidents of violent behavior. He was referred for second-degree sexual assault, third-degree sexual assault, strangulation/suffocation and bail jumping.

Antoine Deshawn Cotto, 33, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for bail jumping. He is accused of violating a bond condition that prohibits him from operating a vehicle unless properly licensed.

Maurice Lee, 58. Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for battery and disorderly conduct after a July 1 incident in Tomah. A woman told police that Lee struck her in the right side of the mouth, which caused her gums to bleed.

Whitney Kristine Hornelaz, 24, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for battery after a July 3 incident. She is accused of punching a woman in the ear and causing it to bleed.

Sylvia Marie Downey, 30, Eau Claire, was referred to the district attorney for bail jumping. She is accused of violating a bond condition that prohibits her from consuming alcohol. A preliminary breath test measured a blood-alcohol content of .146.

Sigurd Stanley Larsen, 60, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for bail jumping. He is accused of violating a bond condition that prohibits him from consuming alcohol. The report says Larsen refused a preliminary breath test.
New Delhi: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who will soon be seen playing the role of a guide on-screen in filmmaker Imtiaz Ali's upcoming movie 'Jab Harry Met Sejal', recently had quite a ball while touring Rajasthan.

Not only the 51-year-old actor enjoyed thoroughly authentic Rajasthani food, but he also received a great amount of love from the people of the state. You will be amazed to know that the 'Dilwale' hunk was awarded an Honorary Membership from Jodhpur Guide Association during his visit to the city.

Here are some most memorable moments from SRK's Rajasthan outing:

As royal as it gets!

Harry literally turns into the emperor of our hearts. #HarryOnTour @iamsrk pic.twitter.com/BX8sdkpuN2  Red Chillies Ent (@RedChilliesEnt) July 15, 2017

Harry's tour continues with the royal taste of Rajasthan! It's time for some Dal Baati & a plate full of delicacies #HarryInJaipur @iamsrk pic.twitter.com/lUBu0cyrec  Red Chillies Ent (@RedChilliesEnt) July 15, 2017

Smile OK Please!

Harry strikes a pose with tour guides in Jodhpur. @iamsrk #HarryInJodhpur pic.twitter.com/OLjhCuoicU  Red Chillies Ent (@RedChilliesEnt) July 14, 2017

Ma Ma main Guide ban gaya (honorary) Jodhpur Tourism Guide Assoc Thx for making Harry a part of ur family. pic.twitter.com/3pySEdXZTt  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) July 14, 2017

Our Harry, @iamsrk gets awarded with an honorary membership by the Jodhpur Tourist Guide Association #HarryInJodhpur pic.twitter.com/wLIfE15Oh6  Red Chillies Ent (@RedChilliesEnt) July 14, 2017

'Jab Harry Met Sejal' will be releasing on August 4 this year. It also features Anushka Sharma in a key role. The flick is King Khan-Anushka's third film together.
New Delhi: Regulator Irda has asked insurance companies to collect Aadhaar, the 12-digit unique identity, of their agents for creation of an online database in order to eliminate duplications.

The Insurance Information Bureau of India (IIB) will house the database.

The regulator said the creation of the database started with the issuance of Point of Sales person guidelines.

The purpose was de-duplication of POS enrolled by insurers and insurance intermediaries, said the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irda).

Therefore, the Aadhaar number was taken as the unique identifying field to remove duplication, it said.

Going forward, the regulator said, it was viewed that the same logic could be extended to insurance agents and trained and qualified persons of insurance intermediaries that would include broker, qualified persons with Aadhaar number as the unique identifying field.

Further, Irdai is of the view that such a portal should be developed and housed in IIB as it has successfully demonstrated the understanding and capabilities in developing the POS portal.

The IIB has been asked to develop the portal for uploading the Aadhaar number and other details of insurance agents on the lines of POS, the Irda said.

"The insurers are therefore advised to collect the same so as to be ready to upload the necessary information on the date to be communicated by the Authority in due course," it said.

The portal will also be available to insurance intermediaries.

The insurance intermediaries have also been asked to collect the Aadhaar number and other details of trained and qualified persons of insurance intermediaries so as to be ready to upload the necessary information.

The IIB was promoted in year 2009 by Irda to support the insurance industry with sector-level data to enable data-based and scientific decision making including pricing and framing of business strategies.
MumbaI: With the RERA making it mandatory for developers to deposit 70 per cent of the receipts through any kind of sale in an escrow account, 'apartment funding' mode of raising funds from investors is likely to perish, says property consultant Jones Lang LaSalle.

RERA, which came into effect from May 1, requires developers to deposit 70 per cent of the payments through any kind of sale in an escrow account, which is to be used for project expenses and is not available to the promoter developer until completion of the project.

"Apartment Funding (AF) is a fund-raising structure where the involved investors acquire real estate units at deeply discounted prices. Such funding route would not only ensure quick sale of multiple units which would support their financial needs and they had no restrictions on its usage," JLL India Associate Director ? Capital Markets Research Akshit Shah said.

However, with this regulation in RERA, the key benefit for the developers to get upfront funding from apartment funds is lost, he said.

"While the developers receive all the money, they can take out only a small part of it for purposes other than project-related expenditures," Shah said.

He further said with GST being introduced, the cost of purchase has increased by 6.5?7 per cent for under- construction projects. Earlier, developers were charging VAT plus service tax, which together accounted for around 5?5.5 per cent, it will now be 12 per cent post GST.

As per the new GST norms, newer greenfield projects will get the benefit of full input credits, which can be passed on to the buyer and offset the additional tax cost.

However, for under construction projects, since most of the projects were partially built in the earlier tax regime, only a portion of input credit can be availed, which will increase the cost of purchase, making it rather unattractive for investors who would earlier have considered apartment funding as an investment route.

"Since the basic purpose of the structure now effectively stands defeated, apartment funding and most similar structures are no longer feasible or even possible," Shah added.
New Delhi: Celebrity couple Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli were recently clicked at a grocery shop in New York. Somehow, the interesting picture went viral on the social media and, now, cyber citizens have successfully made a meme out of it.

It is being said that Anushka flew to NYC for IIFA 2017 and, later, Virat joined her in what can be called a mini vacation. Soon after this holiday, the Indian captain will head for Sri Lanka tour.

But, before all that, check out some hilarious social media reactions to the photograph:

Virat: You know, tumhare purane dresses jo tum nahi pehenti thi, wo saare maine Ranveer ko de diye...

Anushka: pic.twitter.com/EhcnBLJOaE  Baba (@GyanDoBaba) July 14, 2017

"Shopping bhi DHONI bhai se puch ke karoge?" pic.twitter.com/cQffUQnCbR  Kashmiri 007 (@James_Beyond) July 14, 2017

Virat : yeh sofa cover kyu pehen ke aagayi ho?



Anushka : pic.twitter.com/Ad0VFalRfa July 14, 2017

Anushka: Sach batao, tumhara koi paraye stree ke sath chakkar chal raha h na?

Virat: Kya baat kar rahi ho? Kon stree?

Anushka: Ravi Shastree pic.twitter.com/Z4QsujAWbk  Ojas. (@Ojasism) July 14, 2017

"Shopping bhi DHONI bhai se puch ke karoge?" pic.twitter.com/cQffUQnCbR  Kashmiri 007 (@James_Beyond) July 14, 2017

Anushka- Chat par kapade sukha kar aaye ?

Virat- Nahi

Anushka- pic.twitter.com/sdB6A1ggQc  Hun (@nickhunterr) July 14, 2017

On the professional front, Anushka will next be seen on-screen in Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Jab Harry Met Sejal '.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palanisamy has announced that the fireman, who died while attempting to douse the flames at a Chennai bakery, will be given relief from the Chief Minister's fund and his kin will be provided with a government job.

Palanisamy also announced that the injured will also be given relief from the Chief Minister's fund.

"The fireman who died will be given relief from the Chief Minister's fund and a government job will be given to one of his family members. The injured will also be given relief," he said.

Earlier, a fireman who was dousing the fire that broke out in a bakery in Meenambal Street in Kodungaiyur was killed on Saturday night.

Three personnel of the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS) also suffered severe burn injuries.

They are now being treated at the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital.
Chennai: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Sunday asserted that a thorough probe is necessary regarding the alleged VIP treatment being provided to former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary V Sasikala, who is currently lodged in Parappana Agrahara central prison, over a corruption case.

"The report that has been presented by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (Prisons) D Roopa is indeed shocking. Like Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, a probe is necessary into the matter, after which necessary action needs to be taken," DMK spokesperson Saravanan told ANI.

Lashing out at his rival party, Saravanan alleged that this is not the first time such an incident has come to light, adding that the AIADMK believes money can get them out of any situation.

"This is not the first time such an incident is happening. Sasikala previously has faked illness and avoided prison term. In this sense, it is not at all surprising. The AIADMK's attitude is such that money can be used to bail them out of any crisis, this attitude is of extreme concern," he said.

A recent report by DIG (Prisons) D Roopa had asserted that a bribe worth Rs 2 crore was given to the prison officials by Sasikala for, including the Director General (Prisons), in order to avail special facilities in Parappana Agrahara central prison.

Roopa, in a report to Director General (Prisons) HN Satyanarayana Rao, had said there are speculations that Sasikala paid bribe to prison officials to get special facilities for herself with rumours also of the DG being a beneficiary himself.

To this regard, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured that strict action would be taken against the guilty, while taking cognizance of allegations of irregularities in the Bengaluru central prison.

Siddaramaiah said he has ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter.

"Request all to await the outcome of this inquiry. Strict action will be taken against any person found guilty of wrongdoing," he said.

On one hand, where Rao has categorically denied all the charges, Roopa, on the other, has maintained her stand, saying that she has no issue with an inquiry taking place into it.

The letter, apart from the information about Sasikala, also talks about many other illegal instances inside the prison:

A special kitchen has been set up for Sasikala, which is against the rule of the jail.

Roopa has also mentioned about stamp paper scam accused Abdul Kareem too getting special facilities. "Earlier, he was on wheelchair and court allowed people for his assistance. But now, when he is fine, why is this continuing? In fact, three or four undertrials are there to serve him, who even gave him hands and feet massage," the letter stated.

She also mentioned that she got medical check-up of jail inmates done and in the drug test it has come to light that many convict prisoners are using various types of drug kits in the jail.

She even exposed that a prisoner in the jail had tried to sexually assault a nurse in the hospital while he was bought for check-up, but no action taken over it.

Roopa even pointed out that prisoners are harassing doctors to prepare fake report stating they be shifted to hospital citing health reasons.

She also said that the DGP was trying to interfere with her work. She said a memo was sent by the DGP to her seeking an explanation on why she went to Central Jail on July 10.

Roopa has also sent a report to additional chief secretary DGP prisons and home secretary to take a disciplinary action against the guilty.
Singapore: India`s growing economy and digital push have caught the attention of hackers and an increasing wave of cyber attacks could soon badly impact the country, experts from Russian cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab have warned.

India and other South Asian countries are now on the radar of cyber attackers, said experts, adding that the government and corporates need to procure state-of-the-art, New Age security solutions to thwart their plans.

The impact of recent global cyber attacks were clearly visible in India as "WannaCrypt" -- that affected 150 countries globally -- and the recent "Petya" malware attack hit computers in the country.

"India`s growing economy and digitalisation are really a big concern as cyber attackers have now begun focusing on developing countries with big populations and average incomes," Eugene Kaspersky, Chairman and Chief Executive of Kaspersky Lab, told IANS on the sidelines of the recently-concluded "Interpol World 2017" conference in Singapore`s Suntec City.

His comments came as the Moscow-based cyber security firm found that the "Petya" attack hit Gateway Terminal India operated by AP Moller-Maersk at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), a facility near Mumbai which is India`s biggest container port.

The terminal was unable to load or unload because of the attack as it failed to identify which shipment belongs to whom.

According to Vitaly Kamluk, Director of Global Research and Analysis Team for APAC at Kaspersky Labs, there was no cyber security threat till 2010 and India was quite safe till then.

But now, India and other "developing countries are most vulnerable, especially the financial sector. We perceive that banks are most vulnerable in India", Kamluk told IANS.

Stephan Neumeier, Managing Director of Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific, stressed the need to educate people to save them from becoming victims of cyber attacks.

"As India`s economy is growing fast, more and more people are now getting access to Internet. They have 4G access and Android devices are becoming popular. They need to be educated about anti-virus solutions as mandatory for devices and be made aware about not falling for phishing attacks," Neumeier emphasised.

He suggested that malicious emails or links should also be part of the awareness process.

"Countries like India are developing very fast which opens doors for more cyber attacks," Neumeier added.

The experts also recalled how over 200,000 users were affected in 150 countries after the "WannaCrypt" virus attack which paralysed computers -- with a demand being made for a payment of $300 in bitcoins (crypto-currency or virtual currency) for a system to be unblocked.

Citing reports, Kaspersky Lab said that cyber crime costs the world $450 billion per year, which is almost the annual budget of Russia, China and Japan.

The experts said the hackers target government ministries, banks, utilities, other key infrastructure and companies nationwide, demanding ransom in crypto-currency.

Giving the example of Bangladesh, the experts said the hackers recently made a bank heist in the country and made away with $1 billion in one attack, since the security was vulnerable.
New Delhi: Businesses can start uploading their sale and purchase invoices generated post July 1 on the GSTN portal from July 24, a top company official said on Sunday.

The Goods and Services Tax has kicked in from July 1 and so far, the GST Network, the company handling the IT backbone for new tax regime, has been facilitating registration of businesses.

"We plan to launch the invoice upload utility on the portal on July 24 so that businesses can come forward and start uploading the invoices on a daily or weekly basis to avoid month-end rush," GSTN Chairman Navin Kumar told PTI.

Generating invoices for dealings above Rs 200 and keeping invoice records in serial number even if maintained manually, are pre-requisites for claiming input tax credit under the GST regime.

The GSTN had last month launched an offline Excel format for businesses to keep their invoice records and from July 24 this Excel sheet can be uploaded on the portal.

Kumar said GSTN would put up a video on its portal to assist businesses in uploading invoices.

Besides, a call centre help desk has been set up to assist taxpayers regarding any query they might have about the new tax regime.

"We have been reaching out to trade and industry associations telling them that those who have about 10,000 invoices a day, they should upload it on GSTN portal on a daily/weekly basis to avoid last moment rush," Kumar said.

So far, over 69 lakh excise, VAT and Service Tax assessees have migrated to the GSTN portal and nearly five lakh new registrations have happened under GST.

Under GST, which is a single tax in place of multiple central and state levies like excise, service tax and VAT, businesses are required to upload on GSTN portal invoices of their trade every month.

Kumar had earlier said that the offline Excel tool can upload 19,000 invoices data on GSTN portal at one go and the process takes just half a minute.

So, if businesses which generate about 10,000 invoices a day upload the data on a daily or weekly basis, it would be less cumbersome for them.

While uploading invoice on the GSTN portal, a business would need to mention the invoice number and date, customer name, shipping and billing address, customer and taxpayer's GSTIN, place of supply and HSN code.

Also, the taxable value and discounts and rates of CGST, SGST and IGST would have to be filled, along with item wise details like description, quantity and price.
Kolkata: A woman was allegedly strangulated to death at her in-laws` house over a dowry demand in West Bengal`s North 24 Parganas district, police said on Sunday.



"The woman, married to Habibur Sahaji, a resident of Ashok Nagar, was taken to Barasat Hospital on Saturday evening where doctors declared her dead," said an officer from Ashok Nagar police station.



"The woman`s family members complained that she was killed by her husband and in-laws in a dispute over dowry," he said.



Police said there were no external injury marks on the woman`s body apart from some strangulation marks on her throat.



Following the complaint, police have filed a case of murder against the husband and three of his family members.



"Habibur, the prime accused in the case has gone missing since incident. We are interrogating the other accused," the officer added.
Brussels/Berlin: NATO`s Secretary General has urged the Turkish and German foreign ministers to resolve their differences over visits to Turkish air bases, part of a wider row between the two allies.

Germany has refused to extradite asylum seekers Turkey says were involved in a coup attempt last year, Berlin is demanding the release of a Turkish-German journalist, and Ankara has refused to let German lawmakers visit soldiers at two air bases.

German soldiers contribute to a NATO air surveillance mission at Konya, 250 km (150 miles) south of the Turkish capital Ankara, and its troops stationed at another air base, in Incirlik, have already been moved to Jordan.

NATO said Jens Stoltenberg had called Sigmar Gabriel and Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday to ask them to settle the dispute.

"We hope that Germany and Turkey are able to find a mutually acceptable date for a visit," a NATO spokesman said.

Germany`s armed forces are under parliamentary control and Berlin says the lawmakers must have access to its soldiers.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted in a television interview on Sunday that German lawmakers should be allowed to visit the Bundeswehr soldiers at the NATO air base in Konya.

"This whole issue is unfortunate, very unfortunate," Merkel told public broadcaster ARD, adding that more talks were needed to find a solution, also with the help of NATO.

On whether Ankara had asked Berlin to extradite asylum seekers in exchange for granting lawmakers access to the air base, Merkel said she was not aware of any such a request.

"If this was the case..., we would reject this entirely," Merkel said.

There could be no negotiations with Ankara about the extradition of Turkish asylum seekers and granting German lawmakers access to the soldiers at Konya air base because both issues were completely unrelated, she added.
Wood says many court clerks and sheriffs resist outside oversight and don't take measures to prevent fraud



State Auditor Beth Wood. (photo by Dan Way)

A risk of fraud or embezzlement continues in the offices of Superior Court clerks of court, yet many clerks refuse to correct serious problems, State Auditor Beth Wood says.Wood said.Wood said.Risks exist.One involves staff members performing overlapping duties, resulting in an absence of checks and balances that could prevent staff members from pocketing criminal fines and fees. Another is late or nonexistent inventories of estates, which could result in family members or others removing property being before the estate is settled.Wood's office recently completed audits in Orange and Carteret counties that exposed those deficiencies.Haphazard operations and staffing assignments in the Orange County Clerk of Superior Court's office created an elevated risk of fraud and misappropriation of payments. The office also failed to collect estate fees in accordance with state law. That resulted in delays and potential loss in the collection of estate costs and fees, the audit report said.Clerk of Superior Court James Stanford agreed with the findings in his response to the audit report. He blamed the errors on a staff shortage and said tighter controls and heavier monitoring would be placed on employees to avoid errors and fraud in collecting criminal fees and fines.Stanford said his office would better document the reasons fees aren't collected at the time estate costs are filed, and would show how he's trying to collect delinquent filing fees.According to the audit, the Clerk's Office collected nearly $6.3 million cash from fines, fees, and court costs, as well as bonds, judgments, and other matters during the audit period. But there was a lack of internal controls, especially in segregating the duties of personnel with access to various functions.Allowing employees access to more than one part of the process increases the risk that errors, unauthorized transactions, and fraud could have occurred, and remained undetected because it circumvents a checks-and-balance approach. The audit did not identify any missing money.The audit determined estate inventory fees for three of 58 estates examined weren't collected until 23 to 35 days after the inventory was filed. Fees for six estates still had not been collected by the time of the audit.The Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court's Office was cited for untimely filing or failure to compel estate inventory filings or fee collection. Of 65 estates examined by Wood's office, in 18 cases the written requests for requiring inventory filings were issued 34 to 95 days after the three-month inventory deadline. In six instances the clerk failed to issue written requests.Clerk Pamela Hanson concurred with the audit findings. She blamed the problem on new staff, an increase in the volume of work, and a deliberate policy not to refuse a filing if costs are not in hand.Wood said Superior Court clerks of court are audited every three to four years on a rotating basis. While that serves as a deterrent, more oversight from AOC is needed, she said.Wood said. Some $600,000 turned up missing in that case, and the State Bureau of Investigation was called to investigate. Wood said her office could have performed an audit but wasn't contacted.County sheriffs and registers of deeds are elected, so their offices mostly operate independent from the county. They generally hire local CPAs to do financial statement audits. Wood believes their audits should include risk assessments of the controls in place, but many don't.Had proper controls existed in Wake County, that situation could have been caught, she said. The county auditor should have incorporated the register of deeds audit into the comprehensive county audit, where the misappropriation could have been detected.
5 Causes of Nursing Home Resident Anxiety Unfortunately, for many reasons anxiety happens more often by long-term care residents than by those who live in
In the wine industry, it's not just the grapes that are affected by climate change, but the people picking them.

Scorching work conditions for the farm labourers who do the largely manual grape harvest could result in productivity and economic losses for the wine industry, according to a study published in the journal Temperature.

The study is the first of its kind in Europe to assess the impact of heat on agriculture workers.

Researchers from Greece's University of Thessaly studied workers in the vineyards of Cyprus, where grape pickers often endure temperatures up to 36 C.

The authors used time-motion analysis to monitor study volunteers during every second of their work throughout four shifts. Additionally, the team measured environmental temperature against average skin temperatures of their subjects.

Unscheduled work breaks increased up to 2.1 per cent for every additional degree of temperature.

During the whole study period, 12.4 per cent of total work shift time was lost to unscheduled breaks.

The study concluded that grape pickers experienced increased workplace heat, leading to "significant labour loss."

The authors pointed out that workplace heat stress has hefty financial implications across many industries. In Germany in 2004, for example, financial costs linked to heat-related work absenteeism and reduced productivity were estimated between $1 billion to $4.5 billion, while similar findings for Australia between 2013-14 indicated total losses around $8 billion.

A delicate crop

Earlier studies have established climate change as a major factor in wine production, even before the impact on workers is taken into account.

A 2016 report in the Journal of Wine Economics, for instance, said that climate has a greater effect on the development of the vines and the composition of fruit than the soil conditions and the variety of grape.

Temperature affects when the grape vines bud and fruit ripens, as well as the balance of sugars and acidity. Water deficits make for smaller berries and higher tannis, that study found.

Story continues

Grapes are a delicate crop, both in terms of the narrow temperature range in which they can grow, and the quality of the final product, says Prof. Gary Pickering, a biologist and viticulture researcher from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont.

"We're seeing both in traditional wine-growing regions in Europe and the emerging wine-growing regions, lots of direct impact from climate change already," he says, adding there will be "very severe impacts over the next couple of decades."

While the issues vary in different parts of the world, the most severe impacts are from longer dry periods and drought episodes during the growing season, says Pickering. This affects not only the growers' ability to keep the vines alive but the process of ripening the grapes.

"Increased frequency of extreme weather events are the other big one," he says. Around the world wine regions are experiencing not only droughts but severe storms, and very cold or hot temperatures.

"These have implications in terms of the consistency of grape quality that the consumer looks for when they buy their bottle  from one year to the next," says Pickering.

At first blush, the warming climate seems advantageous for Canada's relatively young wine industry, because higher temperatures have allowed new wine regions to emerge here while old world wine regions have contended with problems like drought.

"There's certainly opportunities for the Canadian industry as well as threats from climate change," says Pickering, who points to the wildfires in B.C. as an example of extreme weather events that are occurring here more often.

"Smoke from the wildfires can taint the grape and taint the wine that follows," he says. "They definitely taste smoky."

Asked if climate change is driving up the price of wine, Pickering points to a classic high-end wine as an example: red Bordeaux. "Bordeaux has struggled over the last few years to produce that top-end product."
By Mitra Taj and Teresa Cespedes LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's former President Ollanta Humala and his wife turned themselves in to authorities late on Thursday after a judge ordered them to spend up to 18 months in jail while prosecutors prepare charges against them for alleged money laundering. The ruling by Judge Richard Concepcion, which triggered jeers from the couple's supporters during a public hearing that stretched over two days, marked the second time he has mandated jail time for an ex-president since a massive graft scandal in neighboring Brazil rippled into Peru. Prosecutor German Juarez cited testimony from former executives of Brazilian builder Odebrecht - at the center of the graft scandal - to accuse Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, of taking $3 million that allegedly stems from corruption.Juarez also accused the couple of taking illegally-obtained cash from late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. "Here's a president who rose to the presidency and governed us with an electoral campaign built on illicit money. Thats serious because it morally wounds society," Juarez said. Humala, a mild-mannered former military officer who governed Peru from 2011 to 2016, turned himself in with Heredia, the co-founder of his nationalist party, immediately after the ruling. Both denied wrongdoing and called their pre-trial detention unfair. "This confirms abuse of power, which we will face in defense of our rights and the rights of all," Humala said on social network Twitter, as television showed images of the couple walking into a building of holding cells, escorted by police. The ruling came a day after former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison for graft and dealt a further blow to the left in Latin America. Unlike Humala, Lula will remain free on appeal. Humala recast himself as a more moderate leftist like Lula to win the 2011 election, following an unsuccessful 2006 presidential bid as an ally of Chavez. He ended his five-year term with low approval ratings last year, despite backing private investment and starting social programs for the poor. Humala's downfall jolted Peru's political system, though he is not expected to run for office again. Rightwing groups celebrated his downfall, while leftists urged prosecutors to investigate Odebrecht's links to conservative politicians. Centrist ex-president Alejandro Toledo, believed to be in the United States, refused to turn himself in this year, after Concepcion ordered him jailed before a trial over allegations of having taken a $20-million bribe from Odebrecht. Toledo and Humala rose to power on the support of those who once believed they would counter the graft and autocratic rule of the 1990-2000 government of then president Alberto Fujimori. President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has said he might pardon the rightwing Fujimori, who is now serving a 25-year sentence for human rights violations and corruption, in a quest for better ties with Fujimori's supporters in Congress. (Reporting by Mitra Taj, Teresa Cespedes and Reuters TV; Editing by Paul Tait and Clarence Fernandez)
By Alex Dobuzinskis

(Reuters) - Honolulu fire officials on Saturday were hoping to determine the cause of a blaze that tore through three upper floors of a 36-story residential tower in Hawaii's capital, killing at least three people.

The conflagration, which broke out on Friday afternoon and took firefighters about four hours to extinguish, sent debris raining down from the Marco Polo tower onto an oceanfront tourist district, forcing the closure of a major road and sending thick, black smoke billowing over the city.

It also highlighted the absence of sprinkler systems in some older buildings. These became mandatory in Honolulu high-rises in 1974. The Marco Polo, which has 586 units, opened three years earlier.

"Without a doubt if there was sprinklers in this apartment, the fire would be contained to the unit of origin," Honolulu Fire Chief Manuel Neves told reporters. It took more than 100 firefighters to control the blaze.

The blaze erupted a month to the day after the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, the London high-rise where at least 80 people died in a fire in an older building also unequipped with sprinklers.

Investigators believe the Marco Polo fire broke out on the 26th floor of the building, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman David Jenkins said, adding that investigators hoped to begin nailing down the cause quickly.

During the four-hour battle, firefighters sprayed water on the flames from nearby balconies and hallways while guiding residents out of harm's way, Jenkins said. The blaze, which destroyed a dozen condominium units and forced the closure of three floors, erupted high above the reach of fire engine ladders, he said.

Firefighters have since gone through rubble-filled condominiums several times to look for any victims beyond the three people confirmed killed, Jenkins said.

The Honolulu Advertiser newspaper reported that most floors of the building were reopened on Saturday afternoon, with residents allowed to return to check for damage and stay in their units if conditions permitted. Several fire-damaged floors remained closed.

Story continues

Medics treated a dozen people at the site of the fire and five were transported to hospitals in serious condition, Jenkins said. One of those, a firefighter, has since been released after receiving treatment for heat exhaustion.

The victims who died included a mother and her adult son, according to local media. Jenkins declined to identify them.

Witnesses described harrowing moments after the fire broke out on Friday afternoon.

"I looked down. I could see the billowing smoke coming up," resident Ron Chiarottino said. "I heard three women's voices screaming, pleading, moaning, 'Please help me, please' - continuous screaming for five or 10 minutes, and then I didn't hear any more."

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis and Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Editing by Tom Brown and Cynthia Osterman)
By Julia Harte and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. authorities should search through any intercepted communications of Fethullah Gulen to seek evidence backing Turkey's accusation that the U.S.-based Muslim cleric orchestrated last years failed coup, Turkeys envoy to Washington said on Friday. In an interview with Reuters almost a year after the coup attempt, Ambassador Serdar Kilic expressed frustration over the halting U.S. response to its request for Gulens extradition and urged Washington to use its data-collection capabilities to help prove Ankaras accusations against him. They should help us in this regard. We don't have national intelligence authority in the United States," he said at the Turkish embassy. President Donald Trump's administration is taking Turkey's extradition request more seriously than Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, Kilic told a news conference later on Friday, but he did not elaborate. Kilic said the United States had not given any sign of when it would decide what to do with Gulen, who denies any involvement in the July 15, 2016, coup attempt. Kilic cited confessions by some alleged coup plotters and visits he said they paid Gulen at his Pennsylvania compound in the days leading up to the failed putsch as proof that the 79-year-old cleric was behind the coup, in which more than 240 people were killed. However, Kilic acknowledged in the Reuters interview that more concrete evidence of direct involvement by Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile since 1999, remains elusive. "If you are asking for a written instruction by Fethullah Gulen to the members of the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization in the army, that would be a futile request, Kilic said, adding that the planning was done in secrecy. Alp Aslandogan, Gulen's media adviser, said the cleric does not own a cellphone, the land line at his compound is attended by staff members and he does not use email, suggesting that any effort to scour Gulen's communications might yield little. He also said he had not seen any signs of the Trump administration giving the Gulen extradition case a higher priority. He said confessions of coup plotters implicating Gulen were suspect because of accusations that their testimony was "obtained under duress and sometimes torture." Ankara has repeatedly denied the accusations while saying a firm security posture is needed in the face of dangers it also faces from Kurdish militants as well as wars in neighboring Iraq and Syria. The U.S. Justice Department declined any comment on the case. STALLED EXTRADITION President Tayyip Erdogan said in May he would pursue "to the end" Gulens extradition and has waged a post-coup crackdown on his followers. Kilic told reporters on Friday that U.S. officials had requested further evidence, in addition to 84 boxes of documents already provided, and that Turkey was working to comply. He said in the meantime Turkey wants the United States to limit Gulen's freedom of movement. Aslandogan said the call for such restrictions on Gulen, who is frail-looking and walks with a shuffle, was part of a "harassment campaign" by the Turkish government. Prospects for the U.S. extradition of Gulen appeared to dim in February when Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn resigned over his failure to disclose the extent of his contacts with Russia. Kilic said he met Flynn, who was outspoken in favor of Gulen's extradition, a couple of times, described him as visionary" and said he wished Flynn were still in office. (Reporting By Matt Spetalnick and Julia Harte; Editing by Yara Bayoumy)
Florida's electric chair

Considered among the most dangerous inmates, Action News met with Wayne Doty in a small room at Florida's death row. Despite his wrists being shackled, security still watched his every move.





"An individual has the right to choose their own destiny," Doty professed.





Then, the Plant City man uttered what no Florida inmate has requested before. The 44-year-old is demanding to be put to death by the electric chair and not by the lethal injection method.





"The bottom line is, at the end of the day I'm the one that murdered an individual," said Doty. "Not you, not anybody else. So it is my life, it is my crime, it is my means of execution."





His reasons even dumbfounded Mark Elliott, Executive Director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.





"I don't understand. I don't know what his motives are," said Elliott.





Why he wants the electric chair





Doty's claims are flabbergasting. He doesn't like needles. He was also a former welder and believes that electrocution is a more humane way to die.





"Electricity, 2000-3000 volts of electricity right through a person's brain will render you dead within seconds," said Doty.





The state doesn't agree





Allen Lee Davis' execution in 1999

Florida took the electric chair out of commission after the execution of triple murderer Allen Lee "Tiny" Davis back in 1999 went horribly wrong . Davis' execution drew nationwide attention after he bled profusely from the nose while being electrocuted.





Many argued that execution by electrocution was outdated.





Then Governor Jeb Bush, agreed that lethal injection would become the primary means of capital punishment.





The loophole in the law that may grant Doty his wish





"Although we are locked up in prison we have our own rights," said Doty.





A rarely used Florida law gives the state no choice but to honor Doty request. Once sentenced, inmates have a one time option of requesting their means of execution.





What landed Doty on death row





Doty shot to death Harvey Horne II, a worker at a manufacturing plant in Plant City in 1996. But that murder didn't send Doty to death row. He got life in prison.





Doty landed on death row only after killing another inmate, Xavier Rodriguez years later in 2011.





Why Doty says he did it





His reasons behind killing the inmate are another mind twister.





Doty said he did it for Horne's sake.





"It is just my right to bring closure to the victim's family," said Doty.





According to court records, for weeks, if not months, Doty had been planning the murder of Rodriguez.





What his victim's son thinks





"I was shocked and flabbergasted and totally disgusted," said Harvey Horne III.





Horne is the son of the man Doty killed in 1996.





"He and another man shot him 5 times in the face," said Horne.





Doty ultimately confessed to the murder of Harvey Horne admitting he shot Horne in the face during a drug robbery, according to court records.





"He didn't say he wanted to die when he was on trial when he first went to court when he killed my father. He tried to fight it," said Horne.





Doty saying that he killed the inmate for Horne's sake, truly infuriates Horne's son.





"My father's loss had a tremendous impact on me. I did not get a chance to be with my dad. He was killed right before my 20th birthday and now you just took this man a way to give me peace? That does not give me any peace it makes it worse. What kind of man are you?" asked Horne.





Doty's 2nd motive





He said was to get out of general population.





"Would you like to do life in prison?" he asked.





Doty's request comes to light as Florida's death row policies are in complete chaos





Pressure from the federal and state courts led to a new law in March. Now, death verdicts have to be unanimous.





Legal experts explained that nearly 150 inmates, nearly half on Florida's death row could get a new trial or even their sentences reversed.





Doty is one of those inmates, but is waiving appeals.





Is Doty seeking the electric chair as a delay tactic?





"If something happens and capital punishment is thrown out which could happen in the foreseeable future. That's not my problem," said Doty.

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Ali Al-Nimr, Darwood Al-Marhoun, Abdullah Al-Zahar, Abdulkareem Al-Hawaj

Four young males on death row who were arrested in their teens in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia have been awaiting their fate for the past five years. Now, after a recent spate of executions, human rights groups fear the worst.





The four were arrested as minors, aged between 13 and 17, after allegedly participating in pro-democracy protests during 2011 and 2012.





They were sentenced to death after reportedly being tortured into confessions and convicted in secret trials.





"We've now seen 11 executions in just two days which is an unprecedented rate of executions for Saudi Arabia and deeply troubling," Maya Foa, Director of London-based human rights organisation Reprieve, told SBS World News.





"It recalls the mass execution that we had over a year ago now where 47 people were executed in one day, and there are really troubling concerns that Saudi Arabia may be now ramping up its execution machinery to kill more people on its death row."





While information on Ali Al-Nimr, Darwood al-Marhoon, Abdullah al-Zaher and Abdulkareem Al-Hawaj has been limited, human rights groups as well as the United Nations have repeatedly called on Saudi authorities to end the death penalty





Ali Al-Nimr





"Ali Al-Nimr was a young man, a juvenile, just 17-years-old who was arrested after he attended a protest," Ms Foa said.





He was arrested in the eastern province of Qatif and has spent five years in prison, three of them on death row.





"He was tortured terribly and then convicted and sentenced to death - he was actually sentenced to death by crucifixtion. This is clearly an unawful death sentence and a really egregious crime the part of the Saudi authorities to have sentenced him in this way."





He is the nephew of Saudi Shiite cleric, Sheik Nimr al-Nimr, whose execution, together with 47 others in January 2016 sparked widespread international condemnation.





"On the charge sheet they have things like 'inviting friends to the protest on their BlackBerry, administering first aid at the protest. These are not things that we would ever consider to be crimes let alone meriting execution."





Zena Al-Esia, a research associate with the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, (ESOHR) based in Berlin, says it's a very difficult situation for his mother, Nasrah Alahmed, who posts frequently on Twitter about her son.





Ali al-Nimr had recently been allowed to visit his father, in Awamiya where there's currently a military operation.





"His father was shot, so Ali al-Nimr was allowed out of prison to visit him. Some people have considered this maybe a positive sign - maybe he's going to be released - it was just a temporary visit for a few hours," Ms Al-Esia told SBS World News.





But judging by the recent executions, she said "it's not a good sign".





Darwood Al-Marhoon





Arrested in 2012 after refusing to spy on protesters, human rights groups say 17-year-old Darwood al-Marhoon was tortured and forced to sign a blank piece of paper which would later become his confession.





Access to legal counsel was denied on many occassions and he remains in solitary confinement awaiting execution. He has exhausted all appeals.





Abdullah Al-Zaher





Abdullah al-Zaher was 15 when he was arrested in 2012 and charged with 'harbouring' protestors and participating in demonstrations. His father told the Guardian in 2015 that he was forced to sign a piece of paper that police had fabricated. He has exhausted all appeals.





Abdulkareen Al-Hawaj





This month, Abdulkareem Al-Hawaj had his death sentence upheld on appeal. He was found guilty of crimes committed when he was 16. He, too, has exhausted all appeals.



'Youngest political prisoner'





In January 2017, the UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention reported on the case of a minor, identified by the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) as Murtaja Al-Qureyrees, who was 13-years-old at the time of his arrest at the border while travelling to Bahrain with his family.





According to ESOHR, he is currently the youngest political prisoner in Saudi Arabia who was arrested without a warrant.





The UN found that his detention was arbitrary and 'in contravention of articles 10, 11, 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights'.





There are also fears for a young, Saudi deaf man Munir Adam who faces imminent execution in Saudi Arabia.





Advocates say authorities have upheld the death sentence for 23-year-old who has impaired sight and hearing.





He was 18 when he was arrested in the wake of political protests in 2012. He is said to have been badly tortured and forced to sign a false confession.



Claims of false confessions





Human Rights Watch reviewed more than a dozen convictions of Saudi Shia accused of violence and other crimes related to the Shia uprisings in 2011 and 2012, and in nearly all of the cases it found that Shia citizens were convicted almost solely based on confessions that they gave supposedly freely to Saudi police.





"All of the families that we've been able to interview say that in court these individuals recanted their confessions saying that they were tortured to give them, but the judges ignored those comments and went ahead and issued judgements anyway," Adam Coogle, Middle East research at Human Rights Watch, told SBS World News.





"Some of the Shia sentenced to death also include individuals who supposedly committed their crimes before they were 18, so they're considered child offenders," he said.





Maya Foa cites the case of yet another juvenile, executed during last year's mass executions.





"Reprieve later found out that there were a number of juveniles among those executed - including Ali Al-Ribh, a young man pulled out of school, tortured, forced to sign a forced confession, sentenced to death and executed. His family only found out that he had been executed after it had happened by reading it in a newspaper."





Four executed in criminal court for terrorism





There's been condemnation of recent executions on July 11 and 12 in Saudi Arabia's eastern province, including four men convicted in a secret 'terrorism' court.





They had been accused of protest-related crimes and acts of violence. At least six others had been executed the previous day, on smaller criminal charges.





In 2011 and 2012, thousands took to the streets demanding reform across the Kingdom in Arab Spring protests. It was during these protests that many were detained.





Many were also tried in the Specialised Criminal Court which hears terrorism cases, but human rights groups say the Court has also been used to sentence alleged protestors, including several minors, to death.





The Saudi Embassy in Canberra has been contacted for comment.

Student facing beheading in Saudi Arabia was to attend Western Michigan

A Saudi Arabian student who was arrested 5 years ago as he was about to fly to Michigan to attend college is believed to be facing imminent execution by beheading, officials say.





Mujtaba Al-Sweikat, who was 17 when he was detained at King Fahd International Airport in 2012, was moved Friday from detention in Dammam to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where executions by beheading customarily take place.





Earlier that year, Al-Sweikat allegedly attended a pro-democracy rally, which led to his arrest.





Al-Sweikat intended to visit Western Michigan University, where he had applied as a student, according to Reprieve, an international human rights group that has offices in New York and London and operates with partners around the world. He was later accepted by the university as a student. The Free Press has seen a copy of the acceptance letter from Western.





Western Michigan confirmed Al-Sweikat had been accepted to the university in 2013, but never attended.





"We were stunned to learn, for the first time today, of this situation," Western Michigan spokeswoman Cheryl Roland said in a statement to the Free Press. "It is not unusual for an admitted student to opt out of enrolling at the last minute, so we had no idea there was such a troubling reason behind this student's failure to come to campus."





Human rights groups said the execution is troubling.





"The increasingly brutal Saudi Arabian regime has ramped up executions for protest-related offences in recent days, and this latest move is extremely worrying," said Maya Foa, director of Reprieve. "Mujtaba was a promising 17-year-old boy on his way to study in Michigan when he was arrested, beaten, and later sentenced to death on the basis of a 'confession' extracted through torture. He now faces the imminent threat of beheading along with 14 others, including at least one other juvenile and a young disabled man.





Foa said the executions would constitute an appalling breach of international law. Foa urged President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to "use their close ties to Saudi Arabia to make clear that these egregious abuses must stop - and the imminent executions be immediately stayed."





The American Federation of Teachers also urged Trump to get involved.





"Saudi Arabia's threat to behead its own citizens for attending an anti-government protest is an unthinkable and despicable violation of international law and basic humanity," AFT President Randi Weingarten said in a statement. "This group includes 2 youths - 1 of whom, Mujtaba'a al-Sweikat, was at the airport coming to the United States to attend college when he was arrested - a man with disabilities, and 11 other people. People must have a right to speak and associate freely. Should these executions occur, Saudi Arabia should be considered a pariah nation by the world.





"We implore President Trump, as the standard-bearer for our great nation, to do everything in his power to stop the atrocities that may otherwise take place in Saudi Arabia."





Western Michigan joined the call for Trump to get involved.





"The AFT information makes it clear that the critical national political figures with influence in such a situation are informed," Roland said. "We join the AFT in urging them to use that influence to ask the Saudi government to exhibit compassion."





Al-Sweikat was not allowed access to a lawyer at any point before or during the interrogations, according to Reprieve. He was forced to sign a "confession" document in relation to several alleged offenses, including attendance at protests. If he refused to admit to any allegations, he was again beaten, tortured and subjected to verbal abuse.





Initial reports were that Mujtaba was on his way to attend the University of Michigan. U-M officials spent 18 hours searching records going back several years at all of its campuses and were unable to locate him as a student - either one who enrolled or had been accepted, a spokeswoman told the Free Press.





Mujtaba is part of a group facing execution by beheading for offenses related to attending protests, Reprieve said. Reprieve obtained information about Mujtaba and the others from his friends.





They were convicted and sentenced to death by Saudi Arabia's controversial Specialised Criminal Court, which, although established to hear terrorism cases, has been used by authorities to silent dissent through the use of the death penalty, Reprieve said.





All 14 men and boys were transferred recently to Riyadh from Dammam Mabahith prison in preparation for their execution. However, the current execution practice is so shrouded in secrecy that not even their families know when they will be executed; only the King, who issues a decree ordering their execution, knows, Reprieve said in a briefing shared with the Free Press.





4 others were executed July 12 for similar protest-related charges.

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July 11th marked the 6th anniversary of South Sudans independence. But South Sudan and its people are suffering, the treasury is empty, and so President Salva Kiir cancelled the celebration.

Although a number of issues have complicated the situation, South Sudans problems are largely man-made. Much of it can be blamed on South Sudans leaders, who are unwilling to set aside personal differences and political ambitions for the good of the country.

In one way or another, South Sudan has been the scene of fighting for over half a century. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 ended the Second Civil War that pitted south the Sudanese rebels against the government in Khartoum. The referendum for independence six years later led to the birth of South Sudan, ushering in an era of hope and optimism for the war-weary population.

But peace in the new country lasted less than 18 months. In December 2013, a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar erupted into civil war, as the country split along ethnic lines. A 2015 peace agreement and a transitional government formed in early 2016 failed to end the violence.

The fighting that continues today has led to a collapsing economy, food insecurity, hunger, malnutrition, and imposed unimaginable violence on South Sudanese. Today, some six million people  more than half the countrys population  live with extreme food insecurity. Four million have been displaced, the majority of them children. And around 300,000 people, the vast majority of them civilians, have been killed.

The birth of South Sudan in 2011 was marked by hope for a peaceful and prosperous future, said State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert. We deeply regret that the second chance made possible by the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity in April 2016 was squandered. Following the collapse of the permanent ceasefire in July 2016, the armed conflict expanded across the country and the parties to the conflict remain unwilling to return to the negotiating table, she said.

The United States remains deeply committed to a stable and inclusive South Sudan, and stresses once again that there is no military solution to this conflict. On this day meant to celebrate South Sudans creation, we call upon South Sudans leaders and all parties to end this self-destructive violence, to return to political dialogue, and to help South Sudan realize its full potential.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 16

By Fatih Karimov Trend:

A US dual national was sentenced to 10 years in prison for spying, Iranian Judiciary spokesman, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, said July 16, the state-run IRINN TV reported.

Without unveiling the persons name, Mohseni-Eje'i said that the detainee is a citizen of the United States and a country other than Iran.

This person, who was directly guided by the US, was entered the country under special conditions, he said, adding that he was arrested due to the vigilance of Iranian intelligence ministry forces.

The Iranian official further said that the issued sentence is tentative and can be appealed for a review.

Several Iranian dual nationals from the US and other Western countries have been arrested in Iran in the past years on charges of espionage and collaborating with the hostile governments.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 16

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

At least three people were killed in an armed clash between the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and a terrorist team in Irans south eastern border region with Pakistan on July 15 evening.

The terrorist team, affiliated with foreign spying services, opened fire at the Iranian borders in south eastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan near Saravan city from Pakistan's territory, the website of the IRGC reported.

Two local Iranian workers were killed by terrorists fire, according to the report.

In the counterattack by the IRGC forces, one of the terrorists was killed and two others were injured.

Meanwhile two terrorists escaped back to Pakistan after the attack, the IRGC said.

Sistan and Baluchestan Province has witnessed frequent clashes between Iranian forces and rebels as well as drug smugglers in recent years.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 16



By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:



Iranian government plans to boost its investment in agricultural mechanization over the current fiscal year ending March 20, an agricultural official said.



Kambiz Abbasi, an official within the Agriculture Ministry, has said that the government is expected to put about $450 million in investment for the expansion of agricultural machinery, ILNA news agency reported.



According to the official, the figure has increased by 25 percent compared to the last years budget.



He further added that the government over the past four years has allocated about $1.6 billion to the agricultural mechanization in the country.



The majority of agricultural machinery is produced domestically and only five percent if imported to Iran, he added.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 16

By Fatih Karimov Trend:

The Iranian parliament approved general outlines of a bill to reduce death penalty for drug offences in the country.

The bill was approved on July 16 by 182 MPS votes in favor of it, 36 against and 6 abstained, Irans ISNA news agency reported.

The bill, which is under study in parliament for more than one year, will save at least 5,000 prisoners pending for execution once approved.

Under the new bill, those convicted of producing or distributing more than 100 kilograms of opium or two kilograms of industrial narcotics will face death penalty.

Under the current law, smuggling of 30 grams of industrial drugs and also 20 kilograms of opium is punishable by death.

According to Amnesty International, Iran carried out 567 executions in 2016, standing among the top five executioner countries in the world.
A bus with a children's dance troupe from Georgia crashed in the northeastern Turkish province of Giresun, leaving 38 people injured, Sputnik reported citing local media.

The bus went off the road and crashed into a lighting pole after a tire failure, the Hurriyet newspaper reported.

The bus was traveling from Georgia to Bulgaria via Turkey.

Those injured, most of these children, have been sent to nearby hospitals. An investigation into the incident has been launched, according to the publication.
A group of 153 Syrian militants have laid down their arms, deciding to use the program of national reconciliation to gain amnesty and return to civilian life, an informed source in the Homs province told Sputnik Sunday.

"A total of 153 people from the vicinity of Homs laid down their arms and received an amnesty through the 'program of national reconciliation,'" the source said.

The Syrian Ministry for National Reconciliation Affairs negotiates through intermediaries with Syrian citizens fighting on the side of illegal armed formations within the framework of the state program.

As part of the program, the country's leadership offered Syrian citizens to surrender their weapons and undergo a rehabilitation process to return to peaceful life, having received an amnesty in accordance with the decree of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The most notable example of the program's success happened in the city of Homs in 2014, when about 1,500 militants, who had captured the center of the city, laid down their arms.
Israel categorically opposes the ceasefire agreement in southern Syria reached by Moscow and Washington as it will give an opportunity for Iran to expand its presence in the region, Israels Haaretz newspaper said on Sunday citing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, TASS reported.

According to the newspaper, the prime minister told this to French President Emmanuel Macron at their meeting in Paris earlier in the day.

Apart from that, the newspaper cited a senior Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity as saying that Israel is aware of Irans plans to expand its military presence in Syria. According to the Israeli authorities, Iran plans to deploy an airbase and a naval base in Syria and send its military advisers and a military contingent to that country. "This already changes the picture in the region from what it has been up to now," the official was quoted as saying.

A ceasefire agreement for southern Syria was reached by Russian and US Presidents, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, at their meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Twenty summit in Germanys Hamburg on July 7.

Earlier, Netanyahu said Israel would hail real cessation of hostilities in Syria.
Ankara, Turkey, July 16

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkey has repeatedly faced military coups, head of the Turkish Red Crescent Society Kerem Kinik told reporters in Ankara.

He said that Turkish people at their own will and at the call of the countrys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, were in the streets to protect the country and democracy during the military coup attempt.

The main task of the Turkish Red Crescent Society is to render support to the injured, Kinik said.

"On the day of the military coup attempt, a number of Turkish Red Crescent Societys employees were also killed," he said.

He added that terrorists, who were hiding in the army and, of course, they were members of the Fethullah Gulen movement, rather than the military, were behind the military coup attempt in Turkey.

On July 15, 2016, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country as a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them. However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed. More than 200 people were killed during the attempted coup.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed Saturday not to allow the defeated coup be forgotten, as millions converged at Istanbuls iconic bridge to mark its first anniversary, Anadolu reported.

Turkey could face new coup attempts if it does not learn from the July 15 coup attempt, Erdogan said in an address to the massive crowd.

"We will not forget, [and] will not let it be forgotten. If we do not learn the lessons from July 15, new July 15s would be inevitable," he said.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader, Fetullah Gulen, are accused of orchestrating the attempted overthrow that left 249 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara has also said FETO is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

The commemoration ceremony began at the July 15 Martyrs' Bridge with the national anthem, followed by a recitation of the Holy Quran.

The names of the martyrs were read aloud and their pictures were displayed on large screens erected at the venue.

Erdogan said the bridge was the scene of the bloodiest and fiercest resistance in which 36 souls were martyred. He thanked the nation for resisting the coup plotters.

But Erdogan also lambasted main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) head Kemal Kilicdaroglu for his "controlled coup" remarks, saying Kilicdaroglu insulted martyrs and veterans of the defeated coup.

"It is disrespect [and] insult to 250 martyrs, disrespect [and] insult to 2,193 veterans; it is disrespect [and] insult to this nation," Erdogan said.

Kilicdaroglu has repeatedly claimed the government had advance knowledge of the coup plot but did nothing to prevent it.

In the wake of the failed overthrow bid, tens of thousands of FETO suspects have been arrested, including many in the armed forces, police, judicial system, education and business sectors.

Later in the ceremony Saturday, Erdogan unveiled the Monument of Martyrs near the July 15 Martyrs' Bridge to honor those who lost their lives resisting the putsch.

Erdogan also suggested suspects in FETO probes might wear uniforms when they appear before a judge.

These are the good days of the FETO members. Recently we talked with Mr. Prime Minister. They should wear uniforms like they do at the Guantanamo [prison] while going to court.

His remarks follow the appearance before a judge of a FETO suspect -- who was part of the group that tried to assassinate Erdogan the night of the coup -- in a t-shirt with the word Hero in English, that caused a public outcry.

Earlier, having gathered in Beylerbeyi, Cengelkoy, Altunizade and Kisikli districts of the Asian side of the city, demonstrators marched to the bridge amid tight security.

The bridge was closed by coup plotters on the night of the attempt.

Erdogan is scheduled to address parliament at 2.32 a.m. (2332GMT), the exact time the building was bombed on the night of the coup attempt.

Sunday's program will begin with a morning prayer at Ankara's Bestepe Millet Mosque, followed by the opening of the July 15 Martyrs' Monument at the presidential complex.




elon musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Saturday that there was "no way" he could have stayed on the White House advisory councils after President Donald Trump announced in June he would pull the US out of the landmark Paris climate agreement.

Musk's comments came as he was speaking to US governors this weekend. When he was asked about the time he spent on Trump's economic advisory council and the Manufacturing Jobs Initiative, Musk told Axios, "I got a lot of flack from multiple fronts for even trying. Some guy rented billboards attacking me and full-page ads in the NY Times and what not ... just for being on the panel."

"Am departing presidential councils," Musk tweeted after Trump made the announcement. "Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world."

On Saturday, Musk said he had pushed for environmental sustainability and tried to touch on other issues like immigration, advocating that immigration laws should not be "unkind or unreasonable."

He added that "it was worth" trying to work with President Donald Trump on some issues. "I did my best, and I think in a few cases I did make some progress."

But he said staying on at the White House after Trump pulled out of the climate deal would have meant he didn't see it as a significant step backwards.

"If I stayed on the councils it would be saying that wasn't important, but I think it's super important," Musk said. "The country needs to keep its word. There's just no way I could stay on after that."

Related:

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available on iOS and Android.

NOW WATCH: ABC calls out Kellyanne Conway over Trump Jr.'s meeting with a Russian lawyer after previously denying any contact with Russians





More From Business Insider
subsys

Here's a piece of the story of how the opioid crisis came to be  of how dangerous, addictive painkillers seemed to suddenly rip through our country like a flash fire.

This slice is being told by Anthem Insurance  you may recognize them as Blue Cross, one of the largest insurers in the country.

It's suing Insys Therapeutics, the maker of powerful opioid Subsys, for allegedly lying, cheating and defrauding its way into the medicine cabinets of Anthem clients across the country.

According to Anthem's complaint, 54% of its patients who are taking Subsys don't really have cancer  one of the requirements for taking the drug. Anthem says that's because Insys devised an elaborate scheme to get around Anthem's system  allegedly falsifying records and posing as medical professionals.

Anthem says that it ultimately had to pay $19 million more for Subsys than it should have. "But the harm inflicted by Insyss conduct is not merely financial in nature," it argued in its complaint. "Insys put Anthems members health at risk."

Insys Therapeutics did not respond to a request for comment on Anthem's suit.

The scam unit

The only people who are supposed to be taking Subsys are adult cancer patients. Anything other than that is an "off label" indication. Now you can take a drug to treat something off label if you want to, but you have to get your doctor to get passed a prior authorization.

Anthem alleges that Insys has an entire unit to get around this  the "reimbursement unit." Investigative journalist Roddy Boyd, of the Southern Investigative Reporting Foundation, reported on it back in 2015.

The claim is that this unit was basically the company's scam factory. It helped participating doctors process claims (the doctors had so many they couldn't handle them all). It falsified records to show patients had cancer. It called insurers, pretending to be patients or other medical professionals, to convince them to pay for off-label treatment.

Story continues

There was a script (from the Anthem suit):

The spiel read: "The physician is aware that the medication is intended for the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients. The physician is treating the patient for their pain (or breakthrough pain, whichever is applicable)." 69. The script deliberately omitted the word "cancer."

insys chart

Back in December a bunch of Insys execs, including former CEO Michael Babich, were charged with conspiracy. Since then a number of sales reps and medical practitioners have pleaded guilty to charges that they gave or accepted kickbacks. The manager of reimbursement services, Elizabeth Gurrieri, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in June.

To get doctors to prescribe Subsys, Insys spent millions paying off doctors through a sham "speakers program" meant to educate medical professionals about the drug.

"While the exact amount of those kickbacks has yet to be determined, criminal indictments of the recipients indicate that Insys paid "speaker fees" of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars," said the complaint.

Two Alabama doctors picked up over $115,000 in speaker fees from 2012 to 2015. Earlier this year they were sentenced to 20 years in jail each for running a "pill mill" and helping Insys sales rep Natalie Reed Perhacs sell Subsys. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy in February.

More on her story from the Anthem complaint:

In the plea, Perhacs admitted that she was hired to be the personal sales representative for one of Insyss most important prescribers, Dr. Xiulu Ruan.

78. Perhacs admitted that her primary responsibility at Insys was to increase the volume of Subsys prescribed by Dr. Ruan, and his partner Dr. John Patrick Couch. This... was accomplished by (1) handling prior authorizations for their patients who had been prescribed Subsys; (2) identifying patients who had been at the same strength of Subsys for several months and recommending that Dr. Ruan or Dr. Couch increase the patients prescription strength; and (3) setting up and attending paid speaker programs.

79. Perhacs admitted that because of her involvement in the prior authorization process, she knew that the vast majority of Dr. Ruan and Dr. Couchs patients did not have breakthrough cancer pain.

You can read the rest in the full complaint below:

Anthem lawsuit against Insys by Linette Lopez on Scribd

NOW WATCH: The inventor of Roomba has created a weed-slashing robot for your garden





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Bunuel wrote:

A carpenter constructed a rectangular sandbox with a capacity of 10 cubic feet. If the carpenter were to make a similar sandbox twice as long, twice as wide, and twice as high as the first sandbox, what would be the capacity, in cubic feet, of the second sandbox?



(A) 20

(B) 40

(C) 60

(D) 80

(E) 100

We are given a rectangular sandbox with a given capacity, which is the volume of the sandbox.Therefore, we know that the volume of the sandbox is: (L)(W)(H) = 10 cubic feetWe then are told that the carpenter doubles the length, the width, and the height. We can represent this doubling as (2L)(2W)(2H). Thus(2L)(2W)(2H) = (2)(2)(2)(L)(W)(H) = (2)(2)(2)(10) = 80 cubic feetAnswer D._________________
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
China has asked the countrys three top internet providers to prevent cell phone users from getting access to online material that it does not control.

Reports say the telecommunications companies China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom have been told about the policy. The goal appears to be to keep the companies from permitting access to content not approved by the government.

This month, the Chinese government reportedly shut down a popular virtual private network service, Green VPN.

Virtual private networks, or VPNs, permit users to send secure information over an open internet connection. They are popular ways for internet users in China to get access to internet content outside of China.

The move was seen as part of a government campaign to license only companies that it trusted.

However, Chinas Ministry of Information has denied that it licensed the company, Chuanglian VPN, to sell its services.

It went on to note that, The company involved has never received a telecommunications business license from either the Ministry of Information Industry or the Ministry of Communications.

Efforts to control internet growing?

In January, China increased efforts to control the internet by banning unauthorized internet connections. Such connections can include those provided by VPNs. Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said the government has set a goal of doing this by the end of March according to the state-run Global Times.

Many Chinese internet users are able to use software and services to avoid Chinese government censorship of online material.

One blogger, known as Zola, who is a free-speech activist said it is not clear if all VPN activity will be banned from the beginning of February. Zola said the government could do this, but it would be costly to carry out such a ban.

If the authorities really want to shut down all VPNs, so that only protocol ports it trusted were able to get online, and all the others were blockedthis would be very difficult, and it would cost a lot of money, he said.

Zola doubted that the government would want to harm the economy by closing down VPNs completely.

Another internet user, who did not want to be named, said, It seems as if everythings going to get a whole lot stricter from Feb. 1 next year. The user added, This will affect our ability to visit overseas websites, because right now they can only be viewed with VPN.

Im Mario Ritter.

Ding Wenqi reported this story for Radio Free Asia. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

access v. to be able to get or use something

licensed adj. to have official permission to do something

unauthorized adj. not permitted by a group or government

censorship n. to block or remove material such as writings, film, videos which are not approved by the government

protocol n. the set of rules for sending information over the internet

ports n. entry points for sending information over the internet

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
Computer programs called apps are helping people avoid violence in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro has an average of 15 gun battles every day. Innocent people often get caught up in the shootings.

One of the latest security apps is called OTT. That is short for Onde Tem Tiroteio, which means Where There is a Shootout in Portuguese.

The app collects reports of shootings and sends the information to its users through social media services, such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Telegram and Zello.

Henrique Coelho Caamano provides technical support for OTT. He told the Reuters news agency, I keep saying, I dont want a million likes. I only want to save lives.

His group says its news alerts reach nearly 3 million people. That number represents almost half the population of Rio de Janeiro.

Our job is not to arrest anyone, Caamano said. We dont have a direct link to the police and drug traffickers, or whatever. Our aim is to help people avoid crossing paths with lost bullets.

Violent crime in the city rose by 11 percent in the first half of 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. More than 2,300 people were killed in the first five months of this year.

Another app that informs users of gun violence is called Crossfire, or Fogo Cruzado in Portuguese. The app was created just before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Its developers received financial support from the rights group Amnesty International.

Shootings take place on a daily basis, says Cecilia Oliveira, the data manager for the app. Not a day goes by without the peace police unit recording gunfire or a shooting in some area.

Oliveira said that people provide information about street violence through social media.

Sometimes theyll tell us: I walked through a shootout just now, and sometimes they tell us: Its calmed down, she said. We have that rapport from people. The number of app users grows every day.

The app provides users with details about shootouts, such as the location, the number of people shot and other information. Since Rio de Janeiro does not keep an official list of shootings, the app helps provide unrecorded gun violence statistics.

Im Mario Ritter.

And Im Olivia Liu.

Olivia Liu adapted this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

rapport  n. to have good relations with someone

statistics  n. numbers that represent information about people or activities

location  n. a position or place

alert  n. a message or loud sound that warns people of some danger or problem

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Person-centred activities combined with just one hour a week of social interaction can improve quality of life and reduce agitation for people with dementia living in care homes, while saving money.

These are the findings from a large-scale trial led by the University of Exeter, King's College London and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. These results were presented today (July 16) at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2017 (AAIC). The research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

The trial involved more than 800 people with dementia across 69 care homes in South London, North London and Buckinghamshire. Two 'care staff champions' at each home were trained over four day-long sessions, to take simple measures that such as involve talking to residents about their interests and decisions around their own care. When combined with just one hour a week of social interaction, it improved quality of life and reduced agitation.

Importantly, the approach also saved money compared to standard care. Researchers say the next key challenge is to roll the programme to the 28,000 care homes in the UK to benefit the lives of the 300,000 people with dementia living in these facilities.

Professor Clive Ballard, of the University of Exeter Medical School, who led the research, said: "People with dementia who are living in care homes are among the most vulnerable in our society. Incredibly, of 170 carer training manuals available on the market, only four are based on evidence that they really work. Our outcomes show that good staff training and just one hour a week of social interaction significantly improves quality of life for a group of people who can often be forgotten by society."

Dr Jane Fossey from the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Taking a person-centred approach is about really getting to know the resident as an individualknowing their interests and talking with them while you provide all aspects of care. It can make a massive difference to the person themselves and their carers. We've shown that this approach significantly improves lives, reduces agitation and actually saves money too. This training must now be rolled out nationwide so other people can benefit."

Doug Brown, Director of Research for Alzheimer's Society, said:

"70% of people living in care homes have dementia, so it is vital that staff have the right training to provide good quality dementia care.

"We know that a person-centred approach that takes each individual's unique qualities, abilities, interests, preferences and needs into account can improve care. This study shows that training to provide this type of individualised care, along with activities and social interactions, has a significant impact on the well-being of people living with dementia in care homes. It also shows that effective care can reduce costs, which the stretched social care system desperately needs.

"Alzheimer's Society is committed to improving dementia care through research. We want to see interventions like this put into practice, and will continue to fund further research to improve the quality of life for people with dementia in their own homes, care homes and hospitals. But investment in research alone cannot rescue the broken system. The government must use the consultation on social care reform to deliver a long-term solution that addresses the desperate funding crisis in our current system and shares the cost of care across society."

The results are the findings of the Improving Wellbeing and Health for People with Dementia (WHELD) trial, the largest non-pharmacological randomised control trial in people with dementia living in care homes to date.
Biden to warn Chinas Xi that North Korea path could lead to increase in US military presence

US Treasury chief: India can buy as much Russian oil as it wants

Newspaper: Armenia authorities trying to find legal grounds for signing peace treaty

Newspaper: People of Karabakh not going to tolerate final destruction of their army

Texas woman sentenced to death for killing pregnant woman, removing fetus from victim

Van Gogh's painting sold for a record $117 million

Gentiloni: EU countries have accumulated enough gas to get through the coming winter

Several dozen activists detained at protest rally in Baku: They chant slogans 'Freedom!', 'Resign!'

Princess Haya seeks asylum in Wales

Pashinyan: Iran is concerned about the presence of other actors in our region, which are not in the territory of Armenia

Pashinyan: Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan listened to presented proposals

Volvo reveals its flagship EX90 electric crossover

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Pashinyan: Russia cannot withdraw from Karabakh unless it creates additional guarantees for peacekeeping mission

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Russia bans entry of Biden's family and White House press secretary

Pashinyan: We believe there should be a dialogue between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh

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19 countries that use euro currency will slide into recession over winter

Pashinyan to Baku: If 1991 border is mutually recognized, what are your troops doing near Jermuk?

Pashinyan: If the Karabakh issue is solved, why is Azerbaijani Armed Forces shooting at Karabakh residents?

Pashinyan: Russia should say whether their version of peace settlement is still circulating?

Pashinyan: Maybe Azerbaijan doesn't want Armenia to receive revenues?

Pashinyan: Azerbaijan must withdraw its troops from Armenia

Pashinyan: My yesterday's speech served its purpose, Azerbaijani MFA no longer uses 'corridor' term

Microsoft founder Paul Allen's collection of world masterpieces sold for $1.6 billion

Public TV of Armenia hosts Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan

China shows drone killer

Armenian FM meets his French counterpart

Rishi Sunak decides to close hole in British budget through austerity

Delegation of Russian MPs visits Jermuk resort town

Lavrov and Mirzoyan discuss regional agenda

Harut Sasunyan: The best way to achieve peace is to be prepared for war

Turkish prosecutor demands court to ban Istanbul mayor from political activities

German business leaders warn against leaving China

Sasunyan: Russia and US pursue their own interests in South Caucasus

British economy shrinks in three months, foretelling prolonged recession

Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan summoned to Foreign Ministry

Euro rises above dollar for first time in long time

Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister calls Council of Turkic States 'forum of peace' and praises Turkey

EU embargo on Russian oil will be a boon for OPEC

Armenia defense minister receives China ambassador, military attache

Lemkin Institute condemns Azerbaijan president's genocidal rhetoric

Dollar goes up, euro rises sharply in Armenia

U.S. warns Europe that conflict over Taiwan will cause massive global economic shock

EU calls on Armenia, Azerbaijan to moderate their rhetoric

Erdogan says Turkey has been waiting at door of EU for 52 years and will give answer when time comes

U.S. fears that European support for Ukrainian strategy will begin to weaken

Armenia, Iran emphasize need to quickly implement agreements reached (PHOTOS)

Armenia soldier wounded by Azerbaijan shooting undergoes surgery

Gas over morality: Hungary guards Azerbaijan's interests

U.S. quietly seeks concessions from Saudi Arabia after Mohammed bin Salman humiliated Biden

Italy's Ambassador to Armenia visits Gyumri

Russian Armed Forces complete redeployment of grouping from right bank of Dnieper

IRGC: Adversaries are frightened and on alert

Armenia appoints ambassador to Sri Lanka

Kremlin doesn't consider leaving Kherson 'humiliating'

Israeli president thinks the world is concerned about Netanyahu's far-right coalition partner

Chinese MFA: China is not distancing itself from Russia, as Biden believes

Ukraine will seek help from its foreign partners in financing Starlink satellite internet systems

Erdogan: Situation in South Caucasus remains fragile

Marukyan: Azerbaijans Aliyev admitted that his country started 2nd Karabakh war, despite previously insisting opposite

Azerbaijan blackmailing Armenia through Lachin corridor

Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus becomes observer in Organization of Turkic States

Armenia PM: In his latest speech Aliyev flagrantly violated agreement on refraining from threat or use of force

World Bank official: Armenia is one of best countries in terms of credit portfolio performance

Azerbaijan president makes repeated accusations, threats against Armenia

Iran citizens injured in Armenia road accident

China reveals new giant drone that could point to the future of air warfare

US embassy in Armenia closed today

Karabakh MOD: Defense Army did not fire at Azerbaijan positions located in occupied territories

Israel and U.S. counter threat of hypersonic missiles together

U.S. and EU plan to publish new roadmap on artificial intelligence

Armenia ombudsperson meets with Belgium colleagues

Newspaper: Armenia parliament opposition seats to no longer be empty

Newspaper: Armenia parliament committee of inquiry into 2020 war circumstances is inactive

U.S. will no longer consider Russia a country with a market economy

US intends to protect Azerbaijan from threats of Iran

Aliyev, Erdogan discuss results of tripartite meeting in Russias Sochi

Azerbaijan army fires at Armenia positions, uses mortars as well
The complete opening of the Transcaucasian Highway (from Georgia to Russia via South Ossetia) can be tried by Armenian cargo trucks.

Ossetian logistic operator, General Director of TIS Logistic Center (Vladikavkaz) Vakhtang Jigkayev told the aforementioned to Armenian News  NEWS.am.

The opening of the southern section of Transkam (from Gori to Tskhinvali) can first and foremost contribute to the business activity in Northern Ossetia (currently, Republic of Alania), he said.

Two consecutive conferences on transport corridors Russia-Iran and Russia-Turkey were held in Vladikavkaz in 2014-2015. The Iranian representatives then confirmed the wish to increase the car transit by ten times. But they noted that this requires facilitating the customs procedures and traffic capacity of Upper Lars (Georgian Military Road) customs check point. But, unfortunately, its general condition, route and quality of tunnels don't allow to significantly increase the transit. The road demands very serious investments, mainly from the Georgian side, which is not supposed in the long run, Jigkayev noted.

In this situation, the opening of a parallel road by Transkam (Military Ossetian Road) seems to be very promising, and not only due to transit payments, but also because of the prospects for opening logistic complexes and building national industry of transportations, as well as creating a service complex (road, technical, legal) for the given transit. According to Jigkayev, all this can seriously contribute to the business activity.

''We have no oil and gas but by a twist of fate the Ossetians ''straddled'' two main roads via Greater Caucasus: the Georgian Military and Ossetian Military roads. This is the shortest motor road from Russia to Transcaucasia, Turkey, Iran...Definitely, we have a chance to become part of the North-South geo-economic highway,'' the businessman noted.

But, in his words, the devil is, as always, in the detail, the greatest problem being the insurance of the legal framework of the transit. Many good ideas have come to nothing due to this issue, he added.

The overcoming of the legal collision with the status of South Ossetia requires intensive consultations. If Georgia completely leaves out South Ossetia from the process, nothing will, of course, come out of this. And conversely, if South Ossetia wants to be a fully sovereign state in this process, common language will not be found either, the Ossetian operator noted.

Issues remain even if instead of customs officers the cargo is checked by neutral Swiss inspection company SGS at the border.

''Ok, SGS will make marks on the cargo... But what about the customs in the territory of South Ossetia? What about the payments? Can our cars take part in the transit? Can the cars in South Ossetian warehouses be overloaded for cargo consolidation? What marks will be put on the documents? A bunch of questions, which demand work... What can be done in this situation? I would offer to try a certain test regime. For instance, start with the transit of Armenian cargo trucks: it is no secret that this is the most painful issue...Let's think about a regime, which will allow the Armenian trucks move by the territory of South Ossetia. Let's test it, smooth out all the rough edges and then this experience can be extrapolated to all the rest,'' the entrepreneur said.

During the talks held in Prague on July 10, Russian and Georgia representatives agreed on the launch of implementing the Agreement on Trade Corridors.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk responds to a question by Nevada Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval during the closing plenary session entitled "Introducing the New Chairs Initiative - Ahead" on the third day of the National Governors Association's meeting Saturday, July 15, 2017, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk warned a bipartisan gathering of U.S. governors on Saturday that government regulation of artificial intelligence is needed because it's a "fundamental risk to the existence of human civilization."

But first, he asked for some governors to lift a different kind of regulation: state franchise dealership laws that ban the direct sale of his company's electric cars to consumers.

Musk spoke broadly about solar energy, space travel, self-driving cars and other emerging technology during a question-and-answer session at the summer conference of the National Governors Association in Rhode Island.

He also met privately with some governors, including Louisiana Democrat John Bel Edwards, who recently signed a law that Musk's Palo Alto, California-based company says blocks it from selling cars there.

Edwards said Tesla asked for the one-on-one meeting with Musk, which was short.

"I just asked him to come down to Louisiana and sit down with us, sit down with the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association and work out some sort of a compromise, which they have successfully done in other states," Edwards said.

Allowing manufacturer-to-consumer sales also came up in meetings between Musk and two other governorsthe conference's host, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, and Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Representatives for the two Democrats confirmed they had private meetings with Musk and the topic came up.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk addresses the closing plenary session entitled "Introducing the New Chairs Initiative - Ahead" on the third day of the National Governors Association's meeting Saturday, July 15, 2017, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

Musk didn't address such rules in his public remarks, but he did speak about regulation generallyand reiterated his long-held argument that it is needed soon to protect humanity from being outsmarted by computers, or "deep intelligence in the network" that can start wars by manipulating information.

Pressed for more specific guidance by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, Musk said the first step is for government to get a better understanding of the fast-moving achievements in developing artificial intelligence technology.

"Once there is awareness, people will be extremely afraid, as they should be," Musk said.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk responds to a question by Nevada Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval during the closing plenary session entitled "Introducing the New Chairs Initiative - Ahead" on the third day of the National Governors Association's meeting Saturday, July 15, 2017, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

Nevada Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval takes off his tie as he tells Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk he planned to take it off when Musk was introduced during the closing plenary session entitled "Introducing the New Chairs Initiative - Ahead" on the third day of the National Governors Association's meeting Saturday, July 15, 2017, in Providence, R.I. Musk, in a suit, is not wearing a tie. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk responds to a question by Nevada Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval during the closing plenary session entitled "Introducing the New Chairs Initiative - Ahead" on the third day of the National Governors Association's meeting Saturday, July 15, 2017, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) - Even if Austria's far-right party fails to enter government after Oct. 15 elections, its views on immigration already have. The anti-Islam Freedom Party's (FPO) popularity reached new heights during Europe's migration crisis in 2015 when it denounced the centrist government's decision to throw open Austria's borders to hundreds of thousands of refugees and other migrants. It ran first in opinion polls for more than a year, with support of more than 30 percent, and its candidate came close to winning last year's presidential election. Now the party has slipped to second or third while the Social Democrats and conservative People's Party (OVP) - the two parties in government, which have dominated post-war politics - have moved towards the far right's positions. Most of the migrants and refugees carried on to Germany in 2015 but 90,000, or more than 1 percent of Austria's population, stayed and sought asylum. The two centrist parties have since promised to make sure this never happens again. "Both government parties are something like FPO light," political analyst Anton Pelinka said. "They are not exactly the same as the FPO but the crossover has become very fluid." A spat with Italy on July 4 about control of their shared border has highlighted the shift. In the past month Italy has asked other EU countries to help it cope with a surge in the number of migrants reaching its Mediterranean shores from Africa. Concerned about another influx, Austrian Defence Minister Hans Peter Doskozil said he was preparing to take action if they headed towards Austria. In an interview with Austria's top-selling tabloid, he said he expected border controls at the Brenner Pass, a gateway for Italy to northern Europe, "very soon". The article added that 750 soldiers and four armoured vehicles were available to secure the border if needed. [nL8N1JV2GS] Italy reacted furiously, summoning Austria's ambassador to Rome before Doskozil and Chancellor Christian Kern, both Social Democrats, backed away from the comments. But the remarks are the latest example of how Austria's two centrist parties are trying to beat the far right at its own game. "The Social Democrats and the OVP are in a kind of race to see who can take issues away from the Freedom Party," Pelinka said. "They are hurting the Freedom Party with this. Precisely because of this, it has fallen in the polls." "PARALLEL SOCIETIES" The OVP and its 30-year-old leader, Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, have taken the lead in opinion polls. Kurz has focused on immigration and integration since taking over as party leader in May, calling for migrants rescued in the Mediterranean to be taken to Africa rather than Europe. His positions and language are sometimes so close to the FPO's that the far right party has accused him of plagiarism. When Kurz said last month that he wanted to do away with Muslim kindergartens, which he and the FPO describe as breeding grounds for "parallel societies" at odds with the rest of Austria, the FPO said it had been making the same demand for years, and Kurz lacked the "will and courage" to carry it out. Chancellor Kern's Social Democrats (SPO) have opposed Kurz on that issue, but Kern put forward a plan on Wednesday to "take back control of migration" and cut arrivals from Africa sharply by 2020. He also oversaw a law-and-order drive this year that included a ban on Muslim face-covering veils. Kern's emphasis has, however, been more on employment and the economy. He has pushed for measures that would favour local workers over foreign rivals, including a tax break for firms that fill newly created posts with people registered as unemployed in Austria. While Kern's approach is more targeted than the sort of national preference the far right calls for, it is testing the limits of freedom of movement under European Union law, and the measure has yet to be approved by Brussels. GOING MAINSTREAM Even though some stigma around the FPO itself remains, it has found new acceptance within the political establishment. The centre-left SPO has opened the door to forming a national coalition with the far right, lifting a self-imposed ban of 30 years. [nL8N1JB4JW] [nL8N1JI19G] Parties rarely obtain a majority in Austria's proportional electoral system, and almost always need a coalition partner to form a government. The SPO and OVP have governed together for most of the past 70 years but they are now at loggerheads, making them less likely to join forces again. "The (FPO's) chances of joining the government as a junior partner are the highest they've been in more than 10 years, but the chances of coming first and securing the chancellor's job are very, very slim," political analyst Thomas Hofer said. "For months now the party has seen its ideas implemented and now they face a dilemma because if they go further and become more extreme they could lose voters." With parties like the FPO having made electoral gains across Europe, the diplomatic fallout from it entering government is likely to be more limited than in 2000, when its alliance with the OVP prompted the European Union to impose sanctions. And there is no sign that Austrian foreign policy, towards Italy or other neighbours, will become any less assertive. "There are now strong populist parties in France, Germany, the Netherlands," a senior SPO official said on condition of anonymity. "It's no longer a phenomenon that only affects Austria. We can deal with them more confidently." (Editing by Anna Willard)
A US journalist kidnapped last week by a militia group in DR Congo was found safe early Sunday, officials said, as another source said five people had been killed in clashes. Lisa Dupuy and 11 wardens working for the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (RFO) -- a vast conservation park in northeastern DR Congo -- were abducted on Friday by the Mai-Mai Simba militia group. "The American journalist .. was found safe and sound at around 3 am on Sunday" by government troops, Pacifique Keta, vice governor of Ituri province, told AFP. "The outcome of the military operation has not yet been established, because the army is still at work," Keta said. In Washington, a US State Department official said: "We are aware of reports that the US citizen reported kidnapped in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been found safe. "The US Department of State has no higher priority than the protection of US citizens overseas," the official added, citing privacy concerns in giving no further comment. A senior official with the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the journalist was safe. "However, four of our wardens and a civilian who was working as a tracker were killed in clashes," the official said. "The army also killed bandits, but I don't know how many." A former Belgian colony, the DR Congo is a vast country rich in minerals and timber but wracked by decades of war and poverty. The east of the country is especially troubled. It has been gripped by more than 20 years of armed conflict among domestic and foreign groups, fuelled by struggle for control of lucrative resources as well as ethnic and property disputes. - 'Serious crime' - The Mai-Mai Simba are self-described "self-defence" militia groups drawn from the Nande, Hunde and Kobo communities as well as rivals from the Nyaturu, who represent ethnic Hutus. Many of these groups were armed during the DR Congo's second civil war -- a conflict that ran from 1998-2003 -- to fight incursion by Rwandan or Ugandan combatants, and have never been disarmed. The RFO, a World Heritage site, covers nearly 14,000 square kilometres (5,400 square miles), protecting much of the Ituri forest near the borders with South Sudan and Uganda. The park is notably home to the okapi, an endangered zebra-like species that is a cousin of the giraffe. Some 5,000 okapis live here, a sixth of the total population of 30,000 estimated to be in the wild. The reserve has 101 recorded mammal species, 376 types of bird as well as the Ituri and Epulu waterfalls. Divided into specified two zones, the first covering 2,820 square kilometres is where hunting is entirely banned while in the second covering 9,500 sq km only hunting by traditional methods is allowed. On June 24, 2012, the Mai-Mai Simba were accused of having killed 15 okapis which had lived on the reserve since 1987, an incident which was considered a "serious crime". The reserve protects 20 percent of the Ituri forest. It is also home to the Mbutu and Efe pygmies, hunter-gatherers who are "among the last true 'forest people' on Earth," according to the Okapi Conservation Project website.
A Lithuanian court on Friday sentenced a Russian security official to 10 years in prison for spying after prosecutors accused him of attempting to bug the president's home. The ruling could further heighten tensions between the NATO member and Moscow after relations hit their lowest level in recent years over Russian intervention in Ukraine. Judge Regina Pociene said the handcuffed Nikolai Filipchenko "worked for the Russian federal security service (FSB) whose activities include intelligence outside of the Russian Federation." She added that the 40-year-old used forged documents to conceal his real identity and had repeatedly crossed the border illegally. Last year, prosecutors said he attempted to recruit security officials "in an attempt to install special listening devices" to bug President Dalia Grybauskaite at her home and office. Filipchenko's lawyer Galina Kardanovskaja told reporters he "disagrees with the charges" but it was "too early to say" if he would appeal the verdict. She added that Russian diplomats were providing her client with some money and literature. Lithuanian authorities arrested Filipchenko in April 2015 on his way to Belarus on a train from the Kaliningrad region, Russia's westernmost outpost bordering Lithuania and Poland. The verdict came a day after US President Donald Trump accused Russia of "destabilising" action in Ukraine and endorsed NATO's mutual defence pact during a keynote speech in neighbouring Poland. NATO is deploying about 1,000 soldiers in each of the Baltic states and Poland in response to growing nervousness over Russian intentions. The Kremlin has denied any territorial ambitions and claims that NATO is trying to encircle Russia. Filipchenko is the second Russian citizen sentenced this year in Lithuania for espionage. In 2015, Russian courts sentenced two Lithuanian nationals for spying on Moscow.
The abrupt departure of American officials from an Australian Pacific island refugee camp has fanned fears among asylum-seekers that plans to resettle them in the US may not go ahead, an activist group said Sunday. Canberra sends asylum-seekers who try to enter Australia by boat to camps on Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, but the conditions there have been criticised by refugee advocates and medical professionals. The Australian government struck a deal with Washington under former president Barack Obama to resettle some of those refugees in the US. But doubts over the arrangement have persisted after President Donald Trump this year reportedly lambasted his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull during a phone call and attacked it as a "dumb deal", before agreeing to go ahead with the proposal. US Department of Homeland Security officials had been assessing the asylum-seekers at Nauru as part of the arrangement when they abruptly left the island on Friday and Saturday, Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said, days after the US passed its annual 50,000-refugee intake cap. "They've (the DHS officials) given the people on Nauru no indication that they are coming back," Rintoul told AFP. About 200 refugees on Nauru have undergone interviews and medical check-ups, while on Manus, some 70 had been through a similar process, Rintoul said. "People are becoming increasingly doubtful that there is any deal", he added. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Sunday she was confident the deal was still in place, adding that the "matter is progressing as we expected". "We have been given assurances by President Trump and Vice-President Pence and others, that the agreement will be adhered to," Bishop told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "And the (refugee cap) quota will roll over again on October 1." The situation is particularly acute on Manus, with the camp set to close by October after a PNG Supreme Court ruling declared that holding people there was unconstitutional. Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has said those on Manus would not be moved to Australia and instead relocated to third countries such as the US and Cambodia or resettled in PNG. "News like this makes us feel dead. It defuses the spark of hope that we try to hold on to," Manus refugee detainee Imran Mohammad, from Myanmar, said in a statement Sunday via Australia's Human Rights Law Centre. More than 800 men are being held on Manus, and 370 men, women and children are detained on Nauru, according to Australian immigration data ending May 31.
A United States citizen accused of "infiltration" in Iran has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, a spokesman for the judiciary said on Sunday. "The person was identified and arrested by the intelligence forces. The court has sentenced the person to 10 years," deputy judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie said in a televised press conference. The individual, whose name was not provided, has appealed the sentence, he added. The foreigner holds dual nationality of the United States and another country, he said, promising to give more details once the appeals court confirms the sentence. The US State Department issued a statement soon after, calling for "the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families," without referring to any specific person. In January, Tehran's chief prosecutor said as many as 70 "spies" were serving sentences in the city's prisons -- the identities of only a handful of which have been made public. Most are thought to be Iranians who hold another passport from Europe or the United States. In October, US-Iranian business consultant Siamak Namazi and his 80-year-old father Baquer, a former UNICEF official, were given 10 years in prison for "espionage and collaboration with the American government". The US has repeatedly called for their release and also for Tehran's cooperation on the case of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who disappeared in Iran in 2007. The news comes amid tensions between the two countries as President Donald Trump and Congress have taken increasingly harsh positions against Tehran. Trump has promised to tear up the 2015 nuclear deal struck between Iran and world powers including the United States that lifted some sanctions in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme. In mid-June, the American Senate voted with majority for new sanctions against Iran, denouncing the Islamic republic's "continued support of terrorism". The bill must be passed by the House of Representatives. The new restrictions impose mandatory sanctions on people involved with Iran's ballistic missile programme and those that transact with them. Iran has vowed to respond with "reciprocal and adequate measures".
Record number of nesting red-footed falcons in last seven years.

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Ornithologists confirmed 17 nesting couples of red-footed falcons in Slovakia. It is a big success for species critically endangered in Slovakia. The precious locality is in the west of the country, however, the specific place is secret because ornithologists want to keep the place safe and undisturbed.

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Red-footed falcons disappeared because of using chemicals and significant changes in agriculture, said Roman Slobodnik from Raptor Protection of Slovakia. In 2012, following the example of Hungarian neighbours, a project focused on returning raptors back to Slovakia started.

In the localities known as nesting places in the past were installed 300 boxes and 30 pads because red-footed falcons do not build their own nests but only use nests of other birds or boxes. Ornithologists also planted and grew trees and succeeded in protecting rooks, magpies and crows. When checking the boxes and pads, ornithologists found 17 nesting couples.

Our work doesnt end here, quite the opposite  we want to do everything to ease the falcons search for food, continued Slobodnik, explaining that there is not enough food in nesting localities and falcons have to fly long distances to find it. Ornithologists plan to feed them so that parents do not have to fly out of the nest as often.
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BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgium should withdraw its frigate from an EU mission to break up human trafficking networks near Libya because the presence of such vessels encouraged migrants to make the perilous journey across the central Mediterranean, the migration minister said. Belgium has sent a frigate to take part in an EU operation to map and disrupt networks of people smugglers off the Libyan coast who send migrants towards Italy, often on ramshackle dinghies which are barely seaworthy. While saving the migrants is not the core task of the military vessels that are part of the mission, they often have to do so. "I personally think this operation should not be repeated because it is pure lunacy. There is no logic to it," migration minister Theo Francken told broadcaster VTM. "It is not about whether we should save them or not. We should. But this creates an effect of drawing in migrants with more dead people as a result. It is a shame on Europe," Francken, who has a record of criticising NGOs over their behaviour in the Mediterranean, added. A spokeswoman for the Belgian defence ministry said the country would continue to be part of the mission only if the Libyan government allowed EU vessels inside its waters, as foreseen in phase two of the EU operation. In the first six months of 2017, some 85,000 people arrived on Italy's southern shores, a fifth more than in the same period last year, EU border agency Frontex said earlier this month. Nationals of Nigeria, Bangladesh and Ivory Coast, which have a low likelyhood of being recognised as asylum seekers in Europe, represented the highest number of arrivals, Frontex added. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
In this recent post I noted The Marshall Project article discussing data showing many fewer traffic stops after marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington. This new NBC News article, headlined "Police Searches Drop Dramatically in States that Legalized Marijuana," covers similar ground. Here are excerpts of this reporting of fascinating data:

Traffic searches by highway patrols in Colorado and Washington dropped by nearly half after the two states legalized marijuana in 2012. That also reduced the racial disparities in the stops, according to a new analysis of police data, but not by much. Blacks and Hispanics are still searched at higher rates than whites. Highway stops have long been a tool in the war on drugs, and remain a charged issue amid a furious national debate about police treatment of minorities....

The overuse of traffic stops can damage the public trust in police, particularly when searches disproportionately involve black and Hispanic drivers. Searches where you dont find something are really negative towards a community," said Jack McDevitt, director of Northeastern Universitys Institute on Race and Justice in Boston. "Have a police officer search your car is really like, 'Why are they doing this to me?' And you get more pissed off. If youre trying to do relationship building, its not a good thing to do a lot of searches.

The analysis comes from data crunched by the Stanford Open Policing Project.... The data compiled by the Stanford group is limited in that it is not uniform across states. Each of the country's law enforcement agencies track traffic stops differently, and some don't release the data publicly. In the end, the group compiled data from 20 states that was deep enough to allow a rigorous analysis. Colorado and Washington were compared against 12 of these states to arrive at the conclusion that marijuana legalization likely had an effect on search rates.

In both states, marijuana legalization eliminated one of the major justifications used by police officers to stop motorists, cutting searches by more than 40 percent after legalization. In Colorado, the change occurred gradually, with searches dropping initially by 30 percent, and then flatting out to a more than 50-percent drop within a year. In Washington, there was a drop of more than 50 percent in searches within three months of legalization. The search rate remained low thereafter. The 12 states in the Stanford study that did not pass marijuana decriminalization legislation during the period did not experience significant drops.

The biggest finding  and one that mirrors the results of investigations in individual states and jurisdictions  is that minorities are still stopped and searched at higher rates than white drivers. The threshold before a search is performed is also lower for minority drivers than it is for whites, according to the researchers at Stanford behind the Open Policing Project. Those differences remained in Colorado and Washington even after searchers dropped following pot legalization.

Jack Glaser, a professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, said that although the disparities persisted, the overall drop in searches means that fewer minorities would be unfairly targeted. "As long as police officers (like the rest of us) hold implicit or explicit stereotypes associating minorities with crime, they will perceive minorities as more suspicious," Glaser wrote in an email.
LAS CRUCES  George Hubert Gay was a young farmer from Hatch when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 1942 at Fort Bliss  just as American involvement in World War II was gaining steam.

Hed return home alive three years later, but not before fighting in several battles and spending 14 months as a prisoner of war. He left the service with three gunshot wounds to his left leg.

Gay died in 1974 at the age of 57.

Despite his many injuries, Gay never received a Purple Heart, a military honor issued for being wounded or killed in enemy action. But, after three previous unsuccessful efforts, his family is launching a renewed attempt to seek the recognition.

A final fight

By November 1942, Gay was fighting along with the 3rd Infantry Divisions 30th Regiment on a battlefield in French Morocco, thousands of miles away from home. Hed see battle again in Tunisia and in Sicily and Salerno, Italy. It was in Anzio, Italy, in early 1944, where he was captured.

During a German attack on the front line, he was feeding ammo to a machine gun being manned by a fellow soldier, said Hubert Gay of Las Cruces, Georges son. The unit was sustaining heavy losses, and a lieutenant left to get reinforcements. A sergeant then left the post, saying he needed to get more ammo. German troops shot his comrade, who fell on top of him, and overran the unit, killing the rest of the U.S. soldiers, said Hubert Gay, recounting what his father had told him.

George Gay pushed away the body of his comrade and attacked eight German soldiers in his vicinity, believing he killed them all. He then started running back toward the next U.S. troops, only to be noticed by a second group of enemy soldiers who fired at him.

They hit him in his left leg, Hubert Gay said. He kept trying to run; he threw his gun away. His leg just didnt want to work anymore.

He then tried hiding in a small ditch, only to be discovered by German troops.

He thought they were going to kill him, but they picked him up, carried him back and put him on an ambulance with some wounded Germans, his son said.

We like cowboys

George was apprehensive about what the Germans might do to him. But they asked him if he had any American cigarettes, which he did, and gave them some. And they asked where he was from. George responded, giving the name of the place he was born: Woodsboro, Texas.

And they said: Thats alright, we like cowboys,  Hubert Gay said.

He was taken to a German POW camp, Stalag IX-C. He was either treated there or at a field hospital for his leg wounds, his son said. He was eventually moved to a second camp, Stalag IIB, in Hammerstein, West Germany. Hubert Gay still has the German-issued military dog tags that were assigned to his father.

Russian troops freed the Stalag IIB camp, which primarily held Americans, in April 1945. Hed caught malaria in Africa and suffered from malnutrition at the POW camp. His son said it was a miracle his father survived the ordeal.

He was a strong guy  being a farmer, he said.

Returning to America

George Gay returned to the United States, and in June 1945 he married his childhood sweetheart.

In October 1945, he was honorably discharged from the Army, according to official documents shown to the Sun-News. One field on the document states that he received no wounds in action  something both he and, later on, his family formally disputed.

Hubert Gay said his father wouldnt have likely challenged that error and some others on paperwork on his own, but his mother prodded him to do so to get the benefits, such as disability pay, to which he was entitled. The records also didnt accurately reflect the number of battles George Gay had fought in.

A 1947 letter from the Veterans Administration to George asked for him to supply an affidavit describing where and when hed received the gunshot wounds. The letter noted that two doctors had reached somewhat different conclusions about the wounds. An Army report stated theyd come from a rifle, but a V.A. examination had concluded the wounds came from a German automatic pistol, according to the document.

In 1950, a V.A. office in Albuquerque did grant a slight increase in his disability payments for gunshot wound left thigh muscles, according to the document.

A familys quest

In 2010, Hubert Gay launched his first attempt to seek the Purple Heart award for his father. In the course of looking for more records about his fathers service, he contacted the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

However, that office responded that it didnt have the records because the majority of files for Army personnel from 1912 to 1959 were destroyed in a fire in 1973, according to a copy of the letter. The document also noted that the Purple Heart Medal is awarded for wounds or injuries received as a direct result of hostile action.

A record of such wounds or injuries must be contained in official military records, the letter states. A search of these records has failed to produce any evidence that the veteran received such wounds. In the absence of evidence, the Purple Heart Medal cannot be authorized.

Board rejection

The same letter noted Hubert Gay could file for a correction of military records through the Army Review Boards Agency in Virginia, which he later did. However, that body rejected the request. He sought a reconsideration of the case, noting that George Gay was the sole survivor of his squad; he was taken captive and treated by German medics, not Americans; and his military personnel records were destroyed in the 1973 fire.

The Army Board for Correction of Military Records denied the renewed request in December 2012.

At issue, the board concluded, was that verification that the wounds were the result of hostile action was needed, as well as treatment of the wounds by military medical personnel and documentation of the wounds in official records, according to the denial letter. The 1947 V.A. letter that acknowledged George Gays gunshot wounds wasnt enough proof. Rather, an original treatment record was needed, and that treatment record is not available, according to the denial letter.

Regrettably, there is insufficient evidence on which to base an award of the Purple Heart in this case, the document states.

The denial letter did state George Gay could pursue case to appeal the matter, which he didnt do.

A final attempt

Las Crucen Frances Williams served with Hubert Gay on a committee that established a Vietnam War monument at Las Cruces Veterans Memorial Park on Roadrunner Parkway. While working on the project, she heard about the familys attempt to have the Purple Heart awarded to George Gay.

Williams, who worked for years at White Sands Missile Range, approached the commander of German military personnel stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, asking for assistance. She hoped the Germans may have maintained a record of treating George Gays injuries.

She said the now-former commander, Col. GAF and Commanding Director Heinz Ferkinghoff, was glad to assist and placed a request for information from back in Germany. And he received information back that American POW records had been confiscated by the Allies in 1945. He referred Williams to the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Williams checked there, only to be referred to the archives center in St. Louis  the batch of records that was destroyed in the 1973 fire.

On one hand, the federal government acknowledged George Gays gunshot wounds by issuing disability pay, Williams noted. But on the other hand, its denying him a Purple Heart. The senior Gay didnt have the wounds when he enlisted, but he did upon leaving military service.

When he got inducted at Fort Bliss, he was in very good condition, she said.

Williams compiled a packet with all the documents the Gay family does have, as well as a summary statement of George Gays case.

Hubert Gay, whos a Vietnam veteran, said hes sent the packet to a U.S. senator and congressman and plans to resubmit it one last time to the Army board. And Williams plans to send it to some of her military connections.

Hubert Gay said hes not seeking any sort of financial benefit from pursuing the Purple Heart for his late father. But he said his dad, whos buried in Hatch alongside his wife, served his country well. And the recognition has been withheld for too long.

I was a Vietnam veteran; my son was a Marine in the Persian Gulf War, he said, noting this will be his last attempt to seek the Purple Heart for his father. Its a veteran tradition. I feel my dad should get the ribbons he deserved.
Its Sunday morning. I open my eyes and can tell by the location of the sun in my room its almost 10 a.m.

Finally my Im-never-going-to-shut-up-and-give-you-peace brain let me sleep later than 7:30 a.m. I feel refreshed for the first time in weeks and decide Im going to continue with this lazy, relaxed trend the rest of the day. A nano second later my brain catches on to my plan and responds with maniacal laughter.

The list of things I need to do that day  laundry, clean the floors, wash the car, buy groceries  begins to cycle through my head. As a distraction, I roll over and grab my phone. I message my best friend and check out my other notifications. I smile as I come across the bright, orange and white app on my phone with the label grocery underneath it.

Theres one chore I wont have to worry about today. Thats because with a few taps, my grocery shopping will be done.

I remember the day I found out I could shop for my groceries online from either Smiths or Walmart, drive to the store, park, have the groceries loaded up, and drive home without setting one foot inside the store. It was June 13 and I happily proclaimed to all of Facebook that it was the best day of my life. I was only half joking.

I hate grocery shopping. Loathe it. I try to strategically plan my outings at odd times to avoid the crowded parking lot with people walking as if they have all day and the dirty carts with who knows how many germs and the long lines. Even then, it just always seems like such an inconvenience. Every time Im there I think there are so many things I could be doing right now instead of standing here trying to find the best bananas.

So when I learned I could mostly eliminate one of my most hated chores from my life, I was more than willing to give it a try.

Walmart started offering online grocery shopping in the Albuquerque area this past winter. Tiffany Wilson, director of communications for Walmart, said in a phone interview from California, that there are currently four stores in the Albuquerque area offering the service. Three of those are super stores and the other is a Neighborhood Market, which is the companys smaller, grocery-only version of a store.

Its been well received because its a matter of convenience, Wilson said. You can get your groceries without even having to unbuckle your seat belt.

Smiths started in January and has three locations using ClickList, the stores online grocery service. Both companies have plans to add more locations and even eventually have the groceries delivered. Marsha Gilford, Smiths vice president of public affairs, said Smiths will add more stores in Albuquerque and expand to places like Farmington, Santa Fe and Los Alamos. Walmart does not charge extra for the service while Smiths has a $4.95 fee per order.

People have called it life changing, Gilford said. You have people with kids, people who are sick and people caring for elderly parents and now they can use this.

To use the online service with either store, customers must create an account. Once the account is created, shoppers can use the search bar to find their grocery items. During checkout, shoppers reserve a pick-up time that is usually the next day. Shoppers head to the store during their designated one-hour pick-up window. Once there, they park in a designated area. Smiths customers must call the store when they arrive but Walmart associates can track customers arrival. An associate then brings out the order and loads into the vehicle.

I placed my first order and scheduled it for pick-up the next day on my way home from work. I immediately texted my 20-year-old son about this new, marvelous thing.

He wasnt impressed.

Omg. Were gonna be too lazy.

I wasnt impressed with his lack of being impressed. Did he not understand how much better my life was going to be?

Anyway, about 20 minutes before my pick-up window I got an email saying my order was ready. I let out a little screech, jumped up and down, checked in, ran to the door and hopped in my car. I didnt know what to expect when I arrived but as soon as I pulled into the parking lot I saw the bright orange door and signs on the side of the building. As soon as I parked, the door popped open and the most cheerful, nice young man came out and approached my car.

Are you Elaine?

Yes.

Is this your first time using this service?

Yes.

Well welcome. I hope you enjoy it. Im going to get your order and Ill be right back.

While I was waiting two other vehicles pulled up, one was a minivan with a woman and two small children.

When he came back, I got out of my car to help him load the groceries into the trunk. He told me I didnt need to help him and he wanted me to wait in the comfort of my car with the air conditioner running. At this point Ill admit I was feeling a tad bit guilty. Was I ready to be served like this? I pushed those feelings aside and decided, Yes, yes I am. He came over after loading my groceries and gave me a gift bag of goodies that included gum and some drinks. He asked me to call if I had any problems or was unsatisfied in anyway and then told me to have a great day.

Pat Di Vasto, a principal of an elementary school in Rio Rancho, had a similar customer service experience when she first using the service this past winter, which is smack dab in the middle of the school year.

I work ungodly hours, she said. So I have to go to the grocery store on Saturdays. Its no fun. They (workers) are always so kind. Being the new Yorker that I am, I try to slip them a tip. They wont take it.

Catherine Walton, who serves on the Rio Rancho school board and works as a real estate broker, said the service makes her life easier. She uses the Walmart site at least once a week. She said in addition to the convenience, online grocery shopping has helped her save money.

The last thing I want to do is spend an hour or two at Walmart on a weekend, she said. If I go into the grocery story, I buy what I dont need. My bill has gone from about $175 a week to $110.

Im not going to lie, after my first experience, I smiled all the way home. I couldnt believe how easy that was and that man was just so dang nice.

So I knew when I woke up Sunday morning I was going to give this another try although I couldnt talk myself into being lazy all day. I was cleaning our hardwood floors in the living room when my son remembered something else he needed.

I need Moco de Gorila, he said.

I hand him my phone. He does a search and in less than a minute we have now purchased hair gel. Before hes even done, Ive turned my attention back to the cleaning the floor.

Now if only there was an app for that.

Online grocery shopping

Walmart: grocery.walmart.com

Smiths: smithsfoodanddrug.com
Sometimes, the smallest of things can make the biggest of differences in our lives.

For Albuquerques Jim Gallegos, the little thing that marked a huge turning point in his life was a die-cast, Matchbox toy model of a Greyhound bus. Matchbox toys, introduced in 1953 by the British company Lesney Products, were designed originally to be small enough to fit into a matchbox.

Gallegos, now 59, got his miniature Greyhound in the late 1960s when he was about 10. It fascinated him.

There were other (Matchbox toys) before that, but that was the one that got me going, Gallegos said during a recent phone interview. I had never been on a Greyhound, but I had seen them. The (Matchbox Greyhound) was realistic, something I could relate to.

Just weeks after obtaining the Greyhound, he got a Matchbox Ford GT and his passion for miniature wheeled vehicles started shifting into high gear.

Today, his collection of miniature vehicles numbers in the many thousands and the Matchbox Convention he started in Albuquerque in 2003 will hold its 15th gathering Friday through Sunday, July 21-23, at the Albuquerque Marriott.

Gallegos said the Albuquerque event is the only Matchbox convention, other than one in Germany, that the Mattel toy company actively supports. Mattel, which launched the miniature vehicle Hot Wheels line in 1968, purchased Matchbox in 1997.

Gallegos calls his convention the Matchbox Collectors Annual International Gathering of Friends. He said about 30 collectors from throughout the country attended the first one and there were about 20 tables at that initial conventions toy show. Two hundred collectors are registered for this years convention, and there will be 100 tables at the toy show, which is open to the public.

It has grown slowly and this years convention will be our largest one ever, Gallegos said. All the top collectors will be there. They come from the United States, Japan, Brazil, Germany, England, Belgium, Mexico and Canada. We have an 82-year-old man and his wife who come from Japan each year.

Gallegos said he believes it is the bond of friendship among collectors more than their shared interest that makes the convention successful.

Thats why I started it, he said. Before the Internet got popular, a group of us collectors communicated by phone and mail, but we rarely got to see each other.

The convention provides an opportunity for face-to-face exchanges among members of the collecting community.

Gallegos, a 1975 graduate of West Mesa High School, is retired from AT&T and works now as a sales manager for Presbyterian Health Plan. Dating back to that Matchbox Greyhound bus, he has collected all kinds of toy vehicles and antique toys.

When you consider how much space it would take to display a collection of miniature toys as large as the one owned by Gallegos, not to mention the amount of time required to dust it, its fortunate that his wife, Vicki, and his son, Shaun, now 32, share his enthusiasm for toys.

Vicki has several different collections, Gallegos said. She collects vintage plastic toys and antique toys  anything from old wind-up toys and different mechanical toys that date back to the turn of the (20th) century. There is a lot of history, engineering and art in toys, and Vicki really appreciates that aspect of it. She used to play with her brothers Matchbox toys.

Back in the 1990s, long before Gallegos launched his Matchbox convention, he and Vicki did antique toy shows around Albuquerque. Thats when they really got into the immense universe of collecting. Gallegos said his database contains the names of 12,000 collector friends in 72 countries.

When he was a kid, Gallegos said, Matchbox toys sold for 59 cents to 69 cents each. They cost only about $1 today. But some models  depending on rarity, condition and popularity  sell for big bucks in the collectors market today.

Its not unusual to find Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars selling for $10,000, he said. The highest price paid for a Matchbox toy was $25,000 for a one-of-a-kind fire engine.

The record price for a Hot Wheels toy is about $70,000 or so, paid for a rare Volkswagen Beach Bomb, a VW microbus with a pair of surfboards poking out the rear window.

Gallegos said none of the toys in his collection are for sale. He still owns that Greyhound bus and the Ford GT. He said they are not worth much to collectors, but to him they are priceless. They changed his world.

If you go

WHAT: Show and Sale. Wheeled toys of all kinds, antique toys, a wide variety of other kinds of toys. The show and sale, which is open to the public, concludes three-day Matchbox Collectors 15th Annual International Gathering of Friends.

WHEN: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, July 23

WHERE: Grand Ballroom of the Albuquerque Marriott, 2101 Louisiana NE

ADMISSION: $3, free for children younger than 10 accompanied by a paying adult. $10 early-bird fee buys early admission at 9 a.m.

WHAT ELSE: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: First responder vehicle display in Marriott west parking lot.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Mattel Matchbox play area for kids in Grand Ballroom.
Steve Jobs could convince his workers the sky was purple.

That buzzing inner energy could also freeze him into a cold tyrant. Empathetic and cruel, meditative and relentless, he led a binary life, a visionary who helped connect the world while he erected a firewall around his own emotions.

Capturing that mercurial personality takes much more than a guy sitting behind a computer screen. The most frequently performed composer of his generation, Mason Bates has penned a symphony of colliding musical worlds to express the contradictions and Christ-like charisma of the most revolutionary techie the world has ever known.

Co-written with librettist Mark Campbell, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobsopens at the Santa Fe Opera on Saturday, July 22.

He revolutionized communication, Bates said in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C., where he is the composer-in-residence at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. And communication is what opera can really do. Every character can reveal his thoughts at the same time.

Bates composed the score by knitting together traditional symphonic music and electronic sounds, giving a theme to each of his central characters. The composer will join the musicians in the pit playing two laptops, an electronic drum pad and a synthesizer.

I tend to think of electronics as a natural step in the evolution of the orchestra, he said.

An orphan who refused to acknowledge the existence of his first daughter until much later in his life, Jobs was on a lifelong search for inner peace, Bates said.

Hell walk on stage carrying an acoustic guitar.

I dont think he played, but a lot of the (Apple) announcements for iTunes and devices included the guitar, Bates said. Theres nothing that conveys an artful, quicksilver sound like a finger-picked guitar. It can convey the restlessness that drove Jobs.

Glitzy Apple sounds will trail behind the inventor.

He was a Buddhist, and he certainly struggled with some of the basic aims of Buddhism, the composer said.

The music will express that faith through the sounds of prayer bowls and gongs depicting Jobs spiritual adviser Kobun.

The opera opens in the Los Altos, Calif. garage where Jobs learned how to build things from his machinist father. The building virtually explodes.

The walls fall apart and become projection panels that propel the piece, Bates said.

The characters wife, Laurene, is a pivotal grounding character.

His wife says there are some things you cant control; one is your daughter and the people you work with, Bates said. The other is cancer.

Jobs died of pancreatic cancer in 2011.

When hes interacting with his wife, you hear her slow him down, Bates said. Shes like the ocean. Shes got the low strings playing these lush sounds.

A regular visitor, Bates knew he wanted his opera to open in Santa Fe.

Its an incredible place, he said. Theres really nothing else like Santa Fe and its contribution to the world of opera.

Ive always thought of Santa Fe as the best place to launch. The pieces there get the most attention because everybody comes to Santa Fe.

Bates will perform with the Del Sol String Quartet at 10:30 a.m. at Las Puertas, 1512 First NW, Albuquerque, and at 4 p.m. in the New Mexico History Museum, 113 Lincoln Ave., Santa Fe, today. Visit chatterabq.org or call the Santa Fe Opera at 800-280-4654, santafeopera.org.
In the 1960s, Joe Orton scandalized the British theatergoing public with his irreverent but very funny farces. Ortons career was tragically cut short when he was 34 when his lover murdered him before committing suicide. The role of leading British farceur then passed to Ortons contemporary Ray Cooney, a talented writer who is nonetheless not quite Ortons equal, especially in his ability to shock a complacent middle-class audience.

The Adobe Theater is currently producing Cooneys 1994 farce, Funny Money, directed by Andrea Haskett.

As the title suggests, the play is about money, and particularly our obsession with it. One day, Henry Perkins picks up the wrong briefcase by mistake and discovers that it is full of money. He stops at a pub to get a drink and count the money in the bathroom. His intention is to get his wife and their two passports and leave the country. Unfortunately, he is followed home from the pub by a policeman who suspects he was soliciting men in the pub (he repeatedly went back to the bathroom to recount the money and seemed unusually excited). Complication thickens as one lie leads to another and more and more people become embroiled in the outlandish plot.

This farce is very cleverly written and potentially quite hilarious, but unfortunately the director made a number of debilitating miscalculations.

Because this is a British farce, there are lots of references to London locations as well as the use of British colloquialisms, such lavatory for bathroom and loo for toilet; likewise, it is replete with expressions such as dont be daft and youre bloody well right.

Yet when Mrs. Perkins opens her mouth to speak, an American dialect is heard that is totally out of place. The play opens with a broadcast from the BBC in distinctly British dialect. And even before the play begins, there is a prerecorded audio message in British dialect telling us to turn off our cellphones. The American dialect was very disconcerting.

British plays of this sort have a very specific linguistic rhythm characteristic of modern-day England. While Jennifer Benoit, who played Mrs. Perkins, spoke in a clearly American dialect, the rest of the cast was all over the board, although most of them spoke with American dialects also. Ericka Zepeda and, especially, Neil Faulconbridge were exceptions. Benoit also had difficulty playing drunk, especially with regard to diction, which gets sloppy when one is plastered. This is very problematic, because her character gets increasingly drunk as the evening proceeds.

Farce is a difficult genre to pull off, and British farce doubly so. The cast did manage to get the pace of the show right, which is important in a play of this sort, and therefore the production was not without some amusing moments. Unfortunately, I missed one of the best bits entirely because the actor downstage center blocked the action upstage and didnt move until the bit was over. Downstage actors need to find a clear spot to the side or not remain stationary too long.

Funny Money is playing through July 30 at Adobe Theater, 9813 Fourth NW, Albuquerque. Go to adobetheater.org or call 898-9222 for reservations.
It isnt often that 44 states, led by both Republican and Democratic governors and secretaries of state, carve out similar positions on any given issue. Yet that is exactly what has happened in response to a request my office (and others) received from President Trumps so-called Commission on Election Integrity.

The commission requested the voter registration information for all Americans, including dates of birth, Social Security numbers, party affiliation, and history of military service, where permitted. As the chief election official of this state, my first priority in the face of any request for personal data is to protect New Mexico voters and their privacy.

This is exactly what I am doing in response to the commissions request, and my position has been backed up by state election officials on both sides of the aisle, election and data experts across the country, and with strong support from our fellow New Mexicans.

In the last week, the Albuquerque Journal shared its support for a national commission that amasses the personal data of all voting Americans, including portions of Social Security numbers, and criticized my position not to release New Mexico voters data to the commission.

Unfortunately, the Journal oversimplified the implications of collecting voter data by the commission and the problems that would result from comparing incomplete data, and it attempted to brush aside legitimate concerns about voter suppression efforts underway across the county  including the well-documented voter suppression work of the commission vice-chair, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.

I, along with colleagues from across the nation, have grave concerns about the purpose of this commission and how it will use any collected data. Lets be clear. Anyone has the right to request publicly available information from my office, and I will meet any good faith and lawful request.

But New Mexico law only allows voter information to be provided for governmental or political purposes. The commission letter states that all information provided in response to its request would be made available to the public; meaning your voter information would be available to anyone and for any purpose. That is an unlawful use of New Mexicos voter data, and unless I can verify that your data will be protected, and no ones privacy will be violated, I cannot comply with the commissions request.

Election and data experts around the country know that the type of data states can publicly provide would not allow the commission to draw meaningful conclusions about whether any votes were cast illegally. Its a violation of New Mexico law to ever share a voters Social Security number or birth date, and without this person-specific data, the commission would not be able to accurately or honestly compare a New Mexico voter to those in other states.

It must be acknowledged that the commission was established upon President Trumps unsubstantiated claim of massive voter fraud in the 2016 general election. At one point, President Trump even referred to the commission as the voter fraud panel. I am not aware of a single election official in the nation  Republican or Democrat  who believes that millions of votes were cast illegally in 2016.

Further, national security experts and former officials from both sides of the aisle have been clear that Russia interfered in the 2016 election. And yet, lacking a complete understanding of the depth and breadth of Russian interference in the 2016 election and its implications for future elections, the commission has ignored this issue of fundamental importance to our Democracy and instead is focusing its efforts on creating a national voter registry. Why?

My great worry is that this commission is really a Trojan horse intended to spur additional voter suppression efforts at all levels of government. It would be a much better use of taxpayer money to find answers to actual problems that election administration officials face, including consistent underfunding of elections, increased security demands, and creating as much opportunity as possible for every eligible voter to cast a ballot in every election.

Until I get a clear explanation of how our voters data will be used, how it will be secured and what the commission hopes to accomplish with it, I will continue to protect the privacy rights of every New Mexican and refuse to share their data with the commission.
Thursday, June 15, 2017

As reported in this new Roll Call article, a "bipartisan group of senators and representatives have reintroduced legislation that would enable states to set their own medical marijuana policies." Here are the basics:

Senators Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., joined by Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., made the announcement on Thursday.... The legislation reintroduced Thursday would protect patients, doctors and businesses participating in state medical-marijuana programs from federal prosecution. The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act would not legalize medical marijuana in all 50 states. Instead, it would ensure that people in the states where medical cannabis is legal can use it without violating federal law. In addition to Booker and Gillibrand, co-sponsors of the CARERS Act include Senators Rand Paul, R-Ky., Mike Lee, R-Utah, Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Al Franken, D-Minn.

This press release from Senator Booker is titled "Lawmakers Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Medical Marijuana Bill: CARERS Act would ensure patients have access to lifesaving care without fear of federal prosecution." The press release includes quotes from all the sponsors and state that "the CARERS Act would:

(1) Recognize States Responsibility to Set Medical Marijuana Policy & Eliminate Potential Federal Prosecution The CARERS Act amends the Controlled Substances Act so that states can set their own medical marijuana policies. The patients, providers, and businesses participating in state medical marijuana programs will no longer be in violation of federal law and vulnerable to federal prosecution. (2) Allow States to Import Cannabidiol (CBD), Recognized Treatment for Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders The CARERS Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to remove specific strains of CBD oil from the federal of definition of marijuana. This change will allow youth suffering from intractable epilepsy to gain access to the medicine they need to control their seizures. (3) Provide Veterans Access Current law prohibits doctors in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities from prescribing medical marijuana. The CARERS Act would allow VA doctors in states where medical marijuana is legal to recommend medical marijuana to military veterans. (4) Expand Opportunities for Research The CARERS Act removes unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for researchers to gain government approval to undertake important research on marijuana and creates a system for the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to encourage research. The CARERS Act has the support of more than 20 health, veteran and policy organizations, including: American Civil Liberties Union, Americans for Safe Access, Compassionate Care NY, Coalition for Medical Marijuana NJ, Drug Policy Alliance, Housing Works, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Marijuana Policy Project, MS Resources of Central New York, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, NY Physicians for Compassionate Care, Parents Coalition for Rescheduling Medical Cannabis, Patients Out of Time, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, The American Cannabis Nurses Association, The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, Third Way, Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access, Veterans for Peace and Veterans for Safe Access and Compassionate Care."

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/marijuana_law/2017/06/bipartisan-group-introduces-new-version-of-carers-act-to-reform-federal-marijuana-prohibition.html
With four Democrats and just one Republican representing New Mexico in highly polarized Washington, Ive worried some lately that the state will slip off of the White House radar.

Rep. Steve Pearce, the delegations lone Republican, was a high-profile supporter of President Donald Trump and is in touch with the White House on a regular basis. But hes just one politician, and hes running for governor in 2018. We dont yet know if a Republican or a Democrat will be elected to replace him in New Mexicos 2nd Congressional District.

What we do know is that this White House  like most  places a heavy emphasis on party and loyalty. Regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican occupies the White House, the presidents relationship with New Mexico is important in part because the state is so heavily dependent on the federal government. So I was encouraged to learn last week that Ryan Cangiolosi, chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, traveled to Washington and not only had lunch with White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus in the West Wing, he also had a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence and President Trump in the Oval Office.

Cangiolosi came away from the high-level meetings with an understandable sense of excitement, reflected both in his Facebook posts about the experience and in an interview with me Friday.

The state party chairman said during the lunch with Priebus he and just a few other state party leaders talked policy and politics for almost 90 minutes.

We shared our concerns, our hopes, our needs, our wants, Cangiolosi recalled. We were just talking about where New Mexico is right now economically and that we have potential for growth and moving our state forward.

I asked the chairman if he relayed the fact that New Mexico is struggling in many ways  high crime, a stagnant economy, etc. He said he did convey that as a state, economically, we have a potential for great growth because our unemployment is high, and about the need to improve education and public safety.

And of course, they talked politics  a lot of politics. Cangiolosi said the White House was keenly interested in Pearces gubernatorial run, first reported in the Journal last week. During a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, Cangiolosi noted the president was well aware of what happened in each state this last election cycle.

Given the fact Trump lost New Mexico by eight points to Hillary Clinton in 2016, Im not sure thats a good thing, but Cangiolosi said the president voiced appreciation for Pearce.

With Pearce (leaving office to run for governor), we have an opening in CD2 and that is definitely something that is on their radar because they want to retain the House, and that is a key thing for them, Cangiolosi said.

He (Trump) said please let Congressman Pearce know that he has our full support, the chairman recalled, noting the White House also expressed interest in helping elect more Republicans to the N.M. House of Representatives. He also asked about the Senate seat and said keep us updated.

The Senate seat would be the one occupied by Democrat Martin Heinrich, who is up for re-election next year.

The chairman chuckled when I asked him what it was like to meet with the president of the United States in the Oval Office. I know because years ago, President George W. Bush gave me and a few other reporters a tour of the Oval Office after a roundtable interview. The only word I could conjure at the time was surreal. Cangiolosi concurred.

It is completely surreal to be in the Oval Office, but to be able to meet President Trump and Vice President Pence is something I look forward to being able to share with my grandchildren one day, Cangiolosi said.

Despite his pinch-me-is-this-real moment, the N.M. GOP chairman seemed to keep it in perspective.

My hope is that we have a great relationship with the folks at the White House, Cangiolosi said. We want to have a really good dialogue with them and continue to work on things together.

E-mail: mcoleman@abqjournal.com. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
Too many colleges. Not enough money. Not enough students. Not sustainable.

To a pessimist, this is a good, if Hemingway-esque, description of New Mexicos system of higher education. To an optimist, its a set of facts that could finally trigger a serious policy discussion about the future of the states colleges and universities.

As a foundation for that discussion, it should be a given that a vibrant system of higher education that turns out quality graduates ready to participate in the economy and in life is absolutely vital to the states future. The question is how to best allocate scarce resources to accomplish that.

New Mexico has 31 institutions of higher education with many governing boards. The states seven four-year schools are enshrined in the state Constitution. And every one of those schools, along with the two dozen other institutions of higher education, serves a need and is critical to local economies.

But a story in last Sundays Journal by reporter Jessica Dyer makes it clear we shouldnt  and cant  just keep doing what we are doing and hoping for the best.

Granted, the system has become much more efficient through the efforts of university presidents and Higher Education Secretary Barbara Damron. This past legislative session legislators removed many of the obstacles of transferring credits from one state school to another. And students are graduating faster. Central New Mexico Community College has made tremendous strides in increasing the number of two-year degrees and certificates awarded, and the University of New Mexico has significantly improved its four- and six-year graduation rates.

However, for a variety of reasons that include a better economy, anemic high school graduation rates and the aforementioned improved graduation performance for our college students, enrollment has declined statewide, falling from 155,065 in 2010 to 133,830 in 2016. At the same time, a state budget devastated by low oil and gas prices has meant deep cuts in higher education funding. Another dark cloud on the horizon: the lottery scholarship is expected to cover only 60 percent of tuition costs next year  down from 90 percent.

New Mexico State University President Garrey Carruthers has taken a strong lead in making NMSU more efficient by cutting the bureaucracy. At UNM, interim President Chaouki Abdallah and his predecessor, Bob Frank, have worked hard to trim budgets with the least negative impact on students.

But these leaders now say we must look to change. Abdallah said in a recent Journal interview the state must have a plan, and his outside-the-box thinking includes options like making the states community college system the best in the nation to combining UNM, NMSU and New Mexico Tech  the states three research universities  into a world-class university.

Carruthers, in a speech to Albuquerque business leaders last week, said flat out we have too many colleges  or at least more than we can afford. This from a former governor who from 2015 to 2017 trimmed NMSUs budget by $38 million and eliminated 729 positions.

The process will be painful, but New Mexicos legislators and other leaders are going to have to address this dilemma. The alternative is a gradually diminishing system that ill serves the state and its students  a higher ed version of death by a thousand cuts.

Weed them out



Town hall Wednesday Town hall Wednesday



This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Its shaping up to be a wild election season in New Mexico  with the potential to shake up the states political establishment for years to come.

Over the next year and a half, voters can expect wide open races for governor and two seats in Congress  at least one of which is already drawing national interest as Democrats try to win back control of the U.S. House.

And New Mexico could also see openings for state land commissioner and a host of legislative seats depending on who launches campaigns for governor and Congress.

Its the kind of mad scramble that reminds some analysts of the 2008 free-for-all triggered by the retirement of U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, when all three of the states U.S. representatives ran to succeed the longtime Republican senator.

Last Monday, U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, a Republican, announced he is running for governor rather than seek re-election next year. One of his colleagues in Congress, Democratic Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, made a similar decision in December, setting up the possibility that theyll face each other next November with the Governors Office at stake.

Voters will begin narrowing the field in June next year, when Democrats and Republicans choose their nominees.

It could shape New Mexico politics for a long time, said Brian Sanderoff, a political analyst and president of Research & Polling Inc.

Adding to the elections importance is New Mexicos reliance on the federal government for spending on health care, military bases and national laboratories. Electing two new members of Congress, of course, will mean less seniority in the House.

Its a big watershed election for us, said Gabriel Sanchez, a University of New Mexico professor in political science. Whoever we put into office, theyre going to have a lot of expectations from New Mexico to be able to get things done.

Fight for 2nd District job

The race to succeed Pearce in the 2nd Congressional District  one of the largest in the country  may attract national spending and interest.

Thats true for any open seat, of course, but in this case, Democrats are looking for every opportunity to capitalize on President Donald Trumps low approval ratings to help win a majority in the U.S. House.

Pearce has kept the seat in Republican hands since the 2010 election, when he won it back from Harry Teague, a Hobbs Democrat and self-made millionaire in the oil business.

Teague is the only Democrat to have won the seat in the past 37 years, and he had it for only one two-year term  when it was open because Pearce unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 2008.

The 2nd Congressional District covers the southern half of New Mexico. It includes the conservative-leaning oil patch in the southeast part of the state and the more liberal Las Cruces area, north of El Paso.

Its the most heavily Hispanic of New Mexicos three congressional districts, according to redistricting data compiled by Research & Polling Inc. after the 2010 Census.

In general, the demographics look friendly to Democrats, but the Latino vote has underperformed substantially, Sanchez, the UNM professor, said.

Some Democrats, therefore, see a strong Latino candidate as their best bet to win the district, he said.

But others believe a moderate or conservative Democrat from the southeast part of the state  someone like Teague  is the better option.

Pearce, in any case, has routinely racked up decisive victories, and he told reporters this week that hes confident the district will remain in Republican hands, assuming hes at the top of the ticket as the GOP nominee for governor.

Sanderoff said it would probably take a unique circumstance for a Democrat to win back the 2nd Congressional District next year.

Republicans in tough position

The national environment, meanwhile, may favor Democrats. The party in control of the White House  Republicans in this case  usually loses seats in mid-term elections.

That could put Republican candidates across all races in a tough position, Sanchez said. Theyll want to appeal to conservative voters, of course, but may not necessarily brand themselves as Trump allies.

This is really uncharted territory  thinking about what type of Republican will emerge, Sanchez said.

With Pearce just having announced his decision not to seek re-election, the race hasnt taken shape yet.

State Rep. Yvette Herrell, an Alamogordo resident who works in real estate investment, announced shes running. Other potential candidates in the Republican primary include State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn, whos also weighing a run for re-election or a campaign for the Public Regulation Commission, and state Sen. Cliff Pirtle, a farmer from Roswell.

Already in the race on the Democratic side are David Baake, an attorney from Las Cruces; Tony Martinez, who retired after a career in the Army and pharmaceutical industry; Mad Hildebrandt, an adjunct college instructor from Socorro; and Ronald Fitzherbert, the risk and compliance manager at a Las Cruces health clinic.

More candidates, of course, may yet emerge on both sides.

Succeeding Lujan Grisham

In the 1st Congressional District, seven Democrats and two Republicans have already announced campaigns.

The district is based in Albuquerque and has been held by Democrats since 2008  the year Domenicis retirement roiled New Mexicos political scene.

Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, won each of the last three elections by margins of at least 17 percentage points.

The Democratic candidates so far are Albuquerque City Councilor Pat Davis; former state Democratic Party Chairwoman Debra Haaland; Damon Martinez, former U.S. attorney for New Mexico; Albuquerque attorney Damian Lara; Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, former associate dean of the University of New Mexico Law School; Albuquerque physicist Dennis Dinge; and Edgewood Town Councilor John Abrams.

The Republican candidates are former state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones and immigration attorney Michael Hendricks.

Race to be next governor

The field of candidates for governor is much smaller.

Democratic candidates include Lujan Grisham, former media executive Jeff Apodaca of Albuquerque, state Sen. Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces and Peter DeBenedittis, an anti-alcohol activist from Santa Fe.

Pearce is the only Republican in the race so far.

Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican from Las Cruces, cannot run next year because of term limits.

Lots of campaign cash

The State Auditors Office could also end up on the ballot. Incumbent Tim Keller, a Democrat, is running for mayor in Albuquerque this year, and, if he wins, the governor would appoint a replacement who would serve through the 2018 general election.

Attorney General Hector Balderas, a Democrat, will be up for re-election next year. He decided against a run for governor.

Well be having some pretty high-profile races with candidates who dont have statewide name recognition, Sanderoff, the pollster, said in an interview. Theyll have to spend more money to get into the hearts and minds of the voters.

The combination of three open seats is likely to result in extra campaign spending, which, in turn, could boost voter turnout, analysts say.

And the stakes are high. People elected to the U.S. House in New Mexico often stick around for a decade or more  leaving Congress only upon retirement, death or to run for another office.

The Governors Office is even more attractive. There are, of course, only 50 of them in the entire country.
LA BAJADA  Residents of the village of La Bajada, locked in a land and access dispute with Cochiti Pueblo, have rejected for now an offer by the pueblo to grant temporary access to the villages water supply that has been fenced off in recent months.

During a Saturday community meeting, about 15 of La Bajadas full-time residents and property owners unanimously agreed to not immediately accept the offer and instead proposed revisions that will be sent back to the pueblo and federal government officials.

The unincorporated village, located at the bottom of La Bajada hill between Santa Fe and Albuquerque and surrounded by Cochiti Pueblo property, has had its water supply  an irrigation reservoir, ditch and other systems  on the land now owned by the pueblo for about 300 years. When the tribe acquired the land from the Forest Service in 1984 through congressional action, public law protected pre-existing right-of-way and water rights.

But Cochiti Pueblo environmental director Jacob Pecos told the Journal recently that there is no documented proof that La Bajada village has access rights to pueblo lands. The two groups have been in joint meetings with the Bureau of Indian Affairs since March.

When the tribe decided to fence off its land  after not doing so for 30 years because they were honoring the grazing permits of three local farmers  Pecos said it was because the pueblo had tolerated trespassing that left litter and damage to petroglyph sites. Cochiti Pueblo land includes some parts of the original Route 66 highway and leads to parts of the Camino Real from Mexico City.

It should have gone up 30 years ago, Pecos said of the fencing. If the public looked at (the fencing as) abrupt, it was 30 years in the making.

Despite claims from La Bajada, Santa Fe National Forest spokeswoman Julie Anne Overton said no public land has been cut off from area hikers. Public lands can still be accessed from the uphill end of La Bajada from roads running from southern Santa Fe.

A proposed agreement, which the pueblos attorney sent to La Bajada residents in early June, allows them temporary access to the water until Nov. 30. In the meantime, the tribe and the village will try to come to a long-term agreement. Eighth-generation resident and community committee chairman Darrin Muenzberg said the core of the agreement, the short-term access, is acceptable but that other parts were unacceptable and needed to be revised.

Other points of agreement include a mandate to keep the fence to the water source closed when its not in use, to alert pueblo officials to any trespassing residents see, and a more vague agreement to respect the land of the Cochiti.

I do respect what they actually own, Muenzberg said. I dont respect them exercising dominion over our village.

A clause the village rejected in the proposed agreement called for all La Bajada right-of-way signs to be removed. The new signs were put up by villagers in October, asserting a right of access, about two weeks after Cochiti Pueblo put up fences and no-trespassing signs in front of the water supply.

The village group unanimously decided Saturday that the signs would stay because the pueblo did not alert them when they were putting up its signs, a point tribe officials deny.

The villagers also didnt accept a limit of one person per day allowed to enter the irrigation system as well as a mandate that any emergency situation in which large equipment would be needed at the water supply would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis with the pueblos permission.

The La Bajada group proposed to revise the deal to say the village would give notice, rather than wait for permission. Muenzberg referred to some of the pueblos proposals, such as a ban on villagers using ATVs or horses on pueblo land, as micro-managing maintenance of the water supply.

The village group also added paragraphs that would bar pueblo officials from interfering with or accessing their water supply as well as require them to alert La Bajada of any trespassing or vandalism.

Alonzo Gallegos said that if negotiations dont work out, the only choice will be to sue.

The first agreement sets precedence, he said.

The revisions are set to be mailed back to the Cochiti Pueblo governor, representatives from the BIA, and the governor of the nearby Santo Domingo Pueblo.

Residents also went over a formal request to have another survey done by the federal government because previous ones, they say, dont accurately reflect the boundaries between the village and the pueblo. They revised that request as well and hope to send it by the end of the month.
The news of his sons death was almost too much to take in  how a freak accident killed him, where it killed him, how after years of not hearing from him it would end up like this.

It was never supposed to end up like this.

It was never supposed to end.

We had great faith he would come home one day, Jerry Carlson said of his son Kris, who for the last five years of his life had wandered the streets, often in the Southwest, homeless and reclusive. He was going to come through the front door. I had faith in that.

Carlson stops as the tears fall. They come easy when he talks about the son he lost.

He and wife, Kathy, have traveled from their Kennewick home in southeast Washington to Albuquerque to learn what they can about how Kris, 38, ended up here, how he lived and how he died.

They know something about the latter. As freak accidents go, this was one of the freakiest. Three days after Christmas 2015, Kris walked east on the weedy shoulder of westbound Interstate 40 just west of the Coors interchange. He was carrying a suitcase. No one knows where he had been or where he was going.

In the far left lane, a semitruck barreled west, passing under the interchange and unwittingly launching a deadly missile when its rear dual tires broke off, veered diagonally across three lanes and struck Kris head-on, as if he had been the target.

Kris, looking down as he walked, likely never knew what hit him. He died instantly.

Albuquerque police called it other mechanical defect. The state Office of the Medical Investigator called it an accidental death by blunt trauma.

It took nearly three weeks for OMI officials to find his parents in Kennewick, using fingerprints and records from Kris stint in the Army from 2008 to 2010.

We had no idea he was here, Jerry Carlson said. We had no idea where he was.

It hadnt always been that way. The Carlsons and their four children were a close bunch in the early years. Kris, the second oldest, was a happy kid, respectful and well-adjusted with friends and hobbies. He was hard-working, earning money to pay for his toys even as young as 8 when he mowed lawns for neighbors.

We taught our kids to be independent, to work hard for themselves, Carlson said. I think we did everything right.

But, his father said, Kris was hard on himself. Too hard. That, he said, may have contributed to his growing estrangement from the family as an adult when his setbacks began piling up. He dropped out of several colleges, lost jobs, could not maintain relationships.

Something went wrong, he said. Maybe I taught him to be too independent. If he was having problems, he must have felt he couldnt come to me. He didnt trust me enough to help. Maybe I didnt compliment him enough.

But Carlson had tried, encouraging his son to keep at it, seek counseling, find a new school, a new job. As the siblings grew up, obtained careers, married and had children, Kris was left behind. Around 2011, he broke away altogether.

Maybe it was low self-esteem or maybe depression, Carlson said. I dont think it was drugs. He was always so against them. We feel he must have been very embarrassed about personal issues. This may have been mixed with feelings of anger toward different things. We had hoped that he would return one day after wandering around searching for whatever it was that he was looking for.

A last Facebook post from Kris, dated June 6, 2013, indicated he was looking for a ride out of San Diego. His family never heard from him again.

After his death, the Carlsons received his remains and little else  the boots, khakis, gloves, scarf and coats he wore, a small nylon drawstring satchel with the words LOOK FOR ME printed in upper case. They also received a small plastic bag containing cards from banks, restaurants, grocery stores, library from Arizona and New Mexico, and an EBT card with a 4-cent balance. A drivers license was issued Sept. 11, 2014, and bore the address of Paz de Cristo, an outreach center for homeless people in Mesa, Ariz. Another card was from the Secular Student Alliance of the University of New Mexico.

These are all Carlson has to help him piece together the last years of his sons life. Hes come to Albuquerque to do that.

I have the goal to walk in his steps, he said. The more I trace his steps the more I find out about him. It gives me the truth, though the truth is not always positive.

One of those truths: According to the autopsy, Kris had a recreational level of methamphetamine in his system.

Carlson has amassed a lot of notes, made a lot of calls, traveled the parts of Albuquerque few out-of-towners want to see. So far, hes found that Kris had connections to St. Martins Hospitality Center and Joy Junction, two of the larger agencies for the homeless population in Albuquerque.

That isnt much to go on.

So hes hoping someone out there knew Kris Carlson, can help him trace his sons steps, can assure him that his son had friends and was not lonely. And maybe someone out there can help him understand why his son took those steps that took him so far away.

UpFront is a daily front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Joline at 823-3603, jkrueger@abqjournal.com or follow her on Twitter @jolinegkg. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
The U.S. government is funneling another $5 million to a pipeline project that is designed to one day bring billions of gallons of drinking water a year to parts of eastern New Mexico where supplies are rapidly declining.

The Ute pipeline project has been decades in the making to ease the strain on the Ogallala aquifer, a massive groundwater supply that underlies parts of New Mexico, Texas and several other states.

The latest report from federal scientists shows average water levels across the expansive aquifer dropped by less than a foot between 2013 and 2015. Declines have been more dramatic over the last half-century, topping 230 feet in some places.

While efforts to reduce pumping have slowed the rate of decline in recent years, officials in Clovis and other eastern New Mexico communities say the need remains for a more sustainable source of water for the estimated 70,000 people who depend on the aquifer.

One of six congressionally approved rural water projects underway nationwide, the pipeline would bring water from Ute Reservoir to Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, Portales and other communities along the Texas-New Mexico border.

The communities are praising the latest infusion of funding, which marks the largest financial award to date. Still, the federal dollars represent just a fraction of what will be needed to complete the project.

The price has ballooned to more than a half-billion dollars, and the Bureau of Reclamation has acknowledged it could end up costing $750 million.

In all, more than $46 million has been requested by the Trump administration for rural water projects for the 2018 fiscal year. Thats more than what was set aside by the Obama administration for spending in 2017 but less than previous years.

Pairing the federal money with state and local matching funds, the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority now has about $14 million to begin the next phase, which officials say will be the backbone of the project.

I think it is really exciting that the project has advanced this far, said Gayla Brumfield, chairwoman of the water authority. She said the funding indicates the federal government believes in the project.

A piece of the project calls for a system of pipelines that would connect the Air Force base and other communities to areas where the aquifer has the potential to produce more water to ensure none of the members runs dry before the pipeline from the reservoir is completed.

Design and construction of that network is estimated at $88 million. The first bids are expected to go out this fall.

Ute Reservoir was completed in 1963, with the intention of storing water downstream communities that rely on the Ogallala. It wasnt until 2009 that Congress approved the pipeline project in the face of what eventually became an unprecedented drought in New Mexico.

The initial phase  an intake facility at Ute Reservoir  was completed in April 2016.

In an effort to further slow the decline of the aquifer, Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn is encouraging oil and natural gas companies in the region to consider using recycled water for their operations rather than pumping fresh groundwater. His office this year instituted a review policy for permitting any new pumping on state trust land.

Many companies are already moving in that direction, and city leaders say municipal conservation efforts will continue in order to stretch existing supplies.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

This is the first article in a two-part series about the often under-reported crime of sex trafficking in New Mexico. It was spurred by the death of a 20-year-old woman who police say had been shot and killed by a hit man hired by the people who had been forcing her to sell sex.

In January 2016, police were called to a Northwest Albuquerque home after an 18-year-old girl said she had been beaten by her 39-year-old boyfriend.

The teenager, who had bloody and swollen lips, told the officers that her boyfriend was also her pimp and had beaten her with a sharpened shovel handle.

She told them he regularly hit her when she didnt make enough money working as a prostitute  which is a potential sex trafficking offense  yet they charged him only with domestic violence, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. The case has not yet gone to trial.

Law enforcement officers and advocates who focus on sex trafficking say this scenario plays out all too often, and its one of the biggest obstacles to helping victims and stopping offenders.

We see the girlfriend thing a lot, said Detective Kyle Hartsock with the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office Ghost Unit, named after the part of society that is often overlooked, according to the BCSO website. We see police characterize it as domestic violence.

Many sex trafficking victims are unable to escape their traffickers without help, and Hartsock said he believes that with specific training, officers will be able to better recognize them so offenders can be taken off the streets. He and his partner, Kyle Woods, have started a program at the BCSO to tackle the issue.

Domestic violence cases are a dime a dozen, Hartsock said. If you call someone a human trafficker, the courts and prosecutors put more weight on it.

Under-reported

Authorities say sex trafficking is a vastly under-detected and under-reported crime since many of the victims are living on the fringes of society and may not want to come forward or even identify as victims themselves.

New Mexico State Law defines sex trafficking as knowingly recruiting or transporting a person in order to force them into selling sex or benefitting financially from forced or coerced sexual activity. Its a third-degree felony.

Although Hartsock said there are prostitutes who work independently and are not forced into selling sex, he said its extremely common for traffickers to try to recruit them under the guise of offering protection. Often these relationships devolve into sex trafficking as the worker is forced into doing more and more and isnt able to keep most of what he or she makes.

Law enforcement agencies across New Mexico investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases, but no state government agency keeps statistics on the number of cases or victims.

Anthony Maez, a special agent in charge of the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit in the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office, said identifying victims of trafficking in the state is particularly difficult because many remain in the area only a short time. The interstates that meet in the middle of the city can act as thoroughfares for traffickers who are bringing their victims from one area to another.

New Mexico appears to be part of a circuit where victims are brought for a couple of days, posted online or forced to walk the streets and then moved on to another city, Maez said.

However, some groups have amassed statistics.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 32 cases the organization was aware of in New Mexico in 2016, and Lynn Sanchez with The Life Links Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative said in the same year the local hotline came into contact with 46 to 52 victims.

And Hartsock, using national studies and statistics as well as personal experience, extrapolates that at any one time there are more than 25 traffickers in BCSOs jurisdiction alone and more than 40 juvenile sex-trafficking victims.

These calls and experiences lead some advocates to say the number of victims in New Mexico could be in the thousands.

Christine Barber, a local victims advocate and co-founder of Street Safe New Mexico, has taken it upon herself to try to figure out how many sex trafficking victims could be in the state.

Barber and a crew of volunteers gather twice a month at casinos to walk up and down between the neon glow of slot machines and count the women they suspect are being coerced into prostitution.

Barber said although she initially focused on bringing everyday supplies and assistance to sex workers on the streets, particularly in Southeast Albuquerque, she began to hear from victims that casinos can be hotbeds of activity for sex trafficking.

That inspired her to try to count them and estimate the scope of the problem. She then passes along her data to the Attorney Generals Office.

If we dont start counting those trafficking victims, it allows us to ignore them, Barber said. Weve allowed everyone to be complacent for far too long.

Making progress

Hartsock said he and BCSO have made recent progress in the fight against sex trafficking by focusing on homeless, at-risk teenagers.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, one in six runaways has been coerced into prostitution, and teenagers who have run away from state programs are the most at risk. A 2016 study found that 86 percent of the juvenile victims had run away from social services or foster care.

Hartsock said there are 262 juveniles who have been reported as missing in BCSOs jurisdiction, and he expects there are three or four times that number in the Albuquerque Police Department jurisdiction.

He said for that reason, uniformed officers are the most likely to encounter sex trafficking victims as they respond to other calls, but they often dont realize it.

Victims generally have a long history of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse or neglect, Hartsock said. Its rare that a victim says theyre a victim.

APD Detective Matt Vollmer agrees. He said he worked on the departments vice unit when it had six detectives, and although there are only two now they still carry out undercover operations.

Vollmer said sometimes officers arrest a woman who is working as a prostitute multiple times before she discloses that she is the victim of sex traffickers.

A victim is not a victim until they decide to be a victim, he said. Once they decide to be a victim we have to be prepared to assist them with everything from substance abuse treatment to housing, to money, to clothing  basic necessities to help them escape whoever is trafficking them.

Hartsock and Woods, on the other hand, started taking a more proactive approach at the BCSO in June 2016, by training all deputies on how to identify and interview potential victims of sex trafficking.

Hartsock said signs that indicate someone is being trafficked include close monitoring by another person, buying an exorbitant amount of condoms, not wanting to say where they are staying at night, making references to the life, which is slang for being a sex worker, or getting random calls at all hours of the day. He said victims also usually display signs of mental illness or drug abuse.

We rarely find a victim that is not being drugged by their trafficker on a consistent basis, Hartsock said.

BCSO also introduced a seven-deputy High Risk Victims Unit that works more intensively with the community and follows up with at-risk teenagers and families.

Results came quickly.

Hartsock said they have identified 15 juvenile victims since October and have several new cases building against traffickers.

He said the trick is recognizing the behaviors victims often hide behind.

Were saying if theyre acting like this, theyre probably acting like this for a reason, Hartsock said. It has to be our job to find out why theyre doing this.

MONDAY: Victims advocates
Two and a half years ago, Detective Kyle Hartsock of the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office was on his way to the copy machine when a chance encounter kicked off a case that became one of his first successful convictions of a sex trafficker.

As he overheard a deputy detailing the crazy life story of a 17-year-old girl who had been working as a prostitute in Montana and was facing other charges in New Mexico, Hartsock suspected something else was going on.

He suspected she had been forced to have sex for money.

Within a week I was able to schedule an interview with her, Hartsock said. Six interviews later, we had a case with two male suspects identified, and arrested the girls mom who basically agreed to sell her daughter to these traffickers.

Hartsock arrested Stephon McDaniel, 24, Lavodrick Hogues, 29, and the girls mother and charged them with human trafficking. The girls stepfather was also charged with child abuse for allegedly giving the girl methamphetamine.

McDaniel pleaded no contest to human trafficking and other charges last January, according to court documents. He was sentenced to six years in prison and had to register as a sex offender.

Hogues was extradited to Montana where he faced charges of aggravated promotion of prostitution and the case against him is ongoing.

Last July, 2nd Judicial District Court Judge Alisa Hadfield dismissed the cases against the girls mother and stepfather without prejudice, which means they can be refiled, because the state didnt turn over key evidence to the defense by the court deadlines.

Hartsock said the successes in that case helped him convince the sheriff to let him train all deputies about sex trafficking in the hopes they will be able to identify cases to bring to detectives in the future.

Without this deputy talking at the copy machine and the good luck of me just walking by we dont even get the case, Hartsock said. Thats why we are focusing more on this training aspect.
PHILADELPHIA  Two cousins charged in a gruesome crime spree that ended with police unearthing the bodies of four young men buried on a family farm started off committing small crimes.

But authorities dont know why the 20-year-old suspects escalated from offenses like break-ins and jewelry heists to allegedly killing their victims and burying them in two pits so deep beneath the ground that a backhoe and dozens of people were needed to sift through the dirt.

Police found the missing men after a grueling, five-day search in sweltering heat and pelting rain.

For Cosmo DiNardo, whose lawyer said he confessed to all four killings in exchange for being spared the death penalty, brushes with the law began in his early teenage years.

He was about 14 when the Bensalem Police Department first had contact with him. He had more than 30 run-ins with its officers over the next six years, department director Frederick Harran said, although court filings reflect only the minor infractions and traffic stops that came after age 18.

DiNardo enrolled at Arcadia University in Glenside in the fall of 2015 with hopes of studying biology and had an eye on international travel, according to a blog post announcing the incoming class.

Im going to go overseas, hopefully to Italy and the rest of Europe, he is quoted as saying.

However, his time at the school was short. After making comments that unnerved several people on campus, public safety officials contacted the local police department. The university sent a letter to DiNardos parents saying said their son could face trespassing charges if he returned to the school, a person aware of the contents of the letter said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss it.

A year and a day before he admitted to killing the missing men, lighting three of them on fire and using a backhoe to load the charred bodies into an oil tank that he buried more than 12-feet (3.7-meters)-deep on his parents farm, a family member had DiNardo involuntarily committed to a mental institution, Harran said.

Details of his institutionalization remain unclear, but he was barred by law from owning a firearm afterward. Nonetheless, when Bensalem police responded to a report of gunfire in February, an officer found DiNardo in his truck with a 20-gauge shotgun and extra ammunition. He acknowledged his history of mental illness, Harran said.

A year later, here we are, Harran said Friday. The system is broken.

Despite the mental health commitment and frequent interactions with police, DiNardo still managed to sell guns and marijuana in the area, according to a source familiar with DiNardos confession who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

A police affidavit confirmed the sources story  DiNardo lured each of the victims to his familys 90-acre (36-hectare) Solebury Township farm under the guise of marijuana deals.

His first victim was set to buy $8,000 worth of marijuana but arrived with only $800, DiNardo told police, so he brought the 19-year-old Loyola University student to a remote part of the farm and shot him with a .22 caliber rifle. He buried Jimi Taro Patrick in a hole he dug with a backhoe. Yellow ribbons now line the Newtown street where Patrick lived with his grandparents.

Monsignor Michael Picard watched Patrick grow up at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Newtown, where he attended school and regularly attended Mass with his grandparents. The priest described Patrick as a very shy, very bright boy who won an academic scholarship to Loyola.

Jimi may well be an example to other young kids to stay careful and cautious, Picard said I think the sad thing with our young people today is they get involved with other kids before they know much about them and they can get into trouble.

According to the police affidavit, DiNardo enlisted his cousin, Sean Kratz, to help him rob 19-year-old Dean Finocchiaro, 22-year-old Mark Sturgis and 21-year-old Tom Meo after Patricks killing.

The three victims were shot, placed with a backhoe into an oil tank that had been converted into a cooker that DiNardo called a pig roaster, and then lit on fire, according to the affidavit. He buried the drum deep under the ground on his familys farm.

Court records show Kratz was previously arrested on two separate burglary charges in Philadelphia for thefts in June and December of last year where he reportedly stole $1,000 in tools and $450 worth of jewelry.

A week before the second theft arrest, Kratz was picked up for shoplifting $200 worth of clothing at a Macys near Philadelphia. Police say Kratz had been using pliers to cut off security tags. He pleaded guilty in June to retail theft after more serious charges were withdrawn.

With the Philadelphia cases still pending in January, court records show Kratz skipped bail and went to Illinois. That prompted a judge to issue a bench warrant for his arrest. Out on bail again, a prosecutor said Friday, Kratz became a killer.

Kratz, who said he works at a tiling company, did not have a lawyer with him at his arraignment. Clad in a blue jumpsuit and flanked by detectives, he told a judge that he has trouble walking because hed been shot three months ago. Kratzs mother, Vanessa, declined to comment.

At a press conference Friday announcing that police had recovered all four previously missing bodies, a reporter asked Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub why DiNardo felt the need to kill the young men.

Im not really sure we could ever answer that question, he said.
PORTALES, N.M.  The Portales Municipal Airport has been awarded a federal grant of nearly $432,000 that will allow for the construction of two 12,000-gallon fuel tanks.

With the new tanks, officials say the eastern New Mexico airport will be able to sell fuel as it looks to become financially self-sustainable.

Members of New Mexicos congressional delegation announced the grant Friday. They say airports help drive the economy in rural communities by keeping them connected via air service to the rest of the state.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Aviation Administration. Under the agencys airport improvement program, dozens of airports across the nation are sharing in the latest round of grants.

Airports in Grants, Hobbs, Jal, Lordsburg, Los Alamos, Lovington and Roswell received funds earlier this year.
The title of this post is the headline of this notable new Marshall Project piece that carried the subheadline "New data shows legalization leads to fewer encounters between cops and drivers, but racial disparities remain." Here are excerpts:

The legalization of marijuana in Washington state and Colorado had at least one unanticipated effect on the streets: a sharp decline in the number of traffic stops and searches by state police, a new analysis shows. The drop means fewer interactions between police and drivers, potentially limiting dangerous clashes. But even though the number of traffic stops fell significantly for all racial groups, black and Hispanic drivers are still searched at higher rates than white motorists, the analysis found.

[This review of] stop and searches conducted by Washington and Colorado state patrols before and after marijuana became legal in both states in late 2012 ... was based on data obtained by researchers at Stanford University who released a report this week studying 60 million state patrol stops in 31 states between 2011 and 2015, the most comprehensive look at national traffic stops to date. The data does not offer a complete picture because it includes only stops by state patrol agencies and not local law enforcement....

It is possible that pot legalization has not had the same effect on urban traffic stops as it has on those made by highway patrols because policing strategies differ, said Charles Epp, a University of Kansas professor who co-authored the 2014 book Pulled Over: How Police Stops Define Race and Citizenship. State police tend to focus on accidents, impaired and reckless driving, and the transport of illegal drugs. City police concentrate on crime deterrence and response....

The Stanford study suggests that removing marijuana possession from the potential list of crimes lowers the chance that a car will be stopped and searched. And the numbers are striking. In Washington, the search rate of black drivers age 21 and over decreased by about 34 percent after legalization, according to the analysis by Reveal and The Marshall Project. Search rates of white and Hispanic drivers in the same age group declined by about 25 percent.

Still, racial disparities remained: Both before and after legalization, black motorists age 21 and over  the legal age for buying pot  were searched at a rate roughly twice that of white drivers. The search rate for Hispanics was about 1.7 times that of whites.

In Colorado, the search rate of African American drivers 21 and over dropped by nearly half, while the search rate of Hispanic drivers fell by 58 percent. White drivers faced almost two-thirds fewer searches after recreational marijuana was legalized. Racial disparities, however, also persisted in Colorado even as overall numbers of searches went down. After legalization in Colorado, the search rate for African American drivers was 3.3 times that of white drivers, and the rate for Hispanics was more than 2.7 times that of whites.

The findings on stop and searches are similar to those showing a decrease in the number of marijuana arrests in Colorado after legalization, according to a 2016 Colorado Department of Public Safety report that reviewed legalizations wide-ranging impacts. The study showed that the total number of marijuana arrests dropped by nearly half after legalization, but the marijuana arrest rate for African Americans was almost three times that of whites.
TONTO NATIONAL FOREST, Ariz.  Nine people died and a 13-year-old boy was missing Sunday after their group of family and friends was swept away while cooling off in a creek that suddenly turned treacherous when a rainstorm upstream unleashed floodwaters in Arizonas Tonto National Forest.

Gila County Sheriffs Detective David Hornung told The Associated Press that the group from the Phoenix and Flagstaff areas had met up for a daytrip along the popular Cold Springs swimming hole near Payson in central Arizona and were playing in the water Saturday afternoon when muddy flood waters came roaring down the canyon.

The group, ranging in age from 2 to 60, had set out chairs to lounge on a warm summer day when miles upstream an intense thunderstorm dumped heavy rainfall on the mountain.

Disa Alexander was hiking to the swimming area where Ellison Creek and East Verde River converge when the water suddenly surged. She was still about two miles away when she spotted a man holding a baby and clinging to a tree. His wife was nearby, also in a tree. Had they been swept downstream, they would have been sent over a 20-foot waterfall, Alexander said.

Alexander and others tried to reach them but couldnt. Rescuers arrived a short time later.

We were kinda looking at the water; it was really brown, she said. Literally 20 seconds later you just see like hundreds of gallons of water smacking down and debris and trees getting pulled in. It looked like a really big mudslide.

Video she posted to social media showed torrents of water surging through jagged canyons carved in Arizonas signature red rock.

I could have just died! Alexander exclaimed on the video, which shows the people in the tree and then rescuers arriving on the scene. A boy Alexander described as the couples son was on the rocks above the water.

Search and rescue crews, including 40 people on foot and others in a helicopter, recovered the bodies of five children and four adults, some as far as two miles down the river. Authorities did not identify them. Four others were rescued Saturday and taken to Banner hospital in nearby Payson for treatment of hypothermia.

Rescuers got to the four victims quickly after the crew heard their cries while they were nearby helping an injured hiker.

Daniel Bustamante, 16, sat on a bench with his friend Daniel Rodriguez outside the local mortuary in Payson where victims were brought. He said he came from Phoenix after getting a Snapchat message from a friend.

The flash-flooding hit Saturday afternoon at Cold Springs canyon, about 100 miles northeast of Phoenix, a popular recreation area reached by relatively easy hiking paths. Some know it was as Ellison Creek or Water Wheel swimming holes.

Hornung said the treacherously swift waters gushed for about 10 minutes before receding in the narrow canyon. He estimated floodwaters reached six feet high and 40 feet wide.

The National Weather Service, which had issued a flash-flood warning, estimated up to 1.5 inches of rain fell over the area in an hour. The thunderstorm hit about 8 miles upstream along Ellison Creek, which quickly flooded the narrow canyon where the swimmers were.

They had no warning. They heard a roar, and it was on top of them, Water Wheel Fire and Medical District Fire Chief Ron Sattelmaier said.

There were no notices or warnings at the trailhead, Alexander said.

There had been thunderstorms throughout the area, but it wasnt raining where the swimmers were at the time.

While Arizona is known for its dryness, it gets bursts of heavy rains during the summer monsoon season.

I wish there was a way from keeping people from getting in there during monsoon season,  Sattelmaier said It happens every year. Weve just been lucky something like this hasnt been this tragic.

Hornung said there was no way to notify people of the flash-flood warning because cell service is limited and there are no officials stationed in the area. Visitors are reminded to be vigilant about the weather, he said.

Crowds looking to beat the Phoenix metro areas heat headed to the small creeks that flow out of the mountains forming swimming holes and a series of small waterfalls. Some barbecue along the waters edge, while others cliff jump into the deeper pools. Farther up the canyon narrows and becomes rockier, its walls steeper.

The flooding came after a severe thunderstorm pounded down on a nearby remote area that had been burned by a recent wildfire, Sattelmaier said. The burn scar was one of the reasons the weather service issued the flash-flood warning.

If its an intense burn, it creates a glaze on the surface that just repels water, said Darren McCollum, a meteorologist. We had some concerns. We got a lot worse news.

Sudden flooding in canyons has been deadly before. In 2015, seven people were killed in Utahs Zion National Park when they were trapped during a flash flood while hiking in a popular canyon that was as narrow as a window in some spots and several hundred feet deep.

In 1997, 11 hikers were killed near Page, Arizona, after a wall of water from a rainstorm miles upstream tore through a narrow, twisting series of corkscrew-curved walls on Navajo land known as Lower Antelope Canyon.

___

Ho reported from Las Vegas. Alina Hartounian in Phoenix and Mike Balsamo in Los Angeles contributed.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  An astronomy buff and her fiance want to make sure nothing eclipses their Missouri wedding ceremony.

Samantha Adams tells The Kansas City Star (http://bit.ly/2vqYs6r ) that her longtime fascination with the stars prompted her to schedule the ceremony for 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 21  during an extremely rare total solar eclipse.

I couldn't think of a more dreamlike wedding for myself, said Adams, 28, who has a tattoo of the space probe Voyager on her left arm.

The couple's entire ceremony in St. Joseph, Missouri, will have an eclipse theme and every guest will be provided with a pair of solar glasses. During the wedding, the couple plans to watch the eclipse with their guests before taking their vows.

Adams once dreamed of becoming an astronaut, but multiple knee surgeries forced her to take a different path. She lives in Overland Park, Kansas and has a master's degree in industrial education.

The couple grew up in Platte City, Missouri, a grade apart in school before they started dating while attending the University of Western Missouri.

 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Google is rolling out a new feature as a part of its popular Reserve With Google service. Before today, you could only book fitness classes such as Yoga. However starting today, you can now also book appointments at spas and hair salons straight from Google Maps and Search. If you live outside the U.S, you will be disappointed. Unfortunately, it is only available in the United States at this time. Nevertheless, Google will most likely bring this convenient feature to most other countries in the near future, as they have done so with nearly all of their other services in the past.

As you can clearly see in the image below this article, Google has made it so that using this nifty little feature is very simple and straightforward. Firstly, there are a couple different ways to access it, you can do it through Google Maps, by simply looking up a spa or salon, and then selecting an available time right from there, or you can also do it from Google Search itself by tapping the book button, under the call, directions, share and website buttons below the business listing of a particular salon or spa in your area. After selecting the desired time, you will need to enter some simple personal information, and youre good to go. Alternatively you could also access this feature by going to Reserve with Googles dedicated website and entering the name of a salon or spa there. However, that is obviously not as convenient.

Google was able to make this new feature a reality thanks to a number of partnerships that were made with scheduling providers across the United States. This includes providers like Genbook, Rosy, WellnessLiving, and Yocale. It will also be adding many more very soon, such as Booksy, Envision, MyTime, Schedulicity, Setmore, Shore, SimpleSpa, SuperSalon, as well as TimeTrade. Google has said that in the near future, it is planning to add even more types of services that are bookable with this feature soon, so keep an eye out for any other services that you might be interested in using this feature for.
As reported in this industry article, the Highway Loss Data Institute has completed an interesting analysis of car crash claims data in marijuana legalization states. Here are the basics from the article:

Legalizing recreational marijuana use in Colorado, Oregon and Washington has resulted in collision claim frequencies that are about 3 percent higher overall than would have been expected without legalization, a new Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) analysis shows. This is HLDI's first look at how the legalization of marijuana since 2014 has affected crashes reported to insurers....

Colorado and Washington were the first to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older with voter approval in November 2012. Retail sales began in January 2014 in Colorado and in July 2014 in Washington. Oregon voters approved legalized recreational marijuana in November 2014, and sales started in October 2015.

HLDI conducted a combined analysis using neighboring states as additional controls to examine the collision claims experience of Colorado, Oregon and Washington before and after law changes. Control states included Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, plus Colorado, Oregon and Washington prior to legalization of recreational use. During the study period, Nevada and Montana permitted medical use of marijuana, Wyoming and Utah allowed only limited use for medical purposes, and Idaho didn't permit any use. Oregon and Washington authorized medical marijuana use in 1998, and Colorado authorized it in 2000.

HLDI also looked at loss results for each state individually compared with loss results for adjacent states without legalized recreational marijuana use prior to November 2016. Data spanned collision claims filed between January 2012 and October 2016 for 1981 to 2017 model vehicles. Analysts controlled for differences in the rated driver population, insured vehicle fleet, the mix of urban versus rural exposure, unemployment, weather and seasonality.

Collision claims are the most frequent kind of claims insurers receive. Collision coverage insures against physical damage to a driver's vehicle in a crash with an object or other vehicle, generally when the driver is at fault. Collision claim frequency is the number of collision claims divided by the number of insured vehicle years (one vehicle insured for one year or two vehicles insured for six months each). "The combined-state analysis shows that the first three states to legalize recreational marijuana have experienced more crashes," says Matt Moore, senior vice president of HLDI. "The individual state analyses suggest that the size of the effect varies by state."

Colorado saw the biggest estimated increase in claim frequency compared with its control states. After retail marijuana sales began in Colorado, the increase in collision claim frequency was 14 percent higher than in nearby Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. Washington's estimated increase in claim frequency was 6.2 percent higher than in Montana and Idaho, and Oregon's estimated increase in claim frequency was 4.5 percent higher than in Idaho, Montana and Nevada. "The combined effect for the three states was smaller but still significant at 3 percent," Moore says. "The combined analysis uses a bigger control group and is a good representation of the effect of marijuana legalization overall. The single-state analyses show how the effect differs by state."

Each of the individual state analyses also showed that the estimated effect of legalizing recreational use of marijuana varies depending on the comparison state examined. For example, results for Colorado vary from a 3 percent rise in claim frequency when compared with Wyoming to a 21 percent increase when compared with Utah.

HLDI's new analysis of real-world crashes provides one look at the emerging picture of what marijuana's legalization will mean for highway safety as more states decriminalize its use. In the coming years, more research from HLDI and others will help sharpen the focus. As HLDI continues to examine insurance claims in states that allow recreational use of marijuana, IIHS has begun a large-scale case-control study in Oregon to assess how legalized marijuana use may be changing the risk of crashes with injuries. Preliminary results are expected in 2020.
16 July 2017 14:19 (UTC+04:00)

A delegation of Korean pharmacists led by chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association (KPBMA) Hee-mok Won will be visiting Azerbaijan from July 17 to 19.

The delegation will familiarize themselves with conditions created for foreign investors and reforms in the field of pharmaceutics in Azerbaijan, and discuss bilateral cooperation with their Azerbaijani counterparts, Azertac reported.

The Korean delegation will hold meetings in Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Economy, Azerbaijan Investment and Export Promotion Foundation, Azerbaijan Investment Company and Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park.

The KPBMA is the largest pharmaceutical industry organization in Korea, which unites 202 pharmaceutical companies (175 domestic pharmaceutical firms and 27 multinational corporations). These companies export pharmaceutical products with a total amount of $ 2.4 billion and pharmaceutical technology of $ 7.8 billion to 188 countries.

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16 July 2017 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

France called on Saturday for a swift lifting of sanctions that target Qatari nationals in an effort to ease a month-long rift between the Gulf country and several of its neighbors, Reuters reported.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt imposed sanctions on Qatar on June 5, accusing it of financing extremist groups and allying with the Gulf Arab states' arch-foe Iran. Doha denies the accusations.

"France calls for the lifting, as soon as possible, of the measures that affect the populations in particular, bi-national families that have been separated or students," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters in Doha, after he met his counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

Le Drian was speaking alongside al-Thani, a few hours after his arrival in Doha. He is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia later on Saturday and will visit Kuwait and the UAE on Sunday.

Le Drian follows in the steps of other world powers in the region, including the United States, whose Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sought to find a solution to the impasse this week.

Officials from Britain and Germany also visited the region with the aim of easing the conflict, for which Kuwait has acted as mediator between the feuding Gulf countries.

In a joint statement issued after Tillerson and al-Thani signed an agreement on Tuesday aimed at combating the financing of terrorism, the four Arab states leading the boycott on Qatar said the sanctions would remain in place.

They also reinstated 13 wide-ranging demands they had earlier submitted to Qatar, the world's biggest producer of liquefied natural gas, as a condition for removing sanctions.

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I highlighting in this post a few weeks ago that New Jersey may well be on a political path to become the first state to fully legalize marijuana via the traditional legislative process. That political path may have been started in earnest this week with a state legislative hearing on the topic, and this local article report on a notable advocate at that hearing. The article is headlined "Prosecutor says 'too many lives ruined' because marijuana is illegal in N.J.," and here are excerpts:

As a municipal prosecutor in Clark, Jon-Henry Barr said he must try a number of cases against people who get arrested for marijuana possession. Barr also said he knows these cases can wreck good people's lives, and doesn't want to keep quiet about it anymore. One case he won recently against a young black woman with no prior record "turned my stomach."

The former president of the New Jersey Municipal Prosecutors Association, Barr urged the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday to pass a law legalizing the sale and possession of marijuana because it is morally the right thing to do. "Legalize and regulate it like we do with tobacco and alcohol," Barr said. "I have seen too many lives ruined or damaged. I'll continue to enforce the law -- that is my sworn duty. But I will not endorse the law."...

The supporters for Sen. Nicholas Scutari's bill (3195) far outweighed opponents. The handful of detractors were called up to testify at the tail end of the five-hour Statehouse hearing.

Cathleen Lewis, the chairwoman for the coordinating council AAA Clubs in New Jersey, warned that legalizing marijuana will result in more people driving under the influence of the drug. A year after Washington legalized cannabis sales, the number of fatal crashes involving drivers who has used marijuana climbed from 8 percent to 17 percent, she said....

Philip Kirschner of Morristown, who described himself as a concerned parent pleaded with the committee to reconsider pursuing the bill at all. "I know you want the tax money but let's be straight here: pass decriminalization first. That is what most people came here and spoke about," Kirschner said. "I plead with you, despite your rush for more taxes, to abandon this bill. The cost in human lives and misery is simply not worth it."

Following the hearing, Scutari, the bill's sponsor and committee chairman, said the there were plenty of suggestions how lawmakers can shape the bill, including speeding-up the expungement process. He said he didn't know whether he would call another hearing soon or wait for the new governor to take the place of Gov. Chris Christie, a staunch opponent.
16 July 2017 11:27 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a statement on Saturday that veteran Washington lawyer Ty Cobb will serve as special counsel, and sources familiar with the hiring said Cobb would handle the White House's response to Russia-related investigations, Reuters reported.

Cobb, a partner at the law firm Hogan Lovells in Washington, is expected to be an intermediary between the White House and Congress, as well as outside attorneys as probes into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia continue.

A federal special counsel and several congressional panels are investigating allegations by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and potential connections between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.

Moscow has denied any interference and the president has denied any collusion.

The last person to hold a similar position to Cobb's was lawyer Emmet Flood, who worked in the George W. Bush administration to respond to Congressional inquiries.

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Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. operates as a branded consumer products company worldwide. It operates through three segments: Home and Personal Care; Global Pet Care; and Home and Garden. The Home and Personal Care segment provides home appliances under the Black & Decker, Russell Hobbs, George Foreman, Toastmaster, Juiceman, Farberware, and Breadman brands; and personal care products under the Remington and LumaBella brands. The Global Pet Care segment provides rawhide chewing, dog and cat clean-up and food, training, health and grooming, small animal food and care, and rawhide-free products under the 8IN1 (8-in-1), Dingo, Nature's Miracle, Wild Harvest, Littermaid, Jungle, Excel, FURminator, IAMS, Eukanuba, Healthy-Hide, DreamBone, SmartBones, ProSense, Perfect Coat, eCOTRITION, Birdola, Good Boy, Meowee!, Wildbird, and Wafcol brands. This segment also offers aquarium kits, stand-alone tanks, and aquatics equipment and consumables under the Tetra, Marineland, Whisper, Instant Ocean, GloFish, OmegaOne, and OmegaSea brands. The Home and Garden segment provides outdoor insect and weed control solutions, and animal repellents under the Spectracide, Garden Safe, Liquid Fence, and EcoLogic brands; household pest control solutions under the Hot Shot, Black Flag, Real-Kill, Ultra Kill, The Ant Trap, and Rid-A-Bug brand names; household surface cleaning, maintenance, and restoration products, including bottled liquids, mops, wipes, and markers under the Rejuvenate brand name; and personal-use pesticides and insect repellent products under the Cutter and Repel brands. The company sells its products through retailers, e-commerce and online retailers, wholesalers, and distributors. Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin.
As reported in this Washington Post piece, "Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto signed a decree this week legalizing medical marijuana." Here is more:

The measure also classified the psychoactive ingredient in the drug as therapeutic. The new policy isn't exactly opening the door for medical marijuana dispensaries on every corner. Instead it calls on the Ministry of Health to draft and implement regulations and public policies regulating the medicinal use of pharmacological derivatives of cannabis sativa, indica and Americana or marijuana, including tetrahydrocannabinol. It also tasks the ministry with developing a research program to study the drug's impact before creating broader policies.

The measure had broad support from Mexico's Senate and Lower House of Congress, where it passed 347-7 in April. Marijuana legalization advocates are celebrating the decision and calling on the government to do more. Sen. Miguel Barbosa said the legislation was well below the expectations of society. Sen. Armando Rios Peter called it a tiny step away from a failed drug policy.

For decades, Latin America has struggled to address the rampant corruption and violence wrought by the drug trade. Lately, many places have focused on a particular strategy: decriminalization. As my colleague Josh Partlow wrote last year: Uruguay has fully legalized weed for sale. And a large chunk of South and Central America, including Brazil, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Costa Rica, have made marijuana more available in varying ways, whether it is for medicinal or recreational use. It's a recognition, he wrote, that years of violent struggle have failed to stem the flow of narcotics into the United States....

Recreational marijuana is still broadly prohibited in Mexico, but the government is considering a measure that would let citizens legally possess up to an ounce of it. In 2015, Mexico's Supreme Court granted four people the right to grow their own marijuana for personal consumption. The ruling set a precedent that could accelerate efforts to pass legislation permitting broader use of pot. Absolute prohibition is excessive and doesnt protect the right to health, Justice Olga Sanchez Cordero said at the time.

Pena Nieto, who once was a vocal opponent of drug legalization, has undergone a similar shift in thinking. He has said that addiction should be thought of as a public health problem and that users should not be criminalized. He has also advocated for the United States and Mexico to follow similar policies on drug use and marijuana legislation.
The following companies are subsidiares of Eaton: Abeiron III Unlimited Company, Aeroquip Iberica S.L., Aeroquip-Vickers, Aphel Technologies, Argo-Tech, Arrow Hose & Tubing, Azonix Corporation, Babco Electric Group, Baricide Inc., Beijing Yoosung Shinhwa Automobile Parts Co. Ltd., Blinda Industria e Comercio Ltda., Bussmann International Holdings LLC, Bussmann International Inc., Bussmann S. de R.L. de C.V., CBE Services Inc., CEAG Notlichtsysteme GmbH, CLS (Canada) Company, COBHAM INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, CTI-VIENNA Gesellschaft zur Prufung elektrotechnischer Industrieprodukte GmbH, Cambridge International Sarl, Cannon Technologies Inc., Chagrin Highlands III Ltd., Cobham, Cobham Mission Systems Davenport AAR Inc., Cobham Mission Systems Davenport LSS Inc., Cobham Mission Systems FWB Inc., Cobham Mission Systems Orchard Park Inc., Cobham Mission Systems Wimborne Limited, Cooper (China) Co. Ltd., Cooper (Ningbo) Electric Co. Ltd., Cooper B-Line Inc., Cooper Bussmann LLC, Cooper Capri S.A.S., Cooper Crouse-Hinds (LLC), Cooper Crouse-Hinds AS, Cooper Crouse-Hinds B.V., Cooper Crouse-Hinds GmbH, Cooper Crouse-Hinds LLC, Cooper Crouse-Hinds MTL Inc., Cooper Crouse-Hinds S. de R.L. de C.V., Cooper Crouse-Hinds S.A., Cooper Csa Srl, Cooper Edison (Pingdingshan) Electronic Technologies Co. Ltd., Cooper Electric (Changzhou) Co. Ltd., Cooper Electric (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cooper Electrical International LLC, Cooper Electronic Technologies (Shanghai) Co. 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KG, FHF Funke+Huster Fernsig GmbH, Flight Refuelling Limited, Funke+Huster GmbH, GeCma Components electronic GmbH, Gitiesse S.r.l., Green Holding S.a.r.l., Green Motion SA, Grupo Desdemona S. de R.L. de C.V., Grupo Otello S. de R.L. de C.V., Hein Moeller Stiftung G.m.b.H., Hernis Scan Systems A/S, HuanYu High Tech, IE Power, Innovative Switchgear Solutions Inc, Institute for International Product Safety G.m.b.H., Integrated Hydraulics, Integrated Partial Discharge Diagnostics, Internormen Technology, Jeil Hydraulics, Joslyn Sunbank Company LLC, Kaicheng Funke+Huster (Tangshan) Mining Electrical Co. Ltd., Lian Zheng Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., MP Group SAS, MTL Instruments B.V., MTL Instruments LLC, MTL Instruments Private Limited, MTL Instruments SARL, MTL Italia Srl, MTL Partners II Inc., MTL Partners Inc., Marina Power and Lighting, Martek Power GmbH, Martek Power S.A. de C.V., McGraw-Edison Development Corporation, Menvier Overseas Holdings Limited, Micro Innovation Holding, Mission Systems, Moeller Electric (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Moeller Electric Ltda., Moeller Holding Gmbh & Co. KG, Moeller Industria de electro-electronicos do Amazonas Ltda., Morestana, Norex AS, Optimum Path Systems (Shanghai) Ltd., Oxalis Group, PDI Intermediate Corp., PT Eaton Industries, PT Ulusoy Electric Indonesia, PT Ulusoy Electric Industry, PT. Fluid Sciences Batam, PerkinElmer - aerospace division, Phoenixtec Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. 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(2012) Ltd, TGM Automotiva, TTMC Holdings Inc., Technocontact, Telkom Kenya, The MTL Instruments Group Limited, Tractech, Tripp Lite Holdings Inc., Tripp Lite of Canada Corp., Trippe Manufacturing Company, Turlock B.V., Tuthill Coupling Group, Ultronics, Ulusoy Elektrik Imalat Taahhut ve Ticaret AS, Winner Hydraulics Ltd., Wright Line Holding Inc., and Wright Line LLC.

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GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the creation, discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, and health-related consumer products in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. The company offers pharmaceutical products comprising medicines in the therapeutic areas, such as respiratory, HIV, immuno-inflammation, oncology, anti-viral, central nervous system, cardiovascular and urogenital, metabolic, anti-bacterial, and dermatology. It also provides consumer healthcare products in wellness, oral health, nutrition, and skin health categories. The company offers its consumer healthcare products in the form of nasal sprays, tablets, syrups, lozenges, gum and trans-dermal patches, caplets, infant syrup drops, liquid filled suspension, wipes, gels, effervescents, toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, denture adhesives and cleansers, topical creams and non-medicated patches, lip balm, gummies, and soft chews. It has collaboration agreements with 23andMe; Lyell Immunopharma, Inc.; Novartis; Sanofi SA; Surface Oncology; Progentec Diagnostics, Inc.; Alector, Inc.; and CureVac AG., as well as strategic partnership with IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. The company was formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline plc and changed its name to GSK plc in May 2022. GSK plc was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Brentford, the United Kingdom.
Archaeologist uncovers proof that vineyard recorded in Old Testament actually existed

An archaeologist in Israel said she found proof of the biblical story of Naboth's vineyard.

According to Breaking Israel News, Dr. Norma Franklin, one of the leaders behind the Jezreel Expedition, established that the Jezreel Valley was indeed a major wine producing area in biblical times, which lines up with the story of Naboth's vineyard as found in 1 Kings in the Bible.

Laser technology was used to analyze data from the area, which discovered several wine and olive presses, including over 100 bottle-shaped pits carved into the bedrock, which Franklin believes were used to store wine.

Franklin, who said that she is not religious, attested that the Bible can be used to help in such research.

"As an archaeologist, I cannot say that there was definitely a specific man named Naboth who had a particular vineyard," Franklin told BIN. "The story is very old but from what I have found, I can say that the story as described in the Bible quite probably could have occurred here in the Jezreel."

The archaeologist suggested that the vineyard was established somewhere before 300 BCE, which coincides with the time-frame for when Naboth was producing wine at the site.

"The Biblical narrative takes place in the fertile Jezreel Valley, an agricultural center to this day. According to the 21st chapter of the Book of Kings, Naboth owned a vineyard on the eastern slope of the hill of Jezreel near the palace of King Ahav," BIN explained.

"The king coveted the land but Naboth did not want to sell the plot, and since it was an inheritance, Torah law forbade him from selling it outright. Queen Jezebel intervened, staging a mock trial in order to seize Naboth's property."

Franklin said, however, that she disputes some aspects of the biblical narrative, and suggested that Naboth did not actually live in Jezreel.

"Owning a vineyard would make him wealthy since wine was an important commodity. I reckon that since he was from the aristocracy he probably lived in Samaria and had more than one vineyard. This would give a slightly different picture than the Bible, which implies, though does not state explicitly, that he was a poor man being abused by the wealthy king," she argued.

Franklin also said that she disagrees with narratives that paint Queen Jezebel with negative traits.

"Most Biblical scholars agree that the story was written down after the return from Babylon which coincides with Nehemiah telling Israel to turn away their foreign wives," Franklin said.

"It could be that the story of Jezebel, painting her as a horrible woman, made her appear worse than she really was. In some sense, she was a good wife, helping her husband who was sulking and depressed."

The Jezreel Valley has been the site of a number of remarkable archaeological discoveries.

The Israeli Antiquities Authority announced in April 2014 that it had uncovered a 3,300-year-old ceramic coffin containing a male skeleton and a scarab as part of a Bronze Era tomb.

The scarab was affixed to a ring that reportedly bore the name of Seti I, considered to be one of the most powerful pharaohs in Egypt during the Nineteenth Dynasty.

Seti I is said to be the father of Ramesses II, who some scholars believe to be the Pharaoh in the biblical story of Exodus, who drove the Israelites from Egypt.

This article was originally published in The Christian Post.
Freedom of religion is worth fighting for in Europe, says Angela Merkel

Freedom of religion in Europe is worth fighting for, alongside freedom of speech and freedom to travel, according to German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Many people in the past have taken the EU and its advantages for granted -- such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom to travel, she said.

'You don't have all this in many parts of the world. And that's why it is worth fighting for this Europe,' added Merkel, who grew up in communist East Germany.

'That's why one of our election placards is saying: If Europe is stronger, then Germany will be stronger. This is directly related.'

Merkel told voters on Saturday that Britain's decision to leave the European Union and France's election of President Emmanuel Macron had changed her view on the bloc, and said it was worth fighting for a stronger Europe.

Her comments were made in a speech in the Baltic Sea resort town of Zingst two months before a federal election. They underline her personal determination to deepen European integration if she is re-elected for a fourth term.

Calling European Union membership one of Germany's biggest strengths, Merkel said last year's Brexit decision and elections in France and the Netherlands, in which pro-European parties defeated populist candidates, had changed her perspective.

'For many people, including myself, something changed when we saw the Britons want to leave, when we were worried about the outcome of the elections in France and the Netherlands,' Merkel told voters, some of whom wore straw hats with black-red-and-gold hatbands, the colours of the German flag.

The centre-right chancellor admitted that the EU was far from perfect and that Brussels sometimes was too bureaucratic.

'But we have realized in the past few months that Europe is more than just bureaucracy and economic regulation, that Europe and living together in the European Union have something to do with war and peace, that the decades of peace after World War Two would have been completely unthinkable without the European Union,' Merkel said to applause.

Merkel has said she is open to proposals of strengthening the single currency through the creation of a euro zone finance minister who would oversee a pooled budget for investments and transfers intended to help member states cushion downturns.
Muslim refugee embraces Jesus on his deathbed after Christian aid worker kept his promise

A staunch defender of Islam never expected Jesus to come to his life, much less transform him into an ardent believernot in his wildest dreams.

Before experiencing the biggest miracle to ever touch his life, the unidentified man, a Muslim refugee in his 70s from Raqqa, Syria, told a ministry director that the Quran was "God's final word" and Islam was the "final religion eclipsing all preceding one."

The ministry director, who was working at a refugee camp in Turkey, told Christian Aid Mission (CAM) that the Muslim man had become disenchanted with people visiting the refugees in their camp only to take pictures and videos of them but not lifting a finger to help them.

"Everybody comes and takes a picture, makes a video, they register our name, but they never come back. You're one of them," the Muslim refugee told the ministry director.

Two weeks later, the director returned to the camp, bringing food, drinking water, and other relief items.

Upon seeing the director and his team carrying relief aid, the man cried. "He came and he hugged me. He said, 'We really thank you, you are the only man during the last two years that kept his word.'"

Although the director was able to establish rapport with the man, he still refused to hear anything about Jesus.

Months later, the refugee fell seriously ill. He felt he was dying, and he realized Islam could not save him. He then asked the director to pray for him.

Lying on his deathbed, the refugee told the director, "I don't know if I'm going to be alive tomorrow or not, but your message is always in my mind. I want to go to heaven, but I don't know how."

The director told him that once he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, God would forgive him and take him into the kingdom of heaven with Him.

Left with no other choice, the man called his brother, daughter and sons, and told them, "I'm making a decision that I'm having Jesus Christ as God and Savior. I want you to come with me with that, believe it with me."

The Middle Eastern culture mandates that whatever the father does, the rest of his family has to follow, according to CAM.

The miracle happened a week after the director joined the man in praying to God.

When the director visited him, he was already out of bed and back to his usual energetic self, as if nothing happened to him.

He fully embraced Jesus and is now teaching his family about his new faith.

The refugee is just one of the "unprecedented numbers of Muslims" in the region who have come to Christ, according to a CP report last month.

Speaking to Open Doors USA, a local pastor named Simon said even though hundreds of thousands of Christians have fled Syria since the civil war erupted in 2011, their number is being replaced by a "staggering" number of Muslims who are converting to Christianity.

He said he had baptized countless people from both Druze and Muslim backgrounds.
The Washington Post has this interesting new article taking a deep dive into on foreign nation's distinctive approach to marijuana reform. I recommend the article in full, and it is headlined "In Uruguays marijuana experiment, the government is your pot dealer." Here are excerpts:

Uruguay is the worlds first country to fully legalize the production, sale and consumption of marijuana. But under its strict rules, there will be no Amsterdam-style smoking cafes, and foreigners wont have access to the national stash.

Nor will there be shops selling ganja candies, psychedelic pastries or any of the other edible derivatives offered in pot-permissive U.S. states such as Colorado and Washington, where entrepreneurial capitalism fertilizes the United States incipient marijuana industry.

Instead, Uruguays government has developed a legalization model whose apparent goal is to make marijuana use as boring as possible. A vast regulatory bureaucracy will determine everything from the genetic makeup of the plants to the percentage of psychoactive compounds in their flowers.

The endeavor puts Uruguay (population: 3.4 million) at the forefront of a growing list of nations and U.S. states experimenting with marijuana. Pot has been legalized for recreational or medical use in more than half of U.S. states and the District of Columbia, but it remains essentially prohibited under federal law. American activists have been bracing for a confrontation with the Trump administration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who opposes the liberalization trend.

Canada, Mexico, Colombia and other nations across the Americas also are moving to legalize cannabis on a limited basis. But only Uruguay has set up a comprehensive system to regulate every facet of the plants life cycle, from tiny seed to smoky haze. Uruguayans say their model is designed to strike a balance between prohibition and the kind of exuberant marijuana economy emerging in some U.S. states, where well-funded businesses may have incentives to encourage consumption.

In Uruguay, anything that smacks of commercial marijuana branding or advertising is banned. The two private firms authorized to supply the pharmacies with industrial quantities of dope  four tons annually  cant even put their company labels on the packaging. The risk of what theyre doing in Colorado is that you end up with something like the tobacco industry, said Julio Calzada, one of the public health officials who designed Uruguays regulatory model after lawmakers approved legalization in 2013. He said the country wont allow a competitive industry peddling pot versions of Marlboro and Camel. The concept here is totally different.

To us, marijuana is a vegetable substance with a capacity to generate addiction, so what were trying to do is control the production, distribution and consumption of that substance as effectively as possible, he said.

Its no fluke that this is happening in socially liberal Uruguay. Gambling and prostitution are legal and regulated here. Uruguay is also the only Latin American nation outside Cuba that has broadly legalized abortion, and it was one of the first to recognize civil unions and adoption by same-sex couples. Uruguay also is accustomed to relatively high levels of regulation and a big state role in the economy, with an array of government-owned banks, gas stations and utilities. Over the years, activists began to argue: Why not weed?

The experiment is not without skeptics and detractors  one reason it has taken longer than expected to fully implement the countrys legalization model. Marijuana cultivation and consumption has been allowed for personal use, and the country now has at least 60 cannabis clubs that provide members with a monthly supply. But the government has been slow to roll out its system of pharmacy-based commercial sales to the general population.

Uruguay developed its pioneering model under ex-president Jose Mujica, a former Marxist guerrilla turned statesman. His successor, Tabare Vazquez, a trained physician, largely has sought to play down the legalization experiment, seemingly wary of a potentially negative impact on Uruguays image. Legalization advocates close to the government say officials also have been hung up by international banking rules that sanction entities with ties to the narcotics trade.

Still, Uruguayan officials say the nations pharmacies will be stocked with cannabis sachets and ready to begin dealing in the second half of July. The newly created Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis (IRCCA) will coordinate distribution.

Anyone over age 18 who registers in a government database will be able to buy up to 40 grams per month at one of three dozen participating commercial pharmacies. Instead of showing ID, buyers will place their thumb on a scanner that links to a government database and tells the pharmacy how much marijuana they are eligible to purchase.

More than 4,600 Uruguayans have registered for the system, according to the IRCCA website, and officials are expecting that number to increase substantially once marijuana users realize that the product sold in pharmacies is vastly superior to the low-grade weed available illegally on the streets. Some marijuana users have chafed at the idea of registering with the government. But even legalization advocates concede that such a safeguard is necessary to prevent traffickers from buying up pharmacy stocks and smuggling Uruguays crop into Brazil and Argentina, the countrys much-larger neighbors.

A lot of consumers here dont like the fingerprint system and point out that they dont have to do anything like that to buy a bottle of wine, said Martin Fernandez, a human rights attorney in Montevideo who has become an expert on the countrys cannabis law. But we see it as something transitional that could disappear with time. ...

Officials say the new system will drain away customers from the black-market marijuana economy, where a kind of pot known as Paraguayan Pressed predominates. It is similar to cheap, low-potency marijuana that reaches U.S. streets from Mexico and is cultivated on large outdoor farms. The final product is littered with seeds and plant stems.

Its levels of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient, are typically below 5 percent, while the state-approved version soon to be sold in pharmacies will be available in seedless flowers (buds) at strengths of 5 and 10 percent THC, according to Eduardo Blasina, an agronomist who set up one of the two growing operations on state-leased land adjacent to the countrys maximum-security prison. Its one of the most secure places in the country, he said....

One irony of the Uruguay model is that its pharmacies will be selling marijuana even though the country has not approved commercial sales of medical or health products derived from the plants. But it was pharmacy owners who petitioned the government to give them responsibility for retail sales, citing their experience handling controlled substances, said Alejandro Antalich, whose pharmacy trade association represents 300 stores. The neighborhood pharmacist is one of the most trusted figures in Uruguayan society, he said.
Every 20 years, New Yorkers get to vote on whether to convene a constitutional convention to modify their states principal governing document. In a state where the words Albany and dysfunctional regularly appear together, voters would seem likely to favor such a gathering. But repeatedly, the states unions have risen up to smother any such plans. So thorough was their last victory, in 1997, that with just months to go before this years vote, convention supporters have put little formal machinery in place to try to persuade New Yorkers to vote yes for an effort that might offer long-sought government reforms. Meanwhile, unions are mustering their forces again, determined to ensure that no convention ever takes place.

Since the mid-nineteenth century, New York State has given voters periodic opportunities to opt for a constitutional convention to pursue reforms. If a majority prevails, voters would convene an assembly, select delegates, and finally approve any recommended changes. The process pointedly excludes any involvement by the state legislature and the governor. When the ballot came before votersin 1957, 1977, and 1997they rejected it, though early sentiment favored a convention. (In 1967, a convention did take place, after the state legislature put the question to voters.) A July 1997 Quinnipiac University survey found that 53 percent of voters endorsed a convention and only 17 percent disapproved, with 30 percent undecided. When it came time to vote, however, 62 percent of voters opposed a convention.

The 1997 campaign in favor of a convention presented a collection of strange political bedfellows that should have attracted broad support. Former governor Mario Cuomo joined the man who defeated him, Governor George Pataki, in endorsing the convention proposal. Upstate businessman Tom Golisano, founder of the New York Independence Party, who challenged both Pataki and Cuomo in the 1994 gubernatorial race, also backed a convention. Such ideologically diverse supporters as the All-County Taxpayers Association, a fiscally conservative group, and progressive Democratic assemblyman Richard Brodsky pledged their support. All agreed that the only way to reform a state government overrun by insiders was to circumvent Albanys elected officials through a voter-directed rewrite of the constitution.

In the end, though, their efforts seemed small compared with the opposition of the states unions. The unions most potent weapon is manpower: the Civil Service Employees Association, representing some 265,000 members, ran phone banks sending out thousands of calls daily to union households urging a no vote. The unions also spent months knocking on doors and expended nearly $1 million ($1.5 million in todays dollars) in last-minute advertising against the ballot. As a Buffalo News columnist observed, the formidable union opposition faced a cash-starved group of government reformers holed up in a low-budget motel outside Albany, working to persuade voters to approve a convention. No phone banks, no vans to get voters to the polls, observed the writer. No wonder that the union effort proved decisive.

Unions opposed a convention thenand still dobecause no matter how dysfunctional Albany might seem to the average citizen, the state works just fine for public-sector workers. They worry that a convention might eliminate some of their cherished prerogatives, including the way that the state constitution forbids changing the pension system for current workersa protection nonexistent for private-sector workers and rare in the public sector. Labor also fears that a convention could weaken New Yorks powerful and expensive worker-compensation system and even narrow or eliminate collective bargaining for state workersa terrifying scenario for organized labor leaders. Even worse, voters could enact reforms such as nonpartisan redistricting of legislative seats that might make it tougher for unions and their allies to dominate elections.

Unions have been reaching out to their members and exhorting them to oppose a convention in 2017, too. Gothams largest public union, DC 37, is running a no campaign directed at its 175,000 active members and retirees. The Retired Public Employees Association of New York has urged members to oppose the convention, and has even enlisted Albany pols, including State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, to help persuade the membership. New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), representing about 600,000 teachers and government workers, has targeted its membership with mailings.

Unions also need to give ordinary voters a reason to oppose a convention. Right now, their principal strategy is to exaggerate its cost and question what it can accomplish. DC 37 has claimed that the price tag would reach $300 million; union ally John Flanagan, the Republican senate majority leader, says that it would be $350 million. Politico called some of these estimates an urban legend, and the former head of the New York State Bar Association labeled the $350 million number ridiculous. The real cost might be as little as 15 percent of these projections. But facts dont matter when unions and their allies control much of the New York narrative. Union honchos also argue that a convention could be a Pandoras box, exposing New York to crazy ideas. Delegates to a possible convention can essentially blow up the way of life New Yorkers enjoy, NYSUT warns. But citizens would have to approve whatever ideas a convention proposes.

So far, only two significant groups have stepped forward to promote reform. Democratic donor and good-government activist Bill Samuels has founded NYpeoplesconvention.org and pledged $500,000 to a PAC to endorse a state convention. He is urging Governor Andrew Cuomo, whom he has supported in the past, to back it. Cuomo says that he supports the idea but is worried that special interests could hijack a convention, so hes predictably sitting on the fence. Simpson Thacher senior partner Richard Beattie, an advisor to Presidents Carter and Clinton, and SUNY professor Gerald Benjamin have formed the Committee for a Constitutional Convention. Each groups biggest problem is the lack of a ready-made organization and funding to match the unions.

What convention backers have going for them, though, is voter awareness that Albany government is broken. A Siena College poll in February found that 63 percent of voters favored a convention. Once again, the unions are hard at work trying to change New Yorkers minds.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Allstate: AIMCO Private Fund I Holding LLC, AIMCO Private Fund I LLC, AIMCO Private Fund II LLC, ALIC Reinsurance Company, ALINV Mosaic LLC, ANIHI Newco LLC, AP Real Estate LLC, AP Riverway Plaza LLC, AP Timber LLC, Allstate Assignment Company, Allstate Assurance Company, Allstate County Mutual Insurance Company, Allstate Digital Ventures LLC, Allstate Distributors L.L.C., Allstate Enterprises LLC, Allstate Exchange Services LLC, Allstate Finance Company Agency Loans LLC, Allstate Finance Company LLC, Allstate Financial Advisors LLC, Allstate Financial Corporation, Allstate Financial Insurance Holdings Corporation, Allstate Financial LLC, Allstate Financial Services LLC (1), Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, Allstate Global Holdings Limited, Allstate Indemnity Company, Allstate Insurance Company, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, Allstate Insurance Holdings LLC, Allstate International Assignments Ltd., Allstate International Holdings Inc., Allstate Investment Management Company, Allstate Investments LLC, Allstate Life Insurance Company (2), Allstate Life Insurance Company of Canada, Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, Allstate Motor Club Inc., Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company, Allstate New Jersey Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Allstate Non-Insurance Holdings Inc., Allstate North American Insurance Company, Allstate Northbrook Indemnity Company, Allstate Northern Ireland Limited, Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Allstate Settlement Corporation, Allstate Short Term Pool LLC, Allstate Solutions Private Limited, Allstate Texas Lloyds, Allstate Texas Lloyds Inc., Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company, American Heritage Life Insurance Company, American Heritage Service Company, Answer Financial Inc., Answer Marketplace LLC, Arity 875 LLC, Arity International Limited, Arity LLC, Arity Services LLC, CE Care Plan Corp, Castle Key Indemnity Company, Castle Key Insurance Company, Complete Product Care Corp, Current Creek Investments LLC, E.R.J. Insurance Group Inc. (3), Encompass Floridian Indemnity Company, Encompass Floridian Insurance Company, Encompass Home and Auto Insurance Company, Encompass Indemnity Company, Encompass Independent Insurance Company, Encompass Insurance Company, Encompass Insurance Company of America, Encompass Insurance Company of Massachusetts, Encompass Insurance Company of New Jersey, Encompass Insurance Holdings LLC, Encompass Property and Casualty Company, Encompass Property and Casualty Insurance Company of New Jersey, Esurance Holdings Inc., Esurance Insurance Company, Esurance Insurance Company of Canada, Esurance Insurance Company of New Jersey, Esurance Insurance Services Company of Canada, Esurance Insurance Services Inc. (4), Esurance Property and Casualty Insurance Company, First Colonial Insurance Company, Identity Protection Strategic Solutions LLC, InfoArmor Aggra Inc., InfoArmor Inc., Insurance Answer Center LLC (5), Intramerica Life Insurance Company, Ivantage Insurance Brokers Inc., Ivantage Select Agency Inc., Kennett Capital Inc., NBInv AF1 LLC, NBInv AF2 LLC, NBInv AF3 LLC, NBInv AF4 LLC, NBInv AF5 LLC, NBInv AF6 LLC, NBInv AP1 LLC, NBInv AP2 LLC, NBInv AP3 LLC, NBInv AP4 LLC, NBInv AP5 LLC, NBInv AP6 LLC, NBInv AP7 LLC, NBInv AP8 LLC, NBInv APAF1 LLC, NBInv Riverside Cars1 LLC, NBInv Riverside Management LLC, North Light Specialty Insurance Company, Northeast Agencies Inc. (6), Pablo Creek Services Inc., Pafco Insurance Company, Pembridge Insurance Company, PlumChoice Business Services Inc., PlumChoice Inc., Protection Plan Group Inc., Right Answer Insurance Agency LLC, Road Bay Investments LLC, ST Product Care Corp, Signature Agency Inc., Signature Motor Club Inc., Signature Motor Club of California Inc., Signature Nationwide Auto Club of California Inc., Signatures Nationwide Auto Club Inc., SquareTrade Australia Pty Ltd, SquareTrade Canada Inc., SquareTrade Europe Limited, SquareTrade Holding Company Inc., SquareTrade Inc. (7), SquareTrade Insurance Services Inc., SquareTrade Limited, SquareTrade Protection Solutions Inc., SquareTradeGo Inc., Tech-Cor LLC, and West Plaza RE Holdings LLC.

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As reported in this local article, "John Morgan, the Orlando trial lawyer who spearheaded and financed the successful campaign to make medical access to cannabis a constitutional right, filed the lawsuit in Leon County Circuit Court Thursday morning, asking the court to declare the [legislatively developed] law implementing the 2016 constitutional amendment unenforceable. Here is more about this lawsuit:

Arguing that Florida legislators violated voters intent when they prohibited smoking for the medical use of marijuana, the author of the state's medical marijuana amendment sued the state on Thursday to throw out the implementing law....

By redefining the constitutionally defined term medical use' to exclude smoking, the Legislature substitutes its medical judgment for that of a licensed Florida physician and is in direct conflict with the specifically articulated Constitutional process, the lawsuit states.

More than 71 percent of Florida voters approved the amendment in November 2016, the largest percentage of support a medical marijuana initiative has received by popular vote, Morgan said. The amendment allowed the Legislature to address smoking  but only by prohibiting it in public places, he said, anything more violates the intent of the Constitution. If something is not allowed in public, it is allowed in private, Morgan said at a press conference outside the Leon County Courthouse. Its as clear to all of you as it is to any first grader taking first-grade logic....

If the court agrees and invalidates the law implementing the amendment, the task of writing the rules for implementing the new amendment will fall to the Florida Department of Health.

The legislation allows for edibles and vaping as a delivery system for THC and cannabinoids. It also provided funding for the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa to conduct research into the uses and effectiveness of medical marijuana. But the House sponsor of the law, Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, called smoking a backdoor attempt at recreational use of marijuana. Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, the Senate sponsor, called the measure, which passed during the June special session, patient-first legislation that will expand access to this medicine, while ensuring safety through a unified regulatory structure for each component of the process from cultivation to consumption."

But Morgan, who uses the hashtag #NoSmokeIsAJoke, argues that the legislative claim has been a bogus argument from Day 1, and if they were truly interested in keeping the public safe from smoking, they would have taxed tobacco to the hilt. Instead, he said, their arguments enforce what he believes is a quiet campaign against marijuana fueled by Big Pharma, which has capitalized on the explosion of opioid abuse. I dont know what drives these politicians other than money and donors, he said.

He said that in the next few weeks he will add to the lawsuit patients suffering from ALS disease, epilepsy and other ailments for whom smoking marijuana is the best way to treat their symptoms. The lawsuit cites a 2012 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse that found smoking marijuana does not not impair lung function and, when not used heavily, was shown to increase lung capacity. Despite decades of marijuana being used for smoking in the United States, there have been no reported medical cases of lung cancer or emphysema attributed to marijuana, the lawsuit said.

Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that promotes federal funding of marijuana research, blasted the lawsuit as nothing more than a smokescreen designed to bypass the FDA and open the doors to a new for-profit, retail commercial marijuana industry in Florida.

There's a reason why every single major medical association opposes the use of the raw, smoked form of marijuana as medicine: smoke is not a reliable delivery system, it's impossible to measure dosage, and it contains hundreds of other chemical compounds that may do more harm than good, said Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of the group, in a statement.

Calvina Fay, executive director of the anti-marijuana group Drug Free America Foundation, also criticized the lawsuit. While not perfect, the legislation succeeded in finding a balance that protects the public health and safety of all Floridians while allowing the legal access to marijuana that was approved by voters," she said in a statement.

Morgan counters that those arguments miss the point. If you are on your death bed, or on your bed in debilitating pain, who really cares if you smoke? he said. He warns that by aggressively working against the implementation of what voters supported, legislators have inadvertently kicked the door wide open for recreational marijuana use in Florida. If they dont allow for smoking as a medical use, the newly formed industry will bankroll a constitutional amendment to put recreational marijuana on the ballot...and I believe it will pass with 60 percent of the vote," he said.
Halma plc, through its subsidiaries, provides technology solutions in the safety, health, and environmental markets. It operates through three segments: Safety, Environmental & Analysis, and Medical. The Safety segment provides fire detection, specialist fire suppression, elevator safety, security sensors, people and vehicle flow technologies, specialized interlocks that control critical processes safely, and explosion protection and corrosion monitoring systems. This segment serves elevator safety, fire suppression, people and vehicle flow, fire detection, pressure management, industrial access control, and safe storage and transfer markets. The Environmental & Analysis segment offers optical, optoelectronic, and spectral imaging systems; water, air and gases monitoring technologies; instruments that detect hazardous gases and analyses air quality; and systems for water analysis and treatment. It serves the optical analysis, water analysis and treatment, gas detection, and environmental monitoring markets. The Medical segment provides critical fluidic components used by medical diagnostics and original equipment manufacturers; laboratory devices and systems that provide information to understand patient health and enable providers to make decisions across the continuum of care; technologies and solutions to enable in-vitro diagnostic systems and life-science discoveries and development; and technologies that enable positive outcomes across clinical specialties. This segment serves the life sciences, health assessment, and therapeutic solutions market. The company was incorporated in 1894 and is headquartered in Amersham, the United Kingdom.
The following companies are subsidiares of PPG Industries: AIPCF V Texstars Blocker Inc., AkzoNobel, Alpha Coating Technologies LLC, Alpha Coatings Inc., Broad Range Development Limited, CG Holdings Manufacturing Co., Centro de Investigacion en Polimeros S.A. de C.V., Chemfil Canada Limited, Chorlton Trade Paints Limited, Comercial Mexicana de Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Comex, Comex Industrial Coatings S.A. de C.V., Consorcio Comex S.A. de C.V., Cristacol S.A., Cuming Microwave Corporation, Deutek SA, Dexmet Corporation, Dexmet Holding Corporation, Distribuidora Kroma S.A. de C.V., EPIC Insurance Co. Ltd., Eberle Design Inc., Empresa Aga S.A. de C.V., Ennis Canadian Holding Company, Ennis Paint Canada ULC, Ennis Paint Netherlands Holdings LLC, Ennis Paint U.K. Holding Company Limited, Ennis Traffic Safety Solutions Pty Ltd, Ennis-Flint, Ennis-Flint Inc., Foshan Bairun Chemicals Co. Ltd., Fpu Industrial S.A. de C.V., Grupo Comex S.A. de C.V., Hemmelrath Automotive Coatings (Jilin) Co. Ltd., Hemmelrath International Trade (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Hodij Coatings B.V., Homax Products, Industria Chimica Reggiana I.C.R. SPA, Johnstones Paints Limited, Kalon Investment Company Limited, Kalon South Africa Proprietary Limited, Karl Woerwag Lack-und Farbenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, Masterwork Paint, MetoKote Corporation, MetoKote Mexico Holdings Inc., MetoKote UK Limited, MetoKote de Mexico S. de RL de CV, Milamar Coatings LLC, OOO Tikkurila, PPG A P Resinas S.A. de C.V., PPG AC - France SA, PPG ALESCO Automotive Finishes Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PPG Aerospace Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., PPG Architectural Coatings (Puerto Rico) Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Canada Inc./PPG Revetements Architecturaux Canada Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Ireland Limited, PPG Architectural Coatings Italy S.r.l, PPG Architectural Coatings UK Limited, PPG Architectural Finishes Inc., PPG Asian Paints Private Ltd., PPG Business Services S.A. de C.V., PPG COATINGS SINGAPORE PTE. 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Ltd., PPG Industries (UK) Ltd, PPG Industries Argentina S.R.L., PPG Industries Australia PTY Limited A.C.N. 055 500 939, PPG Industries Colombia Ltda., PPG Industries Delfzijl B.V., PPG Industries Europe Sarl, PPG Industries France S.A.S., PPG Industries International Inc., PPG Industries Italia S.r.l., PPG Industries Kimya a Sanayi VE Ticaret AS, PPG Industries LLC, PPG Industries Lackfabrik GmbH, PPG Industries Lipetsk LLC, PPG Industries Middle East FZE, PPG Industries Netherlands B.V., PPG Industries New Zealand Limited, PPG Industries Ohio Inc., PPG Industries Poland Sp. Z.o.o., PPG Industries Securities LLC, PPG Industries de Mexico S.A. de C.V., PPG Investment (Singapore) Pte. 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PPG Coatings Indonesia, Painter's Supply, Paintzen, Peintures de Paris SAS, Plasticos Envolventes S.A. de C.V., Polymeric Systems Inc., ProCoatings B.V., ProCoatings BV, Protec Pty Ltd, Reno A&E LLC, Revocoat France SAS, Revocoat Holding SAS, Revocoat Iberica SLU, Revocoat S.A.S, Road Infrastructure Investment Holdings Inc., SEM Products Inc., Sealants Europe SAS, Sierracin Corporation, Sierracin/Sylmar Corporation, Sigma Marine & Protective Coatings Holding B.V., SigmaKalon (BC) UK Limited, SigmaKalon Group, Sikar (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Spraylat International Ltd, Texstars LLC, The Crown Group Co., The Crown Group Inc, The Homax Group, Tikkurila Group, Tikkurila Oyj, Tikkurila Sverige AB, Traffic Safety Intermediate LLC, Traffic Safety Parent LLC, VF Specialty Products LLC, Vanex Inc., Vernisol S.p.A., VersaFlex Acquisition Corp., VersaFlex Inc., VersaFlex Intermediate Holdings LLC, Versaflex, Viasa S.A. de C.V., Whitford, Whitford B.V., Whitford Corporation, Whitford Jiangmen Ltd., Whitford Ltd. (HK), Whitford Ltd. (UK), Whitford Pte. Ltd., Whitford S.r.l., Whitford Worldwide Company LLC, and Worwag Coatings.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Centene: AT Learning Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, AT Medics Holdings LLP an English and Welsh LLP, AT Medics Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, AT Technology (Private) Ltd. a Pakistan private company, AT Technology Services Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, AWC of Syracuse Inc. a New York corporation, Absolute Total Care Inc. a South Carolina corporation, AcariaHealth Inc. a Delaware corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy #11 Inc. a Texas corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy #12 Inc. a New York corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy #13 Inc. a California corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy #14 Inc. a California corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy #26 Inc. a Delaware corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy Inc. a California corporation, AcariaHealth Solutions Inc. a Delaware corporation, Access Medical Acquisition LLC a Delaware LLC, Access Medical Group of Florida City LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Hialeah LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Lakeland LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Miami LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of North Miami Beach LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Opa-Locka LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Perrine LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa II LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa III LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Westchester LLC a Florida LLC, Accountable Care Coalition Direct Contracting LLC a Florida LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Chesapeake LLC a Maryland LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Community Health Centers II LLC a Texas LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Community Health Centers LLC a Texas LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers II LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers III LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers IV LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers LLC a Hawaii LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers V LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers VII LLC an Arizona LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Florida Partners LLC a Florida LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Georgia LLC a Georgia LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Maryland LLC a Maryland LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Maryland Primary Care LLC a Maryland LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of New Jersey Inc. a New Jersey corporation, Accountable Care Coalition of North Texas LLC a Texas LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northeast Georgia LLC a Georgia LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northeast Partners LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northwest Florida LLC a Florida LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Prime Health LLC an Oregon LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health II LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health III LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health LLC an Oregon LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Partners LLC a Georgia LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Physician Partners LLC a South Carolina LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin LLC a Wisconsin LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Tennessee LLC a Tennessee LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Agate Resources Inc. an Oregon corporation, AirLogix, Ambetter of Magnolia Inc. a Mississippi corporation, Ambetter of North Carolina Inc. a North Carolina corporation, Ambetter of Peach State Inc. a Georgia corporation, America's 1st Choice California Holdings LLC a Florida corporation, American Progressive Life and Health Insurance Company of New York a New York corporation, Apixio, Apixio Inc a Delaware corporation, Arch Personalized Medicine Initiative LLC a Missouri LLC, Arkansas Health & Wellness Health Plan Inc. an Arkansas corporation, Arkansas Total Care Holding Company LLC a Delaware LLC, Arkansas Total Care Inc. an Arkansas corporation, B2B Gestion Integra S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., B2B Salud S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., BMI Healthcare Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, BMI Hospital Decontamination Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, BMI Imaging Clinic Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, BMI Southend Private Hospital Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, BMI Syon Clinic Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Bankers Reserve Life Insurance Company of Wisconsin a Wisconsin corporation, Bishopswood SPV Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Bridgeway Health Solutions LLC a Delaware LLC, Bridgeway Health Solutions of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, Buckeye Community Health Plan Inc. an Ohio corporation, Buckeye Health Plan Community Solutions Inc. an Ohio corporation, CCTX Holdings LLC a Texas LLC, CEF Holding Company Limited a limited liability Malta company, CMC Real Estate Company LLC a Delaware LLC, CT Poprad s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., CT Presov s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., California Health and Wellness Plan a California corporation, Cantina Laredo Clayton LP a Delaware limited partnership, Cardium Health Services, Care 1st Health Plan of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, Care1st Health Plan Administrative Services Inc. an Arizona corporation, Carolina Complete Health Holding Company Partnership a Delaware partnership, Carolina Complete Health Inc. a North Carolina corporation, CeltiCare Health Plan Holdings LLC a Delaware LLC, CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts Inc. a Massachusetts corporation, Celtic Group Inc., Celtic Group Inc. a Delaware corporation, Celtic Insurance Company an Illinois corporation, Cenpatico Behavioral Health LLC a California LLC, Centene Center I LLC a Delaware LLC, Centene Center II LLC a Delaware LLC, Centene Center LLC a Delaware LLC, Centene Company of Texas LP a Texas limited partnership, Centene Europe Finance Company Limited a limited liability Malta company, Centene Health Plan Holdings Inc. a Delaware corporation, Centene Institute for Advanced Health Education LLC a Delaware LLC, Centene International Financing Company Limited a limited liability Malta company, Centene International Ventures LLC a Delaware LLC, Centene Management Company LLC a Wisconsin LLC, Centene Technology Europe S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Centene Technology UK Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Centene Venture Company Alabama Health Plan Inc. an Alabama corporation, Centene Venture Company Florida Inc. a Florida corporation, Centene Venture Company Illinois Inc. an Illinois corporation, Centene Venture Company Indiana Inc. an Indiana corporation, Centene Venture Company Kansas Inc. a Kansas corporation, Centene Venture Company Michigan Inc. a Michigan corporation, Centene Venture Company Tennessee Inc. a Tennessee corporation, Centene Venture Insurance Company Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Centro Inmunologocia De La Comunidad Valenciana S.L. a Spanish S.L., Centurion Correctional Healthcare of New Mexico LLC a New Mexico LLC, Centurion Detention Health Services LLC a Delaware LLC, Centurion LLC a Delaware LLC, Centurion of Arizona LLC an Arizona LLC, Centurion of Delaware LLC a Delaware LLC, Centurion of Florida LLC a Florida LLC, Centurion of Indiana LLC an Indiana LLC, Centurion of Kansas LLC a Kansas LLC, Centurion of Minnesota LLC a Minnesota LLC, Centurion of Mississippi LLC a Mississippi LLC, Centurion of New Hampshire LLC a Delaware LLC, Centurion of Pennsylvania LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Centurion of Tennessee LLC a Tennessee LLC, Centurion of Vermont LLC a Vermont LLC, Centurion of West Virginia LLC a West Virginia LLC, Centurion of Wyoming LLC a Wyoming LLC, Chrysalis Medical Services LLC a New Jersey LLC, Circle Birmingham Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Clinical Services Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Harmony Health Ltd. a Hong Kong private company, Circle Health 1 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Health 2 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Health 3 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Health 4 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Health Holdings Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Health Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Holdings Ltd. a Jersey private company, Circle Hospital (Reading) Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle International an English and Welsh PLC, Circle Nottingham Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Rehabilitation Services Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Clinica Santo Domingo De Lugo S.L. a Spanish S.L., Collaborative Health Systems IPA LLC a Florida LLC, Collaborative Health Systems LLC a New York LLC, Collaborative Health Systems of Maryland LLC a Maryland LLC, Collaborative Health Systems of Virginia LLC a Virginia LLC, Community Medical Group, Community Medical Holdings Corporation a Delaware corporation, Comprehensive Health Management Inc. a Florida corporation, Coordinated Care Corporation an Indiana corporation, Coordinated Care of Washington Inc. a Washington corporation, DELMARVA Collaborative Care LLC a Delaware LLC, Discare CZ a.s. a Czech Republic A.S., District Community Care Inc. a Washington D.C. corporation, Dr Magnet s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., Elche-Crevillente Salud a Spanish S.A., Envolve Benefits Options Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Dental IPA of New York Inc. a New York corporation, Envolve Dental Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Dental of Florida Inc. a Florida corporation, Envolve Dental of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Envolve Health, Envolve Holdings Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Optical Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve PeopleCare Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Pharmacy IPA LLC a New York LLC, Envolve Pharmacy Solutions Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Total Vision Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Vision Benefits Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Vision IPA of New York Inc. a New York corporation, Envolve Vision Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Vision of Florida Inc. a Florida corporation, Envolve Vision of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Essential Care Partners LLC a Texas LLC, Fidelis Care, Forensic Health Services LLC a Delaware LLC, Foundation Care LLC a Missouri LLC, GHG (DB) Pension Trustees Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, GHG Healthcare Holdings Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, GHG Intermediate Holdings Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, GHG Leasing Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, GHG Mount Alvernia Hospital Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, General Healthcare Group Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, General Healthcare Holdings 2 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, General Healthcare Holdings 3 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Generale de Sante International Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Golden Triangle Physician Alliance a Texas not-for-profit corporation, Granite State Health Plan Inc. a New Hampshire corporation, HHS Texas Management Inc. a Texas corporation, HHS Texas Management LP a Texas limited partnership, HLM Strategic Investment Fund L.P. a Delaware limited partnership, Hallmark Life Insurance Company an Arizona corporation, Harmony Health Management Inc. a New Jersey corporation, Harmony Health Plan Inc. an Illinois corporation, Harmony Health Systems Inc. a New Jersey corporation, Health Care Enterprises LLC a Delaware LLC, Health Net Access Inc. an Arizona corporation, Health Net Community Solutions Inc. a California corporation, Health Net Community Solutions of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, Health Net Federal Services LLC a Delaware LLC, Health Net Health Plan of Oregon Inc. an Oregon corporation, Health Net LLC, Health Net LLC a Delaware LLC, Health Net Life Insurance Company a California corporation, Health Net Life Reinsurance Company a Cayman Islands corporation, Health Net of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, Health Net of California Inc. a California corporation, Health Plan Real Estate Holdings Inc. a Missouri corporation, HealthSmart Benefit Solutions Inc. an Illinois corporation, HealthSmart Benefits Management LLC a Texas LLC, HealthSmart Care Management Solutions LP a Texas partnership, HealthSmart Information Systems Inc. a Texas corporation, HealthSmart Preferred Care II LP a Texas partnership, HealthSmart Preferred Network II Inc. a Delaware corporation, HealthSmart Primary Care Clinics LP a Texas partnership, HealthSmart Rx Solutions Inc. an Ohio corporation, Healthy Louisiana Holdings LLC a Delaware LLC , Healthy Missouri Holdings Inc. a Missouri corporation, Healthy Washington Holdings Inc. a Delaware corporation, Heritage Health Systems Inc. a Texas corporation, Heritage Health Systems of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Heritage Physician Networks a Texas not-for-profit corporation, Home State Health Plan Inc. a Missouri corporation, HomeScripts.com LLC a Michigan LLC, Hospinet S.L. a Spanish S.L., Hospital Polusa S.A. a Spanish S.A., Hospital Povisa S.A. a Spanish S.A., Illinois Health Practice Alliance LLC a Delaware corporation, Infraestructuras y Servicios de Alzira S. L. a Spanish S.L., Integrated Mental Health Services a Texas corporation, Interpreta Holdings Inc. a Delaware corporation, Interpreta Inc. a Delaware corporation, Iowa Total Care Inc. an Iowa corporation, Kentucky Spirit Health Plan Inc. a Kentucky corporation , LifeShare Management Group LLC, LifeShare Management Group LLC a New Hampshire LLC, Louisiana Healthcare Connections Inc. a Louisiana corporation , MH Services International Holdings (UK) Limited an English and Welsh private company, MHM, MHM Correctional Services LLC a Delaware LLC, MHM Health Professionals LLC a Delaware LLC, MHM Services Inc. a Delaware corporation, MHM Services of California LLC a California LLC, MHM Solutions LLC a Delaware LLC, MHN Government Services LLC a Delaware LLC, MHN Services LLC a California LLC, MHS Consulting International Inc. a Delaware corporation, MHS Travel & Charter Inc. a Wisconsin corporation, MR Centrum Melnick s.r.o. a Czech Republic S.R.O., MR Poprad s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., MR Zilina s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., Magellan Health Inc, Magnolia Health Plan Inc. a Mississippi corporation, Managed Health Network LLC a Delaware LLC, Managed Health Network a California corporation, Managed Health Services Insurance Corporation a Wisconsin corporation, Marina Salud S.A. a Spanish S.A., Maryland Collaborative Care LLC a Maryland LLC, Maryland Collaborative Care Transformation Organization Inc. a Delaware corporation, Mauli Ola Health and Wellness Inc. a Hawaii corporation, Medicina NZ spol s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., Meriden Hospital Advanced Imaging Centre Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Meridian Health Plan of Illinois Inc. an Illinois corporation, Meridian Health Plan of Michigan Inc. a Michigan corporation, Meridian Management Company LLC (a/k/a Meridian Administration Company LLC) a Michigan LLC, Meridian Network Services LLC a Michigan LLC, MeridianRx IPA LLC a New York LLC, MeridianRx LLC a Michigan LLC, MeridianRx of Indiana LLC a Michigan LLC, Michigan Complete Health a Michigan corporation, Mid-Atlantic Collaborative Care LLC a Maryland LLC, Mount Alvernia PET CT Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Nations Healthcare Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Nebraska Total Care Inc. a Nebraska corporation, Network Providers LLC a Delaware LLC, New York Quality Healthcare Corporation a New York corporation, Next Door Neighbors Inc. a Delaware corporation, Next Door Neighbors LLC. a Delaware LLC, North West Cancer Clinic Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Northern Maryland Collaborative Care LLC a Maryland LLC, Novasys Health Inc. a Delaware corporation, OB Care a Czech Republic S.R.O., OB Klinika a.s. a Czech Republic A.S., Ohana Health Plan Inc. a Hawaii corporation, Oklahoma Complete Health Holding Company LLC a Delaware LLC, Oklahoma Complete Health Inc. an Oklahoma corporation, One Care by Care 1st Health Plans of Arizona Inc an Arizona corporation, Operose Health (Group) Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Operose Health (Group) UK Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Operose Health Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, OptiCare Health Systems - Managed Vision Business, PANTHERx Rare Pharmacy, PRIMEROSALUD S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Panther Pass Co LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Panther Specialty Holding Co LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Pantherx Access Services LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Pantherx Specialty LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Parker LP LLC a Nevada LLC, Peach State Health Plan Inc. a Georgia corporation, Penn Marketing America LLC a Delaware LLC, Pennsylvania Health and Wellness Inc. a Pennsylvania corporation, Preamed s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., Premier Marketing Group LLC a Delaware LLC, Primary Care Partners Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Pro Diagnostic Group A.S. a Slovakia A.S., Pro Magnet CZ s.r.o. a Czech Republic S.R.O., Pro Magnet s.r.o a Slovakia S.R.O., Pro Nuclear a.s. a Slovakia A.S., Pro RTG s.r.o a Slovakia S.R.O., Progress Medical A.S. a Czech Republic A.S., Prowl Holdings LLC a Delaware LLC, QCA Healthplan Inc. an Arkansas corporation, Qualchoice Life and Health Insurance Company and Arkansas company, Quincy Coverage Corporation a New York corporation, Rhythm Health Tennessee Inc. a Tennessee corporation, Ribera Diagnostics S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera Healthcare S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera Lab S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera Management S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera Salud II a Spanish UTE, Ribera Salud Proyectos S.L. a Spanish S.L., Ribera Salud S.A. a Spanish S.A., Ribera Salud Tecnologias S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera Slaud Infraestructuras S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera-Quilpro UTE a Spanish UTE, Runnymeade SPV Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Salus Administrative Services Inc. a New York corporation, Salus IPA LLC a New York LLC, Secure Capital Solutions 2000 S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., SelectCare Health Plans Inc. a Texas corporation, SelectCare of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Servicios De Mantenimiento Prevencor S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Shanghai Circle Harmony Hospital Management Limited a Chinese private company, SilverSummit Healthplan Inc. a Nevada corporation, Social Health Bridge LLC a Delaware LLC, Social Health Bridge Trust a Delaware trust, Specialty Therapeutic Care GP LLC a Texas LLC, Specialty Therapeutic Care Holdings, Specialty Therapeutic Care Holdings LLC a Delaware LLC, Specialty Therapeutic Care LP a Texas limited partnership, Sunflower State Health Plan Inc. a Kansas corporation, Sunshine Health Community Solutions Inc. a Florida corporation, Sunshine Health Holding LLC a Florida LLC, Sunshine State Health Plan Inc. a Florida corporation, Superior Health Management Advisors LLC, Superior HealthPlan Community Solutions Inc. a Texas corporation, Superior HealthPlan Inc. a Texas corporation, TKH Holding Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Terapias Medicas Domiciliarias S.L. a Spanish S.L., The Pavilion Clinic Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, The Practice Properties Limited an English and Welsh private company, The WellCare Management Group Inc. a New York corporation, Three Shires Hospital LP an English and Welsh limited partnership, Torrejon Salud S.A. a Spanish S.A., Torrevieja Salud S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Torrevieja Salud UTE a Spanish UTE, Transplant Health Solutions IPA Inc. a New York corporation, Trillium Community Health Plan Inc. an Oregon corporation, UAM Agent Services Corp. an Iowa corporation, US Script, Universal American Corp. a Delaware corporation, Universal American Financial Services Inc. a Delaware corporation, Universal American Holdings LLC a Delaware LLC, Vivamed s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., WCG Health Management Inc. a Delaware corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of America an Arkansas corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Kentucky Inc. a Kentucky corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Louisiana Inc. a Louisiana corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Nevada Inc. a Nevada corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Hampshire Inc. a New Hampshire corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey Inc. a New Jersey corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Oklahoma Inc. an Oklahoma corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Washington Inc. a Washington corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of Connecticut Inc. a Connecticut corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of Hawaii Inc. a Hawaii corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of New York Inc. a New York corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of North Carolina Inc. a North Carolina corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of Southwest Inc. an Arizona corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of Tennessee Inc. a Tennessee corporation, WellCare Health Plans, WellCare Health Plans Inc. a Delaware corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Kentucky Inc. a Kentucky corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Massachusetts Inc. a Massachusetts corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Missouri Inc. a Missouri corporation, WellCare Health Plans of New Jersey Inc. a New Jersey corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Rhode Island Inc. a Rhode Island corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Vermont Inc. a Vermont corporation, WellCare National Health Insurance Company a Texas corporation, WellCare Prescription Insurance Inc. an Arizona corporation, WellCare of Alabama Inc. an Alabama corporation, WellCare of Arkansas Inc. an Arkansas corporation, WellCare of California Inc. a California corporation, WellCare of Connecticut Inc. a Connecticut corporation, WellCare of Georgia Inc. a Georgia corporation, WellCare of Illinois Inc. an Illinois corporation, WellCare of Indiana Inc. an Indiana corporation, WellCare of Maine Inc. a Maine corporation, WellCare of Michigan Holding Company a Michigan corporation, WellCare of Mississippi Inc. a Mississippi corporation, WellCare of Missouri Health Insurance Company Inc. a Missouri corporation, WellCare of New Hampshire Inc. a New Hampshire corporation, WellCare of New York Inc. a New York corporation, WellCare of North Carolina Inc. a North Carolina corporation, WellCare of Ohio Inc. an Ohio corporation, WellCare of Oklahoma Inc. an Oklahoma corporation, WellCare of Pennsylvania Inc. a Pennsylvania corporation, WellCare of South Carolina Inc. a South Carolina corporation, WellCare of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, WellCare of Virginia Inc. a Virginia corporation, WellCare of Washington Inc. a Washington corporation, Western Sky Community Care Inc. a New Mexico corporation, Windsor Health Group Inc. a Tennessee corporation, Winning Security S.L. a Spanish S.L., and Worlco Management Services Inc. a New York corporation.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Cigna: Accredo Health Group, Accredo Health Incorporated, Alegis Care, Allegiance Life & Health Insurance Company, Allegiance Re, American Retirement Life Insurance Company, Benefits Management Corp., Bravo Health Mid-Atlantic, Bravo Health Pennsylvania, Brighter, CareAllies, CareCore National LLC, Central Reserve Life Insurance Company, Ceres Sales of Ohio, Choicelinx, Cigna & CMB Life Insurance Company Limited, Cigna Apac Holdings Limited, Cigna Arbor Life Insurance Company, Cigna Beechwood Holdings, Cigna Behavioral Health, Cigna Behavioral Health of California, Cigna Behavioral Health of Texas, Cigna Bellevue Alpha, Cigna Benefits Financing, Cigna Brokerage & Marketing (Thailand) Limited, Cigna Cedar Holdings, Cigna Chestnut Holdings, Cigna Corporate Services, Cigna Data Services (Shanghai) Company Limited, Cigna Dental Health, Cigna Dental Health Plan of Arizona, Cigna Dental Health of California, Cigna Dental Health of Colorado, Cigna Dental Health of Delaware, Cigna Dental Health of Florida, Cigna Dental Health of Illinois, Cigna Dental Health of Kansas, Cigna Dental Health of Kentucky, Cigna Dental Health of Maryland, Cigna Dental Health of Missouri, Cigna Dental Health of New Jersey, Cigna Dental Health of North Carolina, Cigna Dental Health of Ohio, Cigna Dental Health of Pennsylvania, Cigna Dental Health of Texas, Cigna Dental Health of Virginia, Cigna Elmwood Holdings, Cigna Europe Insurance Company S.A.-N.V., Cigna European Services (UK) Limited, Cigna Finans Emeklilik ve Hayat A.S., Cigna Global Holdings, Cigna Global Insurance Company Limited, Cigna Global Reinsurance Company, Cigna Global Wellbeing Holdings Limited, Cigna Global Wellbeing Solutions Limited, Cigna HLA Technology Services Company Limited, Cigna Health Corporation, Cigna Health Management, Cigna Health Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna HealthSpring, Cigna Healthcare Holdings, Cigna Healthcare Mid-Atlantic, Cigna Healthcare of Arizona, Cigna Healthcare of California, Cigna Healthcare of Colorado, Cigna Healthcare of Connecticut, Cigna Healthcare of Florida, Cigna Healthcare of Georgia, Cigna Healthcare of Illinois, Cigna Healthcare of Indiana, Cigna Healthcare of Maine, Cigna Healthcare of Massachusetts, Cigna Healthcare of New Hampshire, Cigna Healthcare of New Jersey, Cigna Healthcare of North Carolina, Cigna Healthcare of Pennsylvania, Cigna Healthcare of South Carolina, Cigna Healthcare of St. Louis, Cigna Healthcare of Tennessee, Cigna Healthcare of Texas, Cigna Healthcare of Utah, Cigna Holding Company, Cigna Holdings, Cigna Holdings Overseas, Cigna Hong Kong Holdings Company Limited, Cigna Insurance Middle East S.A., Cigna Insurance Public Company Limited, Cigna Insurance Services (Europe) Limited, Cigna Intellectual Property, Cigna International Corporation, Cigna International Health Services, Cigna International Health Services BVBA, Cigna International Health Services Kenya Limited, Cigna International Health Services SDN BHD, Cigna International Services, Cigna International Services Australia Pty. Ltd., Cigna Investment Group, Cigna Investments, Cigna Korean Chusik Hoesa, Cigna Laurel Holdings, Cigna Legal Protection UK Ltd., Cigna Life Insurance Company of Canada, Cigna Life Insurance Company of Europe S.A.- N.V., Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York, Cigna Life Insurance New Zealand Limited, Cigna Linden Holdings, Cigna Magnolia Holdings, Cigna Myrtle Holdings, Cigna Nederland Alpha Cooperatief U.A., Cigna Nederland Beta B.V., Cigna Nederland Gamma B.V., Cigna Oak Holdings, Cigna Palmetto Holdings, Cigna Poplar Holdings, Cigna Sequoia Holdings, Cigna Spruce Holdings GmbH, Cigna Taiwan Life Assurance Company Limited, Cigna Walnut Holdings, Cigna Willow Holdings, Cigna Worldwide General Insurance Company Limited, Cigna Worldwide Insurance Company, Cigna Worldwide Life Insurance Company Limited, CignaTTK Health Insurance Company Limited, Connecticut General Corporation, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, CuraScript Inc., E-2 CIGNA CORPORATION - 2018 Form 10-K, ESI Mail Pharmacy Service Inc., ESI Partnership, ESI Resources Inc., Express Scripts Holding Company, Express Scripts Inc., Express Scripts Pharmaceutical LLC, Express Scripts Pharmacy Inc., Express Scripts Strategic Development Inc., FirstAssist Administration Limited, Firstassist Insurance Services Ltd, Great-West Healthcare of Illinois, Grown Ups New Zealand Limited, Health-Lynx LLC, HealthSource, HealthSpring, HealthSpring Life & Health Insurance Company, HealthSpring of Alabama, HealthSpring of Florida, HealthSpring of Tennessee, KDM Thailand Limited, LINA Financial Services, LINA Life Insurance Company of Korea, Life Insurance Company of North America, Loyal American Life Insurance Company, MCC Independent Practice Association of New York, Manipal Cigna Health Insurance Company Limited, Medco Containment Life Insurance Company, Medco Health Services Inc., Medco Health Solutions Inc., NewQuest, NewQuest Management Northeast, Olympic Health Management Services, Oz Parent, PT Asuransi Cigna, Provident American Life and Health Insurance Company, Qualcare, Qualcare Alliance Networks, Qualcare Captive Insurance Company Inc. PCC, Qualcare Management Resources Limited Liability Company, RHP (Thailand) Limited, Scibal Associates, Sterling Life Insurance Company, Tel-Drug, Tel-Drug of Pennsylvania, Temple Insurance Company Limited, United Benefit Life Insurance Company, Verity Solutions Group, Zurich Insurance Middle East, and eviCore 1 LLC.

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Earlier this week, as reported in this press release, a new report focused on New York City was released "by the Marijuana Arrest Research Project, commissioned by the Drug Policy Alliance, [which] shows that marijuana possession arrests under Mayor de Blasio continue to be marked by extremely high racial disparities, as was the case under the Bloomberg and Giuliani administrations." Here is more about the report from the press release:

The report, Unjust and Unconstitutional: 60,000 Jim Crow Marijuana Arrests in Mayor de Blasios New York, shows that despite a change in mayoral administrations and police commissioners, the NYPD continues to make large numbers of unjust and racially-targeted marijuana arrests. The report is based on data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Despite Mayor de Blasios campaign promise to end racially-biased policing, in 2016 marijuana possession was New York Citys fourth most commonly charged criminal offense. Black and Latino New Yorkers continue to comprise 85 percent of the more than 60,000 people arrested for low-level marijuana possession on Mayor de Blasios watch. Most people arrested are young Blacks and Latinos  even though studies consistently show young whites use marijuana at higher rates....

Key findings include the following:
Avid Technology, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, markets, sells, and supports software and integrated solutions for video and audio content creation, management, and distribution worldwide. The company's video products and solutions include the Media Composer, a cloud-enabled solution used to edit video content; Avid NEXIS shared storage systems; Maestro solutions for the integration of virtual sets, augmented reality, and video wall control into existing workflows; AirSpeed 5000 and AirSpeed 5500 on-air server solutions; and MediaCentral, a media production suite. Its audio products and solutions comprise Pro Tools digital audio software solutions to facilitate the audio production process; Sibelius solution to create, edit, and publish musical scores; S6 line of complementary control surfaces and consoles; S1 and S4 audio control surfaces; and VENUE | S6L live sound system for mixing audio for live sound reinforcement. The company also provides Avid Link, a mobile application to connect with other artists, producers, mixers, composers, editors, videographers, movie makers, and graphic designers; FastServe video server that assists broadcasters in making the move to UHD and IP based workflows with a new and modular architecture; and hardware products, such as I/O devices, interfaces, and audio and video processing equipment. In addition, it offers various maintenance contracts and support services; professional services, such as workflow design and consulting, program and project management, system installation and commissioning, and custom development and role-based product level training; and public and private training to customers and alliance partners, as well as develops and licenses curriculum content for use by third party Avid Learning partners to deliver training to customers, users, and alliance partners. The company was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts.
The following companies are subsidiares of SAP: Abakus, Abakus Europe Limited, Abakus Ukraine Limited Liability Company, Adatfeldolgozasban Informatikai Kft., Altiscale, Ambin Properties Proprietary Limited, AppGyver, Ariba, Ariba Czech s.r.o., Ariba Inc. Palo Alto, Ariba India Private Limited, Ariba International, Ariba International Holdings, Ariba International Singapore Pte Ltd, Ariba Slovak Republic s.r.o., Ariba Software Technology Services (Shanghai) Co., Ariba Technologies India Private Limited, Ariba Technologies Netherlands B.V., Beijing Zhang Zhong Hu Dong Information Technology, Business Objects, Business Objects Holding B.V., Business Objects Option LLC, Business Objects Software Limited, CNQR Operations Mexico S. de. R.L. de. C.V., Callidus Software, CallidusCloud, Christie Partners Holding C.V., Clear Standards, ClearTrip Inc., ClearTrip Inc. (Mauritius), Cleartrip MEA FZ LLC, Cleartrip Private Limited, Coghead, ConTgo Consulting Limited, ConTgo Pty. Ltd., Concur (Austria) GmbH, Concur (Canada), Concur (France) SAS, Concur (Germany) GmbH, Concur (Japan) Ltd., Concur (New Zealand) Limited, Concur (Philippines) Inc., Concur (Switzerland) GmbH, Concur Czech (s.r.o.), Concur Holdings (France) SAS, Concur Holdings (Netherlands) B.V., Concur Technologies (Australia) Pty. Limited, Concur Technologies (Hong Kong) Limited, Concur Technologies (India) Private Limited, Concur Technologies (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Concur Technologies (UK) Limited, Concur Technologies Inc. Bellevue, Contextor, Coresystems, Crystal Decisions (Ireland) Limited, Crystal Decisions Holdings Limited, Crystal Decisions UK Limited, Emarsys, EssCubed Procurement Pty. Ltd., Extended Systems, Factory Logic, Fedem Technology AS, Fieldglass Europe Limited, Financial Fusion, FreeMarkets Ltda., Frictionless Commerce, Gigya, Gigya Australia Pty Ltd, Gigya Ltd., Gigya UK Ltd, GlobalExpense Limited, Highdeal, Hipmunk, Hybris (US) Corp., Hybris GmbH, Inxight Federal Systems Group, KXEN, Khimetrics, LLC "SAP Labs", LLC "SAP Ukraine", LLC SAP CIS, MaXware, Merlin Systems Oy, Multiposting Sp.z o.o., Nihon Ariba K.K., OpTier, OutlookSoft, OutlookSoft Deutschland GmbH, PLAT.ONE, PT SAP Indonesia, PT Sybase 365 Indonesia, Pilot Software Inc., Plat.One Inc., Plat.One Lab Srl, Plateau Systems LLC, Quadrem Africa Pty. Ltd., Quadrem Brazil Ltda., Quadrem Chile Ltda., Quadrem Colombia SAS, Quadrem International Ltd., Quadrem Netherlands B.V., Quadrem Overseas Cooperatief U.A., Quadrem Peru S.A.C., Qualtrics, Recast.AI, Right Hemisphere, Roambi, Ruan Lian Technologies (Beijing) Co., SAF, SAP (Beijing) Software System Co., SAP (Schweiz) AG, SAP (Schweiz) AG Biel, SAP (UK) Limited, SAP (UK) Limited Feltham, SAP AZ LLC, SAP America, SAP America Inc. Newtown Square, SAP Andina y del Caribe, SAP Argentina S.A., SAP Asia (Vietnam) Co., SAP Asia Pte Ltd, SAP Australia Pty Ltd, SAP Australia Pty Ltd. Sydney, SAP Belgium NV/SA, SAP Beteiligungs GmbH, SAP Brasil Ltda, SAP Brasil Ltda Sao Paulo, SAP Bulgaria EOOD, SAP Business Compliance Services GmbH, SAP Business Services Center Nederland B.V., SAP CR, SAP Canada, SAP Chile Limitada, SAP China Co., SAP China Co. Ltd. Shanghai, SAP China Holding Co., SAP Colombia S.A.S., SAP Commercial Services Ltd., SAP Concur, SAP Costa Rica, SAP Customer Experience, SAP Cyprus Limited, SAP Danmark A/S, SAP Deutschland SE & Co. KG, SAP Deutschland SE & Co. KG Walldorf, SAP Dritte Beteiligungs- und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, SAP EMEA Inside Sales S.L., SAP East Africa Limited, SAP Egypt LLC, SAP Erste Beteiligungs- und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, SAP Espana - Sistemas Informatica, SAP Estonia OU, SAP Fieldglass, SAP Financial, SAP Finland Oy, SAP Foreign Holdings GmbH, SAP France, SAP France Holding, SAP France Levallois Perret, SAP Global Marketing, SAP Hellas S.A., SAP Holdings (UK) Limited, SAP Hong Kong Co., SAP Hosting Beteiligungs GmbH, SAP Hungary Rendszerek, SAP India (Holding) Pte Ltd, SAP India Private Limited, SAP India Private Limited Bangalore, SAP Industries, SAP Industries Inc. Newtown Square, SAP International, SAP International Panama, SAP Investments, SAP Ireland Limited, SAP Ireland US - Financial Services Designated Activity Company, SAP Israel Ltd., SAP Italia Sistemi Applicazioni Prodotti in Data Processing S.p.A., SAP Italia Sistemi Applicazioni Prodotti in Data Processing S.p.A. Vimercate, SAP Japan Co., SAP Japan Co. Ltd. Tokyo, SAP Kazakhstan LLP, SAP Korea Ltd., SAP Labs, SAP Labs Bulgaria EOOD, SAP Labs Finland Oy, SAP Labs France SAS, SAP Labs India Private Limited, SAP Labs Israel Ltd., SAP Labs Korea, SAP Latvia SIA, SAP MENA FZ L.L.C., SAP Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., SAP Malta Investments Ltd., SAP Mxico S.A. de C.V., SAP National Security Services PA, SAP Nederland B.V., SAP Nederland B.V. s-Hertogenbosch, SAP Service and Support Centre (Ireland) Limited, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP d.o.o., SeeWhy, Signavio, SuccessFactors, SuccessFactors Inc. South San Francisco, SwoopTalent, Sybase, Syclo, TopTier Software, Triversity, Vimercate, Virsa Systems, Visiprise, Wicom Communications, and conTgo limited.

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This extended Detroit Free Press article, headlined "Michigan marijuana campaign brings together activists, moneyed investors, tobacco dealers," provides an interesting mid-summer report on the developing efforts to put recreational marijuana reform on the ballot in Michigan in 2018. Here are excerpts:

A campaign to once again try to fully legalize marijuana in Michigan is getting big support from a Washington D.C. nonprofit activist group and from a tobacco store company that has talked of opening a chain of marijuana shops in the state.

The donor list, revealed in the latest campaign finance statements filed by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, alarmed critics who have long contended that marijuana's nationwide march toward legalization is being funded not by the idealistic stoners and medical-marijuana users long linked to the politics of cannabis but instead by a pack of profit-minded investors and corporate types said to be similar to Big Tobacco  the nation's cigarette and cigar industry.

"Its obvious that these tobacco guys are making a play for the marijuana money," Jeff Zinsmeister, executive vice president of Smart Alternatives to Marijuana, based in Alexandria, Va., said Friday. The group argues that Big Marijuana is "following the playbook of Big Tobacco," hoping to get young people addicted to pot early on, then keep them as hapless customers for life, Zinsmeister said.

Those who support legalization argue that marijuana will be more difficult for youths to obtain, not less, after it passes. They liken the current availability of marijuana to the nation's era of alcohol Prohibition, when people of any age had ready access to illegal alcoholic beverages; in contrast to later laws that made alcohol legal for adults but a crime to provide it to anyone under 21.

The campaign's goal is to put a ballot question before Michigan voters in 2018, when the governor's race will trigger a big voter turnout. Medical marijuana use was approved by state voters in 2008....

Based on the ballot campaign's latest report, "44% of our contributions were $250 or less  we have a broad range of both large donors and small," said [Josh] Hovey, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.

Since starting the drive to collect signatures less than two months ago, the group has gathered more than 100,000 signatures, he said. That's good progress toward collecting the required 252,523 signatures  a figure that, by law, must be 8% of the number of votes cast in Michigan's last election for governor. The group said it has until Nov. 22 to gather enough signatures.

And, in order to get a cushion to account for signatures that might be thrown out, the group has set a goal of gathering 350,000 signatures, said former state representative Jeff Irwin of Ann Arbor, who is the group's political director. "We're hitting the streets and talking to everybody," Irwin said Saturday.

In a failed effort last year to get on the ballot, a different marijuana group relied mainly on volunteers. This year's coalition, which includes supporters of last year's effort, is using paid petition circulators at considerable cost. "It's going to cost probably a million and a half dollars just to get on the ballot," Hovey said.

"After that, well need to spend a lot more on advertising and all the methods of communication to make sure that voters have the full story. Were estimating this is going to be, in total, an $8-million campaign, by the time the vote actually happens next year," he said.
As reported in this USA Today article, headlined "Nevada dispensaries running out of marijuana," recreational marijuana sales are off to quite a start in the Silver State and that is actually creating a significant problem:

Nevada dispensaries licensed to sell recreational marijuana are running out of pot less than a week after the legal market came to life, according to the state Department of Taxation.

On Friday, taxation officials announced that Gov. Brian Sandoval had endorsed the department's "statement of emergency," allowing state officials to consider adopting an emergency marijuana regulation that could alleviate the shortage. The Nevada Tax Commission will vote on the regulation Thursday.

"Based on reports of adult-use marijuana sales already far exceeding the industrys expectations at the states 47 licensed retail marijuana stores, and the reality that many stores are running out of inventory, the Department must address the lack of distributors immediately. Some establishments report the need for delivery within the next several days," said department spokeswoman Stephanie Klapstein in an email.

The regulation would allow the department to consider a larger pool of applicants for distribution licenses, licenses that permit the transport of recreational marijuana from cultivation and packaging facilities to the dispensaries.

When the state law legalizing recreational marijuana was passed in November, wholesale alcohol distributors were promised exclusive rights to transport wholesale marijuana for the first 18 months of legal sales. The department, however, has run into multiple roadblocks in reviewing the seven applications that they have received as of Friday.

"We continue to work with the liquor wholesalers who have applied for distribution licenses, but most dont yet meet the requirements that would allow us to license them. Even as we attempted to schedule the final facility inspection for one of the applicants this week, they told us their facility was not ready and declined the inspection. As of mid-day Friday, not one distribution license has been issued," Klapstein said....

Now that any marijuana dispensary licensed to sell recreational marijuana must receive all product  both recreational and medical  from a distributor licensed to transport recreational marijuana, many of them are stuck with dwindling supply. "The business owners in this industry have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to build facilities across the state," Klapstein said. They have hired and trained thousands of additional employees to meet the demands of the market. Unless the issue with distributor licensing is resolved quickly, the inability to deliver product to retail stores will result in many of these people losing their jobs and will bring this nascent market to a grinding halt. A halt in this market will lead to a hole in the states school budget."

While the department does not plan to release any numbers on state tax revenue from the industry until late September, the Nevada Dispensary Association earlier this week estimated that dispensaries made about $3 million in sales and the state made about $1 million in tax revenue between Saturday and Tuesday. Revenue collected from the 15% cultivation tax goes toward schools, while the 10% sales tax revenue goes toward the state's rainy day fund, which can be used for any number of expenditures.
LOS ALAMOS, N.M., July 12, 2017 -- Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the selection of three projects to receive up to $8 million, aimed at reducing the costs of producing algal biofuels and bioproducts. One of the projects involves Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist Shawn Starkenburg working with Alina Corcoran of Sapphire Energy at its Las Cruces, New Mexico field site, evaluating rationally designed pond cultures containing multiple species of algae, as well as beneficial bacteria, for consistent biomass composition and high productivity. The project was awarded through a DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement titled "Productivity Enhanced Algae and Tool-Kits (PEAK)."

"Our goal is to double the yield of outdoor algal production systems," Starkenburg said. "By applying strategies and management practices from agriculture, aquaculture, microbial ecology, as well as using high-throughput selection tools to generate microbial assemblages, we believe this is achievable," he said.

Overall, these projects will deliver high impact tools and techniques for increasing the productivity of algae organisms and cultures to support the development of a bioeconomy that can help create jobs, spur innovation, improve quality of life, and achieve national energy security.

These projects will also deliver biology-focused breakthroughs while enabling accelerated future innovations through data sharing within the research and development community, Starkenburg said. Specifically, the tools and techniques that will be co-developed by Los Alamos and Sapphire include "cultivation ready" mixtures of algae, and libraries of bacteria that improve the growth of algae. In addition, the project will implement a novel high-throughput microfluidics screening/culturing method developed by Los Alamos to identify probiotic bacteria, and the team will sequence the genomes of novel production strains.

###

Los Alamos is involved with algae biofuels research as part of its energy security mission for the US Department of Energy. This work will be supported by the DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO).

About Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, BWX Technologies, Inc. and URS Corporation for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and global security concerns.
Person-centered activities combined with just one hour a week of social interaction can improve quality of life and reduce agitation for people with dementia living in care homes, while saving money

Person-centred activities combined with just one hour a week of social interaction can improve quality of life and reduce agitation for people with dementia living in care homes, while saving money.

These are the findings from a large-scale trial led by the University of Exeter, King's College London and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. These results were presented today (July 16) at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2017 (AAIC). The research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

The trial involved more than 800 people with dementia across 69 care homes in South London, North London and Buckinghamshire. Two 'care staff champions' at each home were trained over four day-long sessions, to take simple measures that such as involve talking to residents about their interests and decisions around their own care. When combined with just one hour a week of social interaction, it improved quality of life and reduced agitation.

Importantly, the approach also saved money compared to standard care. Researchers say the next key challenge is to roll the programme to the 28,000 care homes in the UK to benefit the lives of the 300,000 people with dementia living in these facilities.

Professor Clive Ballard, of the University of Exeter Medical School, who led the research, said: "People with dementia who are living in care homes are among the most vulnerable in our society. Incredibly, of 170 carer training manuals available on the market, only four are based on evidence that they really work. Our outcomes show that good staff training and just one hour a week of social interaction significantly improves quality of life for a group of people who can often be forgotten by society."

Dr Jane Fossey from the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Taking a person-centred approach is about really getting to know the resident as an individual -- knowing their interests and talking with them while you provide all aspects of care. It can make a massive difference to the person themselves and their carers. We've shown that this approach significantly improves lives, reduces agitation and actually saves money too. This training must now be rolled out nationwide so other people can benefit."

Doug Brown, Director of Research for Alzheimers Society, said:

70% of people living in care homes have dementia, so it is vital that staff have the right training to provide good quality dementia care.

We know that a person-centred approach that takes each individual's unique qualities, abilities, interests, preferences and needs into account can improve care. This study shows that training to provide this type of individualised care, along with activities and social interactions, has a significant impact on the well-being of people living with dementia in care homes. It also shows that effective care can reduce costs, which the stretched social care system desperately needs.

Alzheimers Society is committed to improving dementia care through research. We want to see interventions like this put into practice, and will continue to fund further research to improve the quality of life for people with dementia in their own homes, care homes and hospitals. But investment in research alone cannot rescue the broken system. The government must use the consultation on social care reform to deliver a long-term solution that addresses the desperate funding crisis in our current system and shares the cost of care across society.

The results are the findings of the Improving Wellbeing and Health for People with Dementia (WHELD) trial, the largest non-pharmacological randomised control trial in people with dementia living in care homes to date.

###

The project included collaboration from University College London, the universities of Hull and Bangor, and Alzheimer's Society.
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COP27: Energy and food security must be addressed, farm leaders say
If you haven't heard yet about President Trump's plan to arm Taiwan, then, well, you probably don't live in China -- because China has been very vocal about this event. Calling America's plan to sell more than $1 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan a "wrong decision" that will "severely damage China's sovereignty and security interests"; the Chinese embassy to the U.S. said it was "outraged." And that's not all.

China went further, demanding last week that the U.S. "stop military contacts with Taiwan" -- and threatened "further action" if its demand is not met.

So what is it exactly about this deal that so upsets China, and why should investors pay attention? Here are the details.

Taiwan's shopping list

The Trump Administration's sale of weapons to Taiwan is its first since the president took office -- and the biggest arms package for Taiwan since the Obama Administration's $1.7 billion deal, announced in 2015. It is described in a series of seven "notifications" made to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which is the Pentagon's department responsible for coordinating weapons sales to U.S. allies abroad. The weapons in question include:

16 Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA surface-to-air missiles, plus related equipment, valued at $125 million.

50 AGM-88B air-to-ground High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs) and 10 training rounds, valued at $147.5 million.

56 AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) Air-to-Ground Missiles valued at $185.5 million.

Hardware and software needed to upgrade the AN/SLQ-32(V)3 Electronic Warfare Systems on Taiwan's four Keelung-class (former U.S. Kidd-class) guided missile destroyers, valued at $80 million.

Conversion kits to upgrade 168 Taiwanese MK-46 Mod 5 Torpedoes into more advanced MK-54 Lightweight Torpedoes (LWTs), valued at $175 million.

46 new MK 48 Mod 6AT Heavyweight Torpedoes (HWT) valued at $250 million.

And spare parts, engineering services, and contractor logistics support to maintain all of the above, valued at $400 million.

That's a heaping helping of weapons en route to Taiwan. But what does it mean for investors?

What it means for investors

In the case of six of these contracts, just one company -- Raytheon (RTN) -- is either the designated prime contractor on the sale, the weapon's manufacturer (and so likely to become the prime contractor), or both. This means that Raytheon is all but certain to reap at least $963 million from this arms deal -- and potentially all $1.363 billion covered by the seven contracts together.

It's unusual for such a varied set of weaponry in such a large arms deal with a single foreign ally to all be earmarked for fulfillment by just one single defense contractor -- but it is what it is. And what this is, judging from data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, is a very big deal for Raytheon, potentially accounting for more than 5% of the revenues that Raytheon ordinarily books in a year.

Of course, some may question whether the sale will even happen, given the strenuous objections from China -- but I think the sale will go through regardless. First, when China made similar objections to the Obama Administration's sale of an even larger pile of weapons two years ago, it failed to derail the sale. Second, while this new arms deal requires the approval of Congress to proceed, there has never been an instance of an arms deal officially notified by DSCA later being rejected by Congress. Ever.

So the upshot for investors is simple: This sale is going through. And Raytheon shareholders will benefit.
Can Lewis make it five on home soil? What might Max do from fourth? And will Stoffel score? We consider these and the other key talking points ahead of this afternoon's race in Silverstone... Can Hamilton match Clark and Prost? Of course every driver needs and wants as many wins as they can possibly amass. But Lewis Hamilton really needs to win this one. Not just for a fifth British Grand Prix triumph, nor even to match greats such as record holders of the stature of Jim Clark and Alain Prost. But because it would enable him to reel in Sebastian Vettel by at least seven points, maybe more if the German does not finish runner-up. Notwithstanding the likelihood that Ferrari will be faster in the race than in qualifying in relative terms, the strength of Hamiltons 67th pole lap was awesome and had even Vettel conceding that he owned the premier slot on the grid. The grip and poise of the Mercedes has also been impressive all weekend. So as long as it uses its tyres well, and avoids graining or degradation, or does not suffer either at a faster or more voracious rate than the Ferrari, his chances seem very high of delivering exactly what a huge part of the crowd wants.

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 fans selfie at Formula One World Championship, Rd10, British Grand Prix, Qualifying, Silverstone, England, Saturday 15 July 2017.  Sutton Images

Ferrari: on the back foot, or best foot forward? Conversely, can Ferrari turn the tables in race trim? As we were reminded last week in Spielberg, 2017 Rule Number 1: never underestimate the Scuderia. Kimi Raikkonen sounded a little uncertain when asked about his race prospects, whereas Vettel talked his up a storm. Perhaps one was indulging in some gamesmanship, the other not. The car felt okay, Raikkonen said. I dont know exactly how far we were from first but I have a pretty good guess where we were giving away lap time. I think we have a good car, unfortunately not fast enough but for the race hopefully we can challenge them and give a good run. Were two, both of us there, so we try to make the best out of it. There are always opportunities, so well see, Vettel said. Obviously, the target is to put him [Hamilton] under pressure but theyve certainly been competitive all weekend. Nevertheless, I think its been a positive day for us. We improved the car. In quallie the car was great. Last run, I was a bit compromised, the first sector especially, because the tyres were not where they should have been. Maybe I should have seen that better on the out lap, but I was a bit in traffic and we were, I think, a bunch of three or four cars. Not ideal. But anyways, I think its a decent result. As I said, the most important is that the car is good. We improved it for today and also tomorrow should be better.

Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari SF70-H at Formula One World Championship, Rd10, British Grand Prix, Qualifying, Silverstone, England, Saturday 15 July 2017.  Sutton Images

What might Max do from fourth? At last it finally seemed with his gearbox and turbocharger problems, as if the bad juju has passed from Max Verstappens Red Bull RB13 to Daniel Ricciardos, judging from the Australians plight. But though he said hed had fun in qualifying, Verstappen isnt busy talking up his race prospects. Hed really just like to finish after five retirements in the last seven races. It was a lonely qualifying for me and we ended up pretty much exactly where I expected, the Dutch star said. We were lacking the speed and therefore unable to get close to the Mercedes and Ferraris but the car still felt good so I had fun out there. Fifth was the best we could have done today and I achieved that. Ill start tomorrow in fourth, which of course is better, but I never like to rely on penalties for other people to help. I wish I was there just on pace. Well wait and see what the weather brings tomorrow, hopefully some rain as I think I have a better chance of challenging for a podium in the wet. I want to be realistic and not dream so Im hoping my luck has changed and I can have a good, fun race tomorrow and bring the car home. I am not talking about podiums or winning for now. If something happens to the cars in front then we can challenge for a better result.

Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull Racing at Formula One World Championship, Rd10, British Grand Prix, Practice, Silverstone, England, Friday 14 July 2017.  Sutton Images

How incredible could the Hulk be? Renault could hardly have had a better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut in Formula 1 than with Nico Hulkenberg qualifying his R.S.17 sixth and starting the British Grand Prix fifth. That is their best qualifying performance since they returned to the sport 18 months ago. Today we had a very successful qualifying and will start the race just behind the top teams, the German said. I had a good rhythm and we had good times. The team made the right calls for the right track conditions; there was a nice flow. I was feeling calm and confident with the car so I was able to produce a good lap. The upgrades we brought here this weekend seemed to also have played their part in our step forward. That said, tomorrows race is the true test. Lets try and have a clean one. Well push very hard and Ill be very happy to bring points home.

Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Renault Sport F1 Team RS17 at Formula One World Championship, Rd10, British Grand Prix, Qualifying, Silverstone, England, Saturday 15 July 2017.  Sutton Images

Can Vandoorne score his first 2017 points? Although Fernando Alonso is yet again saddled with umpteen grid place penalties, McLaren were very heartened by Stoffel Vandoornes best-ever qualifying performance. He qualified ninth, and with Bottas penalty, will start eighth. In the past three races the young Belgian and his engineers have been working hard on a revised and honed approach, in search of increased performance, and seem to have unlocked it. To take part in Q3 at Silverstone was a bit unexpected, Vandoorne said. But Ive been working very well for the past couple of races, and weve clearly seen the improvements inside the team  in Azerbaijan, in Austria, and here at Silverstone this weekend, Fernando and I largely matched each others pace. Its obviously a pretty good feeling to have made that extra step. Wed been hoping to get a rainy mixed-condition qualifying for a long time, and I think we were pretty strong in these conditions all session long. Then, when the track got drier, we maximised every chance we got. As usual, its very close in the midfield pack, and we usually see that some of the others have got a little something extra for qualifying. But I think the mixed conditions really helped us today. Every time I was on track, I managed to bank a good lap-time, and I think ninth in Q3 was really the maximum we could do today. One of the factors that holds out high hopes for a reliable run is a revised bearing design on the troublesome MGU-H, perfected in Sakura last week, and counter-measures to avoid excessive bearing wear.

Silverstone, Northamptonshire, UK. Friday 14 July 2017. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren, in cockpit with helmet visor raised. World Copyright: Charles Coates/LAT Images  LAT Images

What are the likely strategies? Pirelli say that pit stop strategy could vary between one and two stops depending upon the as-yet uncertain rate of degradation of the supersoft tyre, which, of course, is making its debut here. Note, that of the top-ten qualifiers, only Bottas will start on the more durable soft compound, allowing him to run a longer first stint.
If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales. Albert Einstein




Haiti - News : Zapping...





Clerks and bailiffs, the strike continues

On Thursday, a meeting between Heidi Fortune, the Minister of Justice and the officials of the National Association of Haitian Clerks and Bailiffs did not allow the lifting of the strike of the latter at the courthouse of Port-au -Prince where activities are still paralyzed for nearly two weeks. The strikers are demanding better working conditions. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21490-haiti-news-zapping.html



800 philo students to the "Prefac Solidarity"

800 students of philosophy will have the opportunity to participate in the "Prefac Solidarite" organized this summer, by the Social Assistance Fund (CAS).



Return of mission of the CFI Aftercare unit

The Aftercare unit of the Investment Facilitation Center (CFI) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21410-haiti-economy-aftercare-unit-of-cfi-serving-the-business-sector.html carried out a recent prospecting mission in the South Department. The objective was to find out about the difficulties faced by companies in this region, about 20 companies were visited. The Aftercare team also took the opportunity to contact the Departmental Directorates of Public Institutions such as the General Administration of Customs, the General Directorate of Taxes and the City Council of Les Cayes.



The DG of the PNH in Hinche

As part of a tour https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21520-haiti-news-zapping.html Michel-Ange Gedeon, the Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) went to Hinche where he was received by Divisional Commissioner Marc Andre Cadostin. With a view to reducing the staff of the Minustah Police, Michel-Ange Gedeon, addressing all local elected representatives, promoted a new approach to work and the obligation of elected officials to accompany the National police in its mission to serve and protect lives and property.



XIII CARIFESTA : Haiti prepares

On Thursday, a major meeting was held between Limond Toussaint, the Minister of Culture and the Haiti Participation Management Committee at the XIII Editions of the Caribbean Festival of the Arts (Carifesta) which will take place this year in Barbados From 17 to 27 August 2017 (for the second time since 1981). The objective of this great cultural event is to bring together artists, musicians and authors, and to showcase the artistic and folkloric events of the Caribbean region and of Latin America.



Grand'Anse : launch of the Caravan

Friday in the department of Grand'Anse, President Jovenel Moise, accompanied by Senators of the Grand'Anse, Jean Rigaud Belizaire and Sorel Jacinthe, of several Deputies in particular of Cholzer Chancy, President of the Lower House, proceeded to Carrefour Zaboca (commune of Pestel), to the launch of the Caravan of Change.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Upset Hindus are urging Gladwyne (Pennsylvania) headquartered yoga mats company Spiritual Revolution for immediate withdrawal of yoga mats carrying images of Hindu deities Ganesha, Durga and Hanuman; calling it highly inappropriate.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that Lord Ganesha, goddess Durga and Lord Hanuman were highly revered in Hinduism and were meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to sit on or put feet/buttocks/legs on or sweat on. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, also urged Spiritual Revolution and its CEO to offer a formal apology.

Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Rajan Zed noted.

Zed further said that such trivialization of Hindu deities was disturbing to the Hindus world over. Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers, Zed added.

Ganesha: Remover of Obstacles, Durga: The Great Protectress and Hanuman: Devotion In Action yoga mats are priced at $85.00 each. Spiritual Revolution, which sells yoga mats for all ages, claims that their yoga mats are the greatest tool to aid you in your journey to optimal health, happiness, success, and peace and adds that Each mat is designed to raise your vibrational frequency. It states on its website: You cant buy happiness, but you can buy a Spiritual Revolution yoga mat and thats basically the same thing. Revolutionaries listed include Amie Barsky, Angela Knight Benoit, Lindsay Westcott, Kiley Holliday, Vanessa Van Noy, Erica Bleznak, Heather Grutzmacher, Allie Starfox and Oceanic Society.

There are about three million Hindus in USA.

Source : From Our Correspondent
The Rezidor Hotel Group announced the appointment of Chema Basterrechea as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Chema Basterrechea has been Chief Operating Officer at NH Hotel Group, prior to his appointment with Rezidor. Chema has worked for NHHG for more than 23 years, as Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director of different Business Units, Senior Vice President Food & Beverage, Director of Integration, Merger Integration Officer and General Manager. As an expert in operational excellence especially during mergers and acquisitions, Chema spearheaded a complete integration of all the different acquisitions: Benelux largest hotel chain, Golden Tulip Hotels, as well as Germany's Astron Hotels and the Italian Hotel Chains - Jolly Hotels and Framon into NH Hotel Group.

As Rezidor's COO, Chema will be responsible for all operational matters including brand standards implementation, operating procedures, review of operating models and organizational efficiency to improve the company's profitability and brand awareness. He will also identify new market segments and help expand the existing customer base of Rezidor and Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

Rezidor's five Senior Area Vice Presidents across Europe, the Middle East and Africa; leaders of Franchise Services, Safety & Security and Food & Drink will report to Chema Basterrechea.

Federico Gonzalez-Tejera, the new President & CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group, said: "I am proud to welcome another highly experienced international profile to Rezidor's Executive Committee. Chema Basterrechea is a highly innovative, dynamic and results-driven leader with a strong track record of performance in turnaround and high-paced organizations. He is known to utilize keen analysis and insights, and a team approach to drive organizational improvements and implementation of best practices. Together with the company's business leadership team, I am looking forward to taking the best of Chema's vast experience in European hospitality and dynamic leadership to further build on Rezidor's iconic heritage."

"I am honored to join one of the world's most ethical hotel companies as its COO," said Chema Basterrechea. "With the support of our President & CEO, and the Global Steering Committee, I am looking forward to bringing further organizational advantages to the group's EMEA portfolio, identifying portfolio, people and profitability development opportunities in new markets, and building synergies with our global operations team."

48 years old, Chema is a Business Administration and International Finance graduate of London Business School, IESE Business School, University of Wisconsin and University of Oviedo. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian. Chema loves to ski, practices mountain biking, running and riding motorbikes in his spare time.

Chema will be based at Rezidor's Brussels Corporate Office.
New Delhi, July 16 (IBNS): The government has called an all-party meeting on Sunday morning at 11 am, a day ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament begins.



The session will be challenging for the NDA government who will have to face the united opposition on host of issues including the Goods and Services Tax (GST), introduced recently.

At the all party meeting, the government is likely to seek opposition's support for smooth functioning of the upcoming Parliament Session.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the meeting on Sunday, reports said.

However, the Trinamool Congress Party, headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has reportedly decided to skip the meeting.

The TMC has been locking horns with the BJP in Bengal over the recent incidents of communal violence that shook the state's Basirhat area.

According to reports, 18 opposition parties reached a "broad agreement" to confront the Centre in the Parliament on five or six issues including the impact of GST.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also called an all party meeting in the evening.

The Trinamool Congress is reportedly attending that meeting.

In this Monsoon Session of Parliament, at least 16 bills are listed for introduction in both houses.
Facebook page of Lalu Prasad

Patna, July 16 (IBNS): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad have called separate meetings of lawmakers in Patna on Sunday, as a part of the preparation for Monday's presidential polls, media reports said.

However, media reports speculated that both leaders will address the lawmakers on the ongoing conflict in the Bihar politics that involves the row over Tejashwi Yadav's resignation.

The crisis centred around the resignation of state Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav since the CBI registered a case against him on corruption charges.

Despite opposition's demand, the RJD as well as Lalu Prasad have ruled out the possibility of Tejashwi's resignation.

However, the development that threatens the image of the Government, has put Nitish Kumar under pressure prompting his party to create a distance with the RJD.


Twitter

New Delhi, July 16 (IBNS): Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff, will be on an official visit to France from Monday to Thursday.

The visit is intended to further strengthen the existing defence corporation between the Air Forces of the two countries.

The areas of cooperation presently include exchanges in military training courses, mutual visits by subject matter experts and joint air exercises.



During his stay at France the Chief of the Air Staff is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with the senior military officials of the French Armed Forces.

The challenges faced by the Armed Forces of both the countries in the current geo-political scenario are expected to be discussed during these meetings.

The main focus of the visit will be on improving bilateral relations, promote defence ties, and outline further areas of defence cooperation between the two countries.

The CAS will visit Headquarters of French Air Force and a few operational Air Bases.

The CAS would interact with representatives of Military Aviation Industry in France and visit Indian Rafale PMT Infrastructure. The CAS is also planned to fly a sortie in Rafale.



This visit of the Air Chief would provide further impetus towards increasing defence cooperation between the two Air Forces and pave the way for greater interaction and cooperation in the future.


Srinagar, July 16 (IBNS): A woman devotee Lalita, who was injured in the deadly militant attack on Amarnath Yatra pilgrims on July 10, lost her battle for life at a Srinagar hospital on Saturday night, taking the death toll in the incident to eight.

According to hospital reports , Lalita, 47, succumbed her injuries at SKIMS Hospital here who had received a bullet in her abdomen,

With this, the death toll in the July 10 attack has climbed to eight.

The terrorists had opened fire around 8.20 PM on a bus carrying pilgrims, killing 7 right on spot and leaving nearly 12 people injured.

The bus, which was coming from Gujarat, was reportedly not part of the main yatra convoy.

As a result it was not registered with the shrine board, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) told media.



(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)


Srinagar, July 16 (IBNS): At least eleven Amarnath pilgrims were killed while 35 others were injured after a bus plunged into a deep gorge on Srinagar-Jammu highway near Banihal on Sunday.

Bus, bearing registration number JK02Y 0594, was heading towards Srinagar when it rolled down into a gorge near an army camp in Nachilana area of Banihal in Ramban district.

Eleven pilgrims were killed in the mishap, an official said.

The injured people were shifted to hospital for treatment.



(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)


New Delhi, July 16 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday mourned the loss of lives in the road mishap in Jammu and Kashmir which killed at least 11 Amarnath pilgrims.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased," Modi tweeted.

Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2017

He said: "I pray that those injured in the bus accident in J&K recover soon."

I pray that those injured in the bus accident in J&K recover soon.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2017

At least eleven Amarnath pilgrims were killed while 35 others were injured after a bus plunged into a deep gorge on Srinagar-Jammu highway near Banihal on Sunday.

Bus, bearing registration number JK02Y 0594, was heading towards Srinagar when it rolled down into a gorge near an army camp in Nachilana area of Banihal in Ramban district.

Eleven pilgrims were killed in the mishap, an official said.

The injured people were shifted to hospital for treatment.


New Delhi, July 16 (IBNS): President Pranab Mukherjee will receive the first copy of the book aFuture of Indian Universities: Comparative and International Perspectivesa at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Monday.

He will receive the first copy of this book from Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen who will formally release it.

The book Future of Indian Universities: Comparative and International Perspectives is the academic and research work of scholars, educationists and practitioners from India and abroad.

It aims to provide international and comparative perspectives on higher education and highlights issues being faced by Indian Universities.

It has been complied by Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of JGU University and is published by Oxford University Press.
Srinagar, July 16 (IBNS): A bus mishap in Jammu and Kashmir killed at least 16 Amarnath pilgrims on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh have expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives in the accident.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased," Modi tweeted.

Rajnath Singh also condoled the loss of lives in the mishap.

My heart goes out to the families of Amarnath Yatris who lost their loved ones in the bus accident. My prayers are with the injured, Singh said.

Rajnath Singh spoke to J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti regarding the unfortunate accident of the bus near Ramban.

She apprised the Union Home Minister of the ongoing rescue operations.

Rajnath Singh also had a telephonic conversation with the J&K Governor NN Vohra who has reached the accident site.

He apprised the Union Home Minister of the situation.

The bus carrying 45 pilgrims from Jammu to Srinagar rolled down a mountain at Nachala, Under Police Station Ramsu at Banihal, Ramban, read a government statement.

As confirmed by SSP Ramban, in this accident 16 pilgrims died and 29 got injured. 18 injured have been airlifted to Government Medical College & Hospital, Jammu by chopper, the remaining 11 with minor injuries left for Srinagar by road.

Helpline numbers to enquire about Amarnath Yatris travelling in the bus that met with accident in Ramban, J&K. 0191-2560401 & 0191-2542000.

Image: TV video grab
Burma NLD Warns Yangon Chief Minister for Controversial Remarks

Yangon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein takes questions from the media in January 2017. / Chan Son / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  Myanmars ruling National League for Democracy party has warned the Yangon Chief Minister for his controversial remarks on the countrys military chief, according to one of the partys secretariat members.

U Nyan Win told The Irrawaddy that the warning was made on Thursday.

We cant reveal the details of the warning. We have issued an internal memo on Friday regarding the issue, he said.

The memo viewed by The Irrawaddy said: The partys CEC has warned U Phyo Min Thein for what he said at a workshop held in collaboration with USAID . . . CSOs and Media in Yangon on July 9.

In his address at the event, the chief minister said: There are no civil-military relations in the democratic era and that the militarys commander-in-chief position is the same as the level of director-general, according to the [state] protocol.

The Myanmar military released a statement on Tuesday, urging the government to take necessary actions against Yangon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein regarding the remarks concerning the head of the military.

In another announcement made the following day, the army said Yangons chief minister was not suitable for constructive, long-term relations with the army and called his comments about the military chief an insult.

The Myanmar government spokesperson told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that the Yangon Chief Ministers remarks on the army chiefs position do not reflect the governments stance and had caused misunderstandings between the government and the military.

As the chief minister is responsible [for what he said], we have instructed him to do what he needs to do, U Zaw Htay said.The NLD administration has attracted the militarys ire with their comments twice. In May, the partys spokesperson U Win

Htein said he suspected that the military may have been involved in spreading rumors aimed at destabilizing the NLD government. When the military complained, he said he didnt intend to make accusations against anyone, and that his comments were a slip of the tongue.
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey commemorated on Saturday the anniversary of the failed coup in that country.

The coup attempt was genuinely unpopular. Erdogan blames it on the Gulen movement, a shadowy cult-like organization that for years was allied with Erdogan.

But in the aftermath, Erdogan took the failed coup as the pretext under which to strengthen the central state. He had had some 150,000 persons fired from government jobs, and arrested 100,000. Obviously, 250,000 people did not conspire to overthrow Erdogan on July 15. Moreover, many of those targeted had nothing to do with the Gulen movement, but had simply criticized Erdogan from a secular or leftist point of view.

Supporters of the center left Republican Peoples Party (CHP), which now holds about 25% of the seats in parliament but had ruled Turkey for most of the 20th century, had rallied last Sunday in the thousands to protest Erdogans assault on the rule of law and civil liberties.

In his Istanbul speech on Saturday, Erdogan pledged to sign any law sent him by parliament reinstating the death penalty, which Turkey had abolished in 2004 as part of its attempt to join the European Union. He said of the coup plotters, We will chop off their heads. He also urged that they be made to appear in court in orange jumpsuits like those the US makes prisoners in Guantanamo wear. Obviously, such a procedure would prejudice the judge against the defendants even though they might not have been proved guilty by other means. Turkey would certainly be removed from any queue for EU membership if it resumes executing people.

Erdogan fired another 7,000 government workers on Saturday on political grounds.

Meanwhile, the The Republican Peoples Party (CHP) announced that it would boycott the special night meeting on the coup, complaining that the talks by by its leaders had been cancelled. CHP leader Kemal Klcdaroglu did address parliament. In Erdogans own speech the president branded the opposition leader a coward for not coming into the streets a year ago in the face of the coup.

In essence, the coup failed. But Erdogans countercoup has succeeded gloriously, and has functioned as a sort of a coup in its own right, turning Turkey definitively into a banana republic for the foreseeable future. It is a sad end to the brief turn 2002-2012 of Turkish politics toward greater pluralism and openness.

-

Related video added by Juan Cole:

PBS NewsHour: Turkey continues crackdown one year after failed coup
North Korea on Saturday issued a guarded response to President Moon Jae-in's latest proposal for cross-border rapprochement, calling it "sophistry" while voicing relief over Seoul's pledge to respect past joint declarations.



In its first reaction to the initiative that Moon announced in Berlin last Thursday, the Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, made a lengthy point-by-point rebuttal -- rather than a terse rejection -- which a Seoul official said may signal Pyongyang's interest in the proposal.



The newspaper issued its statement in a commentary attributed to the pen name of a private writer, which observers say hints at the reclusive state's efforts to be cautious not to blunt the potential momentum of better inter-Korean ties.



"The overall content, enumerated under the name of peace, carries confrontational intentions to quash its neighbor while relying on foreign forces," the paper said.



"(The initiative) is riddled with sophistries like sleep talking, which only pose hurdles rather than helping improve North-South relations," it added.



During his visit to the German capital to attend the Group of 20 summit, Moon announced the initiative under which Seoul pursues Pyongyang's denuclearization with a security guarantee, and economic and diplomatic incentives, while seeking a peace treaty and dismissing the prospect of forced unification.



In the commentary, the paper noted that it is a "relief" that Moon included his government's vow to respect the landmark joint declarations that were signed at the inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2007. The declarations aim to foster cross-border cooperation, exchanges and reconciliation.



"It is a relief that the vow to honor and enforce the June 15 joint declaration in 2000 and the Oct. 4 declaration in 2007 were included (in the initiative) -- a different stance from his (conservative) predecessors," the commentary read.



Touching on Moon's mention of the lessons from the German unification process, the newspaper denounced it as a typical process of unification by absorption.



"That (unification process) also will be a total denial of such declarations," the paper said.



The North's paper also dismissed Moon's call for bilateral dialogue and cooperation, demanding a "fundamental shift in policy and stance."



While referring to Moon's proposals for the reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War and civil-sector cooperation, the newspaper said that there would not be any nonpolitical exchanges when the fundamental issue of cross-border confrontation remains unmentioned or unresolved.



It also took issue with the fact that the initiative was unveiled on foreign soil.



"It is nonsensical that (the president) enumerated these crucial issues -- which we, Koreans, should lead in resolving -- before foreigners with different skin colors, with whom we don't share the same language," it said.



A Seoul official said that the issues the North rebutted could be part of the agenda for future inter-Korean dialogue.



"If the North is not interested in the Berlin initiative, it would have just rejected it tersely. ... The North's stance indicates its interest in the Moon Jae-in government's policy towards it and the initiative," the official said on the condition of anonymity. (Yonhap)




San Francisco, CA Despite federal and state laws in place to ensure that heath care workersfrom behavioral health professionals in Pennsylvania to in-home caregivers in Californiaare getting Despite federal and state laws in place to ensure that heath care workersfrom behavioral health professionals in Pennsylvania to in-home caregivers in Californiaare getting overtime compensation they are entitled to, employers are still misclassifying employees to avoid paying overtime. And despite a recent settlement in favor of the employees, it almost seems like employers such as Progressions Behavioral Health Services Inc. havent read the memo

A federal judge recently approved an $865,000 settlement that resolved overtime claims from behavioral health professionals who were employed by Progressions Behavioral Health Services Inc. The clinic classified their employees as independent contractors, but judge Elizabeth Hey ruled them as hourly employees and therefore entitled to overtime, other employee benefits, and payment for other work that was deemed nonbillable.Judge Hey conditionally certified the class action and, depending upon the degree of their wage shortfall, participating class members will receive from the settlement fund from $500 up to $70,000 on a pro rata basis. Plaintiffs attorney Michael Murphy of the Murphy Law Group in Philadelphia toldthat, "We're very pleased with the result," and the settlement was agreed upon after a day of negotiation in mediation.According to the PennRecord , the overtime complaint was filed in May, citing the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act. Three plaintiffs alleged that they worked for more than 40 hours per work week but were not paid overtime, although they logged overtime hours.().In Texas a behavioral technician filed an overtime complaint against autism therapy center operators. Again, the complaint claims employers have violated the FLSA. Further, this complaint alleges defendants ABA Ranch LLC, Roberta Lynn Hawkins and Stephen Reed failed to maintain accurate employee pay records. .().Meanwhile, an hourly homecare worker in California filed an FLSA collective action against the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services for unpaid overtime.From January 1, 2015 until February 1, 2016, federal overtime regulations were revised to provide overtime protections to homecare workers and employers were required to pay one and one-half (1.5) times the employees' regular rate of pay, for their overtime hours. Plaintiffs' attorney Matthew Helland of Nichols Kaster, LLP said in a press release that In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Homecare Workers were eligible for overtime under federal law in 2015, but the state and county agencies failed to pay it. These employees worked long hours providing important services and are entitled to fair and legal compensation."According to the press release, IHSS currently serves over 550,000 recipients through over 460,000 homecare workers (providers) in the state of California. The California Department of Social Services is responsible for the oversight of programs, including IHSS, which serve more than eight million people across the state. The Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services is the second largest department in Los Angeles County and is involved in administration and oversight of the IHSS program at the county level.The hourly home-care worker seeks unpaid overtime wages. ().
Don Lincoln is a senior scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Fermilab, America's largest Large Hadron Collider research institution. He also writes about science for the public, including his recent "The Large Hadron Collider: The Extraordinary Story of the Higgs Boson and Other Things That Will Blow Your Mind (opens in new tab)" (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014). You can follow him on Facebook. Lincoln contributed this article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

Many science-savvy people take it for granted that the universe is made not only of Carl Sagan's oft-quoted "billions and billions" of galaxies, but also a vast amount of an invisible substance called dark matter. This odd matter is thought to be a new kind of subatomic particle that doesn't interact via electromagnetism, nor the strong and weak nuclear forces. Dark matter is also supposed to be five times more prevalent in the universe than the ordinary matter of atoms.

However, the reality is that dark matter's existence has not yet been proved. Dark matter is still a hypothesis, albeit a rather well-supported one. Any scientific theory has to make predictions, and if it's right, then the measurements you do should line up with the predictions. The same goes for dark matter. For instance, dark matter theories make predictions for how fast galaxies are rotating. But, until now, measurements made of the detailed dark matter distribution at the center of low mass galaxies didn't line up with those predictions.

A recent calculation has changed that. The calculation helps resolve the conundrum of the Tully-Fisher relation, which compares the visible, or ordinary, matter of a galaxy to its rotational velocity. In very simplified terms, scientists have found that the more massive (and therefore brighter) a spiral galaxy is, the faster it spins.

But if dark matter exists, how "big" a galaxy is should be determined not just by its visible matter, but also by its dark matter. With a huge piece of the equation  the amount of dark matter  missing, the Tully-Fisher relation shouldn't hold. And yet it does. It was hard to imagine any way to reconcile this relationship with existing dark matter theory. Until now. [Beyond Higgs: 5 Elusive Particles That May Lurk in the Universe]

Dark matter origins

The first inklings that there might be a need for something like dark matter go back to 1932. Dutch astronomer Jan Oort measured the orbital speeds of stars within the Milky Way and found they moved too quickly to be explained by the observed mass of the galaxy.

Vera Rubin and Kent Ford found that stars at the edges of galaxies, such as the Andromeda galaxy (shown here), were traveling faster than expected. Dark matter could help to explain these galactic rotation discrepancies. (Image credit: NASA/Swift/Stefan Immler (GSFC) and Erin Grand (UMCP))

Stars orbit their parent galaxy in nearly circular paths and gravity is the force that holds the stars in those orbits. Newton's equations predict that the force that makes the stars move in a circular path, F(circular), should equal the force due to gravity on the star, F(gravity), or else the star would fly off into space or fall in to the center of the galaxy. For those who remember high school physics, F(circular) is a statement of inertia and is just Newton's F = ma. F(gravity) is Newton's law of universal gravitation.

Near the center of galaxies, Rubin and Ford found that F(circular) was roughly equal to F(gravity), as expected. But far from the center of the galaxies, the two sides of the equation didn't match up very well. While details varied galaxy-to-galaxy, their observations were essentially universal. [Gallery: Dark Matter Throughout the Universe]

Such a dramatic discrepancy needs explanation. Near the center of galaxies, Rubin and Ford's measurements meant the theory was working, while the discrepancy at larger orbital distances meant something was going on that existing theories couldn't explain. Their insights revealed that either we don't understand how inertia works (e.g., F(circular)), or we don't understand how gravity works (e.g., F(gravity)). A third possibility is that the equal sign is wrong, meaning that there is some other force or effect that the equation doesn't include. Those were the only possibilities.

Explaining the discrepancies

In the 40 years since Rubin and Ford's original work, scientists have tested many theories to try to explain the galactic rotation discrepancies they found. Physicist Mordehai Milgrom proposed a modification of inertia, called "modified Newtonian dynamics," or MOND. In its initial form, it postulated that at very low accelerations, Newton's equation F = ma didn't work.

Other physicists have suggested modifications of the laws of gravity. Einstein's general relativity doesn't help here because, in this realm, Einstein's and Newton's predictions are essentially identical. And theories of quantum gravity, which attempt to describe gravity using subatomic particles, cannot be the explanation for the same reason. However, there are gravitational theories that make predictions on galactic or extragalactic scales that differ from Newtonian gravity. So, those are options. [What's That? Your Physics Questions Answered]

Then there are predictions that new forces exist. These ideas are clumped together under the name "the fifth force," implying a force beyond gravity, electromagnetism and the strong and weak nuclear forces.

Finally, there is the theory of dark matter: That a type of matter that doesn't interact with light at all, yet exerts a gravitational pull, permeates the universe.

Were the galactic rotation measurements the only data we have, it might be hard to select between these different theories. After all, it might be possible to tweak each theory to solve the galactic rotation problem. But there are now many observations of many different phenomena that can help identify the most plausible theory.

One is the speed of galaxies within large clusters of galaxies. The galaxies are moving too quickly for the clusters to stay bound together. Another observation is of light from very distant galaxies. Observations of these very distant ancient galaxies show that their light is distorted by passing through the gravitational fields of more nearby clusters of galaxies. There are also studies of small non-uniformities of the cosmic microwave background that is the birth-cry of the universe. All of these measurements (and many more) must also be addressed by any new theory to explain galactic rotation speeds.

Dark matter's unanswered questions

Dark matter theory has done a reasonable job at predicting many of these measurements, which is why it is well-respected in the scientific community. But dark matter is still an unconfirmed model. All evidence of its existence so far is indirect. If dark matter exists, we should be able to directly observe interactions of dark matter as it passes through the Earth and we might be able to make dark matter in large particle accelerators, like the Large Hadron Collider. And yet neither approach has been successful.

In addition, dark matter should agree with all, not just many, astronomical observations. While dark matter is the most successful model so far, it is not completely successful. Dark matter models predict more dwarf satellite galaxies surrounding big galaxies like the Milky Way than are actually detected. Although more dwarf galaxies are being found, there are still too few compared to dark matter's predictions.

Another big, open question is how dark matter affects the relationship between the brightness of galaxies and their rotational speeds. This relationship, which was first presented in 1977, is called the Tully-Fisher relation, and it has shown numerous times that a galaxy's visible mass correlates well with its rotational speed.

Tough challenges for dark matter

So, that ends the back story. What is new?

The Tully-Fisher relation is a tough challenge for dark matter models. The rotation of a galaxy is governed by the total amount of matter it contains. If dark matter truly exists, then the total amount of matter is the sum of both ordinary and dark matter.

But existing dark matter theory predicts that any random galaxy may contain larger or smaller fractions of dark matter. So, when one measures the visible mass, you could potentially be missing a huge chunk of the total mass. As a result, visible mass should be a very poor predictor of the total mass (and thereby rotational speed) of the galaxy. The galaxy's mass could be similar to that of the visible (ordinary) mass or it could be much larger.

Thus, there is no reason to expect that the visible mass should be a good predictor of the rotational speed of the galaxy. Yet it is.

In fact, in a paper released this year, dark matter skeptics used measurements of the Tully-Fisher relationship for a variety of galaxies to argue against the dark matter hypothesis and for a modified version of inertia, such as MOND.

Better fit for dark matter

However, in a paper released in June, scientists have given dark matter models a significant boost. Not only does the new work reproduce the successes of earlier predictions of the dark matter model, it also reproduces the Tully-Fisher relation.

The new paper is a "semi-analytic" model, which means that it is a combination of analytic equations and simulation. It simulates the clumping of dark matter in the early universe that may have seeded galaxy formation but also includes the interaction of ordinary matter, including such things as the infall of ordinary matter into another celestial body due to its gravitational pull, star formation and the heating of infalling gas by starlight and supernovas. By carefully tuning the parameters, the researchers were better able to match the predicted Tully-Fisher relationship. The calculation's key is that the predicted rotational velocity includes a realistic value for the ratio of baryons to dark matter in the galaxy.

The new calculation is an important additional step in validating the dark matter model. However, it is not the final word. Any successful theory should agree with all measurements. Failure to agree means that either the theory or the data is wrong, or at least incomplete. A few discrepancies between prediction and measurement still remain (such as the number of small satellite galaxies around big ones), but this new paper gives us confidence that future work will resolve these remaining discrepancies. Dark matter remains a powerfully predictive theory for the structure of the universe. It is not complete and it needs validation by discovering the actual dark matter particle. So, there is still work still to do. But this most recent calculation is an important step toward the day where we will know once and for all if the universe really is dominated by the dark side.

Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates  and become part of the discussion  on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Live Science.
The Braves, on the hunt for starting pitching, sent a top scout to Detroit this weekend to watch Tigers right-handers Justin Verlander and Michael Fulmer, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com (on Twitter). Neither Verlander nor Fulmer seems like a realistic trade candidate, however. The Tigers reportedly want a noteworthy haul for Verlander, even though hes 34, in the throes of a down season and still owed nearly $70MM through 2019. Verlander also has a full no-trade clause, so he could veto a deal even if the Braves do present an offer to the Tigers liking. Unlike Verlander, the 24-year-old Fulmer is both cheap and in his prime. Detroit would justifiably demand a ransom in return, then, but theres no indication its interested in parting with him.

More from the National League:
Colombo (AFP) - Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath captured three early wickets to rattle Zimbabwe's top-order after the hosts conceded a 10-run lead on the third day of their one-off Test in Colombo on Sunday.

Zimbabwe were left reeling at 23 for four at lunch with Sean Williams unbeaten on one and the visitors leading by just 33 runs in their second innings.

Skipper Graeme Cremer gave Zimbabwe the lead after his maiden five-wicket haul helped bowl out Sri Lanka for 346, but the visiting batsmen let the small advantage slip.

It was Herath's left-arm spin that undid the fine work from leg-spinner Cremer (5-125), as the veteran bowler took the wickets of Hamilton Masakadza, Tarisai Musakanda and Regis Chakabva.

Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera joined forces to get the prized wicket of first-innings centurion Craig Ervine for five at the stroke of lunch.

Earlier, Cremer bowled overnight batsman Asela Gunaratne for 45 as the Sri Lankan innings folded midway through the morning session.

Gunaratne, who will not field this match after injuring his hamstring in the first innings, played with grit after being dropped down the batting order.

He formed crucial partnerships along the way, including a 48-run eighth-wicket stand with overnight partner Herath (22) to lift the hosts from a precarious 274-7 on day two.

Despite needing medical assistance during his 110-ball knock, Gunaratne helped Sri Lanka add 53 crucial runs to their overnight score of 293-7.
Cabinet has accepted and approved a proposal by the Ghana Charismatic Bishops' Conference for the government to build concrete roads in the country.

This was revealed by the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who said the first pilot for the construction will be done on the Tema Steel Works road.

According to him, the government believes constructing concrete roads will save the country from incurring an extra cost as compared to the construction of asphalt and bitumen roads.

The Ghana Charismatic Bishops' Conference earlier this year in a document it said was God's prophetic word to Ghana proposed among other things that government moved away from the construction of asphaltic roads to concrete roads which were cost effective and more durable.

It also urged the government to increase road tolls to a flat rate of $1 as an effective measure of raising revenue for various road projects in the country.

The Vice President, Dr. Bawumia who took a keen interest in the proposal said at the dedication of a Harvest International Ministries temple in Accra on Saturday, July 15 that government has held many discussions on the matter and has involved Parliament for the discussion.

He added that cabinet took a decision last week to make the country move away from asphalt roads the construction of concrete roads.

Why is it that we are not building our roads with concrete and rather doing all this asphalt, bitumen stuff which gets washed away after about 2 seasons. If you look at Tema motorway which was built with concrete, and it is lasting almost 50 years. We started that discussion, it is a simple idea but full of wisdom. I checked and realized that in India, they have the policy to build only concrete road and it works out to be cheaper. We have been discussing this as recently as last week in Parliament.

Cabinet did decide last week that we should move towards concrete roads as a country and they are going to do the Tema steel works roads as the pilot roads for concrete roads in this country, Dr. Bawumia said.

The Vice President had earlier given an indication that government will seriously consider the suggestion at a similar address at Lighthouse Chapel's 2017 Good Friday Miracle Service in April this year.

He said, We will consider doing this and it will be transformational because as for laying concrete, we can all do it in Ghana. You don't need to get anybody to come and lay concrete for you. Any mason from any village can come and lay the concrete and go on.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bawumia has commended the Church in the country for their various efforts in helping the government provide quality education and healthcare to citizens.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
16.07.2017 LISTEN

The Greater Accra Passengers Transport Executive (GHAPTE), the firm that manages the Quality Bus Service in Accra has written to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) after a staff of the security agency assaulted one of its drivers.

Last Saturday, the two engaged in verbal exchanges over the right to use the dedicated BRT lane near Roxy Cinema in Adabraka, Accra.

The EOCO official who was provoked by the action of the driver reportedly handcuffed the Aayalolo bus driver in the heat of the exchanges.

Speaking to Citi News, the Public Relations Officer of the company, Fred Chidi said they petitioned EOCO over the conduct of the personnel but they are yet to receive any response.

The official of EOCO was in a Toyota Saloon car at the Roxy cinema bus stop in Adabraka, that bus stop is the exclusive use of the Aayalolo bus and so while he was in the car, apparently having a conversation with somebody the Aayalolo bus pulls in and there was no place to park. So the driver gets down and asks the EOCO personnel to move the vehicle from the bus stop and the EOCO driver gets into some confrontation with the driver and soon he pulls out his handcuff and cuffs the Aayalolo driver.

And so what we did was that we officially complained to EOCO, I personally sent a letter there but we haven't had any response from EOCO. The same day we had to take the central police MTTD in Accra Central, the issue was resolved, the gentleman removed the handcuff and we thought that his attitude was uncalled for. We don't know when EOCO became police officer or an MTTD officer and were carrying handcuffs on them, he added.



By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @AlloteyGodwin
16.07.2017 LISTEN

Nana KobinaNketsia IV is the paramount chief of Essikado Traditional Area in the Western Region of the Republic of Ghana. He was my history lecturer during my days at University of Cape Coast. He taught me one of my numerous Modern European history courses (Modern Europe: 1789-1871) and History of political thought.

Nana always lamented over the apathy of African intellectuals towards their own culture. He opines that what we call education (Indoctrination to be aware of indoctrination) in Africa is miseducation. One of the intriguing ironies of modern African history is that it took European colonialism to notify we Africans of our own identity as people.

Scientists believe the World is about 4.54 billion years old. The Berlin Conference of 1884/85 which officially appropriated African continent among colonial powers and would-be colonial powers is 133 years old, even so, its impacts could be felt throughout Africa.We all know what colonization and the most monstrous holocaust (Trans-Atlantic-Slave Trade) had bequeathed to the black racial stock in the world.

Perhaps, the American Africanist anthropologist, Melville Herskovits has a better way of describing Africa: a geographical fiction which is regarded as a separate entity and regarded as a unit to the extent that the map is invested with an authority imposed on it by the mapmakers (Mazrui, 1986).

The British historian Max Beloff argued that it was reasonably easier to understand geographical contiguities than attempting to understand historical continuities (Mazrui, 1986). This explains why in spite of the effects of colonization African leaders are still willing to mortgage our resources for a pittance (considering the value of resources).

Believe you me, it will take Chinese imperialism and insatiable greed for black mans resources to inform Africans of their next form of colonization! There you go again, my good friend, Koo Nimo, the doubting Thomas, you now knowwhy I have been insinuating that some African leaders are under a curse! Of course, some are and God himself is envious of their track records. A Togolese friend of mine that the political situation in his country will not permit me to mention his name has the following anecdote about GnassingbeEyadema. God was taking a shower when Eyadema got to his gate. God suspended his shower and instantaneously directed that Eyadema be thrown to Hell. One angel asked God why that instant justice? God replied, if this guy sits on my seat, it will be very difficult to get him out. If as a mortal being, he could oppress his people from 1967-2005.

Dear Nana KobinaNketsia (PhD) come for your stone! A Ghanaian local saying, to wit vindication. Ghanas gross miseducation system has almost invariably compelled many intellectuals to sidle up to the trough of foreign convenience when talking about development. Ghanas national assembly must initiate plans to grill DrBawumiaabout this whole Chinese joint venture. China, due to its unfair trade deals and penchant for crippling other economies cannot be innocent at all.

Africa is a continent never bereft of a treasure chest of natural resources. This means that industrialization of Africa will bequeath to the continent a lions share of global commodity production. China needs raw materials badly to accomplish its development plans. President Donald Trump lamented over Chinese unfair trade practices with United States in the run up to 2016 election. Africa risks setting her economic debacles beyond imaginations if measures are not taken to ameliorate Chinese unfair trade practices such as dumping.

Dumping refers to selling a commodity in foreign countries at a lesser price than in the domestic market. Chinese plans for Africa are not devoid of predatory dumping (Selling Chinese goods and services in Africa far below the local prices in China). Dumping is palpably antithetical to advancement of Africa as it could push African industrialists out of business. It is an open secret that Chinas value of trade export to Africa is higher than value of trade import which could create a major trade deficit for Africans. China is operating the age-long economic philosophy of mercantilism by foul means.

China adoptsa barter trade system wherein its trading African countries use their natural resources to defray the cost of infrastructural projects in loans. What is equally nauseating and duplicitous is the fact that contracts of infrastructural projects in loan are given to the Chinese companies. They also take custody of African natural resources as it is happening at the coal industry in the Republic of Zambia. Dr. Bawumia and his team have fallen a ripe prey to Chinese unfair trade deals although they dressed up Chinese deceitful deal in Africa in a new commercial garment known as joint ventures.

Thanks to Ghana media, the menace of illegal mining (Galamsey) gained prominence recently. The president of the Republic of Ghana, Nana AddoDankwaAkufu-Addo has reiterated his commitment to clamp down galamsey even if it means sacrificing his presidency. My president, fighting galamsey, armed robbery, contract killings will rather enhance your electoral fortunes. However, Ghana needs a national debate to think through Bawumia- China bauxite deal. Mr. President, your industrialization plans will be in limbo because China will take the bauxite and profits away. The boomerang effects of Chinas capital flight in Bawumia-China bauxite deal will include unemployment.

The media galamsey fight has warranted unthinkable Chinese kind gestures. They donated to Ghana Police Service and Attorney General Department. Ghana Armed Forces is also about to receive its fair share of Chinese gifts. The Chinese government has agreed to offer $7.5million aid to tool the Ghana Armed Forces (Source: ghanaweb.com, Friday July 14, 2017). I will term all these Chinese gifts to our state institutions as strategic gifts.

15 billion dollars cannot compensate for Ghanas environmental degradation and water pollution. It is worthy of noting that Chinese have earmarked $ 100 billion for afforestation projects within China. Beijing is undertaking a program known as the Green Great Wall for afforestation of Chinas northern desert. Ghana government can team up with engineering departments of our Universities to harness her own bauxite resources.

In other development, I think lawyer John Ndebugri is vindicated by AlhajiInusaFuseinis audiovisual recording gadget issue. What is good for the goose is equally good for the gander. How can Ghanaians applaud AnasAremeyawAnas and be calling for an arrest for InusaFuseini?InusaFuseini did not know whether National Democratic Congress (NDC) government would retain power. How could he mean malice? The Tamale Central legislator was reassigned to a different ministry before NDC exit. It is logically untenable to think that Mr. Fuseini would intentionally plant audio visual device to implicate his own NDC government. In some parts of the world leaders do not close their offices because they have nothing to hide. God bless Our Homeland Ghana.

By Nana Yaw Osei,

[email protected]

Reference

Mazrui, A. A. A. (1986). The Africans: A triple heritage (pp. 99-100). London: BBC Publications.
16.07.2017 LISTEN

A good friend of mine up here in the States who (unfortunately?) happens to be an NDC sympathizer called to tell me to check my email because she has sent a media link of one of my arrogant party (NPP) members/ministers nauseatingly unsophisticated outbursts directed at all Ghanaians in diaspora.My initialhesitant response to my friends call to view the video was: Here she goesagain with her incessant critiques of everything wrong withNana Akuffo Addos presidency.

Eventually, I checked out the video clip and right away I started laughing aloud not because the videos content conveyed anything funny. Rather, thatDeputy Minister of Trade who called himself Robert Ahomka Lindsays pretentious portrayal of high-level expertise in diasporaexperience bordering on hyperbolic overkilltriggered my disdainful laughter.

He was lecturing in a manner that made it seemed so easy that any Ghanaian in diaspora can quit his/her high-paying job abroad today; move his family back to Ghana and the following week or so the government in power appointed you the head of GIPC. That was what happened to him during ex-President Kufuor administration, so he was lucky enough not to engage in whining to get on peoples nerves.

Mr. Ahomka Lindsay may not have claimed he is repository of all knowledge pertaining to Ghanaians in diaspora. Yet, his palpableinsultingpontifications aimed at Ghanaians abroad, while taking veiled swipe at their so-called too-knowing demeanors, as well as their unwillingness to stay mum from whining about the subpar development in Ghana,highly point to the deputy trade ministers presumptuousdiasporan know-how.

If his hidden intent was to be the talk of the town, then he probably met his expectationbut we must quickly add that success was pyrrhicone. In fact, prior to his infamous whining rantings, Mr. Ahomka Lindsays name had not ever crossed my conversation; neither did l ever hear about him before. But now, Robert Ahomka Lindsay may be a household name, albeit not in a positive light, especially, among Ghanaians in diaspora.

It is worth stating thatGhana Diaspora Homecoming Summitis the brainchild of the Akuffo Addo presidency. Its creatively engineered to organize and tap into the large pool of talents and other resourcesregarding Ghanaians in diaspora in the bid to fast-paced the nations socioeconomic development.Needless to say, the Summits main targetwas to try to lure and encourage many Ghanaians in Diaspora who are contemplating and exploring ways to come help contribute to the advancement of Ghana. The Diaspora Initiative was never about Mr. Ahomka Lindsay and his unsolicited projection of an aura of state power and hubristic whining lectures irrespective of his behind-the-scenes inputs.

Evidently, the Deputy Trade Minister Mr. Ahomka Lindsay was not an excellent/effective communicator for that occasionGhana Diaspora Homecoming Summit held at the Accra International Conference Center. Savvy organizational communicators, regardless of their personal feelings, are perfectly aware of the diverse sensibilities of their audience. Hence, they dont use communication only in terms of transference of information, but also they use communication as tactical control as well as a balance between originality and societal restraints.

That is why it is unbelievable to learn that Mr. Ahomka Lindsayused to work at the senior level position at the global Beverage Giants Coca Colas public affairs communication division, and yet couldnt communicate a world-class body of information to suit the appropriate audience. Perhaps, the most likely explanation for his amateurish communication performance at Accra International Conference Center might have stemmed from the little political power he is wielding now as Ghanas Deputy Trade Minister. Its common to see many African policymakers allowing political power to get over their heads.

Paradoxically, the person (President Addo) who appointed Mr. Ahomka to his current position is not cocky with all the immense executive powers at his disposal. Judging from Nana Akuffo Addos genuine display of humbleness with political power since becoming president of Ghana, it is highly doubtful he had any idea one of his sub-cabinet ministers would talk in such a self-conceited tone as Mr. Ahomka Lindsay did.Truth is, the Deputy Trade Ministers contemptuous admonishments were not surprising to many of us in the diaspora community. The ministers comments reflected age-old worldview generally harbored by considerable number of Ghanaians back home with regard to the highly educated Ghanaianclass living abroad.

The foregoing general view informs some of theselocally-bred technocrats or leaders that since theyre the ones living in Ghana, no Ghanaian in diaspora is knowledgeable enoughto understand the prevailing conditions in the country to come tell them the proper or innovative ways of doing things in Ghana. The irony of these self-loathing proclivities, however, is that these same local Ghanaians dont have problem solicitingexpensive services of Chinese, British, Canadian, or Indian expatriates.On top of that, whenever the foreign experts come in, our policymakers ensure that they get everything they asked for, even if theyre whining.And the sad part about many of these expatriates is that they dont even respect Ghanaians or Africans in their own lands.

At any rate, what puzzles some of us is the uninformed notion among some Ghanaians that somehow it is anathema to make associations or compare (say) Ghana to the United States or any other developed country. What is wrong with making comparisons between two modern nations made up of human beings with brains and natural resources to boot? We compare to know who the best isso we can aspire to be the best too. Even Americans whine and compare their country to Third World nations all the time when something isnt meeting their societal expectations.

More importantly, human mind/brain cannot properly interpret events or make any sense of the world without the constant processes of comparing phenomena and other unfolding events in our lives.It is just how all human mindsfunction; whether one is Ghanaian or British. For example, we know that something is bad because we may have prior experience of what constitutes good.That is a subtle form of comparison, and our brains do this cognitive activityevery day. So, it is cynical on the part of Mr. Ahomka Lindsay to chide Ghanaians in diaspora bycalling them whiners if they comparelow-quality services in Ghana to those in the more advanced societies.

It is an all-too-familiar story in Africa that many well-intentioned and unassuming heads of states often failed midstream in their leadership journey because, in most cases, some over-zealously self-assumedgovernment officials such as Mr. Ahomka Lindsay messed up otherwise smooth-sailingregime for everyone else. It will not come as surprise if sooner than later a well-disciplined leader like Nana Akuffo Addo may offload the likes of Mr. Ahomka Lindsayand puts him in a place where he will not get the chance again to turn off many of his listeners via his aristocratic pretense.

Bernard Asubonteng is a US-based writer. Email your comments to: [email protected]
On Wednesday 12th July 2017, the news of day light robbery was widely reported by the media witha subsequent deepening contagion by social media. This robbery led to the death of one police officer and left another in a critical condition as confirmed by the in-charge of Police Public Affair Unit, ASP AfiaTenge.

The shooting incident which occurred in broad day light provoked the authors thought about the effectiveness of security measures in the country, especially on our highways or urban roads. Asa developing country, it will be beneficial to adopt certain appropriate and tested practices from developed countries. In many of these developed countries, surveillance cameras are visibly mounted in public.

They are even more pronounced at probable high-crime areas, major highways, and cities. Security experts have reported on the benefits of surveillance cameras in fighting crime, some of which are deterrence of crime, scenario and activity monitoring, graphic evidence gathering,unequivocal decisions in dispute resolutions, generating evidence to help identify suspects and witnesses.

The list is endless. It needs no further emphasis that security experts have pointed out from most developed countries that surveillance cameras are an effective crime control tool.

As our cities continue to develop and are becoming more complex, it would be correspondingly prudent to provide surveillance cameras to counteract crime and evolving crime by intimidation,dissuasion, decoy detection, persona and guise de-masking.

Recentdevelopments in Ghana showed that some surveillance cameras were installed at major traffic intersections to check traffic offenders. That was good.However, this measure could be extended beyond traffic monitoring to crime-monitoring on our highways.

The Lapaz shooting incident creates a wakeup call for our government and city authorities to have a thought on this tool used to fight crime in the developed countries.

It is gratifying to note that plans are underway to mount Police Observation Devices (PODs), a modern security system in Ghana by Virtual Security Africa, located in Accra. The POD technology, developed byComdesco Groupin Chicago was first used in 2003 in a pilot security trial by the Chicago Police Department and found useful in the provision of video data primarily used as an after-the-fact forensic tool.

Malik Abass Daabu reiterated on Myjoyonline, in 2017, the relevance of PODs to BNI in information-gathering and MTTU as well, to check recklessness on our roads and introduce discipline to save lives and property.

The mounting of surveillance cameras has helped many high crime cities in the world including New York, Johannesburg, Egypt fight against crime. As a good tool to make our cities safe, it is recommended that the related government agencies such as the Ministries, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies take a conscious and proactive approach in mounting surveillance cameras on our highways, high-crime areas and some selected complex cities.

The authors, at this moment, would like to express their condolences to the bereaved family of the murdered Police Officer and pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded other.
University of Ghana has over the past few months recorded cases of death of students  Some of which were reported to have been suicides, accidents and health complications. Unfortunately, the University populace would be welcoming a few more deaths in the next few days all because of the negligence.

After a careful review of the state of some of the Universitys facilities, especially the halls of residence, one can conclude that, the next few days may be catastrophic for the University populace.

Mensah Sarbah Hall  Annex A happens to be a death trap. This structure just like all the other Annexes on campus has five floors in addition to the ground floor making a total of six floors.

The floor area of the corridors is 4.5ft from the doors and walled with three (3) pieces of 26 wood. The 26 fences, despite a nearly 1ft gap from the ground which can be a smooth passage way of the bodies of 80% of students in case of any slip is less than 4ft tall, statistically below the waist of a good number of students.

Most unfortunately, the 5th floor of Annex A has a good portion of the corridor fence dilapidated. In an interview with some residents of the hall, it was brought to notice that, the fence has been broken for more than 2 years and nothing has been done by the management. Mr. Moses Aboagye, a veteran of the hall showed great displeasure about the issue saying, the wood used for the fence is nearly dead-rotten and will take very little effort to break it with the bare hands.

In an open discussion with residents believe the issue would only be attended to only after an unfortunate event  falling-off (death) of someone. In addition to the dead-rotten and broken-down fence, the residents reported a leakage of the roof of the 5th floor wash room. Describing it as a tap when it rains, they are very afraid the erosion of the roof may eventually lead to it collapsing.

This is a very serious situation that needs urgent attention. This broken fence is just a few steps from the washroom and Psychology makes me understand that, sleep walking is real. Anyone can be a victim. Aside that, accidents do happen, the corridor does get wet and anyone can slip and fall. We cannot not pay attention to this death trap and assume anyone who falls victim wanted to commit suicide.

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16.07.2017 LISTEN

Let me begin my piece with a statement the Greatest African (Nkrumah) made after his overthrow

"I hate going back to my words. But it is wishful thinking to sit back and hope that some miracle will overthrow the notorious Liars Commission whose everyday act seems designed to turn back the clock" said Nkrumah. He also said,

"They first removed me the head and now they are bent on cutting off the arms and legs"

The Great African,also said They should have brought caterpillars to uproot the bridges, the Tema and Takoradi harbour, pulled down the Volta Dam. They should brought in experts to reintroduce an educational system that negates the free education which the CPP had introduced "

Nkrumah went through same ordeal former President Mahama endured his four years. We were told that we don't eat roads, hospitals,school buildings etc. Borrowing was described as an economic crime and the President was labelled as evil for borrowing to reduce our infrastructural deficit. What are we seeing today? What did Dr Bawumia say about the China loan? What about the $2.25 controversial bond.

Let me suspend the issue about the notorious liars and focus on the man John Mahama. I always read beautiful posts by NDC supporters on facebook and coherent submissions about the great leader on radio. They equate their situation to what Nkrumah and his Cpp went through in the hands of the Notorious Liars and take solace from that sad historical facts. We have began reading negative articles from some people who hitherto preached the Mahama gospel with dexterity. Must that surprise us? Komla Gbedemah,was a trusted ally of Nkrumah and one of the few comrades who had the opportunity of standing on the same platform with Nkrumah to declare our independence.He later operated as an agent of the CIA to overthrow Nkrumah and this was what he said

"I would be sorry to have to do it but country Ghana has had enough of Nkrumah's arrogance, whims and madness" this was after he has been cited in many corrupt deals. Ametewe told those who investigated his case that Amaning disclosed to him that Krobo Edusei another close confidant of Nkrumah, supported the assassination of Nkrumah.

Adamafio and Kweku Akwei youngmen Nkrumah recruited into his government, later joined the assassins. Henry Djaba, FY Asare and James Quartey loyalists of Nkrumah and young men Nkrumah brought to limelight turned against him because Nkrumah had allowed the system to punish them over their involvement in the famous two (2) million pound kick back case.

After Nkrumah's overthrow, some of his loyalists betrayed and implicated him when the appeared before the commission of enquiry. Krobo Edusei, Ayeh Kumi and Kweku Boateng implicated Nkrumah when they appeared before the commission. We heard what W.O Tettey said about some top CPP starlwarts before jumping from the fourth floor of the police headquarters.

When some officials from Ghana visited him at Conakry, he refused seeing some of the Cpp members who accompanied the team. He did so because of how they carried themselves after the coup. Few years after this painful betrayal, these judaslike elements started pushing for different agenda to bring Nkrumah back.

Mr Mahama may go through same ordeal looking at the dynamics. But his supporters must take a cue from the ordeal Nkrumah went through and the aftermath events. Few months after his overthrow, Ghanaians started calling for his return, some soldiers attempted coups to remove Afrifa and his men and later Busia for Nkrumah to be brought back.

President Nixon a close friend of Busia advised him to go back to some of Nkrumah's policies.After betraying his close friend, Gbedemah in the 1968/69 election campaign, centered his message and policies on the ideals of Nkrumah. Many years after his,death, Kojo Bostio and others trumpeted the uniqueness of Nkrumah.

Ghanaians,including those who weren't born during his time, mention his name daily, the youth who read about him in history books etc pray that he resurrects,Africa and the world continue to celebrate him.

How different is Mahama's case from that of Osagyefo. Ghanaians have started chanting for his return, countries on the continent celebrate his achievements, international organisations pulling him closer to their programmes.

What is going to be the difference is that, this time we aren't going to sit idle whilst the notorious liars plunge the nation into crisis. We are going to be guided by what Nkrumah said : no miracle will remove these liars. We shall and must bury all differences and act in concert as comrades and progressives to save this country from the plunders.
An aspiring National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr Fred Amankwah-Sarfo has called on the newly appointed Executive Director of the Danquah Institute, Dr Kingsley Nyarko.

Mr. Amankwah - Sarfo Recognizes the pivotal role the Danquah Institute play towards building a formidable Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition on whose wings the New Patriotic Party rides.

The NPP National chairman Aspirant, thought it expedient to call on the newly appointed Executive Director and welcome him to the "hot seat''.

Mr Amankwah-Sarfo described the Danquah Institute as having

" curved a niche as an excellent research and advocacy think-tank organization which advance the political, economic, legal and Internationally related issues among others for the growth of our society.

Mr. Amankwah - Sarfo was convinced tha the Danquah Institute is the most visible establishment with an objective to raise awareness and pertinent topics for intellectual discourse...''

The aspiring NPP National Chairman further emphasized the critical role the Institute has played towards securing victory for the NPP for a second time noting the extensive research, capacity building, training and political mentorship it has provided for the youth in the party.

Mr Amankwah-Sarfo humbly reminded Dr. Kingsley Nyarko that, his appointment as the new director, brings a fresh lease on board your extensive research skills and in-depth political knowledge, your huge academic credentials, humility and management skills to continue to expand the influence of the Danquah institute as a center of excellence for the advancement of the political ideology espouse by Dr. J.B. Danquah and his colleagues as the best mode of governance for the development of Ghana and Africa.

He expressed his utmost confidence in the abilities of Dr Nyarko to perform par excellence.

Dr. Kingsley Nyarko who was very humbled by the show of respect and humility demonstrated by the aspiring National Chairman assured him of his commitment to work relentlessly to deliver on the core mandate of the the Danquah Institute and to Champion the course of the NPP.

He noted that, the Institute is going to see massive reforms under his leadership with the guidance and support of the governing Council of DI.

Dr. Nyarko urged the aspiring NPP National Chairman to not relent on his vision of transformation for the party as he prayed that all aspirants in the chairmanship race be given the equal playing ground to contest.

He wished him well and assured of his availability whenever the need arise.

Mr Fred Amankwah-Sarfo was in the company of his Personal Aide /Spokesperson, Benjamin Akowuah Acheampong was taken round the new edifice of the Danquah Institute by Dr. Kingsley Nyarko.
From The Top Mrs. Theodosia W. Jackson & Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum

16.07.2017 LISTEN

A Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has commended Mrs. Theodosia W. Jackson and Prof. Ebenezer A. Jackson, founders of the Jackson Educational Complex which principal focus among other things, is hinged on the training of professional teachers in Ghana.

This vision of the college is geared towards curbing the perennial insufficient trained teachers to serve in the Ghanaian basic schools, especially, at the rural communities by providing the needed opportunities to prospective teachers to access professional training.

According to Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the private sector is an essential rubricant that oils the machinery of quality education and hence, encouraged other stakeholders in the private sector to take up the challenge and emulate the gesture exhibited by the Jackson College of Education to complement the efforts of government.

The deputy Minister said this when he was delivering a keynote address in Kumasi at the fifth graduation ceremony of the Jackson College of Education, the premier private College of Education accredited to run programs in basic education by distance learning . This year's congregation saw 2,334 newly trained teachers successfully graduating and were meritoriously awarded diploma certificates.

He emphasized that the Nana Akufo-Addo's government is committed to ensuring effective implementation of policies that would enhance access to quality education by guaranteeing that every teacher who is offered the opportunity to teach any group of children would never be oblivious of the standards expected of them. This, he believes, would help to enhance the performance levels in schools.

The minister assured that the Nana Akufo-Addo-led administration is bent on changing the status quo of education in the country so far as quality education is concerned.

The minister hinted that the Free SHS concept would be rolled out in September this year. Therefore, according to him, the situation where over 100,000 students are not offered placement in the Senior High Schools will soon be consigned to history.

He reemphasized that, the Free SHS policy of the ruling government is not a cliche and that Ghana can witness positive transformation under the Akufo-Addo government.

Dr. Adutwum challenged the newly trained teachers to be critical thinkers in order to mould their students by giving them the opportunity to learn towards transformation of society.

Oheneba Owusu Afriyie IV, Apagyahene of Kumasi expressed Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehenes excitement that the Jackson College of Education which has 30 learning centres across the ten regions of the country, has its headquarters in Kumasi.

He said the Ashanti King was gratified that the College is unrelenting in its efforts at increasing the number of quality-trained teachers in the country.

The Apagyahene commended Mrs. Theodosia W. Jackson and Prof. Ebenezer A. Jackson for their modest contribution towards promoting quality education in Ghana and hoped they would not rest on their oars but will continue to do much more for Ashanti and Ghana as a whole in the area of access to quality education for the general development of the country.

The Principal of the College, Mrs. Jackson in her report, indicated that 1,573 students were matriculated for the 2016/2017 academic year and that the intake would increase by over 100 percent in the ensuing years.

According to the principal, some opportunities available to students of the college include access to Student Loan Trust Fund, Scholarship Scheme by the Jackson Foundation, opportunity to do National Service and Ghana Education Service postings.

She announced that , in line with her objective of training good human resource base for the country, the College has introduced French Education and Early Childhood Education for the 2017/2018 academic year and that the introduction of French education is in conformance to the governments intended policy of making the study of French compulsory in basic schools.

According to Mrs. Jackson, the Jackson College of Education has also taken steps to make Information Communication Technology (ICT) a way of life for its students through the introduction of Students Online Portal which helps students to access administrative and academic resources.
CEO of CowtribeAfrica a mobile technology company based in Tamale, Peter Awin has called for public action to arrest animal disease outbreaks in the country. According to him the health of livestock is as important as human health owing to the close relation of animals and human beings and the communicable nature of animal disease it was about time the public turned attention to livestock sector.

In an interview withour reporteron the sideline of the Ghana startup awards, he reveal that many diseases affecting human health can largely be contracted from the consumption or engagement with livestock.

He explained that Zoonotic disease such as Tuberculosis, brucellosis, Anthrax, sleeping sickness amongst others can be contracted by humans when animals are not cured of these diseases immediately.

what is even more dangerous for those of us in town is that, some of these livestock owners would only sell them off for meat use when they are at the point of death and by which time they had injected so much of antibiotics into them. They do so because they barely have access to veterinarians. But when a subscribed farmer calls our hotline, we are able to send a veterinarian closer to where the farmer called from within a turnaround time of 24hours

He lamented why successive governments and non-governmental organizationsover the years overly concentrated on the crop sector yet it records marginal decline in GDP year on year. For many rural farmers he said, livestock is their safe net when their crops fail due to various agronomic reasons or climate variation.

Cowtribe Africa has been adjudged one of the top 100 startups in Ghana by The African Network of Entrepreneurs (TANOE), organizers of the Premium bank Start up awards. The annual award which is in its second year, seeks to honour Ghanas young entrepreneurs and startup businesses for their diverse contribution to Ghanas economy.

Cowtribe Africa is the only technology company to have been nominated from the three regions in the north. Cowtribe is a social enterprise in Tamale that leverages mobile technology to provide timely and quality veterinary services to livestock farmers in rural areas.

Since the launch of its platform in May 2016 it has subscribed two thousand five hundred (25,000) service users who gets access to a 24/7 call center, veterinarians, broadcast messages on vaccinations, disease outbreaks, husbandry amongst a host of services. Several media houses such us Business and financial times, TV3 Business, Pulse Ghana, Joy Business where recognized for their contribution in highlighting and promoting the activities of startup companies in Ghana.
Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa's communist party has said it could contest elections on its own rather than as part of the alliance led by the ruling African National Congress, local media reported Sunday.

SACP secretary general Blade Nzimande announced the proposals during his closing speech to the SACP party congress in Boksburg near Johannesburg on Saturday.

Analysts say that the move, which would hurt the ANC's electoral chances, could be a bid by the SACP to influence the party's leadership contest later this year.

The SACP currently fields candidates under the ANC's electoral banner as part of South Africa's "tripartite alliance", which comprises the two parties and the COSATU trade union federation.

Nzimande said the party had not yet decided which elections to contest or how it would field its own candidates.

"The alliance mode of operation is incapable of holding together the alliance any further," he said.

"If the modus operandi of the alliance does not change, the alliance will inevitably disintegrate with serious consequences," said Nzimande, according to the Sunday Times newspaper.

Under the proposals, the SACP would remain part of the tripartite alliance, meaning that it would not compete against the ANC in elections.

But successful SACP candidates would have greater autonomy to oppose ANC policies and ministers than they currently do by standing on the ruling party's electoral list.

'Gun to the ANC'



There has been growing disquiet within both the SACP and COSATU over the leadership of Jacob Zuma at the helm of the African National Congress

The move might also rob the ANC of some of its campaigning clout.

The two parties, which along with COASTU were the leading anti-apartheid forces, have campaigned together since the end of whites-only rule in 1994.

But neither of the junior partners in the alliance, the SACP or COSATU, have ever contested an election in their own right.

Independent political analyst Ralph Mathekga suggested the move was a way of applying pressure on the ANC. The SACP wants its preferred candidate, deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, to succeed President Jacob Zuma when the ANC elects a new leader in December.

"What they've done with this move is to hold a gun to the ANC and say 'fine, if you don't go with our candidate, good luck'. They're in a win-win situation," Mathekga told AFP.

"They've done a very crafty cost-benefit analysis. They will not want to remain in the tripartite alliance if it's not a governing alliance that wins elections."

Some within the SACP fear that Zuma's ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who with Ramaphosa is a front-runner in the ANC leadership contest, would represent a continuation of Jacob Zuma's presidency and be an electoral liability.

There has been growing disquiet within both the SACP and COSATU over the leadership of Jacob Zuma who has been mired by allegations of corruption and incompetence.

Proposals for how the SACP could contest elections in its own right will be discussed at a party meeting in December.

South Africa will go to the polls to elect a new parliament -- and president -- in 2019.

ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize told a party meeting in the Western Cape region on Sunday that "challenges within the alliance must be resolved".
16.07.2017 LISTEN

Gomoa Manso (C/R), GNA - Mr Isaac Kobina Baidoo, the Assemblyman for Gomoa Manso has appealed to the Ministry of Education to provide the Manso Government School with computers to promote the teaching and learning of information, communication technology (ICT).

He said the school with the population of 395 children used only one computer which was donated by a Non-Governmental Organisation making the school to lag in the learning of ICT.

Mr Baidoo made the appeal when he spoke with the Ghana News Agency at Gomoa Manso in the Central Region.

He said the school also lacked textbooks and other learning materials which had resulted in the poor performance of the students in the Basic Education Certificate Examination over the years.

GNA
16.07.2017 LISTEN

Accra, July 16, GNA - The La Community Bank Limited recorded a net profit of GH2,640,956 in 2016 as against GH1,756,674 in 2015 representing 38 per cent increase.

Total assets of the bank also grew significantly by 36 per cent from GH34.9 million in 2015 to GH47.4 million in 2016.

Mr B.A. Gogo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, disclosed this at the bank's 29th Annual General Meeting in Accra on Friday.

He said during the year, the bank re-organized its scholarship scheme to ensure efficiency and effectiveness to the awarding process in assisting needy students entering both senior high school and tertiary institutions.

Mr Gogo said this year, the bank would award nine more students with bursaries to meet their school fees and educational expenses, bringing to 132, the total number of scholarships granted since the inception of the scheme in 2002.

The Board Chairman said the bank also donated GH50, 000.00 to the La Town Development Fund and another GH50, 000.00 to the La Educational Fund to support the development of the town and improve upon educational standards of the community and pledged the support of the bank in the ensuing years.

Mr Gogo said to improve customer service and provide uninterrupted banking services to clients, the bank had planned to install an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at the Head Office.

He said although the installation had delayed, they were working hard to actualize it in the coming days.

The Board Chairman said the bank was also planning to leverage on the availability of technology to introduce other electronic banking products that would provide better and convenient services to meet the needs of customers.

Mr Kojo Marttah, Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank in an address read for him, commended the bank for its impressive performance.

He said the bank was rolling out a number of products and services which included ATM and mobile Money services and urged the La Community Bank to take advantage of the products to ensure that profitability was sustained.

A dividend of 4.55 pesewas totaling GH826,964 was recommended for payment to the shareholders.

GNA
Accra, July 16, GNA - The Kokrokoo Charities Foundation, has presented two incubators worth $20,000 to the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo Addo towards her 'Save a Mother Save a Child' project currently underway at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

Mr Kwami Sefa Kayi, founder of the Kokrokoo Charities Foundation and host of the Kokrokoo Morning Show on Peace FM, who presented the incubators to the First Lady, said the equipment were in honour of a pledge made during the launch of the 'Save a Mother save a Child' project organised by Mrs Akofo Addo in Accra recently.

Mr Sefa Kayi said the two incubators add up to six others that had already been installed by his Foundation under its 'Project 100 Incubators' initiative that were being installed at the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) of various government facilities in Accra, Prestea, Nsawam and Tamale.

Among the benefitting hospitals were the Prestea Government Hospital in the Western Region, La General Hospital, Nsawam Government Hospital, and the Police Hospital, all in the Greater Accra Region and the Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Northern Region.

He explained that the incubators being donated fall under the 'Giving hope to mothers, Keeping Children Alive' campaign, championed by the Foundation and aimed at raising funds to purchase and install 100 incubators in NICUs of health facilities nationwide.

He said the incubators were to help cater for babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, known in medical terms as pre-term deliveries.

Mr Sefa Kayi said when he initiated the fund-raising programme in June 2014 to purchase 100 incubators at a cost of $100 million, most people thought it was so daunting, but he believed 'someone needed to do it'.

'I know it's tough but we have to do it', he noted, adding that in the next two weeks, the ninth incubator would be installed at the Central Regional Hospital.

The First Lady on her part thanked Kwami for honouring the pledge saying the incubators would be useful in helping address the situation at the KATH.

Meanwhile, two other companies, Midray, a medical device company through its local representative KD Global, donated two unit of portable ultra-sound machines while Life Care Technology presented patient monitors that would help check vital signs of patients to the First Lady.

The First Lady in May this year organised two fundraising events in support of a new mother and baby unit at KATH which yielded positive response, with various individuals and institutions donating cash and equipment towards the initiative, while others made pledges.

The two events that were organised in Accra and in Kumasi recently, was to mobilise GH 10 million to fund the building of the maternity Unit to help end needless deaths of babies and mothers at the hospital due to lack of space.

Accounts verified by Deloitte and Touche as at 31st May 2017, indicated that organisations and individuals had donated an amount of GH6, 170, 686, 23 with an outstanding amount of cash pledges of GH1, 489,500.00 yet to be redeemed.

Additionally, in-kind pledges and donations including cement, electrical cables, windows, pipes, baby cots, hospital beds and incubators were made.

The new mother and baby unit is in direct response to the congestion in the current maternity unit, which has inadequate medical equipment to cope with the volume of births, surgeries and neonatal care at KATH, leading to high volumes of avoidable death of babies and mothers.

Authorities at the KATH had attributed most of the deaths at the Unit to higher than normal infections and cross-contamination due to lack of space and equipment.

The lack of hygiene was also another factor as the space was so little, that there was no practical way to clean the wards due to overcrowding.

When completed, the new baby unit, a 1,500 square metre one storey building with the capacity to take five times the current number, would solve the current capacity of KATH and give it additional capacity to grow over the next five years.

GNA

By Lydia Asamoah, GNA
Kinshasa (AFP) - At least 27 people have perished and 54 are missing after an overcrowded boat sank in a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a local official said Sunday.

Most of the victims of the tragedy on the Kasai river were students on holiday, local administrator Jacques Mbila told AFP.

The main reasons for the sinking were "overcrowding and drunk drivers", Mbila added.

The accident happened overnight Thursday to Friday on the river Congo in the Idiofa area in the southwest of the vast country.

Local radio journalist Nelly Mafuta said she saw two nuns among the 27 dead, and the Idiofa cathedral said it held a mass in tribute to the victims.

The boat had left Dibaya in the restive central Kasai province on Thursday, heading northwest for its final destination of Ilebo more than 500 kilometres (300 miles) away.

Such transport is one of the most used in DR Congo with its numerous waterways including the Kasai river, the country's second longest after the mighty Congo at over 2,360 kilometres.

Boats frequently capsize in DR Congo, most often due to taking on too many passengers, the lack of safety measures and inexperienced helmsmen.

Violence in the Kasai region erupted last year after a tribal chieftain known as the Kamwina Nsapu openly challenged the authority of President Joseph Kabila's government and was killed in a police operation in August 2016.
Comedian Seyi Law, is not smiling at all and that is because he has been provoked by controversial journalist, Kemi Olunloyo, who was recently released from prison.

Trouble started after Seyi Law jubilated over the arrest of Kemi, who has been a pain in the neck of many especially Nigerian entertainers but this did not go down well with madam herself after her release.

When many had thought that Kemi had repented just the way she claimed after her release from prison, she has decided to make Seyi Law her first hit as she went on to bash him with more of the insult going to his daughter.

Read her message below;

#BREAKING I have read so many curses directed to me on social media today about @Seyilaw1 and his baby. One medical advice about an obese baby turns into the following? *You will die before your time,

You will not live tomorrow, You will go back to prison and die there this time. I hope everyone knows that I am a powerful ESP force that prophesizes events. Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, Nnamdi Kanu, Kiss Daniels, IPOB, Etisalat, The Headies, GMB to PMB and more.

May every single curse Seyi Law fans sent me go directly to his wife, daughter and himself. I see DEATH in their lives NOT mine. Don't spam my page looking for where to comment. It will be fished out and blocked. Commenting on my page is a privilege not a right.

STOP CURSING me. It's my only warning. I am not a born again Christian nor did I ever announce that. I will reverse your curses mercilessly. Prison babies are healthier than Tiwa Lawrence. All that death people are wishing me will be in her portion IJN. My children have feelings too. Call your fans to order.
- Nine persons have lost their lives in a fire outbreak in Calabar

- The blast occurred at Linc Oil and Gas tank farm

- Several other persons also sustained injuries

The Cross River Police Command has confirmed that nine people died in a fire outbreak that occurred at Linc Oil and Gas tank farm on Sunday morning.

Hafiz Inuwa, the state Commissioner of police, who spoke at the scene of the event, confirmed the figure.

READ ALSO: President Buhari weighs return options, backs Osinbajo

Mr. Inuwa added that several other persons, who sustained injuries were currently being treated in one of the hospitals in Calabar.

According to him, the manager of the depot is yet to brief the police on what led to the explosion.

Up until now, nobody has come out to tell us that this is what caused the fire outbreak.

We have gone round, we have done what we can do but investigation will later reveal what actually led to the explosion.

For now, nine people are confirmed dead and many others who sustained different burns are currently receiving treatment in one of the hospitals around town, he said.

officials from the Cross River state Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, were on ground to assess the extent of damages caused by the explosion.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app

The fire outbreak also affected the high-tension cable which connected the depots electricity transformer, while two vehicles and other important equipment were also burnt to ashes.

The depot manager refused to speak with journalists, saying that he was not authorised to speak at the moment.

But, a staff of the depot, who spoke with NAN under the condition of anonymity, said that the fire outbreak occurred when staff of the depot where discharging the old products in the tanks to fill in the new consignment.

As we speak right now, the vessel that brought in our new product is just by the port here. Some of our staff were discharging the old product from the tank with a view to bring in the new one when the fire outbreak occurred, he said.

Legit.ng had reported that one person was on Wednesday feared dead when a tanker laden with fuel exploded at Upper Mission junction on the Benin-Auchi expressway, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo state.

Watch Legit.ng video of Nigerians asking for the Senate to be scrapped:

Source: Legit.ng
Debug Fresno is a study in the summer of 2017, pending approval from state and federal regulators, to test a potential mosquito control method using sterile insect technique. The study would be conducted by Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District, MosquitoMate, and Verily, and this video is intended to inform residents of the possible activities of this study.

Verily, the life sciences arm of Googles parent company Alphabet, will release about 20 million lab-made, bacteria-infected sterile mosquitoes upon Fresno, California.

Verilys male mosquitoes were infected with the Wolbachia bacteria, which is harmless to humans, but when they mate with and infect their female counterparts, it makes their eggs unable to produce offspring.

Bonus, male mosquitoes dont bite, so Fresno residents wont have to worry about itching more than they usually would.

No word from the company on how much something like this will cost, but Linus Upson, an engineer on the team releasing the mosquitoes, told MIT Technology Review the company planned to do something similar in Australia next.

The male mosquitoes will be released over 20 weeks in two neighborhoods of about 300 acres each using an automated device, also built by Verily. Mosquito Mates earlier releases of modified mosquitoes were done by hand using plastic containers.
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One of Brazils most notable  and once, most popular  public figures was found guilty of corruption and money laundering and sentenced on Wednesday to nearly 10 years in prison. Who was it?
See original here

President Donald Trump "is supporting the most anti-working class legislation ever presented in the modern history of this country -- a disastrous healthcare bill," Sanders said.

By Andrea Germanos, staff writer



Sen. Bernie Sanders told a progressive convention Saturday that 'if people all over this country do not stand up and fight back [...], there is a real likelihood that the trend toward oligarchy will only intensify.'

(Image by (Photo: Gage Skidmore/flickr/cc)) Details DMCA



Bernie Sanders spoke in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday where he issued a rallying cry for "a vibrant American democracy," and took aim at the Republicans' healthcare bill, which he called "the most anti-working class legislation" in modern history.

The Vermont senator made the remarks at the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) Action Fund's annual convention called "Revolution Iowa: From Protest to Power," where he delivered the keynote address.

Sanders said that "we're in a pivotal moment of American history.

"The trend toward having a handful of billionaire families with unlimited resources controlling our political process will only get worse. The trend toward a handful of conglomerates owning and controlling our economy will only get worse.

"And what our job is," he continued, "is to create a vibrant democracy where one person, one vote is what dominates the political system, not billionaires buying the election."

"Democracy is facing an enormous challenge," Sanders said.

Threats to a "vibrant democracy," he said, come not only from the "disastrous" Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, but also "Republican governors, cowardly governors, who don't have the guts to run for office based on their ideas but who are attempting to suppress the vote to keep low-income people or people of color or working people or older people from participating in the political process.

"If some Republican wants to run for office talking about giving tax breaks to billionaires and cutting Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid and education, that is his or her prerogative. Run for office on those ideas. See how many votes you get."

His advice for politicians espousing those ideas but not willing to run for office on them? "Get out of office or get another job."

Among the steps to ensure that everyday Americans -- "not the Koch brothers" -- dominate the political process, Sanders said, are establishing automatic voter registration, restoring the voting rights for convicted felons who've served their sentence, ending super PACs, and enacting public funding of elections.

Sanders also took direct aim at Donald Trump, saying the president's claim that three to five million people voted illegally in the 2016 presidential election "is an absolute lie" whose goal is "to encourage state officials all across the country to suppress the vote. We will not accept that."

Trump, he added, "is supporting the most anti-working class legislation ever presented in the modern history of this country -- a disastrous healthcare bill.

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Article originally published in the Tallahassee Democrat

By Robert Weiner and Christina McDowell

Nearly 20 percent of Florida's population is 65 years or older, the highest in the nation. As the Baby Boomers move into retirement, internet scams against the elderly are increasing.

Boomers are targeted not just because of the wealth many accumulated in the '90s, but because they are a higher population of homeowners and people with savings and pensions. Sadly, scam artists know that with advanced age comes a higher chance of cognitive decline, physical disability, isolation and health problems, making a senior more vulnerable.

Elderly financial exploitation has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported that more than three million Americans over the age of 60 are victims of financial fraud annually. Most cases go unreported. Too often feelings of embarrassment and shame accompany the crime.

Elderly financial exploitation has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported that more than three million Americans over the age of 60 are victims of financial fraud annually. Most cases go unreported. Too often feelings of embarrassment and shame accompany the crime.

Financial exploitation is the most common form of elderly abuse. Common scams listed under the National Adult Protective Services Association include:

Lottery and sweepstakes: You've won! Just send money for taxes;

Grandparents scam: that email from your grandchild who's out of the country and their wallet was stolen, begging you to send a wire transfer;

Telemarketing scams: a call from the "IRS" saying you owe money;

Con men who want to fix your roof or car for cash.

On April 27, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Information announced eight individuals had been arrested in Miami for fraud in IRS phone scams. The IRS made it clear: "No legitimate employee of the United States Treasury Department or the Internal Revenue Service will demand that anyone make payments via Moneygram, Western Union, Walmart2Walmart money transfer, or any other money wiring method, for any debt to the IRS or the Department of the Treasury."

Individuals can report scams at treasury.gov. The Senate Aging Committee also has a fraud reporting hotline: 1-855-303-9470.

In 2014, Florida passed a law to prevent "exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult," making it easier for prosecutors to go after predators and increase penalties for crimes against the elderly.

Despite the new law, as of February, 2017, a man prosecuted for stealing a Tampa resident's life savings was only paying $200 monthly restitution. It will take 39 years for the $96,000 to be repaid to the victims. This does not feel like justice.

The reality is there are few resources designated to the rise in scam crime against older Americans. States are beginning to implement laws mandating elderly financial exploitation be reported, and have seen a sharp rise in numbers. States hope to address the issue with more urgency and collaboration with law enforcement, banks and accountants.

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Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them.



To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here.
Matt Ridley is Hereditary member of the House of Lords, and a Tory. "Viscount Ridley is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1900 for the Conservative politician Sir Matthew White Ridley, 5th Baronet, Home Secretary from 1895 to 1900. " (source)

Ridley is a climate change skeptic, has interests in coal mines, is a proponent of fracking, and is in favor of Brexit.

"Ridley was chairman of the UK bank Northern Rock from 2004 to 2007, during which period Northern Rock experienced the first run on a British bank in 150 years. Ridley chose to resign, and the bank was bailed out by the UK government leading to the nationalisation of Northern Rock." (source)



Evolution of Everything

(Image by Matt Ridley) Details DMCA



Ridley's 2015 book Evolution of Everything: How New Ideas Emerge is a well-written libertarian manifesto that attacks religion, government, regulations, public education, and environmentalism.

Ridley is clearly smart, and he's a good writer. (Few U.S. politicians are as educated.) He's written books on biology, and the first chapters of Evolution of Everything are a convincing account of how life evolved through random mutation and natural selection.

But the rest of the book devolves into an imbalanced libertarian ("bottom-up") screed.

In a discussion of the Nature versus Nurture debate, Ridley defends Nature. He argues that, to a larger extent than people want to admit, it's not society or even parents that determine the personality or success of children. Rather, it's genetics.

He summarizes the intellectual history of such debates. Because genetic determinism could be used to justify racism and sexism, for many years research suggesting a strong role for Nature (versus Nurture) was strongly condemned by the social sciences. More recently, it's been become acceptable to acknowledge that babies are not a blank slate and that there are innate sex differences.

Judith Rich Harris was one of the most successful proponents of the Nurture side of the debate. At first, opposition to her findings was "furious." Ridley says "Natural selection made sure that brainwashing was not easy. And it's time we stopped looking to parenting for the credit or the blame."

Ridley is clever, but his cleverness approaches sophistry. He calls it a "meritocratic result" that children's intelligence and success in life are mostly determined by their genes and not by society or their parents.

"[A] world where nurture was everything would be horribly more cruel than one where nature allowed people to escape their disadvantages through their own talents. How particularly nasty to write people off because they were born in a slum, or fostered

by indifferent parents" Nature is the friend of social mobility.

Believers in Nurture don't want to "write off" people born in slums. They want to help them overcome their accidental disadvantages. A world where everything is determined by genes would be cruel, because people couldn't escape their genetic natures.

Ridley criticizes and ridicules religions, and argues that they too evolve. Christianity and Islam evolved from pre-existing religions, though their followers would like to believe that they were revealed from on high ("sky hooks").

Similarly, legal systems evolved bottom-up, he says. "It is an extraordinary fact, unremembered by most, that in the Anglosphere people live by laws that did not originate with governments at all." Rather, most laws emerged from common law.

He argues that even in the absence of governments, people arrange for justice and policing bottom-up, via ostracism, gangs, and private police forces. In prisons, inmates self-govern. Such government is often brutal and injustice, but the same can be said for a lot of top-down government.

A late chapter tells stories of successful private banking systems with private currency; it portrays central banks as enablers of fraud and bad lending. According to libertarians such as Ron Paul, the Federal Reserve is a state-sanctioned monopoly. Far better to allow private money. "Bottom-up monetary systems -- known as free banking -- have a far better track record than top-down ones."

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U.S., France Celebrate Alliance at Bastille Day Parade

(Image by defense.gov) Details DMCA



July 14, is Bastille Day. It is the day when the common people of France, despairing their grievances would never be addressed, stormed the Bastille. It was a turning point for the French Revolution, and is celebrated annually with parades, fireworks and general festivity.



This year the salute at the military parade down the Champs Elysees was taken jointly by the new President of France Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Donald Trump. France is the U.S.'s oldest ally -- the French navy and French troops helped American colonists defeat the British and achieve independence over 240 years ago.



The two leaders have one significant fact in common: both took on their political establishment and won; Trump even took on the media. Both now are happy to partner against ISIS in Syria, and both also favor better relations with Russia. Trump had a two-hour meeting with Putin at the G-20 meeting; Macron met with Putin twice, first at Versailles and then again at the G-20.





Does anyone remember 'the October surprise', the 1980 election scandal where the Reagan campaign is purported to have struck a deal with Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini to delay the release of American hostages until after the election. It sabotaged President Jimmy Carter's own deal with Iran's moderate president Banisadr. In comparison, Trump returned home to another storm in a teacup.



Some Russian promised dirt on Hillary Clinton. He met with Donald Trump Jr. and had little to offer. As these things go, the Russian was probably enhancing his own business status by appearing close to the Trump family. The Democrats are back screaming Russian interference in the election. Question: Would Hillary's people have followed up on such an offer?
From Smirking Chimp

Donald Trump Jr.'s email communication and subsequent meeting with a lawyer connected to the Russian government constitute probable cause that he and his father's presidential campaign violated the Federal Election Campaign Act (52 U.S.C. 30101, 30121). It is not yet clear whether these events are sufficient to obtain a criminal conviction. Special counsel Robert Mueller's team is amassing additional evidence, which could eventually lead to criminal prosecutions.

In a June 3, 2016, email chain Trump Jr. released on Twitter, British publicist and former tabloid reporter Rob Goldstone told Trump Jr. the Russian government had "some official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary." Goldstone added, "This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government's support for Mr. Trump." Seventeen minutes later, Trump Jr. replied, "if it's what you say I love it."

Six days later, on June 9, Trump Jr., then campaign manager Paul Manafort, and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and senior advisor, met with Natalia Veselnitskaya, a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin, at Trump Tower. Trump Jr. arranged the meeting with the expectation of receiving negative information the Russian government supposedly had about Hillary Clinton.

These facts amount to probable cause that Trump Jr., the Trump campaign, and likely Manafort and Kushner committed federal election interference in violation of federal criminal law.

Federal Crime of Solicitation to Influence the Election

It is a federal crime for any person to "solicit, accept or receive" from a foreign national a monetary contribution or "other thing of value" which is given "for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office." The element of "other thing of value" can be satisfied by opposition research, for which candidates regularly pay research firms. It is not necessary that the defendant actually receive the thing of value. The crime is complete upon the solicitation.

Trump Jr.'s response to Goldstone -- "I love it" -- and subsequent meeting with the Russian lawyer constitutes probable cause to believe this crime was committed.

Manafort and Kushner could also be charged with the same crime. Although Trump Jr. insisted they were told "nothing of the substance" about the meeting before it took place, both Manafort and Kushner were copied on one of the emails in the thread with the subject line "Fw: Russia -- Clinton -- private and confidential." If they attended the meeting with knowledge of its purpose, they could be criminally liable.

The watchdog organization Common Cause filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice on July 10, 2017, asking both agencies as well as Mueller to investigate whether campaign finance laws were violated. Citing a New York Times article, the complaint states there is "reason to believe" that Trump Jr. and Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. violated the Federal Election Campaign Act by meeting with a "Kremlin-connected Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign" in an effort to obtain "damaging information about Hillary Clinton."

The complaint quotes from a Times report, which states: "It is unclear whether Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, actually produced the promised compromising information about Mrs. Clinton. But the people interviewed by The Times about the meeting said the expectation was that she would do so."

Trump Jr. maintains that nothing of substance came from the June 9 meeting. But on June 14, 2016, DCLeaks released internal documents from the Clinton campaign for the first time. And one week later, WikiLeaks published numerous hacked Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails. Additional disclosures of hacked data continued to emerge until the presidential election.

Kushner Investigated for Helping Russia Release Hacked Emails

The Senate and House Intelligence committees and the Department of Justice are investigating whether the Trump campaign's digital operation, led by Kushner, assisted Russia in targeting US voters and disseminating false information about Clinton.

McClatchy reports: "By Election Day, an automated Kremlin cyberattack of unprecedented scale and sophistication had delivered critical and phony news about the Democratic presidential nominee to the Twitter and Facebook accounts of millions of voters. Some investigators suspect the Russians targeted voters in swing states, even in key precincts."

Justice Department investigators are examining whether Kushner and the Trump digital operation helped the Russians publicly release thousands of emails that were hacked from the accounts of leading Democrats at strategic points in the campaign, particularly via WikiLeaks. Investigators "doubt Russian operatives controlling the so-called robotic cyber commands ... could have independently 'known where to specifically target " to which high-impact states and districts in those states,'" a source familiar with the Justice Department probe told McClatchy.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday there will be no mercy for traitors.

Speaking at a rally in Istanbul to mark one year of a failed coup, Erdogan warned to "chop off the heads" of traitors.

The opposition says his call for "chopping off the heads" may return the capital punishment abolished in August 2002, in a bid to join the European Union.

Erdogan said that he would approve "without any hesitation" any legislation that would reinstate capital punishment in Turkey.

"I spoke to the prime minister and [...] when they appear in court, let's make them appear in uniform suits like in Guantanamo," Erdogan added. "Nobody who betrays this nation can remain unpunished."

On his part, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim called the coup attempt a dark moment for Turkey, with deadly clashes between the people and rogue military forces. "It has been exactly one year since Turkey's darkest and longest night was transformed into a bright day, since an enemy occupation turned into the people's legend," he said.

"Our people did not leave sovereignty to their enemies and took hold of democracy to the death," he went on, as Erdogan and members of opposition parties looked on. "These monsters will surely receive the heaviest punishment they can within the law."

Deep-lying tensions

Beyond the groundswell of nationalism, the coup's greatest legacy has been the far-reaching purge on multiple sectors of Turkish society.

About 150,000 people have been sacked or suspended from jobs in the civil service and private sector. More than 50,000 have been detained for alleged links to the putsch.

A fresh wave of firings came on Friday, when the government announced it had dismissed another 7,000 police, civil servants and academics for suspected links to the US-based Muslim cleric Fatullah Gulen it blames for the putsch.

Western governments and human rights groups have repeatedly criticized the purge which has taken place following the coup as well as the conduct of the referendum voting.

President Erdogan and his supporters have spoken of "foreign hands" behind the coup plot. Western governments, they charge, had been slow in condemning the coup against a democratically elected government, waiting to see which side won.

Interestingly, hundreds of thousands gathered at a protest rally in Istanbul last Sunday, July 9. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), who had headed a 25-day, 425 km (265 mile) "justice march" from Ankara to Istanbul, to protest the detention of a CHP lawmaker. He declared it was a "rebirth for us, for our country and our children".

Critics, including rights groups and some Western governments, say that Erdogan is using the state of emergency introduced after the coup to target opposition figures including rights activists, pro-Kurdish politicians and journalists.

The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) was represented by its deputy chairman as the party's two co-leaders are in jail - as are local members of rights group Amnesty International and nearly 160 journalists, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

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Kenny Hallaert Closing in on Another WSOP Main Event Final Table After Day 4

July 15, 2017 Mo Nuwwarah Editor

When Mark Newhouse made back-to-back World Series of Poker Main Event final tables in 2013 and 2014, it was lauded as one of the most improbable accomplishments in poker history. It was a first in the era of 6,000-plus player fields, and many figured it wouldn't happen again for years if it ever did.

However, Kenny Hallaert is threatening to pull the double just three years after Newhouse logged his last November Nine appearance. He finished Day 4 of the 2017 Main Event with 4,145,000, the third biggest stack left in the 297-player field.

The 35-year-old Belgian veteran grinder and part-time tournament director finished sixth last year for just under $1.5 million, and he called it "an indescribable feeling" to make that final table. There's still a long way to go, but with less than five percent of the field remaining, it's conceivable to start dreaming on a repeat.

Hallaert's pacing well ahead of this point last year, when he said he bagged 1.6 million. However, he knows better than perhaps anyone left how much of the grind still remains.

"I don't want to focus too much on going back to back final tables," he said. "The way to the final table is still so long. We need to play three full days. I can just finish 250th tomorrow, it can happen. I don't have high hopes just yet."

"I can just finish 250th tomorrow, it can happen. I don't have high hopes just yet."

Hallaert put together his crushing day despite being seated at one of the toughest tables in the tournament. Few would voluntarily choose to sit with the likes of Charlie Carrel and Max Silver, but Hallaert had to deal with the former for much of his Day 4 and the latter for the later stages of the night.

Carrel tried getting the better of Hallaert just before bagging time, but all he did was contribute to the Belgian's monstrous stack. Hallaert flopped top pair with queen-jack and bet the flop, only to have Carrel raise him in position. Hallaert called and then called a sizable turn bet, and Carrel gave up when an ace of hearts hit that completed a three-flush. The Brit lost almost 1 million to Hallaert by the time the hand finished.

Hallaert also dragged a major pot with a set of eights when he faded an opponent's ace-high flush draw.

"Luckily my hand held up, the story of my WSOP really," he said. "In all the big pots, my hand held up. An important part of being successful is your big hands holding up."

The only players finishing ahead of Hallaert were Damian Salas (4,678,000) and Sebastien Comel (4,198,000). JP Kelly (3,923,000), Richard Gryko (3,559,000), Jonas Mackoff (3,076,000) and Ben Lamb (2,746,000) also tote sizable stacks into Day 5.

Another player to bag chips was 888poker Ambassador Dominik Nitsche. The three-time bracelet winner has 1,404,000. Not one of the biggest counts left by any means, but still plenty with the big blind sitting at 20,000.

"I'll take it!" he said. "It's OK. There were never any big pots, just lots of small ones."

Not only does Nitsche find himself still in contention for a top prize in excess of $8 million, along with over $35,000 locked up at the current payout level, he won a little prize from 888poker for being the last Ambassador standing. He outlasted fellow Ambassador Sofia Lovgren, who made a deep run but busted late in Day 4. Nitsche will receive a package to WSOP Europe in Rozvadov.

"So much fun," he said. "And even if I lost, even if somehow I lost, I could still just say that I've still won more bracelets. That's a joke by the way, make sure people know that it's a joke!"

Everyone who busted during Day 4 did so in the money, as the bubble burst to end Day 3. Former Main Event champs Carlos Mortensen, Joe Cada and Scotty Nguyen were all among those falling during the course of play. The latter went out 549th when he jammed the last of his chips in with ace-seven and ran into ace-king, thus ensuring there will be a new winner crowned this year as he was the last former winner remaining.

The remaining players return Saturday at 11 a.m. for Day 5, where they will play up to six levels. Coverage can be found here on PokerNews, with delayed streaming on ESPN2 up until 1 p.m.
A team of Afghan girls who were earlier denied visas to attend a Washington robotics competition landed in the United States on July 15 following an intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The six-member team were greeted at Dulles International Airport by a group of supporters, including Afghan Ambassador Hamdullah Mohib and acting U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Alice G Wells. The girls were presented with bouquets.

They are due to take part in FIRST Global Challenge -- a three-day international robotics competition that aims to promote science and technology among youths worldwide that begins on July 17.

"Our acting special rep to #Afghanistan/#Pakistan welcomes #AfghanRoboticsTeam to USA! Go girls!," tweeted State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.

U.S. authorities had originally refused access to schoolchildren from a number of Muslim-majority nations to participate in the science contest, decisions that followed the implementation of stricter visa policies under Trump.

But the U.S. president urged a reversal following a public outcry over the Afghan girls' inability to attend the event. The reversal was announced on July 12.

The six girls from Herat, Afghanistan, were reportedly blocked from attending the robotics competition even after two rounds of interviews for a one-week visa.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP


Afghan troops have recaptured a district from Taliban militants in the volatile southern province of Helmand, a government official said.

A large-scale operation to retake Helmand's Nawa district began early on July 15 with Afghan troops moving in from three different directions as international forces provided air support, Omar Zowak, the provincial governors spokesman said.

Zowak said security forces seized the district center and other key areas in Nawa, which was overrun by the Taliban nine months ago.

According to Zowak, at least 12 Taliban militants were killed and two Afghan policemen were wounded in the operation in Nawa, some 15 kilometers south of the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.

The Taliban has a strong presence in Helmand.

Earlier in July, a U.S. soldier was killed and two others were wounded in a suspected Taliban attack in Nawa.

U.S. military officials said the soldiers had been conducting an operation with partnered Afghan security forces when they came under fire.

About 13,000 U.S. and allied troops in a NATO-led force are deployed in Afghanistan.

With reporting by khaama.com, tolonews.com
Azerbaijan Is The New Council Of Europe Chairman -- Here Are Some Of The Country's Political Prisoners

The Council of Europe is widely described as Europe's top human rights body. But with Azerbaijan taking over the chairmanship of its decision-making arm on May 14, rights advocates say the council's credibility is at stake. Hover over the black markers to learn about some of the victims of political abuse highlighted in a recent Human Rights Watch statement.

Graphic produced by RFE/RL Azerbaijani Service.
Toomaj Salehi's lyrical support for protesters in Iran has landed him behind bars before, but this time the popular rapper's fortune-telling has fans and family members fearing for his life.

Just days before his September 30 arrest, the 32-year-old Salehi released his latest music video, in which he makes foreboding predictions about the future of Iran's clerical regime if it continues its violent crackdown against ongoing anti-government demonstrations.

"I am the predictor, the fortune teller," he raps in the video for Omen, which shows him reading the patterns left in his coffee cup and warning that brute force will not prevail.

"I saw a cage in the coffee grounds -- a lion was hunting a jackal," he explains, alluding to a fairy tale about wisdom defeating physical strength. "We will rise from the bottom and target the top of the pyramid."

Salehi goes on to warn that the regime's protectors -- including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the Basij paramilitary forces, the Intelligence Ministry, and the state media -- will all get their day in court.

Salehi followed up on the new video by posting on social media images of him standing alongside protesters and chanting against security forces in his native city in Isfahan Province. The rapper, an ethnic Lur who was arrested last year after releasing other songs critical of the government, offered to turn himself in if protesters detained in his hometown of Shahinshahr were released.

In subsequent posts, he called the provincial authorities "cowardly vermin" and "scum who suppress and arrest [innocent] people."

Shortly afterward, Salehi went missing and has not been heard from since.

State media reported on September 30 that Salehi had been arrested, and a news agency close to the IRGC published a photo of the blindfolded rapper inside a car.

A short video later released by a press club associated with Iran's state broadcaster purports to show the rapper admitting he made a mistake.

But the reports' claims he had been caught while "illegally exiting the western borders of the country" have been fiercely disputed, and the video confession has been labeled a fake by some and a coerced confession by others.

Family members as well as Salehi's official Twitter account have said the rapper was, in fact, arrested in the southwestern Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, hundreds of kilometers from Iran's western border.

In a statement, Salehi's uncle Eghbal Eghbali said his nephew was in the province's city of Borujen on the morning of September 30 when he wrote saying "suspicious things" were happening outside his home. Soon after, Salehi stopped communicating. Eghbali said he learned from Salehi's neighbors and friends that security personnel had arrived to take the rapper away.

Later on September 30, a prosecutor in nearby Isfahan Province was quoted by the Meezan news agency, which is close to Iran's judiciary, as saying Salehi was arrested "in one of the provinces of the country." The prosecutor alleged the rapper had played a key role in "creating disturbances and inviting and encouraging the recent disturbances in Isfahan Province and in Shahinshahr."

The official IRNA news agency, meanwhile, quoted a judiciary official from Isfahan Province as saying Salehi stood accused of "propagandistic activity against the government, cooperation with hostile governments, and the formation of illegal groups with the intention of creating insecurity in the country."

Thousands of Iranians, many of them from the younger generation, have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest the September 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died shortly after being arrested for allegedly violating Iran's hijab law requiring that women cover their hair.

As the protests have continued, the authorities have intensified their crackdown, resulting in the deaths of at least 305 people, including 41 children, according to the latest figures released by the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) on November 6.

Salehi is among the hundreds of prominent young voices, including activists, artists, and athletes, who have been arrested for speaking out against the states bloody crackdown on the protests. Overall, activists estimate thousands of people have been arrested by the authorities since the rallies erupted.

Faced with a potential existential threat to Iran's clerical rule, 227 of 290 Iranian lawmakers this week called for even greater force by urging the judiciary to "deal decisively" with those behind the protests.

In recent years, Salehi has gained notoriety for his open opposition to the country's leadership, using his music and social media presence to take on issues that resonate with Iranian youths.

In the song Normal, he highlights the effects of poverty, saying "Our children sleep hungry at night" and asking Iran's leaders how their conscience can let them sleep.

The song Rathole, released in 2021, accuses members of the media and art community both inside and outside Iran of being an "ally of the tyrant," a reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In another song, he blasts Tehran's close relationships with Moscow and Beijing, asking: "Haven't you robbed us enough? Now, you want to give away half [of our resources] to China and the rest to Russia."

Salehi was detained in September 2021 after security agents raided his home in Isfahan, with Human Rights Watch decrying the detention of the artist for "exercising his right to freedom of expression."

Salehi was charged with "spreading propaganda against the state," but after more than a week was released on bail. In January, he was sentenced to six months in prison but was released on a suspended sentence in February.

While out, he continued his work and released Omen amid the states increasingly violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.

"Someone's crime was dancing with her hair in the wind," he raps. "Someone's crime was that she was brave and criticized."

Listing a litany of violent acts carried out by the authorities against protesters, Salehi asks, "How many young people did you kill building a tower for yourself?" and predicts that next year, the 44th year of the clerical regime's rule, will be its "year of failure."

Salehi's arrest has led to widespread condemnation inside and outside Iran, and his advocates have spread the #FreeToomaj hashtag on Twitter to shed light on his situation.

His family has said they do not know Salehi's whereabouts or health, leaving them wondering if he is even alive.

But the authorities have shed some light on the fate of another Iranian rapper arrested shortly before Salehi. The judiciary announced on November 7 that Saman Yasin, a rapper from Kermanshah Province -- a northwestern region with a significant Kurdish population and that has been a focus of the government crackdown -- has been accused of waging "warfare" against Iran and acting against the country's security.

Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, with contributions by RFE/RL senior correspondent Michael Scollon
Iran's Reach Widens by Glenn Kates As Iran comes closer to a potential groundbreaking nuclear deal with the West, it has also used its proxies to skillfully negotiate what could be an even bigger prize -- growing influence throughout the Middle East. But the blowback is resulting in deadly sectarian tensions and a simmering conflict with Tehran's rivals in Riyadh. Syria

Iraq

Yemen

Lebanon

West Bank & Gaza

Bahrain

Afghanistan

Syria: Bailing Out Assad Amid A Humanitarian Catastrophe Residents wait to receive food aid distributed by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) at the besieged al-Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus, on January 31, 2014. (Reuters/UNRWA) In the summer of 2011, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assads rule was badly weakened by an uprising that had begun six months earlier. Experts predicted the regime was in its last throes. But Iran saw the potential fall of Assads regime (dominated by members of the Alawite minority offshoot of Shi'a Islam) to a largely Sunni-backed uprising as a near existential threat. Iran called on its militias, led by Lebanon's powerful Hizballah group, to help beat back the uprising. Four years later, Syria is mired in a horrific civil war that has cost some 220,000 lives. Assad's Iran-backed forces are responsible for a vast number of civilian casualties. But out of the carnage, militant Sunni groups like the Islamic State and the Al-Qaeda-backed Nusra Front have emerged and now control large swaths of territory. According to a report by Phillip Smyth, an expert on Shi'ite militias, the war in Syria has somewhat paradoxically helped Iran "promote its goal of becoming the predominant regional and global representative of Shi'ism."

Iraq: An Iranian General Comes Out Of The Shadows -- And Appears In Iraq Islamic Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani (right) at the front line during offensive operations against Islamic State militants in the town of Tal Ksaiba in Salahuddin Province, Iraq, on March 8, 2015. (Reuters) Following the U.S. troop withdrawal in 2011, then Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shia, sidelined Sunni politicians as Iran's influence grew. Tribal leaders in the country's Sunni west -- many of whom had joined American fighters in putting down an Al-Qaeda insurgency in 2008 -- grew furious. When fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (now known as Islamic State) advanced into the country from their strongholds in Syria, the Iraqi Army melted away, and many Sunnis welcomed them. Now, with the U.S.-trained Iraqi Army largely seen as ineffective, the government is relying on Shi'ite militias to do much of the fighting. Reclusive Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, is now openly advising military leaders and militias in Iraq. There is growing evidence that, as Shi'ite militias go on the offensive and recapture Sunni-dominated towns, they are exacting revenge for Islamic State war crimes that included mass executions of Shi'ite fighters, and are committing horrific human rights abuses of their own.

Yemen: A Shi'ite Uprising, With Weapons From Iran Anti-Huthi protesters run as pro-Huthi police troopers open fire in the air to disperse them in the southwestern city of Taiz, on March 23, 2015. (Reuters) Until 2011, the government of Ali Abdullah Saleh had managed to brutally repress a secessionist movement in the south, a rebellion by Huthi rebels from the Zaidi sect of Shi'a Islam in the north, and a growing Al-Qaeda insurgency largely situated near the Gulf of Aden. But in early 2012, unable to hold on amid the Arab Spring uprisings, Saleh handed power to his vice president. Just three years later, his successor, Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi, fled the country by boat as Huthis swept through western Yemen and claimed power. Tehran has enthusiastically supported the Huthi movement, saying it is an organic revolt, but it long denied providing any material support -- a claim belied by the seizure of a ship smuggling thousands of Iranian weapons to insurgents in 2013. Since the takeover of Sanaa, Iran has shed any pretenses of impartiality. A delegation of de facto ministers visited Iran in early March and the national airlines of the two countries have added 14 daily flights between their capitals. Alarmed by what they see as an Iranian "coup" and the latest confirmation of the Shi'ite state's growing power, Saudi Arabia has built a coalition of at least 10 regional Sunni states stretching from Morocco to Pakistan and has launched air strikes to stave off the Huthi advance. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tehran's attempts to "dominate the region" were "really not tolerable and Iran has to see this." Egypt said it would not rule out sending ground troops. Meanwhile, many in the country's Sunni-dominant south have angrily rejected Huthi rule and tribes are increasingly allying with Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The official Huthi slogan is derived from that of the 1979 Iranian Revolution: "God is great. Death to America. Death to Israel. God curse the Jews. Victory for Islam."

Lebanon: A New Proxy Fight Over Lebanon's Military Lebanese Hizballah supporters march during a religious procession to mark the Shi'ite holiday of Ashura in Beirut's suburbs on November 4, 2014. (Reuters) In a country split between Lebanese Christians, Shi'ite Muslims, and Sunni Muslims, the Shi'ite, Tehran-backed Hizballah militia has long held outsized power. Some in Lebanon credit Hizballah with preventing Sunni fighters from penetrating Lebanon through Syria. The West has focused its efforts on equipping the 65,000-strong Lebanese military to provide a counterbalance to Hizballah. But Tehran sees the threat from Nusra Front and Islamic State militants, who are fighting on the Lebanese border with Syria, as an argument for itself to also become a key Lebanese military backer. In a recent tit-for-tat, Iran responded to a $3 billion Saudi aid offer with its own bid to provide Lebanon with fresh military equipment.

The West Bank, And Gaza: Rapprochement With Hamas Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (right) speaks with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on February 12, 2012. (Reuters) Just three years ago, Iran and the militant Hamas group that governs the Gaza Strip saw their relationship nearly in tatters. Hamas had supported Sunni rebels against Syrias Iran-backed regime of Bashar al-Assad. But with the government that replaced the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt (on Gaza's southern border) diametrically opposed to Hamas and the Syrian conflict now in its fourth year, Hamas needs allies. Tehran itself fears losing influence as more militant Sunni groups, including Islamic State, attempt to make inroads among Palestinians. Aided by mediation from Hizballah, Iran and Hamas appear ready to put aside their differences over Syria. Israel, meanwhile, sees a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vigorously objected to the current nuclear negotiations between Tehran and the West. There are also apparently high-level members of the Iranian military operating along Israel's border with Syria. A January Israeli air strike on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights killed Mohammad Ali Allah-Dadi, a general in the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Bahrain: An Organic Protest Movement And A Hizballah Threat Anti-government protesters march towards Pearl Square in Manama on Febraury 22, 2011. (AFP) Four years ago, Saudi Arabia sent its troops into Bahrain to put down a peaceful, largely Shi'ite protest movement. The tiny island kingdom is majority Shi'ite but is run by Sunnis. Although Bahraini authorities and Riyadh tried to tie demonstrators to Iran, most reports show an organic protest movement with a genuine interest in reforming the country's authoritarian rule. Still, a relatively new antigovernment group, Saraya al-Mukhtar, uses imagery native to Iran's feared IRGC, and Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah has said the only reason that his militant organization has not sent Shi'ite protesters weapons is because he has chosen not to. "Bahrain is like any other country in the world and it is possible to send weapons and fighters even to the most tightly controlled countries in the world," he said in a veiled threat, according to Al Monitor.
Iran has sent thousands of Afghan Shi'a to the battlefields of Syria, catapulting them to the front lines of President Bashar al-Assad and his allies' brutal six-year war against armed rebels, some of them foreign-backed, and Islamist extremists.

As the first line of attack, the poorly trained proxy force made up of mainly Afghan migrants and refugees known as the Fatemiyoun Division has suffered a high rate of attrition, observers say, with coffins of fallen soldiers paraded and buried in Iranian cities almost every week.

To foster morale and lure new recruits to Fatemiyoun, Tehran is seeking to burnish the image of the beleaguered group -- comprising mainly Afghan refugees from the Hazara Shi'ite minority recruited and trained by Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Iranian authorities have renamed streets to honor the Afghan Shi'ite fighters, state media have glorified fallen fighters and highlighted their sacrifices while likening them to martyrs, and the group is frequently visited by General Qassem Soleimani, the influential, media-savvy head of the IRGC's elite Quds Force, which is responsible for operations outside of Iran's own borders.

Footage aired by Qatar-based television network Al-Jazeera in June showed footage of Soleimani, who is overseeing Iran's war effort in Syria, praying and addressing the Afghan fighters near the Syria-Iraq border.

Iranian state media reported recently that the Lebanese militant group Hizballah was training Afghan "special forces" in sniper skills, "night-vision mounted weapons," and surveillance. Hundreds of trainees were said to have been deployed across Syria.

The IRGC published photos of the training in June.

"In reality, there is absolutely no hard evidence of [the] existence of such skills among the Fatemiyoun fighters," Ali Alfoneh, a nonresident senior fellow at The Atlantic Council in Washington and a leading IRGC expert, told RFE/RL. "This is a myth carefully nurtured by the IRGC to boost the prestige of the brigade."

'Cannon Fodder'



Iranian authorities quietly began deploying armed volunteers, including many Afghans, to complement other Iranian forces advising and fighting alongside Assad's troops after civil war broke out in Syria in 2011.

Iran has recruited thousands of Afghan migrants and refugees within its own borders. There is also evidence of Tehran covertly recruiting hundreds of Afghan Shi'a inside Afghanistan. Afghanistan is majority Sunni, but 15 percent of its population, mainly Hazaras, are Shi'ite with religious links to Shi'ite-majority Iran.

The United Nations estimates the number of Afghan citizens in Iran at just under 1 million, but Tehran puts the figure closer to 3 million. Tehran has expelled many Afghans and periodically threatens those who remain -- and Kabul, which is battling Afghanistan's own insurgents -- with mass expulsions.

Iranian authorities say the fighters travel to Syria and Iraq voluntarily to defend holy Shi'ite sites. Some reports suggest Afghans are offered financial reward and Iranian residency permits to join the fight in Syria.

Alfoneh says the IRGC considers the Afghan fighters "cannon fodder," considering the seemingly minor investment made to train them and the exposure they face on the battlefield.

In interviews with BBC Persian, defectors from the Fatemiyoun Division who reportedly fled to Turkey and Greece alongside Syrian refugees said they received two or three weeks of IRGC training in Iran prior to their deployment in Syria.

Ahmad Shuja, a former Afghanistan researcher for Human Rights Watch (HRW), says the Fatemiyoun fighters never describe themselves as deployed in urban areas to keep the peace or indeed to safeguard the holy shrines they are ostensibly there to protect.



"They are always out in the desert, fighting the tough fight, and taking high casualties," says Shuja, who has been following Fatemiyoun propaganda online and speaking to their fighters since 2016.



Thousands Of Fighters

There are no precise figures on the number of Afghans killed in Syria, where Iran is thought to have sent many thousands of volunteers and military advisers to gird Assad's forces.



Iranian media regularly report on their funerals while offering few details about the circumstances of their deaths.

The head of Iran's Foundation of Martyrs said in November that more than 1,000 fighters, including Iranians, Afghans, and Pakistanis, deployed by Iran to Syria have been killed.

Alfoneh says, based on the number of funerals held for Afghan fighters in Iran, at least 656 Afghans have been killed in combat in Syria since September 2013, a figure he says is "disproportionately high."

The IRGC has also sent its own officers to the division, adding to the toll of Iranian officers killed in Syria.

Alfoneh says the Fatemiyoun Division has suffered a "catastrophic attrition rate" far higher than Tehran has acknowledged -- at least 20 percent of the total force.



A total of 15,000 Fatemiyoun fighters have been deployed in Syria since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011, he says.

Experts say the bleak numbers should not cloud the importance of the group to the IRGC and its military objectives in Syria and beyond.

"Fatemiyoun fighters have been an integral part of the plan to relieve pressure on Assad's forces, says Shuja.

Iran has provided military support to Assad's forces since at least 2012 in the form of military advisers and volunteers, but it denies sending its own troops. Even so, Iranian media have reported the death of a handful of Iranian commanders along with hundreds of Iranian fighters.

Iran's assistance and Russia's intervention through a sustained bombing campaign have been credited with helping to reverse the tide of the war in favor of Assad, a longtime ally of both countries.

Alfoneh says that, by mobilizing Afghans, Tehran has managed to establish an "operational proxy force" that can do Iran's bidding in future wars.

Pro-Iranian groups have been established across the region, becoming key players in the political and military scenes in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.


Iraqi military forces paraded through the Iraqi capital Baghdad to celebrate the recapture of Mosul, the country's second-largest city and former self-declared capital of the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

The celebration on July 15 comes a week after Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi officially announced "victory" in Mosul over the IS extremists, who had held the northern city since taking it from government forces in 2014.

After Abadi announced the "complete liberation" of Mosul, he declared a week-long celebration throughout the country, with parades being held in other Iraqi cities as well.

The Baghdad parade included members of the Iraqi Army, the elite counterterrorism forces, the federal police, and the government-allied Shiite militia known as the Popular Mobilization.

Reuters video showed soldiers marching with tanks and other military equipment through the streets of the capital with Abadi watching.

The celebrations took place despite reports of sporadic fighting between government forces and IS extremists in the Old City portion of west Mosul.

Iraqi counterterrorism units reported on July 15 that they had detained 20 female IS members captured in a secret tunnel discovered under the Old City neighborhood of Quleiat.

"The women had weapons and explosive belts meant for attacking Iraqi troops" and included citizens of Germany, Russia, the Russian region of Chechnya, Turkey, Canada, Libya, and Syria, an official said.

IS captured Mosul in 2014 as it took large areas of territory from government forces in Iraq and Syria.

It was at Mosuls historic Grand al-Nuri Mosque where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a "caliphate" in Syria and Iraq. The mosque was destroyed by IS fighters as U.S.-backed Iraqi troops closed in on their positions in June.

Russia and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights have said that Baghdadi has been killed in an air strike, but U.S. and Iraqi officials have not been able to confirm his death.

Elsewhere, U.S.-led coalition fighters have pushed the militants out of much of the territory they once held and are severely pressuring the group in Raqqa, their self-declared capital in Syria.

With reporting by dpa, Reuters, and The Washington Post
Australia has urged Russia to cooperate with new moves to prosecute suspected perpetrators, who brought down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, killing all 298 aboard.

Dutch investigators concluded in 2015 that the jet was shot down by a Russian-made Buk missile over conflict-torn eastern Ukrainian territory held by Russia-backed separatists.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop urged Russia to comply with UN Security Council resolution 2166, authored by Australia.

"That calls on all states to cooperate to ensure that those responsible for the killing are brought to justice," Bishop said on July 16.

Last month, the Netherlands said that suspects in the case would be tried in a Dutch court, and under Dutch law.

Russia, which denies any involvement in the fighting in eastern Ukraine, also denies one of its rockets could have been used to bring down MH17.

Most of those on board the Boeing 777 on the flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, were Dutch, but it was also carrying other passengers from 17 countries, including dozens of Australians.

Based on reporting by Reuters and perthnow.com
Kindergarten teacher Yiska Mamou, 24, said she studied economics in public school but, like most Jews in Djerba, did not go on to higher education. She, too, wants to move to Israel, because after work "there's nothing to do here but go home and clean."

It's a lament echoed by many young Jewish women, whose presence is key to the community's survival -- it is growing, thanks to at least 30 births a year -- but who pine for Israel's relative openness.

Young men, too, dream of moving, but with an eye on economic security.

Economy Inspires Emigration

Like many Jewish men in Djerba, Yoni Haddad is involved in the jewelry trade. The community is known for its silver filigree and elaborate, gold-plated wedding headdresses and necklaces that are popular with Muslim brides. It is a craft that has been handed down from generation to generation.

But on a recent visit, only a few Russian-speaking visitors walked the modest market in Houmt Souk, a working-class city that dwarfs nearby Hara Kebira.

Jewish silver merchant Elian Hadid, 24, in his family's shop in a Djerba market.

Jewish and Muslim shopkeepers alike have suffered heavy losses as tourists abandoned Tunisia for fear of security after IS-affiliated gunmen attacked a beach hotel in Sousse to the north in the summer of 2015, killing 38 people, mostly British tourists.

Haddad said he has relatives in Jerusalem, but is hesitant to leave his house and business in Djerba. Should business get bad enough, however, he would consider relocating -- "of course, to Israel. It's the last stop."

Yigal Palmor, spokesman of the Jewish Agency, a quasi-governmental organization that promotes immigration to Israel, said "there is very little future for any Jewish community in any Arab country unless things change dramatically. Even if they are tolerated, I don't believe they have a real future there."

He noted that the Jewish community in Morocco -- the only one in the Arab world that is larger than Tunisia's -- is mostly elderly; the Egyptian, Lebanese, and Syrian communities have dwindled to a few dozen; and Jews are gone entirely from Libya and Algeria.

For now, Djerba's Jews are grooming their young for a split identity.

Home In Two Places

On a Thursday afternoon, Elinor Haddad, 16, mopped the kitchen of her family home in preparation for the weekend. Her older brother had returned the day before from a sponsored trip to Israel, and Elinor wore a bracelet he brought back. She would not be making the same trip, she said, because Rabbi Bittan ruled against girls traveling alone. But Israel has come to her.

Elinor Haddad, 16, washes the kitchen floor of her family's home in Hara Keira.

To avoid assimilation into Tunisian society, Haddad's girls-only high school teaches an Israeli curriculum. Haddad speaks fluent Hebrew along with Arabic. Israeli mores have seeped into home life as well. Friday night dinner at Haddad's house would be the traditional Tunisian Jewish meal of couscous, but Thursday's lunch was chicken schnitzel -- a common Israeli meal, imported by European Jewish immigrants.

On Thursday night, Elinor giggled with friends in the Ghriba synagogue's anteroom while pilgrims passed by. Ordinarily, Elinor said, she sits with friends behind closed doors. The pilgrimage is a chance to see and be seen, she said.

"If I had the opportunity to move to Israel I would go," Haddad said. "But it's ok here too."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared that Kherson is "ours after his special forces entered the strategic southern city following the retreat of Russian troops, marking another dramatic battlefield victory in Kyivs drive to recapture territory occupied by Russia since the start of its unprovoked invasion.

The Ukrainian military also said on November 11 that its troops had advanced all the way to the western bank of the Dnieper River in some areas of the Kherson region as Moscow said its forces had completed their withdrawal to the eastern bank in the face of Ukraines powerful counteroffensive.

"Our people -- Ours. Kherson," Zelenskiy wrote in a Telegram post that also included what appeared to be a video of Ukrainian troops celebrating with local residents.

Today is a historic day, Zelenskiy said in the post. We are returning Kherson. As of now, our defenders are on the approaches to the city. But special units are already in the city.

Various videos on social media from Kherson showed resident cheering and waving flags as the first Ukrainian troops reached the center of the city, the only provincial capital captured by Russian forces following their February 24 invasion.

"Kherson is returning to the control of Ukraine," the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said earlier in the day. "Units of the armed forces of Ukraine are entering the city."

WATCH: Local residents welcomed Ukrainian soldiers into Snihurivka on November 10, as advance forces of the Ukrainian military recaptured the town in the southern Mykolayiv region. Other footage from the village of Blahodatne in the Kherson region shows a massive cache of abandoned weapons left by the Russian troops after their retreat.

"The Russian occupiers' routes of retreat are under the direct fire of the Ukrainian Army," the statement added. "Any Russian soldier who resists will be killed."

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet that "Ukraine is gaining another important victory right now and proves that whatever Russia says or does, Ukraine will win." The tweet included a video purporting to show Kherson residents removing a billboard that proclaimed "Russia is here forever."

Serhiy Khlan, a deputy for the Kherson Regional Council, said a Ukrainian flag had been raised in Kherson, as multiple videos circulating on social media purportedly showed Ukrainian soldiers planting their yellow-and-blue flag on administrative buildings in the city and local residents celebrating.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it had finished the pullout from Kherson city and the region at 5 a.m. on November 11 and that no military equipment had been left behind, in an another embarrassing blow to Moscow's war effort, which it refers to as a "special military operation."



"In total, more than 30,000 Russian servicemen, about 5,000 pieces of hardware, and military equipment and materiel have been withdrawn," the ministry said. "Not a single piece of military equipment or weaponry was left on the right (western) bank," he added, although the report could not immediately be confirmed.

Khlan said some Russian soldiers had been unable to leave the city and had changed into civilian clothing and urged local residents to stay at home while Ukrainian troops cleared the city.

"The number of these people is not known," he told a news briefing, without citing evidence for the claim.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Khlan also said, without citing evidence, that many Russian troops had drowned attempting to flee across the river.

The head of the joint coordination press center of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine, Natalya Humenyuk, said Russian troops "have been changing into civilian clothes for two weeks."

"This should focus our forces as it means saboteur operations cannot be ruled out," Humenyuk told a separate briefing.

"Because of this, we are not rushing to announce our successes in other directions and in other towns."

Russia did not immediately comment on Khlan's or Humenyuk's remarks.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on November 10 that it would take Russia at least a week to withdraw, telling Reuters in an interview that Russia had 40,000 troops in the Kherson region and that it still had forces in the city.

Kherson controls both the only land route to Ukraine's Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula and the mouth of the Dnieper, which bisects Ukraine.

Recapturing the city could provide Ukraine with a launching pad for supplies and troops to try to win back other lost territory in the south.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's public broadcaster quoted local residents as saying on November 11 that the Antonivskiy Bridge, the only nearby road crossing from Kherson city to the Russian-controlled eastern bank of the Dnieper, had collapsed.

The Suspilne broadcaster published a photograph showing whole sections of the bridge missing. The next road crossing across the Dnieper is more than 70 kilometers from Kherson city.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the collapse.

Recapturing the city could provide Ukraine a launching pad for supplies and troops to try to win back other lost territory in the south.

The Ukrainian General Staff said retreating Russian forces have been looting homes and destroying critical infrastructure, while forcibly evicting residents from the settlements still under their control.

"The Russian invaders continue to loot the settlements from which they are retreating. The enemy is also attempting to damage power lines and other elements of the transport and critical infrastructure of the Kherson region as much as possible," the military said, adding that Russian mines continue to wound civilians.

Elsewhere, six civilians were killed in a Russian rocket attack on Mykolayiv overnight, the mayor of the southern Ukrainian city said on November 11, as Ukrainian troops continued their advance in the direction of Kherson.

The mayor of Mykolayiv, Oleksandr Sienkovych, said on November 11 that the people were killed when Russian rockets hit a residential area of the city, destroying a five-story building.

"As of 10 a.m., six people were killed by the impact of the attack on the residential building," Sienkovych said.

Fierce fighting continues in Bakhmut and Soledar in the eastern Donetsk region as well as in the adjacent Luhansk region, the military said, adding that heavy Russian shelling pounded about 20 settlements in the Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Mykolayiv regions.

In his nightly address late on November 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said: "Today we have good news from the south. The number of Ukrainian flags returning to their rightful place within the framework of the ongoing defense operation is already dozens.

He added that 41 settlements had been liberated.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa
Evert van Zijtveld doesn't want to talk about the 2014 plane crash in eastern Ukraine that took the lives of his two teenage children. He wants justice.

But three years after the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, the bereaved Dutch father -- who also lost his in-laws in the crash -- is still waiting. As are the loved ones of all 298 passengers and crew killed when the Boeing 777 was shot down during what should have been a routine trip from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

"Whoever did it should be brought to justice. That's the only story I can share with anyone," van Zijtveld told RFE/RL by telephone on July 13, four days before the third anniversary of the disaster.

MH17 took off from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport at 12:31 p.m. local time and headed east along its approved flight path. After flying over Germany and Poland, the plane, as planned, vectored slightly south into Ukrainian airspace.

Air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft a little under two hours after takeoff, as it entered the airspace above territory controlled by Russia-backed separatists near the Russian frontier.

Soon afterwards, there were reports of a missing plane. These were followed by footage of a crash site and witnesses speaking of dozens of bodies on the ground.

All 283 passengers -- including van Zijtveld's 19-year-old daughter Frederique and 18-year-old son Robert-Jan, who were on their way to Bali for a three-week holiday with their grandparents -- were dead. None of the 15 crew members survived, either.

Of the victims, 189 were Dutch nationals, 44, including the crew, were Malaysian, 27 were Australian while there were also 12 Indonesians, 10 Britons, four Germans, four Belgians, three Filipinos, and one each from Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Ireland. Some of the passengers on the plane were also dual citizens.

Confusion, Misinformation

As questions about what happened began to arise, so too did confusion, misinformation and accusations over why MH17 plummeted from the sky.

A post on the Russian social media site VKontakte attributed to Igor Girkin, a Russian who was a commander of separatist militants at the time, claimed responsibility. The same day, the separatists denied involvement and the post was taken down.

Communications intercepts made public later in July 2014 appeared to show separatists discussing an aircraft that they had downed and only afterward realized was a civilian jet -- not a warplane.

As the controversy swirled, grieving relatives became increasingly distressed and angry at a lack of answers to their questions about the crash.

In October 2015, the Dutch Safety Board concluded the plane was brought down by a Russian-made rocket and outlined the area from which it was fired, which was largely held by the separatists.

That was followed by a report by Bellingcat, a team of independent, open-source researchers, who said it had positively identified the actual Russian Buk missile launcher as the weapon that brought the passenger jet's flight to a fiery end.

And in September 2016, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that conducted the international investigation said it had determined that the Buk missile system had been brought into Ukraine from Russia shortly before MH17 was shot down and then quickly smuggled back to Russia afterward. It said the missile was fired from a field in separatist-held territory.

U.S-born aviation attorney Jerome Skinner is leading a group of 33 next-of-kin of victims from Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia who are suing Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, in the European Court of Human Rights for $330 million.

Skinner says the overwhelming evidence can only lead to one conclusion.

"Do you really think that you have no responsibility to the families of the 80 children on board?" Skinner asked Putin in an open letter on July 12. "What about all the others? Did you see the dolls, coloring books and toys among the blood and carnage? Did you see the photo of the hardened rebel fighter holding the soiled teddy bear like a prize from a carnival?"

"My clients have waited three years, Mr. Putin. There is still no accountability.... You stand as the only man who can set this right," he wrote.

Despite the evidence, and so many fingers pointing at Russia's involvement in the crash, the Kremlin has denied involvement. Russia has likewise rejected accusations, backed by plentiful evidence, that it has sent weapons and troops into eastern Ukraine to support the separatists in a war that has killed more than 10,000 people -- including the victims of MH17 -- in eastern Ukraine.



Ukraine's ambassador to the Netherlands, Vsevolod Chentsov, says that while the conventions of the Council of Europe oblige Russia to provide mutual legal assistance in criminal matters such as the MH17 case, "taking into account the position of the Russian Federation on the issue of MH17, we can assume that such interaction is, to put it mildly, difficult."

"Everything will depend on political will on the part of the Russian Federation," he said, adding that "it is important to depoliticize the future judicial process, to avoid even hypothetical allegations of bias."

Some Progress

Though no suspects have been named, some progress is being made in the investigation.

In a July 13 commemoration of the crash anniversary, Malaysian Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai told reporters that more than 200 people had been questioned in the case and that he expected charges to be laid by the end of this year -- or early in 2018 -- against at least some of the perpetrators.

"We also want the person who launched the missile to come forward and tell us what happened on that day," he said. "This was a tragic incident and we will ensure we can claim justice for the family members of the victims."

Headway is also being made on the legal front.

On July 5, the Dutch Foreign Ministry said any suspects in the downing of MH17 will be prosecuted in a court in the Netherlands after an agreement was reached by the countries jointly investigating the crash: Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, Ukraine, and the Netherlands.

In announcing the deal, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said those countries will continue to cooperate on the prosecution and that the trial will cover all of the victims.

"In this way, the JIT countries are jointly heeding the UN Security Council's call to hold those responsible for this incident to account," Koenders said. "We have every confidence that we can continue to count on broad international support. And I will continue to do my utmost to ensure that this remains the case."

Whether or not that raises the hopes of van Zijtveld and others who lost loved ones in the crash, Skinner wants more.

"Some think MH17 must have been a terrible, inevitable mistake of war. I do not think that is the truth. The facts scream intent and motive. It was a calculated military strike as willful as the killing of one more political opponent. You stand as the only man who can set this right," he told Putin in his letter.

"I will use the European Court of Human Rights and every other avenue available to bring the Kremlin to accountability.... Meet me and finally make amends for the victims of this tragedy."


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A U.S. Ground-Based Interceptor launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on May 30, 2017 during a successful live-fire missile defense test. The interceptor destroyed a target launched from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.

This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

North Korea's test this week of an intercontinental ballistic missile has reignited interest and debate on the feasibility of ballistic missile defense systems, and whether countries such as Australia should seek to acquire them.

But what are these systems, and how do they work? How effective would they be in providing a defense against a potential missile attack?

How do they work?

All ballistic missile defense systems consist of a network of tracking and guidance radars, and the interceptor launchers.

On detecting a ballistic missile launch, the radars track the missile's trajectory, fire an interceptor to shoot it down, and prepare further interceptors to be launched if the first one misses.

This is referred to as a "shoot-look-shoot" strategy, as opposed to a strategy of saturation  where the defender simply shoots as many interceptors as possible in the hope of achieving a kill.

Modern defense systems use interceptor missiles carrying kinetic kill vehicles. These are warheads that are non-explosive and designed to destroy incoming ballistic missiles by simply crashing into them.

All of the systems mentioned below are intended to work in conjunction with one another. They are integrated to provide the ability to shoot down ballistic missiles throughout their flight path. However, they are also capable of operating independently, although with less effectiveness than if operated in conjunction with other systems.

Missile defense systems in the region

The US and its allies in the Asia-Pacific currently deploy several ballistic missile defense systems. These would be used in the unlikely event that North Korea decided to actually launch a ballistic missile attack.

The first and most prominent is Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, which the US has deployed in South Korea. THAAD is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of flight  that is, as the ballistic missile is re-entering the atmosphere to strike its target.

The second relevant system is Patriot PAC-3, which is designed to provide late terminal phase interception  that is, after the missile has re-entered the atmosphere. It is deployed by US forces operating in the region, as well as Japan.

THAAD and Patriot PAC-3 interceptors at work.

Perhaps the most capable system currently in operation in the region is the Aegis naval system, which is deployed on US and Japanese destroyers. It is designed to intercept ballistic missiles in the mid-course phase of flight  that is, when the missile is outside of earth's atmosphere and transiting to its target.

The Aegis system in action.

What all of these systems have in common is they are theatre ballistic missile defense systems, designed to provide protection against short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Intercontinental ballistic missiles, such as the one tested by North Korea this week, fly too high and fast for these systems to engage with.

Aegis has demonstrated some limited capability to engage targets similar to intercontinental ballistic missiles. It was used to shoot down a malfunctioning spy satellite in 2008, but has never been tested against an actual intercontinental ballistic missile target.

The only system expressly designed to shoot down intercontinental ballistic missiles is the US Ground-based Midcourse Defense. However, this has a very patchy record in testing. By the end of 2017 it will only have 44 interceptors deployed.

How effective are they?

None of these systems is 100% effective, and most have an iffy record in testing. Aegis has succeeded in 35 out of 42 tests, while Ground-based Midcourse Defense has had only ten successes in 18 tests. However, THAAD has been successful in 18 out of 18 tests.

Tests are conducted in favourable conditions  and it is reasonable to expect the success rates to be lower in actual combat use.

The true difficulty lies with intercontinental ballistic missiles. An intercontinental ballistic missile can attain altitudes well in excess of low earth orbit. Those fired on a typical long-range trajectory can exceed 1,200 km in altitude. The high-trajectory, short-range test shot North Korea conducted this week attained an altitude of 2,700km.

By way of comparison, the International Space Station orbits at an altitude of around 400km.

However, the altitude intercontinental ballistic missiles attain is only part of the problem. The other major challenge facing ballistic missile defense is the truly enormous speeds that missiles attain during the terminal phase. They often hit or exceed 20 times the speed of sound.

A common comparison used is that ballistic missile defense is akin to shooting a bullet in flight with another bullet. The reality is even more extreme.

For example, a .300 Winchester Magnum (a high-velocity hunting and sniper round) can achieve a velocity of 2,950 feet per second as it leaves the barrel. This equates to 3,237 km/h, or 2.62 times the speed of sound. An intercontinental ballistic missile can achieve speeds almost eight times faster than this. As a result, it is almost impossible to reliably defend against such missiles.

This is not necessarily a problem for countries such as Japan and South Korea. Any ballistic missile used by North Korea against them would be a shorter-range ballistic missile that these systems could engage.

However, countries should be mindful that these systems provide limited-to-no capability to defend against intercontinental ballistic missiles. In Australia's case, the only missiles capable of reaching this far from North Korea are intercontinental ballistic missiles. Thus, even if Australia decided to invest in ballistic missile defense, it would provide little-to-no protection from a potential North Korean nuclear attack.

James Dwyer, Teaching Fellow and PhD Candidate, Politics and International Relations Program, University of Tasmania

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates  and become part of the discussion  on Facebook, Twitter and Google +. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Space.com.
Lima, Peru, July 15, 2017 (SPS) - The Peruvian Council of Solidarity with the Sahrawi Republic has welcomed Khadijetu Mokhtar, Saharawi Ambassador with the Special Mission to Peru.

The event was attended by journalists, intellectuals, national and foreign diplomats and congressmen, who expressed solidarity with the Sahrawi people and condemned Morocco's violations of human rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.

The participants pledged to initiate actions so that the government of Peru restores diplomatic relations with the Sahrawi Republic.

The new Saharawi diplomat replaced Ali Salem Sidi Zein, who has appointed ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador. (SPS)

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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, July 15, 2017 (SPS) - President of Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, has estimated that the Moroccan decree, which delimits its maritime border off the Canaries and incorporates Western Sahara to its territorial waters "distorts international agreements".

"Everything that is decided at the moment in that space has impact on the situation in which the Sahrawi people live, the important thing is to ensure compliance with international agreements," said Morales upon receiving 232 Saharawi children who will spend their summer holidays this year in Gran Canaria.

In his view, "any legal modification", such as that the Moroccan Government has approved, "distorts the agreements adopted".

Morales warned that in the Cabildo of Gran Canaria "they will be all attentive" because that new decree "can also affect the Canary people". (SPS)

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Staffing agencies are sometimes viewed as a last resort for businesses trying to fill positions, said Dustin Cureton, Gem State Staffing district manager.

As the unemployment rate stayed low this spring in Mini-Cassia, it brought a boost to his staffs workload.

Were busier by the day, Cureton said.

Thats why a plan to extend the Burley location into a full-fledged office has finally come to fruition. Gem State Staffing planned to move into a new space on North Overland by July 1. In June, the company was looking to hire an additional person for recruiting.

It definitely helps that theres a need for our services and that need has increased over the past couple of years, he said.

The Burley office of Gem State Staffing has traditionally been a satellite to the Twin Falls office, Cureton said. Mini-Cassias unemployment was particularly low in the spring, a time when employers typically see a decrease in available workforce as agriculture processing ramps up.

Theres a lot of desperate companies out there that are beating their heads against the wall, he said.

As McCain Foods prepares for an expansion that will bring another 180 jobs to the area, he expects that will create a vacuum effect as employees leave other companies.

Usually the larger companies can offer better benefits, he said.

Predictably, Gem State Staffing is having a harder time getting enough applicants to fill the jobs. So the company has ramped up its advertising online.

As the unemployment rate decreases, we find we have to spend a proportionate increase in advertising, he said.

Hes talking thousands of dollars. In 2006, Gem State Staffing spent $60,000 in newspaper ads alone in Boise  the last time his company had a similar situation.

If unemployment continues to drop, we may reach that point again.
In mid-2017 Russia declared that their new AK-12 assault rifle had passed all its military field tests and was ready for mass production and delivery to the troops. Mass production will have to wait a while because two years ago (in early 2015) Russia announced that because of budget problems the AK-12, if it was approved for production, would initially be issued in small numbers to elite units. This was not a unique development in 21 st century Russia. Efforts to upgrade their Cold War era military equipment have fallen short because the country cannot afford all the new tech that has to be developed or to buy enough of the new gear to replace all the older stuff. Naturally the only way this all works out is via compromises. So the new infantry rifle, the AK-12, despite all its impressive new features, will be restricted to the elite (commandos and paratrooper) forces.

Meanwhile the Cold War era AK-74, which uses the same 5.45mm ammo as the AK-12, has been regularly upgraded officially and unofficially. The last official upgrade, to the AK-74M in 1991, was actually quite minor. Since then the unofficial upgrades were a lot easier to spot. While the 1991 upgrade did not change the look of the AK-74 much, the unofficial changes since then recognized that the major change for infantry rifles since the late 1990s has been accessories. These include laser pointers, infrared aiming lights, red dot reflex sight and new items every year. Some Russian troops, especially elite ones, have been getting these accessories and confirming that this stuff is worth it in combat. Most Russian infantry know (via the Internet) that this life-saving new gear is out there and have made it clear that getting it would do wonders for reenlistment rates and troop morale. So the latest upgraded for the AK-74 amounts to giving the troops what they want and need in terms of assault rifle accessories. The Russians claim that with accessories the AK-74M is 50 percent more accurate at distances up to 300 meters (the most common distances encountered in combat.) A lot of these accessorized AK-74Ms have been showing up in Syria and eastern Ukraine.

The AK-12, designed to eventually replace the AK-74, was developed quickly. Work began in 2011, as a private venture and in 2012 the two century old Russian firm (Izhmash) that has produced assault rifles since World War II, announced the arrival of the AK-12, described as a fifth generation AK-47. The AK-12 used a lot of the basic AK-47 design principles but added many new features popular in Western assault rifles.

The AK-12 is a 3.3 kg (7.3 pound) weapon that is 943mm (37.1 inches) long with a 415mm (16.3 inch) barrel. It can be fitted to fire one of four calibers, the original 7.62x39mm of the AK-47/AKM, the 5.56x45mm of the M-16, the 5.45x39mm of the AK-74/94/12, or the 7.62x51mm NATO rifle/machine-gun round. The AK-12 can use all AK-47/AKM magazines when firing 7.62x39mm ammo.

There are a lot of small but important changes in the AK-12. The stock is adjustable. The charging handle is easily used whether you are left or right handed. There is an improved safety switch, pistol grip, hinged top cover, muzzle break, iron sight, and (smaller) ejection port. The AK-12 has picatinny rails (the U.S. developed standard for attaching all sorts of accessories). The fire control switch now allows for single shot, full automatic, and three round bursts. The AK-12 is inherently more accurate because of improved barrel rifling. The AK-12 handles more easily, has longer effective range (up to 600 meters), and apparently has the same ruggedness of the original AK-47. That last item was put to the test as more and more AK-12s are used in field tests and, finally, in combat zones where their performance under combat conditions can be measured.

Assault rifles were another World War II development that did not become widely used until after that war ended in 1945. The first modern assault, the SG-44 was developed by the Germans in 1943 and by late 1944 was being produced in large numbers, but because the German military was falling apart at that point not too many people noticed. The Russians did and set their most talented rifle designers to developing a better, obviously Russian, assault rifle; the AK-47. The SG-44 looked a lot like the AK-47, and that was no accident. The AK-47 was a much improved SG-44. By the 1960s assault rifles were well on their way to becoming the standard infantry weapon, almost entirely replacing the bolt-action and semi-automatic rifles that had ruled the battlefield since the 1890s. The first generation AK-47 entered service in the late 1940s, followed by the upgraded (but seemingly identical to the casual user) AKM in the 1960s. In the 1970s there was a major change, the AK-74 which was very similar to the U.S. M-16 in the 1970s in that it used a smaller, higher velocity bullet. After that came another substantial redesign. This was the AN-94, a much improved AK-74 ready for service in the 1990s.

The AK-12 is the second attempt since the end of the Cold War (in 1991) to develop a worthy successor to the AK-47. Earlier efforts had not been entirely successful. Part of the problem was that there was not a pressing need for a new AK in Russia. For example, in 2011 Russia stopped buying new AK-74 rifles. Since they already had ten million AK assault rifles (most of them older AK-47 and AKM models) in stock and less than a million troops on active duty (and about as many in reserve units). Buying more assault rifles was deemed wasteful. This did not stop the purchase of special small arms for commandos and other specialist combat units.

While the AK-74 entered service in the 1970s, twenty years later a replacement was developed, the AN-94. This rifle used the 5.45mm round first seen in the AK-74 but was able to use larger (45-round and 60-round) magazines. The AN-94 also had burst fire (of two rounds, while Western rifles tend to use three rounds). The AN-94 was supposed to replace all AK-74s in Russian service but due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, and sharp cuts in the defense budget, this did not happen. There were also concerns about the mechanical complexity and reliability of the AN-94. That's apparently why the AK-12 was not based on the AN-94, aside from the AN-94 ability to handle a 60 round magazine.

Meanwhile, an improved AK-74 was introduced in 1991 and is still in service as the AK-74M will remain in service for another decade or more. This is a 3.4 kg (7.5 pound), 94.3 cm (37.1 inch) weapon with a 41.5 cm (16.3 inch) barrel. It has rails for sights and such and can use a 30 or 45 round magazine. Rate of fire is 650 RPM on full auto, and max effective range was 600 meters. Some five million AK-74s were built, most of them before the Cold War ended in 1991. North Korea manufactures a copy of the AK-74 called the Type 98. Over fifty million AK-47s and AKMs were made, most of them outside Russia. Production, on a small scale, continues.

Meanwhile, several additional AK-74 variants have been developed and put on the market. The AK-101 fires the 5.56mm NATO round and has a 30-round clip. The AK-103 fires the 7.62x39mm round used in the original AK-47, for those who have concerns about the ability of the 5.45mm round to stop enemy troops. The AK-102, 104, and 105 are compact rifles designed for the export market and are available in 5.56mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, and 5.45x39mm calibers. All have 30-round clips.

The company that manufactures the AK-74 still has export sales, which actually kept the firm in business since the early 1990s. Orders from the Russian military declined steeply with the end of the Cold War and dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, and export sales were pursued aggressively. It was a matter of economic survival for Izhmash, which has been manufacturing weapons since 1807. Izhmash has also tried to shut down all the unlicensed manufacturers of AK-47/74 weapons. This has not been very successful as during the communist period things like patents and trademarks were regarded as capitalist degeneracy.
Ten patients admitted to Tauranga Hospital last night following a chemical incident have been discharged.

The nine teenagers and one adult were brought to the hospital by the fire service after 7pm on Saturday.

A fire service spokesperson says they responded to a chemical incident involving what is believed to have been quicklime powder.

The patients  nine boys aged between 14 and 16, and one 43-year-old man  had been exposed to the substance, causing irritation to their skin and eyes.

The fire service brought the patients to the hospital, where they assisted hospital staff in decontaminating the patients using the hospital showers.

A BOPDHB spokesperson says all ten patients were discharged at around 11pm.

Police also attended the incident, although they say at this stage no charges have been laid in relation to the matter.
Every Mazda Tested for 2017 Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Rating







- Results confirm exceptional safety performance of SKYACTIV-Body and i-ACTIVSENSE advanced safety features -

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Jul, 12 2017; Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that all U.S.-specification 2017 Mazda models tested by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including the all-new Mazda CX-5, have been awarded the nonprofit organization's highest safety rating, Top Safety Pick+, when equipped with optional front crash prevention and adaptive LED headlights.

IIHS evaluates crashworthiness with five tests: moderate and small overlap frontal crashes, a side crash, a roof strength test and a head restraint and seat test that simulates a rear impact. In addition, headlight performance and frontal crash prevention by means of auto-braking and forward collision warning systems are evaluated.

Mazda models tested for 2017 were the Mazda CX-9, Mazda CX-3, Mazda3, Mazda6 and most recently, the all-new Mazda CX-5. Each received the Institute's highest Top Safety Pick+ rating when equipped with optional front crash prevention and adaptive LED headlights.

According to IIHS, Mazda is the only automaker out of 16 OEMs to receive Top Safety Pick+ ratings for all 2017 models tested so far this year. The results were possible because all models performed well in the newly added headlight performance category, as well as existing crashworthiness evaluation categories.

Mazda's overarching safety philosophy, Mazda Proactive Safety, is grounded in understanding, respecting and believing in the abilities of the human driver. Based on this concept, and in the belief that enabling the driver to correctly recognize hazards, make judgments and operate the vehicle is essential for safety and peace of mind, the company revised its designs from a vehicle-total perspective. As a result, all new-generation models share a number of features that have proven popular with a wide range of customers. These include a natural driving position and pedal layout that makes driving easier and less tiring, forward visibility that makes it easier to spot hazards at intersections, and responsive and predicable handling in any driving situation.

In addition, the i-ACTIVSENSE range of advanced safety features takes a human-centered approach to helping the driver recognize hazards in many of the driving situations they encounter on a daily basis. These technologies include auto-braking to prevent or mitigate collisions and adaptive headlights that enhance visibility at night by automatically adjusting the area and range of illumination - technologies proven to offer good preventative safety performance in the latest round of testing by IIHS. The SKYACTIV-Body, part of the SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY range, is lightweight for fun driving, yet provides excellent collision safety performance, as IIHS test results show. In developing it, Mazda engineers returned to the first principles of body design and reviewed structures, materials and construction methods in pursuit of the ultimate vehicle body.

Mazda aims to enrich people's lives with cars that are fun to drive and offer outstanding environmental and safety performance, and thereby become a brand with which customers feel a strong emotional connection. The company will continue research into and development of safety technologies that put people first.

For more information visit the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's website: http://www.iihs.org/.

About Mazda

Mazda Motor Corporation started manufacturing tools in 1929 and soon branched out into production of trucks for commercial use. In the early 1960s, Mazda launched its first passenger car models and began developing rotary engines. Still headquartered in Hiroshima in western Japan, Mazda today ranks as one of Japan's leading automakers, and exports cars to the United States and Europe for over 30 years. For more information, please visit www.mazda.com
Duck Creek Technologies, Inc. provides software-as-a-service core systems to the property and casualty insurance industry in the United States and internationally. The company provides Duck Creek Policy, a solution that enables insurers to develop and launch new insurance products and manage various aspects of policy administration ranging from product definition to quoting, binding, and servicing; Duck Creek Billing that provides payment and invoicing capabilities, such as billing and collections, commission processing, disbursement management, and general ledger capabilities for insurance lines and bill types; and Duck Creek Claims that supports entire claims lifecycle from first notice of loss through investigation, payments, negotiations, reporting, and closure. It also offers Duck Creek Rating that allows carriers to develop new rates and models and deliver quotes in real-time based on the complex rating algorithms; Duck Creek Insights, an insurance analytics solution that allows carriers to gather and analyze data from internal and external sources and facilitate analysis and reporting on a single system; Duck Creek Digital Engagement that offer digital interactions between property and casualty insurers and their agents, brokers, and policyholders; and Duck Creek Distribution Management that automates sales channel activities for agents and brokers, including producer onboarding, compliance, and compensation management. In addition, the company provides Duck Creek Reinsurance Management that automates financial and administrative functions; and Duck Creek Industry Content that provides pre-built content, including base business rules, product designs, rating algorithms, data capture screens, and workflows for insurance lines of business, such as commercial auto, inland marine, and workers compensation. It has a partnership with Shift Technologies, Inc. to implement AI fraud detection. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.
When filling higher-skilled positions became more challenging, Hilex Poly put more of its focus on internal talent development.

It took Human Resources Manager Liz McBride nearly all of 2016 to hire for new jobs after the manufacturer announced a Jerome expansion in 2015.

I needed to fill just over 40 positions, she said, but it took me 140 hires to fill those positions, because of turnover.

And with a tight local labor pool, theres still more risk in hiring from outside the area, when employees have to adjust to a new place, McBride said. So the Novolex-owned company used its apprenticeship program as a solution.

We hadnt really relied on it as we do now, McBride said in early June.

The program allows employees on the production line to apply to be apprentices. With training, an employee eventually moves into a maintenance role  the highest-paid position at the plant, McBride said. An experienced electromechanic can earn $22 per hour and up, while an electronic technician with some experience makes $25 per hour and up. Vacancies left in the production line are much easier for the company to fill. This job requires aptitude and understanding of how machines work, but the company will also consider someone who just has a strong work ethic and is trainable. A production line operator with some experience makes $15 per hour and up, McBride said.

The current job market has also heightened the companys need to increase its cross-training of employees for when vacancies occur.

But training alone wont cover all its needs, so Hilex Poly increased its marketing and raised the amount of its employee referral bonus. The bonus totals several hundred dollars, with disbursements at the initial hire, six months and one-year anniversary.

Because its an employee market and because employers are desperate to fill positions, they must learn to change what theyve done in the past to meet the needs of the present and the future, McBride said. Sadly, we are all kind of robbing each other.

Plentiful jobs in the valley make workers feel comfortable looking for greener pastures, she said. Hilex Poly is in direct competition with any manufacturer, including the food industry.
Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through three segments: MedSurg, Rhythm and Neuro, and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems. It also provides medical technologies to diagnose and treat rate and rhythm disorders of the heart comprising 3-D cardiac mapping and navigation solutions, ablation catheters, diagnostic catheters, mapping catheters, intracardiac ultrasound catheters, delivery sheaths, and other accessories; spinal cord stimulator systems for the management of chronic pain; indirect decompression systems; and deep brain stimulation systems. In addition, the company offers interventional cardiology products, including drug-eluting coronary stent systems used in the treatment of coronary artery disease; percutaneous coronary interventions products to treat atherosclerosis; intravascular catheter-directed ultrasound imaging catheters, fractional flow reserve devices, and systems for use in coronary arteries and heart chambers, as well as various peripheral vessels; and structural heart therapies. Further, it provides stents, balloon catheters, wires, and atherectomy systems to treat arterial diseases; thrombectomy and acoustic pulse thrombolysis systems, wires, and stents to treat venous diseases; and peripheral embolization devices, radioactive microspheres, ablation systems, cryotherapy ablation systems, and micro and drainage catheters to treat cancer. The company was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
TWIN FALLS  Idaho Home Health and Hospice resorted to a $5,000 sign-on bonus to attract nurses. Job seeker Cammon Wutzke started getting calls from prospective employers within 24 hours of posting his resume online. Unable to recruit fast enough, Hilex Poly ramped up in-house training for skilled maintenance.

It all points to one thing: extraordinarily low unemployment in the Magic Valley and Mini-Cassia this spring.

As job creation surpassed labor force growth from 2006 to 2016, unemployment rates declined steadily over the past four years. In April, south-central Idahos unemployment sank to 2.6 percent as employers scrambled to fill jobs before the peak of summer hiring.

And it might not stop there. Businesses enamored of the areas agricultural production and relatively low costs are still expanding.

In short, employers have stiff competition for workers.

Its gone from not being able to find qualified people  to an overall struggle to get applicants through the door to even consider finding the right people, said Brent Tolman, a regional business specialist for the Idaho Department of Labor. Theres concern about how were going to get the number of people we need.

Over the past 10 years, Magic Valley and Mini-Cassia reported job growth of 9.2 percent but labor force growth of just 7.5 percent.

Were growing, the departments Regional Economist Jan Roeser said, but were not growing as fast as we need to.

An era of growth

The Magic Valley felt some of the effects of the Great Recession in the late 2000s. Car dealerships, furniture stores, small manufacturers and retailers closed. Construction activity declined.

Unemployment in Twin Falls, Jerome, Lincoln and Gooding counties rose above 8 percent in 2010. Since, not only have Magic Valley businesses been able to absorb those unemployed workers, Roeser said, but theyve brought more people into the workforce.

Yogurt maker Chobani opened its Twin Falls plant in 2012 and immediately planned to double its workforce the following year. More recently, Hilex Poly added jobs at its Jerome plastics factory, and Clif Bar expanded production shortly after opening its Twin Falls bakery last year.

Mini-Cassia unemployment, however, never reached as high during the recession.

Theyve had explosive job growth, Roeser said.

Over the past 10 years, Cassia County had the six-county regions highest job growth, at 19.5 percent, while Minidoka had the highest average wage increase, at 39.8 percent.

In the past couple of years, Mini-Cassia has been an economic developers dream: It attracted plastic packaging maker Fabri-Kal, which later announced an expansion. Dow Chemical announced its intention to open an insulation plant. McCain Foods plans a $200 million expansion.

And they all need workers.

Now hiring

As employers have fewer local applicants to choose from, Tolman said, those offering competitive wages and benefits fill positions more easily. Thats not rocket science.

But perhaps more revealing is how much average wages have grown across six of south-central Idahos counties. The highest average wage in 2016 was in Minidoka County, at $35,773; in 2006 its average of $25,589 was among the regions lowest.

Other counties average wages grew by 22 percent or more, with a six-county rise of 29.9 percent.

Lower-paying, entry-level jobs in retail and services are struggling most with recruitment and retention, Burley City Administrator Mark Mitton said. After Kings Variety Stores closed, most displaced employees found other jobs quickly, and Mitton expected the same to happen with JCPenney employees.

Though retail and service jobs arent highly technical, some employers say applicants with skills in communicating and multitasking arent as common as they used to be.

Maxies Pizza struggles to find skilled applicants Restaurant manager Mike Hayes is competing for workers against much bigger businesses. And f

Compounding the issue of a limited workforce across all industries: retirees.

Weve been enjoying the labors of the baby boomers, Roeser said. And the baby boomers are transitioning out of the workforce in greater and greater numbers.

Employers such as Southern Field Weldings Blake Hollingsworth are preparing for retirements by developing succession plans.

Our biggest challenge right now is we lack the ability to house them, Hollingsworth said.

Of six people his Burley company hired in May, only two came; the others said they were unable to get housing.

Home construction in Burley, as in many south-central Idaho communities, has accelerated in the past year. But the underlying challenge remains: how to train and attract the workforce businesses require.

Becoming engaged

Despite McCain Foods intention to bring 180 new jobs to its Burley plant in less than a year, Tolman has a positive outlook on south-central Idahos talent recruitment.

As we do add jobs, the workforce has come, he said. Thats still gonna happen to an extent. We still have to be proactive about the process.

There are opportunities to attract people from outside Idaho by targeting areas with similar demographics but higher unemployment, he said. It may mean the Labor Department helping employers recruit from other manufacturing communities.

While new technology can decrease the number of manufacturing positions needed, the jobs that remain become more technical. Thats where education and workforce development play in.

Theres specific needs in the communities were not yet meeting, Cassia County School District Superintendent Gaylen Smyer said. The districts work to host a new welding program, in partnership with College of Southern Idaho, addresses one of those needs.

CSI expands training as demand for welders heats up College of Southern Idahos welding program reaches full capacity every year, and students w

But finally, Roeser said, the Magic Valley has to stop the brain drain  high school graduates leaving the state for college and not returning. That will mean working with educational institutions to bring needed programs, including four-year degrees.

Sometimes Idaho is a little adverse to investing in education, Roeser said. Quite frankly, there are pockets that need it. Medical fields, for example.

$5K bonus: Idaho Home Health ups nurse-recruiting tactics When Idaho Home Health and Hospice saw other employers offering sign-on bonuses for nurses t

It also means educating high school seniors about the jobs and training available locally.

The reality is, we have really good opportunities here, Tolman said. There is a lack of career awareness among the high school students that are graduating.

Of course, some will always choose to leave the state. Roeser said cities and organizations need to keep their finger on attracting those back and recruiting other millennials  with vibrant downtowns, rising wages and community pride.

As a decade of steady job creation continues, businesses will need to approach attraction and retention in ways they havent before.

That may mean offering extra goodies in benefits packages, said Liz McBride, human resources manager for Hilex Poly.

Hilex Poly uses apprenticeships to fill maintenance jobs When filling higher-skilled positions became more challenging, Hilex Poly put more of its fo

For millennials, workplace culture is an important factor. Roeser has seen financial institutions become less structured, offering employees branded gear or gadgets to increase company pride. Wellness programs have been ramped up, and work shifts at health care businesses have changed.

I think every industry, she said, is affected by this.
Cammon Wutzke was thankful for plentiful jobs in Cassia County, which allowed him to stay in the place he calls home but also be more choosy as a job seeker.

In January, Wutzke wanted to leave his job as sales manager for the Best Western Plus in Burley. So he did his research and discovered the popular online resume site Indeed.com.

Within 24 hours of posting his resume, he started getting phone calls.

I knew that it was gonna be pretty easy to find a job, Wutzke said. Look at the unemployment rate.  Employers are desperate right now.

He used that to his advantage. During phone conversations, several companies named higher salaries to meet his expectations. Wutzke got three to four phone calls a week from financial services companies trying to expand or branch out to the Magic Valley.

Its an extremely great feeling, he said.

Because there was no shortage of job opportunities, Wutzke took his time and made his decision based not only on salary, but on flexible hours, an unlimited pay structure and benefits.

If the unemployment was 8 percent, I wouldnt have had that opportunity, he said.

He did formal job interviews with two prospective employers and in April began working from home in financial services for New York Life Insurance Co., which has satellite offices in Boise and Twin Falls.

Wutzke chose the job because of the leadership role hed take, the training and the experience. And at 34 years old with a family, he was thankful he wouldnt have to relocate.

His problem in late June? Wutzke was still getting phone inquiries because he hadnt figured out how to take his resume off the website.
After five years with a call center in Twin Falls, Rena Kelsey suddenly found herself unemployed.

C3/CustomerContactChannels outsourced her position  and dozens of others  in mid-March. Although Kelsey had kind of expected it, that didnt soften the blow.

I felt lost because that was my world, the former workforce analyst said. I lived and breathed my job.

Kelsey filed for unemployment on and off over the next 2 1/2 months, while putting in applications and trying to find a job that suited her.

Ironically, the job found her.

Its weird that the jobs that Im really happy with were the ones that reached out to me, Kelsey said.

In early June, Kelsey accepted an offer from Elwood Staffing to take a full-time  albeit seasonal  position as a staffing manager. The company had found her resume at Indeed.com just hours after she posted it.

Previously, a manager at womens fashion retailer Torrid called Kelsey after shed been praised in a former co-workers interview. Kelsey was hired for a part-time sales job on the spot in March while still working at C3.

For Kelsey, its a relief not to have to file for unemployment every week to pay the mortgage.

Its very time-consuming sometimes, she said. Its very sad to do it.  I dont like living off that money. I like my hard-earned money.

Kelsey will look for work to start in September, after her Elwood Staffing job ends, but will also pursue a home-based business photographing bands at concerts.
CAMBRIDGE, ONT.On a humid morning this week, Bismarck Coca, a veteran neon bender for Pride Signs in Cambridge, gingerly suspended a glass tube over the blue gas flames shooting out of a ribbon torch.

After a few moments, it glowed red and began to yield to his expert rolling motions. In a brisk, practiced gesture, Coca put the hot, pliable object onto a paper pattern and shaped it into the form of a letter.

He then attached electrodes to either end, zapped all the impurities with a massive jolt of power and filled the resulting vacuum tube with a mix of neon gas and mercury. Once hooked up to a power supply, the shape he had formed came vivaciously to life, casting a sexy green glow across his workbench.

That there, said Prides 59-year-old president Brad Hillis as he watched the production, is the E-L.

The syllable should be instantly recognizable to Toronto music fans. Pride, a 180-employee firm that engineers giant commercial signs, is in the final stages of reconstructing the El Mocambos famed marquee. Since 1948, the familiar sign has adorned the landmark venue where acts ranging from local indie bands to the Rolling Stones have performed under the neon palms, as the clubs famous slogan had it.

Elsewhere in the 80,000-square-foot facility, the stamped components of the new version  palm fronds, coconut clusters and that looming, slightly arched trunk  were waiting to be sent into the paint shop for a coat of pale green primer and automotive-grade finishing.

Overhead, an illuminated billboard declares Pride Signs welcomes El Mocambo, hinting at just how hot the cool factor has been with this gig.

The finished version will be installed on the buildings restored facade in the fall in anticipation of a re-launch of the club next March, in time for its 70th anniversary.

The sign will be a gateway to an iconic Toronto music venue and rock and roll museum, said investor and former Dragons Den star Michael Wekerle, who bought the Spadina Ave. club for $4 million in early 2015 and is investing another $10 million or so to refurbish it from top to bottom.

The reconstructed marquee, which has been a year in the making with a price tag of about $43,000, will be installed on the buildings restored facade in the fall in anticipation of a slightly delayed re-launch of the club next March, just in time for its 70th anniversary.

Over a year in the making, the Elmos rebuilt commercial calling card will be intensely scrutinized in a city where the preservation of vintage illuminated signs, such as ones that adorned Sams and Honest Eds, has become a cause celebre.

After buying the club, Werkele initially planned to salvage the palms, which at one point had been put up for sale on eBay for just $6,000. But after Prides crews removed the 2,300-kilogram steel structure in early 2016, they discovered its innards were far too corroded to safely restore and then suspend over a busy sidewalk.

When we looked inside, said Prides vice-president of engineering Mark Hawley, there was so much rust we couldnt have welded or screwed in [bolts]. He added that its unlikely building officials would have allowed it to be re-installed.

Wekerle describes the decision to halt plans for a restoration as very emotional.

The old sign now sits in two pieces in a corner of Prides factory. It contains seven decades of detritus, included piles of rusted steel, tangles of corroding wire and several birds nests tucked between the fronds. According to Kelly Pullen, Wekerles spokesperson, it will be cleaned up and, if all goes according to plan, installed in two halves on either side of the refurbished second-floor stage.

In terms of size and layout, its successor is an identical replica. Instead of steel, the new version is being built from lighter, rust-proof aluminum components that can be disassembled for easy maintenance. It will last forever, said Hillis.

In place of the old signs hand-painted detailing, such as the bark on the trunk and the grass around its base, the new one will sport a heavy-duty vinyl background made with a digital printer. And rather than incandescent bulbs, Pride is installing LEDs, which have become standard issue on commercial signs since the latest iteration of the technology has allowed for warmer light and more precise colours.

However, the new neon elements  for the lettering, the coconuts and the quarter-moon that shines down on the whole vista  will be the real thing, the handiwork of one of the few remaining neon benders in Ontario.

While neon signs once represented a booming business for Pride, Hillis said the market has almost completely dried up in recent years. Theyre difficult and dangerous to make, draw huge amounts of power and are prone to catching fire. The latest LED products can produce an almost identical effect, visually, at far less cost and specialized labour.

Yet all the public interest in vintage signs has rekindled demand for old-school neon; among Prides next projects is the marquee for the Paradise Theatre on Bloor. The company says its signs typically take about four to six weeks to build.

Its turning into an ongoing trend, said Matt Auclair, a Pride account manager. Added Hillis: I knew neon would cycle back at some point.

Once re-installed, the lighting on the whole marquee will also be able to cascade, as it did back in the 1940s and 1950s, when the El Mocambo was well known as a ballroom dance club featuring Latin and swing bands.

While some critics have taken to social media to fret about a faux version of the original, company officials predicted Torontonians, even purists, will be pleased with the result. Said Auclair: Youll be able to see it all the way down Spadina.

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Gov. Brad Little will be re-elected to a second term as governor, with the Associated Press calling the race for Little at 9:05 p.m., moments after polls closed.
CALGARYPrime Minister Justin Trudeau says some of the people he met during his Calgary Stampede visit on Saturday lightheartedly mentioned a gaffe he made during a Canada Day speech, during which he skipped Alberta as he rattled off Canadas provinces and territories.

I got a couple of people teasing me for it, but no ones made a big deal of it. Its sort of a gentle ribbing, Trudeau told reporters on the second-last day of the 10-day western celebration.

I think everyone understands that mistakes happen every now and then and the fact that I keep coming back to Alberta regularly to connect with people, to work on issues that matter to Albertans is something that I know people appreciate very much.

It was earlier thought that Trudeau would miss the Stampede  a popular schmoozing event for politicians of all stripes  as it coincided with G20 meetings in Hamburg, Germany, and a U.S. governors meeting in Rhode Island.

But Trudeau says he managed to rearrange his schedule for Saturdays whirlwind visit.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes in the rodeo at the Calgary Stampede.







The day started off with a meeting with Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi at a downtown hotel.

From there, he headed to two community breakfasts, where he held babies, took selfies and served up pancakes amongst big crowds.

He then visited with Indigenous leaders at the Stampedes Indian Village, where he spoke with community members inside a tipi and accepted gifts that included a blanket, a hand-made beaded medallion, sweetgrass and smudge box.

He capped off the day with an appearance at the rodeo.

The controversy over the Omar Khadr settlement followed Trudeau on his trip, with a man who lives across from one of the pancake breakfasts putting up a big sign on top of is garage that read: Trudeau, why dont you pay the widow Speer?  referring to the wife of Sgt. Chris Speer, the U.S. soldier Khadr is accused of killing in Afghanistan 15 years ago.

Khadr had filed a $20-million lawsuit against the government for violating his Charter rights, and has received an out-of-court settlement reportedly worth $10.5 million.

Daxton Yont decided to put up the sign because he and others in the community feel the payout was out of line and unjustified.

We just thought wed put it up to get a light message across. We didnt want to be rude about it, didnt want to do something extreme, but just a nice gentle message to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said Yont.

Khadr was sent to the notorious U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after being captured during a firefight with U.S. forces in Afghanistan in 2002. He was 15 years old when he was wounded in a battle in which Speer was killed and fellow Delta Force soldier Layne Morris was blinded in one eye.

Khadr, now 30, pleaded guilty to five war crimes before a widely condemned military commission at Guantanamo Bay in 2010. He said he agreed to the plea so he could get out of the American prison and return to Canada.

In 2010, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Canadian officials violated Khadrs rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms during their interrogations.

Its easy to understand why people are frustrated about this. Im concerned about the money as well, which is, as I said, why we settled, Trudeau told reporters Saturday.

He reiterated that fighting Khadrs lawsuit in court and losing could have cost $30 million to $40 million.

So we decided that it was the right thing to do, to settle, both because it was the fiscally responsible thing to do, but also because we recognize that when governments violate Canadians fundamental rights, there have to be consequences.

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KAMLOOPS, B.C. Fast-moving wildfires in British Columbia are posing serious challenges for crews fighting to keep the flames from more than a dozen communities, officials said Sunday.

As many as 37,000 residents have been forced to leave their homes and are flooding into crowded evacuation centres amid a provincial state of emergency that Transportation Minister Todd Stone said could last many weeks.

More evacuation orders were issued Saturday night as winds picked up in the Interior, jumping highways and threatening to cut off escape routes.

Thousands of residents who were told to leave the central Interior city of Williams Lake headed south to Kamloops, which has already become a temporary home for thousands displaced by wildfires this year.

Stone said resources in Kamloops are approaching the point of being a bit stretched, but no evacuee will be turned away.

Officials in Kamloops are scrambling to pull together any and all resources we can to meet the needs of all evacuees who show up here, he said during a conference call.

We are going to get through this. We are resilient.

Read more: B.C. couple drives through blaze as wildfire situation continues to deteriorate

B.C. communities brace for wildfire evacuation orders as weather turns

B.C. wildfire crews brace for worsening winds this weekend

British Columbia last declared a state of emergency because of wildfires in 2003, when more than 50,000 people were evacuated from Kelowna and the surrounding area.

Robert Turner with Emergency Management BC said this years fire season is unique because there are so many fires spread across the province and its still early in the season.

The difference this time is the geographic scope and that were seeing multiple communities throughout (the province), and that its earlier in the fire season so the possible duration of this is different, he said.

Kevin Skrepnek, B.C.s chief fire information officer, said there were more than 160 wildfires burning on Sunday, including 15 that pose a very real threat to nearby communities.

We were seeing violent behaviour out there on many incidents. In some cases we did have to withdraw our own personnel from the fire line to ensure their safety, he said.

Hot, windy weather has also caused a fire that started burning near Ashcroft to balloon and fire officials estimate it has now burned through 423 square kilometres.

Fire information officer Ellie Dupont said that blaze has gone through a few towns, but she could not say how many buildings were destroyed.

She said the fire is burning very aggressively because of the weather, the dry fuel and the regions topography. Every specialist who has come in to work on the fire over the past week has made a comment about how nasty the fire is, she said.

Homes have been destroyed in the community of Boston Flats in British Columbia, after a wildfire ripped through the area. (The Canadian Press)

Another fast-moving fire raced through brush and forest above Okanagan Lake in the community of Lake Country on Saturday, destroying eight homes.

The fire escalated quickly, fanned by strong winds and it moved uphill fast, said Steve Windsor, Lake Countrys fire chief.

I want you to know we did everything possible to save and protect everyones homes, he told a news conference on Sunday.

We never want to lose property. Its against our basic nature as firefighters. But given the behaviour of the fire and how quickly it was moving, we did our best.

Forests Minister John Rustad said on Sunday that 2,900 people are battling blazes across B.C., including 415 from out of province. There are 203 aircraft assisting in the fire fight.

An EC130 helicopter working on a blaze west of Williams Lake crashed on Saturday, injuring the pilot. Rustad said the pilot, the only person on board at the time of the crash, was in stable condition on Sunday.

Williams Lake Coun. Jason Ryll said his truck was already packed and ready to go when the alert was issued late Saturday.

He said the drive out of town was surreal.

The lineup of traffic, of people, leaving the city was incredibly long. It was a long ribbon of red tail lights, all headed in the same direction, he said. It was almost dreamlike. A scene of a movie, almost, to be leaving in such numbers from your hometown.

Ryll made it to Kamloops and stayed the night, then headed north on Sunday to meet with the rest of his family members who left for Prince George before the evacuation order was issued.

The roads were much less busy after the evacuation order, and the streets are still blanketed in smoke and ash, he said.

Its thick, thick smoke. You can taste it in the air, he said. Its hard to comprehend.

As a city councillor, Ryll said hes frustrated that preventative action wasnt taken earlier.

Forests in the Interior are tinder-dry, waiting for fire, he said. Weve gotten too good at fighting fires . . . This is a problem that is not going to go away.

More than $81 million has been spent fighting wildfires so far this year.

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Toronto police are looking for a man, they believe may be armed, in connection to a gunpoint carjacking on Saturday.

The incident began when paramedics driving an ambulance near Highway 400 and Steeles Ave. W., reported a southbound vehicle they told police they believed was unsafe for the road, according Staff Sgt. Bruce Newman.

The car was badly damaged and it pretty much had all flat tires, he said.

The ambulance followed the car into a residential area on Playfair Ave. near Lawrence Ave. W. and Dufferin St., where the car struck a cement barrier around 4:40 p.m.

The driver then got out of his vehicle and allegedly forced a woman out of her black Dodge Caravan at gunpoint.

Newman said he doesnt know if the paramedics witnessed the incident.

Police are trying to identify the suspect by investigating the car that was abandoned, and they are looking for the Dodge Caravan that has the license BVYP 766.

Police are looking for a man in his 20s, with a skinny build, about 6' 1", with dreadlocks. He was wearing a Toronto Blue Jays Jose Bautista jersey.

Police are also asking the public to not approach the suspect as he may be armed.

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Be sure to head outside and look up this evening as the northern lights are expected in parts of southern Canada.

Scott Sutherland, meteorologist for The Weather Network, says parts of southern Canada including the GTA, Stratford, Guelph, and Orangeville are ideal for viewing the northern lights tonight.

It is a rare occurrence for southern regions of Canada, made possible by a bright solar flare explosion late Thursday night.

The solar flare explosion, also referred to as a geomagnetic storm, at this magnitude occurs about six times a year said Douglas Biesecker, physicist at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The only challenge locally will be light pollution in urban ideas. If possible head away from the city lights to find clear, dark skies, Sutherland continued.

Auroras are also notorious for being random and flighty, he said. They can be faint one moment, bright the next, and can appear and disappear quite suddenly.

The northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, are a result of collisions between gaseous particles in the Earths atmosphere with charged particles released from the sun.

The auroras can often be seen at least an hour before or after sunset and they form about 80 to 500 km above the Earths surface, according to NOAA.

Pale green and pink are the most common colours in auroral displays, although shades of red, yellow, green, blue, and violet have been reported.

Canadians in southern Canada had the opportunity to see the Northern Lights in March . They were reported as far south as the Great Lakes.

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USHUAIA, ARGENTINAPrior to starting this Long Ride, I had a deep premonition I would die in the saddle.

Nightmares in which I was catapulted off a bridge, hit by speeding cars or lost on the frozen Patagonian highlands, starved and dehydrated, kept me awake for months before my journey began. I never shared these thoughts before because I feared that admission would make them true.

I had already successfully made a much longer journey  16,000 kilometres from Calgary to Brazil in 2012-14  but a shadow of fear seemed to loom over me as I planned for this ride through South America.

Then I signed on to support the Barretos Childrens Cancer Hospital and I was able to push off these shadows. The faces of the children I met were beams of light. There was no way I could not go.

So last year, on a sunny and hot April 10, I saddled up my Brazilian mounts, Life and Doll, and, with my childhood friend Mark Maw from Canada driving the support vehicle, we set out from Barretos, Sao Paulo, with more than 7,000 kilometres ahead of us.

Our ride south through Brazil was one huge party. Every day a different rancher welcomed us with meat, beer, whisky and unbelievable gifts: two colts, six knives, 10 cowboy hats, four pairs of boots, too many plaques to count and even a rooster! But the wonderful welcomes I received also made my ride a draining experience. Nearly every night I was in paradise drinking cervejas and telling stories until 2 a.m. Every morning was hell.

In the northern part of Parana state, a family stopped me at the side of the road and asked to take some photos. They had been following me on social media.

My kids love horses, and they are big fans of yours, smiled the blond matriarch of three boys. We shot a photo of her youngest in the saddle on top of my mares back. We talked about my motivation for this journey: I spoke about the cancer hospital and told them about some of the early signs of childhood cancer  information I shared throughout my ride.

To tell if a child has a life-threatening eye cancer called retinoblastoma, take a photo of their eyes using a flash. If one of the pupils reflects back as a white circle, that child must see a doctor. My usual spiel.

A week later, while eating lunch in the city of Maringa, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I was surprised to see the same blond woman with heavy tears running down her face. She was heading to the hospital with her youngest because he was diagnosed with retinoblastoma after she noticed a white circle in a cellphone photo. She was determined to save his vision and his life. She thanked me for the warning.

In my heart I thanked everything and everyone who put me on this journey.

Even though my days (every day, all day) largely consisted of the slow clop-clop of the horses hooves and the long-playing film of dreams that unspooled in my mind, my strongest memories will be of the near catastrophes that happened every few days and the people I met.

On twisty roads bordered by rock faces on one side and sheer drops on the other, transport trucks roared past, missing us by centimetres. Every curve was a brush with death.

As for the people, the most spectacularly unique were the near-extinct gauchos I met in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A true gaucho is a hard-working cowboy with an almost mythical reputation. For them, the past cannot be forgotten and their culture must be lived.

Many nights, during barbecues hosted in horse stables and barns, a gaucho would stand and recite poetry to the soft sound of an accordion. They would speak of the landscape, great events and romantic chivalry.

There is nothing in the world like them.

As we approached Uruguay, the first border crossing provided a series of setbacks. My best friend Mark Maw realized that this Journey to the End of the World was not his dream, and he returned to Canada, leaving me without a support driver. A week later, the pet rooster I received as a gift, Cluck Norris, was killed by a wild dog. To top it off, Life and Doll were not allowed to enter Uruguay due to Latin Americas nonsensical bureaucracy.

With no horses or support driver but no time for self-pity, I began making calls. In less than 24 hours I was lent two Uruguayan mares, Andariega and Cautiva. And a new friend I met on route, Mario Luna, offered to drive the support vehicle. My new mares never really adapted to the busy roads, but they were good, strong horses and Uruguay was lovely.

In Uruguays capital, Montevideo, I thanked my mares (and Mario Luna) for their hard work and boarded a ferry to cross the Rio de la Plata for Buenos Aires.

After seven months in the saddle, I finally entered the land of my heroes, Mancha and Gato, the two criollos who accompanied legendary Long Rider Aime Tschiffely from Argentina to New York City in the 1920s. The horses had been donated by an Argentine breeder and veterinarian named Don Emilio Solanet. My father told me this story over and over during my childhood. I spent my entire life dreaming about Tschiffelys ride. Now fate had knitted our metaphorical yarns together.

The Uruguayan Criollo Association had put me in touch with Solanets son Carlos, and the family agreed to lend me two criollos to cross Argentina  Sapo, a 16-year-old buckskin, and Picasso a 5-year-old bay  horses with the same blood as Mancha and Gato.

In his short life, Picasso had never left the ranch and he was thus scared of everything. Startled by the smallest noise, he would buck and often get Sapo going, too. Once, a tractor made Picasso rear back, his hind end hitting Sapo with a thump, driving the buckskin to leap like a rodeo bronco. I tried to hold on, but the lead rope burned a deep welt into my palm and I had to let go. Picasso held steady, but Sapo galloped and bucked in circles. The lid of the right pannier flew off and my belongings began to fly. When Sapo finally stopped, I grabbed him and settled him down in minutes. However, collecting my things from the tall grass  camera, batteries, sunglasses, food, water bottles  took more an hour.

Over Christmas, a deadly drought in the province of La Pampa was followed by an electrical storm that sparked and fed a raging fire. Blowing winds fanned the flames across ranch lands. On our arrival, the scene was an apocalypse. Swollen, blackened carcasses of cows, wild cats and armadillos dotted the roadside. The ponies and I struggled to breathe as strong winds blew acidic smoke and ash into our faces for 170 kilometres.

Luckily, in Bariloche our luck turned, and the universe sent me a brother. Twenty-six-year-old Sebastian Cichero (nicknamed Toti) learned about my journey through social media and offered to drive the support vehicle for the remainder of the journey. He had spent four months travelling on horseback from Buenos Aires to Salta, Argentina, a couple of years ago and was dying for a new adventure.

Together we trekked south through some of the most stunning and arduous mountain passes I have ever faced. In El Bolson, we adopted a street dog that had been hit by a car and we named him Butch Cassidy, after the notorious robber whose hideout was situated only a few kilometres south.

Butch wasnt the only surprise in El Bolson. In the hippie capital of Argentina, I met a dark-eyed beauty who awakened the butterflies in my stomach: Clara Victoria Davel. Her stepdad, a park ranger, invited us to join his family for a meal. Sparks flew and I invited Davel to travel with us. We trekked over the pink and red hills near the village of Bajo Caracoles, and she thanked me over and over again. The raw beauty we encountered in this part of Patagonia was intense. The sky was on fire with every sunrise and sunset  shades of neon blue, purple and pink danced alongside dark yellow and deep red clouds. A fine bit of pathetic fallacy if you ask me.

After saying goodbye to Davel, who had to return home, we entered Santa Cruz, the southernmost continental province of Argentine Patagonia, a land of extremes: overwhelming winds, desert nights in the minus double digits, 10 days straight without a shower.

With only dogged grit, we made it to the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego.

After a year and two months in the saddle, I wish I had been more excited for the final 300 kilometres of our journey, but the frigid Patagonian winter exhausted me. We trekked through heavy snow, icy roads and plummeting temperatures  yet it was nothing compared to what was to come.

On a chilly Saturday afternoon, with only 100 kilometres to the finish line, we arrived in the town of Tolhuin. Our host for the night was a kind guy who gave Picasso and Sapo alfalfa cubes as we filled their water buckets. The next morning we fed the horses again, but the boys didnt want to eat. We thought that odd but figured Sapo and Picasso were full. However, when we checked on them again during lunch, we quickly realized something was terribly wrong. Both horses had diarrhea and were breathing heavily.

We need to call a vet immediately, I said to Toti as a sense of panic rose. But the only vet in the small town was on vacation in northern Argentina. We called vets in both Rio Grande and Ushuaia, but none agreed to come.

Sorry, I dont treat emergencies, is the answer we heard over and over again.

By late afternoon, after giving both horses a muscle relaxant and an IV of saline, Picasso began breathing better and defecating normally. But Sapo got worse.

That night I didnt sleep. It was minus 15 degrees and the ground was covered with a thick coat of ice and snow. We continued to put IV bags into Sapos vein all night but he deteriorated. Eventually, his muscles seized and he lay down. At 7 a.m., using all of his might, he shot his stocky golden body up and stood shaking. Then, while I held his head, he began to walk forward. It was like his heart was moving his legs.

Running my hand down the soft hairs on his forehead I thanked him for his hard work these past few months and asked him to rest. All day he kept at it, fighting to stand until he went down for the last time. At 4:01 p.m., Sapos eyes went matte-black and seconds later he took a final breath. I sat next to him on the frozen ground crying. I was defeated. My friend, my son, had died.

That night, a vet finally came to Tolhuin to check on Picasso. He medicated the tall bay and said he would be OK.

There was something wrong with those cubes, said the vet. Either a rat urinated inside the bag or they came bad from the factory. Sapo must have eaten most of them. They were poison.

For the first time since leaving Brazil I honestly thought the journey was over. Only 100 kilometres from the end. Why? I had no answer. I was gutted.

After talking to the Solanet family and my own about what had happened, I realized I did everything I could and that I only had one option  to finish the ride with Picasso to honour Sapos memory.

We climbed the final 100 kilometres of the Americas through the Paso Garibaldi with Sapos halter tied to a mesh of his mane and hanging on the saddle horn. In this final pass of the Andes cordillera, 450 metres above sea level, a police truck followed close behind for our safety. A torrential rain, completely unheard of in winter, fell over us the entire day. By the time we finished the gruelling ride, I was drenched and close to hypothermia.

On a gloomy Saturday, July 8, with family and friends from Brazil, Canada, the United States and Argentina waving me in, I arrived in Ushuaia  the end of our journey and the literal end of the world.

I stepped off Picassos back with Sapos halter in my hand and I thanked my horses. All of them. Tears ran down my face. Picasso gave me a nuzzle and then started looking for a treat.

We had gone as far as the land allowed us to ride. My dream came true, and I was able to raise $20,000 for the Barretos cancer hospital.

And while the suffering and pain I endured on my journey to the end of the world was, at times, almost unbearable, it taught me some of the most important lessons in my life: that true strength is in the mind and soul; that I have no quit in me; that I feel like half a man when I am not atop a horse; and that fear is a monster that invades our minds to try and keep us from living our dreams  we must not listen to it, for life is not easy but it sure is beautiful.

Filipe Masetti Leite is a Brazilian-born, Bolton, Ont.-raised, Ryerson-educated journalist and cowboy. The Toronto Star followed his journey over the past 15 months; video dispatches can be found at outwildtv.com/expeditions . Leite will return to Brazil in August where he will launch Cavaleiro das Americas, his book about his 2012 Long Ride, but he hopes to eventually settle in Toronto, which he says he missed more than anything: The more I travel the more I realize Toronto is my home. First thing Im going to do when I land is run to Timmies and buy an everything toasted bagel with cream cheese and a double-double.

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Child welfare workers who pry into electronic records of youth in care are difficult to track, critics warn, with an alert system for possible privacy breaches used only on select files.

Even though there are strict rules for accessing records, inappropriate searches can happen without anyone knowing about it, said Irwin Elman, the provincial advocate for children and youth, in an email.

As childrens aid societies move toward a new centralized database, access to most records from across the province  and not just from within an agency  will soon become searchable to workers.

While the Child Protection Information Network (CPIN) database streamlines information collecting and sharing, it can also bring the possibility for seemingly unfettered access to sensitive files of youth in care, said Yuan Stevens, a former Ontario Crown ward and researcher at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University.

Youth should be told in a no-nonsense way how their files are protected by legislation, and who has seen their file over time, she said. Stevens grew up in foster care in Orangeville, Ont., and in the fall will return to her studies at McGill Universitys law school, where she is specializing in technology law and privacy issues. She said privacy risks that existed in previous systems can increase in a centralized database.

The challenge of tracking privacy breaches isnt unique to the new system, as previous independent childrens aid society databases faced the same problem, according to Elman.

CPIN gives workers access to care history information in a youths file within their department. The youths health, criminal and legal records are blanked out in the file and require special permissions to access.

Only restricted files, which are few in number, trigger email notifications to a childrens aid society supervisor when an unauthorized person views a record. Youth who have aged out of the system are also searchable because there is no retention period for child welfare files.

Even social media platforms have the good sense to ask you to sign a disclosure agreement. But with me, I dont recall ever giving consent that my data would be available for any kind of search after I age out, said Jane Kovarikova, a PhD candidate in political science at Western University and a former foster child.

The thing is, even though there are rules, its on an honour system. I wouldnt know that someone searched my record today, she said.

Aleem Punja, sector leader for CPIN at the Ontario Association of Childrens Aid Societies (OACAS), said the sector is grappling with how to monitor privacy breaches with the new technology, which is about two to three years away from being fully deployed.

As of March, 15 of Ontarios 48 societies were using CPIN, including the Childrens Aid Society of Toronto, the provinces largest.

One of the pillars to CPIN is to have seamless access to information for the purposes of making decisions for child safety, Punja said.

Each childrens aid society has its own policies as to which case files are restricted and the reasons for it. Some restrictions are court-ordered, but others are applied by the society for reasons including safety and protecting confidentiality.

That could be someone who is a political, prominent figure that would have a restricted file, or a file on a worker of a particular agency, Punja said. Children in the system who have relatives working for a childrens aid society may also warrant a restriction as an added confidentiality safeguard.

However, Punja said whether or not files should be restricted at all is being reconsidered, and given the volumes of referrals made to societies every year, the email notification system on breaches may not be effective.

The solution is making sure that the folks on the front line have the right code of ethics, that they have the right training, that there are controls from a human resources perspective in agencies to ensure that accessing this confidential information is well understood, Punja said.

Last year, 22 privacy breaches were reported to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. This number includes electronic breaches and lost or stolen files.

The ministry hosts youth records on CPIN, but the data is still owned by individual societies. The ministry does not have a quality assurance, monitoring, or compliance role with the data, Punja said, meaning its up to the societies to police and report their own privacy breaches.

If there is a suspicion of unauthorized record searches, the aid societys privacy officer can investigate by requesting an audit log report for that file from the ministry.

In an email to the Star, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner said privacy protective measures should be applied consistently to the benefit of all individuals.

The commissioners office said it believes privacy warning flags are effective in preventing and detecting unauthorized access, and cited their experience in the health-care sector by referencing a Star story about hospital staff inappropriately accessing former Toronto mayor Rob Fords health records.

With files from Laurie Monsebraaten

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PHILADELPHIAThe cousins started small  break-ins, jewelry heists and traffic violations  but on Friday they were charged in a grisly crime spree that ended with police unearthing the bodies of four young men from two pits buried deep on a sprawling family-owned farm.

Police found the missing men after a gruelling, five-day search in sweltering heat and pelting rain, but its still not clear why the 20-year-old suspects crimes escalated from petty offences.

For Cosmo DiNardo, whose lawyer said he confessed to all four killings in exchange for being spared the death penalty, brushes with the law began in his early teenage years.

He was about 14 when the Bensalem Police Department first had contact with him. Over the next six years, he had more than 30 run-ins with its officers, department director Frederick Harran said, although court filings reflect only the minor infractions and traffic stops that came after age 18.

DiNardo enrolled at Arcadia University in Glenside in the fall of 2015 with hopes of studying biology and had an eye on international travel, according to a blog post announcing the incoming class.

Im going to go overseas, hopefully to Italy and the rest of Europe, he is quoted as saying.

However, his time at the school was short. After making comments that unnerved several people on campus, public safety officials contacted the local police department. The university sent a letter to DiNardos parents saying said their son could face trespassing charges if he returned to the school, a person aware of the contents of the letter said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss it.

A year and a day before he admitted to killing the missing men, lighting three of them on fire and using a backhoe to load the charred bodies into an oil tank that he buried more than 12-feet (3.7-meters)-deep on his parents farm, a family member had DiNardo involuntarily committed to a mental institution, Harran said.

Details of his institutionalization remain unclear, but he was barred by law from owning a firearm afterward. Nonetheless, when Bensalem police responded to a report of gunfire in February, an officer found DiNardo in his truck with a 20-gauge shotgun and extra ammunition. He acknowledged his history of mental illness, Harran said.

A year later, here we are, Harran said Friday. The system is broken.

Despite the mental health commitment and frequent interactions with police, DiNardo still managed to sell guns and marijuana in the area, according to a source familiar with DiNardos confession who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

A police affidavit confirmed the sources story  DiNardo lured each of the victims to his familys 90-acre (36-hectare) Solebury Township farm under the guise of marijuana deals.

His first victim was set to buy $8,000 worth of marijuana but arrived with only $800, DiNardo told police, so he brought the 19-year-old Loyola University student to a remote part of the farm and shot him with a .22 calibre rifle. He buried Jimi Taro Patrick in a hole he dug with a backhoe. Yellow ribbons now line the Newtown street where Patrick lived with his grandparents.

DiNardo then enlisted his cousin, Sean Kratz, to help him rob 19-year-old Dean Finocchiaro, 22-year-old Mark Sturgis and 21-year-old Tom Meo, according to the police affidavit.

The three victims were shot, placed with a backhoe into an oil tank that had been converted into a cooker that DiNardo called a pig roaster, and then lit on fire, according to the affidavit. He buried the drum deep under the ground on his familys farm.

Court records show Kratz was previously arrested on two separate burglary charges in Philadelphia for thefts in June and December of last year where he reportedly stole $1,000 in tools and $450 worth of jewelry.

A week before the second theft arrest, Kratz was picked up for shoplifting $200 worth of clothing at a Macys near Philadelphia. Police say Kratz had been using pliers to cut off security tags. He pleaded guilty in June to retail theft after more serious charges were withdrawn.

With the Philadelphia cases still pending in January, court records show Kratz skipped bail and went to Illinois. That prompted a judge to issue a bench warrant for his arrest. Out on bail again, a prosecutor said Friday, Kratz became a killer.

Kratz, who said he works at a tiling company, did not have a lawyer with him at his arraignment. Clad in a blue jumpsuit and flanked by detectives, he told a judge that he has trouble walking because hed been shot three months ago. Kratzs mother, Vanessa, declined to comment.

At a press conference Friday announcing that police had recovered all four previously missing bodies, a reporter asked Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub why DiNardo felt the need to kill the young men.

Im not really sure we could ever answer that question, he said.

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GAZA, PALESTINIAN TERRITORYGazas militant Hamas rulers on Saturday called on Palestinians to attack Israeli forces in Jerusalem after a sacred site was closed following a deadly assault there.

Hamas described the closure of the site  known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount  in a statement as a religious war and Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum called on the Palestinian uprising to target the Israeli army and West Bank settlers.

Israel made the rare move after three Palestinian assailants opened fire there Friday, killing two Israeli police officers before being shot dead. The attackers were Muslim citizens of Israel.

On Saturday, the White House condemned the attack in a strongly-worded statement.

The people of the United States are heartbroken that terrorists brutally gunned down two Israeli police officers, press secretary Sean Spicer said. There must be zero tolerance for terrorism. It is incompatible with achieving peace and we must condemn it in the strongest terms, defeat it, and eradicate it.

Hamas staged a rally celebrating the attack.

The Muslim-administered site is revered by both Muslims and Jews. Israel says it wont reopen before Sunday.

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BEIRUTClashes have broken out in northwestern Syria between two of the most powerful insurgent groups there, raising fears of widespread violence in the rebel-held province of Idlib, the groups and an opposition monitor said Saturday.

The fighting between the ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham and the Al Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al Sham  Arabic for Levant Liberation Committee  that is also known as HTS, are the first serious acts of violence since both sides reached a truce in February. Wider clashes between the two former allies could affect their fight against President Bashar Assads forces who have been gaining ground over the past year under the cover of Russian airstrikes.

Idlib has taken on greater significance in Syrias civil war as opposition fighters and militants head, or are driven, there from the countrys central and northern regions. Bordering Turkey, Idlib has welcomed thousands of insurgents who left the countrys largest city of Aleppo when it fell to Assads forces in December in the governments biggest victory since the conflict began in March 2011.

Hundreds of others also headed to Idlib this year from suburbs of the capital Damascus and the central city of Homs as part of population transfer deals with the government.

Ahrar al-Sham said in a statement Saturday that the Al Qaeda-linked Levant Liberation Committee is sending reinforcements to the town of Saraqeb and the Jabal al-Zawiya region in preparation for an attack. It accused HTS of acts of tyranny.

The Ibaa News Agency of HTS accused Ahrar al-Sham of setting up checkpoints and detaining one of its commanders and his bodyguard, adding that HTS removed the checkpoints later by force.

Ibaa quoted an HTS military commander, who was identified as Mouawiyah al-Hashimi, as saying that the two groups agreed to solve the crisis in accordance with Islamic law. He added that Ahrar al-Sham issued its statement about reinforcements after the attempt to solve the latest crisis.

Our first choice is to resort to Islamic law and solve the problems away from arms and bloodletting, the Ahrar al-Sham statement said. If the (HTS) command insists on its tyrannical acts  the movement (Ahrar al-Sham) is ready to repel injustice.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the clashes late Friday were concentrated near the village of Tel Touqan. It added that after the clashes, Ahrar al-Sham briefly cut water supplies to the provincial capital of Idlib that is mostly controlled by HTS.

The clashes come at a time when Ahrar al-Sham is trying to market itself as a moderate rebel group and has been recently raising the main opposition banner  black, white and green with three red stars in the middle.

HTS is a coalition led by Fatah al-Sham Front that was formerly known as the Nusra Front. The group announced last year it was changing its name to Hayat Tahrir al Sham and had cut all contacts with Al Qaeda to market itself as a Syrian group.

Fatah al-Sham Front and Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL, are considered terrorist organizations by the international community. Still, the Al Qaeda-linked HTS enjoys the support of the local population in northwestern Syria where many see it as a powerful faction confronting President Assads army and his allies.

On Wednesday, HTS issued a statement saying that two of its members were found killed near the northwestern village of Sarjeh and blamed Suqour al-Sham, a strong ally of Ahrar al-Sham for the killing.

In the northern city of Raqqa, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) pressed ahead in their offensive aiming to retake the de facto capital of Daesh. The attack on the city began on June 6.

Daesh released a video showing its fighters being trained as snipers to target SDF fighters. The video claimed that 164 SDF fighters had been killed in Raqqa over the past month.

It was not possible to confirm the figure released by Daesh, but SDF has been holding funerals for fighters who died in Raqqa over the past weeks.

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SAN JOSE, CALIF.A now-banned Airbnb host must pay $5,000 and take a college-level course in Asian-American studies after cancelling a guests reservation because she is Asian. The host also invoked U.S. President Donald Trump.

Dyne Suh said she booked a cabin in Big Bear, Calif., in February and was only minutes away from the cabin after driving through rain and snow when she received text messages from the host, Tami Barker, cancelling her reservation. The texts read: I wouldnt rent it to u if u were the last person on earth and One word says it all. Asian.

Barker also texted: This is why we have Trump as well as And I will not allow this country to be told what to do by foreigners.

The hostile texts were in response to Suhs questions about whether she could pay cash for the extra fees the two had agreed on after Suh asked whether it was OK to bring along two friends and two dogs.

Suh recounted the experience in a YouTube video posted in April. She was tearful as she said, Im an American citizen.

Suh, a law student at the University of California, Los Angeles and a law clerk at the Riverside County Public Defenders Office, released a statement on her Facebook page after the fine was levied.

I hope that more victims of discrimination will feel encouraged to come forward with their own stories, empowered now with the knowledge that government entities such as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and other civil rights organizations will take our cases seriously and fight vigorously for us, she said. Asian Americans are often left out of conversations about race relations, even though we are also targets of racism and discrimination.

The DFEH also ordered Barker to issue a personal apology to Suh and complete community service at a civil rights organization, and she must report rental data to the agency for four years.

Barker was permanently banned from Airbnb in April after the company conducted an investigation into Suhs complaint.

Edward Lee, Barkers lawyer, told the Guardian, which first reported the settlement, that his client was regretful for her impetuous actions and comments.

Read more: The madness of King Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States

Racist behaviour in Toronto simply coming into sharper focus, experts say

Youre in such good shape: Trump tells French First Lady Brigitte Macron

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TWIN FALLS  A former sleeving supervisor and maintenance supervisor is suing Chobani, claiming age discrimination.

Jerry Ash, who worked at the yogurt company from July 2012 until he was fired in June 2015, filed suit in federal court in Boise on Wednesday. In the complaint, Ash says his supervisors, who were younger, discriminated against him by denying him training they let younger employees take, denied him weekends off even though younger employees got them, arbitrarily questioned the productivity and breaks of Mr. Ashs work crews and turned him down for a managerial position that instead went to a younger, less experienced employee.

Ash was placed on a performance improvement plan on June 18, 2015, and counseled on how to work with younger managers and employees, and fired a week later. Ashs court filing says Chobani violated its own handbook in moving so quickly to fire him.

The filing also says Ash witnessed discrimination and a hostile work environment against a fellow older colleague who was a subordinate of his and fired on the same day, and he says Chobani fired eight other people over the age of 45 around the time Ash was let go. The complaint doesnt specify Ashs age but does say he was older than 50 at the time of his termination.

The lawsuit says Ash filed complaints last year with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Idaho Human Rights Commission. Both of these were dismissed.

Chobani denies Ashs allegations.

Were a company founded on inclusion and diversity and have built a rich history of promoting a welcoming culture that does not discriminate in any form and does not tolerate discrimination in any form, Chobani said in a statement. To protect the privacy of our teams, we do not comment on matters related to specific employees  current or former  but we take matters like this seriously. When this was first brought to our attention, we immediately conducted an investigation to ensure adherence to our policy, our standards and our founding beliefs. We found no discrimination and after review of the evidence, the Idaho Human Rights Commission dismissed the case.

Ashs lawyer Sam Johnson didnt return a call for comment Friday. Human Rights Commission Administrator Linda Goodman said she couldnt talk about the case, citing rules that exempt the commission from public records law.

Ash is seeking attorneys fees and damages, including lost pay.
KINSHASA, CONGOFive Congo park rangers have been found dead and an American journalist has been found in good condition in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve after going missing during a militia attack, a local official said Sunday.

The American journalist is safe and healthy. She hid in the forest during an attack, Mambasa territory administrator Alfred Bongwalanga told The Associated Press. On the other hand, five park guards have been killed.

Bongwalanga said the army found the American overnight Saturday, and called in her rescue. He did not have her name, saying other details would follow. The identity of the assailants is not known, he said.

At least 10 people had gone missing after attacks near a security station Friday outside the town of Mambasa in Congos northeast Okapi Wildlife Reserve, but six of them, all Congolese rangers, were later found alive, he said.

Two British journalists and five other park rangers, part of the same team, escaped during the attack, making their way to another Okapi reserve base, Bongwalanga said early Saturday.

Army reinforcements had been searching since Friday night in the reserve for the missing.

A rights group, the Center for Studies of Peace and Defence of Human Rights, blamed the attacks on the Mai Mai SIMBA militia, which is active in the area.

A Congolese civilian was also kidnapped Friday near Mambasa by armed men, the group said.

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WASHINGTONState Rep. Craig Hall of Utah has four red-headed school-age children, lives in the state with the highest rate of melanoma in the United States, and buys sunscreen in the Costco size. He is an unabashed proponent of sun protection.

But when Hall, a Republican, introduced legislation this year to allow kids to bring sunscreen to school  which starts Aug. 21 in his district  he said his fellow state lawmakers were a little less enthusiastic. My colleagues first reaction to this bill was mostly, Seriously? We need a bill for this?

Like ibuprofen or hay fever medication, sunscreen is considered an over-the-counter drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and therefore by almost all schools. That means kids cant bring it to school without a doctors note, and even then must see the school nurse in order to use it.

The result: Teachers leading a sunny field trip are free to cover themselves in a thick protective layer of sunscreen. But in most states, children cant follow suit. In Indianapolis, for instance, kids go back to school July 31  the height of summer  but they must have a doctors note to bring sunscreen to school, and visit the school nurse to put it on.

That is beginning to change. In the past four months, Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Utah and Washington have enacted laws declaring students may use sunscreen in school and at after-school activities, no doctors note required. Those states join California, New York, Oregon and Texas, which already have lifted the ban on sunscreen in school. The laws in Arizona, New York and Washington also stipulate that kids may bring and use sunscreen at summer camps.

Sunscreen legislation is also in the works in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. A sunscreen bill that cleared the Senate in Mississippi died in a House committee, and a bill introduced in Georgia has stalled.

Legislators say they are motivated by angry parents whose children suffered serious sunburns at school events where sunscreen was banned. If you just Google kid sunburned at school, Hall said, some of the stories are horrifying.

In Rhode Island, Democratic state Rep. David Bennett said the states 2016 law requiring daily school recess makes it more important that kids be allowed to put on sunscreen by themselves. The kids are impatient. Theyve got 20 minutes. Theyre not going to stand in line for 20 minutes while a teacher applies sunscreen, said Bennett, whose bill passed the lower house and is now in the Senate. By the time she gets done with the last kid, the 20 minutes is going to be over.

But Bennett ran into opposition from the Rhode Island association of school nurses, which opposes the bill. Unlike other state sunscreen laws, Rhode Islands legislation has no language to address liability for school employees who may apply sunscreen and for school districts. The school nurses group also believes sunscreen should be kept out of classrooms because of potential allergies among students.

Bruce Brod, political advocacy chair for the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, said a serious allergy risk is unlikely. A kid might be allergic to hair gel. The question is where do you draw the reasonable line?

Beyond media coverage of kids with lobster-red sunburns, the legislation has been driven by an advocacy campaign from a coalition of medical groups including the American Academy of Dermatology Association and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association, whose members decided in March to push for sunscreen legislation. The dermatologic surgery group wrote model legislation and earmarked $30,000 in grants for state dermatology organizations to lobby for the bill. The dermatology association also provided advocacy grants to state groups.

The quick results  four state laws in three months  are because its an issue that doesnt seem to be politically divisive at all, said Terry Cronin, a Melbourne, Fla., dermatologist and head of the advocacy working group for the dermatologic surgery society. Everybody sees that kids need to be protected from skin cancer and they should be protected with sunscreen.

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The latest headlines in the ongoing Trump-Russia scandal demonstrate that Vladimir Putin is on a desperate mission to repeal U.S. Magnitsky sanctions that target those in his regime who abuse the rights of Russians with asset freezes and visa bans.

Canada has already been targeted by Russian disinformation campaigns targeting domestic advocates of Magnitsky sanctions and we should look to whats happening in the U.S. to learn whats coming next.

Emails released last week by Donald Trump Jr. regarding a June 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer, present the clearest evidence yet of the Kremlins active determination to strike a deal with the Trump administration about the repeal of Magnitsky sanctions.

An offer for political dirt related to Hillary Clinton was offered to the Trump campaign via a Putin connected oligarch, the details of which were to be revealed at a meeting with a Russian government attorney, Natalia Veselnitskaya.

Veselnitskaya has been actively working for the past several years to repeal U.S. Magnitsky sanctions. In 2016, she helped produce a film discrediting Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, the Russian lawyer the sanctions legislation is named in honour of.

Veselnitskaya also founded the benevolent sounding and ironically named, Human Rights Accountability Global Initiative Foundation whose stated goal is, according to its website, to help restart American adoption of Russian children (Putin banned U.S. adoption of Russian children in 2012 in response to U.S. Magnitsky legislation).

While Veselnitskaya may have offered to end the adoption ban in return for a repeal of sanctions against her Kremlin bosses, its unlikely anyone in the Trump campaign would have met her on the adoption issue alone. Political dirt was the bait, and repeal of sanctions by President Trump was the price.

What happened after that June 9, 2016 meeting indicates what may have been promised.

A month after the meeting nearly 20,000 Democratic Party emails were made public by WikiLeaks in an operation that has been universally characterized by the U.S. intelligence community as a Kremlin-orchestrated active measures campaign.

After taking office in January, the Trump administration immediately set its sights on repealing Magnitksy legislation. According to retired U.S. Ambassador Dan Fried, who was the top U.S. sanctions official at the time, there was serious consideration by the White House to unilaterally rescind the sanctions immediately after the inauguration.

In May 2017, the U.S. money laundering case against Veselnitskayas client, Prevezon Holdings, was quietly settled out of federal court.

While debate rages about whether the meeting broke any laws, one thing remains clear: Vladimir Putin is desperately seeking an end to the current sanctions targeting his cronies. And we know he is trying to derail similar efforts in Canada.

In March of last year, Veselnitskaya took aim at Canadian efforts to adopt Magnitsky legislation with various posts on social media in attempts to discredit Canadian advocacy efforts, including my own. Those posts were immediately followed by several anti-Magnitsky articles that appeared in Russian pro-Putin media. Those quickly prompted a member of Russias Civic Chamber to demand that the Russian prosecutor general investigate those advocating for Canadian Magnitsky, including myself.

The development of new Canadian platforms and proxy groups to communicate its narratives and promote its agenda has become a priority for the Putin regime.

A few months after the Russian invasion of Crimea, a hastily concocted grassroots organization called The Russian Congress of Canada was formed, claiming to represent the interests of Russian-speaking Canadians. The organizations website parrots Kremlin propaganda, much of which is intended to undermine Canadian support for Magnitsky legislation and those who advocate for it. The group recently sent out a mass email to Canadian MPs entitled Appeal to Prime Minister Trudeau to question Minister Freelands integrity.

The Kremlin also uses oligarchs and business contacts to try and shift Canadian policy. It does this partly, via organizations such as the Canada Russia Eurasia Business Association. Bombardier, a CERBA member connected with Russian state-owned enterprises, has lobbied hard in Ottawa to remove Russian sanctions and has succeeded in keeping former head of Russian Railways, Vladimir Yakunin off of Canadas sanctions list.

As Canadas own Magnitsky sanctions legislation moves toward a final vote in the fall, Canadians can expect an escalation of Russian disinformation and provocation targeting members of our government, media and civil society. As such, Canadian politicians and government decision makers must be prepared, and learn to recognize disinformation and Kremlin active measures in order to protect the integrity of our own democracy and institutions.

Marcus Kolga is a communications strategist, filmmaker and publisher of UpNorth.eu. He is a senior fellow at the MacDonald-Laurier Institutes Foreign Policy Centre.

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Re: Memorial for lawyer draws controversy, July 13

Memorial for lawyer draws controversy, July 13

Oh Canada, our home and scary land, we weep for thee.

Despite what many have proclaimed, Toronto and Canada  our culture and values  do not reflect the openness, tolerance, justice, respect for the rule of law or human rights about which we like to boast.

Toronto officials and provocateurs under deceptive banners want to deny freedom of assembly to those memorializing Barbara Kulaszka, who was a competent professional acting as a defence lawyer in our justice system. Justice requires that everyone receive a fair trial and legal representation; but some Torontonians appear ready to deny basic rights to those whose beliefs or ideological positions differ from their own. Torontos mayor, a lawyer by training, waded into waters under a bridge to stir up silt that may, in the future, deny freedom of assembly to some Canadians.

We understand pandering to voters. We also understand divisive politics, discrimination, indoctrination, hate speech, prejudice, intimidation and silencing of individuals.

Similarly, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer ignores any natural compulsions to acknowledge the error of the Canadian government in failing to help 15-year-old Omar Khadr. Mr. Scheer articulates what he believes will garner him support from conservatives by maintaining a hard, intolerant, unwavering position favouring cruel and excessive punishment for a Canadian child caught on the wrong side of war.

Where is the unifying sentiment of our 150 years of federalism and respectful co-operation among rivals? What is the meaning of human rights?

Our rights, freedoms, and the values and customs we have cherished are being crushed by propagandists and politicians seeking personal glory  a dangerous situation.

Stella Kargiannakis, Toronto

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HAZELTON  It was still dark the morning Ruperto Vazquez-Carrera began his shift at Sunrise Organic Dairy.

It was mid-February 2016. A winter heat wave had melted snow and ice overnight, flooding part of the rural Jerome County farm. A foot of standing water made it hard to tell where the feeding area ended and the deep pond that held the farms manure began.

Vazquez-Carrera got into a feed truck to deliver the cows their morning meal. About 5:30 a.m., he called his brother, who also worked at the farm, to warn him about the conditions.

By sunrise, Vazquez-Carrera, a 37-year-old husband and father of six, was dead.

Vazquez-Carrera had mistakenly driven the truck into the manure pond. He managed to get free and he tried to swim back to solid ground. But he was disoriented and swam in the wrong direction, according to the county sheriff. Divers found his body 70 yards from the truck.

It was a kind of death no one wants to happen. Yet it happened again, in Idaho, just seven months later.

A dairy worker in Shelley, south of Idaho Falls, suffocated after driving into a manure pond more than 5 feet deep and being pinned for 30 minutes under the tractor he was driving.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration sent inspectors to investigate each incident. The agency cited each dairy for failing to provide a safe workplace and fined each $5,000.

The ponds are common at dairies as a way to store manure to prevent it from polluting waterways. The waste can later be used as fertilizer on crops. Neither dairy had fences or barricades to keep workers from driving the wrong way and into the manure pond in the dark, OSHA found. No signs warned employees they were nearing a deep pit of manure.

Drowning in manure ponds is widely known in the dairy industry, the inspection reports noted.

Drowning and other manure accidents killed farmworkers in Idaho and at least four other states during the past three years, according to OSHA records.

And thats just a fraction of the deaths in agriculture, one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S. More than 5,000 agricultural workers in the U.S. died on the job between 2003 and 2011, a death rate seven times higher than average.

The local OSHA office began noticing a dramatic uptick in agriculture fatalities in early 2013, and it has persisted, said David Kearns, OSHA area director.

That raised a flag to us, that there was something happening out there, he said. Were dealing with vulnerable workers in very unique and continually changing situations. ... Why we are seeing an uptick, I dont know.

People just called and called

There was an outcry from workers in Idaho after Vazquez-Carreras death, said Indira Trejo, global impact coordinator for the United Farm Workers of America.

Trejo works in Washington state for the union, which saw a need to help Idaho workers, many of whom are Hispanic. She made the rounds last year on Spanish-speaking radio stations in Southern Idaho.

People just called and called, she said. The biggest need we documented was people had no idea how to go about workers comp. Whenever they got in an accident, they got fired, or didnt know who to call or where to call.

Since then, she said, she has talked with about 500 farmworkers in Idaho. Heres what they tell her: Their farms dont have toilet paper. There is no first aid kit. They lose their jobs or housing if they raise a complaint.

Now you have this immigration issue on top of them, Trejo said. Thats why they dont speak up, and thats why the conditions are like this at a lot of farms.

Other farms treat their workers right. One dairy employee told the Statesman she feels safer at her small farm than she did at a mega-dairy. Even though the small dairy lacks a safety program, there are fewer cattle to dodge.

But its very rare to hear from those folks, Trejo said.

Workers hurt in Idaho

Because of special rules for small farms, underreporting and a lack of public data in Idaho, there is no way to tally agricultural casualties and debilitating injuries.

The information gap could soon get worse. Congress this spring rolled back an Obama administration rule that allowed OSHA to enforce accident record-keeping by farm and other employers for years instead of months. And the Trump administration has delayed a separate rule that would make farm and other companies accident records available to the public online.

The meager data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that men and women who pick fruit, harvest crops, milk cows and work in processing plants in Idaho are injured and killed at a higher rate than in other professions.

 Javier Tellez Juarez lost both arms and a leg when his clothes got caught on machinery at a southeastern Idaho farm in the mid-1990s. His case prompted a change in Idaho law to require that farmers to carry workers compensation insurance for their laborers. They had been exempt for decades.

 Maria Aguirre was one of 29 workers poisoned by pesticides on a Caldwell onion farm in 2005. She told the Associated Press that the poisoning made it painful to eat and left her co-workers, including her mother and brother, with health problems.

Farmers know that some workers are scared because theyre illegal here, so they can do anything they want, Aguirre said then.

 A longtime employee of Amalgamated Sugar Co., Mario Munoz, got caught in machinery at the companys Nampa plant in 2009. Munoz, who had been studying to become a medical assistant, was the third person to die at the factory since 1985.

 Farmworkers in Marsing, Shelley and Melba have died in recent years after being run over, folded in half, and electrocuted.

Many of those killed are foreign-born. Most of the workers killed on Idaho farms in the past few years were non-English speakers or spoke English as a second language.

We would characterize those employees as vulnerable workers, said Jordan Barab, who was deputy assistant secretary of OSHA in the Obama administration and now writes Confined Space, a newsletter about worker safety. Some of them are undocumented, but even the ones who are documented have come from other countries where, lets say, the government is not friendly.

These workers tend to be suspicious of government and unaware that OSHA exists or that they have rights. A complaint can put them at risk of getting fired or deported, Barab said.

This is a group OSHA has a hard time reaching, he said.

At Sunrise Organic Dairy in Jerome County, workers did not know about OSHA and were concerned about working near the manure pit the winter Vazquez-Carrera died, according to someone who knew him, who asked not to be identified because of fear of retribution.

They kind of knew it was dangerous, in the sense that it had snowed in and it was frozen, it was slippery, so people will be scared to do that, the person said. Right after [the death], a lot of people quit, because they were scared.

Its quite traumatic for everybody

OSHAs inspection report said Sunrise had not been keeping records of injuries, as required by law. Workers compensation records showed multiple injuries on the farm in 2015 and 2016, including one just days before the manure drowning, the report said.

Dairy owner Dirk Reitsma told OSHA after the accident that he and his dairy manager had noticed a need to make some changes to the area near the manure pond and had talked about hiring a contractor.

Reitsma declined to speak with the Statesman. He told the Times-News in Twin Falls last year that it was just a freak accident and just a bad deal. He said Vazquez-Carrera was a top-notch guy who worked his way up since being hired about a year earlier.

OSHA said Sunrise must add safety features such as warning signs and fences.

The manure drowning months later in Shelley was the first time a worker had been seriously injured at Diamond 3 Dairy, owner Brian Esplin told the Statesman.

The employee, Alberto Navarro-Munoz, got into a tractor around 4 a.m. one day last September. It was his first job at a dairy, and he was new to driving the tractor. A supervisor watched as he put the vehicle in gear and went forward, headlong into a manure pond. The truck flipped over and pinned him under 3 to 4 feet of manure.

His co-worker ran to get help, but the man was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, according to OSHA.

Esplin said there is now a barricade and a floodlight at the manure pond on his dairy. Workers do not drive feed tractors in that area when its dark, he said.

Its quite traumatic for everybody, for sure. The guy who was a witness to it was quite upset, Esplin said. It haunted my son [the dairy manager] for quite some time. I think it still does, to some degree.  For a long time, he could hardly sleep at night.

Small farms are unregulated

Sunrise Organic Dairy is large, with about 10,000 head of cattle and 60 employees. Diamond 3 Dairy is smaller, with about 1,300 cows and 15 employees. But both are large enough that OSHA had legal authority to investigate the deaths.

A unique exemption in federal worker-safety laws forbids OSHA from inspecting farms that have 10 or fewer employees at all times in the prior 12 months  even if employees die. (Family members are not considered employees.)

Those farms are supposed to keep records and to report work-related deaths and catastrophes. But its impossible to know if they do, because OSHA is not allowed to check if theyre complying or to fine them if theyre not.

The exemption kept OSHA from investigating the death of a 36-year-old worker in March at Double Arrow Inc. in Terreton, northwest of Idaho Falls. C.J. Frizzell, a Rexburg father of four with one on the way, died when he was caught in a hay grinder at the farm.

To have these small farms, which are highly hazardous workplaces, and not to allow OSHA to set foot there, is inexcusable, Barab said.

Across the border in Washington, a state occupational-safety law makes small farms subject to safety enforcement. In Idaho, there is no extra layer.

There are dairies where there are only two workers, and theyre milking 1,800 cows, Trejo said. This is why the accidents happen and nobody finds out.

New focus on safety

After the manure deaths, the Idaho Dairymens Association heard that OSHA was gearing up to put more resources into enforcement at Idaho dairies.

OSHAs Idaho office is strapped. It has eight inspectors to cover the state. The AFL-CIO says it would take 208 years for the office to inspect every worksite.

But OSHA has used local emphasis programs in Wisconsin and New York to beef up safety at dairy farms. The Idaho office drafted its own version. It would focus on random inspections and more active outreach to dairies and other agricultural businesses. Its on the back burner until OSHA has a new national director.

The Idaho Dairymens Association, the states largest dairy trade group, decided to get a head start. With a budget of $200,000 and cooperation from others in the industry, the association is rolling out a safety-training program for Idahos 490 dairies. It plans to send out trainers who will act like OSHA inspectors, pointing out everything that needs to be fixed.

Consumers demand transparency, said Bob Naerebout, executive director. They want to have the knowledge that the workers on our dairies are properly trained.

Some of Idahos agribusiness employers have already signed up to partner with OSHA and to open up their operations to greater scrutiny. Among them are Tessenderlo Kerley Inc. in Burley and AMVAC Chemical in Marsing.

Tessenderlo Kerley has 11 employees at its Magic Valley plant, where it makes a soil fumigant called metam sodium. Workers handle hazardous materials regularly.

Treating employees well is part of the companys culture, and that includes keeping them out of harms way, said Steve Sailors, regional plant operations manager.

Workers must attend meetings every two weeks, at which they cover things such as first aid, CPR and respiratory protection. They attend the annual Safety Fest conference to learn new techniques. They take ownership of their safety, Sailors said.

We dont ask our employees to put themselves at risk, he said.

AMVAC has 15 full-time employees at its Treasure Valley plant, which makes crop-retention chemicals like those in seed coatings.

You have to be part of the program, said Dennis Achey, site manager in Marsing. You cant kind of sit on the sidelines. You have to be a willing participant  or, basically, you have to go somewhere where you dont have to do that. And there are plenty of places like that.

Both companies said they are saving money on workers compensation insurance because their injury rates are much lower than the industry average.

Hospitals see the tragedies

Because so many injuries and deaths are allowed to stay under the radar in agriculture, the Statesman reached out to local doctors to ask what cases they see coming from local farms or agricultural plants, such as the Caldwell seed company where 63-year-old Francisca R. Gomez died in January 2016 after her hair was caught in machinery.

Bill Morgan, a trauma surgeon at Saint Alphonsus Health System, said he sees between three and six injuries a month serious enough to require his skills. About half of those are workers, the other half farmers themselves.

We dont see that many deaths, fortunately, but when they do happen, obviously its horrific, he said.

He particularly remembers one worker from a Twin Falls dairy. A bull slammed him against a wall, broke all his ribs on both sides, punctured both his lungs, and ruptured his spleen and liver. He survived, but it took him months to be able to get back to work, Morgan said.

Ag workers face one risk urban workers do not: They are farther away from medical care. A traumatic accident is 25 percent more likely to kill you in a rural place than an urban one, Morgan said.

Brian Johns, a Magic Valley-based medical director for occupational health at St. Lukes Health System, sees patients in a clinic. He rarely sees fatal or gruesome injuries, but he sees plenty of workers in pain  a broken finger from an annoyed cow, a strained back from birthing a calf.

Youre working outside with animals and big equipment, he said. You try to do as much prevention as you can, but sometimes injuries just happen.

Johns was one of several people who told the Statesman that injuries come with the inherently dangerous job of working on a farm.

Barab disagrees.

It is hard to say that every injury is preventable, but there are plenty of jobs that are dangerous jobs, and there is still no excuse for somebody getting injured, he said. For almost any hazard, you can imagine there is a way to eliminate or minimize it.  Theres almost no hazard where you can say theres absolutely nothing you can do about it.
TWIN FALLS  Firefighters are battling a large fire in Rock Creek Canyon and campers were evacuated from the area Saturday afternoon.

A Twin Falls sheriffs deputy first spotted the fire at 3:12 pm Saturday, and for a while there was a mandatory evacuation of campers from Third Fork to Foothills Road, spokeswoman Lori Stewart said. As of about 9:30 p.m., the evacuation order had been lifted and the roads had been reopened.

Lightning started the fire and it is currently at 130 acres burning in grass and brush, Forest Service spokeswoman Julie Thomas said a little after 9 p.m Saturday. One type two helicopter, four engines, a rural water tender and a 20-person type two hand crew are battling the blaze.

The fire is expected to be contained by 4:30 p.m. Sunday and controlled by 8 p.m. Monday. No people have been injured or buildings burned down.

Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service and Rock Creek firefighters are battling the blaze with the help of sheriffs deputies.
Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space. The Aeronautics segment offers combat and air mobility aircraft, unmanned air vehicles, and related technologies. The Missiles and Fire Control segment provides air and missile defense systems; tactical missiles and air-to-ground precision strike weapon systems; logistics; fire control systems; mission operations support, readiness, engineering support, and integration services; manned and unmanned ground vehicles; and energy management solutions. The Rotary and Mission Systems segment offers military and commercial helicopters, surface ships, sea and land-based missile defense systems, radar systems, sea and air-based mission and combat systems, command and control mission solutions, cyber solutions, and simulation and training solutions. The Space segment offers satellites; space transportation systems; strategic, advanced strike, and defensive missile systems; and classified systems and services in support of national security systems. This segment also provides network-enabled situational awareness and integrates space and ground-based systems to help its customers gather, analyze, and securely distribute critical intelligence data. It serves primarily serves the U.S. government, as well as foreign military sales contracted through the U.S. government. Lockheed Martin Corporation was founded in 1912 and is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.
Not everyone believes this, but lets assume that economic growth is good for the Magic Valley. New companies, better jobs, higher wages. That often leads to more public investments and in general a better quality of life for Magic Valley residents.

Were seeing it all across the valley, as new companies relocate or start businesses here and older companies expand.

But growth can also create its own problems, beyond the argument from anti-growth folks who fear a shifting cultural identity. Grow too fast, and there might not be enough workers to fill all these new jobs.

Thats exactly whats happening in Mini-Cassia, where Cassia County alone has seen jobs grow at a staggering 19.5 percent over the past 10 years.

McCain Foods, Dow Chemical, Fabri-Kal. All now competing for a limited labor pool.

Not surprising, companies must compete harder for workers, and thats boosting wages across the region. Minidoka County used to have one of the lowest average salaries across a six-county region in southern Idaho. Now, it pays one of the highest  $35,773  up from $25,589 just 10 years ago.

Still, even by providing better wages and benefits, companies are complaining about the difficulty to fill jobs, especially those that require advanced training or education.

Its a pretty simple equation: Companies cant continue to grow if there arent qualified workers to fill these jobs. And that could spell disaster for our booming regional economy.

Heres how we can fix the problem:

The states Labor Department can help local businesses recruit trained workers from other manufacturing areas, one business leader suggested. If the workers arent here, we need to go get them.

Schools can do a better job customizing their training programs to meet the demands of local employers. Sometimes, its simply a communication problem: Recent grads arent always aware of the opportunities they have locally.

Public investments, like Twin Falls downtown renovation and trail system expansions, help create communities where workers want to live. And labor experts say community and company pride go a long way toward retaining and attracting workers.

The state must do more to stop the brain drain, losing Idahos most talented workers to other states. Creating new four-year programs and boosting college-level training programs could help stem the flow. Legislators have rightly increased state education spending; we need more.

On Thursday, a governor-appointed task force released its recommendation for closing the states skills gap. The Legislature should rush to adopt the recommendations.

Companies must continue to be creative in their wage and benefits packages. Companies who do this stand the best chance at luring workers in a limited labor pool.

Housing developers need to recognize their opportunities. Some businesses say they cant recruit workers because there isnt enough housing. Local governments can help solve the housing crunch by working with developers on smart housing developments that cater to the new workforce.

None of these solutions alone is a magic bullet. Together, theyre a roadmap to success.

The good news is that companies and governments are already working together to solve the labor gap by pursuing the suggestions above. They simply have to do it better  and faster.
CNX Resources Corporation, an independent natural gas and midstream company, acquires, explores for, develops, and produces natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin. The company operates in two segments, Shale and Coalbed Methane. It produces and sells pipeline quality natural gas primarily for gas wholesalers. The company owns rights to extract natural gas in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio from approximately 526,000 net Marcellus Shale acres; and approximately 610,000 net acres of Utica Shale, as well as rights to extract natural gas from other shale and shallow oil and gas positions from approximately 1,006,000 net acres in Illinois, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. It also owns rights to extract coalbed methane (CBM) in Virginia from approximately 282,000 net CBM acres in Central Appalachia, as well as 1,733,000 net CBM acres in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and New Mexico. In addition, the company designs, builds, and operates natural gas gathering systems to move gas from the wellhead to interstate pipelines or other local sales points; owns and operates approximately 2,600 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines, as well as various natural gas processing facilities. It also offers turn-key solutions for water sourcing, delivery, and disposal for its natural gas operations and for third parties. The company was formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc. and changed its name to CNX Resources Corporation in November 2017. CNX Resources Corporation was founded in 1860 and is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company operates as an advisory, broking, and solutions company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Health, Wealth and Career; and Risk and Broking. The company offers actuarial support, plan design, and administrative services for traditional pension and retirement savings plans; plan management consulting, broking, and administration services for health and group benefit programs; and benefits outsourcing services. It also provides advice, data, software, and products to address clients' total rewards and talent issues. In addition, the company offers risk advice, insurance brokerage, and consulting services in the areas of property and casualty, aerospace, construction, and marine. Further, it offers investment consulting and discretionary management services to insurance and reinsurance companies; insurance consulting and technology, risk and capital management, pricing and predictive modeling, financial and regulatory reporting, financial and capital modeling, merger and acquisition, outsourcing, and business management services; wholesale insurance broking services to retail and wholesale brokers; and underwriting and capital management, capital market, and advisory and brokerage services. Additionally, the company provides primary medical and ancillary benefit exchange, and outsourcing services to active employees and retirees in the group and individual markets, as well as delivers healthcare and reimbursement accounts, including health savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, flexible spending accounts, and other consumer-directed accounts. The company was formerly known as Willis Group Holdings Public Limited Company and changed its name to Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company in January 2016. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company was founded in 1828 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.
ICICI Bank Limited is a leading private-sector bank in India. The bank was founded in 1955 under the guidance of The World Bank, the government of India, and Indias leading businessmen. The purpose of the bank was to provide financing for industrial projects and it held to that mission until the 1990s. Reforms of Indias financial sector allowed the bank to pursue other avenues including but not limited to consumer banking and loans.

Since then, the maturing of Indias market has allowed the company to expand even further. The company was incorporated as ICICI Bank as part of ICICI Group in 1994 and went on to become the first Asian bank outside of Japan to be listed on the NYSE. Over the years, the bank has merged with several subsidiaries of ICICI Group and with ICICI Group itself as it consolidated its position as a leading bank in India.

Today, ICICI Bank provides a broad array of banking products and financial services in India and internationally including personal and business banking as well as NRI, insurance products, and corporate services. The firm is headquartered in Mumbai and is the 5th largest bank in India with operations in 17 countries including the US, UK, Singapore, and Bahrain.

The company operates its Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, Treasury, Other Banking, Life Insurance, General Insurance, and Other segments through a network of branches, ATMs, and websites. The company listed 5,418 branches in 2022 and more than 13,340 ATMs as well. The companys services can all be accessed by phone or through the network of nine websites as well as on mobile devices.

The company offers consumer products ranging from savings to checking as well as retirement and insurance products. The companys loan products run from home, car, personal, and commercial business loans to loans for gold, loans against securities, collateral-free loans, and financing for importers/exporters, start-up businesses, and education. The bank is particularly strong with its Agri and rural business, farmer finance, and tractor loans.

Among the Other services the company provides are portfolio management, brokerage, foreign exchange, NRI banking (non-resident of India), and family wealth accounts. Business services include commercial and investment banking, access to capital markets, and an array of business finance products. In regard to the bank's health, its senior secured notes carry investment grade ratings from both major rating agencies.

ICICI Bank is committed to aiding Indias economic growth and development. The company operates the ICICI Foundation which works hard at improving financial literacy in an all-inclusive manner.










I have been dismayed by all the proposed plans of both national political parties, both Republicans and Democrats, who try to posture health care systems that are hard to understand, seem to have flaws and try to suit all citizens and stop the ever-increasing costs. I believe the answer is simple. Most complex problems seem to have simple answers. I propose we will eventually have to develop a system based upon the single-payer system. Let me define what single-payer is. Single-payer health care means that all medical bills are paid out of a government-run pool of money. The insurance companies do not exist, creating a big drop in health care expenses as the middleman is deposed of in our health care system.

Under this system, all providers are paid at the same rate and citizens receive the same health benefits, regardless of their ability to pay. This system exists in most developed countries such as Canada, Great Britain, France Sweden, Australia, etc. In our country many people are bankrupt by medical bills and are in fear of that and are very afraid of our medical care system.

I think health care should be a right for all our citizens. Capital cronyism and the power of the health care insurance companies upon national political leaders has made the U.S. the most expensive system in the world. Recently the California Nurses Association proposed a statewide single-payer system that was narrowly voted down in Sacramento. We need a nonprofit system that is fair to all our citizens but which will give fair profits to doctors, hospitals, etc.

The time will come sooner or later when we wake up to what is being done to us.

Dave Davis

Kimberly
The Opec/non-Opec deal has had a meaningful impact on crude grade differentials across the world, a report said, highlighting that light versus medium or heavy grades have continued to tighten substantially in the past six months.



The narrowing light-heavy crude spread is tightly linked to recent changes on the upstream front, added the Global Energy Weekly from Bank of America (BofA) Merrill Lynch.



First, crude production coming from countries involved in the deal has been curtailed, and we believe that these producers favoured cutting medium to heavy grades rather than light, to maximize their revenues in this low price environment.



Second, production from US shale oil, one of the lightest grades on earth, started to grow again. The trend has been exacerbated by the recent return crude output from Libya and Nigeria, countries producing rather light and sweet grades.



>>>>>Saudi favours exports of light crude to Asia, not EU or US



The Opec/non-Opec deal has also reshuffled the cards of crude exports from Saudi. US imports from the Kingdom, which are typically medium to heavy grades, have slowed substantially over the past five months. As for light crude exports, Saudi pricing of Arab light has favoured the Asian channel rather than the US and Europe. In addition, we find that the Arab light crude differential to Asia and crude oil prices are well correlated.



Perhaps more interestingly, we find that most of the impact of a change in Saudi pricing on the WTI or Brent price level occurs two months later. On the refining front, we find that a change in the Brent-Dubai spreads has a negative correlation with US gasoline yields one week later, the report said.



>>>>>Light-heavy spreads are poised to widen structurally again



We now believe light-heavy spreads have bottomed and see them widening again. Spreads could widen again on two key dates, BofA Merrill Lynch said.



First, if Opec convinces Nigeria and Libya to comply with an output cap on July 24, incremental light barrels will be curbed, setting the stage for wider light-heavy spreads. Second, Libyan and Nigerian output will likely reach a natural ceiling before year end anyway. The tail risk scenario would be another geopolitical crisis in Libya or Nigeria, forcing major disruptions of light sweet output. In any event, the Opec/non-Opec deal expires in March 2018.



We then expect Saudi and Russian production, mostly medium grades, to pick up gradually again throughout the rest of 2018. Meanwhile US shale production (light sweet) is likely to stabilize from 2Q18. The light-heavy spread is poised to widen more severely than what the current forward market is pricing, in our view, the report concluded. - TradeArabia News Service
- Curvaceous Kenyan socialite Vera Sidika has introduced her twin sister to the public

- Veras sister, rather friend has caused havoc on social media with her big nyash

Kenyan socialites Corazon Kwamboka, Risper Faith,Mishi Dora and the mother of all ,Vera Sidika all have one thing in common; well-endowed bodies that have left throngs of men drooling.

Vera Sidika, a pioneer socialite turned business lady has been the most blessed lass in Kenya matters big derriere for some time now.

However, her reign may soon come to an end, if the entrance of her South African twin into the socialite game is anything to go by.

READ ALSO: The internet has killed veteran radio host Mambo Mbotela but here is the real story

Vera Sidika ,on Friday, July 14 2017 took to Instagram to introduce her twin sister, in a move that caused a catastrophe on her account.

READ ALSO: Meet Vera Sidikas brother, who is rumored to have also removed his tint (photos)

Parading their big behinds before the camera, the two curvy lasses battled to prove who was the real deal, rather most curvy.

READ ALSO: Has Akothee gone bonkers? Here is the truth (Video/Photos)

While Vera carried the day, her twin sister, whom she introduced as Madam Chrissie brought her A-game with her natural derriere, giving the Kenyan socialite with silicon behinds a run for her money.

Miss Chrissie is a South African fashion blogger, stylist and upcoming socialite.

Have something to add to this article? Send to news@tuko.co.ke

Will Kenya ever have another great leader like the late Nkaissery?

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- The County of Nairobi has released the number of cholera cases in Nairobi

- According to a county health official, 33 patients are admitted at various hospitals in Nairobi from the disease

- The county government also said in the last two months, 336 cases of cholera were recorded

The County Government of Nairobi has finally confirmed that the city is grappling with an outbreak of cholera.

In statement by County Government Health Executive, Bernard Muia on Saturday, July 15, about 33 patients are currently admitted at various hospitals in the city after contracting the disease.

TUKO.co.ke has learnt that the 33 patients had attended the Trade Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, July 12.

READ ALSO: Kenyans warned that a cholera outbreak is real

County Government Health Executive, Bernard Muia Photo: Citizen digital.

READ ALSO: Two Cabinet Secretaries admitted at Nairobi Hospital with Cholera

Muia also revealed that 336 cases of cholera have been reported in Nairobi in the last two months.

The county health executive denied reports that some Kenyans had died from the disease and said those being treated are recovering well.

Those admitted are recovering well, we have no fatalities and according to the latest report they are doing well, Muia said.

Muia said the county government has now banned open air cooking in the city to prevent the spread of cholera in Nairobi and that stringent measures will be applied to ensure outside caterers adhere to health standards.

Those sources of food particularly the outsourced food should not serve that food to any event until the cooking of that food has been checked by a public health officer and given a go ahead, he said.

READ ALSO: The one thing Raila and Uhuru shared during Nkaisserys burial and its encouraging

Muia said the county government has now banned open air cooking in the city to prevent the spread of cholera in Nairobi. Photo: Aluoch Bonita.com

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The statement by the county government comes days after two cabinet secretaries were hospitalised for suspect case of cholera.

The two cabinet secretaries, Henry Rotich (Treasury) and Adan Mohamed (Industrialization), were among a handful other people who were attending a Trade Expo at the KICC being treated for cholera.

All the patients were placed in isolation at the hospital until their condition improved.

The cases come close in the wake of news that an outbreak of Cholera had been reported at the Weston Hotel, associated with Deputy President William Ruto.

Have anything to add to this article or suggestions? Share with us on news@tuko.co.ke

Security experts review Nkaisserys performance.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- Mutahi Ngunyi,a Kenyan political analyst has taken issue with the government over their order to pull down his video on Joseph Nkaissery

- The government had accused Mutahi of propagating hate speech in the country through his YouTube show, The Fifth Estate

- Mutahi has defended his show claiming it does not spread heat but only answering questions that Kenyans need answered

Controversial political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has fired back at the government over his recent video on the late Joseph Nkaissery.

As reported by TUKO.co.ke earlier, the government through ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru had accused Mutahi Ngunyi and his students of propagating hate speech through their weekly political YouTube show The Fifth Estate.

Responding to the accusations through his recent episode of The Fifth Estate, Mutahi Ngunyi defended his show saying that they were in no way propagating hate speech but simply asking the real and hard questions that Kenyans want answered.

Mutahi Ngunyi. Photo: CitizenTv

READ ALSO: Powerful Kenyan Governors face 6 years jail time, details

This past weeks some fellows from government attacked us and accused us of being biased. For the avoidance of doubt,I want to categorically state that we are biased .We are unapologetically biased towards haters of the country, against those who said that Kenya is no longer viable and the crooked media.Ngunyi stated.

Mutahi also defended his political stand and told off critics.The Professor vehemently said that he is guilty if supporting Uhuru Kenyatta is a crime.

READ ALSO: Mike Sonko goes rogue, asks supporters to stone NASA leaders

Mutahi Ngunyi. Photo: Mike Otach

READ ALSO: Anyang Nyong'o's gubernatorial ambition squashed as elders endorse rival

If supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta which we do is wrong,we do not choose to be right,I f criticizing Opposition leader Raila Odinga is wrong,we do not choose to be right. Mutahi said.

Mutahi could not wrap up his show withput coming out clean on his recent video that touched on the death of Joseph Nkaissery.

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If asking hard questions on the death of interior CS Joseph Nkaissery is wrong,we do not choose to be right eithr. Mutahi added.

On Friday,July 14 2017,ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru asked Google to pull down Mutahi Ngunyis Fifth Estate video on Nkaissery stating that it was creating unnecessary tension in the country.

Have anything to add to this article or suggestions? Share with us on news@tuko.co.ke

What will Gatundu residents do if Uhuru Kenyatta loses the polls? They speak out:

Source: TUKO.co.ke
The national day of Ukraine is held in Kazakhstan at Astana Expo-2017, the international exhibition on alternative energy, as well as the Ukrainian-Kazakh business forum, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Hennadiy Zubko, who is also the Commissioner of Ukraine at the exhibition, Chairman of the State Energy Efficiency Agency Serhiy Savchuk, the Charge d'affaires of Ukraine to Kazakhstan Volodymyr Dzhydzhora, Deputy Energy and Coal Industry Minister Natalia Boyko.

Ukraine is a united and unitary state that is struggling for its independence. Ukraine urges partners to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine, the implementation of the UN General Assembly resolution. Ukraine is also struggling for its energy independence so that to build its future. And thats why Ukraine is carrying out reforms, Said Zubko.

He also noted the investment market in Ukraine is estimated at $ 40 billion.

iy
Sir, my father was an Islamic State militant, but he divorced my mother in 2013, said Jassem Mohammad, 21, pulling out his identification card and presenting it to the camp manager. He now has two other wives.



In a tiny patch of shade on the edge of a blistering desert camp outside of Mosul, the manager listened as Mohammad made his case. He wanted to leave the camp and go back to college. He had good scores, he said, and was never involved with IS.



Militant rule in Mosul has collapsed and IS fighters here are dead, fled, arrested or in hiding. But as their relatives try to re-integrate into society, Iraqi authorities face impossible questions with only bad answers.



If someone loved or even tolerated an IS militant, is that person guilty? How do the relatives of the perpetrators make peace with the relatives of the victims?



Officially in Iraq, the answer to the first question is no, especially when speaking of small children. Women and children fleeing areas IS occupied are checked for bombs, and when cleared, they are considered civilians.



Unofficially, families of militants are shunned, feared and often separated from the regular people, all traumatized by violence and extreme poverty under IS. Many IS families now live in camps, like Mohammad, where they are not quite sure if they are being detained or protected. And both, in fact, are true.



Wed need to see the divorce papers, the camp manager explained to Mohammad. If Mohammad offered evidence that his father was not in his life during IS rule in Mosul, it might be possible for him to go back to school.



I want to study and do humanitarian work, Mohammad continued, pleading his case to a nearby journalist.



Appearances



As Mohammad and the reporter chatted, the camp manager looked nonplused and strolled away. A security officer, in contrast, was visibly annoyed and abruptly ended the conversation.



You cannot talk to him without official permission, he said, ushering all journalists out of the camp. Other Iraqi officers said they worry that news about camps set aside for IS families will make them look like monsters, locking up women and children.



What can we do as the Iraqi government? said a member of a community police force who didnt want to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media. We are exposed to danger. They are families, but we cant loose them without rehabilitation.



Distrust on all sides



Inside the city, at the base of a long-dormant Ferris wheel, a short row of tents served as a collection point for families fleeing Mosul in the final days of battle.



Women and children filed into the tents, some collapsing where they sat. Medics treated injuries and food and water alleviated some of the most pressing pains. Many of the people had been hiding in basements for weeks, after months of water shortages. The smell of unwashed bodies was pungent and the heat in the stagnant tents was overwhelming.



We were imprisoned, said Khalifa, 46, a mother of three. Unlike the rest of the women in the tent, she wore no veil and her curly hair was tousled. We tried to run away and militants locked us in a basement. For the past three days weve had no food or water.



Once they brought us food in the basement, adds Hoda, 25, her daughter. He came down wearing a suicide vest.



Their story echoed tales from families all over Mosul and, even if their husbands or fathers were IS fighters, it could still be true. However, local authorities worried they were lying, casting themselves as victims, rather than somehow complicit.



One man peppered Hoda with questions about the neighborhood she said she was from. IS militants in Mosul were often not stationed near their original homes. Hoda failed to identify the most famous church, mosque and graveyard in the area.



See, they are an IS family, the man said. They are lying.



Another woman, Fatima, a mother of eight, said for relatives of IS omitting certain truths is a matter of survival. Sitting with an intelligence official, Fatima admitted she had two brothers that fought with IS. Both, she said, are now dead and she never supported their decision to join IS.



But when the officer walked away, she said at least one of her brothers is alive and now in Tal Afar, an Iraqi city still held by IS.



We are afraid to tell them when we talk to family members who are with IS, she whispered. We dont want to be blamed for what they did.
When he woke July 5 to news that more than 100 people had been shot in the city of Chicago over the long Independence Day holiday weekend  15 of them fatally  16-year-old Carlos Yanez shrugged it off.

After a while, you just get used to it, Carlos said. I mean, what can you do? We dont have no one helping us. What can we do?

Gun violence plagues Chicago, a city of more than 2.7 million, where nearly 2,000 people have been shot so far this year.

Though the number of shootings is slightly down from last year, the problem has caught the attention of the Trump administration, which has ordered more federal agents to assist state and local law enforcement in the Midwestern city. But Carlos said an increased police presence and a national spotlight on the violence have not helped those living in these South Chicago neighborhoods.

Gets worse and worse

Its been going on and it just gets worse and worse, he said, the resignation clear in his voice. Chicagos broke, CPS (Chicago Public Schools) is broke and yet they are funding all these cameras on every street corner, all these speed bumps, all these turnabouts. All these new cop cars, all this new equipment, but yet they still cant fix the violence.

It is violence Carlos himself has narrowly avoided. He said even though hes not affiliated with a gang, hes dodged bullets five times. Many of those around him have been injured, or died.

Just a couple of months ago, a 28-year-old man was killed right on this block, said Berto Aguayo, standing outside a church in the predominantly Hispanic Back of the Yards neighborhood on Chicagos South Side.

Aguayo is a community organizer with The Resurrection Project, a nonprofit organization that, among other things, is trying to work at the grassroots level to combat the violence.

I lived two blocks away from here. I was a gang member in this community back in my younger days. Ive lost friends to gang violence. I lost my first friend when I was 13 years old. And thats a typical story of people here on the South Side of Chicago. Death is a constant fear.

But on a balmy Friday evening, fear seems far away from these streets in the neighborhood Aguayo grew up in.

Increase the peace

Instead of gunshots, drumbeats and chants fill the air as he leads a group, mostly of young people, on a protest march to increase the peace.

This idea originated back in October 2016, when a 16-year-old girl was killed in front of our office, Aguayo explained. It became a point of the community being fed up. Young people were fed up with the violence they were witnessing.

He said that became a catalyst for the Increase the Peace campaign.

Youth decided, hey, why dont we camp out on a street corner on a Friday night that is usually plagued by violence on a Friday night. What we try to do here is really stay on a block, and have a positive presence, and promote peace through our young people, Aguayo said.

Its bringing people together, not ostracizing anyone, Deztinee Geiger said. The ostracization is what causes people to pick up a gun a lot of the time.

Geiger is one of the youth leaders of this event at St. Josephs church, the first of several planned for Fridays this summer throughout different neighborhoods.

Respond with positive energy

Carlos, the 16-year-old who also is one of the youth organizers of the Increase the Peace campaign, said the message is simple: You dont always have to respond with violence. You can respond with positive energy.

But Carlos and Geiger both realize that marches and backyard cookouts can only go so far.

The root of the problem is lack of resources, which results in violence, Geiger said. So therefore to fix the fact that violence exists, you have to fix the fact that there are a lack of resources.

One resource Geiger thinks would help is a youth or community center, so those most at risk have a permanent place to go for positive activities. But with or without those resources, Geiger said the primary goal is to change the narrative of the violence shaping the city.

I dont think the violence will shape us. I think the leadership by young people is going to shape us. I think that whats beautiful about this is that its not focused on violence, Geiger said.

But it is violence that continues. On the weekend Geiger spoke to VOA, 41 people were shot in the city, three fatally, underscoring the need to increase the peace.
Gun violence continues to plague Chicago, Illinois, where nearly 2,000 people have been shot this year. Though the overall number is slightly down from last year, the Trump administration has ordered more federal agents to assist state and local law enforcement. VOA's Kane Farabaugh reports from the largely Hispanic Back of the Yards neighborhood, that the beefed up police presence has not calmed the nerves of those most vulnerable to the continuing violence.
Gibraltar will not be a victim of Brexit and has had guarantees from the British government it will not do a trade deal with the European Union which doesn't include the territory, its chief minister said on Sunday.

The future of Gibraltar, a rocky enclave on the southern tip of Spain captured by Britain in 1704, and its 30,000 inhabitants is set to be a major point of contention in Brexit negotiations. The EU annoyed Britain and Gibraltar in April by offering Spain a right of veto over the territory's post-Brexit relationship with the bloc.

Gibraltar, which Spain wants back, voted strongly in favor of remaining in the EU at last year's referendum but is committed to staying part of Britain.

Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo told Sky News he had had "cast iron assurances" from Britain's Brexit minister David Davis that the government would not do a trade deal with the EU if it did not include Gibraltar.

"I'm the backbone of this negotiation for Gibraltar and the backbone is made of limestone rock, it's not going to be easy to buckle on that. We can have the War of the Summer, the War of the Autumn or the War of the Winter, if you like, on that, Gibraltar is not going to change its position," he said.

"It's our obligation now to energetically and enthusiastically pursue the result of the referendum and deliver a successful Brexit. We're not going to get in the way of Brexit but we're not going to be the victims of Brexit."

During a state visit to Britain this week, Spain's King Felipe said he was confident an acceptable arrangement could be worked out with Britain over the future of Gibraltar, but Prime Minister Theresa May's spokeswoman said the topic had not come up during their bilateral meeting.

"There is not going to be any new arrangements in relation to the sovereignty of Gibraltar, that is going to remain 100 percent British," Picardo said.
At least 22 people were killed when a house in Chinas eastern Jiangsu province caught fire Sunday, the official Xinhua news agency cited local authorities as saying.

The fire broke out before dawn at a two-story residential house in Yushan town in Changshu city, Xinhua said. Three were injured. The blaze has been put out, and investigation into the cause is under way, it said.


Venezuelan migrants, many of whom fled economic crisis and rampant crime in their homeland, voted in droves in hundreds of cities around the world on Sunday in an unofficial plebiscite that aims to challenge leftist President Nicolas Maduro.

With improvised polling stations in more than 80 countries, the Venezuelan diaspora was seeking to delegitimize Maduro's plans to rewrite the constitution after three months of anti-government protests that have led to nearly 100 deaths.

Lines snaked around blocks at some polling stations in expatriate hubs like Miami, Madrid, and Bogota, where Venezuelans draped themselves in flags and shouted, "We want freedom!"

"With this vote we want to say to Maduro that Venezuela can't wait. We want elections now. The people want him out," said Audrey Lopez, 49, who was among volunteers staffing a polling station in the Spanish capital.

"I haven't been back to Venezuela in four years. What I save on the journey I send to my family in food, medicine or hygiene products because they are either very expensive or non-existent there," she added.

Mitzy Capriles, wife of former Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma who is currently in prison on charges of conspiracy, also voted in Madrid, while the father of prominent opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez cast his ballot in Rome.

"Today we are gathering peacefully to send a clear message that [the Venezuelan government] needs to listen ... and to open its eyes and see what is happening and what the people of Venezuela want," the elder Leopoldo Lopez told reporters.

In Latin America, where ranks of Venezuelan migrants have been swelling, voters participated from Andean capital Quito to beachside Rio de Janeiro.

A New Diaspora

Official data on Venezuelans who have left is difficult to come by.

Sociologist Tomas Paez estimates some 2 million have emigrated since the late Hugo Chavez took office in 1999 and that the pace has picked up under Maduro, though government supporters dispute those figures as overblown. Caracas-based Paez has published papers and books on migration.

Nicknamed 'Saudi Venezuela' in the booming 1970s and once a magnet for European migrants, the OPEC nation is now brimming with goodbye parties and queues for passports or visas outside embassies in the capital Caracas.

Officials often ridicule Venezuelans abroad as histrionic elitists made in the same mold as the traditionally right-wing Cuban exiles in Florida.

While the early diaspora was mostly a middle-class phenomenon, recent migrants are often less economically stable due to a collapse in the local bolivar currency.

Expatriates have mobilized en masse in past presidential elections, even traveling by bus from Miami to New Orleans to cast ballots against the ruling movement known as "Chavismo," named after the charismatic former leader who died in 2013.

But they have faced bitter setbacks time after time.

"Ever since we left Venezuela in 2002, I knew the country would get worse with this regime, and time has proven us right, but I'm upbeat about change coming to Venezuela," said engineer Juan Sansiviero, 41 a former employee of state oil company PDVSA, voting in Katy, Texas.

The government will hold an official vote on July 30 for a new assembly, which would be able to rewrite the constitution and dissolve state institutions.

The two elections this month are a show of force from each side. Both the government and opposition are effectively boycotting the other, hoping to legitimize themselves in the polarized environment.
Firefighters battled Saturday to gain control of a destructive wildfire burning near Santa Barbara, California, that mushroomed in size overnight, pushed by gusty offshore winds into dry brush that has not burned in decades.

The Whittier Fire, which broke out July 8 and has already destroyed eight homes, had been more than 50 percent contained Friday before so-called "sundowner" winds picked up in the evening, according to a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) website.

Nearly 3,000 people who were forced to flee their homes near Cachuma Lake and the community of Goleta remained under evacuation orders as fire officials said another evening of sundowners could drive the flames toward populated areas.

"The fire continues burning in an area above the community of Goleta and crews continue to build containment and contingency lines to hold the fire in check," Cal Fire said on the Inciweb fire-tracking website. "The east and west flanks of the fire continue to burn towards established containment lines."

More than 1,600 firefighters were working the blaze, assisted by water-dropping planes and helicopters. California State Route 154 was shut down in both directions, and the Los Padres National Park was closed to the public. Evacuation shelters were opened at a high school in Goleta.

17,000-plus acres

The conflagration, which had blackened 17,364 acres along California's scenic central coast as of Saturday afternoon, was being fed by brush and vegetation that had not burned since 1955, according to fire officials.

"The combination of old, dry fuels with a newly cured heavy grass crop contributed to the rapid growth of this fire," Cal Fire said. "Large, old oak trees are continuing to burn well after the fire has past, leaving hazardous snags along highways and firelines."

The Whittier Fire is among more than 50 large, active wildfires burning across the U.S. West as forecasters warned that hot, dry conditions could persist, creating tinderbox conditions.

Red flag warnings were issued for Northern California and parts of other states, where the National Weather Service said temperatures could top 90 degrees F (32 C) and winds gust to 50 mph (80 kph).

Flames have charred more than twice as much land in California this year as they did by last year at this time, according to Cal Fire.

Still, firefighters have made significant gains against the Wall Fire, which damaged or destroyed 44 homes in Butte County and more than 60 other structures, calling it mostly contained as of Saturday.

The Alamo Fire, which charred 29,000 acres and destroyed at least one home in San Luis Obispo County, was said to be 92 percent contained as of Saturday morning.
Israeli security forces shot and killed a Palestinian man who opened fire on them early Sunday in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli police and military had been looking for the suspect whom they believed had carried out two shooting attacks on Israelis in the West Bank Saturday.

Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said The terrorist was found and surrounded, he pulled out his weapons at [the Israeli security forces], and in response, the terrorist was killed in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, near the city of Ramallah.

One Palestinian was lightly wounded in the shooting. There were no Israeli casualties.

Palestinian attacks on Israeli civilians and security personnel have increased since 2015, although once-daily attacks had slowed lately. Since October 2015, violent incidents and other unrest have killed more than 270 Palestinians, more than 40 Israelis and a small group of foreigners.

Israel blames the Palestinian leadership for inciting the violence. Palestinian officials reject the accusation and say the violence steps from anger over Israeli occupation of land sought by Palestinians for an independent state.
Italy's government will not try to push through a law that would grant citizenship to the children of immigrants in the next few weeks, Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Sunday.

The draft law faced opposition from politicians including members of a small centrist group which supports Gentiloni's Democratic Party's (PD) slim majority in the upper house Senate.

A government source said earlier this month the measure would be put to a confidence vote, which speeds up passage of legislation but obliges the government to resign if it loses. The premier squashed that possibility on Sunday.

"Given the urgent deadlines in the Senate calendar and the difficulties that have emerged in some parts of the majority, I don't think the conditions are right to approve the draft law on citizenship for foreign minors born in Italy before the summer break," Gentiloni said in a statement.

Under the proposed law, children born in Italy to non-Italians, or who arrive before their 12th birthdays and spend at least five years in formal education, could be declared citizens.

Immigration is one of the thorniest issues facing Italian politicians, who have had to deal with the arrival of more than half a million mainly sub-Saharan Africans by boat from Libya over the last three years.

Opponents proposed some 48,000 amendments to the citizenship law by the time it reached the Senate for discussion in June, more than 1-1/2 years after it was approved in the lower house. A scuffle broke out and two senators were slightly injured.

Gentiloni said the law, which would require one or both parents to have a long-term residence permit before they could apply for citizenship, was "just".

"I remain personally committed, as does the government, to approving it in the autumn," he said.
President Donald Trump said recently he, not the officials who work for him, would make a final decision concerning the Obama-era executive order that protects from deportation more than 750,000 children of undocumented immigrants.

But Trump may have limited powers when it comes to a decision to end the Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program if a case is brought to the courts.

When you take that fight to the court, it kind of takes it away from him [Trump], and the Department of Justice is in charge of defending DACA, Denise McGettrick, a Texas attorney, told VOA.

In June, a group of 10 Republican state officials wrote a letter to Trump, urging the administration to terminate DACA and threatening to revive a lawsuit used to stop a 2014 executive order.

Court decision

Such a move would put the case back in front of U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen for the Southern District of Texas. He presided over the lawsuit United States v. Texas and blocked a program that would have helped undocumented parents of Americans and young immigrants.

At this point, McGettrick said, Trump could decide to no longer defend the order, which would validate remarks made by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly during a recent meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

According to U.S. lawmakers present for the closed-door conversation, Kelly was questioned about the continuation of the DACA program.

We were surprised.  Seems like hes getting ready to implement actions against dreamers, Congressman Adriano Espaillat of New York told VOA. "Dreamers" is a nickname given to people who entered the United States illegally as minors.

Espaillat said they pushed really hard for dreamers during the meeting, adding that it seems to indicate he will unleash very heavy-handed action.

Congressman Luis Gutierrez of Illinois said in a statement, I think we have to prepare for the worst and get ready to fight mass deportation.

Legal challenge

Kelly also told legislators that though he supports the program, he believes it would not stand up in court if the states go through with their legal challenge.

Kelly was basically telling us DACA is facing a death sentence, Gutierrez said. They actually want to take millions of people who are documented  with our own government  make them undocumented, and then go after them and their families.

Kelly said that it would be up to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who is known for being a hard-liner on legal and unauthorized immigration, to make a decision on whether to defend DACA.

But Thursday, Trump said the decision about whether to challenge the program is a decision that I make and its a decision thats very, very hard to make.

The president, while asserting his authority, did not commit to a yes or a no. There are two sides of a story, he said. Its always tough.

The 10 Republican states gave the administration a deadline for a decision of September 5, the day members of Congress are expected to return from August recess.
U.S. Senator John McCain is "resting comfortably" after having a blood clot removed from above his left eye, a statement by an Arizona hospital said Friday.

While recuperating, however, McCain, 80, will most likely miss a potential vote this coming week in the Senate on the Republican health care legislation.

The Mayo Clinic in Phoenix said in a statement that, following a routine physical, McCain had the 5-centimeter clot removed.

"The senator is resting comfortably at home and is in good condition," the statement read. "Mayo Clinic doctors report that the surgery went 'very well' and he is in good spirits."

McCain's Senate office said in a statement that he "is in good spirits and recovering comfortably at home (in Arizona) with his family."

His doctors advised McCain to spend next week recovering from the procedure, the statement said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who unveiled the revised Republican health care bill last week, had planned to hold a procedural vote on the legislation this coming week.

Senate Republicans need 50 votes to clear the procedural hurdle. They hold 52 seats in the chamber, but two senators  Rand Paul of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine  have said they will not vote for the bill.

Reuters reported that McCain's office did not immediately respond late Saturday when asked when he would return to Washington. It reported that McConnell's office also did not immediately respond when asked how McCain's absence might affect a health care vote.

McCain, a Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war, was elected to the Senate in 1986. He was the Republican Party presidential nominee in 2008, losing to Barack Obama.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he will delay a procedural vote on a revised Republican health care bill.

McConnells announcement follows the news that doctors have advised Senator John McCain to remain in Arizona for a week, following an operation Saturday to remove a blood clot above his left eye.

McConnell statement

Elaine and I, along with the entire Senate family, wish John the very best and wish him a speedy recovery, McConnell said in a statement. While John is recovering, the Senate will continue our work on legislative items and nominations and will defer consideration of the Better Care Act.

McCains absence in the closely divided Senate places the vote on the health care bill in jeopardy.

Senate Republicans need 50 votes to clear a procedural hurdle. They hold 52 seats in the chamber, but two senators  Rand Paul of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine  have already said they will not vote for the bill.

Last week, McConnell decided to cancel the first two weeks of the Senates traditional August recess to allow more time for deliberations on the bill.

McCain resting comfortably

McCain, who is 80, is resting comfortably, according to a statement by an Arizona hospital.

The Mayo Clinic in Phoenix said in a statement that, following a routine physical, McCain had a procedure to remove a 5-centimeter blood clot located above his left eye.

The senator is resting comfortably at home and is in good condition, the statement read. Mayo Clinic doctors report that the surgery went very well and he is in good spirits.

McCains Senate office said in a statement that he is in good spirits and recovering comfortably at home [in Arizona] with his family.

His doctors also have advised McCain to spend next week recovering from the procedure, the statement said.

McCain, a Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986. He was the Republican Party presidential nominee in 2008, losing to Barack Obama.
French president Emmanuel Macron told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday that France bears responsibility for mass arrests of Jews in Paris during World War II.

"It was indeed France that organized this," Macron said, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the event.

Macron condemned France's participation as well as those who denied it or blamed the Germans for the roundup of 13,000 Jews sent to Nazi death camps from the Velodrome d'Hiver, an indoor cycle track, in 1942.

Netanyahu's presence was protested by groups including the Union of French Jews for Peace (UJFP) who accuse the Israeli government of "usurping the memory of the victims of Nazism to make people believe that Israel represents all the world's Jews."

Speaking from the Velodrome, Macron also reiterated France's support of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for which negotiations have been frozen for three years.

Macron also affirmed this support to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas when he met with him on Wednesday, while also expressing France's opposition to Israeli settlements.
Pakistans military launched a major ground offensive Sunday to clear an isolated militant-infested border valley that Islamic State loyalists are using to export terrorism into the country from its bases in neighboring Afghanistan, where the group is "gaining strength", said an army spokesman.

Major-General Asif Ghafoor told reporters that the operation dubbed Khyber-4 has been tasked with eliminating militant hideouts from an area of about 250-square kilometers in the Rajgal valley. He said militants linked to pro-IS groups, Jamaatul Ahrar and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, as well as the Pakistani Taliban are entrenched there.



Presence of Daesh is increasing [in areas opposite to Rajgal across the border in Afghanistan], necessitating this operation to eliminate influence of Daesh being exported to Pakistan through Rajgal valley, asserted Ghafoor, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

The army spokesman underscored challenges the terrain is expected of pose on Pakistani troops, saying the valley consists of eight passes and houses mountain peaks with ranges up to 4,200 meters.

Thousands of troops are participating in the operation and they will be assisted by the Pakistani air force, he added. The general noted that investigators working on recent deadly bombings in Pakistani border areas have also traced back their links to IS' Afghan bases.

General Ghafoor said the military informed its Afghan counterparts and the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in advance about launching of Sundays operation so they could enhance deployment on their side to prevent fleeing terrorists from entering Afghanistan.

The eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar borders the Rajgal valley.

The U.S. military in partnership with Afghan forces has been conducting major ground operations, backed by airstrikes, against IS bases in volatile the districts of Nangarhar and the adjoining Afghan province of Kunar.

A U.S airstrike in Kunar earlier this week killed the chief of Islamic State in Afghanistan, Abu Sayed. He was the third head of the terrorist group the U.S. military has eliminated in the past year.

Meanwhile, General Ghafoor said fencing the entire 2,600-kilometer border with Afghanistan and construction of outposts as well as forts is underway to effectively guard the largely porous frontier against terrorist infiltration.

Pakistan says the fence is necessary in part because of a lack of cooperation from authorities in Kabul. The border region has long been a source of instability, with militant groups, terrorists and smugglers using the remote, mountainous terrain as cover.

Ghafoor again rejected charges his country is harboring anti-Afghanistan militants, including the dreaded Haqqani network.

"Pakistan has undertaken operations [on its soil] against terrorists of all hues and color, including Haqqanis," he reiterated.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has inaugurated a monument to commemorate the 250 people who died opposing a military coup a year ago .

The monument opposite Erdogans huge presidential palace depicts Turkeys national symbol, the moon and crescent.

With tens of thousands of people attending, the inauguration ceremony after dawn prayers Sunday was called from presidential palaces mosque.

Be sure, that none of the traitors who point a gun at our country, nation, freedom and future will ever see the light of day again, Erdogan promised the cheering crowd. "[Those who carried out the coup] will die over and over again every day while they rot behind prison walls, Erdogan added.

The main event of the two day commemoration was held late Saturday at Istanbuls July 15th Martyrs bridge. The bridge was the scene of some of worst violence, during the failed coup with soldiers opening fire on crowds opposing the takeover, killing 36.

We will rip off the heads of those who carried out the coup, Erdogan declared to hundreds of thousands of people who gathered at the bridge. He called on parliament to reintroduce the death penalty, saying he would immediately sign the legislation, claiming the feelings and sensibilities of those killed during the failed military take over had to be respected.

On the night of July 15th, 2016, rogue military elements sought to seize power. Along with 250 people killed, more than 2,000 were injured resisting the take over.

During that night tanks mowed down people resisting and soldiers shot at crowds answering Erdogans call to resist. In the capital, Ankara, jets bombed the parliament and helicopter gunships strafed police and security headquarters.

Commemorations Saturday extended into early hours Sunday. People making mobile telephone calls around midnight heard an Erdogan speech instead of ring tones.

Political division spotlighted

Erdogan addressed a rally outside the parliament at 2:23 Sunday morning, the exact time one year before planes bombed the parliament.

The coup soldiers disgraced themselves when bombing the parliament as our lawmakers stood higher, Erdogan said to the large crowd waving Turkish flags. The ceremony was boycotted by the main opposition Republican Peoples Party, who complained at being excluded from speaking at the ceremony.

The boycott underlined the divisive acrimonious atmosphere the commemorations were held in. Earlier Saturday, CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, slammed the president for the ongoing post coup crackdown, claiming it was more about silencing legitimate critics, Kilicdaroglu raised questions whether Erdogan had foreknowledge of the coup calling it a controlled coup.

The Turkish president hit back during his speech Saturday, Some insistently say "controlled coup." They try to defame the glorious resistance of our nation. This is impudence, this is immorality, said Erdogan. He devoted much of his key Saturday speech attacking the opposition leader calling him a coward and suggesting he was even helping coup plotters agenda."

The opposition leader last Sunday called a rally of more than one million people in Istanbul calling for an end to emergency rule.

Erdogan in successive of speeches Saturday and Sunday, promised no let up in the crackdown, suggesting it could be further intensified. The crackdown has resulted in more than 150,000 people losing their jobs, with a further 7,000 being purged Friday, while according to official figures more than 50,000 people have been jailed.

EU cites respect for human rights

The European Union has again voiced concern, Whoever wants to join the European Union is joining a union of values, Jean Claude Juncker head of the EU commission wrote in an op-ed published Sunday for German newspaper Bild. Brussels has repeatedly warned the reintroduction of the death penalty would end Turkey's decades long membership bid.

"I don't look at what Hans and George say, Erdogan said to cheering crowds Sunday, Hans and George is the presidents often used disparaging reference to European opinion.

With Turkeys membership effort currently frozen and few expectations it has a chance of success, Brussels appears to have little leverage.

But observers point out human rights considerations, in particular the death penalty, could complicate on going efforts to expand a customs union between Ankara and the European Union. Erdogan has in the past called for the return of capital punishment and then quietly shelved it.


Ray Phiri, a South African jazz musician who founded the band Stimela and became internationally known while performing on Paul Simon's Graceland tour, died of cancer on Wednesday at age 70.

Phiri, a vocalist and guitarist known for his versatility in jazz fusion, indigenous South African rhythms and other styles, received many music awards in his home country. His death was met with nationwide tributes.

"He was a musical giant. This is indeed a huge loss for South Africa and the music industry as a whole,'' President Jacob Zuma said in a statement.

Political parties also expressed condolences, saying Phiri's songs resonated among many South Africans, particularly during the era of white minority rule that ended in 1994.

"An immensely gifted composer, vocalist and guitarist, he breathed consciousness and agitated thoughts of freedom through his music,'' said the ruling African National Congress party, which was the main movement against apartheid until it took power in the country's first all-race elections.

South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, said many people grew up with Phiri's music. "In the 1970s, Phiri's music spoke to issues that are still affecting our people today,'' the party said.

Stimela's best-known albums include Fire, Passion and Ecstasy and Look, Listen and Decide, and Phiri contributed as a guitarist to Simon's Graceland album in the 1980s. The album evolved from Simon's interest in indigenous South African music.
Donald Trump's campaign paid $50,000 to the law office now representing Donald Trump Jr. a little more than a week before news surfaced of an unreported meeting with a Russian attorney that has prompted new accusations of collusion.

The payment to the Law Offices of Alan S. Futerfas, dated June 27, was disclosed in a filing with the Federal Election Commission on Saturday. It was described as covering "legal consulting" fees.

Trump Jr. admitted meeting with a Russian lawyer in New York City during the 2016 presidential campaign after he was told she might have damaging information about his father's rival, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

The payment was made to Futerfas' firm days before the story about the meeting broke, which caused a scramble inside the White House and Trump Tower to contain it.

The disclosures do not say whom Futerfas was hired to represent. Spokesmen for Trump's re-election campaign and Futerfas did not respond to requests for comment.

Futerfas was revealed as Trump Jr.'s lawyer on Monday after a New York Times report detailed meetings between the president's eldest son and the Russian lawyer. Futerfas has not said when he was hired.

'Consulting' for campaign

Separately, the campaign also paid more than $538,000 to Jones Day, the law firm that represented Trump's campaign during the election. The campaign also paid $89,561 for "legal consulting" to The Trump Corporation, which is owned by the president. The payment was dated June 30.

A federal special counsel and several congressional panels are investigating allegations by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as potential connections between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.

Moscow has denied any interference and the president and Trump Jr. have denied any collusion.

The Federal Election Commission has previously ruled that candidates and federal officeholders may spend campaign funds on legal fees incurred because they were a candidate.

Longtime adviser

Trump has also hired a longtime legal adviser, Marc Kasowitz, as outside counsel. His campaign finance disclosure did not list any payments to Kasowitz.

The White House confirmed in a statement on Saturday that veteran Washington attorney Ty Cobb would serve as special counsel, and sources familiar with the hiring said Cobb would handle the White House's response to the Russia-related investigations.

Cobb, a partner at the law firm Hogan Lovells, is expected to be an intermediary between the White House and Congress, as well as outside attorneys, as the probes continue.

In the second quarter of 2017, Trump's re-election campaign raised about $8 million and spent $4.4 million, according to Saturday's disclosures.

Much of the money raised from individuals came in the form of "small dollar" donations, classed as donations of less than $250. Trump and his campaign have frequently touted the number of small-dollar donors as proof of his widespread support.

Trump filed for re-election the day after taking office  allowing his campaign to continue to raise and spend money while he is in office.
Turkey's main opposition party says the government is blocking a full investigation into last summer's failed coup attempt and using the state of emergency imposed in its wake to hide the truth.

Bulent Tezcan, the spokesman of the Republican People's Party or CHP, said the government was using the commemorations for the anniversary of the failed July 15, 2016, coup to ``write a fabricated history.''



Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed tens of thousands of people at memorial events in Istanbul and Ankara this weekend.



Turkey blames U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for orchestrating a violent attempt to overthrow of the government and the president. The cleric denies the allegations.



Tezcan said inquiries into the coup were obstructed to protect the current government, which he says is using the state of emergency imposed after the failed coup to create a lawless environment without checks and balances.



"No investigations have been made into how this terror organization got to such a daring point within the state, how it was placed there to attempt a coup, and new information was covered up," he told The Associated Press on Sunday.



The CHP lawmaker argued that prosecutors investigating the alleged infiltration of the coup plotters and their political connections were prevented from doing so due to government pressure on the judiciary. He said a parliamentary investigation commission was used to fend off political accountability.



"The facts need to come out for the sacred memory of the 250 martyrs''  those who died resisting the coup,'' he said.



Under the state of emergency imposed on July 20 last year, more than 50,000 people have been arrested and 110,000 public employees sacked for alleged links to Gulen and other terror groups. The government says it is cracking down to purge state institutions and prevent future threats.



But Tezcan and his party call the state of emergency a "controlled coup" that must immediately be revoked.



In a speech late Saturday, Erdogan called the charge "rude and immoral" and accused Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the CHP, of siding with Gulen and other terror groups.



Gulen was once an ally of the president but the two had a public falling out in 2013 and his movement was declared a terror organization. Erdogan said the country was doing everything to punish the "traitors."
Bilateral talks aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit with China have yielded some initial deals, but U.S. firms say much more needs to be done as a deadline for a 100-day action plan expires Sunday.

The negotiations, which began in April, have reopened Chinas market to U.S. beef after 14 years and prompted Chinese pledges to buy U.S. liquefied natural gas. American firms have also been given access to some parts of Chinas financial services sector.

More details on the 100-day plan are expected to be announced in the coming week as senior U.S. and Chinese officials gather in Washington for annual bilateral economic talks, rebranded this year as the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue.

A U.S. Commerce Department spokesman declined to discuss potential areas for new agreements since a May 11 announcement on beef, chicken, financial services and LNG.

Trade deficit grows

Earlier in April, when Chinese President Xi Jinping met U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time at his Florida resort, Xi agreed to a 100-day plan for trade talks aimed at boosting U.S. exports and trimming the U.S. trade deficit with China.

The U.S. goods trade deficit with China reached $347 billion last year. The gap in the first five months of 2017 widened about 5.3 percent from a year earlier, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

It is an excellent momentum builder, but much more needs to be done for U.S.-China commercial negotiations to be considered a success, said Jacob Parker, vice president of China operations at the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) in Beijing.

Biggest irritants

There has been little sign of progress in soothing the biggest trade irritants, such as U.S. demands that China cut excess capacity in steel and aluminum production, lack of access for U.S. firms to Chinas services market, and U.S. national security curbs on high-tech exports to China.

The Trump administration is considering broad tariffs or quotas on steel and aluminum on national security grounds, partly in response to what it views as a glut of Chinese production that is flooding international markets and driving down prices.

Deals struck

American beef is now available in Chinese shops for the first time since a 2003 U.S. case of mad cow disease, giving U.S. ranchers access to a rapidly growing market worth around $2.6 billion last year.

More beef deals were signed during an overseas buying mission by the Chinese last week.

There are hopes there will be even more concrete results, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily news briefing in Beijing on Friday. He did not elaborate.

Critics of the 100-day process said China had agreed to lift its ban on U.S. beef last September, with officials just needing to finalize details on quarantine requirements.

China, meanwhile, has delivered its first batch of cooked chicken to U.S. ports after years of negotiating for access to the market.

But unlike the rush by Chinese consumers for a first taste of American beef, Chinese poultry processors have not had a flurry of orders for cooked chicken.

Biotech crops, financial services

Other sectors in China under U.S. pressure to open up have moved more slowly.

Beijing had only approved two of the eight biotech crops waiting for import approval, despite gathering experts to review the crops on two occasions in a six-week period.

U.S. industry officials had signaled they were expecting more approvals. U.S. executives say the review process still lacks transparency.

Financial services is another area where little progress has been made, U.S. officials say.

USCBCs Parker said it is unclear how long it will take for foreign credit rating agencies to be approved, or whether U.S.-owned suppliers of electronic payment services will be able to secure licenses.

The bilateral talks have also not addressed restrictions on foreign investment in life insurance and securities trading, or the many challenges foreign companies face in Chinas cybersecurity enforcement environment, Parker said.

In an annual report released Thursday, the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai said China remained a difficult market.
The fate of Republican efforts to overhaul the U.S. health care policies championed by former President Barack Obama remained in doubt Sunday, with one key vote delayed that had been set for this week.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell postponed a procedural vote after Republican Senator John McCain had an operation Saturday to remove a blood clot above his left eye and announced he would remain in his home state of Arizona for a week to recover.

His absence could have deprived Republicans with enough votes to even open debate on their plan to repeal and replace the Obama law, commonly known as Obamacare.

Republicans have campaigned for seven years to try to upend the Obama law, but face growing opposition. Some conservative lawmakers say the repeal effort does not go far enough to change U.S. health policies, while others say that the proposed changes would leave millions of people, many of them poorer Americans, without health insurance.

One Republican opponent of her party's plan, Senator Susan Collins of Maine, told CNN on Sunday, "There are about eight to 10 Republican senators who have serious concern" about the Republican replacement proposal.

"I don't know whether it will pass," Collins said, "but I do know this, we should not be making fundamental changes in a vital safety net program that's been on the books for 50 years 

the Medicaid program [with health insurance for the poor]  without having a single hearing to evaluate what the consequences are going to be."

Widespread opposition



A new Washington Post poll showed widespread opposition to the Republican plan, with Americans preferring Obamacare by a 50-to-24 percent margin.

Until McCain's surgery, McConnell had hoped to vote on the Republican plan in the coming days. But with unified Democratic opposition to repealing Obamacare, it was questionable whether McConnell even had enough Republican votes to formally start debate on the measure, let alone pass it.

Senate Republicans need 50 votes to clear the procedural hurdle, with Vice President Mike Pence casting a tie-breaking vote if needed. Republicans hold a 52-48 majority in the Senate, but two senators  Rand Paul of Kentucky and Collins  have already said they will oppose starting debate on the proposal.

McCain's absence would have left Republicans short of enough votes to advance the debate, even without other Republicans withholding their support.

In a statement on McCain, McConnell said he and his wife, Elaine Chao, the country's transportation secretary, and the Senate "wish John the very best and wish him a speedy recovery."



McConnell said that in McCain's absence the Senate would continue its work on other legislative matters and nominations by President Donald Trump to fill various positions throughout federal agencies.

A week ago, McConnell decided to cancel the first two weeks of the Senate's traditional August recess to allow more time for deliberations on the health bill and other issues.

McCain, who is 80, is "resting comfortably," according to a statement by an Arizona hospital.

The Mayo Clinic in Phoenix said in a statement that, following a routine physical, McCain had a procedure to remove a five-centimeter blood clot located above his left eye.

The senator is resting comfortably at home and is in good condition," the statement read. "Mayo Clinic doctors report that the surgery went very well and he is in good spirits."

McCain, a Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986. He was the Republican Party presidential nominee in 2008, losing the election to Obama.
An Iranian court has sentenced a Chinese-American scholar to 10 years in prison on "infiltration" charges, Iran's judicial spokesman said Sunday. The announcement triggered an immediate protest from the U.S. State Department.

Xiyue Wang, 37, a dual national of China and the United States, was arrested nearly one year ago, according to Mizan Online, a news agency operated by the Iranian judiciary.

The Iranian regime continues to detain U.S. citizens and other foreigners on fabricated national-security related changes, the State Department said in a statement to news agencies. We call for the immediate release of all U.S. citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families.

At least four Iranian-Americans currently are being held in Iran, and a fifth is free pending an appeal of his sentence of 18 years in prison for alleged national-security crimes.

The deputy chief of Iran's judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie, gave few details about the case involving Xiyue Wang when he announced the court action Sunday: "The person was identified and arrested by the intelligence forces. The court has sentenced the person to 10 years." The sentence can be appealed.

Princeton University officials identified Xiyue Wang as a researcher and fourth-year graduate student working toward a doctorate in Eurasian history of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The government-approved report published in Tehran said Xiyue Wang was arrested on August 8, 2016, and accused of passing confidential information about Iran to the U.S. State Department, to Princeton's Sharmin and Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies, to the Harvard Kennedy School and to the British Institute of Persian Studies.

Wang digitally archived 4,500 pages of Iranian documents for foreign research institutions, according to Mizan Online. It published screenshots of Wangs Princeton web page and an excerpt of a March 2016 report from the British institute that quoted Wang as saying he had been in contact with senior scholars at Iranian government archives in Tehran and Mashhad.

Mizan cited the statement as evidence that Wang was on a covert mission, even though the institutes report was publicly available.

At least four Iranian-Americans are known to be detained or imprisoned in Iran: Baquer Namazi, 80, and his son Siamak are serving 10-year sentences in Tehrans notorious Evin prison and are believed to be in ill health. Also, Karan Vafadari, who owns an art gallery in Tehran, was arrested last July with his wife, who is a permanent U.S. resident.

American Gholamrez Reza Shahini of San Diego, California, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for national security crimes but has appealed the judgment and is free on bond.

The U.S. government has repeatedly called for the Americans release. An unknown number of Iranians holding European passports are also believed in custody in Iran; among them are Britons, Austrians and French citizens.

The Iranian judiciary also announced Sunday the detention of Hossein Fereidoun, brother of President Hassan Rouhani, on allegations of financial misconduct.

Indiana University analyst Hussein Banai told VOA there is a long history in Iran of the judiciary pushing back against establishment figures and sending the message that they should not try to be too independent.

"This is a way for the hardline judiciary to basically do the bidding of hardliners in the system since they dont have representation in the executive branch," Banai said.

Rouhani won a second term in office in May.
FILE- This Tuesday, July 3, 2007 file photo shows the skyline of Washington, D.C., including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol. (Ron Edmonds/AP 2007 file)

In monetary terms, D.C.s tech scene has been doing pretty well with investors lately: Local start-ups took in about $435 million between April and June 2017, compared with $298 million over the same period four years ago, according to Pitchbook investment data analyzed by the National Venture Capital Association.

But that funding is going to fewer and fewer companies each year, reflecting a winner-take-all start-up ecosystem where resources are concentrated at the top. Just 51 D.C.-area companies signed deals with venture capitalists between April and June, the second-worst quarter since 2013. Thats a far cry from a few years ago, when the number of deals per quarter tended to come in above 60.

These numbers continue to reflect a hollowing-out of the middle in the D.C. area venture capital market, said Jonathan Aberman, a local investor. This is a chronic problem in our market. Chronic and it gets worse all the time.

Its a trend thats been accelerating for a while. Almost half of all the D.C. areas venture funding for the most recent quarter went to EverFi, which makes online education technology for universities.

In April, EverFi took in $190 million from a group of mainly West Coast investors, including U2 frontman Bono and Silicon Valley private equity fund TPG Growth. The company has created online courses in subjects such as alcohol safety and sexual assault prevention. It will use the case infusion to take on even more intractable problems, such as opioid abuse. The latest deal brought EverFis total capital raised over $250 million.

Before that the regions start-ups were overshadowed by a $1 billion raise for OneWeb, a British start-up that houses much of its engineering operations in Northern Virginia. That funding came from the Japanese-based global telecommunications venture fund Softbank.

In 2015, the numbers were boosted by a $250 million funding round that went to local cybersecurity firm Tenable Network Security, a pot of money that again came from private-equity firms.

The shift mirrors whats happening nationally.

Just 10 megadeals swallowed 20 percent of all U.S. start-up funding in the most recent quarter, the NVCA found, as investors seem to pool their money in a handful of perceived winners.

Despite recent legal challenges in key markets Airbnb picked up about $450 million in single investment round in March  more money than all of the D.C. areas venture deals combined for that quarter.

A steady stream of public relations disasters didnt stop Uber from attracting deep-pocketed new investors in 2017.

Further down the chain things are much less rosy. Funding for seed-stage start-ups  the cash-strapped, unproven firms in their earliest phases of growth  has declined for eight consecutive quarters nationally, erasing half of that market segments value since 2015.

Local investors point to a confluence of economic factors that are turning the technology industry into a winner-take-all market. One reason is the increased role of private-equity firms in funding proven, late-stage companies. Growing tech firms used to cash out by trading publicly on the stock market.

Now they are more likely to stay private, raising the capital they need from private-equity firms. Start-up founders often prefer that option because it spares them the hassle and added transparency of taking a company public.

Another contributing factor is the tendency of larger venture funds to favor more experienced founders, especially at the seed-stage level.

Some of the regions biggest funding rounds in recent years went to veteran cybersecurity executives filtering out large cybersecurity companies after being bought out.

John Czupak, who was a senior vice president at a cybersecurity firm called Sourcefire before it sold to Cisco for $2.7 billion, was able to immediately pick up about $20 million from investors after he founded his new firm in 2015. Dave Merkel, who was chief technology officer of Mandiant before it sold to West Coast cybersecurity firm FireEye for about $1 billion, got $7.5 million for his company before the team had a single customer.

More recently a $17 million round of funding announced Thursday went to Framebridge, which is headed by Susan Tynan, a former LivingSocial executive.
Matthew Heineman has, at an age when most filmmakers are just getting started, already made a deep dent in the documentary world. After breaking out in 2012 with Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare  a film he co-directed with Susan Froemke, and which was nominated for a Grand Jury prize at Sundance  the 34-year-old filmmaker followed up with a one-two punch: the Oscar-nominated drug documentary Cartel Land in 2015, and his latest film, City of Ghosts, which is already garnering buzz in advance of next years nominations.

As with his previous, highly topical work, the of-the-moment subject of Ghosts is the Islamic State, also known as ISIS  or, rather, a band of citizen journalists from the Syrian city of Raqqa who have defied death threats and assassinations to get the news out of the Islamic States capital, via a Web portal called Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. (In 2015, RBSS was given the International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists.) Heineman phoned from New York, where he lives, to talk about the sometimes dangerous, always complicated and vital nature of his work.



Abdel Aziz al-Hamza is the the spokesman for the group Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently. (Credit: Amazon Studios/IFC Films)

Q: Your last three feature films have been about our broken health-care system, Mexican drug cartels and Syrian resistance to radical Islam. Why are you drawn to such intractable problems, where nothing ever seems to change?

A: With all three of these topics, its so easy to be hopeless. As Americans, were programmed to want a silver bullet: You pull a lever, and then everything gets fixed. But its very hard to figure out where that lever is. One of my goals in making all three of these films  and I hadnt fully thought through this before you asked the question  is that I find hope and optimism in individuals who are fighting for change. In the case of Cartel Land, its everyday citizens rising up to fight the evil Mexican drug cartels, with guns and with violence. In City of Ghosts, its everyday citizens rising up to fight against the evil of ISIS  with pens and cameras.

Q: You once wanted to be a history teacher so that you could effect change by learning from the past. Do you include yourself  and the films you make  as part of the fight for change?

A: Too often, we rely on other people  whether it be politicians or institutions  to effect change. While all three of these films are quote-unquote political in nature, Ive tried to make them as apolitical  as human  as possible. If youre going to see City of Ghosts because you want to understand everything about the Syrian conflict and how to fix it, then its the wrong film to see.

Q: The last footage in the film is from late 2016. How have things changed in Raqqa since then, as the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces begin their push to oust ISIS?

A: It has changed a lot, to some degree. And to some degree, it hasnt changed at all. As [RBSS spokesman Abdel Aziz al-Hamza] says in the film, ISIS is an idea. This idea will not be beaten with guns or bombs or troops. This idea has been indoctrinated into a generation of children and teenagers. This idea has been indoctrinated to people all across the world.



Documentarian Matthew Heinemans City of Ghosts profiles a group of citizen-journalists from the Syrian city of Raqqa who are fighting the terrorist group ISIS with pens and cameras, not guns. (Credit: Amazon Studios/IFC Films)

Q: One of the most disturbing scenes in the film features the so-called Caliphate Cubs  ISISs child trainees  one of whom is shown beheading a teddy bear, although they have done worse. How do you combat an idea?

A: In the early days, they would graffiti walls with anti-ISIS slogans, put up posters, dispelling the myths of what was happening, create an anti-ISIS magazine with a similar name to an ISIS magazine, all targeted at children. Google has an initiative called Jigsaw that is trying to fight ISIS with the Google search engine. Two or three years ago, if you searched, How to join ISIS, it would take you less than a minute to find out how to join, how to build a bomb. Now, theyve reverse-engineered the search so that its very difficult, if not impossible, to find this content.

Q: When making Cartel Land, you often put yourself in harms way, riding along in a bulletproof vest with armed vigilantes. But here you are  arguably  putting others at risk by profiling the members of RBSS in a way that could increase the risk of attack by ISIS. Can you talk about the precautions you took?

A: I can talk vaguely about that. This is a conversation that we had from the very beginning, even before we started filming. When I first sat down with RBSS, we talked about the ramifications of making the film, and obviously the ramifications after the film comes out. Their risk profile will increase. The guys decided that they wanted to come out from behind the veneer of social media, to show their faces, to show theyre real people, that theyre from Raqqa, that theyre moderate Muslim men. While we were filming, we were incredibly conscious of how, when, where and what we filmed, always encrypting our footage, never putting anything online. In postproduction and editing, we gave them the opportunity to see the film, to make sure that we would not show something that would put them in danger.

Q: For example, when you show safe houses in Germany and Turkey, where some of these men are now in exile, do you make sure not to include identifying details about location?

A: Yes.

Q: How do you see the state of journalism around the world, given that it is under fire even in the U. S.?

A: The amount of money thats being put into long-form investigative journalism has become less and less. Theres less money in the foreign bureaus of traditional media. Were relying more and more on citizen journalists to shine light on these remote corners of the world. The film is many things to me, but its partially an homage to journalism.

Q: Youve spoken about the allure of the nimble, stripped-down style of filmmaking you adopted in Cartel Land and City of Ghosts  something you call one-man-banding. What does this mean for your movies going forward?

A: Its not a totally sustainable way of having a life, so it's not something I can do forever, or with every film. It allows me to get very intimate footage, to break down barriers, to get extraordinarily personal scenes. Its not helicoptering in and out and saying, Can I hang out with you? Its becoming part of the fabric of the daily lives of my characters. Despite what anyone says to the contrary, having a big boom mic hanging in your face changes the dynamic. My favorite way of making films  and what has allowed me to get key scenes inCartel Land and City of Ghosts  has been when Ive been able to operate alone.

Q: Hamoud, the RBSS cameraman, calls the camera a weapon. Is that true for your camera as well?

A: Propaganda is one of the most evil tools that human beings use against each other. It defends wars, propagates lies, disseminates fear. One of the things the film is about is the use of media as a weapon: this war of propaganda between RBSS on one side and ISIS  with its slick Hollywood-style productions  on the other. My camera, in telling the story, becomes part of the narrative, but I generally dont like to insert myself. You dont hear me ask questions. You dont feel my presence. Yet theres no question that films like these  and the filmmaker  are part of the narrative as well.

Q: What is your hope that people will take away from City of Ghosts?

A: One of the beauties of documentary is that it allows you to meet characters you wouldnt ordinarily meet. It takes you to places you wouldnt otherwise be allowed to go. Ill never forget when we heard the film was going to Sundance. It was right around when we were finishing shooting that Aleppo was getting shelled and there was that horrible viral video and photo of the young shell-shocked boy in the ambulance that went everywhere. I had so many people come up to me and say, Oh, my God, can you believe whats happening in Syria right now? And I said, Oh, my God, can you believe whats been happening in Syria for the past six years?

City of Ghosts (R, 91 minutes).

At Landmarks E Street Cinema.
Daphne Wegner, 11, and sister Amelia, 7, of Kensington, Maryland, traveled to the island of Svalbard in the high Arctic above mainland Norway. On a boat cruise, they saw glaciers and four polar bears, including a mother bear and her two cubs.

Daphne Wegner, 11, and sister Amelia, 7, of Kensington, Maryland, traveled to the island of Svalbard in the high Arctic above mainland Norway. On a boat cruise, they saw glaciers and four polar bears, including a mother bear and her two cubs. Family photo

2017 Summer of KidsPost: Bring KidsPost with you wherever you go this summer.

2017 Summer of KidsPost: Bring KidsPost with you wherever you go this summer.

KidsPost readers have beat the heat and traveled to our countrys national parks. This week features a visit to see some presidents, the first national park, the first national monument and the birthplace of modern rock climbing.

Philippa Schaupner of Arlington, Virginia, set off to Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota to see the faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved in the granite mountaintops.

Yellowstone was named the first national park in 1872. Sisters Katie and Mary Celeste of Bethesda, Maryland, visited the Wyoming portion of the park as well as nearby Grand Teton National Park.

The Celestes were not the only KidsPost visitors to Wyoming. Donny Burke of Waldorf, Maryland, visited Devils Tower, a rock formation that was named the first national monument in 1906.

Siblings Sarah, Cole and Caroline Serenyi of Potomac, Maryland, took a trip to Yosemite Valley, California, in Yosemite National Park. They were amazed by the high rock walls of Half Dome and El Capitan, which are considered some of the toughest challenges for rock climbers.

Would you like to see pictures of your summer adventures featured in KidsPost?

Heres what youll need to do:

 Go on a trip (anywhere!) and take along a recent copy of KidsPost.

Get someone to take a photo or two of you  and siblings or other family members  holding KidsPost. Easy, right? Just make sure at least one person in the photo is between the ages of 5 and 13.

Then fill out the submission form at wapo.st/summerofkidspost17 and attach your photo or photos. Or mail it to KidsPost, The Washington Post, 1301 K St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. Include the full name, age and home town of everyone in the photo. We also need your parents phone number and email address. We would love to hear from you about what made the trip memorable.

Families can submit only once, and the photos must have been taken after May 22, 2017. Entries are due by August 30.

At the end of the summer, three randomly selected families who have sent in photos will receive books and KidsPost goodies.
Sign-carrying gun rights supporters assemble for a counterprotest on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. They were responding to a demonstration at the Justice Department led by Womens March organizers. (Pete Marovich for The Washington Post)

As hundreds of protesters led by Womens March organizers gathered in front of the Justice Department on Saturday morning, a small group of counterprotesters gathered on the Pennsylvania Avenue median to make their voices heard.

Men sported National Rifle Association hats and signs declaring free speech is under attack and no jihad against our freedoms. They said the protesters  who had completed a 17-mile march started Friday at the NRAs Northern Virginia headquarters to denounce a controversial recruitment video  didnt respect free speech if it challenged their views.

Then, for a few minutes at least, the median became common ground. Paul Jutte, who attended the Womens March with his girlfriend, crossed Pennsylvania Avenue to join the counterprotesters.

The 28-year-old nurse from Cincinnati held a sign with an arrow pointing to the men that said Bully.

But Jutte put down his sign once he started talking with Bob Cammaroto, a 64-year-old NRA member and former federal agent from southern Maryland.

Jutte and Cammaroto, who wore an NRA hat and a red polo, talked about everything from family to jobs to hotels in the area.

They had to raise their voices to hear each other. Nearby, a man who would not give his full name yelled at protesters giving speeches  as police urged him to stay on the median. A supporter of the Womens March furiously shook a tambourine in what she said was her attempt to stop the counterprotesters from being heard.

Meanwhile, Jutte told Cammaroto that he was enjoying his first trip to Washington.

They kept talking.

Cammaroto told Jutte about his son, who was born 24 weeks early  Hes a miracle, Cammaroto said  and is now in the Air Force.

They also talked about the issues that had driven the protest.

The death of Philando Castile, a black man shot by a police officer after he told the officer he was carrying a licensed firearm, was a terrible, terrible tragedy, Cammaroto said.

Protesters demanded to know why the NRA hadnt done more to defend Castile, a lawful gun owner. Cammaroto said he didnt know the answer and didnt have enough information to guess.

There are rational, reasonable people on both sides, Cammaroto said.

He said he has been a gun owner his whole life, but he respected the rights of people such as Jutte to protest the NRA. Thats why he chose a sign that said: The second amendment protects the first.

Brenna OBrien was one of the approximately 500 protesters who gathered to exercise that First Amendment right, driven by frustration with the NRA, which she described as an extremist lobbying group that is putting our children in danger.

OBrien, the leader of the Chicago chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, came from the Windy City with her sister for the protest.

She started to cry when she spoke about her two children, ages 3 and 5.

Theyre why Im here today, she said. I dont want them to have bulletproof windows in their schools  I want a future for them thats free of gun violence.

Activists from local and national organizations said they had three demands for the NRA: Take down a recruitment video that activists view as irresponsible and dangerous, issue an apology for the video, and make a statement defending the Second Amendment rights of Castile.

The video included a line that said demonstrators bully and terrorize the law-abiding until the only option left is for the police to do their jobs and stop the madness, which activists said incited violence.

Reflecting on why people on different sides of the political question often fail to engage each other when discussing their vision of the future, Cammaroto said: Critical thinking is hard.

Its the second national deficit, Jutte interjected.

Thats a good one, Cammaroto said, nodding. Can I use that?

Laughing, Jutte told his new friend that he couldnt take credit for the line.

Sorry, Bob. I saw that one on a bumper sticker, he said.
Sunday, JULY 16

Dale City farmers market 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Dale City Commuter Lot (behind Center Plaza Shopping Center), Dale Boulevard, Dale City. 703-670-7112 ext. 227. pwcparks.org.

Author Patrick ONeill A discussion of his book Virginias Presidential Homes. 1:30 p.m. Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas. 703-368-1873. Free.

Oklahoma! Prince William Little Theatre stages the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. 2 p.m. Through July 30. Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Cir., Manassas. 703-993-7759. $15-$25.

Ice cream social St. Thom Cats Swing Band performs. 3 p.m. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-361-7230. harrispavilion.com. Free.

Honor, Courage and Commitment: Marine Corps Art, 1975-2015 The first exhibit in the Combat Art Gallery features 100 works by 22 artists. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Triangle. 703-784-6107. Free.

Tailor-Made: Vintage Fashions from the Museums Collection Unveiled Curated by Meaghan Reddick, the exhibit looks at the fashion of the first quarter of the 20th century. Through Sept. 24. Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas. 703-257-8453. Free.

Still Life and From Life Paintings by Deena Hunkler-Sanks and sculpture by Francesca Di Lorenzo. Through Aug. 6. Loft Gallery, 313 Mill St., Occoquan. 703-490-1117. Free.

Down the Shore An exhibit of fused glass by David and Dale Barnes, pencil paintings by Tina Kannapel and oil paintings by Steve Myles. Through Aug. 7. Artists Undertaking Gallery, 309 Mill St., Occoquan. 703-494-0584. Free.

Monday, JULY 17

Bingo Proceeds support local veterans. Doors open 7:30 a.m. Games 9:15 a.m.-noon. American Legion Post 10, 9950 Cockrell Rd., Manassas. 703-369-4900. $16.

Museum Kids Monday Hands-on activities and crafts for children. 10 a.m. Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas. 7003-367-7872. $5.

Volunteer Monday Wear work clothes and boots, bring water, and help clean up the park. 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge. 703-583-6904. Free.

Park West Lions Club bingo Proceeds support local sight, hearing and youth projects. Doors open weekly at 4 p.m. Games begin at 7 p.m. Park West Lions Club, 8620 Sunnygate Dr., Manassas. 703-392-0077. pwlions@aol.com. $10.

Bingo Proceeds support Dale City Knights of Columbus activities and charities. Doors open 6 p.m. Games begin 7:30 p.m. VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Rd., Dale City. 703-491-2378. $9 minimum.

Lake Jackson Mid County Lions Club meeting 6:30 p.m. Great American Steak and Buffet, 8365 Sudley Rd., Manassas. 703-369-6791. Free.

Conversation With the Chief Meet Prince William County Police Chief Barry Barnard, who will answer questions. Members from the departments Crime Prevention Unit and Personnel Bureau will also be on hand to answer questions and provide useful information regarding safety tips, neighborhood watches and recruitment. 7 p.m. Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Dr., Woodbridge. 703-792-5123. Free.

Prince William Wildflower Society Matt Bright discusses schoolyard habitats. 7:30 p.m. Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Lane, Manassas. 703-973-9194. Free.

Tuesday, JULY 18

Bingo Proceeds support Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary programs and community activities. Tuesday and Thursday. Doors open 5:30 p.m. Games begin 7:30 p.m. VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Rd., Dale City. 703-670-4124. $10 minimum.

Take Out Tuesday concert Folk Americana guitarist Steve Potter performs. 6 p.m. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-361-9800. harrispavilion.com. Free.

Author Ellen Butler A discussion of her new book, The Brass Compass. 7:30 p.m. Freedom Museum, 10600 Harry Parrish Blvd., Manassas. 703-393-0660. Free.

Wednesday, JULY 19

Colonial childrens games Learn about games played during the Revolutionary and Civil wars. For children 4 and older. 11 a.m. Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge. 703-583-6904. Free.

National Active and Retired Federal Employees A meeting for Chapter 356. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. Meeting with guest speaker begins at 12:15 p.m. Hibachi Buffet and Sushi, 8121 Sudley Rd., Manassas. 703-361-1150. Free; attendees pay for lunch.

Fire and Rescue community meeting Manassas City residents are invited to share their thoughts on a different location for the new City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Station 21. 7 p.m. City Hall, 9027 Center St., Manassas. 703-257-8456.

Lake Ridge Toastmasters Club Members 18 and older develop their public speaking and leadership skills. 7:30-9:15 p.m. Tall Oaks Community Center, 12298 Cotton Mill Dr., Lake Ridge. 703-491-3020. contact-8913@toastmastersclubs.org. lakeridge.toastmastersclubs.org. $34-$64 membership fee.

Thursday, JULY 20

Manassas farmers market Thursday 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and Tuesday 5-8 p.m., Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St. Also Saturday 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Prince William Lot, Prince William Street, Manassas. 703-361-6599. visitmanassas.org.

Woodbridge Toastmasters Club An open-house meeting. Learn effective communication and leadership skills. 7:30 p.m. Ebenezer Baptist Church, 13020 Telegraph Rd., Woodbridge. 703-898-7171. woodbridge.toastmastersclubs.org. $68 membership fee.

Cirque Italia Held inside a tent, Water Circus is a European-style circus featuring aerial acts, hand balancing, contortionists and 35,000 gallons of water on the stage. 7:30 p.m. Through Sunday. Potomac Mills Mall, 2700 Potomac Mills Cir., Woodbridge. 941-704-8572. cirqueitalia.com. $10-$50.

Friday, JULY 21

American Legion dinner The public is invited to dinner with a different special every week. Proceeds support local veterans and the community. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Woodbridge American Legion, 3640 Friendly Post Lane, Woodbridge. 703-494-4304. vapost364.org. $5-$15.

Friday night family movie Come watch Moana. 8:30 p.m. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-361-9800. harrispavilion.com. Free.

Saturday, JULY 22

Canoe tour A ranger leads a guided tour on Powells Creek. 8 a.m. Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge. 703-583-6904. $9, registration required.

156th Anniversary Commemoration of First Manassas Historian-led walking tours and living-history demonstrations of the Civil War battle. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Manassas National Battlefield Park, 6511 Sudley Rd., Manassas. 703-361-1339. Free.

Yoga on the Lawn Vinyasa yoga taught by certified yoga instructor Christopher Glowacki. 9 a.m. Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge. 703-499-9812. pwcgov.org/ripponlodge. $5.

Aftermath of First Manassas weekend Visit the site of a Confederate Civil War hospital. The weekend includes demonstrations, tours and childrens activities. The evening program is not recommended for children 11 and younger. Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas. 703-367-7872. $5-$10.

Home-seller seminar Presented by local real estate broker Bob Hummer. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Strayer University, 13385 Minnieville Rd., Woodbridge. 703-878-4866. military-realestate.com. Free.

Movie Under the Stars Bring a blanket or lawn chair for Finding Dory. 7 p.m. Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, 15201 Potomac Town Pl., Woodbridge. 703-583-1202. stonebridgeptc.com. Free.

Doggie Summer Movie Bring your pup for a pet-themed movie. 8 p.m. Costello Park, 99 Adams St., Manassas Park. 703-335-8872. Free.

Summer Sounds concert Anthony Swampdog Clark performs as part of the Center for the Arts concert series. 8-11 p.m. Through Sept. 2. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-361-9800. Free.

 Compiled by Sarah Lane

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A new group of studies into racial disparities among people with Alzheimers disease suggests that social conditions, including the stress of poverty and racism, substantially raise the risks of dementia for African Americans.

In four separate studies, researchers found that conditions that affect blacks disproportionately compared with other groups  such as poor living conditions and stressful events such as the loss of a sibling, the divorce of ones parents or chronic unemployment  have severe consequences for brain health later on.

One study by University of Wisconsin researchers found that stress literally takes years off a persons life in terms of brain function  an average of four years for African Americans, compared with 1 years for whites.

Another Wisconsin study showed that living in a disadvantaged neighborhood is associated with later decline in cognitive function and even the biomarkers linked to Alzheimers disease, which is the most common form of dementia.

In the other two studies, researchers with Kaiser Permanente and the University of California at San Francisco found a higher degree of dementia risk for people born in states with high rates of infant mortality. Researchers at Kaiser Permanente and the University of California at Irvine found that racial disparities in the incidence of dementia that were previously found among people who are 65 years and older also appear in the very oldest demographic, people who are 90 or older.

These lifelong effects of stress and disadvantage could be direct, perhaps in line with previous research showing that sustained stress can physically alter the brain. Or the impact could be the result of cascading effects, such as when a powerfully disruptive event affects a persons early schooling and limits achievement later on.

No ones looking at the same kind of things, but the research all dovetails really well, said Megan Zuelsdorff, an epidemiologist with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. It is the social environment thats contributing to disparities.

She and other researchers said the overall thrust of the studies findings  which were presented Sunday in London at the Alzheimers Associations annual conference  not only offers additional evidence of racial inequities in peoples risk of dementia but suggests the need for more urgent interventions directed at those communities.

Not one of these things is good news  except that they are modifiable, Zuelsdorff said.

Over the years, researchers have theorized that blacks are more susceptible to Alzheimers owing to genetics and higher rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

But researchers in recent years have also been focused on social factors that might raise the risk. Its long been known that stress is associated with social disadvantage, and in the United States and other countries, members of minority groups often suffer disproportionately from those disadvantages.

Paola Gilsanz, a researcher with the University of California at San Francisco and Kaiser Permanentes Division of Research, attempted to examine the impact on brain health on people who had been born in states with high levels of infant mortality, a sort of proxy for beginning life under adverse circumstances. During the period she focused on, the infant mortality rate of blacks was nearly twice as high as that of whites.

The study reviewed clinical exam data collected between 1964 and 1973 for 6,284 Kaiser Permanente members, of whom 17 percent were black. The subjects were born between 1919 and 1932.

Researchers then analyzed their health records in regard to whether they had been born in one of 10 states with the highest infant mortality rates in 1928  a year chosen because of the stark difference between white and black infant mortality rates and that years place toward the lower range of ages among the subjects of the study.

African Americans born in those states had a 40 percent higher risk of dementia than blacks who were not born in states with high infant mortality rates. The risk was twice as high, even after accounting for differences in education and other health risk factors, as it was for whites born outside states with high infant mortality rates.

I think this is important because it contributes more information to a growing body of evidence that early life matters to brain health and that maybe early life conditions partially explain the racial disparities we see in dementia risk, Gilsanz said. We should really think about brain health as a lifelong concern.

Amy J. Kind, who is also a physician and researcher at the University of Wisconsin, looked to see whether there is a relationship between disadvantaged neighborhoods and disparities in the prevalence of dementia.

She and her colleagues first refined Census and American Community Survey data to map more than 34 million neighborhoods  blocks of 1,500 to 3000 people  based on socioeconomic data to arrive at an Area Deprivation Index. After ranking those blocks from least disadvantaged to most, the researchers compared them with data of nearly 1,500 people who had been tested for memory and cognitive function in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimers Prevention Study (WRAP). The group also analyzed the neighborhood data against a much smaller subset of people who had been tested for biomarkers  proteins found in cerebrospinal fluid linked to Alzheimers.

The researchers found that people in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods performed significantly worse in every aspect of cognitive function that was tested; they also had disproportionately higher levels of an Alzheimers biomarker.

This linkage between neighborhood disadvantage and Alzheimers has never been explored until our work, Kind said.

Zuelsdorff  the University of Wisconsin School epidemiologist whose study found that higher levels of stress among African Americans have the effect of speeding the aging of a persons brain  has spent a decade or more looking at how stressful experiences affect cognitive abilities. For the past year or so, she focused on how that would intersect with race.

Using data from the WRAP, Zuelsdorff and her colleagues examined the role of profound stress on the cognitive function of 1,320 people, of whom 82 were black. The others were non-Hispanic whites. Although the subjects differed in race, they were otherwise alike in terms of average age, genetic disposition as regards Alzheimers risk, and education.

The subjects underwent testing of their memory and executive function. The impact of stress in their lifetimes was elicited through a questionnaire on 27 items, such as whether the person had severe problems in school, the family suffered bankruptcy or a parent suffered from alcohol-related problems. Although the questionnaire also asked respondents to rank the impact of those disruptive events, Zuelsdorffs study focused only on the number of such events themselves.

Were trying to get at really, potentially disruptive events, Zuelsdorff said in an interview.

What the study found was that blacks reported more than 60 percent such stressful events in their lifetimes and that those experiences were associated with poorer cognitive function.
Mental Health America, an advocacy group, paints a bleak picture of psychological care in the United States. Almost 20 percent of Americans suffer from a mental illness, according to data from 2016, but more than half of these individuals never receive help. Barriers such as limited access to mental health care, the cost of treatment and a lack of insurance can affect a persons ability to receive care.

Twenty-five percent of Americans in need of mental health care receive treatment from their primary-care physicians instead of from mental health specialists.

The Friendship Bench Project in Zimbabwe suggests that peer counselors may be able to help to fill this gap in health care.

In Harare and other cities in Zimbabwe, lay health workers known as community grandmothers meet with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety and trauma. Their meetings take place on wooden park benches outside health clinics.

According to the World Health Organization, depression affects at least 300 million people worldwide, while even more suffer from anxiety. Because of the high prevalence of these conditions, doctors refer to them as the common colds of mental illnesses. But unlike the cold virus, these disorders arent always remedied.

Similar to rates in the United States, anxiety and depression in Harare affect more than 25 percent of the population. They are the most common mental-health disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. Thirteen psychiatrists are available to treat Zimbabwes more than 14 million residents, making access nearly impossible for most.

The grandmothers in Harare were trained in problem-solving therapy through a project paid for by Grand Challenges Canada, a government effort to improve global health. All were educated elders, and most had experience in community health outreach. They also knew how to use a cellphone and lived near a health clinic.

Over nine days, the grandmothers were trained to help patients identify and solve their problems. The training covered such topics as mental disorders, counseling skills, problem-solving therapy and self-care, which is the ability to take care of ones mental health and well-being.

Dixon Chibanda, a psychiatrist in Harare, co-developed the Friendship Bench program after finding that many people were hesitant to share their psychiatric troubles with a doctor; they felt safer disclosing their problems to a community member such as a trusted elder.

The grandmothers do not label their patients with a psychiatric diagnosis. Instead, they work toward solutions. Using indigenous terms rather than the scientific language of Western medicine, the therapy includes three parts: kuvhura pfungwa (opening the mind), kusimudzira (uplifting) and kusimbisa (strengthening). This approach is meant to eliminate shame and empower patients, helping them regain hope.

A study whose findings were published in December in the journal JAMA included 573 people struggling with anxiety and depression. Patients with suicidal thoughts, dementia, psychosis and late-stage AIDS were not eligible to participate, nor were pregnant and postpartum women.

The participants, almost all of whom were women, were divided into two groups. Half received the Friendship Bench intervention, which included six individual weekly sessions with a community grandmother. They also received group therapy. The other half received standard care, which included medication and advice from nurses.

The results suggest that park-bench therapy can heal.

Six months after the treatment ended, participants who received therapy from the grandmothers were one-third as likely as those who received standard care to have depressive symptoms. Their anxiety symptoms also improved.

Chibanda is hopeful that this intervention could fill mental-health gaps in other countries, too, including the United States.

Ive spent time in the United States, and I am familiar with the poor access to psychiatric care, particularly within inner cities and disenfranchised communities, he says.

Peer support groups exist in the United States, but they are often for specific concerns such as addiction, eating disorders and alcoholism. Often, peer leaders dont receive any mental-health training, and these groups operate separately from the hospital and health clinic setting, which makes referring a patient for treatment challenging.

Chibanda says American psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists could train people in the Friendship Bench model. He even suggests that the intervention could work in school systems because there often arent enough mental health services to meet every students emotional needs.

This is a great community intervention, says Traci Ruble, a psychotherapist in San Francisco who started a similar program, Sidewalk Talk, which offers people 15 minutes of free listening from a community volunteer who is also a trained psychotherapist. Unlike the Friendship Bench program, which provides patients with brief therapy, Rubles program serves as a bridge, identifying those who need additional psychological support and connecting them with community services.

While she was not involved with Chibandas study, Ruble believes this model could work in the United States.

People crave human connection, and many of my volunteers want to share kindness and compassion with others, she says.

Chibanda and his researchers are expanding their program to other parts of Africa. He hopes that this intervention becomes one of the most comprehensive mental health programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

The benches can be set up in prenatal clinics, outside of doctors offices and inside of schools. The beauty of this intervention is its mobility. It takes healing outside of the doctors office so that it can happen anywhere, Chibanda says.

Fraga is a psychologist and writer in San Francisco.

Read more

Facing a suicide crisis in his country, this African psychiatrist enlisted grandmothers to step in

Theres a shortage of child psychiatrists, and kids are hurting

Does false hope syndrome make it hard to lose weight?
Congressmen of five Central European countries visited the humanitarian and development projects provided to those affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

During the three-day stay, the representatives were able to visit the Philippine Congress as well as the people living in the infamous Smokey Mountain in Tondo, Manila.

Furthermore, an inspection of several Czech-run projects in and around Basey and Guian in Samar, through the assistance of both People in Need and Caritas Czech Republic, was made possible.

The journey of the congressmen of Czechia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Slovakia was organized by the biggest Central European non-governmental organization, the Czech PINPeople in Need, headed by its Manila-based Philippine Country Director Canny Geyer.

Central European Representatives (from left) Hon. Rainer Varka of Estonia, Hon. Rihard Kols of Latvia, Hon. Virginijus Sinkevicius of Lithuania, Hon. Lubos Blaha of Slovakia, Hon. Pavel Plzak of Czechia with Provincial Manager of People In Need-Samar Pavel Muron and Vice Governor Marcel Picardal and fellow LGU officials visiting the Cacao Nursery in Salcedo, Eastern Samar.

Before bidding farewell to Manila, the Slovak congressman Aubos Blaha says: Hats down to People in Need organization and to all those who helped not only in the Philippines but around the world, in those countries most stricken by poverty.

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What I am happily bringing back in memory are the faces of Filipinos, capable of enjoying life despite living in underprivileged areas in the country. They are beautiful, optimistic people of good and vibrant spirit, Blaha added.

The Czech organization, People in Need as well as Caritas Czech Republic have implemented projects in Samar Island, while the Czech branch of ADRA helped the people in Panay.

PIN continued their long-term reconstruction and development programs in the sectors of livelihood and market development, agriculture, land issues and civil society development.

On the other hand, Caritas Czech Republic followed their initial aid with the renewal of schools and support for agriculture, which includes cultivation of low cost rice and alternative crops and the use of natural fertilizers.

ADRA Czech Republic transitioned their focus on shelter, livelihood and disaster risk reduction.

As Ambassador Olsa believes, I hope the parliamentarians, through this joint study trip, will be familiar with the needs of Asian countries stricken by natural disasters

The joint study trip was aimed to introduce the parliamentarians to the mechanisms of development cooperation s implementation, monitoring, evaluation and how it should be, based on country and community needs.

According to Jan Vytopil, Deputy Head of Mission at the Czech Embassy, I hope this visit shows that help from smaller countries are as much meaningful as the aid coming from the traditional large players. Optimistically, the journey would open doors to deeper appreciation of the benefits of aid and development projects.

The delegation was represented by Hon. Pavel Plzak, Member of the Committee on Petitions and Foreign Affairs of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Hon. Rainer Varka, Head of the Committee on Environment of the Parliament of the Republic of Estonia, Hon. L ubos Blaha, Head of the Committee for European Affairs and Member of the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Parliament of the Slovak Republic;

Hon. Virginijus Sinkevicius, Head of the Committee for Economic Affairs of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and Deputy Chair of Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and Hon. Rihards Kols, Deputy Head of the Committee for Foreign Affairs and Member of the Committee for European Affairs of the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia.

Furthermore, in lieu with the visit, H.E. Jaroslav Olsa jr. of the Czech Republic hosted a reception to meet and talk about possible European projects for the country representatives.

Noted attendees were various international development cooperation agencies which have long been based in Manila, namely Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional Para el Desarrollo, Agence Francaise de Developpement, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees to include a few.

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CONGO

U.S. journalist, 3 more missing after attack

Six Congolese rangers were found Saturday in a large forest reserve in Congos northeast a day after a security station was attacked by a militia, but an American journalist and at least three security guards remain missing, a local official said Saturday.

Alfred Bongwalanga Efoloko, administrator of the Mambasa territory, confirmed that the six had been found. At least 10 people had gone missing after an attack Friday by the Mai-Mai militia outside the town of Mambasa in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, he said.

No details about the missing journalist were available, he said, and authorities had no proof that the attack was an abduction.

Two British journalists and five park rangers, part of the same team, escaped after the attack, he said.

Kidnappings for ransom are common in eastern Congo.

A separate attack Saturday by the Mai-Mai in the North Kivu province killed two soldiers.

 Associated Press

SYRIA

Rival insurgent groups fight in rebel-held Idlib

Clashes have broken out in northwestern Syria between two of the most powerful insurgent groups there, raising fears of widespread violence in the rebel-held province of Idlib, the groups and an opposition monitor said Saturday.

The fighting between the ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham and al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are the first serious acts of violence since the groups reached a truce in February. Wider clashes between the two former allies could affect their fight against President Bashar al-Assads forces, which have been gaining ground over the past year under the cover of Russian airstrikes.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the clashes were concentrated near the village of Tel Touqan. It added that after the clashes, Ahrar al-Sham briefly cut water supplies to Idlibs provincial capital, mostly controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

 Associated Press

Benghazi airport reopens after 3 years: Benghazis international airport officially reopened for commercial flights amid a heavy security presence after a three-year closure due to fighting in the eastern Libyan city. The first outbound flights from Benina International Airport were to the capital, Tripoli, to Amman, Jordan, and to the southeastern Libyan city of Kufra. Fighting in Benghazi had escalated in summer 2014 when forces loyal to a powerful commander launched a military campaign against Islamist foes and other opponents. Earlier this month, he declared victory in the campaign.

 From news services
Just over a week has passed since President Trump offered, in Warsaw, a very particular defense of Western civilization. He praised Poland for its fight against Nazism and Soviet communism long ago, though he said little about the countrys success since 1989. He spoke of the things that hold the West together, including classical music and God, but made only glancing references to democracy. He also spoke of the threats to the West, alluding to dangers from the South or the East as well as from an oppressive ideology, radical Islam, that seeks to export terrorism and extremism all around the globe.

In the days since that speech, rapidly moving events in Warsaw have proved him wrong: As I write this, Poland is proving that the greatest threat to the West is not radical Islam. The greatest threat is not even external: It is internal. In Poland, a democratically elected but illiberal government has, in the past few days, escalated its attack on its own constitution, pushing new laws openly designed to create a politicized judiciary. And it feels emboldened to do so by the visit of the U.S. president.

The Polish government is led by Law and Justice, a nationalist ruling party with a slim parliamentary majority but no popular majority and no mandate to change the constitution. Nevertheless, since taking power, it has methodically subjugated a series of previously independent institutions: the public broadcaster, the prosecutors office and, most seriously, the Constitutional Tribunal. It has politicized the civil service. Its conspiratorial defense minister has eliminated much of the professional military leadership, too.

Last week, only days after Trumps visit, it also passed a bill that will politicize the National Council of the Judiciary, the constitutional body that selects judges. Then it went further: Without public hearings, it introduced another bill that, if signed into law, would enable the justice minister, in breach of the constitution, to dismiss  immediately  all of the members of Polands highest court.

As in the past, the European Union will object. Its conceivable that European institutions might even impose sanctions on Poland. Having been a pillar of European unity in the past  so much so that a former Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, is now president of the European Council  Poland has become a source of real frustration and anger across the continent. If the West were united in this view, that might have some impact in Poland. But Trumps visit to Warsaw sent the opposite message. The United States message has encouraged Law and Justice to isolate itself in Europe, safe in its belief that America has its back.

We can all imagine the future consequences of a supine, pro-government judiciary. It could enable the government to falsify elections, to evade corruption investigations, to prosecute opponents. And this will matter: For a quarter-century, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent triumph of Central European democracy were together perceived around the world as one of the great achievements of the West. For the past decade, Polish advice on democratic transition was sought around the world, too, from Burma to Tunisia to Ukraine. A Polish pivot away from democracy will undermine not only the unity of the West, but the broader appeal and the attraction of the West in those countries, too, allowing other oppressive ideologies from the South or the East to take its place.

When Trump was elected president, many people, myself included, wrote of the impact he might have on international democracy. Many worried that he would encourage populist, nationalist or illiberal parties in Europe and elsewhere. And now he has.

Read more from Anne Applebaums archive, follow her on Twitter or subscribe to her updates on Facebook.
Trump signs an executive order for border security and immigration enforcement improvements at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington.

Jan. 25, 2017 Trump signs an executive order for border security and immigration enforcement improvements at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. Chip Somodevilla/Pool photo via Bloomberg News

I did not leave the Republican Party. The Republican Party left its senses. The political movement that once stood athwart history resisting bloated government and military adventurism has been reduced to an amalgam of talk-radio resentments. President Trumps Republicans have devolved into a party without a cause, dominated by a leader hopelessly ill-informed about the basics of conservatism, U.S. history and the Constitution.

Americas first Republican president reportedly said , Nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a mans character, give him power. The current Republican president and the party he controls were granted monopoly power over Washington in November and already find themselves spectacularly failing Abraham Lincolns character exam.

(Erin Patrick O'Connor/The Washington Post)

It would take far more than a single column to detail Trumps failures in the months following his bleak inaugural address. But the Republican leaders who have subjugated themselves to the White Houses corrupting influence fell short of Lincolns standard long before their favorite reality-TV star brought his gaudy circus act to Washington.

When I left Congress in 2001, I praised my partys successful efforts to balance the budget for the first time in a generation and keep many of the promises that led to our takeover in 1994. I concluded my last speech on the House floor by foolishly predicting that Republicans would balance budgets and champion a restrained foreign policy for as long as they held power.

I would be proved wrong immediately.

As the new century began, Republicans gained control of the federal government. George W. Bush and the GOP Congress responded by turning a $155 billion surplus into a $1 trillion deficit and doubling the national debt, passing a $7 trillion unfunded entitlement program and promoting a foreign policy so utopian it would have made Woodrow Wilson blush. Voters made Nancy Pelosi speaker of the House in 2006 and Barack Obama president in 2008.

After their well-deserved drubbing, Republicans swore that if voters ever entrusted them with running Washington again, they would prove themselves worthy. Trumps party was given a second chance this year, but it has spent almost every day since then making the majority of Americans regret it.

The GOP president questioned Americas constitutional system of checks and balances. Republican leaders said nothing. He echoed Stalin and Mao by calling the free press the enemy of the people. Republican leaders were silent. And as the commander in chief insulted allies while embracing autocratic thugs, Republicans who spent a decade supporting wars of choice remained quiet. Meanwhile, their budget-busting proposals demonstrate a fiscal recklessness very much in line with the Bush years.

Last weeks Russia revelations show just how shamelessly Republican lawmakers will stand by a longtime Democrat who switched parties after the promotion of a racist theory about Barack Obama gave him standing in Lincolns once-proud party. Neither Lincoln, William Buckley nor Ronald Reagan would recognize this movement.

(Adriana Usero,Kate Woodsome/The Washington Post)

It is a dying party that I can no longer defend.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham has long predicted that the Republican and Democrats 150-year duopoly will end. The signs seem obvious enough. When my Republican Party took control of Congress in 1994, it was the first time the GOP had won the House in a generation. The two parties have been in a state of turmoil ever since.

In 2004, Republican strategist Karl Rove anticipated a majority that would last a generation; two years later, Pelosi became the most liberal House speaker in history. Obama was swept into power by a supposedly unassailable Democratic coalition. In 2010, the tea party tide rolled in. Obamas reelection returned the momentum to the Democrats, but Republicans won a historic state-level landslide in 2014. Then last fall, Trump demolished both the Republican and Democratic establishments.

Political historians will one day view Donald Trump as a historical anomaly. But the wreckage visited of this man will break the Republican Party into pieces  and lead to the election of independent thinkers no longer tethered to the tired dogmas of the polarized past. When that day mercifully arrives, the two-party duopoly that has strangled American politics for almost two centuries will finally come to an end. And Washington just may begin to work again.

Read more from Joe Scarboroughs archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
(Whitney Shefte/The Washington Post)

The coroner here in the outer suburbs of Cincinnati gets the call almost every day.

Man slumped over the dining room table. Woman found in the garage. Man found face down on the kitchen floor of his sisters residence. Man on his bedroom floor  there was a syringe beneath the body. Coroner Lisa K. Mannix chronicles them all in autopsy reports.

With 96 fatal overdoses in just the first four months of this year, Mannix said the opioid epidemic ravaging western Ohio and scores of other communities along the Appalachian Mountains and the rivers that flow from it continues to worsen. Hospitals are overwhelmed with overdoses, small-town morgues are running out of space for the bodies, and local officials from Kentucky to Maine are struggling to pay for attempting to revive, rehabilitate or bury the victims.

As their budgets strain, communities have begun questioning how much money and effort they should be spending to deal with overdoses, especially in cases involving people who have taken near-fatal overdoses multiple times. State and local officials say it might be time for tough love: pushing soaring medical costs onto drug abusers or even limiting how many times first responders can save an individuals life.

Its not that I dont want to treat overdose victims, its that the city cannot afford to treat overdose victims, said Middletown Council Member Daniel Picard, noting this industrial town in northern Butler County might have to raise taxes in response to the crisis.

[As opioid overdoses rise, police officers become counselors, doctors and social workers]

The debate comes as demand for opioid antidote medication surges, creating new challenges for police and emergency crews already emotionally drained as they watch their communities  and, in some cases, families  torn apart by opioid addiction. Often, the only thing separating whether an overdose victim goes to the hospital instead of the morgue is a dose of naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, a medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.

Two doses of an injectable form of naloxone, Evzio, cost $4,500, up from $690 in 2014. The price of other forms of the drug, including the nasally administered Narcan, typically range from $70 to $150 per dose, officials say.

Compounding the costs, the potency of the newest batches of opioids often means first responders must administer multiple doses of naloxone to revive patients. Health officials say powerful additives to the illicit market  such as fentanyl and carfentanil, an elephant tranquilizer  are to blame.

Even if saved, an opioid user often is back on drugs within days, if not hours, officials say. Here in Ohio, first responders say its not uncommon for overdose victims to have previously been revived with naloxone at least a half-dozen times.

Some officials and residents are starting to ask how a community can bear to try to help those who do not appear to want to help themselves.

The debate has shades of the divisive policy debates about drug treatment and tough jail sentences during urban Americas crack epidemic in the late 1980s and 1990s. But in the suburban and rural communities that largely escaped that epidemic, the debate this time is far more intimate, as residents traditional views about law and order  and how to spend limited resources  are being tested by a growing number of addicts.

You got half the population, probably more, who have been affected by this, and they understand and get it, that this is a disease, said Scott Gehring, head of Butler Countys Community Health Alliance. And then you have the other side, and its very easy for them to say these people are just a burden.

In Maine, Gov. Paul LePage (R) has pushed to make overdose survivors pay for their Narcan. LePage also vetoed a bill to expand access to the medicine, but the legislature voted to override him.



A couple walks along the sidewalk in downtown Middletown, Ohio, on July 12. (Ty Wright/The Washington Post)

In towns across Ohio, similar debates are emerging as legislators ponder both the fiscal and emotional costs of an opioid epidemic that killed nearly 4,000 people in the state in the last year, according to the Ohios Health Department. Though figures for 2017 are preliminary, many Ohio officials anticipate this years toll will be even higher.

Larry Mulligan Jr., mayor of Middletown, said the city has spent $100,000 on Narcan in the first six months of the year, a tenfold increase from what the town spent during all of last year. Paramedics in Middletown have responded to nearly 600 overdose calls in 2017, already eclipsing the 2016 total, according to city officials.

Picard, the council member, has proposed a controversial three-strikes policy in which first responders wouldnt administer Narcan to repeated overdose victims. In 2016, Ohio EMS units administered at least 19,570 doses of Naloxone, according to state records covering the first nine months of the year.

First responders are reaching a new level of frustration responding to multiple calls, for repeated victims, and they just dont feel like they are making progress, Mulligan said. We cant just keep reviving people. We have to address solutions.

In Maryland, concerns about funding also have forced the Baltimore Department of Health to ration its dwindling naloxone supplies, providing kits to areas where the need is greatest.

With the help of an algorithm, Leana Wen, Baltimores health commissioner, makes decisions about where to supply naloxone kits, prioritizing needle exchanges because addicts who inject drugs are at a high risk of overdosing.

More funding is starting to trickle in from Maryland and charitable groups, but Wen cautions that current funding models are not sustainable because of the scope of the epidemic.

If this was any other illness, we would never accept rationing of an antidote, she said.

Congress last year approved a bill to provide $1.1 billion to help address the opioid crisis, and local officials hope that even more federal funding is coming. Several pharmaceutical companies who manufacture naloxone are providing the drugs free or at a discount to first responders and state health departments.

In Kentucky, officials pay for naloxone with a mix of federal funding and settlement money from a tobacco lawsuit. Officials say they have enough naloxone to go around, for now.

I wouldnt say we are doing great, but we are treading water  we are holding our own, said Van Ingram, executive director for Kentuckys Office of Drug Control Policy, a state that saw 1,404 overdose deaths last year.

The cost of naloxone often isnt the only issue in dealing with overdoses. In recent weeks, Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones has drawn national attention for vowing that his deputies will never carry Narcan because he doesnt want them playing the role of paramedic.

But Jones  a conservative firebrand who recently advocated that the U.S. military bomb drug cartels in Mexico  says his views also symbolize the communitys transition from frustration to desperation.

People in the nations heartland, Jones said, are fed up with enabling these people amid a surge in drug-related foster care cases, property crimes and emergency room visits.

[The opioid crisis is straining the nations foster care systems]

Ive had three babies born in my jail in 18 months, and the last one was born in the toilet, said Jones, noting that the female population in the Butler County jail more than doubled in recent years because of drug-related offenses. The judges, to save the babies, sentence the mothers to jail. But when the women get here, they induce labor so they can get back out and do more heroin.



Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones stands next to a horse saddle and framed pictures of John Wayne inside his office on July 12 in Hamilton, Ohio. Jones has decided not to let his deputies carry Narcan, a potentially lifesaving medicine for those suffering opioid overdoses. (Ty Wright/The Washington Post)

Butler Countys chief prosecutor, Michael T. Gmoser, gets angry when he hears about community opposition to naloxone.

He worries that such views are undercutting southwestern Ohios reputation for decency and civility.

What the hell business do we have saying, You dont get Narcan to treat your sickness; we are going to let you die? Gmoser said, pounding his fist on his desk. I dont care how many times that sick person comes back asking for another shot of Narcan.

The sheriffs stance also puts him at odds with the broader law-enforcement community. According to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, 38 states have implemented naloxone programs for police officers.

Its not just the opioid users themselves that we are protecting, said Keith Cain, the sheriff in Daviess County, Ky., and the chairman of bureaus Drug Enforcement Committee. What about the child who gets into mommys or daddys stash?

Instead of rebelling against Narcan, drug policy advocates say local officials should focus on getting more users into treatment. Not far from Butler County, in Miami County near Dayton, officials are doing just that.



Twila Fair, a recovering heroin addict, talks to Mike Bessler, left, of the Miami County Recovery Council, Patrolman Brian Ross of the Troy Police Department and Greg Dilts of the Troy Fire Department, all members of the Quick Response Team, which meets those struggling with addiction. (Ty Wright/The Washington Post)

County paramedics and police now respond to between 50 and 100 overdose calls per month. But in the city of Troy, the county seat and home to 25,000 residents, a paramedic, a police officer and an addictions counselor hit the streets every Wednesday to follow-up with those who theyve previously saved.

(Whitney Shefte/The Washington Post)

After approaching a woman slumped over a picnic table in a city park last week, the counselor spoke with Kelly Bruner, 30, about her options. Bruner agreed to be transported to a rehabilitation center.

Bruner said in an interview she has overdosed on heroin 13 times in the past year, and she has been revived with Narcan 10 times. Bruner said she and her friends have now started doing CPR on each other, after hearing of Picards three-strikes proposal in nearby Middletown.

As long we know you have a pulse and a heartbeat, we arent going to call the cops, because no one wants to use that Narcan, Bruner said. Because if we can only get Narcan three times, that means there are only two more left before we die.
James Cook is a Minnesota man in a custody battle with the Japanese mother of his children. (James Cook,/Courtesy of James Cook)

James Cook wants his four children home in Minnesota. His estranged wife, Hitomi Arimitsu, says they want to stay with her in Japan. And so they have been going around in circles through the courts for almost three years.

If child custody battles are messy, expensive affairs when the parents live in the same country, theyre exponentially more so when the parents live in different countries and are fighting over where the children should live and which place should have jurisdiction.

Japan signed The Hague Abduction Convention, the treaty that governs international child abductions, in 2014 but is struggling to put its provisions into effect.

That is where the Cook family is caught.

For three years of their lives, these kids have not had their dad. Kids need their dad, they need both their parents, Cook said via Skype from his home in Minnesota. I cant describe to you the hell that this has been.

Cook, who studied Japanese in college, and Arimitsu, a Japanese woman who attended a university in Minnesota, had lived in the United States for almost the whole time they had been together. But three years ago this week, with their marriage on the rocks, Cook agreed that Arimitsu could take their four children to Japan for the summer  with a notarized agreement that she would bring them back.

When that ended, they agreed that Arimitsu and the children would stay on a little longer, while Cook, who had lost his job, looked for work.

By the end of the year, Cook realized his family wasnt coming back.

In the past two years, the pair has been going through acrimonious court battles in Osaka and in Minnesota, and each has won some and lost some rounds.

As is common in such cases, they have wildly different versions of events and focus on the rounds theyve won.

[ My former wife took our son to Brazil two years ago. Hes still not back. ]

Cook says an order in Minnesota last month, which found Arimitsu in contempt of court and upheld two orders from December that she return the four children to their father, should stand. In that case, the judge awarded Cook temporary sole legal and physical custody of the children.

But Arimitsu, through her lawyer Tomoko Kamikawa, said that because the Osaka High Court in February rejected Cooks request to have the children returned, there is no valid return order under The Hague Convention. Cook has appealed this ruling to Japans Supreme Court.

The children do not want to return to the United States, Kamikawa said.

The crux of the problem, Cook and other left-behind parents, say, is that Japan  unlike other signatories  has no way of following through on its Hague commitments.

Enforcement is one of the key problems, said John Gomez, an American who heads the Kizuna Child-Parent Reunion group in Tokyo and is helping Cook. Every country has to create implementation legislation to enforce their orders, but Japan basically cannot enforce their orders.

The legislation that Japan passed to implement The Hague provision forbids the use of force, and stipulates that the children must be retrieved from the premises of the parent who has taken them. The taking parent must be present. The enforcement officers are basically bailiffs who are more used to repossessing washing machines than extracting children from emotionally charged situations.

This essentially means that enforcement involves an official at the gate calling for the children to come out, while the taking parent is inside with them.

All of this was completely predictable, said Colin Jones, a law professor at Doshisha University in Kyoto and an expert on child custody law in Japan. Without dealing with enforcement methods, it was just a matter of time until a case like the Cook case happened.

The U.S. government has expressed misgivings about Japans implementation of The Hague convention provisions. The [State] Department is concerned about Japans ability to quickly and consistently enforce return orders, it said in its 2017 annual report on international child abductions.

[ The Post's view: The State Department should do more to address international abductions ]

But the Japanese government says that it is making good progress.

Its been only three years since Japan entered into The Hague Convention, said Hajime Ueda, director of The Hague Convention Division in the Foreign Ministry. It takes time because every case is unique. From that point of view, we have been doing quite a good job.

Eight children involved in five cases have been returned to the United States since Japan signed The Hague Convention, Ueda said.

The convention was a politically charged issue in Japan, with a substantial amount of opposition to signing it, so even becoming a signatory in 2014 was a major achievement. Experts note that it took other signatories some time to change domestic legislation to allow enforcement of The Hague Convention provisions; Germany, for instance, took about five years.

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo is dealing with about 70 child abduction cases, 42 of them filed since Japan signed the convention, and 10 of those seeking the return of children to the United States.

The other cases just involve access  another thorny issue in Japan, where there is no concept of joint custody.

The prevailing wisdom in Japan says it is upsetting or disruptive for children to continue to see both parents after a marriage breaks down, so one parent  almost always the mother  gets full custody and the other parent usually has two hours access to the children each month.

Visitation is the most problematic thing with Japan. A lot of cases about return orders are actually about access, about the noncustodial parent being able to maintain a relationship with their child, said Jones of Doshisha University.

According to Gomezs research, about 3 million children in Japan have lost access to one parent after divorce in the past 20 years  about 150,000 a year.

[ Supreme Court says it cannot alter deadline set by international accord on child abduction ]

Children age out of the system at 16, so time is on the taking parents side, according to people involved in custody disputes.

And nothing will change for international custody cases until the domestic system that favors sole custody changes, experts say.

This is difficult because Japan has a family registry system, which operates as the foundation for all documentation. A person can be on only one family registry so after a divorce, children are usually removed from their fathers family registry and placed on their mothers.

The parent who becomes noncustodial loses all of their parental rights and effectively becomes a stranger to the child, said Bruce Gherbetti, another left-behind parent who is advocating for change through the Kizuna group.

Until joint custody becomes commonplace in Japan, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to make it the norm in international cases, Gherbetti said.

For now, that leaves Cook, who has found work with a medical device company, sitting in Minnesota, having no contact with his children.



Im sad we are in this mess and Im concerned about my children, he said. This is the heartbreak of being a left behind. 

An earlier version of this article misspelled the name of Hitomi Arimitsu. The story has been updated.

Read more:

In Japan, single mothers struggle with poverty and a culture of shame

The Japanese art of making school lunch (and not a PB&J in sight)

For vulnerable high school girls in Japan, a culture of dates with older men

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Two days after treating President Trump to a Bastille Day parade, Emmanuel Macron welcomed yet another world leader to Paris for a symbolic summit.

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose hard-line politics have earned him few friends across the French ideological spectrum, arrived for talks on Sunday, the French president condemned anti-Zionism as the new form of anti-Semitism.

The backdrop for their meeting was the 75th anniversary of an infamous Holocaust roundup in Paris, and Macron used the occasion to reiterate his declaration that the French state bore the responsibility for the arrest and deportation of about 13,000 Jews in 1942.

We will never surrender to the messages of hate, Macron said, standing on the site where French police, on the night of July 16, 1942, detained thousands of French and foreign-born Jews before facilitating their forced relocation to Nazi concentration camps across Eastern Europe. We will not surrender to anti-Zionism, because it is a reinvention of anti-Semitism.

After devastating terrorist attacks in recent years, thousands of French Jews left France for Israel, encouraged in 2015 by Netanyahu himself. But as Macron vowed Sunday to fight anti-Semitism in all its forms, the Israeli leader changed his tone and spoke of solidarity with France.

Your struggle is our struggle, Netanyahu said, referring to Fridays attack in Jerusalem, in which Arab Israeli gunmen shot and killed two Israeli police officers. The zealots of militant Islam, who seek to destroy you, seek to destroy us as well.

The wartime roundup  known in France as the Vel dHiv raid, for the now-demolished indoor stadium where Jews were temporarily held  featured prominently in Frances recent presidential election, in which historical revisionism and denial were constant themes.

In one of the campaigns most controversial moments, Marine Le Pen, Macrons far-right opponent and the daughter of the convicted Holocaust denier Jean-Marie Le Pen, insisted that the French state had not been responsible. Along the same lines, a French journalist reported that Le Pens principal deputy denied the use of the poison gas Zyklon B in the Nazi gas chambers.

In repudiating these assertions, Macron joined ranks with several of his recent predecessors.

After decades of government silence, Jacques Chirac, in 1995, became the first sitting French president to acknowledge the countrys complicity and collaboration in the Holocaust, during which 76,000 Jews were deported from France.

In his own remarks at the site of the Vel dHiv, Chirac, in 1995, put it this way: France, on that day, committed the irreparable. Breaking its word, it handed those who were under its protection over to their executioners.

Macron echoed those remarks Sunday. I say it again here, he said. It was indeed France that organized the roundup, the deportation, and thus, for almost all, death.

Macrons remarks come after a years-long wave of anti-Semitism  and a subsequent surge in the number of French Jews who have moved to Israel.

In 2012, a terrorist attacked a Jewish day school in Toulouse, killing four  including three children. In 2014, the Franco-Cameroonian comedian Dieudonne Mbala Mbala likened Jews to slave drivers and promoted a version of the Nazi salute. In January 2015, an attack on a kosher supermarket on the outskirts of Paris left four Jewish customers dead.

Sunday was Netanyahus first visit to France since his appearance in January 2015 at Pariss Grand Synagogue, immediately following the attack on the supermarket, when he delivered a controversial speech urging Jews to consider leaving France.

About 8,000 French Jews left for Israel in 2015, out of an estimated Jewish population of about 600,000. The number has since fallen.

In 2016, 5,000 Jews left France, according to statistics released by the Jewish Agency of Israel to Agence France-Presse, and analysts expect a similar number in 2017. In general, critics also caution that the figures do not necessarily represent an exodus, as each individual case cannot easily be attributed to anti-Semitism. Some French Jews have also since returned to France.

In any case, the perception of France as an inhospitable place for Jews has persisted, and it was this that Macron appeared to address in his remarks. Netanyahu pointedly did not repeat his previous remark encouraging immigration.

Some French Jewish leaders vehemently opposed the presence of the Israeli leader at an event they said should otherwise have remained apolitical. In the words of Elie Barnavi, Frances former ambassador to Israel, the Vel dHiv roundup had nothing to do with Israel. But others welcomed Macrons remarks about the realities of contemporary anti-Semitism.

He understands what it is today, not just what it was in the past, Yonatan Arfi, the vice president of the Representative Council of French Jewish Organizations (CRIF), Frances largest Jewish advocacy organization, said in an interview.

Its at once from the extreme right, but also present on the extreme left and among radical Islamists, he said. Anti-Zionism has definitely become part of anti-Semitism today, and its a real satisfaction to find someone before us who speaks the same language.

Read more

The dark history at the heart of the French election

Marine Le Pen: France not responsible for deporting Jews during Holocaust

In France, an uncertain future for Jews

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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A man armed with a knife killed two Ukrainian tourists Friday and wounded four other foreign holidaymakers, all women, at Hurghada resort, in the Red Sea, few hours after gunmen killed five security forces in their vehicle early in the morning, South of Cairo.

The injured victims were 3 Serbians and one Polish, reports say citing Egyptian security sources.

According to security forces, the man swam from a nearby beach to attack his victims.

Pictures purportedly appeared to show him nabbed and pinned down inside a luggage cart by hotel staff. It is unknown why he carried out the attack.

Islamist militants have in recent years targeted foreign holidaymakers. Last year in January, two assailants armed with a gun, a knife and a suicide belt landed on the beach of a hotel in Hurghada, wounding two foreign tourists.

The Islamic State group (IS) claimed responsibility for the downing of a Russian passenger jet in 2015. All the 244 people on board, mostly Russian tourists, were killed.

Russia swiftly suspended all flights to and from Egypt.

In a separate report, three gunmen assaulted a police vehicle killing two security officers and three conscripts in an area of Badrashein, south of the Giza, 20 km South of Cairo, the interior ministry said in a statement.

A police officer who was near the site of the attack exchanged fire with the assailants forcing them to flee, the statement said.

Egyptian security forces have been battling insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula. But the attacks have spilled to urban areas including capital Cairo.

Last week a double suicide bombing at a security checkpoint in the Sinai followed by shooting from IS militants left 23 security forces dead and dozens injured.

The army later claimed it killed 40 militants in raids.

The interior ministry also announced early this week the killing of six militants in Southern Egypt as security forces faced militants in gunfire exchange.
This 2009 handout photo released by a friend of Xiyue Wang shows Wang at his apartment in Hong Kong. (Friend of Xiyue Wang via AP)

A Chinese American student whom Iran has accused of espionage was sentenced by an Iranian court to 10 years in prison, the judiciarys official news agency reported Sunday, a move likely to raise tensions with the Trump administration ahead of a deadline to waive some Iran sanctions.

The Mizan news agency identified the American as Xiyue Wang, 37, a graduate student and researcher at Princeton University. The report said he was born in Beijing and is a dual citizen of the United States and China, but that information could not be confirmed.

Earlier in the day, judicial spokesman Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei announced that a U.S. citizen had been sentenced for infiltration but did not give further details.

It was verified and determined that he was gathering [information] and was involved in infiltration, Mohseni-Ejei said at a news conference in Tehran, the Associated Press reported.

Mizan, which is affiliated with Irans hard-line judiciary, later reported that Wang was sentenced as part of an infiltration project that included the gathering of confidential articles to send to the State Department and Western academic institutions.

Wang is a fourth-year graduate student working on a doctorate in history, Daniel Day, Princetons vice president of communications, said Sunday.

He was arrested in Iran last summer, while there doing scholarly research on the administrative and cultural history of the late Qajar dynasty in connection with his Ph.D. dissertation, Day said in a statement. Since his arrest, the university has worked with Mr. Wangs family, the U.S. government, private counsel and others to facilitate his release.

We were very distressed by the charges brought against him in connection with his scholarly activities, and by his subsequent conviction and sentence. His family and the university are distressed at his continued imprisonment and are hopeful that he will be released after his case is heard by the appellate authorities in Tehran.

Stephen Kotkin, Wangs adviser at Princeton, described him as a gifted scholar who was impressed with Persian culture.

Xiyue Wang is a remarkable, linguistically gifted graduate student studying late 19th- and early 20th-century governance in predominantly Muslim regions  Qajar Iran, Afghanistan, imperial Russian Turkestan, he said. He is innocent of all the charges. In Tehran, Wang collected documents that were 100 years old. He has told me often of his exhilaration at the exquisiteness and depth of Persian civilization.

The report from Mizan, which included a photo from the Princeton website, also contained a quote from Wang in which he praises the British Institute of Persian Studies for facilitating access to Irans National Archives and other libraries. The quote was used as evidence of his spying activities, the report said, adding, Wang admits his mission in Iran.

I have been having trouble accessing Tehrans archives and libraries, Wang said in the 2015-2016 annual report of the British Institute of Persian Studies, a nonprofit organization based in London.

Mrs. Reyhanpour offered to help, he said of one of the institutes employees. And within a few days, she put me in contact with senior scholars at the National Archive. . . . Without Mrs. Reyhanpours help it would be hard to imagine how long it would have taken for me to become acquainted with academic institutions in Iran.

Wangs reported conviction comes at a particularly tense time for U.S.-Iranian relations, which have rapidly deteriorated since President Trump took office.

Under the previous administration, the United States and other world powers negotiated a deal with Iran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. It was hailed as a victory for diplomacy and an end to Irans global isolation.

Since then, the Trump administration has stepped up its anti-Iran rhetoric and placed U.S. participation in the nuclear deal under review. Monday is the deadline for the White House to decide whether to issue a waiver on nuclear-related sanctions against Iran, a provision that is required periodically under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. The administration is expected to approve the waiver, despite an internal debate on how to respond to Irans human rights abuses and support for militant groups such as Hezbollah.

The Iranian regime continues to detain U.S. citizens and other foreigners on fabricated national-security related changes, a State Department official said in an emailed statement Sunday. Iran is believed to hold a number of foreign nationals, mostly dual citizens of the United States and European countries, but many of their identities have been kept secret.

We call for the immediate release of all U.S. citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families, the State Department official said.

It was unclear how long Wang may have been in Iranian custody, but Mizan reported that authorities arrested him in August 2016 as he was leaving the country. Facebook and LinkedIn pages with Wangs name, photo and similar work and study history indicate he studied at Harvard University from 2006 to 2008 and later worked as a Pashto language interpreter for the International Committee for the Red Cross in Afghanistan.

We cannot comment more at the present time, except to say that the university continues to do everything it can to be supportive of Mr. Wang and his family, said Day, the Princeton official.

Also Sunday, the brother of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was detained for unspecified financial crimes, the judicial spokesman said. Hossein Fereidoun is a close adviser to the president and was involved in the negotiations that led to the nuclear deal with world powers. Hard-line conservatives in Iran had long accused him of corruption.

Morello reported from Washington.

Read more

U.S. and Europe are on a collision course over Iran

Trumps pressure on Iran may be stoking sectarian tensions in Mideast

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A Palestinian argues with Israeli border police standing guard near newly installed metal detectors at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalems Old City. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images)

Israel began implementing new security measures, including checkpoints and metal detectors, at entrances to one of Jerusalems most sensitive holy sites on Sunday, two days after three gunmen killed two police officers there.

The perpetrators, Palestinian Muslims with Israeli citizenship, were caught on Israeli police cameras exiting the sacred al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a site that is also revered by Jews, shooting the two officers before darting back inside the esplanade.

The assailants, all from the Arab-Israeli town of Umm al-Fahm, were shot dead at the site by security forces.

Immediately after the incident on Friday morning, Israeli police closed the mosque and prevented worshipers from entering the compound and Old City for the first time since 1967.

The move was condemned by many in the Muslim world, who view the ramped-up security as an attempt by Israel to change the precious status quo at the site, which is often a flash point of violence between the sides. Jews refer to the site as the Temple Mount.

Israeli police said the measures were necessary to secure the site and ensure there were no other weapons present. Several members of the Wakf, the Islamic trust that administers the site, were detained by police, suspected of aiding the three attackers or for inciting violence against Israel, local media reported.

In an interview on Israel Army Radio on Sunday, Maj. Gen. Yoram Halevy, the Jerusalem District police commander, said knives, slingshots, batons, spikes and unexploded ordnance were found during the police sweep.

He also said that Jerusalem municipal workers had entered the mosque Saturday to clean up after the police.

In the aftermath of the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held a rare phone call, with Netanyahu saying that there would be no change to the current arrangements at the complex and Abbas, in a rare move, condemning the violence and calling on Netanyahu to reopen the site.

After holding a security briefing Saturday night, Netanyahu agreed to do so, ordering the mosque to reopen Sunday. But by early afternoon, only Muslim residents of the city were being allowed to enter, and all worshipers had to pass through newly installed metal detectors.

Those three who were killed Friday didnt do anything good for Muslims or for Jerusalem, said Hafez Sublaban, who runs a small grocery store opposite one of the entrances to the mosque. The only ones who benefit from it are the Jews. They have taken advantage of the situation.

Sublaban, who has run his kiosk for more than 20 years, said he did not recall a situation in which worshipers were prevented from entering the mosque. But, he said, residents of Jerusalems Old City endure surveillance 24 hours a day, seven days a week from hundreds of Israeli police security cameras that dot the narrow alleyways and monitor the entrances to the holy site.

This is not the right state of mind for those who want to go and worship, he said.

This is our mosque and our place of worship; we are against these ruthless procedures, Umm Amar, a 53-year-old resident of the Old City, said as she was about to pass the newly set up Israeli police checkpoint to reach the mosque.

We dont really know what happened on Friday  only God knows that  but what we do know is that it has made the situation worse, she said. I was born here in 1964, and I dont ever remember a time that the mosque was closed for worship.

A family from Jordan that had arrived in Jerusalem on Saturday stood nearby. Because of the tight security, Israeli police officers turned them away.

This is unacceptable, said Jamal Ishtwayeh, a resident of Amman, Jordans capital. Its like someone coming here from the Vatican and discovering that their church is closed.

Ami Meitav, a former Israeli security coordinator for the Old City, said installing metal detectors at the site is not a simple procedure, with more than 2,000 people entering the mosque most Fridays.

I dont think the police will be able to check everyone; they will check some of them, but if people know there is a check control maybe they will not come with a gun because they know that its possible to touch them in the gate, he said.

Until now, Israel has allowed security personnel employed by the Wakf to take responsibility for security arrangements after pressure from Jordan, which oversees the site in a complicated arrangement dating back to the 1967 war.

Jordanian news agency Petra reported that Jordans King Abdullah II called Netanyahu on Saturday. The king condemned the violence and called for the mosque to be immediately reopened.

Speaking to Israel Army Radio on Sunday, Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said that it was up to Israel to decide security protocol for the site and that metal detectors would now be installed at all nine gates into the compound. He also said that police cameras should be able to view the public areas around the mosque.

Sufian Taha contributed to this report.

Read more:

Gunmen kill 2 Israeli police officers at entrance to Jerusalem mosque complex

Jewish activists want to pray on Jerusalems Temple Mount, raising alarm in Muslim world

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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The United Arab Emirates orchestrated the hacking of Qatari government news and social media sites in order to post incendiary false quotes attributed to Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani, in late May that sparked the ongoing upheaval between Qatar and its neighbors, according to U.S. intelligence officials.

Officials became aware last week that newly analyzed information gathered by U.S. intelligence agencies confirmed that on May 23, senior members of the UAE government discussed the plan and its implementation. The officials said it remains unclear whether the UAE carried out the hacks itself or contracted to have them done. The false reports said that the emir, among other things, had called Iran an Islamic power and praised Hamas.

The hacks and posting took place on May 24, shortly after President Trump completed a lengthy counterterrorism meeting with Persian Gulf leaders in neighboring Saudi Arabia and declared them unified.

Citing the emirs reported comments, the Saudis, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt immediately banned all Qatari media. They then broke relations with Qatar and declared a trade and diplomatic boycott, sending the region into a political and diplomatic tailspin that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has warned could undermine U.S. counterterrorism efforts against the Islamic State.

[Tillerson heads home from Qatar with no resolution of regional dispute]

(The Washington Post)

In a statement released in Washington by its ambassador, Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE said the Post article was false.

The UAE had no role whatsoever in the alleged hacking described in the article, the statement said. What is true is Qatars behavior. Funding, supporting, and enabling extremists from the Taliban to Hamas and Qadafi. Inciting violence, encouraging radicalization, and undermining the stability of its neighbors.

The revelations come as emails purportedly hacked from Otaibas private account have circulated to journalists over the past several months. That hack has been claimed by an apparently pro-

Qatari organization calling itself GlobalLeaks. Many of the emails highlight the UAEs determination over the years to rally Washington thinkers and policymakers to its side on the issues at the center of its dispute with Qatar.

All of the Persian Gulf nations are members of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State. More than 10,000 U.S. troops are based at Qatars al-Udeid Air Base, the U.S. Central Commands regional headquarters, and Bahrain is the home of the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet. All are purchasers of U.S. defense equipment and tied to U.S. foreign policy priorities in numerous ways.

The conflict has also exposed sharp differences between Trump  who has clearly taken the Saudi and UAE side in a series of tweets and statements  and Tillerson, who has urged compromise and spent most of last week in shuttle diplomacy among the regional capitals that has been unsuccessful so far.

We dont expect any near-term resolution, Tillerson aide R.C. Hammond said Saturday. He said the secretary had left behind proposals with the Saudi bloc and with Qatar including a common set of principles that all countries can agree to so that we start from . . . a common place.

Qatar has repeatedly charged that its sites were hacked, but it has not released the results of its investigation. Intelligence officials said their working theory since the Qatar hacks has been that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt or some combination of those countries were involved. It remains unclear whether the others also participated in the plan.

U.S. intelligence and other officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment, as did the CIA. The FBI, which Qatar has said was helping in its investigation, also declined to comment.

A spokesman for the Qatari Embassy in Washington responded by drawing attention to a statement by that governments attorney general, Ali Bin Fetais al-Marri, who said late last month that Qatar has evidence that certain iPhones originating from countries laying siege to Qatar were used in the hack.

Hammond said he did not know of the newly analyzed U.S. intelligence on the UAE or whether Tillerson was aware of it.

The hacking incident reopened a bitter feud among the gulf monarchies that has simmered for years. It last erupted in 2013, when Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain accused Qatar of providing safe haven for their political dissidents and supporting the pan-Arab Muslim Brotherhood; funding terrorists, including U.S.-designated terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah; and using its state-funded media outlets to destabilize its neighbors.

[Key senator threatens arms sales over gulf dispute]

Qatar  an energy-rich country ruled by its own unelected monarchy  saw the Saudi-led accusations as an attempt by neighboring autocrats to stifle its more liberal tendencies. Separately, the United States warned Qatar to keep a tighter rein on wealthy individuals there who surreptitiously funded Islamist terror groups  a charge that Washington has also made in the past against the Saudis and other gulf countries. While Qatar promised some steps in response to the charges in a 2014 agreement with the others, it took little action.

During his two-day visit to Riyadh, Trump met with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council  Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar  and held individual closed-door meetings with several GCC leaders, including the Qatar emir. The day before his departure on the morning of May 22, Trump delivered a speech, focused on the need for religious tolerance and unity against terrorism, to more than 50 Muslim leaders gathered from around the world for the occasion.

But he devoted most of his attention to Saudi King Salman, praising as a wise leader the man who controls his countrys vast oil reserves. In what the administration hailed as a high point of the visit, the Saudis agreed to purchase $110 billion in U.S. arms and signed letters of intent to invest hundreds of billions in deals with U.S. companies.

He had told the Saudis in advance, Trump said in an interview Wednesday with the Christian Broadcasting Network, that the agreements and purchases were a prerequisite for his presence. I said, you have to do that, otherwise Im not going, Trump recounted.

The statements attributed to the emir first appeared on the Qatar News Agencys website early on the morning of May 24, in a report on his appearance at a military ceremony, as Trump was wrapping up the next stop on his nine-day overseas trip, in Israel. According to the Qatari government, alerts were sent out within 45 minutes saying the information was false.

Later that morning, the same false information appeared on a ticker at the bottom of a video of the emirs appearance that was posted on Qatar News Agencys YouTube channel. Similar material appeared on government Twitter feeds.

The reports were repeatedly broadcast on Saudi Arabian government outlets, continuing even after the Qatari alert said it was false. The UAE shut down all broadcasts of Qatari media inside its borders, including the Qatari-funded Al Jazeera satellite network, the most watched in the Arab world.

[Why Saudi Arabia hates Al Jazeera so much]

The first week in June, the Saudi-led countries severed relations, ordered all Qatari nationals inside their countries to leave, and closed their borders to all land, air and sea traffic with Qatar, a peninsular nation in the Persian Gulf whose only land connection is with Saudi Arabia.

In addition to charges of supporting terrorism and promoting instability inside their countries, they accused Qatar of being too close to Iran, Saudi Arabias main rival for regional power and, according to the United States, the worlds foremost supporter of global terrorism. Iran conducts robust trade with most of the gulf, including the UAE, and shares the worlds largest natural gas field with Qatar.

The day after the boycott was announced, Trump indirectly took credit for it. So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with King and 50 countries already paying off, he tweeted. They said they would take a hard line on funding extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar.

At the same time, Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called for negotiations and a quick resolution of the dispute. When the Saudi-led group released a list of 13 non-negotiable demands for Qatar  including shutting down Al Jazeera and expelling a number of people deemed terrorists  the State Department suggested that they were unreasonable and that the terrorism funding issue was a smokescreen for long-standing regional grievances that should be resolved through mediation and negotiation.

Qatar rejected the demands. Tillerson appeared to agree that they were draconian. But when he called for the boycott to be eased, saying it was causing both security and humanitarian hardship, Trump said the measure was harsh but necessary.

The one concrete result of Tillersons stops in the region last week was a new bilateral agreement signed with Qatar on stopping terrorism financing, the only one of the gulf countries that had responded to an invitation to do so, Hammond said.

Speaking to reporters on his plane flying back to Washington on Friday, Tillerson said the trip was useful first to listen and get a sense of how serious the situation is, how emotional some of these issues are. He said that he had left proposals with both sides that suggested some ways that we might move this forward.

All of the countries involved, Tillerson said, are really important to us from a national security standpoint. . . . We need this part of the world to be stable, and this particular conflict between these parties is obviously not helpful.

Asked about Trumps tweets and other comments, he noted that being secretary of state is a lot different than being CEO of Exxon, his previous job, because I was the ultimate decision-maker. He knew what to expect from long-standing colleagues, he said, and decision-making was disciplined and highly structured.

Those are not the characteristics of the United States government. And I dont say that as a criticism, its just an observation of fact, Tillerson said. While neither he nor the president came from the political world, he said, his old job put him in contact with the rest of the world and that engagement . . . is actually very easy for me.

For his part, Trump agreed in the Christian Broadcasting Network interview that he and Tillerson had a little bit of a difference, only in terms of tone over the gulf conflict.

Qatar, Trump said, is now a little bit on the outs, but I think theyre being brought back in. Asked about the U.S. military base in Qatar, Trump said he was not concerned.

Well be all right, he said. Look, if we ever have to leave the base, we would have 10 countries willing to build us another one, believe me. And theyll pay for it.

Kareem Fahim in Istanbul and

Carol Morello in Washington contributed to this report.
Williamson, WV (25661)

Today

Rain. Morning high of 55F with temps falling to near 45. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Rain showers early with overcast skies late. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low around 35F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
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Inc., NME Psychiatric Hospitals Inc., NME Rehabilitation Properties Inc., NS Medical Billing Center L.L.C., NSCH GP Holdings LLC, NSCH/USP Desert Surgery Centers L.L.C., NSMC Holdings Inc., NSN Revenue Resources LLC, NUCH of Georgia L.L.C., NUCH of Massachusetts LLC, NUCH of Michigan Inc., Nacogdoches ASC-LP Inc., National ASC Inc., National Ancillary Inc., National Diagnostic Imaging Centers Inc., National HHC Inc., National Home Health Holdings Inc., National ICN Inc., National Imaging Center Holdings Inc., National Medical Services II Inc., National Outpatient Services Holdings Inc., National Surgery Center Holdings Inc., National Urgent Care Inc., Network Management Associates Inc., New Dimensions LLC, New England Physician Performance Network LLC, New H Acute Inc., New Horizons Surgery Center LLC, New Medical Horizons II Ltd., Newhope Imaging Center Inc., North Anaheim Surgery Center LLC, North Atlantic Surgical Suites LLC, North Campus Surgery Center LLC, North Carolina Community Family Medicine L.L.C., North Denver Musculoskeletal Surgical Partners LLC, North Fulton Cardiovascular Medicine L.L.C., North Fulton Hospitalist Group L.L.C., North Fulton Medical Center Inc., North Fulton Primary Care - Willeo Rd. L.L.C., North Fulton Primary Care - Windward Parkway L.L.C., North Fulton Primary Care - Wylie Bridge L.L.C., North Fulton Primary Care Associates L.L.C., North Fulton Pulmonary Specialists L.L.C., North Fulton Womens Consultants L.L.C., North Haven Surgery Center LLC, North Miami Medical Center Ltd., North Shore Same Day Surgery L.L.C., North Shore Surgical Suites LLC, NorthPointe Surgical Suites LLC, NorthShore/USP Surgery Centers II L.L.C., Northridge Surgery Center L.P., Northwest Georgia Orthopaedic Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Regional ASC LLC, Northwest Regional Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Surgery Center Ltd., Novant Health/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Novant/UVA/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Okatie Surgical Partners L.L.C., Old Tesson Surgery Center L.P., Olive Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Olive Branch Urgent Care #1 LLC, Ophthalmology Anesthesia Services LLC, Ophthalmology Surgery Center of Orlando LLC, Optimum Spine Center LLC, OrNda Healthcorp, OrNda Hospital Corporation, Orlando Health/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., OrthoArizona Surgery Center Gilbert LLC, OrthoLink ASC Corporation, OrthoLink Physicians Corporation, OrthoLink Radiology Services Corporation, OrthoLink/ Georgia ASC Inc., OrthoLink/New Mexico ASC Inc., Orthopedic Associates of the Lowcountry L.L.C., Oxford Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, PAHS/USP Surgery Centers LLC, PDN L.L.C., PHPS Inc., PHPS-CHM Acquisition Inc., PM CyFair Land Partners LLC, PMC Physician Network L.L.C., PSS Patient Solution Services LLC, Pacific Endo-Surgical Center L.P., Pacific Endoscopy and Surgery Center LLC, Paley Institute Global LLC, Palm Beach Gardens Community Hospital Inc., Palm Beach International Surgery Center LLC, Park Plaza Hospital Billing Center L.L.C., ParkCreek ASC LLC, Parkwest Surgery Center L.P., Patient Partners LLC, Peak Gastroenterology ASC LLC, Pediatric Surgery Center  Odessa LLC, Pediatric Surgery Centers LLC, Physician Performance Network L.L.C., Physician Performance Network of Arizona LLC, Physician Performance Network of South Carolina LLC, Physician Performance Network of Tucson LLC, Physicians Performance Network of Houston, Physicians Performance Network of North Texas, Physicians Surgery Center of Tempe LLC, Physicians Surgery Center of Chattanooga L.L.C., Physicians Surgery Center of Knoxville LLC, Piccard Surgery Center LLC, Piedmont ASC LLC, Piedmont Behavioral Medicine Associates LLC, Piedmont Cardiovascular Physicians L.L.C., Piedmont Carolina OB/GYN of York County L.L.C., Piedmont Carolina Vascular Surgery L.L.C., Piedmont East Urgent Care Center L.L.C., Piedmont Express Care at Sutton Road L.L.C., Piedmont Family Practice at Baxter Village L.L.C., Piedmont Family Practice at Rock Hill L.L.C., Piedmont Family Practice at Tega Cay L.L.C., Piedmont General Surgery Associates L.L.C., Piedmont Internal Medicine at Baxter Village L.L.C., Piedmont Physician Network LLC, Piedmont Pulmonology L.L.C., Piedmont Surgical Specialists L.L.C., Piedmont Urgent Care Center at Baxter Village L.L.C., Piedmont Urgent Care and Industrial Health Centers Inc., Piedmont/Carolinas Radiation Therapy LLC, Placentia-Linda Hospital Inc., Pleasanton Diagnostic Imaging Inc., Point of Rocks Surgery Center LLC, Porter Musculoskeletal Surgery Center LLC, Potomac View Surgery Center LLC, Practice Partners Management L.P., Premier ACO Physicians Network LLC, Premier ASC LLC, Premier Adult and Childrens Surgery Center LLC, Premier Endoscopy ASC LLC, Premier Health Plan Services Inc., Premier Medical Specialists L.L.C., Prince William Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Professional Anesthesia Services LLC, Pros Temporary Staffing Inc., Providence/UCLA/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Providence/USP Santa Clarita GP LLC, Providence/USP South Bay Surgery Centers L.L.C., Providence/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Pueblo Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, R.H.S.C. El Paso Inc., RE Plano Med Inc., RHC Parkway Inc., RLC LLC, Reading Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Reading Endoscopy Center LLC, Reagan Street Surgery Center LLC, Red Cedar Surgery Center LLC, Redmond Surgery Center LLC, Republic Health Corporation of Rockwall County, Resolute Health Physicians Network Inc., Resolute Hospital Company LLC, Resurgens Surgery Center LLC, Rheumatology Associates of Atlanta Medical Center L.L.C., Rio Grande Valley Indigent Health Care Corporation, Riva Road Surgery Center LLC, River North Same Day Surgery L.L.C., Riverside Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Rock Bridge Surgical Institute L.L.C., Rock Hill Surgery Center LLC, Rockville Surgical Suites LLC, Rocky Mountain Endoscopy Centers LLC, Roswell Surgery Center L.L.C., SCNRE LLC, SFMP Inc., SFMPE - Crittenden L.L.C., SL-HLC Inc., SLH Physicians L.L.C., SLH Vista Inc., SLPA ACO LLC, SLUH Anesthesia Physicians L.L.C., SMSJ Imaging Company LLC, SMSJ Tucson Holdings LLC, SRRMC Management Inc., SSI Holdings Inc., Safety Harbor ASC Company LLC, Saint Francis Cardiology Associates L.L.C., Saint Francis Cardiovascular Surgery L.L.C., Saint Francis Center for Surgical Weight Loss L.L.C., Saint Francis Hospital Billing Center L.L.C., Saint Francis Hospital Medicare ACO LLC, Saint Francis Hospital Pro Fee Billing L.L.C., Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett Inc., Saint Francis Medical Partners East L.L.C., Saint Francis Medical Partners General Surgery L.L.C., Saint Francis Physician Network LLC, Saint Francis Quality Alliance LLC, Saint Francis Surgery Center L.L.C., Saint Francis Surgical Associates L.L.C., Saint Francis-Arkansas Physician Network LLC, Saint Francis-Bartlett Physician Network LLC, Saint Thomas Campus Surgicare L.P., Saint Thomas Surgery Center New Salem LLC, Saint Thomas/USP Surgery Centers II L.L.C., Saint Thomas/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Saint Thomas/USP  Baptist Plaza L.L.C., Saint Vincent Physician Services Inc., Salmon Surgery Center LLC, Same Day Management L.L.C., Same Day Surgery L.L.C., San Antonio Endoscopy L.P., San Fernando Valley Surgery Center L.P., San Gabriel Valley Surgical Center L.P., San Ramon ASC L. P., San Ramon Ambulatory Care LLC, San Ramon Network Joint Venture LLC, San Ramon Regional Medical Center LLC, Santa Barbara Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Santa Clarita Surgery Center L.P., Savannah Endoscopy Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Schertz Surgery Center LLC, Scottsdale Endoscopy ASC LLC, Scripps/USP Surgery Centers 2 LLC, Seaside Surgery Center LLC, Shelby Baptist Affinity LLC, Shelby Baptist Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Shore Outpatient Surgicenter L.L.C., Shoreline Real Estate Partnership LLP, Shoreline Surgery Center LLP, Sierra Providence Health Network Inc., Sierra Providence Healthcare Enterprises, Sierra Vista Hospital Inc., Sierra Vista Surgery Center LLC, Silver Cross Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Silver Cross/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Sinai-Grace Premier Clinical Management Services LLC, Solantic Development LLC, Solantic Holdings Corporation, South Carolina East Cooper Surgical Specialists L.L.C., South Carolina Health Services LLC, South Carolina SeWee Family Medicine L.L.C., South County Outpatient Endoscopy Services L.P., South Denver Musculoskeletal Surgical Partners LLC, South Florida Ambulatory Surgical Center LLC, South Fulton Health Care Centers Inc., South Plains Endoscopy Associates LLC, SouthCare Physicians Group Neurology L.L.C., SouthCare Physicians Group Obstetrics & Gynecology L.L.C., Southeast Ohio Surgical Suites LLC, Southern Orthopedics and Sports Medicine L.L.C., Southern States Physician Operations Inc., Southwest Childrens Hospital LLC, Southwest Endoscopy LLC, Southwestern Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Spalding Regional Medical Center Inc., Spalding Regional OB/GYN L.L.C., Spalding Regional Physician Services L.L.C., Specialty Surgicenters Inc., Springfield Service Holding Corporation, St. Augustine Endoscopy Center LLC, St. Christophers Pediatric Urgent Care Center - Allentown L.L.C, St. Josephs Hospital Surgical Co-Management LLC, St. Josephs Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, St. Louis Physician Alliance LLC, St. Louis Surgical Center LC, St. Louis Urology Center LLC, St. Lukes/USP Surgery Centers LLC, St. Marys Hospital Cardiovascular Co-Management LLC, St. Marys Hospital Surgical Co-Management LLC, St. Marys Levee Company LLC, St. Marys Medical Center Inc., St. Vincent Health/USP LLC, St. Vincent/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Suburban Endoscopy Center LLC, Summit View Surgery Center LLC, Sun View Imaging L.L.C., SurgCenter Camelback LLC, SurgCenter Clearwater LLC, SurgCenter Development, SurgCenter Northeast LLC, SurgCenter Pinellas LLC, SurgCenter Tucson LLC, SurgCenter at Paradise Valley LLC, SurgCenter of Deer Valley LLC, SurgCenter of Glen Burnie LLC, SurgCenter of Greater Dallas LLC, SurgCenter of Greater Jacksonville LLC, SurgCenter of Northern Baltimore LLC, SurgCenter of Palm Beach Gardens LLC, SurgCenter of Pine Ridge LLC, SurgCenter of Silver Spring LLC, SurgCenter of Southern Maryland LLC, SurgCenter of St. Lucie LLC, SurgCenter of White Marsh LLC, SurgCenter of the Potomac LLC, Surgery Affiliate of El Paso LLC, Surgery Center at Mount Pleasant LLC, Surgery Center at University Park LLC, Surgery Center of Columbia L.P., Surgery Center of Coral Gables LLC, Surgery Center of Okeechobee LLC, Surgery Center of Pembroke Pines L.L.C., Surgery Center of Peoria L.L.C., Surgery Center of Santa Barbara LLC, Surgery Center of Scottsdale LLC, Surgery Centers of America II L.L.C., Surgery Centre of SW Florida LLC, Surgical & Bariatric Associates of Atlanta Medical Center L.L.C., Surgical Center Development #3 LLC, Surgical Center Development #4 LLC, Surgical Clinical Excellence at Desert Regional LLC, Surgical Elite of Avondale L.L.C., Surgical Health Partners LLC, Surgical Institute Management LLC, Surgical Institute of Reading LLC, Surgicare of Miramar L.L.C., Surginet Inc., Surgis Inc., Surgis Management Services Inc., Surgis of Chico Inc., Surgis of Phoenix Inc., Surgis of Redding Inc., Surgis of Victoria Inc., Sutton Road Pediatrics L.L.C., Sylvan Grove Hospital Inc., T1 Security LLC, TENN SM LLC, TFPS IV L.L.C., TH Healthcare Ltd., TH International Services Florida LLC, TLC ASC LLC, TOPS Specialty Hospital Ltd., TOSCA ASC Holdings LLC, TPR Practice Management LLC, TPS VI of PA L.L.C., TSPE LLC, Tamarac Surgery Center LLC, Tampa Bay Joint and Spine LLC, Tempe New Day Surgery Center LP, Templeton Imaging Inc., Tenet Business Services Corporation, Tenet California Inc., Tenet Central Carolina Physicians Inc., Tenet EKG Inc., Tenet El Paso Ltd., Tenet Employment Inc., Tenet Finance Corp., Tenet Florida Inc., Tenet Florida Physician Services II L.L.C., Tenet Florida Physician Services III L.L.C., Tenet Florida Physician Services L.L.C., Tenet Fort Mill Inc., Tenet Global Business Center Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Bucks County L.L.C., Tenet HealthSystem Graduate L.L.C., Tenet HealthSystem Hahnemann L.L.C., Tenet HealthSystem Medical Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Nacogdoches ASC GP Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Philadelphia Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Roxborough LLC, Tenet HealthSystem St. Christophers Hospital for Children L.L.C., Tenet Hilton Head Heart L.L.C., Tenet Hospitals Limited, Tenet Network Management Inc., Tenet Patient Safety Organization LLC, Tenet Physician Resources LLC, Tenet Physician Services - Hilton Head Inc., Tenet Rehab Piedmont Inc., Tenet Relocation Services L.L.C., Tenet SC East Cooper Hospitalists L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Gastrointestinal Surgical Specialists L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Island Medical L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Lowcountry OB/GYN L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Mt. Pleasant OB/GYN L.L.C., Tenet Unifour Urgent Care Center L.L.C., Tenet Ventures Inc., TenetCare Frisco Inc., Terre Haute Surgical Center LLC, Teton Outpatient Services LLC, Texan Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Texas Orthopedics Surgery Center LLC, Texas Regional Medical in Sunnyvale, The 6300 West Roosevelt Partnership, The Healthcare Insurance Corporation, The Healthcare Underwriting Company a Risk Retention Group, The Huron Corporation, The Old Bridge Surgery Center LLC, The Outpatient Center LLC, The Southeastern Spine Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center L.L.C., The Surgery Center at Jensen Beach LLC, The Tresanti Surgical Center LLC, Theda Oaks Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Center LLC, Three Springs ASC LLC, Timonium Surgery Center LLC, Titan Health Corporation, Titan Health of Chattanooga Inc., Titan Health of Hershey Inc., Titan Health of Mount Laurel LLC, Titan Health of North Haven Inc., Titan Health of Pittsburgh Inc., Titan Health of Pleasant Hills Inc., Titan Health of Princeton Inc., Titan Health of Sacramento Inc., Titan Health of Saginaw Inc., Titan Health of Titusville Inc., Titan Health of West Penn Inc., Titan Health of Westminster Inc., Titan Management Corporation, Titusville Center for Surgical Excellence LLC, Treasure Coast ASC LLC, Trinity Health of New England/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., True Medical Weight Loss L.P., True Medical Wellness LP, True Results Georgia Inc., True Results HoldCo LLC, True Results Missouri LLC, Tucson Digestive Institute LLC, Tucson Hospital Holdings Inc., Tucson Physician Group Holdings LLC, Turlock Imaging Services LLC, Turlock Land Company LLC, Twin Cities Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Twin Cities Community Hospital Inc., UAP Lebanon Endo LLC, UAP Nashville Endoscopy LLC, UAP Scopes LLC, UAP of Arizona Inc., UAP of California Inc., UAP of Missouri Inc., UAP of New Jersey Inc., UAP of Oklahoma Inc., UAP of Tennessee Inc., UAP of Texas Inc., UCC Tucson Holdings LLC, UMC Surgery Center Lubbock LLC, UMC-USP Surgery Centers LLC, USC/Norris Cancer Hospital, USP 12th Ave Real Estate Inc., USP Acquisition Corporation, USP Alexandria Inc., USP Assurance Company, USP Athens Inc., USP Atlanta Inc., USP Austin Inc., USP Bariatric LLC, USP Beaumont Inc., USP Bergen Inc., USP Bloomington Inc., USP Bridgeton Inc., USP Cedar Park Inc., USP Chesterfield Inc., USP Chicago Inc., USP Cincinnati Inc., USP Coast Inc., USP Columbia Inc., USP Connecticut Inc., USP Corpus Christi Inc., USP Creve Coeur Inc., USP Denver Inc., USP Des Peres Inc., USP Destin Inc., USP Domestic Holdings Inc., USP Effingham Inc., USP Encinitas Endoscopy Inc., USP Fenton Inc., USP Festus Inc., USP Florissant Inc., USP Fort Lauderdale Inc., USP Fort Worth Hospital Real Estate Inc., USP Fredericksburg Inc., USP Fresno Inc., USP Frontenac Inc., USP Gateway Inc., USP HMH Surgery Center at Shore LLC, USP Harbour View Inc., USP Houston Inc., USP Indiana Inc., USP International Holdings Inc., USP Jacksonville Inc., USP Jersey City Inc., USP Kansas City Inc., USP Knoxville Inc., USP Little Rock Inc., USP Long Island Inc., USP Louisiana Inc., USP Lubbock Inc., USP Maryland Inc., USP Mason Ridge Inc., USP Mattis Inc., USP Michigan Inc., USP Midland Inc., USP Midland Real Estate Inc., USP Midwest Inc., USP Mission Hills Inc., USP Montana Inc., USP Morris Inc., USP Mt. Vernon Inc., USP Nevada Holdings LLC, USP Nevada Inc., USP New Hampshire Inc., USP New Jersey Inc., USP Newport News Inc., USP North Carolina Inc., USP North Kansas City Inc., USP North Texas Inc., USP Northwest Arkansas Inc., USP OKC Inc., USP OKC Manager Inc., USP Office Parkway Inc., USP Ohio RE Inc., USP Oklahoma Inc., USP Olive Inc., USP Orlando Inc., USP Philadelphia Inc., USP Phoenix Inc., USP Portland Inc., USP Reading Inc., USP Richmond II Inc., USP Richmond Inc., USP Sacramento Inc., USP San Antonio Inc., USP Santa Barbara Surgery Centers Inc., USP Securities Corporation , USP Silver Cross Inc., USP Siouxland Inc., USP Somerset Inc., USP South Carolina Inc., USP Southlake RE Inc., USP St. Louis Inc., USP St. Louis Urology Inc., USP St. Peters Inc., USP Sunset Hills Inc., USP TJ STL Inc., USP Tennessee Inc., USP Texas Air L.L.C., USP Texas L.P., USP Torrance Inc., USP Tucson Inc., USP Turnersville Inc., USP Virginia Beach Inc., USP Washington Inc., USP Waxahachie Management L.L.C., USP Webster Groves Inc., USP West Covina Inc., USP Westwood Inc., USP Winter Park Inc., USP Wisconsin Inc., USP-HMH Surgery Center at Central Jersey LLC, USP/Carondelet Tucson Surgery Centers LLC, USP/SOS Joint Venture LLC, USPI Group Holdings Inc., USPI Holding Company Inc.1, USPI Holdings Inc., USPI Physician Strategy Group LLC, USPI San Diego Inc., USPI Stockton Inc., USPI Surgical Services Inc., Underwood Surgery Center LLC, United Anesthesia Partners Inc., United Real Estate Development Inc., United Real Estate Holdings Inc., United Surgical Partners Holdings Inc., United Surgical Partners International, United Surgical Partners International Inc., Universal Medical Care Center L.L.C., University Surgery Center Ltd., Upper Bay Surgery Center LLC, Utica/USP Tulsa L.L.C., VB Brownsville LTACH LLC, VBOA ASC GP LLC, VBOA ASC Partners L.L.C., VHM Services Inc., VHS Acquisition Corporation, VHS Acquisition Partnership Number 1 L.P, VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 1 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 11 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 12 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 3 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 4 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 5 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 6 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 7 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 8 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 9 Inc., VHS Arizona Heart Institute Inc., VHS Brownsville Hospital Company LLC, VHS Chicago Market Procurement LLC, VHS Childrens Hospital of Michigan Inc., VHS Detroit Businesses Inc., VHS Detroit Receiving Hospital Inc., VHS Detroit Ventures Inc., VHS Harlingen Hospital Company LLC, VHS Harper-Hutzel Hospital Inc., VHS Holding Company Inc., VHS Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Inc., VHS Imaging Centers Inc., VHS New England Holding Company I Inc., VHS Outpatient Clinics Inc., VHS Phoenix Health Plan Inc., VHS Physicians of Michigan, VHS Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Inc., VHS San Antonio Imaging Partners L.P., VHS San Antonio Partners LLC, VHS Sinai-Grace Hospital Inc., VHS University Laboratories Inc., VHS Valley Health System LLC, VHS Valley Holdings LLC, VHS Valley Management Company Inc., VHS West Suburban Medical Center Inc., VHS Westlake Hospital Inc., VHS of Anaheim Inc., VHS of Arrowhead Inc., VHS of Huntington Beach Inc., VHS of Illinois Inc., VHS of Michigan Inc., VHS of Michigan Staffing Inc., VHS of Orange County Inc., VHS of Phoenix Inc., VHS of South Phoenix Inc., Valley Baptist Lab Services LLC, Valley Baptist Physician Performance Network, Valley Baptist Realty Company LLC, Valley Baptist Surgery Center LLC, Valley Baptist Surgery Center Real Estate LLC, Valley Baptist Wellness Center LLC, Valley Health Care Network, Vanguard Health Financial Company LLC, Vanguard Health Holding Company I LLC, Vanguard Health Holding Company II LLC, Vanguard Health Management Inc., Vanguard Health Systems, Vanguard Health Systems Inc., Vanguard Holding Company I Inc., Vanguard Holding Company II Inc., Vanguard Medical Specialists LLC, Vanguard Physician Services LLC, Ventana Surgical Center LLC, Veroscan Inc., Victoria Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., WHASA L.C., Walker Baptist Affinity LLC, Walker Street Imaging Care Inc., Warner Park Surgery Center LLC, Watermark Physician Services Inc., Webster Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Wellington Endo LLC, Wellstar/USP Joint Venture I LLC, Wellstar/USP Joint Venture II LLC, West Boca Health Services L.L.C., West Boca Medical Center Inc., West Bozeman Surgery Center LLC, West Palm Healthcare Real Estate Inc., West Suburban Radiation Therapy Center LLC, Westgate Surgery Center LLC, Westlake Hospital LLC, Westlawn Surgery Center LLC, Westminster Surgery Center LLC, Westminster Surgery Centers LLC, White Fence Surgical Suites LLC, Wilmington Endoscopy Center LLC, Wilshire Rental Corp., Windsor Mill Surgery Center LLC, Winter Haven Ambulatory Surgical Center L.L.C., Wisconsin Specialty Surgery Center LLC, and Wymark Surgery Center LLC.

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Genpact Limited provides business process outsourcing and information technology (IT) services in India, rest of Asia, North and Latin America, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Banking, Capital Markets and Insurance; Consumer Goods, Retail, Life Sciences and Healthcare; and High Tech, Manufacturing and Services. The company offers CFO advisory services; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) services, such as data management, carbon accounting, human rights assessment, sustainability diligence, and ESG reporting. It also provides finance and accounting services, which include accounts payable, such as document management, invoice processing, approval and resolution management, and travel and expense processing; invoice-to-cash services, including customer master data management, credit and contract management, fulfillment, billing, collections, and dispute management services; record to report services comprising accounting, treasury, tax, product cost accounting, and closing and reporting services; financial planning and analysis consisting of budgeting, forecasting, and business performance reporting; and enterprise risk and compliance services, including operational risks and controls. In addition, the company provides supply chain advisory services, and after-sales services; sourcing and procurement services comprising direct and indirect strategic sourcing, category management, spend analytics, procurement operation, and master data management; and sales and commercial services, including campaign, order, and dispute management, lead generation, pricing, and promotion optimization. Further, it offers IT services, which comprise end-user computing support, infrastructure management, application production support, and database management services; and transformation services that include digital solutions, consulting services, and analytics services and solutions. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., through its subsidiaries, engages in the pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage, and gathering of crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Crude Oil and NGL. The Crude Oil segment offers gathering and transporting crude oil through pipelines, gathering systems, trucks, and at times on barges or railcars. This segment provides terminalling, storage, and other facilities-related services, as well as merchant activities. As of December 31, 2021, this segment owned and leased 18,300 miles of active crude oil transportation pipelines and gathering systems, as well as an additional 110 miles of pipelines that supports crude oil storage and terminalling facilities; 74 million barrels of commercial crude oil storage capacity; 38 million barrels of active, above-ground tank capacity; four marine facilities; a condensate processing facility; seven crude oil rail terminals and 2,100 crude oil railcars; and 640 trucks and 1,275 trailers. The Natural Gas Liquids segment engages in the natural gas processing, NGL fractionation, storage, transportation, and terminalling activities. As of December 31, 2021, this segment owned and operated four natural gas processing plants; nine fractionation plants; 28 million barrels of NGL storage capacity; approximately 1,620 miles of active NGL transportation pipelines, as well as an additional 55 miles of pipeline that supports NGL storage facilities; 16 NGL rail terminals and approximately 3,900 NGL rail cars; and approximately 220 trailers. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. operates as a subsidiary of Plains GP Holdings, L.P.
The following companies are subsidiares of Eli Lilly and: 1096401 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, ARMO BioSciences Inc, ARMO Bioscience, Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Alnara Pharmaceuticals, Alnara Pharmaceuticals Inc., Andean Technical Operations Center, Applied Molecular Evolution Inc., AurKa Pharma, Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Avid Radiopharmaceuticals Inc., ChemGen, CoLucid Pharmaceuticals, CoLucid Pharmaceuticals Inc., Dermira, Devices for Vascular Intervention(DVI), Disarm Therapeutics, Dista Ilac Ticaret Ltd. Sti., Dista S.A., Dista-Produtos Quimicos & Farmaceuticos LDA, ELCO Dominicana SRL, ELCO Insurance Company Limited, ELCO Management Inc., ELCO for Trade and Marketing S.A.E., ELGO Insurance Company Limited, Elanco Animal Health Ireland Limited, Elanco Switzerland Holding Sarl, Eli Lilly (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Eli Lilly (Philippines) Incorporated, Eli Lilly (S.A.) (Proprietary) Limited, Eli Lilly (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Eli Lilly (Suisse) S.A., Eli Lilly Asia Inc., Eli Lilly Asia Pacific SSC Sdn Bhd, Eli Lilly Australia Pty. Limited, Eli Lilly B-H d.o.o., Eli Lilly Benelux S.A., Eli Lilly Bienes y Servicios S de RL de CV, Eli Lilly CR s.r.o., Eli Lilly Canada Inc., Eli Lilly Cork Limited, Eli Lilly Danmark A/S, Eli Lilly Egypt for Trading, Eli Lilly European Clinical Trial Services SA, Eli Lilly Export S.A., Eli Lilly Finance S.A., Eli Lilly Ges.m.b.H., Eli Lilly Group Limited, Eli Lilly Holdings Ltd., Eli Lilly Hrvatska d.o.o., Eli Lilly Interamerica Inc., Eli Lilly Interamerica Inc. y Compania Limitada, Eli Lilly International Corporation, Eli Lilly Ireland Holdings Limited, Eli Lilly Israel Ltd., Eli Lilly Italia S.p.A., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Eli Lilly Kinsale Limited, Eli Lilly Nederland B.V., Eli Lilly Nigeria Ltd., Eli Lilly Norge A.S., Eli Lilly Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., Eli Lilly Polska Sp.z.o.o. (Ltd.), Eli Lilly Regional Operations GmbH, Eli Lilly Romania SRL, Eli Lilly S.A., Eli Lilly Saudi Arabia Limited, Eli Lilly Services Inc, Eli Lilly Services India Private Limited, Eli Lilly Slovakia s.r.o., Eli Lilly Sweden AB, Eli Lilly Vostok S.A. Geneva, Eli Lilly and Company, Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt. Ltd., Eli Lilly and Company (Ireland) Limited, Eli Lilly and Company (N.Z.) Limited, Eli Lilly and Company (Taiwan) Inc., Eli Lilly and Company Limited, Eli Lilly de Centro America S.A., Eli Lilly do Brasil Limitada, Eli Lilly farmacevtska druzba d.o.o., Eli Lilly y Compania de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Eli Lilly y Compania de Venezuela S.A., Glycostasis Inc, Greenfield-Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Heart Rhythm Technologies Inc, Hybritech, Hypnion, ICOS Corporation, ImClone GmbH, ImClone LLC, ImClone Systems Holdings Inc., ImClone Systems LLC, Imclone Systems, Irisfarma S.A., Ivy Animal Health, Kinsale Financial Services Unlimited Company, Lilly (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd, Lilly Asia Ventures Fund I L.P., Lilly Asia Ventures Fund II L.P., Lilly Asian Ventures Fund III L.P., Lilly Cayman Holdings, Lilly China Research and Development Co. Ltd., Lilly Deutschland GmbH, Lilly France S.A.S., Lilly Global Nederland Holdings B.V., Lilly Global Services Inc., Lilly Holding GmbH, Lilly Holdings B.V., Lilly Hungaria KFT, Lilly Japan Financing G.K., Lilly Korea Ltd., Lilly Nederland Finance B.V., Lilly Nederland Finance B.V. - GCC, Lilly Nederland Holding B.V., Lilly Pharma Ltd., Lilly Portugal - Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Lilly S.A., Lilly Suzhou Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Lilly Trading Co. LTD, Lilly USA LLC, Lilly Ventures Fund I LLC, Lilly del Caribe Inc., Lilly ilac ticaret limited sirketi, Lohmann Animal Health, Loxo Oncology, Lylly Centre for Clinical Pharmacology PTE. LTD., Novartis Animal Health, OY Eli Lilly Finland AB, Origin Medsystems, PT. Eli Lilly Indonesia, Pacific Biotech, Pharmaserve-Lilly S.A.C.I., Physio-Control, SGX Pharmaceuticals, SGX Pharmaceuticals Inc, Spaly Bioquimica S.A., UAB Eli Lilly Lietuva, Valquifarma S.A., and Vital Pharma Productos Farmaceuticos.

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@doug_hanks

Miami-Dade Commissioner Xavier Suarez has tapped a string of elected officials to help him pressure the county to stop using a transportation tax to plug holes in the transit budget.

Suarez wants to divert tax dollars from the county's cash-strapped transit agency to a plan to spend at least $3 billion expanding rail countywide. On Thursday, he led a progression of local officials, including Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and Florida Rep. Kionne McGhee, urging the board that oversees the tax to back ending the transit subsidy.

"We need help," McGhee, a Democrat representing South Dade, told the Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust. "The south is suffering."

Miami-Dade voters in 2002 approved a half-percent sales tax to fund transportation, including a promised expansion of Metrorail. Fifteen years later, the system has only grown by about two miles, while tens of millions of dollars subsidize transit operations that used to rely on property taxes to fill budget holes.

The CITT board passed a resolution sponsored by Suarez's appointee to the panel, Melissa Dynan, that urged the County Commission to shift $50 million of the current $94 million subsidy away from transit operations and to expanding the transit system. Suarez argues Miami-Dade could $50 million from the overall $7 billion budget to fill the hole left in transit, but county officials say that would require drastic cuts.

"There is not enough fat to find $50 million," budget chief Jennifer Moon told the board.

The operating subsidy is set to drop about 30 percent for the 2018 budget year that begins Oct. 1 as more of the transit tax is needed for debt payments not related to rail expansion. And the CITT board already has endorsed ending the operating subsidy over several years. The resolution that passed Thursday called for stripping the $50 million out of the budget in a matter of months.

While the resolution backs Suarez's position, it was written as an urging of county commissioners rather than in a way that would force the commission to either adopt the policy or formally overrule the oversight board. Suarez said he was hoping for the more forceful version, but was happy to have the message delivered as the county considers how to fund the multi-billion-dollar SMART Plan to expand rail along six corridors countywide.

"We're going to build the damn thing," he said Saturday.

Suarez, a former Miami mayor, is widely considered a potential candidate for county mayor in 2020. His son, Francis, is the favorite to succeed Regalado as mayor this fall.
Washington (AFP) - A team of Afghan girls who were earlier denied visas to attend a Washington robotics competition landed in the United States early Saturday following an intervention by US President Donald Trump.

The six-member team were greeted at Dulles International Airport by a throng of supporters, including Afghan ambassador Hamdullah Mohib and acting special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Alice G Wells, and were presented with bouquets.

They are due to take part FIRST Global Challenge -- a three-day international robotics competition that aims to promote science and technology among youths worldwide that begins Monday.

"Our acting special rep to #Afghanistan/#Pakistan welcomes #AfghanRoboticsTeam to USA! Go girls!," tweeted State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.

US authorities had originally refused access to schoolchildren from a number of Muslim-majority nations to participate in the science contest, decisions that followed implementation of stricter visa policies under Trump.

But the US president urged a reversal following public outcry over the Afghan girls' inability to attend the event. The reversal was announced on Wednesday.

The competition's organizers noted that 163 teams from around the world had gained visa approval, including other Muslim-majority nations like Yemen, Libya, Morocco, as well as Gambia, which was also previously barred.

The six girls from Herat, Afghanistan, were reportedly blocked from attending the robotics competition even after two rounds of interviews for a one-week visa.

The rejections appeared to contradict the administration's claim it wants to empower women globally.

"We were not a terrorist group to go to America and scare people," 14-year-old competitor Fatema Qaderyan told AFP before the reversal.

"We just wanted to show the power and skills of Afghan girls to Americans."
By Ed Stoddard JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Scientists long assumed lions were hard-wired to kill leopards on sight, until a wild lioness was caught on camera this week nursing a leopard cub. The startling photographs, taken in Tanzania's Ngorongoro Conservation Area, are the first evidence of such inter-species bonding between predators that are normally mortal enemies. "There is no other recorded case where a big cat in the wild has suckled a cub belonging to another species," Luke Hunter, president of Panthera, a wild cat conservation group, told Reuters in a telephone interview. The lioness, known locally as "Nosikitok", is well known to scientists as she is radio-collared and monitored by KopeLion, a Tanzanian conservation NGO supported by Panthera. The photos were taken on Tuesday and Hunter said that, as of Thursday, Nosikitok had returned to her pride some distance from where she was nursing the leopard cub, "so we are not sure what is going on now". "It's possible the mother leopard retrieved the cub from what was a temporary lioness day care, but we just don't know," he said. Scientists are at a loss to explain the incident; the cub's typical spots make abundantly clear it is no lion. In captivity, predators may bond with other meat-eating species, but in the wild, the gloves are always off as they compete for prey. Hunter said Nosikitok has her own litter of lion cubs about the same age as the leopard cub, estimated to be three weeks old, and this could be a reason. "She is physiologically primed to take care of baby cats, and the little leopard fits the bill  it is almost exactly the age of her own cubs and physically very similar to them." (Editing by Kevin Liffey)
An active volcano in northeastern Tanzania, known in the local language as the Mountain of God, has recently been showing signs of eruption anytime soon, according to National Geographic.

Ol Doinyo Lengai, the 7,650-foot-tall peak is the only active volcano on the Earth that erupts with a carbonatite, a type of igneous rock rich in carbonates such as calcite and dolomite. The volcano is also unique because of the type of carbonatite that is brought to its surface. Called natrocarbonatite, the Ol Doinyo Lengai igneous rock is rich in sodium and potassium.

Read:Man Commits Suicide By Jumping Into Hawaii Volcano Crater

It is about 70 miles from the city of Arusha in Tanzania and is known for its proximity to some of the worlds most important paleoanthropological sites. These include a site in Laetoli where the footprints made by an early human ancestor that roamed Africa more than 3.6 million years ago were discovered, providing crucial evidence that walking on two legs was picked up early in the human lineage. Another area in danger is a site called Engare Sero where similar footprints called a dance hall of Homo sapiens were found.

The peak, known for its bizarrely thin, silvery lava, is a place of pilgrimage for the pastoralist ethnic group of Maasai, who travel there to entreat their god Engai for rain, cattle, and children.

According to Celia Nyamweru, an expert, the Ol Doinyo Lengai was formed by a complex sequence of events including explosive eruptions of tuffs and agglomerates and effusive eruptions of lava and is less than 370,000 years old.

There have been other instances of the volcanos dramatic activity, including once in 2007 when the volcano belched out a plume of ash that extended at least 11 miles downwind. Lava running down the north and west flanks ignited burn scars that were visible from the space.

Since then, many geophysicists have tried a number of methods to track how magma deforms the volcanos surface. D. Sarah Stamps, a geophysicist at Virginia Tech In concert with Tanzanias Ardhi University and South Koreas KIGAM, has reportedly set up a monitoring system that collects data on the volcanos activity in real time. The data from January showed parts of the volcano lifting upward, sending a warning that an eruption could well be on the cards.

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Read: Ice Age Climate Change Mystery: Did Ocean Volcanoes Keep Carbon Dioxide High?

Imminent in our case means in one second, in a few weeks, a couple of months, or a year or more, she told National Geographic, adding that there were increased ash emissions, earthquakes, uplift at small volcanic cones, and a widening crack at the top of the volcano on the west side .

The volcano is previously known to have caused large debris flows and debris avalanches that could potentially pose a significant threat to the prehistoric sites and camps. Stamps also said that the same could happen again, especially if a large eruption and a heavy rainy season were to coincide.

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Dont say anything you dont mean.

That is author and retired pastor Eugene Petersons rendering of Matthew 5:37 in The Message, his popular paraphrase of the Bible thats sold millions of copies and endeared him to Christians across the theological spectrum. The more traditional translation of Jesuss teaching is famous: Let your yes be yes, and your no, no.

Unfortunately, Peterson didnt follow that counsel this week in a statement he is now regretting. In an interview with Religion News Services Jonathan Merritt, he was asked whether he would perform a same-sex wedding ceremony for a gay couple in his church who were Christians of good faith, and he responded with one word: Yes.

As the executive director of an organization that works to advance LGBTQ inclusion in the church, Ive been aware of Petersons accepting views on same-sex relationships for more than two years. Hes shared them in smaller settings for some time now, including in a recorded dialogue at Western Theological Seminary in 2014, the video of which is now online. I did not publicize those statements then, because I believe in giving people space to decide for themselves how much they are willing to sacrifice to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ people. I hoped he would choose to stand with us in a meaningful way regardless of the cost, but honestly, I didnt know if he would, because the cost can be very steep.

This week, Peterson found out first-hand just how steep that cost is. Many conservative Christians who had formerly respected him denounced and dismissed him. A popular conservative Christian satirical website mocked him. The biggest Christian book distributor, LifeWay, threatened to pull all of his books from their shelves unless he took back his support for same-sex marriage.

Just a day after Petersons statements had sent shockwaves through the church, offering profound encouragement to thousands of LGBTQ Christians weary of being others theological punching bags, Peterson released a statement saying that after reflection and prayer, he had changed his mind and would no longer perform a same-sex wedding. Adding insult to injury, he said that hed never been asked to do so and frankly, I hope I never am asked.

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Peterson wouldnt be the first whose views on same-sex marriage in the church are unsettled enough that he vacillates between positions. Its a complex topic, and I have sympathy for those who are struggling to figure it out. But Petersons statement raises more questions than it answers.

He said hes changed his mind and would no longer perform a same-sex wedding out of respect to the congregation, the larger church body, and the historic biblical Christian view and teaching on marriage. But he doesnt mention his own beliefs here, as most pastors who oppose same-sex marriage would. Apart from a perfunctory-sounding assertion that he affirm[s] a biblical view of everything, including marriage between a man and a woman, Peterson gives no indication in his statement that he believes that same-sex relationships are morally wrong.

To be clear: The main dividing line in the church is not whether Christians support blessing same-sex marriages. It is the more basic question of whether they believe all same-sex relationships are sinful in the first place. Peterson has made multiple statements in recent years that are simply incompatible with holding the belief that same-sex relationships are inherently sinful. None of them were publicized before now, but even his statements from this week alone are incompatible with that belief. No pastor who is opposed to same-sex relationships would ever say he would perform a same-sex wedding in his church. That just doesnt happen, no matter how little time he has to respond to the question. And Peterson had a full week to clarify or retract his comments before they were published, but he did not.

By all accounts, Peterson is a good and gentle man. Hes a tender soul, and I feel compassion for him as hes weathered the ups and downs of this turbulent week. But I feel even more deeply the grief and sense of betrayal he has caused to countless LGBTQ Christians. I know Peterson cares about gay people based on what hes said publicly, but its not clear that he understands the gravity of his words on this topic. By stating his support for same-sex marriage and then retracting it a day after it was published, he confirmed the sense of so many LGBTQ people that we cannot trust church leaders and that the church is not a place where we can ever let down our guard. By not letting his yes be yes, he contributed to the feeling among LGBTQ Christians that we are disposable. He also highlighted the fundamental unfairness that the often careless words of those in positions of power and privilege  typically a narrow subset that only includes straight, white men  affect our lives far more than they will ever affect those who utter them.

I know Peterson cares for others above himself, and that is why he needs to know how harmful his most recent statement is. Although he did not say he believes same-sex relationships are sinful, that is how many conservative Christians are taking it. Pastors will now use his statement to support their condemnations of LGBTQ people from the pulpit. Christian parents will use it to force their LGBTQ children into conversion therapy. It will be used to fracture relationships, to kick people out of churches and tell them God is disgusted by them. Petersons good intentions will not change the destructive impact of his words.

At the end of his statement, Peterson says he will concentrate in this final season on personal correspondence over public statements. I so sympathize with that desire. But the damage hes unintentionally done this week means he still has unfinished business left to do. You simply cannot drop a rhetorical bomb on a despised minority group and then retreat into isolation, leaving them to grapple with the fallout of your words on their own. It would be wrong for part of the legacy of such a kind and generous man to be something so wounding.

Peterson has a right to hold his views tenderly, and he has a right to take the time to think them through. But he also needs to engage with LGBTQ Christians directly in light of the pain and confusion he has created. And he needs to decide whether he wants to allow his words to harm us or not.
HURGHADA, Egypt/BERLIN (Reuters) - German officials said on Saturday they had been left "dismayed and furious" by the stabbing of two German women at an Egyptian beach resort, calling it a deliberate attack on foreign tourists. An Egyptian man stabbed the two German tourists to death and wounded at least four others on Friday at a popular seaside vacation spot on the Red Sea, officials and witnesses said. The knifeman killed the two German women and wounded two other tourists at the Zahabia hotel in Hurghada, then swam to a neighboring beach to attack at least two more people at the Sunny Days El Palacio resort before being caught by staff and arrested, officials and security sources said. It was the first major attack on foreign tourists since a similar assault on the same resort more than a year ago, and comes as Egypt struggles to revive a tourism industry hurt by security threats and years of political upheaval. "We now have the sad certainty that two German women were killed in the attack in Hurghada," a German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said. "According to what we know, the act was a deliberate attack on foreign tourists - a particularly devious and criminal act that leaves us sad, dismayed and furious," she added. Sources close to the investigation told Reuters the attacker was taken to Cairo for questioning by prosecutors after officers from Egypt's domestic security agency conducted an initial inquiry. The suspect, from a village in the southern Kafr al-Sheikh province, arrived in Hurghada at 5 a.m. on Friday in a public bus and waited until shops opened before buying a knife, the sources said. He then bought a ticket for 100 Egyptian pounds ($5.60) to enter a beach where he killed the two German tourists and injured two others before jumping over a wall, swimming to the neighboring beach and carrying out more stabbings. GREATER SCRUTINY Police questioned the shop owner who sold the attacker the knife but later released him. The knife was found in the water by divers, a source in the Sunny Days El Palacio resort said. One wounded woman was airlifted to a hospital in Cairo due to the seriousness of her injuries. Sources did not specify her nationality. Zahabia hotel's beach was sealed off and placed under the control of security forces. Authorities ramped up security measures in Hurghada and are applying greater scrutiny with regards to letting Egyptians enter hotels. A security official at the El Palacio hotel told Reuters two of the injured were Czech and two Armenian, but other officials said one of the women was Russian. They were being treated at a local hospital. The Czech Foreign Ministry tweeted that one Czech woman had sustained a minor leg injury. The attacker's motive was still under investigation, the Interior Ministry said. Egypt is fighting Islamist insurgents in the Sinai Peninsula, where they mainly target security forces, but militants have also attacked tourist targets in the past, as well as Coptic Christians and churches. ($1 = 17.9300 Egyptian pounds) (Reporting by Reuters Video News; Additional reporting by Michael Nienaber in Berlin; Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Dale Hudson)
Brazzaville (AFP) - Voters went to the polls in legislative elections in the oil-rich Republic of Congo on Sunday, the first since a violence-marred presidential poll last year which returned Denis Sassou Nguesso to power.

The first round of polling to elect National Assembly members as well as local councils went ahead despite the opposition calling foul, accusing the ruling Congolese Labour Party (PCT) of giving its candidates an unfair advantage.

Electoral officials said voting passed off calmly although some polling stations opened more than a hour late because of a delay in receiving voting materials. Polls closed at 6:00 pm (1700 GMT).

However, an incident was reported in the northern town of Kelle where opposition protesters briefly took away the ballot boxes, a local resident who gave his name only as Antoine told AFP by phone.

"The ballot boxes have been returned after a lot of negotiation," he said, adding that one protester was beaten up by police but that his injuries were not life-threatening.

Sassou Nguesso returned to office in March 2016 after a constitutional referendum ended a two-term presidential term limit, amid deadly violence notably in the Pool region neighbouring the capital Brazzaville.

The 73-year-old president's PCT ran 128 candidates for the 151 seats available, while several independents have close ties to the party.

The main parliamentary opposition group, the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS), put forward 43 candidates, compared to 31 run by the UDH-Yuki group of Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, who came second in the presidentials last year.

But an opposition coalition said it would only take part under certain circumstances, including "the end of the crisis in Pool and the release of all political prisoners".

Two leaders of that coalition, Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, were arrested and jailed in June 2016 and in January "for threatening the internal security of the state".

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"It's a disgraceful election and we already knew there would be fraud. The system for organising these elections is like the mafia," Clement Mierassa, a leader of the Frocad opposition grouping, told AFP Sunday.

- 'One-way campaign' -

Django Cissoko, head of a 50-strong African Union observer mission, said on Friday that "campaigning has been carried out normally."

But UPADS spokesman Daniel Tsoumou Ngouaka said the ruling party had the upper hand. "It's a one-way campaign because the PCT has controlled all the state media, leaving no space for others," he said.

"The PCT drew on public funds for the campaign of its candidates and its allies. It's unacceptable," added Christophe Moukoueke, spokesman for a collective of opposition parties which called for a boycott of Sunday's polls.

Sassou Nguesso, a former paratrooper, served as president from 1979 to 1992, returning to power in 1997 following a civil war. He won two successive terms in elections in 2002 and 2009, both of which were disputed by opposition parties.

Congo has substantial deposits of oil, timber and diamonds, but oil production remains its most important economic sector, and it is the fourth biggest producer in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dwindling reserves and civil wars that have ravaged the economy has slowed growth. Almost half the population of 4.5 million people still lives in poverty, according to World Bank data.

No date has been given for the official announcement of elections results.

The second round of the legislative polls is scheduled for July 30.
Jared Kushner is in the firing line over his contacts with foreign agents during the campaign - Barcroft Media

Last week, Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump were hobnobbing with technology titans and billionaires, including Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett, at an annual conference for the global elite put on by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in Sun Valley, Idaho.

For America's foremost power couple it was a welcome retreat from Washington, where a full-scale Democratic assault on the pair has reached fever pitch.

Mr Kushner, in particular, has become the focus of a concerted, multi-pronged attempt to claim a senior White House scalp.

Natalia Veselnitskaya, the Russian lawyer at the centre of the past week's revelations Credit: Kommersant

Mr Kushner is the only serving member of the Trump administration who was present at a meeting between Donald Trump Jr, the president's son, Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, and former Soviet intelligence officer Rimat Akhmetshin at Trump Tower in New York on June 9 2016.

All week, revelations have intensified the pressure on Mr Trumps core team.

On Saturday it emerged that eight people were present at the meeting, including an unnamed translator and a member of the prominent Russian family who had asked the meeting to be set up.

An email chain revealed the meeting was brokered by Rob Goldstone, a British publicist, who said his client had damaging information on the Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as part of a Russian government effort to help Mr Trumps campaign. Mr Trump Jr was eager to accept.

Mr Kushner and then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort also attended.

Mr Trump Jr has said the meeting quickly turned to the Magnitsky Act, a 2012 law that imposed sanctions on some Russian citizens for alleged rights violations.

The law so infuriated Moscow that it imposed a ban on Americans adopting Russian children. The presence of Mr Akhmetshin was a clear sign of how hard Moscow was pushing to gain influence and persuade Mr Trump to drop sanctions against Russians contained in the Magnitsky Act, according to Bill Browder, whose campaigning led to the sanctions and who is due to give evidence to the Senate judiciary committee next week.

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Basically, it only makes it more clear that the Russians were trying as hard as they could to pursue the agenda of getting rid of the Magnitsky Act, he said. But the meeting, and the email chain that set it up, has raised serious questions about potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Donald Trump Jr Credit: AP

While critics initially focused on Mr Trump Jr, who does not hold a position at the White House, it is Mr Kushner who could ultimately pay a higher price.

Crucially, he twice failed to disclose the meeting on application forms for security clearance that he was requested to submit as a government employee. Intentionally concealing or falsifying information on the forms, known as SF-86s, is a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in jail.

While Mr Kushner's lawyers have indicated it was an innocent omission Democrats scent blood.

One senior Democrat said: "He watched his father-in-law on television say no one in the campaign talked to the Russian government. He knew that was false."

The omission has also presented an opening for Democrats to target Ivanka Trump, who is employed by her father as a White House senior adviser.

The SF-86 asks whether "you, or any member of your immediate family, in the past seven years, had any contact with a foreign government, or its representatives, whether inside or outside the US?". Immediate family includes spouses.

"Has she (Ivanka Trump) updated her security clearance paperwork to reflect this and other meetings which Jared Kushner failed to disclose?" a senior Democrat said.

A White House spokeswoman said attacks on the couple were "ridiculous" and an example of "Democrats playing political games".

But it was part of a wider campaign targeting Mr Kushner. That included Democrats trying to secure an amendment in Congress preventing the government from allowing security clearance for White House employees under investigation.

Mr Kushner with President Trump at the White House Credit: Reuters

That was squarely aimed at Mr Kushner who has been identified as a "person of interest" in a Department of Justice probe into any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Elijah Cummings, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, also wrote to Mr Kushner demanding to see his security clearance application.

Mark Warner, the leading Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee said: "We now have three examples of meetings that he omitted or forgot."

Mr Kushner has responded by urging the White House communications team to be more aggressive. Sources close to him say he wants more people on television defending him.

When asked about the situation a White House official appeared to carry out Mr Kushner's wishes, arguing forcefully that the media should instead investigate links between Democrats and Ukraine during the election.

The official said: "If you're looking for an example of a campaign coordinating with a foreign country then what about the Democratic National Committee which co-ordinated opposition research with the Ukraine Embassy?"

Another Republican connected to the White House said Mr Kushner was the victim of a Democrat "smear campaign".

Mr Kushner first filed his SF-86 form to the FBI on January 18 but the section where he was supposed to list foreign contacts was left blank.

In May an updated form was filed which included more then 100 meetings with foreign officials from nearly two dozen countries, including Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, and the head of a Russian bank Sergey Gorkov.

Sergei Kislyak

The meeting with Ms Veselnitskaya and Mr Akhmetshin was not listed.

On June 21 his lawyers filed another amended form, including the key meeting. The lawyers have indicated that it was not disclosed previously because someone prematurely pressed send on the application form.

Democrats expressed scepticism about that.

Price Floyd, former head of public affairs at the Defence Department under President Barack Obama, said: "Having filled out dozens of SF-86 security clearance forms, and been interviewed numerous times by the FBI as well, that is just BS."

Perhaps most concerning for the Kushners was the first call from a Republican Member of Congress for them to vacate the White House.

Speaking on Friday night Bill Flores, a Republican congressman from Texas, said: "I'm going out on a limb here, but I would say I think it would be in the president's best interest if he removed all of his children from the White House."
Former Philippine president Benigno Aquino is to be charged over a botched anti-terror raid that left 44 elite policemen dead in 2015, a special government prosecutor said Friday.

Aquino, who ended his six-year term last year, was indicted for usurping authority and allowing a suspended police chief, Alan Purisima, to run the fatal January 2015 commando raid, the government Ombudsman said.

"Purisima would not have been placed in such a position... were it not for the complicity and influence of President Aquino," Ombudsman Conchita Morales said in a statement.

Supporters of Aquino's successor, President Rodrigo Duterte, had also filed a complaint of "reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide," against Aquino but Morales dismissed this.

Aquino, who could face several years in prison if convicted, is studying the Ombudsman's order so as to file a motion for reconsideration, a statement from his aide said.

"An initial reading shows that there may have been a misappreciation of some facts surrounding the incident, leading to some erroneous conclusions," the Aquino statement added.

The police commandos were dispatched on an anti-terror mission to the rural, southern town of Mamasapano and killed Malaysian suspect Zulkifli Abdhir, who was on the US government's most wanted list.

The policemen were later ambushed by Muslim militants and other gunmen, leaving 44 officers dead in an incident that shook the nation.

As a result of the carnage, the Philippine Congress refused to pass a Muslim self-rule bill that would have crowned Aquino's efforts to bring lasting peace to the rebellion-torn Mindanao region, home to the Catholic nation's large Islamic minority.

Morales alleged Aquino had violated the law by assigning leadership of the mission to an official who was serving out a suspension at the time over allegations of corruption.

The bloodbath, infamously known as the "Mamasapano Massacre", helped to turn public opinion against Aquino, who later unsuccessfully campaigned to prevent the election of Duterte as his successor.

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Duterte has frequently raised the Mamasapano incident as proof of Aquino's alleged misdeeds.

Reacting to the Ombudsman's announcement, Duterte's spokesman Ernesto Abella said that he hailed the "heroic sacrifice" of the slain police commandos.

"It is his  and the nation's  hope to finally bring justice to the victims and families of the Fallen 44 and put closure to the issue as part of the healing process," Abella added of the current president.

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Oslo (AFP) - The former chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday justified awarding Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo with the 2010 peace prize which Beijing slammed as "blasphemy".

"The struggle for Human Rights is peace building," Thorbjorn Jagland, who is still a member of the Nobel committee, said on Twitter.

"That's why the Committee I chaired awarded #Liu Xiaobo the Peace Price (sic)," he added.

The prominent democracy advocate died aged 61 in China on Thursday while still in custody following a battle with cancer.

Liu, a former figurehead of the 1989 democratic movement of Tiananmen Square, was honoured with the Nobel peace prize for "his long nonviolent struggle for fundamental human rights in China".

Liu was not able to attend the Nobel award ceremony in Oslo in 2010 as he was serving an 11-year prison sentence for allegedly "attempting to undermine political order".

The former head of the Nobel committee placed that year's peace prize on an empty chair to honour Liu.

Liu became the first Nobel Peace laureate to die in custody since German pacifist Carl von Ossietzky, who passed away in a hospital while held by the Nazis in 1938.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman on Friday said that awarding the Nobel peace prize to Liu "goes against the purposes of this award" and is "a blasphemy".

Contacted by AFP, the Nobel Committee refused to comment. It is unclear whether Jagland's tweet was a reaction to the Chinese statement.

The current leader of the Nobel committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, who wanted to attend Liu's funeral, was not allowed to apply for a visa to China, Norwegian public broadcaster NRK said.

The Chinese embassy in Oslo explained that a visa could not be granted to meet a deceased person and that it would require an invitation from either Liu's widow or relative, NRK said.

Following Liu's death on Thursday, the Nobel Committee said China was "bearing a heavy responsibility" for his "premature" death and criticised the fact that he was not able to receive "adequate medical treatment".

Germany and the United States had offered to take him in for medical care.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli soldiers and police on an arrest mission in the town of Nabi Salah in the occupied West Bank shot dead a Palestinian who attempted to open fire at them early Sunday, the army said.

"The forces encountered the suspect, who attempted to open fire at them," a statement from the Israeli army read. "In response to the immediate threat forces fired towards the attacker resulting in his death."

Palestinian security forces and family identified the suspect as 34-year-old Amar Tirawi from Kafr Ein, a town near Nabi Salah in the central West Bank. Officials had earlier given another name for the suspect.

Another Palestinian suspect was lightly wounded and arrested, the statement from the military read.

On Saturday, a gunman targeted a vehicle near an Israeli settlement north of Ramallah and wounded a foreign national of Palestinian descent who is residing in a Palestinian village.

In a separate incident, gunshots hit a military post near Nabi Salah.

The army said Tirawi was behind both incidents.

Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency named Tirawi as Amar Halil and said he had carried out the shootings along with his fiancee Rawan Ambar due to their families' refusal to accept their engagement.

According to the Shin Bet, Tirawi was a former member of the Palestinian preventive security who became an arms trader.

Tirawi's fiancee had turned herself in to Palestinian security forces, the Shin Bet said, confirming to AFP she was in their custody since late Saturday, hours before the fatal raid.

Sources in Tirawi's village told AFP he had been detained by Palestinian security forces for a number of days in the past few weeks, and that he was wanted by Israeli security prior to the Saturday shootings.

The Shin Bet refused to comment on that report.

A wave of unrest that broke out in October 2015 has claimed the lives of at least 282 Palestinians or Arab Israelis, 44 Israelis, two Americans, two Jordanians, an Eritrean, a Sudanese and a Briton, according to an AFP toll.

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Israeli authorities say most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks.

Others were shot dead in protests and clashes, while some were killed in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip.

The violence has greatly subsided in recent months.
Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz were both charged with the criminal homicide in the deaths of four missing Pennsylvania men Friday. Kratz and DiNardo are cousins, according to reports, and were charged with the deaths of Jimi Patrick, 19, Tom Meo, 21, Mark Sturgis, 22, and Dean Finocchiaro, 19, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

In an agreement with Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub, 20-year-old DiNardo confessed to the killings and revealed the locations of all four bodies. He named Kratz, also 20, as an accomplice. Authorities located the bodies of all four men on a 68-acre property belonging to DiNardos parents.

Read: Texts From Cosmo DiNardo About 4 Missing Pennsylvania Men Show Lack Of Concern

As for the motive, officials said it still remained unclear.

I dont know that, Weintraub said. And Im not sure well ever know.

Other sources and DiNardos own confession revealed something akin to drug deals gone wrong. DiNardo admitted to killing Patrick after he didnt have the $8,000 he agreed to pay for four pounds of marijuana. He similarly told detectives Kratz and he agreed to rob Finocchiaro while selling him marijuana. DiNardo also said he set up a deal with Meo and Sturgis before their deaths.

Asked why four marijuana deals led to the deaths of four young men, Weintraub said he had no answer.

Im not sure, he said, we could ever answer that question.

Paul Lang, one of DiNardos defense attorneys, told reporters Thursday the motive for the murders would emerge in time.

An Associated Press report Thursday cited an unidentified source close to the case who said DiNardo felt cheated or threatened during the drug transactions.

Every death was related to a purported drug transaction, the anonymous source told the AP. And at the end of each one theres a killing.

Prosecutors said DiNardo suffered from schizophrenia. When he was first arrested as a person of interest in the case, his lawyers argued that his mental health was being exploited. Acquaintances and friends told reporters that DiNardo had been involved in an ATV accident some seven months prior to the killings and that ever since, something had been off with him. DiNardo also had contact with police more than 30 times since 2011, a law enforcement source told ABC News.

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Read: Who Is Cosmo DiNardo? Man Who Confessed In Pennsylvania Killings Spoke Of Murder

Another unidentified friend of DiNardos told the Philadelphia Inquirer Thursday that DiNardo had spoken of murder in the past.

Hes told me and my friends, Yeah, Ive killed people before, I just havent been caught, the man said. We literally were just like, Yeah, all right Cosmo, sure you did. No one actually thinks someones capable of this.

In addition to charges of criminal homicide, both men faced multiple counts of robbery, conspiracy and abuse of a corpse, according to court documents reviewed by ABC News. Both Kratz and DiNardo were arraigned Friday afternoon though neither posted bail. The men were scheduled for a preliminary hearing July 31.

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Paris (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined a ceremony in Paris on Sunday marking 75 years since the roundup of 13,000 Jews sent to Nazi death camps, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying France's responsibility was a "stark truth".

Speaking near the former site of the Velodrome d'Hiver, the indoor cycle track from which the Jews were deported in 1942, Macron said: "It is indeed France that organised" the roundup. "Not a single German" took part.

Netanyahu's presence at the ceremony sparked controversy, with the Union of French Jews for Peace (UJFP) calling the invitation "shocking" and "unacceptable".

The UJFP accused the Israeli government of "usurping the memory of the victims of Nazism to make people believe that Israel represents all the world's Jews".

The ceremony recalled the day when officials of the Vichy regime in Nazi-occupied France began rounding up 13,152 Jews and taking them to the Velodrome d'Hiver, an indoor cycle track in Paris.

Fewer than 100 of those who were detained at the so-called Vel d'Hiv and then sent to the Nazi death camps survived.

Macron was the fourth French president to accept blame for France's role in the deportations -- which totalled more than 75,000 -- since Jacques Chirac first did so in 1995.

"Time does its work," Macron said. "Archives open (and) the truth comes out. It's stark, irrevocable. It imposes itself on us all," Macron said of one of the darkest chapters in France's wartime history.

In a clear reference to far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the rival he defeated in May, Macron denounced "politicians who are prepared to reverse the truth".

Le Pen had insisted during the campaign that today's France could not be held accountable for the Vichy regime's actions.

- 'Special heroism' -

Netanyahu hailed the "special heroism" of the French resistance to the Nazis, praising the "noble French citizens who at great risk to their own lives" saved thousands more Jews from perishing in the death camps where at least six million would die overall between 1941 and 1945.

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"For the sacred honour of those who perished... let us remember the past, let us secure tomorrow," he said.

"The strength of Israel is that it is the one certain guarantee that the Jewish people will never undergo a Holocaust again."

Among other critics of Netanyahu's presence was former Israeli ambassador to France, Elie Barnavi, who told AFP it made him "a little uneasy".

Barnavi, now a Peace Now activist advocating a two-state solution to end the Middle East conflict, added: "This story has nothing to do with Israel."

Netanyahu, the first Israeli prime minister to attend a Vel d'Hiv commemoration, said the invitation was a "very, very strong gesture" that underscored the longstanding friendship between France and Israel.

- 'Dear Bibi' -

Macron addressed Netanyahu as "dear Bibi" and called "anti-Zionism" a new form of anti-Semitism.

Among Sunday's other speakers were prominent French Nazi hunter Serge Klarsfeld and Pierre-Francois Veil, son of Holocaust survivor and rights icon Simone Veil, who died late last month aged 89.

Several members of the group Sons and Daughters of the Deported Jews of France attended, wearing yellow badges recalling the yellow stars that Jews were forced to wear on their lapels during the occupation.

Netanyahu's visit was the first since he joined a massive march attended by numerous world leaders in solidarity with the victims of the January 2015 terror attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish supermarket.

In talks later Sunday, Macron urged a resumption of long-stalled Middle East peace talks and reiterated France's opposition to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

Saying international law should be "respected by all," Macron added: "Here I am thinking of continued (Israeli) building" of settlements.

Macron met Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday, when he reaffirmed both France's support for a two-state solution and its opposition to the settlements.

Also Sunday, the French leader assured Netanyahu that Paris was not "complacent" towards Israel's arch-foe Iran, pledging France's "vigilance" regarding the 2015 nuclear accord reached by Western powers with Iran.

Netanyahu was a vocal opponent of the deal, which saw sanctions against Iran eased in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.
UPDATE: 1:50 a.m. EDT, Saturday  Apart from the three people who were confirmed dead Thursday in the Marco Polo Building fire in Honolulu, Hawaii, 16 others were injured in the five-alarm blaze that spread across multiple floors of the 36-storey building. As of 7 p.m. local time (1 a.m. EDT, Saturday), the Honolulu Fire Department declared the fire has been brought under control.

"Our hearts go out to the families. We hope everyone else is safe," said Honululu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, while speaking to the reporters at the scene, local news outlet Hawaii News Now reported.

With elevators no longer accessible, firefighters used the technique of human chains to get equipment to rescue crews on the upper levels of the building. The cause of the fire is still unknown and so is the final tally of the fatalities. Firefighters were scouring every apartment for signs of the people who might still be trapped in their individual units inside the building.

Original Story:

A five-alarm fire broke out at the Marco Polo Building in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Thursday 2 p.m. local time (8 p.m. EDT) that killed three residents of the high-rise.

The fire started on the 26th floor and quickly spread to a couple of floors above. By 4:30 p.m. local time (10:30 p.m. EDT), the fire had elevated from a four-alarm fire to a five-alarm fire.

Emergency services were contacted within 10 to 15 minutes after the blaze started. More than 100 firefighters rushed to the scene and began evacuating people from the 568 apartments inside the building.

Read: London Fire At Grenfell Tower, 27-Storey Residential Building

According to the Honolulu Fire Department, the number of fatalities could increase as there was news of people trapped in some of the units inside the burning building. We had people report that there are people unaccounted for on several floors around the fire. We are making sure we are addressing every concern as far as persons in the building, making sure that everyone gets out safely, the departments Capt. David Jenkins said, local news network KHON2 reported.

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However, Honolulu Fire Chief Manuel Neves told reporters: "Hopefully within another hour or so, it [fire] will be under control."

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell expressed frustration over the abscence of a sprinkler system in the Marco Polo Building. He told reporters fire could have been doused earlier, if the building had proper fire safety equipment in place, RT News reported.

The firefighters were also having troubles as the debris  falling from burning parts of the building  caused flames to erupt from areas which were unharmed by the fire, added Jenkins. Firefighters were trying to extinguish the fire by spraying water from the lower level balconies.

Read: California Wildfires Prompt Evacuation Calls As Hundreds Of Homes In Danger

Several people were treated for minor to severe injuries. The area from McCully Street to Hausten Street has been closed due to the blaze.

Cops were present on the scene yelling into microphones, asking people to leave their belongings and come out of the building as quickly as they could. As the fire touched the floors above, people were getting anxious.

Aaron Dengler, a fourth-floor resident of the building, who was helping an elderly neighbor get to the American Red Cross in a nearby park to get medical aid, said, "People are getting kind of nervous now," ABC 7 reported. "It's worrisome."

I feel worried, concerned and a little angry, said Patrick Williamson, who lives on the 32nd floor with his two sons and immediately evacuated with his family after the fire started. For the fire to get this out of control is a little suspicious. Either the fire department was late in response or there was something going on in that unit. Either way one wonders what happened and I feel a little bit less secure living in the building.

Local people, living in the neighborhood, joined hands to provide help to those being rescued from the burning building. One of the neighbors, Troy Yasuda, said: They were choking from the smoke. The American Red Cross of Honolulu also offered their services, stating they were ready to house 800 people overnight if required.

One of the largest fires this year occurred in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in west London on June 14 that left 80 people dead.

Related Articles
Warning: This post contains spoilers for the Manacled Slim Wrists episode of Orphan Black.

And another one gone, and another one gone  another one bites the dust. Orphan Blacks final season body count continues to climb as Susan Duncan joins her clone children Januz and M.K. in the shows graveyard. The elderly matriarch of the Leda line has stared the Grim Reaper in the face before, must notably following Rachels insurrection last season, but this time the hooded figure appears to have claimed his prize, aided and abetted by Virginia Coady and P.T. Westmoreland.

On second thought, strike that and reverse it: Virginia Coady and John. You see, there is no P.T. Westmoreland. The bombshell revelation at the heart of Manacled Slim Wrists is that the supposedly 170-year-old founder of Neolution is actually a collegiate contemporary of Susans. Not only that, but this has been her idea all along; John merely became the face (and myth) of the movement because of good old fashioned 1960s-era sexism. This twist essentially establishes Susan Duncan as the Peggy Olson of the shows pre-history: She was always the smartest person in the room, but the men got all the credit. With fortune and fiction  thats how the patriarchy works, Susan herself says, resignedly.

Now, after 50 years of standing in the shadows, she sees what enabling John hath wrought. In an attempt to prolong his life in the way his alter ego supposedly did, the Westmoreland impersonator has been pumping the blood of the sick young children that inhabit Neolution Islands shantytown into his own failing body. If Susan has turned a blind eye to Johns transgressions before  mainly because shes been complicit in them  this is, at last, a bridge too far. So with the aid of Ira and Cosima, she sets about spiking his concoction with a fatal drug, enlisting the reluctant aid of Johns designated young helper, Mud, who still pledges blind allegiance to her master.

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Perhaps sensing something is amiss, the man picks that exact moment to bestow a rare compliment on his distraught servant. You have been a great comfort, he tells her, a kind word that causes an immediate change of heart in Mud. The girl goes directly to Virginia and tattles on Susan, thus signing the older womans death warrant. Its Ira  who isnt in the best of health either, as evidenced by his bleeding nose and glitchy mental state  who eventually discovers her sitting prone in a wheelchair, the spiked drug cocktail dripping into her arm. At least part of their plan worked: Cosima and Charlotte have made it off Neolution Island and are headed back for the mainland, leaving behind a population thats learned the truth about the fake deity in their midst and are ready to burn the place to the ground.

While these seismic events are going down across the water, Sarah, Mrs. S, and Kira put their little con game into action, with Kira feigning illness to delay her next appointment at Dyad. But Sarah cant be a homebody the entire episode, not when Krystal wiggles her well-manicured fingers and drags her into a side mission that turns out to have major consequences. See, the beauty products truther has inadvertently stumbled upon a Dyad plot to use mass-market creams and make-up as a delivery system for its all-important LIN28a gene, and the company is enlisting the help of industry leaders like Leonard Shipp, owner of Bluzone Cosmetics. Krystal and Len happen to share an intense physical attraction to each other, so a date is hastily arranged with the purpose of gathering intel.

At first, the two cant keep their hands off each other (by the way, Len is played by Tatiana Maslanys real-life boyfriend, Tom Cullen, so all this making out couldnt have been too much of a hardship for them), endangering the surveillance attempts of Sarah and Art. But Krystals no pushover; confronted with hard evidence of Lens betrayal in the form of a highly experimental skin cream that causes hair to fall out, the beautician kicks the guy to the curb with a swift kick in the balls. Its a move that even impresses Sarah, whose antipathy towards Krystal is well-documented. Who knows? Maybe Krystal will finally score an invite to the next Clone Dance Party.

Onto our clone power rankings, from which Alison will remain absent for the third week in a row. Based on next weeks teaser, though, the suburban warrior will finally be returning from her me time as a changed woman.

1. Krystal

Krystals penchant for falling ass backwards into something big may frustrate Sarah to no end, but its a skill that reaps big narrative and comic rewards in this episode. Cullens cameo is as big a treat for audiences as it must have been for Maslany.

2. Cosima

While Cosimas jailbreak wasnt a total success  with two of her accomplices left behind to die  at least she and Charlotte are temporarily free of Neolutions clutches. And continuing the Frankenstein theme from last week, Neolution Islands visitors are in the process of smoking out the monster in their midst from his castle.

3. Sarah

Is she necessary, because shes so rude every single time, Krystal initially complains of Sarahs presence on her mission to entrap Len. While Sarahs rudeness doesnt exactly go away, she does prove her necessity to the operation, providing helpful pointers that her clone sister appreciates, even when she ignores them.

4. Rachel

Perhaps out of overconfidence, Rachel completely falls one of the oldest tricks in the book: Kiras sick kid routine. (For what its worth, Ferris Bueller would approve of Kiras method performance, complete with well-timed vomit.) And while her suspicions are aroused by the end of the episode, shes bought the rebel clone alliance some crucial time to continue their empire-overthrowing plotting.

Non-Clone MVP: Susan Duncan

It may be a case of too little, too late, but at least Susan tried to make up for her past crimes by exposing the man shes enabled for five decades as a fraud. Even if Westmoreland survived this encounter, the community hes built is collapsing all around him.

Orphan Black airs Saturdays at 10 p.m. on BBC America.

Read more from Yahoo TV:
By Philip Wen and Natalie Thomas BEIJING (Reuters) - One of China's most prominent rights activists was released by the authorities on Saturday after serving a four-year sentence that prompted international criticism, with his lawyer saying he hoped he would be allowed to live as a free man. Xu Zhiyong, whose "New Citizens' Movement" advocated working within the system to press for change, was detained in 2013 and subsequently convicted of "gathering a crowd to disturb public order". One of the group's main demands had been for officials to publicly disclose their assets, a demand taken against the backdrop of the ruling Communist Party's own efforts to crackdown on deep-seat corruption under President Xi Jinping. Xu's lawyer, Zhang Qingfang, told Reuters he had brought Xu up to speed with "events on the outside", including the death of fellow activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Liu Xiaobo. He said Xu was "upset" upon hearing the news. Zhang said Xu, who was released from his jail on Beijing's outskirts on Saturday morning, was in good physical condition and had few immediate plans beyond spending time with family. At the height of Xu's activism, he attracted hundreds of supporters who participated in activities related to the movement, having first gained prominence in 2003 for helping victims of tainted baby formula and migrant workers without access to healthcare and education. It prompted a crackdown from the Communist Party, which swiftly crushes any perceived challenge to its rule. "The idea of the New Citizens Movement is not to overthrow, but to establish," he wrote in a 2010 essay. "It's not one social class displacing another social class, but allowing righteousness to take its place in China." Xu refused to defend himself in his 2014 trial, and remained silent as a way to protest what Zhang said was a controlled legal process where a guilty outcome was a foregone conclusion. As international rights groups and foreign governments call for Chinese authorities to guarantee freedom for Liu Xiaobo's widow, Liu Xia, Xu's supporters have also expressed concern whether he will remain under close watch or effective house arrest. Some said on social media they were barred by security guards and plain-clothed officers from entering Xu's apartment compound on Saturday. Other high-profile and politically sensitive prisoners released from jail, including rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang and journalist Gao Yu, remain closely watched by Chinese authorities. "I hope he will be completely free," Zhang said. Xu taught law at a Beijing university and ran in a local election. He became prominent over a drive to abolish "custody and repatriation" powers, a form of arbitrary detention used by local governments to sweep homeless people off the streets. (Editing by Ben Blanchard and Jacqueline Wong)
On July 5, 2017, New York City Police Department Officer Miosotis Familia was fatally shot while sitting in her patrol car. The next day, NYPD Commissioner James ONeill described the incident as an unprovoked attack on cops. Thousands attended Familias funeral on July 11, where ONeill gave the following remarks.

Good morning, everybody.[NYPD Chaplain Rev. Dr.] Barbara [Williams-Harris], Im not sure if Im ready to celebrate yet. I have to work on it.Members of the NYPD Chaplains Unit; Pastor Davidson and the staff and congregation of World Changers Church  I love the name; Mayor de Blasio; Adriana, Gennie, Peter, Delilah; Inspector Phil Rivera and all the men and women of the 4-6 Precinct in the Bronx; law enforcement officers from all across our nation and the world, many of whom traveled great distances to support us in this time of incredible sorrow; and all other friends and family gathered here this morning:On behalf of the entire New York City Police Department, I extend our most profound condolences.Police Officer Miosotis Familia was a kind and authentic woman.One of ten children raised in Washington Heights before she and her family moved together to the Bronx, she was serious but sharp-witted. And though she was the youngest, her siblings say she was never spoiled.Miosotis was the glue that held her large family together. She would mediate any dispute, especially among her six feisty sisters. Known as a lovable goof, they playfully called her La Loca, or Crazy Girl.And later, as a mother, she would teach her own children life lessons  like being kind to strangers, blessing others with a smile, and respecting those less fortunate.Im told that Valentines Day was her favorite holiday. Shed really go overboard with the hearts and the decorations in their Kingsbridge apartment, just so the kids could see all the love that was theirs.Like every New Yorker, Miosotis just wanted to do her job, work hard, live without fear, improve her life and the lives of 86-year-old mother, her two daughters and her son.But she also wanted to do something else: She wanted to improve the lives of other families, as well. When she made that decision 12 years ago to become an NYPD cop  a Bronx cop  she epitomized why many people choose to become police officers.Gennie, Peter, Delilah: I can talk forever about the great things  the fantastic things that police officers do every single day for millions of people  but nothing I can say will bring your mom back. Im sorry for that.But I can make you this promise: Your mom didnt die in vain. Your moms legacy will never fade from importance or memory.Your mom made it her mission to make your home  New York City  a better and safer place for everyone. And I vow to you we will continue to find our way forward in her honor. Because thats what cops do.Cops are regular people who believe in the possibility of making this a safer world. Its why we do what we do. Its why we run toward, when others run away.Your mom believed in the possibility of being part of something larger than herself. She accepted the vast responsibility that came with her decision, knowing that it would be challenging, recognizing that someone has to do this job and believing she was willing and able to fill that role. And she was right.Miosotis wanted other people to know her, to work with her and to help her make this a better city for all of us.Everything our government stands for  freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear  everything starts with public safety. Miosotis knew this, and she wanted all of us to play our part.That is why violence against the police and what we represent is a dishonor to civilized society. We should be outraged that any single person had so little regard for your right to public safety.On the night our nation celebrated its independence, the coward who committed this atrocity did not walk down the street after midnight and shoot just anybody.He shot a cop.Mental illness and medication may have played a part  I dont know. What is certain, however, is that he hated the police. He saw us as the bad guys because countless times he heard it in conversation, saw it on television, read it in the newspapers. Combine that toxic blend with his special brand of evil, and you get  this funeral.Hate has consequences. When we demonize a whole group of people  whether that group is defined by race, by religion or by occupation  this is the result. I dont know how else to say it: This was an act of hate, in this case, against police officers  the very people who stepped forward and made a promise to protect you, day and night.This amazing woman, this mother, this daughter, this sister, this friend, this New York City police officer, was assassinated solely because of what she represented and for the responsibility she embraced.All her killer could see was a uniform, even though Miosotis was so much more. He blamed the police for his own terrible choices in life. And for the way he emerged after our society agreed he should go away to prison for a while.As a city, and as a country, I dont believe were in the same place we were at the end of 2014, when Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were assassinated under similar circumstances in Brooklyn. We are on firmer ground now, with police and communities working more effectively together.But in mid-2017, there unquestionably is a creeping apathy among the public about the work and role of its dedicated police officers. I think of it this way: You dont really notice the lights are on until they go out. If we do wrong, we are vilified. If we do right, we are ignored.There is little attention paid to positive changes in policing, in general, and in this police department, in particular, no matter how effective they may be.But the manner in which Miosotis was killed should remind everybody that the civility of our society balances on a knifes edge. And the 36,000 uniformed members of the NYPD are just regular people who made a selfless decision to help maintain that balance.There is nothing more human than a 48-year-old mother of three, living in the Bronx, who decided to swear an oath, put on a uniform and live a life with meaning. Fighting crime and keeping people safe is not a responsibility that the police take lightly, and neither should the public.While crime continues to go down, year after year, that provides little comfort when the fabric of our society, the blanket of public safety we provide, is torn by a senseless, direct assault on one of our protectors.Here are the numbers we dont talk about nearly enough:Since our start in 1845, more than 840 New York City police officers have died in the line of duty. Miosotis is our seventh cop to be shot and killed in just the last five years. And shes our third female officer ever to be murdered on the job.Across our nation, 135 police officers were killed in the line of duty last year, the sharpest spike in the last five years. And just yesterday, New York State Trooper Joel Davis was killed in the line of duty while responding to a radio run of a domestic dispute in upstate New York.Each of these murdered officers has one thing in common: They lost their lives while protecting the lives of others. Some people say: Well, thats what cops signed up for, right? Thats their job.Let me tell you something: Regular people sign up to be cops. They sign up for this job of protecting strangers, knowing there are inherent risks. But not one of us ever agreed to be murdered in an act of indefensible hate. Not one of us signed up to never return to our family or loved ones.So, where are the demonstrations for this single mom, who cared for her elderly mother and her own three children? There is anger and sorrow, but why is there no outrage? Because Miosotis was wearing a uniform? Because it was her job?I simply do not accept that.Miosotis was targeted, ambushed and assassinated. She wasnt given a chance to defend herself. That should matter to every single person who can hear my voice, in New York City and beyond.We know theres evil in this world. Thats why we need the police. But as New Yorkers, we can decide that people like Miosotis killer will ultimately fail. He will not drive us apart. We can decide to come together and make our city reflect the good inside all of us, the hopes and simple dreams we share.Im asking the public to make a commitment to support your police, to work with us. Commit to watching the backs of those you call when youre scared, those you call when youre in trouble.NYPD cops answer about four-and-a-half million radio runs a year and are flagged down countless other times. And for good or bad, only a tiny handful of our actions make the news. That tiny handful  some when things go right, others when things go wrong  because thats what sells newspapers  those are the ones that define us. And the millions  literally millions  of our other actions go unnoticed.But we dont turn away from criticism, because we know it comes hand-in-hand with the possibility of making the safest big city in America even safer. We know you need us. And we need you. We want all our neighborhoods to be safer places for our children, for our elderly, for ourselves.But without peace and safety, we have nothing. Its a shared responsibility. You must participate. You must not retreat.It seems that we put all our societal failures on our police to solve. If theres not enough drug-addiction funding, many say its the police who should change their tactics. If theres not enough money for mental health, many say its the cops who need to alter what theyre doing out on the streets. If our society hasnt adequately invested in schools, the cops need to figure that out.We tell our police: Youre the counselor, youre the parent, youre the social worker, youre the referee. But policing was never intended to solve all those problems.Its our obligation to continually drive down crime and keep people safe. Thats what Miosotis vowed to do. And thats the work we vow to continue in her stead.What we are left with are the memories, moments shared, lives touched, friendships forged. There is no making sense of what is truly senseless. There is no explaining the unexplainable. Words do not do it justice. We cannot fix the hurt. We have to put that in the hands of a higher power. And the higher power Im talking about is you.We need the public to take a more-active role in our citys safety. Im asking you to connect with your police. Listen to my words: Your police. We are yours. Were here to help. Were here to make things better. But we need your assistance. We need it now, more than ever. Because no one knows whats going on on a street, or a block, better than those who live and work there every day.Thats how your neighborhoods will keep getting better. And thats how were going to continue to keep driving crime down and keep everybody safe. And thats how well find our way forward, together. Thats Miosotis legacy.The pain we feel today will not soon pass, but we know she did not die in vain. Our anger can be transformed into effective change. Our sorrow can make us a better society. We may not ever match the sacrifice made by Miosotis, but surely we can try to match her sense of service. If we cannot match her courage, we can strive to match her devotion.In the last few days  the 4-6 Precinct, Police Plaza, all across New York  weve received many, many messages of hope and support. They tell us that people around the nation and around the world love the police very much, and mourn with us. They tell us they need us, and that they are proud of us.I, too, couldnt be more proud of our cops.To the men and women of the NYPD who bravely put on that uniform every day  and they do, it takes courage  and to all those who have come before us: Thank you for your dedication, your leadership, and your powerful example.And I also couldnt be more proud of  and thankful for  Miosotis, whom I promote today to Detective-First Grade. Please rise and applaud her life and service.To Gennie, Peter and Delilah: Here we are, today, literally surrounded by a sea of blue as far as the eye can see outside this building. And know this: Our family will always be with yours. We dont ever forget. We will always be here for you and this city.And to all the members of the NYPD: Do not ever forget why you chose to become a police officer. Be proud of who you are and what you do. Always remember that Miosotis lived to protect all New Yorkers, and her legacy protects us still.We pray that she now finds rest, and that her beloved family finds solace and peace and the strength to live the lives their mother fought to give them.God bless Miosotis. God bless her family. God bless every member of the New York City Police Department, who will forever carry on her most important work.Thank you.
The trial for one man accused of murdering Tennessee nursing student Holly Bobo could hinge on the testimony of his friendone whose credibility has been questioned by experts. Jason Autry negotiated a deal to testify against Zach Adams in the case, but his story has changed over the years.

Autry was set to be called to testify once Adams trial begins in September. But just a few years ago, Autry told reporters he had no idea what happened to Bobo. It seems his story has changed dramatically, a fact the defense will likely call into question.

Read: New Evidence In Holly Bobo Murder Case Forces Trial Delay

Autry told local news outlet WTVF in an interview during his time at Riverbend Maximum Security Prison three years ago that he had no information.

No sir, right hand before God, he said at the time. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I didnt bother that girl in no form or no fashion. Do you know who did? No sir.

I dont want to speculate and make a rumor of what happened to the girl.

Autry also told the station at the time that he had denied multiple requests by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to testify against his friend.

It was a try to be a forced move to get me to bear false witness against Zach Adams, he said.

Bobo, a nursing student from West Tennessee, went missing in 2011. Her body wasnt found until three years later when authorities discovered a human skull near Adams home. Using dental records, authorities were able to confirm the skull belonged to Bobo.

Alongside Adams, Autry himself was also charged with the kidnapping, rape and murder of Bobo. Adams brother Dylan was the third person charged in the case. Autry was allegedly Adams accomplice in the murder, investigators said.

Adams' trial, while initially set to begin in July, was postponed after a new piece of crucial evidence emerged in the case. Defense attorneys said they needed extra time for analysis after TBI investigators found a gun they believed was the murder weapon over Memorial Day weekend.

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Experts said it appeared Autry himself was the one who tipped authorities off to the location of the gun.

Read: Holly Bobo Murder Trial Delay Sparks Reaction Among Local Tennessee Residents

His testimony is extremely important, WTVF legal analyst Nick Leonardo said Friday. Mr. Autry had to be the one to divulge to the TBI this whereabouts of this firearm. It begs the question, are you simply doing this to get consideration for yourself?

Five witnesses, including Autry, were granted some sort of immunity in the case.

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(WASHINGTON)  The Russian-American lobbyist who attended a meeting at Trump Tower last year is a former military officer who has attracted congressional scrutiny over his political activities and has been shadowed by allegations of connections to Russian intelligence that he denies.

Rinat Akhmetshin confirmed his participation in the meeting to The Associated Press on Friday, providing new details of a June 2016 sit-down that included a Russian lawyer and President Donald Trumps oldest son, son-in-law and campaign chairman.

His attendance at the meeting and his lobbying background created a new wrinkle to a story that has hounded the White House for days and added to questions about potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Akhmetshin is well-known in Washington for his advocacy efforts. Hes been outspoken in recent years about a U.S. law levying sanctions on Russians and has worked to undermine the public narrative used to justify the bill. And his name has also surfaced in multiple American lawsuits, including one involving the hacking of a companys computer systems.

Emails released this week by Donald Trump Jr. show the presidents son agreed to the Trump Tower meeting with the idea that he would receive damaging information on Hillary Clinton from someone described to him as a Russian government attorney. Akhmetshin began working with that attorney, Natalia Veselnitskaya, in 2015, after a public relations person he declined to name introduced them.

The Russian government has denied any involvement or knowledge of the meeting. Asked Friday about Akhmetshin, Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters: We dont know anything about this person.

In an interview, Akhmetshin denied suggestions made in media reports, congressional letters and litigation that he is a former officer in Russias military intelligence service known as the GRU, dismissing the allegations as a smear campaign.

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He told the AP that he served in the Soviet Army from 1986 to 1988 after he was drafted but was not trained in spy tradecraft. He said his unit operated in the Baltics and was loosely part of counterintelligence.

Akhmetshin, a naturalized American citizen who has lived in Washington since the early 1990s, and Veselnitskaya are known for lobbying efforts involving the Magnitsky Act, a brace of economic sanctions targeting Russian officials and individuals

The act passed by Congress was named for Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in a Russian prison in 2009 after accusing Russian government officials and takeover raiders of a $230 million tax fraud scheme in the seizure of an investment firm.

The original Magnitsky Act leveled U.S. financial sanctions on 18 Russian officials and individuals suspected of complicity in Magnitskys prosecution, imprisonment and death.

A Global Magnitsky Act that passed in December 2016 gives the president power to impose visa bans and freeze U.S. assets of anyone who suppresses basic human rights or targets whistleblowers exposing corruption.

Early in 2016, Akhmetshin said, he helped set up a non-profit foundation based in Delaware to lobby U.S. officials in an effort to strip Magnitskys name from the law, though he maintains that he was not attempting to undercut it.

As an adjunct to the foundations lobbying, Veselnitskaya also organized and attended a screening of an anti-Magnitsky documentary film that played at the Newseum in Washington four days after she met with Trump Jr. in New York. Akhmetshin acknowledged he was also involved in promoting the film.

Several wealthy Russian oligarchs agreed to provide financial backing for the foundations lobbying, Akhmetshin said, providing at least $300,000.

Among them, he said, was Dennis Katsyv, the owner of a real estate investment firm who was battling against a Justice Department lawsuit at the time connected to the seized investment firm.

The federal government this year settled with Katsyvs firm, allowing the company to pay a $6 million fine without admitting guilt.

Congressional lobbying documents show that the foundation Akhmentshin helped set up spent $290,000 last year on lobbying. At least $10,000, the records indicate, was paid directly to Akhmetshim as a lobbyist.

Akhmetshins name has also surfaced in lawsuits, including a New York court case in which a mining company branded him a former Soviet military counterintelligence officer and accused him of involvement in the hacking of its computer systems. Those claims were withdrawn last year, court records show.

In a separate case, he described his business as strategic communications with clients including national governments and high-ranking officials of those governments. Disclosure of his communications, he said, could put lives at risk.

Akhmetshin said he has not been contacted by the special counsels office or the FBI about the meeting with Trump Jr. He said hes willing to talk with the Senate Judiciary Committee, whose chairman has pressed the Justice Department about why Akhmetshin has not registered as a foreign agent.

The chairman, Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa, said in a March letter that Akhmetshin has reportedly admitted to being a Soviet counterintelligence officer and has a long history of lobbying the U.S. government for pro-Russia matters.

Akhmetshin said the Justice Department prodded him several months ago to register as a foreign agent because of his lobbying work, though he said he doesnt believe he needs to do so. He has previously registered with Congress for the lobbying, and he plans to raise this issue before Grassleys committee.

I think I have a legal right to tell my story, he said.
Since President Trump took office in January, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has been recognized by multiple polls as the most popular politician in the country. In recent days, Sanders has taken a firm stance on policies like the Republican attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, while offering cautious condemnation of Donald Trump Jr.'s emails amid alleged collusion between the Russian government and the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election.

"From my point of view, it is a very damaging piece of evidence," Sanders said of Trump Jr.'s emails Thursday on Sirius XMs "Make It Plain With Mark Thompson."

"But what is important is that there be a methodical, objective, bipartisan process that looks at this whole business of the possibility of Trumps campaign colluding with the Russians," he added. "To me, this is pretty clearly a damaging revelation. But the process has got to continue, and it will."

READ: Bernie And Jane Sanders Lawyer Up For Bank Fraud Probe

This cautious message was noticeably different than his other Democratic colleagues like Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia who said Tuesday that the president's son "may have committed treason" after the email links were released on Twitter.

"Bernie Sanders tells me re: Don Jr emails: 'These are very, very, very serious allegations' but 'there should not be a rush to judgment,'" Associated Press reporter Steven Peoples posted on Twitter.

Bernie Sanders tells me re: Don Jr emails: These are very, very, very serious allegations" but there should not be a rush to judgment"  Steve Peoples (@sppeoples) July 11, 2017

Sanders' tepid response to the Trump Jr. emails was not particularly surprising given his populist message that focused on economic reform throughout the 2016 campaign. During the Democratic primaries, Sanders preferred to stay away from attacking Hillary Clinton on the email scandal, and instead focused on economic reform.

Story continues

True to form, he responded to the latest version of the Senate healthcare bill with less caution and much more resolution. He was quick to note that the healthcare plan put forth by the Republicans was an "absolute disaster" and said that he hoped it didn't through the Senate.

"The revised Republican 'healthcare' plan is an absolute disaster that will inflict severe economic pain on millions of Americans," Sanders said in a statement Thursday, according to The Hill.

The Republican health care bill is an insult to the American people. It belongs in a garbage can.  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 11, 2017

READ: Bernie Sanders May Have Won, Even Though Jon Ossoff Lost

Prior to the Donald Trump Jr. email scandal, Sanders teased his line of attack against President Trump in a Sunday speech in Morgantown, West Virginia. He remained focused on the president's broken promises to the working class and stayed clear of mentioning anything that has to do with Russia or collusion.

I am more than aware that Donald Trump did very well in the state of West Virginia, I got that, Sanders told the crowd at the ballroom, according to a report in the Atlantic.

"Donald Trump told the people that he was going to be a champion of the working class, he said. "Im sorry to have to tell you this, but I suspect most of you already know it, Donald Trump was not telling you the truth."

When asked about whether or not Democrats should negotiate with Republicans on healthcare, Sanders remained resolute in his message to stand up to "tax breaks for billionaires."

"If somebody opens the door, I think you walk in, but obviously you dont walk in if hes talking about tax breaks for billionaires. You dont walk in, if hes still talking about throwing 23 million people off their health insurance," Sanders said.

"You do walk in," he added, "if, by some chance, there are some Republicans who want to improve the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act has problems. Deductibles, premiums, co-payments are too high. Prescription drug costs are much too high. How do we improve that? Lets do that."

GettyImages-811488282

Photo: (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

Related Articles
News host describes White House deception as mind-boggling

Smith dismisses administration claims that meeting was unimportant

Shepard Smith said: The deception, Chris, is mind-boggling. And there are still people who are out there who believe we [the media] are making it up. Photograph: Getty Images

Fox News host Shepard Smith broke with network orthodoxy on Friday, issuing a sharp denunciation of the Trump administrations handling of investigations into its links with Russia.

Smith, a relative moderate in the Fox ranks who has decried Trump camp untruths before, described White House deception as mind-boggling.



Why all these lies? he asked fellow anchor Chris Wallace. Why is it lie after lie after lie?

The outburst came after it was reported that more people attended a meeting between Donald Trump Jr and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower in New York in June 2016 than had previously been disclosed.

Donald Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and then-campaign chair Paul Manafort attended, and were included on emails setting up the meeting with intermediary Rob Goldstone, a British music publicist.

Rinat Akhmetshin, a Russian American lobbyist and veteran of the Soviet military, confirmed on Friday that he attended the meeting. Akhmetshin denies ties to Russian intelligence. A Kremlin spokesman said the Russian government was not familiar with him. Anatoli Samochornov, a Russian-born translator, was also reported to have attended the meeting.

Smith dismissed administration claims that the meeting was a waste of time and, in the words of White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, a nothing burger.

Were still not clean on this, Chris, Smith said. If theres nothing there  and thats what they tell us, they tell us theres nothing to this and nothing came of it, theres a nothing burger, it wasnt even memorable, didnt write it down, didnt tell you about it, because it wasnt anything so I didnt even remember it  with a Russian interpreter in the room at Trump Tower?

The deception, Chris, is mind-boggling. And there are still people who are out there who believe we [the media] are making it up. And one day theyre gonna realize were not and look around and go, Where are we, and why are we getting told all these lies?

Story continues

Smiths exasperation was echoed by Wallace.

This really shouldnt be a matter of liberal v conservative, pro-Trump vs anti-Trump, he said. If youre a fair-minded citizen, you ought to be concerned about the fact that we were repeatedly misled about what this meeting concerned.

It may be too soon to expect others in the Fox sphere to break ranks, despite what appeared to be another significant departure from Donald Trump Jrs earlier pledge, to supportive Fox News host Sean Hannity, that everything about the meeting had been disclosed.

Trump Jrs statements on the meeting, which according to the New York Times were in the first instance worked on by White House staff and signed off by the president, have been successively proven to be incomplete regarding what was discussed and who attended. Trump Jr published the emails on Twitter on Tuesday, pre-empting the Times.



On Friday Trump Jrs lawyer, Alan Futerfas, told the Washington Post the supposed lapses in his clients memory about attendees at the meeting could be ascribed to the lack of significance the Trump campaign attached to it.

The frustrating part of all this for me is that this meeting occurred 13 months ago, he said. It was not a memorable meeting for anyone. Now 13 months later, everyone expects we should have a perfect recollection.

Two days before Smiths on-air rant, senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway created an internet meme when she spoke on Fox to Hannity.

Conway used flash cards to illustrate the administrations denial that the Trump campaign ever sought incriminating material from Russia to damage Hillary Clinton, despite Trump Jrs publication of emails showing he thought such material would be offered at the June 2016 meeting.

Close to the end of her interview, Conway held up her first placard. It read: Conclusion, collusion.

Conway crossed out the second word and said: Whats the conclusion? Collusion? No. We dont have that yet.

She then held up a second card, which read: Illusion, delusion.

I just thought wed have some fun with words, she said.
With Adam Rawnsley

Bulls on parade. President Trump has wrapped up his gaffe-free trip to Paris, leaving the French capital directly after the massive Bastille Day parade  which he appeared to love. While things went well with the French, the embattled president couldnt avoid domestic scandal however, as Trump continues to be shadowed by his sons meeting with a Russian lawyer claiming to represent the Kremlin promising him dirt on then-rival Hillary Clinton.

Trump also told reporters that he pressed Putin last week on whether he tried to tip the scales on the 2016 U.S. election, and accepted his denials. FPs Kavitha Surana has more.

Tremendous. Trump also conceded that he neglected to ask Putin a question who he backed in the 2016 race. POTUS said he forgot to ask, Who were you really for? Because I cant believe that he would have been for me. Me. Strong military, strong borders  he doesnt care about borders  but strong military. Tremendous.

More cash. Macron also pledged to spend more on his countrys military beginning next year.

U.S. strike in Somalia. American and Somali government forces raided a compound used by al Shabaab in Kunyo Barrow in southern Somalia on Thursday, Pentagon and Africa Command officials confirm to FPs Paul McLeary. Few details are available, but officials say there there were no U.S. casualties.

Africa Command spokesperson Capt. Jennifer Dyrcz said that U.S. forces conducted an advise and assist mission against al-Shabaab with members of the Somali National Army who U.S. forces are assisting to counter al-Shabaab in Somalia to degrade the al-Qaeda affiliates ability to recruit, train and plot external terror attacks throughout the region and in America.

In March, President Trump signed off on an order giving the Africom commander more leeway in attacking al Shabaab targets, and giving U.S. troops and aircraft the ability to conduct more operations in the country. In May, one Navy SEAL was killed and two others wounded in a firefight with al Shabaab fighters, the first American casualty in the country since the early 1990s.

Story continues

China sanctions. Washington is reportedly preparing a new round of secondary sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals that do business with North Korea, according to Reuters.

The new measures would target select companies and minor financial firms but no big banks, and could be announced within a matter of weeks, according to the report. The United States slapped an initial round of sanctions on Chinese firms who help prop up Pyongyang in late June  a departure from a traditionally cautious approach to ratcheting up pressure on North Koreas main source of support. FPs Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian has more.

New normal. China bluntly told Japan on Friday to get used to it after it flew six warplanes over the Miyako Strait between two Japanese islands in a military exercise, Reuters reports. Japans defense ministry issued a statement late on Thursday describing the flyover by the formation of Xian H-6 bombers earlier that day as unusual, while noting that there had been no violation of Japanese airspace.

US doubles down on support for war in Yemen. Since an October airstrike in Yemen by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition that killed more than 130 people, the United States doubled the amount of fuel it provided to coalition jets, according to figures obtained from the U.S. military, writes Samuel Oakford in The Intercept. The numbers underline the fact that U.S. support for the campaign has continued and even increased despite growing attention to civilian casualties and alleged war crimes by the coalition.

No go on transgender ban. The House narrowly voted down a Republican proposal to bar the Pentagon from paying for gender-transition surgeries, Defense News Joe Gould reports. The proposal from Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., endangered Democratic support of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. The lower chamber on Thursday failed to adopt it as an amendment to the NDAA in a bipartisan vote, 209-214  with 24 Republicans joining the minority.

No thanks, NATO. Turkey has agreed to pay $2.5 billion to acquire Russias most advanced missile defense system, a senior Turkish official said, in a deal that signals a turn away from the NATO military alliance that has anchored Turkey to the West for more than six decades, Bloomberg reports.

Welcome to SitRep. Send any tips, thoughts or national security events to paul.mcleary@foreignpolicy.com or via Twitter: @paulmcleary or @arawnsley.

End of the honeymoon. The Trump administrations efforts to enlist Chinas help in cracking down on North Korea appear to be crumbling, with the U.S. preparing a new round of sanctions against Chinese companies doing business with Pyongyang. Reuters reports that the administration is gearing up to sanction several Chinese firms, including small banks and companies on a list that Trump shared with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting between the two leaders.

Remnants of war. The residents of Mosul will be fighting the ghost of the Islamic State for a generation after the groups defeat in the city. The Washington Post reports that the State Departments top weapons removal official believes it could take decades to clear the city of all of the thousands of improvised explosive devices left behind by the terrorist group. Stanley Brown, director of the departments Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, said that in some ways theres nothing like Mosul that weve encountered.

Post-conflict. Mosuls devastation, pockets of sporadic fighting, and a lack of Iraqi government preparations for post-conflict reconstruction and governance are preventing displaced civilians from returning home again. Reuters reports that an estimated 300,000 residents are still living in camps and that restoring the city to its former status will cost in the neighborhood of a billion dollars.

USAID announced an additional $119 million in emergency aid to Iraq to help deal with the aftermath of the fight for Mosul according to VOA News. The money will go to buy emergency humanitarian supplies like food, clean water, and shelter for Iraqis in need.

Hezbollah. The head of Hezbollahs executive assembly is warning that the terrorist group will surprise Israel in the next war. The Jerusalem Post reports that Hashem Safieddine made an appearance on Hezbollahs Al Manar TV channel claiming the group has new military weapons that will give it an edge in the next conflict with Israeli forces.

Settlement. Canadas decision to pay out $8 million to a Canadian former Guantanamo Bay detainee accused of killing an American soldier is causing controversy for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. American troops arrested Omar Khadr in Afghanistan when he was 15, accusing him of throwing a grenade during a 2002 firefight that killed Sgt Christopher Speer. Khadr sued Canada, alleging that the Canadian government was complicit in the violation of his human rights. But the decision to settle the suit has critics, including the American widow of Sgt. Speer, outraged, with 70 percent of Canadians opposed to the deal in a recent poll.

Folding money. Defense Department Inspector General Glenn Fine says hes found $33 billion the Pentagon could save if it followed his offices suggestions. In a report released on Thursday, Fine said the 58 recommendations could yield the savings, the largest of which would come from buying 44 fewer CH-53K helicopters that Fine says the Marine Corps cant justify purchasing.

Push notifications. The Pentagon will have to notify Congress every time it identifies Russian hackers breaching a Defense Department system, according to an amendment passed by House lawmakers. The Hill reports that the National Defense Authorization Act amendment from Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), which passed a House vote on Wednesday, would require notifications from both the secretary of defense and director of national intelligence.

Case of the missing turbines. Vladimir Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov is denying that Russia sent turbines made by German industrial giant Siemens to Crimea. Siemens has filed a lawsuit accusing Russia of sending two turbines it said were destined for a project in Taman, Russia were instead sent to Russian-occupied Crimea in Ukraine in a violation of European Union sanctions. Peskov insists that the turbines sent to Crimea were Russian products not made by Siemens.

History fight. Russia and NATO are fighting about the 1940s on Twitter. The incident started when NATOs flagship Twitter account tweeted out a short trailer for a documentary about the Forest Brothers, a group of Lithuanian guerrillas who fought against Soviet occupation after the Second World War. Dmitry Rogozin, Russias deputy prime minister for defense, was none too pleased, saying that the video about killing our soldiers, at least to him, confirms that we are dealing with Nazi remnants in NATO.

Photo Credit: Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images
At least three people were killed when a large fire broke out at a high-rise residential block in Honolulu, Hawaii, on July 15.

KHON reported that the 5-alarm broke out on the 26th floor of the Marco Polo complex on Kapiolani Boulevard. Flames and smoke could be seen rising from the building while debris fell to the ground below. Credit: Facebook/Darcy K. Butcher via Storyful
Patricia Tan Mom Krentcil, shown here in 2012, was once accused of endangered her child by taking her to a tanning salon. She is now speaking out after her daughter came home from school sunburned. (Photo: Getty Images)

Its been a few years since Tan Mom, or Patricia Krentcil as shes known in legal terms, ran into trouble with New Jersey law enforcement for allegedly taking her young daughter with her to a tanning salon. A lot has happened to Krentcil since then, but she has not forgotten that phone call to local police that shot her into the national spotlight back in 2012.

It was the school nurse at her daughters school who initially alerted authorities about the possible child endangerment that ended up forever altering Krentcil and her familys lives. So when her now 11-year-old daughter reportedly came home with a sunburn, Tan Mom wasnt having it. After what they did to me, they didnt put lotion on her? Krentcil told the New York Post. This time, Im going after them.

Following the charges and having to deal with her legal case, Krentcils gone through a lot, including divorce, rehab for a drinking problem, and being banned from her beloved chain of tanning salons. Some of her younger children  Krentcil is a mother of five  were also continuously hounded and teased, and continue to be monitored in a certain way by staff and faculty. They always ask her, Are you OK? Krentcil says of the teachers at her daughters Lincoln Elementary in her town of Nutley, N.J. So its likely understandable that Krentcil is upset about the possibility of her daughter coming home sunburned. She says she has lawyers looking into a possible case.

Although her 15 minutes of fame (or infamy) may have passed a few years back, Krentcil is still eking out an existence as a known personality. She appears frequently on Howard Stern  she says the popular radio host helps her out financially. He keeps me alive, she tells the Post.

Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.




Washington (AFP) - The Supreme Court has given Hawaii until Tuesday to respond to the White House's motion to block a ruling exempting grandparents of people living in the US from the president's travel ban, the court's public information office said Saturday.

In a court filing Friday, the Donald Trump administration requested the nation's highest bench overturn Thursday's decision by a Hawaii federal judge, which limited the reach of the executive order temporarily barring refugees and other travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries.

After months of legal wrangling over the controversial measure the Supreme Court handed Trump a partial victory in June, saying that the ban could go into effect but people with a "bona fide relationship" to a US person or entity were exempt.

In its list defining that category the White House had said the ban would still apply to grandparents, but US Judge Derrick Watson in Hawaii ruled that exclusion was unfair.

He expanded the list of "bona fide" relatives to include them as well as grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins of people in the United States.

Trump's March 6 executive order bars visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days, and refugees for 120 days. The administration insists the policy is necessary to keep violent extremists out of the country.

The Supreme Court has said it would hear oral arguments over whether the ban violates the US Constitution after it returns for a new session in October.
Former Trump campaign aide Michael Caputo arrives to testify before the House Intelligence Committee during a closed-door session: Getty Images

Trump campaign official Michael Caputo has said that he never once spoke to anyone about the possibility of receiving help from the Russian government to get Donald Trump elected.

Mr Caputo, who served as one of Mr Trumps communications advisers during the campaign, wrote in his opening statement to a congressional committee that he never spoke about his campaign with anyone remotely associated with the Russian government".

At no time did I ever talk about Russian contacts with any member of the campaign. I certainly did not hear talk of collusion with Russia or any foreign nation, he wrote to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which is conducting an investigation into whether Trump campaign officials colluded with Russian officials.

Mr Caputo testified before the committee for more than three hours on Friday behind closed doors. He said he told the panel that when he worked for the campaign there was absolutely no discussion of Russia.

The only time I spoke about Russia with Donald Trump was in passing, during a dinner conversation in 2013, long before he decided to run for President, Mr Caputo said in his written statement. He simply asked: 'What was it like to live in Russia.' Our exchange may have lasted 30 seconds.

Following his appearance before the committee, Mr Caputo told reporters that the panel had requested a broad and expansive number of documents and that they were negotiating limits on those.

In a prior interview with CNN, Mr Caputo also said he did not overhear anybody from the campaign talking about getting help from the Russians.

In fact, we were so busy just trying to keep up with the sun rising and setting on that campaign, that I cant imagine anyone had the time nor the wherewithal to go out there and even do something like this, Mr Caputo said.

Mr Caputo, who spent six months with the Trump campaign, came to know Russian government officials when he worked in Russia during the 1990s. In the early 2000s, he did work for Gazprom Media, a Russian conglomerate that has supported Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Story continues

A Democratic member of the House's intelligence committee, Representative Jackie Speier, raised Mr Caputos name at a hearing in March, suggesting that he was part of a tarantula web of links to Russia. She noted that he met his second wife, who is Ukrainian, while working in 2007 on a parliamentary election in Kiev. She also said he worked for "Gazprom-Media to improve Putin's image in the United States".

Contrary to Rep Jackie Speiers comments in your March 20 public hearing, I was never President Vladimir Putins image consultant', Mr Caputo said in his opening statement to the committee. To the contrary, a simple Google search would have revealed a great deal, he said, including a 2004 op-ed he wrote in which he criticised the Kremlin.

Mr Caputo said he was offended by Ms Speiers comments and that she should be ashamed of herself.

The White House and Trump campaign have repeatedly denied that there were any contacts between officials and Russians.

However, this past week, it was revealed that Mr Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr, had a meeting with a Kremlin-connected lawyer during the presidential campaign. According to emails released by Mr Trump Jr, he met with the lawyer after being told she would provide him with damaging information to his fathers campaign opponent, Hillary Clinton.
Donald Trump Jr - AP

Donald Trump's presidential re-election campaign made a $50,000 payment in June to the law office now representing Donald Trump Jr. more than a week before revelations that the president's son had met with a Russian lawyer during the campaign.

The payment to the Law Offices of Alan S. Futerfas, dated June 27, was disclosed in a filing with the Federal Election Commission on Saturday. It was described as covering "legal consulting" fees. Separately, the campaign also paid Jones Day, the law firm that represented Trump's campaign during the election.

Spokesmen for Trump's re-election campaign and Futerfas could not be immediately reached for comment.

Donald Trump and Russian espionage

Futerfas was announced as Trump Jr.'s lawyer on Monday after a New York Times report detailed meetings between the president's eldest son and a Russian lawyer.

A federal special counsel and several congressional panels are investigating allegations by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and potential connections between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.

Moscow has denied any interference and the president and Trump Jr. have denied any collusion.

Donald Trump Jnr emails related content

The campaign also paid $89,561 to The Trump Corporation for "legal consulting." The company, owned by the president, is not a law firm. They payment was dated June 30th.

In the second quarter of 2017, Trump's re-election campaign raised about $8 million and spent $4.4 million.

Trump filed for re-election the day after taking office - allowing his campaign to continue to raise and spend money while he is in office.

The Federal Election Commission has previously ruled that candidates and federal office holders may spend campaign funds on legal fees that are part of legal actions that would not have been necessary if they were not a candidate.

Trump has also hired outside counsel being led Marc Kasowitz. His campaign finance disclosure did not list any payments to Kasowitz.
By Susan Cornwell and David Alexander WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump turned up the heat on Friday on fellow Republicans in the U.S. Senate to pass a bill dismantling the Obamacare law, but with their retooled healthcare plan drawing fire within the party even one more defection would doom it. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has planned for a vote next week on revised legislation, unveiled on Thursday, and he has his work cut out for him in the coming days to get the 50 "yes" votes needed for passage. Republicans control the Senate by a 52-48 margin and cannot afford to lose more than two from within their ranks because of united Democratic opposition, but two Republican senators already have declared opposition. "After all of these years of suffering thru Obamacare, Republican Senators must come through as they have promised," Trump, who made gutting Obamacare one of his central campaign promises last year, wrote on Twitter from Paris, where he attended Bastille Day celebrations. The top U.S. doctors' group, the American Medical Association, on Friday called the new bill inadequate and said more bipartisan collaboration is needed in the months ahead to improve the delivery and financing of healthcare. Hospital and medical advocacy groups also have criticized the bill. "The revised bill does not address the key concerns of physicians and patients regarding proposed Medicaid cuts and inadequate subsidies that will result in millions of Americans losing health insurance coverage," AMA President Dr. David Barbe said, referring to the government insurance program for the poor and disabled. A major test for McConnell's legislation expected early next week is an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which last month forecast that the prior version of the bill would have resulted in 22 million Americans losing insurance over the next decade. A day after that CBO analysis was issued, McConnell postponed a planned vote on the legislation because of a revolt within his own party, including moderates and hard-line conservatives. While the bill's prospects may look precarious, the same could have been said of healthcare legislation that ultimately was passed by the House of Representatives. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan called off a vote in March in the face of a rebellion involving the disparate factions of the party but managed to coax enough lawmakers to back it and engineered narrow approval on May 4. PENCE SEEKS SUPPORT Vice President Mike Pence sought to shore up support among the nation's governors at a meeting in Rhode Island, but a key Republican governor, Ohio's John Kasich, came out strongly against the revised bill, saying its Medicaid cuts were too deep and it does too little to stabilize the insurance market. Kasich's opposition could put pressure on Rob Portman, a Republican senator from Ohio, who has not yet taken a position on the bill. If the current Senate legislation collapses, some lawmakers have raised the possibility of seeking bipartisan legislation to fix parts of Obamacare but leaving intact the structure of the Affordable Care Act, Democratic former President Barack Obama's signature legislative achievement, commonly known as Obamacare. "There are changes that need to be made to the law," Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, told MSNBC, citing "a bipartisan appetite to tackle this issue." Moderate Susan Collins and conservative Rand Paul already oppose the revised Senate bill. Other Republican senators have either expressed concern or remained noncommittal, including Portman, Mike Lee, Shelley Moore Capito, John McCain, Dean Heller, John Hoeven, Lisa Murkowski, Jeff Flake, Ben Sasse, Cory Gardner, Todd Young and Thom Tillis. Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy floated an alternative plan. The new version was crafted to satisfy the Republican Party's various elements, including moderates worried about Americans who would be left without medical coverage and hard-line conservatives who demand less government regulation of health insurance. A provision designed to appeal to conservatives would let insurers sell cheap, bare-bones insurance policies that would not have to cover broad benefits mandated under Obamacare. The bill retained certain Obamacare taxes on the wealthy that the earlier version would have eliminated, a step moderates could embrace. But it kept the core of the earlier bill, including ending the expansion of Medicaid that was instrumental in enabling Obamacare to expand coverage to 20 million people, and restructuring that social safety-net program. John Thune, a member of the Senate Republican leadership, said in order to complete work on the bill by the end of next week, Senate leaders would have to try to formally begin debate on Tuesday or Wednesday, a move that requires a majority vote. (Reporting by Susan Cornwell and David Alexander; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Jonathan Oatis)
President Trump took to Twitter early Sunday to complain about the medias coverage of his sons controversial meeting with a Kremlin-connected lawyer who was said to have dirt on Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Clinton can illegally get the questions to the Debate & delete 33,000 emails but my son Don is being scorned by the Fake News Media? the president tweeted.

HillaryClinton can illegally get the questions to the Debate & delete 33,000 emails but my son Don is being scorned by the Fake News Media?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2017

With all of its phony unnamed sources & highly slanted & even fraudulent reporting, #Fake News is DISTORTING DEMOCRACY in our country! Trump fumed.

With all of its phony unnamed sources & highly slanted & even fraudulent reporting, #Fake News is DISTORTING DEMOCRACY in our country!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2017

Its not the first time the president has cited his former opponent in an effort to decry the investigation into his campaigns ties to Russia. Just last month, Trump claimed he was the subject of disproportionate scrutiny compared to his election foe.

Why is that Hillary Clintons family and Dems dealings with Russia are not looked at, but my non-dealings are?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2017

Crooked H destroyed phones w/ hammer, 'bleached' emails, & had husband meet w/AG days before she was cleared- & they talk about obstruction?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2017

Those tweets were in response to a Washington Post report that Justice Department special counsel is looking into whether he obstructed justice by firing FBI Director James Comey.

Story continues

In April, Trump pushed back against the ongoing investigations into his campaign by rehashing a controversy from the 2016 Democratic primary.

Did Hillary Clinton ever apologize for receiving the answers to the debate? Trump tweeted. Just asking!

Did Hillary Clinton ever apologize for receiving the answers to the debate? Just asking!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2017

The president was referring to emails that showed former acting Democratic National Committee chair Donna Brazile had provided questions to the Hillary Clinton campaign in advance of a town hall and debate hosted by CNN during the Democratic primary.

But the emails that revealed Trump Jr. took the June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower with Natalia Veselnitskaya, a lawyer with alleged ties to the Kremlin and its spy agency, has sparked yet another firestorm for the Trump administration.

Trump Jr., campaign chief Paul Manafort and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and top White House adviser, also attended the meeting, which was brokered by Robert Goldstone, a music publicist who had previously helped ink a business deal between President Trump and a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin.

In his initial email to Trump Jr., Goldstone claimed a Russian government lawyer had very high level and sensitive information that was part of the Russian governments support for the elder Trumps candidacy.

Thanks Rob, I appreciate that, Trump Jr. replied. If its what you say I love it, especially later in the summer.

Trump Jr. posted the emails on his Twitter feed Tuesday morning after the New York Times had informed him they were set to publish them. Critics have pointed to the emails as proof that the Trump campaign tried to collude with the Kremlin.

Related: Trump Jr.s meeting with Russian lawyer: A timeline

During a press conference in Paris on Thursday, Trump insisted that most people would have taken the meeting.

My son is a wonderful young man, Trump said of Donald Trump Jr., 39. He took a meeting with a Russian lawyer, not a government lawyer, but a Russian lawyer. It was a short meeting. It was a meeting that went very, very quickly  very fast  two of the people in the room, one of them left almost immediately and the other was not really focused on the meeting. I do think this from a practical standpoint, most people would have taken that meeting.

Its called opposition research or even research into your opponent, the president added.

On Twitter Sunday, Trump thanked Michael Caputo, a former Trump campaign adviser, who told CNN last week that he never once heard anyone on the Trump team discuss Russian attempts to meddle in the election.

Thank you to former campaign adviser Michael Caputo for saying so powerfully that there was no Russian collusion in our winning campaign, Trump tweeted.

Thank you to former campaign adviser Michael Caputo for saying so powerfully that there was no Russian collusion in our winning campaign.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2017

No one ever breathed the word Russia to me, Caputo said in the interview, which aired Friday. We were so busy just trying to keep up with the sun rising and setting on that campaign that I cant imagine anyone had the time, nor the wherewithal to go out there and even do something like this.

Read more from Yahoo News:
BONNER  Someone dropped, chucked or dunked a double-barreled shotgun in the Blackfoot River long ago.

Well never know who or when, but the barrels of the gun itself, rescued in pieces from the river bank, tell some of its story.

By faint but telltale stamps, authorities have dated it back to the mid-19th century, years before there was a Montana and decades before there was a lumber mill here.

Just round it off at 1850 or thereabouts, said Lloyd Priest of Florence. It could be a little older or a little newer.

It was a sure-fire treasure for Darin Wicks when he spotted the back half of the double barrels in 2013.

Scouring of the river after the 2008 removal of the Milltown Dam a mile downstream was uncovering any number of metal scrap, wagon wheels, frayed cables, horseshoes, saw blades and the like.

It really was a scrap heap here, Wicks said, overlooking the steep river bank behind the new KettleHouse Brewing Co.

Hes an artist in architectural iron and runs Hellgate Forge, in what once served as a blacksmith shop for the Anaconda Copper Co. mill.

When Wicks found the business end of the shotgun in 2015 less than an arm's throw from the first discovery, it wasnt obvious what it was.

For one thing I couldnt remember where I had the first one, so it took me awhile to get them together, he said.

When he did, it was pretty apparent that I found two parts of the same gun," Wicks said.

To the sculptor and welder in him, it was a thing of beauty.

A percussion shotgun as opposed to the earlier flintlock, it was crafted at least in part in Birmingham, England, a center of the worlds gun-manufacturing industry dating back to the 1700s.

It was all made by hand. There wasnt a lathe or even a machinist involved. It was all one-offs, Wicks said. All the material has this intense character, some from rusting in the river and some just how it was made. Its wrought iron, not steel, and when you make something out of it you cant fake it.

Wicks did some preliminary research into the gun's origins with unsatisfactory results. Two winters ago he dropped it off down the street to the Bonner Milltown History Center.

They just took off with it, he said.

In particular, Norm Jacobson went to town. A retired Missoula high school teacher, amateur historian and researcher, and a long-time volunteer at Travelers Rest State Park, Jacobson showed the shotgun barrels to a handful of experts in his world. Priest is one of Travelers Rests most esteemed Lewis and Clark re-enactors as hunter-scout George Drouillard, and his demonstrations usually have a firearms theme to them.

Using markings on the barrels of a tiny rams head, the number 17 and, especially, a small crown-and-cross stamp, Priest narrowed the gun to a later style Birmingham gun.

"Many of the old English shotguns, rifles, pistols, etc., had parts made in Birmingham, even though the barrels were marked London," he said in handwritten note to Jacobson.

The ram's head appears to signify the company that made the gun, Jacobson said. He believes the "17" refers to the gauge of the steel, not the gauge of the gun itself.

The way the hanger is welded to the barrels tells them that whoever worked on this shotgun was a good gunsmith, Jacobson said.

"You'd have to be," said Wicks.

***

The unique music venue in a former log yard that opened to rave reviews Thursday night signals yet another step in the reinvention of this company town on the Blackfoot.

Nick Checota, who conceived of and built the KettleHouse Amphitheater, hailed the location for its scenic and recreational attributes. The shotgun barrel pieces in safekeeping at the Bonner Milltown History Center are also reminders of the rich and varied history of the lower Blackfoot.

Here was one of the ancient roads to the buffalo for mountain tribes, a hunting and trade route that led to and from the Missoula Valley and points west.

It became an industrial site in the 1880s when the Big Blackfoot Milling Company started churning out wood products, and has remained as such, albeit with some innovative twists lately.

How and when did the antique shotgun find its way to these parts?

Its one of those things," Priest said. "If that gun could talk itd probably tell some interesting stories. All we can do is look at it and speculate."

Its not clear how late in the 19th or 20th centuries the Birmingham double-barreled shotgun was made in England. As a lighter shotgun, possibly a 20-gauge, it would have been a common weapon on the frontier.

Its your utility gun, Wicks said. If youre close enough you could shoot a deer with it, kill a beaver, kill all kinds of varmints, grouse, people. You could probably shoot a ball wrapped in a wad or just birdshot.

The fur trading era was pretty much over by 1850, Priest pointed out, but the British Hudsons Bay Co. was still active in Canada.

It could have come from up north of the border, and possibly some Indians might have got hold of it, said Priest. They liked a smooth-bore gun a lot of times. It was easy to load and they werent too fussy what you put in them.

While it doesnt happen as much these days, he added, down through the years theyve found a lot of traps and old firearms that dated to the fur trade, even flintlocks and things that could have gone back to Lewis and Clarks time.

Angus McDonald completed the Hudsons Bay post of Fort Connah near St. Ignatius in 1847.

They imported smooth-bore firearms, knives and axes, anything that was needed on the frontier, Priest said.

Fort Owen in the Bitterroot Valley and Fort Benton on the Missouri were in the gun-trading business in the 1850s as well. White settlers began populating the Missoula valley in earnest in the 1860s upon the establishment of Hellgate Village and Missoula Mills. Among other European influences in the Bonner area was the winter camp of Lt. John Mullan's road-building crew in 1861-62.

Then you had Duncan McDonald. He was quite an active trader in the 1860s, '70s and '80s, pointed out Joe McDonald of Ronan, a great-grandson of Angus McDonald whos active with the Fort Connah Restoration Society.

After Fort Connah closed in 1872, Duncan McDonald opened a store at the Old Agency southwest of Arlee that was quite a good one, Joe McDonald said. Alex and T.J. Jacques DeMers had successful mercantile operations in Frenchtown, on the Flathead Reservation and at the head of Flathead Lake starting in the 1880s, and the Missoula Mercantile Co. was amassing its own empire by then.

A dam was constructed at Bonner to hold logs from river drives in 1884, and the mill went into operation in 1886 as a company town grew up around it.

Wicks thinks the gun found its way to the river after that. Early residents of Bonner were certainly shotgun hunters, he reasoned.

The two barrel pieces are nearly equal in size, which is a clue for him.

"What happens with these old barrrels is people get an old one, restore it, and then they want to go and use it," he said. "They load it with more of a hotter charge and it blows apart. I think maybe it blew apart and someone chucked it in the river.

Wicks didn't have to give the shotgun pieces to the history center, but he said he's glad he did. It's a mysterious piece of history.

If he kept it, he said, Id end up making it into a high-end piece of furniture and some rich guy would have got it and nobody would know about it."
President Donald Trump's approval numbers have remained unchanged throughout the week following disclosures that Donald Trump Jr. met with Russians connected to the Kremlin to get political dirt on Hillary Clinton and after Trump Jr. tweeted out the emails confirming the meeting. The news cycles have almost exclusively dealt with whether or not this meeting is collusion, and even members of conservative media and Republican senators have begun to criticize the administration.

Trumps approval numbers have maintained a steady support around or just below 40 percent after they dipped into the mid-30s last month following the firing and subsequent testimony of FBI Director James Comey. They remained unchanged last week after the G20 Summit in Hamburg and, before that, a series of disparaging tweets towards MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski and an edited wrestling video showing President Trump 'slamming' CNN.

Scandals have followed the president and his administration week after week, and questions about whether or not the Trump campaign engaged in collusion with the Russian government dog the administration more than ever.

Trump's approval ratings may take on more interest in the coming days amid backlash from conservative media. On Thursday, longtime columnist Charles Krauthhammer described the emails from Trump Jr. as "collusion." Fox News anchor Shepherd Smith went on a tirade Friday, claiming "lies" by the administration.

Additionally, Rep Trey Gowdy of South Carolina was the most forthright Republican to criticized the administration for their handling of the scandal.

"You should get everyone in a room, and from the moment you watched either 'Dr. Zhivago' or read 'Brothers Karamazov' to the point you had a shot of liquor with a guy in a furry hat, you need to disclose every contact you have ever had with Russia," said a visibly frustrated Gowdy Wednesday on "CBS Evening News."

Story continues

READ: Donald Trump Approval Ratings: What Polls Say Entering G20 And Amid Russia Investigation

Three polls of Trump's approval ratings were taken this week: Rasmussen, Gallup and SurveyMonkey. All three showed the presidents losing steam, even in the polls that are considered more favorable to him.

In the Rasmussen Report, a historically right-leaning tracking poll, the president got his highest approval rating, 43 percent, between July 11 and July 14, falling two points from last week. The FiveThirtyEight tracking aggregator, which weighs the polls by historic leanings, adjusted that percentage down to 39 percent. By contrast, the approval tracker showed a 57 percent disapproval rating.

In a Gallup Poll taken between July 11 and July 14, Trump's received 38 percent approval and 57 percent disapproval rating. These numbers show him getting one more percent than last week poll that showed him with 37 percent. The Gallup Poll was adjusted to 39 percent approval and 56 percent disapproval rating.

A SurveyMonkey taken between July 7 and July 13 was in between the Gallup poll and Rassmussen poll, with 42 percent approval and 56 percent disapproval, adjusted to 40 percent approval and 55 percent disapproval. This is a slight downturn in approval from last week's numbers.

The FiveThirtyEight aggregator averages 39.1 percent approval and 55.3 percent disapproval, which has shown the president's approval maintaining similar support numbers following the G20 Summit and subsequent revelation about his son's meeting with the Russian lawyer during the campaign.

READ: Trump Approval Ratings: Low Support Amid Controversial Tweets And Senate Delaying Healthcare Vote

On RealClearPolitics poll aggregator for "Trump's Favorability" and "Direction of the Country," there has been a similarly low level of support for the president. His favorability is at 40.5 percent and his unfavorability is at 53.6 percent. An average of only 33.1 percent of Americans thinks the country is going in the right direction, while 59.1 percent think the country is going in the wrong direction. They are almost identical numbers to last week.

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The X-51A Waverider, a prototype for a hypersonic missile, is designed to accelerate to about 7,700mph: US Air Force graphic

The US has been testing hypersonic aircraft missiles that could fly at a mile per second.

It has collaborated with Australia to research and pilot weapons able to fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound - anywhere from 3,836mph up to 7,700 mph.

The latest phase of the Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HiFIRE) programme included at least one successful hypersonic flight at Woomera testing range in South Australia.

The round of experiments concluded on 12 July, confirmed Australian defence minister Marise Payne.

BAE Systems Australia said in a statement that "the successful flight trial [was] the most complex of all HIFiRE flights conducted to date".

The $54m joint initiative involves the US Air Force, Boeing, the Australian Department of Defences Defence Science and Technology Group, BAE Systems Australia, and the University of Queensland.

Both Russia and China are building hypersonic glide vehicles, US Air Force General John Hyten recently told a Senate hearing, according to The Washington Examiner.

US Navy Admiral Harry Harris, head of US Pacific Command, told a Congress hearing in May: "I'm concerned about Chinese and Russian hypersonic weapons development, and I expressed those concerns in the right places. What we can do is to develop our own hypersonic weapons and improve our defenses against theirs."

A hypersonic missile could fly 1000 miles in less than 17 minutes. Though many ballistic missiles can fly faster, the typical arc trajectory of such missiles makes them more easily detectable by early warning satellites, according to The Drive. The Pentagon has developed ballistic missile interceptors able to knock such weapons off-course mid-flight, and so mitigate their threat.

But hypersonic weapons are much less easy to track. Prototype designs rely on a booster such as a rocket motor to get the craft up to speed, before a high-speed jet engine takes over. Its smooth and flat flight path is much harder to track than that of a ballistic missile. These prototype crafts may also have the capability to change direction mid-flight, which makes interception much harder.

Story continues

Developing a hypersonic missile system would enable the US to conduct short-notice or no-notice enemy strikes, the capability for which is a powerful deterrent alone.

The HiFIRE project, which initially included NASA, launched more than eight years ago.

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Tehran (AFP) - A United States citizen accused of "infiltration" in Iran has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, a spokesman for the judiciary said on Sunday.

"The person was identified and arrested by the intelligence forces. The court has sentenced the person to 10 years," deputy judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie said in a televised press conference.

The individual, whose name was not provided, has appealed the sentence, he added.

The foreigner holds dual nationality of the United States and another country, he said, promising to give more details once the appeals court confirms the sentence.

The US State Department issued a statement soon after, calling for "the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families," without referring to any specific person.

In January, Tehran's chief prosecutor said as many as 70 "spies" were serving sentences in the city's prisons -- the identities of only a handful of which have been made public.

Most are thought to be Iranians who hold another passport from Europe or the United States.

In October, US-Iranian business consultant Siamak Namazi and his 80-year-old father Baquer, a former UNICEF official, were given 10 years in prison for "espionage and collaboration with the American government".

The US has repeatedly called for their release and also for Tehran's cooperation on the case of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who disappeared in Iran in 2007.

The news comes amid tensions between the two countries as President Donald Trump and Congress have taken increasingly harsh positions against Tehran.

Trump has promised to tear up the 2015 nuclear deal struck between Iran and world powers including the United States that lifted some sanctions in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme.

In mid-June, the American Senate voted with majority for new sanctions against Iran, denouncing the Islamic republic's "continued support of terrorism". The bill must be passed by the House of Representatives.

The new restrictions impose mandatory sanctions on people involved with Iran's ballistic missile programme and those that transact with them.

Iran has vowed to respond with "reciprocal and adequate measures".
Washington (AFP) - The US Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to block a federal judge's ruling that exempted grandparents of people living in the United States from President Donald Trump's travel ban.

In a filing on Friday, the Trump administration asked the nine Supreme Court justices to overturn Thursday's decision by a federal judge in Hawaii that placed limits on the measure temporarily barring refugees and other travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries.

Trump's March 6 executive order bars visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days, and refugees for 120 days. The administration insists it is necessary to keep violent extremists out of the country.

After a series of judicial roadblocks in the lower courts, the administration scored a partial victory in June, when the Supreme Court ruled that it could proceed with the ban, though people with a "bona fide relationship" to a US person or entity were exempt.

The ruling, which capped months of legal wrangling, left unclear the question of just who had such a "credible claim."

The Trump administration provided a list defining the category as including parents, spouses, children, sons- and daughters-in-law, siblings and step- or half-siblings.

But federal Judge Derrick Watson in Hawaii ruled that the administration's criteria unfairly excluded grandparents and grandchildren, expanding the list of "bona fide" relatives to include them, along with brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins of people in the United States.

Watson's "interpretation empties the (Supreme) Court's decision of meaning, as it encompasses not just 'close' family members, but virtually all family members," Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall said in the administration's filing.

However, arguing -- before a panel of justices aged 49 to 84 -- that grandparents and grandchildren are not "close" relatives may be an uphill battle.

Story continues

And it was unclear how quickly the Supreme Court -- now in summer recess but able to act on emergency motions -- might respond, and when or if the expanded terms set by the Hawaii judge might take effect. If they do, thousands of potential travelers could be affected.

- 'Antithesis of common sense' -

In his ruling, Watson said the government's distinction of what constitutes "close" family was "the antithesis of common sense."

The judge also ruled that the government could not exclude refugees who have assurances of a placement by a resettlement agency in the United States.

But the Justice Department said in its filing with the Supreme Court that Watson's decision as concerns refugees would render the related portion of the high court's decision "effectively meaningless."

The original ban, announced days after Trump became president on January 20, was successfully challenged in lower courts on the grounds that it overstepped Trump's presidential authority and discriminated against Muslims in violation of the US constitution. A revised version also did not pass legal muster.

Judges in lower courts had cited Trump's repeated statements during the presidential campaign that he intended to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

Oral arguments are due to take place after the court returns for a new session in October over whether the ban violates the US Constitution.
Geneva (AFP) - The United Nations on Friday urged Venezuela to not interfere with a major opposition protest planned this weekend against the government's divisive plan to rewrite the constitution.

"We urge authorities to respect the wishes of those who want to participate in this consultation and to guarantee peoples rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly," the UN human rights office said in a statement.

The opposition-led National Assembly is organising a symbolic vote on embattled President Nicolas Maduro's bid to hold a July 30 election for a new assembly tasked with drafting a new constitution.

The opposition has staged waves of protests against Maduro, including a demonstration on Monday in Caracas during which dozens of protesters and some security force personnel confronting them were injured.

Opposition lawmaker Freddy Guevara has said Sunday's event "will be the biggest act of civil disobedience in Venezuela's history".

"It is vital that the government takes steps to ensure that the security forces... do not use excessive force against demonstrators," the UN rights office said, adding that it had received reports of thousands of demonstrators being detained in previous rallies.

With the crisis in Venezuela intensifying and Maduro under fire for what critics call his authoritarian moves, the UN refugee agency warned that the number of asylum applications from the country has soared.

"Last year, there were some 27,000 Venezuelan asylum seekers worldwide. So far in 2017, over 52,000 have applied for asylum," the UNHCR said in a statement.

The United States, Brazil and Argentina are the leading destinations for Venezuelan asylum seekers, the Geneva-based agency said.

The 52,000 figure represents "only a fraction of the total number of Venezuelans who may be in need of international protection," according to UNHCR.
Lexi Carter of Memphis, Tenn., is still trying to understand why her doctor called her Aunt Jemima  twice  after he claimed it was a blunder. (Photo: WMC News)

A Memphis woman is planning to file a complaint with the state medical board after her doctor called her Aunt Jemima.

Lexi Carter said she could barely believe it when it happened the first time  but then he did it again, she told local news station WMC.

Carter said her dermatologist, Dr. James Turner, greeted her by calling her the racially charged name  which also happens to be a brand name of breakfast food products. He had a young girl  physicians assistant trainee, a student  with him, and he looked at me and he goes, Hi, Aunt Jemima.'

The name Aunt Jemima has a long history in American culture. Its roots are firmly in the minstrel show period  when white performers wore blackface  and is a remnant of plantation and slave culture. The name, character, and history all have racial undertones, to say the very least. How a modern-era doctor could believe calling a patient this name would be a so-called blunder isnt clear, but thats precisely what the doctor said. When he was contacted by local news, Turner admitted to calling the woman Aunt Jemima and released a public apology to Carter:

Ms. Carter is one of our very dear patients and has been for years. She is one of many African American patients and I count it a privilege to be their doctor. Anything I said that tarnishes that image and my respect for her was a misspoken blunder on my part and was not intended to show disrespect for Ms. Carter. I am very sorry for that misunderstanding.

For her part, Carter remains perplexed. Its just the most horrible feeling, really, Carter said after the incident. And I try to understand it, and I dont understand it.

Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.




By Stephen Nellis (Reuters) - A U.S. judge did not reach a decision Friday in Western Digital Corp's bid to temporarily block Toshiba Corp from selling its flash memory business in an $18 billion deal. Toshiba is scrambling to sell its flash memory unit to cover losses from its nuclear reactor business. In late June, Toshiba announced that its preferred bidder was a group made up of Bain Capital, South Korean chip maker SK Hynix and Japanese-government backed banks that offered $18 billion. Western Digital, which is also bidding, sued Toshiba in San Francisco County Superior Court in mid-June, saying it believed a joint venture with Toshiba means Toshiba needs its consent to sell the flash business. Judge Harold Kahn heard arguments from both sides in a hearing but did not give a ruling. A new hearing was set for July 28. Toshiba's talks with the Bain group have stalled over SK Hynix's desired terms. That has brought Toshiba back to the table with both Western Digital and a consortium involving iPhone assembler Foxconn. Western Digital's join venture with Toshiba helps finance equipment at Toshiba's plants in exchange for some of their output. Separately from its lawsuit in California, Western Digital is also contesting its consent rights in an international arbitration tribunal. Toshiba's reply in that case is expected in late July, and proceedings could begin in early August. Western Digital filed its lawsuit in San Francisco to prevent Toshiba from closing the sale of its memory unit before the arbitration proceedings have a chance to play out. At the hearing Judge Kahn proposed an order that would require Toshiba to give Western Digital two weeks notice if it believed it would close the sale before the arbitration proceedings finished. Toshiba's attorney said they were concerned about agreeing to be bound by the San Francisco court's jurisdiction. Toshiba has argued that because it is a Japanese company and the deal is taking place mostly in Japan, the San Francisco court should not have jurisdiction. For its part, attorneys for Western Digital subsidiary SanDisk, which is formally party to the case, expressed concern that any order in which Toshiba did not agree to the court's jurisdiction would not be enforceable if Toshiba broke its word. The two sides could not agree, so Judge Kahn instructed them to come up with proposed language for an order and set a new hearing for July 28, when a related dispute between the two will be heard. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis; Editing by Leslie Adler and Cynthia Osterman)
Police SWAT teamstogether with IDF and Shin Bet forceskilled 34-year-old Amar Ahmed Khalil early Sunday morning after he opened fire at security forces attempting to arrest him.

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Khalil, a Palestinian from the village of Nabi Salih, was suspected of carrying out a shooting attack Saturday near the village of Um Safa and the settlement of Ateret, lightly wounding a Palestinian. He also opened fire at an IDF post in the area before fleeing the scene, sparking a manhunt.

Photo: Israel Police

Following intelligence collected by the Shin Bet regarding Khalil's identity and whereabouts, IDF forces and the YAMAM elite counter-terrorist unit were dispatched to arrest him.

When security forces located Khalil, he attempted to open fire with a homemade weapon before being shot dead. Another man with Khalil at the time of the firefight was detained by security forces in connection with the attacks.

Khalil was a former member of the Palestinian security forces and according to a statement from the Shin Bet, had been working as an arms dealer at the time of his death. Additionally, Shin Bet officials also confirmed that Khalil was assisted in the commission of the attacks by his fiancee, Rawan Ambar. Ambar has since turned herself in and is currently in Shin Bet custody.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed Sunday evening his opposition to the current ceasefire in south Syria that was brokered by the US and the Russians, claiming that the terms, framed to distance Iran from Israels northern borders, would perpetuated its presence in Syria.

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The comments were made during a press conference the prime minister gave during his state visit to France, where he met with President Emmanuel Macron

Netanyahu and Macron in joint press conference (: )

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State officials said that Iran is interested in sending its military forces and establishing naval and air bases in Syria, and this could change the picture and the situation in the area.

The ceasefire went into effect last week forbids foreign militias supported by Iran from operating in strategic areas in Syria adjacent to the Israeli border with Jordan.

Netanyahu and Macron (Photo: EPA)

The area has witnessed some of the most intense fighting in the Syrian civil war between President Bashar al-Assads army and Syrian rebels, with stray fire often landing on the Israeli side of the Golan Heights.

Speaking in a government meeting as the start of the ceasefire approached, Netanyahu said he welcomed the genuine ceasefire but added that it cannot allow the establishment of the Irans military and its proxies in Syria and especially not south Syria.

It was reported that Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on Netanyahu's statement, saying that Russia and the United States would do all they could to address Israeli concerns about the creation of de-escalation zones in Syria.
The 3,200-acre site of the former Smurfit-Stone mill in Frenchtown has massive potential. Its size, its picturesque location along the Clark Fork River and its proximity to the steadily growing communities of Frenchtown and Missoula are just a few of its unique assets.

So it is beyond frustrating for Missoula County residents to watch the property sit empty year after year, its possibilities unrealized. It is maddening to know that in the meantime, the propertys owners are racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes, leaving the Frenchtown school and fire districts struggling to fill the gaps in their budgets. And it is sickening to realize that the settling ponds, a serious contamination hazard in their own right, pose a major environmental threat to the river and everyone who lives downstream.

Missoula County is, of course, no stranger to any of these concerns, having learned a thing or two about encouraging the redevelopment of old mill sites from the former Stimson Lumber Co. site in Bonner, and about the lengthy, expensive Superfund cleanup process from the former Milltown Dam. It took many years of concerted effort, but today we can claim both of those as solid victories.

And we can apply the lessons learned from them to our current challenges with the old Smurfit property. County leaders have tried working with the Smurfit property owners, and a number of stakeholder agencies and organizations continue to try to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to turn this site into a success story as well.

Last week, they cranked up the heat on the EPA and on M2GREEN Redevelopment, the company that owns the former Smurfit mill property but which refuses to pay its full share of property taxes. All of Missoula County should pay close attention to these new developments  and back our public employees in their efforts.

The EPA holds quarterly teleconference meetings to provide updates on the proposed Superfund site, which operated as a pulp and paper mill for decades until it was shuttered in 2010. Various chemicals produced by the mill are held in unlined settling ponds that are slowly seeping contaminants into the river, prompting health officials to warn anglers against eating any fish caught along a 105-mile section of the Clark Fork.

Furthermore, a big flood event could breach some of the ponds, spilling their contents into the river.

Its that possibility that has county residents urging the EPA to expedite the cleanup process. But expedited is not the same as slapdash, and those at the federal agency overseeing this process would do well to remember that.

They got a reminder during the third quarterly teleconference last Tuesday, when representatives from the state Natural Resource Damage Program, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and others chimed in one after another to note that two weeks is not enough time to provide meaningful input on the pile of documents just released by the EPA.

The EPA was given the go-ahead by past and current property owners to study the site contamination in November 2015. Thats approaching two years. And the most recent study drafts have not even been released yet.

While Missoulians do not want the EPA to drag its feet any longer, taking years to investigate and compile data, neither do we want to see the public review and comment period rushed through at the conclusion. That is, after all, our opportunity to ensure the cleanup process is progressing in a way that actually answers our concerns.

As Peter Nielsen, the director of the Water Quality District with the Missoula City-County Health Department, pointed out during the teleconference, Missoulians have previously seen the EPA begin testing before bothering to collect public comment. And the CSKT technical assistance group has not even been granted a visit to the mill site yet.

The EPA can and should move forward with the cleanup process as quickly as possible  but that doesnt mean cutting corners by shutting out the public.

Meanwhile, Missoula County alleges M2GREEN now owes more than $1.2 million in unpaid taxes. Last week, it sued the company to collect those taxes  a suit that was only made possible through the legislative efforts of Missoula Rep. Kim Dudik, who sponsored the bill to allow taxing jurisdictions to go to court to collect on tax bills of $250,000 or more.

With the new law now in place, Missoula County wasted no time putting it to good use. In addition to the unpaid taxes, M2Green, based in Illinois, is accused of maintaining community decay, a public nuisance and health code violations by accumulating demolition waste and garbage.

For tax purposes, the company is responsible for 15 individual parcels; however, it has not paid any taxes on two of those parcels for the past three years.

The county is suing to collect that money, as well as proceeds from an upcoming auction of mill equipment, and an injunction to prevent the company from transferring property or other assets.

The same day, the Missoula City-County Health Department filed a civil complaint regarding the companys alleged health code violations. Apparently, solid waste, debris and piles of garbage have been left sitting on the site for several years.

Theres no good excuse for treating this property like a landfill. Missoula County is determined to see that it receives the restoration it has long deserved, and last week commissioners sent a letter of intent to Gov. Steve Bullock formally requesting funds from the Natural Resource Damage Program.

These are all last-resort measures that the county has undertaken only after exhausting all other reasonable efforts to work with the property owner. Missoula Countys public officials should be applauded for taking the next necessary steps to make sure this property gets cleaned up, and that county taxpayers arent left holding the bill.
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I once had a Spider-Man T-shirt that read: I met my boyfriend on the web. I dont have that T-shirt any more, but I still have a crush on Spidey.

Thats why it was totally appropriate for me to not only see the newest Spider-Man movie the weekend it came out in theaters but also for me to see it alone. So, a timely three days following my latest break-up, I put on a different Spidey shirt and headed to the theater where I decided I was going to do it up.

I typically dont spend money on things like a drink or popcorn or candy at the movies. This time, though, I was there on my own. I was already spending less because I made the matinee and I knew I wouldnt have to share anything, so I went ahead and got myself a junior-size popcorn and a large soda in a special edition Spider-Man: Homecoming cup (There was a coupon involved).

Armed with popcorn and Cherry Coke, I took my seat in the middle of the room.

I turned my phone to CineMode and started chomping down while watching the trailers. A gray-haired man to my right looked at me. I think he was wondering why a 27-year-old woman who looks like a teenager was watching a superhero movie alone. Every time he looked over, he seemed astounded I was still sitting by myself.

Surprisingly, the encounter did not become creepy and I was able to enjoy my web-slingers big feature film without any ogling.

The movie finally started as I was about halfway through my vittles. It didnt take long for me to become completely consumed. I put the popcorn on the floor and drank my soda without looking away from the screen.

I reacted with abandon  laughing out loud without wondering if I was the only person who thought this was funny. There wasnt anyone talking next to me, critiquing the graphics, dialogue or anything.

The movie was  as a coworker called it  delightful. I wont give out any spoilers, but it was cute, funny, thrilling and, of course, full of teen angst. The actor behind Spidey, Tom Holland, was totally believable as a New York teenager trying to prove himself as a superhero (while also trying to get the girl) and there were very limited encounters with The Avengers characters (thankfully).

I love Marvel and I understand that Spider-Man is part of this larger universe; however, I really wanted this movie to focus on him and not give way to random and possibly cheesy encounters with any of the other heroes.

And why does Spider-Man deserve his own movie (again)? Because he is my favorite, thats why.

My respect for Spider-Man, a.k.a. Peter Parker, began when I was just a kid watching cartoons with my brother. I thought his powers were cool, of course, but I also thought that he was nice and he was, in most storylines, in love with red-headed Mary Jane.

Mary Jane was so lucky to have such a reliable, loyal guy at her side, I thought. The only reason he wasnt with her was because he was off saving the city. Who could be mad at that?

More importantly, Peter Parker  the man behind the mask  is always genuine. Despite his supernatural powers, he has real human emotions and he has a lot of weaknesses. He struggles and then he overcomes. Oftentimes, Peter/Spidey will make the wrong choice first. It makes sense  he is always depicted as a teenager or someone in his twenties, so hes still figuring things out. Ultimately, Spidey makes the right choice not because he is forced to, but because he is truly a good person and being a good person is sexy.

The fact that he wears tight red and blue spandex helps, too.

That suit is super hot. I cant get enough of it. No matter who has been inside that suit  Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield or Toby McGuire  it looks good to me. Even the person inside becomes more attractive after wearing it.

I guess what it really comes down to is that I think that Spider-Man should be my boyfriend. No, not the fictional character, but a guy who has the same ideals and strength of character. And, if he decides to buy a Spider-Man costume and suit-up for me, all the better.
Everyone wanted to pet Rocky  the Napa Police K-9 that was outside of Pet Food Express on Saturday helping to raise money for the Bay Area non-profit that has helped him stay protected in the line of duty. The people-friendly police dog with clean, soft fur was relaxed as children poked his nose and had their pictures taken beside him, but Rocky, just like his handler, Officer Brett Muratori, has a dangerous job.

Thats why Cover Your K-9, a project of the Police & Working K-9 Foundation, recently provided Rocky with a new Kevlar vest, which can cost between $800 and $1,200. The fund, which provides safety equipment and emergency medical care to California law enforcement K-9 teams, has done a lot for Rocky and the Napa Police Department, Muratori said.

We do see a lot of dogs across American that do get killed either by gunfire or in stabbing situations, so this is an extra layer of protection that they have when they go into those dangerous situations, Muratori said. Police dogs like Rocky, a Belgian Malinois, are often sent into danger first without their handlers, he said, making them more vulnerable.

Rocky needs to get used to the vest, but Muratori said that his training is going well.

Its pretty cool, it has the markings of police on it, Muratori said of the vest. It also has a couple clips that we can hook leashes and stuff to. Theyre super durable.

But the vest isnt the only thing Cover Your K-9 has provided Rocky with. Muratori and Rocky have participated in a canine medical course offered by the organization, which also provided the duo with a backpack full of medical supplies.

Veterinarians taught handlers how to provide emergency medical attention to their canine partners, Muratori said.

Cover Your K-9 also provided the department with a GPS collar, so that if handlers lose track of their dog, they can find them. Its something that may be helpful in a situation where theres a lot of land and their dogs go off on their own, like when the dogs are on a marijuana grow Upvalley, Muratori said.

Rocky is certified in both patrol and narcotics, so he is trained to sniff out drugs including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. He can also do article searches and is good at finding missing people and suspects, Muratori said.

Rocky is also a family dog. He lives with Muratori, his wife, and their 14-month-old son.

Hes really good with him, Muratori said. As you can tell, hes awesome with kids. Rocky gets a lot of exposure to people by coming out to events like this one at Pet Food Express and other events around the city, he said. He has the ability to do his job and do it well, but at the same time be really friendly around people.

When its time to work, though, Rocky can turn it on in an instant.

The second I put him back in that car hes gonna start spinning circles, especially if I turn the lights, he knows its go time, Muratori said. Pretty much whenever he gets into that car he kind of knows what his jobs about to be.

Muratori and Rocky were out at the store until about 3:30 p.m. raising money for Cover Your K-9.

We came here specifically to donate today, said Lonnie Robinson.

And, of course, to pet the dog, added Anya Robinson, his wife.

Lonnie Robinson said that he was surprised to hear that not all law enforcement agencies have vests for their dogs, but that he was more than happy to contribute to the cause.

Renae Lamb and her 11-year-old son, A.J. Lindberg, also came out to donate to Cover Your K-9.

His father was a K-9 officer so we wanted to come down and donate, Lamb said. We know how important it is for them to have the vests and stuff.

Pet Food Express stores have been holding the fundraiser for Cover Your K-9 for the last seven years and has raised about a half-million dollars for the cause, said Emily Mourraille, assistant manager of the Napa location. The money, she said, goes right to the dogs in the form of bullet-proof vests, heat alarms for patrol cars, trauma kits and medical costs.

All of the Saturday and Sunday proceeds from the stores self-serve pet wash will benefit the police dogs, Mourraille said. Customers can also donate their change or a dollar amount to the cause. Those who donate $20 or more can get a limited edition German Shepherd plushie modeled off a Bay Area K-9.

These dogs really go above and beyond in the line of duty and put their lives on the line just like humans do, Mourraille said, so they deserve just as much recognition and safety as anybody else.

For more information or to donate to the Cover Your K-9 Fund, head to any Pet Food Express on Sunday or visit coveryourk9.com. K-9 handler Officer Mike Moore will be out at the Napa location at 3916 Bel Aire Plaza with his partner, Bes, from 11 a.m.  2 p.m. Sunday.
Rush Limbaugh says we are witnessing "a silent coup." The radio host has sometimes been accused of rhetorical excess, but his claim is based on a demonstrable truth.

Many of President Donald Trump's critics would indeed like "to get rid of him," as Limbaugh says. A large majority of Democratic voters wants impeachment -- wanted it, in fact, well before the revelation that senior Trump campaign personnel decided to take a meeting after being promised Russian support in taking down Hillary Clinton.

Limbaugh even understates the case. He says that "nobody is actually expressing this desire verbally." He should read the liberals in my Twitter feed. Or listen to the two Democratic congressmen who this week filed an article of impeachment. Rep. Maxine Waters of California has also called for impeachment.

That's a far-off prospect. But even if the debate is only beginning, we can already see its main points of contention. We can also see that each side is skirting two truths about impeachment it finds unpalatable.

It wouldn't be "a coup." The Constitution's provisions for impeaching and removing a president from office require a very high degree of public support. The process would have to enjoy the support of a majority of the House and two-thirds of the Senate. It is unlikely that Mike Pence would become president this way unless a very large majority of Americans wanted it.

In the last 30 years, the highest percentage of the vote any presidential candidate has gotten was George H. W. Bush's 53.4 percent in 1988. That level of consensus -- the most we have attained in decades -- would not be enough to secure Trump's removal. Support for his ouster would have to be much broader than that. Without very broad support, any attempt to dethrone Trump would fail -- just as the attempt to remove Bill Clinton for perjury did.

It follows that if Congress removes Trump from power, it will be impossible to make a plausible case that a minority or even a bare majority of the country had abused its power.

It requires persuasion. It further follows that this consensus for removing the president would have to include many people who voted for him and who are supporting him still. For Trump to be removed from office, a significant number of his supporters would have to become convinced that he has done something that shows him to be unfit for the presidency.

Does it seem to you that advocates of impeachment are acting as though they have to bring Trump supporters around? Or that they prefer to vilify and demean them?

It's not impossible. Some of the president's foes say that partisanship is too strong and Trump's supporters too committed to their man to turn on him. They agree, that is, with Trump's joke during the campaign that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose voters.

But there were many reluctant Trump voters. And even today, people change their minds. Columbia County, Wisconsin, voted for Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. It also voted for Republican Scott Walker for governor in 2010, and Democrat Tammy Baldwin for senator in 2012. It backed Ron Johnson over Russ Feingold in the 2010 Senate race, and then Feingold over Johnson in 2016. It would hardly be shocking if a chunk of Trump's voters there, and elsewhere, defected.

Trump's support would not have to disappear altogether. Half of Republicans stuck with Richard Nixon all the way to the helicopter. But right now roughly 85 percent of Republicans are with Trump, and that number would have to fall.

It would take time for minds to change. Compared with Nixon's day, we have stronger partisanship -- especially negative partisanship, which is to say hostility to the other party. Republicans are less inclined today than they were then to trust the media, meaning that even if Trump is truly guilty of misconduct, reports of it will be initially discounted. And it's human nature to resist believing the worst about someone you voted for just a few months ago.

Of course, most Trump supporters might stick with him, or even see their numbers increase, in which cases the preconditions for impeachment will not materialize. The course of the economy will help determine which scenario takes place.

So will the course of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. If he uncovers serious wrongdoing, or has already uncovered it, the eventual release of that information could slowly change the mind of soft Trump supporters, and soften hard ones. But that is an "if," not a "when."

That may be a truth unpalatable to people who have made up their minds on both sides of our burgeoning impeachment debate: Its outcome is going to depend on facts we don't have yet.
It is all the rage among Democrats and their allies in the media to talk about Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with a Russian attorney last year, but in the meantime, congressional Republicans are on the brink of doing something really important, specifically - having a vote that has been seven years in the making to bring an end to the era of Obamacare. The upcoming Senate vote is existential for the Republican Party and keeping our congressional majorities in 2018.

The talk from Washington would have you believe Republicans are destined to fail on repeal and replace, but it is never a good idea to underestimate Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky.

By all accounts, Republicans are still a few votes short of 50. All eyes appear to be on Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nevada, and a few others, ranging from Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who are not firmly committed.

Remember, Heller was already in the cross hairs of the president's allies, who called him out early on for not supporting Republicans in the health-care fight. And, at this point, it remains to be seen whether he will vote with the GOP to repeal and replace Obamacare or be known as the man who saved Obamacare.

With so much riding on the health-care reform bill's success, President Donald Trump chimed in on Twitter Friday morning:

"So impt Rep Senators, under leadership of @SenateMajLdr McConnell get healthcare plan approved. After 7yrs of O'Care disaster, must happen!"

Maybe more conservatives are warming to the bill. But, as the Wall Street Journal editorial board made clear in Friday's piece, "ObamaCare Moment of Truth," moderates have "extorted almost everything they asked for and then some" since Republicans first began crafting language to repeal and replace Obamacare. But as of Friday, the GOP is still a few votes short.

Imagine a universe in which Republicans are in power and they can't get the votes to right the great wrong that is Obamacare. A Republican Congress and a Republican White House would then have to use their governing power to sustain some version of the broken Obamacare to deliver health care to millions of Americans. I don't want to imagine Republicans running for reelection in 2018 saying that was the best they could do.

Obamacare believers will still never support Republicans, and Republicans and Independents who expect something to be done about Obamacare will believe Republican governance has completely failed.

Anyway, it could be that if Republicans don't have the votes next week, maybe there won't be a crashing defeat, but a nonevent. I asked former RNC chairman Haley Barbour what he thought and he said: "If McConnell doesn't have the votes next week, I don't think he'll quit. More likely, he'll set the bill aside and turn to other business, like the budget and appropriations, confirmations and, perhaps, start tax reform. But he'll continue to try to improve the health-care reform bill and return to it when he thinks he has the votes. People - especially the news media - seem to forget it took the Democrats fourteen months to pass Obamacare, and they had sixty senators most of the time. Republicans have been working on this for six months."

While failure on Obamacare does not mean we are destined to lose both majorities in November 2018, it certainly puts us on that trajectory.

The ball is in Mitch McConnell's court. Every Republican should light a candle and say their prayers for him.

The GOP is in peril.
Russia just launched a secret military satellite into orbit from its new Arctic base of operations the high ground for planet Earth

On June 23, Russia launched a Soyuz-2-1v rocket from the Plesetsk space center (Plesetsk Cosmodrome) in the countrys northwest Arctic region.

The light-weight Soyuz spacecraft reportedly carried a Russian Defense Ministry orbiting satellite called Kosmos 2519, but typically closed-mouth Kremlin officials have yet to publicly reveal the purpose of this mission or any specific details about it. Nor is it apparently clear where the satellite is heading for its final orbit, although U.S. military trackers spotted the rockets upper stage at 410 miles above Earth after the launch.

While information is still classified and may permanently be so, there is some conjecture that this satellite is the first in a series of 14F150 Napryazhenie geodetic satellites designed to make accurate measurements of Earths shape and gravitational field, the Daily Mail noted.

Napryazhenie means voltage in the Russian language. (Related: Read more about orbiting satellites at Space.news.)

The Napryazhenie program, which may be part of Russias Nivelir-ZU project, could have a purpose that goes beyond benign scientific data collection or communications purposes, the RussianSpaceWeb portal suggested.

Geodetic satellites are designed to serve as precise reference points needed for accurate measurements of the Earths shape and the properties of its gravitational field. In military applications, the geodetic information can help in the development of highly accurate geodetic coordinate systems which could be used for guidance of long-range ballistic missiles.

Nivelir means level in Russian.

NASASpaceflight.com offered a similar assessment of what Russia might have in mind with the latest Soyuz launch and its satellite cargo.

Fridays Soyuz launch was unusually clandestine, even for the Russian military

No details of the payload that has been put into orbit have emerged  although it has been widely speculated that the satellite may be the first in a new generation of military geodesy satellites. Geodesy is a branch of science and mathematics concerned with measuring the physical properties of Earth. In a military context, understanding the properties of Earth  and especially its gravitational field, allows missile guidance and targeting systems to be refined for improved accuracy.

The late-June launch was the Soyuz-2-1vs third mission, with a fourth scheduled on July 14 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in southern Kazakhstan that will carry with it several small satellites.

The Soyuz program traditionally has transported supplies and astronauts/cosmonauts to and from the International Space Station in a six-hour journey.

If the media wasnt so obsessed with nothing-burger conspiracy theories about Russian meddling in the U.S. election, Moscows intentions concerning this new satellite and its potential military application for long-range missiles might be a worthy and legitimate subject for what used to be called investigative journalism.

Apart from aggression in space by hostile actors, Natural News has separately reported about how space junk, or debris/clutter left behind by spent rockets, decommissioned satellites, abandoned equipment, and small parts from 60 years of satellite launches could pose a clear-and-present danger to existing communications satellites.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk



Russianspaceweb.com



NASAspaceflight.com



NASA.gov




It also does not reflect the views of the Firm of which the Author is working for.





Since the inception of this blog, the Author has avoided writing views and opinions of his clients or views and opinions which third parties has paid him to write.





The Author has maintained editorial independence since Day One.





Any individual or group affected by the opinions and views of the Author can write the author thru mangubat.patricio@gmail.com.

Opinions and views expressed in this blog are personal views of the Author and does not involve organisations and companies being serviced by the Author as part of his profession as a Strategic Communications professional.
09:20

Bengali filmmaker Ashish Avikunthak on Saturday claimed that he was denied entry into a city mall for wearing a dhoti, which was denied by the mall authorities.

The Facebook post by the director, which triggered an outrage in the social media, said "Denying entry into the neo-colonial clubs of Kolkata is nothing new. But today I was denied entry into the .... mall because I was wearing dhoti (which I have been wearing for the last 26 years). On resisting and questioning I was told that we have orders because of security reasons to prohibit entry of people in

lungi and dhoti. I was eventually allowed in because I could argue in English and assert myself."

"This is unambiguously a new low for this city. Private clubs have always created hierarchies and distinctions because of clothing. Now public spaces are also threatened and a culture of segregation based on class is being practiced unhindered. I write this with a sense of deep disgust," he said.

When contacted Avikunthak told PTI, "What have I to say about the whole incident? Please go through my Facebook post which has narrated the entire consequence."

Avikunthak's companion Debaleena Sen told PTI, "We were about to enter the mall when Ashish was stopped by security guards who said he can't be allowed inside since he was wearing a dhoti. As we argued and Ashis spoke in English the mall officials came and allowed him in.

"Probably after hearing him speak in English they were assured that he belonged to higher social profile and can be allowed in. We immediately came out in protest."

Debleena claimed she was video recording the whole incident on her mobile, which the mall employees asked her not to. "This shows they want to hide their racist attitude."

The mall authorities when contacted denied the charges. They said the security personnel at the gate, who form the first ring of security at the mall, had asked the film director to wait and went to the supervisor to seek his opinion. He was then allowed in.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-11 03:48:09|Editor: huaxia

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RIGA, July 10 (Xinhua) -- The Greens and Farmers Union, the leading party in Latvia's center-right government coalition, has rejected coalition partner Unity's proposal to adopt constitutional amendments under which lawmakers would have to elect the president of Latvia in an open vote.

Unity's vice-chairman Edvards Smiltens told reporters on Monday that Unity had proposed draft amendments to the Latvian Constitution providing for an open vote in presidential elections.

"Unfortunately, the Greens and Farmers Union did not back this proposal," said Smiltens, noting that the problem was not in the rules regulating presidential elections in Latvia but in political horse trading.

Unity was thus forced to drop its proposal because the coalition agreement does not allow to submit constitutional amendments to parliament if they have not been approved by all coalition partners.

In Smiltens' words, Unity believed the initiative was necessary, especially considering strong popular demand for an overhaul of presidential election rules.

Under the current regulations, the president of Latvia is elected by the 100-seat parliament by at least 51 votes.

On June 22, Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis called on lawmakers to amend the constitution so that the next president could be elected in a direct general vote already in 2019, but his initiative has so far received little support. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-15 18:46:13|Editor: Zhou Xin

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RIYADH, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday strongly condemned Israel's closure of the al-Aqsa Mosque as a crime against Muslims.

OIC Secretary General Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen slammed the Israeli move, the first time since 1969, as "a crime, a serious precedent and a blatant attack on the holy sites and an attack on the rights and freedom of Palestinians to practice their religious rites," the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted Al-Othaimeen as saying.

Israel has closed the mosque compound and banned Arab prayers since Friday's clashes near the compound between Israeli police and three Arab citizens, in which the three Arabs and two Israeli police officers were killed,

Al-Othaimeen also warned of the Israel's attempts to impose new facts inside al-Aqsa Mosque.

He called on the international community to act immediately to deter repeated Israeli attacks against Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem and to stop Israel's racist violations and crimes against the Palestinian people and their holy sites.

The al-Aqsa Mosque compound, holy to both Muslims and Jews, is one of the most sensitive sites in the region. It is revered by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, and by Jews as the Temple Mount.

On Friday, after joining the morning prayer at the mosque, three Arab citizens of Israel opened fire at a group of Israeli police officers near the gates of the compound, injuring two officers who later died in hospital from their wounds, and moderately injuring a third officer.

The Arab gunmen were subsequently shot and killed by Israeli police, and Israel closed the mosque to Muslim prayers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday spoke over the phone with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, assuring him Israel will keep the status quo in East Jerusalem's holy compound.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-15 21:27:13|Editor: MJ

Photo taken on July 15, 2017 shows released children in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Police arrested a gang of abductors in the eastern Ghazni province in Afghanistan and set free 13 children from their clutches on Saturday, provincial police chief Mohammad Mustafa Mayar said. (Xinhua/Sayed Mominzadah)

GHAZNI, Afghanistan, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Police arrested a gang of abductors in the eastern Ghazni province in Afghanistan and set free 13 children from their clutches on Saturday, provincial police chief Mohammad Mustafa Mayar said.

"A four-member gang of kidnappers were arrested today and 13 children were set free from their custody," Mayar told reporters here.

"The kidnappers were attempting to take the children to some religious schools in Pakistan and brainwash them to become suicide bombers," the official said.

This is the second group of kidnappers which has been arrested in Ghazni province over the past week. The province has Ghazni city, located 125 km south of Kabul, as its capital.

In the previous incident last week, 25 children were set free from kidnappers' clutches.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 02:03:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Fatima AbdulKarim

RAMALLAH, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The closure of the Al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalum was viewed by many as a sign that the collective political discourse has been shifting both in Palestine and the region from a national one into a religious one.

Israeli authorities have kept Al-Aqsa mosque shuttered, banning prayers, for the first time in decades. The Israeli decision came in the wake of a shooting attack that left three Palestinians and two Israeli officers killed on Friday morning.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the phone after the attack and expressed his renunciation of violence from any side.

Abbas called on him to reopen the mosque and warned of exploiting the attack to make changes to the religious and historical status of the city, considered holy by three monotheistic religions; Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Palestinian reports said that last time the Friday prayers, the holy day prayers for Muslims, was banned in Al-Aqsa mosque was in June 1967, during the six-day war in which Israel took over East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip and West Bank, along with the Syrian Golan Heights and Egyptian Sinai desert.

Israeli authorities cited security concerns for the continuation of the closure, while Palestinians view it as a breach of religious rights and collective punishment.

Al-Aqsa mosque is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, with the latter referring to it as the Temple Mount.

For Muslims it is considered the third holiest site located in a spacious compound besides the infamous golden Dome of the Rock, together known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif or Noble Sanctuary, inside the Old City of Jerusalem that was referred to by UNESCO as an Islamic site.

Al-Haram Al-Sharif has been administered by Jordanian Islamic Waqf Ministry since 1948, but after Israel took over, it was obliged to respect the status quo and not make any changes to the status, laws and institutions in occupied East Jerusalem.

Palestinians fear that the Israeli government seeks to break this status quo agreement with Jordan and impose changes to the holy site.

"The implications are extremely grave as Israel always uses such incidents to change the status quo on the ground. That's how they took the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. I am afraid they will do the same in Al-Aqsa," said Basem Khoury, a prominent Jerusalem figure and former PNA economy minister.

Khoury's pessimistic comment is the summary of the main fears of Palestinians, as the Hebron's Islamic site, Al-Ibrahimi Mosque, considered fourth holy site in Islam, came under Israeli control after security pretexts.

The entire old city of Hebron is under Israeli control, and the mosque was converted into a military post. It was divided into two parts; one for Muslims and another for Jews, although Israeli soldiers control access to it and often imposed restrictions on Palestinians.

Similar restrictions have been imposed on Jerusalem's holy mosque and have been the reason for several incidents over past months that have lead to increased tension.

Israeli police prevent Muslim worshippers under the age of 40 from accessing Al-Aqsa mosque while groups of settlers would visit the site they consider holy to them.

Palestinians fear that this might turn into the permanent situation.

Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General of National Initiative party described the pressures so far as powerless and questioned "if Arab states use sanctions against one another, why not use it against Israel to end settlements and end the occupation?"

Nour Odeh, a Ramallah based political and communications advisor highlighted that by connecting the dots between the Israeli remarks at Al-Aqsa mosque and the statements by various Israeli government officials, "it becomes clear that this incident may be easily exploited and used to increase restrictions on access of Palestinians into Al-Aqsa mosque."

"The most dangerous thing Israel is doing is to provoke religious sentiments and turning the conflict to a religious one, and we have always fought that back, but, now, given the isolation of Jerusalem and the unrest in the region, this can be a wild card and its consequences may be endless," she said.

"The Israeli government is ready to take it in that direction because it reiterates the negative stereotype of the aggressive Palestinian, especially under international silence over its breaches of human rights and international law in Jerusalem," she added.

She noted that "the public opinion is outraged and therefore the internal debate may not be possible, which would contribute to shift the nationalistic issues to religious ones, thus fragmented and easily defeated under the Israeli collective punishment system."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 02:34:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LAGOS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- At least four Fulani herdsmen were killed by unknown gunmen in northern Nigeria's Kaduna State, an official said Saturday.

The incident follows an abduction of two Fulani people in Kajuru area of the state, Abdullahi Ibrahim, a spokesperson for the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, an umbrella body of Fulani, told reporters.

Ibrahim added that the gunmen attacked another community in Chikun area of the state where they destroyed houses.

He appealed to members to remain calm, and however called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.

Local police authority is yet to confirm the incident.

Arson, killing of innocents by suspected Fulani herdsmen have been rampant in the southern part of the state for some time now.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 02:54:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TEHRAN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Two local people and a "terrorist" were killed in the armed clashes between the Iranian security forces and the militants in the border region of southeastern Iran on Saturday evening, the website of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) reported.

The clashes erupted following the fires and shelling by the "terrorists" from Pakistan soil on Iran's border, the report said, adding that in the counterattack by the IRGC forces, one of the militants was killed and two others were wounded.

Besides, two local workers from Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province were killed by the "terrorist" group, it said.

Other militants fled back to Pakistan after the attack, it added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 04:09:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LONDON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A city famed as the place where an aristocratic lady rode the streets naked on horseback and the epicenter of Britain's pottery industry are among the bidders to be declared the UK City of Culture in 2021.

Coventry and Stoke-on-Trent are joined by Paisley, Sunderland and Swansea on a shortlisted announced Saturday by Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, John Glen.

The announcement follows a meeting of the independent advisory panel chaired by Professor Phil Redmond who headed Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

The decision will be announced in December 2017, with the winner named the third UK City of Culture, following in the footsteps of Derry-Londonderry and Hull.

Hull is the current City of Culture with a program that includes 365 days of cultural events.

In Hull it is estimated that City of Culture crown has given the city's economy a brought a boost of almost 80 million U.S. dollars, with 9 out of 10 residents participating in or attending cultural events.

Since Hull won the title in 2013 it has seen investment projects carried out worth over 1.3 billion U.S. dollars.

It was in Coventry that the celebrated Lady Godiva rode the streets on a horse naked over a thousand years ago in a protest over taxation.

Stoke-on-Trent is a federation of six towns that all played a part in the pottery industry, with names such as Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Spode and Minton, still regarded as iconic potteryware.

Minister Glen said: "We have received strong bids from across the UK and now have a fantastic shortlist of five that reflect the diversity and cultural ambition of our towns and cities.

"The strength of the competition showed us how valuable our cultural assets are to our towns, boosting tourism and jobs in local communities. I have seen first-hand how Hull has embraced its status as City of Culture 2017, and how beneficial it has been for the area. I am looking forward to seeing what will come in 2021.

Redmond, who chairs the UK City of Culture panel said: "The appetite for using culture to bring about regeneration and to strengthen communities is clearly stronger than ever. Overall the panel thought that five cities' bids showed the potential to deliver a UK City of Culture 2021 program."

Martin Green who is director of Hull 2017, said: "We're only halfway through the year and we're already seeing the huge benefits Hull is enjoying as UK City of Culture, not only in raising the profile of the city on a national and international scale but also increasing pride and participation among the people who live and work here."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 04:09:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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CAIRO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A security guard was wounded on Saturday at a church in Egypt's seaside city of Alexandria as a man attacked him with a blade for not allowing him in, the Egyptian Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Now arrested, the 24-year-old Muslim man, a jobless law college graduate, attacked the guard, 47, with a blade on the neck after the latter questioned his reasons for getting into the Tow Saints (Al-Qiddisain) Church in eastern Alexandria, said the statement.

The police is currently interrogating the assailant and probing into the accident and the motives behind it, saying the young man did not have anything else harmful or legally prohibited in his possession.

It is the same church where a terror blast back on 2011 Christmas eve killed at least 24 and wounded about 90 Copts.

The local media websites circulated a video allegedly from the church entrance, showing the young man passing the security guard and suddenly attacking him on the neck after the guard stopped him and seemingly attempted to search his handbag.

Terror attacks in Egypt have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers since the mid-2013 military removal of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in response to mass protests against his one-year rule and his currently-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.

Most of the attacks have been claimed by a Sinai-based group loyal to the regional Islamic State (IS) militia, which started to expand terror operations to target the Coptic Christian minority to further pressure the government.

In May 2017, IS claimed responsibility for shooting dead at least 30 Copts heading to visit a monastery on the desert highway in Upper Egypt's Minya province.

Earlier in April 2017, the IS-claimed bombings at two churches in Gharbiya and Alexandria northern provinces killed at least 47 and wounded over 120.

A similar suicide bombing at a Cairo church in December 2016 killed at least 29 worshippers, mostly women and children.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 04:14:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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JERUSALEM, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli authorities said on Saturday that the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which was closed after a deadly shootout on Friday, will be gradually re-opened on Sunday to Muslim worshippers and tourists.

In the attack, three Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel shot dead two Israeli policemen in the holy compound. The gunmen were later shot and killed by the police. In the wake of the attack, Israel closed the compound.

A police statement said on Saturday that the compound will be "reopened gradually to worshippers, visitors and tourists starting from tomorrow at noon."

The decision came after a consultation over the phone between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan, Police Chief Roni Alsheikh and Nadav Argaman, head of the Shin Bet security service.

According to their directions, metal detectors will be installed at the entrance, in addition to new security cameras that will cover the entire compound.

"Further security measures would be introduced later," the statement read.

The move came after Muslim countries strongly condemned the closure of the compound, which is Islam's third holiest site.

Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, secretary general of The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, slammed on Saturday the closure, the first time since 1969, as "a crime, a serious precedent and a blatant attack on the holy sites and an attack on the rights and freedom of Palestinians to practice their religious rites."

Yehya Soud, head of Jordan's Palestine Committee of the Lower House, also called for the re-opening of the mosque, saying his country was exerting pressure on Israel in this regard.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, holy to both Muslims and Jews, is one of the most sensitive sites in the region. Muslims revere it as the Noble Sanctuary, and Jews know it as the Temple Mount.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 04:49:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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CAIRO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian police killed during a shootout on Saturday two members of a militant group believed to be linked with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood Islamist group, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

The police said that information confirmed they were members of Brotherhood-linked Hasm group, which claimed responsibility for a number of terrorist attacks that killed several policemen in Egypt.

The police raided their hiding place in Giza province near the capital Cairo and exchanged fire with the two Hasm members. One is a 24-year-old college student from Beheira province and another is a 39-year-old teacher from Gharbiya province northern Cairo, said the police statement.

Earlier on Saturday, the police similarly killed four militants in the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, confirming them as terrorists escaping from restive North Sinai.

A similar security campaign on the outskirts of Ismailia last week killed 14 gunmen who have been wanted over involvement in terror operations targeting policemen and soldiers in North Sinai, bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

Egypt has been facing a rising wave of terrorist activities following the military removal of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year rule and his currently-blacklisted Brotherhood group.

Terror attacks had been centered in restive North Sinai before they prevailed nationwide, killing hundreds of policemen and soldiers over the past few years.

Last week, on July 7, a car-bomb terrorist attack on a checkpoint in North Sinai's Rafah killed and wounded 26 soldiers, according to the Egyptian military spokesman, while the security forces killed at least 40 of the terrorists.

Terrorists have recently started to target the Coptic minority and their churches across the country via bombings that killed dozens of them since late December 2016.

Most of the terrorist operations were claimed by a Sinai-based group loyal to the regional Islamic State (IS) militant group.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian military in cooperation with the police killed hundreds of terrorists and arrested a similar number of suspects as part of the country's anti-terror war declared in 2013 by President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who was then the army chief, following Morsi's removal.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 05:25:08|Editor: ZD

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a rally to mark the first anniversary of foiling the failed coup attempt in Istanbul, Turkey, July 15, 2017. (Xinhua/He Canling)

ANKARA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Millions of people across Turkey began on Saturday marking the first anniversary of foiling the failed coup attempt last year.

The commemoration events were launched with a special session in the parliament's general assembly at 1:00 p.m. local time (GMT 1000) in the capital Ankara.

"One year has passed since Turkey's darkest night was transformed into a bright morning," Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in the parliament, in the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and members of the opposition.

"Our people did not leave sovereignty to their enemies and took hold of democracy to the death," he noted.

Speaking at the parliament, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu slammed Turkey's National Intelligence Agency (MIT) for "not giving sufficient information" on the coup bid.

On July 15, 2016, coup plotters blocked roads and bombed state institutions, including the parliament, before the attempted takeover was thwarted with the help of citizens resisting putschist soldiers on the streets.

At least 250 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured during the bloody coup attempt. Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based preacher, is accused by Ankara of orchestrating the coup.

Millions of Turks flocked on Saturday to the streets and squares to participate in the so-called "democracy watches," which will last until midnight of Sunday, to mark the anniversary of the failed coup attempt.

In Ankara, tens of thousands of people gathered at the city center square of Kizilay, carrying Turkish national flags and pictures of those killed during the attempted putsch.

Strict security measures were taken around the city center squares and streets, with several police helicopters patrolling over the area.

Similar events were also held in Istanbul, the biggest city of Turkey, and many other cities across the country.
Floating ice is seen on board of China's icebreaker Xuelong, or "Snow Dragon", July 20, 2012. (Xinhua/Qu Jing)

NEW YORK, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Facing growing uncertainties and complexities in sea level rising, experts on climate change have urged people to find solutions to adapt to the changes that are already underway or to come in the future.

At an international climate conference here on Friday themed with "Regional Sea Level Changes and Coastal Impacts," the experts discussed causes and impacts of sea level rising, challenges in predicting regional sea level changes, as well as adaptable solutions to make coastal communities more sustainable and resilient in face of the increasingly complex sea level changes and extreme weather events.

Professor James L. Davis from Columbia University said the melting of glaciers and ice sheets in recent years is the major contributor to sea level rise. However, other causes also make current situation even more complicated, which include earth's deformation and gravity changes from glacial melting since last ice age cycle, as well as changes in ocean circulation like density changes from temperature and salinity variations.

"That means sea level change is different in various parts of the ocean, and thus city planners and stakeholders should pay more attention to local sea level rise," he said.

Professor Robin E. Bell, also from Columbia University, said the Antarctic ice is moving faster, getting lower, and losing mass. Besides the complexity of the sea level rising, the science in monitoring ice sheets is inadequate and needs to be improved.

"Underneath the ice sheet is a rich environment, where you can find mountains, lakes, and other places that can funnel in warm water," said Bell.

"But we don't quite know what's going on underneath the ice sheet, what's going to happen when the air warms, and if there is warm water getting close to the ice sheet."

The unpredictable sea level rising is not always a slow process, sometimes it is with catastrophic events including storms, hurricanes, coastal flooding and high tides, which are more powerful and destructive in a short period, Davis added.

Scott M. Stringer, who is the Comptroller of New York City, said that since 2010, the record warm weather in the United States is five times more than record cold weather. So far this year about nine extreme weather events happened in the United States, which is almost twice the normal rate. He believes that how coastal communities can adapt to future conditions should be the key consideration in preparation for natural disasters.

To combat sea level rising, the experts suggested a concept of both mitigation and adaptation, which is a combination of many protection solutions, including barrier island preservation, shoreline stabilization, raising of the infrastructure, insurance and reinsurance, etc.

"Acting on climate change is not the right option, but the only option," said Stringer. "Government should plan ahead, arming ourselves with the tools, and setting aside the funding we need to face the next climate-induced catastrophe."

Jointly held by the World Climate Research Program and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission at Columbia University, the conference was attended by over 300 scientists, policy makers and experts.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 06:25:27|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DAMASCUS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have taken control of more than 42,000 square km of Syria, a monitor group said Saturday.

The SDF, an alliance of Kurdish, Arab and Assyrian fighters led by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), have expanded their control in several northern Syrian areas following battles with the Islamic State (IS) group.

Their recent notable gain was in the northern city of Raqqa, the main stronghold of the IS in Syria.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said despite the progress made by the SDF, the battles haven't reached the central part of Raqqa.

The London-based watchdog also said the battle of Raqqa is not easy, given the IS counter-offensives against the SDF.

The SDF announced the beginning of the battles to liberate Raqqa Province on Nov. 6, 2016, capturing areas in the countryside of Raqqa to isolate IS.

But June 6 this year marked the intrusion part of the battles into the heartland of IS in the city of Raqqa, which was self-declared by IS as its de facto capital in 2014.

Since then, the SDF succeeded to capture key areas on the western and eastern flanks of the city, and recently laid full siege to all exits and stormed the walls of the old city of Raqqa.
Photo taken on June 29, 2017 shows smoke rising up in Marawi City, the Philippines. (Xinhua/Stringer)

MANILA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Saturday that the death toll in the ongoing conflict in the southern city of Marawi has reached 537, including 93 soldiers and policemen.

AFP spokesman Restituto Padilla said that as of 7 p.m. local time Friday, the military has also recorded deaths of at least 399 Islamic militants and 45 civilians. The death toll is expected to rise as the fighting to retake rebel-controlled areas within the city continues, he said.

Fighting broke out in the Philippines' only Islamic city on May 23 when militants allied with Islamic State (IS) attacked a hospital, a school and government buildings in a failed attempt to control the city.

The military said the attack was part of the militants' big plan to establish an IS caliphate in the southern Philippines, home to Filipino Muslims and several groups of Muslim insurgents that have plagued the country for decades.

The militants laid the siege while President Rodrigo Duterte and all his security officials were on an official visit to Russia. Duterte and his defense chief Delfin Lorenzana have admitted that the government has underestimated the capability of the armed insurgents that spearheaded the attack.

The military said foreign IS fighters based in Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, and the Middle East like Syria have helped in planning and executing the attack.

Marawi City's more than 200,000 residents have fled the fierce fighting and military airstrikes that have damaged or destroyed several buildings and houses. Most of the evacuees, including women and children, are now housed in different evacuation centers in Iligan City and nearby areas.

The military is still conducting clearing operations to retake the city from about 100 militants who are still hiding inside some buildings and mosques in some parts of the city.

Duterte has placed the entire Mindanao Island under 60-day martial rule in the wake of the deadly attack. The AFP is currently studying whether to extend or lift the martial law, Padilla said, adding the final assessment report and recommendation will be submitted to Duterte this coming week before the martial law declaration expires on July 22.
Photo taken on July 15,2017 shows released children in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Sayed Mominzadah)

GHAZNI, Afghanistan, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Police arrested a gang of abductors in the eastern Ghazni province in Afghanistan and set free 13 children from their clutches on Saturday, provincial police chief Mohammad Mustafa Mayar said.

"A four-member gang of kidnappers were arrested today and 13 children were set free from their custody," Mayar told reporters here.

"The kidnappers were attempting to take the children to some religious schools in Pakistan and brainwash them to become suicide bombers," the official said.

This is the second group of kidnappers which has been arrested in Ghazni province over the past week. The province has Ghazni city, located 125 km south of Kabul, as its capital.

In the previous incident last week, 25 children were set free from kidnappers' clutches.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 10:16:24|Editor: MJ

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WASHINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has named attorney Ty Cobb as an in-house "special counsel" for the White House, a statement said Saturday.

A former federal prosecutor, Cobb is expected to handle the legal and media response to probes into an alleged Russian interference into the 2016 U.S. presidential election and a possible collusion by the Trump campaign, a White House source was quoted by U.S. media as saying.

Cobb is a partner at Hogan Lovells, a Washington, D.C.-based law firm, and a fellow of the American College of Trial lawyers, the White House said in the statement.

It was revealed recently that Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of Trump, met a Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign after being promised "damaging" information about Hilary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate running against his father.

To be what he called "totally transparent," Trump Jr. made public a chain of emails with an intermediary about the meeting that took place on June 9, 2016 at Trump Tower in New York, but was accused of violating the Federal Election Campaign Act by conspiring to solicit a contribution from a foreign national during the campaign.

The eight-person talks reportedly involved Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, his then-campaign manager Paul Manafort, and a former Soviet counter-intelligence officer.

Both the former Soviet serviceman, a naturalized American who lobbies for Russian interests in Washington,and the Russian lawyer, also a lobbyist, have denied links to the Russian government, while Kremlin said it does not know the meeting nor the two lobbyists.

The U.S. intelligence community alleged that Russia meddled in the U.S. presidential race last year and there were connections between the Russian government and the Trump campaign.

Federal special counsel Robert Mueller and several congressional panels are investigating those allegations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 10:26:30|Editor: MJ

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SAN FRANCISCO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The police headquarters of Sunnyvale, a city south of San Francisco, in northern California, was evacuated Saturday for hours as three old grenades, apparently from World War II era, were dropped off in its lobby.

Captain Jeff Hunter, of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS), told a press briefing that the three rusty rocket-propelled grenades were identified by bomb squad of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office to be inert, as there were no explosive materials inside and therefore not dangerous.

While they were brought in a box by two people at around noon local time with the intent to have the items disposed of, the police headquarters were evacuated.

The box had been found in the garage of a parent of the two people - a man and a woman, according to Hunter, who did not identify the two or clarify their parent's residence. There would be no charges against them.

The DPS, which resumed operation later in the day, posted several messages on Twitter social media network, including a picture of the grenades.

Sunnyvale, the second largest city in Santa Clara County and 39th in California, is the seventh most populous city in the San Francisco Bay Area with an estimated population of more than 150,000 as of 2016. It is home to a number of technology companies and employees from a lot more companies in the area known as Silicon Valley.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 10:41:36|Editor: MJ

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by Victoria Arguello

CARACAS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela will see two votes this month, one to elect members of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC), which will rewrite the constitution, and an unofficial referendum held by the opposition to determine the level of public support for the ANC.

Over 19 million Venezuelans are invited to vote on July 30 to elect 545 members of the ANC.

Sunday will see the referendum held by the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), ostensibly to show President Nicolas Maduro that the Venezuelan population does not support the ANC.

Despite numerous government acts around the country to raise support for a new constitution, the MUD said that the ANC is undemocratic and merely an attempt by the government to consolidate its power.

Luis Quintana, a professor of geopolitics at the Bolivarian Military University of Venezuela, rejected this claim and said that the ANC is "inclusive."

In an interview with Xinhua, Quintana said this process will allow "workers, farmers and fishermen, students, disabled people, among others, to have an express and direct representation in the ANC."

Venezuela has been racked by political violence for over three months. Since April, the MUD has led protests against Maduro, demanding fresh presidential elections and freeing of political prisoners.

On May 1, Maduro called for the ANC to guarantee national peace. He invited the opposition to end the violence and resolve political differences within the ANC.

The MUD rejected this call and blamed the government and the army for the violence, which has left at least 94 people dead.

Instead of a new constitution, Quintana said the ANC is seeking to perfect the constitution of 1999.

"It is about expanding the people's social, economic, political and cultural rights and is seeking to deepen democracy," said Quintana.

"The ANC can exercise...the legislative authority to resolve the situation in this country," he added.

The MUD's referendum, set for Sunday, will see Venezuelans asked if they question the call for the ANC, if they demand that the army should defend the constitution of 1999, and if all those in public positions should be changed.

While the process has been rejected by the National Electoral Council, international observers will monitor the referendum.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 11:31:48|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

Photo taken on July 15, 2017 shows the the construction site of the Walini tunnel project of the High-Speed Railway (HSR) linking Indonesian capital Jakarta to Bandung. The Walini tunnel project of the High-Speed Railway (HSR) linking Indonesian capital Jakarta to Bandung was launched here Saturday. (Xinhua/Du Yu)

WALINI, Indonesia, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The Walini tunnel project of the High-Speed Railway (HSR) linking Indonesian capital Jakarta to Bandung was launched here Saturday.

Indonesian State-owned Enterprises (SoE) Minister Rini Soemarno attended the ground-breaking ceremony and visited the project in Walini in Bandung Regency.

"I am optimistic about this project which would be in full swing at the end of August. It means that any obstacles we are facing now need to be cleared," Rini told Xinhua.

The minister said she will immediately coordinate with state power firm PLN and the Ministry of Public Works to overcome the obstacles.

"I am pleased with these developments so far. I have heard about results of cooperation with the Chinese firms here, such as recruitment of locals in the projects," she said.

The project was previously delayed due to official permits and land compensation issues, she said.

"But as the state enterprise minister who is a shareholder of this project, I will make it sure this project would be completed as we have planned," she said.

Praising the Indonesian minister's commitments, Zhang Wei, general manager of the China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway project, said that the commencement of the tunnel project will offer a significant demonstration and give experience for other tunnel constructions in the HSR project.

"As the first formal project of the Jakarta-Bandung HSR project, the commencement of the tunnel in Walini marks an important step in the overall construction," Zhang told Xinhua.

The CREC will cooperate with other Chinese contractors so as to contribute to the accomplishment of the HSR project and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, he said.

The Jakarta-Bandung HSR project contract was signed in Jakarta in early April between consortium joined by Chinese and Indonesian firms and KCIC, a China-Indonesia joint firm tasked with monitoring the project.

The 142-km-long railway project is the first of such in Indonesia as well as in the whole region of Southeast Asia.

It is expected to be built in three years and the high-speed train could reach a speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

The HSR would shorten the traveling time between the two cities from three hours to 40 minutes and spur economic activities along the line.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 12:52:10|Editor: MJ

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RIYADH, July 15 (Xinhua) -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived Saturday in Jeddah, a major coastal city in western Saudi Arabia to help address the Qatar diplomatic crisis.

"France calls for the lifting, as soon as possible, of the measures that affect the populations in particular, bi-national families that have been separated and students," Le Drian said at a joint press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir.

Le Drian urged the four countries that severed diplomatic ties with Qatar -- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt -- to resolve the ongoing crisis through dialogues.

After his visit to Riyadh, Le Drian will go to Kuwait and the UAE to attempt mediation.

Al-Jubeir claimed he could provide evidence that Qatar violated the 2013 Riyadh Agreement and the 2014 Riyadh Supplementary Agreement, both of which aim to enhance cooperation between Gulf nations and avoid interference in each other's internal affairs.

He also stressed that Qatar must implement relevant anti-terrorism agreements.

The four Arab countries cut ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting "extremism and terrorism," an allegation which Qatar has denied.

On June 23, the four Arab states issued a list of 13 demands to end the rift with Doha, including closing Al-Jazeera television and cutting diplomatic ties with Iran. Since Qatar's response seemed unsatisfactory to them, the four have decided to maintain their sanctions against Qatar.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 12:57:13|Editor: ZD

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QINGDAO, July 16 (Xinhua) -- China's Liaoning aircraft carrier formation has returned to a military port in Qingdao in east China Sunday.

The formation returned after completing maneuvering exercises and a visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) being stationed in HKSAR.

More than 5,000 Hong Kong people boarded the aircraft carrier and three escorting warships.

During their stay in Hong Kong, from July 7 through July 11, members from the fleet held a deck reception and visited an elder care center to interact with Hong Kong residents.

The naval formation, which first set out from Qingdao on June 25, has also carried out trans-regional training at sea to strengthen coordination among the vessels and improve the skills of crew and pilots in different regions.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 15:42:44|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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GAZA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community and the Arab and Islamic world to quickly assume their responsibilities to save the holy Al Aqsa Mosque, local media reported on Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry condemned the Israeli measures against the holy mosque.

Israel closed Al Aqsa and banned the Friday prayer following a nearby attack that left three Palestinians and two Israeli policemen dead.

The Israeli government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu bears full and direct responsibility for its aggressive actions, illegal measures and gross violations of the status of Al Aqsa since 1967, the ministry said.

It added that the international reactions have not lived up to the required level and are not enough to pressure the occupation authorities to immediately stop their ongoing aggression.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 16:02:55|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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Palestinian protesters shout slogans during a protest against the closure of the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem in the West Bank city of Nablus, on July 16, 2017. Israeli authorities said on Saturday that the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which was closed after a deadly shootout on Friday, will be gradually reopened on Sunday to Muslim worshippers and tourists. (Xinhua/Ayman Nobani)

GAZA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel said in a statement that it will reopen the Al Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday, Al Arabiya news channel reported.

Israeli police banned last Friday's Muslim prayers at Al Aqsa mosque after two Israeli policemen were shot dead in a shooting near the site.

Israeli forces then arrested the Mufti of Al Quds Sheikh Mohammed Hussein who called on worshipers to defy the ban but was later released on the same day.

The compound is the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest in Islam and is one of the most politically sensitive sacred places in the world.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 16:38:04|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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KATHMANDU, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The Nepali government has prohibited financial transactions over 1 million Nepali rupees (9,665 U.S. dollars) at one time in cash starting from Sunday, the first day of the new fiscal year.

One involved in such transactions could face fine up to 1 million rupees according to the ban.

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI) and Nepal Rastra Bank have issued several notices for the last few days asking people and firms to use banking instruments such as cheque and electronic transactions to pay for purchasing goods and services.

"The move is aimed promoting transparent financial transactions, boosting formal economy and controlling illegal and criminal activities that flourish in cash-based financial transactions," Binod Lamichhane, director of DMLI, told Xinhua on Sunday.

Lamichhane said that people could, however, deposit cash exceeding 1 million rupees in banks.

Last week, Nepal's central bank had lowered the cash transaction limit to 1 million rupees through the 2017-18 fiscal year from 3 million rupees (28,996 U.S. dollar) previously.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 16:48:11|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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TEHRAN, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation around Urmia Lake in northwest of Iran has quadrupled over the past 10 years, putting life health at risk, Financial Tribune daily reported on Sunday.

The increase in UV radiation, due to the decreasing water level, has a multitude of impacts on health including the result of cataract at its worst, Masoud Tajrishi, head of planning at the Urmia Lake Restoration Program was quoted as saying.

"There is also the risk of skin cancer if you spend too much time around the lake," Tajrishi warned.

The restoration program of the lake has so far focused on curbing the effects of dust and sand storms, he said, adding that "teams will be sent to villages around the lake to screen locals for the effects of UV radiation."

The chronic effects of UV can be serious, including premature aging of the skin, suppression of the immune system, damage to the eyes and skin cancer, and even life threatening.

The UV rays can also damage the eyes as more than 99 percent of radiation is absorbed by the front of the eyes. Corneal damage, cataracts, and macular degeneration are all possible results from UV exposure and could lead to blindness.

The Urmia Lake area has more than tripled since 2013 when it was 700 square kilometers, but that is not enough to curtail the dangerous impact of UV exposure.

Urmia Lake's water level is expected to further drop since the temperature this summer is forecast to be around 1.8 degrees Celsius higher than last year.

Located between the Iranian provinces of East and West Azarbaijan, Urmia Lake has been facing serious drought for years. Its severe water loss is attributed to climate changes, the long dry spell, unrestrained damming and irresponsible water use, especially in the agriculture sector.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 16:48:13|Editor: ying

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BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- China's decision to establish a committee to oversee financial stability and development will be key to reform and coordinated regulation of the financial sector, economists said.

"The reason why China has decided to launch a financial stability and development committee is that it could shore up weak links in supervision and strengthen comprehensive coordination," said Lian Ping, chief economist with Bank of Communications.

Given a fragmented and segmentary system might leave blind spots in supervision and lead to financial arbitrage, the introduction of the committee will help improve the effectiveness of regulation and address regulation challenges brought by increasingly mixed financial services, Lian said.

The financial stability and development committee should be an authoritative decision-making body rather than an advisory body, according to Lian.

China announced that it will set up a committee under the State Council to oversee financial stability and development during a two-day National Financial Work Conference that ended Saturday.

The conference also said the central bank will play a stronger role in macro prudential management and guarding against systemic risks.

The role of the committee and the function of the central bank are complementary in terms of financial supervision, Lian said.

Xu Hongcai, an economist with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, agreed with Lian, saying that China's decision to set up the committee aimed to enhance coordination and improve weak links in financial oversight.

Xu said a country's central bank plays a special role in its financial system, and the conference highlighted the central bank's role in macro prudential management and avoiding systemic risk.

The planned committee will elevate the level of financial supervision, enabling the country to better deal with financial risks from home and abroad and push forward economic restructuring, according to Zhou Xiaoquan with Central China Securities.

The government will also enhance coordination and connectivity of financial infrastructure and promote sharing of statistics and supervision information, according to the conference.

Tasks highlighted at the conference include making the financial sector better serve the real economy, containing financial risks and deepening financial reforms.

The conference has been convened every five years since 1997 and is widely considered to set the tone for financial reforms.

On the eve of the conference this year, the Chinese insurance regulator warned of multiple risks in the insurance industry, ranging from liquidity pressure to reputation management.

Chinese insurers grabbed headlines by using leveraged money to buy shares in listed companies, triggering sharp volatility in the market late last year.

Right before the conference, the country's securities regulator also extended its message to strengthen oversight on the securities market to keep it fair, open and impartial.

"The regulator will continue to crack down on violations of securities laws and regulations, including insider trading and market manipulation," said Jiang Yang, vice chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission during an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

In April, China's central leadership called for concrete efforts to maintain financial security, saying that financial vitality would lead to economic vitality, and financial stability is of key importance to economic stability.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 16:53:13|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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TEHRAN, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Vietnam have discussed boost of cooperation particularly in agriculture sector, Financial Tribune daily reported on Sunday.

The issue was raised during a meeting between Iranian Agriculture Minister, Mahmoud Hojjati, and his visiting Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Xuan Cuong, in the capital Tehran on Saturday.

Hojjati said that both countries have considerable potential in the agriculture and the two nations can benefit from trading agricultural products and seafood.

He also said that imports from Vietnam can solve Iran's 800,000-ton deficit in rice production while the latter's consumption for rice stands at 2.2 million tons per year.

"Sturgeon, trout, salmon and other types of fish produced in Iran are popular among Vietnamese and we are ready to import seafood from Iran," said the Vietnamese minister.

During Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Vietnam in Oct. 2016, both sides pledged to boost bilateral trade with a value of 2 billion U.S. dollars, a significant increase compared to 350 million U.S. dollars in the previous year.

Iran is also eager to export oil and gas technology to Vietnam in exchange for health and industry.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 16:58:18|Editor: ying

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BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Police in east China's Jiangsu Province have busted a criminal gang of nearly 100 suspects for forging and selling professional certifications.

Police in Nantong City seized more than 22,000 false certificates and confiscated more than 3.5 million yuan (about 516,700 U.S. dollars) involved in the case, according to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

Through preliminary investigations, the police found more than 34,000 people were involved in the purchase of these forged papers, covering the fields of labor and personnel matters, science and education, health and medicine, and engineering construction.

The gang was found to have made copycat versions of the official websites of national departments, and reached out to people online who wanted to buy authentic certificates without passing a test or official approval.

These people were swindled into paying between 9,800 yuan and 19,800 yuan to receive "real" certificates that could be "verified" on the fraudulent websites.

Most of the victims did not realize they were deceived until the police came to them for testimony.

The MPS called for a "bottom line" of social integrity and justice, and warned the public not to speculate and buy the certificates.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 18:03:35|Editor: ZD

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a rally to mark the first anniversary of foiling the failed coup attempt in Istanbul, Turkey, July 15, 2017. (Xinhua/He Canling)

ANKARA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan early Sunday hailed the victory for defeating the military coup attempt last year, threatening to reinstate death penalty.

At a mass rally to mark the July 15 defeat of attempted coup in front of the parliament building, Erdogan addressed the crowds at 2:32 a.m. local time (2332 GMT), the time the parliament was bombed on the night of the coup attempt.

Erdogan said the coup plotters targeted symbols of Turkish democracy, referring to the bomb attack on parliament while lawmakers were inside.

"My nation marched with their faith and flag. There is no other nation who stop bullets by their chests. There is no other nation that stop tanks with punch," he was cited as saying by private channel NTV.

The president threatened to reinstate death penalty during the speech as he has repeatedly said since the thwarted plot.

The National Security Council will discuss on the extension of the current state of emergency by another three months and will send its proposal to the government Monday, Erdogan said.

The Turkish president has inaugurated a monument early Sunday in Ankara, honoring the 249 people who have died in the resistance against last year's failed coup.

Week-long series of memorials and celebrations have taken place to mark the first anniversary of the July 15, 2016, failed coup attempt across Turkey. The government declared July 15 as "Democracy and National Unity day".

The coup attempt of last year was thwarted leaving behind 249 dead and over 2,200 wounded.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 18:13:43|Editor: ZD

Rescuers transfer trapped tourists from Nanpeng Island, some 35 km east of Zhapo, Yangjiang City, south China's Guangdong Province, July 16, 2017. A total of 49 tourists who had been stranded on Nanpeng Island in the South China Sea were picked up and moved to safety on Sunday morning, authorities said. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 49 tourists who had been stranded on Nanpeng Island in the South China Sea were picked up and moved to safety on Sunday morning, authorities said.

The tourists belonged to four camping groups visiting the uninhabited Nanpeng Island, some 35 km east of Zhapo, Yangjiang City in south China's Guangdong Province, according to the Ministry of Transport.

Due to typhoon Talas, this year's fourth typhoon, the tourists could not return home by themselves.

All the tourists were transferred safely to a rescue ship and a rescue helicopter dispatched by the Guangzhou-headquartered Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport.

China's national observatory on Sunday morning renewed a blue alert for typhoon Talas, which is expected to hit Hainan Province and Beibu Gulf.

At 10 a.m. Sunday, the eye of Talas was above the South China Sea some 60 km to the southwest of Sanya City, packing winds of up to 23 meters per second, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said in a statement.

The NMC forecast that Talas would move northwestward at a speed of about 20 km per hour toward Beibu Gulf and make landfall on the northeast coast of Vietnam on Monday morning.

From Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon, parts of the South China Sea, Beibu Gulf, Qiongzhou Strait, Hainan and coastal areas of Guangdong and Guangxi will experience strong winds, while storms with up to 140 mm of precipitation are expected to affect parts of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 18:18:46|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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BRUSSELS, July 16 (Xinhua) -- European data protection authorities have issued new rules that require employers to issue a disclaimer before checking the social media profiles of job applicants.

Scanning social media data through third parties is also not allowed. Besides, employers are prohibited from compiling such data during their recruiting, unless it is "necessary and relevant" to the performance of specific job posts.

The new guidance came to supplement the European Union's (EU) data protection laws and is aimed at protecting individual information and data sharing. The relevant social media sites include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and LinkedIn.

The new data protection regulations will apply to employers across the EU next year. Breach of the new rules will lead to a fine of up to 4 percent of European companies' annual global sales.
Photo taken on Feb. 19, 2015 shows the newly commissioned Nigeria navy warships Okpaban, Centenary, Sagbama and Prosperity at the Naval Dockyard in Victoria Island, Nigeria. (Xinhua/Eniola Oba)

LAGOS, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Authority of the Nigerian Navy (NN) on Saturday warned ratings not to post anything about naval operations on the social media.

Rear Admiral Victor Adedipe, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, gave the warning at NNS Jubilee Base in southern Akwa Ibom State.

"I know a good number of us belong to several groups, either family group or social group, but know what you post on social media," Adedipe said.

"There is a recent guideline on the issue of social media, please get a copy in the office and read it," the Navy chief added.

He called on the ratings to adhere to rules and regulations guiding naval operations on social media.

The naval chief said posting of naval operations on social media could help criminals to get vital information about the Navy.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 18:28:50|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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JUBA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The UN humanitarian agency has decried increasing violence against aid workers in South Sudan, with 100 humanitarian access incidents being reported in June, the highest number recorded in any month so far in 2017.

The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its latest report released on Saturday evening that although there was a reduction in the number of conflict and insecurity incidents impacting humanitarian access in June, with no relocations of aid workers carried out during the month, partners reported a substantial rise in incidents involving violence against personnel and assets, from 29 cases in May to 46 in June.

"At least 24 humanitarian compounds, including offices, residences, and warehouses, were broken into countrywide in June, resulting in the looting of humanitarian supplies and theft of staff member's personal belongings," the UN said in its Humanitarian Bulletin.

It said violence against aid workers and assets included compound break-ins, looting of humanitarian supplies, and physical assault.

The UN reports over 80 aid workers have been killed since outbreak of conflict in December 2013, and have continuously condemned attacks on humanitarian workers by armed groups besides blockading of badly needed aid to over 6 million South Sudanese on the verge of starvation.

According to the OCHA, government soldiers reportedly forcibly entered an NGO compound in Budi County, Eastern Equatoria, assaulted guards and commandeered the organization's vehicle on June 24.

A group of youth forcefully on June 28 entered an NGO compound, barricaded the entry and physically assaulted staff members in Ajoung-Thok, Pariang County, Unity.

"Humanitarians reported that nine out of the 14 community volunteers and health workers, who had been detained by armed forces in Guit County, Unity, on June 6 remained in detention as of July 13," said the UN.

It said talks with the authorities for the release of the workers are ongoing.

The UN said several organizations faced challenges transporting cash out of Juba for their humanitarian operations, with the authorities requesting new and additional paperwork.

OCHA said violence against humanitarians also increased along main road routes where at least 20 incidents of robbery or ambush of vehicles that were traveling to undertake humanitarian assessment and response missions, and to pre-position and deliver vital humanitarian supplies were recorded in June.

"Such incidents were particularly prevalent in Lakes, Western Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria. In Yei, armed men reportedly ambushed an NGO vehicle at Limbe on Lainya-Yei road about 15 kilometres from Yei town on June 7," it said.

South Sudan has been embroiled in more than three years of conflict that has have taken a devastating toll on the people.

According to the UN, South Sudan has become a hostile environment for aid workers to operate. In March, gunmen killed six aid workers on a road linking the capital, Juba to the Eastern state of Boma.

Under international Humanitarian Law, intentional attacks against humanitarian relief personnel may constitute war crimes.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 18:28:51|Editor: Zhou Xin

Rescuers work at the site of a house fire in Changshu, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 16, 2017. Police in Jiangsu said they have arrested a suspect for alleged arson after a fire engulfed a house that claimed 22 lives Sunday morning. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Police in east China's Jiangsu Province said they have arrested a suspect for alleged arson after a fire engulfed a house that claimed 22 lives Sunday morning.

The suspect, surnamed Jiang, was in police custody. Local police gave no further information on the suspect.

The fire broke out at around 4:29 a.m. in a two-story residential house in Yushan Town in Changshu City, leaving 22 people dead and another three injured. The three face no life-threatening injuries.

A total of 24 disaster-relief teams have been set up to offer legal and mental support for the families and relatives of the victims.

The fire was put out at 5:28 a.m. Further investigation into the cause of the accident is under way.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 18:59:07|Editor: Zhou Xin

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LANZHOU, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and another eight were injured after a tricycle overturned in Dunwan Village, Tianshui City in northwest China's Gansu Province on Sunday, local police said.

The tricycle was carrying 11 people when the accident occurred at around 11:50 a.m. Sunday. One passenger died at the scene, and two died later in the hospital.

Another eight people were injured, two of whom are in critical condition.

Further investigation is under way.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 19:24:11|Editor: Zhou Xin

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RAMALLAH, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said Palestine will discuss with China ways to carry out cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The president made the remarks during an interview with Xinhua here ahead of his state visit to China, which is slated for July 17-20.

It will be Abbas's fourth visit to China. He said Palestine thinks highly of the theme of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The forum, held in Beijing in May, took the theme of strengthening international cooperation and co-building the Belt and Road for win-win development, he added.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

Abbas said Palestine believes that it is important to deepen its relationship with China, which is of special historic significance.

As a major country in the world, China plays an important role on the world and regional stage, Abbas said, adding that China could make positive contribution to helping achieve peace and stability in the Middle East and promoting the development of the political process in the region.

Abbas said he will give emphasis to the four-point proposal put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in May 2013 for the settlement of the Palestinian issue, as well as the proposals regarding Palestine that Xi raised in his address at the Arab League's headquarters in Cairo, the Egyptian capital, in January 2016.

Abbas hopes to exchange views with Chinese leaders on the Middle East during his upcoming visit to China, and to negotiate over anti-terrorism and anti-violence measures.

Palestine supports China's peaceful reunification, Abbas said.

The Palestinian president stressed that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict should be resolved through peace talks, and a permanent peace deal should be reached.

Palestine insists on building an independent state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, Abbas said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 19:24:12|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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CAIRO, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's Third Army forces killed three Takfiris and arrested one terrorist in central Sinai, the military spokesman said Sunday.

A four-wheel drive and five cashes containing explosives were destroyed by the forces.

The move comes as part of the army's continued efforts to raid terrorist hotbeds and hunt down terrorists in central Sinai.

Meanwhile, security forces patrolling Martyr Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel in Suez seized a truck carrying one ton of cannabis.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 20:34:37|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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ISLAMABAD, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces on Sunday launched a fresh major ground and air offensive in a rugged mountainous region to clear the area of the militants, the military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said.

General Ghafoor told a news conference that operation "Khyber-4" will be focused on Rajgal, a valley in Khyber tribal area, bordering Afghanistan where the militant groups still have some hideouts.

"As Rajgal valley is located in rugged mountains, the operation will be difficult, but we are confident that the security forces will succeed to clear the area," the military spokesman said.

He said the operation is aimed at breaking the contacts between Afghanistan-based Daesh (Islamic State) with Pakistani militants and stopping the Daesh militants from entering Pakistani areas from Afghanistan for terrorist activities.

Pakistani forces launched the operation a day after the U.S. defense department Pentagon said that the U.S. forces killed the Daesh regional leader Abu Sayed in a recent airstrike in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province.

"There is no organized infrastructure of Daesh in Pakistan, but the group is getting stronger in Afghanistan and the objective behind the operation is to check growing influence of Daesh on the Afghan side of the border," General Ghafoor further said.

He said Pakistan Air Force will provide air cover to the ground forces in the operation that will cover 250 square kilometer areas in the nearly 14000-feet high mountains.

"Rajgal Valley is the toughest terrain in Pakistan's seven tribal regions," he said, adding that operation in another mountainous region "Shawal Valley" in North Waziristan will also be launched to deprive the militants from their hideouts there.

"International border with Afghanistan will be fully secured to check infiltration of terrorists and to destroy their hideouts on our side of the border," he went on to say.

He said Pakistan military has also requested the foreign and Afghan troops to increase monitoring in the border regions on Afghan side to stop the fleeing militants.

Due to effective security operation in the tribal belt, incidents of terrorism have reasonably declined in the country, he said.

The army and other law enforcement agencies have carried out 46 major operations since the launch of a major operation in February, he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 20:44:33|Editor: Zhou Xin

A woman of Yi ethnic group shows the embroidery to a tourist in Yiren Ancient Town in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 16, 2017. More than 60 folk embroidery workers gathered in Chuxiong for an ethnic embroidery show on Sunday. With typical Yi ethnic style, they embroider the clothes with images of plants and animals. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 20:44:43|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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RIYADH, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz on Sunday discussed over the phone with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis increasing counterterrorism and defense cooperation.

The crown prince, who is also Saudi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, congratulated Mattis on the victory over the terror group Islamic State (IS) in Mosul, Iraq, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

He also praised the U.S. role in leading the international coalition to fight IS and eliminate it, while stressing that the war on terrorism and all those who support and finance it should continue to be firm, the report said.

The two sides also discussed ways of developing coordination mechanisms to combat terrorism and extremism, and increase the Saudi-U.S. military and defense cooperation, it added.

Iraq declared victory early the week in liberating Mosul from the IS rule after a nine-month war, backed by the U.S.-led international coalition.

Saudi, a major U.S. ally in the Gulf and an arch rival to Iran, has been one of the major buyer of U.S. weapons in the world. During U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Riyadh in May, the two sides signed an arms sales deal that is worth 350 billion U.S. dollars over 10 years and 110 billion dollars that took effect immediately.
Refugees from South Sudan rest at a refugee camp in Sudan's White Nile state near the border with South Sudan on May 17, 2017.(Xinhua/Mohamed Babiker)

JUBA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The UN humanitarian agency has decried increasing violence against aid workers in South Sudan, with 100 humanitarian access incidents being reported in June, the highest number recorded in any month so far in 2017.

The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its latest report released on Saturday evening that although there was a reduction in the number of conflict and insecurity incidents impacting humanitarian access in June, with no relocations of aid workers carried out during the month, partners reported a substantial rise in incidents involving violence against personnel and assets, from 29 cases in May to 46 in June.

"At least 24 humanitarian compounds, including offices, residences, and warehouses, were broken into countrywide in June, resulting in the looting of humanitarian supplies and theft of staff member's personal belongings," the UN said in its Humanitarian Bulletin.

It said violence against aid workers and assets included compound break-ins, looting of humanitarian supplies, and physical assault.

The UN reports over 80 aid workers have been killed since outbreak of conflict in December 2013, and have continuously condemned attacks on humanitarian workers by armed groups besides blockading of badly needed aid to over 6 million South Sudanese on the verge of starvation.

According to the OCHA, government soldiers reportedly forcibly entered an NGO compound in Budi County, Eastern Equatoria, assaulted guards and commandeered the organization's vehicle on June 24.

A group of youth forcefully on June 28 entered an NGO compound, barricaded the entry and physically assaulted staff members in Ajoung-Thok, Pariang County, Unity.

"Humanitarians reported that nine out of the 14 community volunteers and health workers, who had been detained by armed forces in Guit County, Unity, on June 6 remained in detention as of July 13," said the UN.

It said talks with the authorities for the release of the workers are ongoing.

The UN said several organizations faced challenges transporting cash out of Juba for their humanitarian operations, with the authorities requesting new and additional paperwork.

OCHA said violence against humanitarians also increased along main road routes where at least 20 incidents of robbery or ambush of vehicles that were traveling to undertake humanitarian assessment and response missions, and to pre-position and deliver vital humanitarian supplies were recorded in June.

"Such incidents were particularly prevalent in Lakes, Western Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria. In Yei, armed men reportedly ambushed an NGO vehicle at Limbe on Lainya-Yei road about 15 kilometres from Yei town on June 7," it said.

South Sudan has been embroiled in more than three years of conflict that has have taken a devastating toll on the people.

According to the UN, South Sudan has become a hostile environment for aid workers to operate. In March, gunmen killed six aid workers on a road linking the capital, Juba to the Eastern state of Boma.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 20:49:45|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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CAIRO, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian Air Force destroyed 15 vehicles laden with arms, ammunition and explosives before breaching the western borders of Egypt, the state-run MENA news agency reported.

In a statement released on Sunday, the army said the operation comes as part of the army efforts to secure borders from all strategic fronts.

It added that the operation was launched based on intelligence reports that criminal elements are planning to sneak into the western borders of Egypt through a set of four-wheel drive vehicles.

The army forces are still hunting down other criminal elements on the deserts of the western region.

Meanwhile, the Third Field Army in cooperation with the Air Force and other security forces destroyed a terrorist hideout in central Sinai and killed six takfiri elements after hitting their vehicle that was laden with explosives.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 21:50:01|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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ANKARA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 38 Georgian students were injured early Sunday when the bus carrying them overturned in the Turkish Black Sea province of Giresun.

The bus, carrying a Georgian children's dance troupe, was travelling from Georgia to Bulgaria via Turkey when it went off the road and crashed into a lighting pole, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Rescue crew and firefighters from Giresun and the neighboring province of Trabzon were immediately dispatched to the scene.

The injured, most of which were children, were taken to nearby hospitals in Giresun and Trabzon for treatment. So far, 16 of them were discharged after receiving medical care, the report said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 23:05:46|Editor: An

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Iran's re-elected President Hassan Rouhani addresses a press conference in Tehran, capital of Iran, on May 22, 2017. Iran's re-elected President Hassan Rouhani said Monday that United States should drop its "hostile" policies towards the Islamic republic. (Xinhua Photo)

TEHRAN, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian judiciary confirmed on Sunday that Hossein Fereydoun, the younger brother of President Hassan Rouhani, has been detained over financial charges.

Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie, deputy judiciary chief, told at a press conference that Fereydoun, a top aide to the president, was jailed because he failed to pay the bail set by the judiciary.

The judiciary had carried out a series of probes into Fereydoun, before issuing indictment against him on Saturday, Ejeie said, without elaborating on the details of the charges.

Ejeie said if Fereydoun pays the bail, he will be released.

A number of other people have also been investigated and questioned in the same case as the investigation continues, he added.

Some Rouhani's supporters suspect that the charges against Fereydoun, who participated in the nuclear talks with major powers that led to a deal in 2015, are politically motivated.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 23:21:00|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), has signed an order to release a revised regulation on military document processing, the CMC Political Work Department announced Sunday.

The regulation, which contains eight chapters and 40 articles, makes new requirements for official military documents with regard to work standards, types and forms, processing procedures, management and other areas.

The revision came as the Communist Party of China strives to realize the goal of building a stronger army.

The revised regulation will take effect on Oct. 1.
Sukhoi Su-34 strike fighter fleet fly over the Red Square during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2015. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)

MOSCOW, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Defence Ministry announced here on Friday that the Russian air force had intercepted foreign jets for six times in the past week.

About 20 foreign aircraft conducted aerial reconnaissance along the external border of Russia's airspace within the week but did not trespass into the country's territory, the ministry said.

The number of air incidents involving Russian planes and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ones has increased over the past years since the U.S.-led alliance ratcheted up its military presence on Russia's western border in 2014.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 23:56:17|Editor: yan

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LONDON, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced Sunday new measures to curb the growing number of acid attacks.

Her move follows a spate of five attacks within a 90-minute period towards the end of last week in London. Two teenage boys were arrested after those attacks, and one of them aged 16 has been charged with criminal offences.

Rudd said victims and survivors will be at the center of a new government strategy aimed at tackling the problem.

The announcement came as figures from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) show that more than 400 acid or corrosive substance attacks were carried out in the six months up to April 2017 across police force areas in England and Wales. In most of the attacks bleach, ammonia and acid were the most commonly used substances.

The proposed new measures will be outlined in the House of Commons Monday by the Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability, Sarah Newton. During the debate Labour MP Stephen Timms, will call for carrying acid to be made a crime, similar to carrying a knife.

Home Secretary Rudd said: "It is vital that we do everything we can to prevent these sickening attacks happening in the first place. We must also ensure that the police and other emergency services are able to respond as effectively as possible, that sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences and victims are given the immediate support they need."

As part of the action plan, the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) guidance to prosecutors will be reviewed to classify acid and other corrosive substances as dangerous weapons.

New guidance will also be given to police officers on preventing attacks, including searching potential perpetrators for harmful substances. Further work will also take place with retailers to agree measures to restrict sales of acids and harmful substances.

The Home Office said the measures will form part of a wide-ranging review of the law enforcement and criminal justice response, existing legislation, access to harmful products and the support offered to victims.

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Kearton, national police spokesperson for corrosive attacks, said Sunday: "Police have dealt with a number of high-profile cases in recent months and we continue to collect data from police forces across England and Wales to understand the scale and extent of these attacks and develop our ability to support and protect victims."

In the journal Scars, Burns & Healing published on Thursday, acid attack survivor Katie Piper said victims face a life sentence.

In the article Piper said: "I will continue to need operations and therapy for life. For acid attack survivors, the aftermath is a life sentence."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-16 23:56:18|Editor: yan

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CAIRO, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Cairo security chief Khaled Abdel Aal on Sunday made surprise inspection visits to several churches in the Egyptian capital, ordering maximum security around them to prevent terror attacks.

During the visits, which included the tour of Cathedral in Abassia, Aal inspected the security measures taken to protect the churches, amid rising terror attacks recently.

Aal mandated bomb disposal experts to continuously comb the areas around churches across Cairo to achieve the highest level of security.

He ordered the Rapid Deployment Forces to go on patrols around the capital, and mandated the criminal investigation services to increase surveillance by using the cameras in churches.

Aal also directed the field security personnel to constantly coordinate with churches' officials to ensure security.

Such measures were taken under the directives from Egyptian Interior Minister Magdi Abdel Ghaffar, who ordered to ensure maximum security in the capital and around churches.

Egypt has witnessed several major terror attacks against the Christian churches recently, including the two bombing attacks against the Coptic Christian churches in the cities of Alexandria and Tanta in early April. A total of 44 people were killed and 126 others were wounded in the two attacks.

The terror group Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the two attacks, while warning more such attacks would come.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-17 00:31:30|Editor: yan

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KINSHASA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 27 people were killed and 54 others were missing in the night of Thursday to Friday after a whaling ship wrecked on the Kasai River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), a local official told Xinhua on Sunday.

"I confirm that we have 27 dead bodies. The sinking occurred in front of Idiofa," said Jacques Mbila, the administrator of the territory.

Overloading and intoxication of the crew were the causes of the sinking, Mbila said.

According to the administrator, the majority of the victims are pupils who were on holiday. He said the whaler was leaving Dibaya territory for Ilebo when the accident took place at the bend of the Kasai River, towards the Idiofa territory.

The river Kasai is used for river transport from the Congo River to Djokupunda. Overloading is the most important reason for frequent shipwrecks on rivers in DR Congo.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini address a joint news conference after their meeting in Brussels, Belgium, July 11, 2017. (Reuters Photo)

MOSCOW, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Russia is open for constructive cooperation with the Council of Europe despite its decision to suspend payment to the organization, the State Duma's International Affairs Committee chairman said Thursday.

The lawmaker said the Council of Europe remains an important area of cooperation and is the broadest platform in Europe.

"We will continue our work as a member of the Council of Europe and fulfill our obligations despite the absolutely reasonable decision to suspend budget payments until the rights of our delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) have been restored," Leonid Slutsky said.

Slutsky made such remarks during a visit to Moscow by Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

On June 30, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov informed the Council of Europe that Moscow decided to suspend the country's 2017 contribution to the organization's budget.

In April 2014, PACE approved resolutions depriving the Russian delegation of the right to vote over the annexation of Crimea. Following the resolutions, Russia decided to leave PACE in late 2015, repeatedly stressing that it will only return to the organization after full restoration of its delegates' voting rights.
FILE PHOTO: A gas flame is seen in the desert near the Khurais oilfield, Saudi Arabia June 23, 2008. (REUTERS Photo)

RIYADH, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia aims to boost its economic growth and create more jobs through a grand project to build the Industrial Energy City in the Eastern Region, a government official said Sunday.

Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Faleh, minister of energy, industry and mineral resources, told reporters that the project will localize industries supporting the energy sector related to oil exploration, production and refining, petrochemicals, conventional electric power, water production and treatment.

The decision to establish a new industrial city for energy is in line with the Kingdom's vision 2030 and supports the vital infrastructure of the supply chain in the Kingdom, said Faleh, who is also chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Aramco.

He added that, in terms of national economic impact, this grand project will create thousands of jobs, contribute 6 billion U.S. dollars to the economy per year, and localize new industrial and service facilities that help to innovate, develop and compete globally.

Amin Hassan Al-Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi Aramco, hailed the new city as "a strategic project and a milestone" in localizing energy-related industries and services, attracting foreign investment, creating a number of companies, and stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship."

"This invites us to encourage our partners across the supply chain in the Kingdom and the world to take advantage of trained local laborers and opportunities that will be available there,'' Nasser said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-17 03:32:43|Editor: Yurou Liang

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WINDHOEK, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The Namibia Financial Institutions Union (Nafinu) said Sunday it will sue the SME Bank directors for causing job losses.

The SME Bank is currently under liquidation after the Windhoek High Court ruled Tuesday last week that the institution was insolvent. There were more than 200 workers at the bank owned by the Namibian government and its Zimbabwean partners.

The ruling came after the SME Bank management failed to recover about 200 million Namibian dollars (15 million U.S. dollars) invested with South African financial institutions in 2016.

It also came after the Bank of Namibia and the trade minister failed to convince the government to bail out the SME Bank.

The liquidators served all the workers with dismissal letters Thursday.

According to Nafinu, the problems that caused the bank's closure had nothing to do with the workers but the board and management.

"The board failed miserably in its oversight function and now innocent employees have to pay with their jobs," said the statement signed by Nafinu general secretary Asnath Zamuee.

The statement also said that the union's fight had nothing to do with the liquidators but the government.

"It is extremely unfair that some people are locked up for stealing a cow, while the elite get away with murder. This can't be right," the statement said.

The combative statement declared that the fight has just begun if those responsible for causing the mess at the bank think it is over.

"This country belongs to all of us and some people can't be more powerful than others," the statement said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-17 03:32:44|Editor: yan

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RAMALLAH, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Minster of Foreign Affairs Riad Malki reiterated Sunday the depth of the Palestinian Chinese ties and vowed continued efforts to enhance it in all aspects.

Malki said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua at his office in West Bank city of Ramallah that the visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to China expected in a few days is "a message of friendship and gratitude to the Chinese position in support of the Palestinian cause over the years."

He added that the visit is a genuine message of the depth of the relations between Palestine and China and the importance of enhancing it, and a message of cooperation with regards to all Chinese ideas and international cooperation.

Malki reasserted the Palestinian will to value China's role in the peace process with Israel and in all regional issues.

"We look at the Palestinian-Chinese relation as a special one and we consider it developing over the past years. We appreciate this relation and we thank China for all that it has provided to Palestine over the long years," he said.

He also expressed appreciation to "the Chinese support to our cause, not just through its consistent and solid political position towards the Palestinian cause in all international platforms, but also the Chinese developmental, economic, capacity building of Palestinian National Authority (PNA) personnel, as part of the capacity building of the state of Palestine."

The top Palestinian diplomat highlighted the engagement of a high ranking Palestinian delegation at the Belt and Road Initiative Forum for International Cooperation held last May in Beijing, stressing the longing of the Palestinians to play a role and benefit from the initiative.

Malki also hailed the recent Palestinian-Chinese deal to form a joint ministerial committee with a focus of covering economic aspects between both sides, especially in terms of commerce, alongside continuing the political deliberations between the Palestinian and Chinese governments.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-17 04:02:52|Editor: Liangyu

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Zhang Dejiang (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Polish President Andrzej Duda, in Warsaw, Poland, July 16, 2017. Zhang paid an official friendly visit to Poland from July 12 to 16. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

WARSAW, July 16 (Xinhua) -- China and Poland should seize the new opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative and "China-CEE 16+1 mechanism" to deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation, China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang has said.

Zhang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), paid an official friendly visit to Poland between July 12 and July 16, during which he met with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Beata Szydlo and parliamentary leaders.

During his meeting with Duda, Zhang said that traditional friendship between the two peoples is consolidated. In the past two years, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Duda exchanged visits and the two nations work to build a comprehensive strategic partnership, which opens a new chapter in the Sino-Polish relations, Zhang said.

China, Zhang said, attaches great importance to developing relations with Poland and regards Poland as an important cooperation partner in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the European Union (EU).

The two sides should seize the new opportunities generated by the Belt and Road Initiative and "China-CEE 16+1 mechanism", so as to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of economy, trade and investment, and to forge ahead with bilateral relations, Zhang said.

Duda praised China's development, saying that his country looks forward to deepening cooperation through construction of Belt and Road Initiative projects, strengthening communication and coordination on international issues, safeguarding common interests and continuously enriching the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

The 16+1 mechanism is a platform created in April 2012 by China and 16 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

In his meeting with Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, Zhang mentioned Szydlo's attendance to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in May, during which leaders of the two countries reached a series of new important consensuses on strengthening China-Poland relations.

Both nations, Zhang said, could make use of existing mechanisms and platforms to deepen infrastructure cooperation, improve service of the China-Europe freight trains and expand new areas of cooperation.

Zhang also said China attaches importance to developing relations with the EU and is willing to work with the EU countries, including Poland, to continually promote the relations between China and the EU.

For her part, Szydlo said the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi is of great significance to a more balanced and sustainable development of global economy.

Poland is implementing a new development strategy, and would welcome China's participation in Poland's infrastructure construction and closer cooperation in small- and medium-sized enterprises, she said.

During his stay in Warsaw, Zhang also held talks respectively with his Polish counterparts, Stanislaw Karczewski, Marshall of Polish Senate and Marek Kuchcinski, Speaker of Poland's Sejm (or Lower House of the Polish Parliament).

Zhang made suggestions on strengthening cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries.

He said the legislative bodies should maintain the momentum of friendly exchanges, constantly enhance mutual trust and understanding, and support each other's core interests.

Zhang also called for reinforcing exchanges of experience between the two countries in the area of legislation and supervision, and promoting friendly exchanges in culture, education and tourism.

Karczewski and Kuchcinski agreed that strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the legislative bodies is of great significance to the development of two-way ties.

Polish Senate and Sejm have supported the government to strengthen cooperation with China and are willing to make more efforts in this end.

Zhang and Kuchcinski signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the China's NPC and the Polish Sejm.
Zhang Dejiang (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Polish President Andrzej Duda, in Warsaw, Poland, July 16, 2017. Zhang paid an official friendly visit to Poland from July 12 to 16. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

WARSAW, July 16 (Xinhua) -- China and Poland should seize the new opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative and "China-CEE 16+1 mechanism" to deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation, China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang has said.

Zhang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), paid an official friendly visit to Poland between July 12 and July 16, during which he met with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Beata Szydlo and parliamentary leaders.

During his meeting with Duda, Zhang said that traditional friendship between the two peoples is consolidated. In the past two years, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Duda exchanged visits and the two nations work to build a comprehensive strategic partnership, which opens a new chapter in the Sino-Polish relations, Zhang said.

China, Zhang said, attaches great importance to developing relations with Poland and regards Poland as an important cooperation partner in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the European Union (EU).

The two sides should seize the new opportunities generated by the Belt and Road Initiative and "China-CEE 16+1 mechanism", so as to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of economy, trade and investment, and to forge ahead with bilateral relations, Zhang said.

Duda praised China's development, saying that his country looks forward to deepening cooperation through construction of Belt and Road Initiative projects, strengthening communication and coordination on international issues, safeguarding common interests and continuously enriching the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

The 16+1 mechanism is a platform created in April 2012 by China and 16 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

Zhang Dejiang (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, in Warsaw, Poland, July 13, 2017. Zhang paid an official friendly visit to Poland from July 12 to 16. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

In his meeting with Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, Zhang mentioned Szydlo's attendance to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in May, during which leaders of the two countries reached a series of new important consensuses on strengthening China-Poland relations.

Both nations, Zhang said, could make use of existing mechanisms and platforms to deepen infrastructure cooperation, improve service of the China-Europe freight trains and expand new areas of cooperation.

Zhang also said China attaches importance to developing relations with the EU and is willing to work with the EU countries, including Poland, to continually promote the relations between China and the EU.

For her part, Szydlo said the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi is of great significance to a more balanced and sustainable development of global economy.

Poland is implementing a new development strategy, and would welcome China's participation in Poland's infrastructure construction and closer cooperation in small- and medium-sized enterprises, she said.

During his stay in Warsaw, Zhang also held talks respectively with his Polish counterparts, Stanislaw Karczewski, Marshall of Polish Senate and Marek Kuchcinski, Speaker of Poland's Sejm (or Lower House of the Polish Parliament).

Zhang made suggestions on strengthening cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries.

He said the legislative bodies should maintain the momentum of friendly exchanges, constantly enhance mutual trust and understanding, and support each other's core interests.

Zhang also called for reinforcing exchanges of experience between the two countries in the area of legislation and supervision, and promoting friendly exchanges in culture, education and tourism.

Karczewski and Kuchcinski agreed that strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the legislative bodies is of great significance to the development of two-way ties.

Polish Senate and Sejm have supported the government to strengthen cooperation with China and are willing to make more efforts in this end.

Zhang and Kuchcinski signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the China's NPC and the Polish Sejm.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-17 04:48:48|Editor: yan

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SANAA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi rebels said they fired a barrage of artillery shells on their enemy military bases deep inside the Saudi border city of Jizan on Sunday, the rebels said in a statement in state Saba news agency, which is under their control.

Houthis said they targeted al-Miktaba and Kharshab bases, which are inside Jizan and under control of Saudi army.

"The shelling killed dozens of Saudi enemy soldiers and wounded other scores," Houthis said in the statement.

However, the state Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Sunday shelling from inside Yemen killed a Yemeni expatriate in Jizan.

"A shelling from inside Yemen carried out by Houthi rebels and their allied forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh killed a Yemeni expatriate in al-Harth district in Jizan," SPA quoted a statement by the Saudi civil defense as saying.

Houthi fighters and their allied Saleh's forces have been shelling Saudi border cities since a Saudi-led Arab military coalition forces intervened in the Yemeni conflict more than two years ago to dislodge Houthis in favour of Yemeni exiled but internationally recognized government.

The war pits the Shiite Houthi rebel movement against the Sunni Saudi-led military coalition, after the Houthis toppled Saudi-backed Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in late 2014.

The legitimate government controls the south and some eastern parts, while the Houthi /Saleh alliance controls the other parts including the capital Sanaa.

The UN has sponsored peace talks between the warring factions for several times, but the factions failed to reach a deal to end the civil war, which has already killed more than 10,000 people, half of them civilians, and injured over 35,000 others.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-17 05:03:52|Editor: yan

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ADEN, Yemen, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Banks and exchange companies in Yemen's temporary capital of Aden city will be shutdown from Monday, suspending all financial services in protest of armed robberies and demanding protection from the government security forces.

The managers of more than 12 commercial banks and other financial companies urged the leadership of the country's central bank and the Saudi-backed government forces to provide more protection.

A copy of the letter received by Xinhua Sunday also demanded the security forces in the city to arrest those involved in the armed robberies as a pre-condition to reopen the financial work in the city.

Last week, three people were killed and five others injured when gunmen stormed the National Bank's branch in Aden.

A source close to the province's police chief, said eight masked militants attacked the bank; first four gunmen wearing military uniform broke into the building, then four other gunmen started shooting randomly.

"All eight attackers escaped and three of the bank's security guards were killed while workers were evacuated to a safe place," he added.

"The gunmen armed with silenced weapons opened fire directly on the head of the bank manager who refused to follow the attackers' instructions and open the safe," the source said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the armed robbery attack, but al-Qaida gunmen and other terrorist groups have recently increased their attacks against Yemeni security forces across the country.

The southern port city of Aden is the headquarters of Yemen's internationally-backed President Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government.

Aden witnessed several well-planned assassinations and armed attacks after Saudi-backed forces drove the Shiite Houthi rebels out from the strategic city in July 2015.

Yemen, an impoverished Arab country, has been gripped by one of the most active regional Al-Qaida insurgencies in the Middle East.

The Yemen-based Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), also known locally as "Ansar al-Sharia," emerged in January 2009, and has claimed responsibility for a number of terrorist attacks against Yemen's army and governmental institutions.

The AQAP and the IS-linked terrorists took advantage of the security vacuum and the ongoing civil war to expand their influence and seize more territories in southern Yemen.

Security in Yemen has deteriorated since March 2015, when war broke out between the Shiite Houthi group, supported by former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and government forces backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition.

Over 10,000 people have been killed in ground battles and airstrikes since then, many of them civilians.
Escaped prisoner recaptured

Ali was seen by St Johns Road residents who saw him trying to hide.

They pointed him out to the search team and he was held and taken back to the prison. He is expected to be charged with escaping lawful custody. Prisons Commissioner William Alexander told Newsday on Friday he has asked for a report on the escape.
Malabar double murder suspect to go on ID parade

The two are in police custody the murders of 13 year-old schoolboy Videsh Subar and his caregiver Hafeeza Rose Mohammed.

Their bodies were found at Mohammeds home at Ajim Baksh Street, Malabar on June 28.

The throats of the 13-year-old boy and the 56-year-old woman were slit and they were bound and gagged.

In a statement yesterday, defence attorney Fareed Ali said on day 18 of the investigation, there are five men in custody and no charges have been laid as yet. Ali said a 23 year-old man arrested on Thursday last week was expected to be placed on identification parade.

He also reported that a 35-yearold man, who was arrested and taken into police custody on Friday, was expected to be formally interviewed yesterday.

He said this makes it a total of seven men arrested over 18 days with two released and one more which police are still looking for.

He said he represents four of the five men.

Ali said Homicide members, on Friday, interviewed a 23-yearold who was arrested on Thursday and a 32-year-old re-arrested also on Thursday. He said they have exercised their right to remain silent.

He said, as of yesterday morning, no charges had been laid against the five.

Police, on Friday, said Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard gave advice to charge a 24 year-old man in the case.

On Wednesday one of the men who was arrested and released, 22-year-old Kendall Garcia alias Sausage of Maturita and Valencia, was shot dead during a police exercise in Carapichaima.
Ralph Doyle to join JLSC

Newsday understands the President, in accordance with Section 110(3) of the Constitution has consulted with the prime minister and leader of the opposition on Doyles appointment as a member of the JLSC which is two members short after the sudden resignation of retired Appeal Court judges, Roger Hamel-Smith and Humphrey Stollmeyer.

Hamel-Smith and Stollmeyer tendered their resignations letters to the President on June 22, effective June 30.

A statement from the Office of the President on July 6, announced the resignations while a statement issued the next day gave an explanation for their decision.

Both men were subjects of a vote of no confidence passed by the Law Association on June 1, calling on them to resign as JLSC members for the bungling of the appointment and resignation of former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar, who admitted to leaving behind several part-heard cases on the magisterial docket, but it was later discovered that the number of cases was far greater than what she had initially acknowledged.

She has since said she was forced to resign and has initiated legal action against the JLSC.

The Law Association also called for the resignation of Chief Justice Ivor Archie but he has remained adamant that he will not be doing so anytime soon.

Stollmeyer, in his resignation letter, said he resigned as a member of JLSC as he could no longer continue to inflict the distress of the criticisms and unjustifiable condemnation, associated with holding public office, on his loved ones.

The Office of the President also said Stollmeyer expressed utmost regret and reluctance to resign. The office of the President only said Hamel-Smiths explanation was for reasons personal to me. The statement from the Office of the President also alluded to the difficulty in retaining people to sit on Commissions and Boards, saying there was a reluctance by good, competent, qualified and experience citizens coming forward to serve.

The statement noted that the reluctance was in large measure sometimes due to the vitriol, unfair and unjustifiable criticism levelled against persons brave enough to serve and the resulting hardship and undue distress caused to family members and genuine friends. The remaining JLSC members are head of the Public Service Commission Maureen Manchouck and attorney Ernest H. Koylass, SC.
Late UWI student dreamed of being a doctor and a priest

Last week Saturday, the couple attended a meeting of the Rotaract Club of Mt Hope and accepted the Paul Harris Fellow award on their sons behalf. The award acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name. The family, together with the UWI medical faculty, had raised thousands of dollars towards the eradication of polio, which was Adrians dream.

The couple remembered their extraordinary son during a visit last week to the familys home at Ana Street, Woodbrook. On the wall they had his shirt from medical school with a stethoscope.

His mother recalled when he was five years-old and attending Maria Regina Grade School, Port of Spain, he told her he wanted to be a priest. She told him he was her only child and she wanted grandchildren.

She said they gave their son a good upbringing and he was spiritually grounded and rooted deeply in his faith. She recalled he expressed a profound love for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for his church, St Patricks RC, Newtown where he was an altar server, and for the Bible.

She said he was close to priest Fr Esau Joseph who is also an anaesthetist; her son loved medicine and Joseph was one of his mentors. At a young age he decided he would become a doctor and then a priest later on. Shanti had a receipt he had written ten years ago where he wrote Dr Adrian Pujadas.

From small he knew what he wanted to be. And we always encouraged him. She said he was a contented child and she would buy him a $100 shoe instead of one costing $500 to go to school. When he was about ten years-old he asked for a cellular phone. She sat him down and explained the difference between needs and wants. Adrian responded that the phone was just a want and he could do without it.

She said people would trust him because he was focused and grounded and knew what he was about. He always looked to help people. Shanti recalled when he was small he would ask her how to serve God and she told him service to God is also service to man.

She also instilled in him that every day he met people he should impart something to them whether a smile, a word of wisdom or encouragement.

She recalled a doctors visit in September last year. While in the waiting room, a name was called and a lady in a wheelchair responded but had no one to take her in.

Adrian wheeled the lady, lifted her out of the wheelchair and into a seat and came back for her when the visit was finished. The doctor then came out to tell him about the prescription assuming the woman was his grandmother because of the tender way he treated her. She said this was an example of his caring and compassion which he had for people outside of his family.

Her son, she said, made parenting easy and they were never called into school for misbehaviour or for not doing well in academics. She added they had instilled in him that he should always share knowledge, have good people around you, and never look down at people as we are all Gods children.

In Maria Regina he would help fellow students with their sums during lunch time. At St Marys College he voluntarily gave of his time tutoring fellow students at the Form 6 level and participated in approximately 300 hours of community service while a school prefect over the two-year Form 6 period. At the 2015 CAPE exams he gained distinctions in mathematics, chemistry, biology and Caribbean studies and was awarded a national scholarship (additional) which secured entry to medical school at UWI, Mt Hope.

His father said when Adrian got the scholarship he told him that, apart from being proud of him, you inspire me. It is the father who is supposed to inspire the son, he added.

His son responded that without prayer it would not have been possible.

Adrian took a year off school and spent that time teaching his friends mathematics and other subjects. He started the UWI in September last year and continued his unofficial peer tutoring while also topping his class in the first semester. His mother said in the four months at the UWI he had an amazing impact on fellow students.

Some students were doing so badly they faced the prospect of not being able to continue but Adrian spent time teaching them and overall his class did well.

While attending the UWI he would frequently come home late.

His parents would later learn that it was because he would stay and wait with his friends, both male and female, until they were picked up.

He was such a loving child, his mother said.

His friends once told them that Adrian said he did not know the meaning of the word hate as he had never heard his parents say that.

So much love he had and so much love given, he said.

Also on Sundays he would go to UWI to assist an elderly person who had enrolled and was worried about failing. He would also go to the Mt Hope paediatric ward and read for children and would also make himself available to his father to help his grandparents at short notice.

Wendell said his son would quietly do these things and not tell them. His mother had instilled in him a mantra to do good things in secret and silence. Adrian died on January 20 this year in a vehicular accident which his father said was from a bad drive. His uncle and godfather Dirk, in his eulogy for Adrian, said they learned of the special bonds he built with fellow medical students in the few short months he attended medical school.

Leadership skills were becoming more pronounced, that ability very few of us have to motivate and inspire others to be the best they can be.

The void created by his sudden passing is difficult to comprehend.

The source of relief is that he lived a fulfilled, happy and content life. We really had no idea of the countless people he impacted; your presence today supports that notion. No doubt about it, he was anointed, and would always hold a special place in our hearts. At the UWI, he and his fellow students were working on a pamphlet about diabetes and they planned to dedicate it in his honour.

They held a birthday party for him in June and they had a big celebration.

His mother said she had never celebrated his birthday with a party before but he would receive a party for his 20th. His instructions to her was that there be no old people. Poor thing didnt get to see the birthday, she lamented.

Wendell said they have accepted his death and, through it, he and his wife have become more spiritual.

He quoted the aphorism Its not the years in your life that count. Its the life in your years. His mother said after his death, she spent a month counselling those affected by his death.

I did not shed a tear when he died. Three weeks after, it sink in.

Not seeing him walk through the door and give me a hug and a kiss. Wendell said many other parents had lost children and were grieving and he asked people to spare a thought and pray for them as well.

Adrians mother said they wanted to share their story to show the importance of being involved in your childs life.

Spend time with your children.

Know them. They are all you have in this world. Theyre a part of you.
Moonilal: Is HDC transparent?

This follows his remarks at last weeks UNC Monday Night Forum at Bamboo where he alleged two officials linked to the army investigation into the handling of firearms by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawis children were recipients of high-end public housing under dubious circumstances as a possible inducement.

Housing Minister Randall Mitchell in a response on Wednesday, said HDC allocations are done transparently and he accused Moonilal of misleading the public.

In a media release on Friday, Moonilal said this had brought him, great bemusement and bewilderment. He (Mitchell) defended the process by saying that the units at Victoria Keyes were advertised for sale on the open market and, as such, anyone with the necessary finances could purchase the apartments.

Minister Mitchell clearly misinformed himself as to the transparent nature of the transactions as he studiously ignored a Cabinet note from the Manning administration which stated that HDC units are available only to firsttime home owners. Moonilal alleged the two recipients in question are beneficial owners of properties and so do not qualify for HDC units whether or not it was advertised on the open market.

Minister Mitchell must explain if the hundreds of persons who had previously applied for those units were contacted to give them an opportunity to be part of his so called transparent process. He said thousands of applicants to the HDC, waiting five to 20 years for a unit, may have qualified for the Victoria Keyes units as firsttime homeowners.

Why did the HDC conveniently fail to offer those units to persons in their database who satisfied the Cabinet policy and are property-less? It is remarkable that an ad is placed in the newspapers and six weeks later there are successful applicants with payment plans in place.

The HDC cannot even give emergency shelter in such a record time. Minister Mitchell must take some time to acquaint himself with the rules which govern his Ministry!
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has begun testing a spherical drone about the size of a grapefruit in Japan's Kibo science module at the International Space Station.

Aboard the ISS, astronauts take videos of their work and experiments and send them back to Earth. Preparing for and making the recordings is said take up 10 percent of the astronauts' working hours.

The Int-Ball drone is designed to take over the video-making duties.

With a diameter of 15 cm and 12 small propellers, the Int-Ball can move in any direction and take both still and moving images with a high-resolution camera. The 1-kg drone also employs ultrasonic sensors, an image-based navigation camera and inertial sensors to make accurate movements, JAXA said.
Moroccan authorities handed over to Italian counterparts a stolen 17th century Baroque Italian painting worth up to six million euros.

The painting by Giovanni Francesco, known as Guercino, had been recovered in Morocco after being stolen from a church in the northern Italian city of Modena in 2014.

The Moroccan police returned the painting to Italys ambassador to Morocco during a ceremony organized in Casablanca.

The artwork was found thanks to a wealthy Moroccan businessman and art collector, in Casablanca. The collector immediately recognized the piece and reported the incident to the Moroccan police who informed the Interpol and Italian counterparts.

The painting depicts Madonna with Saints John Evangelist and Gregory the Miracle Worker.

It was painted in 1639 and is valued by art experts at between five and six million euros.

Giovanni Francesco (1591-1666), who was cross-eyed and went by the name Guercino (The Squinter), is known for his naturalist, Caravaggesque style.
Don Jr. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

As shoe after shoe after shoe keeps dropping about the Trump Tower meeting Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort had with a Russian lawyer and other questionable intermediaries, there has been a quiet but significant effort by prominent legal minds to defend, or at least be skeptical of, the whole affair. The thrust of these counterarguments is that the main characters did nothing wrong because the law simply doesnt penalize anything that happened at the meeting.

The defenses run the gamut: The Trump team couldnt have broken campaign-finance laws because seeking and receiving damning materials on a political adversary is what campaigns do all the time, so federal law doesnt apply. Or, if the law does reach what transpired at the meeting, the promised dirt on Hillary Clinton isnt the type of in-kind contribution or thing of value that federal law forbids foreign nationals from making. Or, if the damaging information does count as an illegal campaign contribution from a foreign national, the penalties would only be civil in nature  which means Robert Mueller, the Russia special counsel, cant just prosecute Trump Jr. or his associates over what happened at that fateful June 2016 gathering.

By far the most intriguing of all these defenses is the suggestion, advanced by First Amendment expert and UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh, that Trump Jr. and crew were merely exercising their constitutional right to solicit and receive a campaign boost from Natalia Veselnitskaya, the Kremlin-linked attorney who requested the meeting. And that she may also have been acting within her rights to share the Clinton dirt with Trumps inner circle. As if theres somehow a free-standing, free-speech right to exchange opposition research, no matter the nationality of the source. And the Constitution would suffer if we criminalize these acts.

Volokhs arguments and hypotheticals are thoughtful, compelling even: If the Clinton campaign heard that Mar-a-Lago was employing illegal immigrants in Florida and staffers went down to interview the workers, that would be a crime, he writes as one of his examples. A Slovakian student temporarily in the U.S., he writes in another, would similarly be forbidden from sharing potentially explosive information about Trumps dealings in her home country. These and other scenarios are meant to illustrate how the federal ban on foreign nationals making election-related contributions  including anything of value to a campaign, which would encompass the Clinton dirt  would sweep far too broadly. And when a ban lends itself to such a substantially broad reading, Volokh explains, that means the ban itself is unconstitutional on its face.

But Adav Noti, an attorney with Campaign Legal Center, isnt convinced. His organization filed a complaint on Thursday with the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice alleging that the Trump campaign effectively solicited an illegal campaign contribution by procuring the incriminating Clinton evidence from Veselnitskaya. Noti told me in an interview that most of the hypos Volokh laid out in his article arent covered by the statute because the law already contains an exception for volunteer services to a campaign  information that is offered voluntarily and that you otherwise cant ascribe value to.

But opposition research by a person flying in from Moscow at no cost to the campaign that the campaign actively sought can indeed be very valuable. And, if its part of a larger, coordinated effort by a foreign power to sway an American election, a scheme to obtain it would be largely distinguishable from, say, undocumented workers dishing to the Clinton camp for free on shoddy working conditions at a Trump property.

Bob Bauer, an election-law expert who has written extensively on the campaign-finance implications of Trumps flirtations with Russia, acknowledged in a Friday post on the blog Just Security how the federal ban on foreign-national contributions might run into First Amendment problems if the right facts come along. But were not dealing with those facts right now. In his view, everything that has come out from the Trump campaign vis-a-vis Russia is an entirely different animal. A court would likely go out of its way to uphold the law in a case where, as alleged against the Trump campaign, a candidate and his organization enters into a systematic understanding with a foreign government to assist its bid to win the presidency, Bauer wrote.

In other words, what weve seen so far in the recent onslaught of revelations about Trump Jr. and his wish to get an assist from Russia is analogous to the kind of conduct that courts have already said falls outside the scope of the First Amendment. In Bluman v. FEC, a case Noti litigated and won, a three-judge district court reaffirmed the principle that prohibiting foreign nationals from spending money in the electoral process is perfectly consistent with our constitutional ideals. The court said:

It is fundamental to the definition of our national political community that foreign citizens do not have a constitutional right to participate in, and thus may be excluded from, activities of democratic self-government. It follows, therefore, that the United States has a compelling interest for purposes of First Amendment analysis in limiting the participation of foreign citizens in activities of American democratic self-government, and in thereby preventing foreign influence over the U.S. political process.

That was written by U.S. Circuit Judge Brett Kavanaugh, a conservative the Trump administration has been eyeing for a promotion to the Supreme Court. The high court, for its part, didnt even bother hearing an appeal over the case; it just affirmed the ruling summarily with no dissenting opinions. All of which suggests that other judges would follow suit if presented with the Trump Tower scenario: a meeting where no actual money may have changed hands, but where something more nefarious, coordinated, and potentially criminal may have taken place. Theres yet more to come.

Courts have a way of salvaging perfectly constitutional laws if they have to, limiting their analysis to the specific fact patterns before them. Since the documented Russian connections to the Trump campaign is unlike anything this country has seen, its easy to see how the First Amendment wouldnt stand as an obstacle if it were shown that there was a coordinated attempt to strike at the core of American self-government.
Donald Jr. taking an elevator in Trump Tower shortly after his father won the presidential election. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

One of President Trumps lawyers, Jay Sekulow, has suggested that the U.S. Secret Service is to blame if Donald Trump Jr. was able to meet with anyone connected to the Russian government at a now-infamous meeting in the middle of last years presidential campaign  despite the fact that Trump Jr. wasnt yet under the agencys protection.

Last week, Trump Jr. admitted that he took the June 9, 2016 meeting in Trump Tower after being promised dirt on Hillary Clinton  dirt which he was told originated with the Russian government. But despite his admission, Trump Jr. and the White House have insisted that no one was trying to collude with Russia and nothing ultimately came of the meeting. Appearing on ABCs This Week on Sunday, Sekulow additionally tried to downplay suspicions about who attended by reasoning that If this was nefarious, whyd the Secret Service allow these people in?

Responding to Sekulows comments, the Secret Service said on Sunday that Trump Jr. was not even under their protection at that point in the campaign, so they didnt vet the meeting. We would not have screened anyone he was meeting with at that time, an agency spokesperson announced.

Sunday morning wasnt the first time Sekulow threw shade at the Secret Service this weekend; he made similar comments Friday night on CNN during an interview with Anderson Cooper. Referring to one of the meetings attendees, Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, who was labeled a Russian government lawyer in the original meeting pitch to Trump Jr., Sekulow asked Cooper, How in the world did the Secret Service allow her into a meeting at that point that took place with campaign officials if she was actually a government operative? Why would the Secret Service have allowed that?

Of course, even if they had been protecting Donald Jr., its not the Secret Services job to babysit the presidents adult son, make sure he doesnt hold nefarious meetings, or prevent him from violating U.S. election laws. The Secret Services job is to make sure that the attendees of those meetings arent able to physically harm the people they are protecting. Trumps attorney, however, seems to think the agency should also be investigating whether or not representatives of the Russian government, with whom members of Trumps inner circle agreed to meet, are indeed affiliated with the Russian government.

(As of Friday, at least eight people are reported to have attended the meeting, including a former Russian counterintelligence officer.)

After politicizing the Secret Service on Sundays This Week, Sekulow also worked to frame Trump Jr.s get-together as perfectly legal, characterizing the meeting as more process  whatever thats supposed to mean. Sekulow covered this ground in his CNN interview on Friday as well, asking Anderson Cooper, What statute is being violated here? Then, though the attorney acknowledged Trump Jr.s meeting was interesting, and I understand why youre covering it, he claimed that the meeting itself is not a violation of the law.

Across six television appearances over the weekend, Sekulow reiterated, as the White House has maintained, that President Trump was not aware of the meeting  which was also attended by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and thencampaign chair Paul Manafort  until recently. Sekulow also denied that Trump played a role in Trump Jr.s original, hilariously false statement about the meeting, insisting a lot of people meet with Russian people and additionally implying the whole meeting may have been a setup as other Trump attorneys have claimed.

Its not yet clear whether any laws were actually broken during, or as a result of, the Trump Jr. meeting, but almost every new detail that comes to light makes the meeting seem more and more suspicious. Until all the facts are known, no amount of lawyerly spin is going to clear that smoke.

This post has been updated throughout to reflect the Secret Services statement on the matter.
Senator John McCains sudden need for health care may have doomed the aboves sudden plans for a vote on the GOP health-care bill. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on Saturday night that he is delaying the attempted vote on the Senate GOPs bill to repeal and replace Obamacare while Senator John McCain, an essential vote for the bill, recovers from brain surgery. The 80-year-old senators minimally invasive craniotomy, which was suddenly needed on Friday to remove a blood clot above McCains left eye that doctors found during a routine physical, was successfully performed at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. As a result, McCain will remain home with his family in Arizona to recover over the next week. Without McCain in Washington, McConnell only has a possible 49 of the 50 votes he needs to proceed on the latest incarnation of the partys embattled Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), which aims to dismantle and sort of replace the Affordable Care Act. Said McConnell in a statement on Saturday, While John is recovering, the Senate will continue our work on legislative items and nominations, and will defer consideration of the Better Care Act. Both McConnell and the White House had claimed that a vote on the bill was planned for this week.

Even with McCain around, however, it was far from guaranteed that McConnell and the other Senate GOP leaders would have been able to bring the BCRA to a vote. No Democrats or independents in the Senate support the bill, and two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky, have said they will not vote to allow debate to begin on the bill. That means 50 senators oppose the bill, and McConnell would need every other Republican (plus Vice-President Pence as a tiebreaker) to move forward procedurally. That already seemed unlikely thanks to the widely criticized bills massive (and deserved) unpopularity and the fact that there are already additional Republican senators who are skeptical of the legislation  at least until McConnell tries to buy them off.

Its doubtful the longer wait is good for the bills chances. Opponents of the BCRA continue to make their voices heard, and the Congressional Budget Office may now get another week to score the bills divisive Cruz amendment. (A score of the latest version of the bill without the Cruz amendment is expected as soon as Monday.) CBO scores on earlier iterations of the GOPs health-care plans have indicated that those bills would leave tens of millions of Americans without health insurance. Given those terrible scores, neither McConnell nor the Trump administration wants to rely on the CBO, so theyve been rushing to come up with alternative, partisan scoring methods, which would produce more supportive results. If the Cruz amendment gets panned by the CBO and that score lands before McCain returns, it may mean the end for the latest  or any  version of the McConnell-crafted plan.

This post has been updated to reflect more detail and context regarding the upcoming CBO scores of the GOP health-care bill.
In todays increasingly powerful electronics, tiny materials are a must as manufacturers seek to increase performance without adding bulk. Smaller is also better for optoelectronic deviceslike camera sensors or solar cellswhich collect light and convert it to electrical energy.

This image shows the different layers of the nanoscale photodetector, including germanium (red) in between layers of gold or aluminum (yellow) and aluminum oxide (purple). The bottom layer is a silver substrate. (Credit: U. Buffalo)

(Click to enlarge)

Think, for example, about reducing the size and weight of a series of solar panels, producing a higher-quality photo in low lighting conditions, or even transmitting data more quickly.

However, two major challenges have stood in the way: First, shrinking the size of conventionally used amorphous thin-film materials also reduces their quality. And second, when ultrathin materials become too thin, they are almost transparentand actually lose some ability to gather or absorb light.

The new nanoscale light detector, a single-crystalline germanium nanomembrane photodetector on a nanocavity substrate, could overcome both of these obstacles. Related: Russian Energy Minister: No Additional Output Cuts Are Needed

Weve created an exceptionally small and extraordinarily powerful device that converts light into energy, says Qiaoqiang Gan, associate professor of electrical engineering in the University at Buffalos School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and one of the papers lead authors. The potential applications are exciting because it could be used to produce everything from more efficient solar panels to more powerful optical fibers.

The idea, basically, is you want to use a very thin material to realize the same function of devices in which you need to use a very thick material, says Zhenqiang (Jack) Ma, professor in electrical and computer engineering at University of Wisconsin-Madison, also a lead author.

Nanocavities are made up of an orderly series of tiny, interconnected molecules that essentially reflect, or circulate, light.

The new device is an advancement of Gans work developing nanocavities that increase the amount of light that thin semiconducting materials like germanium can absorb. It consists of nanocavities sandwiched between a top layer of ultrathin single-crystal germanium and a bottom, reflecting layer of silver.

Because of the nanocavities, the photons are recycled so light absorption is substantially increasedeven in very thin layers of material, says Ma.

However, most germanium thin films begin as germanium in its amorphous formmeaning that the materials atomic arrangement lacks the regular, repeating order of a crystal. That also means that its quality isnt sufficient for increasingly smaller optoelectronics applications.

An expert in semiconductor nanomembrane devices, Ma used a revolutionary membrane-transfer technology that allows him to easily integrate single crystalline semiconducting materials onto a substrate.

The result is a very thin, yet very effective light-absorbing photodetectora building block for the future of optoelectronics. Related: Halliburton Sees Oil Price Spike By 2020

It is an enabling technology that allows you to look at a wide variety of optoelectronics that can go to even smaller footprints, smaller sizes, says Zongfu Yu, who conducted its computational analysis for the project.

While the researchers demonstrated their advance using a germanium semiconductor, they can also apply their method to other semiconductors. And importantly, by tuning the nanocavity, we can control what wavelength we actually absorb, says Gan. This will open the way to develop lots of different optoelectronic devices.

The researchers are applying jointly for a patent on the technology through the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

A paper describing the research appears in the journal Science Advances. Additional coauthors of the paper are from the University at Buffalo, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Yale University. The National Science Foundation partially supported this research.



By Futurity

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A week after Tesla announced it had won a tender for the installation of the worlds biggest battery storage system in Australia, Siemens and AES launched a joint venture that focuses exclusively on battery storage systems. The first comments from observers suggest that this joint venture, called Fluence, could turn into stiff competition for Tesla, and there are facts to support this suggestion.

Tesla has 300 MW worth of battery-powered storage systems across 18 countries. AES and Siemens boast a combined 463 MW of such projects across 13 countries. Tesla has a gigafactory and plans to build three more. AES has a decade of experience in energy storage systems, and Siemens has more than a century of experience in all things energy technology as well as an established presence in over 160 countries around the world.

It certainly looks like the energy storage sector just got a lot more exciting. Bloombergs Brian Eckhouse quotes AES chief executive, Andres Gluski, as saying that energy storage is the holy grail for renewables. Gluski is certainly right: the biggest hurdle for the wider adoption of renewable energy in the past has been the lack of reliable energy storage capacity that would solve the pesky intermittency challenge that is inherent in solar and wind power generation.

With battery-based storage, renewable energy will receive a major boost; theres hardly any doubt about it. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, while there was 4 GW of battery-based storage capacity installed by the end of 2016, it is estimated to reach 45 GW by 2024.

There are three drivers to this increased adoption: reliability, sustainability, and affordability, as expressed by Siemens head of energy for the U.S. and Canada. This is what led Siemens and AES to join their forces, in fact, or, as Gluski put it to Green Tech Media, We have to massify this product to continue to bring down costs. On long-duration systems, we think we're the most competitive in the market, but we'll be even more competitive if were even larger.

Given the experience, reputation, and international presence of the Fluence partners, the company could indeed become a serious challenge for Tesla, and its not going to be the last one. Related: Halliburton Sees Oil Price Spike By 2020

New markets in high-growth industries tend to be very attractive, and while they start with a couple or a few solid players, in just a few years they usually see an influx of newcomers. This is what happened in the 3D printing space not so long ago: with patents expiring and open-source innovation rife, the industry that many believe will change the world is now crowded.

Battery-based storage systems have their own world-changing potential, including significantly reducing the use of oil and gas for power generation. For now, Tesla, AES and Siemens, as well as any smaller storage system developers, have enough space to compete without stepping on each others toes. How long this will continue depends on how quickly other players start to consolidate or how quickly they come up with systems that are reliable and cheap enough to compete with the BatteryPack and the combination of AES Advancion and Siemens Siestorage platforms. In any case, energy consumers will be winners. The oil and gas industry, however, might have a problem on its hands, particularly those in it that rely on gas for power generation to stay in business.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The UK-based Premier Oil, along with its partners Talos Energy and the Mexico City-based Sierra Oil & Gas, announced a potentially huge new oil discovery off the Mexican coast last Wednesday. Premier said the Zama-1 well is a world class discovery.

Premier said the initial results suggest the well holds in excess of 1 billion barrels, although the field could extend into a neighboring block. The well contains light oil and some associated natural gas.

We have encountered a very substantial oil bearing interval which indicates over 1 billion barrels of oil in place, a commercial standalone development which adds materially to Premiers portfolio of assets worldwide. It is particularly pleasing that our strategy of focusing our exploration portfolio on high impact opportunities in proven but under-drilled basins has led to this world class discovery with our first well in Mexico, Premiers CEO Tony Durrant said in a statement.

For Premier, the discovery couldnt have come at a better time. The company also slashed its spending plans for 2017 amid rising debt levels. Premier has spent the past year, according to the FT, wrangling with lenders and bondholders in an effort to stretch out its increasingly painful debt payments. Its new refinancing package will extend maturing debts through 2021, loosening the noose around the companys neck.

The discovery might reverse the companys fortunes; its stock price shot up by 30 percent in the days following the announcement. Wood Mackenzie says the Zama-1 well is the 15th largest shallow water oil discovery in the past two decades.

But the discovery has even larger ramifications for Mexico as a whole. Mexico has struggled with declining oil production for years, and the historic energy reforms passed in 2013 were aimed at halting that decline. The liberalization of Mexicos energy sector ended seven decades of state-owned monopoly, opening up Mexicos offshore to international investment. Related: IEA: Market Shows Waning Confidence In Oil Rebalancing

The auctions started off slowly, with only mild interest. But things have picked up more recently. In December 2016, Mexico pulled off a successful auction of deepwater blocks, attracting the oil majors with some appetizing prospects.

After that auction, Italian oil giant Eni drilled a successful exploration well in Mexicos shallow water, discovering much more oil than was anticipated. The tract was previously explored by Mexicos state-owned Pemex, so while there was generally thought to be oil in place, Eni announced in March 2017 that it thinks the area holds much more oil than anyone thought.

That was the first inclination that not only did Mexicos deepwater offer a lot of potential, but perhaps its shallow water did as well.

Success tends to breed success. The good results from the December auction, followed up by Enis discovery, created much more hype around a June auction for shallow water tracts than otherwise would have been the case. The June auction exceeded expectations, with 10 of 15 blocks awarded. Several large international oil companies, including Shell, Eni, Total and Russias Lukoil were awarded drilling rights.

The latest discovery from Premier will add further momentum to Mexicos energy reform efforts. It now appears that Mexico is a top global destination for oil exploration, and the rush is on. Related: The Technical Failure That Could Clear The Oil Glut In A Matter Of Weeks

Politically, the energy reform is still complicated and highly controversial. The Mexican government promised that ended state monopoly would translate to benefits for the populace, but there are few tangible gains for the Mexican people at this point. To people who know the industry, its very good news that there is more oil than we expected, Jorge Pinon, a former oil executive and currently a professor at the University of Texas, Austin, told the WSJ. But from the point of view of the guy on the street, as far as hes concerned, the reform hasnt given him any benefits so far.

But the discovery could bolster the governments case. President Enrique Pena Nieto hinged his legacy on the energy reform, and at this point he is very unpopular. One of the frontrunners for next years presidential election, the leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has threatened to roll back the energy liberalization.

Each new discovery, however, will make Mexicos energy reform much more difficult to undo. Premier Oils discovery is the most important achievement so far of Mexicos energy reform, Pablo Medina, an analyst with Wood Mackenzie, told the WSJ.

By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com

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Offshore gas developments in the East Mediterranean region are heating up. Alongside increased exploration efforts and a possible gas pipeline deal between Turkey and Israel, geopolitical risks are increasing too. While commercial prospects are starting to look good for all parties, a real military conflict is also brewing and may come to a head if Cyprus, Greece and Turkey are not able to find a solution soon.

Optimism has been high of late about the prospects of offshore Cyprus gas developments, not only due to the increased interest and agreements reached by Nicosia and several international partners, but also based on a possible Cyprus reunification success. However, the latest development has once again proved to be in vain, as the two main stakeholders, Greek Cyprus and Turkish Cyprus, were again not able to find a solution to solve the dispute. Both sides still accuse each other of being unwilling to reach a final solution. This continuing military standoff could threaten the ongoing offshore oil and gas exploration projects of French oil major Total and Italian major ENI. The oil majors have stated that they will start their offshore drilling operations at Block 11 on July 16.

Ankaras reaction has been very firm, condemning these operations while threatening to take all necessary measures. At present, Turkey has sent a frigate, TCG Gokceada, to the area, with as its sole purpose to monitor the West Capella, the drilling vessel used to drill on Block 11. The West Capella already arrived in Cypriot waters, and is going through a trial and control work program. When given the green light, the vessel will start drilling in 700 meters water depth. The work is expected to last about two to three months and the first results are expected to be announced this autumn. Analysts expect that the drilling operation will be a success, as Block 11 is close to immense offshore gas discovery Zohr in Egypt.

Due to the offshore drilling activities, Cyprus has closed five miles around the Block 11 and two neighboring blocks to sea traffic. Ankara sees this as a direct confrontation, as it has always stated that all the resources of the (whole) island belong to both communities (Greek and Turkish Cypriots). In a reaction to the Turkish press, officials stated that all resources (gas) should be shared between these two communities. During the 22nd World Petroleum Congress, currently held in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an said "our expectation from those who are party to developments in Cyprus is to avoid the steps leading to new tensions in the region. I would like to remind them that they could face the risk of losing a friend like Turkey, not just in the region, but anywhere and in any field," Erdo?an warned. Related: Oil Markets Pessimistic Despite Bullish News

Turkey at present is not sitting still either. In a reaction to the Cypriot drilling operation, Turkey has already sent the Barbaros Hayrettin Pa?a seismic research vessel to conduct drilling. Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak has said that Turkey will begin drilling in the Mediterranean by purchasing its own ship this year. Several other Turkish navy vessels have already been controlling part of the disputed areas.

Until now, the Cypriot gas developments have been directly linked to the ongoing Israeli offshore gas projects. In June, Greece, Cyprus and Israel, discussed plans for an ambitious underwater natural gas pipeline. Which, according to officials, would carry natural gas from Israeli and Cypriot reserves in the eastern Mediterranean to Europe. The pipeline would be over 2,000 kilometers in length and is expected to cost over $6 billion dollars. The so-called East-Med pipeline would be among the worlds longest. Israel at that point, as indicated by Israeli PM Benyamin Netanyahu, was still backing the plans. This strategic integration of Cyprus-Israel-Greece/EU and even Egypt, is now under threat. During a visit this week of Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz to Turkey, both countries have decided to speed up an intergovernmental agreement on the construction of a subsea pipeline between Israel and Turkey. Turkish Energy Minister Berat Albayrak is set to visit Israel by the end of this year to conclude this.

Main gas supplies should come from Israels Leviathan natural gas field (613 bcm of gas and 39.4 million barrels of condensates). Tel Aviv is still searching for additional partners to make it economically feasible. "We want to build a pipeline stretching from Israel to Turkey in order to able to export natural gas from Israel to Turkey," Steinitz said, adding that the Israeli gas could be delivered to Europe and to the Balkans through Turkey. The Israeli ideas are clear, but will be in conflict with the other East Mediterranean developments.

The Israeli overture with Ankara could lead to a breakdown of the Israel-Greek-Cyprus and Egypt options, as all the others are not very interested or even vehemently opposed to a possible cooperation with Ankara. Tel Aviv could be (until proven wrong) stepping into a quagmire that could increase the instability in the region substantially. Choosing the Turkish side, Israel is putting a bomb under the other European focused strategy of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt.

The Turkish implicit threats to the Cypriot offshore developments has also been met by a harsh reaction from Athens. Greece officially has stated that the Turkish countermeasures to Cyprus Block 1 developments will be met by Greece, as it is ready to defend its sovereign rights. The latter is another sign of growing tensions between the two NATO allies. The Greek support is needed for Cyprus, but Nicosia has also received the support already from Washington and the European Commission. Brussels has openly stated that Ankara should refrain from making threats against EU member states. In a reaction, Yorgos Lakkotrypis, Cypriot Minister of Energy, stated in May that his country will continue its project of developing offshore gas, keeping this dossier completely separate from the negotiations for the reunification of the island. The latter, shown by the failure of the Cyprus reunification talks, has not been possible according to Ankara. Greek Premier Alexis Tsipras has also reacted to the implicit threats by Ankara. The Greek PM said that the latest developments were not making Athens particularly happy. Related: Significant Draw In Crude Inventories Jolts Oil Prices

A possible escalation between the parties is a real possibility. Over the last months, EU sources and NATO have indicated that Turkey has been violating Greek airspace on a regular basis. Navy vessels have also been crossing into national waters. The latter, when showing a real military intent in Cypriot waters could lead to a military confrontation, as Greece and Cyprus since 1993 have set up their Defence Doctrine of the Single Area, which aims to deter or jointly react to an aggression by another country.

The main unknown in this brewing conflict is the position that Egypt will take. Cairo has been one of the main potential suppliers of natural gas to Ankara, but politics have blocked a potential deal until now. Turkeys ongoing support of Qatar, while implicitly supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and other groups, has caused anger in Egypt. If a potential conflict would escalate in the East Mediterranean, Turkey will have to assess a possible Egyptian involvement too.

Offshore security issues have already been recognized by Israel it seems. Israels Defense Ministry announced that it has signed a $420 million deal to outfit the Israeli Navy with maritime systems to protect the countrys gas fields and shipping lanes. This deal is in addition to Israels existing purchase of 4 Saar-6 warships, which are going to be used to guard Israels economic waters in the Mediterranean Sea. The new deal entails missile defense batteries, electronic warfare, navigation systems, command and control centers, communication gear and other naval systems. The procurement is largely done with local Israeli companies. The ministry stated that the deal is a substantial milestone in the multi-year plan to protect Israels gas fields.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

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The blog ad industry has blackballed me and all of my websites because of my political views, so I can no longer support this site through ads. Accordingly, I have posted

my resume

for prospective employers to view.
JIT recommended reopening of five cases against Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: The joint investigation team (JIT) looking into the Panama Papers case has recommended reopening five cases decided by the Lahore High Court (LHC), eight investigations and two inquiries against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.



Of these 15 cases, three were registered during the 1994 and 2011 tenures of the PPP and 12 were prepared during the Musharraf regime, soon after Gen Musharraf toppled the Sharif government in the October 1999 military coup.



The case regarding the Sharif familys four London apartments was also among the eight investigations started by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December 1999.



In its April 20 verdict, the Supreme Court asked a JIT to investigate the money trail for the London flats. The courts other 12 questions were related to the sale and purchase of the Gulf Steel Mill, the Qatari letter, offshore companies and other matters.



The court had allowed the team, which consisted of two officials from military-led intelligence agencies and an official each from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), NAB, the State Bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, to consider the records already available with NAB and the FIA that may help the investigators.



In addition to the 18-year-old investigation into the London properties, the JIT also recommended reviving cases such as three NAB references and two FIA cases that were quashed by the LHC. The JIT even found anomalies in the cases quashed by the high court.



While discussing the quashing of an FIR registered against Mr Shairf in 1994 regarding wrongful gain by Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif through obtaining loan for Hudabiya Engineering Pvt. Ltd by opening fake and fictitious accounts, the JIT report states: Lahore High Court only discussed the jurisdiction of the FIA regarding conducting investigationquestion regarding existence of the individuals in [whose] name fake accounts were opened was not adequately addressed.



The report also noted that these cases have also been quashed without conducting a proper trial and without giving evidence a chance to come on record.



The JIT also recommended reopening another case the FIA registered the same year of the same nature/ The report pointed out that the LHA had quashed a NAB reference filed against Mr Sharif and Saifur Rehman related to the purchase of a helicopter, allegedly through unfair means, and said it was a case of further investigation.



Discussing the LHC verdict on the Hudabiya Paper Mills reference, the team opined: It was very well investigated reference which could not get a chance to go under trial and was quashed mere on technical grounds.



It went on to say: The investigation has clearly established the accounts and annexed the relevant evidences along with the reference which could not have over shadowed/thrown out mere on technical deficiencies in the investigation process.



Regarding the Sharif familys assets reference quashed by the LHC in 2014, the JIT insisted that there was strong evidence against the accused individuals. The team recommended that the SC direct NAB to appeal the acquittal of the Sharif family in these cases.



The JIT also recommended that NAB be directed to complete its investigation into the London properties.



The report stated: The properties highlighted in this investigation are in fact the same on the basis of which primarily, the Honorable Supreme Court took cognizance of the Panama case and made a JIT on the matter.



The JIT also recommended that the SC resume investigations against the prime minister for recruiting 42 employees in the FIA in the late 90s, the forced acquisition of land in and around Raiwind, the construction of a road to Raiwind, receiving funds for the Sharif Trust, assets beyond known sources of income and illegal plot allotments.
Prime minister must step down: Bilawal Bhutto

KARACHI: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday reiterated his party's stance that the PPP "has always supported democracy", but demanded that the prime minister must step down. "Accountability is part of democracy. We always supported democracy, not inds.believe in superiority of parliament & Rule of law. NS must go," tweeted Bilawal on Saturday. Bilawal in a statement said that "Go Nawaz Go" rallies in Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan planned by his party were just the beginning.



According to a statement issued by the PPP, Bilawal appreciated the party leaders and workers from southern Punjab "for launching the salvo against Nawaz Sharif and his coterie who have caused immense damage to the image of democracy and democratic credentials".



"Nawaz and company have proved that politicians grown and groomed in dictator's laps had joined politics for their ulterior motives instead of serving the nation and the country," he said.



Bilawal said that resignation was the only way out for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and asked him to stop weighing in other options of confrontations with the institutions to save his financial crimes and mega corruptions.



"Is it not this shocking that each family member of Nawaz Sharif fattened their assets by an average of 16.6 during a single and his second year 1991/92-1992/93 in the Prime Minister House as per the Panama JIT findings," the statement quoted the PPP chairman as saying.



He said Nawaz Sharif had himself promised that he would step down if any evidence comes out against him, but now he was reluctant to do so when a box full of evidence had been made available.



He said that the PPP workers would not stop "Go Nawaz Go" sloganeering and rallies across the country until Nawaz Sharif was forced to resign by the people of Pakistan.



The PPP chairman appealed to his party and the masses to hold rallies in each district headquarters and tell the "outgoing prime minister" that 200 million Pakistanis were up in protest against him and wanted him to leave office immediately.



Earlier, senior PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that his party would ensure that democracy was not harmed. He further said that the PML-N did not need to worry about the democratic process being halted, saying, "We are here for saving democracy."



"We and the people of Pakistan are the guardians of democracy," he said.



On Wednesday, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman while rebutting reports that the two parties were in contact had said that "it is true that we try to protect the system... but right now the system is under threat from the government".



On the other hand, opposition leader in the National Assembly, Syed Khurshid Shah said that Nawaz Sharif's decision of not resigning in the wake of Panama Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report posed grave threat to democratic polity.



"When democratic system was under threat from dharna (protests) back in 2014, we stood by the prime minister to save the system, but PM Sharif is threat to it now," Shah said.



Responding to JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman's statement, he said, "We supported the primer minister back then for the sake of democracy and now demand his resignation in the best interest of the system."



The JUI-F chief had urged the PM to stand his ground on the resignation demand and was critical of the opposition leader for pressing the PM to step down.



Since the release of the damning report of the JIT about the Sharif family's businesses, the clamour for his resignation has grown louder.
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...
Interested in Charcoal Briquette with shipping in Greece. The price per ton.
We are a company that is trading with biofuels. Acutally we are looking for a new supplier of woodpellets. Please let us know the latest price for 8mm woodpellets, din+ quality, packed in small bags of 15kg (100-150T/montly), the price should include the delivery to Handewitt/Germany (FCA and DDU terms). At first we will need tree trucks.
Queensbury Supervisor John Strough suggested his Republican challenger Rachel Seeber is evading committing to the principles of the Womens Equality Party by conducting a write in primary for the ballot line instead of the partys endorsement process.

Seeber, however, said she did not seek the partys endorsement because the party, established in 2014, does not yet have a local committee established.

Seeber, a Republican, on Thursday filed an Opportunity to Ballot petition to conduct a write in primary for the Womens Equality Party ballot line.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's campaign and others established the liberal third party in 2014.

The petition enables registered Womens Equality Party members to write in anyones name, not just Seebers, on the Sept. 12 primary ballot.

New York election law allows candidates to run on multiple party lines in the general election, but the party has the right to refuse the validation of nominating petitions for a candidate not enrolled in the party.

The opportunity to ballot petition usually is a tactic to get on the ballot against the partys wishes, but Seeber said that was not the case, in this instance.

As I was going around and talking about my candidacy, I met some young women who asked me about the Womens Equality line, and they thought I would be the best candidate, Seeber said, in a statement issued Friday. There is not a local Warren County committee to seek the Womens Equality Party endorsement.

Seeber said all six registered Womens Equality Party members in Queensbury signed her opportunity to ballot petition.

Strough, a Democrat, accused Seeber of evading taking a position on the ten core Womens Equality Party positions regarding equal pay, abortion rights, and non-discrimination.

As opposed to seeking the Womens Equality Party official endorsement, this underhanded strategic approach enabled her to evade signing the Womens Equality Partys require pledge to support their issues, Strough said in a statement issued Friday.

(Click here to read the partys 10 core issues.)

Seeber, in response, reiterated that all six of the registered Womens Equality Party members in Queensbury signed her opportunity to ballot petition.

Theres nothing underhanded about that, she said. I went out and talked to them, told them about me and why I was running, and they signed my petition.
The story that I wrote for Sunday about Greg "Bottle Bob" Burdo started with a call to our newsroom by someone who stumbled across his camp a few months ago.

The man said he at first thought several people lived there, based on the size of the camp. He didn't go all the way into the woods to see who was living there, but wondered if we had heard about it.

Over the years we have heard rumors of Burdo living where he is living in Queensbury. I always thought it was a seasonal drifter who lived there occasionally, and no one seemed to raise any issues about it, from what I heard.

After getting the call, I remembered that Warren County SPCA President Jim Fitzgerald had spoken a few years ago at a meeting I covered about a feral cat problem in this area. So I called him and asked if he knew about a homeless camp in the woods in this area.

"Yeah, that's Bottle Bob," he replied. "He's been back there for years. I can take you in there if you want to meet him."

So a few days later, on a rainy April morning, Fitzgerald met me at one of the entrances to Burdo's woods. We were about halfway in, and Burdo met us on the way in as Fitzgerald called to him.

He was not happy. That first meeting did not go well, I was pretty sure it would end with Burdo attacking me. So we left, but he had calmed down a bit before we left and I asked if I could come back to see him again. I told him I wasn't writing anything right away. He said okay.

The next time back, he was combative at first. But we talked about local high school sports, which he loves, and he told me stories of his glory days. He was warming up to me.

The Army veteran also told me some graphic details about his days in Vietnam, experiences that would affect even the most hardened person, let alone a teenager from small-town New York thrust into a war thousands of miles away.

I was amazed at the life he was living and the camp he had created, and as I did some background checking about him, I was finding that police, fire officials and others knew he was living where he lives, despite years of offers of help for him and his cats.

His big concern was that we not say where he was living. And I honored that promise to him, though many already knew he was in the woods.

He has plenty of clothes, supplies, food for him and his cats, and seems to be a skilled Dumpster diver, showing off a big garbage bag filled with kids clothes he found at one point, which he said he planned to donate.

I told him, as did Fitzgerald and Warren County sheriff's Lt. Steve Stockdale during joint visits, that there are plenty of people who could help him, get him into an apartment and out of the elements.

"I don't need help!" was his standard answer.

During a visit a week or so ago, he was angry with me. What was he to gain by talking to me? He asked. I told him that I found his life fascinating, and that I thought the public would too. He agreed. He is one of the most intelligent people I have met in years. Even living in the woods with no electricity, TV or cellphone, he is more informed about world and local events than the vast majority of people I deal with every day.

We had a number of debates in the newsroom about how to handle Burdo's story. I became quite enamored of him and sympathetic toward him, and was worried about what could happen if/when we wrote about him. But his story was so unusual, and that there was a good possibility the ramifications would be only positive for him, that it was a story that should be told.

One editor thought we were doing readers a disservice by not reporting his location, that it was a big part of the story.

I thought, as did others, that just explaining he was in the business district of Queensbury was enough information to show the incredible life he was living, in the woods amid sprawl for decades.

Since the story was published Sunday morning, I have gotten a dozen or so inquiries from people who want to help Burdo and his cats. I replied that he repeatedly told me he didn't want help, but that I would check with him the next day or so to see what his reaction was to the article, or bring him a copy if he hadn't seen it.

I don't know what his reaction will be. It may not be good, but I think that our readers needed to know that a homeless man who lived his life in woods within earshot of the busiest parts of Queensbury was in our community, under all of our noses for decades.

-- Don Lehman
BOLTON LANDING  On April 15, Ed Sheridan left St. Jean Pied de Port in the French Pyrenees by foot, carrying an 18-pound pack and a guidebook in his pocket. About one million steps and 41 days later, he arrived in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, near the grand cathedral and just a bus ride over from Cape Fisterra, the legendary place of magical powers also known as the end of the world.

Spring is the best time of year, and in May, everything is fresh and green and growing, he said Thursday morning at his Bolton Landing home. I walked every inch of the trail.

Sheridan, who owned Franks Snack Bar in Bolton Landing for 20 years, walked in the steps of the millions of pilgrims who went before him over thousands of years on his quest to complete the 500-mile journey from France to Spain on the trail famously known as the el Camino de Santiago or St. James Way.

Its hard to explain why I wanted to do it, Sheridan, 72, said. I couldnt come up with an answer and I was hoping when I finished I could answer that, but I cant.

For Sheridan and others who embark on such distance treks, its both a physical and mental challenge often laced with a hard-to-define spiritual pull.

The trip is demanding, physically and mentally, he said. You have to get up and do it every day.

Along the way he endured a terrible cold, swollen feet and blisters, two days of torrential rain and long, flat stretches of trail with few villages or shade across the flat plains of the plateau of central Spain known as the Meseta, between Burgos and Astorga.

Theres 150 miles of plain. Its flat and hard to keep going, he said. On some days, it becomes a bed race.

Sheridan explained that most Pilgrims (the el Camino walkers) travel from village to village and stay in public hostels known as albergues. And because he has had two knee replacements, he wanted a bottom bunk and a hot shower, so he tried to get to his destination ahead of others.

The first person got a hot shower, the seventh person always got a cold shower, he said, laughing.

Still, the good days, the friends discovered, the wines, the beers, the loaves of crusty bread, soups, hunks of cheese and pieces of salami, spectacular vistas and ancient villages overshadow the tough spots. And, Sheridan admits, hes going again next spring.

It got so I couldnt wait to put on my pack and start walking, he said. I would start walking at about 6:30 or 7 a.m. by myself and the sunrises and the early morning birds  at about 7 a.m. I would look up and see all these jet trails fanned out in the sky. Maybe they were taking off from Paris or Germany.

The el Camino de Santiago

As legend has it, a pilgrim shadow escorts each walker along the 500-mile trek, and pilgrims over the centuries have recounted tales of feeling the shadows presence during the most difficult moments on the trail.

Some have told tales of the priest who was in love with a cloistered nun from the convent of San Paio in Quintana Square across from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. And when he asked her to run away with him, he waited in the square for his beloved, but she never came. Now myth has it that his ghost still waits and on certain nights, his shadowy figure can be seen.

According to Catholic belief, the el Camino is a pilgrimage to the relics of the Apostle James, interred in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, and thats why its called St. James Way.

Pagan legend believes that the el Camino pilgrimage existed long before St. James and there are as many legends, myths and reasons for making this month-long trek as there are Pilgrims who have walked it.

While not a religious journey for Sheridan, it was most certainly spiritual, he said.

I asked one girl why she was doing it, and she said to get the certificate, he said. She missed the whole point.

Before getting the Compostela certificate, awarded at the end of the trail to walkers who walked at least 62 miles, trips must first be verified by a stamped pilgrim passport from daily albergues stops along the way.

Sheridans passport is filled with brightly colored and dated iconic stamps that chronicle his path.

And like Sheridan, more than 265,000 pilgrims complete the journey each year, with more than half being between the ages of 30 and 60. Nine percent come from the U.S., with the majority hailing from Spain (46.6 percent).

It started with a movie and 70 miles

One rainy Sunday afternoon five years ago, Sheridan and his wife, Carol, were watching a free movie, The Way, with Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, when the el Camino took hold of him.

I watched it three times, he said.

In the 2011 film, Sheen plays a doctor whose son is killed in the Pyrenees during a storm while walking the el Camino de Santiago. Initially there to retrieve his son's body, he decides to walk the trail with his son's ashes.

A few years after first watching the film, Sheridan and his wife walked the last 70 miles of the trail from Sarria to Santiago and received their certificates for making the journey.

But for Sheridan, his el Camino days were not yet finished.

When we did it, I knew I would go back, he said, talking about how he read everything he could on the trail and he couldnt get it out of his head.

Last fall Carol said, Just go,  he said.

Its not that Sheridan has never traveled or this was his first big adventure  hes been all over the world. Hes a member of the Adirondack 46ers, hes been to Nepal five times, hes been to Patagonia, Ecquador, Peru, hes climbed volcanoes, hes been to Central America, Guatemala, Morocco, Turkey, Greece, Ireland, South Africa and more.

But there is a piece of the el Camino that has gotten into his soul. It's the people he met, the idea of setting out and just walking, having the time to think, the villages and afternoons sharing bottles of wine with fellow walkers from around the world.

He tells the story of a man from South Africa he met early on: They both were wearing the same bright green jacket and at several points on the path, they saw each other again.

When I was leaving Santiago, I heard someone calling, Ed! And there was the green jacket, Sheridan said, smiling. We had dinner together and it was the perfect end.

In summing it all up, Sheridan quotes a line from the film that started this enduring journey.

You dont choose a life, you live one.

And hes doing just that  living one.

At 7 p.m. Monday, Sheridan will present a slideshow of his journey and share the details of the el Camino at Bolton Town Hall, 4949 Lake Shore Drive, as part of Bolton Free Library programming. All are welcome, he said.
FORT EDWARD -- An Albany woman who tried to smuggle contraband into a local state prison in March is headed to state prison herself.

Rosetta M. Ketter, 35, pleaded guilty to felony attempted promoting prison contraband in connection with a March arrest at Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Fort Ann. She tried to bring synthetic marijuana into the prison when visiting an inmate.

She was one of numerous people arrested over the winter and spring as state corrections officials used new technology and procedures to crack down on drugs and weapons making their way into state prisons. Five arrests happened in Fort Ann in February and March.

Washington County Judge Kelly McKeighan sentenced Ketter to 1 to 3 years in state prison.
HUDSON FALLS  U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., will visit Juckett Park on Monday to announce that the Trump Administration has begun to establish a Tick-Borne Disease Working Group.

Her appearance is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. Monday.

The working group is part of Gillibrand's Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education and Research Act, which became law in December 2016.

The working group will review all federal activities related to tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, and will function as a federal advisory committee to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the U.S., and New York is among the states most significantly affected by this disease.

In 2015, New York reported 3,252 confirmed cases of Lyme disease to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the CDC estimates that the actual number of diagnosed cases is as many as 10 times the number of cases that states report to the CDC.

The state Department of Health estimates that Washington County had 75 cases of Lyme disease in 2015.
BOLTON LANDING

Maybe this is how it starts.

How we get our country back.

How we decide we are all in this together.

Ten people in an upstairs dining room at a restaurant on Lake George.

Listening.

Thats really important to understand. They were quiet, reserved and respectful. They were trying to understand. They were told beforehand: No eyerolls, no sighs, no interrupting and trying to sway someone to your point of view.

This was group therapy for the political divide.

Kim Scott heard about Better Angels while listening to National Public Radio. She heard about their program of putting eight Republicans and eight Democrats in a room together and getting them to listen, to understand, to come together and end the madness.

She called the number.

Sometimes it starts with a single person.

And they answered, Kim said before Thursdays event at the Algonquin in Bolton Landing. Thats why were here. They picked up the phone.

This was stop seven in Better Angels month-long experiment to bridge the political divide and reunite America.

David Blankenhorn and David Lapp, who had worked together at a think tank, talked by phone in the days after the presidential election. Blankenhorn was a New York City guy while Lapp was from rural Ohio.

Man, its a morgue here on the Upper East Side, Lapp recalled Blankenhorn telling him. But, you know, here in Ohio, people have hope again.

Two different worlds.

Two different countries.

That disconnect had to end, they decided.

From that phone call came the premise of Better Angels. Get small groups of people from different sides of the political spectrum and get them to listen to each other and, hopefully, understand.

The country needs this group, Lapp said after the event. We the people have to do it. We the people have to form a more perfect union.

The group that gathered this past week in Bolton Landing included seven who leaned left politically and three who leaned right.

Blankenhorn and Lapp acted as the moderators. Beginning on the Fourth of July in Ohio, the two began traveling across the country to begin the healing.

The goals were straightforward, but considering the political divide, perhaps out of reach:

More understanding of people who are different from us.

Find areas of commonality.

Learn something you didnt know about the other side.

After asking each person to write down two things they would like to understand better about the other side, Blankenhorn gathered the group in two intimate circles he called the fishbowl.

The red-leaning group was in the inner circle with the blue-leaning group in the outer circle around them.

One by one, those in the inner circle talked.

Quietly and deliberately at first, but they were engaged. One man told of his concerns about the welfare state. He talked about always pulling his own weight and resenting that he was paying for the lifestyles of people who didnt want to work. Another said he saw it in his own family.

The group in the outer ring listened intently.

They did not interrupt.

They did not roll their eyes.

The man could not understand how Democrats could be for these entitlement programs that allowed people not to work when they could.

The blue group moved to the middle and was asked what should be done about immigrants who were here illegally.

One woman talked about how the laws of the country had to be followed. Others nodded.

They were asked about health care.

One man talked about how important it had been for him to have Obamacare. Others nodded that people should have access to affordable health care. Some felt the state should provide health care, others the federal government, but all felt it was important.

They talked about their suspicions of politicians.

They talked about the government being too large.

When the red-leaning group was asked if they were bothered by President Trumps demeanor or public character, none defended him.

When the blue-leaning group was asked if they had been damaged materially by anything President Trump had done, most said they had not, but had concerns he would.

It was hard to tell if the group realized it, but there was commonality.

Their core values appeared to be the same.

Those leaning blue didnt believe in entitlement programs either and thought immigration laws should be followed.

Many were surprised.

They started to wonder if they were really that divided.

At one point, Blankenhorn asked what they believed: Is it us against them, or are we all in this together?

They paused, the 10 of them almost collectively. It was as if they knew what the right answer was, but they really didnt believe it.

They wanted to be all in this together, but they knew it wasnt true, at least not yet.

Im leaving with a good feeling, Blankenhorn said in wrapping up. I think there is a hunger to get beyond the level of mistrust and animosity. There is a feeling that this has gone too far. We need to be one country again.

One of the red-leaning men said he was glad he came. He said he felt better about things.

You could see them all nodding.

In just over two hours, they had come together.

Ten of them.

It was a start.
It is true that there is a lot of controversy surrounding Lyme disease. Contract a tick-borne illness, particularly Lyme disease, and you may land in a cesspool of discord which could affect you profoundly.

How did a bacterial infection turn into the most contentious and virulent medico-political battle in medical history? The history behind the Lyme Wars features some eye-opening twists.

In the mid 1970s, a young rheumatology fellow at Yale, Dr. Allen Steere, traveled to Old Lyme, Connecticut, to study a population of young patients suffering a wide variety of symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, headaches, joint pain, neurological and cardiac abnormalities and a host of other symptoms common to any number of diseases. He needed at least one clear and consistent symptom common to all patients so he could be assured that all patients in his study suffered with the same ailment.

One symptom in some of these patients appeared to be uniquely characteristic of this unknown disease  a peculiar, bulls-eye rash. While many people complained of other symptoms of illness, Steere selected only those patients with bulls-eye rashes to participate in this seminal study. Other symptoms were deemed secondary and not useful for confirming this new condition. In 1977, Steere decided to stake the definition of this new disease on the presence of the bulls-eye rash alone.

In 1982, Willie Burgdorfer, a medical entomologist with the National Institutes of Health, identified the bacterial spirochete responsible for the disease, Borrelia burgdorferi. As a bacterial infection, Lyme disease came under the purview of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Infectious Disease Unit of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which, with the National Institutes of Health used Steeres early work as the foundation for continued research and confirmation of the disease definition. Over subsequent decades, more research was added to the body of information  all of which was based on the fundamental requirement that a rash, or a little later, a positive blood test, using an unreliable test, be present.

While Steeres original intentions were good, his research methods were fatally flawed. Now, 40 years later and with the benefit of data gathered from thousands of Lyme patients, we now know that the bulls-eye rash is generally indicative of acute, or early, Lyme disease. Because the rash was the qualifying factor for admission to the study, Steere only studied people with early disease. The disease construct, definition and treatment protocol were built on the early disease model only. People with advanced disease were never included in the research, never tested, never recognized. This oversight defines the basis of the wide divide between the two Lyme camps. The new disease attracted other doctors seeking to become experts in this new field, many staking their reputations and careers on Steeres early research, over time losing sight or memory or interest in the flaw infecting the base of the definition.

With the passage of time, and with many huge egos and significant dollars wrapped into the equation, the mistake got too big to fix.

We now know that patients suffering from later stage disease exhibit symptoms exactly like the patients in Old Lyme who were excluded from the study. Had those people been included in the study in 1975, the foundational premises of Lyme disease would have been significantly more robust, and in all likelihood, the understanding of the disease would be much broader. The IDSA carried the design flaw into their work, and the CDC, which relies upon information from the IDSA, picked up the flaw, cementing it into their internationally amplified disease construct. Medical professionals learn only about the acute disease construct. An entire medical culture denying the rest of the Lyme patient population has created a land of Lyme zombies  people who are desperately sick, yet denied recognition, treatment, insurance and care. Many are persecuted for being sick.

Unfortunately, acute Lyme disease represents just the tip of the Lyme iceberg and, even more unfortunately, the IDSA and CDC think this small piece represents the entire iceberg, and they have it under control. Nothing could be further from the truth.

How we got to this point is explained by a close examination of the original research. The real mystery is why so many physicians  intelligent, well-educated and well-meaning people who have devoted their lives to helping the infirm  go along with what some opinion leaders with self-serving interests dictate, refusing to conduct their own research into this incredible conundrum, sacrificing the sick and desperate to an unsupportable, antiquated and very flawed disease construct.
Finding Peace of Mind: Discover These Five Places in Europe to Unwind
A workshop exploring the potential for producing electricity on the Mississippi River will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Western Illinois University Quad-Cities, Moline, co-hosted by River Action Inc., Davenport and Western.

Registration is still open and may be made online at riveraction.org/umrc.

The cost is $50, including lunch, coffee and materials. For questions, call 563-322-2969.

The hydropower conference is part of River Action's effort to "Raise the Grade" of the Mississippi River  that is, improve it in various categories, including ecosystem health, nutrient reduction (the amount of nitrate and phosphorus in the water) and transportation.
WASHINGTON -- The Russia scandal has entered a new phase and there's no going back.

For six months, the White House claimed that this scandal was nothing more than innuendo about Trump campaign collusion with Russia in meddling in the 2016 election. Innuendo for which no concrete evidence had been produced.

Yes, there were several meetings with Russian officials, some only belatedly disclosed. But that is circumstantial evidence at best. Meetings tell you nothing unless you know what happened in them. We didn't. Some of these were casual encounters in large groups like the famous July 2016 Kislyak-Sessions exchange of pleasantries at the Republican National Convention. Big deal.

I was puzzled. Lots of cover-up, but where was the crime? Not even a third-rate burglary. For six months, smoke without fire. Yes, President Trump himself was acting very defensively, as if he were hiding something. But no one ever produced the something.

My view was: Collusion? I just don't see it. But I'm open to empirical evidence. Show me.

The evidence is now shown. This is not hearsay, not fake news, not unsourced leaks. This is an email chain released by Donald Trump Jr. himself. A British go-between writes that there's a Russian government effort to help Trump Sr. win the election, and as part of that effort he proposes a meeting with a "Russian government attorney" possessing damaging information on Hillary Clinton. Moreover, the Kremlin is willing to share troves of incriminating documents from the Crown Prosecutor. (Error: Britain has a Crown Prosecutor. Russia has a State Prosecutor.)

Donald Jr. emails back. "I love it." Fatal words.

Once you've said "I'm in," it makes no difference that the meeting was a bust, that the intermediary brought no such goods. What matters is what Donald Jr. thought going into the meeting, as well as Jared Kushner and then-campaign manager Paul Manafort, who were copied on the correspondence, invited to the meeting, and attended.

"It was literally just a wasted 20 minutes, which was a shame," Donald Jr. told Sean Hannity. A shame? On the contrary, a stroke of luck. Had the lawyer real stuff to deliver, Donald Jr. and the others would be in far deeper legal trouble. It turned out to be incompetent collusion, amateur collusion, comically failed collusion. That does not erase the fact that three top Trump campaign officials were ready to play.

It may turn out that they did later collaborate more fruitfully. We don't know. But even if nothing else is found, the evidence is damning.

It's rather pathetic to hear Trump apologists protesting that it's no big deal because we Americans are always intervening in other people's elections, and they in ours. You don't have to go back to the '40s and '50s when the CIA intervened in France and Italy to keep the communists from coming to power. What about the Obama administration's blatant interference to try to defeat Benjamin Netanyahu in the latest Israeli election? One might even add the work of groups supported by the U.S. during Russian parliamentary elections -- the very origin of Vladimir Putin's deep animus toward Hillary Clinton, then secretary of state, whom he accuses of having orchestrated the opposition.

This defense is pathetic for two reasons. First, have the Trumpites not been telling us for six months that no collusion ever happened? And now they say: Sure it happened. So what? Everyone does it.

What's left of your credibility when you make such a casual about-face?

Second, no, not everyone does it. It's one thing to be open to opposition research dug up in Indiana. But not dirt from Russia, a hostile foreign power that has repeatedly invaded its neighbors (Georgia, Crimea, Eastern Ukraine), that buzzes our planes and ships in international waters, that opposes our every move and objective around the globe. Just last week the Kremlin killed additional U.N. sanctions we were looking to impose on North Korea for its ICBM test.

There is no statute against helping a foreign hostile power meddle in an American election. What Donald Jr. -- and Kushner and Manafort -- did may not be criminal. But it is not merely stupid. It is also deeply wrong, a fundamental violation of any code of civic honor.

I leave it to the lawyers to adjudicate the legalities of unconsummated collusion. But you don't need a lawyer to see that the Trump defense -- collusion as a desperate Democratic fiction designed to explain away a lost election -- is now officially dead.
WASHINGTON -- I traveled with my family in Australia for three weeks as a guest of the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne, invited to explain what's happening in President Trump's America.

As if there were an explanation.

Of more interest was what I learned from the Australians. To visit this stalwart ally and talk with its people was to see how the United States, in the space of just a few months, has utterly lost its moral authority.

You see it at the street level: Off Sydney's Circular Quay, where, just down the street from the felicitously (if coincidentally) named Trumps Alto Ego salon, Trump look-alikes wearing orange wigs and too-long red ties amuse passersby with boorish antics; on Melbourne's Hosier Lane, a street-art haven now featuring a mural of children throwing rocks at a tank emblazoned with Trump's scowling face; and even in little Port Douglas in the tropics, where anti-Trump graffiti is spray-painted on the trash bin in the marina.

You see it, too, in only slightly more diplomatic terms, at the highest levels:

Paul Keating, the former Labor prime minister, declared in response to Trump's election that Australia should "cut the tag" with the United States.

Penny Wong, shadow foreign minister for Labor, which is favored to win the next election, wrote that Trump's views are "counter to what are core values for most Australians" and suggested Australia orient itself more to the Asia-Pacific region.

Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister, asserted last month that the "U.S.-anchored rules-based order" can no longer be "taken for granted." Turnbull said foreign policy should be determined by Australia's interests "alone."

It isn't just rhetoric. In late June, Australia, one of the coalition partners in Syria, suspended air operations over that country after the U.S. military downed a Syrian jet.

Simon Jackman, chief executive of the U.S. Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, sees a dramatic rethinking in the country about the United States. Australians, he says, are asking: "So why are we so close to this country again?"

There were already differences on gun laws (Australia's are strict) and inequality (Australia is more egalitarian). But Trump has pushed forward on a new set of issues that offend or frighten Australians: building a border wall, abandoning the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and the Paris climate-change accord, trying to take away health insurance from millions of Americans (Australia has universal coverage) and making noises about war with North Korea. "The changing U.S. domestic policy leads people to believe our military policy ought not to be so closely entwined with America's," says Jackman.

Polling by the U.S. Studies Centre finds that in the past two years, the number of Australians who say the United States has the most influence in Asia has dropped by half. More Australians see the United States as a force for harm in the region and in Australia than they did two years ago.

Trump is the reason. When a half-sample of poll respondents were asked the U.S.-influence question with the phrase "now that Donald Trump is president" inserted, negative responses jumped 20 percentage points. Similar results were found in Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.

This is consistent with the Pew Research Center poll of 37 countries released while I was down under. A median 22 percent of those surveyed have confidence in Trump to do the right thing in international affairs, down from 64 percent who had confidence in Barack Obama. The percentage abroad with a favorable view of the United States has fallen by 15 points. Some of the sharpest drops were among allies.

This will have consequences. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland says that America's questioning of "the very worth of its mantle of global leadership puts in sharper focus the need for the rest of us to set our own clear and sovereign course." And Germany's Angela Merkel memorably said in reaction to Trump that Europe must "take our fate into our own hands." This became only more clear after the recent Group of 20 meeting, where Trump was the sole dissenter on the Paris accord and his protectionist talk set off fears that a trade war was forming.

Allies' alienation from the United States will increase, I suspect, when they come to realize what they've seen over the past six months is unlikely to change soon. At almost every stop in Australia, I detected an innocent optimism that the Trump effect would be short-lived: How long until he's impeached? Can't he be removed on grounds of insanity? Surely his fellow Republicans won't tolerate this for long?

I wish I could have reassured them.
The Iowa State Health Facilities Council needs all five members to show on July 20.

Twice, the Tennessee-based Strategic Behavioral Health has come before the Facilities Council seeking permission to build a 72-bed mental health facility. Twice, unable to muster a full five-member complement, the Facilities Council has been deadlocked. SBH's executives are hoping to get a decisive vote this time around.

State slogans about "business-friendly" regulation might sound good, but a process that has dragged out for two years without an up-or-down vote makes that ring hollow.

The uncertainty caused by the Facilities Council's ineptitude has damaged the community, its existing health care providers and a would-be private investor.

One way or another, its imperative that Facilities Council members actually make an appearance and end this.

The battle over SBH's $14 million proposal has divided the Quad-Cities. Scott County and police officials support the firm's plan, citing a county jail serving as an ad-hoc holding site for the mentally ill. The area's two hospitals  Genesis Health System and UnityPoint Health  fervently oppose it.

Both sides are collecting supporters and leveraging all possible political capital. Everyone involved is pouring cash into lawyers and travel. And, locally, SBHs bid continues to unnecessarily divide the community.

It's a protracted bit of divisiveness that should have ended more than a year ago, when SBH first appeared before the state regulatory body.

Last year, SBH officials even canceled an appearance at another Facilities Council meeting because they knew all five members wouldn't show up. And yet, SBH is coming back. The firm must still think there's a need for more beds in the Quad-Cities and money to be made. It's an assertion Genesis and UnityPoint officials reject.

During testimony at the last Facilities Council meeting on this issue, Genesis argued that its expansion -- which entails devoting 36 in-patient beds to behavioral health patients and 24 more to become available in October -- is its way to meet the needs of the community.

UnityPoint Trinity, meanwhile, said its Robert Young Mental Health Centers integrated care model is helping to reduce the need for hospital beds.

In testimony, the hospitals argued their plans would be jeopardized because Strategic would cherry-pick the most profitable, privately insured patients.

It's a question that should be decided by a collection of bureaucrats beholden only to a measure of clinically cold objectivity. But, so far, the Facilities Council has proven incapable of serving its most basic function. Its five members can't even gather within the same room, only bolstering the view that the Certificate of Need process is unnecessary and redundant.

The lack of a ruling isn't just bad for SBH. It's also patently unfair to Genesis and UnityPoint. Both have invested heavily in mental health of late. Both do have a financial interest in SBH's proposal. But, like everyone else, the Facilities Council has left them in the lurch.

The Facilities Council didn't cultivate the mental health crisis in the Quad-Cities. Lawmakers are the ones who have been unwilling to pony up the cash so local government can carry its end. Gov. Terry Branstad made the call in 2015 to shutter a pair of state-run mental health facilities. It was state officials who heaped the responsibility on Iowa's counties but, at the same time, hamstrung any ability to pay for it.

But the statewide problem persists. Just recently, Mahaska Health Partnership hospital in Oskaloosa announced the closure of its in-patient mental health unit, reported The Des Moines Register. It's just the latest in a string of closures straining local governments and affecting the quality of life of Iowans.

The Facilities Council didn't create the mental health crises. Yet it has done its part to exacerbate the issue in the Quad-Cities simply by not showing up.

Once is understandable. Life happens.

Twice is symptomatic of a system either incapable or unwilling to serve its function.

Three times would be evidence that, by its very existence, Iowa State Health Facilities Council does more harm than good.
In a recent letter to the editor, I asked voters a rhetorical question, "What have you got to lose?"

Last November, Americans defied the political, social and cultural establishment by selecting Donald Trump for President. The elites are still in shock over that election and their degree of fear and loathing is apparent every day. Citizens decided to take back their country against the entrenched elites.

Lets take back Illinois. Democrats (and some Republicans) voted to override Gov. Rauners budget veto, resulting in personal and business tax increases. Political clout and cronyism count for more than what is good for the state and its citizens. This amounts to moral, as well as political, decay.

Take control from those who covet it at any cost. Remove power from Democrats and their unholy alliance with public unions, that together have over-promised, misled and mismanaged state pension funds (a financial time bomb), the state bureaucracy, academia, a gerrymandering judiciary, media and, yes, some Republicans.

In 2010, Illinois ranked 5th in United States population. Thousands of citizens and businesses have since fled, leaving the rest of us to shoulder higher taxes while an entrenched political establishment retains power at any cost.

Please dont stay home on Election Day. Do in Illinois what American voters did last November. Cross party lines so we can start draining the swamp in Springfield, like we are doing in Washington, D.C.

Yes, Illinois citizens. You have nothing to lose when you choose to make Illinois great again.

Jeffrey H. Rice

Rock Island
BOSTON | Drugmakers plunged off a patent cliff earlier this decade, losing billions in sales as lucrative branded drugs lost exclusivity. An expensive lobbying effort aimed at preventing a repeat is paying off.

The loss of a series of key patents for cholesterol fighters and other widely used medicines cost big-name drug companies about $82 billion in sales between 2011 and 2013, according to life-sciences data company Evaluate Ltd., forcing large-scale job cuts and a wave of deals to make up for lost revenue.

Once again, the pharmaceutical industry is peering over the ledge. Over the next three years, roughly $60 billion of drug sales for companies including Roche Holding AG, Sanofi, and Eli Lilly & Co. are threatened by potential rivals, according to a report from the investment firm Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Among the drugs expected to lose their protections are pricey biotechnology treatments for cancer and other diseases.

The industry has pushed hard to forestall generic competition for the complex drugs, which are typically grown from cells rather than manufactured chemically. As Congress debated a new approval process for so-called biosimilars amid the legislating of Obamacare, the industry boosted its lobbying by almost 50 percent, spending $274 million in 2009, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

By the time lawmakers passed a path to market for biosimilars as part of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the industry had assured that competition would come much more slowly, making the resulting sales decline look less like a precipice and more like a gentle hill.

High stakes

Swiss drug maker Roche may have the most at stake. It's facing the loss of exclusivity for its three top-selling cancer drugs over the next two years, which account for more than $20 billion of its $51.4 billion in annual sales. Roche's leukemia therapy Rituxan, which sold 7.3 billion Swiss francs ($7.24 billion) last year, loses patent protection this year, according to Bernstein. Out of 31 analysts who follow Roche's stock, 21 rate it a "buy," according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Roche campaigned mightily for tougher approval for biosimilars. The company spent $17.7 million in U.S. congressional lobbying in 2007 and 2008, compared to $3.7 million in 2000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The surge was aimed largely at laws that would have created an easier path for biosimilars. Versions of those laws ultimately passed in the Obamacare law, but drugmaker lobbying helped ensured stiff barriers to entry and a longer period in which biosimilar makers couldn't cite earlier data when seeking approval.

"Roche is the strongest, biggest player which deliberately stayed out of biosimilars and is going out of its way to portray biosimilars as different and unsafe," said Ian Tzeng, a partner at L.E.K. Consulting, a firm that consults with businesses about strategy and mergers and acquisitions.

Roche said in an emailed statement that it has supported "a rigorous and science-based pathway for the approval of biosimilars," and that its lobbying has focused on ensuring that biosimilars are safe.

More complex

In the early 2000s, treatments for common chronic ailments racked up impressive sales for the world's biggest drugmakers. Blockbusters like cholesterol drug Lipitor, which peaked at $12.9 billion in sales in 2006 for Pfizer Inc., drove large gains in sales and profits. But after Lipitor's protection against generic competition lapsed in 2011, the geyser of cash it once generated evaporated. By 2016, sales were $1.76 billion, down 86 percent from their high.

"When Lipitor went off patent, the sales disappeared in a nanosecond," said Roger Longman, CEO of data-analytics company Real Endpoints, which focuses on how to value drugs.

Lipitor and single-molecule drugs like it were straightforward for generics makers to copy. Many of the drugs expected to lose their patent shields in coming years, by contrast, are complex medicines produced by living cells, which makes replicating them more difficult.

Drugmakers' main lobbying groups, PhRMA and BIO, successfully watered down efforts to give biosimilars an easier approval process. They argued that making exact copies of biologic drugs would be virtually impossible given the technical hurdles to duplicating the medicines' large proteins, which are produced by genetically engineered cells in specialized vats.

PhRMA said it supported the law, which "balances the desire for increased competition among biologics from biosimilar products with the need for incentives to support future medical innovation," said spokesman Andrew Powaleny by email.

Patent slope

Analysts say that given the longer approval arc for biosimilars, major drugmakers are less likely to be whipsawed by generic rivals when key medicines drop off patent. But over time, political pressure over high drug costs is expected to undercut the dominance of branded biologic drugs. The Food and Drug Administration's new leader, Scott Gottlieb, has said he wants more alternatives to brand-name medicines on the market to push down prices.

Also likely to shield drugmakers from a jarring sales slump are patients already taking biologic drugs who will resist switching, according to Ira Loss, a health-care analyst at research firm Washington Analysis LLC. But new patients may be forced to take biosimilar versions of drugs, and eventually that will turn the tide, he says.

"Ultimately, biosimilars are going to be a big part of our society  they have to be for cost reasons," said Loss.

In the seven years since Congress passed the biosimilar approval legislation, the U.S. has approved five biosimilars, short of the 25 such drugs now approved in Europe, where regulators have resisted the industry's lobbying muscle. The slow path to market in the U.S. has frustrated makers of biosimilars and patients who hope the presence of more competitors will cause drug prices to decline.

"While Europe was acting, we were talking," said Chip Davis, chief executive officer of the Association for Accessible Medicines, the generic drugmaker industry body. "We think there's an enormous amount of work to be done to get the pathway and market up and running. Year over year we are falling farther behind Europe, not catching up."
WASHINGTON | Fifteen former top White House economists, from both political parties and dating back to the Ford administration, are urging President Donald Trump not to go through with plans to impose tariffs on steel imports in the name of national security.

In an extraordinary letter Wednesday to Trump, these former chairs of the White House Council of Economic Advisors say they represent a wide range of political and economic views but are of one accord in opposing Trump's plan to slap new tariffs on imported steel.

The Trump administration is undertaking a review of the issue, which would provide a basis for the president to levy new tariffs on the grounds that foreign steel presents a threat to American security interests.

Such tariffs would not only come with diplomatic costs, as most imported steel comes from important allies, but they also would actually damage the U.S. economy, these economists write.

The U.S. already has many duties on a variety of steel imports that were found to have been dumped into the U.S. at unfair prices or receiving government subsidies. The additional tariffs that Trump is contemplating, the letter states, "would raise costs for manufacturers, reduce employment in manufacturing, and increase prices for consumers."

"We urge you to avoid a policy that would likely incur greater economic and diplomatic costs than any conceivable national security gain," it says.

Most economists are not in favor of protectionist policies. Still, the letter is highly unusual in that such a sizable number of prominent economists, who seldom agree on major policy issues, would join in raising opposition to a potential policy action by a sitting president.

The list of signatories include two former chairmen of the Federal Reserve  Ben Bernanke, who served in the George W. Bush White House, and Alan Greenspan, the chair of the council under Gerald Ford in the mid-1970s. Others who penned their name on the one-page letter include Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia University and Laura Tyson of the University of California at Berkeley, both of whom advised Bill Clinton, and conservative economists Glenn Hubbard of Columbia and Greg Mankiw of Harvard.

Janet Yellen, the current Fed chair, was not asked to sign.

The White House and the Commerce Department, which is preparing the report on steel imports and national security, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Veteran trade analyst William Reinsch, who is a fellow at the Stimson Center, said he could not recall a time when so many economists had joined in such a letter addressed to the president. Even so, he doubted that it would have much effect.

"This is the economic establishment that he enjoys thumbing his nose at," Reinsch said. "I don't think he'll be inclined to take their advice."

At the same time, some of Trump's own top advisors inside the White House are likely to be advising caution against imposing sweeping measures that could anger allies and risk a trade war. At the recent Group of 20 major economies' summit, European Union officials warned that such tariffs on foreign steel would be met by swift retaliation.

The letter by the economists noted that the experience with steel tariffs under George W. Bush should serve as a lesson.

In 2002, Bush applied emergency tariffs of up to 30 percent on steel imports, but he lifted the measures 16 months before they were scheduled to expire. The World Trade Organization ruled that action illegal and Europe threatened to retaliate with tariffs of its own  on citrus from Florida, motorcycles made in Wisconsin and other U.S. goods.

"The diplomatic costs might be worth it if the tariffs generated economic benefits," the letter said. "But they would not."
Ready or not, Ann Perfett and Polly Weiler didnt wait long to see their new floral and gift shop get busy.

Perfett, helped out by her son, Jake, and Weiler, were almost immediately overwhelmed after opening Junction Ave. Floral & Gifts in Sturgis in early April and just before three of the busiest times of the year for a florist  high school prom, Mothers Day and Memorial Day.

We didnt have a lot of time to breath and still dont, said Perfett, who purchased the shop, formerly called Flowers By Rose, at 1240 Junction Ave.

One of the first steps was to remove the remnants of a huge tree out front. The old tree had Flowers By Rose ornately carved into it and had been painted colorfully to match the historic building, known as Allen House.

The large carved tree and brightly-hued building had become something of a landmark on Sturgis' Junction Avenue, but with the sale of the business and subsequent name change for starters the tree had to go, Perfett said.

It was kind of a liability. It was cracked and it was starting to rot, she said. Some people really liked it and some really hated it.

Perfett and her husband operated a painting and cleaning business in Sturgis after moving from North Dakota three or fours years ago. She and a friend also owned a gift shop doing silk floral arrangements in Medora and Dickinson, N.D.

At her new shop, she has added a line of gifts, including hand-tooled leather goods by +V (Plus V) Leather & Crafts of North Dakota, Bloomin Chocolates of Newell, Ladybug Blessings bath and body products, and Baxter Bears.

Perfett and Weiler are gratified by help from other experienced florists who volunteered during the busy holidays, along with the support from many of the shops long-time customers.

Those are the miracles that walked in the door to help us, all the support from the community, people wishing us well, Weiler said.

Its been here for a long time and people didnt want it to close, Perfett said.

New coffee house

The Mill Iron Coffee House started serving hot beverages and savory treats on June 2 at the corner of Laurel and Sherman streets in Whitewood.

Owner Marla Loken moved to South Dakota in 1985, but it would be 37 years before she would open her first business named after the small town close to where she grew up in Mill Iron, Montana.

I made sure to run the name past my four kids first, and they all thought it was great, Loken said.

In addition to serving specialty coffees and desserts (including a brownie recipes she calls Mill Iron Mud Bars) Lokens shop features indoor and outdoor customer seating, a drive-up window and a meeting room that can seat up to 20 people.

Mill Iron Coffee House is located at 1338 Laurel St. in Whitewood. Call 605-717-1771 for more information.

Hospital recognized

Beckers Hospital Review has recognized Black Hills Surgical Hospital among the overall best physician-owned hospitals.

According to a release, the recognition is based on recommendations by patients based on the quality of care they received. BHSH is listed as fifth best (tied) in the nation with a 93 percent rating from patients, more than 20 percentage points higher than the national average.

We are very proud that our staff continues to excel in providing quality patient care. To be ranked 5th in the nation for physician-owned hospitals is a tremendous honor, Bill May, Black Hills Surgical Hospital CEO, said in the release.

Beckers Hospital Review evaluated nearly 4,000 hospitals that submitted at least 100 patient experience surveys to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from July of 2015 through March of 2016, the latest data available. BHSH was also ranked sixth in the nation for patient satisfaction and sixth for quality care and service based on CMS patient survey responses.

Of the 57 hospitals ranked, 38 are physician-owned, the release noted.
SD Mines names 4 new professors

Four new professors will join the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology this fall:

 Allison Gilmore will lead the humanities and social sciences department. She previously served as coordinator of the Ohio State University Department of History and associate dean of the colleges Lima campus. She replaces Sue Shirley, who served as a professor and head of the departments of humanities and social sciences since 1992.

 Pierre Larochelle is the new head of the mechanical engineering department. He previously served as associate dean and professor of mechanical engineering at the Florida Institute of Technology. Larochelle is the founding director of the Robotics and Spatial Systems Laboratory, and serves on the executive committee of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He replaces Michael Langerman, who served as professor and head of the mechanical engineering department since 1992.

 Magesh Rajan will lead the electrical engineering department. Rajan comes from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi where he was the founding director of the Plasma Engineering Research Lab, and associate professor of electrical engineering. He holds an masters of business administration degree in strategic leadership and management. Rajan replaces Scott Rausch who served as an interim department head and faculty member in the department of electrical engineering since 2008.

 Jeffery Woldstad will head the industrial engineering department. He is a former professor of biological systems engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and previously served on the faculty Texas Tech University, Oregon State University and Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Woldstad replaces Stuart Kellogg, who has served as a professor and head of the industrial engineering department since 1990.

Miss South Dakota scholarships awarded

Several scholarships were awarded to contestants during the June Miss South Dakota Pageant in Hot Springs.

Carrie Wintle of Iroquis received four scholarships: the $1,000 Miss America Community Service Scholarship, the $500 State Community Service Award, $500 scholarship at the pageants top fund raiser, and recognition for raising the most money for the Childrens Miracle Network.

Rachel Black of Rutland received the $1,000 Miss America Scholar Award for academic excellence.

The first ever Childrens Miracle Network Legacy $500 scholarship for marketing and community service was presented to Kaitlin ONeill of Aberdeen. The award was sponsored by Miss SD 2015 Autumn Simunek,

Amber Hulse received the $500 State Quality of Life award for efforts to improve the lives of others through volunteerism and community service.

Womens Achievement awards presented

Rapid City OB/GYN, a womens health practice, presented the Rapid City Womens Achievement Award to three recent high school graduates.

Receiving the award were Kassidy Kirsch of St. Thomas More; and Megan Cutler and Chelsey Christensen both of Central High School.

Area students named to deans lists

Rapid City students were named to the deans list at the following colleges:

 Boston College  Zachary Larson and Victor Weiss, both of Rapid City.

 University of Sioux Falls  Ashley Kinley, Carly Johnson, Matthew Minnick, Moira Duffy, and Rachel Mayforth.

 Fort Hays State University  Jerrad Johnson.
An annual Catholic gathering that honors the first female Native American saint in the Catholic Church will be held in Rapid City this week.

The 78th annual National Tekakwitha Conference will be July 19-23 at the Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center with the theme "Loving One Another Through the Spirit of Kateri."

The event honors the spirit of Kateri Tekakwitha, an Algonquin tribal member who died in 1680 and became, in 2012, the first North American indigenous tribal woman to be canonized by the Catholic Church, as Saint Kateri.

We have people from all across the country who come, said Sister Kateri Mitchell, executive director of the Tekakwitha Conference. Its almost like a family reunion time.

The conference was started in 1939 by missionaries in the upper Midwest. It was opened to laity in 1978, and first hosted in Rapid City. It now rotates among various cities around the country and is open to people of all faiths.

Almost 160 tribes are represented at the gathering, Mitchell said.

They come from the north, south, east and west to reacquaint themselves with each other and to meet new members, she said.

Almost 1,000 people typically attend the conference, which will include keynote speakers, workshop presenters and a liturgy every day, celebrated by Bishop Robert Gruss and Archbishop Charles Chaput.

There will also be a healing and reconciliation service and a grand entry ceremony to feature each nation.

The conference is centered on Tekakwitha, who passed away at the age of 24. Her life and canonization as a saint are to be celebrated, Mitchell said.

For Catholic Native people, it was a significant moment in history in the Catholic Church that we have one of our own recognized into sainthood in the universal church, she said. It was affirmation of who are as a first people of North America and affirmation for those of us who have embraced the Catholic faith.

Mitchell is a member of the Mohawk nation and said the canonization of Tekakwitha was a big step forward for the church.

It meant greater recognition, acceptance and identity, she said.

Mitchell has been director of the organization for 19 years and hopes participants leave feeling affirmed in their faith, tribal history and the church.

I hope they leave the conference with very positive memories and affirmation as who they are as Native Catholics, she said. Many come for enrichment of spirituality. Its a gathering of the universal church  clergy, religious sisters and brothers and the faithful people of many nations. Its a very colorful gathering.
LEAD | One of the largest and most complex scientific experiments ever conducted took a quantum leap toward reality recently with the awarding of a multimillion-dollar contract to design and build a sleek conveyor belt at the Sanford Underground Research Facility.

Eventually, the pipe conveyor will be used to transport 875,000 tons of rock  more than twice the amount removed in carving the four presidents on nearby Mount Rushmore National Memorial  from nearly a mile underground at the Sanford Lab, across Leads Main Street, to its final destination deep in the towns massive Open Cut.

The excavation, expected to take three years, will create giant caverns within the former Homestake Gold Mine and make way for scientists from the international community to establish the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, commonly known as DUNE. The experiment is hosted by the U.S. Department of Energys Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, which will build and use the mammoth detector in partnership with the Sanford Lab to study particles called neutrinos.

On June 28, Fermi Research Alliance LLC, which operates Fermilab, signed a contract with North Alabama Fabricating Co. to design and fabricate the pipe conveyor to be installed at Sanford Lab. The contract supports the excavation for the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility, the facility that will house and support DUNE, according to officials.

I think its safe to say that this will be the largest mega-science project ever conducted on U.S. soil, Sanford Lab Executive Director Mike Headley said last week. This is a major step forward in showing this project is real and moving forward.

Project managers say the billion-dollar DUNE could change science forever.

This is the first time an experiment of this scale has occurred anywhere in the world, and its going to be done right here, Fermilab Deputy Project Manager Joshua Willhite told 100 Northern Hills residents during an informational meeting in Lead last spring.

DUNE has the feel of something straight out of a science fiction movie. As envisioned, scientists at the Fermilab near Chicago will fire a beam of tiny neutrinos at near-light speed that will carry the subatomic particles through solid rock 808 miles away to the Black Hills of South Dakota, where scientists deep underground at the Sanford Lab hope to catch the particles using the most sophisticated detectors ever built.

On its own, the $300 million or more investment for the experiment at the Sanford Lab in Lead represents the largest single project in the history of South Dakota, Headley said.

More important to scientists working around the world is how it will help unravel the mysteries of the universe. The experiment has the potential to advance scientific knowledge and yield technological advancements on a par with the race to the moon in the 1960s, project advocates contend.

Fermilab and Sanford Lab staff expect rock removal to take about three years once the conveyor begins operating, according to officials. Excavation for the DUNE detector caverns is expected to be complete in early 2022.

The conveyor will transport 875,000 tons of rock  approximately equal to the mass of eight Nimitz class aircraft carriers, retired U.S. Navy Admiral Chris Mossey, who is now the LBNF project director at Fermilab, said in a release.

Headley said preparations for the major experiment had been going on for five years, since Sanford staff and contractors had started refurbishment of the Ross Shaft in 2012.

Like a giant futuristic supermarket checkout lane, the rock conveyor will move rock over a stretch of 3,700 feet while containing dust and debris, Fermilab said in its release.

The conveyor path will take advantage of a long existing tunnel carved out during Homestakes gold mining days in the 1930s. The conveyor will start 175 feet underground, make its way to the surface and continue high above ground until it arrives at the pit, called the Open Cut, which is roughly 2 miles wide and 1,200 feet deep. In fact, miners used a similar machine in the 1980s to transport rock away from the Open Cut as they looked for gold, project managers noted.

Tracy Lundin, Fermilabs manager for conventional facilities, who is overseeing the conveyor project, said this week that design and fabrication of the pipe conveyor likely would take six months before installation begins next year. The conveyor had been selected as the preferable option over trucking the debris from the mine site, he said.

Were trying to avail ourselves of modern technology and to be the best neighbor we can to the local community, Lundin said. Considering noise and dust control, our thinking was it would be less intrusive to the local community to operate this conveyor. Our goal is to minimize the impacts.
Jessica Benson may be only 16, but she's not wasting her free time.

Instead, she's planning a nonprofit banquet in September for local law enforcement, firefighters and veterans. It's not for a school project, either. She's doing it merely because she cares.

The people that are doing these great things are generally humble people," Benson said.

The Spirit of Heroism Banquet, scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Comfort Suites Hotel & Convention Center, will honor service members, feature live music and door prizes and present awards to service members from each of the three categories who have been nominated by the community. The keynote speaker will be state Attorney General Marty Jackley, whom Benson personally invited.

The event was Benson's idea. She said the service members in the community make many sacrifices. Anyone can nominate anyone online at takethechallengeleadbyexample.org. Tickets cost $15 and the proceeds will go toward funding next year's event, Benson said. This year's event is funded by profits from patriotic socks Benson sold last fall for the 15th anniversary of 9/11.

The program is supported by TeenUp, a local youth leadership program, for whom Benson is an ambassador. Benson has also been helped by several friends.

I think its really important for us as a community to recognize and honor them and make sure they know what theyre doing is appreciated," Benson said.

Credit union employees support local nonprofits

Black Hills Federal Credit Union employees and family members recently participated in a build day with Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity in Rapid City.

A news release from the credit union said volunteers spent the day putting up siding and drywall in a row of homes along the 900 block of North Seventh Street. Once completed, Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity will dedicate the homes to families in need.

Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity is an amazing organization working to provide simple, decent, affordable housing for those who need it most, Jackson Bolstad, chair of BHFCUs Habitat for Humanity Community Action Team Project, said in the release. Were proud to work alongside them to improve lives in our community.

Employees and members also raised $1,250 for the Black Hills Humane Society and donated $200 to the Custer YMCA for its youth scholarship program. This month, credit union employees and members are participating in Community Action Team projects to benefit the Childrens Miracle Network, Working Against Violence Inc. and United Blood Services.

Bank donates more than 50K diapers

Black Hills Community Bank will present two local nonprofit organizations with 51,963 diapers, according to a news release from the bank.

The diapers will be presented to the Cornerstone Women and Children's Home in Rapid City and the Bella Pregnancy Center in Spearfish at 9 a.m. Monday at Cornerstone.

This year's total includes 46,665 diapers from the Rapid City location, and 5,298 from Spearfish. The diaper collection exceeded this year's goals by 16,963 diapers, according to the release.

Throughout June, both Black Hills Community Bank locations, their customers, and the community donated diapers to the Cornerstone Women and Children's Home in Rapid City and the Bella Pregnancy Resource Center in Spearfish.

Several events were also held to raise funds for the diaper drive. Every diaper and all money collected will go to the two nonprofits.

We are so pleased to be able to provide clean diapers to children in our community who need it most. I am very proud of our staff, customers and community who have worked hard to be able to collect 228,294 diapers over the past seven years for this great cause, Jack Lynass, president and CEO of Black Hills Community Bank, said in the release.
Longtime Meade School Board member Curt Nupen had hoped that by the time his youngest son entered middle school it would be at a new school in the Piedmont area.

That was 30 years ago. Nupen's son is now 42 years old.

But it will be a reality for one of Nupen's great-grandchildren.

"They live near Piedmont Valley Elementary. He's gonna be a first-grader this fall," Nupen said.

Needless to say that folks in the Piedmont, Summerset and Black Hawk areas have hoped for the middle school for some time.

The Meade School Board approved building the new Stagebarn Middle School last fall. The school is being built on land the district owns between Sturgis Road and Interstate 90, facing Sturgis Road, about a half-mile north of Stagebarn Canyon Road at Exit 48. The middle school is being constructed on the site of the district's old Stagebarn Elementary School.

Nupen said he believes many families who currently send their children to school in Rapid City instead of Sturgis for middle school may opt for attendance at the new school in their neighborhood.

"We will probably get some of those kids back who are open-enrolled in Rapid City," he said.

Nupen said another draw is that the Meade School District has a good reputation for having small class sizes.

"If you talk to parents, they say that class size is a real driving factor in where they choose to send their kids. I agree that the smaller the class size the better the education," he said.

Meade School District Superintendent Don Kirkegaard said construction of the $18 million, 100,000-square-foot middle school is on schedule to be completed about a year from now, with students and staff starting at the new school in the fall of 2018.

Kirkegaard said a decision has not yet been made, but he would recommend that the first year the new school is open it would house fifth-, sixth- and seventh-grade students, adding eighth-graders the next year.

He said it would be difficult for the eighth-graders to change schools so many times.

"Putting them in there for one year and then shipping them out again doesn't seem right," he said.

Currently the combined sections of classes at Piedmont Valley Elementary School have a population of about 100 students. Staff for the fifth and sixth grades would move from the elementary school to the new middle school once it opened.

"I anticipate that we will have 350 to 400 kids that first year," Kirkegaard said.

He agrees with Nupen that the Meade district may gain some students who had been attending school in Rapid City.

"We do lose quite a few of our students who decide to open-enroll in Rapid City once they get to sixth grade," he said. "We think we will keep quite a few of those back. And we also believe there are a quite a few kids in that Summerset-Black Hawk area that will prefer to go an area school rather than being bused to Rapid City."

From all indications, the Piedmont, Summerset and Black Hawk areas continue to see population growth.

In 2014, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that Meade County was the eighth fastest-growing county in the nation with populations greater than 10,000. Meade Countys population grew by 4.3 percent from July 1, 2012, to July 1, 2013. During that time, the county added 1,132 residents to boost its population from 26,070 to 27,202.

Enrollment at Piedmont Valley Elementary has grown from 493 students in the fall of 2012 to 642 last fall.

"I think they are just getting ready to open another housing development down there," he said. "It's a good problem to have, but it's also a scary one because we are spending a lot of money on facilities.

Scull Construction is the general contractor on the new middle school.

They are using a process that is different than any building project the district has ever done.

"We had 32 bid packages as opposed to one big package with a lot of subcontractors," Kirkegaard said.

The base bid was right at $15 million. And with the alternate bids it's a little less than $16 million. That includes $800,000 in a contingency fund to pay for any change orders that may pop up during the building project. Architectural fees and money for furnishings also are included in the $16 million, Kirkegaard said. The district borrowed money by issuing bonds totaling $20 million for the project.

"Hopefully we will have a little bit extra to pay off some of our existing debt as well as use that to help finance the new school at Union Center," he said.

The two sections patrons may see going up at the building site as they pass along Interstate 90 are the seventh- and eighth-grade wing and fifth- and sixth-grade wing.

"The metal work you see are the classrooms," Kirkegaard said. "There will actually be two educational structures within the building, one, an intermediate school which would be more like an elementary for the fifth and sixth and more of a middle school for the seventh and eighth. Fifth- and sixth-graders will really be as isolated from seventh and eighth as possible."

Last spring, Meade School District administrators visited some intermediate schools across the state of South Dakota not so much for the opening of the new middle school but more immediately for guidance when the Sturgis Elementary School fifth-graders move to the second floor of the Williams Administration Building this fall.

"We looked at their teaching structure and other logistics when it came to fifth-graders. We wanted to know if they had recess or activity time and how did they set up the classes," he said. "For the most part we learned that fifth- and sixth-grade staff did team teaching."

The number of staffers needed for the new school won't be a large undertaking, because staff members from Piedmont Valley Elementary will move along with their students to the new school.

"We certainly know that we will need to hire some new people, but we also believe many of the people are already on staff somewhere in our district," Kirkegaard said.
ANAHEIM, Calif. | Mark Hamill has been bestowed one of Disney's highest honors, but he can't believe Carrie Fisher wasn't there to see it.

Hamill and Fisher were named Disney Legends during a ceremony Friday at the company's biannual fan convention, the D23 Expo in Anaheim. He said Fisher would have been making him laugh at the event and treating it with some irreverence.

"Well, I wish Carrie were here," he said. "She would be making me laugh and be off camera extending her middle finger  one of her favorite gestures."

Fisher died unexpectedly in December. Hamill said she would want the event to be celebratory and not sad.

"I really wish she were here," he said. "But she would also want us to be having a good time and not be sad."

Hamill said that even hours before the ceremony, he hadn't wrapped his head around receiving the honor, which was also bestowed Friday on Oprah Winfrey, Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee and others. "Star Wars" creator George Lucas and Johnny Depp were among the Disney Legends inductees in 2015.

"When they told me, I said, 'Are you sure they're not wanting Mark Harmon or Jon Hamm or even Dorothy Hamill?'" Hamill said.

Hamill, 65, reprises his role as Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," which will be released in December. Fisher also appears in the film as Skywalker's sister, Leia Organa, a princess-turned-general.

Disney is expected to reveal new details about the film during a D23 panel on Saturday.

Canada PM releases a summer playlist

LOS ANGELES | Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has released an official Spotify playlist.

Trudeau unveiled his "PM Mix" of 39 songs on the streaming service Saturday. It includes tracks by Canadian artists such as Drake, Shawn Mendes, k.d. lang and The Tragically Hip, as well as songs by Fiona Apple, R.E.M., Peter Gabriel and Nenah Cherry.

Trudeau asked, "What am I listening to this summer? What should I be?" in both English and French when he posted the playlist Saturday on Twitter.

The 45-year-old prime minister is not the first world leader to publicly share a Spotify playlist. Former President Barack Obama released his summer music selections in two Spotify playlists in 2015. The artists included Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Coldplay and the Rolling Stones.
WASHINGTON | The Russia scandal has entered a new phase and there's no going back.

For six months, the White House claimed that this scandal was nothing more than innuendo about Trump campaign collusion with Russia in meddling in the 2016 election. Innuendo for which no concrete evidence had been produced.

Yes, there were several meetings with Russian officials, some only belatedly disclosed. But that is circumstantial evidence at best. Meetings tell you nothing unless you know what happened in them. We didn't. Some of these were casual encounters in large groups like the famous July 2016 Kislyak-Sessions exchange of pleasantries at the Republican National Convention. Big deal.

I was puzzled. Lots of cover-up, but where was the crime? Not even a third-rate burglary. For six months, smoke without fire. Yes, President Trump himself was acting very defensively, as if he were hiding something. But no one ever produced the something.

My view was: Collusion? I just don't see it. But I'm open to empirical evidence. Show me.

The evidence is now shown. This is not hearsay, not fake news, not unsourced leaks. This is an email chain released by Donald Trump Jr. himself. A British go-between writes that there's a Russian government effort to help Trump Sr. win the election, and as part of that effort he proposes a meeting with a "Russian government attorney" possessing damaging information on Hillary Clinton. Moreover, the Kremlin is willing to share troves of incriminating documents from the Crown Prosecutor.

Donald Jr. emails back. "I love it." Fatal words.

Once you've said "I'm in," it makes no difference that the meeting was a bust, that the intermediary brought no such goods. What matters is what Donald Jr. thought going into the meeting, as well as Jared Kushner and then-campaign manager Paul Manafort, who were copied on the correspondence, invited to the meeting, and attended.

"It was literally just a wasted 20 minutes, which was a shame," Donald Jr. told Sean Hannity. A shame? On the contrary, a stroke of luck. Had the lawyer real stuff to deliver, Donald Jr. and the others would be in far deeper legal trouble. It turned out to be incompetent collusion, amateur collusion, comically failed collusion. That does not erase the fact that three top Trump campaign officials were ready to play.

It may turn out that they did later collaborate more fruitfully. We don't know. But even if nothing else is found, the evidence is damning.

It's rather pathetic to hear Trump apologists protesting that it's no big deal because we Americans are always intervening in other people's elections, and they in ours. You don't have to go back to the '40s and '50s when the CIA intervened in France and Italy to keep the communists from coming to power. What about the Obama administration's blatant interference to try to defeat Benjamin Netanyahu in the latest Israeli election? One might even add the work of groups supported by the U.S. during Russian parliamentary elections  the very origin of Vladimir Putin's deep animus toward Hillary Clinton, then secretary of state, whom he accuses of having orchestrated the opposition.

This defense is pathetic for two reasons. First, have the Trumpites not been telling us for six months that no collusion ever happened? And now they say: Sure it happened. So what? Everyone does it.

What's left of your credibility when you make such a casual about-face?

Second, no, not everyone does it. It's one thing to be open to opposition research dug up in Indiana. But not dirt from Russia, a hostile foreign power that has repeatedly invaded its neighbors (Georgia, Crimea, Eastern Ukraine), that buzzes our planes and ships in international waters, that opposes our every move and objective around the globe. Just last week the Kremlin killed additional U.N. sanctions we were looking to impose on North Korea for its ICBM test.

There is no statute against helping a foreign hostile power meddle in an American election. What Donald Jr. and Kushner and Manafort did may not be criminal. But it is not merely stupid. It is also deeply wrong, a fundamental violation of any code of civic honor.

I leave it to the lawyers to adjudicate the legalities of unconsummated collusion. But you don't need a lawyer to see that the Trump defense  collusion as a desperate Democratic fiction designed to explain away a lost election  is now officially dead.
PIERRE | A state law passed nearly 40 years ago has kept South Dakota out of a lot of trouble regarding water wells.

The 1978 law prohibits, in most instances, permit holders from taking more groundwater from an aquifer than can be expected to flow back in, or recharge, during an average year.

This seems unimportant, until you look at the controversies in places as far away as California or as nearby as Nebraska.

The law might be unique to South Dakota. No one seemed sure Wednesday during a meeting of state governments Water Management Board.

But no one in the room seemed aware of another state with such a law either.

As far as I know, ventured Ron Duvall, who works in state governments water-rights program.

Jeanne Goodman, the boards chief engineer, said South Dakota has an extensive network of approximately 1,580 observation wells.

The readings from those wells let South Dakota officials track the ups and downs of about 100 aquifers.

Most states dont have anything like that, Duvall said.

Goodman described the wells as our checks and balances.

You cant take out more than is going in, on average, she said.

Other states have struggled to manage the water in the aquifers below the earths surface.

The horse is already out of the barn in those places, according to Goodman. Theyre now trying to un-do what has already been done, she said.

Charlie McGuigan is South Dakotas chief deputy attorney general. He told the board that South Dakota courts dealt 100 years ago with lawsuits about lakes that were shrinking and who could use the newly exposed ground.

Rains and snows during the 1990s gradually put the Legislature and the states courts in brand new territory trying to deal with nonmeandered lakes, according to McGuigan.

Meandered is a lake that seemed permanent to surveyors. Nonmeandered is public water that temporarily lay atop private lands.

Whether a lake was meandered seems to depend on when surveyors visited more than a century ago, McGuigan said.

He said South Dakota began as a "riparian" state for water rights. That meant the state held water in the public trust for the beneficial use of all.

On the opposite side were "prior-use" states such as Colorado and California. They were first-come, first-serve. They didnt guarantee water rights when a person homesteaded.

South Dakota now is what McGuigan called a "hybrid" state that blends both.

He pointed to a 1955 state law that established what today is the Water Management Board. The law gave the board many responsibilities that belonged to the chief engineer.

Duvall went a few steps further. He noted a 1990 state law that returned authority to the chief engineer when a permit application wasnt challenged.

He also pointed to a 2014 state law that created a priority list for people awaiting water rights on aquifers the board closed because they were fully appropriated.

So what led to the 1955 establishment of the state board? Nobody seemed to know.

Time to start digging!
Forced budget cuts to the Montana State Library by the legislature are expected to have a trickle-down affect on Bitterroot Valley libraries.

The Montana Legislature's budget includes so-called "trigger points" in which state library budget cuts were required if projected revenues weren't as high as expected. Amy Carlson, a state fiscal analyst, recently told legislators the state is about $60 million below projections, meaning the triggers would be pulled in August.

Lisa Jackson, president of the Montana Library Association of Board of Directors, wrote in a recent letter to the editor that The reductions to the Montana State Library budget will ripple throughout Montana. Like a stone thrown into a pond, the reductions will affect all of the public libraries and all library patrons in the state.

Jackson said the nearly $1 million loss will result in reduced services.

The State Library will be reducing both staff and resources, she said. The decreases to the talking book library, the loss of the reading room, cuts to the GIS program, and the elimination of training for librarians are the painful options available to meet the required budget reductions.

Denise Ard, director of the North Valley Public Library, said state library funding losses will result in increased fees for all Montana libraries, specifically for Montana Shared Catalog, the Online Computer Library Center (OCCL), and MontanaLibrary2Go.

Montana Shared Catalog is what all patrons use to search for materials and put items on hold," she said. "MontanaLibrary2Go is digital books and audiobooks that patrons check out to read on their devices. OCLC is what we all use to catalog materials. It is behind-the-scenes for patrons, but allows libraries to have materials in online catalogs.

The Montana Shared Catalog gives library patrons across the state access to more than one million items in Montana libraries. The shared cost to large libraries is about $30,000, which is 62 percent less than the cost of $79,000 if purchased individually.

Access to electronic books and audiobooks with MontanaLibrary2Go costs participating libraries about $531 for the service - 89 percent less than the $5,000 it would cost if the library purchased it on their own.

Wendy Campbell, director of the Darby Community Public Library, said smaller libraries rely on the state library as a connection to other libraries and resources.

Many Montanans may be unaware of the state librarys vital role in our local library communities, because the work is not visible, Campbell said. Yet, our state library provides the cohesion for our libraries across the state to work so well together, and the structure that supports local library work in each of our communities.

Mark Wetherington, director of the Bitterroot Public Library, said the cuts mean local libraries will have fewer resources to assist patrons.

If certain positions are eliminated at the state library, local libraries will have fewer options when seeking help with improving their library services and exploring options for providing new services, he said. The elimination of training opportunities for libraries is huge, as the Montana State Library provided free workshops for librarians to attend and learn how to better serve their communities.

Wetherington said that most of the changes due to the Montana State Library budget may not immediately result in local libraries cutting hours, laying off staff, or reducing materials budgets.

The impact will likely be more of slowing down - if not a halt, in certain areas - of the progress of all libraries in Montana, he said. Rather than being on the cutting edge we will slowly find ourselves behind the curve.

Wetherington said libraries in the Bitterroot Valley are partners in the Montana Shared Catalog, allowing them to share books across the state or beyond state boarders.

If the subsidization of MSC by the state library goes away, then that cost will be passed on to individual libraries and that might result in libraries providing less services/materials to their patrons, Wetherington said. It is a scary thought.

Wetherington said the cuts are especially frustrating because the Montana Shared Catalog, which functions as part of the Montana State Librarys resource sharing directive, was recently recognized at a national conference for its excellent work.

Rather than being able to celebrate that and keep the momentum going, we seem to now find ourselves wondering how to simply maintain our level of service and collaboration, he said.

Ard said libraries add value to communities.

Here in Stevensville we are a hub of activity, she said. North Valley Public Library has a service population of 10,283 and we average about 175 patrons a day, and up to 300 on special days. Our daily door count has astounded the surrounding businesses on Main Street.

Ard said the library is used by all sectors and ages of the community seeking books to read on vacation, audio books to fill the time on a long commute and Wi-Fi to update their operating systems or complete online forms.

She said the library serves as a community center with activities for younger kids and interesting programs for teens and adults.

Libraries are informal teachers for all ages: homeschoolers, youth, seniors, those that are finished with formal schooling but still need to learn, Ard said.

In a June 28 Library Journal article written by Bob Warburton, State Librarian Jennie Stapp was quoted as saying Weve never dealt with cuts of this magnitude.

Were a service-oriented industry. We dont like to say no to people, Stapp noted. But we know were not going to have the resources we need to do everything we currently do. So everybodys sort of wondering, 'What arent we going to do and who are we going to have to say no to?' Thats painful.

Jackson, president of the Montana Library Association of Board of Directors, said the state library staff and librarians throughout the state will strive to continue to meet patron needs.

But the budget reductions are a step in the wrong direction and will hamper our efforts and our ability to grow, evolve, and progress, she said.
Guwahati : Assam government will provide free textbooks to the students studying in the government-run schools up to Class X, whose textbooks were damaged in the current deluge in the state.

Assam Finance and Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that, the state government has decided to provide textbooks to the flood affected students within the month of August, those lost their textbooks in the flood.

'To get the benefit, the students have been asked to submit their requirement of new textbooks to respective heads of the schools by July 25 and the same will be forwarded to the district officials by the schools by July 30 and the new textbooks would be provided by the end of August,' Sarma said.

The Assam minister said that, more than 2.5 million people of 3951 villages under 114 revenue circles of 29 districts are affected in the current flood and claimed 52 lives till July 15.

'The flood waters submerged around 1,96,700 hectares crop areas of the flood-hit districts and damaging 12 numbers embankments, around 604 roads and culverts and 71 numbers bridge. Around 1.22 lakh people have been taken shelter in the 320 relief camps set up by the district administration,'Sarma said.

The Assam minister further said that, the district administration had distributed 40,640 quintal rice, 7,530 quintal dal, 2,462 quintal salt, 16,298 liters mustard oil, 28,674 numbers tarpaulin among the flood-affected people and set up 711 relief distribution centres.

'There is absolutely no dearth of funds in the state. The state finance department had already released adequate funds to the district commissioners before flood. The relief fund was unspent last year and still over Rs 300 crores are lying in the state coffers. We are asked to the district commissioners to provide adequate relief items to the

flood-affected people,'A the Assam finance minister said.

The Assam minister also instructed to the district commissioners to conduct extensive medical camps in the flood-hit areas once the flood waters gradually receding.

Himanta Biswa Sarma further said that, a ministerial group of the union government will visit the state soon and the centre asked the state government to submit a memorandum with all damage costs.

'Union health minister JP Nadda on Friday had released Rs 100 crore to the state government and we hope the centre will help the state to repair all flood damages,aA Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

'The Assam minister said that, the state government had also provided feeds to the flood-affected animals in Kaziranga National Park.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
JERUSALEM, July 16: Israel will gradually reopen a Jerusalem holy site Sunday after taking the rare step of shutting it down following a deadly assault there that sparked concerns of a fresh round of violence.

For the first time in decades, Israel closed the site  known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount  on Friday after an attack by three Arab citizens of Israel who opened fire from the sacred site with automatic weapons and killed two police officers before being shot dead inside the compound.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that following consultations with security officials the site would be reopened Sunday afternoon with increased security measures that included metal detectors at the entrance gates and additional security cameras to make sure that no weapons are smuggled inside again.

Israeli forces conducted a security sweep early Sunday and began installing the detectors. Given the large number of worshippers expected to enter the site, the new measures could slow movement and spark tensions.

The attack triggered a rare phone conversation between Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who condemned the attack and called for the site to be reopened. Jordan, a custodian of the sacred compound, also called for its immediate reopening. Netanyahu acted quickly to allay Muslim fears, saying that the status quo at the Muslim-administered site will be preserved. But Gazas Hamas rulers called the act a religious war and urged Palestinians to carry out more attacks.

Early Sunday, Israeli police said security forces shot dead a Palestinian assailant behind a pair of recent shooting attacks. Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said police tracked down the 34-year-old suspect in a joint operation with the military. The suspect opened fire with an automatic weapon, prompting the troops to return fire, killing him.

In the past two years, Palestinians have killed 45 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist in stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks. During that period, Israeli forces have killed more than 255 Palestinians, most of them said by Israel to be attackers while others were killed in clashes with Israeli forces.

Israel blames the violence on incitement by Palestinian political and religious leaders compounded on social media sites that glorify violence and encourage attacks. Palestinians say the attacks stem from anger over decades of Israeli occupation of territories they claim for their future state.

The Jerusalem shrine has been the scene of repeated confrontations, including during the current wave of violence.

Israel has previously accused Palestinians of stockpiling rocks and other projectiles in one of the mosques in the holy compound. Israeli security forces have fired tear gas and stun grenades at the compound to disperse Palestinian stone throwers, who have at times targeted Jews praying at the adjacent Western Wall.

In September 2000, then-Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon made a provocative visit to the site, sparking Palestinian protests that quickly escalated into armed clashes between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli soldiers.

The incident was one of the triggers of an armed Palestinian uprising and an Israeli military crackdown. The violence claimed several thousand victims, most of them Palestinians, and only began to ebb in 2005.
Guwahati : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday had filed a charge sheet against the three top brass leaders of the anti-talk faction group of United Liberation Fron of Asom (ULFA) for intending to wage war against the country before the special NIA court in Guwahati.

The investigation agency had filed charge sheet against C-in-C of the outlawed Paresh Baruah alias Paresh Asom alias Kamruj Zaman alias Nur-Uz-Zaman alias Zaman Bhai alias Pradip alias Paban Baruah, its Chairman Dr Abhijit Asom alias Dr AbhizeetAsom alias Abhijit barman alias Dr Mukul Hazaria and Gagan Hazarika alias Joydeep Cheleng.

While Paresh Asom and Abhijit Asom are still absconding, third accused Gagan Hazarika is in police custody.

According to the statement of the central investigation agency, the investigation agency was registered a suo-moto case (RC-04/2013/NIA-GUW) against the outfit group in December 2013 in their Guwahati office and the charge sheet was filed under sections 17, 18, 18A, 18B and 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and 121A, 124A, 120B, 385 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The NIA statement said that, the anti-talk faction of ULFA headed by Paresh Baruah and other members of ULFA are trying to revive terrorist activities by recruiting new cadres, organizing terrorist camps within as well as beyond Indian territories and resorting to extortion and kidnapping to raise funds for attacking Indian security forces, government establishment and infrastructure, thereby intending to wage war against the country.

'The NIA has collected sufficient materials, technical as well as circumstantial evidences against the accused persons during the course of investigation and established the allegations against the accused persons,' the central investigation agency said in the statement.

NIA said in the statement that, Paresh Baruah has been absconding in Myanmar and Dr Mukul Hazarika in United Kingdom.

'NIA has declared them as absconders and further course of action as per law is being initiated,'A said in the statement.

The central investigation agency will carry out investigations against another top brass leader of the outfit Drishti Rajkhowa and other senior leaders.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Kathmandu, Nepal: Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case against three persons including suspended Director General (DG) of Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Chudamani Sharma, at the Special Court on Sunday.

Though the CIAA had submitted the charge sheet to the Special Court on Friday it has not filed due to time constraint. The CIAA has filed case against Lumba Dhwoj Mahat, the chairman of the Tax Settlement Commission, and Umesh Dhakal, a member of the commission.

As the DG of the IRD, Sharma was member secretary of the commission. The trios have been alleged of exemption of taxes of big business for mutual benefits. In te charge sheet, the CIAA has claimed that the trio caused a loss of more than Rs 10 billion to the country and asked for the fine.

The CIAA has also asked them all for jail term of 10 years for trio.
Review Nepal

Kathmandu, Nepal: Responding to the widespread wrath against of the pathetic road condition and sewage system in Kathmandu valley, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has on Sunday directed the concerned authorities to upgrade by setting up the 15 days long deadline.

The government is meant for citizens due to the pathetic road condition and sewage system in Kathmandu valley, what have you been doing? Prime Minister Deuba asked the question during a meeting held at Singhdurbar with ministers, chief secretaries, secretaries and other officials of different departments.

You all would have seen that it is difficult to differentiate between the road and swimming pool seeing the dilapidated condition of the road, which we need to solve the problem anyhow, Prime Minister Deuba said.

The Children are falling into drains and pits due to the pathetic conditions of the roads, what have you been doing? Prime Minister Deuba repeatedly asked the questions. As the government is for the people and the problem should be solved immediately at any cost, Prime Minister Deuba said.
[Update on 18 July 2017: A clarification has appeared see here: https://scroll.in/pulse/844159/fact-check-that-astro-opd-that-mp-is-planning-to-open-its-in-a-yoga-centre-not-a-hospital ]

o o o

The New Indian Express

Astrologers to set up practice in Bhopal, like doctors, to diagnose and solve problems

By Anuraag Singh | Express News Service | Published: 16th July 2017

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh government is planning to start astrology OPD (out-patient department) in which astrologers and such soothsayers will provide consultation to visitors facing diverse problems. These will be staffed by qualified soothsayers under the aegis of the Maharashi Patanjali Sanskrit Sansthan (MPSS), a state government institution in Bhopal.

For three to four hours twice a week (preferably on weekends), astrologers, vastu experts, palmists and proponents of Vedic karmakanda will delve deep into the horoscopes and lifelines of visitors, including patients. The OPD will be operational at the Yoga Center building situated close to the Red Cross building in Bhopal. aOnly we are giving it the name of astro-OPD and in no way will it be any kind of medical OPD to be operated at hospital,a MPSS director PR Tiwari told The New Indian Express.

aLike OPDs where junior doctors work under the supervision of seniors, aspiring astrologers will assist astro experts in dealing with various kinds of cases in the astro OPDs,a added Tiwari.

These experts are faculty members who are teaching aspiring astrologers, vastu experts and purohits under three annual diploma courses for astrology, vastu and paurohitya (priesthood) started by the MPSS a few weeks ago.

aThe students in these diploma courses will not only act as assistants to qualified astrologers in the OPD, but will also get hands-on training in devising astro-based solutions for different problems in the manner junior doctors get from senior specialists in regular medical OPDs,a said Tiwari.

Patients seeking astrological diagnosis of their problems (medical, psychological and social) will pay a registration fee of Rs 5. aThe OPD will help to establish that astrology is not hunch, but a calculative science,a maintained Tiwari.

In these outpatient departments teams of experts and neo-astrologers will study the planetary combinations and changes reflected in the horoscopes of patients. The prognosticators will also analyse varied problems of visitors/patients who come without horoscopes, using the prashna kundali technique.

aThe astrologers will study the planetary combinations at the exact time the questions are asked to arrive at the right astrological solution,a said Tiwari.

Based on the success of this novel effort, similar OPDs are likely be spring up at 138 Sanskrit schools run by the MPSS across the state, inspired by school education minister Kunwar Vijay Shah to produce a pool of qualified astrologers and vastu experts in the state.

aWeare planning to extend the annual diploma course in astrology, vastu and paurohitya to the Sanskrit schools in form of two years diploma courses. The students of Uttar Madhyama (equivalent to Class XI and XII) at the 138 Sanskrit schools who enroll in the two-years diploma courses, will study the diploma course subjects as additional subjects in the years of regular Uttar Madhyama course,a said Tiwari.
Shirley Contreras lives in Orcutt and writes for the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society. She can be contacted at 623-8193 or at shirleycontreras2@yahoo.com. Her book, The Good Years, a selection of stories shes written for the Santa Maria Times since 1991, is on sale at the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society, 616 S. Broadway.
28 year old Azumi Haruko simply vanishes one night. Two aspiring graffiti artists use her image from her missing poster to build a name for themselves and they become a viral hit. And a gang of high school girls are terrorizing the town, beating up only lone men walking home at night. These three stories intertwine in Matsui Daigos drama Japanese Girls Never Die, based on the novel Azumi Haruko wa Yukuefumei by Yamauchi Mariko.

Haruko and her fellow employee Hiroko make a pittance in salary compared to their male counterparts, Jiro and their boss Shacho. Haruko is asked to dress nice, serve tea and sit meekly during an upcoming meeting. In fact, she should dress nice a little more often. When the time comes to hire a new employee they would rather hire a young pretty woman than a young man who has the skill set they are looking for.

Haruko will get together with an old friend from school, Soga Yuji, and a romance will not so much bloom, it is so subdued, but will still happen between the two. Haruko finds out through a friend that Soga dumped her and starts having an affair with a married woman.

Graffiti artist Yukio starts going out with bubbly Aina but she soons become too clingy. He offers to share her with his partner Manabu. Later he yearns to upgrade to a younger girl. A young girl he is also sure he can share with Manabu later. Yukio will dump Aina and she will yearn to find love and acceptance wherever she can, with whomever she can.

For these two young women their stories have an underlying sadness, for they only want to be loved the way they deserve to be loved. Yet they are merely discarded after their usefulness has run out, tossed aside by young men who questionably know what love is really about. Both Aoi Yu as Haruko and Takahata Mitsuki as Aina deliver the emotional performances needed to punctuate how wrong this is.

The gang of girls rumble around on the fringes of these two intersecting storylines, though our two main groups will interact with them throughout the story. Even still, they are also victims of this subjection, if indirectly. Kawamoto, an old school mate of Harukos is reading a report on the gang and all he can comment on is that they flash their panties during an attack. Which means, one of their victims, while being attacked, still looked for his assailants underwear while he was being assaulted.

Keeping track of these three storylines can be a challenge as Matsui has obliterated the linear structure and swings back and forth between Haruko and the young love triangle. That the gang operates within both timelines, terrorizing throughout, not only speaks to how long they have been operating but gives a sense as to how long the struggle of subjugation goes on - that this is a battle that will not be won quickly. Japanese Girls Never Die is challenging an age old institution that goes back as long as anyone can remember.

I believe what Matsui Daigo and his screenwriter Setoyama Misaki are saying here is that there are two options to dealing with this subjugation. First, leave. Leave the circumstances that are holding you down or back. Find something that does not hold you back but elevates you, spiritually and physically. Second, fight back. The gang is the physical manifestation of this second option. Not content on be subjected to men they roam the streets at night laying beat downs on any man walking alone. Matsui and Setoyama also condemn the local constabulary, portraying the police officer as a bit of an oaf, challenging all authorities and institutions for not cracking down on the graffiti artists or the girl gang.

Japanese Girls Never Die speaks locally, but it reaches globally. The irony is not lost that this message is coming across through a medium that has had much scrutiny these past couple years about equality between the two genders.

One of the final shots of the gang, at the end of film, portrays it as multi-generational. Young girls mix with middle aged and elderly Japanese woman as they run a barricade of local authorities, all men. The message is clear that all Japanese woman can counter this subjugation, not leaving it to a new generation. This fight is all of theirs to wage.
Czech director Petr Vaclav made the psychological drama Parallel Worlds in 2001. Then he went on a feature film hiatus until his stellar comeback in 2014 with social drama The Way Out. He has transitioned from being in limbo to becoming a prolific, high octane filmmaker, keeping the momentum going while developing several projects simultaneously.

After The Way Out was unveiled in Cannes at the Association for the Diffusion of Independent Cinema (ACID) sidebar, the first Czech film to do so in a while, Vaclav brought a followup, idiosyncratic social parable, We Are Never Alone (read our review) to Berlinale. He ties up the informal trilogy with Skokan, whiich is led by a non-professional actor who had to be bailed out of prison by the director in order to participate in the film.

The opening titles crack open the enigma of the film title Skokan (in translation, a stream frog or jumper) as prison argot for somebody capable of jumping over many obstacles or avoiding them without unraveling the very nature of problems standing him in the way, the very embodiment that becomes the leading actor Julius Oracko playing a version of himself.

Emerging from behind prison bars after serving a sentence, he heads home, where the downward spiral of drug dealing and prison sentences await him yet again. The young delinquent decides to break the spell, however, his prison background and ethnicity do not play in his favor.

He has an epiphany while routinely watching television; suddenly, a voice-over recalls a peculiar story of a drunkard who was discovered by a filmmaker, went to Cannes and became a famous actor thus turning his life upside-down for the better. Charmed by this (almost) fairy tale, the protagonist decides to embark on a journey to Kan (Cannes) to become an actor in a bid to reinvent his life and fate against all odds stacked against him by the nature of his background and ethnicity.

Skokan represents a major digression in terms of the directors style, although his previous two films are a testament to Vaclavs rather fluid and protean approach to form, his personal auteur poetics defying a single label. Peter Vaclav built and cemented his reputation as a versatile filmmaker, two years ago when he finished a documentary about Mozarts teacher and friend, Josef Myslivecek, titled Confession of the Vanished, followed by a big budget costume drama biopic about Myslivecek, Il Boemo.

In his latest effort, the filmmaker opted for a surprisingly looser approach, relying on a bullet-point script while daily proceedings uncoil mostly as improvisations lacking any predesigned schedule or plot, molded by prevalent circumstances on the set in real time. The unusual experiment marries aspects of fiction and documentary filmmaking in sync with currently prevailing tendency of docu-fictions in arthouse world cinema, spawning an array of diverse iteration.

A legendary Czech filmmaker and a prominent figure of the Czechoslovak New Wave, Jan Nemec, shot a whimsical autobio-pic blending mystification with tongue-in-a-cheek The Wolf from the Royal Vineyard Street that had to be finished posthumously last year. A part of Nemecs film was shot on location in Cannes sans permits, guerilla-style, footsteps in which Petr Vaclav followed.

In Skokans case, though, the director avoided the dilettantish vibe Nemec build upon in his last film. Despite some odd angles, Vaclav preserves the film's visual homogeneity, profiting from handi-cam proxy of the wandering protagonist.

The real-life personality of Julius Oracko overlaps with his on-screen persona -- a similar process characterized the award-winning Slovak film Koza by Ivan Ostrochovsky -- and the resulting form could be easily although undeservedly wrestled into a box labeled dramedy, with a road movie stamped on it.

Regardless of whether he is drawing from documentary conventions and codes or not, Peter Vaclav manages to model the single story into several planes simultaneously, including more archetypal outlines, such as organically blending fable, morality and myth. Skokan is, among other things, a contemporary variation on the Enlightenment-period book by Denis Diderot, Jacques the Fatalist and His Master, a fact openly acknowledged by the director at the beginning of the film in the form of a witty quote.

The unveiling of the inspiration offers an interpretation key and foreshadows the films leitmotif, in addition to grounding it as a spiritual followup to Vaclavs two previous oeuvres, The Way Out and We Are Never Alone.

In The Way Out, the protagonist struggles to liberate herself from the existential malnutrition predetermined by racial bias, whereas the two characters in the bleak omnibus We Are Never Alone keep sinking into the quicksand of the existential marasmus, despite their privileged spot in the major society.

Skokan is a a more upbeat entry leaning towards The Way Out by adhering to its vision, albeit being structured outside the confines of social realism and peppered with humor as the clueless protagonist advances on his road to salvation, to save somebody else, as it turns out in a naive yet chivalrous twist of events.

In contrast to the director's previous two films, Skokans narrative structure is dominated by episodes and elliptical narration, a style marking its gravitation towards more fable-like and mythic patterns. As the protagonist embarks on the voyage towards the stardom in a bold attempt to defy the limits of his previous life, the degree of naivety and foolishness -- it soon transpires that the main character does not know the alphabet -- reflects equally on the protagonists behavior in brushing shoulders with the Czech folk figure from a well-known fairy-tale, foolish Johnny.

Thus, Skokan becomes a variation of not only Jacques the Fatalist but also this folk archetype and a symptomatic domestic figure that champions common sense over education, getting over obstacles and outsmarting aristocracy (as a farmers boy) and securing a good life, which in Skokans case happens less idealistically, since it's a realistic makeover of the fairy tale.

The moral of the fairy tale might by the backbone of the film, the message that nothing is etched into stone, that fate can be altered, although Vaclavs take keeps its legs on the ground, straying from a sentimental and infantile rendition of 'you can achieve whatever you want Hollywood' and other mainstream ventures that have been spoon-feeding their audiences.

Some viewers may have reservations about the sparse plotting, a result of the directors experiment with improvisation, although Vaclav switches into docu-observational mode in those passages, occasionally flirting with magical realism that might and might not be a projection of the protagonist's naive mind. The Czech helmer manages to craft the message he shares with many pop-psychological self-help books in an exceptionally unobtrusive manner, without saccharine, and delivered with a light touch, whilst enveloped in his signature style of civility.

Despite random clouds of melancholia, the films vibe remains rather uplifting. He even introduces a character of a whore hunter (played by Zdenek Godla, a pimp from We Are Never Alone), who is not what he looks like he is, an incarnation against bias and prejudices the film itself heralds, and not solely ethnically-bound.
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 "Ministers of Justice and Mass Incarceration" | Main | PBS Frontline and the New York Times explore "Life on Parole" 

July 16, 2017

A midsummer review of the basics of state and federal marijuana reforms

Today's New York Times has this article providing a basic overview of state and federal marijuana reform discourse circa summer 2017. The article is headlined "States Keep Saying Yes to Marijuana Use. Now Comes the Federal No." Here are excerpts:

In a national vote widely viewed as a victory for conservatives, last years elections also yielded a win for liberals in eight states that legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use. But the growing industry is facing a federal crackdown under Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has compared cannabis to heroin. A task force Mr. Sessions appointed to, in part, review links between violent crimes and marijuana is scheduled to release its findings by the end of the month. But he has already asked Senate leaders to roll back rules that block the Justice Department from bypassing state laws to enforce a federal ban on medical marijuana. That has pitted the attorney general against members of Congress across the political spectrum  from Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, to Senator Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey  who are determined to defend states rights and provide some certainty for the multibillion-dollar pot industry.... Around one-fifth of Americans now live in states where marijuana is legal for adult use, according to the Brookings Institution, and an estimated 200 million live in places where medicinal marijuana is legal. Cannabis retailing has moved from street corners to state-of-the-art dispensaries and stores, with California entrepreneurs producing rose gold vaporizers and businesses in Colorado selling infused drinks. Mr. Sessions is backed by a minority of Americans who view cannabis as a gateway drug that drives social problems, like the recent rise in opioid addiction. We love Jeff Sessionss position on marijuana because he is thinking about it clearly, said Scott Chipman, Southern California chairman for Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana. He dismissed the idea of recreational drug use. Recreational is a bike ride, a swim, going to the beach, he said. Using a drug to put your brain in an altered state is not recreation. That is self-destructive behavior and escapism.... Lawmakers who support legalizing marijuana contend that it leads to greater regulation, curbs the black market and stops money laundering. They point to studies showing that the war on drugs, which began under President Richard M. Nixon, had disastrous impacts on national incarceration rates and racial divides.... Consumers spent $5.9 billion on legal cannabis in the United States last year, according to the Arcview Group, which studies and invests in the industry. That figure is expected to reach $19 billion by 2021.... But marijuana businesses are bracing for a possible clampdown. People that were sort of on the fence  a family office, a high-net-worth individual thinking of privately financing a licensed opportunity  it has swayed them to go the other way and think: not just yet, said Randy Maslow, a founder of iAnthus Capital Holdings. The public company raises money in Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise to legalize recreational use of marijuana. Representative Earl Blumenauer, Democrat of Oregon and a co-chairman of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, is urging marijuana businesses not to be unduly concerned. We have watched where the politicians have consistently failed to be able to fashion rational policy and show a little backbone, he said. This issue has been driven by the people.

Though this Times article does not cover any new or notable marijuana reform ground, it provides an excuse for me to do a midsummer review of some recent posts from Marijuana Law, Policy & Reform. Here is an abridged set of links to some summer postings:

July 16, 2017 at 01:28 PM | Permalink

Comments

Thanks for putting this together. I haven't read it thoroughly but I can see how useful it will be. Marijuana prohibition is such a costly government program and when the swamp is drained we may know who has been profiting. I have my own favorite candidates.

Posted by: beth | Jul 16, 2017 3:15:23 PM

Using a drug to put your brain in an altered state is not recreation. That is self-destructive behavior and escapism....

There is a THC brain receptor. Why is it there, and what does it do?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabinoid_receptor

(Apologies for the medical jargon of that article. It is 100 times worse than legal jargon. You need a frickin' codebreaker.)

What if people who benefit from it have a deficit of endogenous cannabinoids, the way diabetics have a deficit of insulin? Then, the quoted statement is discriminatory against people with an involuntary condition. Guy needs to apologize to all people with hypo-cannabinoidism. They are disabled, and should be granted handicapped parking.

Posted by: David Behar | Jul 16, 2017 3:28:47 PM

But oh how the tide turns when money is needed. Few yes ago everyone was charging, fining and jailing illegal use, but now its ok since we are controlling it and getting tax dollors.

Posted by: MidWestGuy | Jul 16, 2017 4:14:20 PM

Post a comment
Consul General Phung The Long said Vietnam is the 16th trade partner, the 15th exporter, and the third biggest farm produce importer of the State, adding that the two sides should actively explore and optimise their huge cooperation potential.Vo Hong Duc, Director at Australias national energy supervision committee and head of the business and economic research group at the Ho Chi Minh City Open University, highlighted potential cooperative fields such as education, agriculture and consultancy.He also pointed to difficulties that Western Australian companies should thoroughly study before building business and investment plans in Vietnam.He introduced that Vietnam has a population of over 90 million people with new emerging economic zones in major cities like Hai Phong, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Can Tho, which are potential destinations for Western Australian firms.Vo The Truyen from Australias vegetable growers association said Vietnam and Australia are big suppliers of farm produce, especially fruits, therefore, the two sides could shake hands in this sphere.He noted that companies and farms in the Western Australian State have a lot of advantages and experience in preserving, packaging and post-harvest technologies and cultivation techniques, which could be transferred to Vietnamese farmersBruno Delfante, Manager Business Migration Centre under the Small Business Development Corporation of Australia, updated information on the policy of attracting business immigration of the Australian government for Vietnamese businesses.Consul General Long pledged to accompany and support Western Australian and Vietnamese entrepreneurs with regularly provision of information.With the participation of over 70 business representatives, the workshop is expected to create positive changes in the relations between Vietnam and the Western Australian State.

VNS
At the meeting, Lao ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane expressed his pleasure at the visit of the Vietnamese diplomatic delegation; and affirmed the Party, Government and people of Laos always respect and deepen the special relationship between the two nations.Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized an important mean of the the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017, the 55th establishment anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary since Vietnam and Laos co-signed Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

BY THAO NGA- Translated by Huyen Huong
St. Lukes College  UnityPoint Health would like to invite prospective students and their families to its Sioux City campus as part of Iowa Private College Week, July 31 - Aug. 4.

The annual event, sponsored by the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (IAICU), provides hundreds of college-seeking students and their families an opportunity to visit private non-profit college campuses in Iowa. Colleges will offer campus tours and informational meetings specifically designed to assist students in evaluating their needs and goals for their higher education experience.

St. Lukes College will host information sessions beginning daily at 9 a.m. at its 2800 Pierce St. location. College faculty and staff will provide information on St. Lukes hospital-based educational programs, admissions and financial aid. Visitors can explore health careers with hands-activities and a tour of the college campus.

St. Lukes College, a member of IAICU, has bachelors degree completion programs in Nursing and Health Sciences, associate degree programs in Nursing, Radiologic Technology and Respiratory Care; certificate programs in Medical Laboratory Science and Phlebotomy; as well as advanced radiology specialty programs in Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound and Mammography.

Students can pre-register for Iowa Private College Week visits online at www.thinkindependently.com or the Colleges website: www.stlukescollege.edu or by contacting the Admissions Office at: (712) 279-3149 or (800) 252-4660, ext. 3149.
ORANGE CITY, Iowa  Normally, one wouldnt find a tower of Alkaline water in Woudstra Meat Market or be able to order ice cream mixers, but owner Karen Borchers is pulling out all of the stops for RAGBRAI.

The Registers Annual Bicycle Ride Across Iowa kicks off next Sunday morning in Orange City, which will be the starting point for the statewide ride for the first time in its 45 year history.

The ride, which draws cyclists from across the country and globe, is estimated to have a direct economic impact of about $17 million on Iowa. Orange City organizers expect it to draw 20,000 to 25,000 participants to the city of 6,500, known for its strong and visible Dutch heritage.

This year's route, July 23-29, will see cyclists pass through more Northwest Iowa cities, including Alton, Dickens, Granville, Hartley, Primghar, Sutherland and Spencer, the first overnight stop on Sunday.

While this is Orange City's first time hosting RAGBRAI, many business owners think their experience with the annual Tulip Festival  another huge tourist attraction for the town  has prepared them for the occasion.

Additionally, lots of shops are breaking with a norm in Orange City, which boasts a sizeable conservative/Christian population, by being open Sunday to accommodate the legions of cyclists in town.

Housed in a downtown storefront in the Sioux County seat, Woudstra Meat Market is within eyeshot of Windmill Park, where RAGBRAI riders will begin their 400-mile trek across the Hawkeye state.

By staying open for an unprecedented 24 hours, Borchers is expecting more than a few riders to either shop at Woudstra, patron the adjacent brat stand or hang out in the shaded seating area next to the building that can hold more than 100 people. She plans to have about 15 helpers staffing the store the morning of the ride.

Weve ordered a lot more supplies for Dutch candies and cookies, said Borchers, who even has custom-made glazed almond cookies with the Orange City RAGBRAI logo on them for sale.

Besides the candies and baked goods, Borchers said theyve stocked up on dried meats and cheeses so that riders can purchase those for the road, Iowa wines, Dutch themed clothing, shippable gift boxes and more.

Well have different flavored meat sticks and jerky  like foot long strips  and strips of jerky that you can just grab, said Chad Borchers, who works alongside his mother at the specialty butcher shop. Weve been doing that the last couple years for Tulip Festival since we have all these people come in and just walk around.

Town Square Coffeehouse + Kitchen, a few storefronts north of Woudstra Meat Market, plans to stay open until 2 a.m. June 23, the first of the ride, and reopen at 4:30 a.m. to sell riders breakfast burritos, coffee and pastries, said owner Steve Mahr.

Additionally, Town Square will feature live music throughout the weekend, have a rotating staff of 20 employees and is stocked up on kegs and canned beers from Iowa breweries in preparation for the swelling crowds.

When Mahr was asked what people told him to expect from RAGBRAI, his answer was simple: Chaos, he said half-jokingly.

Dan Rodriguez, bike department manager of Kopetsky's ACE Hardware, located a few blocks away from downtown Orange City, also has been gearing up for the influx of out-of-towners.

We are getting supplies ready, he said. Tubes and tires, wheels and brake pads too. We are just anticipating to see how many people are going to really show up and bring their bikes in.

Rodriguez also said they intend to bring in additional bike department staff from Kopetskys sister store in Yankton, South Dakota, to ensure as many cyclists as possible are served while in Orange City.

Weve gotten a lot of bikes coming in this past month  almost three or four daily at least, Rodriguez said. Were sure that the week of its just going to be insane; all the last minute repairs.

In addition to the storefronts, there are going to be 36 vendors scattered around downtown Orange City, hotels and local campgrounds  makeshift and standard  are booked to the gills and a lot of dollars are expected to flow into town.

This is just an estimate, but around $165,000 will come into the town and thats just for us; thats not what all the vendors are going to make, said Benji Hulstein, treasurer of Orange Citys nonprofit RAGBRAI committee, which plans to donate all of its profits to local charities after taking care of its debts.

In Spencer, which is about 60 miles from Orange City, locals also are expecting a huge economic impact in the city of 11,000 plus residents.

One example taking place in the Clay County seat community is that the local Family Table restaurant is booked for a catering event expected to feed about 1,400 cyclists.

Bill Campbell, executive director of the Spencer Chamber of Commerce, noted RAGBRAI always provides a financial boost to the community.

Its our fifth time to host the event and it has a great impact on our accommodations: Our hotels, our restaurants, our convenience stores especially, but you know it trickles down to the service industry, he said.

Even though it does happen on a Sunday when most of the retail outlets in the downtown area and several others are closed that day, it is a big day for the riders and some of those stores will be open and again, the economic impact is great  dont have a dollar amount to put to it  but its a great time to showcase our community.

One business that will be open Sunday is Bikes, Boards & Shades in downtown Spencer. Like its counterpart in Orange City, the locally-owned bike shop is taking preemptive measures to accommodate cyclists.

Owners Jason and Brandy Chaffin said they have ordered parts and tires for bicycles they typically don't carry in their store, plan to have extra staffers working and are offering a 15 percent discount to shoppers.

Its always good for business and for fun too, said Brandy Chaffin. Anytime RAGBRAI is super close or stays here, it always helps our business; we get busier."
King Kong is more suited to summer. Getting Kong: Skull Island on DVD next week somehow rights the wrong of releasing the film in spring.

Full of popcorn moments, it lets director Jordan Vogt-Roberts have fun with the setting, too.

Now encountering the big guy in the 1970s, it lets Vogt-Roberts play with conceits unique to the era. Theres even a tribute to Francis Ford Coppolas Apocalypse Now and a nod to female photographers who captured the decade.

Like the much-later Jurassic Park, it suggests theres a place on Earth that time forgot, a refuge for an oversized ape and a lot of prehistoric creatures.

A team  led by a determined John Goodman  goes to check it out, even though plenty advise the experts to leave well enough alone.

A mercenary (Tom Hiddleston, who barely has anything to contribute), a photographer (Brie Larson), a disgruntled military man (Samuel L. Jackson) and a team of soldiers take the risk, crash on Skull Island and encounter a group of natives and a World War II veteran (John C. Reilly) who has been there for decades. He fills them in on Kong, Kongs adversaries and the likelihood of getting off the island.

Undaunted, the visitors press on and have their own close encounter of the furry kind.

Interestingly, Kong isnt all that threatening, even in 3-D. Its the flying reptiles who bear watching. Theyve got a mess of relatives and some larger-sized versions that could spell the end of everyone.

No newcomer to foreshadowing, Vogt-Roberts plants plenty of clues designed to help you figure out whos going to die. The minute someone talks about the folks back home you know hes toast.

While Skull Island doesnt have a lot of visual surprises, it does get its moneys worth out of Reilly, who provides both laughs and suspense. He gets the Dennis Hopper vibe going while Larson rocks a Candice Bergen one. Goodman goes a little too Cloverfield Lane for his own good, but there are mentions of Nixon and other 70s figures that should resonate with a certain segment of the audience. The films look  for the most part  is spot on, even though stray props and costumes betray the era.

Larson isnt all that adept at holding a camera, either, but shes so busy documenting the trip you wonder what will come of all the film shes shooting.

While Hiddleston could have been replaced by dozens of others, Jackson has just the right edge to give this tension.

Oddly, Kong isnt afforded much of part. He stomps around a lot, stares down the two stars and has an epic fight. Thats fine for some oversized egos. Not Kong. He deserves the kind of attention that comes only in summer.
SIOUX CITY | Kids will travel back in time to the Corps of Discoverys encounters with fish and cottonwood trees at 10 and 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. Admission and materials will be free.

Campfire Stories, at 10 a.m., will begin with a tail about a fishermans encounters with a magical fish. Kids then will go on their own fishing adventure in the Centers Mini-Missouri.

Junior Explorers, at 11 a.m., will focus on giant cottonwood trees growing along the Missouri River. Kids will weave a colorful craft using material from cottonwoods.
Denny and Due (Perley) Lowell of Sioux City, Iowa, will celebrate 50 years of marriage with a card shower.

Their children are: Kelli of Sioux City; Jennifer of Sioux City; Wendi of Omaha, Nebraska. They have five grandchildren. Both are retired.
ELK POINT, S.D. | Materials at a junkyard outside Elk Point caught fire and required numerous departments to come to assist Saturday.

The fire was reported around 4 p.m. at a junkyard across the road from the Elk Point landfill on 476th Avenue.

Black smoke could be seen billowing from the fire 20 miles away in Sioux City. Scanner traffic indicated there were piles of tires engulfed that created the black smoke.

Crews from Vermillion, North Sioux City, Jefferson, Alcester, and Beresford, South Dakota, arrived on scene to help fight the flames.

Water tankers were constantly leaving to refill and coming back to fuel fire engines' hoses. An aerial boom was also used that would spray water hundreds of feet outward on the fire.

At 6 p.m. the smoke had turned to a white color and scanner traffic indicated crews were "making good progress."

Injuries and what caused the fire were unknown as of 8 p.m. Saturday.

A truck filled with water coolers was spotted entering the scene to provide relief for firefighters in Saturday's weather that was in the 90s.
SIBLEY, Iowa | Everything I love about county fairs played out for me Friday morning in the span of a few minutes.

Mackenzie Schiphoff, 12, of rural Melvin, Iowa, grabbed a halter and led Blaze, her breeding heifer, around the ring at the Osceola County Fair, part of the showmanship competition.

Minutes later, she stood with me in the 4-H Exhibition Hall, describing the work she did this year in transforming a piece of junk into a spectacular John Deere green tractor swing.

If you have a county fair in your neck of the woods (there are seven this week in Siouxland), I ask you to attend. Admission is nothing, or next to nothing, for nearly all of these fairs, wholesome events that invite you to stroll the grounds at your pace to observe what our children are doing with their free time.

(One observation I make repeatedly at county fairs is the widespread absence of cell phones in the hands of children and teens. Young people actually make eye contact and say "Hi" as I make my way through a number of fairgrounds across Siouxland. Friday was no exception.)

OK...back to the story at-hand: When Schiphoff, a seventh-grader to-be at Sibley-Ocheyedan Middle School, isn't feeding cows, she's sandblasting, staining and painting a rusted piece of junk, turning it into a stunning showpiece destined for the Iowa State Fair.

Brent Schiphoff, Mackenzie's dad, found the piece in their landlord's junk pile. He brought it home and turned it over to Mackenzie.

"It was all her idea to do this," said Mackenzie's mom, Janette Schiphoff. "We don't know what color it was, because it was all rusty."

Mackenzie said she'll sew cushions for the tractor swing over the winter and enter those items as a 4-H project for her Baker Roadrunners 4-H club in 2018.

Interestingly, Mackenzie said the 4-H Exhibit Hall isn't her favorite place or activity at the Osceola County Fair. Rather, she prefers showing horses and cows. Her uncle, Nick Krogman, of Ashton, Iowa, will take Mackenzie to the Iowa State Fair next month and they'll join eight extended family members in prepping and showing 15 cows.

What's more? Most of the extended family will sleep on cots in the dairy barn on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Their stay will last four days.

"Sleeping in the dairy barn is loud and the lights are left on," Mackenzie said. "Other than that, it's not bad."

One exhibit I missed this year was the file cabinet that Baker Roadrunner 4-H member Alex McDougall transformed into a smoker. According to Ashley Peters, the county's 4-H youth coordinator, McDougall took an old file cabinet and placed a heat coil in the bottom, which can fire wood chips.

"You could pull drawers out to put the meat in to be smoked," said Peters, who is still marveling at the 2016 entry by McDougall.

For a 2017 encore, McDougall, a junior to-be at Sibley-Ocheyedan High School, created a denim-top dress with a ruffled-lace bottom.

McDougall, like the other girls in this story, shows cows at the Osceola County Fair, an event that's grown in recent years as livestock numbers and exhibitors rise.

"Swine and beef numbers are way up this year," said Peters. "We have 156 4-Hers, not counting our Clover Kids. And we have 100 to 125 exhibiting."

While observing the 4-H Beef Show, Peters lauded the Bottle Bucket and the Return Bottle Bucket programs for serving as a great feeder program into the Beef Show.

The overall Beef Showmanship award, named for the 31st year in memory Ralph and John Hellinga, longtime fair volunteers and Beef Show promoters, went to 10-year-old Lainie Raveling, of Melvin, a 4-H member who participated in the Bucket Bottle program one year ago.

Raveling, one of six girls in the finals of the Junior Showmanship category, advanced to the overall showmanship finals and won it, working hand-in-halter with Snoopy, who tipped the scales on weigh-in day at 1,170 pounds.

"I was scared that Snoopy might be tired and bucky," said Raveling. "He saw the door and said, 'I'm out of here.'

"But I held on," she concluded.

After securing the title, Raveling kept her grip on Snoopy with her right hand, while clutching the Hellinga Overall Beef Showmanship trophy in her left hand. And while Snoopy heads back to the barn, the trophy, she said, will soon hang in her room.
DAKOTA CITY | A man faces multiple charges after he was involved in a Dakota County pursuit Friday afternoon.

A press release said deputies were dispatched to Lux Trucking near Hubbard, Neb., at 4:47 p.m. for a disturbance between the business owner and two unknown males.

Prior to arrival, an involved party left the area in a Dodge Durango. When deputies located it near Kramper Lake, the car evaded police attempting to stop it. A pursuit began for eight miles on gravel roads before it ended at 180th Street and S Avenue in Dakota County.

The suspect was identified as Ronald Soulek, 61, from Sioux Falls, the release said.

There were no injuries in the pursuit, but several cars were run off the road by Soulek, the release said.

He has been charged with flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, DUI, no operators license, speeding, no vehicle registration and no proof of insurance.
For Sadie Floding of Helena, spending three days in Billings among other energetic professionals was the right boost for her fledgling online clothing brand.

Floding, 25, attended the Innovate Montana Symposium to build her list of contacts and learn how to market her year-old firm, Live Life Clothing Co. During one session, a presenter noted the iconic dogs of Budweiser, from Spuds Mackenzie in the 1980s to a Super Bowl commercial in 2015 about a lost pooch. They boost the beer giant with just an image, he said.

That really resonated with me. How can I connect customers with our brand? Floding said during a break at Starbucks inside the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel.

Floding was one of roughly 600 attendees at the symposium, which is in its second year and is one of Gov. Steve Bullocks Main Street Montana programs.

The group was a mix of entrepreneurs, state officials, economic development pros, educators and nonprofit types. They listened to talks from inspirational business leaders with Montana ties, including Native American clothing designer Bethany Yellowtail, pressed the flesh and absorbed as much as they could.

In his opening remarks, Bullock noted that Montana is frequently mentioned at the top of lists for entrepreneurship and startups. Thats despite the challenges business owners face trying to attract skilled workers and navigate the vastness of the state.

So what did attendees think? I interviewed close to a dozen during their Thursday lunch break, a few hours before the symposium would wrap up.

Keeping employees is a challenge for Sanderson Stewart in Billings, just like most Montana businesses, but D.J. Clark said he was happy to hear at the symposium his firm is doing some things right.

It really kind of validated a lot of the things were doing. One specific thing was getting away from the traditional, 8-to-5, punch-a-clock work week and allowing flexibility for people that have kids, need to work from home, or want to sleep in and work more in the evening. Its more about getting the work done in the time you need to, he said at the food truck court on First Avenue North.

Sitting across from Clark was Jim Bennett of the Montana State University-Northern Foundation in Havre, who noted hes almost out of business cards from all his networking.

We need to have more of that kind of collaboration, where industry is informing education, and education is informing industry, too, about trends were seeing, Bennett said.

Brenda Schilling made the long trip from Glacier County to learn more about economic development opportunities in her new job with the regional port authority. She said she was glad to see so much focus on rural Montana areas and Indian country, where help is needed to grow their economies.

Even those at high levels of state government made new connections. Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney, while pausing from his tasty street food lunch, noted hed met several business owners who view Montana as their brand.

Hopefully, we can do a better job as a state working with these local entrepreneurs and helping them flourish, grow and do the things they need to do to be successful, Cooney said.

Out and about

Magic City Real Estate has opened a new office at 649 Main St. in Billings. Broker/ owner Reatha Montoya moved from her home office to the retail front this summer. The business has four Realtors  Marcie Anderson, Shelby Fossum, Ron Gray and Trina Soria. The phone number is 406-850-9858.

Signed, Sealed & Delivered, a gift and card store at 1212 Grand Ave., Suite 13, is closing at the end of the month. The shop is holding a big liquidation sale through the end of the month and has been operated for about 27 years.

A new eatery, Time 4 Burgers and Such, is moving into Rimrock Mall.

Inside the numbers

$120,000  The illegal stock gains allegedly made by a Massachusetts Institute of Technology research scientist, who authorities say used insider information on the takeover of Stillwater Mining by a South African firm, Sibanye Gold Ltd.

Reuters reported last week that Fei Yan, 31, was arrested on suspicion of placing trades ahead of the merger based on insider information from his wife, a corporate attorney.

Yan learned of the proposed merger last August, about four months before it was announced publicly, and began buying stock of Stillwater, Montanas largest mining company.

Once the merger was announced Dec. 9, Yan then sold his Stillwater shares for a profit, U.S. Securities and Exchange regulators allege.

Yan was charged in a criminal complaint with securities and wire fraud and released on a $500,000 bond.

80,000  The number of Montana drivers now eligible for new roadside assistance from Farmers Insurance. The Los Angeles-based firm announced recently its implementing a new program that will allow customers to better dispatch tow vehicles and other service from smart phones.

The app can also provide real-time notifications for claims, a live progress map and other features, the company announced.

Farmers controlled about 6 percent of Montanas total insurance market at the end of 2015, a spokeswoman said.

Haikus from the valley

Legitimacy

for One Big Sky, finally.

But wait continues.
SIOUX CITY | The U.S. Marshals Service Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force caught a wanted fugitive Thursday.

Rudy Castro, 33, was arrested on the near northside of Sioux City by the Sioux City Police Department and members of the U.S. Marshals Service after he was involved in an argument with a female.

He was wanted by the Iowa Department of Corrections for a parole violation and the Douglas County (Neb.) Sheriffs Office for failure to register as a sex offender.

Castro was booked into the Woodbury County Jail, where he awaits extradition back to Douglas County, a press release said.
Western Illinois University (WIU) named Liz Nolte as its new director of development. She will be based at the WIU-Quad Cities campus, but will serve the entire university and report to the vice president of advancement and alumni relations. Nolte earned her bachelor's degree and was a member of the track and field at WIU, and previously served as the operations and communications director for Renew Moline in Moline, Ill. and the director of alumni engagement and annual giving at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.
SIOUX CITY | In the days leading up to the Fourth of July, Bellino Fireworks needed extra hands to staff its highest-traffic tent near the Hamilton Boulevard Hy-Vee.

The Bishop Heelan Marching Band needed a fundraiser for its annual show.

It turned into a mutually beneficial match.

Beginning the Friday before the holiday, as sales began to ramp up, marching band members pitched in to work four-hour shifts at the tent. In turn, they received a portion of the proceeds and tips.

In all, the band raised nearly $1,700.

"It was just a really unique thing for us to be able to help with, and a really good opportunity for the band," said band director James Kunz, who said the money will go toward costumes, flags, backdrops and banners for the next show.

Adam Pitts, Bellino's regional manager who oversaw Northwest Iowa operations, said the help during the final five days was crucial to the tent, which he said sold far above expectations.

"We might not have been able to get the job done without them," Pitts said. "We were so happy to be able to support them, but it was so nice to have their help."

As the Fourth of July fireworks have finished fizzling and the vendors' tents have been dismantled, the aftermath of Siouxland's first summer of fireworks sales is leaving some local organizations like Bishop Heelan with a lasting impact. Bellino Fireworks was among a handful of stands that partnered with local schools and nonprofits to donate a portion of the sales, a collaboration permitted under the bill signed by then-Gov. Terry Branstad that lifted a 84-year-old ban on most consumer fireworks in Iowa.

Another was Urbandale-based Iowa Fireworks Co., which donated 2.5 percent of its proceeds in Sioux City, Spirit Lake and Spencer to local organizations.

In Sioux City, Camp High Hopes -- a local recreational facility for children, teens and adults with disabilities -- will receive the cut. Spencer's stand will donate to the Clay County Heritage Center. The Spirit Lake stand will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

"We're coming into their community, so it's only right that we give back to those communities," said Drew Mattes, a company partner.

Mattes said the company did not have the organizations staff the stands, but they did partner at the Camp High Hopes-sponsored Ribfest to allow for networking opportunities.

Camp High Hopes advancement director Sarah Morgan said the funds will help pay for camper meals, activities, transportation and lodging.

"It's awesome to be chosen for something like this because it means people really appreciate what we do in the community," Morgan said. "It's important because we rely on these community partners and we rely on businesses to continue to support us."

Both organizations say charities are a major part of the organizations' business models. Ali Boettcher, Iowa Fireworks Co.'s director of communications, said tents around the state have given to a wide range of nonprofits, from churches to veterans organizations to nonprofits bringing clean water to African villages.

"Thats been the core message of Iowa Fireworks Co., not only educate but also give back to the community," she said.

Vince Bellino, owner of the Papillion, Nebraska-based company, said out of Bellino Fireworks' 50 stands in the Omaha metro, 45 are run by charities.

"It ties you to the community," he said. "And we pay for everything and basically give them everything they need -- it makes it pretty easy for them to do."

Of the company's six stands in Northwest Iowa, the Hamilton Hy-Vee stand was the only to work with a charity because of the limited time period to start up. But Pitts said when the company returns next year, he expects people to see more partnerships like the one with Bishop Heelan.

"Wed love to see that be six out of six next year," he said.
At the G-20 in Hamburg, it is said, President Trump was isolated, without support from the other G-20 members, especially on climate change and trade.

Perhaps so. But the crucial question is not whether Trump is alone, but whether he is right. Has Trump read the crisis of the West correctly? Are his warnings valid? Is not the Obama-Merkel vision of a New World Order a utopian fantasy?

At the monument to the patriots of the Warsaw Uprising, Trump cited Poland as exemplar of how a great people behaves in a true national crisis.

Calling the Polish people "the soul of Europe," he related how, in the Miracle of the Vistula in 1920, Poland, reborn after 12 decades of subjugation, drove back the invading Red Army of Leon Trotsky.

He described the gang rape of Poland by Nazis and Soviets after the Hitler-Stalin pact. He cited the Katyn Forest massacre of the Polish officer corps by Stalin, and the rising of the Polish people against their Nazi occupiers in 1944, as the vulturous legions of Stalin watched from the safe side of the river.

When the Polish Pope, John Paul II, celebrated his first Mass in Victory Square in 1979, said Trump, "a million Polish men, women and children raised their voices in a single prayer. ... 'We want God.' ... Every Communist in Warsaw must have known that their oppressive system would soon come crashing down." And so it did.

The crisis of the West today, said Trump, is akin to what Poland faced. For it is about the survival of a civilization, rooted in Christianity, that has made the greatest of all contributions to the ascent of man.

What enabled the Poles to endure was an unshakable belief in and a willingness to fight for who they were -- a people of God and country, faith, families, and freedom -- with the courage and will to preserve a nation built on the truths of their ancient tribe and Catholic traditions.

Given the threats to the West, from within and without, said Trump, we need such a spirit now. What are those threats?

"The fundamental question of our time is whether the West has the will to survive. Do we have the confidence in our values to defend them at any cost? Do we have enough respect for our citizens to protect our borders? Do we have the desire and the courage to preserve our civilization in the face of those who would subvert and destroy it?

"We can have the largest economies and the most lethal weapons anywhere on Earth, but if we do not have strong families and strong values, then we will be weak and we will not survive."

Trump professed confidence in the West's will to survive. But whether the West still has the character seems an open question.

Across the West, the traditional family has been collapsing for decades. Not one European nation has a birth rate that will enable its people to survive many more generations. Uninvited migrants in the millions have poured in -- are pouring in -- from Africa and the Middle East. The elite of Europe have been gladly surrendering their national sovereignties to transnational institutions like the EU.

Christianity is more of a dying than a thriving faith on the Old Continent. And as the churches empty out, the mosques are going up. Before our eyes, the West is being remade.

In June, gays and lesbians celebrated in Berlin as the German Parliament voted to approve same-sex marriage.

In Moscow, from May to July, a million Russians stood in lines a mile long to view and venerate a relic of the 4th-century bishop, St. Nicholas, on display in a glass case in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, rebuilt under President Putin.

Liberated from Leninism, Russia returns to the old faith, as Germany returns to Weimar.

At that G-20 gathering in Hamburg, hundreds of criminal thugs went on a three-day rampage -- rioting, burning, looting and battling police, some 300 of whom were injured.

Were the autocrats of the G-20 -- Xi Jinping of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Narendra Modi of India -- impressed with the resolute response of Angela Merkel -- the media-designated new "Leader of the West" -- to mobs rioting in Germany's second city?

At Harvard, Alexander Solzhenitsyn described what was on display in Hamburg: "A decline in courage may be the most striking feature which an outside observer notices in the West in our days. ... Such a decline in courage is particularly noticeable among the ruling groups and the intellectual elite."

Secularist and hedonist, New Europe worships at the altars of mammon. Handel's "Messiah" cannot compete with moonwalking Michael Jackson's "We are the World."

Once Europe went out to convert, colonize and Christianize the world. Now the grandchildren of the colonized peoples come to Europe to demand their share of their inheritance from a West besotted with guilt over its past sins that cannot say "No!"
I should have written this article about three months ago, but the advice is good for anytime of the year.

Spring brings people to Siouxland from other parts of the country, looking for work to do at your home - from coating your driveway to trimming your trees to doing repairs to your house.

As with anything, there are honest people and then there are those who aren't. Some are so bad they will ask for money upfront to buy the materials, then you never see them again. Then there are those who say they did the work, but the work they did was poor. Throughout my years in business, I have seen paint used to repair a roof and have seen names of local companies used as part of scams. I have seen black paint used on a driveway, then called a layer of asphalt. Just a few years ago, an elderly local gentleman paid some people to paint the outside of his home. They only did the lower half of the two-story structure, then disappeared.

When you are looking for a contractor to do work at your place of business or home, it's best if you do some research on the companies you are inviting to give you an estimate. One good resource is the Better Business Bureau - as a consumer, you do not have to belong to use their service. Furthermore, if an issue does arise the BBB will step in and help you resolve it. The BBB keeps files on companies so it can report to the consumer when asked what kind of history the company has in resolving problems. I recommend them over Internet services because they actually help the consumer. I am not aware of Internet services stepping in to help; they only allow you to post a review. Plus, some reviews are inaccurate and a company can take down bad ones.

Part of your research needs to include the contractor's insurance. The contractor should carry copies of their certificate of insurance and give you one. As a consumer you need to call the carrier and ask if the company's insurance is current. It is not uncommon for a business to buy insurance and not keep up with payments. If someone gets hurt on your property as work is being done and it is the fault of the workers, or if somebody doing the work gets injured, you may not be covered. That means money out of your pocket if your insurance does not cover it or the contractor's insurance has lapsed.

Home improvement companies should either come to your home with samples of styles, colors, and types, or invite you to their showroom and/or office. This gives you an opportunity to get to know more about them and might give you a hint about whether they are here today and gone tomorrow. If they invite you into their truck as their office, run the other way. Some contractors, believe it or not, do not show their customers samples of anything, they just send them a quote. Before signing a contract, be sure it includes tax, material and labor. Surprisingly, many quotes do not, and the consumer is shocked when they get their bill. It is imperative that you read the quote and what it covers before signing. Make sure it has in it what you want done. You would be surprised how common it is that quotes lack significant details.

Storms bring storm chasers from not only other parts of the state, but other parts of the country. Many times they do not do all of the work they say they are going to do and sometimes they damage your property and do not repair it. If work is inferior, you might have to pay more money for the work to be redone because you can't get the ones who did the work to come back and fix it. Believe me, it happens. Personally, I know of property owners who this happened to last year after a small hail storm hit part of the north side of Sioux City.

Another thing some contractors will offer to do is cover your insurance deductible. That might sound like music to your ears because most deductibles are a thousand dollars or more. Unfortunately, in today's world it is considered unethical and against the law. Why? Well, insurance companies see the homeowner's insurance policy as a contract between the homeowner and the insurance company. The homeowner is responsible for paying the deductible and the insurance company pays the remainder of the repair bill. So let's say the insurance company figures a repair at $9,000, the contractor says to you that he/she will do the work for $8,000, and your deductible is $1,000. If you do not report the difference to your insurance company, it is seen as fraudulent because you did not pay your deductible. The contractor could be viewed as having "paid" the customer a thousand dollars for allowing him or her to make the repairs, in which case the consumer is committing fraud by cheating the insurance company out of the deductible. If the contractor inflates the price to $10,000 and does the repair for $9,000, again the homeowner isn't paying the deductible. Knowingly misrepresenting an estimate to allow for an increase in a carrier payout is insurance fraud.

Buying locally helps. Knowing your contractor and their place of business, and how long they have been in business, is important information. In today's world, we as consumers can't be too careful.

Know who you are going to contract with to do your work.

Next week: Al Sturgeon

Charese Yanney of Sioux City is owner and managing partner of Guarantee Roofing, Siding and Insulation Co. She serves on the Iowa Department of Transportation Commission, the Iowa Economic Development Authority Vision Iowa board, the Missouri River Historical Development board and the Siouxland Initiative Executive Committee.
Watching the unfolding revelations about contacts between Russia and members of President Trumps presidential campaign has led me to believe Donald Trumps claim that the election was rigged.

It is becoming harder to disregard the reality and ensuing consequences of this. These interferences with the integrity of our elections must be addressed.

As my elected senators, I urge Joni Ernst and Charles Grassley to courageously stand at the forefront of Republicans in the Senate in condemning these actions.

If they cannot or will not, then, in the words of the late Iowan Joseph N. Welch, I ask, Have you no sense of decency ...? - Jackie Austin, Rock Rapids, Iowa
The city of Sioux City's newly formed Senior Advisory Committee is comprised of men and women who have lived, worked and been involved in the growth of the city for many years. They offer their wisdom and their time to represent 13 percent of Sioux City's population. The committee will be responsible for identifying issues and offering recommendations to the City Council on making Sioux City a more livable community for all "senior" ages.

The appointed three-year members are: Jean Carlson, James Chartier, Dan Burrows, Neil Peck, Madeline Fowler and Cheryl Prather.

It is truly an honor to accept the chairmanship of the group for its first year and to be able to work with such a capable group of citizens as well as with Councilman Dan Moore and City Manager Robert Padmore.

We welcome your input and your suggestions. We will meet the fourth Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. in the city manager's office. - Ann Brodersen, Sioux City, Senior Advisory Committee chairwoman
Donna Smith was a pari-mutuel teller for 36 and a half years before she retired and became a horse owner.

I wish I was a horse owner sooner. she said. I never paid attention to the horses while I was working, but now I am hooked on horses. They call me the carrot lady, as I am always bringing treats to the paddock.

Donna is one of the nine owners of Our Mojo, a eight-year-old Kadabra gelding out of the Balanced Image mare, Got Sno Socks. Our Mojo was purchased in 2010 through the Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Associations New Owner Mentoring Group.

Eight owners and their mentor, Dan Clark, each contributed $4,500, while the SBOA added a $15,000 forgivable loan to the pot. These funds went towards purchasing Our Mojo, and his expenses such as staking, training, blacksmithing etc. The SBOA hoped this initial sum would cover all expenses until Our Mojo started making money racing.

I found the Canadian Yearling Sale, held at Flamboro, most exciting. recalled Donna. Mike Keeling, our trainer, asked us to choose 10 yearlings out of the sale catalogue. Then at the sale, he taught us what to look for. He has been fabulous and so patient with all our questions. I dont think Our Mojo was on my list, but thankfully he was on Mikes. Donna chuckled.

Our Mojo was purchased and the group became the Caveator Stable. The new owners visited the Keeling farm regularly and began to understand how a true horseman, like Mike, trained and raced to bring out the best in their horses. After a while the group learned that the best course of action with Our Mojo was to race him in the winter and send him to the pasture farm in the summer.

Most of the SBOAs previous New Owner Mentoring groups kept their horse until the end of its three-year-old racing career and then put the horse into an auction and disperse the profits among the owners.

We had all become so attached to Our Mojo by 2012 that we asked if we could stay on as owners. said Donna.  There wasnt a single owner that wanted out.

The SBOA directors were thrilled. The Program they had started back in 2005 had always encouraged one or two new horse owners per group to become full-time horse owners, but they had never had all nine from one group want to stay on as horse owners. The Caveator Stable kept their ownership in Our Mojo and since each year members of the group have purchased new yearlings.

Now age eight, Our Mojo made an incredible $232,845 during his racing career.

Dan Clark, a retired school teacher from Hamilton, has been the lynch pin that has held the Caveator Stable together, emailing all the owners about upcoming races, farm visits and fielding general horse questions. When it came to the decision about where Our Mojo should go when his racing days were over, Dan contacted his group and asked them to decide. They did their research and unanimously agreed that Our Mojo would be sent to adoption through the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

They screen their applicants, and check up on the adopted horses, so we felt that OSAS was our best option to find Our Mojo a good forever home. Donna said with a sniffle.

Our Mojo entered the OSAS adoption program at the first of July 2017.

He will make a great riding horse, says Mike Keelings wife, Paula Wellwood.

If you are interested in adopting Our Mojo, or another fabulous retired Standardbred racehorse you can contact the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society at [email protected] or call 905-854-6099.

The SBOA will be offering a New Owner Mentoring group again in 2017. If you have never owned a horse and would like to experience horse ownership contact Tammy McNiven, a director of The Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association at [email protected] or call 519-318-8882.

(with files from the SBOA)
McGrail, who is also a real estate broker, earned a bachelors degree in business administration from Montana State University-Billings in 1993. He brings more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience to his new role. McGrail was most recently a business development coordinator at Cellular Plus. Prior to that, he was the National Sales Manager for Cobalt Kinetics, a firearms manufacturer located in St. George, Utah.
Play at the new site will be free and first come, first served through the...
If you or a family member is living with a disability, or if you're a service provider or caregiver for those with disabilities, be sure to visit the Cowlitz County Auditor's Abilities Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday at the McClelland Center at 951 Delaware Street, in Longview..

Participating vendors include: the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP); CapTel captioned phones; and many others.

WATAP will host demonstrations of their latest assistive technology at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., CapTel will give away captioned phones, and various organizations representing persons with disabilities will share information about the services they provide in our community.

The Abilities Expo is being held in conjunction with Washington States Get Out the Disability Vote Week and National Disability Voter Registration Week.

To view the flyer, go to:
Interested in joining your local police, fire, corrections or 911 dispatch agency? Sign up for Public Safety Testing and see if you qualify.

Testing will be held at 10:30 a.m. July 29 at Mark Morris High School, 1602 Mark Morris Court, in Longview. Agency recruiters will be on site at 9:30 a.m.

To sign-up for the test or to see a list of other testing dates and sites, visit the website at www.PublicSafetyTesting.com to complete the easy application process. Click on the "Sign Up" link at the top of the page to begin registration.

Public Safety Testing tests for more than 180 different agencies in Washington, Alaska and Oregon.

For specific questions please call our toll-free line at 1-866-HIRE-911.
Editors note: Todays editorial originally appeared in The Walla Walla Union Bulletin. Editorial content from other publications is provided to give readers a sampling of regional and national opinion and does not necessarily reflect positions endorsed by the Editorial Board of The Daily News.

Oregon is on the verge of embarking on a bold (but perhaps risky) experiment to see if access to treatment rather than long-term incarceration can help reduce the growing opioid addiction crisis.

Oregon lawmakers last week approved legislation that would result in first-time offenders caught with small amounts of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other illegal drugs facing less jail time and smaller fines rather than a long prison sentence.

The legislation, which has not yet been signed into law by the governor, reclassifies possession of several drugs from a felony to a misdemeanor and expands access to drug treatment for people without prior felonies or convictions for drug possession.

We are tying to move policy towards treatment rather than prison beds, said state Sen. Jackie Winters, R-Salem. We cant continue on the path of building more prisons when often the underlying root cause of the crime is substance use.

In theory, what Winters says makes sense.

However, given the awful realities of heroin, cocaine and meth abuse and the crimes often committed to obtain the drugs, this policy might not make a dent in the problem or even send the message to some that such drug use is less than serious.

Clearly, Oregon officials will have to set some clear boundaries and establish an education process.

Lawmakers have worked with law enforcement to write the legislation. As a result, Kevin Campbell, executive director of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, wrote a letter of support for the plan.

Too often, individuals with addiction issues find their way to the doorstep of the criminal justice system when they are arrested for possession of a controlled substance, Campbell wrote. Unfortunately, felony convictions in these cases also include unintended and collateral consequences including barriers to housing and employment and a disparate impact on minority communities.

It seems Oregons plan has been vetted as thoroughly as possible. The next step is to test it in the real world.

Oregons experiment is something that should be monitored by officials in Washington state as well as the rest of the nation.

The problem of drug addiction is one that is crippling the nation. And theres little evidence that the same old policies tied to harsh criminal penalties will change this.

The effort in Oregon is well worth watching.
tech2 News Staff

The Nokia 8 will be the next flagship smartphone to be launched by HMD Global, the Nokia brand's current owners. According to a post on WinFuture the phone is expected to go on sale on 31 July. While previous reports expected the Nokia 9 to be launched in the second quarter of 2017, it now seems that the Nokia 8 would arrive first.

The website also mentioned that Nokia 8 will bear a model number TA-1004 and will be powered by Snapdragon 835 chipset. The device will pack in 4 GB RAM and is expected to come with 64 GB of internal storage. The Nokia 8 is said to come with a dual-SIM card slots in European markets but is expected to introduce a single SIM variant of the smartphone as well.

The price of Nokia 8 is expected to be 589 (approx Rs 43,415) in Europe. The device will come in four color variants: blue, Steel, gold/blue and gold/copper.

According to previous reports, the Nokia 8 was expected to arrive with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset and the Nokia 9 with a Snapdragon 835 chipset. The previous report also mentioned about a Nokia 2 that would be launched with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 or a MediaTek processor and even Nokia 7 that would pack in a Snapdragon 630 chipset.

Nokia's recently launched smartphone the Nokia 6 is open for registrations for it's sale on online retail website Amazon India. The sale will start from 23 August. The phone is priced at Rs 14,999 and includes Rs 1000 cashback for the customers paying the amount through Amazon Pay balance. Amazon Prime members will get a discount of Rs 500 whereas the new Prime member subscriber will get Rs 1000 discount. The Amazon Prime membership costs Rs 500.
Tusti waiting for film Hason Raja

Sheikh Arif Bulbon :

Popular TV actress, model and Legal and Welfare Secretary of Actors Unity Shamima Tusti is now engaged with acting and activities of Tusti founded organisation Aamra Manush.

She is waiting for the release of her acted movie Hason Raja now. She played the role of Kushum in the movie. Mithun Chakraborty acted with her in this film.

In Eid-ul-Fitr, she was not only engaged with acting but also gave time to her organisation. On Banglavision, her acting in Salauddin Lavlu directed play Prem Kora Nishedh was highly appreciated to all. Therefore, she has been engaged with different activities of Actors Unity.

Two years ago, to raise voices in favour of liberation war from generation to generation as its president Tusti formed the organisation Aamra Manush. Under the banner of this platform members of the organisation visit different schools to pursue them messages about the war of independence.

While talking about her initiatives Tusti told this correspondent, Now my identity as an actress. But in future, I want to introduce myself as a leader to all. I have been working in this regard now preparing myself. If we give importance to young generation we can surely build up a developed Bangladesh in the long run.

Meanwhile, Tusti is working in several numbers of serials now. These are: Sanjit Sarkars Moznu Ekjon Pagol Nohey, Shahjada Mamuns Shukno Patar Nupur, Biplobs Tirigiri Tokka, etc.


Call for inclusive gender responsive public services



Speakers at a meeting in the city on Sunday suggested ensuring inclusive gender responsive public services in the country to establish rights of women in every sphere of society.

Women community needs easy access to all sorts of public services to ensure their dignified life, the speakers said at a view exchange meeting on "Public Service" at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) here.

ActionAid Bangladesh, in cooperation with different non-government organizations, organized the meeting.

ActionAid Bangladesh Director of Program Policy and Campaigns Asgar Ali Sabri, former research fellow of BIDS Pratima Paul Majumder and representatives of different non-government organizations, among others, addressed the meeting.

Nuzhat Jabin, Manager, Rights to Just and Democratic Governance of ActionAid Bangladesh, presented a keynote paper at the meeting highlighting different aspects of public services in the country.

Pratima Paul Majumder said, "Financing is very important component for quality public service. So, wealthy people should pay their taxes properly to supplement the efforts of the government to provide quality public services."

Asgar Ali said public service providing organizations should be more accountable and transparent so that the people get easy access to the public services.

He urged the government to take women-friendly initiatives for ensuring inclusive gender responsive public services, which eventually would boost the development process in the country.

In her presentation, Nuzhat Jabin said, "Improving the governance and quality of public service is a long journey. As the country continues to urbanize and develop economically, our expectation of the quality of the service will evolve accordingly."

"In recent years, much investment has gone to address the issues of quality of public services, but until we recognize that public services should address gendered practical and strategic needs, a section of the community will continue to be marginalized," she added.

Nuzhat Jabin placed an eight-point proposal, including service through using public funds, gender responsive budgeting, inclusive participation of women in decision making, accountability of public service providers and sexism-free institution for ensuring inclusive gender responsive public services.

She also placed a four-point demand for quality public services. The demands are to ensure domestic resource mobilization efforts, gender budgeting through grassroots' women participation, legally binding mechanisms of service delivery and devolution of power to strengthen upazilas and municipalities.


Alisa Etzel has moved into a new role in marketing at Morrison-Maierle. An 11-year employee-owner and, most recently, a web designer at the firm, Etzel will advise and support proposal preparers and authors on graphic strategies. She will also be responsible for coordinating, developing and monitoring assigned marketing activities throughout the firm. This includes formats for proposals, firm information, resumes and printed materials. Etzel is originally from Columbus and received a degree in graphic arts from Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. After graduation, she was an online designer for The Billings Gazette and Signs Etc.
JAMALPUR: Victim of Jamuna River erosion Jobeda Begum, a housewife at Dewanpara Village in Chinaduli Union living in the same shelter on a street with her domestic animals. This snap was taken on yesterday. .
Global food insecurity : Could the next generation have the answer?

Adrian Percy :

How many teenagers do you know who would list 'farmer' as their dream job? Chances are, very few. From Aberdeen to Accra, farming is declining in popularity. Young people are put off by the long hours, low pay, and a perceived lack of opportunities for career growth. Right now, the agriculture sector employs around 40% of the global workforce - rising to 65% across Africa - but most of these farmers are over the age of 50. There are fewer and fewer young people willing to take on the seemingly thankless task of running a farm.

This is a worrying trend, particularly when you consider that the world's population is set to reach almost 10 billion people by 2050. On top of this, current resources are already under threat from soaring global temperatures and dwindling water supplies - the undeniable effects of climate change. In future, we're going to have to do more with less.

Within the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN recognises that to tackle world hunger, we need to radically transform how we grow, share and consume our food. To do this, we'll need a new generation of farmers working on collaborative, technology-driven solutions to an increasingly threatened global food supply.

At the Youth Ag-Summit taking place in Brussels this October, 100 young leaders from within the agricultural sector will get together to debate the challenges and opportunities facing modern farming, and to translate their ideas into action. These delegates are leading a new wave of agricultural advocacy - from driving agricultural training programmes in urban areas, to embarking on social entrepreneurship.

Although the delegates are from 49 different countries, they have more in common than you might expect. One point of agreement was that the lack of interest from their peers in pursuing a career in agriculture is often due to outdated ideas about what it means to be a farmer in the 21st century.

For instance, how many young people consider farming - which humans have practised for over 10,000 years - to be a cutting-edge sector? Yet across the globe, practices such as precision farming are already using drones, GPS technology and even robots to improve productivity.

Thanks to the Internet of Things, sensors embedded in the soil let farmers known when to plant or harvest their crops. And any farmer with a smartphone can now gain a business advantage by checking the market value of their produce in real-time.

Today's generation of digital natives is perfectly suited to wield these new tools for the benefit of future farming. But herein lies the next challenge.

Young people need encouragement in the form of training and resources to consider farming as a viable career. Without sufficient public and private sector investment in agricultural education and innovation, young people will continue to be turned off the profession.

Global leaders already agree that to address food insecurity, we must align agricultural methods and use technology to transform farming into an innovative, forward-looking sector. The new Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU has promised to focus on the "sustainability and competitiveness of EU agriculture", whilst also implementing digital solutions and technologies as an enabler for international development beyond Europe's borders.

But whether at home or abroad, this modernisation can only happen with the active involvement of young people.

It's therefore encouraging to see a focus on promoting intercontinental cooperation of young people in the Estonian Presidency's plans for the upcoming 5th EU-Africa Summit. This is a good start.

But listening to young people's voices when it comes to tackling food security issues needs to become the norm, not the exception. After all, these are the people we are relying on to feed the future.



(Adrian Percy is the head of Research & Development at Bayer Crop Science).


Lesotho's economic woes create generation of migrants

AFP, Maseru :

In a cottage in rural Lesotho, Tisetso Litheko lays out six full passports packed with immigration stamps showing his constant movement across the border to neighbouring South Africa.

The 31-year-old former shepherd is one of more than 400,000 Lesotho nationals who live for much of the year in South Africa, forced by decades of a lack of work in the small mountain kingdom to seek a livelihood elsewhere.

"Moving to South Africa was something I could not avoid. I had very few options here in Lesotho," Litheko told AFP. The flood of migrants from Lesotho-a country the size of Belgium that is encircled by South Africa-goes back to the discovery of gold in Johannesburg in the 1880s, when thousands of men from Lesotho were recruited to work in mines.

Litheko says his father and grandfather spent most of their lives as mineworkers in Johannesburg, the first in a long line of male members of the family who were forced to migrate for work.
Mugda Hospital needs more attention

FROM the very inception, Mugda General Hospital in the eastern edge of the Dhaka city is facing many problems including shortage of physician, nurse, pathologist, radiologist and other supportive staff and lack of administrative cohesiveness. The government has established the 500-bed hospitals four years ago to provide healthcare to patients coming from the eastern part of the city.



But the hospital remained partly equipped, in addition to lacking of manpower to address the need of patients. Corruption in hospital management that includes misappropriation of fund for buying equipment has left the hospital only partly functional. Bribe on awarding procurement contracts and recruitment of stall has plagued the hospitals to continue to suffer. A national daily reported quoting patients as alleging that they do not get the minimum indoor and outdoor healthcare from the hospital and blamed negligence of physicians, nurses, and ward boys and scarcity of medical kits for it.



In fact skilled mismanagement is high in running hospitals. But at Mugda Hospital no medical equipment or other support facilities are sufficiently available. Doctors often keep absent and nurses and staff abuse patients and their attendants. Diagnosis equipment found inoperative. But hospital management tells otherwise to put the blame on the government for shortage of doctors and required manpower. They say on average, 3000 patients come to the hospital per day for treatment, in addition to 1200 for diagnosis purpose. The hospital has only 160 physicians to cope with the situation. But insiders say most doctors and staff regularly remains absent. What is more disturbing is that physicians and nurses don't take patients seriously.



In fact all the government-run hospitals in the capital and all over the country are poorly managed and supplied where most of the fund get misappropriated and grabbed by management officials and suppliers working for the hospitals. Poor oversight and lack of disciplining measures are allowing corruption to eat up major part of the hospital budget. Vested interest quarters are at work from the Health Ministry and Directorate of Health down to hospital management to take up procurement projects and misuse of fund instead of fully equipping the hospitals. Reports galore about such misappropriation keeping the hospitals poor and mismanaged. Similarly the quality of treatment at private hospitals is also very poor while they charge exorbitant fees.



Mugda Hospital is an example of poor management that needs proper attention to turn it into a good hospital. Though set up for patients from the eastern edge of the city, most patients avoid going there and come to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital adding to the crowd. It defeats the very purpose of setting up the Mugda Hospital and we draw the attention of the authorities concern to remove all shortcoming of the hospital to make it a place of good treatment for patients.
Re-commissioning of Pahartali Haji Camp stressed

Chittagong Bureau :

Training and seminar for the intending Hajj pilgrims of 2017 was held at Chittagong Zila Parishad hall on Saturday from 9 am.

The hajj pilgrims were imparted training and other norms of hajj performance through projectors. In the seminar, the discussants emphasized the re-comissioning of five decades old Pahartali Haji camp from this season after necessary renovations of the existing haji camp.

The speakers in the seminar also said the intending hajis from remote areas of the Chittagong divisional zone may avail the Pahartali Hajj camp easily aimed at embarkation for Jeddah from Chittagong International Airport. The discussants also said following the appeal of the HPWC , Prime Minister had issued directives to the concerned authorities to reopen the Pahartali Hajj camp in last year but no progress of the renovation of the existing Hajj camp yet to be sighted.

Hajj experts in the seminar told that Hajj is an obligatory (Farz) for the solvent Muslims and they discussed elaborately the significance of Hajj pilgrimage The speakers expressed happiness over the performance of one lack 27 thousand hajj pilgrims to perform this year. President of the HPWC Ahmadul Islam Chowdhury presided over the programmess of hajj training and seminar. Secretary General Dr Abdul Karim delivered address of welcome in it duly moderated by Dr.Saleh Ahmed Suleman.

Director of the Islamic foundation Abul Hayat Md Tarek delivered speech highlighting the govt rules and regulations for hajis.Former district and session judge Ismail Miah and Abul Makarrim Md.Ahmadullah imparted training to the pilgrims th rough multimedia projectors . After end of seminar and training, Moulana Musa Ansari conducted muanajat and doa , a HPWC sources said.


4 `Neo-JMB militants` surrender at Ashulia den

Three alleged members of militant outfit surrendered to the elite force RAB during a raid at a hideout at Chorabali area in Ashulia, on the outskirts of capital Dhaka on Sunday.

Staff Reporter :

Four alleged members of new faction of banned militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB) surrendered to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) during the 14-hour raid at Chowrabari village of Ashulia, on the outskirts of capital on Sunday afternoon.

The yielded men are Mozammel Huq, Rashedul Nabi, Ifran Alam and Alamgir Hossain. They are aides of "Neo JMB" militant suspect Tamim Dari.

Militants fired gunshots from inside the den when the RAB members asked them to surrender.

RAB announced the closure of operation after the Bomb Disposal Unit defused three bombs inside the house around 3:30pm.

Mufti Mahmud Khan, Director of Legal and Media Wing of the RAB, said these in a press briefing in front of the den on Sunday afternoon.

"One of them first came out of the one-storey tin-shed house around 12:30am in response to a call from the elite force. Later, three others followed him. The house is owned by one Ibrahim Hossain, the RAB spokesman said.

In a primary interrogation law enforcers came to know about their link with "Neo-JMB", the RAB official said.

Tamim Dari, 32, a former Engineer of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, was arrested along with two other suspected militants in a bus on the Jhitka-Gabtoli route at Savar on April 28 this year, the RAB spokesman said.

The RAB official claimed that the arrested men are members of Sarowar-Tamim group of JMB.

According to RAB, Sarwar Jahan alias Abdur Rahman alias Abu Ibrahim al-Hanif was the chief of the Neo-JMB while Gulshan attack mastermind Tamim was the second-in-command of the group.

RAB-4 Commanding Officer Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Lutful Kabir said, "We have cordoned off the house at Chowrabari village under Ashulia Police Station of Savar upazila around 1:00am."

"The owner of the house informed the elite force about his tenants' suspicious activities a month ago when they rented house. The RAB also conducted the raid in the area After verifying necessary information about their link to militancy," the RAB official said.

The RAB members tracked the four suspected militants, who surrendered in Ashulia yesterday, said the CO of the RAB-4. We have asked them to surrender, but some male voices replied with slang words, he said.

One of the militants rented a portion of the single-storey tin-shed house for a monthly Tk 2,500 identifying himself as a garments employee, he said quoting the owner of the house. The owner of the house has been taken to the RAB Headquarters for interrogation, the RAB official said.

"A man named Azad rented the house two months ago. He identified himself as a RMG worker," said Ibrahim Hossain, the owner of the house.

"I informed the RAB about their suspected activities to avoid nefarious situation," he said.

Sohan, a student of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), said: "By looking at them I thought them to be thread spinners. They hardly talked with anyone."

The people living in the house portrayed themselves as a family, but he is not sure if that was the actual case, he said.

Locals Alauddin and Monir Hossain said, five to six persons, including a woman, stayed in the house and they rarely came out it.
Floods improving in two districts

At least 200 families lost their houses in the last two days in three upazilas of Kurigram district as floodwater started to recede, triggering soil erosion.

Around 200 houses of Razibpur, Rajarhat and Chilmari upazilas were washed away by the floodwater following the erosion, said the sources at district administration.

With the flood situation started to improve in many areas of the district, flood-affected people have been facing scarcity of pure drinking water. Although the water of Dharala and Teesta has receded, Brahmaputra was flowing six centimetres over the danger mark at Chilmari point. Asia Begum, 27, wife of Alam Miah, a resident of Barisal Char in Chilmari upazila, died from a snake bite on Saturday afternoon, raising the death toll to four during the flood. District administration has been making a list of the flood-hit people to distribute relief materials, said deputy commissioner Abu Saleh Mohammad Ferdous Khan. In Sirajganj, flood situation remained unchanged as the water of the Jamuna River was flowing 68 centimetres above the danger mark on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile BSS adds from Gaibandha: A huge amount of fishes worth of Tk 1.15 crore of 336 ponds here have been washed away due to the current flood triggered by hilly waters from the upstream.

Fisheries department sources said many farmers of Sundarganj, Sadar, Fulchhari and Shaghata upazilas released fingerlings of carp species fishes into their ponds to get desired output.

But, the current flood in the Brahmaputra river basin of the upazilas smashed the hopes and aspiration of the farmers as the carp fishes like rui, katla, mrigel, bata musa and mono-sex telapia have been washed away from their ponds.

M. Shakhawat Hossain, a fish farmer of Gobindipur village under Holdia union of Shaghata upazila, said fishes of different species worth about one lakh have been washed away from his pond during the current flood.

Abdud Dayan, district fisheries officer, said carp species fishes worth of Tk 1.15 crore have been washed away from 336 ponds due to the flood.

A list of the affected farmers of the upazilas was also sent to the higher authorities concerned for taking necessary measures in this regard, he added.
`Every citizen shall have the right, to be secure in his home against entry...`

There cannot be a law-abiding society if police feel free to act lawlessly. We are sure we have responsible police officers who will agree with this reality. For remaining in power people can become so blind that they do not know when they dig their own grave.



We have to save our police as law enforcers and not as law abusers especially when the law is abused to serve politics. Police must not try to be politicians. Those who provide leadership in police it is their responsibility to protect the police by being strict about the role of the police.



It is a fundamental right of every citizen to be secured 'in his home against entry, search and seizure'. Search right is subject to reasonable restriction created by law. This means no law unreasonable can even be passed for allowing police to enter anybody's home. Only in a police state nobody has any security against police power. They are not for giving the people the protection of law.



Every police officer must know the fundamental rights of the people guaranteed by the Constitution, as the country's supreme law. They must be respectful to the Constitution if they want the respectability of a free country. As law officers, the police must be respected by the ministers as well. The ministers cannot ask police to abuse the law. It is his fundamental right that every citizen shall have the right to be secure in his home against entry, search and seizure.



It is to be expected that different sections of the people became highly critical for the police entering the house and disrupting a gathering of prominent citizens of the country.



The police raid on a tea party arranged by former lawmaker and Minister in Sheikh Hasina's first term government ASM Abdur Rab at his Uttara home to disperse the party on the ground that police permission was necessary for such a get together. This is nothing short of lawlessness on the part of law enforcing police.



The guests at the party included Bikalpadhara Chief and former President of the Republic AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) chief Kader Siddiqui and Nagorik Oikyo Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Biplabi Workers Party chief Saiful Haque, Ganaforum presidium members Subrata Chowdhury and AOM Shafiullah, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BaSaD) General Secretary Khalekuzzaman and leader Bazlur Rashid Firoz, JSD General Secretary Abdul Malek Ratan, Bikalpadhara Joint Secretary General Mahi B Chowdhury and General Secretary of Citizens' Platform 'Sujon' Badiul Alam Majumder.



Nobody will say that those who were present at the party were rowdy elements or a threat to peace What cannot escape public notice is that a former President of the country AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury was a guest also. The police officers should have shown some respect. The police officers who could not show respect to a former President, they will have no difficulty being disrespectful to a former Prime Minister.



Other than saying that they have orders from the high-ups, nothing more was said. The question can be raised, if our police are police of a free country, or whether we are citizens of a free country. Police are to give us security so that we can live safely at home and outside.



The full story is -- initially a police sub-inspector entered the house on the pretext of wanting a glass of water and then asked to shut the meeting referring to an order from higher authorities. The host told him that none of his guests present there would move or disperse. He sent the police officer away. But the officer returned within half an hour, walking directly into the drawing room and told them to end the meeting. ASM Abdur Rab asked who had sent him to stop them from getting together. Upon receiving no answer, he told the police they could arrest anyone if they so desired, otherwise the police would have to leave then and there.



Such an action on the part of police has set a very disturbing precedent. The truth is that country belongs to us all, the police are to serve the people and keep them safe against law-breakers. Who is that high up must be known. Whoever he is, no police officer, who is conscious of his responsibility to law will be so blind about orders.



When police are used to act lawlessly, even the high-ups in police must know that they are encouraging lawlessness in others. In a free country, if police are not conscious of rights and obligations, none of us shall remain safe from lawlessness. We want our police not to be a force of lawlessness in the country.



Somewhere in the government madness is prevailing.


The Undead Archives

I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world.
Former U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., will be interred Monday at Arlington National Cemetery.

Burns was a Marine Corps veteran. He died at home in Billings of natural causes, April 28, 2016. He was 81. Immediate plans were made for his interment at the cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., but burial was delayed.

Monday night, Republican Sens. Mike Enzi, of Wyoming, and Pat Roberts, of Kansas, will host a reception for Burns in the Mike Mansfield Room of the U.S. Capitol.

Montanas longest-running Republican senator, Burns was elected in 1988 and served through January 2007. Burns was defeated by current Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat.

A native of Missouri, Burns was a livestock auctioneer, traveling salesmen and agriculture news broadcaster. He was considered a long-shot candidate to defeat Democratic incumbent John Melcher when Burns won in 1988. He had been a Yellowstone County Commissioner beforehand.
The demand by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke that Bureau of Land Management officials get cracking on a backlog of the oil and gas permits had Montana officials a little perplexed.

The number of delayed drilling applications for Montana federal land is fewer than 100. The number that could be potentially rushed to approval was much smaller.

In Montana, there were 84 pending applications and of those, 82 of them are in a pending status. Theres no way of acting on them because theyre in the Interior Board of Land Appeals," said Don Judice, of BLM.

Oil and gas drilling permits on federal land in Montana werent languishing because of BLM foot dragging, Judice explained. The permits were being slowed either by public objections over project conditions or myriad other reasons. Either another government agency hadnt signed off, or an oil and gas company hadnt supplied all the necessary information to move ahead.

The order signed by Zinke on July 6 has uncorked a long-fermented jug of criticisms about oil and gas development on federal lands, both by environmentalists and energy companies. The former say poor market prices for fossil fuels, combined with federal policy that allows awarded leases to go undeveloped, has gummed up the program.

Energy advocates say the BLM delays are real and are hurting fossil fuel development in the West.

We all know what drives this is the market, said Jayson ONeill of the Western Values Project in Whitefish. Market prices for oil arent setting any records right now.

Working with Democrats in the U.S. House, Western Values Project has compiled a list of more than 7,000 awarded leases nationally that arent producing oil, gas, or the royalties that flow to both federal and state governments. Federal law allows energy companies to apply for lease suspensions and extensions that keep a lease active without any production.

Citing permitting delays as the cause to order BLM to get busy on processing leases, ONeill said, opens the door to softening regulations.

The delays in federal oil and gas leases are real, said Alan Olson, Montana Petroleum Association executive director.

The big kicker is even on a Bakken well with the state, we can get a permit in 30 days for a horizontal well 10 days for vertical well, Olson said. The BLM, for reasons I dont understand, can take 18 months to two years.

There are many things that can trip up a federal lease, Olson said. If theres U.S. Forest Service or tribal land involved, officials for those agencies have to sign off. When they dont the process stalls.

Energy companies nominate federal parcels for lease sales, which are supposed to take place quarterly. A bidder actually identifies the parcel where the company wants to drill. BLM then begins the environmental review and the public comment process that must take place before the lease sale.

The deadline required for nominating a parcel has in some cases been set nine months in advance, Olson said. That wait can hobble negotiations with private landowners with mineral rights in the project area.

BLM land can be described as the property sodbusters passed on during the land grab era of the 1910s. More often than not, the BLM property shares a fence line with private land. Its nearly impossible to develop a project on private land without getting a lease for the neighboring federal land, Olson said.

A long delay for a federal lease can thwart agreements with neighboring private landowners, Olson said.

In ordering BLM to ramp up permitting, Zinke cited 2,802 delayed drilling permits through the end of January. Theres a 30-day processing deadline for permits, but on average processing is taking 257 days. The secretarys order calls for quarterly lease sales, something energy companies say hasnt been happening.

Judice said lease sales have been quarterly for the BLM division headquartered in Billings. The BLM office holds lease sales for Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

However, not every region handled by the BLM office in Billings received a sale every quarter. Montana is divided into two parts, with sales tied to Miles City and representing the eastern part of the state occurring regularly. The remainder of the state comprises a second division where lease sales might take place once a year, according to one developer who requested not to be named out of concern that his name might tip off other energy companies about his Montana development plans far from the Bakken.

Oil and gas development in Montana has all but stalled out, with only one drilling rig active in the state last week, according to Baker Hughes, a drilling supply company that monitors drilling activity worldwide.
The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.
We do not and will not condone the actions or ideology of violent extremism and we will not rest until these deviants and their organizations are destroyed.

This report from the Henry Jackson Society sheds light on what are extremely worrying links between Saudi Arabia and the funding of extremism here in the UK I'm calling on the Government to release its foreign funding report, and guarantee that the new counter extremism commission will make tackling the funding of extremism a priority.

Saudi Arabia is 'at the top of the list' of countries exporting extremist Islam to the UK, according to a new Henry Jackson Societys report. The Henry Jackson Society is a think tank and policy-shaping force that fights for the principles and alliances which keep societies free  working across borders and party lines to combat extremism, advance democracy and real human rights, and make a stand in an increasingly uncertain world.The report claims there is a "clear and growing link" between Islamist organizations in receipt of overseas funds, hate preachers and Jihadist groups promoting violence. The Henry Jackson Society, a foreign affairs think-tank, called for a public inquiry into the role of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, BBC reported. The report's release comes at a time when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt are all accusing Qatar of supporting extremism - a charge the report says is hypocritical.The Home Office report into the existence and influence of Jihadist organizations, commissioned by former Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015, has reportedly yet to be completed amid questions as to whether it will ever be published. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said he understood the report was "largely finished and sitting on Theresa May's desk, but there was probably a reluctance to publish it because of "embarrassing" content.The Henry Jackson Societys report says a number of Gulf nations, as well as Iran, are providing financial support to mosques and Islamic educational institutions which have played host to extremist preachers and been linked to the spread of extremist material. The report identifies the existence of what it calls 'an intentional and systematic policy' by these states to 'advance an illiberal and at times anti-Western version of the Islamic religion' in Western countries.Britain has a close, long-standing and sometimes controversial relationship with Saudi Arabia. Annual bilateral trade is worth billions of pounds, UK exports to Saudi Arabia, notably in defense, employ thousands of people in both countries, and there is close co-operation on counter-terrorism. The alliance between UK and its Gulf Arab partners has economic and security benefits, according to Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.The UK's Saudi Arabian embassy says the claims are "categorically false." In a statement, the Saudi embassy in London said any accusations that the kingdom had radicalized "a small number of individuals are baseless and lack credible evidence." It added:They also pointed out that the country has itself been subject to numerous attacks by al-Qaeda and so-called Islamic State.Labor MP Dan Jarvis said:
Danira Parra, pastor of Dayspring Native American United Methodist Church in East Peoria, said an eclipse is a sacred event to Native American people.

Every tribe has its own tradition, Parra explained. We have a somber connection to Creator because we, in general, walk in practice and belief that we are all related to everybody and everything. To have a once-in-a-lifetime event is an especially exciting time to come together with Creator.

When news of the eclipse spread, Parra contacted Ed Hoke of Little Grassy United Methodist United Methodist Church about bringing members of her congregation down for a worship service during the eclipse.

Ed asked if it was a type of thing that could involve others, Parra said.

About a year ago, Hoke had just found out how close the camp is to the point of longest duration of totality. Then, Parra told him Native Americans have ceremonies for an eclipse.

We came up with a way to showcase Native American culture, and thats something that does not get much publicity, Hoke said.

In celebration of the eclipse, the camp will host a Native American Festival starting at noon Aug. 19 and continuing until about 11 a.m. Aug. 21.

The event will feature Native American Indian ceremonies, both tradition and religious. It will also include drums, flute players, storytellers, a spirit fire, the Four Directions Prayer, dancing, crafts for children and a Native American craft fair.

Our setting is the north camp. It has two outdoor bowls. It is a perfect venue for people to sit on the grass and enjoy what is going on, Hoke said.

However during the eclipse, my small group will be doing a pipe ceremony for us, but it will not be open to the public because it is an especially sacred event, Parra said.

Hours for the festival will be from noon to dark Aug. 19, 8 a.m. to dark Aug. 20 and 8 to 11 a.m. Monday. These hours are open to the public. Single day tickets will be $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 5 to 10. Children under age 5 will be admitted free of charge. Weekend passes are $45 for adults and $20 for children. To purchase tickets, go to www.igrc.org/festival or www.littlegrassycamp.org and follow the links.

The number of people admitted to the festival has to be limited because of parking.

We will be limited to 1,200 people. We just dont want to overcrowd, Hoke said.

The south side of the camp will be open Aug. 21 to people who just want to quietly observe the eclipse but not attend the festival. Space will be available to set up chairs or a blanket. Admission will be $15, which includes parking, a box lunch and viewing glasses. To purchase tickets go to www.littlegrassycamp.org.

A small amount of camping in cabins or tents will be available at the camp. The camp will have about 70 beds available, as well as room for 25 tents. Hoke said that is a number the bath houses can accommodate.

To make arrangements, call 618-457-6030 between 9:30 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday.

We want to be a good host, and we want people to have a good experience. We want them to experience Native American culture and have a good experience with Little Grassy Camp, Hoke said. Then in seven years, we can do it again.

Parra stressed that this event is not a powwow by any stretch of the imagination. This a somber, sacred time. There will not be featured dancers or people in powwow regalia.

Parra added that the camps location in Shawnee National Forest also is important because of the history of the removal of the Cherokee Nation.

That forest is alive and all the trees are connected to each other. They carry history in their bones. For us to be able to do this there at a time when the earth is to go black and the light put out is really, really, special to us. It is as close as we can get in our souls to those ancestors. Because we are all related to each other, they are still my family, Parra said.

Little Grassy United Methodist Church Camp, a ministry of Great Rivers Conference, is south of Carbondale on 190 acres adjacent to Little Grassy Lake and Shawnee National Forest in an area once inhabited by Native American tribes. It offers nine weeks of summer camps, as well as a year-round retreat center.
HELENA  Montana's top utilities regulator broke ethics laws when he used office resources to write a column that disparaged a candidate for the regulatory body during last year's election, the state's chief political watchdog ruled Friday.

Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan issued a fine of $3,000 against Montana Public Service Commission Chairman Brad Johnson for violating the state's Code of Ethics.

Mangan said Johnson broke the law by penning the letter in his office using a government computer and his state email account. In addition, Mangan said, Johnson violated the ethics code by having his agency's legal counsel review his op-ed piece targeting 2016 candidate Caron Cooper.

Johnson said he was disappointed by the ruling but did not plan to file a legal challenge.

"I'll work with the commissioner of political practices to bring this to a final resolution," Johnson said.

Nevertheless, he said, the ruling could have a chilling effect on the ability of elected officials to defend themselves against criticism.

Cooper was seeking a spot on the PSC when Johnson wrote his commentary, which was published in October in the editorial pages of at least three newspapers. She later filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Political Practices.

The intent of the letter, Johnson said, was not meant to be a statement opposing the Cooper's candidacy but to rebut criticism against the regulatory agency. Johnson did not dispute that he used agency resources to write his commentary, but he argued that the piece should not be considered as electioneering.

Mangan disagreed and said Johnson's piece was "express advocacy which solicits opposition to Ms. Cooper, a clearly identified state candidate."

The Public Services Commission is the state's chief regulator of power companies and other utilities.

Cooper could not be immediately reached for comment.
For more than three decades, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical Colleges Associate Degree Nursing program has produced some of the best nurses in the state. In May, the ADN program  along with the colleges prestigious health science programs  said goodbye to three women who have dedicated countless hours to the success of their students and the health care profession in general.

Connie Varn, Connie Goff and Kay Blackwell may have officially retired, but the mark they have left in the hearts of all who have worked with, been taught by and know them will remain long after they are gone.

The nursing program at OCtech has had a long history of success, and that success has mostly to do with the faculty whove committed themselves both to the program and to the students who aspire to be nurses, President Dr. Walt Tobin said. As we celebrate the retirement of these three outstanding nursing faculty, it makes me proud when I think about how theyve been able to promote a culture of excellence and professionalism thats impacted the entire college.

A fantastic career

You could say nursing is in Connie Varns blood.

My mother was one of 10 children and one of six girls, and all but one of the girls was a nurse, Varn recalled. Every night, her shoes were polished and sitting on the back of the toilet drying, and her shoestrings were washed and on the towel rack drying. Her uniform was hung on the door with all of her nursing pins on her lapel, and her pens and scissors and everything else was in her pockets. All she had to do was slip into her uniform in the morning.

She was the epitome of a professional nurse.

After graduating from Lower Richland High School in Columbia, Varn entered the University of South Carolina and majored in special education. However, she changed course after her freshman year and entered the colleges associate degree nursing program. She completed the program in 1974.

I didnt want to be a nurse because my mother was a nurse, but it was a calling for me, the retired ADN program coordinator said.

Varn immediately went to work fulltime as a labor and delivery nurse while going to school part time for her bachelors degree, which she received from USC in 1979. In 1988, she earned her masters degree in nursing from USC.

OCtechs ADN program began in fall 1982, and Varn initially taught a few summer courses and filled in for the practical nursing program as needed. When a full-time ADN faculty spot opened in January 1984, she took it and has been at the college ever since.

Varn completed her tenure at OCtech as the colleges third-longest-serving faculty member and the longest-serving faculty member in the Division of Nursing and Health Science.

I have been at OCtech for every ADN pinning ceremony, she said. We had maybe 20 or 30 students in the beginning, and now we admit 100 students into the program. Weve always had outstanding NCLEX pass rates.

The programs success and continued growth is due in part to its amazing faculty, who encourage and support each other and their students, Varn said.

We pride ourselves in our graduates having the skills and knowledge to be successful and provide safe care for their patients, she said. Our job is for our students to be the very best nurses they can be. Its a rigorous program, and the standards are high.

Through the years, Varn has taught all of the ADN courses except psychiatric and mental health nursing. She said recruiters often remark about how prepared OCtech nursing graduates are to enter the workforce from day one.

That just reinforces what we do and how we do it, she said. Students dont realize how much goes into learning how to be a nurse, and the time it takes for them to dedicate to studying and practicing those skills. Its always so exciting to see students go from scared to death on the first day of class to walking across the stage to get their nursing pin or diploma with the confidence that theyve got this.

Some students fall short, but were always encouraging and supportive of those students and try to send them on a different pathway to success.

A strength of OCtechs ADN program is that during clinical rotations, students get acquainted with a variety of health care settings in which they could work. Varn is especially proud of the pediatric summer rotation offered to nursing students at Camp Burnt Gin, a summer camp for children with physical disabilities and chronic illnesses in Wedgefield.

Connie Goff and I talked with the director of Camp Burnt Gin and established that partnership about 20 years ago, she said. Our students are the only nursing students from any program in the State of South Carolian a who go and work at that camp in the summer. Its an awesome experience.

While Varn has seen changes in the admissions process, buildings and technology at OCtech over the years, what hasnt changed is what it takes to be a good nurse.

This is not about money, she said. Youre taking care of people at their worst. Nurses have to have compassion. They need to think critically and be able to make life-and-death decisions in a moments notice. And they need to know how to communicate.

I still believe that you have to have a calling to be a nurse, because it takes a lot of dedication and commitment to get through this program and be successful.

Its a profession that Varn has fully embraced and dedicated herself to. She has been active in the South Carolina Nurses Association over the years and is immediate past president of the group.

My husband said to me, when I was bemoaning my retirement, But thats not who you are. And I think, Yes, it is, she said. I have blood, sweat and tears invested in this program and these graduates and these students. They carry a piece of me inside of them, and if only for one split second in time they think something about me and what Ive taught them, then I live forever. Thats an amazing legacy to have, and I wouldnt trade it for anything.

"It's just been a fantastic career."

Best of both worlds

While other little girls were playing school with their dolls, Connie Goff was setting up a hospital in her grandmothers pantry for hers.

I played nurse. I even had pretend IVs because I saw that at the hospital, she said. My grandmother and grandfather were in the hospital on numerous occasions, and I wasnt afraid to go visit them or go to the nursing home to see people.

Till grew up on her familys farm on Cameron Highway. Her father, Lewis Till Sr., was a farmer who attended the tool-and-die journeyman program through OCtech and Smith Corona Corp. He later served as an adjunct instructor in OCtechs tool-and-die program.

Goffs childhood dream came true when she earned a bachelors degree in nursing from USC in 1980 and started working at the Regional Medical Center in the newborn nursery. While there, she met an OCtech instructor who encouraged her to try teaching.

I would help the students a lot in the nursery, Goff said. I enjoyed assisting them when they came through our area.

In 1985, she began working at OCtech as an adjunct and started a temporary full-time position at the college in 1989. Goff has two masters degrees  one in nutrition from South Carolina State University and the other in nursing from USC. While earning those degrees, she worked part time as an instructor before taking a full-time faculty position in 1992. She retired as the ADN freshman-level program coordinator.

In addition to her duties at the college, Goff helped revise chapters for a pediatric textbook through USC professor Dr. Sandra Frick Helms, and penned nutrition text and test questions. During her time at OCtech, Goff also served as editor for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing self-study. Ive always enjoyed writing, she said.

But nursing is her first love, and its something that Goff has seen change quite a bit since she got her start in the profession more than three decades ago.

It was hard to adjust to at first, but I dont know what we would do without electronic records now, she said. I remember back when we didnt even wear gloves. We didnt think twice about it. We gave injections without gloves. And we had no sharps containers. The emphasis on safety has drastically improved because we have gained so much knowledge about the transmission of diseases.

Goff said being a nursing instructor has allowed her to enjoy the best of both worlds.

I get to deal with students and watch them as they grow and learn, and I get to be with patients at the hospital during our clinical rotations, she said. Seeing students be successful makes you feel good about what you do  especially those students who people didnt think could make it. There are a lot of good programs around the state, but ours really takes pride in truly caring for our students. Its nice to see how our graduates flourish and grow in their profession, especially when I see them taking care of me or my family.

One of Goffs daughters, Sarah Beth Williams, graduated from OCtechs ADN program in 2012.

She did it all on her own, getting into the program and everything, Goff said. I didnt even know she was applying. I found out when she was accepted. I was very proud of her.

The nursing faculty, staff and students are so much like a family that a loss can be devastating. Goff recalled a student whose obituary she kept hanging on a display board filled with other precious memories in her office.

She was pregnant, and she went on Christmas holiday. There were complications, and she and her baby both passed away on Christmas day, Goff said. Ill never forget telling her goodbye right before the holidays. Ever since then, Ive always signed my emails Take care, because you never know when it may be the last time that you see someone.

Goff said she will miss all of the relationships she has formed through the years working at the college.

Kay Blackwell has been like a sister to me in some ways and a mother to me in other ways, Goff said. Shes a peacemaker among everybody. People can take care of job duties, but there are some people who possess that special people interaction that can never be replaced. She is truly a unique individual.

Ive always loved nursing, and Ive had to grow with it, she said. When I went to OCtech to work, I had only worked in the newborn nursery. OCtech really helped me to grow into a nurse who can work in a variety of environments, and I am very grateful for that.

Goff wont be completely gone from the campus upon retirement, as she will still teach two nutrition classes as an adjunct in the fall. But she and her husband will have more time for family, camping and mission work.

My heart is in missions, said Goff, who has been on a mission trip to Kenya and several in the Southeastern U.S. My husband and I bought a travel trailer and weve started camping. I can see us doing some ministry in campgrounds or traveling and doing ministry with church groups in the United States. Wherever the Lord leads us, we will go.

Like finding a dream

Kay Blackwell feels blessed that she got to realize her dream of becoming a nurse.

My father worked in logging and would come home in the evening with scrapes and scratches. I would love to be his nurse and apply ointments and bandages, she said. Nursing was something I always wanted to do, but I was married after high school, so that didnt ever seem to be a reality for me.

After 17 years, my marriage ended. I had not worked during that time, so I had to make a new life with my son. There was a practical nursing program in Walterboro hospital at that time, and I finished the one-year program and worked for a couple of years to get my general education courses. I had heard good things about Orangeburg, so I applied.

Blackwell graduated in 1985 as a member of OCtechs second ADN class, but she didnt stop there. She immediately went on to receive a bachelors and masters degree in nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina.

I went to school during the week and worked on the weekends in the hospital, she said. It took me 10 years to pay all of my student loans back, but it was worth every penny. I was motivated and studied hard.

I never could have foreseen that a door like that would open for me. It was like finding a dream and wanting to be the best at it that you could be.

Blackwell remarried during that time, and as she was finishing up her masters degree, her husband, Jim, got an opportunity to go back into the military.

We moved to Hawaii, and that was a highlight in my life, Blackwell said. Thats when I began teaching nursing. We were there for four years and afterwards, continued with several moves over the years. Each place I went, I found a job in teaching. I had the opportunity to work with so many talented, dedicated people with different philosophies of nursing. I learned so much.

In 2000, when she and her husband returned to the area, Blackwell became an ADN instructor at OCtech.

I started as a medical-surgical instructor, she said. Mrs. Delura Knight had been a teacher of mine and so had Connie Varn, so I knew them well. I always had the utmost respect for them. Everybody was warm and welcoming.

When Mrs. Knight left, she was dean and program coordinator for nursing. When I became dean, Connie Varn became the program coordinator. We worked together to separate job duties. It was a smooth transition. We have worked very well together, both loving the ADN program.

With her new title, Blackwell became head of not only the colleges nursing program, but its many health science programs, as well.

Ive always had a lot of respect for the radiologic technicians, respiratory therapists, physical therapist assistants, medical assistants and patient care technicians, she said. Our health programs have always been high quality. When I took this job, it gave me a wonderful opportunity to work with those program coordinators and faculty to grow their programs. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

There is a need for all of health care. Nursing is only one piece of it.

Blackwell said much of the divisions success is due to the support of the colleges administration, namely Dr. Tobin and Vice President for Academic Affairs Donna Elmore.

They are a great part of the strength of OCtech, she said. Nobody could have been more supportive of our programs. They are visionaries who have a commitment to excellence.

Of course, Blackwell said she will miss the students. They have been the greatest reward, she said. What more could you ask for in life than to have a job that has afforded the opportunity to make a difference in lives? I would hope that everybody has the opportunity to go away from a lifetime of work feeling so positive about it.

Making a difference is the reason Blackwells granddaughter, Cierra Bell, decided to follow in her grandmothers footsteps. Bell graduated from OCtechs ADN program in May.

As my journey seems to have ended, hers is beginning. Thats a special thing, Blackwell said. But I think the most special piece of it all is its not just her  its all of the students over the years. You share more than just nursing education with them. You share compassion and caring, and theyre with you in the classroom and clinical settings and discover what a nurse should be. Its like a part of my philosophy of nursing will always be with them. And thats really gratifying.

Blackwell said she considers herself blessed to have worked at a place with such a loving and supportive work family.

We all have the same goals for our students, the same quality of instruction and the same pride in the college, she said. I will miss the people who come together to make it happen at OCtech.

I am not sure what I want to do in retirement. It is more than enough to have had a career that allowed so many to touch my life in such a wonderful and lasting way. Ill figure retirement out, but if its just half as rewarding an experience as Ive had over these years, Ill be satisfied.
Eclipse Fever has gripped The Times and Democrat Region as the Aug. 21 Total Solar Eclipse grows closer. The T&D Region is in a prime location to view the celestial event, providing the weather cooperates that day.

More special eclipse programs and activities were announced this week.

Great American Solar Eclipse Program July 18

ELLOREE -- Local interest in the upcoming solar eclipse, which will take place on Aug. 21, continues to rise. Elloree Museum and Heritage Center has the proof.

The museum arranged for educator Andy Cohen to put on three portable planetarium programs on the rare phenomenon. Its nearly sold out seven so far.

We had a really good program for a church youth group at the museum a while back, said Cohen, founder and president of Dome Education. The kids loved it but, every time I do it, it seems that the parents and the adults are more interested and get more out of it.

Based on positive comments about the show, the museums director asked Cohen to bring back his portable planetarium and put on a similar show for adults. Three shows were originally scheduled, but the museum added four more due to popular demand.

With this event, Im particularly interested in reaching adults because (watching the actual eclipse is) potentially dangerous, Cohen said. I want to let people know what to expect, how to watch it safely and how to plan for it.

I will be focusing on what will cause the eclipse and how the moon will align with the sun, he said. I will also tell people why its dangerous, when its dangerous and how to watch safely.

Cohen added, During the total eclipse, youre not looking at the surface of the sun. So, it wont hurt you. You can use binoculars or a telescope without filters.

Strangely, thats what makes it so dangerous. You should never look at the sun but during the brief period of totality, you can look directly at it. But if youre still looking at it when the sun comes out (of the moons shadow), thats when your eyes will be damaged.

In all, the eclipse will cover a 70-mile-wide path from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. This is the first coast-to-coast eclipse in the U.S. since 1918, and South Carolina will be the closest location to view the eclipse for the entire eastern seaboard of the United States.

It will cross 29 counties in South Carolina. The Santee-Elloree area is prime viewing territory. The duration of the totality here will be about two and a half minutes.

The number of people that are expected to come visit South Carolina is just incredible, Cohen said. Were the closest destination for everybody on the East Coast, from Maine to Miami.

With 100 million people within a couple days drive, were expecting an immense number of people in South Carolina."

Cohen noted that for the most part, people will be looking for a place where they can have some space around them, particularly if theyre bringing telescopes.

Thats a lot of equipment and its a lot of money and once you set it up, its almost impossible to control the number of people who are going to want to know what youre doing and if they can take a look through your telescope," he said.

So people will be looking for a lovely little town like Elloree, where they can come and set up and hopefully be surrounded by people who (know how to be polite).

Cohen, who is originally from Buffalo, New York, served in the U.S. Navy and first came to Charleston while on active duty. He said he married a South Carolina girl and has been here ever since.

A professional educator since 1993, Cohen has been using a portable planetarium for 14 years

Ive been a public school teacher in South Carolina, mostly in the Charleston area, for more than 20 years, he said. I learned how to use a planetarium. Not many other teachers use the planetarium. So, I became something of an expert with it.

Then I saw about six years back that theres going to be a total eclipse. I set a goal of being involved and using the planetarium to get the word out.

Cohen also created the script and lesson for the TED Ed video "What Creates a Total Solar Eclipse." The video has been viewed more than 125,000 times on YouTube.

The overriding message of the video and the Elloree museum presentation is the same: Dont miss this once in a lifetime event, but watch it safely, Cohen said.

Dome Education is an educational partner of the South Carolina Space Grant Consortium. Cohen is the Starlab Education Ambassador for South Carolina.

Each program at the Elloree Museum is limited to 10-15 people because of space. Donations will be accepted to help cover expenses. To find out more, call 803-897-2225.

Solar Eclipse Festival scheduled

ST. MATTHEWS -- Calhoun County will even sponsor a Solar Eclipse Festival in the government complex area in St. Matthews from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21.

The festival will feature food, rock painting, vendors and eclipse information, and eclipse viewing glasses will be available. EMS will be on hand if anyone needs medical assistance from looking directly at the eclipse without proper eye protection. Calhoun County will have full access to the eclipse beginning at approximately 2:42 p.m.

Rivers Bridge SHS plans viewing activities

EHRHARDT -- Rivers Bridge State Historic Site also has Eclipse Fever and will be sponsoring Total Solar Eclipse Viewing activities beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21.

Free eclipse-related crafts and ranger-led programs for all ages will be featured at the Community Building at Rivers Bridge. Participants will move to the Memorial Grounds to view the eclipse. Questions about the eclipse will be answered before, during and after the celestial show.

Safety viewing glasses will be available for $2.

Refreshments will be served to all participants during the activities.

Rivers Bridge State Historic Site is located at 325 State Park Road near Ehrhardt.
Clemson trustees OK budget

CLEMSON  The Clemson University board of trustees Thursday approved the 2017-18 budget, re-elected its chairman and gave its support to programs and capital projects.

The trustees approved a $1.15 billion budget, which is up 7.5 percent from the previous year.

To help fund these investments and mandated costs, the trustees approved the lowest percentage tuition increase in 20 years for in-state undergraduate students: a 2.75 percent increase, or $197 per semester for a full time-student. Out-of-state undergraduate tuition will increase by 4.25 percent, or $727 per semester.

The trustees re-elected Smyth McKissick as chair of the board for a second term. McKissick is a 1979 Clemson graduate and chief executive officer of Alice Manufacturing. He has served as a trustee since 1998.

The board also adopted a policy confirming its existing practice of requiring board expenses to be reasonable and for business-related purposes.

The trustees also approved the establishment of the Center for Connected Multimodal Mobility (C2M2), an interdisciplinary center that will focus on finding new ways to move people and goods. Participating in the center with Clemson are Benedict College, The Citadel, South Carolina State University and the University of South Carolina.

Fatal residential structure fire in Gaston

Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher has released the identity of the individual found deceased following a residential structure fire that occurred just before 9 p.m. on July 13, 2017, in the 100 block of Renee Court in Gaston.

According to Coroner Fisher, Mr. Michael Henry, 56, of Gaston was pronounced dead on scene following a fire inside his residence. An autopsy has been scheduled for July 15, 2017, to determine the cause of Henrys death.

The cause and origin of the fire is still being investigated by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and Lexington County Sheriffs Department.

Woman gets 50 years for killing newborn

ANDERSON (AP)  A South Carolina woman has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing her baby moments after the girl was born.

Tenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor David Wagner says 25-year-old Joanie Faith Holcombe pleaded guilty Thursday to homicide by child abuse. She won't be eligible for parole.

News outlets report the solicitor's office says Holcombe became pregnant in 2015 and hid her pregnancy. In mid-December 2015, she gave birth to a baby girl at a mobile home in Anderson County. She first placed the baby in a toilet, and then put her in a trash bag. The baby died of oxygen deprivation.

Holcombe buried the baby in the woods. A person later discovered the body and called police.

Man gets life in sex assault

LEXINGTON (AP)  A South Carolina man has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a 7-year-old child.

Solicitor Rick Hubbard says jurors deliberated less than an hour this week before finding Bryan Jeffrey Ellis guilty of criminal sexual conduct with a minor. A judge then sentenced Ellis, who will not be eligible for parole.

Hubbard says the Lexington County Sheriff's Department started investigating Ellis in January 2016 after the child talked about the abuse with a family member, who called police.

Hubbard says Ellis wrote a seven-page confession to his crimes, saying he had sexually assaulted the child multiple times. Relatives of the child testified he had also admitted to them what he'd done.

The child, who is now 9 years old, also testified at trial.
By Trend





A bus with a children's dance troupe from Georgia crashed in the northeastern Turkish province of Giresun, leaving 38 people injured, Sputnik reported citing local media.

The bus went off the road and crashed into a lighting pole after a tire failure, the Hurriyet newspaper reported.

The bus was traveling from Georgia to Bulgaria via Turkey.

Those injured, most of these children, have been sent to nearby hospitals. An investigation into the incident has been launched, according to the publication.
Thick, black smoke pouring from the Billings landfill on Saturday was caused by a fire estimated to be maybe an acre in size, according to the Billings Fire Department.

"It's just an awful lot of tires, and asphalt and shingles," said Battalion Chief Ed Regele. "So once it gets burning, you obviously saw the black column of smoke, and they burn with more heat. They put off more heat than ordinary combustibles."

Firefighting crews, including two water tenders and two brush rigs, were sent to the area at about 1:34 p.m. and began exploring options for battling the fire.

"It's always an access issue and a water supply issue," Regele said of fires at the landfill. "Initially we ran some hoselines down and quickly determined that the water was not going to be an optimal solution," he said.

Employees from the landfill were eventually able to bring in heavy equipment and cover the fire with dirt, Regele said. In the meantime, crews shuttled back and forth between a hydrant on South Billings Boulevard. After filling up their tender tanks at the hydrant, firefighters then drove back to the scene of the fire and emptied the contents of the tender tanks into a larger portable tank, Regele said, describing the operation as a "tender shuttle." Airdrops of retardant and or water were under consideration, Regele said.

Regele said the cause of the fire is currently unknown.

By 5:30 p.m. BFD crews had pulled off the fire and Regele said landfill employees would monitor the fire overnight and on Sunday.
By Azertac





A delegation of Korean pharmacists led by chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association (KPBMA) Hee-mok Won will be visiting Azerbaijan from July 17 to 19.





The delegation will familiarize themselves with conditions created for foreign investors and reforms in the field of pharmaceutics in Azerbaijan, and discuss bilateral cooperation with their Azerbaijani counterparts.





The Korean delegation will hold meetings in Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Economy, Azerbaijan Investment and Export Promotion Foundation, Azerbaijan Investment Company and Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park.





The KPBMA is the largest pharmaceutical industry organization in Korea, which unites 202 pharmaceutical companies (175 domestic pharmaceutical firms and 27 multinational corporations). These companies export pharmaceutical products with a total amount of $ 2.4 billion and pharmaceutical technology of $ 7.8 billion to 188 countries.
Cigna Corporation, a global health services company, has announced the acquisition of general insurer Zurich Insurance Middle East (SAL).



The acquisition, which was successfully completed in June marks the beginning of a new phase of operations for Cigna as the premier provider of both health and wellness services to individuals, employers and government entities across the Middle East.



With this acquisition, Cigna will operate in the UAE, Lebanon, Kuwait and Oman, further complementing its capabilities across the region.



In line with regulatory compliance, the newly acquired entity will be called 'Zurich Insurance Middle East, a Cigna-owned company.' The company will assume a name that aligns with the Cigna brand once all formalities have been completed, said a statement.



In the Middle East region, Cigna delivers group health products and services for small businesses and family-owned enterprises through to multinational companies. Through its new entity, Cigna will be able to provide even more personalised products to individuals, employers, and government entities; 24/7 customer support; multilingual call centres located across nine global locations; specialized clinical services, and access to one million medical and healthcare professionals and facilities worldwide.



Jason Sadler, president of Cigna International Markets, said: "Cigna has enjoyed a strong presence in the Middle East for more than 15 years through our local partners. Today, we mark a significant new phase of our journey and commitment to the region. Cigna aims to improve the health, well-being and sense of security of our regional customers by providing full access to our global expertise and wide range of specialized healthcare benefits, products and wellness programs."



Cigna has named Arthur Cozad, former CEO of Cigna Taiwan, as CEO for Middle East markets.

Earlier this year, Cigna opened offices at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to serve as its regional headquarters, providing management support and specialist services to its regulated entities across the GCC.



Howard Gough, CEO of Cigna for the Mena region, Global International Private Medical Insurance (GIPMI), and Global Government segment, added: "We are witnessing a dynamic change within the GCC region's healthcare sector, defined by regulatory reform and national agendas that prioritize the importance of quality healthcare. Cigna's healthcare benefit products and its preventive wellness solutions meet a vital need for companies, and local and globally mobile individuals."



Headquartered in Connecticut, US, Cigna is a Fortune 100 company with a total revenue of $39.7 billion in 2016. -TradeArabia News Service


Arabtec Holding, a leading UAE-based contractor for social and economic infrastructure, said its wholly-owned subsidiary, Target Engineering Construction Company (Target) has been awarded four projects worth Dh289 million ($79 million).



The scope of projects covers an array of specialisations including cofferdam removal and revetment construction in Western Region; an award-winning high-rise development in Dubais Business Bay; fabrication and installation of duplex stainless steel process tanks in Taweelah area; and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for the upgrade and replacement of substations on Das Island.



Target Engineering CEO Chaouci Yassine said: "Target Engineering, over the years, has developed a strong experienced workforce, solid financial standing, and evolved into a key player within the region with core capabilities of delivering complex projects in the industrial oil and gas, social infrastructure, marine, and high-rise tower market sectors."



"Such awards demonstrate the growth of Targets expertise and performance in the global market over the past four decades. We continue to strive to uphold our market share in EPC and specialist projects," he added.



On the contract win, group CEO Hamish Tyrwhitt said: "We are pleased to announce the continuous success and efforts within the group. Target, together with the groups other operating entities, demonstrates our integrated capabilities but also our core strength giving us the ability to pursue a broad range of projects."



"We continue to focus on the UAE as our core market and are optimistic on the outlook of the sector," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Global investment conglomerate Dubai Holding and Jabal Omar Development Company, one of the Middle Easts largest real estate company, have signed an agreement to develop a new hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.



Managed by Jumeirah Group, a world-renowned luxury hospitality brand, the five-star Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah Hotel is within walking distance from the holy mosque and comprises four towers with stunning views of Masjid-al-Haram.



The hotel will include 1,033 guest rooms along with 93 villas and will feature a variety of food and beverage offerings, meeting facilities, executive lounge, gymnasium and over 90 retail units throughout the complex. The hotel will be operational in early 2019.



With this strategic addition, Jumeirah Group has expanded its global reach to 22 luxurious hotels and resorts managing 7,164 hotel rooms around the world.



Commenting on the agreement, Yasser Al Sharif, chief executive officer, Jabal Omar Development Company, said: Jabal Omar Development Company is committed to offering guests of Masjid-al-Haram and visitors to the Holy Capital superior hospitality services, in accordance with the highest international standards. We are pleased to work with an established global hospitality brand grown in our region, such as Jumeirah Group, and we look forward to a fruitful cooperation to reap mutual benefit for our guests and shareholders alike.



Edris Al Rafi, chief executive officer of Dubai Holding, said: Dubai Holding takes great honour in announcing the addition of this unique property to the Jumeirah Group portfolio. As the company embarks on its next phase of growth, adding such a strategic and large hotel to the portfolio is a key milestone in our ambitious international expansion strategy. Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah Hotel will significantly boost its growth in the coming years. It will also mark the Groups first presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Makkah, one of the holiest sites in the world and the highest in real estate value.



Jumeirah Group is one of the world's most luxurious hotel groups that operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts including the flagship Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. The groups portfolio includes hotels and resorts in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Frankfurt, Mallorca, London, Maldives and Shanghai. - TradeArabia News Service
Business leaders from Qatar and Pakistan are discussing the establishment of joint factories in Qatar to provide various commodities to the local market and export the surplus, a report quoting Qatar Chamber said.



The plan was discussed recently by officials of Qatar Chamber during a series of business meetings with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry in Pakistans capital, Islamabad, added the Gulf Times report.



During the meetings, Qatar Chamber also discussed ways to increase Qatars imports of Pakistani goods.



The deliberations focused on enhancing co-operation ties between both parties in economic and trade sectors, including construction, building materials, foodstuff, textiles and furniture.
Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), a top telecom provider in Saudi Arabia, represented by its Business Unit, signed an agreement with Al Khafji Joint Operations to provide its backup servicers to the company.



The agreement was signed in Al Khafji City with the presence of Fahad Alsulaiman, director Military, Banking & Nat. Res Sales at Mobily, and Abdulraoof Alarkia, executive manager Business Management, Al Khafji Joint Operations.



Al Khafji Joint Operations is a cooperation project established in 2000 between Aramco and Kuwait Gulf Oil Company.



Ismail Alghamdi, chief business officer, said: We became technology pioneer in smart cloud services that help companies to access its data even when the service is down, and other services like virtual servers recovery which provide full managed solutions to ensure electronic services continuity in a matter of minutes.  TradeArabia News Service
An estimated Dh2 billion ($544 million) will be generated from onsite food and beverages (F&B) sales at the Expo 2020 Dubai, offering a huge opportunity for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sector, it was revealed today.



Expo 2020 Dubai held its highly successful BusinessConnect F&B session, marking the first step on the journey to Expo for SMEs in the food and beverage sector.



The session, which saw more than 100 SMEs take part, outlined the food and beverage pathway and timeline including encouraging them to sign up to the Expo 2020 Dubai e-Sourcing portal so they can keep track of all the current and upcoming procurement opportunities.



These opportunities include taking a share of an estimated Dh2 billion in onsite food and beverage sales generated by visitors attending Expo from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021. In addition to this, an estimated five million meals will be needed to keep the Expo 2020 workforce fed during the six months of Expo.



The Expo 2020 Dubai timeline for SMEs to bid for contracts to deliver F&B services at Expo is as follows:

 Register on e-Sourcing portal (now)

 Deliver SME business profiles (Q3, 2017)

 Primary catering operator package releases (Q3-Q4, 2017)

 Meet the Buyer event with lead catering operators (Q1-Q2, 2018)

 For selected SMEs, pitch your concept (Q1-Q2, 2018)

 Negotiations and awards (Q1-Q2, 2018)

 SME partnership connections defined (Q2, 2018)

 Planning phase (Q4, 2017-Q4, 2019)

 Testing phase (Q1-Q2, 2020)



Manal AlBayat, senior vice president, business development and integration at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: This BusinessConnect F&B session is just the beginning of the journey for SMEs in the food and beverage sector to Expo 2020 Dubai. Not only does it enable us to explain timelines and present opportunities to the SMEs, we also get to hear their questions and incorporate their feedback into our planning.



Through these sessions we are delivering value to SMEs by encouraging networking and providing them with a platform to connect with each other, therefore boosting opportunities across the region before, during and after Expo.



At peak, up to 85,000 meals are expected to be served per hour during Expo 2020 Dubai, across 30,000 sq m of front-of-house space for food and beverages (F&B). As a result, Expo will be a major opportunity for F&B firms, as well as a chance to showcase the many cuisines and cultural diversity of the UAE.



This session provided us with a detailed understanding of the procurement process and the fantastic opportunity which Expo is providing SMEs like us the chance to be a part of, said Mansoor Al Bastaki, founder and CEO of MAB Food Trucks, a food truck supplier based in the UAE.



We know this is just the start, but with more than three years to go to Expo 2020 Dubai it is great to see Expo planning ahead and inviting SMEs to get involved so early in the process.



Expo 2020 Dubai is committed to supporting the SME sector across the region as part of its plans for a lasting economic legacy. Last year, it announced that 20 per cent of direct and indirect spend for the Expo will be awarded to SMEs.



The BusinessConnect series aims to shift the traditional model of procurement to one based more on the value of collaboration, with each edition delivered in the format of an open dialogue and focused on a specific aspect of Expo 2020 Dubai.



To date, it has brought together senior representatives from a wide spectrum of industries to explore critical areas such as marketing and communications, ICT, architecture and design, real estate and youth.  TradeArabia News Service


Demonstrators gathered outside Qatar's embassy in Brussels on Saturday to protest against Doha's support for terrorism and to express rejection of its approach to fuel conflicts around the world, a report said.



The demonstrators demanded that Qatar must halt funding of extremist groups in the Arab region and in the European countries and change its policy of funding and harbouring terrorist groups, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency.



They waved signs that read it is time the world should move against the states that support extremism, including Qatar, and suggested that such support has had a tragic impact on Europe and on the whole world.



They also highlighted that terrorism had distorted the image of Islam, due to the policies of the states that support and fund extremist groups.



The demonstrators expressed support to the steps taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt, to confront the Qatari provocations and policies to foment tensions in the region and in the world.
Abu Dhabi leapfrogged London and Paris into second position on a list of the best cities in the world to live, work and do business in.



The 2017 edition of the Ipsos Top Cities Index finds that New York is the most popular city worldwide, retaining the title it claimed when the survey was first run in 2013. Tokyo, Sydney and Zurich secured the on fifth position with equal score.



People in 26 countries worldwide were asked which, from a list of 60 global cities, they felt were best to live in, do business in, and visit. The scores from the three questions were then added together to create the Ipsos Cities Index.



The cities in the global top five have unique strengths: New York and Abu Dhabi are unparalleled as centres for business but they score less strongly as a place to live or visit, while Paris tops the global list of tourism destinations but rates comparatively poorly as a business hub, failing to reach the top 10 on this measure. London and Tokyo have rounded profiles, scoring more evenly across the three dimensions, while Zurich and Sydneys strength is derived from their high scores as top cities to live in.



The remaining top ten positions this year are occupied by Rome, Los Angeles and Amsterdam. The cities at the bottom of this years ranking are Nairobi and Tehran.



More than 18,000 people, aged between 16 and 64, were interviewed for the index.



The results highlight the significant increase in the global perception of Abu Dhabi as a commercial destination, with 21 percent of survey participants listing Abu Dhabi as a top city to do business in, just 2 percent below the leader, New York. Abu Dhabi ranked highest among participants from the three younger generations  Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z, which were all consistent in placing New York and Abu Dhabi as their top two cities.



Saif Saeed Ghobash, director general of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) said: "The rise of Abu Dhabi in this global ranking is testament to the ongoing efforts to establish the emirate as not only a tourist destination of distinction, but a location that international communities want to work, live and do business in. Its distinct popularity among the younger generations highlight the need for global cities to diversify and innovate to sustain their position and strength as business and tourism hubs."



Ghobash continued: "With the ongoing rise of tourism in Abu Dhabi, we are confident that Abu Dhabis international reputation will grow from strength to strength as more international visitors experience what the emirate has to offer. As we leverage the wealth of Abu Dhabis cultural heritage sites, such as the Unesco World Heritage Sites in Al Ain, and the forthcoming opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, we are confident that our position on the map of leading cities will continue to be cemented."



In the period from January to May this year, the emirate of Abu Dhabi recorded nearly 2 million hotel guest arrivals, a 4 percent growth compared to the same period in 2016. - TradeArabia News Service
An unprecedented number of opportunities for strategic dialogue, along with a record number of expert submissions on a wide range of industry challenges and trends, will see the worlds energy leaders converge on the UAE capital for the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec) 2017, later this year.



Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), Adipec will take place from November 13 to 16, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). The event is supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy, the Abu Dhabi Chamber, and the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.



The premier meeting place for energy ministers and C-level executives from the worlds oil and gas giants, Adipec 2017 will convene under the theme: Forging Ties, Driving Growth. It is expected there will be more than 45 ministerial and CEO sessions, up from 25 a year earlier, cementing Abu Dhabis leadership status in the global energy industry.



Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Al Yasat CEO and Adipec 2017 chairman, said: Abu Dhabi has always served as an international gathering place for the energy worlds best and brightest. But, this year, Adipec is shifting gears to facilitate additional ministerial and C-level executive networking. We believe that this annual event is where global energy strategies are proposed and agreed each year.



The Adipec Conference Programme, organised in collaboration with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), sets the international standard for the exchange of best-practice and operational excellence in the world of energy, with all technical abstract submissions put through a rigorous evaluation process by the Technical Programme Committee. There have been more than 3,000 technical abstract submissions this year, with more than half submitted from outside the UAE.

Christopher Hudson, president  Global Energy at dmg events, said: Driving growth in a volatile industrial sector can be challenging at the best of times. Adipec 2017, the worlds most influential oil and gas exhibition and conference, is evolving to bring more event attendees fully into the realm of industry decision-making, from passive to active participation, and our new global downstream business leader sessions are testament to this progressive new approach to inclusion.



Adipec 2017 conference sessions include Offshore and Marine, and Security. New this year to Adipec is the introduction of global downstream technical sessions, set to drive the conversation on downstream expansion, diversification, technology innovation and R&D.



Key returning features at the event are the: Adipec Awards, which celebrate excellence in energy; Women in Industry Conference, which addresses gender balance in the energy sector; Young Adipec, a dedicated edutainment programme designed to encourage students to choose a career in energy; and a VIP conference programme for members of the Middle East Petroleum Club.



More than 10,000 delegates, 2,200 exhibiting companies, 900 speakers, and over 100,000 visitors from 135 countries are projected to gather in the UAE capital for Adipec 2017, breaking the events previous records in international participation, and bringing the worlds decision makers, industry leaders, and experts under one roof to address the most critical issues surrounding the evolving energy landscape. TradeArabia News Service
North Delphia Fire

The North Delphia fire that began burning Friday 15 miles northeast of Roundup was mapped at 3,800 acres in size and destroyed five outbuildings and one truck, according to the Musselshell County Disaster and Emergency Services Facebook page.

There was some heat damage to residential homes from the fire, according to an update posted Saturday afternoon to the page.

In the update, the fire, fueled by timber and grass, was described as "looking well contained." The update also stated "they have fire lines all the way around the fire," and that "crews are working on getting the interior of the fire out." Evacuations in the area were voluntary as of Saturday afternoon.

A report posted on the National Interagency Coordination Center website put total personnel for the fire at 145.

July Fire

By Saturday morning the 11,440-acre July fire, burning in the Little Rocky Moutnains southwest of the towns of Zortman and Landusky, had reached 90 percent containment.

More than 300 personnel were involved in the firefighting effort earlier this week, but as of Saturday that number was down to 140, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group website InciWeb.

The cause of the fire, which began in the afternoon on July 3, is still listed on InciWeb as unknown.

A press release issued Saturday by the Western Montana Type II Incident Management Team states that they plan to transfer command of the fire to a local unit on Sunday.

"Residents and visitors will continue to see smoke in the area as interior pockets of un-burned fuel continue to burn," according to InciWeb. "Fireline rehabilitation will be an ongoing process in the weeks to come, and each area is being evaluated for specific needs depending on terrain and fire intensity."

Tongue River Complex

Currently the largest fire in Montana, the 32,965-acre Tongue River Complex is 90 percent contained, according to InciWeb. The fire has cost $2.7 million and 216 personnel were at the scene Saturday, according to the National Interagency Coordination Center.

The fire is burning timber, brush and short grass about 18 miles south of Lame Deer, and command is expected to be transferred to a local unit on Sunday. The NICC reports $2.7 million has been spent on the Tongue River Complex.

Other fires

Rosebud County

On Saturday, Rosebud County and federal rresources were sent to a 100-acre mile fire burning 12 miles southwest of Coalstrip. Named the Baseline fire, it is burning on private land.

Bighorn County

A 450-acre fire on private land near Fly Creek Road in Bighorn County was extinguished on Friday. Billings Interagency Dispatch Center reports the fire to was caused by a combine.

Petroleum County

A 453-acre wildfire was reported Friday near Highway 244, according to the Lewistown Interagency Dispatch Center. Bureau of Land Managment and DNRC resources were sent to the fire.

Dawson County and Garfield County

Federal resources have been dispatched to the Cedar Creek fire in Dawson County and also to the Sand Arroyo, Level Up and Cohagen fires in Garfield County, according to the Miles City Interagency Dispatch Center.

Burning 13 miles south of Glendive on private land, the Cedar Creek Fire was estimated to be 800 acres in size as of Saturday night. County, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and federal resources are at the scene of the fire.

Federal and county resources are also on the scene of the Smoke 208 fire in Dawson County about 13 miles southwest of Glendive.

The Cohagen 1,515-acre Cohagen fire burning 15 miles south of Jordan on private and Bureau of Land Management land was contained on Friday as of 8:20 a.m.

On U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land, the 50-acre Sand Arroyo fire burning 46 miles northeast of Jordan was contained as of 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

The 15-acre Level Up fire burning 33 miles northeast of Jordan was reported contained as of 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, will mark its entry into Saudi Arabia with the opening of the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah Hotel in 2019.



The new hotel will be developed by global investment conglomerate Dubai Holding and Jabal Omar Development Company, one of the Middle Easts largest real estate company and will be managed by Jumeirah Group.



The five-star hotel will be walking distance from the holy mosque and will comprise four towers with stunning views of Masjid-al-Haram.



The hotel will include 1,033 guest rooms along with 93 villas and will feature a variety of food and beverage offerings, meeting facilities, executive lounge, gymnasium and over 90 retail units throughout the complex. The hotel will be operational in early 2019.



With this strategic addition, Jumeirah Group has expanded its global reach to 22 luxurious hotels and resorts managing 7,164 hotel rooms around the world.



Commenting on the agreement, Yasser Al Sharif, chief executive officer, Jabal Omar Development Company, said: Jabal Omar Development Company is committed to offering guests of Masjid-al-Haram and visitors to the Holy Capital superior hospitality services, in accordance with the highest international standards. We are pleased to work with an established global hospitality brand grown in our region, such as Jumeirah Group, and we look forward to a fruitful cooperation to reap mutual benefit for our guests and shareholders alike.



Edris Al Rafi, chief executive officer of Dubai Holding, said: Dubai Holding takes great honour in announcing the addition of this unique property to the Jumeirah Group portfolio. As the company embarks on its next phase of growth, adding such a strategic and large hotel to the portfolio is a key milestone in our ambitious international expansion strategy. Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah Hotel will significantly boost its growth in the coming years. It will also mark the Groups first presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Makkah, one of the holiest sites in the world and the highest in real estate value.



Jumeirah Group is one of the world's most luxurious hotel groups that operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts including the flagship Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. The groups portfolio includes hotels and resorts in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Frankfurt, Mallorca, London, Maldives and Shanghai. - TradeArabia News Service
Integrated travel services provider Holidayme.com is strengthening its footprint in the Middle East with plans to open a new office in Saudi Arabia, which has been witnessing a rise tourist numbers in the last few years.



Holidayme, which began its operation in the Middle East in 2014, plans to shore up its popularity and product offering uptake in the kingdom in a bid to cater to the growing need of the market by offering a comprehensive travel booking solution. The Saudi office is headed by, Mansour Bin Madi, CEO, Holidayme KSA; who will be overlooking operations for the Saudi region.



Now only present in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the multi-lingual travel portal is now working towards aligning its Saudi operations with the government-led tourism investments and initiatives, which are part of the countrys vision 2030 - a framework outlining the Saudis long-term economic and social goals.



Saudi Arabia, which has recently experienced a surge in domestic vacations, is expected to grow its domestic tourism by a record 40 per cent by the year 2020, according to a Euromonitor International Tourism Forecast report. Currently valued at $21 billion, the Saudi Arabian tourism industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the region.



Holidayme founder and chief executive officer, Geet Bhalla said that the travel portal, which is one of the fastest growing online travel agencies in the region, plans to tap into Saudi Arabias record levels of domestic travel as its key growth driver for the region.



As Saudi continues to invest generously in its local and international tourism, Holidayme.com is also positioning itself strategically to support the various initiatives initiated by the country through the provision of reliable and convenient travel products and services for the growing tourism numbers said Geet.



Mansour Bin Madi, CEO, Holidayme KSA, added: As we seek to strengthen our operations in Saudi, Holidayme.com will continue playing its role in ensuring that the Saudi tourism sector continues to thrive by providing both local and international tourists with an opportunity to discover iconic travel destinations through uniquely curated holiday packages.



The Saudi Arabian tourism industry is one of the key sectors identified to contribute significantly to the countrys gross domestic product in the wake of the oil glut and weakening global demand.



The kingdoms religious tourism, which is valued at over $5 billion with 19 million pilgrims having visited Makkah and Madinah in 2015 and further expected to reach 30 million by 2025 is one area that has been instrumental in boosting Saudi Arabias overall tourism sector with Makkah emerging as the main tourist attraction in the region. - TradeArabia News Service
India currently has the highest business travel growth rate in the entire world. To take advantage of the tremendous potential, the fifth annual Mice India & Luxury Travel Congress (Milt) will now make its presence in Mumbai and Delhi.



Taking place from July 27-28 in Mumbai and August 1-2 in Delhi, the Milt Congress is a "premium platform" that provides the opportunity to industry leaders who represent India's top corporations, biggest film production houses and premium destination wedding planning companies to meet with global travel and hospitality suppliers.



Buyers of luxury and Mice tourism services from Indias fast growing outbound tourism market are looking for quality, value and efficiency from their business partners, according to insights shared by partners of MILT - organized by Dubai-based B2B event specialist QnA Global.



According to figures published by Indias Ministry of Tourism, India generates 5.1 million outbound travellers on a yearly basis, out of which 1.5 million account for outbound Mice travelers and the remaining 3.6 million represent outbound luxury travelers. With the right offering, this presents significant opportunity for global Mice destinations to market their product and services to a growing market of buyers.



Komal Seth, Country Representative, Sharjah Tourism, India Market, said: Mice buyers in the Indian market are looking for value for money, confirmed deliverables and quick transactions, both financial and operational. All buyers have destination knowledge and access to vendors and suppliers, but the key to tap this market is to offer commitment and efficiency, which drives the value of the services.



Mice and luxury tourism is also a primary driver in the domestic market, which has seen rapid growth over a number of years, thanks to increased connectivity and a growing Middle Class in the country. Between 2005 and 2010, domestic tourism numbers doubled and in 2016 a double-digit growth of 15.5 per cent was recorded after 1.65 billion trips were taken in the country.



Mamta Pall, director of Sales India, Rotana Hotels and Resorts, expects the hotels direct business from this market to generate growth of 25  30 per cent in 2018.



We have worked extensively with Indian buyers, sometimes receiving Mice groups of up to 700 people. Indian buyers are mainly looking for a product that meets their expectations in terms of positioning, pricing and end to end requirements, plus a flexible approach from their partner  from enquiry to completion, added Pall.



To help facilitate and finalise business opportunities, the Milt Congress offers extensive opportunities for one-to-one networking between potential buyers and clients. Over 2,250 pre-arranged meetings were held at the 2016 edition of the event, and this number is set to rise exponentially this year.



Suku Verghese, area vice president of Sales Mice, Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris, said, Mice is a segment of business which requires much more one-on-one engagement, compared to other business streams in the hotel industry. As the Experiential Travel industry in India matures, buyers are looking for long-term partners who are professional in their conduct, transparent in their dealings, not looking to cut corners and have world-class standards in terms of quality of service and product delivery.



India is the worlds second fastest growing outbound travel market in terms of visitor numbers after China. With 62 million passport holders in the country and 18.3 million outbound Indian tourists in 2014, the UNWTO predicts one in six passport holders will travel regularly by 2020.



Last year, the Indian Government identified Mice as a key area for Indian domestic tourism too, announcing new visa regulations and a focus on building on the countrys stock of world-class exhibition facilities.



Ackash Jain, director, QnA Global said: Tourism in all its forms is witnessing exponential growth in India, driven by many socio-economic and global factors. In order to tap into the potential of this market, travel and hospitality suppliers must first understand these factors and that requires years of due diligence and first-hand market research. With the one-to-one pre-arranged meeting format at MILT, potential business partners have a head start in building key business relationships that put them in front of the right decision makers from India and help them achieve their business targets. - TradeArabia News Service


When prosecutors charged a 25-year-old Casper man with attempted murder in February, his name and mugshot were immediately published by news outlets across town.

His name, his age and the charges against him were publicly available in the county jail log. Police confirmed that he was the suspect in the shooting. After his initial appearance in county circuit court, his name was listed in the public court dockets.

But when a man was charged with first-degree sexual assault in September for allegedly pinning down a teenage girl and molesting her, it took nearly six months before the public knew of the crime and the person who was suspected of committing it.

The difference? Under Wyoming law, a person charged with sex crimes has extra protection to keep his or her identity concealed until their case reaches district court, where felony cases are heard.

While some say those accused of sexual assault face a stigma different than accusations of other crimes, advocacy groups say such a law simply perpetuates long-held cultural myths that victims of sexual assault are less trustworthy than other victims. One district prosecutor said the law hampers his ability to honestly discuss cases with media and the public.

The statute prohibits public employees  law enforcement, prosecutors, public defenders, court staff and others  from naming or releasing information that could identify a victim of a sex crime or the alleged perpetrator until that case reaches district court. Those who willingly name victims or defendants in sexual assault cases can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.

In theory, that process should take a few weeks. After a defendants initial court appearance, the court has up to 10 days to host a preliminary hearing if the person remains incarcerated or up to 20 days if that person is released on bond. During a preliminary hearing, a circuit court judge hears the evidence in the case and determines whether there is enough to move the case to district court, where the case becomes public record.

In practice, however, the process can sometimes take months, delaying the publics knowledge of the alleged crime far past the arrest date. Unless reporters receive a tip about a case and attend the initial appearance or preliminary hearing, records of the case are effectively inaccessible. A circuit court clerk isnt allowed to look up a file by the defendants name for a member of the public because that would positively identify the suspect, even if the name is redacted in all the documents. Sexual assault cases do not appear in the publicly accessible statewide database of circuit court cases.

It was just shocking when I first discovered (the law), one local advocate said.

Origin of law

As long as hes been practicing, Natrona County District Attorney Mike Blonigen remembers some version of the law existing in Wyoming statutes. Previous reporting indicates that before 2007 it had been illegal for public employees to release the names of defendants and victims in sexual assault cases before the case reached the circuit court.

However, the law was changed in 2007 to prohibit the release of that information until the case reached district court as part of a larger bill to amend sexual assault statutes. A Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice asked the Legislatures joint judiciary committee to consider the change due to the recent creation of the circuit court system. Prior to creation of the circuit courts, sexual assault cases were always filed in district courts.

The justice, Barton Voigt, said at the time that he wasnt sure legislators knew defendants were being named as soon as their case was filed in circuit court. He said he assumed lawmakers had previously created laws protecting the identity of sexual assault defendants because of the serious nature of the crime.

Its not like robbing a bank, he said in a letter to the chairmen of the committee, according to a story published in the Star-Tribune from the time. Its more of a moral turpitude situation.

Legislators who considered the bill sought to balance the publics right to know about alleged criminals in their community and protecting the identities of the defendants.

Its just a delicate balance between protecting the anonymity of the victim, and also of the actor, especially if hes innocent, and on the other side, letting the public know that this crime has occurred, and who this actor is, one former Jackson legislator said.

At first, the law prohibited public employees from releasing the name of defendants but was amended in 2015 to also prohibit any other information reasonably likely to disclose the identity of the suspect. Previously, that broader category of information applied only to victims identities.

The law does allow judges to authorize the release of that information and also allows law enforcement to release victim and suspect identities to aid an arrest or to locate a minor victim who has been missing. In Natrona County, the names of those who are accused of sexual assault are stated during hearings in Circuit Court, while victims are generally identified by their initials.

A 2014 Wyoming Supreme Court decision created standards for state courts to follow regarding the identities in sexual assault cases. The Court ruled that the Converse County Circuit Court violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution when it closed all court proceedings and sealed documents in a sexual assault case involving a juvenile victim.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee in 2013 voted 5-4 in favor of a bill that would have removed the protections for defendants. Proponents of the bill argued that suspects in sexual assault cases should be treated the same as suspects in other types of crimes. Opponents of the bill said that being accused of sexual assault carried a different stigma than being accused of other crimes.

The bill failed in the House.

Representatives from three local and national organizations that work on sexual assault issues said they werent aware of any other state that has a similar law that protects the identities of alleged perpetrators.

If this were a good idea that benefited communities and public safety, you would think more states would adopt similar laws, said Kristen Houser, chief public affairs officer for the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. This is something thats not standard.

Perpetuating a myth or protecting due process?

Representatives from both local and national organizations said that the law only perpetuates the myth that victims of sexual assault are less trustworthy than victims of other crimes.

Blonigen, the district attorney, disputed the claim that the law was necessary to protect the privacy of victims of sexual assault. Instead, he said the law simply reflects a historical suspicion of those who report sexual assault.

What is the purpose of it? Theres no other crime we have that this law applies, he said. If this is truly to protect the victim, how come at every turn it seems to say their claims arent worth airing?

Blonigen also said the law complicates his ability to explain to the public why he didnt file charges in specific cases. It limits public discussion about an issue that demands thorough and thoughtful community discussion.

Where I see this having an impact is cases where charges are never filed, he said. The public never knows why the charges werent filed, whether its a good reason, a bad reason or any reason at all.

Blonigen said hes approached legislators over the years about his concerns with the law but that there seems to be little to no interest in changing it.

Its never a priority of any sort, he said. You mention this and they say huh and you never hear about it again. Thats about as far as the conversation gets.

Taylor Courtney, an investigator with the Natrona County Sheriffs Office who handles many of the agencys sexual assault cases, said the law neither helps nor hinders the investigative process. He noted that its standard practice for law enforcement to withhold any information about a case while it is still under investigation. That information is also protected from the public by Wyomings public records laws.

The parts of the statute that protect a victims identity do help people feel more comfortable reporting an assault, he said.

Thats always a chief concern with a victim, being able to maintain privacy and have people not find out who they are, he said.

Tara Muir, policy director of the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, said that its good that victims identities are protected, though many states dont have a law explicitly forbidding the release of their names to the public. Many groups assume news media will follow standard journalistic practice and not release the name of sex assault victims.

Muir hopes to address the law with the joint judiciary committee during the next legislative interim session. She said that the public has a right to know about the alleged crimes in their communities.

This statute certainly perpetuates this myth that victims lie and that we need to protect these poor innocents, who are usually men, that perpetuate these crimes, she said.

While there should be better accountability for lawmakers and those who lead the states criminal justice system, average people can be part of the solution as well, Muir said. She said that the average person can help by supporting organizations in their communities that work to prevent these crimes, to have age-appropriate conversations with children about consent and healthy sexuality and knowing who their elected officials are.

Houser, the representative from the national resource center, said that she cant see the public benefit to protecting the identity of those charged with sexual assault. Its important to protect the identity of victims because they often fear retaliation from their rapist for reporting. If their identities were not protected, its likely that fewer people would come forward to report, she said. In contrast, naming people charged with sexual assault acts as a deterrent.

I cant see what public benefit comes from treating the victim and the alleged perpetrator the same, she said.
Wyoming Sens. John Barrasso and Mike Enzi  two architects of the Senates replacement for the Affordable Care Act  praised a bill released Thursday that slightly changes the measure unveiled weeks ago by Senate leadership.

But the revised bill, according to a leading Wyoming health care official, could still have dire effects here. The more than $770 billion in Medicaid reductions  an unchanged provision from the original bill  is the thousand-pound elephant in the room that could cause hospitals here to close and services to be reduced.

The measure keeps a number of provisions from the original Senate draft but also retains certain Obamacare taxes that were originally discarded. The new bill faces a tough route to passage. While Enzi and Barrasso appear to be firm votes in favor, Republican Sens. Rand Paul and Susan Collins have both reiterated their opposition. Other senators have also suggested they wont support the bill.

Eric Boley, president of the Wyoming Hospital Association, said Friday that the replacement bill didnt do a lot to, in his eyes, repair the original measure.

Its a little bit better, but still doesnt address concerns of Medicaid funding, he said, which rural hospitals  many of which already operate on tight budgets  rely on for additional dollars.

Because Republicans are using a parliamentary method known as reconciliation, they need a simple majority of 51 votes to pass. But with Collins and Pauls firm opposition, Senate Republicans can afford no more defection. Under current conditions, assuming the handful of Republicans who are undecided vote in favor, the party will have to rely on Vice President Mike Pences tie-breaking vote.

***

Enzi, who is the chairman of the Senates budget committee and thus was involved in the bills original and revised drafting, said he was an ultimate optimist and believed the bill can receive the number of required votes. Barrasso, as a member of Senate leadership, has also played a key role in the drafting process.

I think this is a good bill and we have already seen senators who had concerns coming around on the new draft, Enzi said in an email to the Star-Tribune on Thursday. But I think we all know that Obamacare is unsustainable as is and if cant we get together on this bill, our options will be limited in what we can do (to) stabilize the markets.

The new version of the bill keeps intact Medicaid cuts  or funding slowdowns, as Senate Republicans have adamantly called it  that officials estimate will cost the program nearly $800 billion in the coming decade, and Wyoming and 18 other states that did not expand Medicaid $737 billion over that period.

An amendment by Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, would also allow insurers to offer more bare-bones plans, including allowing plans to forgo essential health benefits like prenatal care. The proposal has drawn criticism from leading insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Barrasso praised the amendment but noted that Cruz was still refining the amendment, as noted in the bill:

Senator Cruzs amendment gives people the freedom to choose less expensive options that may be right for them.

Cruzs bare-bones amendment has drawn criticism from Boley and others because it could allow younger, healthier people to buy those cheaper plans  if they obtain insurance at all  which would then increase the costs of more substantial plans purchased by older and more chronically ill Americans.

Boley pointed out that a problem with Obamacare is that healthier Americans chose to pay penalties instead of obtain insurance. Whats to stop them from doing the same thing under the Senate bill, even with potential penalties?

The bill also maintains slowdowns in the 31 states that did expand Medicaid (Wyoming chose not to) over the coming decade. The cost share between states and government would eventually return to what it was before those states took advantage of Obamacares program that paid 100 percent of expansion, which broadened the program to allow more people to qualify.

On top of viability issues, the Medicaid slowdown could have significant effects on Wyoming, officials have warned. The states more than two dozen rural hospitals are often reliant on Medicaid reimbursements, which dropped off after Obamacares passage.

Those facilities are often the only option in most counties, and Boley has said Medicaid cuts could close facilities or force them to reduce services.

Both Barrasso and Enzi, responding to a detailed list of questions from the Star-Tribune, said the bill would provide rural hospitals more money via a provision that would give hospitals that treat a higher number of vulnerable patients more money.

Boley had some praise Friday for the increased funding for hospitals who treat more vulnerable and uninsured patients. Previously, hed said it would have little effect here but he said the changes in the replacement bill would have a little bit more for hospitals here.

Enzi argued that a change in the replacement bill would send $100 million to Wyoming hospitals that cover Medicaid and uninsured patients over the next four years. But Boley said he wasnt sure where that number came from and planned on reaching out to Enzis office to determine their calculations once he finished speaking with the Star-Tribune.

***

More than half of the states nursing home patients have their care paid for through Medicaid, and industry officials, like Platte County nursing home administrator Shane Filipi, have said cuts could force them to reduce staff, offer fewer services, reject patients and  in a worst-case scenario  close down altogether.

Theres no room for us to take cuts, he said in an interview before the latest draft bill was released. If they start cutting, were going to have to make cuts to figure things out. That would be my worry. Would it force nursing homes to shut down?

Notably, the new bill would also keep certain taxes levied on the richest Americans to help pay for funding increases in the bill. For instance, Republicans added an additional $70 billion to help insurers offset premium costs, which have recently increased after the passage of former President Barack Obamas landmark Affordable Care Act.

Obamacare is driving up costs in Wyoming, Barrasso told the Star-Tribune, referring to an alternative name for the Affordable Care Act. Since 2013, people in Wyoming have seen their monthly premiums increase by 107 percent.

Wyoming has historically had some of the most expensive health care in the country, and health officials here have blamed the states low population.

Barrasso added Thursday that Medicaid spending would continue to grow at 1.9 percent annually and that only in Washington is a 1.9 percent annual increase considered a cut.

But a policy brief  composed by the 19 states who did not expand Medicaid  argued that increase wouldnt keep pace with the rising costs of Medicaid, hence the growing slowdown in funding.

Boley said the measurement the bill would use to increase funding over the coming years wont keep pace. If they used a different index, hospitals would be more likely to support it.

That difference in the teeter-totter of health care costs could make insurance pools unsustainable.

In response to that concern, Enzi told the Star-Tribune that ensuring the viability of pools is always an issue. But he argued pools are currently unsustainable under Obamacare. Still, though he believes the Senate bill will keep pools afloat, he acknowledged that is an issue we can debate as we move forward.

Elsewhere in the new bill, Republican leaders allocated tens of billions more to combat the opioid crisis. The move could help sway hesitant senators like Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, which has been ravaged by addiction to the prescription pills.

The bill also allows people to use money within their health savings accounts to pay for insurance premiums for the first time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
GILLETTE  Robert James has lived his nightmares.

James drove a gun truck, the second in a convoy of Humvees, the first of which had its sole job to find improvised explosive devices or get blown up by them.

On his first mission in Iraq in 2006, the lead truck took a hit.

Can you imagine that? James asked, more than 10 years removed from the explosion.

Imagine with James being in the middle of a war zone and having a truck 600 meters in front of you get blown up by a bomb hidden in the dirt.

James tried to explain it like the moment right before you think youre going to get in a car accident.

The blood in your body doesnt flow through your veins. It floods them. Your heart stops pumping and vibrates in your chest. Your fingertips go numb, your senses are on high alert and theres no stopping the inevitable.

Thats how you live when you get over there. Constantly, he said. Then, every time you roll out of that gate, multiply it by 10.

In August the next year, James was blown up by an IED twice in nine days.

He rolled out of the gate 63 times for convoy missions, drove more than 15,000 miles at an average speed of 10 miles an hour and spent a total of 14 months in Iraq on high alert.

Then he brought the war home with him.

A Navy man

James grew up the youngest of seven kids in the tiny town of Encampment.

He knew he wanted to join the military at a relatively young age. Both his adopted father and brother served stints with the Army and Navy. James made up his mind fairly quickly which branch he would join.

Who doesnt want to see the world at the taxpayers expense? he said.

Navy it was.

James also wanted to join for the quality education provided to a service member.

He enlisted in 1988 as an operations specialist working the radar on board a ship. He then joined the reserves and was out of the service for six years, then joined the Navy again as an equipment operator in the construction battalion for five years until finally joining the Wyoming National Guard in 2005.

In January 2006, his company got a warning order for active deployment training. That happens from time to time, James said, just to put the fear of war in the men and women, to keep them on their toes.

Yeah right, he thought at the idea of being deployed.

Six months later, he was on a plane to Iraq.

He had trained to be a fueler for the mission, but three days before they left he was given a new duty: gun truck driver. Thats what he did for a living as a civilian, driving trucks and teaching other drivers before they got their commercial drivers licenses.

The little training they give you before going over there for the National Guard isnt what really happens over there, he said. Not even close.

Theres no preparing for the real thing. No drill to make it as real, no staged mission to get the blood pumping like it does behind enemy lines in the desert.

He remembers the heat the most, how the Middle Eastern summer was year-round, how the sweat seeped through everything. The adrenaline, the fear, the unknown. Here he was, a Wyoming National Guard member who had two years left on his enlistment and the only thing he thought hed have to worry about was paying the bills.

Now he was worrying about staying alive.

Do you really think anyone really wants to go to war? he asked. No. They dont.

He said it like someone who has seen things  things he tries his hardest to block from his memory.

I try to forget everything, but you cant, he said. I saw some nasty (stuff) over there. Things I dont like to talk about with anyone.

Hes only discussed the things hes seen with four people: His wife Jennifer, his gunner, an old friend and one of his bosses.

I dont want to relive it, he said. Its bad enough.

A BITTER HOMECOMING

The panic attacks started within weeks of returning home. They were triggered in crowded rooms, small spaces, coffee shops, even grocery stores.

The worst one happened in a movie theater. He told his doctors at the time about the attacks, but their advice was just to try and live as normal a life as possible.

The combination of the sound, the dark and claustrophobia in the movie theater gave James one of the worst attacks hes had. When hes overcome with panic, his chest becomes tight, he has trouble breathing, he cant focus on whats going on and the only thought that runs through his mind is Get out.

He doesnt even remember what movie he was there to see. Sometimes it all goes dark.

Along with three herniated discs in his back and a screw in his ankle, James was diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from the war.

The last explosion that gave him the brain injury was the worst of them. All he remembers is a bright flash.

Youre trained to deal with everything while youre there, but when you come back home, theres so much youre not trained to deal with, he said. They dont train you how to readjust. Theres no process for that.

At home, he began to lose his cool, and anger issues that werent there before emerged. His wife told him for two years to seek help. He thought she was full of it.

I thought it was normal, freaking out like I did, he said. I didnt know anything (different) was going on.

A SERVICE DOG

It wasnt until 2015 that James began cognitive processing therapy for his PTSD. It started with a counselor in Rock Springs and he later got psychiatric help in Sheridan.

Thats when he was introduced to the idea of a service dog.

One of the frustrations that James has with the Department of Veterans Affairs is that it wont cover expenses for service animals for PTSD.

The federal agency does pay for service animals for veterans with visual, hearing or mobility disorders, but not for former service members whose only disability is PTSD.

The VA has studied the potential benefits of service animals for PTSD patients, but the agency has said that research has been inconclusive.

Without the help from the VA, James had to find a trainer and a dog on his own. Most trainers who work with service animals for PTSD require patients to relocate for a number of months to be there for the training.

It was very discouraging because I would have had to relocate down in Arizona or Florida and be there for the entire time the dog was training, he said. I couldnt uproot my family, especially after buying a house. That just wasnt going to happen.

Thats when he found Tiffany Fitterer.

THE TRAINER AND THE DOG

Fitterer is 24 years old and has been training service animals for just about five years.

She trains in the small town of Toronto, South Dakota, and was first introduced to James through Jennifers cousins son.

From the start, James didnt know that a service dog could actually help him. Fitterer sat him down and explained that men and women who come home from active duty have a hard time making connections, and a service animal is a perfect companion.

When they are in the military they know what theyre trained to do, so when they come home, so much of that is lost, Fitterer said. Giving them a partner like a service animal, now they have a job to do and something to take care of.

In reality, Fitterer said, the dog is the one doing that for them.

James told her about his panic attacks, about his chest tightening. He told her about never being able to have his back to a door. He told her about loud noises, crowded rooms full of children, the nightmares.

Fitterer gathered all the details and told him to find a dog.

I need you to look for it and feel it, she told him. Its an absolute feeling.

She said I had to have a bond with him instantaneously, James said.

If the dog comes up to you and sits in front of you, thats a good start, Fitterer told him. Then when you reach down and touch it, youll have this feeling come over you like youve never felt or experienced before.

James thinks he looked at 50 to 60 shelters and farms for a dog. In Sturgis, he met a woman who had two Rottweilers. One was named Apollo, his brother Ares.

You know those butterfly feelings? James asked, referring to when you watch your bride walk down the aisle. Quadruple that. Thats the feeling I ended up having with Apollo when I initially touched him.

This was in April 2016. Fitterrer worked with Apollo for three months. In mid-July, James traveled to Toronto to do his own training so Apollo would follow the commands that Fitterer had worked through.

Each dog and each human is different, she said. Once I know the bond is there, everything else falls into place for how I do what I do.

A LIFE ALTERED

James life has completely changed since the first days of having Apollo at his side.

Mostly for the good. He had one bad run-in with a local restaurant that seemed intimidated by Apollos size and asked them to leave. That ticked him off, but hes mostly kept his cool and has been able to transform his behavior.

During his recurring nightmares, James will be woken up by Apollo. In a crowded room, Apollo will sense James heightening blood pressure and heart rate and have his owner focus on him instead of everyday chaos.

James likens it to plasma globes, the glass balls with a high-voltage electrode in the center of the sphere.

Imagine my brain is that ball. Those normal pathways arent there anymore because being (in Iraq) changed it, he said. All of a sudden it (could) explode everywhere. Thats what happens. Its a zero to instant type of problem. And (Apollo) will stop it.

Apollo has almost a dozen commands, from sit, kneel and stay to touch and give, which is something James can say to have Apollo turn a light on in a room before he enters it.

Dogs are sensory creatures, James said. They can pick up on (our senses) easily, especially when Apollo and I have that connection.

Just a few weeks ago, Fitterer got a text from James about how he was able to attend his sons concert.

When he was getting dressed for the show, James was scared as ever. The concert was for every fifth and sixth grader in the city who played a string instrument. His son plays the cello.

It was the most crowded room hes ever been in since coming home from the war.

At one point during the show, Apollo heavily leaned on one of James legs. That was the moment James knew everything would be all right.

(Now) he can go to the grocery store by himself and not fear or panic about someone coming up behind him in that cramped checkout area, Fitterer said. A year ago he couldnt have done that. Now he doesnt bat an eye.

ANOTHER BEST FRIEND

A few months of having Apollo at home, James got a call from Fitterer.

The relationship between Apollos brother, Ares, and the veteran that had been working with him didnt pan out.

James brought in Ares and had both dogs at home.

Ares is named after the Greek god of war. Apollo, the son of Zeus, is the god of many things, including light, truth, prophecy and healing.

To this day, James lives with the war that damaged him.

In his nightmares, hes reminded of the tragedies. His guardians are even named after the very idea that trapped him in dark corners and after the light that now shines in his new life.

They live cohesively with each other and alongside him. He has more control over his fears and anxieties all thanks to the healing powers of animals at the end of a leash.
LOVELAND, Colo. (AP)  A llama that became stranded on some rocks by a northern Colorado river has been rescued by firefighters.

But a second llama is still missing near the Big Thompson River.

A white llama named Speckles was rescued Thursday by fire department officers from Loveland and Estes Park. Speckles' owner says that he and another llama ran off earlier in the week after seeing a bear.

The other llama is a brown llama named Bravado, who apparently ran in the opposite direction from Speckles.

The llamas' owners told The Loveland Reporter-Herald that Speckles crossed the river and his lead rope became stuck on some rocks.

Firefighters trained in swift water rescue swam to Speckles and walked him to safety.

Area residents are looking for Bravado.

___

Information from: Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald, http://www.reporterherald.com/
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some July 16 papers in history. With a subscription to newspapers.com you can search the Arizona Daily Star and many other newspapers using keywords or dates, and download articles or pages.
I urge Sen. Steve Daines to reject the Senate health care plan and get serious about reforming the actual aspects of Obamacare that need reforming. Obamacare can be fixed, but what the House and Senate Republicans have proposed is not reform and is not acceptable.

Under what is currently being proposed, Montanas self-employed, which includes me, will not be able to afford insurance. Less well-off Montanans will lose their insurance. Everyone else who gets health insurance through their employment will pay a greater share for less coverage. The only beneficiaries are the very wealthy who get a tax cut.

The Republican Trumpcare pretends to let the market work, but, in reality, it takes us back to when millions of Americans had no insurance and risked bankruptcy with every medical problem. This is particularly true in Montana, the state you have been elected to represent. Not only are many farming, ranching and self-employed families in Montana counting on Daines, but so is the network of small hospitals and medical facilities that serve our mostly rural population. The pre-Obamacare market-driven health insurance system was clearly dysfunctional and twice as expensive as in every other industrialized country in the world. The proposed health care bill does nothing to address the cost of health care and the cost of pharmaceuticals.

Daines must be a hero for our state and stand up against the Republicans that are supporting this disastrous Trumpcare proposal.

Nona Stockton, LCPC mental health therapist

Shepherd
Francisco Franklin has recurring images coursing through his mind: a woman palming tortillas over a steel drum, a musician with his instrument, cherubs, mountains. These are the faces, landscapes and imaginations he grew up seeing as a kid in Sonora, which he came to appreciate and make visceral connections with.

I had the most extraordinarily beautiful childhood you could ever have, said the 70-year-old Franklin.

For more than 50 years, Franklin has translated his cherished childhood images into his art  paintings, stone carvings, woodwork. Untrained in any art school but schooled by his will and creativity, Franklins artworks not only mirror his inner thoughts and recollections, but also our rich, colorful Southwestern border culture.

The woman with long black hair and a light-blue shawl over her shoulders making tortillas is the nana from Magdalena, Sonora, or from South Tucson. The mariachi is the same one heard at restaurants in Nogales, Sonora, or at Tucson street festivals. And the cherubs are the universal angels crossing the border  north and south, unimpeded.

Its all a reflection of my life in Sonora, said Franklin, who was born in Tucson, then raised in his first 14 years on a ranch between Caborca and the coastal Seri village of El Desemboque. He was home-schooled and read biographies of artists.

Franklin, who eschews exhibiting his art in most galleries, has a small following of devoted fans who appreciate his rainbow palette, the human warmth in his art  whimsical, poignant and melancholy  and his passion.

His works are very much about the Southwest, said Heidi Baldwin, a Tucson Realtor who has known Franklin for 30 years and collects his art.

Adrienne Halpert, owner of Global Arts Gallery in Patagonia, one of the few galleries to carry Franklins art, cites his vision as one of his artistic strengths. She calls him a treasure.

He has a song to sing and hes been singing it, said Halpert, who has carried his art for nearly 10 years. When someone is committed to that vision, that person is an artist.

Franklins Chicago-born parents came to Tucson shortly before the outbreak of global war. His father served in the military during World War II and after his discharge, couldnt cope with life in Tucson. He moved the family to Sonora, where he ranched and where the young Francisco was nurtured.

They accepted me, he said of the Sonorenses. In the self-sufficient, respectful families in rural 1950s Sonora, he saw grace, dignity and old regal manners. He learned how industrious the people were because they could make beautiful things with no tools.

I learned you can do a lot with very little, said Franklin, who is bilingual, during a visit to his midtown home that doubles as his studio. He recently moved there after living for 30 years in Barrio Anita, where some of his art can be seen on exterior walls.

He was 15 when he consciously turned to painting because he wanted to create beautiful things. But in the course of learning and teaching himself, he endured a period of personal struggles, alcoholism, and life in the military after being drafted in the early 1960s.

He traveled and lived in Europe  Sweden, France, Germany and Iceland  adding balance and perspective during the years he pursued his ambition.

I called myself an artist before I was, said Franklin, in a low, soothing voice. When he made another deliberate decision  to give up drinking  he immersed himself in his art, which has been a rewarding but solitary life.

His small house is filled with his works, including tables he crafted and carvings made from limestone that he gets in east-central Texas. Outside he has a small work space where he does his woodworking, including making all the frames for his paintings.

In the backroom of the house, several paintings stand upright in the corner. Brushes and paints cover a table, and a cherub-adorned box, a work in progress, sits in the middle. Next to the box, on an easel, is a painting of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The son of atheists, Franklin paints religious figures in honor of the strong faith that the Sonorans exhibited in the face of adversity.

Among his favorite subjects are mariachis for their vigorous passion for life, he said. But his most common images are of women  the familiar archetype goddess, mother and Madonna, said Halpert.

Franklin says he recognizes the limitations of his artistic talents, but that he supplants what he lacks with emotion. He says painting is like finding his way through the dark. From that dark room burst bright colors and vivid images.

He works at his art with focus. Its his life. He creates what he sees in his bank of memories and in the life around him. And he strives to create beauty as he knows it  and remembers it.
A planned state water-quality review of streams is sparking concerns among Pima County officials that two in Southeastern Arizona may lose their strict legal protection.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, at the request of Hudbay Minerals Inc., will review the states past decisions to protect 22 streams across the state, including Davidson Canyon and Cienega Creek near Tucson, that are classified as Outstanding Arizona Waters. This work will be part of a broader state review of surface water-quality standards typically done every three years.

At the same time, some heavy metal contamination has already been discovered in both streams, officials said last week. While Outstanding Arizona Waters are legally supposed to have good water quality, ADEQ is noncommittal as to the contaminations impact on the streams future status.

Hudbays letter and the states response have triggered suspicion from County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry that Hudbay wants to remove key protections for Cienega and Davidson.

They and the other Outstanding Arizona Waters are supposed to be legally protected from pollution that degrades their quality. Theyre also flash points in the controversy over Hudbays proposed Rosemont Mine, because much debate over the $1.9 billion project has centered on whether the mine will damage the two streams.

Last week, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 along party lines to oppose removing those protections. In a letter to ADEQ, Huckelberry accused Hudbay of making a thinly disguised effort to weaken protection for the streams to make it easier to get a federal permit to build the mine. That attempt should be summarily rejected as a self-serving gesture to facilitate pollution of Arizona surface waters, the administrator wrote.

Hudbay declined to comment on Huckelberrys claims and said it would have no comment on this issue beyond what one of its officials, Kathy Arnold, wrote to ADEQ in a letter last January.

The contamination was first disclosed at the board meeting by Republican Supervisors Ally Miller and Steve Christy, who voted against the resolution to oppose weakening the streams protection. ADEQ spokeswoman Caroline Oppleman confirmed that samples from both streams have found the water quality exceeded state standards for several metals during storms.

Hudbays sampling found high levels of lead and two other contaminants in Davidson Canyon, said Christy, who said hed been told that last week by Arnold, environment director of Hudbays Arizona business unit.

Hudbay would not comment on its water quality sampling results. Christy said the company was trying to establish a baseline so it wont be blamed if the same contamination is discovered after the mine opens.

Asked if the pollution could affect the creeks status as Outstanding Arizona Waters, Oppleman said ADEQ will work with various interest groups and individuals to develop consistent, clear and unambiguous rule language that will validate and protect designated OAWs.

Getting input from various interest groups is required in its triennial reviews, and Hudbays request falls within the reviews scope, Oppleman said.

What it takes to be outstanding

About 3.2 miles of Davidson Canyon and 28.3 miles of Cienega Creek are classified as Outstanding Arizona Waters. To gain that protection, they had to meet state standards that they contain perennial or intermittent stretches of running water, are free-flowing and are cleaner than required by state standards.

The states 2008 decision on Davidson said it provides one of the most important wildlife migration corridors in Southern Arizona, linking the Santa Rita Mountains to the Rincon Mountains. It credited Davidsons stream-side riparian habitat with supporting several of the vulnerable species protected by the countys Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, including the longfin dace, a native fish, and the lowland leopard frog.

ADEQ could not locate records last week explaining its decision to classify Cienega Creek as an outstanding water. But nomination papers written in the 1990s for separate stretches of the creek by Pima County and the environmental group Forest Guardians noted that it contains the countrys largest population of the endangered Gila topminnow as well as the Gila chub, which has since been listed as endangered. The creek also plays host to the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher and the threatened Western yellow billed cuckoo and Chiricahua leopard frog.

In Arnolds letter to ADEQ in January, she asked for a review of the states rule-making, listing process and historical water quality data underlying its decisions to list each of the 22 Outstanding Arizona Waters. She said the company encourages ADEQ to also evaluate the contributions of stormwater runoff to the streams.

The state last changed its rules for these waters in 2009.

ADEQ is doing the broader review solely to meet federal Clean Water Act requirements, to address federal rule changes and to advance a partial review that the state conducted last year, ADEQ Deputy Director Bret Parke wrote to Huckelberry on Tuesday.

Huckelberry points

to Email exchange

Huckelberry, however, wrote in a memo last week that Hudbay has a longstanding interest in weakening water quality protections for Davidson Canyon, at least. He cited a February 2016 internal ADEQ email exchange in which department staffer Linda Taunt told a colleague, speaking of Arnold, that Kathy again asked when we were going to run a rule to un-O the OAW.

Its a direct request, Huckelberry said in an interview about Arnolds comment.

Huckelberry also noted in a June 29 letter to ADEQ that the Outstanding Arizona Waters designation has been raised as a concern by a federal agency that must decide on the final permit needed for the Rosemont Mine.

The Army Corps of Engineers wrote Hudbay last year that one reason its Los Angeles District recommended denying Rosemont a Clean Water Act permit is that the mine would contribute to the degradation of Outstanding Arizona Waters. A higher-level Corps office will make a final decision on the mine, presumably this year.

Pima County will be prepared to defend the OAW designation for Davidson, Cienega and a third creek, Buehmann Canyon, a San Pedro River tributary lying northeast of Tucson, Huckelberry wrote to the Board of Supervisors in a July 12 memo.

Rosemont opponents Farmers Investment Co., Save the Scenic Santa Ritas and the Sierra Club also opposed any loosening of protections for Davidson and Cienega in written comments to ADEQ this month.

Christy on what Hudbay wants

The notion of dispensing with Outstanding Water designations so that hardrock mining, with all its negative impacts, can be made easier is outrageous, wrote Gayle Hartmann, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas president.

Supervisor Christy said he has no problem with Hudbay seeking an Outstanding Arizona Waters review, adding that the company is just trying to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Theyre probably asking for clarification  they want to know exactly what theyre dealing with, Christy said.

Democratic Supervisor Richard Elias denounced Hudbays request as a shell game aimed at weakening water quality protections.

Supervisor Sharon Bronson, a Democrat, noted that studies have found 20 percent of this regions groundwater supply comes from the Cienega Creek watershed, so it needs protection. Contamination is no reason to abandon the Outstanding Waters protection, she said. We need to clean it up.
A Tempe church that sprang from a controversial campus ministry in Tucson has been disciplined by Arizona State University for hazing and other misconduct.

Hope Church, accused among other things of sexually humiliating ASU students, will spend the next four years under sanction after a recent disciplinary ruling by the schools dean of students.

Church officials maintain no wrongdoing occurred.

The latest ASU ruling follows five others in February against Hope student clubs found to be posing as secular groups and collecting personal information from ASU students on the churchs behalf.

As a result, Hope now stands to lose the lucrative benefits it has been receiving from state taxpayers, including hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of free rent on campus and access to steep tuition discounts for church leaders and their families.

Hope officials claimed  wrongly  in recent interviews with the Arizona Daily Star that the church still has ASUs blessing despite the string of recent misconduct findings.

Hope Church is in good standing with ASU, Corey Vale, chairman of the churchs board of directors, said in an email Thursday. ASU has encouraged us to continue our involvement on campus.

Not so, said ASU spokeswoman Herminia Rincon, who released a statement to that effect Friday on behalf of the university.

We disagree with the characterization of some Hope leaders that the relationship between the university and the church has not substantively changed, it said.

Any person or group that engages in misconduct is not considered to be in good standing with the university.

The Tempe church, formerly known as Hope Christian Church until a name change several months ago, has been under ASU investigation since last summer. Fourteen people including eight current students filed a 123-page complaint that described Hope as a bona fide cult, as detailed in a Star investigation.

The Tempe church was founded and is still led by ex-members of Faith Christian Church in Tucson, which runs a campus ministry at the University of Arizona.

More than 20 former members of the Tucson church described it as a cult in a 2015 investigation by the Arizona Daily Star. The UA investigated but found no proof of misconduct.

Hopes leaders say the two churches cut ties years ago.

In a June 9 ruling, ASUs dean of students found Hope responsible for a total of eight misconduct violations including:

Engaging in, supporting, promoting or sponsoring hazing  defined by ASU in Hopes case as acts of mental harm, personal degradation and embarrassment.

Student complainants said Hope staffers grilled them for intimate personal details  such as whether they masturbated or used pornography or whether theyd ever been raped or molested  then pressured them to confess their sexual pasts in front of church members.

Misuse of student information. ASU ruled Hope had no right to use the student contact information its five student clubs gathered on its behalf.

Unauthorized solicitation at student residence halls. Students and ASU employees have complained for years of aggressive solicitations by Hope personnel.

Violation of policies that govern student club registration and the booking of meeting space on campus.

University misconduct charges are judged on a more likely than not standard, similar to that in a civil lawsuit.

Three other misconduct charges the church initially faced  for alleged stalking, alleged gender discrimination and allegedly entering student residence rooms without permission  were shelved for lack of evidence, the deans ruling said.

ASUs Council of Religious Advisors is expected to vote soon on whether to strip Hope of council membership. Churches that engage in misconduct dont qualify for membership under the councils constitution.

Loss of council membership is significant because Hope, which takes in more than $1 million a year in donations, would no longer be able to operate rent-free on campus as it has for the past decade, according to school officials.

ASU said it has already suspended several other financial benefits once available to the churchs leaders, through the Council of Religious Advisors, such as a 75 percent tuition discount for themselves and their families and reduced ticket prices for ASU sporting events.

University officials said four Hope leaders were eligible for those benefits last school year but would not disclose their names.

Hope administrator Jason Shaffery  who, like Vale, maintained the church is still in good standing with ASU  said Hope plans to carry on its campus activities and comply with university rules.

It is our intent to continue to hold services on campus, he said. We do not anticipate any impact on our ability to help students explore their Christian faith.

Meanwhile, Hope now has new competition on campus, courtesy of its former mother church in Tucson.

Two longtime members of the Tucson church and four ministers from one of the Tucson churchs Colorado satellites recently founded a new religious organization thats already recruiting ASU students.

The new entity, Foundations Church, was registered last fall with the Arizona Corporation Commission, state records show. Neither the Tucson church nor the Colorado church responded to requests for comment.

The Tucson church has established eight satellites over the years, including the one in Tempe, that recruit university students in three other states and New Zealand.

Four of the eight satellites have been censured for misconduct by the universities at which they operate.
A secretly recorded tape of U.S. Rep. Martha McSally talking to potential donors offers a rare glimpse into what the two-term Tucson Republican is thinking in the current political climate.

During the 63-minute recording made in late May at a closed-door meeting in Tucson, McSally tells the Arizona Bankers Association that since January, her critics have painted her with the same brush as President Trump.

Theres just an element out there thats just, like, so against the president. Like they just cant see straight. And all of a sudden on January 20, Im like his twin sister, she said, in audio that was recently posted online by a grassroots political group called Indivisible Southern Arizona.

Im, like, responsible for everything he does, and tweets and says, McSally continued. And they want me to be spending my time as a pundit. I disagree with that. I agree with this. I have a job in the legislature!

Were doing the best we can through the minefield that we have to navigate with a tremendous amount of distractions out there.

His tweets are a consistent distraction and were becoming a liability for the Grand Old Party, she added.

McSally, a retired Air Force colonel, said she doesnt relish the politics, telling the bankers she finds political theater exhausting.

I have to navigate the political theater, but I dont breathe life into it, and I dont enjoy it. To be frank actually, it drains me more than it fills me, she said. It sucks the life out of me.

She said shes not out being wined and dined all the time, and that she sleeps in her congressional office on a pullout couch and takes showers in a nearby building.

An analysis of key McSally votes shows that she votes 97.3 percent of the time in line with Trumps position, according to FiveThirtyEight.com, a data journalism organization.

Despite winning 57 percent of the vote in her Southern Arizona congressional district last November, McSally acknowledged she is vulnerable.

Were going to hand the gavel to Pelosi in 2018; they only need 23 seats and the path to that gavel being handed over is through my seat. And right now, it doesnt matter that its me, it doesnt matter what Ive done. It is just that I have an R next to my name and right now, this environment would have me not prevail.

She joked that in her Congressional District 2, it is easy to get 45 percent of the ballots.

Generally no matter of who is on the ballot, 45 percent are going to vote straight D and 45 percent vote straight R and you have to win over the middle 10 percent. It is just the way it is in this district. We used to joke that if you put Mother Teresa and Charles Manson on the ballot, it would be 45/45. And then you switch em, it would (still) be 45/45.

She complained about gerrymandering in Arizona, saying her district is one of the only competitive districts in the state, and noting that Tucson Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva doesnt have to worry about a Republican taking his seat.

The Republicans are never going to take him out of his district because this district is like a (Democrat) plus fifty district right now. This is not an option.

She acknowledged that Republicans have strongholds in other districts, specifically pointing to Reps. Trent Franks and David Schweikert.

McSally said she believes the majority of the U.S. is slightly right of center.

I think the country, on average, is center slightly right where they want the federal government to function in an appropriate but limited role to give an opportunity for people to be able to meet their full potential.

She recounted her conversation with President Trump in which she described the A-10 Warthog, a mainstay at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, as a badass plane with a big gun and told him President Barack Obama wanted to kill the entire program.

I told him, Well, the last administration tried to put it in the boneyard which I said on purpose because you know he doesnt want to do anything that the last administration tried. And I said, But youre going to have to pry it out of my cold dead hands, Mr. President.

McSallys go big or go home moment appears to have worked, with more funding provided in the current National Defense Authorization Act and the Trump administration praising the Warthog.

Between war stories, McSally addressed one of the bankers hot-button topics, the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Within the public, there is often a perception that we had a financial meltdown and then Dodd-Frank was good, and it was, you know, saving us from future financial meltdown, she said. You guys are all experts in the industry, you know thats not true, right, you know that really what Dodd-Frank did is provide additional compliance and legislative regulations and more burdens upon you doesnt actually protect the consumer any more, it just adds more work and compliance.

But McSally said she deferred to them as the experts on financial issues.

This is not my wheelhouse. I mean, I know all enough about it to be able to speak at this level with you. Im certainly not an expert in the industry, you know. If you want to talk about defeating ISIS, Im your gal.

Days later, McSally voted to kill Dodd-Frank.

Trump adviser

coming to Tucson

For 25 bucks, Southern Arizonans can get a front-row seat to hear from a major Donald Trump adviser, Roger Stone.

Longtime Trump associate Stone is scheduled to give speeches in Tucson and in Green Valley on Wednesday, July 26.

Stone is the subject and star of the documentary Get Me Roger Stone.

During the 2016 campaign he repeatedly made statements he was aware of forthcoming leaks from WikiLeaks. He has denied that he ever talked with Russian agents or Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks.

Tickets for the shows can be bought directly from the Pima County Republican Party.
The Senate version of the health care bill is not any better than the House version. It is just another joke. It should read; Heres a Band-Aid; now walk it off!

Sen. Steve Daines states he is having a problem deciding if he should vote yes or no on the Senate bill. It is obvious he is going to vote yes. Daines will falls in line with the Republican leaders. Daines is afraid to hold any town hall meetings on the health care bill; he is not interested in hearing the opinion of the Montana voters. His tele-meetings are another way of saying, Your opinion does not matter.
Help India!

Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net

On Sunday night, communal tension erupted in Sigra area of Narendra Modis constituency Varanasi on a case of land grabbing.

Newly elected BJP MLA from Pindra seat of Varanasi Awadhesh Singh allegedly held a land piece which is said to be of a proposed Mosque. On Sunday evening, Awadhesh Singhs supporters and workers started erecting a boundary wall around the land.

Some local Muslims reached at the land site and opposed the construction. The debate between the two sides and reached the nearby Sigra police station.

While the Muslims were shouting slogans and asking police to stop the construction, some fringe elements threw stones from mob. Following this, stone pelting started from both sides leaving around ten people injured.

Police dispersed the crowd by using mild lathicharge, with the use of tear gas and pepper bombs. More force was asked and deployed in the area to bring calm. Police has imposed Section 144 at the site, and has claimed that tension was spontaneous, not planned.

With the incident, the tension has increased in the area because of Month of Saawan. Saawan usually gets high number of Shiva worshipers due to which administration is put on high alert.

Local sources have informed TwoCircles.net that tension lasted for at least an hour and the protestors were repulsed towards a different locality. The information also revealed that alleged land grabber MLA had the land in possession from past few years, he used to tie his cows at the land. But on Sunday, he suddenly started building a wall around the land.

Moreover, the incident also shows that people and police are refraining from taking name of the land grabber. Rumors are spreading over social media, police has asked individuals to not to pay attention on any message on the case received through social media.
Whereas once Online Dating was something embarrassing and an act of lonely desperation, the rapidly growing world of technology combined with people's increasingly online lives has thrust internet dating to the forefront of how couples meet. With Tinder, Match and online flirting on social media taking the front seat.

When first talking to any potential date there are numerous ways to ruin it with a terrible first impression, and now online dating is so prominent there is a world of people at your finger tips to do badly with.

I shared one of my own terrible introductions in July 2017 after a stranger attempted to flirt with me online, despite me being in a long term relationship with the father of my children, and was affronted when I asked who he was.

Don't be coming into my messages calling me babe and not expecting me to ask who you are. pic.twitter.com/do8bHMmtQ8  JJ Barnes (@JudieannRose) 3 July 2017

The leap from babe to bitch got me fascinated by how common this experience is, and lead me to discover the incredible world of Bye Felipe.

#ByeFelipe

In October 2014, the hashtag #byefelipe was launched by Alexandra Tweten with an Instagram account designed to record some of these interactions, and the Women of the world responded. Now searching out #ByeFelipe is an easy way to discover the disrespectful, and often objectifying, way that men will speak to women online when things don't immediately go their way.

Some dude just msg'd me asked if I was intimated by a hung guy, I just replied seriously no wonder you are single, bye felipe! #byeFelipe pic.twitter.com/IprLAL3CgD  Andrea Camara (@AndreaCam31) 4 July 2017

Going straight in with the penis talk says you're only interested in her as a sex object, there is nothing about being objectified that is appealing.

It shouldn't surprise me a Bernie Bro turned out to be a douche bag when turned down. You can find him at @ dynastynyy #byefelipe pic.twitter.com/1s33UmmnVQ  Summer (@GroomerBunnie) 27 May 2017

While obviously aggressive and unnecessarily cruel, this kind of treatment of women is indicative of the society we live in where two women a week in England and Wales alone are murdered by their current or former partner.

It may just be words now, but this level of violence in language could indicate a serious threat and should be taken seriously.

If you don't respond in a timely fashion, you too could be labelled a bitch.

The belief that women are there purely for the pleasure of men is the root cause of this kind of reaction.

Someone just asked me what my name was. Before I could answer he said "slut or div, what do you prefer?"#ByeFelipe #fuckboy  Vanessa (@CurvesCocktales) 17 November 2016

Who knows what this one was even trying to achieve? This propensity to refer to women as sluts whether they accept or reject you is indicative of a society which requires women to be sexually available but then shames them for being so.

Is online dating worth it?

When example after example keeps flooding in of the way men will speak to women online, it would be easy to suggest online dating is just not worth the risk. But it's important to remember this; these men are not contained in cyber space.

They are free roaming, interacting with women in their daily lives, women who possibly have no idea about the kind of men they are. The lack of repercussions in online dating is why these reactions come so thick and fast. But if this attitude is inside them when they're online, it is inside them when they're in face to face relationships too. This kind of reaction is a clear display of the man they are.

Online courting is not exclusively used by the kind of men who would treat women so poorly. Indeed, there are fifty million registered users of Tinder alone. Online dating is used by people from all walks of life, they just reveal themselves more rapidly from the safety of their phone.
Parliament is coming to close for the summer after next week but what has happened in the last week of politics? We have seen the Taylor review into working practices in the gig economy, Conservative Mp, Anne Marie Morris, suspended by the party over racist remarks and Brexit talks continued with Euratom, the European atomic energy community much cited after the government announced they would be leaving the regulatory body.

The world news includes the Trump-Russia saga, Brazils attempted crackdown on high profile corruption, Venezuelas crisis continues, protesters take to the streets of Turkey, the EU approved an association with Ukraine and ISIL lay defeated in Mosul.

The UK, Brexit and Euratom

The Taylor review into the gig economy was released and for the most part it is 114 pages of hot air. Thompson Solicitors, who specialise in workers rights described it as feeble and the review itself often praises the flexible approach. However, it doesnt address the issues of enforcing the law on companies like Uber and it also suggests that workers should be paid on a piece-rate basis, which is on average 20% less than the minimum wage. It promotes the idea that this would be a compromise when in fact it is a way to undercut the minimum wage legally.

Anne Marie Morris was suspended by the Conservatives after pressure from opposition, commentators and party members after it emerged she said in a meeting n***er in the woodpile, in relation to an aspect of Brexit that would affect the financial markets.

The phrase originates from pre-civil war US South, which refers to runaway slaves tendencies to hide in woodpiles. Theresa may said it was completely unacceptable.

Brexit has continued this week with EU Chief Negotiator, Michael Barnier, stating in a speech that the UK could not retain the benefits of the single market and leave, he also said that a frictionless trade agreement would not be possible.

Vince Cable stated that Brexit may never happen because of the divisions within the Conservatives, this statement was largely dismissed, Chancellor, Phillip Hammond was berated by colleagues for his statement in the House of Commons saying that the media was being too negative over Brexit.

Theresa May confirms she wants to stay on as PM during Brexit negotiations at the very least.

The newly renamed EU Withdrawal Bill, formerly the Great Repeal Bill, will begin its journey through parliament next week, with much of the focus on the Henry VIII clause that allows legislation to be changed without a vote from parliament.

The government announced that they want to leave the European regulatory agreement of Euratom, a nuclear safety and research watchdog. The official legal summary explains, the Euratom treaty today helps to pool knowledge, infrastructure and funding of nuclear energy. It ensures the security of atomic energy supply within the framework of a centralised monitoring system. The body perfectly highlights the complexities of Brexit.

Technically Euratom is not part of the EU, in fact, the treaty that eventually gave birth to this regulatory body was drawn up in parallel to the European Economic Community (EEC).

Because it required a separate legal relationship that was enforced by the European Court of Justice, a separate clause was required announcing our intention to leave Euratom within the Article 50 legislation. Whilst most European bodies arent the same, it underlines the complexities when leaving the EU.

World news

The White House continued to deny allegations that Trumps campaign team colluded with the Russians, after it emerged that Trump Jr held a meeting with a Russian lawyer over possible information on Hillary Clinton. This would be a breach of election law. In Brazil, former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sentence to 10 years in prison over bribery and in Venezuela, the Supreme Court ordered that Leopoldo Lopez, leader of the opposition against the authoritarian regime to be moved out of prison and into house arrest.

In Turkey, hundreds of thousands took to the streets to protest in Istanbul, against the crackdown of opposition that has been in force since the attempted coup a year ago. After years of delay because of former PM, Viktor Yanukovych, refusal to sign the agreement that led to his downfall. The EU and Ukraine have signed an association agreement. In Mosul, Iraqs PM, Haider al-Abadi visited to mark the liberation from ISIL. However, there remains a few small pockets of resistance from the terror group and it is claimed by the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights that ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed.
Donald Trump and his entire team have continued to push back at the growing allegations that the administration has been in cahoots with Russia. As the pressure mounts, Trump is defending himself on social media.

Trump on Twitter

It has become the story that just won't die for the White House as Donald Trump deals with the scandal involving Russia. From the early days of the 2016 presidential election, the former host of "The Apprentice" has been facing allegations that he's linked to Russia, as even more damaging information has been released to the public since he's been sworn into office last January.

The most recent twist to the story comes in the form of Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who was recently hired as a special counsel to the Russian investigation. Earlier this week, the Washington Post broke a bombshell report that Mueller was investigating the president over potential Obstruction Of Justice. In response, Trump has denied any wrongdoing, lashing out on social media with his defense while attempting to deflect the issue back onto former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. As seen on his Twitter account on June 16, Trump is back on social media as he expressed his frustrations with the matter at hand.

After 7 months of investigations & committee hearings about my "collusion with the Russians," nobody has been able to show any proof. Sad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2017

Taking to his Twitter feed early Friday morning, Donald Trump doesn't appear pleased that he is currently under investigation.

"After 7 months of investigations & committee hearings about my 'collusion with the Russians,' nobody has been able to show any proof," Trump tweeted out, before concluding with his trademark "Sad!" In a follow-up tweet, Trump went on to add, "The Fake News Media hates when I use what has turned out to be my very powerful Social Media - over 100 million people!

I can go around them."

The Fake News Media hates when I use what has turned out to be my very powerful Social Media - over 100 million people! I can go around them  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2017

The investigation over possible obstruction of justice just adds to the scandal involving the president, with Donald Trump and his supporters claiming that he is a victim of a "witch hunt" created by his opponents and the so-called "fake news" media.

Trump's denial comes at a time where his standing and approval rating with the American people continues to reach record lows, falling to just 38 percent in the most recent round of polling.

Trump approval rating stuck near record low https://t.co/VDLLZQduO8 pic.twitter.com/4Fo0JfhUWs  CBS News (@CBSNews) June 16, 2017

Moving forward

While Donald Trump deals with the scandal and investigation involving Russia, only time will tell if he will be able to brush off the speculation and continue on with his administration. After only six months in office, the commander in chief has reached a potential point of no return, where not many presidents before him have had to face as a result of his own doing, despite blaming the press and others for what has taken place.
It's been exactly two years since Donald Trump became an official politician. After Ivanka Trump sent out a tweet in celebration, social media critics decided to fire back.

Ivanka's tweet

It all started two years ago back in June 2015 on the floor of Trump Tower in New York City. With members of his family by his side, Donald Trump announced that he was going to run for president, and do so as a Republican. At first, the consensus was that Trump's candidacy was more of stunt than a legitimate run for office, with some speculating that he was only trying to generate interest for his reality show.

However, as time went on, the former host of "The Apprentice" gained a surprising amount of popularity and found himself accepting the GOP nomination at the Republican National Convention last summer. Just a few months later and Trump shocked the world with his win over Hillary Clinton on his way to being sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. In the six months that he's been in office, Trump has created even more controversy than during his campaign, with his critics holding his feet to the fire on a daily basis. Despite this, Ivanka Trump decided to celebrate her father's two-year anniversary as a politician during a tweet on June 16.

Today marks two years since we embarked on this incredible journey to Make America Great Again #MAGA  pic.twitter.com/0MrIaRcHlJ  Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 16, 2017

Taking to Twitter on Friday night was Ivanka Trump, as she appeared proud of her father for making the decision to run for office.

"Today marks two years since we embarked on this incredible journey to Make America Great Again," Ivanka tweeted out. While the Trump family appears pleased, at least in public, that Donald Trump ran for office and became the new commander in chief, many Americans are not on board the Trump train and decided to voice their opinion.

Twitter reacts

Moments after Ivanka Trump's tweet about Donald Trump and his run for office, social media critics of the president lashed out. "Is this tweet sarcastic?" Roland Scahill wondered.

Ps - My lawyers tell me that you should never, ever learn anything. It would just be a legal liability. I love you!  Jeremy Greenfield (@jdgreenfield) June 16, 2017

#Complicit



Indonesian workers who make Ivanka Trumps fashion line are too poor to live with their own childrenhttps://t.co/y7nC6ZgBRC  I Don't Like Kale  (@RiveraGrrl) June 16, 2017

Is this tweet sarcastic ?  Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) June 16, 2017

"Your supporters defend you by claiming you're clueless, are you?" one Twitter user asked.

In a tweet that mocked Ivanka's post, Jeremy Greenfield wrote a satirical version of a letter that the first daughter might have written to her dad. "Dear President Daddy, Happy anniversary! Who knew you could become President without knowing anything and by being mean? Love, Ivanchka," Greenfield posted.

A nation cries out and you celebrate? You are totally, unforgivably tone deaf. History is a harsh judge.  Dana George (@JustDanaGeorge) June 16, 2017

Yep, you've grifted your way into the White House and Daddy and Jared are both under investigation! Yay!  Mrs. SMH (@MrsSmh1) June 16, 2017

"Yep, you've gifted your way into the White House and Daddy and Jared are both under investigation! Yay!" another tweeted noted.

"A nation cries out and you celebrate? You are totally, unforgivably tone deaf. History is a harsh judge," an additional post read. As the backlash continued, it was clear that the partisan divide in the United States wasn't going to end anytime soon.
The two health care bills being pushed by special interests in our nations capital are cruel, mean and alarmingly dangerous. These bills are nothing more than a huge tax break for the very wealthy like Steve Daines and Greg Gianforte. Tens of millions of Americans will lose their health coverage and states like Montana will be especially impacted. Under the proposed laws, 80,000 non-elderly Montanans would lose their health coverage.

Essential telemedicine services would be slashed; and critical access hospitals in rural areas would be decimated. We know that Sen. Jon Tester will stand with the majority of Americans and Montanans and reject these attacks on working class families.

Unfortunately, Sen. Daines has been reported missing in action and spent the July recess hiding from his constituents. That has this voter very worried that our junior senator is planning to stand with wealthy special interests instead of the people he is supposed to represent.

Scott Dickinson

Billings
The drama doesn't seem to be ending for Donald Trump in regards to the scandal linking him to Russia. After it was announced that he was now under investigation for Obstruction Of Justice, the president decided to deflect the blame on one of his own team members.

Trump on Twitter

Regardless of how often he denies the allegations, Donald Trump continues to face an onslaught of criticism against him when it comes to the Russian scandal. While there was non-stop speculation over the issue during the 2016 presidential election, the controversy has only expanded since Trump was sworn into office back in January.

Over the last month, the Russian scandal has taken an interesting turn, which was sparked following Trump's abrupt firing of James Comey as director of the FBI last month. Last week in Congress, Comey testified under oath where he ripped into the president, claiming he was lying about his exit from the FBI. Following Comey's firing, another former FBI director in Robert Mueller was hired to be a special counsel to the Russian investigation, before recently opening up an additional probe into possible obstruction of justice by the commander in chief. As seen on Twitter on June 16, Trump is not only denying his guilt of obstruction, but is now putting the blame on his own deputy attorney general.

I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2017

Not long after Donald Trump fired James Comey, he was interviewed by NBC News' Lester Holt where he was asked if he was pushed to make his decision. Speaking to Holt, Trump admitted that he was going to terminate Comey "regardless" of what other people think.

While that might have been the case at the time, Trump is now blaming Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for the backlash, and Robert Muelller's decision to open up an investigation on potential obstruction of justice charges.

Trump confirms he is "being investigated" for firing FBI Director James Comey in tweet https://t.co/DpJ94vVDDy pic.twitter.com/3DxS2fEGC0  The Hill (@thehill) June 16, 2017

"I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director!" Donald Trump tweeted out, before labeling the investigation a "Witch Hunt." Trump blaming Rod Rosenstein is rooted in a letter that was sent by the deputy attorney general recommending that the president fire Comey prior to making his decision to do so.

Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein privately acknowledges he may need to recuse himself from Russia probe, sources tell @ABC. https://t.co/iJXwdqk0DP pic.twitter.com/kewC0HVLb5  ABC News (@ABC) June 16, 2017

Twitter reacts

Within minutes of Donald Trump attacking Rod Rosenstein, social media critics quickly fired back. "Robert Mueller told you to fire James Comey? Donald, you're not making any sense. Take your meds," David Nuzzy Nussbaun tweeted out.

hahahah, you are losing it! Keep tweeting sir, keep tweeting.  Lesley Abravanel (@lesleyabravanel) June 16, 2017

But you're the big boy president. You're in charge. Nobody makes your decisions but you. Who "told" you to fire Comey?  david nuzzy nussbaum (@theNuzzy) June 16, 2017

You have to wonder at what point he just gets tired of all this Twitter ranting. It must take it out of a man his age...  Rick O'Shea (@rickoshea) June 16, 2017

"Dude you literally copped to firing Comey because he was investigating you and Russia," journalist Ken Klippenstein wrote on his Twitter account.

"Lol. So you just confirmed you are under investigation. Unlike reality TV, firing people does sometimes carry consequence. Real life!" Curtis Dode Aldri added.

On national tv, no less!  Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) June 16, 2017

I think it's adorable watching @realDonaldTrump learn about how the world works, like watching a baby learning to walk & falling down.  Curtis Dde Aldri (@cebsilver) June 16, 2017

Robert Mueller right now  pic.twitter.com/BgrdK2M5X1  Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) June 16, 2017

"You have to wonder at what point he just gets tired of all this Twitter ranting. It must take it out of a man his age," broadcaster Rick O'Shea pointed out. "Hahahah, you are losing it!

Keep tweeting sir, keep tweeting," Lesley Abravanel noted. As the backlash continued, it became clear that the president was backed into a corner with controversy which doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon.
Local Arabic news, early Saturday, reported that hundreds of U.S. Military vehicles were crossing the Iraqi border at Fishkhabour into Syrian territory. According to Al-Mayadeen news agency, an estimated 150 vehicles, along with their crews, crossed the border and are now inside Syria.

What is the U.S. plan for pouring troops into Syria?

The main objective at the moment in Syria is the complete capture of the city of Raqqa, which is a major ISIS stronghold. As of the moment, 33% of the city is now securely under U.S-led coalition's control. Islamic fighters have been forced into confined pockets inside the city and are slowly being strangled and destroyed by the relentless attacks made by the Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF.

Because of the Raqqa offensive, U.S. personnel are slowly being deployed near the war zone to expedite the capture of the city and to ensure all Islamic terrorist are destroyed. According to local sources, U.S. Apache helicopters have been actively supporting the SDF in its push into the remaining enemy held sectors in Raqqa. It is very important for the progress of the U.S. led coalition to capture the city, especially as Assad's government forces have been very successful in retaking large swathes of ISIS lands in the Eastern Syrian desert.

U.S. Colonel Ryan Dillon, spokesperson of the U.S. led coalition in Syria said that only a limited number of U.S. Marines are present in the city and their role is limited to providing advisory roles for the SDF.

However, many reports have been circulating that numbers of U.S. soldiers in and near Raqqa are increasing exponentially, especially with the additional troops coming from Iraq.

What is the reaction of Assad's Syria and its supporters?

Assad is still firmly in power despite the growing number of American backed forces in his country.

According to reports from Kurdish commanders, the United States have secured a number of airfields near Raqqa and have raised U.S. flags to claim the area. Also two major airports have been captured by the U.S. troops and have stationed American soldiers in the said compounds.

Despite the unfolding events, Assad is still confident on consolidating his control over Syria, especially Moscow is firmly on his side.

Russia have once called the U.S. involvement in the conflict in Syria as a gross violation of the country's sovereignty. Russia also warned the U.S. that any attack against Syrian government forces will be treated as a provocation warranting reactionary response. The Syrian conflict is becoming more complicated as U.S. presence in the country is growing everyday despite promises that America will not get sucked in to another Middle Eastern conflict.
U.S. Troops have began to take positions inside Raqqa city, in the Al-Mashlab block after being liberated by the Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF. The city had been under siege after the renewed offensive by the U.S. backed SDF troops earlier June.

What is the aim for U.S. troop presence in Raqqa?

The U.S. backed Syrian Democratic Forces are slowly pushing ISIS fighters out of the city of Raqqa. The capture of the said city has great significance as Raqqa is one of the major strongholds of ISIS forces in Syria. The fall of which will signal the complete defeat of the Islamic States in the eastern Syrian desert.

According to Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesperson for the U.S. led coalition in Syria, U.S. troops are present in the area near Raqqa to provide artillery support. The American contingent is also reported to provide advice, assist and accompany roles for the predominantly Kurdish soldiers that form the backbone of the SDF fighting in Syria.

The Pentagon, on the other hand, hasn't divulged exact figures on how many U.S. troops are deployed in Raqqa, but according to previous statements, there are about 500 active soldiers in Syria. However, Col. Dillon stressed that only a few American troops are present in the besieged city. It is also reported that U.S. troops have captured an airbase near the city of Aleppo and have raised the American flag in the area.

What is the reaction of Assad and the Syrian government?

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad proved to the international community that he is in complete control of the government while opposition forces waned. The United Nations have also started to accept the fact that Assad is the person that will represent his country in the possible peace talks that will ensue after ISIS in Syria is destroyed.

This is a major setback to the Syrian rebels, who are hoping to take power in Syria after their war against ISIS. The United States has been funding these rebels to topple Assad's government. However, it may be that after the war against the Islamic State, the United States will have to leave the rebels to fend for themselves as Assad is expected to ruthlessly stamp out the rebellion that had plagued his country for more than six years.

Russia is also part of the problem in Syria as Moscow is fervently supporting Assad and have provided military aid on its own campaign of regaining land taken by ISIS. Syria is slowly becoming a conglomeration of violence from factions all wanting each other to disappear from the face of the Earth.
Former Vice President Al Gore, ever since he lost the 2000 race for the presidency, has been entertaining the world about his views on climate change, the theory that the Earths temperature is inexorably rising due to humans pumping CO2 into the atmosphere. He has made a number of remarkable statements about the polar ice caps melting and other disasters waiting for us if we do not shell out a lot of money, get rid of fossil fuels and switch entirely to renewable energy. Recently he compared the fight to stop climate change to the battle to end slavery, to give women the vote, and to give gay people the right to marry.

The statement has gotten him into a lot of trouble from an unusual source.

Comparing one's cause de jure to great causes of the past

Gore is not the only person to try to link his pet cause of eliminating climate change, to some great social movement of the past. The pro-life movement has linked its campaign to end abortion to the fight to end slavery. However, Gore was quite promiscuous in appropriating three of the great progressive movements of the past two centuries. As it turns out, the attempt has roused the ire of some African Americans.

It turns out that Al Gores father was on the other side on the civil rights issue

Horace Cooper, a former assistant law professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, noted that Gores father, Senator Al Gore Sr., a Democrat from Tennessee, was a rabid segregationist and voted against Civil Rights Legislation when he was in office.

Cooper is a conservative African American and is the co-chairman of Project 21.

The fact that Gore Jr. is invoking abolition to support his campaign against climate change, not to mention an upcoming sequel to his smash hit documentary An Inconvenient Truth, is perhaps a minor example of hypocrisy. A better one is the fact that he has the carbon footprint of a small, developing world country, tooling about the world in private jets and living in mansions with eye popping electric bills.

Gore has claimed that this lifestyle is fine because he buys carbon offsets, the modern equivalent of medieval indulgences for the rich and energy profligate.

Gore used to be a serious politician. He came within a few hundred votes of winning the presidency at the dawn of the 21st Century. One can only guess how history would have turned out if things had gone the other way. As horrible as the past 17 years have been, things could have been a lot worse.
The Mexican border wall is a pet project of President Donald Trump and it was oneof his presidential campaign promises. Its purpose is to halt the illegal entry of immigrants into the United States and he wanted Mexico to pay for it. Current estimates put the construction of the wall at a cost of several billion dollars.

The president discussed various aspects of this border wall with members of the media who were accompanying him aboard Air Force One. He explained the conceptual designs for the wall which would have provisions for observing the other side of it.

That will ensure protection against those who deal in drugs because if the product is tossed over the border, it could injure people on the other side.

Characteristics of the wall

Daily Mail UK reports that President Donald Trump is clear in his mind about what he wants, elaborating on his vision. His first requirement is the transparency factor. The guards on the American side should be in a position to know what is happening on the Mexican side. One option is to make it out of steel with openings that will allow to get a view of the far side of the wall. If drugs are thrown over the wall, it could result in physical harm to unsuspecting people.

As to the size of the border wall, he feels that it should be in the range of 700 to 900 miles.

He added that there is no need to have a 2,000 miles long wall because there are natural barriers in the form of mountains like the Rio Grande and rivers like the Colorado River.

The progress of work

In the opinion of President Donald Trump, nearly 650 miles of fence and barriers are already existing at the border and he does not see any reason to dismantle them but they need repairs.

He is upbeat about the idea of mounting solar panels on the Mexico Border Wall because that will help to produce electricity which would be a positive measure. He dropped hints that there are some companies who have shown interest in this aspect and the concept could become a reality. He is also worried about the possibilities of drugs being thrown over the wall.

Incidentally, reports in the media indicate that due to strict checks introduced at the border, there has been a reduction in the number of illegal immigrants trying to enter the United States. Moreover, such a wall is likely to disturb the ecological balance in the region and could be a hindrance for free movement of wild animals. It is also not known whether Mexico has agreed to fund the wall. Therefore, President Trump could carry out a review and examine the necessity of having such a wall.
The International Data Corporation (IDC) pointed that 80% of people said they would never use a service (application or website) after receiving a computer attack. However, is it true? Let's review some of the most famous hacking cases. Alternatively, at least the most prominent internet companies affected by hacking and many people are still sure to use them every day.

Yahoo, an unprecedented case

yahoo has been one of the most famous companies on the Internet. Also, it has been one of the most economically valuable web technologies. Not surprisingly, Yahoo could have taken second place in the list of most expensive acquisitions.

Behind Mannesmann, who sold 50.5% of their shares to Vodafone for $203 billion. Moreover, it is because of that in only nine years from 2008 to 2017; Yahoo went from worth $45 billion to $4.8 billion, for which amount Verizon bought it.

One of biggest attacks on Yahoo

However, what we are talking about here is not the financial disaster of Yahoo, but the disaster regarding security. Moreover, just as the finance team did not tighten the nuts to the rest of the company's components, neither is it supposed to safeguard the data of its users.

Specifically, Yahoo suffered an attack in which up to 1 billion accounts were hacked. Not only the accounts but also the passwords and bank details. Moreover, worst of all is not the attack itself, but they saw it three years later.

There is still more, in 2014 Yahoo also suffered a hack of 500 million accounts. In 2013 another of similar magnitude.

What happened to the users?

However, there was a tiny bump in the 2013 hack. Many people stopped using their Yahoo e-mail, in upcoming years there was also a drop in the level of active monthly users. By the end of the year, when Yahoo was sold, it had about 1 billion users.

ICloud, Gmail and Dropbox are other examples

ICloud also suffered a presumed attack recently. Specifically a few months ago, in March of this year, in which 300 million accounts were exposed. Although Apple later denied the fact by stating there was never a peak where a decline in application usage was seen.

Gmail is another example that shows that the user does not care about their privacy.

Moreover, the worst of it is that in this attack Google's domain was used to perform phishing.

Finally, Dropbox, one of the most used online storage services. In 2012 it suffered an attack of 69 million accounts. Moreover, there it is, surpassing day by day its number of active users (at the moment it has more than 500 million).
Over the first six months of his administration, Donald Trump has faced increased backlash from his critics. While many liberals and independents have pushed back against the president, one of his most vocal supporters is now speaking out.

Coulter on Trump

When Donald Trump first announced that he was running for president back in June 2015, he did so with a lot of dramatics. The consensus from the majority of the country was that he was nothing more than a joke candidate, doing so to help generate ratings on his reality show. As time moved forward, the former host of "The Apprentice" picked up steam, shocking many with his popularity.

Trump was able to ride that momentum to a GOP primary victory at the Republican National Convention, before later pulling off the general election upset over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. While most celebrities and the media seemed to oppose Trump, he found a safe space with certain big name conservatives that went on to defend his actions at every turn. One of Trump's loudest and loyal supporters has been conservative author Ann Coulter, who has often praised the billionaire real estate mogul for his stance on immigration and Islamic terrorism. While this was the case in the past, Coulter has expressed signs of concern over the current White House, which appeared to reach a fever pitch during a series of tweets on June 16.

Yesterday, the Trump administration kept in place Obamas unconstitutional executive amnesty.  Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) June 16, 2017

Taking to her Twitter account on Friday, Ann Coulter ripped into Donald Trump for ignoring American problems, while focusing on other countries around the world, most notably his recent rollback of Obama's agenda on Cuba.

"Yesterday, the Trump administration kept in place Obamas unconstitutional executive amnesty," Coulter tweeted out.

This daily Trump melodrama is worth it ONLY if hes really going to build the wall, cut off Muslim refugees and deport illegals.  Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) June 16, 2017

Today's BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: Miles completed yesterday--Zero; Miles completed since Inauguration--Zero. NEXT UPDATE TOMORROW.  Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) June 16, 2017

"This daily Trump melodrama is worth it ONLY if hes really going to build the wall, cut off Muslim refugees and deport illegals," Ann Coulter posted to her Twitter feed.

"Today's BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: Miles completed yesterday--Zero; Miles completed since Inauguration--Zero," she wrote in apparent frustration with the lack of progress on immigration reform.

Anyone in a Southwestern state who strolls to the border & drops a brick will have done more to build the wall than @realDonaldTrump.  Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) June 16, 2017

Coulter doubles down

"Anyone in a Southwestern state who strolls to the border & drops a brick will have done more to build the wall than @realDonaldTrump," Ann Coulter added. "I thought w/ Trump we'd finally have a president helping OUR country. So far: Syria, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy, China, N Kor. Today: Cuba!" she wrote with increased anger.

I thought w/ Trump we'd finally have a president helping OUR country. So far: Syria, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy, China, N Kor. Today: Cuba!  Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) June 16, 2017

At least Cuba's in our hemisphere. How long can it be before Trump gets to America? https://t.co/vTf5osrr15  Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) June 16, 2017

In her final tweet as of press time, Ann Coulter continued to dig into Donald Trump, smacking down the commander in chief for not holding up to his end of bargain after promising to complete construction on a border wall between the United States and Mexico. "At least Cuba's in our hemisphere. How long can it be before Trump gets to America?" she rhetorically asked.
The fans of "Bringing Up Bates" have been watching Tori Bates and her relationship with Bobby Smith for a while. The two seem like they get along great and fans have been wondering if they would end up married soon. They aren't actually engaged yet, but their relationship is obviously very serious. Now Knox News is sharing that on a new episode of "Bringing Up Bates," this couple revealed that they are ready to take things to the next level.

What is going on with Tori and Bobby?

One big issue that these two have been dealing with is distance. Tori Bates was in Tennessee and Bobby has been living in Florida.

It turns out that he is now planning to move back to be closer to her. He is in college in Florida and wants to live closer to Tori when he is done. This was filmed back in March. It is possible that Bobby is already living near her, but they just haven't shared it all with fans yet. He shared on his Instagram that he just had a whirlwind trip and got to spend two days with her, so it sounds like the move hasn't happened just yet.

Tori and Bobby even sat down and explained to her family that they do have plans to get married after college. This couple is really excited about their lives together and what is going to happen next. Lucky for the fans, we should get to see most of it go down on their show "Bringing Up Bates."

What does her dad Gil think of what is going on?

Gil Bates has known Bobby for a while, and it sounds like he is pretty happy about the situation.

He feels like Bobby is the one for Tori and will take care of her, which is what matters. He also feels like this is what the Lord wants. Gil even offered Bobby a chance to work with him since he is going into ministry and they have a church that they have been working on. This would be a great chance for him to already have a job and also get to work with his future father-in-law.

It really does sound like Tori Bates and Bobby Smith will be engaged before you know it. This couple seems to be doing great, and they are really excited about their future together. The Bates are good friends of the Duggars, but they do their courting a bit different than the Duggars do.

Are you excited to hear about Tori and Bobby's future plans?

Do you think this couple will end up married? Sound off in the comments section below on your thoughts, and don't miss new episodes of "Bringing Up Bates" when they air on Thursday nights on UP. It wouldn't be surprising at all if an engagement is shown soon on this series.
Season two of Netflix's hit 13 Reasons Why has just been announced, and we have shared quite a bit about it. Executive producer Selena Gomez took to Twitter last night to reveal that 13 Reasons Why would return to Netflix in 2018.

Selena Gomez did not provide us with enough details about the new season of the show, but it was showrunner Bryan Yorkey who gave us a taste of what's to come. The first season was based on a book of the same name by Jay Asher, focusing on the life of Hannah Baker and the video tapes she left behind detailing the reasons she took her life.

A report by Glamour reveals that 13 Reasons Why 2 will tell an entirely different story. The Netflix show of thirteen episodes  one episode for each reason  had seen Dylan Minnetter (Clay) listen to Hannahs tapes and slowly know who impacted her life and finding out why she committed suicide.

The web television series is admired for its engaging story, excellent star performances, and a powerful message. At the same time, it has faced criticism due to its unflinching telling of Bakers tale  depicting how she took her life. Not only this but also the show is criticized for its sex scenes. A few school administrators in the United States raised their voices against 13 Reasons Why and advised parents to keep their children away from this series.

When is season 2 of 13 Reasons Why out?

Selena Gomez and the official 13 Reasons Why Twitter accounts broke the news of another season a few days ago. According to ScreenRant, the story of Hannah Bakers life is not over. The news outlet also reports that a date is yet to be announced, but the show may premiere in 2018. The filming could begin this August and may last for seven to nine months.

The casting details

Fans will be happy to know that the cast of 13 Reasons Why may be back to work. While Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) is no longer the shows narrator as the series moves into another season, Katherine shared a few snaps of Hannah on her official Instagram on July 7 with the caption "Second season is back.

According to ScreenRant, Christian Navarro, who portrayed the enigmatic Tony, is back in the show but the nature of her role is unknown.

Miles Heizer (Alex Standall), Devin Druid (Tyler Down), Ross Butler (Zach Dempsey), Michele Selene Ang (Courtney Crimson), and Steven Silver (Marcus Cole) may also join the cast.

RT if your excited for Season 2 #13ReasonsWhy pic.twitter.com/iS2lG40QS3  Hannah and Clay (@ClannahOfficial) July 8, 2017

What do you expect from the new season of 13 Reasons Why?
The new Doctor (Doctor Who? you ask) has officially been picked. The 13th iteration of the time lord, who has saved the earth and most fo the rest of the universe several thousand times over is finally going to be a woman. Jodie Whittaker was named on Sunday morning through an announcement trailer that had thousands of women and girls screaming with delight. Viewers of the female persuasion are far from the only ones who are cheering yet another female lead role in a very popular science fiction series.

Doctor Who breaks the Internet

There have been rumors about who the next Doctor was going to be almost immediately after it was announced Peter Capaldi's run was coming to an end.

There had been talk that the role might go to a minority actor, though keep the lead a male. Idris Elba was one name circulating quite a bit, even after rumors of him joining "Doctor Who" were shot down rather quickly. The excitement over just whose face would inherit the iconic role after yet another regeneration got the Internet quite excited once it was clear BBC was going to be making an announcement.

Certainly, there were some people who were truly angry that the next Doctor is going to be a woman. Those people were usually pointing to tradition since the role had always been male before now. It seems the anger over having a female lead has more to do than just tradition to some. There are viewers who have said they will no longer watch the show once Whittaker officially takes on the part.

Other fans of the show have been making it very clear, they won't be missed. There are other fans of the program who are reminding anyone who thinks "women" are the reason Whittaker was given the role, need to understand who the showrunner still is.

When talking about who ruined Doctor Who, "women" is the weirdest way of spelling "Stephen Moffat" I've ever seen.  goth dad. (@syntheticaudi0) July 16, 2017

Just who is the new Doctor Who?

Jodie Whittaker is not a name many American fans of "Doctor Who" are going to be able to place. The actress has largely done work that has stayed across the pond in and around the UK.

Those who are big fans of BBC America are about to get a bit of a treat as they are more or less introduced to the actor. Those who might have heard of Whittaker but cannot place her might have seen her in "Broadchurch" the series she is best known for before "Doctor Who".

Those who have not seen her work yet, are going to be seeing it rather soon. The next season of "Doctor Who" is right around the corner. The big question now is just who or what will take down Peter Capaldi's iteration, requiring the new actor?
Eckes graduates

Gregory Eckes, a commercial loan officer with First International Bank and Trust in Bismarck, recently graduated from the Dakota School of Banking sponsored by the North Dakota Bankers Association.

Students enroll for two years and attend a one-week session each of those summers on the campus of the University of Jamestown.

Faehnrich joins

Scott Faehnrich has joined the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund as an outside claims adjuster. Faehnrich is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a bachelor's degree in business management. He has previous claim adjustment experience.

Archer appointed

David Archer has been appointed research leader of the USDA-ARS Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, Mandan.

Archer joined the staff as an agricultural economist in 2007.

Archer grew up in southeastern Montana. He received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Rocky Mountain College, and a doctorate in agricultural economics from Iowa State University.

Montgomery chosen

Robbie Montgomery has been named adviser of the month for June by Securian Financial Advisors of N.D. Inc. based on production and client service.

Montgomery has been a representative with Securian since 2007 and is located at 4431 Memorial Highway in Mandan.

Kirchmeier certified

Jason Kirchmeier, a private wealth adviser with Legacy Financial Partners, Bismarck, has obtained certified divorce financial analyst certification through The Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts.

Klabo gains title

Mike Klabo, a Knights of Columbus Insurance agent with the Dolan Agency, has attained the fraternal insurance counselor designation.

Klabo has been an agent with the Knights since 2015 and serves councils in Strasburg, Hague, Linton and Bismarck.

Sales excellence

Ryan Schnell, with CCU Insurance Agency, Bismarck, was a top-5 producer of auto insurance sales for Farmers Union Insurance during May.

Roshau elected

Allen Roshau, of Dickinson, was elected vice chairman of the North Dakota Farm Credit Council at the meeting held in Jamestown in June.

Roshau is self-employed in a cow-calf operation and also is a brand inspector for the North Dakota Stockmens Association. He has served on the Farm Credit Services of Mandan board of directors since 2003 and is a director on the AgriBank District Farm Credit Council board.

Two hired at Sanford

Physician assistants Kari Thomas and Ashley Reiner are new employees at Sanford Health in Bismarck.

Thomas is with the palliative care team. Reiner joined the outreach team and will work with nursing home residents.

Thomas graduated from North Dakota State University and received a masters degree from Chicago Medical School in North Chicago.

Reiner graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings and received her masters degree from Union College in Lincoln, Neb.

Both are board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Two join staff

Corey Reinhardt and Karly Kruckenberg are new employees at St. Gabriels Community, Bismarck. Reinhardt is the basic care manager and Kruckenberg is the director of housing.

A Bismarck native, Reinhardt earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Mary. He has more than seven years experience in the medical field, the past three years in nursing.

Kruckenberg is originally from Mandan. She holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Minot State University and has more than eight years of experience in long-term care, including being nursing home administrator at Valley View Home, Glasgow, Mont.
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A new film is out about Viet Nam.

It is set in the old colonial days and is about love and war.

The man who made the movie Ciel Rouge is from France.

He visited Viet Nam twice before he started making the film.

The film won a very smart award.

Oscar-nominated French screenwriter and film director Olivier Lorelle was in Viet Nam this week for the premiere of his film Ciel Rouge (Red Sky). This is the fourth film made by a French director and entirely shot in Viet Nam, following The Lover, ien Bien Phu and Indochina which were presented to the public twenty years ago and won international acclaim.

He speaks with Vuong Bach Lien about the film and his career.

Inner Sanctum: Set in Indochina in 1946, the film tells the story of a French soldier who is forced to torture and kill a young Vietnamese woman who is fighting for national independence. Instead, he decides to flee with her on an unpredictable journey to the heart of the jungle. Where did you get the idea for this film?

The idea came to me ten years ago, but I am a screenwriter and over those 10 years I only wrote for other films.

The starting point of my film Ciel Rouge (Red Sky), is the fascination of a man towards his enemy -- a woman who is very courageous. I need a battle, between two people from two cultures which are totally different. I need a war, not on the battlefield, but in a place where the soldier gets lost in a country which is swallowing him. The jungle attracted me.

And the film is a love story which begins with a soldier who is fascinated by the courage of his enemy. And I chose this Indochina War because it is the best war to make my film: French soldiers are lost in the country, in the jungle, and Viet Minh [resistance]soldiers are very courageous And all around, there is the jungle which can be the decor, the background for the film.

What I want to convey to the public is not the images of war, but the message about the meaning of love: what is love, what love can bring to us in life. Does love really make one progress and give to the other what they didnt have at the beginning?

Inner Sanctum: The film is shot in the jungles and mountainous areas of Viet Nam. Was it difficult to shoot the film in these locations?

Before shooting the film in 2015, I made two reconnaissance trips to Viet Nam in 2013 and 2014. Luckily, we got the support of Mathieu Ripka, a Frenchman who has deep knowledge about Viet Nam and who took part in the production of the film. He told us that it was possible to make the film in Viet Nam, and that we should not be worried about eventual difficulties.

In fact, many French films are made in Cambodia or in other Asian countries, but not in Viet Nam. Viet Nam has a reputation of being difficult for shooting because of complicated administrative procedures. But when we came here, we found it was great to work with the Vietnamese team. And we understand why you won the two wars... Its true, I have to say it People here work very efficiently, they are quick, and there were no problems about ego. And they are physically courageous.

We chose to shoot around Ba Be Lake and Ha Giangs remote communes, two magnificent regions that are not known in France. I hope that French people who come to see the film in France will want to discover those regions for themselves.

Inner Sanctum: I guess that the Indochina War may be a sensitive subject for the French people. Did you feel pressure when making this film?

Its true that French people do not want to hear about the colonial wars. Those wars are always very delicate subjects.

Only three films in the history of French cinema have tackled the topic of the Indochina War (The 317th Platoon and ien Bien Phu by Pierre Schoendoerffer, and Indochine by Regis Wargnier). French people do not make films about the war. They have trouble showing political reality in cinema.

I found it difficult to get financing for Red Sky in France. Many French people couldnt accept that there was a French man who opened fire on other French men. For them, it is not possible But now as the film will soon be released in France, there is no political pressure about it.

Some years ago, I wrote the script for the film Hors-la-loi (Outside the Law) featuring the French colonial war in Algeria (nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards).

Many people demonstrated in the street the day before the film was released. They said that it was an indictment against France, and that it was French funding for an anti-French film.

Recently, newly elected French President Macron said that the French people had orchestrated a crime against humanity with the war in Algeria.

And his statement raised a lot of anger among many French people. War is not an easy subject for the French people.

However, the Algeria War is still quite new while the Indochina War is already old. For me, making films to tell stories for the next generation is an important thing to do.

Inner Sanctum: You won international fame with several of your scripts, in particular for the Oscar-nominated Indigenes (Days of Glory) which won you the Cesar award. But you were previously a Doctor of Philosophy. What motivated you to become a screenwriter, and then a director?

At the beginning, I wrote scripts for theatre. I also worked as a professor. And I wrote scripts for the cinema to earn money [laughs], to stop being a professor It wasnt a good reason. With the theatre, I did not earn money. And then writing for the big screen started to interest me.

Philosophy helped me a lot in this work as it is a very clear discipline. It helps me know what I really want to say in my film, what is the emotion linked to this idea.

And why did I become film director? Because I want to be able to tell my story in a more personal way. And because people often forget about the screenwriters [laughs]. VNS

GLOSSARY

Inner Sanctum: Set in Indochina in 1946, the film tells the story of a French soldier who is forced to torture and kill a young Vietnamese woman who is fighting for national independence. Instead, he decides to flee with her on an unpredictable journey to the heart of the jungle.

Indochina is the old colonial name for the part of the world that today includes Viet Nam.

To flee means to run away from somewhere that is dangerous.

The idea came to me ten years ago, but I am a screenwriter and over those 10 years I only wrote for other films.

A screenwriter is someone who writes the words for movies that are shown on screens.

The starting point of my film Ciel Rouge (Red Sky), is the fascination of a man towards his enemy -- a woman who is very courageous.

Fascination is a feeling of excitement and charm.

Courageous means brave.

And all around, there is the jungle which can be the decor, the background for the film.

Decor is everything that goes into making a stage or, in this case, a movie set, look as it does.

What I want to convey to the public is not the images of war, but the message about the meaning of love: what is love, what love can bring to us in life.

Convey means communicate.

Images are pictures.

Before shooting the film in 2015, I made two reconnaissance trips to Viet Nam in 2013 and 2014.

A reconnaissance trip is a trip that involves finding out what a place is like before going there to carry out a project there, such as making a film.

He told us that it was possible to make the film in Viet Nam, and that we should not be worried about eventual difficulties.

Eventual difficulties are difficulties that you find out about only at the end of a project.

Viet Nam has a reputation of being difficult for shooting because of complicated administrative procedures.

Your reputation is how other people see you and think of you.

People here work very efficiently, they are quick, and there were no problems about ego.

If something is done efficiently, it is done quickly and correctly

A persons ego is his or her sense of self-importance.

Inner Sanctum: I guess that the Indochina War may be a sensitive subject for the French people. Did you feel pressure when making this film?

To be sensitive means to be easily upset.

Pressure, in this case, means having a force pushing against you that is made up of other peoples opinions.

Its true that French people do not want to hear about the colonial wars.

Colonial wars are wars that were fought involving colonial powers. Such powers are made up of armies of countries that take over other countries to use their resources as if they are their own.

Those wars are always very delicate subjects.

A delicate subject is one that could easily cause people to be upset if spoken about.

Only three films in the history of French cinema have tackled the topic of the Indochina War (The 317th Platoon and ien Bien Phu by Pierre Schoendoerffer, and Indochine by Regis Wargnier).

To tackle a topic means to take it on in a way that it is a challenge to do so.

They have trouble showing political reality in cinema.

Reality is what actually happens in life as opposed to what people may talk about.

I found it difficult to get financing for Red Sky in France.

To get financing means to get money for something.

Many French people couldnt accept that there was a French man who opened fire on other French men.

To open fire means to shoot a gun.

Some years ago, I wrote the script for the film Hors-la-loi (Outside the Law) featuring the French colonial war in Algeria (nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards).

If the French colonial war in Algeria features in a movie, it appears in the movie.

Nominated means being put forward as something that should be among entries that can be chosen to win an award.

The Academy Awards are awards given out every year for the best movies in different categories. They are also known as the Oscars.

They said that it was an indictment against France, and that it was French funding for an anti-French film.

An indictment is an accusation.

Recently, newly elected French President Macron said that the French people had orchestrated a crime against humanity with the war in Algeria.

Orchestrated, in this case, means carried out.

A crime against humanity is a crime that is done on purpose to kill lots of people.

For me, making films to tell stories for the next generation is an important thing to do.

You, your brothers and sisters are one generation. Your children are another. Your parents and their brothers and sisters (your uncles and aunts) are another and your grandparents and their brothers and sisters are yet another generation.

Inner Sanctum: You won international fame with several of your scripts, in particular for the Oscar-nominated Indigenes (Days of Glory) which won you the Cesar award.

If you have fame, you are famous.

But you were previously a Doctor of Philosophy.

Philosophy is a subject that deals with what is in the world and how it all makes sense to people.

What motivated you to become a screenwriter, and then a director?

To be motivated to do something means to be given a reason for wanting to start doing it.

Philosophy helped me a lot in this work as it is a very clear discipline.

A discipline, in this case, means a form of mental training.

It helps me know what I really want to say in my film, what is the emotion linked to this idea.

An emotion is a feeling that happens when the mind is excited by something.

WORKSHEET

The filming of Ciel Rouge started two years ago. Film director Olivier Lovelle comes from the United States. The film Ciel Rouge is set in 1964. France once fought a war in Algeria. Many French films are made in Cambodia.

ANSWERS:

 Duncan Guy/Learn the News/ Viet Nam News 2017

1. True; 2. False; 3. False; 4. True; 5. True.
Gibbs a colonel

John Gibbs, Bismarck, was promoted to the rank of colonel June 3 in front of an audience of friends, family and fellow Guardsmen at the North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Wing in Fargo. Retired Brig. Gen. Ronald Solberg presided over the ceremony and administered the oath of office.

Gibbs began his career in the U.S. Air Force in 1985 as a carpentry specialist with the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. In 1989, he joined the North Dakota Air National Guard as a structural craftsman. He commissioned as a transportation officer in the Logistics Readiness Squadron in 1998. Since then, Gibbs has held a number of positions within the 119th Wing, including duties as the deputy base civil engineer, base engineer, civil engineer commander and executive officer. He is the director of staff-air at the North Dakota National Guard headquarters at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck.

Gibbs deployed overseas for a mission to Iraq in 2005 with the 30th Engineer Brigade as a design engineer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A native of Pelican Rapids, Minn., he is a graduate of North Dakota State University and holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He lives in Bismarck with his wife.
HCM CITY  A national hotline that would provide legal consultation and assistance to victims of sexual abuse and violence will be launched in the near future, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Speaking at a workshop on sexual abuse held in HCM City on Friday, ang Hoa Nam, director of the ministrys Department of Child Care and Protection, said relatives and neighbours often did not know where to turn or whom to contact when a child was sexually abused.

The department is working with the Ministry of Information and Communications to set up a national easy-to-remember number. We will also amend legal regulations regarding forensic examinations and prosecution and help agencies seek evidence, investigate and prosecute as soon as possible, he added.

A Government decree that comes into effect in July offers a new special judicial process and regulations that call for support of all costs for physical and psychological treatment and rehabilitation for victims of sexual abuse.

Under the decree, every commune must have one employee specialising in child care and protection and prevention against sexual abuse and violence, he said.

It will take a long time to reduce sexual abuse among children. In the next two or three years, the target will be difficult to achieve, Nam said.

Tran Thi Ngoc Nu, head of the lawyers panel of the HCM City Association for Child Rights Protection, said that specialists investigating sexual abuse among children should be trained.

oan Thi Vu Linh, deputy head of Thu uc Districts Division for Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that many parents, especially migrant workers in wards Linh Xuan and Binh Chieu, take their children to neighbours homes during the day when they are working.

These children are at a risk of sexual abuse, and the number of sexual abuse cases occurring in the two wards remains high.

Around 1,000 child sexual abuse cases occur every year in the country, according to the Ministry of Public Security and UNICEF.  VNS
A famous pediatric surgeon in Viet Nam continues to break new ground as he strives to make small but life-changing improvements for patients and their parents. Thu Van reports.

Fame is not a driving force for Nguyen Thanh Liem.

He is already recognised as a leading pediatric surgeon in the country and in the world who has done pioneering research and successfully applied many surgical techniques

Given the kind of patients that he treats, he cannot even hope for complete cures, most of the time.

Professor Nguyen Thanh Liem

But when Liem thought of using stem cell therapy for a two-year-old cerebral palsy (CP) patient, many people doubted the idea and thought I was trying to do something shocking to promote for the image of the private hospital that I was working for at that time.

Liem smiled as he recalled what happened almost four years ago.

On a winter day in late December, Liem received a boy in really bad condition.

He was told the two-year-old boy had diarrhea, high fever, convulsive fits and sepsis of an unknown cause when he was 10 months old. The baby was treated at a local hospital and survived, but suffered convulsions, had difficulty breathing and could not sit or crawl. Doctors diagnosed cerebral palsy.

Liem asked his assistant at the Vinmec International Hospital, Doctor Vu Duy Chinh, a rehabilitation expert, to join him in examining the cerebral palsy patient.

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brains motor control centre, which consists of several parts of the brain and billions of different cells, and there might be various causes to this, Chinh said.

It is connected with a range of symptoms, including muscle weakness and movement problems, like difficulties in walking, balance and motor control, eating, swallowing, speech or coordination of eye movements, he said.

Chinh told Liem that until then, the only treatment for cerebral palsy was physiotherapy and rehabilitation, combined with drugs to mitigate certain symptoms. Overall, the treatment was not very effective.

At that moment, I suddenly thought of stem cell therapy, a method which I had already used to treat patients with liver cirrhosis or biliary atesia, Liem said.

The initial idea and theory is that stem cells can develop into specific types of brain cells, replacing those which are damaged, he said.

It took him three months to follow up on the idea: to study it further, ask for permission from the hospitals leaders, prepare necessary equipment, and prepare himself to do it.

I didnt say it out loud, but a part of me was nervous  it was the first time such a technique was applied in Viet Nam. And I know many people were skeptical and watching this closely, Liem said.

His assistant, Dr Chinh, shared the same thoughts.

Dr Liem and I didnt talk about how we felt about it, we just focused on the preparation for the surgery. But the pressure came, day by day. I totally understand the doubt  we had never done something like that.

In medical practice, even though we know a therapy has solid scientific ground, everything has its own risks, Chinh said.

Smiles were back on the faces of Bui Duy Nghia and his mother.

On March 21, 2014, Bui Duy Nghia, the baby boy, was all set for what could be a life-changing surgery.

Duy was anaesthetized before doctors started to collect stem cells from his own bone marrow. A needle and a syringe were used to aspirate bone marrow from his iliac crests. The process took about an hour.

It was the first time  so we were extra careful. Later on, it would take half the time, Liem said.

The bone marrow was then taken to the hospitals laboratory for processing and extracting stem cells, a procedure that took about three hours then.

Later, the stem cells were injected into the boys spinal cord cavity through a small needle, a procedure that took about another hour.

We didnt expect that this therapy would cure the condition. The goal of stem cell transplantation is to reduce symptoms and protect and repair damaged cells before they become completely useless and cause permanent damage. If it works, the life of patients would become more manageable, Dr Liem said.

Processing and extracting stem cell at Vinmec Hospital.

Grateful parents

Three months after the stem cell transplantation, Nghias family took him to the hospital for the first check.

The improvement in his condition greatly heartened Liem and Chinh, who had talked to Nghias parents from time to time on the phone, but hadnt see the changes first hand.

I couldnt believe my eyes  he was so different. I still remembered how he was when we first saw him. He could barely move, eyes were all blank, he couldnt swallow so the saliva was all over... But three months after, he could sit up and he looked much more nimble, Chinh said.

I was so happy, I almost cried.

In the following months, Nghia received stem cell transplants two more times, and also continued physical therapy.

Nghias mother, Tran Thi Phuong, was overwhelmed.

He started to gain weight because he could eat and swallow. When he listened to me singing he laughed. It was magic for my family. I felt so thankful to the doctors who made this happen, Phuong said.

Phuong might not have known that Dr Liem was himself thankful that the first successful case consolidated his trust in the new therapy.

Ive met so many families with so much sorrow, and mothers of cerebral palsy patients whove never had a full nights sleep. Whether or not I would be praised for this did not matter. What mattered was how the new method would cure these kids, Liem said.

In Viet Nam, the unofficial number of children suffering from cerebral palsy is around 200,000.

This could open opportunities for many children to have their lives changed for the better, he said.

This new treatment is not something that can cure all cerebral palsy patients.

Liem said there are cases in which stem cell transplantation will not work.

If patients were born with cerebral palsy, this method will not work. My experience shows that improvements and changes are only seen in patients that contracted cerebral palsy because of drowning, oxygen starvation during birth, or due to meningitis; in general, after-birth developments, he said.

Nguyen Phuoc Thanh Tuyen, who suffered from cerebral palsy, received stem cell transplantation in 2016, now can walk and take care of herself. Photo Courtesy of Vinmec International Hospital

Clinical trial

In 2014, Dr Liem and his colleagues started a clinical trial on 40 celebral palsy patients aged 2 to 15. The study, which was basically using autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells for treating cerebral palsy, was completed in August 2015.

But the success of the study does not mean he stopped there.

He thought the method might also work on children with the incurable brain ailment, autism, which is also caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function.

Clinical trials of stem cell therapy on children with autism had been conducted in America, India and China, Liem said.

"Autism is a burden for families who have to live with it, so even small changes in the behaviour of the kids mean a lot to their parents," Liem said.

Earlier this year, a study by a group of scientists from Duke University, the US, conducted on 25 children with austism, suggested that most children on the spectrum who received an infusion from their own umbilical cord blood showed improvements in behaviour, communication and socialisation, among other measures, while experiencing no significant downsides from the treatment.

Dr Alok Sharma from Indias NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute said at a conference held in Ha Noi last November that stem cell therapy had shown promising results after being performed on more than 5,000 children with cerebral palsy and 500 with autism in India.

Under another scientific research project by Dr Liem and his colleagues that was approved earlier this month by the Ministry of Health, 30 children with autism from three to seven years old will have the chance to have stem cell transplants for free in a time span of 18 months.

Children selected for the trial will be those who have already undergone traditional therapies like behaviour education and medicines but show little progress.

This month, the first four kids will undergo stem cell transplants under the project.

"Although the therapy is still in the early stages and much more research is needed, it is a ray of hope for many who are suffering," Dr Liem said.

My motivation is small. I want patients and their families to experience improvements and a better life.  VNS
Toilet knight is the nickname of Le Van Hiep, director of the Kim Hoang Hiep Trading, Service and Environment Limited Company, based in the southern province of Binh Duong.

He has acted as a representative of the World Toilet Organisation in Viet Nam and as the head of the mobilising department for establishing the Viet Nam Toilet Association. His company has installed some trial-free smart toilets at public areas in Binh Duong. He has active solutions to change the quality of toilets throughout the country. Le Huong explores his interest in toilets.

Inner Sanctum: What prompted your move from real estate trading to toilets?

I established my company specialising in treating sewage, exhaust fumes, rubbish, as well as trading in real estate in 2007. My interest in toilets was sparked three years ago when my eldest daughter complained about dirty toilets in her school. She would not drink water during school hours to avoid using the toilet.

As a father, I thought all parents would share the desire of having clean toilets for their children. I decided to conduct some serious research on toilets. At first, I simply joined the parents association to sponsor the building of clean toilets in my daughters school, but I was disappointed more than once with the results. For many reasons, students still could not get access to clean toilets.

I wanted to find out a proper way to solve the problem. I have conducted surveys among residents of all ages, and foreigners at schools, hospitals and public places to understand the need for clean toilets.

Inner Sanctum: How did you know about the World Toilet Organisation? How did you take on the responsibility of a representing the organisation in Viet Nam?

I think I was lucky to have got this responsibility. During my early days of research, I met Vu Xuan Hong, chairman of the Viet Nam Friendship Union, researcher ao Xuan Son, and a friend, Nguyen Xuan Sang, in HCM City. They all shared my interest and decided to work with me. I spent my own money to visit various developed countries to study smart toilets and joined the WTO, which is a UN organisation based in Singapore. I then sent some of my staff to visit Singapore to understand modern toilet models. We visited the WTOs school training consultants to learn about designing and managing toilets.

We hosted the first ever World Toilet Day in the country on November 19, 2015, in Binh Duong in co-operation with local authorities and the WTO.

The event drew over 2,000 pupils and students who participated in a run with the aim of encouraging the community as a whole to join hands in this revolution of building clean toilets.

Inner Sanctum: What model have you followed? Why do you want to take on the responsibility of building clean toilets for the public?

I revised some models in Singapore to suit Viet Nams culture and economic conditions. I want to build the most effective toilets at a low cost. I want to take on the responsibility because I have seen that public toilets remain dirty for a long time. No individual or agency has been able to improve the situation though a lot of money has been invested in the process.

I have undertaken a thorough study to introduce smart, economic and environmentally-friendly toilets using a sensor system, less electricity, less water, and solar power of 5 - 48 volts. People using the toilet dont have to touch anything from opening the door, getting the paper and drying hands, to flushing. They can watch what is happening outside through a camera. People can give their feedback by simply pressing satisfied or dissatisfied button and inform managers about the quality of the toilet.

When users have health problems, they can use the SOS button to call for help. Such toilet equipment will be mass produced in Viet Nam at a reasonable cost. Toilet managers can control the toilets through the internet.

As the head of the mobilising department to establish the Viet Nam Toilet Association, I have submitted a plan to the Government and concerned agencies for improving the quality of public toilets in the country. I think this is a persuasive plan, but it requires the co-operation of all members of the association.

Inner Sanctum: Have far have you come in this effort?

Our company has proposed some solutions to mobilise individual capital and build experimental toilets before the decision of the Government and the support of local authorities. In the central areas, we can recover the investment through advertisements and an accompanying ATM machine, while in remote areas we will install free toilets for the local communities.

However, there are a lot of obstacles in acquiring land, constructing toilets, and clearing building regulations.

HCM City and Binh Duong will install our smart toilets that will contain five convenient, automatic functions including odour control and quality control through the Internet. These have been approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Binh Duong plans to build a smart city by 2021 and our project will play a key role in this. As many as 300 toilets have been installed in the province and 34 others will be installed in HCM City.

Currently, our products have been highly appreciated by international partners and the media. Im still waiting for feedback from actual users. I have contacted ten provinces and got a lot of support. The trouble is training local members of the association to install and manage modern toilets.

Inner Sanctum: Can you tell us something more about you and your family?

I manage my company with my wife oan Thanh. My 19-year-old daughter is studying in the US, and my son is just four years old.

On more than one occasion, especially on being presented with images of dirty toilets at schools and hospitals, I have felt the urge to quit. Authorities would say, "Our schools toilet is okay; it is none of your business" or "We have no budget for that" or "We have a company specialising in environmental care for our toilets."

However, when I see dirty toilets at hospitals and schools, which directly affect peoples health, I think: "Why should I give up when I have a solution?

Our company has offered short-term training courses conducted by WTO experts in consultancy, design and management of toilets. I have proposed PR plans and other solutions to encourage more people to use smart toilets. I think public toilets should be free and of superior standards.

I am calling for support from leaders at all levels, as well as individuals and enterprises to join hands with us in this revolution and bring about a change for the better in peoples living standards.  VNS
WATERLOO  A shooting Friday in Waterloo has turned into a homicide investigation.

One of two men shot has died, police said, and the other remains hospitalized after the broad daylight shooting Friday.

Waterloo police responded to a call for shots fired shortly before 4 p.m. in the 100 block of Center Street and were later called to a home at 1200 Ackermant St. to find two men who appeared to be in their early 20s suffering from gunshot wounds.

Both men, whose names were not being released by police pending notification of relatives, were transported by Waterloo Fire Rescue to the hospital. One man later died, police said.

The victims arrived at the home in a black sport utility vehicle, which had front-end damage and a deployed airbag. A neighbor said the injured driver ran into the house while the passenger stayed in the car.

The neighbor said there was not a history of trouble at the home and did not believe either of the victims lived there.

The shooting apparently happened near the intersection of Utica and Center streets, roughly 10 blocks away.

Waterloo police officers had secured that area and the home where the victims were discovered.

Jury convicts man in kidnapping case

HAMPTON  A Franklin County jury deliberated for two and a half hours Friday afternoon before finding a Meservey man guilty of kidnapping and torturing a woman in October.

The 12-person jury found Charles R. Albright, 41, guilty of two felonies, first-degree kidnapping and willful injury. The kidnapping charge carries a life prison sentence upon conviction.

Albright didnt appear to show any emotion as the verdict was read.

In closing arguments Friday, Albrights attorney said he knows he committed willful injury.

He beat her up pretty bad, and he knows he committed willful injury, Defense Attorney James Metcalf, a former Black Hawk County attorney, said. We think hes guilty of willful injury.

The 36-year-old woman was held against her will in Meservey for 12 to 14 hours, court records state. Albright is accused of punching, cutting and shocking the woman Oct. 7, as well as allowing his dog to bite her repeatedly.

The woman suffered electrical burns, sinus damage and an eye injury that caused loss of vision, court records state. An X-ray found broken bones in her face.

While Metcalf said Albright lost it and went nuts, he argued the man didnt commit first-degree kidnapping.

If this happened the way state said it happened  why didnt she call, you decide  911, talk to somebody, talk to her mother, talk to her kids, talk to the local cops? Metcalf questioned.

Metcalf said at one point the woman had Albrights truck, a phone and time to call 911. He had taken her to Sheffield in Franklin County, according to court records, where he continued to assault her in the vehicle.

Franklin County deputies were called to a store in Sheffield, where they say they found the woman with severe swelling and bruises. Albright had left the area but was located Oct. 20.

Iowa Assistant Attorney General Laura Roan told jurors the same intent for willful injury in this case existed for kidnapping.

The defendants blind rage made him so mad  that was indeed, as he now admits, this specific intent, she said. He was going to beat her so bad she couldnt walk, couldnt see.

Gun charges

filed in Osage

OSAGE  An Osage man is accused of threatening a person with a gun, police say.

Bryce Steven Zahradnik, 25, is charged with felony intimidation with a dangerous weapon.

Osage Police officers were dispatched at 12:25 a.m. July 10 for a dispute at a residence in the 1000 block of Main Street, according to court documents.

Once officers arrived at the home, they say they found Zahradnik at the front door holding a gun.

The victim, who called 911, said Zahradnik was beating down the back door and threatened to kill me with a gun after he had left the house for a short period of time following an argument, the complaint states.

Zahradnik was released after posting bond.

Registry violation

charge filed

WEST UNION  A West Union man was arrested again for failure to register as a sex offender.

On Wednesday, the Fayette County Sheriffs office arrested Stephen William Dahlstrom, 25, for third-offense failure to register as a sex offender.

Dahlstrom moved to a new residence weeks prior and failed to notify the state sex offender registry of the change. Dahlstrom has two prior convictions for registry violations. A third offense violation is a Class D felony.

He is also currently on probation with the Department of Correctional Services and could face additional probation violation charges.

Contractor hurt

in assault July 9

ARLINGTON  The Fayette County Sheriffs Office continues to investigate an assault between contractors working on repair of the track at Starmont High School in Arlington earlier this month.

The incident was reported about 11:50 a.m. July 9 in the parking lot of the school. Deputies released information about the incident Friday.

After an investigation, deputies said Jake Adkins, 31, of Marshalltown, assaulted Douglas Parades, 55, of Perry, who was employed by Fisher Tracks, a company that had been hired to repair the track for Starmont School.

Parades sustained major injuries as a result of the assault and was transported by ambulance to Regional Medical Center in Manchester, and later flown by helicopter to University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. Criminal charges are pending.

Woman hurt

in Friday crash

WEST UNION  A Mount Pleasant woman was hospitalized following a motorcycle crash on Highway 150 near West Union Friday.

The Fayette County Sheriffs Office identified the victim as Victoria Lynn Ramaker, 55. The crash was reported about 2:25 p.m. at Highway 150 and North Industrial Parkway.

Deputies said Ramaker was driving a 2005 Harley Road King north on Highway 150 when a vehicle also headed north slowed to allow a vehicle to turn left. When Ramaker attempted to slow the motorbike she lost control and laid the bike on its side. Ramaker sustained head injuries and was transported to Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union by Tri State Ambulance service. Her condition was not available. The accident remains under investigation.
CEDAR FALLS  Hawkeye Community College will host an information session July 26 on short-term training in CNC machining, industrial maintenance and welding.

It will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Cedar Falls Center, 5330 Nordic Drive. The session will include information about upcoming training opportunities, a tour of training areas and the opportunity to visit with instructors.

The next computer numerical control machining training runs Aug. 10 to Dec. 18 and meets Mondays and Thursdays from 5 to 10 p.m. A second session runs Nov. 7 to March 21 and meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5 to 10 p.m.

CNC operators work in a variety of manufacturing environments and are trained to program, set up and operate a CNC machine, inspect parts, perform production runs and set up jobs. CNC machine operators are in high demand in the Cedar Valley. In four months, individuals completing the non-credit certificate may earn $26,700 to $37,300 per year, not including overtime.

The next production welding training runs Oct. 3 to Nov. 16 and meets Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Welding continues to be the principle means of fabricating and repairing metal products. Iowa Workforce Development forecasts more than 270 job openings each year for welders through 2022.

Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers are some of the top occupations in Iowa with the most job openings. Starting wages average $27,900 to $36,900 per year and many in this field work overtime.

The next industrial maintenance training runs Sept. 12 to May 23 with classes held Monday through Thursday, 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Industrial Maintenance program prepares students for high demand entry-level employment. Industrial maintenance workers maintain, monitor, troubleshoot and repair equipment used in the production of goods. Individuals completing the non-credit certificate may earn $30,100 to $42,700 per year, not including overtime.

For more information, call 296-4290 or go to www.hawkeyecollege.edu/advanced-manufacturing.
WATERLOO  City leaders are seeking input from residents regarding the future of consumer fireworks use.

Members of the Waterloo City Councils public safety committee are holding a 20-minute meeting starting at 4:25 p.m. Monday in City Hall to discuss further restrictions on fireworks.

Those unable to attend who wish to give their opinion can send comments to City Clerk Kelley Felchle by emailing Kelley.Felchle@waterloo-IA.org.

The Iowa Legislature and Gov. Terry Branstad legalized the sale use of consumer fireworks this year after a nearly 80-year ban, allowing them to be shot off on private property from June 1 through July 8 and again from Dec. 10 through Jan. 3.

Local governments were allowed to shorten the time frame or ban fireworks use in their jurisdictions. Waterloo councilmen voted 6-1 in May to only allow fireworks use from June 30 through July 4.

City officials have been flooded with complaints about noise and litter from fireworks being used both legally and outside the times allowed by city ordinance.

Councilmen Bruce Jacobs and Tom Lind both called for a complete ban in the city of Waterloo and asked Mayor Quentin Hart to put the ordinance up for a vote Monday. Hart put the item on the public safety committee, noting fireworks use is currently illegal until December and the regular agenda already was extremely busy.

The public safety committee, which includes Lind, Steve Schmitt and Jerome Amos Jr., is expected to make a recommendation on fireworks to the full council for consideration as soon as July 24.
WATERLOO  A plan to sell the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center to leverage a major renovation of the downtown building and Ramada Hotel is up for approval this week.

Waterloo City Council members are scheduled to hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Monday in City Hall on two related development agreements with Omaha, Neb.-based Leslie Hospitality.

The first contract calls for the city to sell the downtown convention center for $1, provide a $1.05 million grant from bonds already sold for center improvements, and rebate 50 percent of the increased property taxes generated by the renovation for 10 years.

Leslie Hospitality would invest $6 million into renovations, including the city grant, and agree to maintain at least a $5 million value on the building for 15 years. The 42-year-old convention center is currently exempt from taxes as a city-owned facility.

Mayor Quentin Hart called the arrangement the best option to improve the convention center, which is outdated and needs major renovation to compete for events in the region.

The city has been contributing 20 percent of its hotel-motel tax revenue, some $250,000 this year, along with general obligation bonds to maintain the building. The citys capital improvement program had projected using $700,000 in bonds annually  the maximum amount allowed without a public referendum  to fix up the building over the next five years.

A second agreement requires Leslie Hospitality to invest $14 million into renovating the 10-story, 228-room hotel and boost its current taxable value of $1.6 million to a minimum $10 million.

In return, the city would provide 85 percent tax rebates on the valuation increase and would donate back new hotel-motel taxes generated at the rebranded Hotel RL for 20 years. Those rebates dont apply to the current taxable value or lodging taxes already being paid.

Based on a Courier review of the minimum assessed values included in the deal, property taxes generated by both the hotel and convention center would jump from $59,000 to $545,000 a year. But the city would rebate $257,000 of it back annually for the next 10 to 20 years.

Leslie Hospitality, after meeting with members of the Sullivan family and city officials, have reached an agreement to rename the building as Waterloo Convention Center at Sullivan Brothers Plaza.

Other scheduled council business includes:

The first reading of an ordinance which would allow the city to use automated traffic enforcement cameras to issue citations for vehicles running red lights and speeding. Pending approval of the ordinance, the City Council would still need to set fine levels, camera locations and contract with a company to install and manage them.

A public hearing on the proposed sale of the Sunnyside South Addition property on San Marnan Drive. But no bids were received from adjoining and past property owners Thursday.
University Ave. traffic changes

CEDAR FALLS  The city of Cedar Falls has announced the following traffic changes on University Avenue, effective Wednesday:

The next segment of the proposed frontage road paving has been completed from Clear View Services to Regions Bank. That will allow traffic to be switched into the next stage of the frontage road. The traffic closure will be shifted west, and there will no longer be access from Cedar Heights Drive onto the frontage road.

Regions Bank drive-through customers will exit heading east on the frontage road to Midway Drive. All access to businesses on the frontage road will need to use Midway Drive.

Mental health topic of panel

WATERLOO  Waterloo Commission on Human Rights will sponsor a Town Hall meeting at 6 p.m. July 25 at Waterloo Center for the Arts, Petersen Town Hall Room.

Critical human rights issues to be discussed revolve around understanding mental health and budget considerations in three key community systems: health care, school and criminal justice.

Confirmed panelists are Tom Eachus with the Black Hawk County Grundy Mental Health; Kevin Dill, director of Black Hawk County Veteran Affairs; Dr. Nafissa Cisse-Egbuonye, director of Black Hawk County Health Department; and state Rep. Ras Smith.

The public is encouraged to attend. This is the second of a series of Human Rights conversations to be held over the next several months.

Medicare seminar planned

CEDAR VALLEY  PDCM Insurance will host an informational Medicare seminar from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday in the SMARTER Center at 3022 Airport Blvd.

Its designed to help those who are turning 65 to understand Medicare. Attendance is free. To reserve a spot, contact Nathan Link at 234-8888 or nlink@pdcm.com. This is an informational event only.

Group meeting about schools

WATERLOO  An organizational meeting for Wheres the Outrage? will start at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the conference room at the Waterloo Public Library.

Wheres the Outrage? is an ad hoc group that wants to discuss the current situation in the Waterloo community regarding education and work toward finding solutions to help improve the success rates of all students in the schools.

Everyone is welcome.

For more information, contact Tony Fox at jtfox1940@gmail.com or Carole Gustafson at Carole50702@mchsi.com.

Animal adoption event scheduled

WATERLOO  The community is welcome to the Cedar Bend Humane Society adoption event Rehome, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 1166 W. Airline Highway.

Adoption fees for all cats, and long-term and senior dogs will be a freewill donation. Spay and neuter deposit may apply.

The community is encouraged to reuse items to make cat and dog toys for the shelter pets; donate newspaper to line cat kennels; donate recyclable pop cans to help fund CBHS programs; or provide monetary donations to help rehome animals and provide for their care and treatment.

Adoption application, photos and information about pets ready for adoption and the full CBHS wish list are available at www.CedarBendHumane.org.

Rough Risers slated to meet

CEDAR FALLS  The Kiwanis Rough Risers will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Clarion Inn on University.

Barb Sanders, director of Hope 4 Healing, will discuss Quakerdale and Hope 4 Healing and share the projects they support.

Go to http://kiwanisroughrisers.org for more information.

Program funded for extension

WATERLOO  A Black Hawk County proposal by Tera Jordan has been selected for funding through the Engaged Scholarship Funding Program, a partnership of ISU Extension and Outreach and the College of Human Sciences.

This is the second year of this program, which funds research projects that focus on engagement, translate research into practice, and involve and benefit Iowans, their families and communities.

Funding is provided by ISU Extension and Outreach and county extension councils for the project to be completed in June 2018.
HABASWEIN, Kenya  Who is Medina, and why should we be mindful of her?

She tells me she is 40, but she looks more like 30. She smiles beautifully and vulnerably through a cleft lip. She has, she explains, lost everything in the drought. And it is nearly true.

Medinas household once boasted 600 goats. Now most of their carcasses lie exposed, picked over by hyenas, in the whipping, sand-filled wind. Medinas husband has been gone four months seeking more fertile pastures for the 100 animals that havent died from starvation. Medina was forced to send away two of her four children to live with an aunt, including her 1-year-old daughter. With the goats gone, there isnt enough milk to feed the infant.

Medinas diminished family is down to one meal a day. Breakfast is strong tea. The price of a container of clean water for cooking or drinking has gone from about 2 cents to 50 cents. Without rice provided by the Kenyan government and a small cash benefit from World Vision (which hosted my trip), more than Medinas livestock would starve.

Who really cares about such things, about such people, in an era of America First? We are, thank God, sometimes better than our slogans. The U.S. Congress and other donors have been relatively openhanded in trying to prevent another major famine in East Africa. Even the Trump administration sought credit for its generosity at the recent G-20 summit.

But why, when it comes down to it, should events in rural Kenya matter to well-fed, largely goatless, nonpastoralists living on the other side of the Earth?

There is a theoretical response: Starvation and resulting mass migrations are destabilizing. Bad actors such as Al-Shabaab thrive in such chaos (the day I talked to Medina there was a terrorist attack in southeast Kenya). Such terrorist threats are hard to isolate once they are fully emerged (as weve see in places such as Somalia and Nigeria). The prevention of future conflicts and threats is more than worth the tiny portion of the U.S. budget  less than 1 percent  that is currently dedicated to foreign assistance. All true.

Yet if this were the only, or even the main, response, it would likely be insufficient. A country without a creed of universal human rights would find excuses for indifference and callousness, as most nations throughout most of history have done.

America, however, has been inflicted with idealism since the day of its founding. The assertion is still shocking: That a life on the other side of the world is created equal  honestly, objectively, God-blessedly equal  to our own.

So we are left with a constant struggle and a glorious guilt. There are limits to the resources and capabilities of any nation. But Americans who do not feel a stab of pride at the liberation of Nazi death camps, and the reconstruction of postwar Europe, and the sacrificial spirit of the Peace Corps, and the extraordinary achievements of the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief  such people do not fully understand their own country. They have somehow missed one of the primary things that make it lovely  our holding of the truth that Medina is not beyond or beneath the demands of human dignity.

This conviction is now being tested in four nations across East Africa  South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya  where some 20 million human beings are in need of urgent help. Season after season of sporadic and inadequate rainfall, complicated in some cases by conflict, have brought many places to the verge of famine. Here in Kenya, I consistently heard that conditions are worse than 2011  which is like an economist saying that conditions are worse than the Great Depression. The analogy holds. In both cases, the assets built over a lifetime  whether measured in stocks or goats  are lost.

The global response, so far, has been better than 2011. A famine warning was declared early, and in Kenya, the government and the charitable sector, with help from the American government, have been encouraging resilience with water trucks, school feeding programs and small cash benefits to buy water and food. But this success is partial and fragile. If the next rainy season, four months from now, is inadequate, the coping mechanisms will break down on a massive scale. And by the time we see images of death on CNN or the BBC, help may come too late for the most vulnerable.

Whatever happens, Medina says, will be Gods will. But a failure of compassion would be entirely our own.
In an era when the news is more propaganda than news and hyperbole is the norm, it is, as my professor in graduate school used to say, a hoot to review some recent items.

In Norway, the government instituted a voluntary tax. The finance minister is reported as saying, If anyone thinks the tax level is too low, they now have the chance to pay more. You have to love this guy. So far, the government has raised $1,325 from the voluntary tax.

On the same day, CNN reported the G20 (Group of 20) closed with a rebuke to Trumps climate stance while reporting Obama had charmed an Alaskan baby. Seriously, I didnt make that up. Only CNN could do that.

Another newspaper headline read, Pence courts wealthy donors with private dinners. Not too surprising, except it was written, in case you missed their point, in the start-of-WWIII-sized font.

The Hill reported Trump bent over and picked up a Marines hat that had blown off and gave it back to the Marine. So far, we havent been informed how this act makes him unfit to be president.

One editorial, written by a woman, proclaimed, When women fill elected offices, world improves. Who are we to disagree? Dont you just love absolutes from people who tell us that everything is relative?

Another headline: Email reveals Russian government had compromising information about Hillary Clinton. You think!? Given the nature of Clintons charities and her paranoid use of computer servers, the only persons on the planet who would claim not to have compromising information about Hillary Clinton was perhaps Comey and the DNC.

There also was some news on the global warming front. While the southwest was having one of the hottest seasons ever, Greenland had the coldest July temperatures on record. And, the surface mass (?) of the ice sheet was significantly larger in the last year than the mean for the last 40 years. Dont worry. We all know by now record heat waves are proof of global warming, while record cold is simply climate change created by global warming. As we all learn in school: global warming in the summer, and climate change in the winter.

Then some heretic scientists published an article with a very long title claiming the global average surface temperatures have been readjusted regularly to show higher temperatures. The scientists summarized their findings,  it is impossible to conclude from the three published GAST data sets that recent years have been the warmest ever. Their findings also cast doubt on CO2 models because of the use of erroneous data.

Sloppy. No wonder a recent Gallup poll showed 58 percent of Americans did not believe global warming was a serious threat in their lifetime. The scientists need to get their act together and stop the rogues from publishing this dangerous and contradictory stuff. All true scientist know that once consensus is reached, debate ends.

Oh, and to add insult to all proper thinking citizens, the media surveys showed that Fox News was still No. 1.
Lets talk about one of our favorite things: cars. And more specifically, how the internal combustion engine is on the verge of extinction.

Not only that, but were also being told in five years were going to be driving self-driving cars. OK, thats not accurate. They will be driving us  or at least a lot of us.

Unless you were at the beach and had your head buried in the sand because of worries about Russias determination to wipe out democracy on the planet, you undoubtedly heard Volvo will stop making cars that run solely on gasoline.

Volvo announced starting in 2019 all new models it introduces will be either hybrids or vehicles powered solely by batteries. While the new electric cars will initially be made in China, where air pollution is critically dangerous, a new plant is being built near Charleston, S.C., and some will be built in Europe.

Tesla, the posh electric car maker, plans to sell hundreds of thousands of new electric models priced at only $35,000, which is substantially less expensive than most of the flashy vehicles it currently sells. The new cars will be serviced at 250 centers that dont charge service fees. If you live too far from a service center, Tesla will send one of its 350 special vans to your home or office to repair your vehicle on site. The vans will have toys for children, espresso machines and, you wont believe this, replacement parts. I know. I know. Except for the sticker shock, it seems like heaven.

Tesla, which makes nowhere near the number of cars Ford and General Motors produce, earlier this year beat the two auto behemoths in stock market value because investors think the future is in electric vehicles. Part of this is urban congestion and part of it is climate change  carbon dioxide from burning gasoline depletes the ozone layer, playing havoc with climate patterns around the globe.

Ann Arbor, Mich., where I once lived, is described by The New York Times as the new hub for research into autonomous vehicles. Reporter Neal Boudette wrote: Soon students and staff members at the University of Michigan will be able to get around the engineering campus on fully automated, driverless shuttle buses provided by a French company drawn to Ann Arbor by the universitys autonomous-car test track, known as MCity.

Imagine, parents. You can pay $59,784 a year for your beloved child to ride in circles around MCity.

In Pittsburgh, The National Robotics Engineering Center is working on self-driving vehicles. Sorry, students. Robots preferred.

As usual in this country, these developments are controversial. Despite predictions most new models produced in five to 10 years will be self-drivers, there are many who scoff at that. A lot of safety issues still have to be resolved. And a lot of us like to drive, although the self-parking part is very neat. (Why do so many men stop and smirk when a woman driver is parallel parking, even if she could be Danica Patrick?)

There also are many who think electric cars are not the wave of the future in the United States. For one thing, hybrid cars (gasoline plus electricity) still constitute only 2 percent of sales. Thats partly because we love our big SUVs, and the price of gasoline has been declining. Also, we dont like to wait for lengthy charging times, and public charging stations are scarce. And we are used to driving long distances; electric cars dont go much beyond 200 miles on a single charge.

But every major car maker is investing in these technologies. The federal government has provided incentives to buy a $35,000 battery-operated Chevrolet Bolt, for example. The Obama administration actively encouraged the production of electric vehicles.

Actually, self-driving vehicles and electric cars are sort of connected. Apparently, it is easier to link self-driving software to batteries than to internal combustion engines. Who knew?

In Europe, grim statistics on health damage from diesel engines are sparking electric vehicle sales. One unknown in the U.S. is whether federal fuel mileage standards and pollution goals will be weakened as the current administration seeks to do. If so, this could dampen enthusiasm for cars that meet stricter health and environmental requirements.

But not for long. The future is coming, and its bringing more power cords and fewer smirks.
Health-care payment system reform is facing gridlock in Washington. Some have brought up the possibility of solving it all with a single-payer system. That has been the goal of many Democrats for years. They identify health care as a right and declare single-payer as inevitable.

Is health care a right?

When discussing rights, its appropriate to refer to the U.S. Constitution because we should have a standard, a benchmark. Consider the following:

Quality health care shouldnt be debated on a constitutional basis. That introduces an argument that will never produce agreement.

In fact, theres confusion over what right is being debated. Is it insurance coverage, or is it quality outcomes? That distinction isnt being made.

Its tempting to attribute to all good policies the designation of inalienable rights, as described in our founding documents. However, those constitutional rights were endowed by our creator and cant be bought and sold. Health care is something very different.

Lets agree quality health care is, quite simply, a good thing. Lets also agree its worth the expenditure of great effort and resources, and it should be available to all.

Creating the right payment method, brings up the Democrats ideal  the single-payer system. Consider the following:

A single-payer system is technically a monopsony. That implies many sellers but only one buyer  in this case the government.

In theory, the government would set prices for all health care services. Unfortunately, the exclusive purchaser of health care also would control distribution and access. Thats not good.

Consider the Charlie Gard controversy in London. The 11-month-old is terminally ill with a rare genetic disorder. The British government wont let Charlies parents bring him to the U.S. for experimental treatment, or even bring him home to die. The family would pay all expenses. The government does this because it funds their single-payer system and has that authority.

Government domination stifles innovation, discourages competition and distances the consumer from decision-making.

Consider this alternative:

Our insurance market has never been a free marketplace. Rather than facilitating a marketplace, the government has fiddled and meddled and ended up with something we all complain about. And the consumer is kept out of the loop.

The best opportunity for efficient and intelligent cost savings is a free and transparent market. That happens when the consumer is involved with the decision and payment process.

In light of this lets consider individual policy ownership, and limiting the insurance coverage to major medical coverage.

Supplementing the insurance companies, individuals or families would have Health Savings Accounts for their first dollar coverage  up to $10,000 for example.

Theres no room here for describing the necessary transition rules, tax-favored treatments and many other details, but this is the direction I believe reform should take. We must reject single payer proposals and move health care decisions closer to consumers.

Lets not waste time arguing about whether health care is a right. Our creator endowed us with wisdom to solve many challenges by ourselves, and this is one of them.
Local government officials have been getting an earful since fireworks were legalized across the state for the first time in 80 years.

Legislation signed May 9 by Gov. Terry Branstad legalized the sale and use of fireworks statewide from June 1 through July 8 and from Dec. 10 through Jan. 3, but allowed cities to institute their own restrictions.

Shortly after that signing, we supported the new law in this space, citing the fact fireworks are easily purchased in border states. For now, we stick with the law of being able to buy fireworks within the state. However, like our respective municipal governments in the Cedar Valley, we now have the hindsight provided by this first trial year. Shorter legal time frames in some cities may need to be implemented, as well as some stricter enforcement and fines.

In Cedar Falls, setting off fireworks was legal for more than five weeks. Several residents spoke out at the last Cedar Falls City Council meeting.

Its not just the noise; its also the fumes and the smoke, said resident Steve Ephaim. I can do nothing about fireworks. I shut my windows  we have triple-paned windows  it does very little to shut out the noise. I could turn up the TV to a really high volume, but its kind of hard to sleep through that.

Its not easy to mitigate this, he added. It only takes one big bang to ruin your day. Multiple big bangs every day for a week twice a year, thats not fun. Please do something about this.

One week may have been a relief for some.

There have been reports in some areas that on some properties, fireworks enthusiasts took advantage of the long time frame virtually every evening. In those cases, we would assert that is no longer a celebration of Independence Day; its a celebration of their newfound freedom to be an obnoxious neighbor.

Waterloo went the shorter route, allowing fireworks for a five-day period between June 30 and July 4. However, the legal sale of fireworks had the police department fielding hundreds of calls during much of the legal sale window.

Today we live in established neighborhoods with our homes built about 10 feet apart, Jeri Thornsberry told the Waterloo City Council. I am dumbfounded that this council thinks its OK to disrupt the peace and tranquility of everyone because people are now allowed to buy and fire essentially a missile loaded with a variation of gunpowder all day and into late night.

Rescind this ordinance now, she added. Save us from another round of hell for 25 days this winter.

We dont mind private fireworks on the Fourth of July (perhaps even the day before and the day after) as a way to celebrate our nations independence. More than five weeks, however, turned out to be complete overkill.

And frankly, we believe that long of a window cheapens the actual Fourth of July holiday, a special day with the special privileges of setting off fireworks in celebration.

Why put the Fourth of July on the same level as June 1?

In Cedar Falls, Councilman John Runchey asked that the matter be discussed at a future committee of the whole council meeting. The request was approved by fellow council members and that discussion will likely take place at one of the council meetings next month.

In Waterloo, city officials have said they plan to evaluate how the first year of fireworks went and make changes if necessary going forward. Thats fair. One of the criticisms this year was the law was approved so late, cities had little time to study and discuss the matter before the new law was implemented.

This year was a trial year to say the least, said Waterloo Fire Chief Pat Treloar. In the near future, we will make a number of recommendations to Mayor (Quentin) Hart and the Waterloo City Council regarding the use of fireworks in city limits.

Perhaps Waterloo and Cedar Falls could take a cue from one of its smaller neighbors. Evansdale Mayor Doug Faas said his city, which initially adopted the state window like Cedar Falls, will allow fireworks from June 30 to July 4 and Dec. 28 to Jan. 1. Use must end at 10 p.m., except on July 4 (11 p.m.) and Dec. 31-Jan 1 (12:30 a.m.). Penalties will include confiscation of fireworks and a fine of $250. Repeat offenses could result in a fine of $750. That potential ordinance will first need three official readings for adoption.

In the meantime, we appreciate the willingness of our respective councils across the Cedar Valley to study the issue and tailor the best strategy for their communities following this eye-opening trial year.
A startup needs to test an idea quickly. For this, an MVP is created. MVP, Minimal Viable Product  a test version of a product or service with a minimum set of functions (up to one or two), which allows you to see the product's value for consumers and the market. MVP is created to test hypotheses and check the viability of the intended product: is it worth developing the project further, what changes should be made? The sooner a startup brings its MVP to market and tests the idea, the better. This article will look at how no-code technology can help founders achieve their business goals.

This article will try to cover everything that a founder needs to know about no-code at the initial stage of creating a startup.

What is no-code?

No-code, zero-code platform is a tool for creating websites, applications, chatbots, and other programs without the need for direct code writing by programmers. No-code is a valuable alternative to traditional development.

No-code is confused with low-code, but there is a difference in these terms. Low-code includes no-code and the ability to "finish code", add parts of code and the functionality.

A user of a no-code platform usually does not need to know layout, programming languages, or hire a team of programmers. The user of the no-code tool creates an application using a visual block constructor, which he fills with the necessary content and functions, and the no-code platform itself does the processing of requests, compiling the application and other "magic." It generates code using AI and/or contains blocks of code pre-written by programmers.

No-code allows the startup founder to create an MVP himself, entrust it to his employee with basic technical literacy and understanding of the project, or hire a no-code developer. Even in the case of hiring a no-code developer, the cost of creating an MVP will be significantly lower than with classical development with programmers. For example, you can read the interview of a startup and no-code developer on our website, who initially worked as a Product Manager and was able to master no-code for his project himself.

Benefits of no-code for a startup founder

There are the following key advantages for a startup founder in using no-code technology:

a large selection of no-code tools, platforms, and their integrations at the moment  already in 2022, there are many tools and platforms for creating an MVP, a larger project, or even a finished product on no-code, but few people still know about them, and others are far from all startups and founders use their potential;

cost  no-code development saves the money by speeding up the development process, not hiring professional programmers or no need to maintain a developer department, monitoring functions and quick bug fixes, avoiding or reducing the growth of technical debt;

speed is the main advantage over classical development  no-code allows you to build a simple application in a weekend, and a more complex one can be built in a month. In this way, you can test an MVP and even several versions of an MVP very quickly;

low entry threshold  to master a no-code platform, you often do not need technical education at all, but only an understanding of a company's business processes or product from the inside. In the case of pro-level no-code platforms, technical education is required, but you can get used to it hundreds of times faster than with any programming language. This makes no-code available to almost everyone who wants to work with technology;

ease of use  no need to write hundreds of code lines  just move the blocks and assign links between them. Work on a project can be entrusted to your employee without communicating with a team of third-party developers. You can speak "in your language" without the need to understand the "inner kitchen" of developers;

flexibility  with the help of no-code, it is easy for a startup founder to add new functionality and new features right during a project or a MVP testing without a significant increase in development costs.

Possible disadvantages of no-code for a startup founder

As often, any property can be, under certain conditions, both a disadvantage and an advantage. In no-code, many of the benefits with the wrong choice of tool can turn into disadvantages:

no-code is not always a budget solution for a project. Sometimes in a no-code development package, you get unnecessary functions and additions (on AppMaster.io you can separately connect the frontend and pay only for the backend or only for those functions that you are using); if you do not understand the needs of your project, then you can make a mistake with the choice of a no-code tool and not be able to implement the necessary functions on it, or it will be too difficult to implement them; often, no-code tools fail to ensure proper data security and contribute to data leakage (but AppMaster.io allows you to host a finished application on any server); no-code tools often do not provide the ability to upload source code or provide uploading in an inconvenient format, which makes it difficult to move to another tool or to your development. You have to choose a no-code tool "once and forever immediately" (AppMaster. io gives you the ability to download the source code. Also, we generate human-readable code and you will not have any difficulties with its transportation); most no-code tools on the market are not suitable for creating a finished product, and there are significant difficulties with scaling the project if the MVP is successful (AppMaster.io is a professional no-code platform and our capabilities allow us to implement and support the finished product and scale it in the future).

Forewarned is forearmed. Choose your no-code tool wisely and take full advantage of your choice.

Types of no-code platforms

Conventionally, all no-code tools can be divided into several types: no-code devices with a low entry threshold (you can create frontend and not very powerful backend on them), integrators that help connect applications and services, and professional no-code platforms (they strive to replace the code completely, provide the ability to create a robust backend and high bandwidth).

The basic principle of operation of your MVP and the choice of a no-code platform depend on such a conditional division into types. For example, if you make a simple application like a diary, you can limit yourself to a no-code tool with a low entry threshold and a beautiful design.

If your application has powerful potential, high bandwidth, multi-user interface, and works with large amounts of data or real-time data, it is better to choose a professional no-code platform like AppMaster.io or Direcual.

If you use several services at once, link them on integrators like Integromat and Zapier.

Adalo

An easy-to-learn designer with a relatively user-friendly interface. The free version is helpful for learning. The free version contains Adalo watermarks and does not allow you to upload your applications to GooglePlayMarket and AppStore. Beginners often choose this no-code platform to create their first applications with simple logic.

Bubble

It will take more time to learn Bubble , but the platform allows you to work with the backend, databases, business processes, and layout. There are many plugins. The free plan allows you to master the tool, and you can start developing at the middle rate. The price increase is due to the rise in the number of users.

Integromat

It is an integrator. Experts talk about it as a simple and affordable platform for linking applications and services. Scenarios can be created personally, or you can use templates. If you need to connect an application with a service not from the Integromat database, fill out the form and connect to its API via HTTP.

Zapier

This is an integrator for linking applications with each other or with other external services. You can transfer data between thousands of applications. There is a script constructor (one event starts a chain of necessary actions).

Directual

The no-code platform positions itself for creating MVP applications (Minimal Viable Product, minimum viable product) and full-fledged applications of finished products. Scenarios are the backbone of the platform. Using scripts, you can automate the backend logic of the application, create and combine workflows. The Directual catalog includes out-of-the-box connectors, HTTP requests, webhooks, database listeners, and integration with popular services.

AppMaster.io

No-code next-generation platform for creating native and web applications on a real backend. Visual drag-and-drop designer, user-friendly business process designer, one-click app publishing to AppMaster Cloud, or integration with any cloud platform. Push notifications, authorization using social networks. Networks, email, and more. Connect applications to hundreds of services or programmatically access them using APIs. The ability to upload source code and documentation in a human-readable format and transfer it to your servers. Documentation auto-generation. Modern and fast language GoLang at the core.

No-code perspectives for startups

No-code development is gradually gaining popularity around the world. There are already more than 500 no-code tools for creating websites and various types of applications.

According to the forecasts of IT world experts, no-code will develop more and more actively and capture parts of the market responsible for medicine, small online business, small business, and all niches where it is possibly necessary to optimize and automate development processes.

The mass shift of businesses and their customers online and to gadgets has increased the demand for the fast and inexpensive creation of mobile applications that would work according to a single quality standard and have a simple, understandable, user-friendly interface.

Conclusion

No-code is visual programming in the form of a constructor without directly writing code. Usually, basic knowledge in development is enough to build applications on no-code.

The logic of no-code constructors is intuitive: the application interface is assembled from blocks, icons, buttons, and text which are connected to the database. Usually, you can choose a suitable template or do everything from scratch. Speed and economy are the main advantages of no-code tools.

No-code is suitable for creating an MVP, testing an idea or new features in a product, saving time for solving standard tasks. PRO level no-code platforms can provide you with a finished product, an application.

If you don't have an account on AppMaster.io yet, join us. After registration, you will be given a free trial period for 14 days, in which all the basic functionality of the platform is available. It will allow you to learn the intricacies of working with a professional-level no-code platform and understand its potential.
Patriotism is supposed to be the last refuge of scoundrels, but religion surely is a close second. So there was President Donald Trump last week with evangelical leaders laying hands on him, and granting a rare non-Fox interview to the doddering founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network.

That interview was with the televangelist Pat Robertson, who is to news professionalism what Chris Christie is to constituent diplomacy. Robertson, you may recall, felt that feminists and gays were among the guilty parties in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. These days, he says that Trump's critics are going against "God's plan" and may be influenced by  who else  Satan.

One assumes that God's plan includes the biblical admonition to treat the bedraggled, the poor, the hungry  "the least of these brothers and sisters of mine"  as you would treat him. Did I miss something when Trump said he was salivating at the chance to take health care away from 22 million Americans and the 87-year-old Robertson merely responded with his trademark chucklehead chuckle?

We've got an iceberg the size of Delaware breaking off in Antarctica, a free world that can't trust the nominal leader of that realm, and Trump offers his interlocutor this gem: "It was a great G-20. We had 20 countries."

Robertson is not the most despicable of Trump's enablers. For that, you're probably thinking of Sean Hannity. No, it goes beyond the safe spaces in broadcasting. The most odious of those who are letting Trump drag America into the gutter include Vice President Mike Pence, the leaders in Congress and the pious shepherds of a white evangelical community that continues to give an awful man a pass for every awful thing he does.

Pence is the choirboy who leaves the room when the nasty boys take over, and then helps clean up later. I'll grant him this: I cannot see Pence hanging out with that gang of thugs, castoffs and oligarchs who surrounded Trump as they ogled beauty queens a few years ago, with the future president dispensing advice on how to write up a really cheap pre-nup.

If only Pence's probity extended to his view of the man he works for. Through every degrading statement, every Oval Office insult, every one of the more than 500 demonstrable lies told (so far) by this president, Pence has remained silent or defended the offender.

And if the White House is blackmailed because the Kremlin has something even more damning on, say, Jared Kushner  who attended that meeting where the subject in the email was "very high level and sensitive information" that was "part of Russia and its government's support for Mr. Trump"  Pence will be further exposed as a gutless cipher.

Another boy scout in hiding is House Speaker Paul Ryan. Golly gee, he just wants to cut taxes on the rich, destroy the health care system, and work on his abs and guns. The man who loves to lecture the poor on their "lives of dependency and complacency" through a safety net that can become a hammock has not a word about an unprecedented attempt to sell out his country to a hostile nation.

Ryan is a politician; hypocrisy is his first language. But these church ladies and their pastors dish up a special kind of moral quackery. Trump trashes the dignity of his office on a daily basis. He lies and lies and lies, and then lies about his lies. He would take vital care away from the most vulnerable among us. And the response from these representatives of righteousness?

"President Trump is the greatest thing that's happened to this country," said Luther Strange, who was appointed to the Alabama Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions. "I consider it a biblical miracle that he's here."

A true miracle would be for one of the enablers among the 81 percent of white evangelicals who gave their vote to Trump to follow their conscience, or at least the Scriptures they profess guide them.


Vishnu Manchus upcoming film Achari America Yatra is going to be shot extensively in Malaysia. Directed by G Nageshwara Reddy, the film stars Vishnu, Pragya Jaiswal and Brahmanandam in lead roles. After completing two schedules in Hyderabad, the team will now shoot in Malaysia for nearly 25 days.

Achari America Yatra is a hilarious script which will surely surpass the audiences expectations. With the support from all the artistes, we have already completed two schedules, and from today onwards, the team will shoot in Malaysia. After wrapping up the third schedule, the final schedule will be held in USA, producers Keerti Chowdary and Kittu said.

Thaman is scoring the music for this entertainer and Malladi Venkatakrishna Murthy has written the script. More details will be revealed soon.

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You have four days to buy a five cent hot dog.

Tony Packo's will offer it's hot dog for five cents from Monday July 17 through Thursday July 20 to celebrate the restaurant's 85th anniversary. Tony and Rose Packo opened the eatery in 1932 on Toledo's East Side featuring Hungarian recipes. The Packo's hot dog is a traditional Hungarian smoked sausage called kolbasz. The sausage dog is topped with chili sauce, mustard and onion.

The restaurant became famous when it was frequently mentioned by actor Jamie Farr on M*A*S*H.

The offer is limited to adding a hot dog to any purchase, one per visit, for a nickel, at all three Packo's locations (dine in only).
Samuel Fury Childs Daly in Africa is a Country:

In 2005, a former diplomat from the Republic of Biafra, named Godwin Alaoma Onyegbula reflected in his memoir on what being Nigerian meant to him: I was born in this country, over seventy years ago, and know no other country better than I know Nigeria. I have lived through colonial Nigeria, independentNigeria, Biafran Nigeria, and present Nigeria. Onyegbula continued, We think we have lived through [this], [as] one country, but experience suggests otherwise. It is becoming more difficult to find an authentic Nigerian; that is, someone whose Nigerianess is obvious, and clearly distinguishable, to himself and others. In the last 50 years, hundreds of people like Onyegbula who supported Biafra or fought against it have written their memoirs, ranging from small hand-printed pamphlets to thick, heavily-footnoted volumes. In various ways, all address what it means to be Nigerian in the wake of the Nigerian Civil War. In the long period of military rule that followed the end of the war, closed archives and an officially enforced silence meant that few historians openly reckoned with Biafras legacy.

Fiction was one site where Nigeria worked through the meanings of the war, especially in the work of well-known novelists, such as Chinua Achebe, Buchi Emecheta, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Cyprian Ekwensi. Today the younger fiction writers, Chinelo Okparanta, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Sefi Atta are helping to bring debates about the war back into public discussion. But by volume, the most significant body of writing on Biafra is neither history nor fiction, but memoir. A vast number of memoirs on Biafra circulate in Nigeria, and only a fraction of them are available outside of the country. The topics they address vary, from fiery political screeds on the causes and consequences of the war to intimate recollections of suffering and loss. Many, though not all, are written by people who supported the Biafran side. Some blend genres, mixing rumor with recollection, and a few take liberties with the wars plot. As Onyegbula candidly warned in his own memoirs, biography becomes boring when entirely true. Virtually every important military figure on both sides wrote accounts of their lives (some, like Olusegun Obasanjo, wrote more than one). A fair number of these were ghostwritten or as told to someone else; penning memoirs for prominent people has become a cottage industry for Nigerian historians and journalists. The recollections of well-known figures in the war  government officials, officers, scientists and intellectuals among them  are widely read and discussed in Nigeria today. Some are hawked in bus stations and taxi ranks, alongside self-help books and prayer manuals. The contents of one unpublished autobiography by Emmanuel Ifeajuna, a 1966 coup-plotter turned Biafran officer, generates enormous speculation about the conspiracies leading up to the war.

More here.
As fun as vacations are , preparing to travel can be stressful. Your clothes and toiletries may be ready and the itinerary set. But if you take prescriptions or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, you will need to complete some additional steps to make sure your drugs are travel-ready.

For people who have chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, medications may need refrigeration or another form of special storage, especially if they are flying.

"Any medication that requires refrigeration or requires injection via syringes may need special travel arrangements," Mohamed A. Jalloh, a spokesperson for the American Pharmacists Association, tells AARP. "People should let TSA [Transportation Security Administration] agents know that they are taking such medications on the plane and provide proof [a doctor's note or medication label, for example]. However, TSA agents make the final decision whether they allow such items on a plane  but most of the time they do accommodate people."

People should plan to talk with their pharmacists to clarify which medications need refrigeration. While there are many drugs that state they need to be refrigerated, some actually can be stable at room temperature for a period of time, Jalloh says. For those that do, any ice pack should be fine as long as the drug is not in direct contact with the ice pack itself, he adds. Special medication coolers are available, as well as traditional cooler bags.

A comprehensive list of refrigerated medicines is available from Healthcare Ready, a D.C.-based nonprofit. For injectable medications, don't forget to pack a sharps container to dispose of used needles.

What about X-ray machines?

Some travelers may be concerned that baggage X-rays used in airport screenings could hurt their medications. But Jalloh says that is unlikely, even after repeated exposure. "The X-ray machines emit a low radiation that has not consistently shown to affect medications. If it did, most likely the medication would have a warning on its medication label," he says. "If you are truly concerned, you may request a TSA agent to perform the security check by hand."



The TSA website clarifies what special procedures are required to bring medical supplies on the plane and offers a handy search tool to let you see what items are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened.
BEMIDJI, Minn. -- You take notice as soon as you hear Joe Skjaret at work, and as a blacksmith who enjoys demonstrating for the public, he counts on it.

The sound of the anvils ring, that really drives people to wherever Im demonstrating. It grabs them by the neck and yanks them over here, Skjaret said.  I want them to walk away feeling like they learned something that was valuable, not just some random piece of trivia, but they walk away with a better understanding about what kind of work goes into their everyday lives.

Skjaret, a 2006 Bemidji High School graduate who moved back home a year ago after serving more than eight years in the U.S. Air Force, is looking forward to demonstrating his craft for the public as part of the Beltrami County Fair.

His demonstration will be available outside of the Doud Cabin, the historic log cabin from the late 1800s that was home to Freeman and Betsy Doud, one of the first pioneer families in the area.

The Beltrami County Historical Society oversees the Doud Cabin and invited Skjaret to demonstrate this year.

Hes very authentic, said Sue Bruns, secretary of the Beltrami County Historical Society, who also is Skjarets former assistant principal, which is how they reconnected.

Skjaret grew up woodworking, but became fascinated with blacksmithing while volunteering at the Carriage Hill Historical Farm, a 19th century farm that showcases life from that era through living-history interpreters.

He was living in Ohio with his wife, Kayla (Sundquist), also a 2006 Bemidji High School graduate, and their three children when he visited the farm while on convalescent leave for surgery.

The farm quickly piqued his interest and he began volunteering as a woodworker.

(One day), there was a retired Air Force colonel who was working in the blacksmith shop and it was a beautiful day out but the park was dead.  Im watching this guy work for a while  and I just made this off-hand comment, Man, Id love to do that one day, and he goes, Grab a hammer and get in here,  Skjaret said.

That was the beginning of what would jump-start a three-year introduction and exploration into blacksmithing. He began working with mentors and immersed himself in research.

I picked up whatever info I could and just kept absorbing and absorbing and absorbing, he said.

Eventually, he needed his hobby to bring in some financial support, so Skjaret started selling his wares.

Now, in addition to a full-time job at L&M Fleet, he operates Rock Water Forge.

I love what I do. I dont see myself ever stopping blacksmithing at this point. Its one of those arts where you can never learn everything, he said. Every time I think I have done anything and everything you can, with a hook for example  Ill be watching a video on YouTube or be at a demonstration and Ill see someone do something with a wall hook and Im like, Whoa! Whats that? Whered that come from?

At this years fair, Skjaret said, he plans to work on traditional projects such as wall hooks, heart-shaped horseshoes and twirly toys.

Theyre traditional toys from around the 1800s, he said. Most parents today would look at it and scream and run the other way, thinking, Oh my gosh, it looks dangerous, a piece of steel, pointy at both ends and twists. . Basically its an 1800s fidget spinner.

His demonstrations also include anecdotes and education about blacksmithing and how it has changed over the years.

I always like to throw in little bits of history when Im working, he said.
9AA: Wall tops Parkston for first state football title in 28 years
The Muslim man who was thrashed by cow vigilantes in Nagpur district of Maharashtra three days ago was carrying beef, police said on Sunday.

Police had arrested four persons for beating up Salim Ismail Shah (34), a member of Katol unit of the BJP, on July 12 and sent the meat he was carrying to a forensic laboratory.

Superintendent of Police (Nagpur rural) Shailesh Balkawde told PTI on Sunday that the lab report was positive, i.E. It was beef.

Police will initiate further action against Shah as per the law, he said.

BJP Nagpur rural units president Dr Rajiv Potdar said that it was shocking that Shah has been found to be carrying beef that day, and he would be dismissed from the party.

Stern action should be taken against him according to the law, but people must not take law in their own hands and resort to violence in such cases, Potdar said.

Salims mother had claimed that he was the head of the BJPs Katol tehsil minority morcha, while local BJP leaders had said he was a party member.

The incident of thrashing had drawn strong condemnation from the ruling BJPs coalition partner Shiv Sena, besides the opposition Congress and NCP, while the BJP had sought to play it down, calling it a stray incident.

Salim Ismail Shah, resident of Katol town in Nagpur district, was returning home on his motorcycle when 5-6 men accosted him at a bus stop on July 12 in Bharsingi village on suspicion that he was carrying beef, and assaulted him.

#WATCH: Man beaten up for allegedly carrying beef in Nagpurs Bharsingi, no arrests have been made yet. #Maharashtra (July 12th) pic.twitter.com/JiFAZMfRSS  ANI (@ANI_news) July 13, 2017

Ashwin Uike (35), Rameshwar Taywade (42), Moreshwar Tandurkar (36) and Jagdish Chaudhari (25) were arrested under IPC sections 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt).

Source: PTI








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The Bank of Canada is marking the countrys 150th birthday by issuing a commemorative bank note. You can buy some lunch with this special $10 bill, but take a good look at it first. Its visual elements are full of meaning and help to tell a story about our history, land and culture.

Bordering the large window are 13 maple leaves representing each of Canadas provinces and territories. The three metallic leaves at the bottom of the window reflect the leaves found on the shield of the coat of arms, which represent the many peoples of Canada.

At the bottom of the large window is an image of Owls Bouquet, a stone-cut and stencil print by acclaimed Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak. A Companion of the Order of Canada, Ashevak has produced artwork that has been featured on a Canadian stamp and coin, but never before on a Canadian bank note. Ashevak lived and worked in Cape Dorset, Nunavut, the last territory to join Confederation, in 1999.

The pattern that appears across the top and bottom of the note is based on the distinctive Assomption, or arrow sash, which is an important cultural symbol of the Metis people. The sash also has significance to French-Canadian culture. Worn by habitants, the sash became a hallmark of the voyageurs and fur traders in the 18th century.

Representing Canada through meaningful visual content is a key aspect of the Banks formal bank note design principles. The artwork by Ashevak, the arrow sash pattern and the portrait of Senator James Gladstonewho represents the role of Indigenous peoples in governmentallow the Canada 150 bank note to represent First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. The note also depicts Sir John A. Macdonald, Sir George-Etienne Cartier and Agnes Macphail, three parliamentarians whove made significant contributions to Canadas political history.

In addition, the note incorporates symbols of Canadians military service, including a vignette of the Hall of Honour, the central corridor of the Centre Block, and the Memorial Chamber Arch of the Peace Tower, both on Parliament Hill. Today, the Hall of Honour is decorated with various plaques commemorating the original Parliament building (destroyed by fire in 1916), Confederation and the First World War. The Memorial Chamber was dedicated in 1927 to all Canadians who died in military service during the First World War. It has since come to honour all Canadian men and women who gave their lives in service to their country.

The Canada 150 note began circulating on June 1. In all, 40 million commemorative notes will be distributed through Canadas financial institutions. To get one, simply visit your local bank or credit union. Most of them will have a limited supply of these special notes to distribute over the counter. This is only the fourth commemorative note issued by the Bank of Canada in its 82-year history.

Visit Banknote150 to learn more about the design and security features of the Canada 150 note. Follow the Bank on Twitter (@bankofcanada) for the latest news about this special note marking the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
A slate of new criminal justice reforms has caused a stir among county sheriffs.

"Its kind of a scary time right now," said Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser.

Kaiser and other sheriffs fear the new reforms will shift costs from the state to the counties and put added pressure on local jails.

"Well see what happens, but I just foresee the county institutions will be full," said Kaiser, who manages a 98-bed facility in Jamestown.

Just recently, many counties have expanded their jails in response to increasing numbers of inmates and high costs of housing people in other counties. In 2017, nine North Dakota counties will spend $230 million on building 886 new jail beds, according to new data from the North Dakota Association of Counties.

By the end of the year, jail capacity is expected to increase from 1,765 to 2,633 beds. By comparison, the prison system housed 1,791 people at the end of 2016.

In the 2017 legislative session, lawmakers passed a series of bills meant to reduce the number of people going to prison. The changes came in light of research estimating the state prison population was on track to grow by 36 percent and $130 million by 2022.

Among the new laws is a provision to reduce the penalty for first-time drug possession from a Class C felony to a Class A misdemeanor and reduce mandatory minimums for drug charges.

The new laws also ask state and local correctional facilities to prioritize who gets locked up. If the penitentiary is full, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation can make inmates wait in county jail until there is room. Regional judicial districts are required to come up with plans to manage their inmate populations and stay within budgets.

"The state basically did that so they didnt have to take people into their facility," said Mercer County Sheriff Dean Danzeisen.

He added that his facility doesn't have the services offenders need and can get at the prison. And there aren't resources near him for people seeking treatment outside jail.

"You can decriminalize things, but thats just a way to me to sit them in county jail and not provide them any services," Danzeisen said. "We dont have addiction counselors and psychiatrists and all those things that these people need."

Donnell Hushka, spokeswoman for the NDACo, said the organization plans to track the numbers and costs of holding people in the county jails as a result of the reforms, possibly raising issues at the next legislative session.

"The only way were going to know that is by tracking those numbers and that data," she said. "For right now, theyre just kind of speculating and assuming theyre going to see the impacts of that."

DOCR Director Leann Bertsch said she can't estimate yet how many people will be held in county jails due to the reforms.

A fiscal note attached to House Bill 1041, the main criminal justice reform bill passed, estimated that the prison would hold from 22 to 25 fewer inmates on a daily basis due to reductions in drug penalties. Those people might be in jail or on probation, because that is now the presumed sentence for low-level felonies and misdemeanors. There is no legislative estimate on the prioritization plan.

"If a prosecutor wants someone to serve a certain amount of time, theyll charge differently and recommend sentences differently," Bertsch said. "It wont be so dependent on just what the Legislature did."

She added that some low-priority inmates will be people who have just several days or weeks left on their sentence when a judge sends them to DOCR.

She argues that sheriffs aren't thinking about the resources the new laws gave them to deal with growing inmate populations.

She pointed to a part of Senate Bill 2015 that requires regional judicial districts to come up with prioritization plans, to include "alternatives to physical custody," such as work release, drug treatment, GPS monitoring and pretrial supervision.

"With this authority, they should never ever have to build another jail bed in this state," Bertsch said.

She said DOCR is willing to offer technical assistance to counties that want help creating alternatives to incarceration for jail inmates. She suggested counties could use risk assessment tools and reassign deputies and jail staff to monitor people released pretrial.

"They just need to change their philosophy," Bertsch said. "The fact of the matter is theyll have a lot more money if they start funding alternatives."

Burleigh County Sheriff Pat Heinert, who is concerned about more drug offenders being sentenced to his jail under the new laws, said there is not yet a committee in this district to study population management at the new 555-bed facility, which opened in June.

However, he doesn't see much more the county can do to divert people. Already, there is a 24/7 alcohol monitoring program, and the county has expanded the group of people who can be released directly from jail without bond. He added that he is working with a company in Colorado to get more GPS monitors for work release and local offenders, who cannot afford bond.

"We have done so many things in the last four years in the district," Heinert said. "Im not sure were going to find any significant item or event that would cause us a reduction."

Danzeisen, who manages a 26-bed facility, which is expanding to 54 beds this year, said he'd like to see fewer people in the Stanton jail, but he does not feel he has the resources to enact a plan like Bertsch proposed.

"Im all in favor of a lot of those things for a lot of those people, but youve gotta fund it," said Danzeisen, adding he has not been contacted about forming a local prioritization committee.

His county uses the 24/7 alcohol monitoring program and work release. But, with few deputies, he does not see how to also do pretrial supervision. Already, it's a challenge to check up on the one person he has on GPS monitoring, he said.

"That takes staff," he said. "I dont have three to four deputies working on a shift. I've got one or two."
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 74F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early with partial clearing expected late. Low 42F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
WATFORD CITY -- Michael Turk says he's lucky to be alive after he was gored by a bison two weeks ago while hiking on a trail in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, south of Watford City.

"I know I was lucky to be alive. If it had hit my femoral artery (the largest artery in the body), it would have been the end of me," said Turk, now at his father's home in Biloxi, Miss.

The former Army combat medic, who grew up in Ocean Springs, Miss., near Biloxi, is a contract surgical technician who travels to various areas for his work. He has a passion for biking and hiking. When he arrived in North Dakota two weeks ago to bike and hike, it was his 50th state to visit. "I save the best to last," he said in an interview this week.

Turk, 51, who had been on contract work in Oregon, took the Amtrak passenger train to North Dakota, getting off the train with his bicycle in Williston and then biking to the park's North Unit on Friday, June 30.

Arriving at the North Unit that evening, he set up camp. "I planned to be there a week and go to the South Unit before coming here ," said Turk.

"It was a most beautiful evening, I was just in love with the park," he said, recalling his first night there.

After setting up camp, Turk headed for the Buckhorn Trail to take photos of the sunset. On the way up the trail, he saw a large majestic bison near the trail feeding on grass and went past the animal to photograph the sunset.

When he was returning on the trail he encountered the same bison bull. "It was probably less than the 25 yards they recommend," said Turk, referring to the park's recommendation that people should have at least 25 yard between them and bison. "I was too close, it was my fault. It was getting dark." He said there was still ambient light.

"I remember, I think I took one last picture of it as I was coming back. He looked at me and put his head down and started running at me," Turk said. "I don't remember him hitting me but I remember I woke up in the bushes."

After the attack, he said it took him a few minutes to get his bearings and at first he couldn't even remember what state he was in.

"I was in the state of confusion," he said.

Turk attended to the bleeding of his left upper thigh where the bison had gored him. He had cuts and scrapes all over his body from landing in the bushes.

"The buffalo was still hanging around the bushes," Turk said. While he was still in the bushes, he said the bison finally walked away.

"When it did, I scrambled halfway up a butte," Turk said. He continued until he neared the trailhead. "Then I saw the campground lights and started hollering for help," he said. The Juniper Campground was about a quarter mile from him.

"I had to get help. I didn't have a choice," said Turk. "It knocked my backpack and phone out of my hand." He was using his iPhone 7 to take photos.

"There was a buffalo on the trail but I'm not sure if it was the same one. That's why I didn't go farther down the hill," he said.

Turk remembers at some point taking off his shoes and socks, and used his socks to stuff them in the wound. He didn't have anything else because he had lost his backpack during the buffalo attack. "I was fading in and out of consciousness," he said.

Turk had hoped his hollering would attract help. "I think it was the last energy I had. I saw lights on the campground start lighting up, voices and then a sea of flashlights."

The campers, including airmen from Minot Air Force Base who were camping at the park that evening, could not reach Turk immediately because a bison was standing in the way. One of the campers who brought his firearm along fired it into the ground to try to get the bison to move so they could get to Turk. That didn't work. Campers also had to pile into a car brought to the area by another camper when the bison by the butte started coming at them. Finally the bison went around the butte and they were able to go to the injured hiker.

"I don't remember hearing the shot," Turk said. But he remembers calling back to the campers and once the bison below moved, he remembers campers coming up the hillside to reach him.

"One took his shirt off," Turk said. That camper used his shirt to make a tourniquet to wrap around Turk's injured left thigh. Turk was assisted to the waiting car.

"They got me into the car and we met the ambulance halfway to the entrance to the park," he said. The ambulance from Watford City took him to the McKenzie County Hospital where Turk remained overnight in the hospital.

He could have been released from the hospital that night but he had no ID or money to go to a motel. His backpack with his ID had been knocked off him in the attack. Park rangers found his backpack and ID the next day and brought it to him

Turk's name and current address were incorrect in earlier information about the incident possibly due to confusion after he was injured. Earlier information said he was 65  he said he was born in 1965  and his address was given as Juneau, Alaska. He said his driver's license still said Juneau where he had lived for a time.

Turk contacted his family members in Mississippi about his situation. His dad, Henry Turk, a retired Air Force captain, and his brother, Joel, a former major in the Marine Corps, took a plane flight to Minot, rented a car and arrived in Watford City on Sunday. "They thought I was on my death bed," said Michael Turk.

The three drove to the park to retrieve Michael's bicycle and camping gear. "My brother and I walked the trail and I got my phone back," he said. He got all of his belongings that he had lost back. "I just lost my dignity," he said.

Initially, Turk, planned to take the summer off. He had just hiked 400 miles of the 2,659 mile Pacific Crest Trail. His plans were to cover more of that trail over the summer but the desert heat was so intense he decided to go home to Mississippi. "I had one more state to complete so I took the train to North Dakota before heading home," he said.

Turk said he has never before had an encounter with wildlife as he did with the bison.

Of those who came to help him that night in the park when he was injured, Turk said, "They were awesome. I give them my utmost appreciation."

Turk said he didn't know military members were in the group of campers coming to help him until he came across stories online about the incident. "I thank them for serving in the United States armed forces," he said.

Turk said he will continue to rest for about a week. Since he's completed biking and hiking in all 50 states, he plans to look for work at home and remain there for a while. "I do plan to return to North Dakota to see the South Unit of the park and to the Pacific Crest Trail," he said.

But if there's any bison or other wildlife in the area, he said he plans to give them plenty of distance. "Definitely keep your distance, limit your photos to maybe one or two pictures and move on  no sense in lingering," he said.
They sat face to face in the basement of a gracious home in Atlanta, a retiree from Queens meeting the former Chief Rabbi of Israel and both symbolizing the miracle of Jewish renewal. Although strangers, they shared an unfathomable pain seared into their souls by the Holocaust.

It was hell on earth, Ben Hiller, in his mid-90s, told Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, 80, who nodded knowingly. Every day they had selections, killing those people who were weak. They took away a lot of our food. They made us fall out, all the prisoners in a circle. The SS walked the dogs around us and made us suffer more.

Hiller said he was the only member of his family and one of 17 Jews who survived from a population of 6,000 in his hometown in Poland.

The Nazis murdered most of Rabbi Laus family as well, except for his older brother, his half-brother and his uncle who already had moved to Palestine. Liberated from Buchenwald by Allied forces in 1945 as an 8-year-old boy nicknamed Lulek, Lau kept his 1,000-year lineage of 38 generations of rabbis unbroken.

Embers of Life from the Ashes

In Atlanta recently for the dedication of Congregation Beth Jacob's renovated sanctuary, Rabbi Lau declared triumph again and again. In a private meeting before the ceremonies, Ben Hiller proudly told of his two sons who are rabbis, along with 15 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. Rabbi Laus eyes danced. This is the nachas. This is also the greatest victory. You kept Yiddishkeit, Judaism. The Nazis war wasnt only against Jews. It was also a war against Judaism. They destroyed 1,046 shuls in one night on Kristallnacht. They didnt take the Jewish banks, clinics, stores  just synagogues. So when you survived and you built a nice family, its a double victory, physically and spiritually.

Yisrael Meir Lau (8 years old) in the arms of Elazar Schiff, Buchenwald survivors at their arrival at Haifa on 15 July 1945

Lau himself miraculously survived concentration camps and grew up to become Chief Rabbi of Israel, chairman of Yad Vashem  the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, and a renowned international statesman whose son followed him as Chief Rabbi of Israel.

What is our secret of eternity, Rabbi Lau asked rhetorically. Look at the walls, the ceiling, the ark on the east side. This is the answer. The answer is the shul, and tradition. Jewish heritage keeps us as a nation, in spite of pogroms and the Holocaust.

The Nazis knew that the shul is the heart, our heart. If it is alive, we are alive. It serves three functions for us: a place of prayer, Torah learning, and gathering.

Rabbi Lau as a boy, holding the flag

Rabbi Lau uses his life as a form of revenge. He consoles fellow Holocaust survivors, he uplifts Jews and gentiles alike, and he shares ageless wisdom with the world at large.

It all began when he was liberated from Buchenwald and given a Hitler Youth uniform to wear because he had no other clothing. To quote from his autobiography, Out of the Depths: The American soldier asked me what I wanted to do with my life, and I answered, I want to take revenge. Hearing this, he gave me his rifle.

As he grew older he learned there are other ways to defeat enemies who try to extinguish the flame of Jewish tradition.

He carried the rifle with him through Germany, France and Italy, and ultimately into Palestine in 1945. As he grew older he learned there are other ways to defeat enemies who try to extinguish the flame of Jewish tradition.

He tells stories.

Rabbi Lau shared one he didnt publish in his book because the subject, a modest teacher in Israel, was still alive at the time. As young Lulek, Lau witnessed the events in Buchenwald on Shabbat HaGadol, the Sabbath before Passover:

The last year of the war, 1945, the sixth year already, we didnt see a light at the end of the tunnel. We saw we were deeper and deeper in the pit. Every hour the train stopped. Hundreds of Jewish prisoners of war were brought to the concentration camp, from Holland, France, Austria, Germany, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Greece, North Africa.

In addition to his brother Naphtali, two fellow prisoners were from Rabbi Laus city in Poland: Leibel and his son Moishe. Leibel was very sick.

Natphtali didnt want the son to see his father dying, so pretended to take Leibel to a clinic. Meanwhile Leibel died outside. Moishe, upset that there would be no funeral, grave or shiva, insisted on saying kaddish for his father. I know this is my duty. Give me a siddur (prayer book) for five minutes, the boy said. The Jewish men replied to him, Moishe are you crazy? Theres no siddur, its forbidden in Buchenwald.

Rabbi Lau with Ben Hiller, his son, and grandson

One of the men whispered in his ear that an old Jew who worked in the laundry might have a siddur hidden somewhere in the concentration camp. Moishe went to the laundry and pleaded with the old man. My father died an hour ago. I cant mourn my father, I dont know kaddish by heart. Can you please give me your siddur for five minutes?

The old man was shocked. Dont speak about a siddur. Its forbidden. Moishe sensed the man was hiding a siddur, and took 150 grams of bread  his daily meal in Buchenwald  from his pajama pants pocket.

Please give me your siddur for five minutes. I will fast today but I must say kaddish for my father.

Moishe extended the bread to the old man. Please give me your siddur for five minutes. I will fast today but I must say kaddish for my father. The old man replied, Take the bread, you are young. I hope you will survive. He left for a few minutes and returned with a siddur. Moishe said kaddish for his father, counting 10 shirts where Jews had left their imprint as his minyan.

Moishe died an old man himself in May 2016. Rabbi Lau told the above story at his funeral. Moishe, how lucky you are. Three of your sons are standing here waiting to say kaddish for you; they dont have to pay with their bread. We arent in a concentration camp anymore. We are in Eretz Yisrael.

Rabbi Lau counts Moishe as another triumph of the Holocaust. We never forgot: A child was ready to give up his food and starve. This happened in our generation. Its not Rabbi Akiva. When you see Jews dancing with the Torah in Atlanta, Georgia, who call themselves Congregation Beth Jacob, the chain is unbroken. We are a nation. We can look to the future with hope.

Click here to watch Ben Hiller tell his personal story about the Holocaust for the first time, to students at Aish HaTorah.
July 14, 2017

The detention of human rights activists and academics ahead of the anniversary of the failed July 15, 2016, military coup in Turkey has rattled a once-vibrant civil society, fearful the government is broadening its yearlong clampdown that has already ensnared tens of thousands of people.

On July 5, police raided a hotel on an island off the Istanbul coast where leading rights groups had gathered for a training seminar. Ten people, including Amnesty Internationals Turkey director Idil Eser, were detained in a terrorism probe.

Then on July 10, police arrested 42 university staff members, including Koray Caliskan, a former adviser to the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP). They are seeking another 30 academics suspected of links to the bungled coup. Caliskan was sent to house arrest late on Friday, media reported.

We have crossed a new threshold, said Andrew Gardner, Amnestys researcher on Turkey. Under the post-coup attempt crackdown, there has been a huge number of assaults on civil society, critical journalists and the political opposition. But this is a direct attack on the backbone of human rights.

The detentions come as the nation commemorates the first anniversary of the coup attempt, when a faction of the army sought to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a spasm of violence that killed more than 240 people.

Since then, 50,000 people have been jailed and another 100,000 teachers, judges, police officers and others have been fired from state jobs. A state of emergency that has allowed Erdogan to effectively rule by decree is set to be extended again when it expires next week.

Erdogan has defended the measures as essential to weed out putschists and their sympathizers and restore democratic order. The government blames the coup on followers of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in exile in the United States.

But some observers say the dragnet has spread well beyond those responsible for the insurrection to include the very people tasked with monitoring allegations of official wrongdoing.

We see a connection in the timing of the detentions with the anniversary. It is a show of force by the government, said Hakan Ataman, the co-director of the Citizens Assembly, who saw two of its members, Ozlem Dalkiran and Nalan Erkem, arrested on the island.

Rights groups have unwaveringly called for the perpetrators of the coup to face justice. But they also criticize the way the investigation is occurring  trampling on the law and disregarding human rights.

As many as 1,400 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), including those that protect childrens rights and assist battered women, have been shuttered since July 2016. About 150 journalists are in jail, as are 12 opposition lawmakers. In June, a court arrested Taner Kilic, Amnestys local chairman, on charges he is affiliated with the Gulen movement.

Now, with [the detention of] the Istanbul 10, there is a massive chilling effect, said Gardner, who has worked for Amnesty for four years in Turkey, Next week it could be me."

The crackdown has alienated Turkey from some of its Western partners. The European Parliament on July 6 called for the suspension of Turkeys decadelong negotiations to join the European Union if it implements constitutional changes to expand Erdogans powers. It called the arrests of journalists and rights defenders a disproportionate response to the coup.

Experts from the United Nations Human Rights Council called for Turkey to immediately release the activists, saying it illustrated an ongoing witch hunt.

British Prime Minister Theresa May raised the arrests of the activists with Erdogan on the sidelines of a G-20 meeting in Hamburg last week, an embassy official said.

However, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson this week met Erdogan in Turkey for the second time. The State Department said Tillerson had an awful lot on his plate and could not say whether he had asked Erdogan about rights violations.

The lustration process  removing [Gulens] followers  is an incredibly fraught and dangerous process, said Robert Amsterdam, a lawyer who represents the Turkish government overseas. A post-coup environment is always an ugly scenario, and you dont know who to trust.

The reaction of Erdogan has been the most moderate of any Turkish coup, Amsterdam said, referring to three previous military interventions since 1960 in which hundreds of thousands of people were jailed and scores died, but he also urged for the protection of rights defenders.

For his part, Erdogan said the activists, who include two foreign nationals, came together for a meeting aimed at continuing July 15.

The July 5 meeting on the Princes Islands, a short ferry ride from Turkeys biggest city, was a workshop on electronic security and coping with stress, Gardner said. Eser and the other campaigners are being held for the maximum 14 days without charge.

The smear campaign, the detentions seek to intimidate NGOs, but they also send a message to society at large, Ataman said, noting that people are more fearful about registering violations. The work of NGOs has been curtailed under emergency rule as they are regularly barred from making public statements or conducting research.

That so many people continue to face arrest a year after the coup perpetuates the climate of fear, said CHP lawmaker Mahmut Tanal.

Caliskans arrest is an attempt to link the CHP with the coup. Arresting human rights workers and academics  is an operation to silence the opposition, he said.

Like Gardner, Tanal expressed concern that he, too, could be targeted for speaking out. Another CHP lawmaker was sentenced to 25 years in prison in June for leaking a video to a newspaper that purportedly showed government arms shipments to Syrian rebels in 2014.

The worry now is that the damage to Turkish civil society may be lasting.

If this goes on, it is no exaggeration to say that civil society as we know it  as something that can be critical of the authorities, can hold people to account, is visible  wont exist, Gardner said. It is already a shadow of its former self.

This should be cause for alarm for more than the governments current critics.

In its call for the release of the activists, Amnesty reminded Erdogan that it had campaigned for his release two decades ago when he was jailed for reciting a poem deemed anti-secular.
File photo

NEW LOCAL MUSIC

Pot-luck R&B, hippie-rock, skeleton blues, country-funk and candlelit balladry surface on The Dozens sophomore EP, Test. The North Alabama/Tennessee Valley band cut the seven-song release on analog tape at Decaturs Clearwave Studios. Jeremy Stephens recorded Test and co-produced the record with The Dozens. Standout cuts include opener Tidal Wave, writhing with jungle grooves, wah-wah guitar and frontwoman Shelley Butlers river-flow vocals. (The Dozens lineup also features drummer and Shelleys husband Steven Butler, guitarists Travis Posey and Chip Dews, bassist Brent Irvin and keyboardist Dan Hocter.) Allman-esque slide skids across Have a Heart and The End, while silver Hammond organ swirls pool on Take a Walk. A boogie coda gooses Chase Me. Some Kind of Voodoo closes the EP with an acoustic dirge echoing classic Black Crowes hidden-track "Live Too Fast Blues/Mercy, Sweet Moan." Fans heartbroken about the Crowes going kaput - or just fond of Govt Mule concerts and old Delaney & Bonnie records - will find solace in this soulful set.

"Test" EP by The Dozens, available now, $7, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Play, thedozensband.com

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LOCAL BOOK RELEASE

Turns out Huntsville author Judd Vowell's 2016 novel "Overthrown" wasn't just his debut novel. The Stephen King-influenced, cyber terrorist-themed thriller was also the beginning of a trilogy. The latest installment, 454-page "Overthrown Book Two: The Resurrected," publishes July 18 and continues the arc of "Overthrown" protagonists Jessica and Henry. Vowell, also a talented guitarist in local rock bands like Dirt Circus, will be signing copies of "Overthrown Book Two" at a July 17 event at Old Town Beer Exchange, address 301 Holmes Ave., from 5  7 p.m.



"Overthrown Book Two: The Resurrected" by Judd Vowell, available July 15, $3.99 Kindle, $14.99 paperback, amazon.com, juddvowell.com

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Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

RAP STARS

Are Migos really the Beatles of this generation? Actor, writer, producer and rapper Donald Glover made that bold statement after his show Atlanta won Best Television Series at the 2017 Golden Globes. Just two albums into Migos career, thats a bit of a stretch. But whats certain is this Georgia trio is a hip-hop supernova. Their dark, oscillating track Bad and Boujee topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart earlier this year and has amassed more than 322 million streams on Spotify. Migos rubbery tune T-Shirt and Gucci Mane collabo Slippery both pierced the top 15 this year. These are legit street sounds going mainstream in a big way. Support acts for Migos Huntsville concert include A-Boogie with Da Hoodie and Lil Durk.

Migos, 8 p.m. July 21, Von Braun Center, 700 Monroe St., $45 - $105 (plus applicable charges), ticketmaster.com

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ROLLER SKATING ROCKS

The roller rink DJ gets the night off. For DIY Skate Nite, presented by Lowe Mill and Odyssey Skate Center, you can skate around a bandstand while local groups perform. The musical lineup includes rap combo Complex Flavor, underground rockers Amateur Astronaut and all-female punk/metal trio Swiss Army Brat. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own skates, but there will a limited number of rental skates available. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

DIY Skate Nite, 7-10 p.m. July 21, Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive, First Floor Connector, $5, lowemill.net

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Bob Gathany/bgathany@al.com

FOOD TRUCKS

Round four in Downtown Huntsville Incs Battle of the Food Truck All Stars is all about customer service. Attendees are encouraged to vote in a Facebook poll for the participating mobile vendor with the best service. Food trucks competing in the 12-part Battle series include: Back Alley Traveling Bistro, Badd Newz BBQ, Beast Mode, Earth and Stone Wood Fired Pizza, Fire & Spice, Grumpy's, I Love Bacon, Manic Organic Food Truck, Pearl Asian Cuisine, Rollin Lobstah, Southerland Sno Depot, Tims Cajun Kitchen and Washington Square Catering.

Battle of the Food Truck All Stars, 5-9 p.m. July 21, Church Street by Big Spring Park downtown, free to attend, facebook.com/downtownhsv

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Rain poured on parts of Jefferson and Shelby counties on Sunday morning, and flood warnings were issued for the area.

Reports of flooded roadways have come in from across the area, and the National Weather Service has gotten a report of water entering homes in Hueytown.

The weather service in Birmingham said a flood warning will be in effect until 11:45 a.m. for west central Shelby. Another warning for southern Jefferson will be in effect until 10:30 a.m.

Reports of flooded roadways coming in from SW Birmingham, Bessemer, Hueytown, Hoover, Pelham areas. TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN!!! #alwx  NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) July 16, 2017

Areas at the greatest risk of flooding are Hoover, Pelham, Bessemer, Hueytown and Riverchase, the weather service said.

Some of the other areas that could have to deal with flooding in Shelby County are Helena, Chelsea, Indian Springs Village, Oak Mountain State Park, Meadowbrook and Hoover's Veterans Park.

@spann this is in Hoover on valleydale across from Lowes! pic.twitter.com/R0ivOEStd7  Nicole Scorby (@scorbster) July 16, 2017

Some of the areas affected in Jefferson County are Vestavia Hills, Bessemer, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Hueytown, Pleasant Grove and Midfield, the weather service said.

Flooding should be ongoing or imminent in the Bessemer area. That would add up to over 6 inches in 24 hours. #alwx https://t.co/HaYQRJPGjq  NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) July 16, 2017

The weather service said more than 4 inches of rain fell across parts of Jefferson and Shelby counties on Saturday, and up to 2 additional inches will be possible.
Update: Tianna has been found, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Original story continues below.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Calhoun County Sheriff's Department are seeking the public's help to find a missing 16-year-old last seen in Alexandria.

Tianna Marie Moore is described as a white female, 5-foot 6-inches tall with brown hair and blue eyes. She weighs about 120 pounds according to the alert issued by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Moore was last seen in Alexandria, AL. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is encouraged to reach out to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department at (256) 236-6600.
Today is National Ice Cream Day. Blue Bell Creameries, based in Texas, has an ice cream plant in Sylacauga, in Talladega County. The plant is a popular stop for visitors who sample goods at the plant store.

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Joe Songer

Blue Bell opened its Sylacauga manufacturing facility in 1996. It was formerly owned by Flav-O-Rich. AL.com previously visited the plant, which produces about 15 million gallons of ice cream a year.

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Joe Songer

In case you didn't know, America is quite fond of ice cream. About 1.54 billion gallons of ice cream and related frozen desserts were produced in the U.S. in 2015. The average American consumes more than 23 pounds of ice cream per year. That means ice cream is a $39 billion a year business in the United States. But what are the most popular varieties? We asked Blue Bell, and this is what they told us.

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Most ice cream companies market their products regionally. Blue Bell, based in Texas, has plants there and in Oklahoma, as well as Alabama. According to Blue Bell, Black Walnut is very popular in Alabama, and is only available in select areas nationally. The name is pretty self-explanatory - it's ice cream with black walnuts.

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Ultimate Neapolitan combines three flavors we'll see later, packaged side-by-side in one carton.

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William Thornton | wthornton@al.com

Rocky Road is pretty smooth- chocolate ice cream sprinkled with chopped, roasted almonds and miniature marshmallows.

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William Thornton | wthornton@al.com

Strawberries & Homemade Vanilla. Say this for Blue Bell - their names are pretty straightforward.

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Pecan Pralines 'n Cream has praline sauce swirled into vanilla ice cream sprinkled with praline-coated pecans.

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Natural Vanilla Bean, which has flecks of natural vanilla beans, is one of four flavors on our list that feature some kind of vanilla ice cream.

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Mint Chocolate Chip has mint ice cream sprinkled with semi-sweet chocolate chips.

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The Great Divide unites lovers of two flavors - Homemade Vanilla and Dutch Chocolate in one carton. Blue Bell says, "If you are divided on which one you like best, just have them both!"

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Blue Bell says Dutch Chocolate is made with imported chocolate.

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Blue Bell says it was the first to introduce Cookies 'n Cream. It has vanilla ice cream with chunks of chocolate creme cookies.

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Most people like to keep it simple, and the most popular brand is Homemade Vanilla.

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William Thornton | wthornton@al.com

These results line up with the numbers among other brands. Overall, America's most popular flavors are vanilla, chocolate, cookies 'n cream, strawberry and mint chocolate chip. Why is vanilla so popular? According to the International Dairy Foods Association, that may be because it mixes well with toppings, drinks and bakery desserts.

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Should the Caribbean be on the lookout for a tropical system later this week?

The National Hurricane Center on Sunday said there is a medium chance -- 40 percent -- that a tropical wave in the central Atlantic could develop into a tropical depression or storm.

The wave, which has been designated Invest 95L, was located about 900 miles east-southeast of the Windward Islands on Sunday evening and was moving to the west at 15-20 mph.

The hurricane center said it was producing only disorganized rain and storms but had the potential to develop as it moves closer to the Caribbean this week.

In fact, the hurricane center said an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft could take a closer look at it on Monday.

Forecasters give a system the "invest" designation not necessarily because they think it will become a hurricane but so more resources -- such as satellites -- can be focused on it.

Meanwhile, in the eastern Pacific, the strongest storm of the year there so far continued to track to the west -- away from the continental U.S. but closer to Hawaii.

Hurricane Fernanda weakened slightly from a Category 4 storm to a Category 3 with winds of 125 mph as of Sunday afternoon.

It is expected to continue to move to the west-northwest this week, but the hurricane center thinks it will weaken in the process.

It will be a storm for Hawaii to keep an eye on, however.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu said it is too soon to say if or how Fernanda would affect Hawaii, other than increasing surf along east-facing shores beginning Tuesday night and a general increase in moisture next weekend.
Traffic was snarled in both directions of Interstate 10 Saturday, and portions of the westbound lane was shut down following a fatal hit-and-run crash that is currently under investigation.

Daphne police reported that they just finished working the investigation, but are requesting the public's help in locating two vehicles that were involved.

The driver of a motorcycle, whose name hasn't been released, was killed in a crash that involved a white SUV and an 18-wheeler truck. Both vehicles left the scene of the crash, which occurred around 9:30 a.m.

The suspected vehicle believed to have crashed into the motorcycle is "possibly a Tahoe with Texas tags." The driver is described as a white female in her late 40's or 50's and had a white male passenger.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Daphne police at 251-621-9100.

The crash prompted a section of westbound I-10 to be shut down to traffic, with vehicles diverted off the interstate in Spanish Fort.

The combination of the crash - which had a portion of I-10 shut down until after 2 p.m. - and a rush of people leaving the coastal Alabama beaches, caused traffic jams along I-10 for most of the day.

"I-10 traffic had to be routed off (the interstate) and it backed things up," said Trooper Kevin Cook, a spokesman with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. "Everyone is coming off their vacations as well. It all hit at once."

Cook said that State Troopers also handled two other morning crashes along I-10, but none of those resulted in major injuries.
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. -- It was a decision heard around the region.

The controversy that erupted from the Detroit Lakes City Councils decision to revoke a rental registration, which essentially will force a disabled veteran from his home, stems from the city putting a renewed focus on rental units getting into compliance with zoning and coding laws.

The city this spring hired its first code compliance officer, Priscilla Gurath, who is tasked with enforcement of the citys rental registration ordinance, nuisance property ordinance, and stormwater management ordinance. She checks on conditional use permits and zoning variances to make sure city-required conditions are followed by property owners.

The city council on Tuesday voted to deny an appeal from property owner Laurel Carlson, who lives on the 1300 block of Elizabeth Street, and to revoke her rental permit for a second dwelling (attached to a garage) that she said has been used as a rental since 1945.

The veteran, Brian Fraser, who is recovering from transplant surgery, told the council he likes his home, can have his little dog there, and doesnt want to move. Carlson said she depends on the rental unit for income.

The councils action spurred a firestorm of media coverage and social media comments across the region. A petition drive has been started on Facebook, and a GoFundMe campaign was launched by Jordan Cossette, who said a terrible injustice, handed down by the majority of city council members, was passed. Cossette says, I just cannot believe that our city council has become so heartless and that theyre very disappointed with our citys decision. By Friday morning, July 14, $445 had already been raised since the campaign started.

But this inspection on Elizabeth Street wasnt part of the new proactive inspection policy, in which the city will look at all rentals in the city over three years, said City Administrator Kelcey Klemm. This particular inspection was complaint-based.

The rental inspection at Carlsons property came after a complaint by neighbor Beth Olness, who considers the rental unit an eyesore and who took to social media Thursday to list different code violations shes noticed.

No staff member, no council member, likes to do a rental registration revocation, regardless of the issues, said Klemm. But at the end of the day, we have a health and safety code we have to follow and we have to enforce, he said.

There is still a chance that the council will grandfather-in Carlsons property and allow her to continue renting out the detached unit.

In this case, if the owner of the property can demonstrate to the councils satisfaction that the dwelling had been used as a rental prior to 1968 (when the rental zoning ordinance was enacted) the council would probably reconsider, said Detroit Lakes Mayor Matt Brenk. Im not sure how shed be able to do that -- 1968 was a long time ago, and the unit would still have to be brought up to code.

The zoning is really the main issue at the site. Detached rental units are not allowed on residential property in the city.

The property owner, Carlson, also failed to get a building permit before having a new furnace installed in the rental unit, along with a new roof, new kitchen range, kitchen flooring, a shower and toilet. She says she wasnt aware a building permit was needed for those smaller, non-construction-related improvements.

The citys rental inspector did find code problems at the unit  it needs more smoke detectors and newer electrical outlets  but nothing that couldnt be easily fixed. The biggest job would be painting the exterior and adding a larger egress window in the bedroom. Fraser told the council he is an experienced carpenter and can do a lot of the work himself.

Businesses in the Detroit Lakes and Fargo-Moorhead area have offered to provide paint and free electrical help. Others have called the Detroit Lakes newspaper offering a place for Fraser to live. Klemm said city administration has reached out to the city Housing and Redevelopment Authority to find a new home for Fraser.

We should be talking about how we get this veteran into some safe, affordable energy-efficient housing, Klemm said.

The city hired its first code compliance official to better enforce rules that have always been on the books, but haphazardly enforced.

It goes back to planning and zoning enforcement, nuisance enforcement and rental enforcement, Klemm said. The rental registration ordinance has been on the books for years, but are we actually inspecting them for the health and safety of tenants and people moving to Detroit Lakes. It was complaint-based before.

A big part of the code compliance officer's duties will be to make sure that stormwater runoff is properly managed at construction sites, and the citys 100-plus stormwater retention ponds are properly maintained and dont fill up with silt and debris.

But the city may want to prepare for more tears and heartache -- Guraths main focus right now is on nuisance housing complaints and rental reviews.
Bottles.jpg

The ABC changed its tune quickly on margarita pitchers, but should it be able to unilaterally change alcohol laws like that?

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) didn't want you wasting away in Margaritaville, so they banned pitchers of the frozen concoction outright. Then I called them out on it, Alabamians pressured the agency, and the ABC reversed the pitcher ban...I think.

The ABC relied on a statutory interpretation by General Counsel Bob Hill regarding Alabama code section 28-3A-25(a)(9) which says it is unlawful:

For any person to fortify, adulterate, contaminate, or in any manner change the character or purity of alcoholic beverages from that as originally marketed by the manufacturer, except that a retail licensee on order from a customer may mix a chaser or other ingredients necessary to prepare a cocktail or mixed drink for on-premises consumption.

This code section clearly aims to prevent people from watering down booze or selling knock-off versions. It doesn't ban cocktails served by the pitcher, but the ABC simply decided that it did.

In reversing the ban, ABC spokesman Dean Argo announced, "The Code speaks to beverages that are 'customarily' served in pitchers." That's a true statement even if it's found in a different section from the one the ban relied upon.

He continued to note, "The menus of many restaurants and bars in Alabama already offer several beverages by pitcher." That's a fuzzier claim, because Argo told me unequivocally "that only beer may be served in a pitcher." According to his statement, pitchers of other alcoholic beverages might have appeared on menus, but the ABC considered them unlawful.

Argo concludes the ABC's announcement by saying the "updated interpretation should give licensees the flexibility they need to meet the needs of their customers, while maintaining the integrity of the original rule."

Well that's clear as mud.

Rather than defend the pitcher ban against a flood of public pressure, the ABC quickly capitulated with this extremely unclear pronouncement. The reversal itself is evidence of the capricious nature of the ABC. The ABC apparently does what it wants and--when pressured--arbitrarily changes in the opposite direction.

Yes, I'm glad that pointless pitcher ban was reversed if indeed that's the case.

But it raises the bigger issue of whether the ABC should be able to impose and withdraw law on a whim. That's the legislature's job. It was the legislature's job when the ABC facilitated a five percent liquor markup used to fund district attorneys.

The ABC is hoping all of this will just go away, and the scrutiny of the agency will subside. We shouldn't let that happen.

Alabama must enforce our liquor laws. We ought to punish sale of alcohol to minors. We should prosecute people who drive drunk. The Department of Revenue can even collect as much tax on liquor as the legislature sees fit. None of that requires the ABC. The majority of our fellow states do quite well without the unnecessary layer of bureaucracy.

People and markets should be free unless there's a compelling public reason to impose a government restraint. We shouldn't have to ask the ABC or any other bureaucracy for piecemeal permission to behave like responsible adults. Pushing back on a silly pitcher ban might not sound like a big deal, but it's a step towards a freer Alabama. Hopefully it's the first of many.

Cameron Smith is a regular columnist for AL.com and vice president for the R Street Institute, a think tank in Washington, D.C.
Nobel Peace Prize-winning dissident Liu Xiaobo is no more, but his writings and his ideas will survive.

Liu Xiaobo? Yeah, I know who Liu Xiaobo is, the airport security guard at the Shenyang airport told us as we made our way back to Beijing.

On a whim, we had decided to ask whether he knew about Chinas Nobel Peace laureate.

Just two days prior, Liu, who had been serving an 11-year sentence for subversion, had passed away from liver cancer  under police guard in a hospital in Shenyang.

The news on Thursday made headlines all over the world, but not in China.

Curious, we pressed the airport security guard for details. How had he heard about Liu Xiaobo?





Shes a famous actress, isnt she? he said.

His answer should not have surprised us. Earlier we had conducted a straw poll on a busy street corner in Shenyang and came up empty.

A prominent dissident since the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests, Liu is almost unknown in China.

His name and writings have been scrubbed off the internet and blacked out on international news channels by Chinas hard-at-work censors.

Our driver in Shenyang turned out to be the only one who knew who Liu was. Even then, it was only because he had friends who were police officers.

Those officers had been deployed on the streets of Shenyang, guarding the perimeter of the hospital compound where Liu was being treated.

The day after Lius death, when he had forever been silenced, they were still out on the streets of Shenyang.

READ MORE  Obituary: Liu Xiaobo

We had been filming the hospital exterior from across the street. Within minutes, three men in plain-clothes surrounded us and deliberately walked into our shots.

Ten minutes later, reinforcements arrived. There were now more than a dozen of them.





We continued filming what we could. Eventually, another man showed up, asked to see our IDs, then left.

The other men left us alone too but lingered nearby.

The next morning one of them was there again, sitting in the hotel lobby. He stepped outside as we got into our van, perhaps to make sure we were really leaving, more likely to let us know we were being watched.

But it also indicated the Chinese government was sensitive to news of Lius death.

In op-ed articles in state-owned media and in comments made by the foreign ministry spokesman, Liu was denounced as a criminal, a man who had been rightfully sentenced after a fair trial.

Pleas made by foreign governments to allow him to seek treatment abroad in his final days were criticised as interference.

READ MORE: Thousands march in Hong Kong to remember Liu Xiaobo

The Chinese government took pains to show the world it did not fear Liu, yet its actions suggested otherwise.

How else to explain the government handouts of photos of the funeral and burial ceremonies?

How else to explain the presence of plain-clothes security officers at his funeral, who seemed to outnumber family members?

Hu Jia, a rights activist and friend of Liu Xiaobo and his now widow, Liu Xia, told us, Some of them are plain-clothes officers from Beijing. Theyre from the police station that monitors Liu Xias neighbourhood. I know them.

How else to explain the government-arranged press conference held a few hours after the cremation?

Lius older brother, Liu Xiaoguang, chose his words carefully. He thanked the government and explained why the family opted for a sea burial, something so at odds with Chinese tradition.

Liu Xiaobo is no more. But his writings and his ideas will survive. And perhaps that is what the Chinese government is afraid of.
Four years after the UN ceased operations at Choucha camp, authorities have cleared out the remaining men.

The MSF representative quoted in this article is Raphael Delhalle. An incorrect name was used in a previous version.

One morning last month, a group of soldiers arrived unexpectedly at Tunisias Choucha refugee camp and began clearing the area of the several dozen men who had been living there.

The soldiers told us to go back to Libya or to board a bus to Tunis, a 37-year-old refugee from the Ivory Coast who declined to give his name told Al Jazeera.

The men were allowed to grab one suitcase or a bag, he added: We called the others who were working in Ben Guerdane to come quickly and grab their belongings.

READ MORE: Life in Tunisias closed refugee camp  I lost my mind

The move came four years after the United Nations officially closed the desert refugee camp near the Libyan border in June 2013. Despite the closure, dozens of men from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana and other African countries  men whose refugee claims had been denied by Western countries  continued living in Choucha amid harsh conditions.

Some refugees shared photos and videos of the decimated camp, which were posted to Facebook by local media.

The camp was destroyed before our eyes, Liberian refugee Margai Keller, 39, told Al Jazeera.

On World Refugee Day, just one day after the camp was cleared, the 35 men who had been ordered to leave Choucha arrived in Tunis. There, they had to wait all day at a train station, with no knowledge of what lay ahead. Doctors Without Borders (known by its French initials, MSF) brought food and water.

These men have lost trust in most of the organisations providing help, Raphael Delhalle, the head of MSFs mission in Tunisia, told Al Jazeera, noting that his group contacted the governor of Tunis and pushed for a dignified accommodation.

These men were forgotten for more than six years by everybody. Suddenly, they were pushed out without any information, and they still don't know what their future will be. by Raphael Delhalle, MSF

The next day, the men were relocated to a youth complex in La Marsa, a wealthy seaside suburb outside Tunis, where they have been staying ever since. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) provides lunches and dinners, while the Tunisian Red Crescent provides breakfasts. It is far more than they used to eat at Choucha.

The men told Al Jazeera that while they were free to come and go from the complex, they remained anxious and fearful of the future. They spent most of their time watching TV or sleeping, they said.

The incident has sparked criticism from rights groups, who have questioned the states decision to uproot the men.

The rushed and forced transfer of a group of 35 individuals to Tunis in harsh conditions and the arbitrary deprivation of their freedom at the Tunis train station for the entire day of 20 June has raised fears of collective arrests, or even deportation operations, human rights group EuroMed Rights noted in a statement signed by 13 organisations.

The statement calls on Tunisian authorities to adopt a national legal framework on asylum and refugee protection and urges the UN refugee agency to reassess the mens asylum applications.

Delhalle was also critical of the way the evacuation was conducted, with no communication to the men, nor to MSF, the only organisation which was still providing assistance to the people in the camp.



Mongi Slim, the head of the Tunisian Red Crescent in the southern city of Medenine, said that some of the men from Choucha had been acting as guides for refugees aiming to cross the border into Libya and then on to Europe. Others were in need of psychiatric treatment, Slim told Al Jazeera.

The decision to dismantle Choucha was initially taken by Tunisian authorities in 2014, but the closure was frequently postponed, Slim said. According to a report from the Tunisian radio station Mosaique FM, the government plans to open a Free Trade Zone at the camps former location.

The government wants to calm the social protests in Ben Guerdane by installing a Free Trade Zone with Libya close to the borders that would reduce the illegal trade of goods, Slim said.

Representatives for the Tunisian government and the UN refugee agency had not responded to Al Jazeeras requests for comment by the time of publication.

READ MORE: Refugees left behind in Tunisias desert

Less than two weeks before the razing of Choucha, on the night of June 7, Sudanese refugee Ahmed Moussa died of an illness in hospital in Ben Guerdane, having been brought over from the camp that morning.

Moussa, who had been known in the camp as Mogabe, had previously appeared in a documentary by a Tunisian filmmaker about the Mediterranean refugee crisis.

Another resident, Martin Adriano of South Sudan, died in March 2014 after having a leg amputated earlier that year. Several of his friends said that he died of medical neglect.

Other Choucha refugees have crossed illegally into Europe, sending messages later from Italy or France; still others have disappeared, never to be heard from again.

In recent years, the IOM has helped several dozen Choucha refugees return to their home countries. Ali Ahmed Ali, 28, returned to Chad a few weeks before the destruction of the camp.

I was too ill and tired to try any longer, he told Al Jazeera, noting that after 12 years without contact, he crossed back over his parents doorstep. I am now hoping for the best for my friends from Choucha.

But what will happen to those men now remains unclear. Lorena Lando, the IOMs representative in Tunisia, said that among the 35 men in La Marsa, only three have what are considered to be valid refugee claims.





The refugees have been in Tunisia since the beginning of 2011, having fled from the civil war in Libya, where they used to work. By the end of 2012, around 4,000 people had been resettled by the UN in a third country. Another 300, who had refugee status but could not be resettled for a variety of reasons, were promised residency and jobs in Tunisia, although many complain that those promises never materialised. A few opted to remain in Choucha alongside dozens of rejected asylum seekers.

We are coordinating with the Tunisian government to find durable solutions for each person, Lando said. Learning about the circumstances of everyone, about their needs, is important, and this will help to find long-term solutions.

Delhalle reiterated the need to find dignified solutions for the men.

These men were forgotten for more than six years by everybody, he said. Suddenly, they were pushed out without any information, and they still dont know what their future will be. They deserve consideration and dignified solutions.

Follow Thessa Lageman on Twitter: @thessalageman
All you need to know about two votes being held in a country wracked with political tensions, economic woes and unrest.

After more than three months of protests, the opposition and government have decided to hold two electoral events on Sunday in Venezuela.

The oppositions vote seeks, through a popular consultation, to let people share opinions about the Constituent Assembly.

The second, organised by the government, is a rehearsal and aims to familiarise people with the constituent election due to take place on July 30.

Through an executive decree, we as citizens are called to for a constituent process. The idea of the Constituent Assembly is that 500 Venezuelans will have the right to draft new laws and new articles, and then this new constitution will be voted, Ricardo Leon, editor of El Silbon Information Agency, told Al Jazeera.

The oligarchy is afraid of this because they can lose space of power and economic control, he added.

Today, the opposition will ask voters if they support the governments plan to elect a National Constituent Assembly that will overhaul the 1999 constitution.

However, the plebiscite does not have the support of the electoral power nor the government, which considers it illegal.

READ MORE: Timeline  Key moments in Venezuelas crisis

I will vote today because we want to defend the constitution of 1999. It is important to restore constitutional order, and give space to the public powers to perform their functions, and in this way to exert pressure for presidential elections, Venezuelan lawyer Vanessa Diaz told Al Jazeera.

The process seeks to show the rejection of Maduro, his government, and the role of the armed forces who are accused of repression.

But the government said it would ask the Supreme Court of Justice to nullify the the plebiscite as unconstitutional, and illegal.

#CNE cabe acotar que los unicos eventos con validez en procesos electorales seran realizados por nuestro ente. 16 de julio, simulacro ANC.

#CNE cabe acotar que los unicos eventos con validez en procesos electorales seran realizados por nuestro ente. 16 de julio, simulacro ANC.  Tibisay Lucena (@tibisay_lucena) July 12, 2017

Translation: It should be noted that the only events with validity in electoral processes will be performed by our entity. Tibisay Lucena, President of the National Council wrote.

 I make a call to the right to achieve harmony, and to stop threatening with violence, and I call for talks in a new cycle of dialogue for peace and independence in our country, President Maduro said.

Here are some key questions relating to todays votes.

1) Who called for this plebiscite?

A coalition of opposition parties; the National Assembly announced the move on July 3.

The opposition invoked Article 350 of the Constitution and seeks to demonstrate, through consultation, Venezuelans displeasure with the National Constituent Assembly.

2) What will Venezuelans be asked?

People would be asked to answer with yes or no to three main questions:

Do you reject and ignore the realisation of a Constituent Assembly proposed by Nicolas Maduro without the prior approval of the Venezuelan people?

Do you demand that the National Armed Forces and all public officials obey and defend the Constitution of 1999 and support the decisions of the National Assembly?

Do you approve the renewal of public powers in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, and the holding of free and transparent elections, as well as the formation of a government of national unity to restore constitutional order?

3) Who can vote?

Venezuelans over the age of 18 inside and outside the country.

In Mexico, I arrived at 12pm to vote, and I finished at 5:30pm, and there were still more people waiting to vote by Maria , Venezuelan entrepreneur

The vote will take place in 2,030 polling stations in 536 cities of Venezuela, and 69 countries around the world.

Some of them include: Andorra, Algeria, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Egypt, Spain, United States, Hong Kong, Ireland, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Mexico, among others.

In Mexico, I arrived at 12pm to vote, and I finished at 5:30pm, and there were still more people waiting to vote, Maria, a Venezuelan entrepreneur, told Al Jazeera.

The event will have international observers, including former presidents Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica, Vicente Fox of Mexico, and Andres Pastrana Arango of Colombia.

No foreign government or voters will rule over Venezuela, said President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday,

4) What happens next?

It is not certain what will happen, but some believe that after the consultation, the opposition would call for a zero hour  meaning a national strike or other actions against Maduro.

If we are millions this Sunday, we will start a scale of greater pressure to respect the peoples will and stop this constituent fraud, said opposition leader Henrique Capriles.

The opposition will announce how many participated in the popular consultation on the same day.

5) What is the National Constituent Assembly?

A convention that was held in Venezuela in 1999 to draft a new Constitution.

The Constituent Assembly could last more than a year because two referendums and elections must be convened to determine the constituents, who must discuss for months the issues concerning the new Constitution.

This would allow the president to stay in power during the process, and could lead to a delay of the 2018 presidential election.
UK-based monitor SOHR describes Fridays assault as deadliest in opposition-held Eastern Ghouta region since April.

At least 10 people have been killed by aerial bombardment in the opposition-held Damascus suburb of Ein Tarma, according to a UK-based monitor.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said at least two children were among those killed in the air attacks on Friday.





The assault took place in the eastern Ghouta region, which has been partially besieged by the Syrian government since 2013.

Located about 15km outside of Damascus, the region is the biggest remaining opposition bastion in the Syrian capitals suburbs.

SOHR said several people were seriously injured and the death toll was expected to rise.

In recent weeks, government forces have been heavily bombarding Ein Terma, which links the eastern Ghouta area to the opposition-held Damascus neighbourhood of Jobar, according to SOHR.

Video posted by the Syria Civil Defence  also known as The White Helmets  shows what is believed to be the aftermath of Fridays attack.

One video uploaded by the group shows a child being rescued from the rubble of a destroyed building.

https://twitter.com/AnasAltaan/status/886095670528159745

The videos cannot be independently verified.

According to SOHR, Fridays air raid is the biggest loss of life in the eastern Ghouta region since April when 18 people were killed in an attack on Saqba.

In 2013, the Syrian government banned civilians from going into or out of the enclave, allowing only some food deliveries.

Eastern Ghouta is made up of 22 communities and has seen Russian and Syrian air attacks on markets, schools, and hospitals in many of them.

READ MORE: Syrias de-escalation zones explained

The area is part of an agreement, signed in May by Russia, Turkey and Iran, to set up four so-called de-escalation zones in Syria.

The deal called for the cessation of hostilities between armed groups and forces fighting on behalf of President Bashar al-Assads government.

But disagreements over its details have delayed its implementation.

A separate ceasefire, brokered by the United States, Russia and Jordan earlier this month, in Syrias southwest appears to be holding, according to SOHR.

More than 320,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011.
Police use rubber bullets and tear gas against Cairos al-Warraq island residents who resist eviction, killing one.

At least one person has been killed and dozens more injured on al-Warraq island in the Egyptian capital Cairos river Nile during a police attempt to evict residents from an unlicensed building.

The health ministry said the victim  identified as Sayed Tafshan  was a resident of al-Warraq island, but did not elaborate on the circumstances of his death.

Locals marched with Tafshans body through the islands streets, chanting: We will sacrifice the martyr with our soul and blood. They also blocked the main road.

The police force withdrew from the island, saying that they were postponing the operation indefinitely, local media reported.

According to the health ministry, at least 19 protesters suffered respiratory distress and impacts from rubber bullets.

A statement by the interior ministry said at least 31 police officers were also injured in the clashes.

The [police] force was taken by surprise as attackers gathered and used rubber bullets and stones, it said, adding that ten residents were arrested.

Presidents support

Sundays police operation came as part of a campaign backed by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi aimed at demolishing unlicensed buildings and removing squatters from state land.

The local media has for weeks been showing images of police and army troops demolishing buildings or commercial facilities.

On Sunday, the interior ministry said there were up to 700 building and land violations recorded on al-Warraq island.

Illegal use of state land is widely common in Egypt, as well as building on agrarian land in violation of the law.
President Macron says France is ready to apply diplomatic levers towards renewed negotiations, but gives no specifics.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a resumption of long-stalled peace talks between Israel and Palestine based on a two-state solution.

Macron said on Sunday that France was ready to apply diplomatic levers towards renewed negotiations, but gave no specifics.

He did not indicate any eagerness for France to spearhead such negotiations after a fruitless French diplomatic effort early this year.





I call for a resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in the framework of the search for a solution of two states, Israel and Palestine, living in recognised, secure borders with Jerusalem as the capital, said Macron after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris on Sunday.

He warned that continued Israeli settlement construction could threaten such negotiations and eventual peace prospects.

At his side, Netanyahu said: We share the same desire for a peaceful Middle East. But he did not elaborate on eventual peace talks.

Macron condemned an attack last week that killed two Israeli police officers at a Jerusalem shrine revered by Jews and Muslims.

His office said Macron was concerned about Israels security but also worried that Netanyahu was backing away from commitment to a two-state solution.

The two leaders also discussed fighting in Syria and elsewhere, and improving economic cooperation.

Pro-Palestinian and other activists protested Netanyahus visit, criticising Israeli settlement policy and the blockade of Gaza.
Dozens of worshippers gathered to pray at an entrance to the compound after new measures introduced at holy site.

Al-Aqsa Mosque officials have rejected new security measures put in place by Israel as it reopened the holy site following a deadly gun battle that prompted a two-day closure.

Muslim religious authorities, who administer the compound, are refusing to pray there on Sunday after Israeli authorities installed metal detectors and additional closed-circuit television cameras.

The closure of al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the occupation in itself and the prevention of the call for prayers are all unfair and unjust and constitute a violation to the United Nations resolutions and the international agreements, Omar Kiswani, director of the al-Aqsa Mosque, told reporters outside the site.

We hold the Israeli government responsible for the changes they have made in the al-Aqsa Mosque and taking its control away from us. We will stay outside the mosque until we get back the way it was taken from us.





Dozens of worshippers gathered to pray at an entrance to the compound next to the Lions Gate entry to the Old City, as Israeli security officials look on.

Some women wailed and cried, calling on worshippers not to enter.

At least two people were reportedly detained after confrontations with Israeli forces, according to reports.

The site was shut down during Friday prayers when five people were killed in a gunfight  the first time the compound had been closed for prayers in 48 years.

What happened does not justify this, Abu Mohammed, who works at a small medical clinic inside the compound, told Al Jazeera. This is our mosque and we refuse to enter through any electronic gate, this can never be imposed on us.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the additional security measures on Saturday, saying they gave Israel almost complete control over what goes on in the compound, to prevent future attacks.

INTERACTIVE: Inside al-Aqsa

Earlier in the day, Kiswani told Voice of Palestine radio station the additional security measures were part of a dangerous and unprecedented move by Israeli authorities to impose control over al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israels unilateral decision also triggered anger from authorities in Jordan, the custodian of the holy site.

The Jordanian government released a statement on Friday demanding Israel immediately open the mosque and warning against steps that could change the historic status quo in Jerusalem and the mosque.

Proposals to change security measures at the compound have sparked controversy in the past. Palestinians have long feared what they see as Israeli moves to change the status quo at the holy site.

Al Jazeeras Harry Fawcett, reporting from East Jerusalem, said that as far as worshippers are concerned, this is an imposition of Israeli sovereignty on an area, which there should be none, and they are opposing this very strongly.

Daoud Kuttab, columnist at Al Monitor, told Al Jazeera that he expects the tensions to escalate.

This is a very worrisome change, Kuttab said of Israels decision not to consult Jordanian authorities of its decision to impose new security measures.

It sounds like it is going to be troublesome for the days to come, he said.

Daniel Levy, a former Israeli negotiator, told Al Jazeera the attacks are unacceptable, but Israels unilateral response is only exacerbating the situation.

But what are you doing with regards to the broader conflict that leads to this situation in the first place, he asked. In that respect, what we have is a situation, where for good reason neither the Palestinians or the Jordanians have faith in the Israeli side.

After Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, Israeli authorities have maintained an agreement with the Islamic Endowment that runs the mosque compound. Non-Muslims are allowed to visit the site, but are not allowed to pray.

The mosque compound is known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif while Jews call it, Temple Mount.

Additional reporting by Ibrahim Husseini.
Referendum to decide on extra powers for President Keita, creation of new regions and recognition for Tuareg homeland.

Thousands of Malians have taken to the streets to protest against a planned referendum on constitutional changes that would give extra powers to President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, create new regions and recognise the Tuaregs ethnic homeland.

The government of Mali has delayed the vote, which was originally planned for last week, but still plans to go ahead with it this year.

Protesters at Sundays march in Bamako, the capital, held up placards saying no to the constitution, with some brandishing red cards and calling on the president to resign.

Activists are unsettled by provisions that would enable the president to nominate a quarter of the Senate and remove the prime minister at will.

Malians have become increasingly disillusioned with Keitas government, as the security situation has worsened significantly over the past year and is spreading beyond the desert north to the south and centre, including Bamako.

READ MORE: Malis Keita vows to keep fighting terrorist groups

Presidential elections are scheduled for late 2018, although Keita has not said whether or not he will run.

The constitutional changes concerning new regions are supposed to happen as part of a 2015 peace deal aiming to end the separatist Tuareg movement. It will also recognise their claims to a degree of autonomy by officially labelling the northern desert regions by their Tuareg name, Azawad.

Some Malians are angered about concessions to the fighters, whose 2012 uprising enabled allied armed groups to take over parts of the north and use them as a launch pad for regional attacks. French forces intervened and scattered the armed groups the following year.

The peace deal has so far failed to quell unrest in the north, where rival pro and anti-government factions are locked in a violent power struggle.
iStock/Thinkstock(LONDON) -- A teenager is facing multiple charges in connection to five linked acid attacks in north and east London earlier this week, police said Saturday.



Authorities charged a 16-year-old male on Saturday evening with 15 offenses, including multiple counts of robbery and grievous bodily harm (GBH), according to Londons Metropolitan Police. The teen was arrested Friday after he was identified near the scene of the attacks, which took place on Thursday, in surveillance video.



The suspect has been remanded in custody and will appear before Stratford Youth Court on Monday.



A 15-year-old male was also arrested at an address in the Stoke Newington neighborhood of north London on Friday morning, also on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and robbery, police said. He was released on bail Saturday morning until a date in early August, according to the Met Police, who have not publicly identified either suspect by name.



The 16-year-old faces three counts of robbery, four counts of attempted robbery, one count of possession of an item to discharge a noxious substance, five counts of attempted GBH with intent, one count of GBH with intent and one count of handling stolen goods.



The attacks were reported to police over a 72-minute period, with four taking place in the eastern borough of Hackney and one in the northern borough of Islington. All five victims were transported to hospitals, with one man sustaining life-changing facial injuries, according to the Met Police. Ben Clark, chief inspector for the Metropolitan Police in the borough of Hackney, said all five victims were riding mopeds at the time of the attacks, but they come from a "variety of backgrounds."



"These are hideous offences and must have been very frightening for all of the victims," he said.



The first incident, which occurred at the junction of Hackney Road and Queensbridge Road, was reported to police at 10:25 p.m. local time. Responding officers found a 32-year-old man suffering from non-life-changing facial injuries. The victim was on a moped when another moped carrying two male riders pulled up alongside him. They threw a corrosive liquid in his face and one of them stole his vehicle before driving off together, police said.



At 10:49 p.m. local time, police were called to St. Paul's Road where a 44-year-old man riding a moped had a corrosive substance thrown in his face by two males, also on a moped. The victim was taken to a hospital and authorities are awaiting an update on his condition, according to police.



At 11:05 p.m. local time, police received a call about two males on a moped throwing a corrosive liquid in another man's face on Shoreditch High Street. The 52-year-old victim was taken to the hospital with facial injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.



A similar incident on Cazenove Road near the junction with Upper Clapton Road was reported to police at 11:18 p.m. Responding officers found a 24-year-old man there suffering from what police said were described as "life-changing" facial injuries.



At 11:37 p.m. local time, a 33-year-old man reported to police that he was on his moped in traffic on Chatsworth Road when two males on another moped pulled alongside him and sprayed a corrosive liquid in his face. They then stole his moped and fled the scene. The victim managed to make his way home before contacting police. He was taken to a hospital and authorities are awaiting an update on his condition, according to police. Police on Friday urged the public to be vigilant about anyone who may be carrying dangerous corrosives.



"Of late we have seen more attacks using corrosive substances in London," Clark said in a statement Friday. "I would urge businesses and parents to challenge those who they think may be trying to obtain or carry these substances as this could help prevent serious offences and life changing injuries being caused."

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
GRAND FORKS  The Grand Forks School Board is considering adding work sessions to its regular schedule of monthly meetings in response, at least in part, to remarks made by a mother who lost her son to suicide in April.

Board member Amber Flynn recommended at the Monday, July 10, meeting that the board should consider adding a work session, possibly every other month, to learn more about selected topics.

We have areas, as we heard tonight -- mental health and suicide, nutrition and food waste, bullying in schools that warrant more attention, study and discussion with experts, Flynn said.

Earlier in the board meeting, during a time reserved for citizen comment on matters not on the agenda, Tina Randle of Reynolds, N.D., along with her daughter Alyssa Black, criticized school officials actions the day after the death of her son, Jonathan Black, who was a sophomore at Central High School.

On that day, some students wanted to take time at a pep rally to acknowledge the death, but administrators wouldnt allow that, Randle said. The rally went on as scheduled, it was business as usual.

She also criticized a statement by Superintendent Larry Nybladh, that was aired as part of a WDAZ-TV report a day after the suicide, explaining that school administrators are legally restricted in their public responses when a suicide occurs, so as to not encourage copy cat behavior.

We need people who will be there for our kids, and not for a job ... people who will help kids feel less ashamed of what they suffer from, Randle said.

Alyssa Black said, My brother suffered from depression, anxiety and ADHD. She urged board members to be proactive, rather than reactive.

Both mother and daughter said the issue of suicide must be brought into the open and discussed.

(Jonathan) was sick with a disease many thought should be kept quiet, Randle told the board.

Three students in the Grand Forks School District have died by suicide in the last year, she said. We have to change this.

In an interview on Friday, July 14, Randle said more education is needed for every school employee.

Teachers, counselors, principals, all administrators, librarians -- any one of them could be the one to save a child by knowing what to look for, she said.

At its regular June meeting, the School Board devoted nearly an hour to a presentation by school counselors and other resident experts on issues related to student mental health, suicide prevention and response, Nybladh said.

As a superintendent, Im very proud of our counselors and other school leaders whove spent well over a decade trying to become experts on this subject, he said. And I know our schools are looked to as one of the school systems in the state and region that have experts available, not just for us but for other regional school districts, when they need support for incidents like this.

Nybladh said his public comments after the suicide were in line with all the protocols that are laid out by our districts plan that are based upon national-level experts that have devised these tool kits for schools to use.

This is a communitywide issue, he said, and our entire community needs to embrace this topic of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Its very critical that we do so as a community.

In an email, he said further:

It took great courage and personal resolve for Mrs. Randle to come before the school board to express herself in the midst of her unimaginable grief in the tragic loss of her child. Everyone across the school district has the utmost sympathy for her and her family.

As someone who has myself had to deal with the topic of suicide in my own personal life, I have extreme empathy for her sense of loss. I know all school officials and personnel have the interest of our students first and foremost.

Nybladh cited the districts suicide prevention programs and said its counselors and leaders will continue to treat the problem seriously.

It does take a community to address these issues and I, and others across the district, welcome all the voices who are interested in contributing to addressing these issues and seeking continuous improvement.
More than two million voters expected to elect National Assembly members as well as local councils.

Voters in the Republic of Congo go to the polls on Sunday in legislative elections, the first since violence-marred presidential polls last year which returned Denis Sassou Nguesso to power.

While no fresh violence is expected, opposition parties have cried foul, as over two million voters are expected to cast their ballots in the first round of polling to elect National Assembly members as well as local councils.

Sassou Nguesso returned to office in March last year after a constitutional referendum ended a two-term presidential term limit, amid deadly violence notably in the Pool region neighbouring the capital Brazzaville.

On Sunday, the 73-year-old presidents ruling Congolese Labour Party (PCT) is running 128 candidates for the 151 seats available, while several independent candidates have close ties to the party.

The main parliamentary opposition group, the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS), has put forward 43 candidates, compared with 31 run by the UDH-Yuki group of Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, who came second in the presidential elections last year.

But an opposition coalition comprising the IDC, the FROCAD and the CJ3M has said it will only take part under certain circumstances, including the end of the crisis in Pool and the release of all political prisoners.

Two leaders of the coalition, Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, were arrested and jailed in June 2016 and in January this year for threatening the internal security of the state.

However, the head of the Independent National Election Commission (CNEI), Henri Bouka, insisted voting will be held nationwide, including in Pool.

No [constituency] will be left out, said Bouka.

READ MORE: ICC gives Jean-Pierre Bemba extra year in prison

UPADS spokesman Daniel Tsoumou Ngouaka said the ruling party had an unfair advantage.

Its a one-way campaign because the PCT has controlled all the state media, leaving no space for others, said Tsoumou.

The PCT drew on public funds to the campaign of its candidates and its allies. Its unacceptable, added Christophe Moukoueke, spokesman for a collective of opposition parties which has called for a boycott of Sundays polls.

Sassou Nguesso, a former paratrooper, served as president from 1979 to 1992, returning to power in 1997 following a civil war. He won two successive terms in elections in 2002 and 2009, both of which were disputed by opposition parties.

Congo has substantial deposits of oil, timber and diamonds, but oil production remains its most important economic sector, and Congo is the fourth-biggest producer in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dwindling reserves and civil wars that have ravaged the economy has slowed growth. Almost half the population of 4.5 million people still live in poverty, and according to World Bank data.

The second round of legislative polls will be held on July 30.
India says it is not aware of the incident which reportedly killed four Pakistani soldiers in disputed Kashmir.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan  Indian military shelling in the disputed territory of Kashmir has killed at least four Pakistani soldiers, Pakistans military says, prompting fresh exchanges of fire between the South Asian neighbours.

Indian troops targeted an army vehicle moving along the [Line of Control] along Neelum River at Athmaqam, said a Pakistani military statement on Sunday, confirming that Pakistani troops had responded to the firing.

The vehicle plunged into the river, drowning the four soldiers, the statement said.

Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the incident and praised the prompt response by Pakistan army in thwarting the attack, a statement by his office said.

Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Kalia, a spokesman for Indias defence ministry, said he had no knowledge of the incident, Reuters news agency reported.

READ MORE: India rejects Chinas mediation offer on Kashmir

India and Pakistan both claim Kashmir in full but administer separate parts of it, divided by the Line of Control (LoC), which serves as a defacto border. Skirmishes across the LoC have become increasingly common in the last year, despite a 2003 ceasefire agreement.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have been high in recent months, particularly in the Kashmir region. Last July, Indian security forces killed a young Kashmiri fighter, prompting months of street protests and an ensuing security crackdown in Indian-administered Kashmir that has killed at least 100 people.

The crackdown also prompted several attacks on Indian military bases in the area, which the Indian government blamed on Pakistan-based groups. Pakistan denies providing sanctuary to such groups.

Tensions ratcheted up even higher after Indias military claimed to have carried out surgical strikes on the Pakistani side of the LoC in September, targeting bases operated by armed groups fighting for Kashmiri independence from India.

Pakistan denies the strikes ever took place.

Since September, Pakistans military says Indian shelling across the LoC has intensified, with more than 900 incidents recorded, mainly resulting in civilian casualties, according to a statement released earlier on Sunday.

Indian denies initiating hostilities, and alleges that the skirmishes have been started by Pakistani forces shelling Indian positions and civilians. Pakistan denies the charge. Al Jazeera is unable to independently verify the allegations as access to the area is severely restricted by the militaries on both sides.

Dozens of civilians have been killed in the months of violence on both sides of the LoC, according to local media reports.

Asad Hashim is Al Jazeeras Web Correspondent in Pakistan. He tweets @AsadHashim.
Syrian state media said that two mortar shells were fired at the Russian embassy in Damascus but reported no injuries.

Syrian state media say shells have hit the Russian embassy in Damascus, causing material damage.

State news agency SANA said two shells were fired at the Russian embassy on Sunday, one hitting the compound while the other fell nearby.

Syrian rebels in the suburbs of the capital have previously struck the Russian embassy.

Moscow is a strong supporter of President Bashar al-Assad and has been involved in the six-year war since September 2015.

READ MORE: Syria talks conclude in Geneva with no breakthrough

The attack in Damascus came hours after a bomb exploded near a hospital in the rebel-held north-western city of Idlib wounding five people.

The Syrian Civil Defence group, more popularly known as the White Helmets, said the wounded included two children.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said five were wounded including children.
Encrypted messaging service Telegram bows to pressure after ministry warning of ban on app used by suspected fighters.

The encrypted messaging company Telegram says it is forming a team of moderators who are familiar with Indonesian culture and language so it can remove terrorist-related content faster.

The announcement comes after Indonesia limited access to the app and threatened a total ban.

Pavel Durov, who, with his brother Nikolai, founded the app in 2013, said in a message on Sunday to his 40,000 followers on Telegram that he had been unaware of a failure to quickly respond to an Indonesian government request to block a number of offending channels  chat groups on the app  but was now rectifying the situation.

Indonesias Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on Friday said it was preparing for the total closure of Telegram in Indonesia, where it has several million users, if it did not develop procedures to block unlawful content.

READ MORE: Indonesia moves to block app full of terrorist propaganda

As a partial measure, the ministry asked internet companies in the country to block access to 11 addresses offering the web version of Telegram.

Samuel Pangerapan, the director general of informatics applications at the ministry, said the app is used to recruit Indonesians into armed groups and to spread hate and methods for carrying out attacks including bomb making.

Indonesians are among the worlds biggest users of social media.

The free messaging service can be used as a smartphone app and on computers through a web interface or desktop messenger.

Its strong encryption has contributed to its popularity with those concerned about privacy and secure communications in the digital era but also attracted armed groups and other criminal elements.

Durov said Telegram blocks thousands of ISIL-related channels a month and is always open to ideas on how to get better at this.

Suspected attackers use app

Suspected attackers arrested by Indonesian police recently have told authorities that they communicated with each other through Telegram and received orders and directions to carry out assaults through the app, including from Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, known as ISIS) group, who is believed to have orchestrated several attacks in the past 18 months from Syria.

Durov said Telegram has now blocked the channels that were reported to it by the Indonesian government.

We are forming a dedicated team of moderators with knowledge of Indonesian culture and language to be able to process reports of terrorist-related content more quickly and accurately, he said.

READ MORE: The rise and fall of ISIL explained

Indonesias measures against Telegram come as Southeast Asian nations are stepping up efforts to detract people from joining armed groups following the capture of the southern Philippine city of Marawi by ISIL-linked fighters.

Nearly two months after the initial assault, Philippine forces are still battling to regain complete control of the city.

Experts fear the southern Philippines could become a new base for the ISIL, including Indonesian and Malaysian fighters returning from the Middle East, as an international coalition retakes territory held by the ISIL in Syria and Iraq.

But the Indonesian governments move has led to a public outcry in Indonesia, with Twitter and Facebook exploding with negative comments and some people reporting they were unable to access the web.telegram.org domain.
The pro-democracy Chinese dissident died on Thursday while serving an 11-year prison sentence.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of central Hong Kong holding candles as they marched in memory of pro-democracy Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo.

Lius ashes were buried at sea on Saturday, depriving supporters of a place to pay tribute following his death on Thursday from cancer while in Chinas custody.

Veteran activists led the solemn gathering later on Saturday which wove its way from the commercial heart of Hong Kong island to Chinas liaison office, with some marchers in tears.





People in Hong Kong held memorial events but Saturdays was by far the largest.

Marchers carried floral wreaths and white chrysanthemums, bowing three times in front of a makeshift memorial to Liu outside the liaison office, a traditional sign of respect at funerals.

Among the crowd was Lam Wing-kee, one of the five Hong Kong booksellers known for publishing salacious titles about Beijing politicians who vanished and resurfaced in the mainland in 2015.

Lam was allowed back to Hong Kong last year on condition that he pick up a hard disk listing bookstore customers and return.

Lam said he had been saddened by the news of Lius death but would not lose hope for the future of Hong Kong.

If the timeframe you look at is too short, it will be pessimistic, he told AFP news agency. Its not enough just to see whats in front of you.

Great scholar

Steven Wong, 45, had travelled from Singapore to attend the march, saying he had respected Liu for many years.

Wong was born and grew up in Beijing and was a high school student there in 1989, the year of the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in the citys Tiananmen Square.

He said he remembered burned-out tanks and blood smeared on lamp posts the day after. Shortly afterwards his family moved to Singapore.

He was a great scholar who woke up young people, especially of my generation, Wong said of Liu.

He made me think deeply about what we can do as a Chinese [person] and what we can teach our students, said Wong.
State Department issues demand as Tehran court sentences to 10 years in jail a US man, reportedly of Chinese origin.

The US has called on Iran to immediately release American citizens detained on fabricated national security charges, on the same day Iran sentenced an American man to 10 years in prison.

The Center for Human Rights in Iran has named the man as Xiyue Wang, a 37-year-old Princeton University researcher of Chinese origin.

Separately, a US university professor who advised Xiyue has defended his former student as innocent of all charges against him.

Stephen Kotkin told the Associated Press news agency on Monday that Xiyue is a remarkable, linguistically gifted graduate student who studied governance in 19th- and early-20th-century Muslim regions.

Irans judiciary announced on Sunday that the convicted American citizen had been accused of infiltrating Iran and passing confidential information to the US government and research institutions abroad.

READ MORE: Out of sight  Imprisoned in Iran

But Kotkin said the documents Wang collected in Tehran were 100 years old.

We call for the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families, the Department of State said on Sunday.

The statement made no specific reference to any individual, but it came after an Iranian spokesman announced the sentencing of a US citizen for alleged infiltration of the country.

Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie, Irans deputy judiciary chief, said the man held dual nationality of the US and another country and had appealed to have his sentence overturned.

The Department of State said the detention of US citizens and other foreigners are based on fabricated national security-related charges.

The safety and security of US citizens remain a top priority. All US citizens, especially dual nationals considering travel to Iran, should carefully read our latest travel warning.

Espionage and collaboration

In January, Tehrans chief prosecutor said as many as 70 spies were serving sentences in the citys prisons  the identities of only a handful of which have been made public.

Most are thought to be Iranians who hold another passport from Europe or the US.

In October, US-Iranian business consultant Siamak Namazi and his 80-year-old father Baquer, a former UNICEF official, were given 10 years in prison for espionage and collaboration with the American government.

The US has repeatedly called for their release and also for Tehrans cooperation on the case of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who disappeared in Iran in 2007.





An Iranian-American art dealer Karan Vafadari and his wife Afarin Niasari are also under detention.

The US and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since April 1980 in the wake of the 1979 Islamic revolution, and tensions have sharpened under US President Donald Trump after a brief warming under his predecessor, Barack Obama.

The two countries along with the other great powers signed an accord July 14, 2015, aimed at curbing Irans nuclear programme.

The US has continued to honour the accord despite Trumps threats as a candidate last year to rip it up.

But in mid-June, the US Senate approved for new sanctions against Iran, denouncing the Islamic republics continued support of terrorism.

The bill must be passed by the House of Representatives.

The new restrictions impose mandatory sanctions on people involved with Irans ballistic missile programme and those that transact with them.

Iran has vowed to respond with reciprocal and adequate measures, while accusing the US of violating the nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers in 2015.
One woman reportedly killed as President Maduros opponents stage symbolic vote on his plan to rewrite constitution.

At least one person has reportedly been killed during violence in Venezuela during an unofficial referendum held by the opposition in protest against President Nicolas Maduros plans to rewrite the constitution.

A 61-year-old woman was killed and four people were wounded by gunfire after government supporters on motorcycles swarmed an opposition polling site in a church in the neighbourhood of Catia, just northwest of Caracas, according to reports.

Carlos Ocariz, an opposition spokesman, said: There was an incident in Catia a short while ago in which paramilitaries opened fire.

READ MORE: Venezuela: Why are people voting today?

Local news media reported that pro-government armed groups, known as colectivos, opened fire on the opposition supporters.

The reports said that up to 500 people had taken refuge in the church during the attack, including Catholic Cardinal Jorge Urosa.

In comments on Twitter, Henrique Capriles, Venezuelas opposition leader, accused President Nicolas Maduro and his corrupt leadership of sending their paramilitaries to attack Catia.

Vote boycotting

Sundays plebiscite, organised by the opposition, had not been approved by electoral officials.

More than 7.1 million Venezuelans took part in the poll, the opposition said, falling short the 11 million they had hoped for.

Venezuelas total population is around 30 million.

Opposition voters look poised to reject the presidents proposal to retool the 1999 constitution by electing a super-body known as the constituent assembly on July 30.

The opposition told supporters to boycott the July 30 poll, which they see as a power grab move by Maduro.

He insists the constitution needs updating to confront an economic crisis and bring peace after months of protests.

In response to the oppositions vote, the government called for its own nationwide exercise on Sunday, a rehearsal for the July 30 assembly.

Maduro portrayed Sundays vote as merely an internal consultation by the opposition parties with no electoral legitimacy.

I call on all Venezuelans to participate peacefully in political events tomorrow, with respect for others ideas, with no incidents. Peace is what I ask, he said.

But Maduros constitutional referendum has seen tensions rise in a nation stricken by widespread protests and unrest.

READ MORE: Venezuela  A country divided

Analysts and universities here suspect that an unpopular government could rewrite the constitution to tighten their grip on the country, doing away with the opposition-dominated national congress and cancelling the 2018 presidential elections, said Al Jazeeras John Holman, reporting from Cucuta, in neighbouring Colombia.

Democracy itself could be at stake, he said.

The symbolic vote was held at 2,000 polling stations across the country, and in 80 countries for Venezuelans abroad.

Foreign observers

According to Datanalisis, 70 percent of Venezuelans reject Maduros idea of a constituent assembly.

The purpose of the referendum is so that the public says what they actually want, Jose Sanchez, a referendum organiser, told Al Jazeera.

If they reject Nicolas Maduros plan, or not.





Although the referendum has no legal standing, Latin American presidents from Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico and Costa Rica flew to Venezuela at the oppositions invitation to act as observers of the vote, alongside electoral experts from various countries.This fraudulent constitutional assembly will create a majority that will shut congress, throw democracy out the window, wipe out state governors and fire the chief prosecutor, Jorge Quiroga, a former Bolivian president, told AP news agency on Saturday.

Tomorrow, democracy and freedom are in play.

The UN has also weighed in.

We urge authorities to respect the wishes of those who want to participate in this consultation and to guarantee peoples rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, Elizabeth Throssell, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR), said.

On Friday, Antonio Guterres, UN secretary-general, called for talks between the opposition and government.

Luis Almagro, the head of the Organization of American States, had called on Venezuelans to take part in Sundays vote to prevent the definitive collapse of the countrys institutions.

So far, clashes between protesters and police have left at least 93 people dead, 1,500 wounded and more than 500 behind bars.
We look at Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement and ask if China can be trusted to run the worlds freest economy.

On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong reverted back to Chinese rule. Known as the handover, this process ended 156 years of British colonial rule.

Hong Kong would remain an integral part of China, but for 50 years, until 2047, its economic, political and judicial freedoms would continue.

This was the start of a unique experiment known as the one country, two systems framework, which guarantees wide-ranging autonomy to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Today, it is one of the worlds most important financial centres, the Hong Kong dollar is the worlds 13th-most-traded currency, and it is home to 64 billionaires.

OPINION: Hong Kongs election  A vote without voters

Hong Kong remains the worlds freest economy and Chinas freest city, but its facing socioeconomic and political challenges and there are deepening concerns that the leadership in Beijing is tightening its grip on some of those cherished freedoms.

Beijings refusal to grant universal suffrage to Hong Kong triggered nearly three months of street protests in 2014 and growing calls for independence.

These demonstrations were the largest in a Chinese city since 1989, and like the Tiananmen Square protests, they were also led by students demanding more democracy. The so-called Umbrella Movement exposed some deep divisions in society, but failed in their quest for free elections.

On July 1, 2017, Carrie Lam was sworn in as Hong Kongs chief executive by Chinese President Xi Jinping amid scattered protests.

Beijing-backed civil servant Lam was chosen by a 1,200-person election committee. Voters had no say, and critics have raised concerns that her hardline and pro-Beijing stance risk sowing further social divisions in the former colony.

During the ceremony, President Xi warned that any attempt in Hong Kong to challenge the power of Beijing is absolutely impermissible.

Joshua Wong was not even a year old when the handover happened, but he has become a symbol of the Umbrella Movement. He says the one country, two systems formula is almost dead, blaming Chinese officials.

So 20 years after the handover, whats at stake? And what does the future hold for the former British colony? Can communist China be trusted to run the worlds freest economy?

Below are some of the most-asked questions on the Hong Kong-China relationship:

1) Is Hong Kong a country?

Hong Kong is considered a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). It has its own currency and constitution, the Basic Law, and is responsible for its own domestic affairs, while its foreign relations and defence are the responsibility of the Central Peoples Government in Beijing.

2) What happened in 1997 in Hong Kong?

At midnight on July 1, 1997, the British flag was lowered over Hong Kongs Government House for the last time, ending 156 years of colonial rule. The handover ceremony marked the start of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China. However, Hong Kong maintained many institutions established during colonial rule under a framework known as one country, two systems.

3) Why does China want to keep control over Hong Kong?

China ceded Hong Kong island to Britain after the First Opium War in 1942. The period between the 1840s and 1940s is described as the century of humiliation, a time of intervention and imperialism by Western powers and Japan in China.

Therefore, the return of Hong Kong became a point of national pride. In 1982, China and Britain began negotiations on the future of Hong Kong. Former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping warned former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher that he would take Hong Kong by force if a deal could not be reached.

Much of the foreign investment in China comes through Hong Kong, so it was indispensable for Chinas businesses. It remains an important financial hub and the worlds freest economy.

4) What is the Umbrella Movement?

It is a pro-democracy movement that started in 2014, when tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents peacefully occupied major thoroughfares across the city. They claim that Beijing reneged on an agreement to grant them free elections by 2017.

Three years after the umbrella became a symbol of revolution  protesters used them as protection against the pepper spray and tear gas fired by police  Hong Kongs youth have been at the forefront of political activism in the city.

Why are young people in Hong Kong scaling rooftops for political change? Full doc  https://t.co/WV8gK9Mqps #occupyhk #umbrellamovement pic.twitter.com/iShHdaoqiM  AJWitness (@AJWitness) June 29, 2017

5) What do pro-democracy activists want?

Hong Kongs pro-democracy activists have been protesting against what they say is Chinas growing encroachment on the citys freedoms in a breach of the one country, two systems arrangement.

Im not the one to advocate for Hong Kong independence, but Im the one who fights for autonomy and against the indifference of China towards Hong Kong. And we were promised to have a high degree of autonomy in the international treaty, which means the joined declaration, Joshua Wong, student and pro-democracy activist, told Al Jazeera.

The one country, two systems in the 20th anniversary seems to be a lie for the Hong Kong people, he added.

I hope to see full democracy in Hong Kong in my life time, but whether Hong Kong can implement, or achieve, democracy, it doesnt depend on me, but it depends on its people and the international community.

6) Does everyone want more democracy?

No. In Hong Kong, there are also pro-Beijing groups such as Silent Majority for Hong Kong that have criticised pro-democracy activists.

In 2014, they also went out to the streets against plans by pro-democracy activists to paralyse the city centre with a mass sit-in unless China granted electoral reforms.

They believe that protests could damage the citys economy as well as its relationship with China.

7) What are the main challenges facing Hong Kong?

Hong Kong faces a series of political and socioeconomic issues, such as the growth in income inequality, rising prices of housing and other basic commodities, and the effect of increased immigration, especially from the rest of China, wrote professor Tim Summers.

Hong Kong is often referred to as one of the worlds most expensive property markets. Private housing is extremely unaffordable and theres also a desperate public housing shortage. And while the financial hub is home to 64 billionaires, an estimated 1.4 million people are living below the poverty line.

There is also no clarity on what will happen to Hong Kong beyond 2047 when one country, two systems expires. So after Hong Kongs second decade under Chinese control, investors, politicians and citizens have started to fret about an uncertain future. China is eager to have a closer integration, but suggesting the abolition of Hong Kongs autonomy doesnt seem to be a easy option.
DULUTH, Minn.  Dalton Knapp was 10 years old when he faced an obstacle far bigger than anything the producers at American Ninja Warrior could possibly put in his path.

Knapp, now a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia when he was in elementary school. It was a battle that lasted more than a year and left him weak and underweight at 56 pounds.

I had a hard time walking, Knapp said in a phone interview from his home in Suamico, Wis. I had no muscle, basically, at all. I had to relearn how to run and jump and do all the things that normal kids could do.

Now, more than 10 years cancer-free, he will do something normal people cannot.

Knapp will be featured on the Monday, July 17, episode of the reality competition American Ninja Warrior, a game show pitting athletes against an extreme obstacle course that includes feats of strength, like the salmon ladder, instances of physics-busting, like the warped wall. The show airs at 7 p.m. on NBC-TV and will also include runs by his brother, Drew Knapp, and friend Luke Jameson Chambers.

Dalton Knapp said he and his brothers watched the series while he was in the hospital, with an eye toward maybe, someday, after all of this, competing in it. Back at home, they created their own backyard course. By the time he was a senior in high school, he said, he had mastered the obstacles.

Drew Knapp, especially, took to the sport. As soon as he turned 21, he tried out and was accepted for Season 8  with a storyline about what Dalton had been through.

(We are) super close, Drew Knapp said. Weve always been rivals in everything. Were super competitive with each other. When he was diagnosed, it changed a lot of things for us. His strength, courage and his will power was incredible. To go from nothing to where he is now is crazy inspiring. Hes definitely an inspiration. Hes been a hero of mine for a while.

Drew Knapp advanced to the Indianapolis finals in Season 8, but was taken out by the same rolling log he had mastered in his previous run.

It was pretty frustrating, he said. I felt like my whole ninja warrior journey got cut short. This is a redemption year for me.

Thats the obstacle every ninja hates, Dalton Knapp added. Its something you cant train for.

Drew Knapp, who broke his leg last August, was invited to return for Season 9  and the shows producers held his competition date until around Drews 21st birthday so he, too, would be old enough to compete.

They ran the course more than a month ago in Denver.

As soon as I walked up the steps to the course, a surge of adrenaline hit, Dalton Knapp said. Ive never been so excited in my life.

A group of 20 family and friends were in the audience  including their father, who built the boys first jungle gym.

It was just a blessing, said Craig Knapp. It just warms our hearts as a family to know what (Dalton) went through and to know that nothing stopped him from excelling at whatever he wants to excel at.

The Knapps are not allowed to reveal details on what obstacles they faced or how they fared. But Drew Knapp can say that it was a dream come true.

(Dalton) has been waiting for that moment for so long, he said. It was crazy to be there with him, to be competing.

The Knapps are back to training in their backyard. They have four permanent structures, with 20 other mobile options they can add. Later this year, the Knapps are opening a training gym near Green Bay.

ON TV

What: American Ninja Warrior episode featuring UMD senior Dalton Knapp

When: 7 p.m. Monday

Where: NBC-TV
Bill Gates has recently commended Germany for allocating 0.7% of GDP for payments to fight poverty in less developed developing countries (LDDCs). With his infinite browser wisdom, he asserts that the developed world, especially Europe, must increase these contributions or face a flood of migration from the LDDCs that will overwhelm the continent. We all understand that by "overwhelm," he is referring to crime, housing, health care, education, and cultural viability of European identities. In short, the Europe we know will be crushed. Gates's vocabulary includes terms like "unfolding tragedy," "migratory pressure," and "development aid payments." He is fixated on drama ("tragedy"), demography, and the tired category of development that has become a cliche in use for the last 72 years since the end of WWII. These terms out of the business and administrative glossary fail to capture the depth and danger of the situation Gates is referring to.

Gates thinks the migration can be stopped by an even greater effort to rehab (read: buy off) the LDDCs under the decades-old rubric of development. Again, according to the guilt-ridden, weakened leftist mindset, it's so sad to see those sub-Saharans and Arabs living in great poverty and under-development that we need to throw more money at the problem, and thereby save ourselves. So Gates is not really changing his tune. He's not worried about obliterating European identities or economies. Rather, he is still singing the old liberal-left song. Throw money at vast social problems, and your peace and stability will be assured.

Building up the LDDC economies is not a new idea. This has been the cliched response since the end of WWII when the U.N., the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank were founded. Going back to the 1960s, Walter Rostow, one of Harvard's eminent economists, projected his theory of the "take-off stage." With economic development support through the three above-named institutions, the poorest countries would be subsidized and finally move to the take-off stage, where they could generate sufficient surplus capital to manage and grow their own assets and begin to develop viable economic projects and infrastructure without "development funds" and without the currency undergirding of the IMF.

These take-off stages never materialized.

Nevertheless, the United Nations has intensified its commitment to saving the LDDCs from self-destruction. The latest round of this utopian vision is the formulation by the United Nations of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the developing world. For the purposes of this article, it is worth noting that their goal of the elimination or radical reduction of poverty acknowledges that despite the efforts of the United Nations for 72 years, there are 867 million people in the world living in poverty defined as income of less than $1.25 a day.

The implementation of programs in support of the U.N.'s SDGs involves providing the people in the least developed countries with welfare in every area of their lives. It is projected as a global welfare system that will make the welfare systems of the U.S. or even Europe look like child's play. Housing, food, health, employment, childbearing, childrearing, education, gender equality, etc. are areas for dedicated U.N. action. Multiple sectors of third-world economies will be upheld by a vast global welfare bureaucracy. Do you think we as taxpaying Americans (45% do not pay any tax) are burdened now? Wait and see what is moving to the front burner! Obviously, Bill Gates, former boy wonder, and now the richest man in the world, sees a speedup of the SDG implementation as essential for stemming the tide of migration. But instead of talking about an explosion of economic support and world governance beyond anything ever dreamed of on planet Earth, he hides the horrific reality behind abstractions like "increasing the percentage contributions of national GDP by developed countries."

He says nothing about confronting the "small matters" of governmental corruption, governmental waste, and tribal conflict in the LDDCs. Inter-tribal warfare is a norm in sub-Saharan Africa. We give money despite the fact that genocide and civil wars in many countries is the norm. Likewise in the Middle East. We see Muslim against Muslim as well as Muslim against infidels for 1,400 years. All they know is the fight for power.

Instead of increasing the amounts of "developmental assistance," there should be increased resistance to terrible third-world governance and to migration. This resistance must be multi-pronged. There must be pushback against the U.N.'s SDG Programs, there must be pushback against the corrupt World Bank and IMF, and there must be pushback against migration from Africa and the Middle East.

Europe is experiencing an invasion. Powerful segments of political leadership in North America are attempting to open the doors to invasion. What should be done? There should be a lessening of welfare payments to refugees and migrants to Europe, Canada, and the USA as a disincentive to leave the home countries, and as an incentive for refugees and migrants to leave these wealthy areas and go back to their native lands. Additionally, some boats will have to be turned away since the occupants do not have papers. Extreme vetting of refugees from war-torn sub-Saharan and Middle Eastern countries must be instituted.

A massive campaign of literature should be dropped on those countries with high migration telling them that there are no facilities for them in their goal countries, and they will be turned back. Matchbooks should be dropped by the millions (this matchbook technique has been used on other occasions, notably when they were searching worldwide for Ramzi Yousef, the bomber of the World Trade Center in the early 1990s) announcing that the immigration venues have been closed. Get this message to the people. The matchbooks could be in French, English, Arabic, and Swahili.

Let us learn from history. Migration of Germanic tribes was the undoing of the Roman Empire. The Romans could not stem the tide. Various strategies were undertaken, but they failed in the end. The Vandals, Franks, Saxons, Angles, Ostrogoths, and Visigoths just kept coming. Eventually, the migrants, called "barbarians" by the Romans, were brought into the military to help support the Roman defense against border crossing, but the Germanics who were in the Roman army coalesced and fought against that selfsame army...and won! Embracing a threat, even a supposed controlled embrace, leads to an undesirable endgame. Rome was sacked and destroyed in the 5th century.

We are facing a threat of this magnitude, whether Bill "The Genius" Gates realizes it or not. His genius in business may not translate into wisdom or a grasp of historical realities.
In Spain, Catalonia is now in open rebellion against Madrid. While most Americans are unaware of what is going on, this crisis has a lot to tell us about Europe, and about ourselves.

[At] the National Theatre in Barcelona ... on July 4th, the president of Catalonias government, Carles Puigdemont, announced plans to hold a unilateral referendum on independence from Spain on October 1st. The draft law he unveiled says that, whatever the turnout, if those voting in favour outnumber those against, within 48 hours the Catalan parliament will declare independence. - The Economist

The Spanish courts have been clear. Their judiciary have forbidden these referenda to go ahead. The Catalans will not submit. This announcement was open defiance.

Indeed, under Article 155 of the Spanish constitution Madrid can force the regional government in Barcelona to drop the vote, but Catalan officials have said they will not do so under any circumstances. - The New European

In the past, the Spanish government has reacted strongly against Catalan politicians who defy them.

The former Catalan president Artur Mas has been banned from holding public office for two years after being found guilty of disobeying the Spanish constitutional court by holding a symbolic independence referendum three years ago. On Monday, the Catalan high court convicted Mas, former vice-president Joana Ortega and former education minister Irene Rigau of defying the constitutional court by pressing ahead with the non-binding vote in November 2014. - The Guardian

Yet, the new president of the region of Catalonia has thrown down the gauntlet. He will not be intimidated.

Spain, or rather the Madrid central government, will probably have to resort to force at some level. It has to be remembered that there is an old guard in the Spanish government which still reveres Francisco Franco, and which could be called in to quash any Catalan upstarts. They do not even have to be a large part of the Spanish electorate. Right-wing parties and influence draw on Franco's centralism.

Drawing on a residual Francoist centralism, the Popular Party has fomented hostility to Catalonia in particular for electoral gain. The consequent divisiveness, at times bordering on mutual hatred, is one of the most damaging legacies of Francoism. - BBC

A heavy-handed response cannot be ruled out.

For at least some independence activists, a heavy-handed reaction from Madrid could translate into a political victory as well. They hope that a sharp escalation of the conflict in the months ahead will prompt greater interest  and possibly even intervention  from Spains European partners, which have so far shown little sympathy for the Catalan campaign. - The Financial Times

I do not expect violence from the Catalans. They are too smart for that, but if Madrid acts heavy-handedly, I do expect to see debilitating passive resistance. Roads blocked. Massive public protests. Appeals to the United Nations.

This is really a disaster for the Spanish state. Catalonia is Spain's most productive region overall (The Basque region's high production is per capita). One does not want to kill the goose that laid the golden egg, but neither does one want to let the goose get away.

We in America tend to think of Spain as a unified whole which once ran a worldwide empire. Actually, Spain is a disjointed mess; and one reason it was so good at running an empire abroad was because it had practice running an empire internally. Galicia, Catalonia, the Basque Country. They all want out of Spain; all have had to be repressed. Nor should one think this is uniquely Spanish. The United Kingdom was never as united as it claimed to be. Scotland may be the next to leave the UK.

The European Union bureaucrats tend to frown on separatism. It messes up their plans for a united Europe. If one lets one region go, then everybody will go. So the EU will probably support Madrid. Oddly, the EU has toyed favorably with Scottish separatism, but that was only a gesture to counter the ultimate separation: the Brexit.

What is clear is that all the bureaucrats in Europe cannot undo tribalism. Catalonia is as much problem to them as it is to Madrid. The European Union likes to maintain the status quo, except concerning the Brexit. A independent Catalonia upsets that cart, even if it petitions to join the EU.

Jean-Claude Piris, the former director general of the EU Councils legal service, poured cold water on Catalonias plot to hold an independence referendum. The Frenchman warned the EU would not welcome an independent Catalonia as a member state and called on Brussels to speak out. - Express

The bureaucrats really do stick up for each other. That this slap in the face to Catalan independence comes from a Frenchman is no accident. It is an outgrowth of the French Revolution, and Gaullist centralism.

France was once heavily divided, too. The Catalans on the French side of the Pyrenees, the Occitan/Provencals, the Celtic Bretons, the Italic Corsicans, the Germanic Alsace-Lorrainers, and the French Basque were all quite noticeably distinct well up until the mid 20th century. However, the French Revolution imposed a linguistic uniformity on the whole country. French centralism worked because it did offer a large degree of liberte, egalite, fraternite, under a democratic regime in return. However, generations of French schoolkids had their dialects ruthlessly eradicated. It is this French concept of uniformitarianism which undermines the European Union, and it is a Gaullist legacy. France refuses to genuinely support bilingualism, though it may give lip service to the idea. Any serious reforms are shot down.

"[T]here is no place for minority languages in a France destined to make its mark on Europe. - President Pompidou The Senate has rejected on Tuesday the bill of ratification of the European Charter for Regional Languages, thus removing the hypothesis of a Congress for the adoption of this constitutional reform. - France TV Info (Google translated)

France has to support Madrid. The last thing France wants is a resurgence of local separatism. They will not even entertain discussions of autonomy within France.

Brittany, Corsica, Flanders, Scotland, and the temporarily quiet, for the time being, Basque region. Catalonia will not only be facing Spain, but a European Union which will close ranks. Europe for all its pretensions of democracy is a rather centralist authoritarian structure, again, a legacy from de Gaulle.

Whatever the outcome, Spain is doomed. In the Basque country, over half the students are taught all their subjects in Basque, with Spanish taught as an essentially foreign language. Another 23% are taught heavily in Basque. Another 26% are taught Basque as a secondary language. In Catalonia, the subjects are taught in Catalan.

For 30 years, public schools in Spain's Catalonia region have taught most subjects in Catalan, not the national Castilian Spanish language. - Reuter

With language policies like these, the Basques and Catalans have seized the future. If they do not win today, they will win tomorrow. The Basque have already won a massive number of concessions from Madrid, even more concessions than are conceded to Catalonia; and there is talk that if Madrid made the same concessions to Catalonia, Spain might buy some time.

The Basque Country, for its part, enjoys a high level of autonomy in many areas including taxation, a sector that Catalonia and other regions would like to get more control over. - The Local However, the Basque Country enjoys financial privileges, while Catalonia follows the general system used by most regions. As a result, public expenditure in the Basque Country per capita in 2013 was over 4,000 and just under 2,000 in Catalonia, according to a 2016 report by the central government. The Spanish average was slightly over 2,000. - Politico

What should be obvious to all but bureaucrats, who seem invincibly ignorant to the obvious, is that governments cannot define people. It violates human nature. Rather people must be allowed to define their own government. This is a lesson for all governments to learn.

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. He writes on the Arabs of South America at http://latinarabia.com. He also just started a website about small computers at http://minireplacement.com.
Richard Fernandez is one of the most brilliant authors on the Internet. This week he wrote:

Conventional wisdom posits the chief challenges facing the post-Cold War World are Global Warming and the decline of international institutions. But maybe that assurance is a species of Fake News. Suppose the most pressing problems in the next decade is finding new energy supplies to 1) keep the price of oil low enough to contain Russia (and Islamism); and 2) adapting to a disruptive information revolution no one can seem to control. Who will hand you that unconventional wisdom unless you come to it yourself.

Hes right, as I explain, but the significance of his observation is this: which of the two candidates -- Hillary or Trump -- was more likely to tap into Americas huge energy resources to contain both Russia and the Islamists? And when you answer that as you must -- Trump -- you can dismiss all the folderol about Donald J. Trump Jrs, 15 minute meeting in Trump Tower with a Russian lawyer as evidence of collusion with Russia. As I further explain, the non-stop media promotion of some nefarious scheme between Russia and Trump does not pass even the most cursory forensic examination, proving once again in the age of fake news, you cannot remain a passive consumer of news. You have to bring to each story the good sense and diligence with which you handle your most important personal affairs.

A. Russia and Environmental Groups

As Fernandez explained:

The oil crash collapsed the ruble and forced a 27% reduction in the Kremlin's military budget in 2016. With oil prices set to stay flat the Russians have to keep drilling and investing simply to stay level as the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies notes. The Kremlin doesn't make any real spending money until world oil price gets above levels before the great oil crash of 2014, which may not happen any time soon.[snip] You would think this a Eureka moment: to contain oil prices is to contain Russia (and Islamism). But cheap fossil fuels are not everyone's cup of tea. "Drill, baby, drill" is not popular on the left. Even though liberals understand the power of cheap energy -- one of Hillary's supposedly hacked emails even alleged anti-fracking and environmental causes were a Russian plot to depress oil production -- to advocate it is bad progressive politics. This probably led the Saudis to Hillary's camp in 2016. "According to Bob McNally, president of consulting firm Rapidan Group, countries in the oil-producing Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, are hoping for Hillary Clinton to become president."

If youre looking for collusion with Russia, it is not to be found in the Trump Tower meeting. Paul Mirengoff of Powerline details the Russian efforts through environmental groups -- at best Stalins useful idiots -- to tamp down US energy production.

Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Science Committee, tells James Freeman of the Wall Street Journal: If you connect the dots, it is clear that Russia is funding U.S. environmental groups in an effort to suppress our domestic oil and gas industry, specifically hydraulic fracking. They have established an elaborate scheme that funnels money through shell companies in Bermuda. This scheme may violate federal law and certainly distorts the U.S. energy market. The American people deserve to know the truth and I am confident Secretary Mnuchin will investigate the allegations. To help Sec. Mnuchin conduct such an investigation, Rep. Smith, along with Energy Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber, sent him a letter. They noted: According to the former Secretary General of NATO, Russia, as part of their sophisticated information and disinformation operations, engaged actively with so-called nongovernmental organizations  environmental organizations working against shale gas  to maintain dependence on imported Russian gas. Other officials have indicated the same scheme is unfolding in the U.S. Reps. Smith and Weber add that, according to public sources including a 2014 report from Republican staff on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, entities connected to the Russian government are using a shell company registered in Bermuda, Klein Ltd. (Klein), to funnel tens of millions of dollars to a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) private foundation, which supports various environmental groups. Klein denies this allegation. Regardless of the conduit for the money, the allegation of funneling appears to be substantial. Indeed, says Freeman, it appears to have been noted by none other than Hillary Clinton: If a document posted last year on WikiLeaks is to be believed, Clinton campaign staff summarized in an email attachment Hillary Clintons remarks on the subject during a private speech: Clinton Talked About Phony Environmental Groups Funded By The Russians To Stand Against Pipelines And Fracking. We were up against Russia pushing oligarchs and others to buy media. We were even up against phony environmental groups, and Im a big environmentalist, but these were funded by the Russians to stand against any effort, oh that pipeline, that fracking, that whatever will be a problem for you, and a lot of the money supporting that message was coming from Russia. [Remarks at tinePublic, 6/18/14] Freeman suggests that Mnuchin commence his investigation by speaking with Mrs. Clinton, who obviously knows the terrain. He also thinks John Podesta would be a useful source.

Podesta is invested in and acts for a "green energy company backed by the Russian government."

B. The Media Has lost all Credibility, Serving as the semi-official newsroom for the Democratic Party

Just as Fernandez detailed the rise of Samizdat in Russia as the official press was uniformly distrusted, the growth on alternate media in the U.S. is disrupting the old news models .

Our trust hierarchies have collapsed. As with Soviet Russia, the "official" media sources are now distrusted as purveyors "fake news". To fill the gap a peer-to-peer grapevine, similar to the "friends and family", a samizdat is emerging to pick up the slack. Sonya Mann at Inc uses a startup to illustrate the growing division of society into trust groups. "Pax Dickinson wants to fund the revolution. Not a blood-in-the-streets revolution, but one where hardcore right-wingers can economically secede from the parts of society they vehemently dislike. "We need parallel everything. I do not want to ever have to spend a single dollar at a non-movement business.

Nothing so illustrates why the media has deservedly lost all credibility than its unending, overdone effort to fit any action on the part of the President or those around him into a narrative of Russia somehow colluding with him to defeat Hillary. This weeks take was the short meeting his son held with a Russian lawyer in Trump Tower last summer.

The clearest summary of the facts surrounding the meeting with Trumps son last summer is to be found in The American Spectator. Scott McKay writes:

C. Donald J Trumps son had every reason to believe that there was evidence of Hillarys collusion with Russia

If this seems farfetched, consider this Veselnitskaya was barred from entry to the US until Loretta Lynch granted her an excedptional immigration parole to appear in a judicial proceeding; a federal judge considered -- but we can find no ruling -- her motion on January 6, 2016,to extend her stay by a week, and then with no explanation of how this occurred, she was back in the US on June of that year where she met with Donald J Trump Jr and attended as a front row guest a Congressional hearing on the Magnitsky act which imposed sanctions on Russia.

To add a dash of extra color to the story the media reported that with the lawyer was a former Russian counter intelligence officer, Rinat Akhmetshin. He denies this.

I am an American citizen since 2009 who pays taxes, earned his citizenship after living here since 1994, and swore an oath of loyalty to the United States of America,

Kayleigh McEnany in The Hill characterized this as a conspiracy theory desperately in earch of evidence.

In any event, isnt it curious that those who claim to consider a meeting to listen to opposition research collusion, bought hook line and sinker the ridiculous-on-its-face Dossier concocted by GPS against Trump, a far more likely piece of Russian intel disinformation? Or why they ignore DNC officials meeting with Ukrainian government officials for dirt on then Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort.

Politico detailed the many ways the Ukrainians worked to help Hillary beat Trump. As you might guess, they indicated these efforts were far less concerted or centrally directed than Russias alleged hacking and dissemination of Democratic emails. Covering with the word alleged a smear without any evidence but for the mutterings of Crowdstrike, a private outfit which was the only investigation the DNC allowed , a misstep by the Comey FBI which let this pass.

In any event, Legal commentators on both sides of the aisle have confirmed there was nothing illegal about the meeting. I suppose we cant expect much more of a press corps so stupid it mistakes the Star Spangled Banner for Frances La Marseillaise, and Bastille Day for the 100th Anniversary of the U.S. entry in WW I.

Youll just have to work harder in the face of such ignorance and bias to find out what you need to know.
"Emmanuel," President Donald Trump must have said to French President Emmanuel Macron as he and his entourage got into Air Force One in Paris, "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Trump had been the guest of honor at the July 14, 2017 national holiday celebration, an event that commemorated not only Bastille Day, but also the 100th anniversary of the entry of the United States into World War I. After a series of hugs and interminable handshake battles, Macron replied, "Nothing will ever separate us." Indeed, Trump's presence, for Macron, was "a sign of the friendship across the ages."

The visit reminded all that France is technically the oldest ally of the U.S. since the 1778 Treaty of Friendship. During the whirlwind two-day visit, President Trump and Melanie Trump were shown Les Invalides, built by Louis XIV, symbolic of the military history of France, with an army museum, which, among other things, contains the tombs of Napoleon and other French military leaders. For Americans, it is also symbolic, since it is the place from where on July 4, 1917 the U.S. 16th Infantry Division marched, accompanied by French troops, to the Picpus Cemetery, the largest private cemetery in Paris, which contains the tomb of the Marquis de Lafayette, over which a U.S. flag always flies.

While witnessing the display of French pride and pomp in the military parade, with French soldiers marching together with members of the 1st U.S. Infantry Division founded in 1917, Trump paid tribute to the courage of French troops at the Battle of Marne and other battles in World War I. Trump disregarded his fictional friend "Jim," who used to go to Paris every year but no longer does so because Paris is not Paris and so doesn't bring French first lady Brigitte Macron pretty flowers. Instead, Trump praised Paris, as have the other 3.5 million U.S. citizens who visited the city in 2016, as "beautiful." However, in more questionable fashion, the 71-year-old Trump also praised the 64-year-old Brigitte, saying she "is in such good shape...beautiful."

After the Trumps were shown and enjoyed the sights of French prestige and grandeur, they must equally have enjoyed and appreciated a memorable meal when dining with the Macrons at the elegant restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. The French president hosted a gastronomic dinner of pate, Dover sole, filet of beef, and French wine, prepared by the great chef Alain Ducasse, who specially flew back from Hong Kong to make it.

It is too early to suggest that a Franco-American alliance has resulted from these encounters, but it appears that the present acknowledged differences on issues such as climate change, globalization, and trade, between the two presidents will not disrupt the growing harmony, and recognition that compromises are in order. In a sense, without too fine a point, the very occasion of the July 14 celebration itself symbolizes a compromise, a double-symbolism.

The military parade, an official holiday since 1880, celebrates the storming of the Bastille fortress and prison in 1789 and the beginning of the French Revolution. But it is also a reminder of the 1790 Festival of the Federation that sought to limit revolutionary changes by presenting an image of national unity and featuring the King: it hoped Ca ira (things will work out). July 14, in essence, therefore, celebrates liberty and equality, but also the attempt to maintain a unified country with law and order.

Trump has praised his host, the 39-year-old Macron, as a great leader and a tough president. Le jour de gloire for Macron has not yet arrived, and he may not resemble Louis XIV or Jupiter, ruling above the fray, but in his short time as president, he has been active, a showman beginning to assert himself and exert influence on the international stage as well as on French internal affairs.

On the world stage, Macron has spoken frankly to Russian president Vladimir Putin on stopping any Russian intervention in French elections. He assured Trump that France will join the U.S. in strikes against Syria if President Bashar Assad again uses chemical weapons. Macron apparently has softened Trump's position on climate change. He has spoken to German chancellor Angela Merkel urging a stronger E.U.; the creation of a Eurozone finance minister, and a meaningful E.U. budget; and a common workable E.U. policy on immigration. France continues its active concern against terrorism in the Sahel and West Africa.

Macron has been equally active on behalf of French business and taxes. He is appealing a decision by a Paris court that Google does not have to pay more than 1.1 billion euros in back taxes, after the E.U. had imposed a record antitrust fine of 2.42 billion euros. In a complex case, the Paris court ruled that Google had not evaded French tax laws by using an Irish subsidiary that was not subject to French taxes.

Macron is anxious to make Paris a more important technological hub now that Britain is preoccupied in planning to implement Brexit, and with Paris full of entrepreneurs, he plans a Franco-German 1-billion-euro fund to finance digital investments.

Donald Trump, one of the oldest men to be elected U.S. president, and Emmanuel Macron, the youngest man to be elected president of France, may seem an odd couple, but the visit of July 14, 2017 suggests a developing partnership between the two. Certainly, Macron was less brash and more relaxed and accommodating than at the first meeting between the two leaders. They differ on important issues. For Trump, immigration is a pivotal issue, and he continues to be engaged in at least a temporary ban on immigration from six countries. Macron is not in favor of discriminatory policies toward France's Muslim population though he calls for a strong E.U. policy on immigration. Trump is a nationalist. Macron appears to be a globalist.

In spite of their differences, this is the moment for Trump to realize that France under Macron will be the leading political factor in Europe, now that the U.K. is perplexed by Brexit and Chancellor Merkel is being challenged. Trump and Macron agree that action is essential to end the brutal conflict in Syria. Above all, Trump and Macron are equally concerned with the need for robust counterterrorism against Islamist terrorists. One wonders if the band at the military parade was playing "We'll Be Together Again."
What can be more shamelessly, terrifyingly brutal than the righteous, benign mask of progressivism? After humiliating themselves before the universe as the tyrants that they are, the commissars at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, unwilling to admit that stealing babies from their parents in order to murder them is unethical, have doubled down on their moral turpitude.

Still unwilling to "allow" Charlie Gard's parents to take custody of their own child (as though loving parents were criminals under a restraining order) in order to try to save his life against the wishes -- not the "judgment," but the wishes, let's be clear about that -- of doctors who have no personal stake in the boy's survival and therefore prefer him to be dead as soon as possible, the hospital has nevertheless cowed before near-universal condemnation from the entire human race just enough to allow an American doctor more expert than they to take a look at the child.

They have stipulated, however, that the Columbia University specialist must visit their hospital, and have tried to insist that his consultation with them occur in a meeting that excludes Charlie's parents. The reason for this exclusion? They believe the presence of the patient's family will restrict the doctors from discussing the case "freely."

Damn right -- and isn't that the whole point? Why should doctors have "freedom" to discuss life and death decisions about an infant without the parents being present? What twisted progressive notion of "rights" does this exclusion of the child's family answer to?

The same notion, of course, that led the European Court of Human Rights to reject the parents' appeal to be permitted to take Charlie to America for treatment in the first place. In progressivism's alternative reality, "rights" are always a euphemism for government permission, government coercion, or government suppression of the individual. So in this case, the "right" involved is one conveniently ascribed to an unconscious infant, which must therefore be administered on his behalf -- not by the parents who brought him into the world and assumed responsibility for his care, but by the all-knowing State that "granted" him this right.

And what right is that? The right to die undisturbed by those oppressive parents with their irrational hopes of keeping him alive. (If you think I'm overstating the case here, read on.)

The State has declared, as a matter of principle, that it has the knowledge and the moral authority to decide what a sick baby would want if he were a rational adult who could speak for himself, and that what he would want is to die now, to save his doctors from being embarrassed by superior doctors overseas, and to save his great Owner, the State, from the hassle of having to admit a flaw in its tapestry of omniscience.

And how does a progressive authoritarian -- i.e., a cold-blooded dictator in modern "democratic" garb -- express this right? Here's how:

The hospital has said that "a world where only parents speak and decide for children and where children have no separate identity or rights and no court to hear and protect them is far from the world in which [Great Ormond Street Hospital ] treats its child patients."

How clever is that? The battle, you see, is not between government agents and parents. It's between parents and their children. Parental authority is a threat to children's rights. If "only parents speak and decide for children," then "children have no separate identity or rights." Therefore, the parents must not be allowed to speak or decide for Charlie Gard, because this would be oppressive of poor Charlie's "separate identity and rights." Charlie must be allowed to assert his own identity and rights against the tyranny of his parents' authority. Now, since Charlie happens to be eleven months old and unconscious, he is not able to stand up for his own separate identity and rights at this time.

Therefore, someone or something must step in on his behalf, to defend the poor child against his oppressive parents who wish to deny him his identity and rights.

And that noble task, of course, falls to the State, in this case operating through the heroic agency of the staff murderers -- shucks, was that too inflammatory? -- at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The hospital exists as a veritable bulwark to defend children's rights against those evil families who dare to presume they have the authority to make decisions on the children's behalf, thus denying the children's dignity.

Thus, in this case only the State stands between Charlie and the rape of his humanity. Since his parents oppressively insist on trying to keep him alive, the State must remain steadfast in defending his right to defy them by dying, thus asserting his separate identity as a corpse and his right to die helplessly and prematurely against his parents' wishes.

The hospital and the court, you see -- i.e., the progressive State and its henchmen -- exist to "hear and protect" these sick children when no one else will. Let's parse that, for those who still don't quite get it: the State must "hear" sick children's unspoken desire to be separated from their loving parents who want them to live, and must "protect" them against the threat of being saved by their parents (and non-socialized doctors who still think their job is to save lives) when they would prefer to die at the hands of the socialist death panel.

"How do we know they'd prefer to die?" you ask. What are you, some kind of child oppressor?

Thank God for progressivism. Thank God for the omnipotent and omniscient State. Thank God for the annihilation of the right of self-ownership, the right of self-preservation, parental authority, and the family as the basic societal unit. Thank God...well, heck, let's just come right out and say it, shall we? Thank God for Satan.

Aldous Huxley, if you could see us now...

Daren Jonescu writes about politics, philosophy, education, and the decline of civilization at http://darenjonescu.com/.
Next week, the Senate is expected to vote on its revised bill to repeal and replace ObamaCare. As of this moment, there are at least two Republican senators doubtful that they can support the proposal. This would doom the bill; since reconciliation can be used once during a session this may preclude any meaningful repeal of the failing Affordable Care Act. After seven years of the promise by Republicans to undo the healthcare funding and regulatory legislation passed in 2010 under reconciliation they have exhibited inability to govern in the most deliberative body in the world. Since no Democrat will help in this process (putting the lie to the principle of compromise) a totally different approach is necessary.

In the House, a compromise was reached between the conservatives and moderates within the Republican party utilizing the repeal of various sections of ObamaCare and maintenance of others favorable to some. However, in the Senate this approach has not secured enough votes among Republicans. Sweeteners such as funds for opioid addiction treatment (the usual Washington method to gain votes) has not changed the calculus. Further, the revised bill keeps some taxes that were imposed by ObamaCare on the wealthier (increased payroll taxes) to deflect liberal criticism. This also fails to unite moderate republicans.

Recently, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (among the most conservative Republicans) proposed an option for insurance companies to offer both Obama-styled policies and reduced ones that would be less expensive at the individuals' choice (which was incorporated into this bill). Maine's Sen. Susan Collins (among the most moderate republicans and opposed to this bill) and Louisiana's Sen. Bill Cassidy (a physician) previously proposed allowing each state to decide for themselves whether they wished to continue ObamaCare. This principle of choice could be the basis of all reforms. If we combine this with the Mitt Romney ideal put forth during the 2012 election, that each state is a laboratory of innovation in the nation, then perhaps this impasse could be solved.

As a disclaimer, I must state that I prefer a clean repeal and then a replacement plan (if it is market-based) much as Kentucky's Sen. Rand Paul (also a physician and opposed to this latest bill) has proposed. It appears that this is unlikely at this time. So, I realize that the dysfunctional Republican caucus needs more flexibility. This could be done by allowing choice in all aspects. This might be radical for Washington where politicians have large egos and disregard for the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution.

Simply put, the first change to the bill would allow each state the option to leave the Affordable Care Act. This would eliminate all provisions within that state and allow them to innovate any approach to healthcare they prefer. Further those states could be given the freedom to accept Medicaid funds through block grants. They would then be able to create a system that works for their population. Free from almost all the regulations imposed from Washington, they could create an efficient Medicaid system that could substitute greater at-home care for nursing home payments. They could allow poorer citizens to buy into Medicaid through a sliding scale premium base upon income. These states would have to manage their finances and could more easily be held accountable by voters.

Second, all citizens could be allowed the freedom to purchase medical policies that suit their needs even if their state continues ObamaCare. This will allow lower cost premiums for private purchases. This year my family premium will be $12,000 with a $13,000 deductible for in-service care, and an additional $13,000 for out of network care. This is hardly affordable for most Americans. Some of the ten required services in ObamaCare are worthless for my family. Republican senators might not be able to argue against those in their states being given this choice.

Coverage for pre-existing conditions must carry some penalty for lapses in coverage, whether it be reduced coverage for some period or higher premiums. Insurance requires some assessment for risk. Higher costs for coverage for older citizens is understood as handling this risk. This could be limited to a reasonable amount. Such policies could be more flexible when purchased as Medicare deductible coverage, reducing this cost to seniors.

The taxes imposed upon citizens would be removed and replaced by a user fee imposed upon those participating in the older (Obama) system that would then be used to subsidize premiums for poorer persons. This would be limited in scope so there would be reduced incentive to continue the failing system.

States that accepted enhanced Medicaid funding under ObamaCare fear the loss of these additional dollars. This includes some Republican governor-led states, putting pressure upon senators. To encourage block-granting in these states, the initial funding could be pegged at a higher level with their ability to alter regulatory complexities. Again, the aim is flexibility and choice.

Further, the idea of large group healthcare purchases should be expanded, including purchases across state lines. These principles further market forces which allows for cost controls. Liberals have argued that the efficiency of government regulations can limit unnecessary costs, but this has not worked. Few argue that transparency at the grocery store (where prices are clearly visible) is bad. This could be done through publishing statistics on cost and outcome at larger institutions. Further, in future legislation malpractice liability could be reformed; this would be opposed by trial lawyers.

Failure to remove the onerous aspects of Obmacare and its regulatory burdens dooms our healthcare system. We have the best medical care in the world. The argument is about how to finance it. Liberals seek a single payer system while conservatives wish to return to market forces. The present system is unsustainable and weary Republicans must replace it or suffer at the polls.
You remember Emma Sulkowicz, aka Mattress Girl," dont you? She accused fellow student Paul Nungesser of what these days is termed gender-based misconduct, but which seems to be really just rape, or maybe sexual assault, if a jury so found. But after a thorough investigation by University authorities, Nungesser was exonerated.

Sulkowicz did not accept the judgment, and, as the Columbia Spectator put it:

Sulkowicz protested that finding in her senior art thesis, Mattress Performance (Carry That Weight), in which she carried a mattress with her at all times in a critique of the Universitys decision not to discipline Nungesser. The thesis made national headlines, and Sulkowicz spearheaded a national student-led push for a reformed gender-based misconduct process.

Sulkowicz became an international celebrity, carrying her mattersss around the Columbia campus.

As a result of the ridicule and abuse directed his way:

Nungessers suit charged that the University failed to protect him fromand even encouragedsustained protest by Sulkowicz, which Nungesser initially argued was a violation of Title IX.

Perhaps offering Sulkowicz academic credit for her daily harassment was not such a good idea, and allowing the graduation ceremony to be disrupted ought to have been reconsidered.

Here is what we know of the settlement, the exact terms of which are apparently confidential, via The College Fix:

The administration emailed The College Fix a statement late Thursday night: Paul Nungesser and Columbia University have agreed to settle the lawsuit he filed in 2015. While Paul was a student at Columbia, he was accused of sexual misconduct. In November 2013, after a diligent and thorough investigation, Paul was found not responsible for any misconduct. Columbia University stands by that finding. In 2015, Paul graduated from Columbia in good standing as a distinguished John Jay Scholar. John Jay Scholars, like Paul, are recognized for their remarkable academic and personal achievements, dynamism, intellectual curiosity, and original thinking. Paul is currently enrolled at an internationally recognized film school and has launched a career as a filmmaker. Columbia recognizes that after the conclusion of the investigation, Pauls remaining time at Columbia became very difficult for him and not what Columbia would want any of its students to experience. Columbia will continue to review and update its policies toward ensuring that every studentaccuser and accused, including those like Paul who are found not responsibleis treated respectfully and as a full member of the Columbia community.

Columbia recognizes that Pauls remaining time at Columbia became very difficult for him! That is as close to an apology and a confession as it gets. A young mans college experience was ruined and the University offered academic credit for the exercise. Apparently, the monetary consideration supplied what words did not. My guess is mid-six figures, minus a third for the lawyers.

Scott Greenfield, an attorney that has followed the case posted some informative tweets:

Breaking: Columbia settles with Nungesser. Good money and a half-assed apology. https://t.co/EKvHat7eM0  Scott Greenfield (@ScottGreenfield) July 13, 2017

Mattress Girl became a porn star, Nungesser became a John Jay Scholar with a nest egg, courtesy of Columbia University. https://t.co/baIGKtuKfD  Scott Greenfield (@ScottGreenfield) July 13, 2017

May this signal the return swing of the pendulum on campus, where possession of a Y chromosome has meant automatic guilty status, even when a girl regrets the favors she bestowed the night before and decides to blame the male for her poor choice. The entire process of adjudicating sexual complaints on campus has devolved into kangaroo courts, in all too many cases. So much so that new Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is conspicuously listening to all sides and considering what is to be done about the awful Dear Colleague letter that set off this wave of frenzy. The Chicago Tribune explains:

In 2011, the Obama administration issued a 19-page "Dear Colleague" letter that urged colleges to more aggressively investigate those allegations and to encourage victims to come forward. The administration warned schools they could forfeit millions in federal funding if they remained lax.

Using a letter avoided going through the process of bureaucratic rule-making, which would involve allowing for comments and maybe even hearings, much less actually passing a law. There would be far too much public knowledge and accountability that way. It was a sneaky, high-handed way to accomplish the same goal, by threatening the lifeblood of colleges: govenment money.

Higher education is probably the most heavily-subsidized industry in this country, ahead of Tesla Motors. Threaten federal funding and the educrats pay attention:

That federal scrutiny produced results: In May 2014, 55 colleges were under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights for their handling of sexual violence cases. Three years later  that is, as of July 12 there were 344 such cases under investigation at 242 institutions.

Sulkowicz, of course, received massive support from the Left, and the occasional Woman of Courage award and the like for her harassment campaign. Following graduation, she has become a performance artist, as Kyle Smith describes in on NRO:

Emma Sulkowicz, the Columbia University art-department cynosure known as Mattress Girl, has become a new Marilyn Manson. Seeking to keep her notoriety alive, she has created a performance art piece in which she is tied up in her scanties, hoisted in the air, and beaten for the amusement and edification of spectators. Well spare you the pictures. Suffice it to say that if they depicted your daughter, your first thought probably would not be, My little girl is so empowered.

For his part, Nungesser is studying filmmaking at an unnamed but well-known school.

I suspect the public will be hearing from both of them in the future. Bitter and angry works better for comely young lasses than aging harridans, in garnering positive attention, as young Emma will find out in the years ahead, unless she wakes up.

Don't worry about Columbia. It has over $9 billion in its endowment, and owns billions more worth of Manhattan real estate among other assets.
The man Democrats wanted fired when he was director of the FBI and then actually fired by Donald Trump, is seeking an 8 figure advance from publishers to write a book about his life.

Former FBI Director James Comey met with representatives from several publishing houses in New York last week looking to ink a gigantic book deal that will be worth millions of dollars to him. Comey is being represented by one of the most prestigious agencies in the business and competition to get him signed will likely be fierce.

Business Insider:

"It's a book about leadership and his search for truth, informed by lessons and experiences he's had throughout his career, including his recent experiences in the Trump administration," Javelin partner Matt Latimer told the Times. "It will speak to a broader desire in our country for more ethical leadership." Comey was unexpectedly fired by President Donald Trump in May, after which Trump said "this Russia thing" had been a factor in his decision. The firing prompted the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller to take over the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Comey testified in June before a widely viewed Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, in which he detailed his concerns that Trump had attempted to interfere in an FBI investigation. According to the Times, Comey's book will not take the form of a salacious tell-all memoir, but will instead delve into his decades-long career as a federal prosecutor, Justice Department official, and eventually FBI director. The book will, however, also touch upon more recent events, including his investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server and the FBI's Russia probe. Comey had initially been reluctant to take up offers by agents and publishers, but eventually changed his mind, the Times reported. His agent said he will use the book to impart lessons on ethics, decision-making, and leadership. Comey's book will likely be widely anticipated, and some have previously speculated he could receive as much as an eight-figure advance. The book will also undergo legal and governmental vetting to avoid disclosing classified information.

I'm sure Mr. Comey believes that a book about his life will be a real page turner. But Comey was a bureaucratic non-entity before he became FBI director and reading about his "ethical leadership" will likely make his book a fine substitute for a sleeping pill.

By the time the book hits the shelves, no one will care about his firing. In fact, how many people will remember him? And are there enough rabidly partisan Democrats who would spend the $30 to confirm what they already know?

Not mentioned in the blurb about his upcoming book is what he plans to say about the Hillary email investigation. He spent far longer on that case than any case related to President Trump. A whitewash is likely.

In a capitalist society, we should celebrate people who hit the jackpot and cash in on their celebrity. But I know of one bestseller I will take a pass on reading when it comes out - probably next summer.
Watch what we do, not what we say, was the famous advice of John Mitchell, when he became Nixons Attorney General, and before he went to federal prison. Its honest advice from a crook, so naturally it applies to the government of Cook County, Illinois.

What they said was this tax would help address the obesity problem. Well, the tax has not been implemented as planned because it is tied up in court indefinitely in a lawsuit. But the result is not simply that the youngsters of Chicago are still guzzling caloric colas when not dodging stray bullets. No, you have to watch what Cook County did as a result.

Megan Crepeau of the Chicago Tribune reports:

More than 300 Cook County employees have been laid off after a proposed county soda tax was indefinitely stalled by a lawsuit, county officials said Friday. Each county department had to cut 10 percent of its budget to meet the shortfall, according to a statement from County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. In addition to the layoffs, more than 600 vacant positions will go unfilled, she said. "I regret that these actions are necessary  and I deeply regret the impact they have on individual employees," wrote Preckwinkle, noting that she proposed the soda tax in part to avoid such significant budget cuts.

Now, she tells us.

But keep in mind, it isn't all about the money. It is also about the power to control the way people live their lives.

Hat tip: Second City Cop
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is delaying the vote on Obamacare repeal while Senator John McCain recovers from a surgical procedure.

McCain underwent surgery on Friday to remove a blood clot from above his eye. He is not expected back in his Washington office next week.

McConnell had no choice but to seek a delay because without McCain's vote, it is likely the bill would not receive the 50 votes necessary for passage.

The Hill:

"Elaine and I, along with the entire Senate family, wish John the very best and wish him a speedy recovery," McConnell said in a statement that referred to his wife, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. "While John is recovering, the Senate will continue our work on legislative items and nominations and will defer consideration of the Better Care Act."



McCain underwent a procedure to remove a blood clot from his eye on Friday, according to statements from his office and the Mayo Clinic. He is recovering at home in Arizona. Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) have already said they would oppose a procedural vote to advance to the new Senate GOP healthcare legislation, which was unveiled this past week. With all Democrats voting no, that would leave Republicans with just 49 votes, given McCain's absence. The further delay in the schedule is a problem for McConnell, as opponents of the legislation could use the extra time to pressure wavering GOP centrists to vote against it. The healthcare bill was already on rocky ground even with McCain, as many speculated whether McConnell could pull together 50 votes. This is the second time McConnell has had to put off Senate consideration of ObamaCare repeal. Work was also postponed in late June after it became clear McConnell lacked the support to carry the bill through the Senate. That prompted a rewriting of the legislation, which won over Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a key conservative. A number of centrist Republicans, however, remain on the fence as McConnell awaits a Congressional Budget Office analysis and score of the legislation, which is expected on Monday.

How much trouble is the Obamacare repeal bill in if McConnell has to depend on the vote of John McCain for passage?

Although McCain has been an historically unreliable vote on some issues, he has been fairly consistent in voting to repeal and replace Obamacare. But McCain isn't the problem in this case. McConnell is under increasing pressure to ditch the amendments offered by Senator Ted Cruz that throw out many of the "mandated" coverages that insurance companies are forced to offer with every Obamacare policy. Cruz's additions to the bill has garnered widespread conservative support in the Senate, but has left many moderates cold.

But the GOP ace in the hole is the president and his ability to sway fence sitters to support his agenda. Perhaps the extra time before the vote will be put to good use as the White House develops a full court press lobbying campaign to convince the moderates that a "no" vote will deep six the rest of his agenda, including tax reform.

Trump must convince these Senators that they must all hang together or they will hang separately.
Like many other Cuban-Americans, we grew up listening to stories of pre-Castro Cuba.

My father was a young banker in the 1950s who was eventually promoted to a large branch in Havana. He worked "downtown," as we would say here.

One of my favorite stories was about the Chinese in Cuba and the well known "barrio chino," or, loosely translated, Chinatown.

It turns out that there was an important population of Chinese immigrants in Cuba. They came to work in the first 30 years of the 20th century. Like other bank customers, they would drop by my dad's branch to make deposits and do banking business. Some even sent money back to their families in China. These people had a reputation for working hard, and their word was as good as gold, as my father used to say. "Never lost a centavo [a cent] with my Chinese clients," added my father.



The Puerta de los Dragones in Havana's Chinatown.

My father died in 2015. He would have mixed feelings reading this story about the old Chinatown in Havana:

"The barrio chino? Not even the Chinese go there." In Havana's barrio chino, or Chinatown district, this is not an uncommon phrase. One of Latin America's oldest Chinatowns is a shadow of its former self: the stone Paifang gate and a few waitresses in red cheongsam (or qipao), all that distinguish it from the rest of the city. Yet Cuba itself is awash in Chinese tourists and, increasingly, investors. China has become the main export destination for Cuban goods, as well as the main importer on the island. Yutong buses carry tourists and locals alike, and Huawei is set to be the main provider for the country's growing internet ventures. Yet the capitol's barrio chino is noticeably lacking in Chinese diaspora, most of whom fled the island soon after Fidel Castro nationalized businesses in 1959. Those that remain have long since scattered into other districts or left Havana altogether.

Why aren't there any chinos in Havana's Chinatown? The answer is simply communism.

Most of those chinos were hardworking entrepreneurs who literally got to Cuba with nothing and worked their way into prosperity.

My father told me he'd walk by the Chinese section once or twice a week. He would often eat lunch in one of the many restaurants there. There were shops, medical clinics, grocery stores, and all of the businesses you would see in a capitalist economy.

Cuba's Chinatown? Los chinos are not there, but China is expanding its influence 90 miles from the U.S.

Who would have believed any of that when my father was having lunch with some of his Cuban Chinese customers many years ago?

Another sad chapter of the communist story.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk), (YouTube) and follow me on Twitter.
If you ever have need of the services of a psychiatrist, I would strongly recommend you select one besotted with liberal ideology. First of all, you'd save a ton of money. That's because liberal psychiatrists are blessed with the gift of being able to diagnose you without even having seen you. That means you're consultations need not last very long.

I should warn you, however, that you can be sure that if you're a political conservative, you are likely to be committed to a mental institution.

More than 50 years ago, a psychiatrist published an article that stated flatly GOP candidate Barry Goldwater was crazy. The editor of the publication, Ralph Ginzburg, was sued for libel by Goldwater who subsequently won a $75 K judgement.

And just weeks before election day in 1964, hundreds of psychiatrists and psychologists signed an open letter claiming that Goldwater was unfit psychologically to be president. Ever since then, the American Psychiatric Association has had a policy known as "The Goldwater Rule" that ethically forbids mental health professionals from commenting on the mental state of a public figure they have not examined.

I guess these academic psychiatrists didn't get the memo.

Washington Times:

Psychiatry professors from several Ivy League universities who argue Donald Trump is unfit for the presidency are calling on Congress to take lawful steps to remove him from office. The professors letter to Congress, published by The Huffington Post, says the presidents supposed mental unraveling is hurting his ability to govern. The power of the presidency has accentuated Mr. Trumps failings with devastating effects, the letter states. His psychological isolation  including his tenuous relationship to reality  has led to the dangerous isolation of the United States from the rest of the world. Our Constitution has provisions for removing any president who is unable to discharge the duties of office, it says. For the sake of our country and the world, we urge our elected representatives to summon their courage so that lawful steps can be taken to end the Trump presidency. The letter is signed by Harvard professor Judith L. Herman, Columbia lecturer Robert Jay Lifton, and Yale professor Bandy X. Lee, along University of California professors Dee Mosbacher and Nanette Gartrell, Campus Reform reported.

Trump is many things, but if he's unfit for office, so are most presidents. All presidents are, to one degree or another, "narcissistic personalities." They wouldn't go through the tremendously humiliating, exhausting grind of a campaign unless they had supreme confidence in their own abilities.

Trump doesn't hide it as well as others. But that's not the motivation behind this letter. We all know it's pure politics. Liberals are unable to separate politics from the rest of their lives ("the personal is political") and think everyone else suffers from the same disease.

There has been a debate ever since Trump was nominated about whether mental health professionals should obey the Goldwater Rule and refrain from commenting about Trump's problems. I imagine this high profile letter to Congress wil begin a procession of well known psychiatrists who will all demand Trump be impeached because he's a danger to society.

They might want to ask who is a real danger to society? Trump or mental health professionals who diagnose without ever having examined their patient?
Hillary Clintons plotting to hang on to power and keep her crew gainfully employed through the out-of-power years generates no end of flailing about, some of it comic, as in the grooming of Chelsea, the sole hope for a dynasty. But the quest for someone else to head up to political office arm of the Clinton Outfit while Chelsea remains unpalatable to the masses, no matter how many breaks she is given by the likes of NBC.

You have to understand that any politician who does a deal with the Clintons in the quest for greater power is going to get an awful lot of offers she cant refuse. Ideally, the cats paw chosen should be good looking, at least presentable when speaking, and of nonwhite heritage if at a possible. And it would be better to find someone not so bright.

Thats right: Kamala Harris. Emily Smith of Page Six tells us:

The Democrats Great Freshman Hope, Sen. Kamala Harris, is heading to the Hamptons to meet with Hillary Clintons biggest backers. The California senator is being feted in Bridgehampton on Saturday at the home of MWWPR guru Michael Kempner, a staunch Clinton supporter who was one of her national-finance co-chairs and a led fund-raiser for her 2008 bid for the presidency. He was also listed as one of the top bundlers for Barack Obamas 2012 re-election campaign, having raised $3 million. Guests there to greet Harris are expected to include Margo Alexander, a member of Clintons inner circle; Dennis Mehiel, a Democratic donor who is the chairman of the Battery Park City Authority, even though he lives between a sprawling Westchester estate and an Upper East Side pad; designer Steven Gambrel and Democratic National Committee member Robert Zimmerman. Washington lobbyist Liz Robbins is also hosting a separate Hamptons lunch for Harris.

Thats a big pot of money for Kamala to contemplate. And that bench for 2020 needs someone under 70.
Health insurance companies have come out against the Senate health plan that allows people the freedom of choice to buy cheaper policies if they want.

From this article:

Health insurance companies have largely bit their tongues about the Senate health care plan, but they are turning against it now, warning that a recent revision would send premiums skyrocketing for people with high medical costs.

Of course, these same companies were supporters of Obamacare as the public was continually lied to that their premiums would drop and Americans would be able to keep their doctors and existing plans if they liked. Instead, people lost their plans and freedom of choice, and premiums skyrocketed. Why should people believe them now?

In the U.S., the economy thrived for over 230 years before Obamacare without people being required to buy health insurance and with the choice of buying cheap policies if they liked. But now, according to Democrats, the media, and big insurance companies, it would be a disaster now if people were again given freedom of choice. That sounds like a self-serving prediction to me.

Life expectancy also continually went up prior to Obamacare but unexpectedly dropped after a few years.

The people need their freedom back.
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

David Sher is Co-Founder of AmSher Compassionate Collections and past Chairman of Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, ONB, and CAP.

Let's turn Birmingham around. Click here to sign up for newsletter. There's power in numbers. (Opt out at any time)

Today's guest blogger is Jeffrey Bayer. If you'd like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

I've always loved Birmingham...but quite frankly I'm disappointed.

I'm not talking about just the City of Birmingham--I'm talking about all of Birmingham--yes, all cities and counties.

Birmingham's beautiful; our people are smart and generous; but it's exasperating that we continue to lose our children, our businesses, and our jobs.

Metropolitan Birmingham is stagnant

The prestigious Milken Institute ranked the top 200 performing cities in the U.S. and our Birmingham-Hoover metro ranked 173rd.

Average annual employment in our seven county Birmingham-Hoover metro is basically flat since 2000.

Jefferson County has had virtually no population growth in 50 years and lost population last year.

Birmingham and Nashville

Birmingham's having some successes. We at Bayer Properties invested $70 million into The Pizitz. The City of Birmingham put in $64 million to build Regions Field. But compare that to Nashville which the Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ) says has at least 30 projects estimated at more the $100 million each.

Why Birmingham is stagnant

Many of us thought we knew why Birmingham was stagnant, but now we know for sure.

The Public Research Council of Alabama (PARCA)--through a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham-- just completed a one year economic study of metropolitan Birmingham and the results are clear.

"Nationally, a substantial body of research indicates that metro areas with more broad-based, cooperative governmental arrangements grow faster and generate greater prosperity than metro areas that are governmentally fragmented, divided into a multitude of independent municipalities.

Our central city of Birmingham is surrounded by more independent suburbs than any other southern city.

This pattern of fragmentation has consequences."

It leads to duplication, creates intra-regional competition, concentrates economic advantage and disadvantage, and diffuses resources and leadership. It makes it difficult to arrive at consensus, pursue priorities of regional importance, or deliver services that transcend municipal boundaries.

It puts the metro area at a disadvantage."

Our central city and suburbs are interlocked

The graph below compares job growth since 2000 in two groups of metropolitan areas.

Job growth since 2000 in two groups of metropolitan areas.

The seven cities on the left are fragmented like Birmingham: a diminished central city ringed by a multitude of suburbs. In the fragmented metros, job growth ranges from 5 % to -12%.

The seven metros on the right have governmental structures that unite the region. In the more unified metros, job growth since 2000 ranges from 20 percent to 50 percent.

"The negative effects of fragmentation weigh not only on the center city but also on the metropolitan area as a whole. The fortunes of the central city and its suburbs are interlocked."

Birmingham has options that don't involve combining schools or municipalities.

The study looked at other cities who have overcome their segmentation by implementing changes in government structure.

We now have an opportunity to review those options and evaluate what might be best for Birmingham.

Please review the report--at least the executive summary.

Spread the word about the research. Talk with others and consider the possibilities.

Many people I talk with agree that Birmingham's segmentation is a problem, but they think it's impossible to change.

Negative predictions about Birmingham have been wrong

Some folks predicted our Summit Shopping Center would fail.

Others wailed that Railroad Park would fail.

Naysayers predicted Region Field would fail.

Now some of the same folks are certain our efforts towards regionalism will fail.

We are proving the Birmingham doubters wrong every day.

I challenge Birmingham

I challenge Birmingham to keep our progress moving forward.

The future of our community and our children depend on it.

Don't believe me? Watch this 3 minute video...

Birmingham's fragmentation Visitors to Birmingham's thriving bars and downtown eateries probably think the city is doing just fine. Here's why that may not be the case. Posted by Reckon by AL.com on Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Jeffrey A. Bayer, President and CEO of Bayer Properties, has fostered his organization into a national commercial real estate leader. Jeffrey's a Birmingham native and an uncompromising Birmingham supporter.
Speaking of persistence: Sentenced in 1983, on her 29th birthday, to the seven-year maximum term for anti-Soviet agitation and propaganda, Ms. Ratushinskaya composed some 250 poems in prison, many drafted with burned matchsticks on bars of soap. She memorized them and smuggled them on cigarette paper through her husband to the West, where they were published, and where human rights groups indefatigably lobbied for her release.
New Delhi: The Oil Ministry has intensified monitoring of oil and gas fields of state-owned firms like ONGC to avoid slippages in domestic output derailing the target of cutting import reliance by 10 per cent by 2022.

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) in the last few weeks has issued specific directives to Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) to submit daily field-wise production report as well as periodic reservoir management reports, the orders said.

In March 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for cutting India's dependence on imports to meet oil needs by 10 per cent by 2022, from 77 per cent then.

However, India's import dependence has since only risen to 81 per cent. While output as well as investments by private firms have all but dried up, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan sees raising production from fields given to state-run firms on nomination basis, or without bidding, as key to achieving the target.

On May 25, the ministry offered all-powerful review committees headed by its upstream technical arm DGH, to monitor performance of ONGC and Oil India, and having powers to relinquish any oil and gas field for auctioning to private firms.

The panels will review from annual work programme and budget to declaration of a discovery as commercial as also reservoir and production performance, monitoring of development activities and collaborations with other explorers.

"The advice/decision of the Review Committee shall be implemented forthwith by the NOC (national oil company) concerned and the progress of implementation shall be reported to the Review Committee through DGH at its next meeting," the order issued by Atanu Chakraborty, Director General, DGH, said.

DGH followed it up with a June 21 order asking NOCs to submit "at the end of each day, data relating to Daily Production for each field" as well as on second day of every month "the provisional Production Data for the preceding month" and "the Reconciled Monthly Production Data for each month on or before the tenth day of the following month."

In a July 11 order, it asked the NOCs to reservoir production and performance data on a half-yearly basis and in-place reserves in each of the fields on a yearly basis.

Besides seeking all technical data on reservoir performance, it asked NOCs to immediately notify any discovery and detailed timelines for subsequent processes like declaring a find commercially viable and submission of a field development plan.

"If the NOC declares the discovery a commercial discovery, then within 200 days (for oil) and 365 days (for gas), the NOC shall submit to DGH for the purpose of review and advice by the Review Committee, a comprehensive Field Development Plan (FDP)/Feasibility Report (FR)," the July 11 order said.

For previous discoveries, it wanted a quarterly status report. ONGC produced 86 per cent of its 26.13 million tonnes of crude oil in 2016-17 fiscal from fields given to it on nomination basis.

Natural gas production from nomination fields accounted for 93 per cent of the total output of 25.34 billion cubic meters. Pradhan had at an industry event last month stated that oil recovery from reservoirs internationally is 35-40 per cent and that for gas is 55-70 per cent.

"In India, the current recovery factors of ONGC and Oil India for crude oil are as low as 27 per cent and 23 per cent. In case of natural gas, it is 54 per cent and 43 per cent for ONGC and Oil India, respectively," he had said.
Intelligence reports available with Army suggest that there are 100 to 120 militants in the Valley.

Some people indulged in stone-pelting and tried to march towards the encounter scene to help the militants escape. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)

Srinagar: Three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants were killed in a firefight with the security forces in Tral area of Jammu and Kashmirs southern Pulwama district on Saturday.

In a separate incident, a CRPF jawan was injured when militants tossed a hand grenade at a security force patrol in Kulgam district, also in south Kashmir, during the day, officials said.

They said the Armys 42 Rashtriya Rifles with the J&K Polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) and the CRPFs 180th battalion laid siege to Trals Satura area early Saturday following information about the presence of militants. The terrorists were hiding in the hills of Tral, and during the search operation took position behind rocks, and one of them inside a natural cave, said an Army official.

The Army pressed helicopters into service to maintain surveillance on the militants movement and drop para-commandos in the difficult terrain to take on the terrorists.

A senior police officer said over the phone from Tral, The operation was started at around 7.15am. The contact with the terrorists was established at 8am. The firing has stopped with the killing of three terrorists but the moping operation is still on.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. S. Sandhu, the GOC of Srinagar-based 15 Army (Chinar) Corps, said on Saturday that the operations against the militants in his area of operation (Kashmir Valley) will continue. He said though the situation is under control, the Army along with other security forces will work harder to improve it further in coming weeks.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a passing out parade of the newly inducted soldiers, he said that the youth of the Kashmir Valley are ready to serve the nation as was evident from the response to a recently held recruitment rally. Against just 200 posts, there were more than 5,000 youths who wanted to serve the nation, he said. Intelligence reports available with Army suggest that there are 100 to 120 militants in the Valley.

When his attention was drawn towards a series of videos appearing on social media and showing soldiers abusing and mercilessly beating up Kashmiri youth, he said, Our boys are very professional. However, if anybody is found to be working unprofessionally in the force, action will be taken against him.

Asked about a recent incident of a soldier deserting his unit, he said, We have still no information if the soldier Zahoor Ahmad Thokar who decamped with a weapon and magazines from Baramulla, has joined any militant group.
Swaraj briefed family members of the abducted men, who are mostly from Punjab, about information gathered by VK Singh who was sent to Iraq.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj (centre) met family members of 39 Indian men missing in Iraq since June 2014 in Delhi on Sunday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: 39 Indians abducted in Iraq by the ISIS three years ago may be lodged in a jail in Badush in northwest Mosul, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday, and added that her Iraqi counterpart may bring fresh information about them when he visits India on July 24.

Swaraj briefed family members of the abducted men, who are mostly from Punjab, about information gathered by the Minister of State for External Affairs, VK Singh, who was sent to the Gulf nation after its Prime Minister announced the liberation of Mosul from the dreaded terror group ISIS.

Swaraj said an authoritative official quoting intelligence sources told Singh, the Indians were deployed at a hospital construction site and then shifted to a farm. They were then taken to a jail in Badush in West Mosul, where fighting between the ISIS and Iraqi forces is on.

Ministers of state Singh and MJ Akbar and senior ministry officials were also present at the meeting with the family members.

She said Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari is scheduled to visit India on July 24 and may bring updated information about the missing men.

"East Mosul has been completely freed from ISIS and now buildings are being sanitised and authorities are not allowing civilians to go there as there may be bombs and other explosives," she said.

In West Mosul, fighting is still carrying on, she said.

"An official who quoted intelligence sources told Gen Singh that they were deployed for a hospital construction and then in a farm. From there, they were sent to a jail in Badush. There has been no information since then," Swaraj told said.

There would be fresh information once the fighting in Badush was over, she added.

Swaraj said she had spoken to foreign ministers of all the countries in the region which could help India in locating the men.

The external affairs minister had written a letter to her Iraqi counterpart and it was handed over to him in Baghdad by Singh. Singh returned from Iraq on Saturday. She said if required, Singh would again travel to Iraq.

"We called family members of all those who were abducted in Iraq. I had already met them 10 or 12 times, but this time the situation was different as the Iraqi prime minister had declared that Mosul had been freed from ISIS. That very day I asked VK Singh to go to Iraq and collect details about the Indians," Swaraj said.

The Indians were abducted by the ISIS in Mosul in June 2014.
Mehbooba Mufti meets Rajnath Singh, discusses Amarnath, law and order.

Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti meeting the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI/File)

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday blamed the on-going crisis and violence in the state on external forces, naming not just Pakistan, but also China.

Kashmir issue is not a law and order problem. It is happening because of external forces. The ongoing fight is a handiwork of external forces and now unfortunately China is also trying to meddle into it, Ms Mufti told mediapersons after meeting Union home minister Rajnath Singh.

Her mention of China seemed to refer to the stand-off between the two countries over Doklam in Sikkim sector, and not specifically to Kashmir.

Kashmir mein hum law and order ki ladaai nahi ladd rahe. Jab tak pura mulk, political parties saath nahi dega, tab tak ye jang nahi jeet sakte (The war we are fighting in Kashmir isnt that of law and order. We cant win this war unless different political parties and the entire country supports us), she added.

Ms Mufti met Mr Singh in Delhi to discuss the law and order situation in the state and security for Amarnath pilgrims.

During the meeting, that lasted nearly an hour, the chief minister briefed the home minister about the steps taken to maintain peace in the Kashmir Valley, and ensure the security of Amarnath pilgrims, sources said.

It was after the meeting that she accused China of interfering in the states security situation.

Speaking about the attack on Amarnath pilgrims, she said, The attack was designed to create communal tension in the country. But I am grateful that the entire country, political parties and the Central government, especially the home minister, helped us in overcoming the tragedy.

Seven pilgrims were killed and 19 injured when a bus carrying Amarnath yatris was attacked by terrorists in Anantnag district on Monday.

Security agencies engaged in anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir have been told to implement security plans with full vigour, sources said.

So far, more than 1.86 lakh pilgrims have visited the high altitude Himalayan shrine. As many as 21,000 paramilitary personnel in addition to state police forces and two battalions of Army have been deployed for security of the pilgrimage routes. The number of paramilitary personnel deployed this year is 9,500 more than last year.

Four districts in the state  Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag  have been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8, 2016.

The unrest resumed since the April 9 bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat. Ms Mufti said the Jammu & Kashmir government had requested the Centre for ensuring that Article 370 should not get diluted as it is an emotional issue for the people of the state. I am happy that the President in his order has reiterated that special status granted to the state would not be diluted, she added.
A recording of the Assembly proceedings has also been sought from Doordarshan, an official said.

NIA team outside Uttar Pradesh assembly in Lucknow on Friday after PETN explosives were found on the premises. (Photo: PTI)

Lucknow: Investigators are preparing to question about seven Samajwadi Party legislators whose seats in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly are close the one from where explosive substance PETN was recovered on Wednesday.

A police officer said the PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) explosive will undergo one more forensic test at Central Forensic Laboratory. A mock security drill was also conducted in the Vidhan Bhawan on Saturday, he said.

An ATS officer said that Unchahar MLA Manoj Pandey, under whose seat cushion the explosive was found, will also be interrogated, along with six other Samajwadi Party legislators, by NIA and ATS teams.

We are going to screen the CCTV footage of that day and legislators sitting close to Mr Pandeys seat will be called for questioning, he said.

We will be asking them if they saw any suspicious movement in Vidhan Sabha, he said.

The ATS has also started recording statements of Assembly employees. On Friday night, the ATS prepared a sketch of the Opposition benches and sought CCTV footage of all entry points.

A recording of the Assembly proceedings has also been sought from Doordarshan, an official said.

Principal secretary of Vidhan Sabha Pradeep Dubey said that a formal letter seeking NIA probe into the case had been sent to the Centre.
All key political parties in Bihar had called meetings on Sunday and reviewed the current political scenario.

Patna: The suspense in Bihars politics is likely to end only after the presidential election. Party leaders hinted the next 72 hours could be crucial as chief minister Nitish Kumar could take a harsh line after voting is over in the presidential election on Monday.

JD(U) insiders believe Mr Kumar cannot afford to compromise with his clean image in the context of the corruption charges against RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members, particularly deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, which is believed to have also damaged the good governance reputation of the chief minister.

The USP of Nitish Kumar is his clean image and we believe he will take a final decision on the issue soon, senior JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak said here on Sunday.

All key political parties in Bihar had called meetings on Sunday and reviewed the current political scenario. However, JD(U) state chief Basisth Narayan Singh denied discussing the Tejashwi Yadav issue and said that the party only discussed issues related to the presidential election.

State Congress chief Ashok Chaudhary was also seen holding a series of separate talks with Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav. Other senior leaders from within the Grand Secular Alliance have also started coming forward to mediate between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav, but sources told this newspaper they have not succeeded in their attempts as Nitish Kumar is not ready to compromise and wants Tejashwi Yadav to resign.

Mr Kumar had said at a meeting last week that he wanted a public clarification by top RJD leaders over the allegations and also indicated that he expected Tejashwi Yadav to resign from his Cabinet post. The rift in the alliance deepened when Mr Lalu Yadav had rejected Mr Kumars demand and said: Tejashwi Yadav will not step down from the post under any circumstances.

Sources, however, said efforts were still being made to find a middle path to end the ongoing political turmoil in Bihar and save the Grand Secular Alliance government.

Observers said that the question here is that who among the two will blink first, and in the current scenario it seems that Lalu Yadav will take a final call on the issue to save the alliance in Bihar.

They said a formula which is likely to be worked out between the two parties is that Lalu Yadav will ask all RJD ministers to resign and give outside support to the JD(U) and the Congress to save the alliance.

On the other hand, the BJP on Sunday also supported Mr Kumars stand that deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav must furnish a detailed public explanation of all the corruption charges against him. He, however, told reporters in Patna: The BJP doesnt believe in breaking the alliance government. The parliamentary board is keeping a close watch and will decide on the issue depending on the situation.
The girl has sent a notice to the director of IIT through her lawyer in this regard.

The girl has alleged that the professor was mentally torturing her after she got married in 2012. (Representational image)

Bhubaneswar: A Ph.D. student on Saturday levelled sexual harassment charges against a senior professor of Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubanewar (IIT-Bhubaneswar).

The girl, a native of West Bengal, has alleged that the professor was mentally torturing her after she got married in 2012 to her friend, who is also a Ph.D. student in the same institute.

The girl has sent a notice to the director of IIT through her lawyer in this regard. She has also written to Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking their interventions to give her justice.

Deputy secretary of the Odisha skill development and technical education department P.K. Sarangi has sought an immediate report from the IIT director in connection with the case.

I have been a victim of sexual harassment since 2012. The professor always tried to separate me from my husband. This has pushed my husband to serious mental trauma. Because of the professors torture, my husband suffered from brain haemorrhage, said the girl who is now staying in Bengaluru.

Earlier, the girl had approached the IIT authority. Debaraj Rath, registrar of the IIT-Bhubaneswar, said the Internal Complaints Committee, constituted to look into the sexual harassment, found the allegation had no basis and absolved the professor of all charges.

The ICC found no basis in the allegation of sexual harassment. Unsatisfied with the report of the ICC, the complainant went to Odisha State Human Rights Commission and National Human Rights Commission. We have provided all reports and information to those institutions, said Mr Rath.

M Pratap, the girls lawyer, said his client would file a petition in the Odisha high court if she was not given any justice by the IIT-Bhubaneswar authorities.
Khan has not been attending the ongoing Budget Aession of the state Assembly and has remained in his constituency in Rampur.

Lucknow: Senior SP leader Mohd Azam Khan said on Saturday that he had not placed the explosive material PETN inside the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

Talking to reporters in Rampur, he said, I did not place the explosive under the seat.

Mr Khan has not been attending the ongoing Budget Aession of the state Assembly and has remained in his constituency in Rampur.

I am clarifying this before anyone starts making insinuations. My son Abdullah Azam (MLA form Swar Tanda Assembly seat) has been attending the Assembly

session but he has not planted the explosive either, he said.

Mr Khan, sources said, has stayed away from the UP Assembly session, mainly beca-use he is upset with the Samajwadi leadership.

Firstly, he was sidelined in the appointment of the Leader of Opposition. Then the Yogi government has been targeting him over his Maulana Jauhar University and the party leadership has not even defended him or supported him. He is naturally upset over these developments, said a MLA close to Mr Khan.

Mr Khan had played a mediator between Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav when the war between the father and son had reached its peak.
Lalu Prasad Yadav has refused to make his son step down, insisting that the case is an outcome of the BJPs vendetta politics.

New Delhi: With Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar keeping up pressure on Lalu Prasad Yadav for the resignation of his son and state deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, deep fissures have appeared within the JD(U) as well as alliance partner Congress.

A section in both parties wants to expose Mr Kumars double game, while another is keen on keeping the JD(U) chief in good humour in order to keep the Mahagathbandhan alive. Senior JD(U) leader and the partys Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Yadav is leading the charge against Mr Kumar. Opposed to aligning with the BJP in any manner, he has indicated that in case his party chief decides to go with the saffron party, he would quit.

On Saturday, he met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in Delhi. According to agency reports, the two leaders discussed the prevailing political situation in the state during the near 40-minute-long meeting at her residence.

The chief minister has made it clear to the RJD that there is no alternative to either convincing the public about Tejashwi Yadavs innocence or him exiting the government. The deputy chief minister has been named by the CBI as an accused in its probe into the land-for-hotels scam case.

Lalu Prasad Yadav has refused to make his son step down, insisting that the case is an outcome of the BJPs vendetta politics.

Mr Kumar, who harbours prime ministerial ambitions despite his recent denials, has been giving mixed signals by his actions. While he supported NDAs presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, he chose to back the Oppositions vice-presidential candidate, Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

Sources told this newspaper that a sizeable number of leaders in the JD(U) say that aligning with the BJP would be suicidal for the party. They want to stick with the grand alliance by backing the beleaguered RJD chief.

This section says that Lalu Prasad Yadav and his party have the backing of the crucial 30 per cent Muslim-Yadav votebank which the JD(U) cannot ignore. The BJP, on the other hand, has its eyes on the formidable maha dalit votebank which is nearly 50 per cent and is the core of the JD(U)s support base.

Similar differences have emerged within the Congress as well, with a section wanting to side with the Yadavs while the other, led by Bihar PCC chief Ashok Choudhary, is in favour of keeping Mr Kumar in good humour.

Highly placed sources in the Congress said that it was the Bihar unit which had arranged for Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi to call Mr Kumar and ensure his support for Mr Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

A senior Congress leader said that the mood in the party was to expose Mr Kumar and tarnish his image. He is very image conscious. Only by targeting his secular or otherwise image, can we keep this alliance intact, he said.

JD(U) sources said that Mr Sharad Yadav is so miffed with his party president that he has indicated that in case Mr Kumar veers towards the BJP, he would quit.

Meanwhile, plans are afoot that in case Tejashwi Yadav is forced to quit, all other RJD ministers will also resign and the party will support the government from outside.

This will pre-empt any attempt by the BJP to provide outside support to the Mr Kumar led government as well as keep the alliance afloat, sources said.

Mr Kumar and Mr Yadav have called meetings of their partys lawmakers in Patna on Sunday, separately, to prep their lawmakers for Mondays presidential polls. The two leaders are also expected to discuss the ongoing rift in the Bihars ruling coalition.
Two gold bangles and Rs 28,000, that were stolen from the victim's house, have been recovered from them.

The duo had gone to the woman's house to rob her and had fled with jewellery and some cash. (Photo: File/PTI)

New Delhi: Two persons were arrested on Sunday for allegedly stabbing to death a 52-year-old woman in the east Delhi's Shakarpur area, police said.

The duo had gone to the woman's house to rob her and had fled with jewellery and some cash, they said.

Two gold bangles and Rs 28,000, that were stolen from the victim's house, have been recovered from them, police said.

Sangeeta Bansal was found dead in her apartment with stab injuries on her neck and abdomen on Saturday.

They duo has been identified as Rakesh and Mukesh.

During interrogation, they said they had taken a loan of Rs 50,000 from the woman and could not pay it back. They had also kept some jewellery with her as a security which she had refused to return until they paid her the money, police said.

On Saturday, they had gone to Bansal's house to "settle the matter once and for all" and had carried the knife along with them to threaten the victim. When Bansal refused to entertain their threats, they stabbed her to death.

Police said when they entered the house, Bansal was talking to a relative over the phone and had told them to wait. However, they insisted that she disconnect the call and speak to them.

Bansal had left her phone on the call mode with the relative, on the table when the two got into an argument with her. The relative, on the other end of the phone, heard their names several times, before they killed Bansal.

The victim's sister-in-law Lalita, who stays on the ground floor, had also seen the two men leaving the house after the incident, following which she contacted the police.
One has also to look the India-China relationship against a wider canvas.

While New Delhi has asked Beijing to restore the position as it was prior to June 15, 2017, China wants India to withdraw troops from the Doklam area. (Photo: PTI/File)

Judging by the invectives and humiliation heaped on India, the state-run Chinese media is signifying that Beijing is displeased with New Delhi. For nearly a month there has been a standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction after India stopped China from building a road deep into Bhutanese territory (according to Indian and Bhutanese calculations). While New Delhi has asked Beijing to restore the position as it was prior to June 15, 2017, China wants India to withdraw troops from the Doklam area.

The crucial point to determine is, despite the decibel level of Chinese anger honed by years of Mao Zedong-style indoctrination, the cause of Beijings fulmination. There are several strands to it, among them Beijings response to its ambitious One-Belt-One-Road (OBOR) initiative, snubbed by New Delhi for the good reason that it is built on a route through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. There are wider reasons for Indian scepticism as Beijing is proclaiming it is a superpower that can disregard Indian interests as it takes its place at the high table for two (the other being the United States).

China is also expressing its opposition to Indias closer defence and strategic relationship with the US (inevitable given New Delhis troubled relations with two neighbours)  witness the joint maritime exercises with the US and Japan in the Bay of Bengal. Another factor is Beijings increasingly close links with Pakistan, a key link in the OBOR concept, becoming in effect a Chinese colony with massive road and port works and injection of thousands of Chinese workers, particularly in the troubled Waziristan area.

The Chinese moves come at a propitious time for it, with US President Donald Trump upholding his America First policy, and the anti-Chinese rhetoric of the campaign days giving way to his references to President Xi Jinping in reverential terms. Apart from Japan at one end and Australia at the other, with Vietnam standing out as a sore thumb, Southeast Asia has largely fallen under the sway of China for economic and political reasons. India stands in the way of Chinese dreams.

These factors present a complex problem for India because on one hand it must try to maintain relations on a civil course while on the other safeguard its interests. New Delhi has made it amply clear that Chinas forward movement in Doklam would adversely affect safeguarding the Chickens Neck area that links the Northeast to the rest of the country.

There is also the close Indian historical relationship with Bhutan, which has no diplomatic relations with China, although the wife of the Chinese ambassador in New Delhi reportedly recently made a visit to Thimphu, apart from the super-active ambassador himself recently calling on Rahul Gandhi, to the Congress Partys acute embarrassment. Given Bhutans delicate position, it can only hope and pray that its two major neighbours would ultimately resolve the tri-junction problem primarily affecting its territory amicably.

There are no early prospects of a thaw in Sino-Indian relations. Indias national security adviser Ajit Doval is due to attend a multilateral Brics meeting in China soon, with one Chinese expert (traditionally used as unofficial spokesmen) suggesting that there would be no official-level bilateral talks, with severe weather forcing the two sides to withdraw from their present positions on Doklam. The withdrawal of Indian troops is a Chinese condition for holding talks.

Although New Delhi is largely holding its tongue. Chinas effort to incite Indian passions by reminding it of the disastrous brief border war in 1962 is of a piece with its attempt to intimidate and humiliate India. China knows that without New Delhis cooperation, its OBOR ambition cannot be fully realised. It has still to discover that its propaganda offensive honed by years of revolution and chaos will have a contrary effect on Indian psychology.

New Delhi has no option but to plod on in the hope that sooner than later Beijing will realise that though it can browbeat its smaller neighbours in Asia and now on the African continent, these bullying tactics are unproductive. China is quite happy to leave the larger border question with India unresolved in the belief that a future stronger nation could strike a more advantageous deal.

One has also to look the India-China relationship against a wider canvas. The world is living in a very uncertain age, with President Trumps accession to power posing a host of questions relating to the entire post-World War II superstructure built on the US providing protection to its allies in Europe and elsewhere. For a time, he cast doubt on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and other alliances even as he has been gradually brought to a grumbling acceptance of reality.

Western Europe for one has taken note of the change in Washington, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel famously suggesting that Europe had to take care of protecting its own security. Although Mr Trump is obsessed with North Koreas nuclear capabilities in terms of threatening mainland America in the future, he has few options and is still pleading with China for help. On the other hand, Beijing has its own interests to safeguard in North Korea.

President Xi has his own domestic problems and is in the process of consolidating his own powers at the forthcoming next Communist Party meeting, held once in five years. Reports suggest that he is looking beyond the next five years  the traditional two terms for a leader  and might disregard the age rule for senior rulers to retain his loyal supporters in the politburo.

As a modernising middle-level country, President Xi has new problems to contend with in a technological age while keeping a lid on dissent. The death of Nobel Peace Prize activist Liu Xiaobo from cancer even as he was removed from jail to a hospital while serving his 11-year sentence for speaking out for freedom was a reminder to the world of how the country aspiring for superpower status really works as a one-party dictatorship.
A report, published by the UN Mission in South Sudan, said that the peacekeepers responded by firing warning shots into the air.

A report, published by the UN Mission in South Sudan, said that the peacekeepers responded by firing warning shots into the air. (Photo: AFP/Representational)

Juba (Sudan): The Indian peacekeeping forces serving in Pibor, have rescued more than a dozen humanitarian workers who came under heavy fire from unknown gunmen. They were alerted about the gunmen in the early hours of Thursday.

"When they arrived at the compound, about three kilometres from the UN base, there was a flurry of about 150 shots fired by the attackers using automatic weapons," said the mission in a statement issued in Juba.

The report, published by the UN Mission in South Sudan, said that the peacekeepers responded by firing warning shots into the air which caused the attackers too flee, with nearly forty people involved in the incident.

Read: 2 Indian peacekeepers honoured posthumously with UN medal

"The humanitarian workers were successfully evacuated from the compound and they were unharmed as sporadic gunfire continued. They were taken back to the UNMISS base for medical checks and support," UNMISS said.

The UN mission said the Indian battalion was alerted to an attempt to infiltrate another humanitarian compound nearby as the incident unfolded.

"They quickly responded by sending a team of peacekeepers, who once again, forced the offenders to flee. The peacekeeping contingent sent troops to check on other humanitarian compounds in the area and conducted a patrol of the town later that morning," it said.
Mirzakhani's friend announced her death on Saturday on Instagram, and her relatives confirmed her death to the Mehr agency in Iran.

The Fields Medal, which Maryam Mirzakhani won in 2014, is given out every four years, often to multiple winners aged 40 or younger. (Photo: AFP)

Washington: Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iran-born mathematician who was the first woman to win the coveted Fields Medal, has died in a US hospital after a battle with cancer. She was 40.

Mirzakhani's friend Firouz Naderi announced her death on Saturday on Instagram, and her relatives confirmed the death to the Mehr agency in Iran.

"A light was turned off today. It breaks my heart ..... gone far too soon," wrote Naderi, a former director of Solar Systems Exploration at NASA.

"A genius? Yes. But also a daughter, a mother and a wife," he added in a subsequent post.

Mirzakhani, a professor at Stanford University in California, died after the cancer she had been battling for four years spread to her bone marrow, Iranian media said.

In 2014 Mirzakhani won the Fields Medal, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Mathematics, which is awarded by the International Congress of Mathematicians.

The award recognized her sophisticated and highly original contributions to the fields of geometry and dynamical systems, particularly in understanding the symmetry of curved surfaces such as spheres.

Born in 1977 and raised in Tehran, Mirzakhani initially dreamed of becoming a writer, but by the time she started high school her affinity for solving mathematical problems and working on proofs had shifted her sights.

"It is fun -- it's like solving a puzzle or connecting the dots in a detective case," she said when she won the Fields Medal.

"I felt that this was something I could do, and I wanted to pursue this path."

Mirzakhani said she enjoyed pure mathematics because of the elegance and longevity of the questions she studies.

"It is like being lost in a jungle and trying to use all the knowledge that you can gather to come up with some new tricks, and with some luck you might find a way out," she added.

In 2008 she became a professor of mathematics at Stanford. She is survived by her husband and young daughter.

Great sorrow

In Iran, President Hassan Rouhani said that Mirzakhani's "doleful passing" has caused "great sorrow," state media reported.

Rouhani praised the "unprecedented brilliance of this creative scientist and modest human being, who made Iran's name resonate in the world's scientific forums, (and) was a turning point in showing the great will of Iranian women and young people on the path towards reaching the peaks of glory...in various international arenas."

Separately on Instagram, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Mirzakhani's death is a cause for grief for all Iranians.

Mirzakhani became known on the international mathematics scene as a teenager, winning gold medals at both the 1994 and 1995 International Math Olympiads- and finished with a perfect score in the latter competition.

She went on to win the 2009 Blumenthal Award for the Advancement of Research in Pure Mathematics, and the 2013 Satter Prize of the American Mathematical Society.

Mirzakhani studied mathematics in Iran and earned a PhD degree from Harvard in 2004. She then taught at Princeton University before moving to Stanford in 2008.

The Fields Medal, which she won in 2014, is given out every four years, often to multiple winners aged 40 or younger.
The Japan Coast Guard asked the ships to leave the waters, though it did not clarify whether it considered their presence an intrusion.

The Japanese Coast Guard said this is the first confirmed entry by Chinese government vessels into the area. (Photo: AP)

Tokyo: Two Chinese coastguard ships entered Japanese waters on Saturday and sailed for more than one hour near Okinoshima Island and Tsushima Island off the southwestern main island of Kyushu.

The Japanese Coast Guard said this is the first confirmed entry by Chinese government vessels into the area.

The Japan Coast Guard asked the ships to leave the territorial waters, though it did not clarify whether it considered their presence an intrusion.

Read: 'Get used to it', says China as it flies warplanes over Japanese islands

According to the coastguard, it was notified by the Defence Ministry that one Chinese coastguard ship entered territorial waters near the southern tip of Tsushima Island around 11.50 am Japan time. The ship left the waters around 12.20 p.m. after the coastguard called on the ship to leave by radio.

Tsushima Island is located about half way between the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula and the northwest coast of Kyushu, Japan's westernmost main island.

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, vessels of every country have the right to sail through territorial seas as long as they do not harm the safety of the countries concerned.

Read: Japan's NSA urges China to do more to control North Korea's actions

But the coastguard confirmed this ship and another Chinese vessel entered waters some 19 km north of Okinoshima Island around 3.50 p.m. The two exited the waters soon after 5 p.m., the coastguard said, Japan Times reported.

Tensions have been high over the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, which China calls Diaoyu islands and the incidents of face-off between Chinese and Japanese ships are quite often. Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea are a group of uninhabited islets controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing.
The police suspect Singh stabbed Sheikh and then tried to hang himself.

Dhaka: A 25-year-old medical student from India was allegedly stabbed to death by his compatriot who then tried to commit suicide at their flat in Bangladeshs northeastern port city of Chittagong, the police said on Saturday.

Ateef Sheikh died after being stabbed by Winson Maisnam Singh, 23, on their fourth floor flat of the six-storey building in Akbar Shah area last night, the police said.

Sheikh, a final year student of the private University of Science and Technology Chittagong, was rushed to USTC hospital and later to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Singh was rescued by other roommates when he tried to hang himself.

The police suspect Singh stabbed Sheikh and then tried to hang himself.

Four Indian medical students hired the apartment where one of them killed a fellow student and then attempted suicide, a police officer said.

Other than the duo, two others, including a woman student of the same university, stayed in the building, the police said.

The four students hailed from Manipur, they said, adding that it appeared to be an incident of involuntary murder as a sequel of altercations between Singh and Sheikh.

The police said there were several wounds from a sharp weapon on Sheikhs body. Singh was being treated at the facility but his condition was critical, CMCH doctors said.
Erdogan said a decision would be made on Monday over whether to recommend extending the emergency by another three months.

In an intense programme aiming to hammer home the anniversary's importance, Erdogan attended a special session of parliament in Ankara. (Photo: File)

Ankara: Turkey on Saturday marked one year since the defeat of the failed coup bid with mass nationwide rallies seeking to showcase national unity and a stern warning by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to "chop off the heads" of traitors.

The authorities declared July 15 an annual national holiday of "democracy and unity", billing the foiling of the putsch as a historic victory of Turkish democracy.

In an intense programme aiming to hammer home the anniversary's importance, Erdogan attended a special session of parliament in Ankara, spoke to a mass rally in Istanbul and then flew back to the capital for a rally outside parliament in the early hours of the morning.

Speaking to hundreds of thousands by the bridge across the Bosphorus in Istanbul that was a fighting flashpoint, Erdogan warned that Turkey could reintroduce capital punishment.

"First of all we will chop off the heads of those traitors," Erdogan said, reaffirming he would sign any passed by parliament bill on resuming executions.

Any move to restore capital punishment which Turkey abolished in 2004 would effectively end Ankara's European Union membership ambitions. Erdogan also said the suspects being tried over the failed coup should wear uniform clothing like the notorious orange jumpsuits used at US military prison at Guantanamo Bay.

"When they appear in court, let's make them appear in uniform suits like in Guantanamo," Erdogan said to cheers. Supporters chanted "we are soldiers of Tayyip (Erdogan)", with some even brandishing nooses in a symbol of their support for the death penalty.

In the later speech to thousands outside parliament in Ankara which was bombed by warplanes that night, Erdogan declaimed "our nation showed the whole world what a nation we are on July 15."

Two hundred and forty nine people, not including the plotters, were killed when a disgruntled faction of the army sent tanks into the streets and war planes into the sky in a bid to overthrow Erdogan after one-and-a-half decades in power.

But they were thwarted within hours as the authorities regrouped and people poured into the streets in support of Erdogan, who blamed followers of his ally-turned-nemesis, the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen. "Did my citizens have weapons? They had their flags like today but they had a more efficient weapon: their faith," Erdogan said in Istanbul.

Murat, an Erdogan supporter at the Ankara rally, said: "If that happened once more, I would stay out again. That night, it was like a war. We take ownership of this country and this people."

In the wake of the failed coup bid, authorities embarked on the biggest purge in Turkey's history, arresting 50,000 people and sacking almost three times as many. Erdogan also shored up his position by winning a referendum on enhancing his powers earlier this year.

In the latest dismissals, another 7,563 police, soldiers and other state employees were fired late Friday under the state of emergency that has been in place since July 20 last year.

Erdogan said a decision would be made on Monday over whether to recommend extending the emergency by another three months.

Turkey's opposition had put political disputes aside on the night of the putsch but the scale of the purge has intensified political divisions.

The celebrations come less than a week after the head of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu held the largest opposition rally in Turkey in years, pushing for "justice" in a move that irked Erdogan.

"Over the last year, the judicial proceedings moved outside the framework of the law," Kilicdaroglu told the special session of parliament. He also called for full clarity over what happened on the night of July 15, with questions still remaining over when the authorities first found out an uprising was afoot.

But Erdogan angrily slammed as an "immorality" opposition claims of a "controlled coup" which the authorities had known about in advance and then taken advantage of.

Gulen has always denied involvement and in a new statement Friday said the accusations were "baseless, politically motivated slanders" and slammed a "witch hunt" of Erdogan's critics.

The scale of Saturday's nationwide commemorations is aimed at etching July 15, 2016 into the minds of Turks as a key date in the history of the modern state.

Giant posters designed by the presidency have sprung up across billboards in Istanbul and Ankara showing gaudy paintings that portray the key events of the coup night with the slogan "the epic of July 15".

Illuminated anti-coup slogans were hung between the minarets of some of Istanbul's greatest Ottoman mosques.

Meanwhile mobile phone users in Turkey were surprised to hear a voice message by Erdogan himself when placing a call, congratulating them on the defeat of the coup.
France is seeking to mediate in the Qatar crisis. Drian also visited Qatar said such punitive measures should end.

Riyadh: France and Saudi Arabia have pledged to combat terrorism.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, in a bilateral meeting, agreed to take collective efforts to counter terrorism and extremism and stop terror financing, reports Al- Arabia.

They also discussed bilateral relations, aspects of cooperation and ways to promote them.

Le Drian commended Saudi Arabia's leadership in the fight against terrorism at a joint press conference with Saudi FM Jubeir in Jeddah.

Jubeir said he has assured the French foreign minister of the kingdom's "refusal to finance and support terrorism," also stating that they will provide France with a full file of the abuses committed by Qatar.

France is seeking to mediate in the Qatar crisis. Drian also visited Qatar said such punitive measures should end.

Addressing a press conference in Doha with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Drian said, "France is calling for these measures to be lifted, especially ones that affect the (Qatari) population, specifically measures that impact bi-national families that have been separated."

French Foreign Minister's visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar comes in the backdrop of ongoing Qatar crisis, which began when Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt abruptly cut off diplomatic relations with Qatar in June 2017.

The Saudi-led coalition cited Qatar's alleged support for terrorism as the main reason for their actions, insisting Qatar has violated a 2014 agreement with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Qatar claims that it has assisted the United States in the War on Terror and the ongoing military intervention against Islamic State.

Saudi Arabia's move was welcomed by United States president Donald Trump despite a large US presence at the Al Udeid Air Base, the primary base of US air operations against the Islamic State.
Hamas described the closure of the site - known as the Noble Sanctuary and the Temple Mount - in a statement as a religious war.

Israel made the rare move after three Palestinian assailants opened fire there on Friday, killing two Israeli police officers before being shot dead. (Photo: AP/Representational)

Gaza City: Gaza's militant Hamas rulers on Saturday called on Palestinians to attack Israeli forces in Jerusalem after a sacred site was closed following a deadly assault there.

Hamas described the closure of the site - known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount - in a statement as a "religious war" and Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum called on the Palestinian "uprising" to target the Israeli army and West Bank settlers.

Israel made the rare move after three Palestinian assailants opened fire there on Friday, killing two Israeli police officers before being shot dead. The attackers were devout Muslim citizens of Israel.

On Saturday, the White House condemned the attack in a strongly-worded statement. "The people of the United States are heartbroken that terrorists brutally gunned down two Israeli police officers," said Press Secretary Sean Spicer. "There must be zero tolerance for terrorism. It is incompatible with achieving peace and we must condemn it in the strongest terms, defeat it, and eradicate it."

Hamas staged a rally celebrating the attack. The Muslim-administered site is revered by both Muslims and Jews. Israel says it won't reopen before Sunday.
Israeli authorities said they had come from the flashpoint holy site which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, to commit the attack.

Border police officers stand guard at the entrance to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City. (Photo: AP)

Jerusalem: Security forces locked down parts of Jerusalems Old City on Saturday and an ultra-sensitive holy site remained closed after an attack that killed two police officers and heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions.

Three Arab Israeli assailants opened fire on Israeli police on Friday in the Old City before fleeing to the nearby Haram al-Sharif, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, where they were shot dead by the police.

Israeli authorities said they had come from the flashpoint holy site, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, to commit the attack.

Israeli authorities took the highly unusual decision to close the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for Friday prayers leading to anger from Muslims and Jordan, the holy sites custodian.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signalled it is to remain closed until at least Sunday, while security was assessed.

He spoke of increasing security at entrances to the holy site when it reopens, likely to be a controversial move.

On Saturday, there was restricted access through Damascus Gate, the main entrance used by Palestinians into Jerusalems Old City, with only residents with identification being allowed to pass.

Around 20 Palestinians waited at police barriers near Damascus Gate to see if they would be let through.

This is not security. This is punishment, said Bader Jweihan, a 53-year-old accountant for a bus company who was trying to get to work but was refused entrance there. They want to punish the Arab Jerusalem citizens, he added.
About 20 militants barged into a grade school compound in Sulu province's Patikul town shortly after midnight Saturday.

Abu Sayyaf gunmen displaying their weapons in the jungles of the Philippines. (Photo: AFP)

Jolo (Philippines): Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen abducted four workers in a school in a southern Philippine province where President Rodrigo Duterte visited troops waging an offensive against the militants, officials said Sunday.

About 20 militants barged into a grade school compound in Sulu province's Patikul town shortly after midnight Saturday and seized six painters and carpenters, one of whom managed to escape and alerted the police. Army troops later rescued another worker.

Duterte pinned medals on wounded troops during brief visit Saturday to Sulu, a predominantly Muslim province about 590 miles (950 kilometers) south of Manila.

The tough-talking president has ordered government forces to destroy the ransom-seeking militants who still hold several foreign and Filipino hostages in Sulu's jungles.

Fourteen inmates, including suspected Abu Sayyaf fighters and drug dealers, meanwhile escaped early Sunday from a jail in a new building that also houses the police headquarters in a government compound in Sulu's main town of Jolo, officials said.

Three of those who escaped were gunned down by police and another was shot and captured. Army troops were helping police track down the rest with the use of military drones and sniffer dogs, a police statement said.

The new kidnappings and jailbreak reflect the diverse security challenges confronting Duterte's administration in the south, where thousands of troops have been separately battling militants aligned with the Islamic State group who laid siege to Marawi city on May 23.

After 55 days of fighting, more than 530 people, including 399 militants and 93 soldiers and police, have died in the violence in the lakeside city, a center of Islamic faith in the southern third of the largely Roman Catholic country.

Troops, backed by airstrikes, are fighting less than 100 remaining militants, who are holding an unspecified number of civilian hostages in four Marawi neighborhoods in an offensive that Duterte said last week was winding down and may end in about 10 to 15 days. He said that the offensive won't stop until the last militant is killed.
The repression campaign that began after the coup d'etat of 15 July 2016 continues. More than 50,000 people have been arrested, 120,000 detained, and 170,000 investigated. The pilot who saved the president on the night of the coup lost his job. The government launched official celebration centred on nationalism and the cult of Erdogan personality.

Istanbul (AsiaNews)  One year after Turkeys failed coup on 14-15 July 2016, when the power President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wavered, the campaign of repression against real or imaginary plotters and supporters continues.

According to Turkeys Justice Ministry, some 50,510 people have been arrested on coup charges, more than 120,000 have been detained, and 169,013 have been the subject of legal proceedings since the failed coup a year ago.

According to data released by the Justice Ministry on Thursday, there are outstanding detention warrants for 8,087 individuals, including 152 military officers, 392 police officers, and 3 governors. Among the arrestees are 169 generals, 7,089 colonels and 24 governors.

A total of 2,431 members of the Turkish judiciary are among those arrested, whilst 265 of them are at large. A total of 4,521 judges and prosecutors were dismissed from their jobs.

No segment of Turkish society has been spared by the repression that followed the coup: journalists, intellectuals, professors, soldiers, government officials, judges, doctors, athletes, business people, and ordinary citizens.

The usually spurious accusations behind the arrests or investigations include membership in Kurdish "terrorist" groups or affiliation with the movement led by Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, currently in exile in Pennsylvania (United States).

According to Erdogan and the Turkish government, the latter masterminded the coup in which 270 people were killed and thousands wounded.

Once an Erdogan ally, the Islamic leader has always denied any responsibility and has called for an international probe to shed light on the coup and the forces that inspired it.

Meanwhile, in recent months, the president  who has called the coup attempt a gift from God  won a referendum making Turkey a presidential republic with a slim majority and under the cloud of electoral fraud. Today he sees himself as the nations strongman.

At least 78 people were detained in an Antalya-based operation against the Gulen movement on Thursday. In fact, they were raising money for the relatives of people who had already been arrested for allegedly membership in the now banned movement. Hundreds of arrest warrants were issued for people in other eight provinces.

According to the Turkeypurge website (which documents arrests and repression in the country), Bars Yurtseven also lost his job. He is the pilot of the plane that saved President Erdogan in the mad night of the failed coup, taking him from Dalaman to Istanbul.

The pilot was fired in February by Turkish Airlines after 20 years of service over alleged links to the Gulen movement, but the story came to light recently when he applied for a job at another airline.

His fault was that he tried to deposit money in a bank that the authorities had recently closed because of suspected of ties to the plotters.

Because he left on the transponder of the presidential plane the night of the coup, allowing its detection, he was thoroughly investigated, but no evidence was found linking him to the Gulen movement.

On Tuesday, Turkish authorities kicked off a week of celebrations to mark the coup, with an opening ceremony and a presidential visit to two figures who lost their lives that night (Sergeant Omer Halisdemir and Erdogans adviser Erol Olcok).

Lectures, exhibitions, and meetings are planned for the week. A special prayer will take place in 81 mosques throughout the country.

President Erdogan will close the week of remembrance with a speech to Parliament. A "vigil for democracy" will be held in Istanbul, followed by a "march for national unity" on the Bosphorus and the inauguration of a monument dedicated to resistance.
"Let us ask ourselves if our heart is open to accept faithfully the seed of the Word of God. Let us ask ourselves if the rocks of idleness are still numerous and big. Let us identify and call by name the brambles of vices. Let us find the courage to clean properly the ground, bringing our rocks and brambles to the Lord in the confession and in prayer.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  During the Angelus before 30,000 people in St Peters Square, Pope Francis said that Jesus "invites us today to look inward: to be thankful for our good soil and work on the ground not yet good," reclaiming the "rocky" and "thorny" soil in which "the idols of worldly riches" do not allow the Word to germinate in us and bear fruit.

The pope took his inspiration from the parable of the sower, (cf. Mt 13:1-2), in todays Gospel, in which Jesus uses a simple language "as well as images that were an example of everyday life so that he could be easily understood by everyone."

"This is why they listened willingly and appreciated his message that went straight to the heart. It was not the complicated language used by the Doctors of the Law of the time, which was not well understood, and was rigid and pushed people away. With this language Jesus made people understand the mystery of the Kingdom of God. It was not a complicated theology."

"Today's Gospel, the pontiff said is the celebrated parable of the sower. Jesus is the sower. Let us note that with this image, he presents himself as one who does not impose, but proposes. He does not draw us by conquering us but by giving himself to us. With patience and generosity, he spreads his Word, which is not a cage or a trap, but a seed that can bear fruit. How? By welcoming him. Therefore, the parable concerns us above all. It speaks of the soil more than of the sower. Jesus performs, so to speak, a 'spiritual x-ray of our heart, which is the ground on which the seed of the Word drops. Our heart, like the soil, can be good and then the Word brings fruit, but it can also be hard, impenetrable. This happens when we hear the Word, but it bounces off us, just like on a road."

"Between the good ground and the road there are however two intermediate grounds that we, in various ways, can have in ourselves. The first is the rocky ground. Let us imagine it: a rocky ground has little soil (see v. 5), so that when the seed germinates, it cannot put deep roots. This is the superficial heart that welcomes the Lord, wants to pray, love and bear witness, but does not persevere, gets tired, and never takes off. This heart has no depth, where the rocks of idleness prevail over the good soil, where love is unsteady and fleeting. Whoever receives the Lord only when he likes it does not bear fruit.

There is then the last ground, the thorny one, full of brambles that suffocate the good plants. What do these brambles represent? The worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit (v. 22), Jesus says. The brambles are the vices that clash with God, that stifle his presence: first of all, the idols of worldly riches, living greedily for oneself, for possession for power. If we nurture these brambles, we choke Gods growth in us. Everyone can recognise his or her big or small brambles, the vices that inhabit our heart, those more or less rooted shrubs that God does not like and prevent us from having a clean heart. We must tear them away; otherwise the Word will not bear fruit."

"Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus invites us today to look inward: to be thankful for our good soil and work on the ground not yet good. Let us ask ourselves if our heart is open to accept faithfully the seed of the Word of God. Let us ask ourselves if the rocks of idleness are still numerous and big. Let us identify and call by name the brambles of vices. Let us find the courage to clean properly the ground, bringing our rocks and brambles to the Lord in confession and in prayer. In doing so, Jesus, as a good sower, will be happy to do extra work: purify our heart by removing the rocks and thorns that stifle His Word. May the Mother of God  whom we remember today with the title of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel, unsurpassed in welcoming the Word of God and putting it into practice (cf. Lk 8:21)  help us purify our hearts and preserve the presence of the Lord."
Hi Kent.



Welcome to Sydney! I was in KL a while back and loved it! I'm from Sydney, so wont comment on Melbourne here. Without knowing your interests, here are a few of my ideas:



You probably already know the main landmarks. Definitely worthwhile to check out Circular Quay, where you have the Opera House, The Rocks (markets on Fri, Sat & Sun are great), Botanical Gardens, Lady Macquarie's Chair, etc. If you are into history, then you have a lot of sights in the city. Check out "Sydney Living Museums". They are not 'boring' type of museums, but interactive and a real piece of Sydney's history. The Observatory, not far from Circuclar Quay is alo a lovely spot and at night you can join a tour and look through their big telescope (if that's your thing).



Aside from the Landmarks, you can check out some of the best beaches in Australia. Most people know Bondi and the Eastern suburbs beaches, which are great. You can also check out the Northern shore beaches, such as Manly (a lot of people like to take the ferry across from Circular Quay, but can get very crowded on weekends) and Balmoral Beach. There are also some great beaches further North, such as Palm Beach, but best to driver there.



My favourite areas to go are the inner-city suburbs. they have the real flavour of Sydney. It's where you can find the best boutique shopping, trendy cafes and restaurants, cool places to have a drink and just a really Sydney-vibe. You can make your own way around, but best to go with a local.



Regarding food, Sydney has a selection of the best food from around the world. Each suburb of Sydney has one or more specialities, e.g.



Italian - The suburbs of Leichardt and Haberfield are the centres of Italian food in Sydney. Leichardt's food and drink scene is largely found around Norton St, stretching from Parramatta Rd to Lilyfield and many authentic Italian restaurants and shops can be found spread throughout Haberfield. One of my favourites is Pasticceria Papa's (145 Ramsay St, 9799 9531). The ricotta cannoli is amazing and their ricotta cheesecake is a must.



Vietnamese - Known as Sydney's 'little Saigon', Cabramatta is home to Australia's largest Vietnamese community and as a result, its streets are lined with traditional Vietnamese eateries, Asian grocers, specialty shops and markets. You'll feel like you've suddenly stepped into Vietnam. Pho An (70-72 John St, Shop 10, 9723 2529) is the local favourite for Pho noodle soup.



Indian - For great Indian food, you can't go wrong with Harris Park. Wigram St is the main drag of restaurants. When you drive down it at night, you'll think that a festival is going on with the sparkling fairy lights and lit up heritage-listed houses. Not Just Curries (66 Wigram St, 9893 8202) is considered one of the best Harris Park for both food and service.



These are just a few examples of what Sydney has to offer. There is also great Korean food in Strathfield, Portuguese in Petersham, Greek and Vietnamese in Marrickville, Turkish in Auburn and of course Chinese in Haymarket/Chinatown.



If you like, you can see Sydney with a local driver and guide. They's take you and your family around Sydney, like a local friend. It's very affordable (from AU$38/hour). Just check out toodooloo.



I hoped that helped. Have a great trip.
When Hollywood latches onto a good thing, it's loath to let it go. Take State Fair. Philip Stong's heartwarming novel about a midwestern family's annual pilgrimage to their state exposition was first adapted for the screen in 1933 and starred Will Rogers and Janet Gaynor. Its unqualified success inspired composers Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein to transform the material into a captivating 1945 musical that featured such catchy, lilting standards as It Might as Well Be Spring, It's a Grand Night for Singing, and the rousing title tune. 20th Century-Fox should have left well enough alone, but 17 years later, the studio couldn't resist recycling the property yet again, and banked on an array of up-and-coming young stars like Pat Boone, Bobby Darin, Pamela Tiffin, and a sexy, red-headed dynamo named Ann-Margret to breathe new life into the antiquated tale. Though by this time Hammerstein had passed away, Rodgers penned a few new songs on his own, and director Jose Ferrer took the production to the California countryside to give it a more authentic feel.

Yet despite these smart updates, it's painfully apparent three times for State Fair is one time too many. Its array of attractive personalities notwithstanding, the 1962 version never gains sufficient steam and - to quote a popular song of the day - "stays too long at the fair." Ferrer's film is pleasant enough, lovely to look at, and chock full of old-fashioned morality, but there's not enough substance to sustain it. Running 20 minutes longer than the 1945 version (for no good reason), the movie feels labored and bloated, as if the creative team is trying to morph this simple, intimate story into a lavish production on a par with some of Rodgers and Hammerstein's splashier musicals. But hard as it tries to be Oklahoma!, State Fair remains mired in that iconic show's elephantine shadow. The action limps along, some of the schtick seems forced, and most of the musical numbers are statically staged, resulting in a bland movie that sadly lacks the zip of the spiked mincemeat matriarch Melissa Frake (Alice Faye) enters in the fair's food competition.

That mincemeat, along with the beloved hog of her husband Abel (Tom Ewell) and son Wayne's dreams of driving his sporty red roadster to victory in the big race, propels the Frake family to travel to the Texas State Fair with high hopes of winning coveted blue ribbons. Once they arrive, though, Wayne (Boone) becomes infatuated with a sexy, somewhat loose showgirl (Ann-Margret), while his naive sister Margy (Tiffin) tries to fight off the advances of local TV reporter - and smooth operator - Jerry Dundee (Darin), who's on the prowl for a casual hook-up. Their patient parents offer evenhanded advice, but will Wayne and Margy make the right decisions? And will Melissa's mincemeat and Abel's ornery pig wow the judges?

Movies like State Fair depend on the likability of their characters and vitality of their musical numbers to overcome their thin plots and maintain audience involvement. Though Boone, Darin, Tiffin, and Ann-Margret are "likable enough" (to borrow a quip Barack Obama made to Hillary Clinton in 2008), the roles they play are devoid of dimension and the songs they sing - with the exception of Ann-Margret's electrifying Never Say No to a Man, which features a provocative dance sequence - often lack pizzazz. Ferrer had previously directed a handful of films (most recently the Peyton Place sequel), but State Fair was his first (and only) musical - and would turn out to be his final directorial effort - and it's obvious from the get-go he really doesn't have a feel for the genre.

This version is certainly sexier than the previous incarnations - Boone's shirtless love scene with a wanton Ann-Margret fairly sizzles - but mild titillation only goes so far and can't quite vanquish the material's overbearing wholesomeness. The actors try their best - it's especially nice to see Alice Faye back in front of the cameras after a 17-year hiatus, and Boone files an earnest, winning portrayal - but sometimes it seems like they're trying too hard. That's certainly true of Ann-Margret, but her undeniable energy masks her rough edges and makes her the film's focal point. She always grabs attention whenever she's on screen, and the movie drags whenever she's not.

If you haven't seen the other versions of State Fair, this one might strike your fancy, but it pales significantly when compared to its older cousins. On its own, it's a sweet, colorful family musical that features several fine tunes and a stellar cast, but it's hardly memorable. The 1945 version is far better, so if you crave a Rodgers and Hammerstein fix, seek that one out first.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

The 1962 version of State Fair arrives on Blu-ray in a limited to 3,000 edition packaged in a standard case. An eight-page booklet featuring an essay by film historian Julie Kirgo, full-color scene stills, and a reproduction of the movie's poster art is tucked inside the front cover. Video codec is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 and default audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu without music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.